tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600983148901684292024-03-06T00:57:00.954+00:00The Harmless Musician TypeA Musician Talking About Music.Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-39951037799938438982010-10-16T15:46:00.002+01:002010-10-16T15:50:08.558+01:00Owen Duff - intoxicated by London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/88/l_9b7848efe561480f8ffe72194938a6b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="89" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/88/l_9b7848efe561480f8ffe72194938a6b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="89" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With influences stemming from <i>Rufus Wainwright</i> & <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Sufjan Stevens</i> and with a vibe reminiscent of <i>Anthony & the Johnsons</i> Owen Duffs new EP, <i>Under</i>, documents his arrival in London and his enamoured view of the city. Owen has linked his music to interesting concept videos for each of the songs, including one using Google Earth to map out the song's narrative. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/62/l_63c160e952544de59347191697df00f8.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="90" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/62/l_63c160e952544de59347191697df00f8.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I recently got the chance to ask Owen some question and talk about what inspired the new EP:</div><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What inspired the project?</span></b></i><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> For me songwriting or making anything is often a process of</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sublimation, whereby whatever I'm writing or creating helps to resolve or</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> at least express thoughts and feelings that I may not be consciously aware</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of. The songs on the <i>Under EP</i> are a good example of that, I wrote them a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> long time ago in 2003-4 when I'd just arrived in London.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><i><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It seems London was your primary muse for the EP, is that right?</span></b></i><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I had all these</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> romantic notions of what it would be like to live here so moved down in a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> very cavalier way, without knowing anyone or having a steady job to go to. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The reality of it hit me pretty quickly and overwhelmingly, and while I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> was determined to stay it took me quite a while to find my feet. The song</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> London You're My High</i> is very ambivalent; on the one hand it's sort of a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> love song to the city but on the other it uses the dark imagery of</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> addiction, which I think expresses how I felt at the time - intoxicated by</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> London but also finding it pretty bleak. <br />
The reason I kept the songs on</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> hold for so long was that I wasn't able to record on a real piano at the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">time I wrote them. It was only more recently, when I paid to go into a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> studio and record a whole heap of things on a real piano, that I was able</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> to get versions of the songs that I was happy to release.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /> <center> <iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13830501" width="400"></iframe><a href="http://vimeo.com/13830501" linkindex="91"><br />
Owen Duff - Morning Finsbury Park</a> </center><br />
<br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> There was actually a 'twin' EP to <i>Under</i> called <i>'Over'</i>, which was much bigger</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sounding, and more upbeat, with drums and trumpets and stuff, and then a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> whole instrumental section where a Steve Reich-esque arrangement of 'London</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> You're My High' plays backwards over an electronic beat. It was quite</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">interesting as an experiment but overall it didn't really work. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b> Why did you decide to link the songs with videos? </b></i><br />
The video</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> aspect is something I've been meaning to get into for a while - I studied</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> TV and Radio Production at university so it's something I've done before</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and have a long-standing interest in.</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /> <br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /> <b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How did you come up with the idea of linking the song with google earth?</span></i></b><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Because I'd written <i>'London You're My High'</i> in my first year of living</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> here I wanted to do something that summed up what had happened to me since</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> then. I started drawing up a sort of bullet-point list of the big events</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in my London life from the past six or seven years, and then I got to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> thinking about the places those things had happened, which led me to plot</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> out their locations on a map, which is when I had the idea to use Google</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Earth. I started off with quite specific descriptions but then made them</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> more vague, partly for aesthetic reasons but mostly to make them universal</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> enough that others would be able to identify with them.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /> <center><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/12599651" width="400"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/12599651" linkindex="93">Owen Duff - London You're My High</a> </span></div></div></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> <br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <b><i>What came first the idea for the project or the songs?</i></b></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Well the gap between the songs and the videos was obviously pretty long,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> but the ambition to make an EP or album about this city arose at the same</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> time as writing the songs, so those two aspects were of it were</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> simultaneous. A big influence was New York Tendaberry by Laura Nyro, which</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I played constantly when I first moved to London. That album is still one</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of my absolute favourite things to listen to, and I think its central</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> concept of a romantic paean to a big city very much resonated with me in</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the early days of being here.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can find out more about Owen on his site </span><a href="http://owenduff.co.uk/" linkindex="95" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">owenduff.co.uk</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and you can download the Under EP from his </span><a href="http://owenduff.bandcamp.com/" linkindex="96" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">bandcamp page</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> for free.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-74508323170847171062010-08-25T17:00:00.002+01:002010-08-25T21:01:01.782+01:00Review: Colorado Thrift EP by Smokey Mountain English<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bandcamp.com/files/76/38/763805377-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="18" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://bandcamp.com/files/76/38/763805377-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kacey Wade Stewart, Will Davis and Pat Loundas in just 5 hours have managed to capture a irresistible lo-fi charm with this brilliantly understated EP. The first thing that draws you in is the warm guitar tone punctuated by the cyclic banjo picking which are prominent through out the EP. The opening '<i>Hard To Tell's</i>' uptempo flow is hard to resist, and opens the way for the Guthrieesque <i>'Train Song'</i> with it's homesick imagery.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Washboard percussion and Will Davis' banjo add to the uplifting '<i>Grow Old</i>' beautifully, the 4 track EP is rounded out by another undeniably catchy love song '<i>Pearlsnap button</i>'.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The whole EP captures the good vibe of friends making music together and boasts a charming blend of Folk, Americana and a touch of Bluegrass. Well worth a listen, and the why not when it's free to download? It's already on my iPod!</div><dl style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></dl><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="100" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer.swf/album=3593301540/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer.swf/album=3593301540/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" width="400" height="100" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality=high allowScriptAccess=never allowNetworking=always wmode=transparent bgcolor=#FFFFFF ></embed><noembed><a href="http://smokymountainenglish.bandcamp.com/album/the-colorado-thrift-ep">Hard To Tell by Smoky Mountain English</a></noembed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://smokymountainenglish.bandcamp.com/" linkindex="19">Click Here To Download The EP For Free.<br />
</a></span></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-22228028430682739512010-08-14T14:47:00.001+01:002010-08-14T19:06:42.120+01:00I Am Gone<div align="center" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I AM GONE</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=175483129&albumID=0&imageID=39147845" linkindex="22" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/147/l_809a0ed998164fe7809091ef4fb0b659.jpg" title="Second EP's cover" width="395" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've spent the last 6 months writing and recording and re-recording my second EP, the follow up to <i><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vbWF0dGhld21vc3MuYmFuZGNhbXAuY29tL2FsYnVtL3RoZS1zZWE=" linkindex="23" target="_blank">'The Sea'</a></i>. The title comes from a line in the second song on the EP called <i>Moving On</i>. Over 20 minutes <i>'I Am Gone' </i>blends quiet folk with more raucous folk-rock, so here's the track listing: <br />
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<i>Key To The Lock<br />
Moving On <br />
Vices<br />
Summer Sanctuary<br />
Soldier<br />
