Posts Tagged ‘Foals’
56th Ivor Novello awards – nominations just released and common sense has prevailed
The nominations for the 56th Ivor Novello awards have been released today and common sense appears to have been restored. After Lily Allen’s triple win last year, I found myself uttering my trademark catchphrase of late; “I’m lost, if I’m honest?!” There will no doubt be countless fans of Allen who agreed wholeheartedly with the judges’ choices, but I unfortunately was not one of them.
The Ivors are presented annually:
…to celebrate, honour and reward excellence in British music writing. The awards either celebrate artistic excellence in a specific work, exceptional performance figures in the award year or recognise the outstanding achievements of a particular songwriter or composer throughout their career.
There are seven categories in total, as well as a number of special prizes to be announced on the night (May 19th, 2011 at London’s Grosvenor House), that include: ‘International Achievement‘, Ivors Inspiration Award‘, ‘Outstanding Songwriter/s of the Year‘ and ‘Lifetime Achievement.’ The top songwriting gongs are:
‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically‘ (2010 Winner – Lily Allen, ‘The Fear‘)
The nominations are:
Villagers, ‘Becoming a Jackal‘, written by O’Brien, published by Domino Publishing Company.
Everything Everything, ‘MY KZ, UR BF‘, written by Higgs, Pritchard, Robertshaw and Spearman, published by Universal Music Publishing.
Foals, ‘Spanish Sahara‘, written by Bevan, Congreave, Gervers, Philippakis and Smith, published by Universal Music Publishing.
‘Best Contemporary Song’ (2010 Winner – Bat for Lashes, ‘Daniel‘)
The nominations are:
The xx, ‘Islands‘, written by Croft, Qureshi, Sim and Smith, published by Universal.
Katy B, ‘Katy on a Mission‘, written by Benga, Katy B and Geeneus, published by EMI.
Tinie Tempah, ‘Pass Out‘, written by McKenzie, Okogwu and Williams, published by EMI/Stellar Songs Ltd.
‘Album Award‘ (2010 Winner – Paolo Nutini, ‘Sunny Side Up‘)
The nominations are:
Bombay Bicycle Club, ‘Flaws‘, written by Jack Steadman, published by Imagem Music.
Everything Everything, ‘Man Alive‘, written by Higgs, Pritchard, Robertshaw and Spearman, published by Universal.
Plan B, ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks‘, written by Benjamin Drew, published by Universal.
For more information on the other award categories, please visit www.theivors.com
I have a few favourites amongst these and it is very pleasing to see a bit of folk-rock included in the proceedings; Villagers and Bombay Bicycle Club would be my top choices, so I shall have everything crossed for Conor and the boys on the night itself.
That is all 🙂
2011 UK Music Festivals; what constitutes a headline-worthy artist?
I think we’ve pretty much seen the majority of what the UK Music Festival scene has in store for us this year, but I’ve had cause to wonder; what constitutes a headline-worthy artist? Are record sales the main criterion; perhaps international or tabloid appeal, or could it be something else?
It has always been my opinion that those festivals which consistently perform well with ticket sales, are those which have a clear brand identity and generally, a niche market; Leeds and Reading Festivals, Cambridge Folk Festival, Glastonbury and T In The Park being prime examples. I suppose it isn’t rocket science really – if you cater to a specific section of the gig-going public, provide the artists and bands that they want to see, at a price they can afford, how can you go wrong? But so many appear to do just that. Looking at some of the festival line-ups for 2011, I’ve felt largely underwhelmed and uninspired, with only a select few pricking my curiosity to find out more. Admittedly, music tastes are subjective and entirely personal to the ticket-holder, but when the ‘big five’ (V Festival, Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Reading Festival and T In The Park) music festivals in the UK are charging relatively similar weekend prices, how can a couple of them defend their line-ups against their peers?
Of course, a music festival is about much more than just the music; the location has to be just right, as well as: accessibility, on-site facilities, entertainment, catering, toilets, general crowd atmosphere and the list goes on. Can a perfect ten in all of these criteria however, really make up for a poor line-up? Is a great festival weekend about who you’re with, not where you are; would you trade six good medium-stage acts for one great main stage act?
