Author Archives: Olivia

Forloco.

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They say “GUITAR MUSIC IS DEAD!” Bullshit I say, utter BULLSHIT. You see, if you’re forced to listen such tripe like Coldplay and you think it is guitar music- then alright, fair enough it is dead. But, there’s bands such as The Black Keys and my personal favourite The Chapman Family that are proof that it isn’t dead. You’re just being lazy and not seeking out the good stuff.

I always like to start with a rant, but it does tie in..somehow.

So, Forloco. They’re pretty damn good. Even if they weren’t Yorkshire lads, I’d still love them. My mum’s from Doncaster and she’s always told me that anything from Yorkshire is amazing. She isn’t wrong. Pulp, The Long Blondes, Richard Hawley. And now? Now you can add Forloco to that list.

Forloco aren’t just your average band with guitars. There’s something about their sound that makes YOU want to play an instrument and start your own riot. Originally, there was 3 of them- but now there is 5 of them. An expansion in band members has given them a grand sound that deserves to be heard.

In fact, I’ll help you. You don’t even have to go look for it. I’ll give you the link : http://soundcloud.com/forloco

I love the hopelessness feeling that’s in No Future. If you’ve ever had a shitty relationship, and let’s face it- we all have; you’ll love this one. If you’re trying to pluck up the courage to dump a lover, play them this. I’d say make them a mixtape for Valentine’s and put this on it- but that’s a bit harsh isn’t it. Don’t do that. Nobody likes a bastard do they.

What I love about Forloco is that they have a brilliant Garage Rock feel to their music. They remind me of a tamer version of Thee Vicars. I adore Thee Vicars, so it’s a bloody good thing.

If you’re in the Sunderland area, you can catch them supporting Steve Cradock at Bar One on 5th March. It’ll probably be the best thing to happen in Sunderland in a long time.

I don’t need to tell you how great these lads are. If you love Garage Rock or just want something different that’ll make you dance- give Forloco a listen.

Lana Del Rey-Born To Die.

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It feels good to have this record finally in my hands, blaring in my ears. When you’ve waited so long for something, to finally have it is one of the best feelings ever. As someone who really cannot live without music- this is a pretty fucking good feeling I’ve got going on right now.

So, everyone wants to hate on Lana. Because Daddy is rich, because she may have had something done to her lips, because she doesn’t go by her real name, because of THAT performance- let me tell you something, none of this is relevant. It will never be important. Is it her dad that’s singing the songs? No. If you’re going to claim your hate for Lana because of these reasons- you are a right trollop. I don’t expect everyone to like her; I’m sure she doesn’t either. You cannot please everyone. Hell..I know that there are a lot more people that like me than do like me. I’m convinced those that claim to like me actually cannot stand me anyway- but hey, let it go. I’ve got an amazing record blasting out in my ears right now. Nothing actually matters to me right now. NOTHING.

I cannot write as a standard “Music Journalist.” I just can’t. I write as a fan. Which is why I’m probably far too honest with my feelings; making me sound like a vulnerable mess. I’m not a vulnerable mess; but music causes me to be open. Certain music just causes me to write in such an honest way. Much like how the lyrics on this record are honest. I’m not saying I’m like Lana at all. If you think that’s what I mean- stop reading and go read some blog that is so scene- it makes your face crease up and bleed; or is that too mainstream?

The album opens with Born To Die. Y’know, I think albums with the word die/death/dying are always good. I’m basing this on Biggie’s records- and Lana’s album. My comparison to Hip Hop will be discussed a bit more in depth in a bit. Stay with me on this. So, you’ve all heard the song Born To Die. You do not need me to tell you anything about it. If you’ve got yerr wits about yerr- you’ll know it’s a stunning piece of art.

