Author Archives: Olivia

Shirley Manson.

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“I think it’s a great thing to have failed in life and then pulled yourself up by the boot straps and actually done something, because then you appreciate it more.”

Here’s to the first woman (aside from my mum) that I remember admiring and wanting to be just like. A few years later, I added Patti Smith to my list. Basically, I admire strong people who talk from the heart. I do that, but I’m labelled various expletives. I’ll never win, I’ve accepted this. So, I’m going to try my best to write down why I think and feel Shirley is so fucking influential.

About a month ago I wrote about Bleed Like Me. Shirl saw it, and cried. If she sees this and cries again then I’m going to have to buy her flowers aren’t I? I’m doing this for many reasons- but the main one being, her lyrics have given me hope. I do feel ashamed to say that they saved my life. I’d probably be dead if it wasn’t for her lyrics. To this day, they have been the only band to sum up every good and bad feeling I have ever felt. The hope and drive their music has instilled in me goes beyond my own comprehension. So with that in mind, this is sort of like my “thank you” to Shirley. And in a way, I guess I hope to make someone else who looks up to her, feel less fucking alone with it. Let’s face it, we live in a time where having certain feelings are made to be hushed. No. Don’t let them shut you up anymore. Listen to a Garbage song, and it will place some courage in you. It has done it for me so many times. I’m probably going to have to cry after writing this hah..or I’ll just go look at cute photos of Snow Leopards again. Or have a cup of tea. Who knows. Maybe I’ll do all three. I’m so wild.

I remember seeing a Garbage video on the tellybox for the first time. I was in awe. I think the first time, the music just went over my head. I was utterly and completely enthralled with Shirley from the start. The video appeared again a few days later I guess, and the music..the song just stayed with me. I was only about 7 or 8 years old, but I just connected. I have this horrific trait where I am entirely empathetic, it’s pathetic. It never does me any favours, no matter what. I don’t learn though.

Why is Shirley such an influential force? How long have you got? No I’m deadly serious. There are not many things that hold my attention. Not because I’m ignorant, but because I find it hard to focus most of the time. Yet, I can sit in silence and read a book- no problem. I’ve learnt to not question my mind and what I do anymore. I love Shirley so much because everything she does and says is with the utmost honesty, pride and passion. She says things that can drag you out of the fiery pits of Hell and so you can feel comforted- because she has been there too. These are the factors that make a person believable. Speak from experience, and people will listen. I listen to songs like Medication, You Look So Fine, Metal Heart and I just feel like someone is summing up past feelings. Present feelings too at times. Some people go to a friend for advice. I go listen to Garbage because her lyrics say all I cannot get out of my mouth. Always on the tip of the tongue, and that is where they seem to stay. I frustrate myself, but whatever. I’m human.

Shirley is influential in my eyes because, she makes you feel okay with having feelings. If you’re pissed off- say so. If you feel happy- let it out. She makes you feel normal (the hell is normal anyway, I know) with however you are feeling. Sure it isn’t okay to feel low. But it is healthy to have a balance of feelings. Today you may feel trapped, but tomorrow something may happen to make you smile. You just don’t know. And the never knowing part keeps me alive. That’s what Garbage’s music did. I didn’t exactly have the best teenage years (did anyone?!) and Shirl’s lyrics made it a little bit easier. I’m 25 years old now, and some say being an adult is easy. It isn’t. Nothing is easy, why should it be? Her lyrics taught me so much. From accepting I was different to appreciating the fact that I HAVE to stick around and push myself- but do not let anyone push me around. Sure at times I let people walk over me, but I’ve grown to be so cautious of people. Trust is like love- do not give it away unless you are so sure. Just another thing I learnt from Shirley’s lyrics.

It is important to be true to yourself and stop hiding. This goes for anything. You can take it as sexuality if you want to, that’s totally fine. But ALWAYS be honest with yourself. It is okay to feel. I’m just regurgitating all the things that Shirley’s lyrics have taught me, and I don’t think I can full explain it all in one go. But I am trying.

