Tag Archives: Music

An Interview With Mark Spence (Royal Chant/Designer Mutts)

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Sadly this interview wasn’t done face to face as Royal Chant live on the other side of the world to me. In an ideal world we’d be finding the best whisky and bands we could get our grubby hands on, but alas…we’ll have to wait a while before that happens.

My friendship with Mark started last year I think, or maybe the end of 2011. He followed this blog and wrote some lovely words to me. Words that I sometime read back on when I think “balls to it!!” I didn’t realise he was in a band for a while, but when I heard Royal Chant I instantly fell in love with their music. I’m fortunate enough to call someone like Mark a true pal because he’s just a brilliant bloke with a genuine heart. Of course that is the same for the band in general. If they were assholes, I wouldn’t write about them.

I’ve always loved Royal Chant’s lyrics above most. I love how Mark doesn’t need to create pretentious prose in order for you to truly get where he is coming from. His honestly and that raw tone to his voice is what makes you believe in every single word. If you cannot be honest in what you do, then don’t do it. If only politicians would do the same.

I started writing this a few days ago, but I got distracted and frustrated with what I was writing. But now I have no excuse to get this done as I’ve sliced my big toe, got blood all over my girlfriend’s flat seconds before she was to go out. I pick my moments to have accidents. Walking is going to be fun over the next few days! Anyway, enough with the distractions.

I sent off my questions to Mark hoping I hadn’t asked my pal ridiculous questions, but I like to think I know him well enough to know that he’d tell me that they were shit. Or in this case, give me something to work with. And that he did. What I love the most about our exchange for this was what that he told me the songs that were playing as he was typing up his responses. Here is the first one:

I asked Mark if there was any obvious corruption within the Australian music scene. In the UK and America, you can see who has been marketed as a brand rather than a band, but does it happen in Australia?
“I honestly don’t know.  Possibly.  Probably.  Myself (and thus Royal Chant) exist on the periphery of mainstream media/music, so it’s hard for me to say.  I actually had to think hard to remember the last band that I felt was being “handled” or specifically marketed, but even that seemed mostly self-imposed.  I’ve come across a few bands that were definitely aiming for that 1st tier of pop-wankdom, but it was nothing they didn’t opt-into of their own volition. 

Ultimately, the same rules apply here as anywhere else: money will help.  It can’t make people like you, but it can certainly get you in front of more people and into some enviable situations.  You can get jaded or cynical about that, but the easiest and healthiest thing to do is attempt to operate with an entirely different mindset, to create your own reality. True independence is a realm that few bands actually manage to obtain, and the longer we do this and the more responsibility we shoulder for both making the music and getting it out there the more I realize that most of the B.S. media machine is predicated on people & bands buying into it.  Simply put: don’t.”

Of course people will ALWAYS buy into the shit they are force-fed. Just look at reality shows we secretly watch. The outcome of it seems to always take people’s brains over. In England. Christmas is ruined because of that fucking programme. Every year it seems a regurgitated piece of shit is churned out for people to spend their money on as “stocking fillers” or just you know, a 3 minute piece of audio torture. These shows are everywhere- it is sheer pop-wankdom. This isn’t going to die out anytime soon, and that’s what is truly upsetting. Nothing really lasts anymore does it? Everything is throw-away. When One Direction split up, there will be another pretty boy band to take their place. But what can we do?

“Allow me to digress.  Australia is a very big country with a very small population, whereas the UK is a very small country with a very big population.  Coming from the USA, which is both, Australia seemed very comprehendable.  There’s only a few capital cities, and even Perth is a bit of a stretch for most bands (we’ve never been).  There’s only so many stations, so many stages, so many people that one would need to deal with in order to have the scene “sorted”, although it still seems vast enough for my tastes. 

It’s pretty well established that many bands, once they have had a taste of success and been around the block a few times, tend to get a bit disillusioned with Australia, finding it a bit backwards and provincial, hence the inevitable trek to the UK, Europe, the States, or all three.  It’s a bit back and forth.  There’s heaps of bands trying to claw their way to the top of the Australian heap, and then another level of bands that would like nothing more than to leave. 

Corrupt?  I don’t know.  Probably no more than any other time and place.”

We’re all fucked.

Surely with all the world’s frustrations inside of us, we are desperate to unleash them somehow. Mine is kept in various notebooks that no one reads. Thoughts are private and words are public. There’s always an equal balance I suppose. We look to music to provide some insight into how we can free ourselves. It is so easy to feel trapped and into fall into the traps of modern life. Modern life is dull. It consists of the amount of friends you have on Facebook and if there is an App for anything/everything you do. I really hate, and no part of me can relate to it. Hashtags annoy me, modern slang is fucking awful- and our brains aren’t functioning like they should. Eat junk, turn to junk. Read lies, become a liar. No one wants to have heart or be honest. I think this is ultimately why I really REALLY listened to Royal Chant. I listened as hard as I could because straight away I got it. I got the rage, I got the desire to fix the broken parts and to stop caring for what anyone thought. When a band can drive you like that, then you stop turning to shit when nothing goes your way. So these songs that they write, what does writing songs mean to Mark?

“I don’t know any more, but I reckon it’s my attempt to make sense of the world. It may be the most truthful I get in life.  It may the be most dishonest I get.  Perhaps I’m singing what I really mean but am too cowardly to say in real life, or maybe it is a mask I wear that slowly changes as I do.  It’s what I can do, for better or for worse. I like words, I like melodies.   Songs are perfect for doing what they do best, but quite inept at doing what they shouldn’t.  I’d like to think I’m getting close to both.
I love songs.  The older I get, the more I am in awe of them.  I will listen to the same song for weeks on end, and am always amazed at their power.  Even “bad” songs can change the world, or at least a person’s world, so I’d like to think I’m a lot less judgemental now than I used to be.”

Music cures all. It stops bad moods, it eases nagging thoughts and it can make you feel good about yourself. For instance the other night when I saw Jessie Ware, it somehow managed to make me feel a lot more love for my girlfriend when I looked at her. I really didn’t think it was possible, sometimes things happen and it’s just bloody beautiful. I also once listened to Radio 1 and realised I disliked a lot of their “presenters” but that’s a different story.

