Author Archives: Olivia

Oprah Interviews Jay-Z.

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There was a fair bit of controversy surrounding this. Something like, Beyonce wouldn’t go on Oprah’s show unless she agreed to have Jay on it. Regardless of  how this interview happened, it is a really cool interview. I’ve loved Jay since 96 when Reasonable Doubt came out, which I hold as one of my favourite albums of all time. One of my favourite hip hop records of all time, one of the best debut albums of all time and Jay’s best record.

I don’t need to tell you how sweet he seems, every interview he’s done shows that. It’s in 4 parts. The last part, Jay tries to get Oprah to rap!

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.

Part 4.

Yeah..so I met Florence :)

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Here’s what happened/review :

Florence + The Machine. O2 Birmingham Academy. 20th September 2009.

In May this year, I saw Florence + The Machine plays a venue that held about 300 people. Last night, I saw her play in a venue that held, I’d say, around 1000.

Only being signed at the start of this year, Florence has gone from playing tiny venues to selling out tours in a matter of hours.

I remember first hearing about her back in 2007. She was singing with Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion) in a lift, the video is still on YouTube, and from seeing that her voice just astounded me.

Before she took to the stage, the PA system played out Dog Days Are Over which everyone sang along to. If this is the reaction a standard album version gets, imagine what happens when it’s done live.

Last night made it clear that Florence Welch posses the best voice in the UK. To be honest, I’d say she has the best voice in the world.

Opening with Kiss With A Fist, everyone went ever so slightly mental. How could you not! But it was Dog Days Are Over and Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) that made the whole place go crazy. I thought that the balcony above us was going to collapse. I suppose being crushed at a Florence gig isn’t that bad to be honest. There’s worse ways to die!

Hearing I’m Not Calling You A Liar and Hurricane Drunk showed the strength of Florence’s voice.

The two songs that left me in awe, as always, were Cosmic Love and Blinding.

Fan girl moment- these two songs mean a hell of a lot to me and for them to be played straight after each other set me off. The only track from Lungs to be not played was Girl With 1 Eye, but Bird Song and Are You Hurting The One You Love? made up for it.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- Birmingham crowds are the best. They are just lovely. Florence + The Machine fans are easily the nicest people you will ever meet. You know why? Because Florence is lovely. How do I know this? Because ladies and gentlemen, after a long time of wishing and waiting- I met Florence Welch. Yep, I met her. I did my best not to make a tool out of myself.

I told her I spent £100 to fly over to see her, and she gave me a drink. We shared the drink, hugged and got a kiss. This has made my life. I don’t care if I sound like a 14 year old, it was amazing.

You sometimes expect singers to be rushed, sign some stuff then leave. Florence didn’t. She is a genuinely lovely person who loves her fans and the love is unconditionally returned.

I should mention the support act because they were brilliant. You probably know who The xx are. They’ve covered Aaliyah’s Hot Like Fire, and did a rather good job of it. I usually hate covers, but there’s always an exception isn’t there.

On record they are flawless, live they are perfect. They deserve to be massive. See, Florence has the best support acts and the best fans in the world.

If you’re seeing her on this tour or in December and it’s your first time- you will be blown away. Her voice, her stage presence, the band-all of it was worth spending over £100 and I’ll be doing it all over again December. Maybe I’ll get another drink!

Oh, and here’s a photo of me and Florence. I apologise for my face. I’ve had it since birth. It’s not improved.

I FINALLY got to meet Florence.

I FINALLY got to meet Florence.

New York Dolls UK Tour December 2009!

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New York Dolls are playing a few more UK dates in December! 4th at London HMV Forum. Then….Leamington Spa Assembly (if you like venues that look like ballrooms, then this is the one for you! Good acoustics though), Liverpool and Edinburgh. I nearly wept last night when I thought I couldn’t go..but I may be able to seeing as I’m seeing Florence + The Machine around the same time. Perfect end to 2009 I reckon!

Speaking of Florence….I’m off to Brum to see her tonight. Expect some kind of review tomorrow…if the words come out. Looking forward to seeing The xx too!

x

Julian Casablancas-11th Dimension.

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Julian Casablancas-11th Dimension.

It’s a BIG DEAL. Stop what you are doing. It’s a Friday..you’ll be doing nothing. Turn up your speakers and enjoy 3.48 of this musical genius. H0nestly? I don’t have beef with The Strokes not putting an album out, because Julian’s solo stuff is pretty damn good.