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</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will be available from Monday as a Digital Download for <i>£2.50</i> and there will also be a limited run of CDs which will cost <i>£3.50</i>, these will include extras like links to early demo versions of some of the songs and some that didn't make it onto the EP. </span></div><div align="right" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=175483129&albumID=0&imageID=39141396" linkindex="24" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="379" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/142/l_fea38d0143be4efd8c1c1fb1d5f928c1.jpg" width="284" /></a> </div></div></div><div align="center"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>So I made a little bit of a mess while I was recording.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you'll enjoy listening to it as much as I did writing and recording it. You can listen to the opening track <i>Key To The Lock</i> and <i>Summer Sanctuary </i>on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mattmossmusic" linkindex="25">myspace now.</a></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-38370266289339580072010-07-21T13:28:00.000+01:002010-07-21T13:28:02.085+01:00Review: Jukebox Gypsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/isaactabor/Jukeboxgypsysmall.jpg" width="400" /> </div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Jukebox Gypsy </i>have achieved the perfect blend of traditional Celtic & English folk, Americana and Folk Revival with there eponymous debut. The album opens with the raucous ballad <i>Whatever Happened To Elijah Cale</i> setting the feel for the rest of the album. The vocal harmonies and interplay between Ben Blance, Dave Hastie, Johanna Hillebrand and Isaac Tabor throughout the album are a brilliantly arranged with call and response sections fitting perfectly. The album steps back from it’s up tempo opener with the more relaxed banjo led <i>February </i>and featuring Lucy Macdonald’s exquisite violin line and a catchy chorus. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The uplifting Celtic climax of <i>Union Hymn</i> is quickly contrasted by the Americana feel of Papa Joe’s slide guitar groove. The delicate opening violin line of Water slows the albums pace as the song introduces finely balanced male/female vocal harmony and guitar harmonics. <br />
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The album’s passage from genre to genre adds to the aesthetic of the record springing a few surprises on listeners. <i>Automatic</i> immediately reminded me of Stephen Still’s early solo records with its blues acoustic guitar line and as the texture builds towards the end of the song it unleashes a brilliant solo. A couple of tracks later the record slips into <i>Hey Mama</i>: a catchy, easy going Ry Cooder-esque protest song with a gypsy jazz solo, reminiscent of something from a ‘30s D’jango Reinhardt record which was a nice little surprise.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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The climax of the album comes from <i>Over The Mountain</i>, a song CSN&Y would be proud of. This song really grooves and the electric guitar has a heavy blues rock flavour.<br />
The album then ambles to a close with 2 more quiet tracks: the delightful Celtic flavoured Innismor & delicate folk song <i>The Rain Invitation</i> which showcases Johanna Hillebrand’s solo vocals. <br />
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I think if the album had closed with the barnstorming <i>Over the Mountain</i> and the last two more sedate tracks had come earlier in the running order the album would feel more solidly concluded rather than have these later tracks feel slightly like after thoughts. The fluidity of the album’s genre hopping makes it a thoroughly enjoyable listen. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/isaactabor/DSC05032.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="156" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jukeboxgypsymusic" linkindex="157">Check out Jukebox Gypsy's mysapce here.</a></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-24355336252888698792010-07-20T22:45:00.004+01:002010-07-28T19:35:36.030+01:00Noah and The Whale: Manchester Cathedral, 3rd July<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When Noah and The Whale announced they'd be playing just 2 UK dates this summer I was ecstatic to find one of them was at Manchester Cathedral. I'm a long time fan, right from Peaceful The World Lays Me Down, and First Days of Spring merely left me more enamoured with them. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesLp5t1R7r2KGTA8HXkufCcxmK6n9_qlS2PDomqFW-qnGjOYiE2cutRQP3UJZals_zn_DFCJ-Z7gGMDc7ThZKe2p4ScNGesL-lIIRtZjMiU3HW_RxW2Ho3S1bAHnlX6JTZuU9JDWvGA/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="123" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesLp5t1R7r2KGTA8HXkufCcxmK6n9_qlS2PDomqFW-qnGjOYiE2cutRQP3UJZals_zn_DFCJ-Z7gGMDc7ThZKe2p4ScNGesL-lIIRtZjMiU3HW_RxW2Ho3S1bAHnlX6JTZuU9JDWvGA/s320/photo(5).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy1sLWy-M-eNIMRVVfMhqweNYwnphf9MuzfvuYoCZ03smKnsTwezkKYsFE2I5pqfEaaGeULVakavlmnieAmEwgBp9PJzRurNQpBcvgeFX8gt50QrywSUbjfWrlRMLmhvU17dYAehW-w/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="124" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy1sLWy-M-eNIMRVVfMhqweNYwnphf9MuzfvuYoCZ03smKnsTwezkKYsFE2I5pqfEaaGeULVakavlmnieAmEwgBp9PJzRurNQpBcvgeFX8gt50QrywSUbjfWrlRMLmhvU17dYAehW-w/s320/photo(9).JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nice view of the sound man too</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Noah & The Whale took to Manchester Cathedral's makeshift stage surrounded by ramparts made from pews and flight cases. Bursting into their set with a run of songs from their last album <i>First Days of Spring </i>including Blue Skies, Slow Glass & Love of An Orchestra. The songs sombre yet uplifting feel matched the environment of Manchester's Cathedral perfectly and as the set gathered momentum the crowd shuffled and packed together in an attempt to get a better view and as close to the stage as they could. There's a reason purpose built theatres don't have great stone pillars, because you can't see through them. Some gave up and were happy enough to get a fleeting glimpse between heads now and then and just enjoy the vibe that NATW were creating. Others, like me, shifted around the edge of the crowd for a better view, in the end I got a decent view from the right of the stage.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5_q-Ue29Pu6Ne5HLC9mOJFfX4pvBwYY26JhkSZ2rYyRLFXoHxD618kCIwbwgztlxQWNHeCdTSfcJtXf3HtS6t4tXLUq2skEceadRBZgvd4P3MZwrbOLTeEyuOeS2mQbp4oOT5J12XA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="125" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5_q-Ue29Pu6Ne5HLC9mOJFfX4pvBwYY26JhkSZ2rYyRLFXoHxD618kCIwbwgztlxQWNHeCdTSfcJtXf3HtS6t4tXLUq2skEceadRBZgvd4P3MZwrbOLTeEyuOeS2mQbp4oOT5J12XA/s320/photo.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
A powerful version of Give A Little Love (my favourite NATW song) and a set mixing the deeply personal newer songs with the catchy less serious earlier songs made for a great dynamic.<br />
<br />
The gig was great and the Cathedral was packed, probably more people than it sees on a Sunday that's for sure, maybe they should offer great live music and a bar for services? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They rounded out their set with a powerful encore of my favourite from the latest album My Door Is Always Open and 5 Years Time from their debut and ended the night with a new song L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N maybe Charlie's broken heart is mending?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Setlist:</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blue Skies<br />
Give A Little Love<br />
Slow Glass<br />
Love of An Orchestra<br />
Our Window<br />
I Have Nothing</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My Broken Heart<br />
Jocasta<br />
Mary<br />
Stranger<br />
Two Atoms<br />
Shape of My Heart<br />
Rocks And Daggers<br />
The First Days of Spring<br />
<br />
My Door Is Always Open<br />
5 Years Time<br />
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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Since it was first awarded in 1992 the Mercury Prize has become one of the UK's best know music prizes with it's high profile awards show being covered by the BBC. Set up as an alternative to the Music Industry dominated Brit Awards the Mercury shortlist is eagerly anticipated because of it's genre spanning nominations.<br />
The prize itself? How does £20,000 sound? That and the honour of being nominated of course. Last years winner was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_Debelle" linkindex="126" title="Speech Debelle">Speech Debelle</a>, which surprised a lot of pundits. This year's shortlist was published today and includes some interesting choices.<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biffy_Clyro" linkindex="127" title="Biffy Clyro">Biffy Clyro</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Revolutions_%28Biffy_Clyro_album%29" linkindex="128" title="Only Revolutions (Biffy Clyro album)">Only Revolutions</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae" linkindex="129" title="Corinne Bailey Rae">Corinne Bailey Rae</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sea_%28album%29" linkindex="130" title="The Sea (album)">The Sea</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzee_Rascal" linkindex="131" title="Dizzee Rascal">Dizzee Rascal</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_n%27_Cheek" linkindex="132" title="Tongue n' Cheek">Tongue n' Cheek</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kit_Downes_Trio&action=edit&redlink=1" linkindex="133" title="Kit Downes Trio (page does not exist)">Kit Downes Trio</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden" linkindex="134" title="Golden">Golden</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foals" linkindex="135" title="Foals">Foals</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Life_Forever" linkindex="136" title="Total Life Forever">Total Life Forever</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Kloot" linkindex="137" title="I Am Kloot">I Am Kloot</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_at_Night_%28I_Am_Kloot_album%29" linkindex="138" title="Sky at Night (I Am Kloot album)">Sky at Night</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Marling" linkindex="139" title="Laura Marling">Laura Marling</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Speak_Because_I_Can" linkindex="140" title="I Speak Because I Can">I Speak Because I Can</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumford_%26_Sons" linkindex="141" title="Mumford & Sons">Mumford & Sons</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigh_No_More_%28Mumford_%26_Sons_album%29" linkindex="142" title="Sigh No More (Mumford & Sons album)">Sigh No More</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Weller" linkindex="143" title="Paul Weller">Paul Weller</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Up_the_Nation" linkindex="144" title="Wake Up the Nation">Wake Up the Nation</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villagers_%28band%29" linkindex="145" title="Villagers (band)">Villagers</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Becoming_a_Jackal&action=edit&redlink=1" linkindex="146" title="Becoming a Jackal (page does not exist)">Becoming a Jackal</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Beasts" linkindex="147" title="Wild Beasts">Wild Beasts</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Dancers" linkindex="148" title="Two Dancers">Two Dancers</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_xx" linkindex="149" title="The xx">The xx</a> – <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xx_%28album%29" linkindex="150" title="Xx (album)">xx</a></i></li>
</ul>The first thing that sprang out from that list was that unlike previous years there are 3 folk acts nominated. Rather than the "Token Folkie" which in recent years has been Lisa Hannigan, Fionn Regan & Laura Marling. This year Villagers, Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling in her second nomination.<br />
Other notable nominations are the supposedly 'underground' xx which didn't surprise me at all, their album is one of my favourites. And a 1994 nominee Paul Weller for his 10th album. <br />
<br />
