Down the RabBit Hole
Issue 8 1st february
contents Editor’s Note A new month means a new E-Mag! This month’s E-Mag is full of new content including ‘Top 10 Albums Turning 10’, ‘Top 5 Albums I Discovered in 2016’ and ‘Upcoming Tours’. We also have interviews with Jack Parker and Charlie Tophill, as well as a review of the new David Bowie EP, and a review of the new Netflix hit, ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’. We hope you enjoy our new content in this issue, and we look forward to sharing more new content in future issues! Happy Reading, Editor, Rachel Colley
Interviews: Jack Parker - 4-7 Charlie Tophill - 20-23
Reviews: Dawid Bowie - 8-9 Run the Jewels - 24-25 A series of Unfortunate Events - 36-39
Articles: Top 10 Albums turning 10 - 12-15 Top 5 Albums discovered in 2016 - 26-29 Top 5 of Jan - 34-35
Artist in Review: Haley Blais - 31 Laurel - 31 Dodie - 31-33 Pura Vida - 33
Interactive Page - 10-11 Upcoming Tours - 16-19 Gig Guide - 40
Albums Goldblume – ‘Go Figure’ Out Now GagReflex – ‘A Mouth Full of Marbles’ Out Now
EP’s The Borgias – Out Now Midnight Runaway – ‘Inaugural’ Out Now Seasons Hollow – ‘To Suffocate Silence’ Out Now Will Hawkins – ‘Statues’ Out Now Viktor – N/A Out Now MUX – ‘Can You See Who?’ 24th February
Singles Chris Jelavic – ‘Dance Go’, Out Now Glass Peaks – ‘Speak and Spell’ Out Now Ryan Webb – ‘Lucky Ones’ 21st February
Jack Parker I picked up the guitar when I was 13 and started writing songs a couple of months after that. At the time Ed Sheeran was a huge influence for me and I felt like if I wrote enough songs I might reach the same level. My songs were terrible to begin with and I rarely performed any of them live! Eventually they began to improve and I released a small EP when I was 15 called “Scissors and Glue”. You released your first album ‘Love Like Her’ in 2015. When did the idea for this album come about? After my “Scissors and Glue EP” I knew
that I wanted to record an album, mainly to understand what goes into it. Having to create the CD design, recording and mixing it myself and getting it on ITunes and Spotify was a huge learning curve for me. At the time I was writing a lot of songs and it seemed like the next best move. You’ve listed influences such as Ed Sheeran and George Ezra. Did these inspire the sound of your album? Ed Sheeran’s music really got me into the world of writing and performing so I think his sound has had a huge impact on my album and no doubt in my future music.
Quick Fire: Favourite album?
“+” Ed Sheeran
Best gig you’ve played?
I supported Calum Scott at St Stephen’s Christmas Lights Turn On in 2015 and the crowd was huge!
Next release date?
Summer
When are you next going to be playing in York?
I’ve not got any dates set for York just yet but I’ll be around a lot of the open mics.
Biggest musical influence?
Ed Sheeran (haha think there is a theme here)
I actually discovered George Ezra a few months after I’d released my album and I absolutely love the laid back atmosphere of the album. Which genre do you think is more dominant in your music? The pop side definitely dominates! I’m a little bit folky but after seeing some real traditional folk at festivals and open mics it’s whole different world that I’m just beginning to explore. You played at Yor Fest 2016. How was the energy of the festival?
YorFest was great! It’s the first festival I’ve played in York and it was brilliant! The atmosphere and energy there was just perfect, it was really relaxed but everyone was still up for getting involved. Really fun! Have you played anywhere else in York? What are your favourite memories of playing in York? I’ve played a few times in York but my favourite time was this one night at Dusk. I remember halfway through my set this one man, dressed in a full suit and tie, completely drunk started singing at the top of his lungs “Oh sit down, oh sit down!”
