We cut through the hype and give the one thing lacking in so many places these days: an honest opinion. We're not going to put something down for the sake of it either. For an honest outlook on music (and other subjects), you're in the right place!
So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
2009 is nearly over, and it has been a fantastic year for everyone at camp Leigh Mary Stokes. We released an EP, did a tour, played some great supports, got national distribution AND a booking agent and quite frankly, deserve some time to eat too much and stick our feet up.
Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
This year has been all about the Mumford, hasn’t it? My top played songs of 2009 are Laura Marling, The Crookes, Cosmo Jarvis, Mumford & Sons, Magic Kids, Eliza Doolittle and The Kabeedies.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I think the only thing i would’ve changed about the last 12 months is that i would of fought a bit harder to keep my job AND go on tour, rather than chuck it in, in the name of FUN!
What are you looking forward to in 2010
I’m looking forward to our March/April tour, festivalling, frollocking and generally enjoying the repercussions of this years hard work.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And Watch this space!!xx
So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
Too quick, maybe thats just me getting older but I swear this year has just dashed by. Brief as it was, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Releasing an album, playing gigs, meeting new people, writing a new album – personally, its been very fulfilling.
Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
I got hooked on the Department of Eagles album ‘In Ear Park’…I’ve listened to that obsessively for the last 5 months. I can’t fault it in any way, it’s intricate without being fiddly, heartfelt without being overly soft. The new Graham Coxon album ‘The Spinning Top’ is also getting repeated plays, particularly the song ‘Brave the Storm’.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I wish I’d kept to my own list of goals for 2009…looking at it now, I’ve missed a couple of big ones. Giving up smoking, getting fit, and growing an acceptable moustache, being the main ones.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Don’t have any regrets about the year just gone…heres to the ever approaching future, where all things are golden and perfectly out of reach.
So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
I had a great 2009 actually, the best 2009 yet! We got to travel a lot and play music for people in new and exciting places, which is truly an honour, and I got to make music with my friends as the greatest part-time job ever.
Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
Lately, I can’t stop listening to Timber Timbre, the Dirty Projectors, really old Beck, Bob Wills, Roger Miller, and a great new Halifax band called Cousins.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I try to live with no regrets and honestly I wouldn’t change much, although there are always a few hiccups along the way we’ve had a good run in the last year.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Support local, live music because it’s going to slowly die if you don’t.
It’s time, once again for us to peruse the best and brightest videos that have popped up in our inbox over the past week or two. Lets start with Ctrl Z giving us a remixing masterclass as they show how they went about adding their own spin to a Freestylers classic. If you have any interest in creating your own tunes with computer programs, this is well worth a watch!
Next, we’ll change tack and lets check out the viedo for Mumford & Sons new video. Winter Winds is a cracking track and the clip isn’t too bad either!
If you’ve kept an eye on our news updates you’ll have read about the soundtrack for the forthcoming Flip skateboard movie. So, we thought it’s be good to have a peek behind the scenes to watch the likes of Lemmy and Snoop Dogg working on their tracks!
Let’s take a minute to mellow out again now. We reviewed Richard Walters’ new single a couple of weeks back, so we thought you might like to check out the promo clip for it too. So, here’s the video for Weather Song.
So, to the last video for this instalment. Irish indie-rockers Black Soul Strangers are beginning to make waves throughout the music press, so we thought it’d be a good idea to give you a heads up on them. Here’s a video interview for you to check out!
If chart friendly urban tunes float your boat then this produce-by-numbers track will leave you smiling. To be fair, Meleka has a pretty good voice, but the song feels like it’s just trying to touch as many bases as possible. Numbers don’t lie though, and Meleka’s myspace is buzzing with visits, so this may well crop up in the top twenty.
MOSCOW DRIVE – Colossal
Hockey Records
Melodic indie rock this may be, but it lacks the jangly guitar of cliché, instead replacing it with some subdued six string work and a bass drum that kicks like a metronome. These guys seem to have made their name the old fashioned way, by building a local fan base, earning support slots with some well known bands and then working hard to raise their profile. ‘Colossal’ is a good first single for them, catchy in a subtle and thus much more enjoyable way.
RICHARD WALTERS – Weather Song
Kartel
We’re moving the other way now with this, a relaxed singer/songwriter affair. Walters has a superb voice, a gentle and oftn heart-wrenching falsetto. If you prefer your music simple then this tune, bascally a man and a guitar (with the odd hint of piano) will be right up your street.
MIDDLE CLASS RUT – All Walks Of Life
Bright Antenna
We’re back to something a bit louder now with these Californian punk rockers. Larynx shredding vocals and a punishing riff give this an almost garage rock feel, but either way it’s a more-ish piece of upbeat fun.
