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Saturday, 25 October 2014

RHODES

Last Monday I was lucky enough to go see Rhodes' FIRST gig on his HEADLINE tour!

Totally sold out, the gig was at Oslo in Hackney, London... and was rammmed with die hard Rhodes fans. I myself bought my ticket on pre-sale. Yep, I'm a Rhodes groupie #FanGirl. 


Butttt, it gets better... Good deed of the month (apart from helping an old man cross the road today...), gave my tickets to a guy and his girlfriend (who 'loves Rhodes!!!!') as I managed to get guestlisted under the BBC Three Counties banner, seeing as Rhodes is a Hertfordshire hero, from Hitchin more specifically... Woo go Beds, Herts and Bucks!, myself and Kelly were invited along.


Admittedly nervous, he began the set by telling us he kept thinking his flies were down (they weren't), but when he started singing, all nerves went out the window. The first couple of songs were sung solo and acoustically which had everyone holding their breath, it was really cool to be this close to someone who was just a few days before performing live on national television for Stand Up To Cancer. He then invited his band on stage for most of the rest of the set, which truly cemented him as a headline act, until the very last song which he performed on the keyboard, apparently performing that live for the first time... ever! exclusiveeee....


Set highlights of courseee have to be his latest release 'Breathe', and my all time favourite track of his (and the first one I heard from him) 'Your Soul'. You can catch a glimpse of his performances here:




He also announced a brand new date added to his tour: Tuesday 10th March 2015, so if you missed out this time round I'd get on that date ASAP, they are available: HERE.
We were also lucky enough to catch up with Rhodes himself at the end of the gig.. He was so modest that he asked if his performance was 'alright' afterwards... mental if he doesn't actually realise how awesome he is!

 
AND, we've been unofficially invited back to the last gig of his tour this year - which is sold out - Back at Oslo on the 7th of November... Hopefully that's not some sick joke because I will be there stood outside otherwise! 

Check him outttt:

Friday, 24 October 2014

TIP OF THE WEEK... FRANKLIN (keepin it local)

This week's tip of the week is a really exciting one for those who live in St Albans... As it's their home town.....  

Franklin has made the cut as this week's tip!



So I met Brandon and Alex, aka Franklin, at BBC Three counties last weekend and they performed a WORLD EXCLUSIVE for us, which was pretty special, a performance of 'Drain' - which you can catch a glimpse of that HERE.

But this week's tip of the week has to be their latest tune, which I've listened to non-stop on repeat for the past few days.. These guys really know how to work a harmony, and the layers of piano and guitar are put together perfectly! Gotta say I'm a big fan of lead vocalist, Alex's voice too... distinctly English and really nice to listen to (#FanGirling again!)

TIP OF THE WEEK: FRANKLIN 'Ghost'





Their next gig is their first since their summer tour, and I hear (from them..) that they have been working EXTRA hard on some new stuff which will be out next year... but if you wanna hear it first I'd get to The Horn in St. Albans on the 29th November (13 days after my bday) check out the FB event: HERE

They promise beer... and hopefully an in-tune guitar with no broken strings... !!

'Ghost' is available now here on: ITUNES

Check em out:


Stay Tuned.

JJI

Saturday, 18 October 2014

ELIZA AND THE BEAR // Pixel Fix // Lisbon

So Thursday night was AH.MAZING. I'd bought myself two tickets to go see Eliza and the Bear literally the second they went on sale. Is that lame buying two tickets for myself? No. That's the answer to that. Especially since LISBON were supporting (I'm a major Fan Girl and not afraid to show it!) andddd the lovely Pixel Fix who I had never seen live before.

After waiting for the gig for so long, I'm sad that it's now over, so here's a quick review of how it went! (Just tryna keep the tour alive here...)



LISBON


This was Lisbon's final gig supporting Eliza and the Bear, and as usual they gave a wicked performance! I'm a huge fan of these guys, they are from Whitley Bayyyyyy ... Geordie Land! (How I miss the Toon...) which is where I was introduced to them, first seeing them at Think Tank in Newcastle (actually supporting Eliza and the Bear..!) and then seeing them again in summer at Split Fest 2014 (you can catch a glimpse of that: here).

