Author Archives: Olivia

Cousin Brian.

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“Pardon me while I smack my head.”

Over a year ago someone took one of my favourite items of clothing- my Ramones hoodie. That hoodie had been to some brilliant gigs. It provided warmth and shelter from the rain. It was probably the only sensible Winter clothing I owned. So, when it got taken from me (never give a girl your clothes. I don’t care how long you’ve known them or whatever- you will NEVER get your stuff back. EVER.) I was crushed. Part of me was thinking, “I can deal with how you’ve treated me, sort of..but taking my stuff? NO.” I’m obviously the Queen of prioritising. Clothes before feelings. Whatever. So, I bought a new one. It came in the post this morning. I will not part with it. I will not offer it to my girlfriend to keep her warm (I trust her and love her dearly, but I’m not going through this AGAIN!) if she feels cold, I will offer her a hug or tell her to put a jumper on. One of her own. Not mine. I just needed to write this down. Now I am going to tell you about a wonderful band that come from Philly.

Cousin Brian make noise. They make a whole lotta noise. Noise that fucks with your head. Fucks with your mind. It just fucks with you; or just fucks you. Pardon the graphic details but that’s all I’ve got. That’s what they do to you. They move you. Shivers go through you; they shake you. Take a walk and listen to them. Cling onto the distractions. Keep walking.

What you must simply adore about Cousin Brian is that they are just a bit mental. The good kind of mental. If you’re like me, and don’t do drugs. You use music as that “high” or whatever- then you probably need to get really familiar with Cousin Brian. They’ll do something to your mind that nothing and no one else can touch. They send you on a high; and you feel so blissed out that coming back to reality just seems ridiculous. So you keep on listening, it’s better that way.

Their songs ooze the frustrations of every day life. If you can’t relate to them, then maybe you’ve not watched the news or looked at people in the street or you just don’t go outside. You’ve removed yourself from the outside so maybe you don’t understand. I fully endorse hiding away at times; but sometimes you can’t avoid it. And I know how it is such a drag, and it exhausts you. But that’s why we have music. Music drags you through. You can kick and scream your way through the days but music will be there to probably kick and scream with you. It’s On Me is a perfect example of letting those frustrations go. Besides, what’s the point in hanging onto something that just ruins you? Let it go.

To sum it up, Cousin Brian are an excellent band from Philly. They bring you sunshine and fun. They unleash your furies and any angst you may have. If you don’t feel good after listening to them, call your doctor. Maybe they can help you.

You can listen to their debut full length LP and other cool stuff right here : http://cousinbrian.bandcamp.com/ If you don’t enjoy the Jeff Goldblum background on their bandcamp page then you’ve evidently not watched Jurassic Park (and enjoyed it.)

Strawberry Whiplash.

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My love for duos is forever professed here. Sometimes I am coherent about it, sometimes (most of..) I just sound like a rambling fool. I’m not sure if I know how to write with structure on here. Anywhere else, I can do so. I guess it’s because I have the freedom to rant here. So rant I shall do. The rants are filled with passion and love. Just be glad you are not sat near me when I really get into talking about something I love. Sometimes I need to be handed a glass of water and told to have a lie down. It’s for the best. I know when to shut up. I do enjoy the quiet. Probably more than I should.

Scotland is the home of amazing music. I base this on my love for Shirley Manson and The Jesus And Mary Chain. I also have a part of my heart dedicated to Camera Obscura. Scottish musicians seem to posses a delicate tone to their music. You know, although The Jesus And Mary Chain were quite dark and bold, there was such a vulnerability to their lyrics. That lone made them delicate. It is one of the many reasons as to why they are my favourite band of all time. I don’t think there are enough hours in the day for me to even try to express my love for them. But let’s move onto another band from Scotland. A band that provide comfort and joy.

Strawberry Whiplash are a duo from Glasgow. They make music that makes your soul smile and heart glad that it’s beating. They have an innocence to their music that is found in playground games. They posses a truth that is found at 3am when the world just won’t leave you alone. They’re the cure to the night before.