I like to know certain things about bands I love, and they are probably sick of always being asked it- but I like to know what made them want to make music and when they feel like chucking it all in; what makes them want to continue. I knew Mark would give me an insightful answer because he’s that kind of guy.

“I always thought I could do it so I did. I was always drawn to music, even before I could make it.  Singing songs and dancing around, doing stupid performances like all kids do.  Also, writing songs from an early age, and always believing that I was better than I actually was.  Delusion, ego, & arrogance were essential to my development.  I can’t speak for anyone else on that though.

The thought that we can always do better.  I love it.  I’m an addict.  Hearing a great song will definitely do the trick, or being inspired in any way.  There’s always a guitar around, and always some melody in my head and a few words that need to find a home.  There’s got to be ego involved in there somewhere, right?  I guess, whether rightly or wrongly, I believe “I can do that”, and haven’t stopped trying.

That’s pretty rare, but a good sleep and a good idea have always done the trick.  I can count on one hand the times I have thought about chucking it in, and even if that happened I’d keep on making music on my own.  I’m a full-time musician and music teacher, so even if I said “right, that’s enough, no more Royal Chant”, I’d keep humming & strumming in some form or fashion. 

I guess I could always quit the whole thing and do something else, but I’m not really fit to do anything else.  Anyone need insurance?”

The fight that Mark has is evident. It’s in his solo work, with Designer Mutts and with Royal Chant. There is an equal amount of passion in his music, regardless of who he is making it with. The way he is with his approach to music is inspiring. There have been many times where I have questioned why I bother writing about music, but then I read something Mark has written or I listen to Royal Chant and everything starts to slowly make sense. Slowly. Always slowly. I think as well, it is because I know that he means every words. It’s the same with the likes of Patti Smith and Morrissey; you know they mean their words which is why you truly believe in them and cling onto them. You cling onto them with red raw hands and teary eyes- everything you have and are just depends on it. Music is more important to me than I first realised. The older I get, the more I come to depend on it. I’ve never depended on a person, it has always been music. And I think it more than likely will always be that way, for many reasons.

Royal Chant have a song called Nothing Ever Happens, It Just Seems To. The occasional cynic in me really loves this song, and it is by far my favourite song by the band. And it is (so far) my favourite song that Mark has written. I do tend to change my mind a lot, but as it is a song I frequently listen to, I know it will remain my favourite. There is something about it that just basically sums up the daily disappointments and frustrations we all feel. You cannot escape it, ever. Even the toughest and happiest of people are bound to feel a slight twinge of these feelings that many deem as “ugly” or whatever. I regard them as what makes us human; everyone is different thought, thankfully.

I thought now was a better time than most to ask Mark about this song. I’d been meaning for some time, but I held back and listened to it more and more before I asked him about it.

“I’m always happy to talk shop! If I remember correctly, I was working on a cruise ship again at that time.  When I left America I was in pretty bad shape.  For all the normal, human reasons…heart broke, cash broke, strung out, a worthless waster, etc etc.  Hopping on a cruise ship largely saved my life. 

Having said that, once the magic of Europe wears off (or once I become stupid enough to become immune to its eternal magic), playing drums on a cruise ship is a somewhat insane experience.  Repetition.  Endless repetition.  I also flew out to LA twice to record the Water Never Waits EP by Sickboy (my moniker/band at the time).  Los Angeles has never been a good fit for me, from the biggest aspects down to the smallest detail.  It’s a weird, crazy place, and I would be happy to never go there again. Having said that, I did enjoy recording there, but it’s not like I was in some fancy studio. 

Anyways, string all those lines together…my shit metaphors for LA, my mindlessness, my recovery from my former life, my not-quite-adjustment to my new life, general confusion, a bit of optimism, a large chunk of skepticism….
Flat tyres, prescription speed….yeah, that’s LA, and a pretty big metaphor of my life, if I may be so bold. I do remember putting a reasonable amount of effort into that song, as it was a fairly hefty “piece”.  I mean, it wasn’t a throwaway, so I kind of knew that I was dealing with something that meant something, even if only to me.  Some songs are beautiful throwaways, while others are bloated pieces of crap.  Sometimes it’s OK to be serious, at least that’s what I tell myself.”

The band doesn’t really play this song live anymore, but if you’re so lucky to find yourself watching Mark do a solo set- he does a stripped back/acoustic version of the song.

Royal Chant have a new song out called New Nowhere which can be heard here: http://royalchant.bandcamp.com/

Of course you must play it as loud as you can, just to hear how raw it is. For me, it’s the Royal Chant that I know and love. It sounds like something I heard by them over a year ago. They have a distinctive sound that echoes throughout their music, but at the same time they never repeat themselves in what they do. They make bold and unapologetic music that appeals to those that know there is more out there. That there is more to life than what we have. Thing is, we are the only ones who can change that. With a new song out, Royal Chant have no plans to be quiet. They will come to the UK right?!


“Of course we’re coming to the UK!  In the simplest of terms, I want to keep writing and recording and touring, for as long as this band lasts, and beyond (if it should ever come to that).  If you want to get down to brass tacks we’ve got our new Small Town Bruises all wrapped up, and then we’ve got another LP worth of material after that (tentatively titled Societé Catastrophe) , so it’s really just a matter of keeping things together and keeping everyone sane and happy with enough food and cash so that they’re not throwing their whole lives away.  I don’t know if it can be done, but it seems we’re making a decent go of it.  I don’t want to stop and am not planning on it. 

Things we want to do: take Royal Chant to Western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, and the USA (again!).  Rinse. Repeat.”

Music aside, Mark is a pal that appreciates two of the finest things in life; tea and whisky. I couldn’t interview him and not ask about his best and worst whisky. I’ve tried some whisky that made me feel like my insides were on fire, and it is a really awful feeling. I’m not someone who sees the appeal of getting drunk or thinking alcohol is the cure to all social situations. I like whisky because like tea, it has a comforting and warming feeling. Tea is obviously cheaper, and whisky is rarely consumed by me but when you have a bad one, it is terrible. Like anything really, right?

“It happened 3 weeks ago, as best I can remember.  Here’s the scene:  I’m playing drums for this amazingly talented musician named Lioned Cole (who just so happens to be from my hometown of ATL, Georgia, USA), and we’re hanging out in the…I dunno…hangout area with the owner of the bar/venue.  Of course he wants to meld his trumped-up sense of power with actual musical authenticity, so he trots out his bottles of really expensive Japanese scotch/whiskey and commences pouring these heroic shots whilst explaining its value. 