Asd far as debut records go, I think this is one I’ll be listening to in 40 years time with a glass of wine, or rum, or maybe a cup of tea- I’ll be listening to it thinking, “I feel the same now about this record as when I first heard it.” It is instantly timeless. It has this nostalgic feel to it. I’d say “vintage” but I loathe the word “vintage” more than I hate my own face. Okay, so I don’t hate my face. I just hate the word vintage. It’s shite. This record just oozes so much passion, love, darkness and nostalgia. I was playing the record to my mum (who I have now converted to the Church of Lana) and we both said the same thing- when she goes for those delicate and slightly high notes- she sounds like the wonderful Kate Bush. As someone who worships the back catalogue of Kate Bush- this is just perfect. For someone else to hear what I hear makes me feel less mental.

Diet Mountain Dew was the first Lana song I heard. I loved the original, but this version on Born To Die, when I first played it I was a bit dubious. I thought “NO LANA NO!” But, after listening more closely, I can hear a hell of a lot Hip Hop influences in this. The drums just pour out New York. Hip Hop came from New York, and it is so evident on this song that you can really hear how much that genre played in this record. It’s just brilliant. I love both versions, I really cannot find any fault in the record; not like I was looking for any.

National Anthem is probably going to cause you to associate this with the one you love, or assume you love. Or something. The longing in you will take over, and this song will be “your life.” Possibly. Or you’ll just get fucked up on whiskey to this. I don’t care- do both. BE SAFE. 😉

I need to go into detail about Dark Paradise because it is my favourite track off the album. I want to listen to it until I stop hearing. I want to listen to it until all I hear is this song playing instead of other people’s voices. The album is a body of fragilty and purity. Listening to this song, I feel like I have had my heartbroken. I feel like I have just lost the love of my life. I feel like I have been emptied out of all the good in my life. It makes me feel exactly how Lana feels. I shut my eyes listening to this, and all I see is darkness. In my head, she is singing this on a beach in the pitch black with tears streaming down her face- but of course, she will be looking as beautiful as ever. The lyrics, my god. If you’ve recently had your heart thrown back at you in small pieces- listen to this song. At first it will seem as if someone is rubbing salt in your wounds, but keep listening. It will heal you. However, just don’t compare your ex to future lovers. If you do that, you stop yourself from truly loving. You owe it to yourself to love and to be loved. Don’t be so fucking cold now. It’s okay. Let this song get you through. Hurt for a bit; but you need to stop after a while. If I could convey properly what this song does and how it makes me feel- I would. I just can’t do it. She truly shines on this song. This song is just so utterly perfect and divine. I’m not just saying this because it is my favourite- it honestly is so raw. She really makes you connect with her here.

When she says “fucking” on Radio it sounds so damn sexy. I hate that word, but sometimes- some things/people are actually sexy. She has the face of an angel, and the mouth of a sailor. She’s real- this is why I instantly fell in love with her music. This doesn’t feel like a debut record. This feels like something. This record is full of dark moments that are twinned with sensuality. I read last week that this was a record to have sex to. After listening to it in full from start to finish- I have to say I agree. The way she sings on Radio and Carmen is just so damn sensual. The way she sings certain words, just carefully lingers in your ears for a while. It’s just so haunting and beautiful.

Million Dollar Man has a line that I love the bones of, “You’re screwed up and brilliant.” For me, that is better than an “I love you” kind of lyric. Who wants those standard 3 words? To see the brilliance in a person although they’ve got problems- you see through it, and love them anyway. This song is such a gorgeous dedication to a person you love. It’s so damn good. You know that, right? I cannot get enough of this song. I know Dark Paradise is my favourite- but this is so..oh man, I can’t even tell you. “If you’re going crazy, just grab me and take me. I’d follow you down,down, down.” I like to think, if I was with someone who was a bit troubled (aren’t we all ) and I loved them- I’d play them this to reassure them that they have my love and aren’t alone. It’s just beautiful.

Summertime Sadness although it’s about love; it is about loss too. That one love will stay with you, doll. It won’t go. The Summertime is when it grates you. The heat means nothing. But hey, with records like this- you’ll be just fine. A record can cure loneliness and that dreaded feeling you wish to never mention.

This Is What Makes Us Girls feels like a tribute to Lana’s teenage years- again with a heavy Hip Hop beat. I love it. I love the sounds she has created, and it all comes together on this final track.