Jack Parker I remember trying not to laugh whilst singing a very meaningful love song. I was genuinely impressed with how he maintained his own tempo and key despite the song I was singing though haha!
biggest difference was the weather; it was just so warm and sunny. It had a big effect on the audience; everyone was relaxed and just in a really good mood all the time!
You’ve recently played in Mallorca. How different was it to playing in the UK?
Is there anywhere you’d really love to play nationally or internationally and why?
It was amazing! It was such an incredible experience, I’d love to go back and play again! Playing in a different country was very surreal and it only really hit home when I started playing. All I could think when I was singing was “Oh my god I’m playing in Mallorca this is crazy!” The
I’d love to play in Japan, it sounds like such an amazing place. New York would be a great place to play, I just feel like it would be a huge achievement to get my music that far. And definitely Nashville, just to go there and soak up as much country music as I can before I pass out haha!
If you could change your current sound to anything else what genre would it be and why? Haha that’s a tough question. I’d probably have a go at blues, just to see if I have any ‘bluesiness’ in me haha! Plus you can get away with a lot of it on just guitar and vocal so I’m halfway there! If you were ever given the chance, which artists would you love to sing live with and why? James Bay would be a lot of fun to perform
with I think, love the contrast in his songs from “Let It Go” to “Hold Back The River”. It’d also be great to perform with Seafret, they’re an amazing band and we grew up in the same town! Finally, 2017 has quickly come up on us all. Are there any big plans for yourself that you’d like to share with our readers? 2017 is going to be crazy! I’m performing in Ibiza in April and my EP is going to be released early this summer so it’s a very exciting time!
David BOwie I always find it a bit eerie when albums are released from beyond the grave. These posthumous releases often feel like reading a book the author never wanted published. But Bowie always had such clear assertion of his goals and intentions. Surrounding his passing, the release ‘Blackstar’ made clear references to his ill health – ‘look up here, I’m in heaven’. The EP ‘No Plan’ is no different. Coinciding with what would’ve been Bowie’s 70th birthday, the four track EP quietly arrived at one minute past midnight – quickly reaching over 500,000 views in 24 hours. Each song on the EP was part of the musical ‘Lazarus’, written
by Bowie and based around the film ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’, which he famously starred in. The album opens with ‘Lazarus’, familiar to most from ‘Blackstar’. The song is wonderfully dark, and although Bowie’s voice has clearly matured, it has done so beautifully. Strings and brass instruments create a strange foreboding; the songs repetitive chords are dark and strong. To me, this song will always speak of Bowie’s acute self-awareness. The EP’s title track, ‘No Plan’, is perceivably innocent. The song is gentle and slow,
featuring jazz elements, which build up towards the end of the track. Bowie sings, ‘There’s no music here, I’m lost in screams’, and goes on to state ‘here is my place, without a plan.’ ‘Killing a Little Time’ features heavy electric guitar – reminiscent of Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of The Worlds’ soundtrack, and perhaps accordingly so given the musical’s intergalactic context. This track is an example of the Spaceman in his prime. Ben Brantley described ‘Lazarus’, the musical, as having ‘ice-bolts of ecstasy shoot like novas through [its] fabulous muddle and murk’. Listening to this EP, I couldn’t agree more.
The final track, ‘When I Met You’, features strings morphing slowly into a regular chord structure. Lyrics create layers over one another, and the song picks up heightened levels of drama. Bowie sings, ‘it’s all the same, the sun is gone, it’s all the same’, and marvels on the meeting of someone who has changed perceptions of the world for him. As you may expect, I am rating ‘No Plan’ as 10/10 – Bowie’s music has, and always will be, of unique standing.
top 10 albums turning 10 in 2017 2017 is going to be a big year for music, with new music on the way from lots of artists such as Royal Blood, Gorillaz and Ed Sheeran (just to name a few). So, to celebrate all the new upcoming music, I thought we would look at 10 albums that are hitting double figures this year! This is in no particular order, simply because I can’t decide which one is best.