This years shortlist is as interesting as ever with a range of genre's being spanned from Hard Rock to Jazz & Folk to Pop and the winner will be announced on the 7th September.Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-876756816859015892010-07-18T18:49:00.000+01:002010-07-18T18:49:17.596+01:00Interview: Matthew & The Atlas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">So after hearing Matthew & The Atlas' exquisite debut EP <i>To The North</i> a few months ago I decided I needed to interview the bands eponymous 'Matthew': Matthew Hegarty and find out what the story was behind the EP and how he writes his songs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM4TybsBmu-cqvlJNXzLGcoEFeObwBe6jmAd4XbLsc2XVAWJWMZxzKVk3k5MfxC15v7_CUdiTtJHhSsZZkL59Lv3iTuuxDnbj4rGNJyPyQCJPYwG79-iSPK50kBvEmIAbjirBuWK63A/s1600/2.bmp" imageanchor="1" linkindex="22" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM4TybsBmu-cqvlJNXzLGcoEFeObwBe6jmAd4XbLsc2XVAWJWMZxzKVk3k5MfxC15v7_CUdiTtJHhSsZZkL59Lv3iTuuxDnbj4rGNJyPyQCJPYwG79-iSPK50kBvEmIAbjirBuWK63A/s400/2.bmp" width="247" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>So in the beginning, what made you want to write songs?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I taught myself to play guitar when I was 15 or 16 years old. I was pretty much writing from the start, whether it was a guitar riff, or couple of chords strung together with a melody. I think I got a better feeling from that than learning other peoples songs. I've felt a need to keep writing better songs since then, like the last one was alright, but I know I can write a better one. I get a buzz when I think I've got something good, sometimes it slips away, and sometime you keep hold of it. It can be quite elusive at times, I think that makes me want to keep writing all the time.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
Who influenced you as you began writing? (Do these people still influence you?)</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was really into <i>Nick Drake</i>, <i>John Martyn</i>, <i>Jeff Buckley</i> and <i>Bob Dylan</i> when I started writing. I'm definitely influenced by them still, its not as immediate as I don't put there records on as much as I used to, but I hear it coming out in new songs still, whether I want it to or not sometimes.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>When did you all come together as a band?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The band came together piece by piece. Lindsay and Dave where the first to join, we met when they were both running a music night in Woking, and she booked me to play. We did some gigs together, each doing our own sets, playing our own songs, sometimes just with Lindsay and sometime Love.Stop.Repeat, which is Dave and Linds. Eventually we started working on my songs, seeing how they sounded, while we were doing this, Communion offered to make a record with me, so I put some songs together and us three went into the studio. During this time I'd been booked to play at Notting Hill Arts Club for Communion, it's there I met Harry our banjo player. He seemed into it, so I asked him if he wanted to come along and put some banjo parts on the EP, he very kindly did, and his playing just blew us all away. He's been in the band ever since. Our drummer Tommy is an old friend of mine, I used to play in another band with him. He's more into rock music, so I initially didn't think of him when we were looking for a drummer. We had a couple of practices after we'd done the EP in the winter, and he got it straight away. About a month later, it was our first gig, which was March.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
What inspires you when you write?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are lots of things that give me inspiration, sometimes its might be something that's happened to me ,or something a friend is experiencing. Films and book give me ideas, and can put me in different moods to write. I think I revisit certain themes occasionally, looking back to the past more.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>What’s you’re instrument of choice?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The guitar, but I pick the banjo up quite a bit to write on.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>You changed your name to Matthew And The Atlas last year, where did the “and the atlas” come from?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't want to perform under my full name any more, I liked the idea of having a moniker and the detachment you can have from it, though not fully as my first name is Matthew. The Atlas was the first name I came up with after trying a hundred others. I like the vastness the word Atlas gives, I really like to travel as well and I like the feeling and imagery it gives. Someone said I should of have named us <i>Matthew And The Sat Nav</i> if I liked to travel so much. Doesn't have the same ring though. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>The harmony between you and Lindsay West is beautifully balanced, how did you discover your voices gelled so well?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The first time I saw Linds play was when she booked me for her night in Woking and she asked to borrow my guitar so she could play a couple of songs first. I just loved her songs and her voice, and there weren't a lot of people playing folk music round were we lived, so she really stood apart. It made sense to me that our voices would fit together well, having a voice so pure sounding as hers, is only going to make mine sound more world weary and beaten up, I really liked that idea. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>When you come to write a song do you find you always approach it in a similar way? Or do you have a formula as a band? (Do you write the songs as a band or do you write the lyrics and then approach the music as a band?)</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our approach to song writing is changing all the time. Before we were a band, It was just me writing, and I still approach it in a similar way. I mess around on the guitar trying to find a melody I'm in to, then I work on lyrics, then demo the song on a 12 track. I can layer vocals, put banjo and percussion down, try to get a general feel of how I want it to sound. I send these to the band and they bring there input to rehearsal. It's not always like this as were still gelling as a band and working this stuff out, but this seems a good way for the moment.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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Your EP ‘To The North’ is available now, what can listeners expect from the it?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some banjo, hand claps, gravely vocals and girly vocals and hopefully some enjoyment.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
Why did you choose to call the EP ‘To The North’?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>To The North</i> was actually the 5th song on the EP we decided to drop. I liked the name, so we kept it as the title. I like the way it works with the atlas, and the movment it gives.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>What music are you into at the moment?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I just bought <i>Villagers</i> new album, which I'm really into and <i>Micah. P. Hinson</i> latest LP, which is a slight departure from his last three albums, It feels more experimental, it's good. <i>The National</i>'s new album is great as well.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>How would you describe your music, genre wise? Some artists/bands seem reluctant to describe themselves as ‘folk’ for various reasons.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't' mind the folk tag, it's not particularly traditional, though it does owe debts to it. Hopefully its a mix of this, contemporary folk and Americana, and whatever you may think it sounds like.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>What's coming up in the summer? Gigs? I see you’re playing Green Man Festival, Will there be an album anytime soon?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have quite a busy summer writing for our next EP, and we'll be heading into the studio in September. We'll also be shooting a music video in a few weeks which should be ready for mid August. The were off on tour with<i> Mumford and Sons</i> in the autumn, which were really excited about!</div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-20556612666856751972010-07-01T23:17:00.000+01:002010-07-01T23:17:39.392+01:00Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit: Manchester Academy 3, 29th June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZViwd1NtBfDr3_tP4tHCYfTG1AscN5jJrDHzEfEPWNEKF__IvuhZHDwrxNLNRBGfCmUBH9xjGQ_EplsAqhJxmpEo8YcqA_tcte-2LNdF14kYkDhFjPw9W3eh_gkpplE7O2hYJxg_qQ/s1600/photo(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="73" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPAv3xQMITFpmkghIrRACsW3VNiJ1eNWsFBdFEum6S5Od4g_P1Un9aKSwhXXnlARMflIX6FSZFNi5u3QaoBz-rObpIvUYRyBPm5iEFQVCqg8gPrvFp2HhULf9CeiqQ45Gk-4Fga5Y6w/s1600/photo(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="74" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPAv3xQMITFpmkghIrRACsW3VNiJ1eNWsFBdFEum6S5Od4g_P1Un9aKSwhXXnlARMflIX6FSZFNi5u3QaoBz-rObpIvUYRyBPm5iEFQVCqg8gPrvFp2HhULf9CeiqQ45Gk-4Fga5Y6w/s400/photo(15).JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I first saw </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in Liverpool on their club tour just before </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘Been Listening’</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> was released. They played a tiny club, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zanzibar</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, I was stool on a chair about 15 feet from the band. I’d been enraptured with </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘A Larum’</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> for almost a year at this point and as soon as I heard he’d be playing, I immediately got tickets. The Liverpool gig was great. So when I heard they’d be touring in support of the new album I looked up the dates and to my disappointment the Manchester date was just a day before my first year uni exams. So I gave up hope of seeing them again in favour of exams. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I’ve been lucky, Johnny had to put off several gigs early in the tour due to a bout of flu. The Manchester Academy gig was rescheduled to late June so I grabbed a late ticket. It was worth it. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fresh from the Glastonbury BBC Introducing stage </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.drytheriver.com/" linkindex="75">Dry the River</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">returned as support, albeit in depleted numbers with only 3 of the 5 members making it, to play an impressive Fleet Fox-esque set. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE6dPBSmqvoumhmI45BLFVSplpAgR2sT4PTFvIMxrOCV2uFmPpI1g-az1KIiSz11fbcKhYeI7IVgYk9SooPDrs2cUg8B5-JQlx5c7HGdbgNYIT7TkyUSQJuZOFyVdZbMEN47wYViKuA/s1600/photo(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="76" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE6dPBSmqvoumhmI45BLFVSplpAgR2sT4PTFvIMxrOCV2uFmPpI1g-az1KIiSz11fbcKhYeI7IVgYk9SooPDrs2cUg8B5-JQlx5c7HGdbgNYIT7TkyUSQJuZOFyVdZbMEN47wYViKuA/s400/photo(12).JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By the time Flynn & The Wit take to the stage the place is packed as they open their set with a raucous rendition of </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cold Bread</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. The set mixes the old and new from both albums, playing live levels the playing field, removing the production differences between albums. The stripped feel of a live performance overrides all and Flynn is left to showcase his raw talent and the craftsmanship of his songs. Giving searing performances of; </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kentucky Pill</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Howl</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Box</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tickled Pink</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> alike. Mid set he gave a tongue in cheek apology for having to reschedule the gig saying: ‘it’s wouldn’t have been good.’ The crowd forgave him. <br />