I’m still holding on for a Garbage UK tour this year. It’s going to happen, right? It has to. I’ll be at the front shouting every lyric back to the band with all I have. Singing the songs that saved my life and gave me some meaning to it. I’ll be a crying mess, I don’t care at all. With every interview I have read and watched with Shirley, I have always taken something from it. You see, females are frequently subjected to being a certain way in the media. You MUST dress this way, and if you don’t then you are not good enough. Bullshit. I’m not buying into that. I’ll stick to my dark make-up, black jeans and Doc Martens. Fuck what society tells you to be, just be YOURSELF. Yes, another thing Shirley Manson has been teaching me since I was 7 or 8 years old. Do your best to keep yourself strong, but remember it is okay to be weak. I have to carry this around a lot. I listen to Garbage’s music, and sometimes I think what would’ve happened if I never listened to them? Would I have been forever lost? I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to know.

I’m writing this listening to Garbage and I cannot help but think I haven’t done Shirley justice with this. That I have missed something out. The struggles in the past she has spoken out on make her someone you can easily connect with. She changed my life and I’ve never met her. If I did, I think all I’d be able to say would be “Thank you.” Maybe that’d be enough. You should always show your appreciation for another in the best way you know how. No, I don’t mean stalking the person you like and yelling “I REALLY ENJOY YOUR FACE.” That’s too far..and creepy.

Everyone has that ONE person who is their definition of inspiring. The person they wish they could be as strong and passionate as. I firmly believe you should be yourself and never emulate others. Admiring and emulating are two different things, but can easily be twisted and misjudged. When I grow up, I want to have the strength and courage Shirley has. Live through it, and don’t be ashamed of who you are. If I realised all this when I was in my teens I would’ve saved myself a lot of..well, shit basically. But, I like to think the older I get the more I understand.

I feel I have missed so much out, but it has all come from the heart. I feel there is so much more I could say as to why she’s so influential and important but right now, this is all I have. I know there’s more just dying to be poured out, and I’m sorry- but for now..this is all there is.

All I know is that I wouldn’t have so much strength and fight in me if it wasn’t for Shirley Manson. I’d do as I was told and I’d accept “No, you cannot do that” or “No, you cannot be that” if it wasn’t for Shirley. Stand-up and speak out. Shout if you have to. But for fucks sake, do not let them take anything from you. Ever.

“It’s a torturous time, when you learn almost everything you really have to know about survival. The important thing to remember when you are living through it, however, is that you have absolutely no idea quite how smart and strong and beautiful the pain will make you. So go forth and suffer…. you’ll rule the world.” 

Thank you Shirley. Just..thank you. Again.

Nice Face.

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Last night I wrote about a musician that I look up to, but sadly a few people took it the wrong way and projected some stupidly bad feelings about it. I’ll delete it before I go to sleep, just in case anyone cares to read it..but they won’t. So, it’s cool. What I’ve learnt from that..and more recently is to just stop putting everything I have into something because when someone rips it apart it is worse than being rejected by someone you like. Maybe people enjoy being bitchy and I just don’t understand. Or maybe..maybe I was wrong to write it. Maybe I was so fucking wrong to write something praising Camila Grey and attempting to get people to see how awesome she is. I’m sorry, I won’t fucking do it again. I’ll stick to writing about bands that aren’t as known as they should be, and using this as a platform to promote them in the hopes someone gives them a listen. There’s no harm in that is there? I bet you’ll find fault in it. So with that, I’ll stick to what I know..which depending on who you ask- may not be much.

Nice Face. Nice name for a band. If anyone asks me who I’m enjoying right now and I say “Nice Face” they’ll probably think I’m acting perverse and trying to avoid the question. Well, depending on who you are- it could be true. But let’s be honest, I’m not someone you want hitting on you. I’m socially shite and I’d just want to talk about music. These are a few more reasons as to why I’m remaining on that dusty shelf. But it’s cool, I’ve got music like Nice Face to keep me company.

Here’s the thing- Nice Face are perfect. Look, I know I bang on about bands being loud and a riot in the ears- but it is truly what gets me going. I love music that still has that Punk vibe to it. Unapologetically loud and raw- how it should be, how I want it. I like my music how I like people; passionate, thought-provoking, deep and the ability to make me feel something worth feeling. Maybe I’m still waiting to meet a person like that. But, I’ve found it in Nice Face.

