Forever.
7 bands down, 18 to go…
Today’s band = Bombay Bicycle Club
This band are like Lipton Iced Tea - no really they are.
By this I don’t mean that you should try consuming their album in the expectation of a fruity, refreshing taste but rather that the slogan ‘Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it’ equally applies to them.
Not so long ago this band emerged as the latest interesting, quirky and infectious thing. Everyone was raving about them which naturally made me want to hate them. Childish I know but it’s the same principle as when someone tells you not to look at something and your compelled to do the exact opposite.
So for the past 3 years that’s what I’ve been doing - hating them in my indifference. Up until last night that is when curiosity took over and I dared to listen to ‘Dust On The Ground’ - and I loved it. Time to drown myself in iced tea out of shame I think…
To use yet another cliche’ saying to make a point the moral to this otherwise pointless story is this - don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
:)
6 bands down, 19 to go…
Today’s band = Warpaint
L.A. Psychedelic Rock. Abstract. Girl Power. Stunning Debut Album - This is Warpaint.
Ignorance is your new best friend.
Australian Artists
It has always been a dream of mine to live in Australia. Yeah sure it may be one of the most dangerous places in the world, where one dip in the wrong lake can wipe you off the face of the planet (this actually happened to an Australian Prime minister, Harold Holt in the 60’s who went for a swim and never returned - not even his body was found) however there are plenty of things that make it worth the risk. If the relxed lifestyle, friendly locals, barbeques on the beach, incredible accent and cute koalas and kangaroos aren’t enough to sway you then perhaps the music will.
What’s that you say, there’s such a thing as Australian music??
Yes. In fact two of the most underrated artists on earth happen to be australian:
Orianthi -
This 26 year old is possibly the greatest female guitarist - ever.
Often branded as a female ‘Steve Vai’ and best known as being MJ’s guitarist for ‘This is it’ Orianthi has since released her own album with the debut single ‘According to you’ peaking at #3 in Japan. This in itself is a travesty as with her level of talent her music should be known and celebrated in the charts worldwide yet the real shame is how little is known about her older, independently released album Violet Jorney. Released in 2005 this album was composed entirely by Orianthi, including the guitar, vocals and even drums. Let’s just say there are very few artists out their with the ability and passion to do this, most ‘musicians’ nowadays don’t even write their own lyrics yet they are the ones who get all the fame.
The Jezabels -
I only heard of The Jezabels because they just so happened to be touring with Tegan and Sara (whom luckily i follow religiously) so the very fact that I otherwise would never have discovered them is upsetting.
I can’t explain how or even why but their music truly touches me. If I had to guess I’m sure that Hayley Mary’s intense, chilling vocals combined with melodies of pure musical genius has something to do with it…
Regardless, this band amaze me. In particular the single ‘Hurt Me’ which I would say without a doubt is the best song I have ever heard. However each and every song of theirs is worth listening to which again is a testimony to their immense talent. All too often this is not the case and with many bands i find myself absolutely loving some of their work but then wondering ‘what the hell were they thinking!?’ at the rest.
The fact that they began their career through a Sydney University band competition makes them all the more inspiring.
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Both this song and video are beautiful. It perfectly encapsulates the story of a lifetime of addiction in a few short minutes and I find the message behind it particularly poignant now more than ever considering the shocking and tragic death of Amy Whinehouse. Songs like this help to raise awareness and give people a better insight into the problems out there that too many young people face (such as homelessness and addiction) that beforehand have been misjudged and misconstrued by many - me included. This song gave me a new perspective on drugs and addiction, a more sympathetic view whereas in the past I would’ve easilly dismissed it as “their problem”. In reality it’s society’s problem.
5 bands down, 20 to go…
Today’s band (or rather musician) = Ed Sheeran
Between Sheeran and Trimble (of Two Door Cinema Club) Gingers are going to rule Reading.
I first heard of this amazing young talent through youtube, I’m not sure how but I found myself watching a video of him and Example messing about in what looked like a parking lot, freestyling about Nando’s. It’s less random than it seems considering they were touring together playing gigs at every Nando’s across the country but still very unexpected and incredibly amusing to watch.
It was nothing serious but even so I couldnt help thinking to myself this guy has potential.
And what do you know about a month later his debut single ‘The A Team’ reached #3 in charts.
He truly has a phenomenal career ahead of him and I can’t wait to hear whats coming.
