Darwin Deez..

Don't know if this is a new song or re-release whatever, but I like it. I like the video too, very cute, kind of Napoleony. Makes me miss the beach though, but then that doesn't take a lot..

Weird mental bald man...

So the new Hot Chip video is weird!

Some sort of JLS parody with a loony bald man who shoots white lasers from his eyes at the 'JLS' but really he just wants to be topless in the boy band. Then some fat floating head comes along and kills everyone with his red lasers, including the real Hot Chip. The video for 'I Feel Better' is pretty different and good to catch people's attention I guess, something which the song probably wouldn't do on it's own.. it is quite bland. Similar to previous single 'One Life Stand', their new sound is obviously more mature/dull/chilled out than their debut.

Hot Chip - I Feel Better

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos

Over 13,00 views already..

The amazing Florence..

Ok, so as most people who know me err.. know, I have some sort of massive issue with artists who I like getting really popular/over played/just generally COMMERCIAL. Call me selfish - because I guess I am, but it really gets on my nerves, not just because people who don't really have much of a taste in music (i.e. Radio 1 day listeners) suddenly are like 'ohhh I love them' - no you don't you know one ridiculously overplayed song, but also because of the repercussions this has on said artists music.

For example.... the amazing Florence and the Machine. I have loved her since... well since I saw the Dog Days are Over video when I was in my second year at Uni - pretty much two years ago yea? She was imaginative, creative and her hair and clothes were all very cool. My third year house mates will remember my minor anger at her winning the Brits Critics Choice Award last year, but of course I was happy for her because she is so good and all, and at least more people who have good music taste (like those house mates) became aware of her I suppose. But then the commercialism started.. I just found it stupid that her first big single as a well known artist was 'You've Got The Love' because she had so many good songs that she had actually written on her album, and would have shown her as an actual all round talent - writing her own songs and all. And yes that song is a good cover, but you release a cover if you haven't actually got enough talent to write your own stuff/get recognition from your own songs.

But because she is so good I let that one go..and obviously it brought around the amazing XX remix so that was worth it. However the latest revelation has been the last straw! (maybe..) Seriously though, the Dog Days are over video did not need remaking! Perhaps it is a slightly sore point as it was the video I discovered her (well rediscovered I guess after the Kick With a Fist weird video). But it encompasses the song so well, the lose beats of the drum making you want to throw yourself around in freedom and baggy clothes - just like she does in the magical forest with lots of glitter and other friendly like minded people/clowns...

However, this new version '2010 version' is completely the opposite of all this. It is trying to be too fashion forward and the white background is too cold and clinical for such a free and happy song. It is clearly more about appearance than the actual music and the values it is trying to emit. Which is sad! But I guess that's the music biz.

I still love her though. But she's pushing it.

NME AWARDS!!!

So.... pretty much what I wished for through my teenage years, I got tickets to the NME AWARDS! Exciting yea?? Well. Firstly things which you build up are rarely as amazing as you expect, don't get me wrong it was very very exciting and cool to see it all in action, but a very stressful night. It started off badly as my housemate/ex housemate (don't like to admit it), who I took with me, and I got back to mine very late, so we were running late and there were major issues with lifts which ended up in us missing trains. Which ended up in us sitting on the tube with faces like smacked arses as the tickets said "strictly no entry after 8:15" and we were still on our way at 8:25. We legged it to Brixton Academy from the tube station to find it all magically lit up with massive lights beaming into the sky - exciting - and a bright red carpet leading in with lots of press types. Luckily the security guards didn't seem bothered at all and ushered us in, thank the lord! We didn't get to walk down the red carpet though.. Instead we were directed straight upstairs then to the back of the balcony to the sound of the magnificent Maccabees playing 'Can You Give It'.

We literally got there as the awards started. And we were currently watching them from the furthest possible point in the Academy. However, after we went out to the bar (and apparently missed the first award - Muse getting Best British Band, not thoroughly deserved or current enough in my opinion), we went back into the balcony a different way and got seats (it was all seated, not with tables with free alcohol on though) two rows from the front which was way better!

I am very bad at telling stories, they get ridiculously detailed and drawn out, so I shall do my best to skim over the rest... Jarvis Cocker was fairly disappointing as the host. He was way past his entertaining and devilish bum flashing Brits days = rubbish. This is not what we want for an NME Awards host! We want Russell Brand pissing off old overplayed 'stars' (Bob Geldof) and causing lots of controversy, he was the best host/is the best generally. Jarvis may have had a few jokes in there, but I didn't notice, and I'm not sure anyone else did either.

The performances were all really good, especially Biffy Clyro with the beautiful 'Many of Horror' - shame they had to get man voice Marina from Marina and the Diamonds in on it, but you could hardly hear her which was good! Even more annoyingly, Lily Allen was the 'treat' in The Big Pink's 'Dominoes/You're so vain'. I don't think Lily Allen could ever be referred to as a treat, more like a punishment. You could hardly hear her either though thank god.

- Also, apparently she decided she was quitting music AGAIN, to pursue a career in fashion or something less important. But guess what, she's changed her mind to support Jay Z on tour. Wo£££nde£££r wh£££y -

Anyhow, there weren't a lot of celeb's spotted, and my pictures are very blurry, but it was a good experience overall. Kind of felt like a weird gig where people kept interrupting with random drunk musicians/actors/models presenting awards. Because it wasn't live it sort of felt like a dress rehearsal, like it wasn't really real or happening. But I guess that's show business for you, fake and maybe a bit dull.

