shelleyhanveywriter's Blog

Josephine is a Manchester-based singer-songwriter, with a strong regional and celebrity following; Guy Garvey (Elbow) has named her as one of his top tips for future success. Josephine’s sound has been described as soulful and eclectic, with her single ‘A Freak A’ being a perfect representation of the genre. Speaking about the addictive track, she has said that:

(‘A Freak A’) is a celebration really, of understanding what you are and holding on to it…‘A Freak A’ is a way of saying we are all capable and allowed to be more than one thing.

Josephine is performing at Manchester’s first Lady Rock Festival on Saturday 26th May 2012 at the Rugby Club in Cheadle. The festival aims to ‘bring a bit of girl power back to the 21st century’ and will feature music, comedy and performance/participatory art across the site’s numerous, themed areas. Each and every one of the acts will be female (or female fronted). For more information and to buy tickets to the festival, please visit www.ladyrockfestival.com.

Amy MacDonald has announced details of her third album via her official website this week. The album, ‘Life In A Beautiful Light’ will be released on June 11th, 2012 and the first single will be ‘Slow it Down.’ MacDonald’s second, million-selling album, ‘A Curious Thing’ (2010) spawned five hit singles including ‘This Pretty Face’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over.’ MacDonald has been busy writing material for her third album over the past two years and if this new track is any indication, Amy fans are in for a real treat come summer.

The Temper Trap will release their second, self-titled album on May 21st, 2012 (UK), with the first single to be released being announced as ‘Need Your Love.’ The album will be released on May 18th, 2012 in Australia/NZ/Germany and June 5th, 2012 in the US/Canada. After enjoying an Easter weekend of Noriyuki “Pat” Morita’s finest work, I am simply delighted that the band has decided to take inspiration from The Karate Kid films for their latest music video. The premise of the video being; what would have happened had Johnny been taken under Mr Miyagi’s wing. “Sacrilege!”, I hear you yell; I concur, yet I greatly enjoyed the musical morbid curiosity.

On the strength of hearing the sublime synth sounds of ‘Lafaye’, I recently purchased School of Seven Bells’ latest album, ‘Ghostory‘. I can’t recommend the record enough. Every track is worthy of a single release and their sound is quite unlike anything that’s been doing the rounds over the past few years. Their sound thrills and throws you in equal measure; very much an assault on the senses and an adventure ride of an album. I have a couple of favourite tracks, one of those being, ‘Scavenger’. The band has announced a couple of UK dates over the summer and I am keeping my fingers crossed for one in the North West region. I include this track here as my personal recommendation for a potential hit single on these shores.

www.myspace.com/thisisjosephine / www.amymacdonald.co.uk / www.sviib.com / www.thetempertrap.com

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Newly reformed Irish indie-rockers, The Cranberries, have released their sixth studio album, ‘Roses’. ‘Tomorrow’ was the first single released from the record (November, 2011) and you can view the official music video below.  The 11-track album is now available to purchase worldwide. A deluxe edition also includes an additional live disc and expanded booklet. The Cranberries were the first indie rock band that I was introduced to as a teenager and subsequently grew to love. ‘Dreams’ and ‘Linger’ remain two of my all-time favourite Irish rock tracks.

Dolores O’Riordan’s vocals have matured over the years, without losing any of the trademark allure and delicacy. O’Riordan has said that the record is about relationships; romantic love and love in its other forms. Speaking about its first single ‘Tomorrow’, O’Riordan said:

…it’s about the way we sometimes hyper over-escalate things in our minds, overthink about things…when sometimes spontaneity and just jumping in is better. Tomorrow you might not have that moment back again.

Track listing: Conduct / Tomorrow / Fire & Soul / Raining In My Heart / Losing My Mind / Schizophrenic Playboys / Waiting In Walthamstow / Show Me / Astral Projections / So Good / Roses

www.cranberries.com

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I wonder whether the zany allure of Zooey Deschanel would win her hearts and a hypothetical place, on one of the many and varied TV talent shows of today? Surely her perfect musical pairing with M. Ward (Matthew Stephen Ward) would secure her a place through to the live shows, where we could become smitten with her beguiling glances and addicted to the indie angst that her voice exudes. I’m pretty certain that Deschanel would never and will never have to venture down the reality show route in any case, not least due to the success of her aforementioned band of two; She & Him.