In Rainbows – Radiohead Released: October 10th Highest chart position in UK: 1 Radiohead have brought out many brilliant albums. This album was my first full listen to a Radiohead album; beforehand I had only listened to singles. With a lot of heavy moments twinned graciously with gorgeous sounding slow points of the album, it’s amazing how vibrant it sounds. Radiohead is such a big band, and every album they have released has been a hit in my mind. It’s hard for me to choose a favourite Radiohead album, but In Rainbows is definitely up there!
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace – Foo Fighters Release date: September 25th Highest chart position in UK: 1 Foo Fighters are easily one of my all time favourite bands, with every album the band release being a hit for so many different reasons. But Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace has slowly evolved into one of my favourite albums. At first I didn’t like it, as it felt out of place with its heavily acoustic sound. But the more I listened, the more I understood the genius behind this album. With its big hits being The Pretender (which is easily one of their defining songs) and Long Road To Ruin, it’s easy to see why it’s a brilliant album. Plus I feel that it has aged very well!
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Underclass Hero – Sum 41 Released: July 18th Highest chart position in UK: 46
Riot! - Paramore Release date: June 12th Highest chart position UK: 2
Sum 41 had seemingly lost their way with hits by this point, with only the odd songs making an appearance in places, luckily though, 2007 was when I started looking for new music and broadening my music taste. Sum 41’s massive hits back in 2001 made me look for their new stuff, which incidentally included this album! To me, its marked as an album that has defined me since I listened to it, and to this day is still my favourite Sum 41 album. With political statements, heavy guitars and songs easy to head bang to, as well as heart wrenching songs that really make you think, this album is definitely worth a listen.
This album really thrusted Paramore into the limelight for the first time. The first time I listened to this album I knew how brilliant the it was, with so many songs that really defined what being a teenager was like. Even now though I still see it as an album that defined my teenage years. With so many memories of this album, both good and bad times, it’s hard not to see it as one of the most memorable albums for me. From start to finish its full of energy and emotion which is why I think everyone should go back and listen.
top 10 albums turning 10 in 2017 Minutes To Midnight – Linkin Park Release date: May 14th Highest chart position in UK: 1
Infinity On High – Fall Out Boy Released: February 6th Highest chart position in UK: 3
Linkin Park’s first two albums have a particular sound, which came to define them, Minutes To Midnight completely turned that on its head with its softer sound and a more serious, grown-up tone. The album to me was amazing, with songs such as What I’ve Done, Bleed It Out and The Shadow Of The Day really changing what Linkin Park’s sound should be. They still have a relatively similar sound with their tracks Given Up and No More Sorrow taking up their loud, in your face sound.
Easily one of my favourite albums by Fall Out Boy, with songs such as Thnks fr th Mmrs, The Take Over, The Breaks Over and Thriller. It had some really well written and popular songs. 2007 was also back when ‘emo’ was one of the leading genres of music, which Fall Out Boy fitted perfectly, and really helped further define the sound. Overall the album has moments that make you just want to sing till your throats give out, as well as some very relatable messages.
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Puzzle – Biffy Clyro Released date: June 4th Highest chart position UK: 2 Biffy Clyro is easily my favourite band, so it was pretty obvious I was going to throw this album in... It was their first release under a major label and it pushed them straight into the mainstream with songs such as Who’s Got A Match, Semi-Mental, Saturday Superhouse. You wouldn’t think an album that deals with death and depression to be such a happy sounding album on the surface, the more you listen, the more you understand the full message in the songs and the respect for what the album is about rises.
Yours Truly, Angry Mob Kaiser Chiefs Release date: February 26th Highest chart position UK: 1 Kaiser Chiefs are one of the most well-known bands of the noughties, with their first two albums being two of the most memorable, the second one (Yours Truly) is easily the one most people remember, with it hosting the biggest hit they’ve ever wrote, Ruby. Don’t worry, the rest of the album was brilliant too, with songs such as Everything Is Average Nowadays and Loves Not a Competition, you can see why this album sold so well.
