Florence Welch.

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With Florence’s new song being released today, it’s only right that I, again, write a few words on her.

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Florence’s voice. It was in 2007, just into my second year of University. It was a clip of her and Dev Hynes singing in his flat. I was instantly blown away by the strength and how intense her voice was. It was something I hadn’t heard in such a long time; I just didn’t ever expect to hear a voice so strong- especially by someone so young.

Fast forward to May 2009. I have two tickets to see her play a venue that held at least 200 people. I didn’t know who to take; I very nearly didn’t go to the gig. But, I got myself together and went with someone who I am honoured to call my best friend. She knows who she is (Hi Amy!). During the support act, Flo danced in the crowd- how many artists would do that?

Move on to September 2009 and she plays a venue that holds possibly around 1000 people. In the space of 4 months she had gone from playing to 200 people to 1000.

After the gig, we were beyond lucky to have met her. I shared a drink with her, a few hugs and a kiss on the cheek. Life complete? No doubt.

I’ve only seen her live 4 times, but each time I have seen her it just does something to my soul. What you feel in your soul is much deeper and greater than what you feel in your heart. It triggers something off in you that makes you feel so alive and just lost in the moment of what you are experiencing.

 

Hand on heart, I can say Florence Welch’s music changed my life and to an extent- saved it. Her gig in May 2009 was at a really shit time in my life, and to see her live was a form of healing I suppose. It was just something that I will always hold so very dear to me.

So what is it about her music that caused me to feel this way? It’s the dark lyrics, the soulful voice, the big sound her band has, the intense feel in her music- everything about her music just means everything to me.

Lungs as my favourite album of 2009. I cannot put into words what Cosmic Love and Blinding meant to me at that point, when I see them live now it’s so overwhelming- it’s just so perfect. There’s a part during Blinding when performed live, Flo just goes mental. I remember once when I saw her, she picked up one of the lights on the stage and just shone it on the crowd. She has this elegant but raw stage presence- not many can merge the two in such a wonderful way, but Flo does.

As someone who adores lyrics and how words are used in songs/how they are sung, I absolutely adore her dark and intense lyrics. I love how dark and loving My Boy Builds Coffins is. When she sings, “And it just isn’t fair” the frustration that comes through is so beautiful, in a weird way. I suppose you’ll get it if you’re a fan of dark lyrics.

Her love songs are not your stereotypical love songs. None of this “I love you and I miss you when you go to the toilet” kind of bullshit. No way, not with Florence. She shows the REAL side of hat true love is. True love breaks your heart; true love fixes your heart. It is eerie, it is overpowering, it exhausts you, it is dark and it is intense. Anything else isn’t real love.

Take Ghosts/I’m Not Calling You A Liar, “I love you so much, I’m going to let you kill me.” I know I could’ve picked any line to use, but that one line has always stuck out for me.

When you love someone so much, you don’t care what they do to you. Good or bad, you don’t care- because you love them. And your love for them is greater than anything in this world.

I’ve never felt this way, but I can imagine how it must feel. A person can consume so much of you that you don’t care for what they do to you. You just want and need them there.

Bird Song for me, as comical as the topic may be- there is such depth to the lyrics. It’s quite similar to Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell Tale Heart. It’s quite a cruel song, but you can feel the angst of having a conscience come through, again making it easy for you relate to Florence’s music. That’s what makes her so perfect, that’s why her music means what it does to me.

I listen to her music with Ashok (the album isn’t too bad) then I listen to her demos such as Tear Out My Tongue/Ye Olde Hope, Donkey Kosh and My Best Dress. Then I listen to Lungs and I just cannot get my head round how strong and powerful her voice is. Her music feel so soulful, you can tell she sings from a part in her that many singers just do not do.