If I’m correct (which may or may not be the case) is just one person- Ian Magee. I don’t know where he is from, I’d say a different planet to be honest. His music in unworldly and beautifully unholy. When you listen to Nice Face it is like you are stepping into the underworld. That place you were warned to never go. I’ve had this feeling before. When I first listened to Cold Cave and Crocodiles in 2009 I think. I remember that feeling. It was a bit like, “Should I be doing this? Or screw it..gonna do it anyway.” I did it, best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve not done much. Nice Face make you feel as if you are delving into something so unknown. No one has ever picked up on this before. Nobody knows what is going to happen, and you feel the ability to care about the outcome disappearing with every listen. If music can make me feel like I’m approaching something sinister, I will treasure it forever.

Immer Etwas is an incredible record, and I think (and by think I mean HOPEFULLY) the second record will be out this year. I hope it is as brutal and bold as Immer Etwas. Maybe I’m alone with this, but it feels like..Ramones fused with an electro band. I know they weren’t electro but if you combined Joy Division with Ramones, you’d get the general idea. Or..I could be wrong. Actually I am wrong. Ignore that. The only comparison you can get from those two bands is that, Nice Face will make you want to dance like Ian Curtis and possess the same energy as the Ramones. That’s it really.

I’ve probably failed at my attempt and I could’ve just said it in a couple of sentences but I really love Nice Face. I love how loud the music is. I love how it has the potential to take you to a dark place. It lurks in your mind then everything rages out of you like an insane monster. Let it all fall out, and fall in love with some of the most passionate and brilliant music you will ever hear.

Emily Haines.

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My love for Metric could be listed as obsessive. I’m obsessed with music, so I don’t really see this as a bad thing. I’m also going to try my best to stick with this “Influential Women in Music” thing I started ages ago here..but sort of let it go. I have no idea why. I need to learn to stick at something properly. I’ll blame Writer’s Block, because that seems a more legitimate reason than just forgetting.

Writing about Emily Haines is going to make me happy because there are SO many reasons as to why I love her. She looks like someone you could just hang with and do dumb stuff with, but at the same time- you could hang out in a library with her and she’ll open your mind to a different world. I’ve been lucky enough to see Metric live, and it is one of the gigs I’ve been to that has firmly stuck in my mind. The room was cramped. You could touch the ceiling with your grubby sweat ridden mits, your body was wet with sweat and probably water, your throat ached from singing a long to every single word. I remember it as if it was yesterday. If only it was yesterday. It was a gig that helped with so much, as did interviewing them a few weeks before. It was just an experience that I needed, that partly saved me from losing my mind at the time. Fantasies came out and taught me about survival. It was Blindness that did it. Nobody will ever fully get what that song meant to me then, and it still does now. I told Emily, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off. It’s the main reason why I cannot write-up the interview because the subject matter of the interview..it is just entirely personal. She made me feel like I was talking to a long-time friend, you know? It was easy but at the same time a bit painful. But it is something I hold so dear to me.

Emily Haines looks so gentle, like her voice. The way she moves on stage is the opposite. Her lyrics on her solo work are much more delicate than that with Metric. I’d never pick what I loved the most, I love both equally. Knives Don’t Have Your Back is one record that I feel I cannot go a day without listening to- which is also how I feel about Live It Out by Metric. Her words (solo and Metric) just read like perfect poetry. Which is no surprise as her dad was the amazing poet, Paul Haines. I feel that her solo work portrays Emily’s mellow side that  can calm the wildest of personas. Then you have Metric. Metric give you that loud, unashamed freedom. You shake your body, lose your shit- you just go mental listening to them. Any song from Stadium Love back to Empty, you just allow your body to flail madly out of control. And why must you always have control of what you do? Let go. Emily’s lyrics can teach you to let go. From a break-up, to leaving a life behind that you just cannot handle anymore (I feel this right now more than ever) her words just ease all the tension and trauma you feel inside. I’d be lost without it.

There are so many females in music right now that could learn so much from the likes of Emily and Alison Mosshart (I could list many more but..) Emily has this stage presence which makes you feel like she is encouraging you to start your own kind of riot in the crowd. Not a bad one. One that means you just make a load of noise, spread the love and have a good time.

