1. Band of Brothers - RISK Yesterday, I headed to The Boileroom, Guildford to see these guys in a Battle of the Bands competition, they put on a really good show, and it's been great to see them grow and progress, especially over the last few months, they've just released their debut singles and I've had them stuck in my head, which is always the sign of a really good song! Get 'Band Of Brothers' on iTunes hereand the B-side here.
2. Ocean - Lauren Aquilina This is Lauren's first single from her forthcoming and highly anticipated debut album. 'Ocean' is up for pre-order now (iTunes) and her second song from the album, 'Low', is being played on BBC Radio 1 this Sunday (20th Sep) from 5PM (GMT). On top of all this exciting music, Lauren's heading out on a mini-tour this October (tickets), she's set to have a very busy but exciting few months. Enjoy!
3. Don't Go - Rae Morris 'Don't Go' is being re-released as Coppafeel's charity single, this song is one of my favourites by Rae and I don't want to take away from the story of the video and song; so, just prepare yourself, and if you want to support a charity doing great things, download a copy here.
4. Endless Happiness - Kristen Kristen was formed in the late 1990s and have gone on to release seven albums. They are known for their beautifully original and abstract soundscapes, which lay down the foundations for their fantastic music. Here they are performing 'Endless Happiness' live for KEXP.
5. Drag Me Down - Dodie Clark Thanks to this cover, over the past few weeks I've kept on finding myself humming or singing this song. 'Drag Me Down' is the latest single from One Direction, taken from their fifth studio album (the one before they go on hiatus...). The track debuted at the top of the charts in the UK, Ireland, France, Austria, Australia and New Zealand. But here's Dodie with a stunning stripped back cover - those choruses!!!
Danish songcrafter Jesper Lidang is HÔN and he is challenging the conventions of pop music. The front man of Danish band The Rumour Said Fire, is now set to release forthcoming debut album 'White Lion' under his new project HÔN. 'Honeydream' follows the introductory track 'Silent Lover' and they're both brilliant tracks.
'Honeydream' Review:
'Honeydream' is an incredibly melodic track with a solid beat running throughout. With hints of 80s pop and electronica, this is a powerful and beautifully creative track, as well as catchy and full of wonderfully crafted layers of drum machines and harmonies. Jesper and producer and mixer Nis Bysted make up quite the power team, I reckon HÔN and his 'White Lion' album is going to be one to watch, as well as listen to over and over again!
Today, I have five brilliant tracks from YouTube and Soundcloud, all forthcoming or recent releases that I feel deserve a listen and a download. All different genres, so I'm sure everyone will be able to find one track they like in this mix! 1. Oceans - Semantics Forming in August 2014, Semantics are a collaborative of four individuals, Aidan Willis (guitar), Rob Lilley (vocals and guitar), Liam Moore (drums) and Josh RB (bass). After releasing 'Games' back in February, they're back with their latest single 'Oceans' and it's fab!With a solid and steady start it grows into a true rock song, you can hear influences from post-punk and new wave. These guys are definitely a band to watch and enjoy. (They've got a live gig on 7th October (2015) at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, so if you're around, go see them live!)
2. Favourite Song - Sami Switch 'Favourite Song' is just one song from London's very talented Sami Switch and his EP 'Solace'. The EP takes listeners through a remarkable two-year absence that left Sami homeless. Incredibly original, the EP is a perfect mix of rap, spoken word and soulful vocals. It's an honest story of a young man fighting for a place in the world, and it's more than worth a listen. (EP HERE)
3. Hardships - Nadia Nair 'Hardships' is the new single from Sweden-based artist, Nadia Nair. Blending genres, experimenting with styles and mixing sonic fields pushes her to achieve a level of distinctiveness whilst still remaining true to her vision. You can download the single and an instrumental version here.
4. Little Lies - Vanilla Edit Stockholm-based Vanilla Edit, is here with her debut single 'Little Lies', it's a pop ballad with distinctive hints of should and R'n'B. If you need a way to stay in the spirit of summer or would just like a brilliant track to listen to on repeat - here's your song! (and you can grab a copy here)
5. 45 Friends - Jingo '45 Friends' is the B-side to Jingo's most recent release 'Ghost In The Machine'. Both tracks were lifted from their highly anticipated forthcoming EP (25th September). For now, enjoy this favourite track (not for the faint-hearted) from the four-piece alternative rock band...
Di is a London-based producer/singer and we have no idea who she is. Masked in a veil of anonymity, she aims to make her music the focus of her image. Her latest single 'All I Know' is the first step in DI's outlandish and experimental music vision. Shunning the limelight in favour of creating music that touches the heart and soul...
'All I Know' Review:
Electronic music at its best! An upbeat track, perfect for the dance floor; reminds me of the best dance and electronic songs of the 90s and early 00s. 'All I Know' keeps the listener in the spirit of summer and buoyant. Whoever Di is, they're creating fantastic tracks that not only stand out musically, but also hold onto lyrical content and value, which is refreshing in the current bass and instrumental led genre of electronica music recently. Love it!
