So, one of my favourite artists; Blackbird Blackbird has a new track out Tear. It’s a euphoric piece of music that can make you feel the summer sun- even if it is horrifically cold and grim outside.
For the past few summers Blackbird Blackbird has provided the soundtrack. The music has this feeling that just makes you feel so peaceful and like you are floating on a bed of clouds. Tear is no exception, and you can grab yourself a FREE download of the track RIGHT HERE!
Expect an EP VERY VERY early next year from Blackbird Blackbird.
Memories can be painful or joyful. Theycan set you up for a fall, or they can make you feel something so incredible- you just can’t put it into words. Think of an artist you have dear memories associated with. Now imagine you have been told they have died.
Today, aged only 44 years old- Heavy D died. His song, Now That We Found Love was the ONE song I played in the car from the drive from France to Italy when I was 4 or 5 years old. I played it over and over in the car. I remember my mum buying it from Our Price before we all went on holiday, and it was the only song that was played. I associate the song with not only a family holiday- but with being utterly care free. When I play this song, I feel about 5 years old again in the back of the car singing and dancing to this song.
I’ve no idea what the cause of death was for Heavy’s death, but he was far too young. He had a distinctive voice within the rap community. He didn’t have to use violent lyrics to reach you. He was fun and just a pleasure to listen to. He was one of the first rappers I remember hearing. I guess it was him that got me into rap. I suppose Notorious B.I.G summed it up, “It was all a dream. I used to read Word Up! magazine. Salt ‘n’ Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine.”
Heavy D gave me memories that, for that part of my life- are really the only good ones I have. They are the only ones I can really look back on and smile. Thank you D. I hope that wherever you are, you’re at peace. You’re going to be missed.
“You can’t like Drake because you lke bands such as The Cure and The Smiths.” Oh really? SHIT SON! I didn’t realise I could only listen to one specific style of music. I honestly didn’t know that I could only listen to music that’s like The Cure or My Bloody Valentine. Fuck off.
It happens a lot. More times than it should. People are small minded- from judging someone on their clothes to the colour of their skin. It’s entirely awful. But, I don’t want to rant about the errors of the human race. I want to tell you about how fucking AMAZING Drake’s new stuff.
Anypne who knows me even a tiny bit will know I don’t like Rihanna at all. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but musically I’m not really a fan. HOWEVER, she’s done a track with Drake on his new album and it samples my hero- Gil Scott-Heron. It is also produced by Jamie Smith (from The XX.) This is a KILLER track. Her vocals are beautiful on this track. If you’re chasing someone who seems to be put off anything to do with anyone in a romantic manner, play this song to them. It’ll get your point across better than you will. If it doesn’t work then, well- keep trying? I don’t know. Nobody likes a stalker do they. The thing is, this track is fucking out of this world. It should make you lose your mind; that’s if you still have it.
So one of my biggest loves this year has been The Weeknd’s two mixtapes. I cannot wait for the third one. The Weeknd appears on Drake’s new album. Crew Love is just brilliant. The Weeknd is this underground guy who deserves to be so fucking huge. Seriously, he needs to be as huge a…someone that’s really huge. I’m lost for words right now. This album is so good. Best rap album of the year? Of course, no doubt about that. Drake and The Weeknd need to make an album together, but I honestly don’t think the world is ready for something like that. I don’t think they are ready for the Take Care album or anything The Weeknd does. I don’t care if you don’t like rap or Drake- you need to get this album when it comes out next week. Better than his other stuff? It’s just more grown, that’s all.
There’s production on the album from the likes of Just Blaze (his back catalogue is insanely impressive) and Noah Shebib. It’s honestly going to be one of THE biggest and best albums of the year. I don’t care what genre you favour, Drake needs a spot in your record collection. There’s too much good music out there for you to just limit yourself to one genre. Don’t be a small minded fool.
As I get older, I think I start to dislike people more. Or maybe, I pick up on certain traits they have and just cannot be bothered. When I get like this, I can only listen to one artist. This one artist has been summing up this…whatever it is…feeling I guess since I was 17/18. I’m nearly 25 so it’s safe to say that Jason Pierce is a huge part of my life. His words have got me through some shit. Not that I feel like shit now- but every so often you see something or hear something that makes you feel so disappointed, and I guess let down.
Jason Pierce is one of the most important musicians that this country has produced. He’s on the same level as The Jesus And Mary Chain, Chris Corner and My Bloody Valentine. Jason’s words fix that part of you that someone else has probably broke. He heals those wounds that another cannot fix- it has to be music. That’s all that can fix it.