I know I’m probably mentioning her solo work more than Metric or Broken Social Scene work, but her solo work is so haunting. Her and a piano is truly one of the best things in life.  It just makes you feel right, you know? It does something to you. It takes you to an untouchable place. It is just you and Emily’s voice. The fragile voice she has covers you in goose-bumps. Your limbs become weak and talking seems too much. You want to embrace all the silences in-between. Her voice is just beyond perfection.

What drew me in when I first heard Metric (Combat Baby was the first song I remember hearing) I was just in awe. A voice so calming over a riotous drums, bass and guitars. Surely not?! This cannot be real. Oh it was real. So very real. “No one here wants to fight me like you do.” Her tormenting lyrics sung in the most playful manner imaginable just lured me in, there was no way I could have stopped it from happening, and why oh why would I want to? That’d just be silly.

You know, finding a Metric fan is hard. I know about two people who like them. It is pretty sad because Metric are such an incredible band that have put out solid records constantly. The new record, I firmly believe will be as stunning as previous. I cannot wait for it- and a tour too. There are so many layers to Metric’s music, but with Emily’s solo material it is so simple. Seeing these sides to her way of making music goes beyond being inspirational. However, regardless of who she is making music with her lyrics always seem to hit you right in the heart. This is due to her evidently writing from the heart. I cannot listen to music that doesn’t seem true- to the heart and to the self. I don’t want to hear anything that doesn’t sound genuine. Emily Haines manages to make you smirk with her sometimes sexually charged lyrics, then straight away you feel your heart is going to fall to pieces with the sheer honesty she pours out. There’s just no way humanly possible that you can deny how important and influential she is. Those that know of her, know how true this is. Maybe the new Metric record will cause you to finally pay attention to all you’ve been missing.

“What it is and where it stops nobody knows,
You gave me a life I never chose.
I wanna leave but the world won’t let me go.”

The Beatles….I don’t get it.

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Firstly and..lastly I suppose, my intention isn’t to offend anyone with this. I really can’t be arsed with offending anyone. I probably do it without knowing but hey- stop taking shit so personal? Okay, cool. We like what we like, we don’t like what we don’t like. For instance The Jesus And Mary Chain are my favourite band of all time- but I don’t expect anyone to fully get why I love them or understand what they mean to me, if they aren’t a fan. I understand that someone may not like them. Not everyone enjoys a distorted, reverb sound mixed with dark lyrics and a gloomy voice. But I do. That’s what I like. Much like how I really cannot see how 21 by Adele is a decent album. I guess it’s because I don’t dig that kind of music..lyrics about a lover who has clearly done you wrong. I just don’t want to hear that, so I don’t listen to it. I keep my headphones in pretty much all the time when I go out.  This all leads onto something. If you’re still reading.

I hate negativity. I know a lot of bitchy people. You know the kind. Hide behind a screen but will smile in your face. They’ll tear you apart to their friends (who were once your friends) but if they are to talk to you- you will either be handed some kind of cold vibe OR they will drag up past mistakes. People that live in the past because the future and present turns them into a coward. Why? Just why? Anyway, this does all come together. Negativity…fuck it. No need. There’s bad words and actions everywhere isn’t there. The past…we are still clinging onto the fact that The Beatles were and are the best band ever. Here comes the part that you’ll hate me for (if you don’t already.)

I really don’t “get” The Beatles. Come on..“She loves you yeah yeah yeah.” Can someone explain to me why that is classed as good song-writing? Maybe it’s because I like songs and bands with substance. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand why someone would like them..but best band of all time? Seriously? Come on. What about Ramones? MC5? Iggy & The Stooges? New York Dolls? Velvet Underground? Bikini Kill? Captain Beefheart? I’ll stick to being in the minority. It’s friendly and non-judgemental there.

So here’s the thing. I’ve listened to The Beatles. My mum was a HUGE fan when they were about. She had their autographs and saw them support Tommy Rowe and Chris Montez in Doncaster. SUPPORTING. No one knew who they were, no one cared. She told me every time The Beatles were on the telly, her and her chums would scream like obsessed and possessed fan-girls at the screen. I used to do that when Backstreet Boys and Garabge were on the telly. I do it now when I see The Kills, mainly because it is so rare. I fully appreciate what they created and caused- mass hysteria. But for what reasons? Why? Did they care for the music or was it just “the look” that they had? Four lads dressed pretty well, from Liverpool. Was it, like most things, just one big gimmick?