The UK Festival Awards 2010 announced the following winners late last year:
Best Small Festival in association with Doodson Entertainment – Kendal Calling
Best Medium Festival in association with Smirnoff Flavours – Green Man Festival
Best Major Festival in association with Tuborg – Bestival (see photo above)
Line-Up of the Year in association with XL Video – Rockness
Bestival is a boutique music festival, which takes place at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight. The four-day spectacular which promises to inspire ‘peace, love and dancing’, is curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Rob Da Bank. This year, the festival takes place on the 8th – 11th September 2011 and is set across 15 stages, offering the likes of The Cure, Pendulum, Primal Scream, Kelis, Robyn, PJ Harvey, Noah and the Whale, The Unthanks and Groove Armada. It would be fair to say that the line-up is a mix of folk fusion and boutique chic and the festival site promises ‘an original boutique camping experience, cocktail bars, fancy dress and a hidden disco.’ I think the fact that the festival has always promoted itself as being particularly family friendly hasn’t hurt; children enjoy music too, it isn’t all about the beer tokens people! To find out more about Bestival, please visit the link below.
Green Man Festival takes place on the 19th-21st August 2011 (the same weekend as V Festival, but tailored to an entirely different audience) in the Brecon Beacons. The festival is aimed specifically at the folk and electronic indie- loving public and again, is very welcoming to families with children of all ages; indeed, under 12s get in free. Highlights on the line-up this year include: Fleet Foxes, The Low Anthem, Bellowhead, Explosions In The Sky, The Burns Unit and Villagers. I think that I would enjoy this particular festival; I love folk and electronic music and I love a beautiful scenic environment in which to camp and lounge. To find out more about Green Man Festival, please visit the link below.
Kendal Calling takes place on the 29th-31st July 2011 in Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District. This is an independent festival, combining contemporary music and art with rural entertainment. I think it would be a fair assumption to say that this festival largely caters to a somewhat younger demographic than the former two; particularly with regards to the line-up, which this year includes: The Cribs, Blondie, Chase and Status, Echo and the Bunnymen, Levellers and Young Knives. The festival also offers dance, comedy and new music stages. For more information on Kendal Calling…you know what to do.
Out of the ‘big five’ headlining acts this year, my favourite would have to be Glastonbury (22nd-26th June 2011): Coldplay, U2 and Beyonce. The brilliance of these choices lies in the fact that there will probably be something for everyone here. The acts are diverse enough to attract wider audiences, yet remain true to what a great headliner should be – an act that commands your attention, whether that be by dividing the audience right down the middle or uniting everyone with one memorable anthem that will go on to sum up the entire weekend.
Taking in to account the line-up in its entirety however, I would have to opt for Latitude Festival as my favourite(14th-17th July 2011). The mix of folk, electronica, comedy, poetry and the spoken word could have been tailored specifically with me in mind. I would pay to see the majority of the acts on the billing, including: The National, Bombay Bicycle Club, Caribou, The Duke and the King, Foals, Hurts, KT Tunstall and Rumer , as well as the fantastic stand-ups on offer including Alan Carr and Omad Djalili . Plus it also takes place on my birthday weekend!
Whichever UK festival you choose to visit this year, I wish you good weather and great memories 🙂
www.festivalawards.com / http://www.vfestival.com/ / http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ / http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/ / http://www.leedsfestival.com/ / http://www.readingfestival.com/ / http://www.tinthepark.com/ / http://www.greenman.net/ / http://www.bestival.net/ / http://kendalcalling.co.uk/ http://www.rockness.co.uk/
Esben and the Witch; perfect sounds for the spooky season
Esben and the Witch are Rachel Davies, Daniel Copeman and Thomas Fisher; and together they form an indie rock outfit with more thrills and squeals than the whole of the spooky season.
Having supported the likes of The Big Pink, The xx and Foals; the Brighton trio have also just been nominated for a Q Award as the “next big thing.” Listening to their dark and dangerous take on modern indie-electronica, it isn’t difficult to figure out why.
The lead single from their recently released EP of the same name, ‘Marching Song’, is accompanied by a slightly disturbing yet impossible to avert your eyes from, music video. The track could easily be placed on any of the current high drama and high gloss teen vampire outings, with its supernatural synth sounds and blood lust imagery. I predict big things for this track, with an album being tentatively scheduled for early 2011.