They kicked off the evening with 'Rio', and shed loads of energy, continuing to up the tempo alllll the way to 'Blue Love'. They even had my friend singing along who had never heard of them before, AND she said that they were her favourite act of the whole night - howay lads, they definitely owe me an interview after that!

Other set favourites included their latest single 'NATÏVE' 
and 'Liberty City' - which you can catch a snippet of here !

and oh my god 'Khaleesi' as well...! how could I forget?! Put it this way, they only have 3 songs available online (annoying)... and they have 10K twitter followers. They may have bought them. But I don't think they did. They're just ACE.
Myself and 3/4 of Lisbon... Where was Joe?

Check em out:


PIXEL FIX

So I'd never seen these guys perform live before, and if I'm honest, I think they were perhaps a bit of a step down from Lisbon... (bearing in mind I might as well have been wearing an I <3 Lisbon T-shirt - blue heart of courseee). But, I think they may have also had some volume issues during their set? Not entirely sure.

They have a very alternative almost emo vibe about them, which I really like, bringing the tone down and contrasting between both Eliza and the Bear and Lisbon's set which had a much more energetic atmosphere. I feel like they would have been appreciated a bit more if they were on first? Maybe I would have appreciated them more anyway, I know I'm a big fan of their stuff on record... I'll just have to go see them again another time I think!

Set highlight for me, has to be their track 'Lungs'.
You can catch a glimpse of their set: here!

Check them out:



ELIZA AND THE BEAR

In all their stunning, head-banging glory, Eliza and the Bear really hit the spot when they came crashing onto the set!!!! As I said before, I've seen these guys already at Think Tank in Newcastle and had had a really nice chat with lead vocalist James... Sadly he didn't remember me when I awkwardly told him we'd met before. Loser. Fan Girl. Same thing. Don't judge me.....

Anyway! They really didn't disappoint, and I think it got a tad emotional at one point when they said thank you for supporting them on their home turf... I've got to say it was really cool to be a part of it! The atmosphere during their set was buzzzzing, had us jumping and singing (badly) the whole way through, I didn't notice my feet hurting until the walk home...!

Particular highlights have to include singing along to 'Brother's Boat' really badly ( I've still got it stuck in my head 2 days later..) which you can catch a glimpse of: here. And an acoustic, stripped back track called 'Cruel' which you can catch a snapshot of: here!



AND Oh my days I'm so annoyed I didn't get one of their round neck jumpers.. !!!!! ERROR.

Their 'Light It Up EP' is now available on iTunes HERE.

Check them out:


NEXT GIG: MONDAY 20TH OCT -OSLO, LONDON
RHODES.

Stay Tuned. 

JJI

Friday, 17 October 2014

TIP OF THE WEEK. Marika Hackman. Just Yes.

It's that time of the week again for me to get my tips out... yahoooo


So, if you're musically uneducated like my brother, you might not have heard of her before... on the other hand, if you're into your fashion you may have brushed past her donning a Burberry bag. Or full blown outfit seeing as not only is she a ridonculouslyyy talented artist, she's also a Burberry model. Not jealous at all.

Marika very much reminds me of indie-folk band Daughter (a huuuuuuge favourite of mine), so if you like them, then you will be a big fan of the Hackman - WHO by the way, I just found out... self taught herself how to play all the instruments you hear on her tracks. Again, not jealous at all of her ridiculous creativityness.



SO. Marika Hackman has released justtt 3 days ago an absolute stunner of a track which is simultaneously uplifting and depressing - pretty much hit the nail on the head with everything you look for in a great song. Layers and layers of light and shade which ultimately come together to form an amalgamation of lovely sadness....


Tip of the Week this weeeek is: Marika Hackman - 'Drown'




As the first glimpse of her forthcoming debut album, 'We Slept At Last', Marika really has left us in eager anticipation.. However we won't be able to get our ears on that until February 16th, 2015. Can't decide whether I am/am not looking forward to listening to this post Valentines day..


'We Slept At Last' will be released Feb 16th, 2015.
'Drown' will be released on Dec 8th, 2014.

Check her out:

Twitter: @MarikaHackman
Tour Dates

Stay Tuned.