After collaborating with Gary Lightbody et al on supergroup Tired Pony‘s debut album, She & Him return with a festive offering for their quirky Folk followers. ‘A Very She & Him Christmas’ was released on October 24th, 2011 in the US and is also available to purchase online. The 12-track covers record features such Christmas classics as ‘The Christmas Song’, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ and ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’, all performed with their trademark subtle wit and wonder. This record would be the perfect backdrop to your Yuletide merriment; light and carefree on the build-up, fast-paced fun when you hit your festive social stride, then rejoicefully reflective in its resolve.

It was Snow Patrol lead singer, Gary Lightbody, that gave me the title inspiration for this piece; I’ve seen the Irishman in somewhat of a deity capacity for several years now. I recently had a conversation about idols: what constitutes and typifies an idol, what makes someone an idol to one and a nobody to another and what would I actually say to one of my idols? For me, an idol is someone that I respect, who is possessing of qualities which I admire and aspire to have and typically, someone who I would be completely dumbfounded to meet in person. Lightbody encompasses all of the above in my case: he’s creative, intelligent, quick-witted, unassuming and Irish (a common theme in my idol rule book)…need there be any further criteria?!

Snow Patrol’s latest 14-track record, ‘Fallen Empires’ was released earlier this month and is currently continuing to reside in the top ten of the UK album charts.  The second single to be released from the album is ‘This Isn’t Everything You Are’ and it would be fair to say that I am rather taken with it. It is unequivocally Snow Patrol and Lightbody at their very best. Some of my best memories of a live show have been at Snow Patrol headline gigs and festival slots. The emotion of the lyrics and power of the band’s performance combine to produce something quite special. I can’t wait to hear the tracks from ‘Fallen Empires’ performed live early next year.

I have always preferred Marina & the Diamonds to Florence and the Machine; I find Marina’s voice more pleasing to hear, warmer and more emotive somehow. I can sense her passion when she performs, whereas I’ve always found the more abstract Welch to be trying that little bit too hard. A personal deconstruction, perhaps. Marina releases her second album in early 2012, which has been given the title, ‘Electra Heart.’ A demo has recently been released on her official website of a new single; ‘Starring Role.’ The follow-up to ‘Radioactive’; this track is perhaps more typically pop than her usual electro-pop offerings and I like it. I like it a lot.

I bought Lisa Hannigan‘s second album, ‘Passenger’ a couple of weeks ago and have been listening to it every day since. I have a couple of favourites, of which ‘Paper House’ is definitely one. I’ve always dreamt of moving to Dublin, living in an apartment and taking autumnal walks around Trinity College – perhaps one day I’ll get there, but for now I’m content to listen to Hannigan’s tale of similar surroundings and pursuits. If she is also looking for a lodger in said paper house, I am most interested…have ferry fare, will travel.

You will probably be familiar with the work of Christina Perri courtesy of previously mentioned tv talent shows; her hit single ‘Jar Of Hearts’ has been covered on both sides of the Atlantic recently. Perri is a 25-year old singer songwriter from Philadelphia who has only relatively recently rose to fame in the US, on the back of the single being aired on various hit shows on the Fox network. Perri released her debut album, ‘Lovestrong’ in May 2011 and has been compared to Folk favourite, Natalie Merchant.

Perri wrote a song for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn official soundtrack, entitled ‘A Thousand Years.’ The track doesn’t appear on ‘Lovestrong’  but gives listeners a good idea of ‘la douleur exquise’ to expect from Perri’s album of love and heartbreak. I think the music world will be seeing a lot more of Perri in the years to come.

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The 2011 UK Festival Awards were announced last night, in a suitably snazzy ceremony at London’s Roundhouse. There were a few surprises amongst the winners; perhaps a glimpse of the shift that’s set to come this year from folk choosing their festival allegiances more carefully, in light of the current economic climate. For me, size and status are irrelevant; if you have what I want, I’m there.

Following acclaimed performances at Glastonbury, Reading, Bestival and Jersey Live, Ed Sheeran was named ‘Best Breakthrough Artist’ (in association with Brothers Cider), beating off competition from Bruno Mars, Jessie J and The Vaccines.