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<br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Switching to Banjo Flynn closed the set with</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Eyeless in Holloway</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> leaving the audience baying for more. An intimate version of </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Water</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> was met with hushed reverence as Johnny and James Mathé (keys) made a brave attempt at recreating the exquisite album version (featuring Laura Marling). The show rounded out with a boisterous sing along of </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leftovers. </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1CIPq4__Z_OOlwCaeXodzYL00Cmn6OasGOL36sCXwHCNzC0l3JUn8FekGTDHq2laOgyPKG8r8z8RBHmXeU9E6EP8t4BR97K3N8AIA_VWbbS2z0vwKNvZk1fFsTSTqfxXPr7Xu9GbVw/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="77" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1CIPq4__Z_OOlwCaeXodzYL00Cmn6OasGOL36sCXwHCNzC0l3JUn8FekGTDHq2laOgyPKG8r8z8RBHmXeU9E6EP8t4BR97K3N8AIA_VWbbS2z0vwKNvZk1fFsTSTqfxXPr7Xu9GbVw/s320/photo(4).JPG" /></a></div><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The fresh songs from </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘Been Listening’</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sat effortlessly by the older better known songs from </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘A Larum’</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and Johnny Flynn didn’t disappoint his audience even if he’d made them wait a few more weeks to see him. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Set list:</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Cold Bread</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Kentucky pill</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Lost and Found</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Brown Trout Blues</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Barnacled Warship </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- The Box</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Churlish may</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Wrote and The Writ</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Howl</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Tickled Pink</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Been Listening</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Eyeless in Holloway </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Encore:</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- The Water</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Leftovers</span>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-19487136051467581402010-06-18T13:52:00.004+01:002010-06-18T13:56:39.570+01:00An Interview with Dead Cities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/140/l_9bb57897622349c1b5ac2cc822f4c76d.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="30" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Continuing the string of interviews I've posted with local musicians and bands about how they go about writing their songs I recently got the chance to interview Ryan Wyatt, bass player with the multi instrumentalist Liverpool Folk-Rock band Dead Cities.</span><br />
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So in the beginning, what made you want to write songs?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nothing really, Martin had a few tunes and hadn’t played for a while so me and Oli started playing on top of them and they sounded pretty good so we carried on for 3 months or thereabouts before we realised we were a band.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who influenced you as you began writing?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Probably Martin without sounding cheesy, just because he had these songs lying about and me and Oli just threw anything over them we thought we could add. After a while when we started doing songs from scratch with each other, I think it was obvious that people like Neil Young has an influence on us as a band and Led Zeppelin for me are always going to influence ideas I come up with. The Beatles too and anything more contemporary we listen to as a whole together – Wild Beasts, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes – there’s a lot of stuff in there.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So how did you all come together as a band?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I already knew both Oli and Martin, and they had played together in <i><a href="http://www.myspace.com/alterkicks" linkindex="34">The Alterkicks</a></i>. I had been playing in a few different bands around the same time, as well as my flat being in the same building as Oli’s, so it just kind of happened by accident really. Me and Oli had played in a few bands together already before Dead Cities, and as we lived in the same building as each other, and with Oli’s bedroom becoming a kind of local rehearsal room for bands we played in it, seemed the obvious choice for Martin to use me and Oli as the rhythm section.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/130/l_80098875f2de453b9007eab8e417f2a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="35" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/130/l_80098875f2de453b9007eab8e417f2a6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Where did the name “Dead Cities” come from?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Martin had come up with a joke name which we would refer to ourselves as but when we realised we were turning into a band we just chose the name “Dead Cities” from a song title we had. We managed to cut out all of the stresses involved in naming a band which is usually the biggest pain in the arse when starting a new project.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What would you say inspires you when you all write?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wouldn’t be able to say to be honest as it can come from a film, book, concert you have been to, a noise you hear. For me I don’t really write as much as I usually help arrange or come up with melodies on top of existing chord structures so it is usually just something you think will add to a song for me.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You all play various instruments (live) but what’s you’re individual instrument of choice?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It would definitely be the bass as that is what I have played for 10 years in different bands and when people ask me to play with them it is usually to play bass. It’s the one instrument I feel completely comfortable on and never feel out of my depth on it. Since staring Dead Cities I have taken a real shine to the ukulele and find myself playing it everyday</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8wApRt_X5s&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8wApRt_X5s&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Old Man (Live)</span></span></div><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you come to write a song do you find you always approach it in a similar way? Or do you have a formula as a band? (Do you write the songs as a band or do you write the lyrics and then approach the music as a band?)<br />
</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It can work in different ways really. Most of the time Martin will come in with a chord sequence and a melody and me and Oli will add what we think suits the song. It can result in me changing around different instruments to see what fits and Oli doing the same, then if we feel a song needs a change in direction or needs added sections one of us will usually come up with the idea of where to take it and it usually works without anyone thinking differently. Sometimes we will literarily just write a song on the spot or in the studio and just take it there and then.</span><br />
<b><br />
<br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You grew from an acoustic band but have been branching out introducing other instruments, where do you see your musical direction going next?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don’t have a clue and I would think that none of us do. We work on songs together and if they sound right they are in and if they don’t they will be put aside and we will work on something different. We might have 3 that we are working on all with different instrumentation that will sound like us but don’t sound alike so I think the sound always changes but can so easily come back to what it was we were doing at the start. It’s all about how the song we are working on at the time feels. If it needs to be big it will end up big but if it needs to be soft it will be soft so I don’t think we ever have an idea of what the next track we work on will sound like.</span><br />
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<b><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/140/l_9bb57897622349c1b5ac2cc822f4c76d.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="36" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/140/l_9bb57897622349c1b5ac2cc822f4c76d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
What music are you all into at the moment?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am into blues and have been for years and that is mostly what I listen to but I find I end up listening to a lot of music I hear friends playing or even listening to friends’ bands that I really look up to. At this very moment though it is The Movie Soundtrack to The Last Waltz by The Band which I just managed to get hold of at a record fair so that will probably be on my record player for the next month.</span><br />
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<b><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How would you describe your music, genre wise?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wouldn’t know how to describe it really. If you say Folk people will expect Folk if you say Indie people will expect Indie and if you say Pop people will expect Pop I just say it’s a bunch of songs where we pass instruments about and try and create different sounding songs with just the three of us.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
What's coming up in the summer? Recording? Gigs?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would imagine we will be going out and gigging over the summer as well as writing and looking at getting together more recordings for an album we hope to release this year. Unfortunately with being unsigned and some members working jobs and some unemployed the summer isn’t much different then other times of the year so you find you still push on and work as hard as any other time of the year. We have gigs starting to come in with Liverpool Sound City and one or two festivals so we will see what comes in and where they take us but in the mean time I suppose we will still just be writing, recording and drinking all of Oli’s tea and eating all of his digestive’s he tries to hide from us.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">___________________________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can find out more about Dead Cities and check out some of their music at: <a href="http://myspace.com/deadcitiesband" linkindex="37">myspace.com/deadcitiesband</a></span></span></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-65049501054014881282010-06-10T23:49:00.001+01:002010-06-10T23:50:53.940+01:00Stornoway, A Band On The Run - From Genre<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UoxFreQqp4Q&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UoxFreQqp4Q&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fuel Up</i> (on Later With Jools Holland)</span></div><br />
<i>Stornoway</i> are a band running from genre. Genre has it's gifts and it's hindrances. It can help people understand your music, it can help people who like similar bands discover you, it can help critics classify you. OK well that last one may not be a plus side but lets face it people like to classify stuff. Be it types of South American tree, umbrella or in our case new bands. <br />
<br />
<i>Stornoway</i> have recently thoroughly disowned the folk labels that were thrust upon them from everyone from the BBC to the NME. But why have they been pigeon holed into the wave of new folk artists? Well because their debut album <i>Beachcomber's Windowsill </i>is undeniably folky, that's why. I mean come on even the album name is folk to the hilt! The production on the album is reminiscent of the<i> Fleet Foxes</i> and the parallels between contemporaries like <i>Noah & The Whale</i>, <i>Sons of Noel and Adrian</i> and <i>Mumford & Son</i> are their in the instrumentation; featuring songs with banjo riffs a-plenty in <i>We Are The Battery Human</i>, fiddles in<i> The Coldharbour Road </i>and delicate acoustic guitars in <i>The End of the Movie</i>. Stylistically they range between folk and the more raucous tracks like <i>Watching Birds</i>. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n9hjTZFeSW4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n9hjTZFeSW4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I Saw You Blink</i> (Official Video)</span></div><br />
