Author Archives: Olivia

Shoegaze.

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Sub-genres in music have a lot to answer for. By this, I mean for the most part these sub-genres that are made up are entirely pointless.

Prime example, emo. Emo music is has been given, for the most part- bad press. Maybe quite rightly so, who knows. It depends if you enjoy hearing singers with a nasally voice singing about how some girl ripped the singer’s heart out and now they want to drink themselves into an oblivion and probably attempt to kill themselves. If that’s your thing, then fair enough.

However, shouldn’t ALL music be emotional? Shouldn’t all music make you feel something? Whether it makes you laugh or cry- it should make you feel. Therefore all music is emotional so in short, the term “emo” is redundant. As is “pop-punk” but some may say it’s the same thing and I could write thousands of words about my hate for that kind of music. But I can sum it up with one- SHIT.

Now that’s out of my system (for now) I’ll go on about one of my favourite sub genres of music (aside from Riot Grrrl). Shoegaze for most started out as an insult, which first came about when a journalist went to review new band at the time, Moose. If you watch performances of bands that are classed as Shoegaze, they used to constantly stare at the ground (at their shoes) when they performed. Ergo, the term Shoegaze was born. TA-DA! And all that shit.

What I love about most of the bands that are classed as Shoegaze (even if it is against their will) is how low the vocals are, how the guitar hypnotises you and how the drums have a vague Wall of Sound feel to them. I love how dark the whole sound is, it’s like nothing else.

A lot of bands I listen to now have this same kind of feel such as The Horrors (Primary Colours and Skying) and Zola Jesus. From a hypnotising sense, I get that from bands such as Widowspeak and Warpaint.

Anything that can transport you into a different world with a sound is fine by me. The dark, intense atmosphere that you get from most Shoegaze bands is something that just hits you right in the gut. It doesn’t make you want to dance, it just makes you feel. I’d rather listen to something that causes my mind to go off than make me want to dance.

The Jesus And Mary Chain is probably my favourite band that fell into the Shoegaze category. There is something about Jim’s voice that just moves you in an unexplainable way. It’s eerie, it’s menacing- but at the same time you sense hints of vulnerability in his voice. I suppose that’s why many have compared The Horrors to The Jesus And Mary Chain. Oh that and the fact both bands are brilliant.

Psychocandy, I feel just defines Shoegaze. It also defines what a debut album should be like. It grips you and you want more and more from them.

My love for them goes beyond words. Aside from The Smiths, no band has ever made me feel like this about music.

Bands such as The Smiths, The Velvet Underground and Bauhaus can easily be regarded as an influence for the Shoegaze genre. Just listen to the guitar in How Soon Is Now or Venus In Furs. The eerie sound is such a blatant influence on Shoegaze.

One band that I brutally obsessed over between the ages of 17 to well, now I guess are Husker Du. To me, I regard them as a massive influence within Shoegaze. The distorted guitar, the low voice- it’s all there. Bob Mould is just a musical genius.

I remember finding a Husker Du shirt in Camden around 4 years ago, I felt like I had won the lottery or something. Pretty sure I lived in that shirt. Candy Apple Grey is such a phenomenal album. It just poured out so much feeling. The despair in Don’t Wanna Know If You’re Lonely is gut-wrenching.

It’s pretty much sacrilege to not mention Cocteau Twins when mentioning Shoegaze. The gripping sounds, the exquisitely emotional lyrics. Such a perfect band that still, I believe do not get the respect and recognition that they fully deserve. They also reinforce my belief that most good music comes from Scotland.

As Shoegaze sadly faded out we were unfortunately exposed to the sounds of Brit-Pop (the only acceptable band was Suede) how we went from music with so much passion and heart to something so dull and bland baffles me.

I suppose, you just have to take the good with the bad.

Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine is one of the most magnetising front-men ever. His hypnotic voice, his comforting words. His whole stance on stage is just stunning. My Bloody Valentine’s use of reverb and distortion influenced so many bands that fall into the Shoegaze sub-genre, and still influence bands of other genres.

My Bloody Valentine’s second album, Loveless is highly thought of as THE influential Shoegaze album. Loveless was recorded over a couple of years in around 19 different studios. The album is just so perfect from start to finish, a true masterpiece. To Here Knows When still blows my mind.