Strawberry Whiplash make you want to go on holiday with the one you love. An unplanned trip to anywhere you want; the world is yours. They make you want to get away, but not alone. They destroy all feelings of loneliness. They rid you of any bad feelings you may have had. They just ooze sheer joy. If you want to experience something pure and truthful, then listen to Strawberry Whiplash. They are the kind of band you listen to whilst watching the rain beat against the window. You wish you could go outside, but they provide a warmth that not even your favourite jumper could give. This is music from the soul to the soul.

They  released Hits In The Car this year on Matinee Records, which you can listen to a few songs from here : http://soundcloud.com/matinee-recordings/sets/strawberry-whiplash-sampler/

For those who love the likes of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart or Camera Obscura, you’ll probably find a home in Strawberry Whiplash. You can find more (and buy their records) here : http://matineerecordings.com/category.php?manufacturer_id=35

Enjoy!

September Girls- Wanting More EP.

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Next month, my favourite Irish garage rock band are releasing their debut US release. September Girls are easily one of the best female groups around at the moment. Any band that makes cassettes is a gem in my eyes. Well, providing they aren’t crap and I like them.

September Girls are exciting and wonderful, that is obvious. They make you go back in time. Say the 60s when girl groups truly had talent. The songs were about heart ache and the hair was big. Now the songs are painful to listen to, and you’d much rather you were deaf. Girl groups; where did it all go wrong?! Can I blame the Spice Girls? I can? I can’t? I’m going to. September Girls remind me of a tame version of The Black Belles. I bloody love The Black Belles. If you mix The Girlfriends with Dum Dum Girls and the Wall Of Sound era; you basically have the ideal band don’t you. That ideal band is called September Girls (DDG also, but this is about September Girls.)

Their 7″ EP consists are 3 beautiful songs that leave you typically wanting more. So all you can do is hit repeat over and over. 3 songs that leave you in a state of bliss and also leaves you unsure where you are. Are you in the present or have you gone back? Maybe you took a trip to the future and this is what it sounds like. If that’s the case, then to hell with all that’s happening now and catapult me to the future.

There is a glorious video to the song, Hells Bells which you can watch here :

Hells Bells makes you think you are at a cheap disco surrounded by good people. You just have to move you limbs about in a way that basically states, “I don’t care, this song makes me happy. Move out of my way.”

Wanting More takes you back to the blissful state that the summer left you in. You want to go back because for the most part, you had a pretty damn good summer. Give or take a few shit days; you still had a good time. Man Chats is just divine and is the perfect ending to this wonderful EP.

As this is their first US release (through Matinee Recordings) I hope with all I have they become huge in America and win over their hearts like they have won over mine.

September Girls make the kind of music that makes me love writing about music. Music is basically all I know and care enough to write about. The band fuel my love for this, and give me hope that out there, there are bands making music that is pure and honest. They merge all the genres I love into one. I just adore them a hell of a lot.

The EP is out next month, and you can purchase it here, along with some other cool stuff : http://matineerecordings.com/

“Into the night as the stars collide, across the borders that divide. Forests of stone standing petrified, to be by your side.”

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Sadness is something that creeps up on you when you least expect it. Much like love, happiness and rage. Much like any feeling I suppose. There is something about sadness that hits you harder than most and is much more difficult to shake. Some people wish to wrap themselves around it and become self-centered (I don’t get that) and some manage to just carry on as normal. There’s no right, there’s no wrong. But most will say you are wrong. I’ve not felt sad in a very very long time. But I saw something today that reinforced just how horrifically sensitive I am. And how much I dislike it. I’d say it is a negative trait, but I don’t have it in me to be tougher than I am. I’ve tried, and I’ve even tried being cruel. I can’t do it anymore. It just seems pointless.

