We Have Band – Ternion

We Have Band - Ternion

By Rosie Duffield

In 2009 We Have Band played a small, non-descript bar on the Lower East Side of New York; a warm up gig for their forthcoming visit to SXSW. Second on the bill, their brash electro-pop blew the headliners out of the water and gained them new fans across the pond.

Their music was exciting, energetic and really well put together.  The songs they showcased that night went on to become their debut album, WHB, a collection of percussion heavy songs with intricate rhythms and catchy melodies like ‘OH!’ and ‘Divisive’.

… Continue Reading

Various Artists – The First Rock And Roll Record

VA - The First Rock And Roll Record

By Rosie Duffield

The origins of rock and roll are somewhat murky, and are the cause of many discussions amongst musos the world over.  Though not a definitive answer to the question “where did rock and roll begin?” The First Rock And Roll Record certainly takes in a cross-section of genres to help fuel the fire on that age-old question.

This isn’t a rock and roll record, despite its name – but don’t let that put you off.  What it is is an extensive collection of songs that might have had some influence on the rock and roll genre all those years ago.  The three CD collection opens with a song that is believed to be the start of it all; a barely audible, scratchy recording taken at a religious camp meeting in 1916.  It continues on with later tracks that were the first to mention the words “rock” and “roll” – and the results might surprise you. … Continue Reading

She And Him – A Very She And Him Christmas

She And Him - A Very She And Him Christmas

By Rosie Duffield

The lights are up in town, the shops are fully stocked and the ads have started on TV:  Christmas is well and truly on its way. Before you start getting annoyed with the same old festive songs being played out on the radio, She And Him have helpfully released their very own Christmas album to get you through the yuletide period.

And they don’t disappoint. Yes, ok, they have covered lots of those ‘same old festive songs’ – but of course they’ve put their own stamp of cool all over them. … Continue Reading

Summer Camp – Welcome To Condale

Summer Camp - Welcome To Condale

By Rosie Duffield

The majority of people who are familiar with Summer Camp have been waiting for Welcome To Condale with eager anticipation.  After several singles and an EP, their appetites are finally sated by a full-length album from the London based duo.

On first listen, Welcome To Condale seems like it could be the soundtrack to Footloose or The Breakfast Club (or any similar ‘80s teen flick), with its outpouring of romantic elation and disappointment against an electro indie-pop backdrop.  Apt then, that the press release describes the album in a very similar fashion. … Continue Reading

Noah And The Whale, Lincoln, Engine Shed

Noah And The Whale

By Rosie Duffield

October 21, 2011

Lincoln seems to be having a musical renaissance at the moment, with Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Katy B and Friendly Fires all having just, or just about to, hit the city’s music venues.  But though there are a wealth of acts visiting a place most people have never heard of, it didn’t stop the crowds venturing out to see Noah And The Whale last Friday.  Far from it, in fact, with Lincoln’s Engine Shed at capacity. … Continue Reading

Trophy Wife – Bruxism EP

Trophy Wife - Bruxism EP

By Rosie Duffield

Bruxism seems like an unlikely theme for an EP, but Oxford trio Trophy Wife have their reasons.

Each member of the band suffers from some sort of sleep disorder (bruxism being the habit of clenching teeth which usually occurs during sleep), and the tracks reference sleep and dreams as well as the often chemically induced moments in waking life that feel dreamlike. … Continue Reading

Nicola Roberts – Cinderella’s Eyes

Nicola Roberts - Cinderella's Eyes

By Rosie Duffield

Nicola Roberts has had a hard time in the spotlight.  Not originally chosen to be part of Girls Aloud, she suffered much public and media criticism – not only because of that, but because she was a shy, awkward teenager who let the other girls take charge in interviews.  Oh – and she’s ginger.

So when our favourite reality TV girl band decided to take a break, it was Roberts who decided to take a step back for a year or two, gradually emerging to launch a make up range (for pale skinned girls, naturally) and reinventing herself as a style icon (according to the women’s weeklies), before announcing her plans for a solo album. … Continue Reading

YACHT – Shangri-La

Young Americans Challenging High Technology – or YACHT as they’re better known – definitely went for the obvious when choosing their name.  The band, made up most of the time by Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans (occasionally expanding for touring purposes) make quirky electropop, and despite the name actually stemming from an educational programme Bechtolt went on at the age of 16, he’s certainly got the hang of using technology for musical purposes. … Continue Reading

Jamie Woon – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

7 June, 2011

Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms is quite a small venue, and with Jamie Woon selling out his only date in the city, the setting is intimate to say the least.  

… Continue Reading

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

The ironic thing about Born This Way is that Lady Gaga actually wasn’t born this way; that is, she wasn’t Gaga when she emerged from Mama Gaga.  Alright, Stefani Germanotta was a bit off the wall/quirky/whatever you want to call it.  But she certainly wasn’t as outrageous as her alter ego. … Continue Reading