Superfood

Band Blues
(noun) / Ba:nd:blu:z / Definition:

The emotional after effects occurring as a result of attending a really good live performance / festival / gig / concert of a favorable band/performing artist. Symptoms include; feelings of melancholy within seven days of the event, sudden surges of nostalgia when hearing songs of the artist recently seen, uncontrollable urges to Google or YouTube videos of the performance and/or an overall "I wish I could relive that performance again" mentality.

Yes, I did just make up that definition. Well someone had to didn't they? No doubt I'll soon be writing a firm letter to the publishers of the Oxford Dictionary. The people need to know. The poor suffers of what I am currently going through must understand, they are not alone. Every woman, man, cat and fangirl - every gig goer must unite together to support each other in tackling the inevitable after effects of seeing your favorite band live and realizing you are no longer there anymore. Band Blues. Not to be confused with Blues Band. If you could just donate £3 a month...

Okay I'll stop now.

But in all seriousness it's been five days since I ventured round to Camden Town, London to see brummie band 'Superfood' headline as part of NME's 'New Breed Tour' and I still can't listen to a single track off their debut album 'Don't Say That' without mentally reliving that beautiful night. I can't listen to any of their tracks to be honest. You know a band has given a bloody good show when you find yourself regrettably skipping their tunes on your iPod as bobbing along to their music by yourself on the train is incomparable with the live show you've attended and you know it'll just leave a bittersweet taste in your mouth, unsatisfied and craving for more. So before I babble along any further, let me introduce you to what my I seem to be 'hyping' about.

'Superfood' are a Birmingham based indie alternative four-piece who have shared stages with personal faves Peace, Wolf Alice and TOY. Their infectious melodies somewhat resemble a britpop college rock band with a sprinkle of indie twangy riffs from the lead and rhythm guitars.

This band have a lot going for them and it's not just because of the unique vocals from Dom, contagiously bob along beats from drummer Carl, super cool swagga carried by afro baring lead guitarist Ryan, (Who totally didn't wink at me as I made heart shapes to him at the London gig last Tuesday) nor the Talent of insanely gorgeous crowd surfing bassist Emily. I believe it's the overall need for a band like 'Superfood' - that craving for a 90's indiepop revival that has not quite been fed in the current alternative rock scene. Have a listen to the song 'Melting' attached above -of which I obviously did not stand on stage and pour an entire bottle of water over my head at the approval of Dom for at their Camden show.

Speaking of their Camden performance, the band put on quite a show. Despite the unsettling dripping ceiling and stage invasion, the quartet rocked venue Dingwalls, London on 11/11/2014 as part of NME's introducing tour with fellow Scotsband 'Honeyblood' (Featured in part one of my two piece band review trilogy.)

Despite the celebrity appearances in the crowd,
Press were -of course- snapping me enjoying the show.
(Top Right, pink ponytail, arms in the air.)

The 500 capacity venue filled up shoulder to shoulder. Watching in the crowd with me where the likes of singer Chloe Howl, Peace frontman Harrison Koisser and Swim Deep lead singer Austin Williams - now if that doesn't anticipate this band making it big like other B-Town Bands; Swim Deep, Peace and Jaws, I don't know what does. The show -to be frank- was insane and I definitely will be seeing them again. Do have a scroll down and check the awesome foursome out.

Bassist Emily Baker at Dingwalls, Camden 11/11/2014

(Photo creds to Corrine - Talented band photographer, my local uni 'Kingston' photography graduate and all round lovely lass. check her out here. Music Videos courtesy of YouTube)

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

Remember, remember the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot;
I see no reason,
Why the gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Slightly disturbing annual re-creation of Guy Fawkes' execution. Family Fun!

And with that unnecessarily dramatic opening of a poem repetitively recited to me today, I wish all my fellow Brits a Merry Guy Fawkes night. To all who are unaware of this age old British event, Guy Fawkes Night (More commonly known as Bonfire Night) is an annual commemoration celebrating the failed attempted assassination of our past King James I.

Most countries when in the event of an attempted assassination of their ruler tend to -you know- arrest and trial the convicted . But not us Brits. No we don't just stop there, we then go and celebrate the failed attempt year after year - in fact, 409 times today to be precise- and of course it wouldn't be a proper celebration of Mr Guy Fawkes trying to blow up our king without burning a scarecrow-like model in Fawkes' image in a massive bonfire and lots and lots of fireworks.