As far as female fronted bands go, Lush were one of the greats. Labelled as Shoegaze by many, most them chucked them into the Brit-Pop category. Call them what you wish, but they are one of the most underrated bands that the UK has produced.

With bands such as The Horrors and Crocodiles making music that gives you the psychedelic feel mixed with Shoegaze. In a way, Shoegaze may have stemmed from psychedelic. A sound that makes you feel like you are being carted off into space, creating a swirling world that nobody can stop you entering. Why would they? It’s the best place to be. There will never be a band that can cause you to feel how The Jesus And Mary Chain does or an album as sincere and poignant as Loveless. Regardless if you like the term Shoegaze or not, all the bands that have been lumped with this label have just been so inspirational.

Last week, Under The Radar Magazine coined the phrase Bossgaze. Yes, it is Bruce’s music and Shoegaze. It needs to happen. Let’s make it bloody happen!

Silverchair-Neon Ballroom.

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Most of the bands I love have either dead band members or have split up. Or even worse, both.

This year one of the bands that I adored with every fibre of my being split up. I never got to see them live, but every album they put out holds greats significance to me.

Silverchair were and always will be such a special band to me. In college I had a rucksack that I covered in black marker with bands I loved written all over it. Silverchair was one of them, and I think I had some of the lyrics to Emotion Sickness scrawled over it too.

Neon Ballroom without a doubt is one of my favourite albums ever made. Every single song on the same could break your heart, but at the same time gives you this weird strength to just carry on.

The time in my life that I first listened to Silverchair was, well, shit basically. Certain songs were an emotional crutch because I knew no one around me could begin to get it. This wasn’t your standard teen angst, it was something else. However, if I could go back in time I wouldn’t change a thing at all. If I was to, I probably wouldn’t hold this much love and respect for bands such as Silverchair.

Daniel Johns’ words settled my internal rage in a way no other band could, or has done since. Certain songs made it easier for me to accept the strong dislike I had for myself. Certain songs made breathing less difficult. Certain songs were my life.

With a lot of bands, they go on about self hate and anger because they want to seem “cool.” There is nothing cool about being angry or hating yourself. Anyone who has felt this way about themselves knows it is the most self destructive and exhausting thing you can do to yourself. Daniel Johns’ lyrics came right from the heart which is probably why they captured mine instantly.

Songs such as Do You Feel The Same, for me just summed up so much. “Moon covered determined to find. To find my place of hiding. Try to detach, try to decrease. To make it easier on me. Despise myself for what you’ve done. Sent me back into my world. Hold yourself ’cause no one will. I’ll make it easier” It meant the world to me when I first heard it, and it still does now. The frustration in his voice when he sings this song just leaves you in awe.

Then you have songs such as Miss You Love, “I love the you love. But I hate the way I’m supposed to love you back.” It’s easy to accept love, but loving someone back can rid you of so much. An easy thing to feel.

Ana’s Song (Open Fire) is about Daniel’s battle with Anorexia. Eating disorders have always been a subject people never touch on. Maybe if they did, people would not have to suffer as much as they do. Of course, there is this misconception that it is only girls who suffer from eating disorders. Hearing of Daniel’s struggle with Anorexia in this song is beyond heartbreaking.

The metaphors who uses and the imagery he creates is so painfully accurate and at times, extremely hard to listen to. I’ve had people that were/are close to me go through having an eating disorder, and hearing this songs just echoes how they felt and their fight with having an eating disorder.

“And you’re my obsession, I love you to the bones. And ana wrecks your life, like an anorexia life.” I’ve never heard a line so powerful. I could go into detail about this line, but when you hear Daniel sing this song, especially this line- you do not need words to describe it. The feelings from him that pour out just explain it all.

They released their first album, Frogstomp when they were only 14 years old. Each album just turned out to be works of art- knowing they were so young when their first record came out is utterly mind-blowing.

Neon Ballroom is so passionate and aggressive. Every song just pours out so much frustration, at others and at self. If it wasn’t for this album, I think being a teenager would’ve been worse than it was, if possible. The drums, bass and guitar sound so menacing complimented with Daniel’s harsh yet soothing voice.

There’s no way I could possibly pick a favourite track off this masterpiece, every single song means so much, too much.