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So this begs the question, what is folk music? Well what does it bring to mind for you? For some when they hear the word folk they think traditional English folk music (which personally leads me to think of Morris Dancers and Maypoles), others think 60s folk revival. Well the dictionary definition is as follows:<br />
<h2>Folk </h2><h2>• <b>plural noun</b> <b>1</b> (also <b>folks</b>) <span style="font-family: Arial narrow;">informal</span> people in general. <b>2</b> (<b>one’s folks</b>) one’s family, especially one’s parents. <b style="color: orange;">3</b><span style="color: orange;"> (also </span><b style="color: orange;">folk music</b><span style="color: orange;">) traditional music of unknown authorship, transmitted orally</span>. <b>4</b> <gg>before another <span style="font-family: Arial narrow;">noun</span></gg> originating from the beliefs, culture, and customs of ordinary people: <i>folk wisdom.</i><br />
— ORIGIN Old English.</h2><br />
So then does modern folk music fit this definition? Can we call <i>Laura Marling</i> and <i>Mumford & Sons </i>etc Folk? Well no because we know who wrote their songs, they did. Is their music traditional? Well what's traditional? (Lets not go there right now we have enough on our hands with 'Folk'!) Are they transmitted orally? No. We listen to their records. So is anyone folk? Arguably not by definition, no.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qr_ZhrQ_G9c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qr_ZhrQ_G9c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zorbing</span></i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(on Later With Jools Holland)</span></div><br />
But who cares? <i>Stornoway</i> like <i>Marling</i> and the <i>Mumfords</i> are all influenced by folk music, among many other genres. So we should let <i>Stornoway</i> off with not wanting to be stereotyped as one of these new folk bands. And their record has something none of the other bands have on theirs. A Kazoo (on Watching Birds).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go listen to the album The Beachcomber's Windowsill now, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/1O2rsJ81S4BibeUZsf8Gib" linkindex="78">available on spotify here</a>. They're also part of my nu-folk spotify playlist, along with a load of other great bands, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/5ALwdqajhmffFRIWjZ2DGb" linkindex="79">which can be found here</a>.</span>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-80628881945033710012010-05-12T20:12:00.003+01:002010-05-12T20:15:25.099+01:00Interview with Shane Beales<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Liverpool based Singer-Song writer Shane Beales has just released his 4th EP <i>Heavy Clouds</i> describing it as "honest melodic music". He released the EP for free, and recently played a set for BBC Radio Merseyside. In 2006 he began Project52 which saw him write, record and release a song a week for a year and <a href="http://muzikreviews.com/" linkindex="30">Muzikreviews.com</a> described him as <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘Quite the up and coming artist’</span>.</span> In this interview I asked him about how he went about writing the EP and what spared him on. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/104/l_2a29682f28c9c777acea76b1805cea59.png" imageanchor="1" linkindex="31" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/104/l_2a29682f28c9c777acea76b1805cea59.png" width="270" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>So in the beginning, what made you want to write songs?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I grew up in a musical family and everyone was writing their own songs so as youngest child, it just seemed the thing you did when you were old enough!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Who influenced you as you began writing? </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used to live in Melbourne and there is a folk pop band called “My friend the chocolate cake” and their lead singer David Bridie was a huge influence when I first started. Simple piano songs – beautiful! Also Radiohead, Ben Folds and Dave Matthews band plus of course, Jeff Buckley.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What do you say your muse is, what inspires you when you write?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am inspired singing about hope, change and being confrontational! (hope I don’t sound too much like a politician.)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What’s you’re instrument of choice parts of ‘Heavy Clouds’ seem piano led, while other tracks are definitely guitar led?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Both I guess – quiet and loud! Most of my songs lend themselves to either one or the other, though I used to happily play piano for hours on end without getting blisters, which is more than I can say for the guitar.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_9c442f5da35d4daa985d8ae89a286866.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="32" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_9c442f5da35d4daa985d8ae89a286866.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
When you come to write a song do you find you always approach it in a similar way? Do you have a formula? </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My only formula is to trust my instincts, I tend to write quite quickly and later rue all of my mistakes!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
Do you find your approach to writing a song like ‘Across the Sea’ differs from writing a song like Crunch?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes - the lyrics for across the seas were very much tied in with the music from the beginning – whereas I had the idea for The Crunch initially just instrumentally and had to find some lyrics just in the nick of time before it was time to record the vocals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/4075545542_a1104d37cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="33" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/4075545542_a1104d37cd.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>You released ‘Heavy Clouds’ as a free download, why did you do this? Do you think artists should have to give away there music for free? </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I released it as free download for promotional purposes to reach new listeners and also to question what monetary value music deserves. Why is 79p a track is the right price for a download or £10 for a CD? <b> </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Do you think it’s a necessity with how today’s music industry works? </b>I don’t believe it’s absolutely necessary to give music away for free, it should be a decision made on the merits of each project. I would hope people don’t feel that they are forced to give music away. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Your new album ‘Heavy Clouds’ is available now, what can listeners expect from the EP?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Heavy, sometimes musically, sometimes lyrically, confrontational and ultimately uplifting. With a variety of sounds and entry points…</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/51/l_6519d038f98b481384791dc10c1a75a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="34" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/51/l_6519d038f98b481384791dc10c1a75a4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
How would you describe your music, genre wise? Your latest release, Heavy Clouds, seems quite rocky.</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alternative singer-songwriter I guess, It’s honest melodic music from the heart. Sometimes aggressive, sometimes gentle, always sincere.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What's coming up for you, any gigs or recording?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In August I’m moving to London, promoting Heavy Clouds EP and preparing for an album is next. Also playing with my wonderful band!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can download Heavy Clouds for free at <a href="http://www.heavy-clouds.com/" linkindex="35">Heavy Clouds.com</a>, You can also find out more about Shane on his <a href="http://www.myspace.com/shanebeales" linkindex="36">Myspace</a> and <a href="http://www.shanebeales.com/" linkindex="37">Site</a>. Heavy Clouds is also being sold as a Remastered Limited Edition on CD with super artwork for £9)</div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-1093159533919342432010-04-30T17:44:00.000+01:002010-04-30T17:44:17.244+01:00Hustle & Cuss by The Dead Weather<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-SG8-LfMV9Y&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-SG8-LfMV9Y&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hustle & Cuss live at</span><span class="long-title" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" title="The Dead
Weather - Hustle and Cuss - Coachella 2010"> Coachella 2010</span></div><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><em>Hustle & Cuss</em> is the first release from <em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedeadweather" linkindex="150"><em>The Dead Weather</em></a></em><em>’s</em> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Cowards" linkindex="151"><em>Sea of Cowards</em></a> follow up to last year’s <em>Horehound</em>, which debuted less than 10 months ago. You can download the <a href="http://www.tweematic.com/deadweather/" linkindex="152">track for free here</a> on <em>DW’s</em> site. Instantly recogniseable as <em>The Dead Weather, Hustle & Cuss</em> is more funky than anything on <em>Horehound</em>, when I first heard it I was immediately reminded of the Black Keys whose songs have a similar dirty groove to them. Sea Of Cowards is due for release on the 11/10th May.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For Fans of: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys" linkindex="153">Black Keys</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thewhitestripes" linkindex="154">White Stripes</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thekills" linkindex="155">The Kills</a>.</div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-79214340294660993652010-04-14T16:20:00.001+01:002010-04-14T16:23:36.205+01:00'Kentucky Pill' by Johnny Flynn.<b></b><i><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tCn11T-pW9Q&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tCn11T-pW9Q&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></i><br />
<b></b><i> </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kentucky Pill</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">' is the lead single from </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://www.myspace.com/johnnyflynn" href="http://www.myspace.com/johnnyflynn" linkindex="17">Flynn's</a></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> new album '</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Been Listening</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'. This catchy mandolin driven track with its uplifting trumpet riffs make a perfect sonic background for Flynn to sing his vivid and imaginitive lyrics over. From the first roll of the drums and boom of the bass the song hearlds something new, the mandolin reminds me of west african music, this shows Flynn is making music with influence far beyond its country/folk roots. I can't wait for the album in June. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also part of my 'Nu-Folk' spotify playlist - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/5ALwdqajhmffFRIWjZ2DGb" linkindex="18">here</a>.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-65837644887297804292010-04-11T20:47:00.003+01:002010-04-11T20:49:53.892+01:00Seth Lakeman at the Liverpool Urban Centre, 7/4/10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3q6u5u6IZiURqBPgyFDBbmpPReskfD0Dwte08cESYlR8sctA5VTQL2WzGe8_w2X5mFrzfhdvo3VgdZL2F4FhwQg-1uKdg2yJhwQIcfiL1SADuY2bv_O94R38T4ee6RtUf7Glb_Whaw/s1600/photo(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="27" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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When I was asked if I’d like to review <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sethlakeman" linkindex="28">Seth Lakeman</a>’s gig at the Liverpool Contemporary Arts Centre I jumped at the chance, having heard of the Mercury Prize nominated Folk Singer, but never getting the chance to listen his music I was interested to finally hear him. I hadn’t heard his music before so I checked out his albums before the show, I’d like to be able to say I was impressed. Even more so I’d like to be able to say my opinion was changed by his performance. But I can’t. When listening to his albums it struck me that something was missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it. But having stood just 5 feet from him during his set I realised what it was that was missing. While he played a confident set with varied material I felt throughout the set that there was a spark missing that let the songs down.