So as I sit here behind my desk, waiting for my quiet Suburban London neighborhood to turn into a smokey battlefield bombarded with hipsters wielding sparklers -trying to capture slow shutter speed photos of them spelling things out in the dark to post on Instagram- and the never ending thundering of the night long fireworks display, I thought why not share a band with a very relevant title, and a just as rambunctious persona.


**Drinking Game: Take a shot (of caprisun if you're underage) every time I say Pop-Punk**

 Fireworks are a Pop Punk / Alt Rock band from Michigan, U.S.A. The band have been around since 2005 and have that strong 2000's pop punk feel that I've so dearly missed since last year's Vans Warped Tour. The sextet (simply a group of six musicians but I solemnly get to use the term that gave me many frowned upon giggles in year 8 -7th grade- music class) stay true to their name in that they're energetic and boisterous.

The song above is off their new album "Oh, Common Life," released earlier this year, and bares a strong Fall Out Boy resemblance which can be unnerving for some but alright if you just want to listen to some good ol' Pop Punk.

Actually that more or less sums up the band as a whole. An overall good pop punk band, but obviously following all the generic Pop Punk codes and conventions meaning you wont be expecting anything ground breaking from them soon.

There's nothing particularly wrong with being just a pop punk band though as, I quite like the genre. And even if you're not the pop-punk and pizza skate life 4eva type, Fireworks are pretty likeable so do have a listen to some tracks off their old album too (attached above and below) and check them out for yourself.

Halloween Friday: 4 Band Special

Hello Hello Hello and a Happy Halloween to all you festive followers partaking in an age old pagan event secularized for the benefit of corporate organisations. Oh I do love western culture. In saying that I am currently sat here typing away in the dark with a pink mustache, sombrero and poncho waiting for my dear amigo to arrive in pirate attire so we can take on what the night has in store for us.

While I wait -I thought to myself, fondling with my newly glued mustache- why not bless my dear readers with 4 brilliant bands worth listening to this winter.

So here we go, and do please excuse my terrible puns.

1. (Were)Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice are a North London originating -local whoop whoop- four piece alternative rock band.
Considering their debut album only came out last year, they've done bloody well for themselves and the lead singer / guitarist Ellie Rowsell isto die for, have a listen.

2. Royal (I want to suck your)Blood (The puns only get worse)

If this three syllable band title rings absolutely no bells, I'm assuming you either don't live in Britian or you've been living under a rock for the past year or so. Royal Blood are a british duo from Brighton who over the past year have rapidly picked up a lot of popularity in a very short amount of time since their formation -deservingly of course. The band formed in 2013, and in that very summer after their formation Arctic Monkey's drummer Matt Helders wore their band shirt during their set at Glastonbury, drawing mine and the rest of the UK's attention to them. Between then and going on to support the Arctic Monkeys in May 2014, the band played all over the world (including South by Southwest in Texas, Radio 1's Big Weekend, Download and Glastonbury) and were nominated BBC Sound of 2014. So whats all the hype about then? Well that's for you to decide

3. TELE/VISIONS (of dead people)

 

Tele/Visions the enticing solo project of Surf Curse front man Nick. Through Tele/Visions, he shows us a more raw version of himself with extremely intelligent and personal lyricism. Check him and his bandcamp out.

4. Haunted Summer (don't think I need a Halloween pun for this one)

Haunted Summer are an LA based dream pop band, with an extremely alluring vibe - most likely from their use of reverb and the heavenly vocals of Bridgette Moody. Do have a scroll through their bandcamp as there's always a moment where a Haunted Summer song is needed to chill the mood

Three Days, Three Duos Part III

With a mere half hour left of my third and last day, I begin this concluding review of my final femme duo - and what a beautiful ride it's been. If you haven't got a single clue as to what I'm on about, do have a click through part 1 or part 2, 

Otherwise -in short- I've basically been banging on about a bunch of female indie doublets with the hope that more female acts in the alternative music industry can get a bit of cred as they're not as commonly acclaimed as all these all guy indie bands with their skinny jeans and fancy hair cuts and, well, they really should be because they're bloody good.

