There’s a moment that most of us would have to confess to living at least one point in our lives, when it becomes startlingly apparent that you have pushed the boat out too far with the ‘state-altering’ substances. It’s that incredibly uncomfortable moment where you start to feel disconnected from the world going on around you. You feel as though you have been submerged underwater and all sound has become slightly muffled and distant. The night suddenly feels wrong and all the people around you enjoying themselves are monsters. The worst thing is that you know there is no way out, no quick fix answer to bring yourself back from the brink.
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Review: Al Lewis & Sarah Howells – Skin & Bones EP
The five songs on this EP are simple, melodic, gently uplifting, and terribly infectious.
Al Lewis and Sarah Howells met on a tube on their way home from their own solo gigs, or so the story goes. But the pair from Wales might as well have been matched in Heaven. Elsewhere Al Lewis can sound a bit like Jack Johnson, a bit like Damian Rice, but what sets these songs apart is Sarah Howells’ effortless and breathy vocals.
Single: Florence and the Machine – Rabbit Heart (Raise it up)
Florence and the machine have been going from strength to strength and their latest single ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise it up)’ does not disappoint.
Florence opens the door to us with a much softer voice, however once we’re in and settled with a cup of tea she unleashes that wonderful voice onto us. This song proves that we never know where Florence is going next, it’s a beautiful and haunting package wrapped up with an air of mystery, very different from her previous singles.
Live: Cherbourg @ Mad Ferret, Preston 12/06/09
Despite the venue being a small town pub, the atmosphere for the evening’s show is excellent. After the obligatory local bands The Agitator, Derek Meins’ and Robert Dylan Thomas’ new project, take to the stage. Right from the outset the duo amaze any new listeners present, making a fair few of them jump on walking through the doors. The ferocity of Meins’ onstage personality creates an enthralled silence that’s extremely refreshing. The Agitator fluctuate between the soulful and outright outrageous creating a stir amongst the ever growing audience.
Live: Slow Club @ ICA, London
It’s not often that you arrive at the venue and see the band you’ve come to see walking just a few steps ahead, guitars strapped on and using the same doors as you to get in.
OK, so I’ve arrived pretty late (“as per usual”, my friends will tell you) but Charles and Rebecca, better known as Slow Club, start their headline ICA show standing at the back of the hall, from where they launch into an acoustic, unamplified version of ‘Wild Blue Mile’, with their fans circled in reverential silence around them.
Album: Terry de Castro – A Casa Verde
Wedding Present bass player Terry de Castro’s debut solo album is a collection of cover versions written by her friends. The songs, which are not necessarily by well-known or famous artists, are recast by Terry on steel guitar and banjo to create a low-key, distinctly American feel.
Live Review: Willkommen Collective @ The Union Chapel, 5th June 2009
The Union Chapel was bedecked with mildly disturbing papier mache animals, swirling waves, giant trees and sugar paper bunting in the shapes of autumn leaves for Willkommen’s coming out gig at the Union Chapel, where we were treated to the full range of the collective’s talents.
Glastonbury for folkies
It’s that time of year again where people will be packing their wellies, baby wipes and cider and heading to Somerset for the highlight of many people’s summer, Glastonbury Festival. Taking place from the 26th to the 28th June, with only a week to go until the mayhem begins here’s the rundown to the bands you wont want to miss this summer, no matter how sunburnt/drenched/drunk/hung-over you may be!
Album: Pagan Wanderer Lu – Fight My Battles For Me
The beauty of Pagan Wanderer Lu isn’t that no two songs sound the same, it’s that no song ends the same as it begins with each track a miniature musical journey. And while your tour guide may be full of charming and witty anecdotes about places of local interest, driving the bus is an escapee from a high security institution coming down from a six week bender. Thus the energy of Fight My Battles For Me is motorway pile-up of musical styles and ideas.