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRU6Eac2cCi5wgiMrVvzi4oBn35Qhx9bwX3c5Zi8KoI0moi5DUmwsjYLYVoXRY7JQcWNUbqGv14fZeNMu7mc9yarVa9-UMEGK5168QK0DebFaZ50tkOu54OjIW6f83oCHK7V1thX41g/s1600/photo(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="29" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRU6Eac2cCi5wgiMrVvzi4oBn35Qhx9bwX3c5Zi8KoI0moi5DUmwsjYLYVoXRY7JQcWNUbqGv14fZeNMu7mc9yarVa9-UMEGK5168QK0DebFaZ50tkOu54OjIW6f83oCHK7V1thX41g/s320/photo(3).jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Guy infront of me at the gig in a stupid hat.<br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The evening began with support acts that were comfortably similar to the headliners style with <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kevincritchley" linkindex="30">The Kevin Critchley Outfit</a> playing in a similar vein to Lakeman’s own brand of slightly rocky English folk. They opened with an energetic set, with songs from their debut album <i>Scars</i>. With a depleted band, just guitar, violin & cello instead of their normal 5 piece the KCO performed a confident set, engaging and joking with the crowd between songs. They were followed by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sonovagun" linkindex="31">Dan Donnelly</a> who played a solo set accompanied only by his loop pedal, which he used to create his own backing using the body of his guitar for percussion and layering several guitar parts up to create songs like <i>‘Cigarette’</i> and <i>‘Diamonds in the Road’</i>.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOUf1PyLt0wnamOTKkSPexrjUscwnxIZ5vEA34omj8jE7SrpVERkHiDpp6Uz9s92I27fvFeBEIhYihHlC_5UHfIsqfDVdSWHxhIcK6CGlDcpfhk5fLpD2rtLyx0ijqJoUH0mtoAboOQ/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="32" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOUf1PyLt0wnamOTKkSPexrjUscwnxIZ5vEA34omj8jE7SrpVERkHiDpp6Uz9s92I27fvFeBEIhYihHlC_5UHfIsqfDVdSWHxhIcK6CGlDcpfhk5fLpD2rtLyx0ijqJoUH0mtoAboOQ/s320/photo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I went for a sit down at the back half way through</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lakeman’s set began with a track, <i>‘The Hurlers’</i>, from his current album <i>Poor Man's Heaven</i>. He then announced that he was releasing his next album <i>Hearts and Minds</i> on June 14th before playing the title track. He played several more new tracks during the rest of the evening. Throughout his set Lakeman switched between violin and guitar and while I felt he lacked a certain spark of conviction in his voice his fiddle playing made up for this. He was ably supported by his band and while his particular brand of contemporary English folk may not be my cup of tea, I can easily appreciate its appeal to so many of his fans. His songs are well crafted and he and his band played a dynamic set, changing the tempo of the evening several times, slowing the mood right down only to bring things to a peak announcing ‘I hope you don’t mind another hoedown’ and ending the set with <i>‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ </i>before returning for an encore with an up tempo <i>‘Race To Be King’</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While Seth Lakeman might not be to my taste he was certainly interesting to watch live and he kept his audience’s captivated throughout.</span><br />
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This review was written for <a href="http://liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/" linkindex="33">liverpoolacoustic.co.uk</a>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-34944520796519640532010-04-07T14:39:00.002+01:002010-04-07T14:41:59.718+01:00Watchman - Peggy Sue<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><a _mce_href="http://www.myspace.com/peggywho" href="http://www.myspace.com/peggywho" linkindex="28"><i></i></a><i><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rV-he0qgJPs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rV-he0qgJPs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i>or </i></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9696636&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9696636&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><a href="http://vimeo.com/9696636" linkindex="29"><br />
Peggy Sue - Watchman</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/brittneybean" linkindex="30">Brittney Bean</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/" linkindex="31">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My Band of the month, easily. I heard about </span><a _mce_href="http://www.myspace.com/peggywho" href="http://www.myspace.com/peggywho" linkindex="32" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Peggy Sue</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> about six months ago, I'd seen a few videos on Youtube and I knew there was an album in the works. But I didn't pay them too much attention at the time. But by accident they have become one of my favourite bands. I was watching the </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://www.myspace.com/localnatives" href="http://www.myspace.com/localnatives" linkindex="33">Local Natives</a></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in Manchester last month and to my surprise Peggy Sue were the support act. They have an energy on stage that's captured on their new album admirably. Watchman is one of these tracks, the interplay between frontwomen Rosa Rex & Katy Klaw is attention grabbing. The main refrain "I only came here to see you see me" is infectious. The album as a whole reaches similar peaks with songs like </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yo Mama</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> & </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matilda</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. While Peggy Sue are part of the Nu-Folk vanguard they offer up something unique. They have a raw edge, almost punky, sound which sets them apart from the others. The album </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Fossils & Other Phantoms</i></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> is availble now and is also on </span><a _mce_href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6sZxbZHugBJcFF3C1ETWVv" href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6sZxbZHugBJcFF3C1ETWVv" linkindex="34" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spotify here</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. Good Summer listening.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also part of my 'Nu-Folk' spotify playlist - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/5ALwdqajhmffFRIWjZ2DGb" linkindex="35">here</a>. </span></span></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-61736618537654293982010-03-31T23:35:00.001+01:002010-03-31T23:36:00.972+01:00Laura Marling's Next Single Rambling Man<div class="post_body" style="margin-top: 10px;"><i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=103672372" linkindex="36">Laura Marling - Rambling Man Official Video</a><br />
<object height="360px" width="425px"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103672372,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103672372,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling" linkindex="37">Laura Marling</a> | MySpace Music Videos</span></i><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Rambling Man</i> is the next single from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling" linkindex="38">Laura Marling</a>’s second album, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Speak_Because_I_Can" linkindex="39">I Speak Because I Can</a>.</i> The album itself has received rave reviews being hailed as a step forward from her Mercury Prize nominated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alas,_I_Cannot_Swim" linkindex="40">debut</a>. Marling’s songwriting has always been praised for its maturity but this album has been much panned as an album about ‘womanhood’. <i>Rambling Man</i>’s refrain mirrors this: “oh give me to a rambling man, let it always be known that I was who I am” Marling’s phrasing at times reminds me of Joni Mitchell, no bad thing, and that subtly continues through out the album. I highly recommend the album it’s well worth a listen especially if you’re into the Folk Revival, which Marling was key in bringing about, that’s come about recently! </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can find the album on Spotify <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7x98osNfh0aUookqE7MMQ1" linkindex="41">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For Fans of: <i><a href="http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons" linkindex="42">Mumford & Sons</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale" linkindex="43">Noah & The Whale</a> & <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_812114608" linkindex="44">Alessi’s Ark</a></i><a href="http://www.myspace.com/alessisark" linkindex="45"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can also find a spotify playlist filled with new folk artists like some mentioned in this post <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/5ALwdqajhmffFRIWjZ2DGb" linkindex="46">here</a>.</div></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-89323683614148262592010-03-21T22:56:00.000+00:002010-03-21T22:56:22.114+00:00Scratch My Back - Peter GabrielI had heard a couple of tracks from Peter Gabriel's new album Scratch My Back, I'd heard Book of Love a month or so ago. But when I heard his version of Flume by Bon Iver - it blew my mind. Its rare songs do this, in the realm of covers the last one that did this to me was Buckley's Cohen cover, Hallelujah. <br />
The arrangement is perfect. I had always liked the original but I was struck by this cover's raw emotion. Have a listen.<br />
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The delicate piano, with the surging horn section are unbelievable, with Gabriel's raw vocals. I've listened to it dozens of times. It's a brilliant version.Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-90030092387237111352010-03-06T19:17:00.001+00:002010-03-25T12:53:21.976+00:00Free Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=8daf672f90fb5a3775a4fc82078ae6c89f5fecda0a525f4b416b94653a3044fd" linkindex="21"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNgn3xzbr5ONw6aS8FhDoXpUk_KvFuILxz2X1CPsS-F6WfJ8vlaoddBcNzh5otgsIadKiK7dZ78UHSWhMZMJHyJvh4AoqRKMXcXOLPbKu2raCEgoLTDGSopwbtTFU_w7z_m8RCLBAw/s320/Free+EP+COVER.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Just thought I'd post a free link to some of my music. You can find 9 free tracks<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=8daf672f90fb5a3775a4fc82078ae6c89f5fecda0a525f4b416b94653a3044fd" linkindex="22">here</a>. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Enjoy </i></span></div><a href="http://rapidshare.com/files/357501671/Matthew_Moss_Free_EPs.zip.html" linkindex="23"></a>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-20600964582068551342010-03-05T21:39:00.002+00:002010-03-05T21:45:07.833+00:00Review: Rachael Dunn's Alpha Ghost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WWHIPhJ_ac1mGpLxZJxSgA_BdyjyGcsuR945Qq-liHouDyiBEQ9uD2aDMORWhViZomHLFWUwQpcL87KyGxsjJ8jVM3IHZBdznyORpn7DiDLBPrkLALmoQa2JChj6fUFWwY2xpeK_9A/" imageanchor="1" linkindex="31" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WWHIPhJ_ac1mGpLxZJxSgA_BdyjyGcsuR945Qq-liHouDyiBEQ9uD2aDMORWhViZomHLFWUwQpcL87KyGxsjJ8jVM3IHZBdznyORpn7DiDLBPrkLALmoQa2JChj6fUFWwY2xpeK_9A/" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://myspace.com/rachaelveronicadunn" linkindex="32">Rachael Dunn</a>’s Alpha Ghost delivers an engaging brand of soulful acoustic pop, with Dunn’s vocals beautifully conveying her image-laden lyrics overlaid on Alex Dunford’s skillfully crafted soundscapes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">The album opens with the soulful ‘Out in The Storm’, the bass line drives the song forward and flourishes of glockenspiel and lead guitar bring the track to life. This is contrasted by the albums eponymous track ‘Alpha Ghost’ with its simple acoustic feel and Rachael’s delicate vocals. The Mood changes with the darker ‘Closed Door’ its powerful lyrics and double tracked vocals reminding me of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/alelamusic" linkindex="33">Alela Diane</a>. ‘Falling Fast’ feels intimate with the piano adding greatly to the feel of the track. The expansive ‘Hold The Light’ continues the darker feel with crunching electric guitars and a feel reminiscent of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/radiohead" linkindex="34">Radiohead</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">The second half of the album continues with the piano led ‘Violet’, Dunn resists the urge to overload the track instead opting for a simple, honest arrangement.