So let's get to it then, and end this with a bang. Actually more like a light a pat on a tabor drum rather than a bang -these two are a bit more  indie folk opposed to the anarchistic rhythms of yesterdays lo-fi punk duo's Slutever and Girlpool. Don't get me wrong, I'm an avid lover of raging grungy guitars with the gain turned up and the straps lowered to the point the guitars are hanging by their knees. But sometimes there's a time where your ear buds require the soft caressing of some acoustic guitars and the sweet melodic sound of angelic harmonies; and when one requires such soothing music to ease the tension, First Aid Kit will most certainly do the job.

 First Aid Kit are a Swedish folk duo consisting of sisters Johanna and Klara. The two originally gathered online popularity back in 2007 via the finest of musical showcasing platforms; MySpace. Whilst I was planning my 10th birthday and coming to the distressing realization that the toothfairy was in fact a cunning misconception led by my mother, these two were frequently uploading covers and originals online. Of course they soon found themselves signed to a corporate record label and they've been producing enticing tunes ever since.

Recently they've released their new album "Stay Gold" that has a number of enjoyable tracks I find myself playing time and time again when I'm in need of a 'chilled' listening sesh. There's something quite alluring about their country style instrumentation along with their distinctive harmonized vocals that makes this album rather unique. 

Do have a listen to some of their tracks and performances provided below, and have a little stalk over the girls yourself to see if you can acquire a taste for their peculiar style. If not, do have a look over my other duo's here and here if your heart requires something a tad bit more oomfy.

And so I find myself skipping across the finish line of this three day long tripple review dominated by goddesses with guitars, of course thank you for reading and do stay tuned for the fresh batch of talented obscure artists I have in store for you.

Three Days, Three Duo's Part II

Well hello there dear reader and welcome to the second installment in my three piece review on two piece girl bands. My aim has been more or less straight forward and much more thoroughly explained in part one, but with the alternative music scene having a long term history of male domination when there are currently a wide range of brilliant yet painfully underrated female artists out there, it's only fair that I share them with you all so they can get the appreciation they rightfully deserve.

Today I bring to you two Californian ladies with some serious lyrical backbone and compelling harmonic ideas. They go by the name of Girlpool. 

Girlpool identify with the Lo-Fi genre with elements of punk -according to their bandcamp, which you should definitely have a look through if you click here-.

The video above was produced by 'Stumble on Tapes" an indie videozine that showcases the budding talent of LA and funnily enough the people who brought me to Surf Curse (who seems to be popping up in all my reviews these days.) Despite their unplugged set up of an acoustic bass and guitar, their eerie vocals, slight on/off beat change of pace along with the very ingenious lyrics gives the video and band a gritty yet witty feel.

I do, however, somewhat prefer them plugged in as their lyricism are already so prominently good, but when amped up, their instrumental skills are much better shown and their piercing vocals enhanced. I suppose I like that because it makes the songs,well, rather dancable -I'm making up these words up as I go along, bare no notice. Have a listen to these two tracks off their self titled EP.

The girls have just finished their U.S east coast tour with, yes, another badass female duo SLUTEVER, who are ever so slightly more punk but just as audacious. They do deserve a full review, which I may get to one day but for now so you and I aren't bombarded with these musical babes, I'll link you with a few of their songs so you can check them out for yourself. Enjoy.

Three Days, Three Duo's Part 1

(featuring a somewhat lengthy, yet significant, introduction)

 

Since my review of "Deap Valley" I feel my listenership of female duo bands has been long neglected. Hell, there's a lack of an overall female presence in the indie band industry, but that's not what I'm here to talk about -I've spent too many Tuesday break 1's in my secondary school's "feminist society" nibbling on complimentary chocolate bourbons debating on gender inequality-  but if I've learned anything in my transition from, well, being fifteen to being sixteen (not a dramatic transition but I couldn't quite say adulthood can I?) It's that, and I quote metalcore band Bring Me The Horizon's frontman Oli Sykes in a rather angry song, "If you really believe in the words that you preach, get off your screens and on to the streets." 

So this is me getting on to the streets -metaphorically speaking- and actually doing something instead of complaining about it. 