If like me, you HAD to get the deluxe version- you’ll have Without You, Loita and Lucky Ones. I really do wish Kinda Outta Luck was on this record. Maybe an EP of unreleased tracks will come out? But for now, we have Born To Die. A fantastic debut record that, regardless of what any jumped up Music Journalist may say- this is an brilliant album. I hope this shuts up all the negative press Lana has been given. Your emotions will run wild after listening to this. Nothing will feel the same- and that’s a good thing. You may not be able to relate to all the songs, but that’s not important. What’s important is how you CONNECT to it all. With one listen, you feel as if you have heard this before- in a good way. Yet, nothing sounds like this now. Which is more proof as to why we need artists like Lana Del Rey.

 

Human Eye.

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I have no idea what I’m meant to say about Human Eye at all. Anything I say will not get across how raw and distorted this shit is. It’s so obscure and brutal. It’s like being chased by some kind of beast with no hopes of getting out alive. Fuck survival. If this is what death sounds like- I’m not fussed.

Human Eye are amazing. I don’t expect anyone to like them that likes delicate “oh woe is me here with my guitar acting like a folk singer and I shop in charity shops because I like to wear dead people’s clothes but don’t look at me because I’ll cry.” This isn’t for you. This will make you go back to your pretentious “I’m trying to be arty but I don’t understand anything” ways and sulk in a corner. If you’re like that- this isn’t for you.

Human Eye are for those that love the drawl of Tom Waits. The aggressive tones of The Black Keys. The rawness of Iggy Pop. They are for people who want music to make them feel so alive and invincible.

Their music will fuck with your head and make your body do things it maybe shouldn’t do. I’m sat down, so I’m okay for now. But if I stand up and listen to this- fuck knows what will happen. This is pure, brutal music. It’s like a riot exploding through the soundwaves. Go with it. Do not let this go. It just proves that Sacred Bones are putting out some of the best music around. It’s like it is some kind of movement that not many of us are up on. Thus, making it sacred. You need to get involved with this. If you ignore it- you’re a fool. You need this.

I listen to them and think, “Lester Bangs would love this.” Vocally they sound a wee bit like New York Dolls. It’s just perfect. It makes you think you’re in the 70s wandering around New York City waiting for something to happen. It’s now 2012, nothing like Punk will ever happen again. What do we have now? You say nothing. I say, HUMAN EYE!

Amen Dunes.

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I don’t need to know the insides and out of a musican for me to love them. Just give me the music, and that’s enough. I know NOTHING about Amen Dunes at all. Zero. All I know is that his music is giving me feelings I don’t know even if there are words for them yet.

I remember last year when I sat down and just listened to Youth Lagoon’s debut record, it did something. It emotionally did something to me. It’s like, it set something free. I feel in debt to Trevor for that. I don’t know him- but that record made me feel like something had finally clicked. That it was all okay. I’m getting the same feeling right now listening to Amen Dunes. It all feels like a huge wave of reassurance. We need that sometimes. We need that blanket of comfort to wrap itself around us, so we can carry on and face the next day, and the day after that. Baby steps. As you don’t have someone to hold your hand and guide you through it- music softly aides you through the day with its comforting sounds echoing delicately in your ear. You’re going to be just fine, kid.

New York- I swear you are the place I should’ve been born and raised in. The music scene there is beyond words. This shit right here is fucking incredible.

Listening to this, I feel like I am in a trance. My favourite so far is the song Jill. I feel like I’m listening to OM with a hint of Spiritualized. It’s just so utterly perfect and so damn hypnotising. I don’t want to snap out of this. Please do not wake me from what Amen Dunes’ music is doing to me right now. I care no longer for real life, I’m going to create my own world and Amen Dunes is going to be the soundtrack to it all.

Royal Baths.

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Brooklyn, Brooklyn….Brooklyn. So much to answer for. Look at you, throwing out such talent at us. Constantly. Certain places just ooze talent- Brooklyn is no exception. From Biggie to Friends (the band) to Royal Baths.

