Tag Archives: Leisha Hailey

Uh Huh Her. Shepard’s Bush. 24th April 2012.

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Writing this on nearly no sleep means this will not make sense. There’s a good chance that this will read as some strange emotional outburst. I’d apologise, but I’m not sorry. I’ll save them for a time where I am actually sorry.

When you have loved a band for so long, finally seeing them live gives you this feeling that, at best, you cannot describe. But at worst is the most frustrating thing in the world. That’s the thing about Music, you can have these frustrating feelings that sooner or later- will get the better of you. Going to a gig, you can just let it all out. You can justify your tears because certain songs make you feel less alone. Certain songs you feel were written for you. Certain songs give you the courage to do something that terrifies you. Sometimes, you’ve just got to face your fears. Or a band help you do so.

I first started listening to Uh Huh Her when Common Reaction came out. I was in a bad place. It was worse than bad, but you don’t need to know. Sometimes you’ve got to destroy who you were in order to become what you want to be. In the process, you let go and leave behind. The songs on this record made every change and fuck up I caused around me less daunting to face. I still can’t listen to Dreamer without wanting to cry like a baby, it’s just a really sad and longing song. Even the most emotionally stable could be reduced to tears after hearing this song. I’m totally fine now, but if I listened to it now, I’d still breakdown. Some songs are just that powerful. Their latest record, Nocturnes in my mind was probably one of the most underrated records of last year. The production on all they’ve ever done has always been something I have admired.  Then came the live show.

Waiting to see the band that have meant the world to you for such a long time is intense and a long process, yet it is beyond worth it when the time comes around to see them.

Everything about Uh Huh Her justifies why I have so much love for duos (okay so live they’re not a duo but still..) They just have a better chemistry, and the stage presence is perfect. You can see this in the likes of Beach House, The Kills..and all the other duos I constantly declare my love for. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep it together when the PA system played The Horrors followed by The Kills, standard behaviour I guess.

If you’ve seen Cam and Leisha on this tour (or live in general) you’ll know it’s pretty much an amazing experience. You treasure it so much more because they do not tour the UK/Europe all that often, I guess that’s why their fans are pretty fucking loyal. And maybe a bit mental too (the good kind.)

I have no idea where I was when I was just stood there singing along. It still doesn’t feel like it has happened, it doesn’t feel real. I’ve had this feeling before. The first time I saw Morrissey I had this exact same feeling, and I got it last month when I saw The Horrors. When a band are such a huge part of your life, the very second they walk on stage it is like every feeling you have is fully justified. When you listen to their songs on a daily basis, you do truly connect but when you see it live, you pick up on certain lines lot more. It’s a bit like, “OH SHIT…NOW I GET IT!” Wait Another Day’s meaning to me just hit a new level last night, I’m pretty sure I felt part of me break and fix at the same time. Something clicked and I’m trying to work out if it’s a good or bad thing, maybe I’ll never know. Maybe I’m not meant to. But it did something. I’ve Had Enough is on the same level too. I’m also pretty sure I See Red acoustic is one of the most stunning things I have ever witnessed.

Throughout the gig I had a few mini outbursts (good ones, I don’t mean I hit anyone. I’m not like that.) The main one occured when Cam introduced Ladyhawke to come out and play Black And Blue with them. For that moment it wasn’t like you were at a gig. It was like you were watching a group of friends have fun at band practice. It was amazing that a venue this size could produce something so intimate. With music, especially live music you can allow yourself to forget everything for a while (with the occasional reminder.) For me, last night for that hour and a bit I could forget all I had on my mind. From worrying about my mum to other stuff, I allowed myself to let go for a while. Now, I’m back to clinging onto it and worrying again. But, I’m human and sadly I cannot switch off. Uh Huh Her’s music make it okay for you to cling onto certain feelings, maybe they are the ones that keep you going. Even if they could be the ones that are eating you up a bit.

Waiting this long to see Cam, Leisha (and Josh of course!) was something that was truly worth it. And I guess with life, sometimes you just have to wait for what you want. No matter how long it takes- it’ll happen, if it is meant to. I know that this is probably the worst thing I’ve written but I’m still in the process of taking the gig in. It was just perfect, if you were there-you know it was. If you’ve seen them on this tour, again, you’ll know how perfect it was. How they are. They deserve to be fucking huge. Their DIY approach to how they make music is so inspiring and much-needed. Another thing that needs pointing out is, at the end of their shows they truly make time for their fans by selling the merch and doing signings. There’s not many bands around that do this, and it is one of the many many reasons as to why Cam and Leisha are an asset to music and the industry.