You Lie, You Cheat will ALWAYS be one of my favourite. The angst that builds and builds in this song always gets to me. Most would probably choose songs such as Broken Heart or Hold On- but You Lie has that fury that just burns inside you. It just fucking pours out in a way that you cannot control. Do you want to control it? Could you? Songs In A&E is, for me, on the same level as Ladies And Gentlemen….I mean, you really cannot deny the sheer genius that record is. Everything Jason does is just perfection.
Hold On is easily one of THE most heartbreaking and painful songs ever created. The utter fragility and hurt that just pours out of this song could easly crush the hardest of hearts. If I hear it and I feel totally fine; it still breaks me. It is so powerful, it really isn’t for the emotionally unstable. That said, it does help with a break-up. Or if you want to cry and can’t seem to do so.
My uncle was the one who caused my love for Spiritualized, he’s the reason why I love a lot of bands I do. Jason’s lyrics are just as powerful as the actual music he creates. The music alone can break you, but calm you down. His voice is so breath-taking and relaxing. Even when bouts of angst and pain riddle it, it’s got this quality to it that just makes you feel at ease- and less alone.
There’s nothing I can say about Spiritualized that hasn’t already been said. You know how you have certain bands that, when you listen to them- you just think about stuff? By stuff, I mean anything and everything. That’s what Spiritualized does to me. His music has been like a crutch to me for so long, I honestly have no idea what I’d do without it. He’s one of the few musicians that just stun me with every listen and leave me lost for words. Or in this case, ramble like a massive idiot.
But anyway, Jason Pierce- you’re one of the few artists who made this uncomfortable 17/18 year old turn into a soon to be 25 year old who is actually okay with who they are now.
I’ll just get the shallow element of this out of the way before I mention the music. The Black Belles are basically my dream women. Dressed in complete black- always ready for a funeral. Black clothes, black make-up. They are ALL stunning. I don’t need to go on about their looks anymore, now it’s about the music.
You know when you hear something and it just amazes you that something like this exists? Pretty much how I feel about The Black Belles. They’re like…a scarier version of Dum Dum Girls. They have this brilliant 60s garage rock feel going on, but with something heavier mixed in. It is so creepy and so menacing- it’s probably why I love it.
Their record is out tomorrow, debut full length LP. It sounds like something that could easily be in a Vincent Price film. It is so fucking unbelievable. How can something like this, exist now? I guess when you’re on Jack White’s record label, you will more than likely produce one of the best albums of the year-right? Oh of course. The album feels like a dirty, blues record that has heavy garage rock tones to it. I guess they’ll get called Goths because they wear black, that’s not a bad thing. Better than being called a dickhead.
Hand on heart, this record shits on a lot of albums that have come out this year. This is a phenomenal debut album. I remember how I felt when I heard Strange House by The Horrors. That same feeling is alive and well when I listen to The Black Belles. It’s hard to put it into words, because I just want to ramble on like I always do. But I feel massively stupid because the band deserve more than an idiot like me go on and on writing sentences that make no sense at all.
If you want music that is going to make you feel like you are in a creepy horror film- you need The Black Belles. If you (like myself) think girls that wear black make-up and dress all in black are amazing- then you need this band. If you want to hear something that you’ve never heard before, and you want to be shook up a wee bit- then you really do need to invest yourself in The Black Belles.
It’s dark, eerie and will freak you out. You need this, trust me.
More often than not, I seem to find a band or singer that just becomes the best thing in the world. I seem to have dragged myself away from the new albums by Uh Huh Her and Summer Camp, and found a new love. As soon as I’ve written this I’ll clearly go back to annoying my neighbours by playing certain songs over and over; and loudly.
I know NOTHING about We Are Trees apart from two things; they are amazing and I think they are unsigned. If I’ve got the latter wrong, accept my mistake. We all make them. This is tame compared to what I usually do.
I have no idea how many of them are in the band. I don’t know names or where they are from. I don’t want to know. I just want to listen to their music all the time and forget real life. I Don’t Believe in Love is beautiful. For the cynics amongst us, you’ll probably love this song. Then again, you don’t have to be a cynic to appreciate this wonderful song.
If you love bands such as Widowspeak, Beach House, Seapony- you will love We Are Trees. If they haven’t been signed yet, then they bloody deserve to be.
Remember remember the 5th November, as it is one week before my birthday!
We are informed at this time of year to have Bonfires and set off fireworks because of Guy Fawkes. We are told he’s a bad fellow. Truth be told, he wasn’t. He like most of us, wanted freedom. James I was the King at the time of Guy’s plot to blow up Parliament in 1605. All Guy wanted was freedom. I could go on and on about this but I’ll just offend some uneducated fool so basically I’m going to give you some songs that are about freedom. If you’re not free inside, can you be free on the outside; and vice versa? I obviously don’t condone people blowing shit up or any form of violence- but I fully understand the fury and rage someone feels when they want to be heard. Yet no one listens. Anyway, have some songs.