A few months ago a live clip of What The Water Gave Me appeared online, it just blew me away. Today, the studio version just catapulted all my feelings about her music everywhere. It was listening to something so euphoric. That’s the only word I can use to describe her music- euphoric. It is out of this world. It is heavenly. I love the vulnerability in her voice in Water The Water Gave Me. When you watch her sing you can see she is in a different place, she really connects with what she sings. Maybe some of it is heartfelt, maybe some of it is her being a fantastic songwriter and she can make herself feel the words. Personally, I feel she feels and means every single word.

I love the gospel feel to Water The Water Gave Me. I cannot wait to witness this live, especially when the gospel vocals kick in.

When I listen to Florence’s music I just feel this spark inside me, it makes me feel alive. There aren’t many artists that make me feel this way. I love how her music can make you feel vulnerable and at the same time, not so alone. Her voice is as powerful as Edith Piaf’s, as distinctive as Janis Joplin and as soulful as Erykah Badu.

Her songs such as Are You Hurting The One You Love, Hardest Of Hearts and Swimming are so gut-hitting and so wise. Are You Hurting The One You Love is ever so heartbreaking. We’ve all hurt someone we shouldn’t have hurt, “Are you hurting the one you love, bite your tongue until it tastes like blood.” I guess sometimes you just can’t stop yourself.

I love that someone may age has achieved so much. I’ve been a fan of Florence before she was signed, and to see all she has accomplished and how many lives her music has touched makes me feel proud and honoured to be a fan. When I watched her perform at the Oscars I did get a bit emotional.

I remember when she won the Brits Critic’s Choice Award two years ago, and her speech mainly consisted of her saying “Fuck” a few times- I was just so bloody proud to see her on the stage and for people to recognise the talent she has.

Her live shows are like a religious experience; it is just as if something takes over your body- it is entirely indescribable. With her album being released 7th November (a few days before my birthday, ideal birthday present!!!!) I am sure a tour is to follow. By that I mean, I am hoping a tour happens and a date on my birthday occurs.

I’ve read a few interviews where Florence was listening to White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane and her dad herd her yell, “Oh my god! I’m having an epiphany!” whilst listening to it. I fully understand how she feels, and the first time I heard her voice I felt exactly the same.

Dirty Beaches.

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Canada produces amazing music. From Metric to The Weeknd and all in between. The music scene there is something to be proud of. However, it’s just about to get a hell of a lot better and it is all down to one man- Dirty Beaches aka Alex Zhang Hungtai.

Many critics have labelled his music as “lo-fi” and maybe, he is. However I’d just say that he is astounding. There is NOTHING like his music around right now, and I doubt anything like this has been done before. Honestly, music like this makes me glad to not me deaf. Outrageous comment, I know. But it’s a Sunday, and Sundays are dull for everyone. So I thought..oh, never mind.

Personally, when I listen to Lord Knows Best I imagine someone floating up to Heaven, or just someone at complete and utter peace with themselves and all around them. It’s a highly emotional song, the sample of the piano on a loop is so hypnotising and angelic. I can’t help but wonder why music like this isn’t dominating charts and winning over hearts. There is so much feeling and honesty in music like this. There is a severe lack of passion in pop music these days. I on;y want to listen to music that has meaning and depth. Music that makes me feel that nothing matters. That’s exactly what I get from Dirty Beaches.

Badlands is 2011’s hidden gem. It’s the album that you have stupidly slept on. If you haven’t heard it, you are missing out. If you haven’t heard it, please go out and buy it. There’s a brilliant 1950s feel to the album and to Dirty Beaches’ voice, especially on the track Horses where he does sound scarily like Elvis. I’m not really a fan of Elvis, but this is just remarkable. It makes you feel like you are in some kind of Western being chased, it’s just fantastic. He makes music that frightens you and takes your breath away, sort of like a David Lynch film.

My hero, John Peel once said, “I just want to hear something I haven’t heard before.” I understand completely. With Dirty Beaches, I’ve never ever heard anything like this before. It’s just mind-blowing and perfect. Coincidently, it was John Peel’s son, Tom Ravenscroft that got me into Dirty Beaches when I heard him on his show. It is mind-blowing that one person is making music like this. But hey, if you’re on your own- you have no one to answer to and for no one to say that you cannot make music that sounds like this or that. Thank goodness for artists like Dirty Beaches.