It is such a timeless and highly influential album. I listen to it now, and although I do associate the album with some shit times- it’s been worth it.

Maybe Silverchair will never get back together and make music again, but all 5 of their albums means a lot. Even Young Modern.

I’ve always felt that the band has been so awfully underrated. Each of them is outstanding musicians. I watch live clips of them and seeing Daniel play the guitar like that is so ridiculously powerful. The love in their performances is just amazing. They had this raw feel to them that doesn’t exist in many bands anymore. It is more than a shame that they are no longer together, but with their back-catalogue, they will always be around.

For me, Neon Ballroom was the blueprint of being a teenager for me. It was like a rite of passage or something. Listening to it as a teenager and now as a 24 year old, I still feel the same. The feelings that Neon Ballroom creates is for the most part, highly indescribable. Extremely personal and a fantastic work of art. It will always be album that I rely on and feel a lot for. There were days listening to it would hurt, there were some days where listening to it would just make everything alright. I guess, that’s why music is such a powerful, personal and vital force.

I Break Horses.

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I Break Horses aka Maria Lindén is another reason as to why Sweden is producing some amazing music. See The Knife/Fever Ray, Death In The Afternoon, Those Dancing Days, Lykke Li and of course- Ace of Base.

Although the vast majority of music from Sweden is quite pop based (Robyn), Maria pretty much picks up where Shoegaze left off. Or maybe, what Shoegaze would sound like now. Either or. As someone who has a borderline obsession with the Shoegaze genre, it’s artists such as Maria that keep my faith and interest in new music going. Listing the Cocteau Twins as one of her influences, how could she not create such gorgeous music.

Winter Beats is stunning. It is stunning and atmospheric. It makes you feel like you are laying on a hill watching firework. It’s such a euphoric song. I love music that is simple but sounds so big, and at times- haunting. I suppose that is why I adore I Break Horses so much amongst others.

Her debut album Hearts, is released next week. I reckon it’ll be on a par with amazing debuts this year that have come from the likes of Cults, CocknBullKid and Anna Calvi.

 

 

Death In The Afternoon.

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Forming in Sweden around two years ago as only a duo, Death In The Afternoon released their first EP at the start of the year as a 5 piece.

I’ve read a few articles that have basically said that this is what Interpol would sound like if they had synths. As I love Interpol, it’s not a comparison that has put me off the band. I suppose it is easy to hear why they have been compared to them. If you really must have a comparison, they sound a fair bit like Depeche Mode. The dark guitar sounds over heavy synths and bass with an agressive drum.

What I love about Death In The Afternoon is how Christian, Linda and Amanda’s voices compliment each others. It sounds so romantic. Very 80s.

Oh they’re possibly named after a cocktail or an Ernest Hemingway book- either reason is pretty cool.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.

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There is always one specific song you hold so close to you. There’s that one song you cling onto with all you have, even when you think everything and everyone has drained you of all you have and all you are. This one song is your absolute life-line. It is your crutch, it has saved your life. Without this song, you have no idea where you would be. Or maybe you do, but you don’t want to think about it. Because if you think about it….well, who knows. This song means the world to you, and more. It is part of you. Maybe it defines you. Whatever it does to you, nothing and no one else ever will.

For me, the song is Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths. I’ve never heard a song so bloody apt. It seems this song, is my constant crutch. And currently, well let’s just say it means more to me than it ever has done before.

Attempting to put into words what this song actually means to me is probably impossible. Ask any genuine fan of The Smiths or Morrissey (I mean the ones who know there is more to them than This Charming Man, First of the Gang to Die and How Soon Is Now) and they will have the one song by The Smiths or Morrissey that is their utter life line. Some may choose I Know It’s Over, which to me, is on a par with Please Please…”Oh Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head.” Have you ever heard a line so fragile? “It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate. It takes strength to be gentle and kind.” Never a truer word spoken, When you feel so low, being kind and gentle is so exhausting. Being good to people who aren’t worth it takes so much from you. So, let them go. Always let them go.