Royal Baths make you feel like you in the midst of a nightmare that is going to stay with you forever. You feel yourself falling further and further down into a black hole, or maybe you’re being chased and the moon has failed to guide you home. It’s dark. It’s ghoulish. It’s perfect. You all know that The Jesus And Mary Chain are my favourite band ever. So it is easy for me to claim my love for a band like Royal Baths because they give me that same feeling. The distorted and menacing sound that is balanced out with such distinctive vocals. This is the real deal. There’s no “Oh look at us trying to be arty so we fit in” kind of vibe going on here. This is pure, unapologetic brutal music. This is the kind of music that makes me glad that my hearing is the only decent sense I have left. I’m 25 and my body is falling apart! Okay..that may be a lie, but you know. Royal Baths give you that kick up the arse you’ve been needing. They wake you up and shake you. That brutal, raw feel The Kills have? Royal Baths have it too.

Have I sold them to you yet? I don’t care. Like them or not, they’re awesome.  I love them. I need to see them live. I want to be in the midst of this madness. Soaking up all the doom and gloom, treasuring it like a pleasurable romance. I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m not here to make sense. Just listen to them.

I have a feeling I’ll be the only person I know who will like them…does anyone want to be a fellow appreciater (is that a word?!) of Royal Baths with me? I’ll make you cups of tea.

Hana Piranha.

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I hate covers. I hate them with everything I have. It takes a LOT for me to like a cover. It’s partly the reason why I wish something truly awful would happen to X-Factor. I’m not even sorry about that at all. I want it to never ever happen again. It’s killing music. Fucking killing it, and not in a good way.

Rant out of the way, I’ll begin.

Hana Piranha. Not only is this an amazing name; but she’s got a brilliant voice. I like big voices like Siouxsie Sioux, Imogen Heap, Kate Bush, PJ Harvey. You know, the ones that can actually sing and don’t have to dick about in order for you to fall in love and listen to them. The ones that influence real talent. This does tie in with my brief rant about covers.

Hana has covered some songs that are up on her YouTube channel. I’ve sat and gone through most of them. I fell in love with first listen. It didn’t feel like I was listening to a cover; it felt like I was listening to her own song. Thing is, if you’re going to cover a song- you’ve GOT to make it your own, add your own style to it- but at the same time pay tribute to the original. It’s why I will always favour Cat Power covering songs- especially ones by Bob Dylan. She does it in such a beautiful way, and you know she is connecting with the song. If you seem emotional removed from it- don’t do it. Simple as.

This cover of Nine Inch Nails is just fucking, it’s a work of art. It’s got an innocent twist on such a demonic song. It’s just so good.

Leaving the covers alone for a bit, her own material is even better. She has this feel to her music that reminds me of very early PJ Harvey. Something John Peel would be proud to play in his show if he was still here, and I bloody well wish he was. Music died when he died. However, we’ve got artists like Hana who are doing something different. She has this grand voice- in a way that isn’t overpowering. She doesn’t sound like a cat in pain, she can actually hold the notes- unlike some singers. I’m not a name dropper. I just think she’s fucking brilliant. I have no idea why I feel the need to swear. Sometimes, something is so good- you just have to slip out a few swears don’t you.

If you love music that comes from the heart, is loud, dark and a wee bit devilish- you’re going to love Hana Piranha.

I also love that their album is going to be called Day Release 😉

Warpaint-Bees.

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If I could have any instrumental version of any song by Warpaint- it would be this one. At first I thought…IT’S THE DRUMS! IT’S THE FUCKING DRUMS! Then I listened again…IT’S THE GUITARS!!! And I then listened again…IT’S THE DAMN BASS! JESUS IT IS THE BASS. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is everything. This is the song that makes me wish I could sing. Most of their songs make me wish I could play an instrument, but Bees for some reason makes me wish I could sing. I can’t sing. I probably sound like a cat being stood on and violated. However when I have a cold- I think I can sing. It’s best if I don’t even try anymore.

The bass in Bees just makes you want to bounce like a ball around a room, going crazy. The drums make you nod your head in time. The guitars make your limbs move about so freely. Basically, when you listen to this you’ll probably do a bunch of crazy shit and look mental. It’s okay- I’ll join you. It’s all okay.