The Weeknd.

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What’s 21 years old and makes sexy music? I hate the word “sexy.” It’s so tacky isn’t it. Not with this. Oh the answer by the way is, The Weeknd.

The Weeknd is 21 year old Canadian Abel Tesfaye. He’s slightly like James Blake but with soul. A lot more soul. I love James Blake but The Weeknd is on a whole different level to what is around right now. I imagine this is the kind of music you play to a lover or something. I’m starting to sound like either someone’s Grandma or a pervert. I’m neither.

I was aware of his music just before I started listening to James Blake. I heard the name being mentioned on several American music sites I read, so I listened. And with his mixtape causing the internet to go mental a few days ago, I thought now would be a good time to share him with you.

Wicked Games was one of the first songs I heard by The Weeknd. Mind was well and truly blown. Seriously. This isn’t music you lay on your bed thinking about life too. It’s music to play on the nightbus just wanting to get home. It’s got that feeling to it, I can’t explain.

I honestly have no idea if the UK will care about him, they should. But sadly, the media is wrapped up in vile reality shows so anything with real, raw talent is constantly ignored. I’d take someone like The Weeknd over your generic, repetative chart music any day.

I’ll tell you what The Weeknd reminds me of- The xx. It’s dark and atmospheric. Yes the lyrics are sexually charged, but that is by no means a bad thing at all. In fact, it’s fucking brilliant. I just love everything about The Weeknd’s music. The way it’s produced, his voice, the drum machine. Everything and anything. It’s just so utterly perfect. The build-up in all the songs will cause your body to tense up and leave you covered in goose-bumps, like all good music should.

Oh, and he samples Aaliyah’s vocals on What You Need which is just beautiful. She’s my favourite female singer of all time, and he uses her vocals in such a gorgeous way.

The War On Drugs.

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Sick of Twitter and Facebook being full of people talking about highly irrelevant reality shows such as X-Factor (it’s killing music, if only people realised this.) I decided to finally listen, fully, to The War On Drugs.

This week, an amazing publication Under The Radar coined the brilliant phrase Bossgaze hilst describing The War On Drugs new album. Of all the sub-genres I’ve heard in recent years, this is probably my favourite. It’s Bruce mixed with Shoegaze. Listen to The War On Drugs, and you will get it. Something will click. You will nod your head and say “Ahh…it IS Bossgaze!” I did, but I’m probably not right in the head most of the time.

The War On Drugs formed in 2003, and one of my favourite singers EVER was once part of the group. Kurt Vile. That man is my generation’s Tom Waits. Kurt left the group in 2008, after several line-up changes- I think The War On Drugs now has a solid line-up.

Their new album (second full length LP if I’m not mistaken) Slave Ambient is nothing short of genius. It’s potentially one of the best albums to come out this year. YES, I have said this about several albums- but my choice with my favourite album of the year still stands.

Adam’s voice reminds me partly of Jason Pierce and Jim Reid. It’s so bloody glorious. Some have said the band are influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan to My Bloody Valentine. I’m sticking with my Spiritualized and The Jesus And Mary Chain influences I can hear. However in some songs- especially It’s Your Destiny, Adam does sound like a young Bob Dylan.

The War On Drugs are a perfect band to listen to whilst driving to nowhere in particular or just walking aimlessly for miles and miles. It’s music to losr part of yourself in but at the same time, discover something. Something well and truly great.

So whether or not Bossgaze takes off (and I sure hope it does), this band are awesome and are doing something different that requires your undivided attention.

Charles Haddon- 1 Year On.

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A year ago today Charlie Haddon from Ou Est Le Swimming Pool sadly took his own life after the band played at Pukkelpop.

