Mini Mansions, Turner, and an iPhone addiction.

This morning, I browsed Twitter and found a a video of Alex Turner appearing live with US band Mini Mansions. He features on the track 'Vertigo', from their forthcoming album, and made a brief appearance for one verse. The video's exciting for Mini Mansions and Arctic Monkeys fans alike - but what I noticed more was the lightening speed in which the audience started watching the show from behind a wall of luminous smart phones. Were they so entranced by his dulcet Sheffield tones and impeccably styled hair they had to ignore the music and immediately capture it? The digital age and power of social media has well and truly established itself in the music industry - but is it okay that it's altered the way we enjoy live music?  We seem to be so afraid of losing a memory, that we forget to enjoy it when it's actually happening. Surely the appeal of live music is the atmosphere and the fact that you've paid to be there, at that moment in time? Call me old-fashioned, but I can't say I gain much from watching a gig through the cracked screen of someone's knackered iPhone. It would be lovely if the next show I go to, everyone just puts away their phones, and enjoys what's happening right then - otherwise they might as well just stay at home, and watch it on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/4TfmduvtHuo

Sevens - The Ruse

The latest single by Watford band The Ruse, Sevens is a catchy, fun, but not overly memorable song. What immediately stands out, is how beautifully produced the song is, superbly polished - a feature which is so often, and understandably, missing from new or lesser-known music. It's full to the brim with jazz and ska like elements, which may explain it's catchiness.

It's short and sweet, at an acceptable 2 minutes 26 seconds, yet somehow there seems to be far too much repetition. It's pleasant enough to listen to, it really is, but after few plays I don't feel compelled to listen once more. It feels as though I'm not really hearing anything new, both musically and lyrically. The band are clearly very good at what they do, and I am interested to see what else they are capable of, and how they progress. Everything that's needed for a good song, in theory, is there, yet somehow something is missing. That something that makes you want to press repeat.

Listen to Sevens here -  https://soundcloud.com/the-ruse/sevens

Songs to Relax to.

I often listen to and write about hectic, loud and lively songs, but this evening I found myself searching for something slightly calmer - so I thought I would share them with you. Take a break, make a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Box Of Stones - Benjamin Francis Leftwich
I first listened to this song with what I can only describe as the world's very worst hangover, and it made more of a difference than Berocca or a bacon sandwich could ever hope to. Over-consumption of alcohol isn't a necessity to listen to this, though (thankfully!). It's my go-to insomnia song, he has one of the best sleep-inducing voices I've ever heard. In a good way, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sin9PRz583E


Nothing Is The News - Damien Jurado  
As a general rule, it seems more likely that a song will be good, if it has some fuzziness to it. This definitely does, and sounds like a run of the mill acoustic song, which has had 80's rock guitar and drums superimposed. An odd combination really, but it works. It's also incredibly hard to age, it really could have been written anywhere between 1960 and 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyhKQKtPLl4


Furr -Blitzen Trapper  
Remarkably Dylan-esque, simple and definitely calming. It also includes a harmonica, which are shamefully diminishing in current bands, it must be said. I'm all for music which sounds like it belongs in the countryside, Mumford & Sons can't hog all the limelight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqtlcHiSHTE


New Slang - The Shins
The Shins are probably the kings of modern indie-rock, and this song is just lovely. I dare you to listen to New Slang and not feel even just slightly compelled to sway along. James Mercer (singer) has a beautifully atmospheric voice, but fits into the band like rhythm guitar or drums do. This makes it a wonderfully relaxing song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD7qIthSdkA


The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - Frank Turner
Turner has a lot of calming music (infact, most of it is), but this cover of The Postal Service seems to stand out. Rough around the edges and undeniably soothing, it warrants a place in all sleepy-music playlists. However, if said playlist has been designed to act as post break-up music, it's probably advisable to avoid it. But if you're just looking for a calm and enjoyable tune, then this is definitely the way to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqPDdO2JwSU



Elephant Gun - Beirut 
Orchestrally and melodically perfect, Elephant Gun is powerful as well as relaxing. Concocted with more instruments than you can count and with somewhat nonsensical lyrics, it enables less thinking and more enjoying. It also makes me want to dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSz_PAfgNc


I Try - Ben Taylor 
A cover of Macy Gray's hit, it seems to somehow have even more soul. Constructed of simple but beautiful vocals and guitar, it's oddly hypnotic and undeniably likeable. Every so often you stumble across a singer with a voice that's prompts you to question whether they're actually magical. Ben Taylor is one. An equal contender for bad break-up music as The District Sleeps Alone Tonight however, you have been warned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV3ReWUZIe0


Get Me Away From Here - Belle & Sebastian
This song will get into your head, should you listen to it a few times. And it'll persistently stay as well. I'm sorry about that. It's so chirpy and likeable though, I doubt you'll really mind. With a lyrical theme of thinking and wondering it strikes me as the perfect soundtrack to those pondering thoughts that somehow only ever appear at night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_DcqPkEYM


Hiding Tonight - Alex Turner
A creation by the Arctic Monkeys front man, it's exactly what you'd expect from the band, just toned down massively. If the feeling that can occur on rainy, lazy days could be transferred into song-form, then this is what it'd be. It reveals a lonelier, contemplative side to the singer, not normally found in Arctic Monkeys songs, which is really kinda nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6C6SXTqE18


Better Days - Amos Lee
Amos Lee has a more powerful and apparent voice than most on this list, which makes this song a little bit more believable. It's thought-provoking and sad, but the calming melody and soulful vocals stem any harshness. I also have a lot of respect for people who can sing and play guitar well, at the same time. I'm fairly sure it should be classed as impossible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcqqCM4RVJM


Winter - Joshua Radin
Known for providing the soundtrack to probably the saddest episode of TV show Scrubs, one listen and its easy to see why. It's a very simple acoustic song, but it does so much with so little. The vocal melody is astonishingly beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHlf08yTPiU

Lesser Known Music you Need to Hear

In amongst major labels and Top 40 charts, is music that deserves to be heard. I've scoured the internet (ok, mainly Twitter) to find the songs that impressed me the most.