I’ve spoken to my mum about this so many times, and I said to her I just do not get it. I don’t get why people are still going apeshit over them. She said something along the lines of, “You had to be there at the time to fully appreciate it.” Maybe she is right. But, I know people who are my age who love them an insane amount. So what is it? If I was a massive twat, I’d write this and rip the band apart- but I’m not like that. I don’t see the point at all. I just want to know what it was about them that caused people to label them as the best thing since a free bus pass? Just what is it? My mum said, as she got older she realised that they weren’t as amazing as people made them out to be.

If that’s the case, why are their records still being sold as successfully as they are? Re-issue after re-issue. Documentary after documentary. Is it because the UK hasn’t produced anything as successful since then, and are clinging onto The Beatles because it is all they have? I’m positive others have had similar success, right? But why must we base success on how many girls faint at concerts or how many number one songs you have? Why can’t they have the same love for playing their own music like The Horrors do and not care for mainstream attention?

I’ve written this in the hopes someone can inform me as to why The Beatles are regarded as the best band ever. I could give you 20 bands that are much better. But let’s face it, it is all down to personal taste. So why oh why does the media feel the need to ram them down our necks and tell us “YOU MUST LOVE THEM.” Never buy into what anyone tries to sell you. Have your OWN opinion. Start your own movement. Love what you love. Love whoever you want to love. Anyone I have I said, that I don’t like The Beatles to has looked at me as if I have 3 arms and no head. I don’t get it. Maybe I am just a really shit human being who knows nothing. But, do you? It’s all personal taste.

I know that whoever reads this will feel the need to think ill of me, it’s okay..most do anyway. You get used to it after a while. Then you ignore them and focus on those who matter- the ones that don’t judge.

But please, if you can tell me why The Beatles are apparently so great, please do. I don’t want to like them, because I’ve tried. I’ve listened and I just don’t get it. I do know people who don’t like them, and they’ve said the same as me-boring, repetitive lyrics and just utterly dull. So why do people like them? That’s all I want to know.

Willis Earl Beal- Evening’s Kiss (video.)

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Willis is probably the best thing that is going to happen to music this year. If you choose to ignore him now, don’t claim to be a fan in a couple of months time when he is huge, okay? Good. Because people like that annoy me. I don’t need to tell you how amazing Willis is, it is pretty much obvious really. His voice is enough to crush the world’s strongest person. He is what the music industry is. America, you got lucky with this one. What has England got? Well, judging by last week’s Brit Awards it is fair to say FUCK ALL. Oh, but I forgot..we can’t have an opinion on that can we. Bullshit. It was fucking stupid and let’s face it, Kate Bush is beyond awards. She doesn’t need your approval.

So, Willis. You need to listen to his music. The video was illustrated and directed by Willis which just shows how amazing he is. He is a TRUE artist, and you just know he will not be compromising who is in order for you to listen to him. The fact he does it HIS way and is real, that makes him accessible and just a pleasure to listen to. I have every bit of confidence that he will have a longer shelf life than most. Much like one of his inspirations; Tom Waits.

Wax Idols.

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Listening to bands from the West Coast isn’t really helping my cause at all. It’s making me want to leave shitty England more than I already do. It’s making me ache for the beaches more than ever. And the dirty bars that play the best Garage Rock I’ve ever heard.

Instead, I’m going to have to settle for grey skies, polluted beaches and listening to bands like Wax Idols in my room. This isn’t what I want. Not now, not ever. Don’t get me wrong, I love Wax Idols, but I want to be listening to them in a better environment.

So, what exactly do you need to know about Wax Idols? Well, I’ve got the time and for some reason, patience to give you their history- but let’s face it, I won’t. Because if I do, I will rant until the wee hours and fall asleep on the keyboard. It isn’t a good look, but I’ve done it more than once. “Errr…Live..do you really need to write that? Now? It’s 3am.” “JUST ONE MORE SENTENCE….” Head on keyboard. I’ve slowly stopped doing this. For the first time in month, I have a stable sleep pattern. What I mean by this is..I cannot stay awake past midnight anymore.