JJI

Monday, 13 October 2014

Crystal Seagulls Interview

 "Crystal Seagulls in itself means everything and nothing at all"
 "It's kinda like words that don't fit together, like the whole William Burroughs thing, like soft machine and naked lunch"

Last week, I was lucky enough to have a catch up with Crystal Seagulls just before they jumped on stage at the George Tavern... Here's how it went! 



Okay, so tell me about yourselves guys?

John: Yeah we're a rock band, we're based in London but we come from all over the country and tonight we're playing at the George Tavern!

WOO! & give us fun fact about yourselves....

Elz: My names Elz, I'm 5ft 8", and A fun fact about myself... I can sing the alphabet backwards in Arabic

Okay we might need to leave that til last, Actually no! Have a go now!

Elz: I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head - I can't do it

Jim: Make it up! No one will know.. (proceeds to pretend that he can speak the Alphabet backwards in Arabic...)

Oh wow you can do it?!

John: What did you say about my mum?! (lol) I'm John, I do some singing and I'm from Birmingham, and errr an interesting fact... I play the bass ermmm.. I dunno....I was in a car that nearly run over Danny Osmond, that was exciting.

Ah really, what was the situation there?! 

John: He just suddenly came out from behind a bus outside of like a posh hotel in Birmingham, and then nearly like, well my dad was driving the car and then he was just on the bonnet, and I was like that's f*ckin Danny Osmond and he was like sh*t you're right! He was alright about it, it was sorta like, it was his mistake...

Just a bit shaken? 

John: yeahhh, so my dad nearly killed Danny Osmond

Haha cool, nice claim to fame there!

Jim: My name's Jim, I play rhythm guitars, and do a little bit of singing. Err what can I say, I've got three pairs of leopard print socks, all of which are.. as raucous and ferocious as the last pair...

What about your drummer?

Jim: His names Ben and he plays the drums.

John: And he likes yaks milk.

I feel like I've kinda rumbled you here, I met Jim at BBC Three Counties Introducing which is meant to be a 'local' music show, but you're from all over the place! And Ben your local guy has gone walk about...

Elz: He's the guy who keeps it local to Hertford, because he's from Hertfordshire!

Cool, so wait where are you all from?

Elz: Cheshire

John: Birmingham

Jim: London!

John: We're mutually diverse...

So how did you all meet then? 

John: College! Music College, ICMP in Killburn

Was it good?

John: Was alright, met these lot so it can't be too bad! Yeah it was alright, me n him [Jim] were on the same course and you [Elz] were on the guitar or whatever, and Ben was doing drums... And yeah so we all just met at college.

So you kinda just formed?

John: Yeah it was a casual affair, And all these years down the line we're still going.

And how many years has that been?

Elz: Two years?

John: Two years

Alllll these years down the line...

John: Two longgg years

Jim: Alll these years..

John: Two long arduous years hahaa! Those grinding years... 

Elz: That's how close we are, feels like about 10 years, we're so tight

John: Yeah it does doesn't it

I know you must probably get this all the time, but what does 'Crystal Seagulls' mean? Was chatting to Jim earlier, and I think he mentioned you were being hashtagged in... what was it, a jewellery thing?

Jim: Oh no no. it was sexting... We were being hashtagged in sexting...

Oh what...

John: We're all about the sexy hashtags..

Jim: Crystal Seagulls in itself means everything and nothing at all

Elz: It's kinda like words that don't fit together, like the whole William Burroughs thing, like soft machine and naked lunch

John: What's that?

Naked Lunch? So like, opposites?

Elz: I wouldn't necessarily say opposites

Jim: It's an oxymoron

Elz: You're a moron!


Jade: I like that in a band. So how old are you guys? (Jade got to think of one question to ask the boys... Solid work)

Elz: I'm a fresh faced 22 year old

John: Not so fresh 25 year old.

Jim: 23 year old.

John: Ben's 14...

Jim: Ben's 14

John: He looks about 14...

Elz: We don't really know his age, he looks about 12

John: 14 and a half

Jim: 14 and three quarters

Ells: He looks like if Justin Bieber was on a come down....

Have you guys played at he George Tavern before?

Jim: Nope first time tonight!

Yeah we haven't been here before either, we thought it was some sort of run down place...

Jim: Yeah we thought it was closed, we thought we were going to get ambushed.