So today whilst walking home from the gym I saw something on the pavement that made me feel so sad, and quite sick. The way I walk to and from town is basically a country road. There’s a farm on one side, and when you walk past it you get a delightful stench of SHIT. That sure wakes you up when you walk past it. Anyway, this isn’t about the animal shit I get to smell every morning on my way to and from the gym. It’s about what I saw. Anyone who knows me even a tiny bit knows I adore animals. I’m one of those annoying twerps who has conversations with dogs, cats and rabbits, and is convinced they understand. If you have a pet, I will try to steal it from you. If you have a dog, I’ll make it my best friend. If you have a cat, I’ll hold it up and sing Circle Of Life to it. If you have a rabbit, I’ll attempt to steal it. That’s just how I am. Anyway, this morning walking back I saw a dead rabbit on the pavement..right next to me. At first I thought it was asleep, but I realised quickly that the poor bugger was dead. Thing is, it looked at utter peace.

I honestly have no idea what my point is with this. I probably don’t have one. I guess I just believe animals all have the same emotions humans do. Sometimes animals seem more gentle with each other than people do. The way some people are with each other is just disgusting. Have you seen how monkeys look after each other? If that doesn’t melt your heart; then something could be wrong with you. I wish people were more gentle and sensitive towards each other. Being tough is alright when you need to be; but not always. You don’t need to always be defensive, this is speaking from experience. You can’t let the past make you who you are. You cannot blame others for all that may be wrong in your life. Yet it seems easier doesn’t it?

The next person you scowl at or launch vile words at; think about it before you do so. How does this tie in with the dead rabbit I saw? I don’t know if it does. Maybe I wanted to write down how sad it made me seeing that. Maybe there’s more to it. Just be gentle. Be kind. There’s enough shit in the world, don’t add to it.

France Camp.

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Finding new music is pretty easy I guess. Finding new music that sounds different and is worthy of your time is a bit more difficult. Everything seems to sound the same doesn’t it? Same subject matter, same bland chord progression. Heard it all before. We’re becoming harder to please, so our attention span towards anything new seems to be quite short. However, there is always a handful of bands that can change this. They can make us listen. They don’t have to wear silly outfits or sing like a dolphin in distress for us to listen. I hate big voices like that. I don’t care if you can hit a high note. I want you to scream the lyrics until your face turns blue over a distorted guitar and Wall Of Sound based drums please. That works for me, always.

So I suppose it is no surprise that after only finding a band called France Camp less than an hour ago, and having them on solid repeat that I am in love with them. Everything I love and look for in music; they thankfully have.

They have a beautiful song called More Roses, and the drums..oh god. The drums sound like something you’d hear by The Jesus And Mary Chain. They’ve got this incredible sorrow vibe going on, but don’t let that put you off. There’s a hint of romanticism in it all. All over some kind of Garage/surfer kind of sound. It’s just bloody brilliant.

Me Abroad makes you want to get away. Either on your own or with someone you tolerate enough to spend some time with. Bone Home makes you want to dance. Now, when I say dance I do actually mean throw your limbs about as if you have problems upstairs. Your mind is telling you to move a certain way; but your limbs wish to go the other. A prime example of the mind being ignored and your body doing whatever the hell it feels like doing. Sometimes, that is needed.

Their distorted/reverby feel makes you move. Move in ways that may get you taken away for a while (be careful.) I can only imagine that their live shows are pleasurably insane. They’re the kind of band that should play small, sweaty venues in the middle of nowhere. A true basement band who capture the sheer purity of music.

France Camp are a brilliant band. They’re one of the few bands who make music exciting. They possess innocence, sorrow and the ability to make you move. I’ve got more reasons as to why I love them, but for now these shall do.

Tamaryn-Tender New Signs.

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“Deep inside a fever sleep, the dead air curls. And begs to be  breathed. She’s a fool, but time is a thief.”

Music should be peaceful and gentle. I know at times we seek out music that is a bit bold and brutal to unleash our own furies that we cannot do unless pushed/instructed to do so. You can drift through the day listening to the relaxing sounds of Youth Lagoon but at some point, a part of you is going to want to listen to something with a bit more bite such as say, Slipknot, so you can get out what you suppress. There’s nothing wrong with it, if anything it should be encouraged.