Young Chilean band, Maff, were originally founded in 2012 by Ricardo (Richi) Gómez (vocals/bass/guitar) and Nicolás (Nek) Colombres (drums), who have been friends since childhood and have previously played together in various punk rock bands. Later joined by Martin Colombres (guitar) and Gonzalo (Talo) Correa (guitar/bass/vocals/synth). Maff composed, recorded and produced this LP in their own studio, lovingly called 'The Lab'. This release is the product of an experimental output fused together to create something really special.
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
Richi:played since he was 15, his mother (R.I.P) gave him his first bass guitar. He used to play mainly punk rock in a local band called 'Discrepo' between 2008-2012, releasing two CDs with them. At the same time he was founder of another band called 'Los Azufritios', alternative punk-rock, a band that released a demo called 'Jungle Mugre' in 2011. Early 2013 he left all the bands and started working exclusively on the MAFF project.
Nek: has been playing since he was 12. His first drum set was acquired with his own work, saving every penny for it. His first band 'Weiza' (2002), a nu-metal band, had its own success locally. When with Weiza, he shared the stage with well known bands in Chile. He left 'Weiza' in 2004 and mainly influenced by his older sister he moved into a more indie scene joining another band called 'Stalker' (electronic indie music) where he played at important places in Santiago. He also played in 'Discrepo', where he met Richi, and 'Los Azufritos'.
Martin:Nek's youngest brother, began playing guitar around the age of 12. He always played at school with every band he met. He's very close to his older brother and is also heavily influenced by him (mainly musically). He joined MAFF in 2014, invited by his brother to be a part of the MAFF EP recording sessions.
Talo:started playing guitar at school at the age of 12. He was always part of every hard rock, metal band at school. Later at college he found several musical projects and coached other bands based on his expertise (several bands and many many many bandmates). He never broke out with any band in particular but developed a strong knowledge on sound and guitar skills. Talo used to play metal, prig metal and 'tried' to become a guitar hero. Later he turned into a skilled blues and alternative rock player where he discovered new horizons. During 2011, Talo decided to start singing and appeared in a couple of shows during the following years, covering Iggy Pop/Depeche Mode/Ramones. Early 2015, Talo joined MAFF, and became the 'live sound maker' of the band.
2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever been to?
Richi:I had the pleasure of seeing Sonic Youth at their last concert on their last tour to South America (2011). Mind blowing, I was so into what they were doing that I lost track of time and space. They were so real and intense. It was a privilege.
Nek:The Hive at Lollapalooza, the energy of those guys playing live is amazing.
Martin:The Hives at an old theatre in L.A., it was epic.
Talo:It's hard to name one in particular, every concert has it's own 'thing' for me.
3. Who have you been listening to lately?
Yo la Tengo, Editors, Sigur Ros, Interpol, Diiv, Ummagma, Battle, Ligthing Bolt, Sounds of Sputnik, Lights That Change, Sonic Youth... the list is huge.
3 Questions for Maff:
1. How did the name 'Maff' come about and what does it mean?
Maff's name is a combination of:
1. A tribute to the 'big muff' effect pedal (that is present in the signal chain of all of our bandmates)
2. The changed 'U' for an 'A' represents a triangle that stands for harmony, divinity and proportion (elements that are present when it comes to our composition).
2. Do you each have specific roles whilst writing and producing your music or is it a combined effort?
Generally, Richi has a more protagonist role when it comes to composition, lyrics and producing. Although everyone has a vital role in the band, creating unique details and rhythms with their instruments. The process is interesting:
Everything comes from our home studio 'The Lab'.
First, it's spontaneous, almost like a creative spark that gives you the first glimpse of what the song could be. Then it is all about understanding what the music is telling you and what the song wants to be.
Usually we begin with an acoustic guitar to develop the songs DNA, chords and structure. Then we record the drums, followed by the bass. Having a comfortable and tight base, this gives us the freedom to explore different sounds and elements throughout the process.
Then comes the rhythm guitar, we consider this guitar as part of the base of the song too; it is what empowers the atmosphere of the song.
Moving forward to the melodic guitar, this process is a mix of spontaneous feelings and a long understanding of the song, literally we hear the song at least hundreds of times before this part comes to an end. It's about experimenting with all the different textures and sounds you can achieve with guitar effects, it is like the song is teaching you how to control them.
When all the instruments are ready then comes the vocals, at this point they come in naturally, as you have already discovered what the song is telling you, and all you need to do is reproduce it with words and with the right voice intensity.
Finally, comes the synths, if they are needed, they fill those empty spaces in a subliminal and majestical way, like a secret.
3. What is your favourite song from your self-titled album and why?
In this release we experimented in different genres (shoe gaze, post rock, noise pop, indie rock) so it's hard to say which is our favourite. Every song is great in its own way.
Random Q:
Favourite day of the week and why?
Monday and Wednesday = Rehearsal days.