Lyrics have always been a huge thing for me. When you read the lyrics to anything Morrissey has written, you can read it as poetry. He is quite possibly one of, if not the greatest songwriter of all time. What fucks me off a lot is when people dismiss him and just call him grumpy or a depressive twit. He did suffer from depression in his early years, that is obvious in some of his work. However, listen to songs such as Bigmouth Strikes Again and you will hear humour in his words. He’s so bloody intelligent and witty- if you overlook this, you lack intelligence. Harsh? Possibly,but still true.

“So for once in my life, let me get what I want. Lord knows it would be the first time.” Anyone who cannot relate to these words is quite possibly a robot. However, I think the person with the coldest and hardest of hearts can really feel these words, this song. Everyone at some point in their life has felt, “Just give me a fucking break.” I feel it most days, probably far more than I should. I dislike how honest I’ve been writing this, but no one ever reads what I write so it’s okay. I’ve never seen this live. Seeing I Know It’s Over broke my heart in June and August this year. I just never thought I’d witness it, but I did. It’s something I hold so very dear to me.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want means more than the world to me. The sadness that comes out of Johnny Marr’s guitar is heartbreaking, the way Morrissey emphasises certain words just pierces your soul. It crushes and comforts you all at the same time. Listening to The Smiths and Morrissey can, at times, be like an emotional rollercoaster. With others, it’s never worth it- but it is with them. Always.

The below clip is one of the best things I have seen Morrissey do. He breaks down, which just makes the song that much more hard-hitting and personal. You feel it even more because you see him feel it. When his voice trembles a bit and he kneels on the ground, you just want to hug him and say, “I know….I know.” Watching this performance is highly emotional.

Everyone has a band that changed their life. A band that found them when every part of them as lost- The Smiths are my band. Morrissey’s lyrics made me feel less daft for being sensitive. At worst a coward, at best just unsure.

Cold In Berlin.

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Sometimes you just need music that just smacks you right in the face. It smacks you so hard, but here’s the mental part- you enjoy it. It’s the pleasurable kind of pain. It exists- like getting a tattoo.

Cold In Berlin are one of THE most exciting bands I’ve heard in a long time. I feel like they could’ve easily been part of the Punk scene playing at CBGBs, yes they are THAT mind-blowing.

God I Love You is agressive. It’s passionate. It oozes frustration and quite possibly being insanely pissed off at the person you are a bit fond of. We’ve all been there I suppose. Think Summer Camp’s I Want You but with extreme rage and a hint of Siouxise Sioux. It works. Trust me, it works. Singer My/Maya even looks slightly like Siouxsie Sioux. By slightly, I mean squint a bit- I’ve got bad eye sight so I could be wrong.

I love the volatile vibe you get from this band. I had comparing bands to others, but this time- it’s okay. Cold In Berlin remind me so much of Bikini Kill. The angst and the passion in their music is perfect- match that with dark sounding guitars, you pretty much have one of the most exciting bands in the UK right now.

Artrocker have quite rightfully named Give Me Walls as their album of the year in 2010. If the Mercury Music Prize had balls (or boobs…depends what kind of stance you want to take) then Cold In Berlin would be on the list.

This band are everything I love in much. Aggressive, dark, intense and so much frustration. The best forms of art have all these factors. Go buy their music, go to their gigs.

 

Faris Badwan.

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Everyone has their own take on what makes a great front-man/woman. It can be how they can control a crowd to how they are in interviews. There are various reasons as to what makes them great- everyone’s take on it is different.

Of course I regard Morrissey and Jim Reid (The Jesus And Mary Chain) to be the greatest front-men ever. However, there is someone else I hold as highly as these two.

This person towers of the mic stand, you are instantly attracted to him- in whatever way, that’s up to you. You look at him and you are amazed that someone so young can control a crowd in a way many spend years trying to do. Usually dressed head to toe in black, to some- they may be scared of him. But that’s only because people are small-minded twats aren’t they. Those that love the band he fronts know that he is a work of art. He is a genius. So are his band mates.

The man in question is non other than Faris Badwan from The Horrors. Since Morrissey and Jim Reid I honestly don’t think I have ever been so captivated by a front man. He paces the stage like lion, he owns the stage. He doesn’t have to succumb to meaningless talk with the audience to control them. He has this presence that just draws you in.

Watching early performances of The Horrors, Faris goes mental during songs such as Gloves and Death at the Chapel- watching these early performances you find it hard to believe that in a few years time, he will look all majestic and peaceful singing Sea Within A Sea.