FENECH SOLER – Lies
Moda Music
If you liked what you’ve heard before from these guys, then you’ll be happ as ‘Larry’ (and why is he so happy anyway?) with this . Conjuring up a sound that can only be described as ‘Daft Punk – if they’d grown up in a London suburb’, this is engaging stuff and if there’s any justice in this world, it’ll be massive in clubs.
I’ve got my bottle of red, its raining outside and me and the missus are all set for a night of music and alcohol. We’d already sussed that Richard Walters The Animal would be the album to fit the mood of the evening and in all honesty we were both excited at the thought of discovering something new and wonderful. The opening track ‘Brittle Bones’ sets us up for the fall, all the right sounds, lazy vocals, delicate acoustic guitar and underlying angsty atmospherics, this was looking to be a good choice. Next up ‘The Weather Song’ more of the same broken winged vocals which for some reason I try to find a comparison but I think to be fair Richard Walters’ voice has just enough to it to be considered individual.
By track three the weather outside had started to develop into quite a storm, in contrast ‘All at Sea’ meanders through at much the same tempo and ambiance as the previous tracks. Halfway through the album and a little niggling voice in the back of my head starts getting louder, “Where is this album going?” it asks and “This sounds the same as all the other stuff on here!” damn you little niggling voice!
By the end of the album I am left feeling a little anesthetised and ultimately disappointed. A real shame as there is definitely a talent there that is waiting to surface. Ever the optimist I will hold my faith that Richard Walters has the ability to write something great and will watch his progress with interest.
I have pondered for some time as to what animal the album title alludes to and have come to a conclusion; it’s that of a Porpoise, sleek and impressive at first but ultimately a poor man’s dolphin.
It’s that time again, to peruse through new tracks by the many and varied artists that pop discs through our door (by way of the postman of course, they don’t turn up themselves…). This week there’s lots to get through so we’ll keep it short and sweet. Indeed, there’s so much to talk about that we’ve got two swingles reviews for you this week. So, without further ado…
BROADWAY CALLS – Be All You Can’t Be
SideOneDummy
Broadway Calls are signed to Billie Joe Armstrong’s label. Once you’ve heard them this is unsurprising, in fact Billie probably thought he was signing his own band in their younger incarnation, such is the uncanny similarity. This is modern US punk rock at it’s most fun and you’d be a fool not to search it out and at least give it one shot.
WHITE LIGHT PARADE – We Start Fires
Split Records
Well, it’s clear from this weeks singles that edgy, angry rock isn’t dead. This track, with it’s chant along opening, is really rather simple, but nevertheless a great song to listen to. Destined to forever be a favourite in their live set, this could become a bit of an anthem!
BENJAMIN TAYLOR – Wicked Way
Iris Records
The anti-love song, courtesy of James Taylor and Carly Simon’s boy. This is a guy meets girl story, but without the soppiness, rather it’s a mans eye view of a budding relationship built entirely on lust. A fun little tune and a subject that’s bound to get any guy into trouble if he inadvertently plays it to his girlfriend.
DARKER MY LOVE – Two Ways Out
Strange Addiction
This sounds strangely like a slowed down, stoned run through Alright by Supergrass…. But in a good way! An alt.rock run through Britpop for Dummies, this somehow manages to be more than the sum of it’s parts and bodes well for their album!
ARMY NAVY – Saints
Label Fandango
Army Navy have shot to infamy after having two tracks feature on the soundtrack of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. They write fun, 60’s tinged power pop that’s hugely addictive and just the right side of saccharine sweet. In fact they remind me hugely of sadly departed Portsmouth based band Ricky!
RICHARD WALTERS – True Love Will Find You In The End
Kartel
Yes, this is a cover of the Daniel Johnston song, but Walters has made it his own with a plaintive vocal that tugs effortlessly at the heartstrings. This is standard stuff for a new artist, but Walters has a fantastic, soaring voice that propels this into new and interesting territory!
The fine folks at Partisan PR have been in touch and offered us a couple of free downloads for your listening pleasure. Up first, we’ve got singer/songwriter Richard Walters, who has already been garnering great press. Check out ‘Flooded Valley’, the B side to his forthcoming single ‘True Love Will Find You In The End’ on the link below
We’ve already commented on Defend Moscow’s single ‘Die Tonight’ and if you haven’t heard it already I can’t recommend enough that you go seek it out. We’ve got a remix of their track ‘One Night Stand’ available for you here too.
I’ve got my bottle of red, its raining outside and me and the missus are all set for a night of music and alcohol. We’d already sussed that Richard Walters The Animal would be the album to fit the mood of the evening and in all honesty we were both excited at the thought of discovering something new and wonderful. The opening track ‘Brittle Bones’ sets us up for the fall, all the right sounds, lazy vocals, delicate acoustic guitar and underlying angsty atmospherics, this was looking to be a good choice. Next up ‘The Weather Song’ more of the same broken winged vocals which for some reason I try to find a comparison but I think to be fair Richard Walters’ voice has just enough to it to be considered individual.