This is my third attempt trying to write about Tamaryn’s second record, Tender New Signs. I’ve no idea how many times I have played it since its release. All I know is that it is a massive distraction. Not that I see any fault in that. There are a lot worse things I can be distracted by. It usually is. As you listen to Tender New Signs, you feel every bad emotion in you pour out and a wave of love just takes over. It is like a glimpse into someone elses dream. You watch over them and try to pick up on the pieces that make them stir in their slumber. I’ve heard a lot of beautiful records recently. Some old, some new; but none have captured me like this. Tender New Signs is truly something else.

The vocals make your heart beat double time, and the music is so blissed-out, you cannot focus. Everything about Tender New Signs is just so pure and full of devotion. This is the kind of record you present to your love and say, “this sums up how I feel better than anything.” Then they listen, and they understand. They’re yours forever. If you can make your love a fan of Tamaryn, then they’re a keeper. Much like if they are able to sort out ways for you to cut down how much your phone-bill is every month! It all links in.

I could quite happily write about every song in detail and every image they conjure up, but I’d probably bore you to death. I must say that The Garden is one of the most magical and blissful songs I have heard in a long time, I think it is my favourite (so far.) Transcendent Blue has a gorgeous build-up to it that makes you feel as if you are drifting in and out of sleep. The whole record is just so divine and honest.

Everyday life is a bore at times, that’s why records such as Tender New Signs are so important. They are important because they create such a beautiful way to escape, and they also give you a beautiful place to escape to. The harshness of everyday life can leave us cold and unsure. Tamaryn’s voice soothes you and holds your hand into another world.

If you’re looking for a record that eases the mind and sways the soul, then you simply must buy Tender New Signs at once. If you’re not moved by it, then something must be wrong. Once again, this is another record I simply cannot put into a genre as there’s no word for it other than “beautiful.” It goes beyond being beautiful, but you get my point.

Bird.

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I have a problem. Okay, so it isn’t a problem for me but maybe for others. I really cannot bring myself to listen to anything other than music that makes me feel like I am about to be chased through a forest and probably come to a bloody and brutal end. Music that instills fear in me, but at the same time is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever heard. The darker it is, the more I’ll enjoy it. I truly have no boundaries when it comes to stuff like this, and maybe I should. The thing is, if I did I’d be missing out on some incredible music. I must add that I do not sit here and type “DARK MORBID MUSIC” into YouTube or whatever, it just happens. I somehow find it. Or maybe it finds me. Wait, that sounds pretentious. I do actually spend hours looking for new music in the hopes I find something that freaks me out and also makes me feel like I’m being hugged by a friendly bear.

Liverpool is a wonderful city. I can make my way from Lime Street to my friend’s flat now without making her meet me and drag me there, suitcase in tow. Knocking into the locals and tripping up over myself. I’m so clumsy. I’m not tall, but fuck me I am clumsy. I just don’t like to pay attention. My eyes like to wander. There’s a lot to see. Anyway, Liverpool’s music scene is pretty damn good. Well, now it is. I’ve never been a fan of The Beatles. I don’t get it. Never have, never will. I tried and I tried. But I came to the conclusion that they were just boring. I know I’m in the minority but WHO CARES. They’re just a band, big deal. Let’s move on.

So Liverpool is the home of two bands I love a lot. Both are massively different. One is Beach Skulls and the other is a delightful trio called Bird.

Bird make music that scare you oh so delicately. They share a joined love for the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Warpaint and Leonard Cohen. This is enough to make you realise just how wonderful they are. Personally, anyone who loves these bands is a good one in my eyes. Obviously I shouldn’t be so naive but whatever. Anyway.

Bird has a sound that is so different to any band in the UK right now, In fact, the only artist I could say they share a likeness with is The Long Wives, now you know you about my love for this LA based singer so I don’t need to tell you again just now. There is a wonderful sense of darkness in the lyrics and the music compliments the mood in such a romantic way. The drums sound like a battle cry, the guitar causes you to sway and the vocals tug at your soul. You overlook the dark atmosphere and you realise just how beautiful it all truly is.