'Maff' Album Review:
The album opens with 'Act 1', an instrumental track, with impressive layered guitars, breaking you into the album and Maff's sound perfectly. 'Linger Around' follows on brilliantly, as if it were just a progression of the previous song, with a dark intensity added from vocals and a wonderful melody held down by the guitars and bass, all backed by a steady but heavy rhythm from the drums. 'Walk On Fire' is a slower, slightly more stripped back, alternative rock track, reminding me of Kings of Leon's earlier work. Whilst 'Million Year Picnic' is more of an indie rock track, think, a heavier Noah and the Whale, the last few tracks finish the release on a heavier, louder note. 'Someday' is my favourite track from the album, and I can't quite pin point why. 'Planet Wave' is one of the heavier and harsher songs from the release, but easily one of the stand out tracks for me, I bet the atmosphere when this is performed live is phenomenal!
Overall, this release really showcases not only Maff's talent to create fantastic music, but also the broad spectrum of genres, every song offers something different and the whole set up of guitars, bass, drums and synths can become 'samey' across tracks of an album, HOWEVER Maff set each track out separate and individual, which makes it a pleasant listen!
Manchester guitarist and composer, Stuart McCallum is back with his fourth album, 'City'. The release features a handful of seasoned musicians, as well as guest vocalists on four of the tracks. Since his debut release with Naim, 'Distilled' in 2011, McCallum has been busy with a range of other projects, including several collaborations with British artist Linder, scoring music for Northern Ballet and working in an acoustic duo setting with Mike Walker. His eight track release 'City' is also accompanied by a string of live dates; keep your eyes and ears peeled!
'City' Album Review: The release opens with title track 'City', which features beautiful vocals from JP Cooper, these compliment the guitars and percussion really well, bringing it all together to create an all round brilliant track. 'Inhale' is a slower track, which allows you to pick up on all the stunning intricacies of the song, which can be found in the other tracks too. Sharlene Hector's vocals on 'North Star' offer that soulful hip-hopesque feel of 90s female singers, which adds to the uniqueness of McCallum's overall sound. Another stand out track to me is 'Said and Done', which features Sophie Barker, yet another beautiful song with a seemingly haunting twist to it. Overall, the album has a lot to offer, it's very easy to listen to - a gift to the ears; exploring the broadness of jazz. Stuart McCallum has done a brilliant job of marrying jazz and ambient electronica together and making it seem very relevant (which I feel is needed in the current music scene). I really urge you to spend forty minutes of an evening, just listening to this album and relaxing, it really is worth it!
Music In Time Blog went on a little adventure up to Scotland for a few days to catch the last couple days of Fringe... I think now would be a good time to apologise for no blogs for a week or so, but we're back and we're on track for some brilliant music to be shared and some new exciting plans are in the works for a couple of music events... but more on that soon... For now, here's a Edinburgh special of 'Check It Out...' Enjoy! 1. Oh Brother - Sophie Burt Sunday was our first full day in Edinburgh, and I've been following Sophie and her music for a while, so to finally be able to see her perform live and at The Famous Grouse House; it started off our trip well! Unfortunately, Sophie wasn't feeling too well and performing with a sore throat is never fun, but she still gave a great set, filled with originals and covers. She's got an exciting announcement on Sunday, so stayed tuned for that and help her get to 700 likes on FB... (here). Here's one of Sophie's beautiful originals, recorded live at Stills Gallery, Edinburgh.
Sunday evening, we headed to Jon Cozart's 'Laughter Ever After' show. It was everything I'd expected and more... It was basically a live highlights reel of his work and channel, with some added extras too. His set up was four backing screens, a table, a microphone and a piano with pieces of paper and a cup thrown in for good measure! He showed us a few of his earlier videos, a performed his viral videos live, my favourites were 'After Ever After 2' and 'Harry Potter in 99 Seconds', he also performed originals which were a lot more 'singer/songwritery', and a song about The Hunger Games, which made me laugh. He also addressed YouTube culture, which was interesting from a musicians side of things and opened it up to the audience for a quick Q&A. It was a great show and would highly recommend anyone saw him live because the skill and talent he has for what he does is highlighted even more live.
Edinburgh Fringe is also a great time to catch performers busking, so we headed down the Royal Mile and came across Little Waves, unfortunately near the end of their set, but we heard enough to know we liked them and really enjoyed the music they were making! They're a four piece indie band from Glasgow and fingers crossed you'll be hearing more from them on Music In Time Blog soon... For now, below is a song from their latest EP 'The Sink' and here's their FB link.
We finished our trip with an evening at an open mic night at The Blind Poet and left feeling inspired and in awe of talent from young artists. Listening to the words of people wanting to make a difference in the world; Willy Arq stands out for that exact reason, as well as creating brilliant music, his words mean a lot and he's standing up for individuality, equality and everything else that is good in the world. Enjoy this one... FB link: https://www.facebook.com/willkahmusic
Two other people I would like to give a quick mention to, are Lailana Shouly and Theo (Monotonous), both are frequently found doing open mic's around Edinburgh and don't currently have anything online, however, their voices deserve to be heard, as do their work...