‘Headline Performance of the Year’ (in association with Jagermeister) was awarded to Paolo Nutini at Latitude Festival, Nutini’s fellow nominees included Metallica, Magnetic Man and Chase & Status. Chase & Status didn’t go home empty- handed however, as they walked away with the award for ‘Anthem of the Summer’ for ‘Blind Faith.’

Rob Da Bank’s ever-popular Bestival was honoured in a new category for 2011: ‘Fan’s Favourite Festival’. This year, the festival welcomed some of the biggest names in music, consequently drawing the biggest crowds, and featured artists such as Bjork, The Cure, PJ Harvey, Brian Wilson and Public Enemy.

The awards for ‘Best Major’ / ‘Medium’ / ‘Small’ Festival, ‘Best Metropolitan’ Festival, ‘Best New’ Festival and ‘Best Family’ Festival were decided upon by a judging panel of journalists and reviewers. The winners included: ‘Best Major Festival’ (in association with The Ticket Factory) went to the godfather of festivals, Glastonbury, whose headline performances from Beyonce, U2 and Coldplay dominated our TV screens over the summer. ‘Best Medium-sized Festival’ was awarded to Secret Garden Party, which this year featured acts including Marcus Foster, Yasmin, Leftfield and Ghostpoet. End of The Road was awarded with ‘Best Small Festival’ (in association with Doodson); the North Dorset event featured live sets from Laura Marling, Joanna Newsom and Mogwai this year. This is definitely one which I would like to experience some time soon.

‘Best Metropolitan Festival’ was awarded to Sheffield’s Tramlines, which beat off competition from The Great Escape, Dot to Dot and Gaymer’s Camden Crawl.

‘Best New Festival’ (in association with Access All Areas) went to Wilderness, a new ‘celebration of the arts and outdoors’ in Oxfordshire, which The Observer described as a ‘bohemian haven’; Oxford and bohemian – sounds right up my street!  ‘Best Family Festival’ (in association with Showsec) was awarded to Beautiful Days.

‘Best Dance Event’ (in association with Peppermint Bars) perhaps predictably, went to Creamfields, with this year’s event featuring fan favourites Chemical Brothers, Katy B and Kissy Sell Out. I’m not sure that any other festival could beat Creamfields in this genre, there certainly does not appear to be any strong contenders to its crown at the moment. Croatia’s Outlook was honoured with ‘Best Overseas Festival’.

Finally, ‘Line-Up of the Year’ in association with XL Video was awarded to Sonisphere, for a staggering bill in 2011, which saw the Big Four – Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth unite for what was widely described as, ‘heavy metal heaven’.

Congratulations to all the 2011 UK Festival Awards winners and let’s hope that the 2012 season exceeds those highs and lessens the lows.

www.festivalawards.com / www.twitter.com/festival_awards

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Foster the People are an indie electronic trio, formed in Los Angeles in 2009. Taking their title from the surname of lead singer, Mark Foster, the band released their debut album ‘Torches’ early in 2011. The 10-track record is currently climbing the UK album charts, riding the success waves of debut single ‘Pumped Up Kicks.’ You will most likely recognise the track from a recent UK mobile phone advertisement, but it has also been featured on several Sci-Fi and cult TV channels.

The band is made up of Foster (vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar), Mark Pontius (drums and percussion) and Cubbie Fink (bass and backing vocals); don’t Americans just have the coolest names…no Brit could ever pull off Cubbie.

Likened to MGMT, Phoenix and Empire of the Sun; Foster the People seamlessly mesh the genres of indie electronic, dream-pop and neo-psychedelia to present a veritable patchwork prodigy and I like it, I like it a lot.

I have picked my favourite 4 tracks from the album and included samples below. These are: ‘Helena Beat’, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, ‘Waste’ and ‘Houdini.’ A perfect taster of the incandescence which awaits listeners on ‘Torches.’

