Most promising for 2013... BASTILLE

“We probably sound like everyone else to be honest”, declares the protagonist of a South-London quartet supporting Northern Ireland’s finest, Two Door Cinema Club, early of this year.

2012 has seen their domination of Reading & Leeds, the occupation of large buildings with their sold-out headline voyage, a hit single nomadic, an initiation of an international army of fans with their first demo outside the UK, and an EP freed, all amidst album prep.

For their boldly modest accusation of their ‘generic-ness’, BASTILLE certainly come prepared with a heck of a lot of ammo for 2013.

But they’ve always been quick to the mark. 2010 saw the originally solo project of Dan Smith (aka Dan the Conqueror) commence, while 2011 saw the now group signed to Virgin Records. Dan's confession that he’s “a bit of a loser really”, says he during a secret gig in August of this year, is therefore made all the more difficult to comprehend considering the strong triumphs of the ensemble and their ever increasing popularity. Although I nodded (like any wannabe music journalist should during an interview), I too well knew BASTILLE’s soaring vocals and stripped down instrumentals exceed their own understanding of their capabilities. With genuine appreciation for their supporters and their own chorus of thank-yous, BASTILLE establishes a persona of high likeability arising from their sheer unpretentiousness.

But with their own similar acoustic association and friendship with recent #1 artist Gabrielle Aplin, perhaps this chart-topper can unconsciously help BASTILLE to wake up and smell the very own roses of their talent...

BASTILLE team up with Gabrielle Aplin (think the xmas John Lewis advert and ‘The Power Of Love’) with their take on a 1977 classic

Almost a million views and counting, 2012 hit ‘Flaws’ establishes a indie-pop number twinkling among fragile beats and beeps. No shortcomings here… 

Look out for their new album upcoming in early 2013.

Read my full gig review and interview with these boys here. 

This post was featured as a guest blog post on http://somestuffsaidbyalex.blogspot.co.uk. Check out Alex's stuff to see more of what's going on in the indie scene...

BBC Sound of 2013: Who's made the cut?

This year's series of X Factor has just finished. Now what? 

The BBC yesterday released their longlist of fifteen music acts they predict will make it big (or, bigger)in 2013. 

Aimed at showcasing the talent of various acts of various genres, Huw Stephens has described the panel's favourites as "exciting", and sure to evoke "speculation about the state of the music scene" (BBC). The DJ will announce the winner of the BBC Sound of 2013 online during the BBC Breakfast Show on the 4th January. 

Acoustic and electro-pop act Ellie Goulding was among winners of the awards in previous years, while soul singer Michael Kiwanuka was last year's winner. 

You might think this involves the X Factor leftovers, like Lucy Spraggan or Ella Henderson, but competition rules state that competitors must not have reached the quarter, semi or final rounds of the show (thank God) within the last 3 years. They must not have had a UK top 20 single or album, nor been featured in the BBC Sound list previously.

Although I'm very surprised to find out that H A I M (the sister act equivalent of Hanson) haven't yet secured a high place in the UK charts, they are certainly a promising contender for this year's awards. They've recently toured with Mumford and Sons as well as Florence and the Machine, and with a Dad they dub "the original Simon Cowell" (BBC) again I struggle to see how these girls seem to get round the 'you can't be famous already' rule. Either way, the Californian chicks are proud to boldly claim their mixing of genres. Hit 'Forever' has already got them showing off their "Nu-folk–meets–nineties-R&B" with wild-spirited wheelies Bon Jovi would be proud of, hair even like Hanson and a Destiny's Child strut. With such big personalities, it's easy to understand why they've gone Miss Independent. After many auditions at the judge's houses(their parents' living room), they found out they were through. But soon after, they decided it wasn't for them and left the process and "RockinHaim". After resisting the urge to add copycat Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys dance moves to the family posse, the freshly liberated sisterhood could break free and combine their own 90s inspirations with the 70s rock their parents had got them into in their earlier years.

04/01/13 UPDATE: HAIM have secured the top position in the BBC Sound of 2013.
Reputably denounced with a "contagious enthusiasm", says DJ Huw Stephens, "they're brilliant musicians who have a real talent for tunes that merge their tales of growing up in the 21st Century with a classic songwriting ability."
With their increasing popularity, particularly following their recent tours with Mumford and Sons and also Florence and The Machine, HAIM announce they are "thrilled" and feel "overwhelmed and "embraced" by UK fans. With their increasing popularity in mind and the decision compiled using legitimate feedback from over 200 bloggers, critics and broadcasters, it's certainly easy to believe that the success of HAIM is highly deserved. 
Power to the bloggers. No vote rigging here... 

All images sourced from BBC Sound of 2013.

Tantrums, tips and Tumblr: When a music journalist doesn't get their own way...

A big artist finally announced they were coming to small little Exeter. 

But, guess what? 
Florence &  The  Machine's management wouldn't reply to my request for a press pass. Even after follow-up emails days ahead of the gig. 

Her performance is tonight and I'm here, sat alone, on Facebook seeing status proclamations of "FLO TONIGHT! WOOOOOOOOOO" and "Gunna use up all remaining air in my *'LUNGS'* to cheer on the glowing goddess tonight". 

Yeah, thanks guys.

Hmph.

florenceandthemachine.net

---


Okay, after five minutes of deep breathing, inhaling, gasping and exhaling, I've calmed down.

At the end of the day, PR companies work very hard to make sure gigs run as smoothly as possible, contacting artist management to arrange interviews and/or free entry (in return for an at least relatively praising review) for the relevant members of press.