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">An unexpected gem comes in the form of the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/therollingstones" linkindex="35">Stones</a>-like ‘Walking Backwards’ with its catchy chorus, foot tapping percussion and more raucous lead guitar. This is immediately contrasted by the acoustic charm of ‘Hang in Time’ and the album’s most intimate track ‘Hide’. The simple acoustic arrangement closes the album beautifully. However it does make me think that perhaps some of the other songs would have benefited from a similar stripped back sound.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Alpha Ghost is a genre-spanning, varied record with Rachael Dunn’s soaring vocals being ably supported by multi instrumentalist and producer Alex Dunford. While I think some of the tracks could have benefited from a less slick production this does not detract from the engaging album Rachael Dunn has created.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">The album is available now on </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0039VW6PY?ie=UTF8&tag=comestrutyour-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0039VW6PY" linkindex="36" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Amazon</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1364903&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fartist%2Frachael-dunn%2Fid357799825%3Fuo%3D6%26partnerId%3D2003" linkindex="37" target="_blank">iTunes</a></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">You can also read my earlier interview with Rachael where she spoke about the making of Alpha Ghost <a href="http://theharmlessmusician.blogspot.com/2010/01/for-this-years-first-interview-i-was.html" linkindex="38">here</a>. </span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This was my first review written for <a href="http://newsandreviews.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/2010/03/album-review-rachael-dunn.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+liverpoolacousticnewsandreviews+%28Liverpool+Acoustic+news+and+reviews%29" linkindex="39">LiverpoolAcoustic.co.uk</a></span></i></b> </span>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-34894515181614963712010-03-03T19:46:00.005+00:002010-03-26T22:06:01.051+00:00Some Cool up-beat Folk/Acoustic Songs!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1oSBH0wxJOo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1oSBH0wxJOo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Langhorne Slim - In the Midnight</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Rn0hMEFJdM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Rn0hMEFJdM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Peggy Sue - Yo Mama<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5ziwukN-BHY&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5ziwukN-BHY&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blind Pilot - One Red Thread </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8I2hzMCiNH4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8I2hzMCiNH4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description">Johnny Flynn - </span><span class="description">Tickle Me Pink</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dM47N71udbo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dM47N71udbo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Rosewood Thieves - Murder Ballad in G Minor (The EP version is brilliant.)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5B8qMamdt8&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5B8qMamdt8&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah And The Whale - Give A Little Love </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4_abyDSyHZU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4_abyDSyHZU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Emmy The Grat - Dylan<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xyr0eJmT5AQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xyr0eJmT5AQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matt Costa - Sunshine </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lLJf9qJHR3E&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lLJf9qJHR3E&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/80phMzjobjQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/80phMzjobjQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fionn Regan - Lord Help My Poor Soul</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ou2M5VSNvjo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ou2M5VSNvjo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Johnny Flynn - Leftovers</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7yzerlHDHdA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7yzerlHDHdA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
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Mumford and Sons - The Cave<br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fckfszdLrs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fckfszdLrs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matt Costa - Mr Pitiful </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I'll add more when I think of them/find more. If you have any songs you think should be up here let me know! </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="description"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-15448087644339352852010-03-02T22:28:00.001+00:002010-03-02T22:29:07.037+00:00An Interview with Fly Lazurus Fly<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">North Wales musician, Fly Lazarus Fly is a label mate of mine on <a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=binary_indy" linkindex="22">Binary Indy</a> which led me to check out his music. Having been impressed by his recent debut EP '<a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/92" linkindex="23"><i>The Rundown</i></a>' I thought I'd ask him a few questions about how he goes about making his music. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So in the beginning, what made you want to write your own songs?</i></span></b><br />
<br />
To be honest, I only really write for myself. If others like it and are interested then great! If not... no worries. I like to play around with sounds and chords and try and make something that I myself would be happy to listen to.<br />
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<b><i>Who influenced you as you began writing? </i></b><br />
<br />
I'd probably say the 'Britpop' generation of music was my biggest influence (Blur, Oasis, The Verve, Cast) - then gradually I became more aware of other artists through these bands.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i>Do these people still influence you?</i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do these bands still influence me?... hmmm... I would say only if they changed or varied their sound on each different album. Whichever band I listen to, I always hope that there is a different sound and 'feel' to each new release.<br />
<b><i><br />
What’s you’re instrument of choice?</i></b><br />
<br />
The guitar. It's the only one I'm averagely ok at. Looking back I wish I'd learnt to play the piano as well.<br />
<b><br />
<i>What do you say your muse is, what inspires you when you write?</i></b><br />
<br />
Anything and everything. If there's something that I find particularly interesting then I'd try and incorporate it into something. Although at the moment, I would say there is a certain seasonal elements that influence the songs. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/sites/www.binaryreleases.com/files/imagecache/product_full/Fly%20Lazurus%20Fly%20-%20The%20Rundown%20EP%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="24" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.binaryreleases.com/sites/www.binaryreleases.com/files/imagecache/product_full/Fly%20Lazurus%20Fly%20-%20The%20Rundown%20EP%20Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>How do you approach song writing, do you find it is different each time or do you have a formula? </b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I generally just play around with different chords or sounds and try and fit words to it. It's a <i>sloooow</i> process though and can mean that sometimes it takes months to get something that fits and 'feels' right.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>How would you describe your music, genre wise? A lot of musicians struggle or are reluctant to categorise their music.</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't really know and don't really mind. If I had the production facilities I would certainly like to add more instruments, but for the moment, acoustic is probably what best describes the current E.P.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can listen to and download '</span><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/92" linkindex="25" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>The Rundown</i></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">' on Binary Releases </span><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/92" linkindex="26" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">.</span>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-69989881010133623622010-02-18T17:49:00.001+00:002010-02-18T17:52:11.236+00:00The Folk Revival, Revival.<a href="http://www.webmyc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/joan_baez_bob_dylan.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="50" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://www.webmyc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/joan_baez_bob_dylan.jpg" width="200" /></a>The 1960s saw an unprecedented revival in folk music in the United States, fueled by student culture coming to grips with difficult social issues they felt strongly about. The discovery of music by American folk musicians such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie" linkindex="51">Woody Guthrie</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Seeger" linkindex="52">Pete Seeger</a>, who's politically charged songs resinated as much if not more in the 1960s as they had in the 1930s. The 60s saw the Folk become intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti Vietnam protests. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Paxton" linkindex="53">Tom Paxton</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADtAU43MM14&feature=related" linkindex="54">Pete Seeger<span id="goog_1266512354888"></span><span id="goog_1266512354889"></span></a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter,_Paul_and_Mary" linkindex="55">Peter, Paul & Mary</a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Baez" linkindex="56"> Joan Baez</a> &<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan" linkindex="57"> Bob Dylan</a> (pictured left) , and countless others began work on a body of songs that have stood the test of time, discussing the difficult topics of race, social strife and nuclear war.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnybarbata.com/Captured-CSNY2.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="58" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.johnybarbata.com/Captured-CSNY2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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As the 60s slid into the 70s this revival of the Folk mutated into Folk Rock with bands like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Byrds" linkindex="59">The Byrds </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosby,_Stills,_Nash_%26_Young" linkindex="60">Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young </a>(pictured right.) blending Folk melody and vocal harmonies with Rock's electric guitars and drums. By the mid 70s this Folk Rock sound had become a comercialised stereotype of it's self with band's like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eagles" linkindex="61">The Eagles</a> working to the Country/Folk Rock formula. By the end of the 70s the Folk Revival had petered out and returned to the shaddows.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/12/17/davy_graham.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="62" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/12/17/davy_graham.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Mirroring the resurgence in Americ, the British Folk scene gained new momentum with the late <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Graham" linkindex="63">Davy Graham</a> (pictured left)astounding listeners with his eastern twinged folk arrangements of Traditional & original compositions. He pioneered the use of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DADGAD" linkindex="64" title="DADGAD">DADGAD</a> guitar tuning. Opening a whole new avenue to guitarists in the 60s.<br />