Clemency  - The Wild Wind

This is a beautiful example of a song with the ability to be instantly calming, mixing soft verses with an almost anthemic chorus. They're a band inspired by their faith, though not overpoweringly so, they have the ability to appeal to a far wider audience than just those of a particular religion. Their song The Wild Wind contains subtle ideas which are open to interpretation - in fact, before researching the inspiration behind their music, it struck me as a love song.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBNcQPtodPM


Bleach Blood - H.O.P.E.

Listen to this song a couple of times and I guarantee it won't leave your head for several days. Beautifully produced and unbelievably catchy, it has the ability to rival the most popular of indie songs. They're a band I can imagine would be hugely successful at huge shows and festivals, perhaps even gracing the cover of NME magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfG74vPofEE


Sean Taylor - So Fine

Wherever this guy has been hiding, it's time he stopped. The hypnotising combination of guitar and percussion in So Fine is more apparent than vocal quality of melody; certainly unusual, but yet something which definitely works. Musical proficiency seems to be gradually taking a back seat, so it's wonderful to hear such effortlessly atmospheric guitar playing. I suspect and hope I'll be hearing a lot more of this artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXhaoFPwvcQ


Refuse The Conformity - Infatuation


It's a band name which blatantly refers to the basic ideas associated with punk-pop, their song Infatuation could very easily be the work of New Found Glory. Although offering nothing earth-shatteringly new, it does demonstrate that they're more than able to keep up with their catchy-tuned predecessors. However, very rough around the edges, it perhaps links them more closely to the music that inspired these bands - before smooth producing and monster record labels even existed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WipfF8WHNh4


Suburban Legends - Come Back Home

I've written about this band several times before, and each time am baffled as to why more people aren't listening to them. Masters of the silly, upbeat song, and far more fun to see than most 'big-league' bands, hopefully it is only a matter of time before they receive deserved recognition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iDpGRuyn6k


George Frakes - In The Morning


Whilst watching George Frakes support Frank Turner on his last UK tour, is the only time I've ever seen acoustic guitar music mesmorise an entire venue. Haunting to the point that's it's vaguely unsettling, and with the ability for such wide-ranging appeal, it seems unlikely he'll eventually be anything less than successful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9_1nXtsN9c


Ed Harcourt - Back Into The Woods

I've written about Ed Harcourt more times than is strictly necessary, but I still refuse to accept that he isn't monumentally well-known. His songs borderline on magical, and sound wonderful live. If you consider the most currently famous artists, mentioning no names (One Direction), and compare them to songs such as Back Into The Woods, it portrays the music industry as laughably strange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaZVuYtTx0w

Red River - Rocky Votolato

In an unusual move, I'm writing about an artist I know nothing about, and a song that's equally as mysterious. I found a rogue song on a YouTube playlist, which I'd added at one point or another, but had no recollection when, or why. Never one to ignore unheard songs, I listened, and was beyond impressed. It's a song which washes over you in a breeze of acoustic wonderfulness, but if you intend to really listen, is held together with meaningful and powerful lyrics. It's understated, yet driven enough to belong in a film soundtrack. I'm still clueless about this artist, and the origin of the song, and somehow I don't want to know. As if it might ruin the magic.

Rest in peace, Cory Monteith.

I am genuinely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Glee actor Cory Monteith. Amongst the punk bands and indie labels I'm a huge Gleek at heart, and he, along with the entire cast, promoted a positive message to millions of people throughout the world - a perfect example of what music can do. I know I'll be spending today with Glee songs on repeat. Rest in peace. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Crackheads - Roadmender, Northampton - 23/05/13

For a band who have existed for a relatively short period of time, and who have coped with the turbulent departure of band members, Teenage Mutant Ninja Crackheads gave a memorable debut performance. Lumbered with an opening slot, their set formed part of a Northampton College event at the Roadmender, Northampton. This wasn't really apparent, however - there was nothing amateurish about it. They have the same enthusiasm, if not more, of professional bands you may find at the venue on any given night. Perhaps lacking in technical proficiency at times, with a notable loss of lyrics, their obvious energy completely accounted for it. After all, isn't that what rock'n'roll is all about? A test of a good band is often their ability to cope when things don't go entirely to plan, rather when a set runs smoothly. This ability was apparent tonight, to a level you might expect of a band with years more experience. Stage outfits of Scooby Doo and a vampire? onesie (I'm not entirely sure), showed them as inherently quirky, although the drummer was lacking in said onesie, disappointingly! A variety of cover song choices including Paramore and Disturbed, portrayed their diversity and ability to switch between genres, although it feels necessary as they are obviously capable, for them to venture into the world of original songwriting. A band with these positive and endearing qualities, can only really go onwards and upwards. As their friends, I hope this will happen, and I'll promote and back them to the hilt, but as a music journalist, I honestly encourage you to encourage them. The music industry needs to keep fun bands alive. I hope I'm able to review their original music some time in the near future!