My best friend and I bonded over our love for certain bands, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool was one of them. We saw them support La Roux in 2009 in Birmingham. Front row. We were the only ones who knew every word to Ou Est’s songs. It was just an awesome night.

Last October I was fortunate enough to go to Chazzstock at Koko in London, a memorial and celebration of Charlie’s’ life. The band only put out one album (The Golden Year) but that one album was truly stunning.

There’s so much one could say about this, but it has been said by so many already, and it still doesn’t seem right. It never will. Just like with Aaliyah and Amy Winehouse. It’s tragic and it’s painful, but we always have the music.

When I bought Cat’s Eyes album I noticed a song was decicated to Charlie, it is truly beautiful.

Support a worth cause.

R.I.P Charlie, you are missed greatly xxx

Warpaint-Interview.

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Last year, the day before their debut full length album came out I was fortunate to meet and interview Warpaint.

I’ve met some really good people in my time- both famous and non famous; however no person has ever been such an honour to speak to as Theresa Wayman. She is well and truly one of the most loveliest and genuine persons I have ever met. Her answers to my questions were passionate and hilarious. The way she tells you a story just captures you so much. I was just in awe of everything about Theresa. I took in every single word she said as I sat next to her on the sofa. Oh and she has the best pin-striped trousers and boots ever. In fact, all members of Warpaint have amazing boots. Extremely well dressed indeed.

I’ve pretty much taken procrastination to a different level by only typing the interview up until now. However, I am not going to type it as a typical Q&A. Those Q&A articles are boring, you need substance with an article and that’s what I am going to try to do. Besides, you need to know about my love for Warpaint and why I love them. If someone sat me down and said, “Olivia, tell me about your love for Warpaint” they would probably leave as I could go on for hours, days as to why I love them.

I first heard of Warpaint around 2 years ago. I heard Billie Holiday and it just threw me. I loved how bare and stripped it was. I was utterly enthralled by the vocals and how it just flowed. I loved how they sang “B.I.L.L.I.E H.O.L.I.D.A.Y” it just sounded so perfect, so relaxing. Almost like a lullaby.

Fast forward to about a year after I heard of Warpaint, I then heard Undertow. Well, that was it really. Nothing mattered at all. It was my song of 2010, and The Fool was my favourite album of 2010 also. I just couldn’t believe music like this was being created. More importantly, I was so happy that a female group was creating music as powerful as this.

I’ve seen on various websites and blogs that girls are inspired by Warpaint to pick up an instrument and start bands. It’s good to see an all female group using talent rather than relying on gimmicks to sell their music to people.

Warpaint are easy to “get.” There’s no pretentious feel to their music, you don’t have to come from a certain background to enjoy their music, and you don’t have to be anything or anyone to be a fan. You can’t look at someone and think, “Oh they’re a Warpaint fan.”

I get it all the time, just because I wear black all the time I’m supposed to listen to Cradle of Filth or some shit. Fuck that.

I asked Theresa where the name Warpaint came from. I’m always intrigued as to where bands get their names from. Emily came up with it. Other names they had were, Notes From The Underground, and my personal favourite I Love You. I suppose if they stuck with I Love You it could get confusing as I told Theresa. “Who are you going to see?” “‘I Love You.’ ” “Thanks, but who are you going to see?” It’d just cause people getting confused and thinking someone was declaring their love to them, and they’d just feel foolish wouldn’t they really.

Aside from how bands get their names, I always love hearing stories on how bands meet. Some meet in bars, some reply to ads in music publications, some are just thrown together in school and the rest is well history as they say.

So, how did they meet?

“Through friends, and living in the city. Pretty quickly actually. After we all moved there, we met each other (LA). You spot people, especially in LA, in Hollywood that are like you in a crowd, like-minded. I think it’s safe to say we’re not typical LA girls. The way we live now, we are typical and we’re not typical.”