I adore the way Theresa sings, “Your full moon taunts me.” You know when you hear a line in a song, and it just sticks with you? You have no idea why it sticks with you at all, but you love it. If I could ever fully explain why I loved their music, I’d feel useless. More useless than normal. The fact that every single time I listen to them, and it blows my mind- makes me fall more in love with the music. It’s just got something else. Something I’ve never heard before, and will never hear again.

For me, this song makes me think about being involved with someone who is of a self destructive nature. If you’ve ever had to deal with this, you’ll be able to relate to this song- no problem. It doesn’t even have to be in a romantic nature. We all know someone who is self destructive and Hell bent on ruining themselves, and possibly draining everyone in the process. It’s an uncomfortable thing to go through and face, because you think to yourself, “Do I leave this person behind? Do I help them? What do I do?” If you listen to this song, you should hopefully be comforted by it because maybe, just maybe you’ll find the answers you need. Music does that to you. It can solve anything without you even being aware of it.

“You’ve been at yourself.
You woke me up last night.
And my eyes lit up like lights,
Like a string of pearls,
But you still did what you wanted.”

One of the most evocative lines I’ve heard. Not just by Warpaint, but in general. This person is destroying themselves- they know they are, and they are aware that you know. It stirrs you and you wake up- fully alert. But this person just carries on and does what they want. With no regard to or for anything.

“All that time it took you to get yourself straight, was too late.” This person finally starts to get their shit together, but it’s too late. Maybe they are beyond repair or maybe you’ve up and left them. Whatever it is, it’s too late. Sometimes, when something drags out for so long it becomes far too late to do anything about it. You’ve just got to let it go. It’s one of the songs that really interests me because the music is upbeat but the subject matter is potentially, quite dark. I love music that tricks you with upbeat music and chilling lyrics. We’ve all got a dark/curious side, some of us need to embrace it more often.

Warpaint manage to lure you in with no effort at all. You are immediately drawn in because they have this amazing quality. The fact that it is beyond words makes it so much more appealing. It’s like, when you are told “DON’T TOUCH THAT” but you do it anyway because you want to see what happens. What happens when you listen to Warpaint is that, everything just changes. The way you see yourself and others is just changed. Maybe I’m just going overboard with this, but I do believe that their music has changed how I view certain things in life, and people too. Obviously I’m not some unaccepting, axe wielding, homophobic racist arsehole. I don’t mean that. What they’ve done is essentially appreciate the silence in life, the more calming aspects. I’m not someone who likes being surrounded by large groups of people-mainly because I have nothing of worth to say and I hate small talk. I also hate loudness. I love silence. So much can be said in silence. Warpaint’s music made me, I guess, stay true to myself and not change in order to keep people around. I don’t know. I really don’t. What I’m trying to say is not coming out in the way I want it to. Bees for me, is about letting go off all the bad vibes and people around you. This song, for me, makes it easy to let shit go. I’ve seen what clinging onto the past does to people- I see it, and I vow to never be like that. Bees gave me this realisation. Maybe I’ve gone way too deep and should just accept that this is just a brilliant song? Each to their own.

Theresa sings most of this song, but Emily comes in near the end with this:

“Did I reset what I started?
Did I resist what I wanted?
Do I think you’ve got my number?
I’m not the one to continue on.”

Has this person called them out on their draining ways? Are they to blame? Are you to blame? Have you decided to not be the one who carries on surrounded by all of this? It’s just a brilliant breakdown that, even if you’re not going through anything I’ve described (I’m not going through that, I just have a horrific ability to put shit like that into words) it makes you feel like you are- it’s like what Emily is singing is the solution to being near someone self destructive. Sometimes, you’ve just got to walk away from it. It doesn’t make you a bad person.

You know, most people are terrified of bees- for the obvious reasons. But if you watch them (I love watching nature documentaries a hell of a lot) you see how loyal and majestic they are. The sound they make is quite peaceful in a way. The intro to this, and throughout- musically, sounds like a swarm of bees. It’s a lucid trip that once you come back from, you will never be the same again.

Warpaint-Warpaint.

