shelleyhanveywriter's Blog

A female-friendly shortlist has been announced today for The 57th Ivor Novello Awards, due to be held in London on May 17th, 2012.

The Ivor Novello Awards celebrate, honour and reward excellence in songwriting and composing.  The Awards are highly regarded and sought after in the music industry, as they are presented and judged by the writing community.

The shortlist is as follows:

BEST SONG MUSICALLY & LYRICALLY

Song: ‘Rolling In The Deep’   Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth   Performed by: Adele     UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing

Song: ‘Shake It Out’   Written by: Paul Epworth / Kid Harpoon / Florence Welch   Performed by: Florence + The Machine     UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing

Song: ‘The A Team’   Written & Performed by: Ed Sheeran     UK Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG

Song: ‘Promises’   Written by: Joseph Ray / Daniel Stephens / Alana Watson   Performed by: Nero     UK Publisher: EMI Music Publishing

Song: ‘The Wilhelm Scream’   Written by: James Blake / James Litherland   Performed by: James Blake     UK Publisher: Universal Music Publishing

Song: ‘Video Games’   Written by: Lana Del Rey / Justin Parker   Performed by: Lana Del Rey     UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Music Publishing

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE

Film: Life In A Day   Composed by: Harry Gregson-Williams / Matthew Herbert     UK Publishers: Wavecrest Music, Inc. / Bucks Music Group

Film: The First Grader   Composed by: Alex Heffes     UK Publishers: Fintage Publishing BV / Resonant Music (1) Limited Partners

Film: We Need To Talk About Kevin   Composed by: Jonny Greenwood     UK Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music

BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK

Broadcast: Leonardo   Composed by: Mark Russell     UK Publisher: Bucks Music Group

Broadcast: Page Eight   Composed by: Paul Englishby UK Publishers: Carnival Film & Television Ltd / Universal Music Publishing

Broadcast: The Shadow Line   Composed by: Martin Phipps  UK Publishers: Du Vinage Publishing Ltd

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK

Song: ‘Rolling In The Deep’   Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth   Performed by: Adele     UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing

Song: ‘Someone Like You’   Written by: Adele Adkins / Dan Wilson   Performed by: Adele     UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / BMG Chrysalis

Song: ‘The Flood’   Written by: Gary Barlow / Howard Donald / Jason Orange / Mark Owen / Robbie Williams   Performed by: Take That     UK Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing / Farrell Music Ltd

ALBUM AWARD

Album: ‘21′   Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth   Performed by: Adele     UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing

Album: ‘50 Words For Snow’   Written & Performed by: Kate Bush   UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Noble & Brite

Album: ‘Let England Shake’   Written & Performed by: PJ Harvey     UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Hot Head Music

The Ivors also honour individuals with awards recognising their contribution to British music.  The following awards will be presented on the day:

Lifetime Achievement / Outstanding Song Collection / PRS for Music Outstanding Contribution to British Music / PRS for Music Special International Award / Songwriter(s) of the Year / The Ivors Jazz Award / The Ivors Inspiration Award

A BASCA Fellowship will also be awarded at the 2012 ceremony.

The 57th Ivor Novello Awards will take place on May 17th, 2012 at the Grosvenor House, London.

www.theivors.com

shelleyhanveywriter

Florence + the Machine return with their second studio album, ‘Ceremonials‘ on October 31st, 2011 in the UK, November 1st, 2011 in the US. The album was produced by Paul Epworth, who has claimed that there is not one weak track; if first single, ‘Shake It Out‘ is any marker of judgement, then I would be inclined to believe him.

Lisa Hannigan returns with her second studio album ‘Passenger‘ on October 10th, 2011 in the UK, September 20th, 2011 in the US and Canada. The first single to be released from the record will be ‘A Sail.’ I have been waiting for this album for almost two years and from what I hear so far, my wait has not been in vain.

Coldplay release their fifth studio album ‘Mylo Xyloto‘ on October 24th, 2011 in the UK and October 25th, 2011 in the US. ‘Paradise‘ will be the second single to be released from the album, hoping to follow the success of its predecessor, ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.’ The album is said to be based on “a love story with a happy ending‘” (Chris Martin); my favourite Coldplay track will always remain; ‘Fix You‘, perhaps that says more about my romantic history than any concept album could!

Feist returns with her fourth studio album, ‘Metals‘ on October 3rd, 2011 in the UK and October 4th, 2011 in the US and Canada. The first single to be released from the album will be ‘How Come You Never Go There.’ Short snippets of album tracks can be found on Feist’s official website (www.listentofeist.com). An instrumentally colourful and fervent indie-folk affair; the new single heightens anticipation for the new album offering from the sometime member of Broken Social Scene.