Another track which I have taken quite the shine to is ‘Corridors’, taken from the band’s debut EP, entitled ’33’, which was released in 2009. Davies’ vocals penetrate the heart of every track and it is clear to see that her vision and musicality are a major driving force in the band.
I decided to do a bit of research in to the band’s name, finding it both quirky and intriguing. ‘Esben and the Witch’ is actually the name of a Danish fairytale, which very roughly goes as thus…A farmer has several sons and he sends them out with money and horses to seek their fortune. The youngest of the sons, Esben, is left out of this money and horse-giving and you quickly deduct that he is rather the black sheep of the family. He therefore strikes up an unusual and never properly explained love-hate relationship with a witch who lives nearby. He accepts several tasks and challenges from the King, all in order to save the lives and reputations of his brothers, which all involve him stealing from the witch. The witch gets mighty miffed after a while and kidnaps him, planning to fatten him up and roast him for dinner. ..still a children’s fairytale, you ask? Anyhoo, he falls in love with the witch’s daughter or she falls for him, one or the other, and he manages to get away and the King releases his brothers and they all return home to Father, praising Esben for being their saviour. I’m not entirely sure what the moral of the story is; perhaps not to miff off a witch? Witches have feelings too? Don’t take your brother for granted? But, I digress.
‘About This Peninsula’ is also taken from the ’33’ EP and is another of my favourites on the record. I look forward to hearing more from this band on a forthcoming album.
2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist; hooray for Folk!
2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize – shortlist announced today (July 20th, 2010)
Well the Mercury Prize shortlist has been announced today and I am delighted to see 3 folk artists/bands in the line-up; those being Laura Marling’s ‘I Speak Because I Can’, Villagers’ ‘Becoming a Jackal’ and Mumford & Sons’ ‘Sigh No More.’ The full list is below:
Biffy Clyro, ‘Only Revolutions’
I Am Kloot, ‘Sky At Night’
Dizzee Rascal, ‘Tongue N’ Cheek’
Paul Weller, ‘Wake Up the Nation’
Corinne Bailey Rae, ‘The Sea’
The xx, ‘xx’
Villagers, ‘Becoming a Jackal’
Kit Downes Trio, ‘Golden’
Foals, ‘Total Life Forever’
Laura Marling ‘I Speak Because I Can’
Wild Beasts, ‘Two Dancers’
Mumford & Sons, ‘Sigh No More’
With a talent for poetry and lyricism far beyond her tender 20 years; Laura Marling is well respected in both folk and wider contemporary circles. This, her second album, was released in March 2010 and peaked at number 4 in the Official UK Chart and number 1 on the iTunes UK Chart. The album has produced two singles thus far; those being ‘Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)‘ and ‘Devil’s Spoke.’ These just happen to also be two of my favourite tracks from a genuinely striking and sublime record.
Villagers are an Irish indie-folk band, hailing from Malahide in Dublin. This, their debut album, was released in May 2010 and immediately topped the Irish Albums Chart and the Irish Indie Albums Chart. Lead singer Conor J. O’Brien is widely respected and lauded for his songwriting, musicality and influence amongst his peers. O’Brien’s music has been described as drawing inspiration from dark imagery and by romanticising the mundane aspects of life. Definitely a wordsmith to note for the future.
I think most people will have heard of Mumford & Sons at this point; regardless of whether they happen to be a fan of folk music. This, their debut studio album, was released in October 2009, peaking at number 6 in the Official UK Charts in July 2010. The album has since been certified Platinum in the UK and has produced the following hit singles, ‘Little Lion Man’, ‘Winter Winds’, ‘The Cave’ and ‘Roll Away Your Stone.’ Continuously sold out shows confirm the band’s popularity both at home and abroad. I would be surprised if this band weren’t judged to be in the top 3 of those shortlisted; but then again, I fear other factors come in to play with these commercial prize-giving ceremonies; I still haven’t got over Lisa Hannigan not walking away with the award for ‘Sea Sew’ last year.
Still, us folk fans can dream and hope, hope and dream; I think these three are worthy winners but would like to have also seen Richard Hawley’s ‘Truelove’s Gutter’ and Noah and the Whale’s ‘The First Days of Spring’ nominated. But, you can’t have everything.
shelleyhanveywriter 