P.s. Kasabian were also very very good live! The best were probably them, Biffy, Maccabees, The Specials and Paul Weller. Think that was everyone actually.. The Big Pink weren't bad either. Guess it's a good thing if the music stood out more than the awards, seeing as that is what the awards were about.. Might stick to watching them it on TV from now on, unless Russell presents it again of course.

P.p.s Very happy that Bombay Bicycle Club won Best New Band, was a tough category there were loads of great bands in there - think I voted for The XX. Also it was weird to see Paramore win Best International Band or something, and then get massively booed as they showed the video of them accepting it. Think I voted for them. I swear that band can't catch a break.

Andreya Triana

This isn't normally my type of music, but I really enjoyed Andreya's sound. It is chillout music at it's best, music you can truely relax to and slip into your comfort zone, without wanting to sound like a massive hippy - if you seriously listen and take a moment, it's that soul reaching type that gets to your bones. Good stuff then..

Chill out starlet Andreya Triana is another lucky musician to be hand picked by the BBC as part of their ‘Introducing’ series. With a much more laid back/horizontal sound than the general pop and electro music around, Andreya certainly has a niche she can bounce straight into, noticeably. The Brighton soulstress has been on the underground radar the past few years, singing on tracks such as ‘Tea Leaf Dancers’ by electro hip hop Flying Lotus and ‘Hold On’ for, more famous, DJ Mr Scruff’s album. She performed a five song set on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury last year, which supports “unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians,” some of which go onto great commercial success, like The Ting Tings -unfortunately.

On her MySpace Andreya describes herself as “Andreya likes to sing, laugh, dance about, dream, strum her guitar and write songs using preferably good quality stationary...” this horizontal attitude easily translates to her music. Song ‘The Keeper’ is full of her staple chill out beats, reminiscent of chill out kings Zero 7, with the difference of intertwining xylophone melodies. The vocals are mainly echoes, one mass voice which is a harmony in itself. Different wooden instruments are also evident, the sound which conjures up images of relaxing cultural music from a nearby tent on a hot day at a festival, lying on the grass dreaming into the cloudless sky.

My favourite is more or a solo affair than the echoes in ‘The Keeper’, ‘Lost Where I Belong’ really showcases Andreya’s beautifully soothing and impressively wide ranged vocals. Her deep voice is further reflected in the deep lyrics, “searching deep within my soul” showing this is music made to get to your core rhythm of the body – songs in tune with it and simple relaxation. The song has basic beats but luckily the vocals make it more interesting and more attractive to listen to. The first three quarters of the song are peace embodied, however after this graduates into a much more produced sound with the inevitable strings, but this does show maturity and avoids it becoming another naive and overdone chill out record. This single is out on 5th April, hopefully after some much deserved publicising and press time.

Andreya’s debut album ‘Lost Where I Belong’ is out 23rd August and has been produced by “superproducer supremo extraordinaire” Bonobo at Ninja Tune Records, with some tracks written with “crazy skills and talents” Fink. Andreya is touring the big USA all through April but will be back on home soil in May to play Leeds University before embarking on a mini tour through Europe.

Hip Route - Wishing Pool

So a bit belated, but here is another article I wrote for Avenue 61. Hip Route have a proper West Country/pop/folky urban type sound going on, think Jason Mraz and such like. They are quite good, not too much my thing though, I like things a little bit more original.. but they are still a nice easy listen!

West Country three piece Hip Route are a refreshing pop/soul/blues/acoustic mix of most genres, with yet a comfortable sound that makes for easy listening. Having played with Jason Mraz and Newton Faulkner is understandable as they all sound as though they are from the same musical acoustic family, whether it was intentional or not, they definitely sound like influences or cousins. They notable write on their MySpace that their influences include rappers Jurassic 5, pop star Jack Johnson and soul legend Bob Marley, all which are evident from the band’s melodic tunes and gruffly yet buttery vocals.

It is clear from their songs that Hip Route live to play music and play music about their life, it seems relaxed yet confident. They don’t appear to strive for the limelight and fame unlike most other new bands at the moment, they want to chill out and want you to chill out with them. This laid back attitude also seems to apply to their commitment to the band, as most of them have solo projects and appearances going on. Yet these breaks don’t affect the loyalty and productiveness of the band, whereas it would to any other high profile band. They have a self released debut album ‘Working on Hope’ which reinforces their message of peace and general tranquillity, which they say is “selling well” and has received many positive reviews.

Song ‘Wishing Pool’ refers to the money issues in day to day life, but with little regret and putting money as a low priority. It opens with an acoustic, sweet, head nodding guitar melody setting good “vibes” as they would say. Then the drums kick in creating a Jack Johnson/Jason Mraz setting, however what differs from them is lead singer Jim’s vocals. His gruffly voice is miles away from the generic pop singer drabble, leaning the sound towards the Blues category and keeping the attention of the listener/watcher. This unique quality is perhaps why he also has success as a solo artist; Jim has been on a solo tour throughout January and is releasing his own material this year. ‘Wishing Pool’ is a song about lacking money but clearly not lacking faith and hope, like the title of their album, evident with lines like “My pockets are empty... put my last penny in a wishing pool” and “All the money you’ve been throwing at me/wouldn’t make me smile/just makes my happiness bleed”.

A genuinely warm hearted band with honest intentions in their music; simply playing to any audience anywhere. With West Country guitar twangs seeping through their music, at the moment they are sticking to their roots and you can catch singer Jim in Bournemouth, Poole, Exeter and Bristol throughout February.