It isn’t just with live performances that Faris grips you, it’s the interviews he does. Whether he’s talking about The Horrors, Cat’s Eyes or his artwork- you can just sense the passion he feels towards what he does. He doesn’t have to be all smiles and leaping around for you to see just how much he loves what he does. It comes out with the words he uses to describe it all.

One thing that I have always found fascinating about Faris is his love for girl groups. The real sense of girl groups such as The Girlfriends and The Ronettes. He incorporates these influences into The Horrors music and of course, with Rachel Zeffira in Cat’s Eyes.

The sincerity when he talks about what he does and his love for it is greater than most. Why? Well, because those that don’t care as much always feel the need to justify and explain what they do, why they do it and who they do it for.

Surely, if you love something….have a passion for something- you never need to justify it because the true meaning is in you, in your heart.

Constantly Fairs has been compared to the likes of Kevin Shields and Jim Reid, especially since Primary Colours and even more so with Skying. In some respects you can see these comparisons, from how he stands on stage to how he sings but to be honest- that’s all there is. Jim Reid never looked as majestic as a lion whilst pacing up and down the stage. It’s just lazy journalism comparing Faris to these two.

Also, why should he or anyone be compared to others? Especially when they are doing something different.

Although I dislike the station a hell of a lot, having The Horrors be placed on the Radio 1 play list is a bloody good achievement. If you listen (and I feel sorry for you if you do) to Radio 1, you are constantly exposed to the same songs every hour. There is nothing different; every single song is the same.

To have song such as Still Life being play listed doesn’t just help The Horrors, but it gives hope to bands that are doing something different the chance to be heard by the masses.

Maybe those that get into The Horrors will not love Strange House. They may just dismiss it as noise. It isn’t noise, it’s Garage Rock.

What I love about The Horrors is that their music makes you feel like you are listening to them in the 60s. You know, when music actually meant something. Stood for something. To have a band like The Horrors make the music that they make now is just beyond.

Many have regarded Faris as being “difficult” in interviews, but they’re missing the point. He’s not someone you are going to get pointless information out of such as “favourite kind of dog.” He’s a musician; therefore he will talk about his music, and only music. That’s how it should be. Not just with him, but all musicians. We do not need to know about their personal lives, it is highly irrelevant. We aren’t their close friends or family- therefore, it isn’t our business.

Last year Faris joined The Vaccines on stage at Chazzstock (memorial gig for Charlie Haddon from Ou Est Le Swimming Pool) and although he was only on stage for two songs, his presence was indescribable. I couldn’t believe he was stood right in front of me.

This October, I’m finally seeing The Horrors live (The Kills are also joining them, I cannot contain my excitement about this) since the EP before Strange House I have loved The Horrors, that’s 2006 I have been a massive fan. I’ve waited too long to see them, so to see one of my favourite bands live this year is a big deal.

I wish I saw them during the Strange House era- to see Faris climb over speakers, cover the crowd in black paint, launch himself at the crowd- it would’ve been such a good atmosphere. Something a lot of bands lack. However, to be able to hear tracks from Primary Colours (hopefully) and Skying will make up for it.

I’m all for listening to whatever you want, but if you listen to Sea Within A Sea or Endless Blue and still dislike The Horrors, then you should probably get yourself a new record collection.

I firmly believe in 10, 20 years from now people will name The Horrors as one of the greatest bands to have come from the UK and will also name Faris Badwan to be one of the greatest front-men ever.

Blackbird Blackbird.

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The best thing about music is that it can make you feel so many things. Things another person has no chance of making you ever feel. For some it’s good, for others it’s bad. Personally, I don’t see it as a bad thing. There’s no disappointment within music. If you want to be disappointed, just go outside. Create something of your own, at least only you can take the blame and be responsible.