Originally I was going to write about Cold Cave and how much I adore them. Then I realised, my love for Cold Cave is all down to my respect and admiration of Wes Eisold. I started to write about Cold Cave, and the opening paragraph would probably offend various people, so to do anything for a quiet life and to be no part of other people’s bitching and self-projection I’ve deleted it. Basically if you were someone who ONLY listens to folk or acoustic music and enjoys watching someone look like they are in pain as they sing the same song for an hour, using the same chords- you would’ve been offended. I can’t remember exactly what I wrote, but I stand by it. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy acoustic based music- but only stuff from the 50s to the 70s. Anything after that is utterly dire. You think Laura Marling is the one? Check yo’self FOOL. Go listen to Woody Guthrie or Townes Van Zandt.
Rant over, for now. I shall begin.
My love for Wes started when I watched a video of American Nightmare (or Give Up The Ghost, up to you)on the internet. I was in awe of Wes instantly. He words resonated with me so much. American Nightmare became such an important band to me, I just had to find out all I could about Wes and his lyrics.
As much as I love American Nightmare and Some Girls, I really cannot deny that my love for Cold Cave is greater than all the other bands Wes has been associated with. Cold Cave mix that dark 80s goth/electro sound with some painfully honest and dark lyrics. Wes is a poet and author, so it is honestly no surprise that he lyrics are going to be out of this world. I remember when I first heard their debut album in full, Love Comes Close and I was just enthralled- completely and utterly in what I was hearing. How could someone just say exactly how I feel in a way so poetic and just stunning to the very core? Youth And Lust is just the definition of wanting to drive at night, taking in the city lights and letting your mind just go with the song. But you know, focus on the road!
Wes’ words just do something to my soul- much like Morrissey and Bob Dylan. Wes is so underrated, he’s just so bloody magnificent. I know I’m possibly borderline obsessed with all he does, but regardless of where you start with the bands he has been in. Whether you start from Cold Cave and go backwards- or with American Nightmare onwards; you just become so taken in with what he writes and his voice.
The title track, Love Comes Close, personally is a favourite. I love every single thing about this track. The lyrics in particular are so accurate. “Love comes close, but chooses to spare me.” It’s just so true, without getting to personal and whatnot; I can relate to this song more than most on the record. It’s just brutally honest and dark disguised over this wonderful synth/electro vibe.
Wes Eisold is one of my inspirations/idols. Not because he makes this wonderful music that owns my heart and soul, but because there is no denying how much of a genius he is. If you read or watch any interviews he has done, you can see just how intelligent and particular he is about the music he creates. Every project he has taken on is different from previous. He’s not a one-trick pony at all. His words have got me through a lot- good and bad. So Wes, I know you won’t ever see this- but you changed my life. Thank you.
Oh and American Nightmare are doing some reunion shows- I hope they bring it to the UK.
Ever since I can remember I have been surrounded by poetry. From my mum reading poems to me when I was younger to get me to sleep to being obsessed with it all through school, college and university. My love for words has always been at a level that most would call borderline obsessive. I love poetry that makes you take in every single detail, much like how I am with music. I love poetry that has feeling, romance, humour, charm, a hint of darkness- I just love poetry. There’s one poet in particular that I will always have as my favourite and will always be one of my biggest inspirations.
John Cooper Clarke, the Bard of Salford. The Punk Poet. One of the best things to have come out of the North of England. One of the best poets ever. His way with words stuck with me the very first time I encountered his work. Thing is, I can’t actually remember when it was. I know I was in secondary school, I just don’t know when exactly. Probably when I was 15, we’ll go with that. His words became a beacon of hope during my time in secondary school. If Hell was on Earth, it would’ve been there. Truly awful. John Cooper Clarke’s words will make you crack up whether you are hearing him read them or you read them yourself. His accent is such a powerful force, more on that in a sec.
I couldn’t pick a favourite, or maybe I could. If push came to shove or something, I’d probably pick Twat. It’s poem that you can easily associate with people you know. You know you can. I’m not ashamed that I can associate it with certain people. Then again, I dislike that because it’s such a bloody good poem- they really don’t deserve it. From a comical perspective, well, if it doesn’t make you laugh- what is with you? It’s sheer genius. The way he describes the person to be as useful as a used Smartie or as fun as someone dying at a birthday party is just bloody brilliant. The way he reads this, you can tell he’s thinking of someone. But who? There’s so many twats in the world, it’d be hard to pick out who it could be about. Some people are more twattish than others. This is the perfect poem to recite to someone who just fucks you off to high Heaven. I know most of this poem, I am ready!