Look, there’s a long story about its origins and cost, but what happened is that I skulled my shots coz I thought he was yelling at me for being too slow, but I found out that he was yelling coz I drank them too quickly and failed to pay homage to their expensive and convoluted origins.  It may have been premium stuff that only rich people can afford, but it felt like firewater going down my throat.

Worst?  Is there such a thing? I guess there’s some pretty nasty stuff at the bottom of the shelf that I’m sure I’ve gotten into at one time or another, but anything will do if you put enough mixer in it.  No mixer? Who cares. Just get it down and it will do what it’s meant to do.”

I haven’t written this much in a long time. But if you can’t write highly about a pal, then who can you write about?! There were a few more questions I asked, but I wanted to keep in with a certain theme. I’m not sure if I know what it is, but for now..the rest is hidden. For a while.

Royal Chant are a band to believe and invest in. They are a comforting crutch and genuinely adore their fans. Their fans adore them.

They are a band destined to play the dingy and sweaty bars with questionable health and safety regulations. Their music is powerful in ways most miss out on doing. They could be your next favourite band because of their sheer honesty and love for what they do.

Brilliant song-writers who do not need to write ridiculous phrases in order for you to connect with the music or for you to feel something completely new. Their advantage is their love for what they do and the music they play.

The sooner they come to the UK and the rest of the world; the better.

Finally, I must add how Mark ended his email as it is possibly the best sign-off ever:

“Big hugs from down under.  Hopefully 2014 is the year we make it across the pond.  Your friend in tea, cider, whiskey, & boobs xoxo“

 

JESSIE WARE. Abbey Road Studios. 19th September 2013.

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JessieWare1

 

I’ve been to some brilliant gigs in my time. Some have been in questionable places that disregard health and safety. Others have been in beautiful places that I’d be totally fine with sleeping in if no one knew I was there. Thing is, I prefer the venues that look as if they are going to fall apart and are so dark you think a door is a person, so you speak to them without realising. That could just be my shit eyesight though….

I got a phone call on Monday evening. I never answer my phone because it is always on silent and I have no idea why someone would want to call me. For some reason, I answered. I was told I had won tickets to see Jessie Ware at Abbey Road Studios on Thursday (last night.) I never win anything (okay so a week before I got an email saying I’d won tickets to see Ellie Goulding at the iTunes Festival but shush!) I hung up after all was confirmed. Told my pals who I was with, and invited one of them with me. Apparently my girlfriend should have been my first choice. OOPS! So with my pal and I excited about the gig, she got exactly the same phone call as me! What are the chances!

Let’s talk about the show now.

Abbey Road has this incredible atmosphere that just hits you as soon as you walk in. My favourite thing was the photo of Jamie Hince (The Kills) on the wall. I was thinking of ways to take it, but realised quickly the photo is as big as me so it wouldn’t work. It’s not like it was a print I could roll up and shove in my back pocket.

After indulging in the free drinks (I dislike wine but free wine tastes really nice, as do free cocktails) we shuffled towards the front. I was stood directly in front of the mic. I like to be at the front; mainly because I’m a short arse who cannot see.

Jessie strides onto the stage with the most glorious smile I’ve ever seen; thing is, during the night her smile just gets bigger and bigger. She plays pretty much all of the songs from Devotion. If you don’t own her record, you are missing out. Her voice is so beautiful. She’s my generation’s Sade mixed with Aaliyah. Throughout her set she speaks to those who have come all the way from Canada, high fives people at the front, takes photos with fans as she’s singing and pretty much has the best time ever on stage.

What made this gig really special was that, it was in an intimate venue that holds a lot of history. The chances are one of your favourite bands have probably recorded here at some point. The love in room was just simply euphoric. I’ve been to Morrissey gigs where people have tried to launch themselves at the stage, but this was something else. There is something deeply captivating about Jessie Ware, and it isn’t just her voice. You can tell that she truly loves what she does, and the sheer happiness that just pours from her falls into the crowd.

For me personally, when she sang Running for about 10 seconds whilst looking at me was delightful. As was having a photo with her afterwards, and her thanking us for being at the front. NO PROBLEM JESSIE!

Devotion is one of the best records I’ve heard in years. It has pure soul and expresses love on different. Hearing songs such as Taking In Water (written for her brother, probably my favourite) and Night Light (written for her boyfriend, but he doesn’t really like it!) live just left me in awe. The way she sings so effortlessly and is so gracious, she is undeniably the best UK female singer around. She has this genuine soulful feel to her music, and because it is so natural it just takes you over in such a magical way. Watching her made you feel like the luckiest person in the room because you were witnessing something memorable. You can tell every single song means the world to her, and I think that is what makes us fans feel the same way. Her connection with the crowd was stunning, and to have a quality like this is quite rare- which makes you instantly treasure her.

Jessie’s band are incredible. Everyone on stage has this infectious grin, and I’m pretty sure I spent the hour watching them all just grinning back like a loon! But the thing is, you really cannot help it. Live music to me, is everything. Music is a massive part of my life but live music is something else. It allows you to unleash everything with the person responsible for the sounds stood right in front of you. To not be moved by something like this is something I cannot quite get my head around. I suppose it is because music is that important to me. Shows like this will be talked about in years to come, because it was so intimate and special.

This show was made up of beautiful moments that all there were so lucky to have witnessed. What truly blew my mind, as I’ve said above was just how happy Jessie Ware is on stage. You can just tell how humble she is, and how every cheer and when word is sung back to her just means so much.

Last night made me fall in love with London even more than I already am. It was a spectacular event with brilliant people. I also now enjoy Campari. As an Italian, I feel I should and as it was in the free cocktails, I became a fan. Hopefully it will taste as good if I ever buy it… Oh and the goodie bag we were given was a treat too!

A huge thank you to Wayne who called on Monday to say I had won the tickets!

 

* The photo above was taken by my girlfriend because she’s got one of them iPhones that takes alright photos and my phone is crap!

JENSON TAGG.

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When a singer can passionately unleash a fraction of any feeling you may have once, or currently feel, in a way that you simply cannot do.