Touching on creating your own world, music helps with this in so many ways. When you go to a gig it makes you feel so good and so alive. A sense of euphoria just takes over and nothing matters to you. When you hear your favourite song being sung by your favourite singer in the world right in front of you, there is honestly no better feeling. It’s like all the reasons as to why you’re still breathing come alive as you witness it. You create what you want when you go to a gig. You could probably meet the best person in the world there. You have a mutual love for the band you are about to see- that alone could be the basis of any good friendship. The sea of people moving and singing along is such an amazing thing to witness and be part of. The world you create when you fall asleep at night whilst listening to your favourite band or just a song that you cannot imagine ever not hearing- nobody can ever take that from you, ever. It’s one of the very few things that no matter what, nobody will ever rob from you. It’s yours and yours alone. You don’t need to explain it to anyone and you don’t have to let anyone in. Sometimes you have to keep certain things to yourself. Sometimes you don’t feel the need to share anything with anyone. There’s nothing wrong with secrets, there’s nothing wrong with creating your own world.

With this odd introduction out of the way, I shall attempt to make it relate to the electro sounds of Blackbird Blackbird.

Mikey Maramag, formely known as Bye Bye Blackbird creates wonderful electro music that with first listen, just locks you in. I love music that, as strange as it sounds (mainly because I can’t bloody swim) makes you feel like you are rising above out of the sea and just floating. I think this is why I adore Warpaint and a hell of a lot of psychedelic music. That feeling that you are just floating away (or even into) something creates a wave of freedom that is sometimes hard, and rare to find. I think it’s why I struggle to actually put into words why I love certain bands because of how they make me feel.

Instantly, Blackbird Blackbird’s music comforts you. Even if you don’t need it, but you cannot deny that sometimes you just need a cuddle. His music, you can feel, is created with such love and passion. Dramatic description- it just feels like you are being surrounded by Angels or something when you listen to it. You feel protected, the music is so angelic. It’s a delicate kind of electro that surrounds you with such peace. Not a lot can do this, or have done it. If Spiritualized did electro, it would sound like this.

 

New York.

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New York City. The birthplace of two genres of music that own my heart. Punk and Hip Hop. Oh, I can’t love the two? I can’t possibly love Hip Hop because my favourite band of all time is The Smiths? I can’t love Hip Hop because I think Warpaint are one of the best bands around right now? Oh okay then, I guess I’ll just start being small minded like the rest.

Or not.

New York City has given us some of the greatest musicians of all time. From Disco to Salsa- it all started in NYC. Going through most of the music I own, most of it comes from NYC. It’s something that I’ve recently picked up on and as a result, I am fascinated with all music that is created in this city. I hate flying. It shits me up a stupid amount. I have a brief panic attack whenever I fly to see my family on the Isle of Man and that’s only a 20 minute flight. However, if I had the money and a doctor gave me enough tablets to knock me out for the duration of the flight- I’d go to New York. I’d explore the birthplaces of the bands I love, the venues that they’ve played. I’d go to underground clubs and watch bands play that nobody has ever heard of. I’d wander round eating a bagel and explore the record shops. I’d take a virtually empty suitcase and bring back a load of records and books with me.

I’d take everything in and refuse to go back home. Knowing me, I’d probably take copies of my CV with me whilst there and give it to various record and book shops. That would be the best thing ever. Not only would I no longer be in England, but I’d be constantly surrounded by good music.

I can dream I suppose. Or, I make that dream a reality. I’m going for the latter.

So, New York City. The home of The Strokes, Ramones, Mos Def, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars. I could list them all.

It’s quite possibly the home to the greatest. I am tempted to say Manchester because of Morrissey- and of course, I regard this one person to be greater than thousands. Always.

The city has given us, within the last 10 years, bands such as The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Battles, TV on The Radio and Brand New. All of which have their own distinctive sound.

I remember when I first listened to The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and thinking it was the early 90s and in hope that The Jesus And Mary Chain were still going, coming back to reality wasn’t nice.

The city has so much to offer for anyone. It doesn’t matter what your race, religion, sexuality- anything. None of it matters (it never should anyway) there’s just something for everyone. It’s just this ridiculously huge place that has everything.

When I listen to the Ramones, I always think what it must have been like to have been around in New York when the whole Punk scene started. Imagine going to CBGBs and seeing a band start out- years later, they become one of the most influential bands of all time.

Imagine being part of the Factory scene- being in awe of Edie Sedgwick’s beauty every single time she walked past. Or being around when the Velvet Underground first emerged.

New York City, responsible for so much- yet it doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Ever.