Until next time…

*(But seriously, I am sorry for how all over the place this is. Lack of sleep and stuff does this to you. Sorrysorrysorrysorry! xx I also think the gig has left me wanting a hug. I may go buy a puppy or something.)

Uh Huh Her-Nocturnes.

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Here we go, another contender for album of the year. I honestly didn’t think they could top Common Reaction. I didn’t want them to; I didn’t want to love this album as much as Common Reaction because when that came out it was basically my life. Now I have to feel this way about their new album. I’m joking, I honestly don’t mind. It’s a bloody brilliant album. The second album can be a bitch to make; a lot of bands just fall apart. Then they make a decent third album and call it quits after that. I doubt Uh Huh Her will do that. If they do, I’ll just write them an emotionally charged letter. I honestly never want to feel the way I did about The Long Blondes ever again. It was worse than being dumped, seriously. Fucking awful. The wound hasn’t healed; I just want them to get back together.

Right, I’ve gone off on one. Sorry, partially.

Nocturnes is fucking brilliant. I probably won’t be able to find anything else to say apart from that, but I will try. They use a lot of synths BUT, don’t let that put you off. You see, a lot of bands use synths to compensate for the fact that they are shite and have no talent. Its like, “Oh well….we can’t play an instrument so let’s faff about with some synths.” NO! Just NO. Camila and Leisha has genuine talent, they use synths with addition to other instruments. The synths don’t carry their sound at all. It doesn’t sound like a ridiculous 80s tacky pop record swimming in synths at all. This is the real deal dear reader. Nocturnes is a fantastic record, and yes it is just as brilliant as Common Reaction. I think I’m going to ramble whilst talking about this record.

What I love about Uh Huh Her is the way they compliment each other’s voice. You’ve got Leisha’s delicate voice and Camila’s powerful tone, its bloody amazing. One doesn’t overshadow the other at all. In duos, this sometimes happens. However, it isn’t the case here at all. They’ve got this beautiful chemistry in their music, and you can tell just how passionate about the music they really are. As you can really feel that passion, you are drawn further into the record.

I remember hearing Same High a while back (I sometimes exaggerate time because I have no concept of time. I hate knowing the time, the world would be better if we never had time. I am bursting to have a deep, philosophical talk about this.) Same High is a euphoric track. You’ll probably want to dance when you hear it. The whole album will make you want to dance. As someone who isn’t much of a dancer (I usually throw my limbs about and hit myself/others) to say that it makes me want to dance is a bit of a big deal. The whole record makes you want to pop it in your car CD player and just drive off. No destination in particular, just bugger off somewhere. It’s a good job I can’t drive, because the amount of songs that make me feel this way is ridiculous. I’d be constantly driving places and getting lost. That said, I can get lost on the bus or by foot anyway so.

Human Nature is easily one of the standout tracks on the album, I say this but every single song is astounding. Literally in love with this record. I honestly don’t think I could be friends with someone if they didn’t love this band. See, I say Human Nature is my favourite- I’ve immediately changed my mind. It’s all about Disdain right now (Disdain is one of my favourite words you know; my biased opinion has drawn me into this song.) I’m not going to be able to pick a favourite and stick to it, but for arguments sake, I will stick with Disdain.

I’m going to leave it here, if I continue I will just ramble and sound more mental than I already probably do. I can still say at the end of writing this, Disdain is my favourite. As soon as I publish this, I may change my mind.

Go out and buy this bloody wonderful work of art. If you’re someone who buys records based on the artwork (I’ve done this a few times) then you need this record in your life. If you’re someone who loves music that gives you that flipping of the stomach, then you need this record. Look, you just need this record in your life. Trust me on this one.

Oh, I think Marstorm is my favourite now…..

Uh Huh Her.

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I’ve been meaning to write about these two wonderful and beautiful women for AGES. I guess now is a more apt time than ever to jot down some words about seeing as their new album comes out next week.

If you’ve named yourself after a PJ Harvey album, you better be good. Uh Huh Her are better than good, let’s be honest. They’re a perfect synth/electro pop kind of band. Now, when some hear this they probably think “OH GOD LEAVE THE 80S ALONE. PLEASE.” I know, I feel the same way too. However, there’s nothing 80s about this duo. Not that I know of anyway.

I’ll start with the album that pretty much was my life for AGES. Common Reaction. There’s one song on the album that I refuse to listen to, Dreamer. It’s one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. I just cannot bring myself to listen to. There’s so much hurt in that song. Thing is, it’s beautiful too. I feel bad when I skip this track when I listen to the album.