Wax Idols are fronted by the astounding and fucking stunning Hether Fortune, yep THE Hether Fortune. Used to be in one of my favourite bands, Hunx And His Punx (I think you have to be a certain kind of person to “get” and enjoy his music..by this I mean MENTAL.) Wax Idols for me, pick up where Riot Grrrl left off. If it was up to me, it’d still be alive and kicking you in the face. But for some reason, it faded. However, you do still have bands that have that feel to their music. They’re as bold as Bikini Kill and make you want to dance like Le Tigre did..but they have that garage rock sound going on too. Basically, every kind of sound I love is in Wax Idols. This is the kind of band that makes you go so fucking dizzy from shaking your head to the beat. You come close to passing out, but the only way to stop it- is to just carry on. The best way to avoid anything bad, is to just carry on. And do what you do. That’s some sober life advice for you on a Friday night.

Wax Idols are the band you need playing in your bedroom. Whether you just want to scream some brutal songs on your own, or get intimate with someone- whatever. This band is just everything. They hold the power to destroy your eardrums in such a passionate way. I’m going to let them do it. I’m playing them so loud through my headphones, and I don’t care if it stops me from hearing for the bext few hours. This is a good kind of pain..like getting a tattoo (I’d say piercing but I cried when I got my nose pierced.)

In an ideal world, my dream girl would listen to Wax Idols and Gold Sneakers would be our song..but I know it won’t happen. So I’ll just fall in love with the band with every listen and forget any desire of romance because a raw, loud sound holds more meaning to me right now.

 

Spiritualized-Hey Jane.

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I will never ever have a bad word said about Jason Pierce aka J.Spaceman aka Spiritualized. In my mind, he’s a genius. He’s one of the best, if not THE best. I’ve been a fan of his work..since..I really cannot remember. You see, most of (if not all) the older music I like is due to my uncle’s influence. He got me into the Velvet Underground and The Jesus And Mary Chain. He got me into the loud and brutal music that I love, and from that I found my own bands to love. Maybe I should be concerned that most of my love is directed towards music, but then the rational part of me knows that it is totally fine, and my behaviour is normal. To others? Well, forget what they think. It’s important to have something you are passionate about. People will ALWAYS try to take and take from you. So cling onto what matters, and never give yourself away. I think I learnt that from Spiritualized’s music, at a very young age.

Hey Jane is incredible. As I love Jason’s work so much, I really wouldn’t have an issue with saying, “You know? I’m not fussed on this.” It’s Jason at his most glorious, and at his euphoric best.

http://soundcloud.com/spiritualized

There are so many reasons as to why I love his music. The main being how the harmonies just float right through you, and make you feel like you are floating towards something. I would’ve made a horrific pun with reference to one of his records, but I don’t feel like being that person today. I’ll save it. Hey Jane is nearly 9 minutes of pure elation. It just builds and builds. It is just like a hymn, but without the religious connotations. Which is just utterly perfect.

If you’ve never listened to his work before..where have you been? Also, start with this. Start with the more upbeat tracks. However, my favourite will ALWAYS be the painful, Broken Heart. Saddest song ever written? Hell yes. It is so sad, and you feel yourself crumble as you hear the pain and despair in his voice. You connect. It’s been a long time since I’ve had my heart metaphorically broken, but when I listen to this song- I feel like I’ve had my heart ripped out of my chest. It is painful. We’ve all been there, and the way Jason describes it is so bloody accurate.

Anyway, if you’re a fan of Spiritualized, you will love this. You have no choice because you know Jason is one of a kind, and that’s how you like it.

Naked On The Vague.

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Thankfully, Naked On The Vague are no longer a two-piece, as I probably would’ve had to tame my love for The Kills in order to love them as much. They’ve added two more members, so I can go back to loving them with all I have. Which, I guess is a lot. More than I should? I don’t care. Some people just do not get what it is to love a band with all you have. It is almost as if your heart beats in time with their drums, and your soul sings and comes alive to the singer’s voice. There’s always a hint of romanticism in what I write, I like to try make it subtle but some bands just make you drag it all out. Naked On The Vague are clearly having a positive effect on my ears.