You cannot mention New York without naming one of the best bands to have come from the city- A Tribe Called Quest. They were one of the first hip hop groups I remember falling in love with. I remember watching the video to Scenario on MTV at a very very young age, and just being obsessed. I loved the way Q-Tip pronounced his words and the words he used. I just loved everything they did.

I loved Q-Tip’s solo work- anyone who doesn’t love Breathe & Stop is a twit. Seriously. I just couldn’t get enough of them. The Low End Theory is easily one of the greatest Hip Hop albums created. It mixes Jazz with Hip Hop in a way that has not been done since, if it has, it hasn’t been done as well. The production on the album is mind-blowing. The samples used on it are just insane. From start to finish, it is sheer perfection.

I remember in 2001 first hearing The Strokes. For the past 10 years they have got me through bad times and have been there through the good. Two years ago I had Is This It tattooed on me. The album is so personal to me. I obviously don’t need to tell you why, but it was a crutch for so much- it still is. It always will be. I fail to see why many overlook First Impressions of Earth- the bass on Juicebox is mental. Heart In A Cage is just perfect. Evening Sun is beautiful. All four of their albums mean a lot to me for various reasons. They have that same rawness that the Ramones had. They don’t have to explain or define what they do to anyone- that’s how it should always be.

Music from New York has this type of edge to it. I can’t think of a better word, so I’ll go with edge. It has a distinctive sound. When you listen to band from the city, you know they are from there. It’s this raw, powerful sound. The feel of Punk still lies within a lot of bands from New York- even if they don’t realise it. Punk wasn’t just a genre of music- it was a way of life, a state of mind, an attitude. It’s in bands such as The Stokes, Vivian Girls, Yeah Yeah Yeahs etc- the way they play and how they are on stage just shows this.

Some may regard Punk as a music genre as dead, and that is the case. But the true spirit of it is alive and well within certain bands from New York City.

When I think of the music that has come from New York, I think of all the cultural aspects that are with it too. It’s such a vibrant place. It is full of all forms of Art. Whether it’s break-dancing, graffiti, theatre, cinema, Salsa- it’s everything. It has everything.

So many songs have been written about New York. It’s the Hip Hop community that you feel can truly sum up what New York is, and what the place is to true New Yorkers.

Widowspeak.

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I remember that feeling I got when I first heard Warpaint just under 2 years ago. I still get the same feeling when I listen to them, it’s like being in love- but better and without a lot of hassle. I didn’t think I feel that way about a band for a long time. Oh how wrong was I. I feel exactly the same for Widowspeak. Don’t get me wrong, my love for Warpaint is greater- but it’s the same head-spinning, heart skipping a beat feeling.

Widowspeak are made up of 3 wonderful human beings; Molly Hamilton, Robert Thomas and Michael Stasiak. 3 super talent beings who create such amazing music that you can just lose yourself in. It’s exactly what you do when listening to Warpaint, you just totally throw yourself into a different world where only you and the piece of music exist. Some call it a sad case of loneliness, I call it bliss. Sheer bliss. There is no greater feeling.
When you listen to Harsh Realm, you feel yourself shuddering. It is so creepy but in an endearing way. You can be a creepy mcgee and still be cute, right? If you can’t, either way- the song is just perfect. It sends you into some kind of trance. The song isn’t long enough so obviously, you have to have it on repeat.
Their cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game is extremely sexy. Is it okay to call a song sexy? It isn’t? I didn’t think it was, but apart from stunning- it’s the only word to use. The way Molly sings, especially here it’s just so pure. It gives you and eargasm. I’m just using stupid words now aren’t I. I’m being silly, but if you listen to the cover, you will get what I mean. The original gives you the same feeling, and to cover such a song- I think it takes guts. To create the same feeling as the original when you cover a song, well not many can do it. However, Windowspeak did it.
I can’t possibly tell you who influences the group or ho they sound like. I don’t really want to. They sound like nobody else around. If your faith in new music is (which I fully understand if it is) virtually gone, then give Windowspeak a listen. You won’t be disappointed. If you are, then you probably are missing the point. If you loved The Jealous Girlfriends/Holly Miranda, Warpaint- then this band are for you. No, this isn’t a comparison. What I mean is, if you like music that is sung by a woman with a powerful voice and people who can actually play their instruments- then Windowspeak are for you.
Enjoy.