‘Torches’ includes: Helena Beat / Pumped Up Kicks / Call It What You Want / Don’t Stop (Color On the Walls) / Waste / I Would Do Anything for You / Houdini / Life On the Nickel / Miss You / Warrant

www.fosterthepeople.com

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The aurora borealis (or the northern lights) is a natural light display in the sky, which occurs when energetic charged particles collide with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere of the northern latitudes. Iceland and Sweden offer several particularly stunning vantage points to see this phenomenon, but this isn’t the only glaringly bright light on the northern horizon…introducing Jonsi and Lykke Li.

Jonsi is a Icelandic singer-songwriter, most famous for his work with post-rock band, Sigur Ros. Taking the lead on vocals and guitar, Jonsi’s was the falsetto tone that typified the band’s sound and direction; not surprising therefore that he has taken with him many of the followers he has amassed since the band’s emergence on to the scene in 1992. You may be familiar with the track  above, ‘Around Us‘, which is taken from Jonsi’s debut solo album, ‘Go‘ (released in  the UK on April 5th, 2010).

Jonsi’s music does not enable a straightforward categorisation; it encompasses ambient, baroque pop, world fusion and post-rock, all the while delivering striking and evocative lyrical imagery that jumps off the page and in to your senses. Another one of my favourite tracks off the album would be ‘Animal Arithmetic‘; a more frenetic, fast-paced sound than many on the album, this track carries the listener off a dream-like journey across glacial pools, through dazzling lights and frozen landscapes. Definitely one for the repeat button.

‘Boy Lilikoi‘ is another track from the album which would slot perfectly and succinctly on to the soundtrack of any big-budget celluloid fantasy adventure and that it just might; Jonsi has recently written and performed the track ‘Sticks and Stones’ , for inclusion in a hugely popular DreamWorks cinematic animation.  ‘Boy Lilikoi‘ is uplifting, powerful and enchanting; the same can certainly be said of the album in its entirety.

Lykke Li is a Swedish singer-songwriter, currently enjoying huge success in America after several critically acclaimed live tv appearances. Fusing indie rock with electronica, Li manages to straddle several genres, committing to none,  with her intoxicating blend of raspy soul tones and sultry, yet strong feminist statements.

‘Love Out of Lust‘ is one of my favourite tracks from Li’s new album ‘Wounded Rhymes‘ (released in the UK on February 28th, 2011). The slow drum build-up to the astral chorus does just what it intended here – captivates and hooks the listener, leading them in to that trance-like state before sleep and awakening, between knowing and nothing. I also like the sentiment of romantic possibility about this track; love, too often rarely emerging from pure and carnal lust.

Continuing the strong, sexual theme, ‘Get Some’ was the first track to be released as a single from the album. The track features on a lingerie advert, which is slightly ironic, yet still manages to make sense. I love the addictiveness of this track, aided in no small part by those same heavy drums which form the main instrumentation throughout.

The latest single to be released from the album is ‘Rich Kid Blues.‘ A good example of the diversity shown on the record as a whole, this track leans towards a more indie-rock sound, with a few flecks of blues notes in there for good measure.  This track has been getting a lot of airplay at the moment, so you may be familiar, if not why not?! Definitely a sound for the – as yet non-existent -  summer of 2011.

Enjoy!

www.jonsi.com

www.lykkeli.com

2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize – nominations announcement

Lauren Laverne has officially announced the nominations for the 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, London.

The nominations are:

Adele – 21
Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi
Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys!
Everything Everything – Man Alive
Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam
Gwilym Simcock – Good Days At Schloss Elmau
James Blake – James Blake
Katy B – On A Mission
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine
Metronomy – The English Riviera
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Tinie Tempah – Disc-Overy

Critics are citing Adele and PJ Harvey as the front-runners of the competition and debate has already centred around whether a win for Adele would have any real impact for the artist; 21  has sold over 8 million copies worldwide since its release on January 19th, 2011. The Mercury Prize has always been considered to provide a huge platform for artists who perhaps might not have otherwise gained the recognition they deserve for their work; might it be said that Adele has surpassed such a point and therefore a win for her would be unfair to the other nominees, or should it be about the best album overall; musically and lyrically?

I would personally love to see Metronomy or Everything Everything do well here, but we shall have to wait and see. The awards ceremony takes place in London on September 6th, 2011.

Good luck to everyone!

shelleyhanveywriter.