Adele, Lex and Sian create a magical universe with their music that you cannot help but be moved by. With only one listen you know you have given yourself over to something you cannot bring yourself to be removed from. Find a desolate place to go when you listen to Bird, and let them set you free. They remove you from the bad and take you away. Let all the rage and hostility burn out, and find something pure yet haunting in their music.

They recently supported Tamaryn and did a bloody mind-blowing cover of one of my favourite bands EVER, Bela Lugosi’s Dead by the genius, Bauhaus.

Like with most of the music I listen to, I really cannot put Bird in any genre at all. I wouldn’t know where to start. All I know is that they are a band you must keep a close watch on. Utterly exciting and a joyous experience. An absolute pleasure to listen to.

http://soundcloud.com/BIRDOFFICIAL

John Peel.

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Time is a bit of an arse, it is also a wonderful thing. Time can make you better and it can heal you. Or it can make you bitter and cold. It can ruin you or it can make you into something positive. Use your time wisely and don’t let time use you. Patience is a wonderful thing, but time and patience are quite different. Everything depends on how you use it; never let it use you.

We all experience moments in our lives that we can remember where we were, who was there, the time and how we found out. It may have happened years and years ago; but the moment is still crystal clear. Sometimes it is a joyful moment but sometimes it is utterly painful to even think about. It happens to us all, and we have choice but to go through it and hope. Hope is all we have I guess. Don’t let anyone crush you and the hope you cling onto. It keeps you warm, maybe safe. It’s yours- keep it.

I remember where I was 8 years ago. I was at work. It was half term, so I was sadly at a place I disliked immensely. I always had the radio on because it got me through. I cannot remember the time, but I remember feeling like someone had told me a family member had died. When they announced that John Peel had died, I felt my heart metaphorically break. This wave of sadness took over and everything seemed like a blur. The man who was responsible for my obsession and passion for music was no longer around. How does that even work? How could it even happen? 8 years have passed, and I still cannot make any sense of it. I don’t think I ever could. I guess it goes beyond being understood by a human. Who knows.

I used to stay up late listening to his show when I was younger. Fall asleep with the duvet over my head cuddling up to the radio with the volume low down so I wouldn’t get told off for being up so late on a school night. Thing is, my mum always knew. She knew that music was (and always will be) my greatest love. Music has always been the thing I go to for everything. I lack courage with mentioning what sometimes bothers me; I’d much rather stick some music on and go for a walk. I like the inner peace I feel when I do this. In time, maybe I’ll change that. I wouldn’t bet on it though. It was because of John Peel I developed a massive love for The White Stripes, The Fall and PJ Harvey. He brought bands like Captain Beefheart and The Jesus And Mary Chain to the airwaves. If it wasn’t for him, would all these bands (and more) have ever been heard? He thrived off bringing us the weird and wonderful. The kind of music that makes your stomach flip and your ears prick up. He went beyond just being a DJ.

I sometimes listen to bands and think, “If John was still alive he’d love them.” Bands such as Warpaint, The xx, Beach House and The Horrors. I cannot help but think he’d love them as much as I do. He truly believed in the power of music; the sheer passion he had is no longer around on certain radio stations and I think the art of radio may have died with him. Maybe hints of music did too. Imagine hearing the likes of Crocodiles, Dum Dum Girls, Zola Jesus and Dirty Beaches all doing a Peel Session. It’d just be bloody incredible.

Music is a safety net, but when the one who gave you the music is no longer around- it is utterly painful, but you carry a part of them and all they gave you inside of you. I probably sound mental writing like this, but there are two people who basically made me realise that I had to write about music in whatever capacity I could. Lester Bangs and John Peel. Lester died before I was born. The love and passion they had for music was enough for me to know that music would become my life. Everything music gives me, well..I can only hope maybe one day I could give that to a person. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. I honestly have no idea.

We all have words to live by. Some are serious, some are a little bit silly. A quote by John Peel is one that is constantly on my mind when I look for new music, “I just want to hear something I haven’t heard before.”

