Month: November 2014

James Bay | Hold Back the River

Now this is what I’m talking about. It’s been so long since I’ve found a driving song that I can really throw my weight behind as I’m driving to a friends in anticipation of alcoholic merriment. James Bay absolutely powers through “Hold Back the River” perfectly blending soft melodic introductions with room rousing choruses that seem to be too often phased out with the advent of electro and ambience into the indie music scene. I’m not complaining about the rise of experimental music makers but sometimes I want someone to really raise the tempo and make me remember that there is still value in youthful rallying cries. “Hold Back the River EP” will be released on November 23rd on Republic Records. Get it whilst it’s hot, it’s the price of a sausage roll, lasts a lot longer AND has absolutely no chance of giving you food poisoning through contaminated meat.

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Bored Nothing | Ice Cream Dreams

I seem to be making a habit at being late to the party these days. There was once a time where I used to actually pre-order albums as opposed to having to catch up on my ever-growing list of “must buy this now.” Bored Nothing have come out of a bored Australian teenager’s plan to escape apathy. Have to say, it beats mine by miles. I would sit and smoke too much and drink unil I fell asleep as opposed to actually making something with my meagre talents. Ice Cream Dreams reminds me of a concept for a supergroup in which Elliot Smith fronted The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. If that ever sounded like your tipple then check out his new release “Some Songs” out on Spunk Records now.

And as an extra treat here is the music video from another track off the record “We Lied.”

Rebecca Clements | Love Child

As soon as I see Bristol in the bio of an artist I admire/want to pretend is my best friend, I let out a bit of excitement that somewhere I originally think of as “my corner” of the world produced something so great.

Rebecca Clements, an aforementioned Bristolian, is ideal for Novembers slow descent into freezing misery; and trust me I’m in Scotland it’s cold, really cold. Her light guitar picks and crooning instrumentation are perfectly juxtaposed with a voice powerful enough to carry itself. I’m not always a fan of overtly strong voices but Clements uses hers to perfection.

Rhodes | @ King Tuts Glasgow 31/10/2014

Let me start by saying that I have been a very very naughty boy. I’ve let the blog flounder slightly as I moved to Edinburgh. It took a reasonable toll on me as I moved to a brand new city and struggled on my new Masters course which I have only just managed to settle into. This lead to my focus waning and the blog being neglected like a greying slab of cheese at the back of the cupboard.

“No more” he cried. It is time to start anew. Anyway, I went to see Rhodes play a set in Glasgow on Halloween and it was an excellent alternative to getting spat on in grungey nightclubs. Coming on after an hour of support acts I was expecting numerous musicians to capture the lush instrumentation present on his EPs and was surprised to be confronted by a single guy with even less facial hair than myself and curly locks in need of a trim.

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Rhodes @ King Tuts

Skeptical at first Rhodes channeled his inner Jeff Buckley and blew the room away. It’s never easy to go up as one man and try and channel the developed soulful sound found on his records live with just a guitar or piano, but man we weren’t disappointed. Communicating with the small crowd in a shy modest tone was a brilliant contrast to the visceral nature of his songs and Rhodes even dealt with a battered heckler with class, decorum and a slight flash of sarcasm which I appreciated beyond words.

Ending on Your Soul, which was the highlight of the night, Rhodes scuttled off for a drink with the audience and was freely signing EPs and other merch which is just friendly. He’s still got some tour dates going in Leeds and Bristol if you hurry. If not he’s working on his first feature LP which will be accompanied by a tour so look out for tickets to not miss out on a class act.