I won’t lie, this has drastically imrpoved my mood and whatever.

Lightspeed Champion!

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I’ve spent most of today cleaning at work. I swear I could’ve made Crystal Meth and sold it there and then. I obviously didn’t but the smell of the cleaning products went to my head a little bit. I went to Marks & Spencers and got ripped off..again! The juice I got was pretty good though.Was tropical, if you must know.

Anyway.

I remember first listening to Test Icicles thinking something along the lines of “FUCK ME THIS BAND IS AWESOME.” Then when they split up, it was a sad day. BUT, from it we have a band called Kasms and of course…Lightspeed Champion. Why is Dev Hynes cool? Because he loves Weezer and The Str0kes. This alone makes him a wonderful human being. He’s also covered some of their songs and doesn’t butcher them. To be honest, Dev could cover something shit by someone shit say…Britney Spears? and make it decent. Anyone else think he could make Womanizer sound half decent? I know All American Rejects did a good cover of it, but I reckon Dev could make it decent.

Personally, I think he’s underrrated. Not just as a singer but as a songwirter and guitarist. Anyone who has seen him live will know just how amazing his guitar skills are.

Don’t believe me? Watch this :

Lightspeed Champion-Midnight Surpise.(Live).

It’s about 10 minutes long and it is beautiful. I do like songs that go on for over 5 minutes..and well, Midnight Surprise is just an epic song that you cannnot get bored of.

Florence on Jools Holland.

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So Jools FINALLY had Flo on his show last night. Personally, I think she should’ve been on AGES ago. Before she was signed. When the “machine” was just whoever was around. BUT, I don’t have beef with Jools at all. Gossip and Florence..on the same show. Musical porn! Musical porn! Bloody great.

Anyway, if you missed it (SHAME ON YOU…unless you don’t live in the UK) there’s an extended version of the show on Friday night. But, this is Florence from last night :

Florence + The Machine- Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up). Jools Holland.

The XX

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Well, I’ve pretty much fucked up MSN after being told I HAD to download the new version. FUCK YOU MSN..FUCK YOU.

Anyway.

The XX are a brilliant duo. You know why they are good? Because Florence is taking them on tour with them. And it’s obvious Flo picks the best support acts (last tour, Golden Silvers. BAM!) The XX are one of my favourite bands of this year, and I know they won’t disappoint live. I guess if they do, I may shed a few tears and throw my album at the first person I see. But, I know that won’t happen. I may cry because they’re beauiful, but that’s it. You ever heard something so beautiful it just makes you weep? Pretty much how I feel about The XX.

Oh, and check out their cover of Aaliyah’s Hot Like Fire. Everyone knows she’s my favourite (female) singer of all time, and their version is damn good!

So go listen to The XX. You’ve got nothing else to do! 🙂

The Dead Weather.

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Okay, so I’m pretty much in lovre with Alison Mosshart. Her face, her voice, her clothes, her stage presence, her lyrics..everything. She is just, in my opinion the best woman in music, end of. The Kills aren’t better than The Dead Weather and The Dead Weather aren’t better than The Kills. They are both so different yet have the same raw energy to the sound. Both bands make me want to go vandalise shit. I obviously don’t do this, but y’know what I mean!

This live clip of So Far From Your Weapon is so aggressive and powerful. If you don’t want to go tear shit up after watching it, then you are a robot! It’s amazing. I’m not condoning violence in an way. I’m just saying that this band make you want to go create some hell.

The Dead Weather-So Far From Your Weapon (live on Jimmy Kimmel).

Yes!

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So earlier, we were driving and a certain song came on. This is a song that I remember asking my mum to tape off Top Of The Pops when it first came out. I was totally in love with it. The guitar, the violins, the voice and the lyrics. EVERYTHING about this song, I love. It is just perfect. It is the perfect “You’ve hurt me, but FUCK YOU” kind of song. And let’s face it, everyone loves a song like that.

The song is of course, McAlmont & Butler-Yes. One of the best songs of the 90s. One of my favourite songs of all time.

So, whilst it was playing on the radio this afternoon..I think I had some kind of epiphany (I’ve spelt that wrong!) and I don’t know, kinda felt good. There will never be a song as good as this. I don’t think there are any words that I or anyone could write to do this song justice, it’s just amazing.

McAlmont & Butler-Yes.

One of the best duos ever..apart from Sharky and George (the crimebusters of the sea!)Yes!