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Writing about Warpaint makes me happy. It makes me appreciate the band more than I really do. I listen to each song intensely and with great care. I firmly believe that Warpaint are one of those special bands that you have to listen to with headphones to feel every element of the music. You can feel the vibrations of Jenny’s bass going through your ears in a music-gasm based way. Stella’s drumming shakes your eardrums. Emily’s voice sways you. Theresa’s guitar magic makes you feel like nothing can touch you. All of these factors, and more just make it feel like Warpaint are taking you on some mystical and ethereal tour of exploring the soul.

I’ve taken my rings off and put my glasses on to write this. If I put my glasses on, you know I’m about to concentrate and put my all into writing. I do expect to go off on one with this song. Mainly because I love it so much.

The intro to Warpaint sounds like a monster slowly emerging from under the depths of a raging sea. As it comes further up, the sea becomes more and more calm. Calmed by the delicate drumming and tranquil vocals. I have sat with this song laying through headphones so many times; it just does something. The way Emily and Theresa’s vocals both transport from ear to ear as you listen is so powerful. Neither voice is more dominating than the other. Both voices flow so perfectly together, just like water.

If I was going to compare this song to anything in the world, it would be a desert island. It feels so spacious, relaxed and so far removed from anything else I have ever heard. It feels like a different world; a different level of music making altogether. Maybe it is THE signature Warpaint track? I’m not sure. It depends on who you ask. Some may say this, some may say Billie Holiday or Undertow or Elephants. Maybe no one song defines them; each song is so different from the other but still manages to give you the same euphoric feeling.

I’ve said a few times that their music has made me feel like I am floating on a bed of water. Now, as someone who cannot swim- it’s a strange feeling to look for and to enjoy whilst listening to music. Yet it is one of the best feelings a piece of music or a band can give you. If they can make you feel as if you are sailing off into something so pure and sacred- you know you have found a band worth clinging onto with everything you have.

The lyrics on this song are so perfect. You can take whatever meaning you want from this. I find this song to be more difficult than the others to grasp the meaning of, and at times I don’t know if I can even make my own up. I love this song because you just feel as if you are no longer in your own body. You’re having the greatest outer-body experience you can imagine. You do not want it to ever end, so you just have to keep hitting repeat. Over and over again. Over and over again. Until you feel so weightless and untouchable.

I love the way Emily sings: “Even when I was whispering. You hold on, the water was slippery. You listen, the weather was answering. I let go, I wanna get into it.” over Theresa singing : “In like a dull knife. Pulls out all the stops. I fall out like, time running out.” I just find this to be one of the most incredible and captivating parts of this track. The way their voices run through your ears as you taken in the beauty of the vocals and the wonderful imagery in the words, it’s just so utterly hypnotising. A smile always appears upon my face when I listen to this because it just causes you to see so much in your mind. You create so much from one small detail. It is just out of this world.

The last minute of the song. That breakdown. You know the part I mean. Hopefully it does the same to you as it does to me. The last minute makes me feel like my whole body is going into some kind of euphoric state as the drums kick in and they sing, “I’m over here by your way, tight as a knot I want to fade.” I just love that line SO much. I think it is so powerful.For me, it makes me think of being stood very close to someone you find to be the bee’s knees, but they don’t know you’re there. As they don’t know you’re there, you just want to fade out. I’m not sure if that’s what they were getting at. They probably weren’t but hey.

You know what other part of the song I dig? This part :

“You’re tied in a knot, can’t throw you back here.
You’ve got the floor, they say. You gotta lock it up.
Late into the night you wore off that fever.
That fever.”

For the life of me, I just cannot explain to you why I love it so SO much. It’s just so much. You can apply this verse to anything or anyone. But be careful, you don’t want to waste such beauty on idiots.

When I first heard this song, I was in awe of everything. Every single part of this song- even the tiny details, they just became so timeless and instantly classic. It was if i had been waiting for so long for something to make me feel like this. I know I always say it- but Warpaint, I believe are the band I have been waiting to hear all my life. Of course The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Cure and Morrissey will ALWAYS be my favourites. But, when I heard Warpaint for the very first time, I just felt like I did when I heard those three. I felt like the missing part had been filled. I’ve honestly never felt like this over a band before. No band has ever managed to have everything I want. It’s like finding that pair of jeans or boots that just make you feel good, and you no longer have to search for them anymore because you’ve finally got them.