She then mentioned how she, Emily, Jenny and Stella were staying in a hotel in Dublin- the hotel was connected to  a bar and restaurant, and they came downstairs at around 6pm ish for some food and to use the internet- dressed in sweatpants and pyjamas. It then turned into a nightclub and it was full of girls everywhere in mini-skirts. Theresa went into the bathroom, and there were some girls in bathroom re-applying make-up and talking about boys, and she said, “They were definitely giving me some looks. I looked like a slob and I didn’t have my hairbrush so I had a big knot in the back of my hair.”

Let’s be honest here, I doubt Theresa and the others could ever look like slobs. Besides, I’d rather see them than a bunch of girls in mini-skirts.

One of the many things I love about Warpaint is the length of their songs. I love songs that last over 5 minutes and send you off into this relaxing place where the real world cannot touch you. Nothing matters as you just totally lose yourself in the world that this piece of music taken you to. Songs like Beetles and Elephants just send you into a whirlwind. Songs like Baby and Lissie’s Heart Murmur feel like a lullaby. Every song of theirs fills you with such grand emotions and the ability to take you anywhere, it is that powerful. You can make your own meanings up to the songs.

I still use Undertow as the song I go to when everything just seems too much, the line “I laid on the floor. Pressing in my eyes, seeing little lights. Please light these decisions that only one could make. I wanted to stay home but I went running running running running from the troubles.”  I could never find words good enough to fully express what this verse means to me, no words could do it justice. The amount of times where I have found it impossible to sleep, so I just play Warpaint on my headphones in the dark- listening to Undertow is ridiculous. It’s like some kind of comfort blanket most of the time. I know I’m making myself out to be a wuss, maybe I am.

Anyone who has seen Warpaint live (I have yet to) has witnessed the little jam sessions they have at the end of Beetles and Elephants, it’s just utterly mind-blowing.

As frequently pointed out in various publications, Warpaint are SURPRISE SURPRISE female. Shock! Horror! Girls….playing instruments! I asked Theresa if the band had experienced sexism in the music industry at all. Some may think people are more open-minded now, but trust me- they’re not.

“I have noticed that in-house soundmen, when you first arrive are grumpy. It’s funny. I’m not trying to diss them, I love soundmen, but it’s true. I’ve noticed on more than one occasion people are dismissive of that maybe we don’t know what we’re doing. But after the show, for the most part their tune is changed.”

I hope anyone who thinks Warpaint cannot play or know what they are doing based on their gender feels like a massive idiot.

Warpaint are more than band-mates and best friends. They are clearly like family. I remember walking into the venue to meet them, and the way they were with each was just beautiful.

They love each other, and they have so much love for what they do. This lacks in a lot of bands (past and present). When you can see how much a band love what they do, and each other it just transpires into their music. The way they just get lost in the music that they play is inspiring, it makes you get lost in it too. It makes you feel the music even more.

With just one full length album Warpaint have done so much. Their acoustic performance on BBC3 last year for Reading gained them a fair amount of attention and this year’s performance at Glastonbury and Coachella just blew people away- both old fans and people just wandering around seeing who was on.

Bands such as Warpaint don’t come around often, but when they do it is important you just embrace it. Accept that this band will change your life, they will be your life. As a music obsessive, this is entirely how I feel about Warpaint. Without their music, I have no idea what I would do. Warpaint’s music just breathes life into you when you feel, well, shit I suppose. It makes you feel alive and it makes you want to change everything for the better. That’s the remarkable thing about music, it gives you strength and courage.

For me, Warpaint are more than just a band. I just feel so honoured to have met them and to have spoken to Theresa about the band and music. It was truly one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

I’ve always heard people say you should never meet your heroes, I’ve met mine several times and they’ve all been brilliant experiences. However, with Warpaint it just felt like everything made sense. Any feeling of wanting to give up on being a Music Writer just went away. Of course there are times when I just want to stop doing it due to my own harsh self criticisms and self frustrations, but I just play some Warpaint songs and my love for music and writing about it comes back. Things like that are priceless. Things like that just keep me going. Again, more proof that music is such a powerful force that I don’t think many recognise.

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.