His accent, his voice- so distinctive and clear. His wonderful Mancunian accent is partly what makes his poetry so moving. When a poet reads their work, you can feel and sense so much from their voice. The sincerity just comes through so clearly, and you connect to it in a way that makes you feel you are part of what they are saying. I’m just going to throw this out there, if ANYONE deserves to be the Poet Laureate. He is a National Treasure. He is a bloody genius; if you can’t see that then you are missing the voice. I absolutely adore his accent. I love Northern accents- I suppose I have to with having a family that are from Yorkshire (the other half is Italy.) I could easily just listen to his voice all day. I love hearing him sometimes on air with Radcliff and Maconie on 6Music- it’s like listening to the naughty kids at school. I’ve always said that I would love to sit in a pub with Mark E Smith (The Fall) and John Cooper Clarke. Not even to join in with the conversation, but to just hear what they were saying. I’m certain some pearls of wisdom would be shared. The charm and wit in the conversation would just be wonderful.
I chose Twat as one of my favourites, but there is another poem by John Cooper Clarke that I hold quite dear to me. This poem is on the opposite scale of Twat. I Wanna Be Yours is glorious and charming declaration of wanting to be someones and just liking them. I reckon I’m daft enough to recite this to someone whilst a bit drunk. If I do this to you, you should feel honoured- but I’d assume you’d pat me on the head and tell me to go away. I love the feeling of pure devotion that comes through in this poem. It really does make you think of someone, and all the things you want to say to them. Also, the things you would probably do in order for them to see that you’re fond of them. It’s just such a kind, sincere and gentle poem.
“I wanna be your raincoat, for those frequent rainy days. I wanna be your dreamboat, when you want to sail away. Let me be your teddy bear, take me with you anywhere. I don’t care. I wanna be yours.”
His words spoke to (and still do) to people who just want something non-pretentious and overbearing to relate to. I mean, it’s all well and good having poetry that paints the world in several shades of red, blues and greens- but sometimes you want something simple with an amazing level of humour that makes you see the world the way you already see it. It’s just good to have someone like John Cooper Clarke say it for you. The way he does it is utterly mind-blowing. He is such a creative force that has evidently inspired so many. If you read any of Alex Turner’s (Arctic Monkeys) lyrics, you will see such an influence of John Cooper Clarke in there. That Northern demeanor is so charismatic and warming, it just makes you want to sit in some run-down pub in a grey town surrounded by old Northerners talking about their lives. Laughing to yourself about the phrases they come out with and how they word it.
John Cooper Clarke deserves a hell of a lot more respect and recognition. His work needs to be studied by anyone and everyone. His sharp tongue and his immense wit just draws you in. Once you’ve experienced this, you become a fan for life. That’s how it was for me when I was 15, it’s been nearly 10 years and my love for him and his work is still just as big and important as ever.
I don’t want to know everything about a band I love. For me, I just care about their music and what influences them. Not by other musicians but if they are influenced by their surroundings and background. That’s more interesting than reading a shitty magazine and seeing them fall out a taxi. But, everyone is different aren’t they.
I don’t know if anything I write about Age Of Consent will make any sense, I’ve just woke up from a 4 hour nap. Some call it a nap, some call it a full on sleep. I’ll go with nap.
Age Of Consent are going to probably make you very happy inside and out. They’re like Big Pink mixed with The Knife. I feel secure withy saying this because I am literally obsessed with The Knife and The Big Pink. The vocals on Columns sound like it cold easily be a track by The Big Pink. The music reminds me of Heartbeats by The Knife, that song has a special place in my heart and is reserved for a few things. Columns is this wonderful piece of electro that stuns you. 3 minutes just isn’t enough. Either push repeat a few times, or listen to their other track- The Beach. Or just alternate. Hell..just do all of it.
The Beach is brilliant. It’s this wonderful moern take on 80s electro pop. A lot are still stuck on bringing back the 80s, but are making such a mess of it. I’ve got my favourites of those who are doing it in a good way, and are making it enjoyable. Age Of Consent are a band that I can add to that very small list. The Beach is amazing. The drums are amazing. If they don’t make you want to flail your body around and just get lost in the music, then something could be wrong with you. Seek medical help; keep listening to Age Of Consent. It’ll sort you out in no time.
So, one of my favourite artists; Blackbird Blackbird has a new track out Tear. It’s a euphoric piece of music that can make you feel the summer sun- even if it is horrifically cold and grim outside.
Beat In My Bones. 