 

We got followed over here, I mean they might have been coming to the gig but, who knows...

Elz: Well you scared em off now!

John: Ya never know, they might have looked at you n thought sh*t they're gonna try and f*ckin mug me mate - 'The Ripped Knee Sisters' strike again! It's like a gang around here called 'The Ripped Knee Sisters'...

Well we did stand around outside for about 4 minutes coz we were early and I thought woah, no, we should be fashionably late... 




Okay so, what have you got lined up for the future?

John: Absolute world dominationnn! Nah just more gigs probably! We're gonna get our new material recorded by the end of this year

Jim: And have a video shoot

John: Video shoots coming up soon

Jim: Using zombie run

John: Yeah there's gonna be a load of zombies in it, it's gonna be like well scary and that.

You know what, one of the bands earlier looked like they could be zombies...

John: Yeah Sonitus!

I wasn't gonna name them! What are you gonna do for Halloween?

Elz: We're gonna play a gig!

Jim: Yeah we're playing a gig, we're playing Nightmare Festival in Camden, which is a bit like Camden Rocks, so all the venues are taken up in Camden and I think we're gonna be playing in Dingwalls, and apparently all the bands have to dress up in fancy dress

What are you gonna dress as? Are you gonna go as a themed thing?

John: Maybe, I wanna go as Marilyn Monroe.

Ells: I'm going as Snow White.

Jim: I'm going as Super Mario.

What! That's very eclectic...

John: We should all go as princesses!

Jim: We'll go as Disney Princesses...

Whaaat so Marilyn Monroe, Snow White and... Super Mario?

Jim: Yeah. either that or Golem.

I like it, and what about Ben your drummer?

John: Playboy Bunny

Jim: He'll go as what's her name, Nicole Smith... the one with really big boobs who died, something Nicole Smith who was on Naked Gun 3. That's Ben.

This must be like a pornstar we're missing out on... Anyway back to tonight! Do you have anything fun planned for the set?

Elz: We've got a tasty lil cover of a famous pop star called Jason Derulo

Niiiiiiiiiiice, LOVE Jason Derulo. What song?

John: Ah you'll have to wait and see...

Is it 'Trumpets'?

Elz: No. But it has got trumpets in it.... But it's not called Trumpets, we haven't got a trumpet though!


(In the end they did a wicked cover of 'Talk Dirty' which you can catch a glimpse of: here)

John's dad was also keen to give a quick review of the boys, have a listen (make sure to listen all the way to the end!): 





Ps. Sorry this took so long.. didn't think 8 mins of audio would take about 8 hours to type up - rookie!

 

Check em out:



Stay Tuned. 

JJI

Saturday, 11 October 2014

Tip of the Weeeek, & The Sony Xperia RCA Event

So this week I had to opportunity to go to the Sony Xperia RCA event at One Embankment along with the Renegade Music lot (privileges of being an intern there!).

Aside from the AMAZEBALLS canapes and champagne cocktails they had on offer - chicken satay, salmon and wild rice... but my personal fave - the mini burgers... There were some REALLY talented acts...

Amber Run

Amber Run has been a previous Tip of the Week of mine, in fact, they were my first ever official Tip Of The Week for my time on Spark Undiscovered a while ago now (with their track 'Spark'). So having the pleasure of seeing them live last Thursday opening the night made my choice for 'getting ma tips out' very easy.... Oioi! 

The drummers shirt was ACE. he said he had to step up considering this time people could actually see the him on set this time (his name's Felix too which also makes him super cool), I'm disappointed now I didn't get a pic of it, but it was bright and patterned. 'Nuff said. I also was lucky enough to receive a very nice hug from their pianist Henry, only to find he hugs like me - very over committed, but I'm told people like it, I know I did! (#FanGirling to the max...)

You can catch a glimpse of their opening track of the night here, which leads me to tell ya:
Tip of the Week THIS WEEK is: Amber Run 'I Found'

Taken from their Pilot EP, (which you can download NOW here). I absolutely fell in love with them Thurs night, and the fact that every single one of them can sing, and really put on a performance as atmospheric as that really wowed me. I think you can tell that they have been on tour and rubbing shoulders with Kodaline, and I also think they have elements of Bastille about them, but I reckon they are perhaps more timeless (dare I say it...) - so give em a listen!