Any journalist, particularly an armature such as myself, needs to understand that they won't always get to review what they want, or what the company they are writing for needs. PR companies often deal and co-oporate with numerous artists at any one time- that's a lot of emails for them to read, reply to and send. And for particularly well-known acts, there's inevitably huge numbers of press wanting to feature their gig so competition is high.

My tips for aspiring journalists attempting to secure exclusive gig benefits:

1. Be polite and professional. Common sense, but you won't get an interview with your favourite act if you're yelling at the sir or madam reading your email in caps lock. You've been gifted with excellent communication skills, so utilise them. 

2. Show off your blog or magazine. If you've got stats on how many views you've had, or how many people are reading your magazine every issue, feel free to brag about it when contacting PRs. It will help to brief the person reading your email on what you do, and what your music-y blogspot or Tumblr has achieved- what is your Tumblr magazine about? What do you aim to achieve with your audience? Do you just feature music articles or lifestyle too?

3. Follow-up, but don't nag. There's nothing wrong with sending PR's a 'Hi there, did you get my email RE...?' if it's been 2 weeks and no reply, but don't keep duplicating them. One will be enough to show them that you're really interested and enthusiastic about reviewing their act. Leave it at least a week until you follow up, unless the gig is really really close. 

4. Be flexible. The reality of the fact is if you're a trainee, you might still be at school, college or have a part-time job alongside your journo. PR's might not reply to emails until the actual day before the gig, so assume you're going... unless it's in a faraway place and you need to book train tickets. Try local gigs first.

5. Ask for an interview. Always worth a try. With bigger acts, schedules are likely to be too busy for a Q&A, although try getting in early with your request. Interviewing will build your confidence as a trainee, and you never know when you might form some crucial contacts who might be able to offer you a journo job or opportunity. 

- Any questions? Comment below with your experiences of contacting artist management, or interviewing artists. Can you recommend any tips too?

The Script - #3

Older and wise, The Script reflect upon an intimate parchment of personal memoirs in their third album release. Perhaps also echoing the own trials and tribulations of his The Voice contestants, disciple Danny (assisted by co-judge will.i.am.) nurtures the potential of generations in lead single ‘Hall Of Fame’. Wiseman Will has certainly reunited the Dubliners with their rhythm and blues roots, directing him to hit stardom with this number one triumph. After a certainly long and winding journey, the disciple seems on his last legs with his urgent breaths in the ‘Six Degrees Of Separation’ chorus. First, we might think the worst is a broken heart but really what's gonna kill us is the second part- Danny captivates listeners alike when he quantifies heartbreak whilst recollecting upon his split from ex-girlfriend, model Irma Mali. ‘If You Could See Me Now’ delicately deals with the previously unspoken words regarding the loss of both Danny and guitarist Mark’s parents, later amalgamating into track ‘No Words’. With recurring themes of abandonment and sadness, we’ve heard similar things from them before but now it’s on a whole new level. Don’t worry boys, chin up, we’re certain the ‘Good ‘ol Days’ aren’t too far away…

Pebble: issue two is HERE!

In my last post I wittered on about the next issue of Pebble. 

Well, that issue is now here. This time around the theme was brothers and sisters, and although the music section doesn't directly adhere to that completely, there's some brilliant bits on brotherhood in film making and sisterhood in fashion design.

Music wise there's eleven album reviews, gig reviews on Bon Iver, Alt-J, The Maccabees, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and more.

http://issuu.com/pebblezine/docs/issue_two

Enjoy.

Here's my review of Green Day's latest addition to their album trilogy, ¡Dos!.

Pebble: Skimming the surface of alternative publishing..

So, this is what I've been up to recently and it's so much damn fun. 

Back in August, a work-mate on their summer break back home from Bournemouth Uni told me about a new webzine they're helping out with. Knowing my love for journalism, she too encouraged me to get involved with Pebble. 

It's not all music-y, there's beauty, lifestyle, fashion and culture in there too.

Our first issue was released on the 30-something-ith of September. We've had 11,000 views to date for that. Next issue is out on the 30th of November. IT'S A MATTER OF DAYS. 

And on that note, The Killers had 'Day And Age' out recently. Check out my review of the album for the first issue of Pebble above.

http://pebblezine.com/

Update

I now write for  the UK's largest independent music and comedy reviews and interviews site, 
Lyric Lounge Review, so I've been pretty busy with stuff on there.

Here's an archive of articles I've written for Lyric Lounge Review:

BASTILLE - gig review & interview:  Genuinely cannot sing out enough praises for this upcoming indie group, you ALL need to go and check them out.

Indie-boys MORAIN unveil new material: “With a debut this strong, Morain are quickly going to find themselves racing towards their destination.” – Rock Sound (8/10)

YEALLOW - The Void/Blown Away: This Strasbourgian quartet blew me away with  their enticing guitar riffs. Lots of say-day (we think that’s the pronunciation) sales success already abroad.

BASTILLE announce new single 'Flaws': (Again): I got a bit obsessed with them after experiencing their modesty and charm for myself...

TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS - Household Goods: Fresh new roar of remixes from this dude with a twist on his original single. 

THERE THERE - Like Love EP: Unquestionably promising. Surprisingly accessible, surprisingly likeable for such a fresh group.  Indie for the twilight hour, chilled and calm.

MARCUS REEVES - Black Tears: If glitter, jazz hands and drama was a genre...