Kelly Clarkson releases her fifth studio album, ‘Stronger‘ on October 24th, 2011 in the UK/US and the first single to be released from the record will be, ‘Mr Know It All.’ Clarkson does break-up themed songs like nobody else (‘Since U Been Gone‘, ‘Walk Away‘) but this is a little bit different to the norm. The track focuses more on Clarkson’s powerful and raw vocals and features much less technical wizardry, which clearly was never needed in the case of the American Idol Season One victor. I love this track and am yet to see Clarkson perform live in the UK, perhaps a tour will follow the release of the new record. Here’s hoping.

Veronica Falls release their self titled debut album on October 17th, 2011 in the UK. Currently touring the US with The Drums;  the indie-pop four-piece from London have been making waves Stateside and online with their tracks ‘Beachy Head‘ and ‘Bad Feeling.’ I don’t expect that it will be long before we see these guys on Jools and the like. My favourite track from the album would be ‘Come On Over.’ Hope you enjoy!

shelleyhanveywriter

New tracks that I am loving this week  come from artists including:  Robert Francis, Florence & The Machine, Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling and Hurts.

Florence & the Machine, ‘Heavy In Your Arms’.

This chillingly cool track is taken from the soundtrack to the second ‘Twilight’ feature film installment,  ‘Eclipse. ‘ The track is released as a single on November 15th, 2010 and is sure to set the charts, as well as lovelorn teen hearts everywhere, alight in its dark intensity and just short of  taboo leanings. This is what Florence and her Machine do best, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that  the band are going from strength to strength in America at the moment; with a guest appearance this week on Saturday Night Live. Selfishly so, I just hope that the band don’t get too comfortable over there in their state of adulation and forget where they came from. I can’t see this happening, after all; who appreciates and does brooding and sullen better than the Brits?

Robert Francis, ‘Junebug‘.

Robert Francis is relatively new to the rock singer-songwriter scene in the UK; just about to hit our shores with a couple of live dates in London. ‘Junebug’ is taken from his second album and debut major label record‘Before Nightfall’ which is set for release in the UK on November 29th, 2010. Francis has been compared to Bruce Springsteen; high praise indeed, which I do think is justified when you hear this artist’s vocal skills. Francis’s debut album was the indie release‘One By One’, which at the age of 22 showcases some striking musical moments and a perfect take on classic American rock. Francis has been touring the US with my favourite band of the moment, Noah and the Whale and is about to embark on a series of live dates in the UK and Europe later in the year. If this stand-out track is anything to go by, both the album and the shows are going to be pretty memorable.

Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling, ‘The Water’.

I can’t adequately put in to words my love for both this track and the album from which it was taken. That album being Johnny Flynn’s ‘Been Listening.’ I am a huge fan of both artists, so a duet between nu-folk favourites Johnny and Laura was always going to sit extremely well and comfortably with me. It is a sublime track with some truly special vocal moments courtesy of Laura; I can only dream of a future collaboration between Johnny, Laura and Charlie Fink…hmm, may be waiting a while for that, methinks.

Hurts, ‘Stay’.

One of my favourite bands to emerge in 2010 would have to be Hurts. I think their album ‘Happiness’ is brilliant and I genuinely rate each and every track. After seeing the band perform live a couple of weeks ago, they just go from strength to strength for me and this latest single release also happens to be my favourite track from the album. A simple, yet classically ’80s synthpop sound; I could listen to this epic track on repeat for hours. After selling out their short UK tour in October, the band has just announced a Spring 2011 UK tour; I would definitely recommend that you pop by one night if you’re free. Hutchcraft is a wonder on stage, everything that a showman should be and much more besides.

That’s all folks,

There are some great tracks due for release in the coming weeks; I have listened to several and picked my favourites of the bunch:

KT Tunstall ‘(Still A) Weirdo’ (released September 20^th, 2010)

This mellow and quirky track is taken from Tunstall’s new album ‘Tiger Suit’, which is set for release on September 27th, 2010. 2004′s ‘Eye to the Telescope’ which was a worldwide success, was one of my favourite albums of that year and I still listen to it regularly now. Tracks such as ‘Other Side of the World’, ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’ and ‘Suddenly I See’ never seem to age and I find something different that I like in the lyrics with each airing.  I wondered when Tunstall would be back with her trademark acoustic guitar and insightful takes on subjects such as romance, family history and…still being a weirdo! I look forward to the new album and to seeing Tunstall live in the coming months.