You cannot deny just how perfect the video fits the song. Sometimes a video can strip away all meaning of a song, but with the video to Warpaint all that feeling of being surrounded by water truly comes to life in the video. It’s just so perfect and just so right, you know? The only downside to the video is that the song is edited, and it isn’t the full 6 minutes. But like I said, it fits so well and just feels so right.

With all of this said and nearly the whole song lovingly picked apart, I reckon the lyrics I can most relate to and feel the most connection with has to be:

“Cold and under, I almost forgot to,
Face up to what I ought to.
Willing and I do give offering to you.
Willing and I do give offering to you.
Don’t know why I feel so different.
Feel just like a different person.
Willing and I do give offering to you.”

It’s sang in a strangely haunting yet comforting manner. You know those times where you don’t feel like yourself, that something else has taken over? This part, this song- just sums it up so perfectly.

Jess Morgan.

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I’m a huge supporter of Pledge Music and all it does for REAL musicians. It provides a platform for those that do not have the luxury of being signed to a label or having the ability to spend loads of money on studio time. If you have the time, go to the site and check it out. If you’re passionate about music; it is well worth getting familiar with.

One artist that is making use of Pledge Music is the stunning Jess Morgan.

Her second record, Aye Me is set to be released 26th March. More details about the Pledge for the record can be found here : http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jessmorgan

Jess has supported two acts that I adore a hell of a lot- Ellen And The Escapades and First Aid Kit. Her stunning folk based music is a billion times better than most that’s around right now. Easily. If you’re into the female singer that stands on the stage playing the guitar looking like an injured sparrow-then PLEASE move away from that and listen to Jess. You won’t be disappointed. You can listen to some of her wonderful music at : http://soundcloud.com/jessmorgan

Support and ENJOY!

x

Lana Del Rey(again..I know, I know.)

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I HATE LANA DEL REY.

Now I’ve got your attention, I’m going to attempt to put into words just how much it pisses me off all this slagging off and playground behaviour towards someone with genuine talent.

As you all know, before she was Lana Del Rey- she was Lizzy Grant. OH FUCK ME HOW DARE SHE CHANGE HER NAME. I mean, Iggy Pop is clearly his real name. Ziggy Stardust was NEVER a made up persona. Lady Gaga was actually christened with that name, Pink is actually called Pink and Snoop Dog was also born with that name.

Get over it.

I watched a documentary about the Blues recently, and this old guy (very wise and interesting, I’m shit with names though..so….) said this or similar : “They are called performing artists. The clue is there. It’s ART. Artifical. It’s an act, they don’t have to be themselves.” Like I said, that was basically what he said. And let’s face it; it’s true. Most singers create a persona. Some are a gimmick for the right or wrong reasons. So why on Earth is Lana fucking crucified for not going by her real name?

Are you mad because her dad is rich? Give a shit. That’s personal business. I care about Lana’s music. I don’t care about her personal life or what her family gets up to. I just love her music. You go on about how she’s had “work” done on her lips? So fucking what? Who cares if she has or hasn’t. I don’t think she has. I think she’s just got a wonderful pout. Some people pout (we’ve all got that annoying friend who has photos of themselves pouting on Facebook, pricks.) and I reckon Lana is a pouter. Again, who cares. Lana isn’t a singer because she wants you to pull her apart at every single chance. She’s a singer (and a signed one) because she has…GASP! HORROR! TALENT! Which is more than can be said for half the shit that pollutes the airwaves and the like.