I dislike current musicians that claim to be Folk, when really they’re just someone with a guitar. They spew out lyrics that hold no meaning; no one can relate to the pretentious mess that pours out of their mouths. I’d happily name them, but that’s not very nice is it. Still, I dislike them. However. HOWEVER, there is one guy who could be classed as Folk, if you wanted to play that game- that’s if you don’t really pay much attention to his music. If you listen intensely to Jenson Tagg, you will hear someone who has been influenced by the Blues. His music sounds like how Jack White would sound if his music was slightly stripped back. Jenson has so much power in his voice- he’s just a brilliant musician.

His music is an infusion of Rock music and the Blues. He merges them in a careful way that keeps a genuine tone in his voice; why he isn’t known by EVERYONE is beyond me. I really don’t get it. But I guess if you look at the Top 20 you’ll see why. His lyrics are perfect, and his debut record Scream shows just how beautifully talented he truly is.

Scream is a stunning debut that causes you to drift off, in a way that means you aren’t paying attention to anything or anyone around you. As you listen to him your thoughts are sort of aimed at something or someone who once happened. There’s a lot of longing on this record (Come Home pretty much sums it all up.) But, my favourite track on Scream is I’m Done! It’s a song with attitude, although when you listen to Jenson’s lyrics, you get the feeling his a real gentle soul. Those kind of people are the best.

Honesty is lacking in people. You’ll never meet an honest sales person or politician, you just won’t. People tell lies to keep you around, I guess we are fools for believing them. Or maybe we’ve fooled them by making them thing we believe them. I suppose the latter makes us as bad as them. But in music, you will always get honestly. Scream is a record that is a creation of honesty,I’m Done is the song that just expresses all of that fury in a few minutes. A few glorious moments that exposes being fed up and uncomfortable. Two things which I can probably relate to more than I wish to.

Over the past few years Jenson has toured up and down the UK, written two records worth of material and has played for the athletes for the Olympics 2012. His music is for anyone, you don’t need to be a music snob on this one. He has this magical way of tugging at your heartstrings, but at the same time just offering you a blanket of comfort with his open lyrics. The fact that his words at times are vulnerable means you connect more. To connect to lyrics/songs is a beautiful feeling, because we live in an age where everything is summed up by how many “friends” you have on social networking sites to how many photos you upload to that bloody awful Instagram shit. STOP HASHTAGGING. Sorry, it gets me angry. Anyway. The fact that Jenson is so open with his words means you can take them in a way that fits you. Whatever mood you’re in, his music can either heighten it or soothe you. An equal balance done in such a way that means you cannot help but treasure his music.

His debut record, Scream is out on 7th October.

Happy 30th Birthday AJW xxxx

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For some, 14th September is just a normal day- but for others they know that today is a pretty sad day. If it wasn’t for that horrible day two years ago, today would have been a special day for one person and her family. Sadly it isn’t. A loss is a loss, regardless of who experiences it.

Today would have been Amy Winehouse’s  30th birthday; today is also Nas’ 40th birthday. A rapper she really loved, and spoke beautifully about it in her song Me & Mr. Jones. She even sampled Made You Look by Nas on her song, In My Bed. Both songs are incredible, and probably the two I can sort of listen to without this weird and awful feeling just hitting me.

If Amy wasn’t so open with her lyrics, if you thought she didn’t mean every word- then I guess her music is probably easy to listen to. I remember hearing her many years ago on Trevor Nelson’s radio show he had on a Saturday afternoon on Radio 1 and he played Stronger Than Me. I then saw her on Jools Holland and she had this baby blue guitar and leopard print trousers on. She looked a little vulnerable but an element of control was around her. Anyone who saw that performance knew that they were witnessing something that would become such a vital performance. More importantly it was one of the best performances on that show. Ever.

Of course we must not be sad, but there will always be an element of sadness when her name is mentioned. Or when we think about Amy Winehouse. Her music, her words..they made you feel as if you knew her. Of course we didn’t but she was so open with her words- you couldn’t help but feel something like, she was your pal. Her music got you through heartbreak. So many have leant on her record, Back To Black to get through emotional pain. It was a raw record that exposed the ugly and haunting feelings we have in a way that we never could. That no one else may ever do. She was a phenomenal song-writer; the sheer honesty in her songs was just absolutely beautiful. The way in which she sung them made them what they were; perfect.

Since her passing, Amy’s family have set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation. You can learn more about who they are and what they do: http://www.amywinehousefoundation.org and all through September they putting on events to celebrate her 30th birthday. Get involved.

Today is a sad day, but it..happens. She died far too young, and it is so easy to think of what could have been. But what we have is what we should treasure. There will never ever be anyone else like her. She will always be the Queen Of Camden, always.

Happy Birthday Amy xxxx

LUUUL.

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Chillwave was a style that was apparently set out to bring out hipsters and pretentious oiks in full force. Music is music, and you cannot be a snob about it. I’ve been called a “music snob” more times than I can remember, it used to offend me but I’ve learnt not to listen to people. I’m just massively passionate about music, and to be honest I think it is the only thing that validates my music. Writing about music is one of the very few things that make me feel like I’m doing something of use. I do it for no one but myself, and I think if I did it because I had to/for others- I wouldn’t care. If you’re not going to put your everything into something, then please just leave it alone. So you can say Chillwave is only for certain people, that’s fine- but that makes YOU the daft one. I know to an extent a lot of it sounds the same, but you can find that in any genre. I’d rather listen to hundred of bands that sound like Youth Lagoon than be told Katy Perry is one of the best singers around. (I’m still mad at her UR So Gay and I Kissed A Girl songs.) So I should probably leave this rant alone and move on to what I intended to write about.

LUUUL is one guy who makes music that makes you feel like you constantly have the sun on your back. He makes you feel as if nothing in the world right now matters. For the most part, I guess not much does matter. It depends on your outlook. But as I listen to LUUUL’s music, everything feels like a dream and nothing really matters. Music can help you create beautiful moments in your mind. It doesn’t matter what they are, because no one can take them away from you. The Morning After is the perfect song to listen to as the morning sun hits your tired eyes. As sleep falls away from you, LUUUL’s music is the hope you find a new day. Everything in the moments his music creates is just perfect. His music is the picturesque sunrise you wish you could paint. It stays locked in your head, and gently falls down to the depths of your heart. The moments are kept safe for as long as you wish.