I adore the album, despite it having one of the saddest songs I have ever heard.

Leisha Hailey was of course in The Murmurs and Gush. Camila has played with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Adam Lambert. Both are amazing musicians in their own right.

I have a thing for duos. I find the chemistry in a duo to be the most exciting thing in music. The way two voices just go so well together (Beach House, The Kills etc). Leisha and Camila’s voices sound so perfect together. Camila’s dominant voice sounds so stunning with Leisha’s angelic yet haunting vocals. I’ve never seen them live, but I’d imagine they have such a beautiful chemistry with each other. With The Kills it’s a more brutal, passionate thing. I guess with Uh Huh Her it’d be more delicate- but still powerful.

I know that when a band uses synths, the music snobs come out to play and refuse to listen to them. If this is your stance, then you’re pretty much a twit. You cannot shun a band based on the equipment they use. Seriously. Come on now.

Aside from the music, there is one thing about Uh Huh Her that I love. They do not use their sexuality as a gimmick or to sell records. That’s how it should be. They don’t flail around on stage or interviews saying, “Love us! We are lesbians!” They are serious musicians who are creating wonderful music and knocking down the awful stereotype that lesbians in music are constantly lumbered with.

Recently, the band was kicked off a flight just for kissing. Reading what had happened just made me so fucking angry. It made me angry that people want to stop another person showing their love and affection for another person. I read the band’s statement, and it just made me proud to be a lesbian. Why should you hide who you are? Who gives you the fucking right to tell you that you cannot kiss the person you are with JUST because they are of your same gender? Fuck off you small minded piece of shit.

With that rant out of the way, I’ll resume with the music.

Their music makes you feel alive. Living in a world that is full of bad vibes and people being arseholes to each other; it’s just bloody good to have a band that make you feel something good, you know?

I remember when I first heard Not A Love Song. The video made me feel like I had taken too much cough medicine. The unicorn baffled me. I love the line, “I see I disappoint you. Why don’t you find another threat?” As someone who frequently disappoints and fucks up, I found a lot of solace within their album. I still do, in all their music. I love that their music is gender free and anyone can relate to it. That’s how it should be.

One thing I want to briefly to touch on is who do lesbians have to look up to? There are so many strong (or what are deemed to be strong) women that gay men look up to such as Cher, Gaga etc. Lesbians seem to worship Pink and that one from Paramore. I really really do not understand why. Nor do I understand why the sexuality matters, but I guess part of me does. If Uh Huh Her were around when I was growing up, I hand on heart would have had an easier time with dealing with my sexuality. I’m nearly 25, and I like to think I’m fully comfortable and secure enough with who I am. Obviously I don’t care if someone has an issue with my sexuality- I’m not the one with a small minded mind. What I’m getting at is, with a band like Uh Huh Her or Gossip or The Organ who are open about their sexuality, it paves the way for the young’uns to feel okay with who they are. When you hear their stories about how they dealt with growing up, it makes one feel less alone. That is why I love Uh Huh Her, they just make me feel less alone. Their music is fragile, vulnerable and it oozes frustrations with dealing with the one that you like. Everyone feels like that, regardless of gender and sexuality. We all feel that way.

Their lyrics have so much love and emotion within them. Listen to Say So, “You say that you’re broken, I just want to fix you.” It’s just beautiful. Then you have songs such as Wait Another Day. Personally, that song fixed a lot of things during a certain point. The whole album did; especially the title track. The title track seems to be more apt than others.

Their new album, as mentioned, comes out this week. Stupidly excited about this. Songs such as Human Nature and Another Case are just brilliant. Make sure you buy Nocturnes when it comes out!

Metric.

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In about…half an hour, I’ll be having a phone interview with Emily and James from Metric. Am I nervous? Hell yes. But I’m also stupidly excited.

Anyway, what I wanted to share was this clip I just found on YouTube (it was added a few hours!). Now, my favourite track off the new album is Front Row..closely followed by Blindness. So, I thought I’d type it in YouTube to see if there’s any live clips. Not only is it live..but…IT’S ACOUSTIC!!! Acoustic songs by Metric=THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. It is so so so so beautiful. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I’ve got it on repeat.

Metric- Front Row (acoustic).

Enjoy!

x

Oh…does anyone else think Emily looks a bit like Leisha Hailey (she is in The L Word and plays in a band called Uh Huh Her!)