Let’s mention SNL briefly. Have you ever had to do something, and you were so fucking nervous, and you just crumbled? Have you ever wanted to ask someone out? You build yourself up to it, and as you approach the person- with the words you want to say on the tip of your tongue and your heart racing, and you come out with “Hey..I err… I dig your elbows.” Then they laugh at you, and that’s it. You never want to speak your emotions ever again. It’s happened to us all. We’ve ALL folded under pressure. Lana is a human being; she’s not a robot who can just block out the fact she was being broacasted to millions of people. If it was me, I probably would’ve ran into a corner, pissed myself and cried for my mother. With no record out, she was the first to do this. That shit is nerve-wracking. Some were saying, “Oh if she was nervous, she shouldn’t have bothered.” Fuck off maaaan. Maybe she was fine, but as soon as the camera hit her- she fell apart. It happens. Let it go.

I read recently that she says people seem fascinated with her failing. She’s not wrong. People are expecting her to fail, but why? Why would you wish for somone to fail? You don’t go to school or whatever and think, “I hope my teacher balls up teaching us Science today!” or “I hope the taxi driver goes the wrong way or breaks down.” Fuck your bad vibes man. There’s so much suffering and shitness in the world, why would you waste your time on hating a person you do not know?

What drew me to Lana in May last year was how vulnerable she seemed. Her honest lyrics haunted you, and her frail presence just lured me in. I knew I was watching something so precious and perfect. It was Diet Mtn Dew that I first heard. Then I read up about Video Games. Her voice on Video Games always ALWAYS flaws me. I’ve never heard anything so pure. However, for me- it was Blue Jeans that did it. Personally, I love it more than Video Games. I can take or leave Video Games. It’s Blue Jeans that I adore. Now, some twerp has leaked the album. I haven’t downloaded it because I don’t want to be one of the tits that kill music. I listened to about 3 songs- then just stopped. I stopped because I wanted to have the record in my hands on Monday. I heard Dark Paradise, and I was internally freaking out. It is perfect. It is one of the best things I will hear all year, that I am sure of.

She has easily put out the best debut album of the year. EASILY. I know I change my mind a lot, but I’ll be sticking to this statement.

It just, I guess it upsets me because I love music. It is my life. And to see awful things such as the X-Factor being praised and artists with genuine talent being shot down. I just don’t get it at all. So what if how Lana dresses seems “manufactured.” I don’t think it does. I’ve seen her wear a leather jacket, jeans and trainers- how the fuck is that manufactured? It isn’t. She’s being true to herself. I’d take her over Gaga and Adele ANY day. I cannot relate to them at all. I can relate to Lana’s dark tales and vulnerable stories.

I kow the whole blogging scene (fucks sake) seem to LOVE to rip anything apart that gets a whiff of popularity. Just grow up and shut up. You’re not the one on stage singing songs from the heart. You’re not the one being pulled apart from what you say/do and how you look. You’re just sat behind a screen eating Wotsits- you probably don’t wash your hands after you pee. You vile, vile creature. I’ve written about Lana before- and I got hate for it- so I deleted it because I couldn’t be arsed. I’m just sick of people being so negative and ripping a person apart. There’s no need for it.

If you don’t like it- don’t listen to it. You don’t need to be a harsh, cold, cruel idiot. It just makes you look like a pretentious twit who has nothing better to do other than hate. What’s the point? I’m not saying you should like Lana, far from it. I just don’t understand why there is so much hate for a person who’s not even put her record out (Monday, it’s out on Monday FINALLY!)

I could go all Chris Crocker on this and just say..LEEEEEEEEEEAVE LANA ALONEEEE!!!! But, I’m trying to tame my madness.

So whatever, big deal she’s made up a name. She wanted to create a name that’s as beautiful as the music- which she has done. She’s not the first person to have gone by a different name. Life is all about changing and finding out who you are. Lana is just another 25 year old like myself trying to find her voice. She isn’t the only one; she’s doing it in a public way. That takes guts and heart.

I adore the line, “Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain.” from Born To Die. There’s something about it that just makes you feel and think as if you are in love. Her music and her lyrics are truthful; so beautiful. There’s more to Lana than people realise. They seem to be blinded by her past. We’ve all got a past. It’s not like she was a robber or mugging old people every Thursday just for kicks. All she did was put out a record under her real name. It’s not big deal.

Like I said, if you don’t like it- don’t listen to it.