I’m not someone who seeks hot climates and wishes to laze about on a beach, but LUUUL has this gorgeous way of making you wish you were on a beach staring at the sun’s rays hit the glistening sea. What song by LUUUL is perfect for this? Beach of course. The beautiful moments never stop with his music. The bass-line to Beach sounds like how Warpaint would sound if they went in this direction. Both make entirely dreamy music to just lose yourself in, and it never felt so good. The best thing and the most beautiful thing about music is the feelings it gives you. Feelings you probably thought you couldn’t feel or would ever feel. Certain key changes in the songs you love or that one line in your favourite song of all time can just make your heart beat quicker and can just cover your body in goosebumps. Your favourite song is like looking at the person you’re in love with- nothing matters, just that moment. That’s how LUUUL’s music makes you feel. But of course, this is just my personal opinion.

For any emptiness you feel inside, there is always a band or a song to make it alright; you can find it in LUUUL for sure. His music is the sun on your bones, warming you up and just making you feel alright.

You can listen to more of LUUUL right here: https://soundcloud.com/luuul

His bio may say it is just a guy, but it is obviously more than that. It is one person creating truly beautiful music.

LONDON GRAMMAR-If You Wait.

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“I’m feeling shyer and the world gets darker.”

 

When I first wrote about London Grammar in January, I said they reminded me of Imogen Heap meets Youth Lagoon; this was based on just one song. I wasn’t sure if they would keep something like that up, that maybe Hey Now was just a taste of how ethereal they were going to be.

As I listen to their debut record, If You Wait it becomes more obvious that they evidently have made a bloody strong debut. If You Wait sounds like a record you’d expect from a band that are at least 5 years or so deep into their career. It goes beyond all expectations of a debut record.

At its best, If You Wait is a haunting catharsis. Everything about it feels like some kind of release and Hannah’s voice is just so so sad. There’s so much sorrow in her voice, and the fact that the lyrics are as equally as vulnerable as her voice just breaks your heart a little bit more than you anticipated. Wasting My Young Years makes me hate that I’m getting older. But hey, free bus pass! Although by the time I’m 60 I suppose they’ll have scrapped that idea. As I listen to If You Wait, I start to feel everything that London has eventually come to mean to me. Maybe it’s because I’m with the one I love (finally) but London feels like home. There’s so much security in London Grammar’s music, it feels like home. Hannah’s voice is as delicate as the likes of Anthony Hegarty and the music is as soothing as my personal favourite, Deptford Goth. London Grammar are London. They are that awful night bus journey home, they are that last tube home journey. As you gaze out into the night with nothing but the street lights acting as stars to guide you home. For me, I think Sights sums this feeling up more than most. Although it is pretty much constant throughout.

I’d imagine those that listen to London Grammar, and I mean TRULY listen to them will pick up on feelings that those who just skim through will miss out on. There’s innocence and fear on this record- two of the things that make us human. Having these vulnerable characteristics will cause you to pick up on every tiny detail on If You Wait.

As someone who is more delicate than tough (I’ve reached the stage where I no longer wish to try to change this) If You Wait is sort of like..well, it is almost as if London Grammar are telling you that it is alright to be a bit of a coward. To be a little lost, to be a little troubled. If I wasn’t so tired, I think I would have cried listening to this record. This is tugging at the heartstrings at its finest.

If You Wait is made for the shorter, dark days. It is made for solitude. It is made for inner peace. It is made for you to find pieces of yourself that you daren’t share with others; because they’d deem it as ugly. Music will never call out your traits or make you feel ashamed. That’s why I love music. That’s why I believe that If You Wait could possibly be one of the most ethereal records I’ve heard in a long time.

As the sky is now dark, I urge you to click on this link: http://www.londongrammar.com/ifyouwait and close your eyes. Close your eyes and go somewhere where nothing and where no one can disturb you. Find your inner peace and do not let go of it. Cry if you want; better out than in. Let Nightcall be the song that breaks your heart. Let this record be the record that breaks your heart in the most angelic way possible.

London Grammar; London’s finest.

WILLIS EARL BEAL-Nobody Knows.

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Those who struggle with their own reflection and for those who constantly feel uncomfortable in the skin they were placed in; there is an outlet for all of these ugly feelings. Sometimes you are not the one who gets them out, sometimes it is someone else with not just a gift, but a blessing to unleash everything you feel because sometimes, you just physically cannot do it.

At the start of 2012 I wrote about a singer that I accidentally found, proving that sometimes accidents are no bad thing. I became fascinated with Willis Earl Beal’s music because there was nothing about him floating around on the internet. Nobody knew who he was. Nobody knew really where he was. Those that found him were more than likely feeling the same as me; lost. And those that listened to him immediately felt as if they had found some kind of home in his music.

Willis posses the soul of Sam Cooke and the gnarly,raspy drawl of Tom Waits. Willis has soul, and it is infectious. It is the most beautiful thing. Willis had nothing before his debut record was released. He was homeless. He made posters with his number on for people to call just to hear him sing. Willis took it back to how it should have been done, how it always should be done. So what has he done a year on from his debut?

Well, his music is still as raw. His music is still as heartbreaking. Nobody Knows is a phenomenal record, and I sincerely hope this is labelled as a record of the year because it is seriously unlike anything else we’ve had in such a long long time. Chan Marshall (Cat Power) features on Coming Through; with her distinctive voice and Willis’ heartbreaking (it is the only way to describe his voice) just sounds so perfect. I can only hope that this is the start of something musically beautiful between the two. I hope they make a haunting Blues kind of record; enough to make you feel like you’ve experienced the worst kind of pain possible, but tough enough to pull through it.

Whilst his debut, Acousmatic Sorcery seemed to focus on dealing with isolation and despair- Nobody Knows seems to have slightly more positive tones to it. Yet, Willis has a voice that is just made to break your heart mainly because of how much soul is there and how you can tell every single word he is singing means the world to him. And because of this, his words mean everything to you.