Graham along with groups like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentangle_%28band%29" linkindex="65">Pentangle</a> and other solo artists like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Jansch" linkindex="66">Bert Jansch</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Drake" linkindex="67">Nick Drake.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://musicblog.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/08/1554344223_l-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="68" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>But whereas in America Folk music just sat on the back burner, with hundreds of dedicated Radioshows, Folk slipped from the mainstream in England. However it's back. The London 'Nu-Folk' scene has spawned a whole slew of Bands that have risen to prominence including <a href="http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale" linkindex="69">Noah & The Whale</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling" linkindex="70">Laura Marling</a> (below),<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://musicblog.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/08/1554344223_l-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="71" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://musicblog.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/08/1554344223_l-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons" linkindex="72">Mumford & Sons</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/emmythegreat" linkindex="73">Emmy the Great,</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/alessisark" linkindex="74">Alessi's Ark</a> & <a href="http://www.myspace.com/johnnyflynn" linkindex="75">Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit </a>to name afew. Noah & The Whale's 2005 debut album charted at #5 in the UK, While the Mumford & Son's (pictured below) debut charted at #7. But the charts mearly indicate the trend, the music of this Folk Revival - Revial has been critically acclaimed. Laura Marling was recently described as <a href="http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/laura_marling_at_largo_at_the_coronet_los_angeles_ca/" linkindex="76">'a female Bob Dylan'</a> - praise doesn't get much higher than that for a songwriter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://powerlinead.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mumford-sons1.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="77" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://powerlinead.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mumford-sons1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I find it interesting to note the influences of these bands. While London bands like Mumford & Son's draw heavily from American roots music other bands like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/rachelunthank" linkindex="78">The Unthanks</a>, from Northumberland, draw from traditional English folk music. I think this resurgence in popularity for this kind of music is great and the diversity of the music being produced is inspiring.<br />
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<br />
<i>Folk music is dead. Long live folk music.</i><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mjmoss/playlist/5ALwdqajhmffFRIWjZ2DGb" linkindex="79">Follow this link to listen to a spotify playlist specially compiled for this post! </a></span></i></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-16977956591366777952010-02-11T20:59:00.001+00:002010-02-11T20:59:57.596+00:00The First Review of 'The Sea'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxp1wpEOQn1qaykke.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="18" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxp1wpEOQn1qaykke.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i> </i><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" linkindex="19"><i>The Sea</i></a> is Matt Moss’ first foray into the solo acoustic world and damn is it a successful one. The EP is short and sweet and contains upbeat songs like “The Sea” and “Love me More” and the darker stuff like “Half Empty Glass.”<br />
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The EP builds nicely in excitement and intensity, a rare thing these days, which is hard thing to do. It does have the benefit though of no songs sounding the same as the one it follows. Lyrically the EP is quite impressive, "The Sea" (the song) perfectly seems to convey the emotions of a troubled long distance love affair. Moss played every single instrument on this production and the fact that they all blend well is quite an achievement.<br />
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On the other hand, in some tracks the mix feels a bit full which detracts from the emotions in the songs. The final song on the EP also drags a little but oddly didn’t in my first listen and that was when I wasn’t being critical. A great song to get lost in.<br />
I look forward to the debut album.<br />
<br />
By James Butler.<br />
More of James' reviews are well worth a look and can be found on his blog here: <a href="http://www.globalripper.tumblr.com/" linkindex="20">www.globalripper.tumblr.com </a>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-5835188584874820562010-02-11T11:45:00.000+00:002010-02-11T11:45:38.692+00:00An Interview with... MeI haven't interviewed myself that would be slightly egocentric! But when my <a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" linkindex="438">EP</a> was released a couple of days ago the <a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/" linkindex="439">label</a> I'm on asked me some promotional questions here they are in full: <br />
<br />
<i>1. When not making music what do you do?</i><br />
<br />
I’m a history student at Liverpool University, UK so that takes up a lot of my time, I also teach people to play the guitar which is pretty satisfying, but not as satisfying as writing music.<br />
<br />
<i>2. What was the first album you ever bought?</i><br />
<br />
I’m having to think really hard about this. It might have been an Oasis album? Or it could have been Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, I think it was Oasis, Dylan came later.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>3. Who are your biggest influences?</i><br />
<br />
I’ve had so many different phases of influence, when ever I discover new music it seems to spark something new in me when I’m writing songs. I’d have to say the band that made me want to pick up the guitar was Led Zeppelin; Jimmy Page is a brilliant guitarist. Zeppelin’s acoustic stuff like Hats off to Roy Harper, Bron Yr Aur and Battle of Evermore led me to folk music. I found Bob Dylan, he’s probably one of my biggest influences his lyric’s ability to create imagery are incredible. Neil Young too he’s in the same league as Dylan for me.<br />
<br />
<i>4. Favourite piece of equipment, software or instrument for getting your</i><br />
<i>sound?</i><br />
<br />
I’d be lost without my guitar I'm rarely parted from it. Software wise Steinberg’s Cubase 5 is what lets me capture everything I make.<br />
<br />
<i>5. What is the biggest challenge you face in getting your music out?</i><br />
<br />
The biggest challenge is getting it to the people who want to hear it, I’m on most of the major social networking sites. For a long time even my friends didn’t know I wrote music. But I found Myspace a few years ago and that changed things. But I think lately Myspace has been in decline so I’m trying to find new ways of making my music available. It’s a matter of the people who are passionate about music, discovering you I have to make it as easy as possible for them.<br />
<br />
<i>6. What was the most memorable party you have ever played at or been to?</i><br />
<br />
The most memorable place I ever played was a festival in Liverpool, my band played a set in the pouring rain, in front of maybe a dozen people but that didn’t matter it was probably the first time I enjoyed playing live.<br />
<br />
<i>7. What's your opinion on the current copy right system, is it working</i><br />
<i>or does it need to go?</i><br />
<br />
I think the music industry as a whole is suffering from a lot of problems. The copy right system we have at the moment does need some reform. I think the Creative commons license concept is great though. Things have to be fair, fair to the consumer and the musicians making the music.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>8. If you weren't making music what would be your outlet?</i><br />
<br />
I used to like art in high school and I often thought about studying art at college. I like creative writing too, short stories that sort of thing. So maybe I’d try those.<br />
<br />
<i>9. Where do you want to be in 5 years time?</i><br />
<br />
Ideally I’d like to be making music, whether it’s paying my bills or not isn’t really important at the moment. I’m studying for a degree so that’s my fall back.<br />
<br />
<i>10. Anything else you want to tell people?</i><br />
<br />
Hmm. I guess if you’ve read this you’re interested in my music and who I am so thank you very much.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">___________________________________________________ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My EP is available to preview now along with 2 free downloads. It's on sale for just £2, please go and download the free tracks! <b><i><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" linkindex="440">CLICK HERE NOW</a></i></b></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60098314890168429.post-76799094164926400362010-02-08T23:46:00.000+00:002010-02-08T23:46:46.000+00:00My New EP - The Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" imageanchor="1" linkindex="25" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFrgszzHskKNevGnRsbOnzplqcAsLuyCkgtpxafY-mBFYEGG5YTiW7xpkJlDb7h2sbxtukbjVLPo32XOTOtHljG1x3mm7i-YaPgp9ZtkaGzt39dQJq-ldEW6gKUZ8j7yw7e1Y3lHs7A/s400/cover.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>It's been released today on <i><a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/" linkindex="26">Binary Indy</a></i>, it's available <a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" linkindex="27">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Here's the spiel from <i>Binary</i>: "<i>The Sea</i> is a wonderfully honest EP of British Folk and acoustic music. Combining Low-fi recording techniques with his own soulful instrumentals and vocals Matt has created something reminiscent of early Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. If you like wispy vocals, acoustic guitars and soulful vocals this one is for you." (I thought it was very flattering)<br />
<br />
Basically this is my first proper EP, I'm very proud of it, even though there are lots of little things I pick up on that I'd like to change. But I'm like that with a lot of things! I'd just like people to hear it, it documents a section through my life. I really enjoyed making it, I'm working on the next one as we speak, if you click the link you can listen to previews of all 5 tracks and download 2 free ones. For £2 you can buy the whole thing, I hope you enjoy what you hear. That's the main thing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Available <a href="http://www.binaryreleases.com/?q=node/161" linkindex="28">here</a>. </span></div>Matthew Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705001554148661315noreply@blogger.com1