You can find them on Twitter: @AmberRunUK
Or check out their website here: www.amber-run.com

 Laura Doggett




Laura Doggett took to the stage next with her very intense eyebrows and amazingly deep voice (very Hannah from London Grammar). With a name like 'Dogget', she was going to be unforgettable anyway... but I really couldn't take my eyes off her for the whole set, she looked great and her voice was stunning.

I particularly enjoyed her track 'Phoenix', which you can find HERE on her Soundcloud along with her other tracks.

Check out a snippet of her performance from the event: here
Her Twitter: @LauraDoggett







Nothing But Thieves


Nothing But Thieves closed the evening, and whilst Amber Run remain my favourite act of the night, lead vocalist Conor really caught me by surprise - whaaaat a voice!

I have to comment though, on the Simon Cowell inspired look going on with the buttoned down white shirt... I mean I'm all for the Cowell. But maybe not his style... Nevertheless, I'm a newfound big fan!

Check them out from last night: here
Their Twitter: @NBThieves
Andddd their website: www.nbthieves.com

 

And then at the #AfterParty at the Madrion Hotel ..... 

Had a drink or three with the Renegade team
Met Pro Green

And formed a band in the toilets with some Asian chicks.. #AsiaFantasia
NEXT GIG:16th October
ELIZA AND THE BEAR // LISBON // PIXEL FIX

Stay Tuned.

JJI

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Getting on 'The Scene' .... #HouseOfSavages

Last night was the launch night for House of Savages at the George Tavern 

First impressions: 

I mean... the outside looked like some dodgy derelict property... Not gonna lie, we stood outside in our uniform ripped jeans and fur gillets (note to gig goers:discuss what you are going to wear so as not to turn up wearing the same outfit as ya mate...#FashionFauxPas) for a good 4 minutes solid (it was raining) until we decided to venture in, but once inside, we found this sorta quirky, mismatched cosy hideout.. Wicked venue.

Dead Arms rock n rollllll

Kicking off the evening with a BANG was Dead Arms and by bang, yes, I mean LOTS OF NOISE. My notes read: verrrry passionate, not something I'd be able to sing on karaoke...! If you like your punk/rock moooosic, then you'd be totally into these guys! I was impressed with how they fit so much noise into one room..?!
My question is. How and when did front man Steve find out that he wanted to sing like that? Must get a sore throat.... Loved his beard though.

Check them out from last night here
Follow em on Twitter here!

Quote of the set goes to Jade, whilst losing her gig virginity, I think Dead Arms threw her a bit in the deep end...

"It's like he's being... Murdered..."

Good thing we had my Eats Everything ear plugs to protect our lil ears from getting tinnitus ! 
You can get some of your own here: Ear Peace

Next on the agenda: Sonitus

These guys were cool, comparatively soulful, but definite alternative rock! Their image is almost quite intimidating.... Oooh and vintage! But catching up with them after their set showed these East London guys to be pretty laid back. I think the stage may have been a bit small for them though, kinda looked like they were all lining up for something, obviously a lot more musically talented though than the average post office or bank queue..

Check out a glimpse of them performing last night here
And the rest of their tunes here!

3rd to play:Daniel Spinzer

Jake Bugg-esque, but this time on the keyboard and a lot less moody than JB when we chatted to him! Real quirky, this guy changed it up a bit by being solo on the stage... Lively and alternative, right up my street.

Check him out from last night: here
Check him out at danielspinzer.co.uk
Follow him on twitter: @danilespinzer

Penultimate Act:The Sirens


Penultimate act of the night, The Sirens, kept the energy flowing with with lots of guitar, heavy drums and great vocals from lead singer Josh Newton. Very Arctic Monkeys meets the Stone Roses... It's a shame the band name is so common, perhaps with a change of name these guys could be HUGE. - Don't worry had a chat with them, they mentioned there might be a change of name in the pipelines, I'm not just randomly dissing them!

Catch a snippet of their set from last night HERE.
Check out the rest of their music hereeeee
and their Twitter: @TheSirensUK

Headliner. Crystal Seagulls.