I’m too young to have experienced the likes of Howlin’ Wolf first time round, but I can imagine those that were fortunate enough to do so felt like I did the first time I ever heard Willis Earl Beal. Nobody Knows is the kind of record you play when you’re searching for answers that nothing nor no one can seem to give you. Too Dry To Cry is a wonderful example of how strong his voice is. The production on this record is just as raw as Willis’ voice. I think if you listen to his music and you don’t believe him, you’re not listening to it right. I know I’m being entirely biased, but I really cannot understand how anyone could not fall hopelessly and helplessly in love with Willis Earl Beal.

One thing I’ve noticed (amongst many) is that Nobody Knows fits perfectly after Acousmatic Sorcery. Acousmatic Sorcery is the thunderstorm and Nobody Knows is that much-needed sunshine. Nobody Knows is another raw record that serves as a beacon of hope. Sure it may be a bit more positive than his debut, but there are songs on this record that will just bring you to the brink of tears; the song I have in mind that may possibly ruin you is What’s The Deal? It’s a song that resembles being the only person left in a bar and consuming too much alcohol. It is the realisation of being alone, even if you are pathetically told over and over again that you aren’t.

Willis sums up the best and worst feelings a person can have in his music, and that’s what makes him a source of comfort and an ounce of strength for when you really have nothing left. He’s my generation’s Townes Van Zandt, and I am so proud to be a fan of Willis Earl Beal.

THE SAVAGE NOMADS.

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The best bands do not have a distinctive sound. The best bands don’t want to sound like anything else you’ve ever heard. The best bands are fearless. The best bands posses a gang mentality to their music that makes them tougher than the rest.

The Savage Nomads are quite frankly, one of the best bands around. They’ve been around for quite a while and they undoubtedly one of the best bands in London right now, but let’s just ignore how big London is and say they are one of the best bands around, end of. Their sound is like nothing else, and I’m aware how horrifically clichéd that sounds. But I’ve really not heard a band like The Savage Nomads in a long time. Cole Salewicz’s voice is pure and angelic, but there’s a taste of urgency in the way he sings. His voice can break your heart and make you want to dance all at once. A charismatic front-man for sure.

The Savage Nomads are a band that are destined to be around for decades to come. With their unapologetic sound and unified stance on how they make music; you can tell it just means everything to them. When a band have this quality, it is so easy to believe in them. They’ve come so far in the past few years, and honestly there is no denying they are going to go further. A lot of bands seem to sound quite similar. I’m not knocking them because I’m a fan of some of them; it’s just how it is. Certain styles are more “known” than other. What sound do The Savage Nomads have? I have no idea. All I know there is a real essence of soul in each member of the band. Take the song An Empty Seat. It’s one hell of a song with a Funk based bass-line flowing through it. If you don’t feel the urge to dance to this, then you’re not listening right.

For those who are fans of Television, there’s a bit of a resemblance here. I can’t pin point exactly what it is, maybe it is the sheer genius of The Savage Nomads that’s really close to Television. I’ll go with that, it’s as close as I can get. I’d love to hear The Savage Nomads take on a song by Television. The relaxed and cool vibe within their music is freeing and just an absolute delight to listen.

I’d like to talk about their new single, Jaded Edges which is a glorious anthem of a tune. This is made for sweaty venues where your standing so close to strangers, you cannot help but move with them in a unified fashion. There’s something beautifully seductive about this song; for anyone who’s never heard of them before and this is your first time- this song is going to be the one that lures you. Head to those pretentious Indie clubs, and ask for this to be played. You’ll soon see those oversized spectacle wearing “bored” fools get up and dance. If they don’t, then they’ve probably bored themselves to death. The Savage Nomads are one of London’s finest and I can only hope that they just take the rest of the country over. The world is next, but start at home first.

You can purchase Jaded Edges from here: http://savagenomads.bandcamp.com/track/jaded-edges and you can listen to the rest of their hypnotic songs here: https://soundcloud.com/the-savage-nomads

Get on board with one of the UK’s most exciting bands; with a Psychedelic aura and a Soul backbone, The Savage Nomads are just made to be your favourite (new) band.

An Interview With Crocodiles.

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“I don’t have the time for a graveyard of the mind that they call shame.”

 

“Don’t meet your heroes” they say. Balls! I say. Meet them, and let it be known it’ll be the greatest moment of your life. I don’t want to say Crocodiles are my heroes, they are more like a guide. They are a solid music connection that in short, saved me from lord knows what a few years ago. I found their music as I was hopelessly walking around a music shop. I needed something to cease the aches and find my soul. Summer Of Hate changed my world. Yesterday I got to speak with the band who changed my world, for the better. Music is my guide and I guess it is my teacher. It is my everything. And the main reason as to why I never have money. I wouldn’t be able to live with it any other way.

Luke, their tour manager walked me over to Brandon and Charlie as they were having their photos taken and being interviewed. I watched and I had a brief moment where I thought my questions were shit. Maybe they were, but I told myself I was asking what I wanted to know. Turns out, I want to know a lot because I like to write a lot. I watched their shoot, and Brandon looked over and winked in what seemed like a reassuring way. I didn’t mind waiting at all. I’m the least confident Music Writer, so I had this panic inside that my Dictaphone wouldn’t record. Let it be known that Brandon and Charlie are the most genuine and loveliest guys you will ever meet, if you’re lucky enough to do so. If you want passionate conversation about books and music- go to these guys. They’re on the same level my uncle is on, which is why the interview immediately didn’t feel like an interview but just laid back chat with pals. Let’s get into it.

For anyone like myself, who grew up in a small place that just exhausted you of anything good/positive, you need to find something to be your outlet. You have to believe there is something better out there, or you will be stuck in a rut during your entire existence. I asked Brandon and Charlie if the frustration of being in a small place made it easy for it to be placed into their music:

“It’s apparent on our first record, but I guess that changed a bit with touring and that same frustration of kinda being stuck there was pretty stifling. It’s not to say that San Diego is a bad place you know. A lot of people we know and love are still there, so its nice to go back to. But in terms of spending every day there (especially when you’ve travelled) would just get a little bit old.”

I think to fully understand this, you must have lived somewhere which in a way sucked you dry but gave you the fight to find something to work for. Those that are familiar with the likes of Dirty Beaches, Cold Cave and Crocodiles will get this straight away from their music and in a way, inspires you to do the same. There’s always a way out.