Marina and the Diamonds ‘Shampain’ (released September 27^th, 2010)

The unusually spelt ‘Shampain’ is taken from Marina’s debut album ‘The Family Jewels.’ The album and artist have soared in popularity this year with other hits such as ‘Hollywood’, and my personal favourite, debut single ‘I Am Not a Robot.’ I love a strong, funkily dressed, eccentric female lead so unsurprisingly, I also love this album. Comparisons have been made with Florence Welch, predominantly due to their equally striking vocal instruments but I think Marina’s strength lies in her new wave/pop-fused songwriting skills and I like a track I can dance to which you could with Florence, but may end up either giving yourself a hernia or looking like you’ve taken too many Night Nurse tablets.

Enrique Iglesias ft Nicole Scherzinger ‘Heartbeat’ (released September 27^th)

Oh Enrique, Enrique, Enrique, Enrique, where dost I begin? This track is taken from his latest album, July 2010′s ‘Euphoria.’ I have been a fan of Enrique for many years and I stand loud and proud with that admission. I love his tracks; the ballads, the up-tempo numbers, the crazy dance floor dittys, I simply love them all. Yes I’ll admit it, it doesn’t hurt that he looks like a god of men either, but I am sure that my love truly lies in the music…I’m sure…I think…

The Script ‘For The First Time’ (released September 5th, 2010)

This is the first single from the Irish pop-rock trio’s second album ‘Science and Faith’, set for release on September 13th, 2010. If I’m honest I wasn’t particularly a fan of this band with their first self-titled album, only liking one of the singles that they released from the record which was ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.’ I just felt like they weren’t entirely sure what their niche was, with some tracks falling in to the R&B category, some in to the Pop-Rock category and others being a mish-mash of the two; I felt very confused. I’m all for diversity and I like seeing different elements of a band’s talents on a record, but it felt like they were just as confused as I was. I really like this track though; could it perhaps be because it’s taken from an album which focuses on the current economic and social climate in Ireland? I think it just might!

Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival

 I wasn’t one of the 177,500 festival folk that descended upon Pilton, Somerset last weekend, to witness the 40th Anniversary of the Glastonbury Festival, having opted to attend V, Cambridge Folk Festival and Creamfields. I did, however, very excitedly set the Sky Plus in order to record the BBC’s coverage of the four-day event. 

I have to say though, I found myself quite underwhelmed by said coverage and wondering where the clips of perhaps slightly less commercial acts had ended up…if indeed they were ever recorded. 

I fully understand that musical tastes are subjective to the viewer and that the BBC would have had a flood of complaints had they not featured the headliners and some of the bigger chart-residing artists, but being a contemporary arts festival; I just felt that the range of artists featured should have reflected that. 

I was looking forward to seeing a good range of artists, including new and fresh  offerings such as Everything Everything, Frightened Rabbit, Two Door Cinema Club, Devendra Banhart, Miike Snow, Lauren Pritchard as well as a few of my favourites; The Courteeners, Empire of the Sun and Laura Marling. 

Empire of the Sun

Everything Everything

Miike Snow

I also thought considering Florence and the Machine drew one of the biggest crowds of the festival, perhaps a couple of songs could have been featured from this artist; obviously reflecting their popularity at the festival and beyond. To be fair, extended highlights of Florence’s set are available on the BBC’s Glastonbury website, which can be found here: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2010/artists/florenceandthemachine/ 

Again, a personal viewpoint only, but did we really need to see 7+ songs from Muse and likewise, Gorillaz? Would it not have been fairer to spread the coverage out a bit and give viewers more of a diverse taste of what was on offer…just a thought. 

It did look brilliant though and they were so lucky with the weather; I’m already crossing my fingers that V and Cambridge are blessed with the same! Although a couple of clouds would be nice, don’t want to be struck down with a bout of sunstroke, causing me to miss Macca join Fray (Liam, of The Courteeners) on stage for an impromptu sesh of Beatles classics…you never know!

It’s been slightly sunny up north today, so I have taken out the bunting, cillit bang’d the bbq and declared the beginning of the great british summer! Ok…maybe not, but I have started the countdown to my 2010 festival frolics and I just hope that my favourite artists aren’t scheduled to perform at the same time. This would cause me much stress and much gadding about; I don’t like to gad, I like to just kick back with a beverage, chat to some like-minded music-loving lads and lasses and mentally prepare for my inevitable bumping in to such rock gods as Fray, Lightbody and R-Patz…it could happen!

My top three must-sees are Ellie Goulding, The Courteeners and Florence and the Machine, but also featuring highly on the list: The Temper Trap, Stereophonics, The Magic Numbers, Goldfrapp and Passion Pit. So I make a plea to the organisers of V; if you could keep the following acts separate, yet on nearby stages to prevent said gadding, that would be just swell…