Okay, so no offense, but the real reason we were there was to see these guys, and I for one was not disappointed. As an already big fan of guys, I knew the music was going to be totally my taste, but seeing them perform live has officially sealed the deal - going to be a right stalker of the band now! (Sorry not sorry for all the retweets/favourites/likes/and instalikes you're going to get..!) I'd suggest 'Toe Tapper' to be renamed 'Feet Stomper' (if that didn't sound so aggressive) due to the reaction last night, as everyone was up on their feet dancing, 'Play Dead ' also had me singing a long, I wasn't word perfect. But. no one noticed so its all good, I probs will be soon though seeing as I managed to bag a free copy of the EP from them!

Check a snippet of 'Play Dead' from last night here.

I think one of the other highlights for me had to be the fact that they covered a Jason Derulo CLASSIC (check it out here) I'm no pop-princess... but I've got to say Derluo's my all time guilty pleasure, and CS's version of Talk Dirty was fabbbbbbbbbbbbb!

Had the chance to catch up with the boys just before they went on stage, so the interview will be uploaded shortly! (promise!) but I gots to be off to another gig tonight (just tryna get on the scene alrighttttt.. #GigHoe).


BUT. Crystal Seagulls are definitely the ones to watch, if they're ever gigging about your end DEFINITELY 100% go and see them, they're ace!





 Ps. Elliot's Pout - also the one to watch...

Overall I'd say House of Savages Launch Night = Indie Rock Success.

Stay Tuned.

JJI

 

Friday, 3 October 2014

Get Yer Tips Outtt...... what.

Tip of the Week! 

Okay so I may have stolen the whole 'get ya tips out' from my good friend George Shaw, he's a tipper from the new music blog ze Tipping point (click here to have a gander!), but I think it's all good because we did the most AMAZAZING show on Spark FM together called 'Spark Undiscovered' (still on with the G-man himself every Tuesday evening, 9-11pm - So check it out!) which showcases all the best new emerging artistes from far and wide.... and we used to each have a personal tip of the week (a very special and prestigious award to have....)

 
Check Out myself n George #Noodling on Undiscovered here..  

ANYWAY. back to the point of this post... So even though I'm not presenting Spark Undiscovered anymore doesn't mean I don't still get involved (just can't let go like that!), the last tip I sent over was none other than the talentteddd Josef Salvat with his brand-spankin'-new EP 'In Your Prime'. 



The whole EP is ace, but if I had to pick one... it would have to be 'Shoot and Run'. I think it's almost quite scary? (Not sure that's the right word) I mean sort of intimidating, goosebumpy n thrilling. Just check it out for yourself here on his soundcloud, you'll get what I mean!

Available on itunes HERE.
Check out his website http://www.josefsalvat.com/
His Twitter: @josefsalvat 
His Facebook: www.facebook.com/JosefSalvatMusic


Ps. Tip of the Week from my dad this week is:

 "Well if you're going to go shopping, make sure to take a shopping list... Or you will forget to buy the eggs. True story."

Stay Tuned.

JJI

Thursday, 2 October 2014

TODAY IS THE DAY.

HEY. So today is the day that I (finally) sit down and start this new thangggg...

I like new music/emerging artists and so I've decided that this is where I'm gonna share that.

SO.

I've got a few gigs in the diary lined up... 
Crystal Seagulls The George Tavern, East London (8th Oct)
Eliza and the Bear O2 Academy, Islington London (16th Oct)
Rhodes Oslo, Hackney London (20th Oct)

CRYSTAL SEAGULLS - 8/10/14

I met 1/4 of Crystal Seagulls, Jim Lawton, last Saturday at BBC Three Counties... Lavely guy (funny too!) and he invited me along to House of Savages first ever gig night at The George Tavern in East London next Wednesday - which is compleeeeetely free! (Not sure about you, but that fits my budget perfectly...)  

The line up looks like this:
Dead Arms
Daniel Spinzer
Sonitus
The Sirens
Crystal Seagulls

Times are: 6pm-11pm
Click here to check out their:

Their indie-rock boy bandish vibes are right up my street, can't wait to go see them live, should be good!

Gig review to follow, in the meantime I'll be memorizing the lyrics to their songs...

Stay Tuned.

JJI