Brandon lives in New York, and Charlie lives in London. Their bond is beautiful. The friendship they have is wonderful to witness. It is obvious by the way they are on stage, their sense of humour and generally how they look at each other. You can tell the other knows what one is thinking as they answer questions- it’s the ultimate bond. So with such a gorgeous friendship yet living miles apart- how do they go about writing songs?

“If we’re together in person, we might write a few things from the ground up. But more often than not, one of us will have a skeletal idea like a verse or a chorus. And we get together when we can, it’s expensive. Maybe once or twice a year I’ll come over here (London) or Charlie will come to New York and we’ll spend a couple of weeks or a month working on songs.”

By nature, I’m not a nosy person. I don’t care what someone does. Or who someone does. I don’t care for personal lives and things, but with musicians- the one thing I always want to know is what influences them, but for the most part I don’t want to know which bands influence them because I think sometimes that can get in the way of how you listen to them. You can sometimes pick up on other bands, and it drives you away. All too often I’ve heard Crocodiles be compared to The Jesus And Mary Chain. As someone who had The Jesus And Mary Chain played to them at a very young age, I really don’t hear it. I really don’t. The only thing I can pick up on is the fact they have dark lyrics at times and portray certain subjects such as love in all its dark and haunting glory. But musically? Not at all. If you pay attention to Crocodiles lyrics you can pick up on literature being a huge influence. Touching on this was really cool because we spoke about the sordid literature of Marquis de Sade. If you’ve never read anything by him, you’re missing out. But his work is pretty twisted.

“I think on this record, Jean Genet and Marquis de Sade. We like a lot of poets like Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen. Richard Brautigan’s surreal take on things works its way in too. Sometimes it’s the spirit of a certain book, like, ‘how can I replicate that in the discipline of art that I do.’  Obviously we’re not trying to be as filthy as Marquis de Sade!”

There’s so many things we can take inspiration from, and I don’t think literature is given the credit it deserves when it comes to influencing music. Many want to hear the bands that influenced bands. Books are equally as powerful because they can set your mind off in so many ways. You are given a scenario by the writer, but you paint the picture in your mind with their words. Sometimes the darker the sound, the more apparent the literature influence is. Take Zola Jesus for instance.

Have you ever listened to a band and immediately could tell where they are from? Of course it is easy with the likes of The Fall, Morrissey, Arctic Monkeys- you can hear their accent in their music. Is it easy to cancel out where you are from so you don’t sound like you are obviously from there? Do Crocodiles try to not sound like a “typical” San Diego band?  Do they feel they made a conscious effort to not sound like where they are from?

(At this point the interview was moved to an alleyway. It seemed pretty fitting to interview them in this spot!)

“San Diego has a weird music identity, the stuff its famous for is like Blink 182. It does have a really cool history of underground music too, and there was a point there was a San Diego sound that we didn’t want to sound like. We just write tunes we like.”

It’s good that Crocodiles never took inspiration from fellow San Diego residents such as Blink 182 or that one called Jason Mraz. Crocodiles, if you excuse the pun, have bite. They have a genuine raw sound that has that Punk DIY ethic firmly instilled in them, making them one of the hardest working bands around, Just looking at their UK/Europe tour schedule over the next few week, and also their tour of the states; but you can tell when they play live, that it is everything to them. And for the fans, it is everything to us too.

I was really interested to speak to them about this tour particularly because they are playing some really small venues and in some places where you wouldn’t think would know what to do with a band like Crocodiles with their delightfully rambunctious sound.

Their tour started in Chester. A quiet Roman town where I suppose nothing really happens. I’ve only been a handful of times. So how did they find it?

“There wasn’t many people there. I mean, I wouldn’t call it a turkey. There wasn’t that many people there but it was also our first gig so it takes a few you know. We played Manchester last night. And we wanted to play a few small places first. Chester is a beautiful place. We’ve played Wrexham before, and that was really good.”

Purely from a selfish point of view here, I got to speak to them about playing Italy. Crocs will be playing Turn soon, and that’s where my stepdad is from. A beautiful city that I think everyone needs to visit at least once in their lifetime. I wanted to know what made them want to play somewhere like Turin (why not of course!) And also, Brandon knew I had an Italian last name (my dad’s side.) Not many pick up on this/pronounce my name correctly. You give up after a while, ha!

“We’ve played Italy a few times. We’ve spent a lot of time there, and a few of our shows are there on this tour. Our main shows on this tour are England and Italy. And also it’s the first city you come to if you’re coming in from the North. We get chance to have a look round too, we come back for vacations. I got to spend some time in Naples which was really cool and different to other parts of Italy.”

FORZA ITALIA dear reader, Forza Italia!

What I love about Crocodiles is that they make it easy for you to just feel so free. When you listen to their music you can’t help but sing along and move your body about in a questionable fashion (it’s exactly what I did at their show at Sebright Arms.) It is like they just set something off inside of you. I looked around when I was at their show, and there were people who had come to watch them on their own but they didn’t hold back. It was like a sense of freedom just took the crowd over. It was truly beautiful to be part of something like that, you don’t get a band like this often, which is why fans of Crocs just treasure them. I wanted to know if they act the same way their fans do when they go to shows because they make their fans feel free with how raw their sound is.

“You’d be surprised, we played Norwich and they stood still! I would assume we have similar tastes to a degree to our fans. I’m a music fan first and foremost. It depends. Naturally..a bit shy.” -Brandon.

“It depends on how drunk you are. I saw The Stone Roses and of course I was cutting loose. You have to when they’re playing some of the best songs ever.”- Charlie.

“Big cities in general people are bit more reserved. New York crowds are similar to London crowds. The cities are quite similar anyway.”- Brandon.

Some people are afraid to let go at shows, some will just go for it. Sometimes though, it is the band you are seeing that just go for it. I mentioned seeing Alex (Dirty Beaches) a few months back at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, and when watching him it was like seeing someone unleash a wealth of emotion and also healing at the same time. I asked them if they have a similar way of performing, and sort of just letting go. I mentioned their set at Rough Trade last year where I first saw them, and it seemed like they had to hold back a bit because it was in a store.