I'm not really getting off my screen though and, um, to be honest I'm not really making any significant change to the acknowledgement of women in the indie/alternative genre.

Just forget I used that quote in the first place. BUT -and more to the point- I will strive to have more female artists featured on this blog. And by more I mean to the point that the amount of female acts are somewhat at level with the amount of male, because that is what gender equality is, isn't it? I won't force it though because, of course, I will judge a band and decide to review them based off their musical talent not what is or isn't dangling between their legs as, again, that's what gender equality truly is about. But I know there's just as many women making beautiful music in the scene as there are men.

Once again I find myself rambling, but even though I may not be noted as one of the ruthless feminists who pushed for more female bands to be recognised (because I'm really not) with me enlightening my dear readers (you) to underground female talent, you will then go on to listen to their music, tell your friends, who will then tell their friends and download their music and next thing you know they're signed to a big record label and forced by management to sexualise their image for sales purposes. Oh I do love playing my role in feminism.

From this rather self explanatory post title, I'm sure you've gathered what I intend to post for the next three days; So without further ado here are the first of three brilliant female duos you should definitely have a listen to.

HONEYBLOOD.

Honeyblood are an energetic pair from none other than Glasgow, Scotland. The girls have the simplistic yet very effective setup of drummer/backing vocals, guitarist/lead vocals that I evidently seem to fall in love with hence the same set up with recently reviewed duo bands Surf Curse and Deap Valley. 

There's something about the pair not only in their song writing and catchy "grunge pop" -their genre according to BBC introducing- riffs but in their delightful personalities that not only makes them so captivating, but in fact very very likable. 

The fact they're about to go on NME's New Breed Tour with Superfood -another B-Town Band I intend on blogging about- and they've got Radio 1's Big Weekend under their belts indicates there's nothing but high hopes for these two. Do check them out in action with these "behind the scenes" / "life on tour" type videos that I've attached, that I normally don't do but I just really like their accents.

Lo-Fi Love

It's been a few years since the revival of Lo-Fi indie and the thrifstore-mongrel image British B-Town bands like Peace, Swim Deep and Jaws influenced our tumblr dashboards. Alas, the moment "Disposable Grunge" was officially a thing I forced oneself to run far far away from that scene.

But then along came WAVVES, and like a punctured paddle-boat amongst the River Thames I found myself once again sinking into the dirty depths of this culture.

It started with a simple purchase of some Doc Martins -next thing you know I had pastel pink hair, a Harrington Jacket and  ripped denim pockets full of negatives from my disposable camera. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed falling in love with this side of the indie music scene, and at least Wavves where a bit more "Surf Rock" and well...American. It was nice - a splendid change to the brummie accents that had once filled up my "recently played" playlist.

Then I wanted more. These bands had been in the scene for years and were no longer the supporting act's supporting act. So who's next then? Well I think I've found them.

American? Check. Full of adolescent rage? Check. Aesthetic like they've just walked out of the good side of an Oxfam charity sale? CheckCheckCheck.

Ladies and gentlemen I present to you SURF CURSE.

Surf Curse are an Indie/Alt band hailing from Nevada, USA. Of course being a surf rock, lo-fi band from the states, it's inevitable they'll be in endless comparison with wavves, however, their melodic motifs and lyrical ideas are not only fresh and original, but extremely catchy.

The duo released their EP "SadBoys" -Yung Lean inspired?- on cassette which is unfortunately sold out at the moment but worth
the listen if you just click on the video attached.


A few tracks of their recent album "Buds" sounds like a soundtrack to a Diablo Cody film - which I'm in no way at complaint about. CLICK HERE TO GIVE IT A LISTEN


Needless to say they've gathered a large online following in the short amount of time since they've debuted so hit them up before their small shows around the US and signing to BigJoy records turns into to $100 setlists and over seas sellout gigs :)

BLOG PUBERTY

So things are a changing.

Yet again this blog has gone through a number of updates, including a change of name and theme. It's annoying I do apologise, but  think of it as a transition of this blog getting bigger and better. Like puberty. Blog puberty.

Ooh I quite like that.

To summarize I'm back, and to your great joy I have a load of undiscovered talent, musical rants and up and coming artists to share with y'all.

You're welcome.