Punk, they say is DEAD! It’s okay because some things..and some people who are dead are better than what is alive. For instance, Tupac is the greatest rapper, and nobody alive is better. Punk is the best genre to have ever existed, nothing after it has ever meant much. You see? Good. Maybe Punk is dead. You know what I hate? People that call Blink 182 and bands like that Punk. Joey Ramone would be spinning in his grave. There is fuck all Punk about bands like that, but twits like to ruin what was good don’t they. Anyway, with that outburst I’m over it. I’ve got Naked On The Vague to make up for it.

Call it Punk if you want to, call it whatever you want- just do not use any negative words. Maybe I’ll hunt you down if you do. I jest, I don’t have it in me to do such a thing. Unless you’re Alison Mosshart..then I’ll hunt you down, and just ask for you to love me. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t see how beautiful she is. Where am I going with this? I have no idea. Back to the music.

Naked On The Vague have that amazing early sound of The Cure and Siouxsie to their music, so I guess they’re not really Punk..they’re just fucking amazing. Why bother with genres when you can just say..”I like it” or “I don’t like it.” To Hell with labels! Denounce them and use them no more! But, you probably will. They’re as noisy as fellow Australians, Chicks Who Love Guns, but are tamer on the ears. However both are equally loved by me..and it’s a lot of love, you know that.

Naked On The Vague have supported the likes of Zola Jesus and Thee Oh Sees, and yes two acts I happen to love ever so much. It’s not like I’m trying to inflict my own personal opinion upon you, I just want you to listen to Naked On The Vague. That’s all 😉

Another thing that caused me to fall in love with them is that in some tracks, they have that dark, haunting feel that is found in Bauhaus (yes, another favourite of mine.) They’re dark, raw and noisy- so basically everything I love really.

Case Studies.

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My ability to be distracted from what I should be doing is just fucking awful, but I like to think I compensate for it by doing something I enjoy. What I mean is, right now I should be writing for a job but I’ve opted to write about Case Studies because I feel it is more beneficial for anyone/everyone if I do that. I have no idea how or why this works, I’m just going to go with it. I’m better at writing than I am with applying for jobs, obviously. If only I could make a living from this…clinging onto the dream with all I have by the day.

I’ll tell you why I love Case Studies as best I can. I’m not sorry if I stop making sense and ramble. I never am. One of my favourite singers of all time (apart from Morrissey) is Townes Van Zandt. I love the pain that came through in Townes’ music. I loved how he was so open with his songs, even the covers- he still made them is own. I loved his endearing drawl in his voice. I just loved all he was, no singer has ever really mastered that kind of tone. Until now.

Case Studies is truly like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I think I’m slowly accepting that America is pretty much the home to amazing music, and if anyone wants to help me out and get me there so I can experience it FULLY..I’d be forever grateful. I’d send you a postcard and a trinket. Case Studies creates music that is just so beautiful. Jesse Lortz is an INCREDIBLE musician that I firmly suggest you read up about if you’re not familiar with him. He’s just a fantastic artist..he is his art. He is so perfect. That voice, jesus christ.

I know I love music that most would just dismiss as “noise” and it does piss me off, because it has more substance than most stuff around but hey, it happens. I’ll keep it all in my heart and echoing in my ears. Case Studies is such a wonderful project. The lyrics on these songs are enough to tame a wild heart and break a strong person.

“Ask me how straight is the line that I walk,  like an arrow that’s flying straight to the sun.  Don’t ask me ’cause I’ll only lie yeah, don’t ask me ’cause I’ll only lie.  Well, I’d tell you the truth but you know in your heart it’ll only make you cry.”

Lies is one of my favourite tracks off the record (The World Is Just A Shape To Fill The Night.) I love how sleepy Jesse’s voice sounds. The lyrics are painfully honest- he’s an honest liar in this song. At least he knows his faults, you can’t hate on a person if they own if to their faults. Things like this make you believable. When you can be this real and honest in your lyrics (and life) you become a person that others will feel some connection with. Maybe they’ll want to change your ways, but don’t let them- because then you’ll be the worst kind of liar.