“That’s what I love about him. His whole presentation is a complete 360; it’s just amazing. In terms of someone who has a record label, that’s the kind of thing I’m attracted to. We put out a record for a band called Punks On Mars, it wasn’t that successful. But they had their own look. They looked like oddballs but they just did their own thing. We love playing at record stores because they support us, but it feels weird. It’s bright and in an awkward environment. It does feel pretty cathartic on stage. Going forward and letting it all out.”

I asked Brandon and Charlie was about two of my favourite songs off their new record, She Splits Me Up and Me And My Machine Gun. I mentioned they had a “dreamy” feel to them, which I apologised for using that word because it is overused. I wanted to know what was behind these two songs (when I really love a song I do like to know what inspired it.)

“She Splits Me Up started with a chord production. It came together in bits and pieces. Charlie had the riff; and in soundchecks we played round with it.” – Brandon.

“We collaborated on the lyrics and one of us had the idea,  about a girl who is mean to you, but you like it. Kind of like Marquis de Sade.”- Charlie.

“We wrote some of it in Mexico City and finished it in New York.”- Brandon.

The last question I asked was about I Like It In The Dark which sounds quite like early Primal Scream and possibly Happy Mondays. Was it an influence?

“The song came out with a Baggy influence, a lot more than we intended. We were really thinking like Hey Bulldog by The Beatles, the piano part. And soul music too. We started to do it, and it didn’t sound complete without a Gospel kind of sound. The song is about Atheism and we thought, how are we going to find a Gospel singer who’ll sing on a song about Atheism. My brother plays in a Soul in LA, so I asked him ‘Do you think Aphrodite will do this?’ Her full name is Aphrodite The African Goddess Of Love.”

So there you have it. I could have happily spoken to them about their music, music in general and dissected Marquis de Sade’s filthy literature with them in-depth. It was an absolute pleasure to spend some time with them; in an alley discussing what we did.

At the end of the show, as I was leaving outside I saw Brandon and he gave me a hug goodbye. I always said my interview with Warpaint was my favourite, but I think Brandon and Charlie surpassed that. This felt like talking to old friends, and as someone who is a bit awkward and shy; I felt perfectly at ease in their company. As I’ve said before, they are truly two of the most humble and genuine people I’ve ever met.

Meet the bands/singers you love and the next time you’re at a gig, let it all go.

I’d like to thank Nita and Luke for arranging this. And also to Brandon and Charlie for their time.

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I think my grin sums it all up!

CROCODILES. Sebright Arms. 29th August 2013.

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Last September I saw Crocodiles live for the first time. I’d been a fan since 2009, and I had been waiting many years to see then live. Seeing them in a record store playing for just over 20 minutes wasn’t how I imagined it to be, but it was better than what I had previously- which was nothing. Go forward to just under a year and I finally get to see them in an environment I feel comfortable with.

Earlier in the day I briefly hung out with Brandon and Charlie in an alley for an interview. I’ll type it up later if my dictaphone picked anything up. I bought it off Amazon from a dodgy seller. I never learn.

Sebright Arms is a wonderful pub that was just made to have bands like Crocodiles perform. A small, dark room with enough space for you to move your body round in any way you wish. I sure as hell did. They opened with Sunday (Psychic Conversations #9.) Immediately they launched the crowd into a frenzy. 150 sweaty bodies had been waiting for this. I think secretly my girlfriend who came with me, had been waiting for this too.

When I saw them last year it was a little after their record, Endless Flowers had come out but they still played older songs such as I Wanna Kill and All My Hate And Hexes Are For You (personal favourite.) These songs weren’t played last night, but to be honest, I didn’t care. I just wanted to see them play as a full set. Was my mind blown? Hell yes. I was stood right by a speaker so my eardrums are fucked too. I can’t really hear anything properly yet. Everything sounds a bit fuzzy; the remains of the night before are stuck. I’ll cling until 2nd October where it will happen all over again.

Each member of Crocodiles leaves you wonderfully hypnotised. I was stood directly in front of Marco, and when he plays bass you cannot help but fall into a similar trance. His eyes are shut, as if he is another world. You don’t know if you are meant to follow him or to slightly veer into your own way. You’ll probably meet midway anyway. Maybe at the encore. Lose your shit kids. It’s the best way to have a good time. Then we have Robin on keys who pretty much lures you in as soon as she plays. Rocking back and forth, harmonising with Brandon. You can see the enthusiasm so clearly when she plays. I cannot stress enough just how inspiring they are to watch. Robert unleashes unruly fury on the drums; I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t have abrasions after playing. He may be the newest member, but the family unity they have is still as pure as it ever was. Charlie is without a doubt the best guitarist I’ve ever seen live. He does something truly mind-blowing on that stage. You cannot help but stare. From the way he flung some beer around as he was playing the guitar to his jolting movements whilst he annihilates the guitar. The force he plays with seems so effortless; he makes you wish you could play the guitar and created your own creepy sound. Brandon’s vocals are just perfect. His yelps during Sunday to the way he sings “R-E-F-U-S-E” on the song Refuse Angels just leaves you in awe. He throttles the mic stand with frustrated force. You can tell that for him, and the others that music is everything to them. And that’s why their music means everything to their fans.

What I loved about this show was the sheer diversity in the crowd. From old guys coming to the show on their own to the lost kids finally finding a home (like myself)- this show was one of my highlights of the year. They played a solid mixture of all four records. I sang my heart out to every song, I swayed and my hearing is  less than good right now. I had the best time ever. I’m not sure how to write a typical live review; all I can do is write about how the show made me feel and what I saw. I like to think I’ve sort of done that.

There were leaflets advertising their next London date which is on the 2nd October at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Tickets are only £10 and you can get them here: https://parallellines.ticketabc.com/events/crocodiles-2/ I cannot wait to feel this way again in October.

I’d also like to mention that Virals were incredible last night. They played for a little under half an hour I think, but it was enough for the crowd to know that Virals are a brutal talent. And you know what? My girlfriend who likes Michael Buble (I know..I know, but I see past it) turned to me and said she enjoyed Virals. She’s a good one, I know.

In short, Crocodiles blew my mind (and eardrums) last night. To see your favourite band live is beyond words; it reinforced a lot of things for me. Things that caused me to love them the first time round. Crocs are for sure, the best live band you’ll see. They put their all into it, and you return the favour by losing your mind.

Groove is in the heart kids, let it all out!