There will never ever be anyone like John Peel. There will always be a massive void but the legacy he left behind is enough to get us through. Playing records at the wrong speed and ranting never sounded so good. He made you feel as if was just talking to you, and you alone. Yet he made you feel part of something.

R.I.P. John. You are forever missed xx

Heavy Waves.

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I have time to kill before I need to leave for the airport. It’s raining outside and I think the sun wants to make a brief appearance, but the rain clouds are proving to be persistent. Relentless and unforgiving. So I’ve found a band that bring the sun on this otherwise grim Thursday afternoon. I’m not flying anywhere exotic, I doubt I could sit still for longer than an hour. I’m off to see the one I love/adore..how that one happened I have no idea, but it feels good.

Birmingham (or B-Town if you want) is obviously blessing us with amazing bands such as Peace and Swim Deep. There’s another band you can put in there; Heavy Waves.

Heavy Waves are three (I think there’s three of them) chaps from sunny Birmingham..no idea if it is sunny there today but the music that they create makes you think it is always sunshine and FUN up in Birmingham. Heavy Waves make music that makes you want to surf. A lot of the stuff I listen to usually makes me want to lie down and close my eyes, and go somewhere magical. Heavy Waves makes me want to actually do something. I’ve opted for surfing, which is actually quite silly as I cannot swim. Still, we must do silly things in life or learn something new. Maybe both at the same time. Calm down.

I love music that sounds distorted yet relaxing. Heavy Waves have mastered this; I’ve only heard a couple of tracks by them but it is enough for me to believe that next year they’re going to do some amazing things. I won’t do the whole “I TOLD YOU SO” thing when it happens because I’m not like that. I’m not an arrogant/pretentious arsehole. Hell..I don’t even know if anyone will read it. But if they do, I hope you also believe in Heavy Waves as much I do. I hope you fall instantly in love with them much like I have done. I hope, I hope, I hope.

I love their song Edward. It’s the kind of song that just makes you want to get out and do something. Surfing is optional. However, if you live in England and can’t get to beach; I suggest you go outside and find a puddle then use an ironing board as a surf board. Imagination kids, don’t be scared to use it.

You can listen to the glorious and enchanting sounds of Heavy Waves right here : http://soundcloud.com/heavywaves and tell them that you love them. Do it. I’m sure they’d enjoy that.

“Caresses and distresses all at once.”

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The uncool and the lonely trade nauseating stories about how hard it is; how leaving the house is a chore. How standing up rids them of energy, sitting down zones them out. Some kind of feeling takes them over. The find some kind of identity in the songs that cause others to feel as if their ears are bleeding. They feel like something full of shame. Full of shame, drained of devotion. How you seen it happen? A haunting glare is in their eyes. Maybe you’ve been this person. Maybe you’re getting there. There is always one person you fight to not be anything like that. Their traits make you feel ill. The things they’ve said and done are placed inside of you; you’ve let it go but it doesn’t let you go. It is frustrating because you are someone who doesn’t have a tight grip. But this thing…this THING has got a grip on you. You could call it a death grip, but you know it won’t be the end of you. For you know you’ll rise above it.

I mean, it is fairly easy to get sucked into something you despise, and turning your back on it also exhausts you. Self-exclusion is a sign of strength, but others don’t see it that way. But why should you care how others see it? Do what you want, always.

It is draining stopping yourself being like someone you cannot allow yourself to be. Sometimes someone says, “You’ve got their eyes” or “I’ve seen that look before from….” That shit crushes you, but you carry on. The only person who can stop you from doing anything or being anything is yourself I guess. Comments can put your self-belief in the ground. You seem to caress the bad and shun the bad. Why is that? Because the shit people say about us, that ruins us- is easier to believe. You’ll pull yourself above it at some point. Patience gets you further than anything else. As you get older, you learn that more than before.

Eternal youth starts inside. The lines on your face and the heaviness in your eyes are stories. Tell them how you want, but tell it from the heart.