Most of the songs on this record were recorded in a cabin, which as daft as it may sound, makes you feel like you are there in the cabin with Jesse and all those involved in the record sat around a fire singing these songs. Sure there are some songs that may sound a bit dark and haunting. But overall, this record has such a homely and comforting feel to it. It feels like it is nursing you back to good health, and gives you strength. Not all of us are rocks, and most that act tough are sometimes the most weak. This record embraces all the qualities that make us human. There is no shame in being a mess, there is also no shame in being tough. There is shame however, in covering up all you are in order to impress. I think this is why I am single hah.

As a debut record as Case Studies, it is a body of perfection. To find any fault in it would make you foolish. Just like to not listen to this record would make you foolish. I know it is one I will keep going back to when I just need something I cannot get from a person or a book. It just offers you so much more than you thought a record could, and that..that is what makes an artist stand out from all the others.

Pati Yang-Wires And Sparks.

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If Robyn, Bat For Lashes, Lykke Li and The Knife got thrown together and formed some kind of musical offspring- you’d get Pati Yang.

“Wires And Sparks is like a postcard. It’s about that moment when you realise you can’t live without someone but you can’t be with them either; you have to make a choice. It’s about a break up, and how it hurts but you know it has to. This moment has got to be honoured, cherished as the end is a part of it. It has its meaning, weight and beauty. And even though you can’t think straight from the pain of it, you can embellish it.”

That’s Pati touching on what the new EP is about. Don’t worry, this EP isn’t as whiney as a certain person’s record that has won every award possible. It isn’t an annoying record, and honestly if I didn’t read up about the record, I wouldn’t have realised it was such a painful record. I would’ve just made up my own meaning. But hearing it as what it is, just makes you connect more with the record even more. It’s been a while since I’ve felt what she is describing, and I find it hard to imagine myself feeling that way about anything..or anyone. I guess I’ve taught myself to be stubborn and immune to any form of pain due to..well, you know. Then you have records like this. It just sends you to the very core of heartbreak and abandonment. Two feelings nobody ever wants to feel again once they have felt it. But trust me, when you’ve felt it more than twice it stops getting to you. I don’t mean it in a bitter way at all. I don’t have it in me to be a bitter person. I just don’t see the point. Wish the ones that do you wrong well, and move on. The alternative is being a self-indulgent mess. That has never appealed to me.

Listening to this EP..it feels like you are floating away from heartbreak. It doesn’t make it seem so bad at all to have your heart ripped out. Sure at the time, you just want the world to leave you alone and/or you want to leave the world. You have to go through the bad stuff in order to appreciate the good when it comes.

Wires And Sparks is a euphoric piece of art that makes you close everything off, in order to connect with every single beautiful word that pours out of Pati’s mouth, so gently. Her sheer fragility in her voice reminds me so so much of Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) and on the track, Breaking Waves when she hits the high note she reminds me of one of my true loves- Kate Bush. She tugs at your heartstrings much like Kate Bush does. This is such a gorgeous EP, and I feel truly honoured to have been sent it for review.

What I love about Wires And Sparks is how it sounds so painfully dark and eerie but it has such a vulnerable quality to it that could probably break the hardest of hearts. You may think you’re made of stone, but Breaking Waves may just cause you to fold. My personal favourite off the EP is Take A While. It’s 6 minutes long, and has such a hypnotising build-up. I always love that in a piece of music. I don’t care what genre it is. If you create an intense atmosphere in your music, I will probably love you.

The titled track off the EP is so beautiful. You feel like you are feeling everything- that’s pretty much a standard for every track on the EP if I’m honest. I know a lot always look for a fault in a record so they can balance it out, but I really cannot find anything. I wasn’t looking for anything negative to pick up on. I suppose it could be longer? But no, it’s just perfect the way it is.

The EP comes out 9th April, and if you have even half a brain-cell, you will buy it. The EP is produced by Joe Cross (he produced Hurts debut record.) However the most important thing you need to know about Pati is that she has supported one of the best and most influential bands of all time (I’m not just saying this because I’m a huge fan of the band) -DEPECHE MODE!!!! Pati is an acclaimed artist in her own right, but hopefully this EP will be the one that makes YOU listen, if you haven’t heard any of her work before.

I could probably whack out a few more hundred words on this EP, but all you need to know is that it is bloody brilliant and is out 9th April.