Upcoming Tours Seasick Steve 10CC 22/4/2017 – O2 Academy, Leeds The blues lives on with this fellow! After over 50 years of working whatever he could find (migrant worker or farm labourer) and working on the side as a session musician and engineer, he finally achieved his breakthrough success in 2006 at the Jools Holland show. Ever since, Seasick Steve is a blues favourite all over the globe, especially the UK. Playing his little hand-built guitars to thousands of people and still giving one amazing performance, Seasick Steve is an artist not to miss.
31/3/2017 - York Barbican, York
10CC are an exquisite band. With a career spanning over 40 years, the band managed to keep relevant through thick and thin. With hits such as “Donna”, “Dreadlock Holiday” and “I’m Not In Love”, 10CC can’t disappoint.
Iron Maiden
Amy Macdonald 29/3/2017 – York Barbican, York
One of the pioneering groups of heavy metal. Black Sabbath and Dio might be the godfathers of Metal, but they are one of the groups that made that genre even more amazing. Following the inclusion of Bruce Dickinson in early 80’s, the band ended up reaching international stardom, and metal was never the same. They are known for their lengthy, detailed, and artistic concerts, bound to make sure no one will regret the decision to see them perform live.
This experienced yet young musician is coming York. With her success as a singersongwriter and the amazing debut album ‘This Is The Life’, Amy Macdonald has a wonderful repertoire of music for anyone to enjoy. Supporting the release of her next album ‘Under Stars’ (Release 17th February), Amy Macdonald is sure to please!
11/5/2017 - First Direct Arena, Leeds
Upcoming Tours Sum 41 Bruno Mars 26/2/2017 – O2 Academy, Leeds 5/3/2017 – First Direct Arena, Leeds From Canada to the UK, the band that found their success with their debut album ‘All Killer, No Filler’ and their best-selling single to date “Fat Lip”, is touring within your area – almost. Leeds is the closest destination to York, but I’m sure that any true fan of Sum 41 would travel miles to see their favourite Pop-Punk band.
From the “Lazy Song” to “Billionaire”, Bruno Mars is a chart topper favourite. Having collaborated with an impressive array of musicians from Beyoncé to Coldplay, Bruno Mars is sure to entertain the crowds. If you’re a fan of Bruno Mars, Leeds is the place for you on the 5th march.
The Lauren Housley Band Mike + The Mechanics 24/3/2017 – Scarborough’s Top 17/2/2017 – York Barbican, York Secret Blues Festival Adored and loved by the radio and recommended by personalities such as Chris Evans and the late Terry Wogan, Lauren Housley has the blues and she’s ready to play them. Headlining the Scarborough’s Top Secret Blues Festival, she’s bound to entertain.
From the powerhouse group that’s lead by the former lead guitarist of Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics are back on the road. The band never fails to disappoint, and with an immortal hit such as “The Living Years”, this band is surely going to give one amazing performance – as always.
Charlie Tophill Well, it began when I was about 16, and was in a group with my two sisters. We were singing sisters playing around with old country tunes in three parts. That was really fun, but then I moved out of my home town and for a long time afterwards I sang as a backing singer in a few different bands. I’ve been writing my own songs since my Spice Girls fan days, way back when, and so I always had my own music to perform, it just took me a while to get there. I’ve been playing my own songs for a couple of years now.
What would you say your genre influences are? I definitely come from a fairly folky background, but I’ve picked up a lot of other favourites over the years so there’s quite a mix to it. Are there any bands from Kent that you believe deserve more spotlight? When I was very young I don’t think that there was much going on in Deal, but then the scene suddenly blossomed when I was in my late teens. I think people had become fed up with sitting on the beach drinking
Quick Fire: Favourite album? Can I say two? Always my favourite: Beatles, Help. My favourite right now: Generationals, Actor-Caster Best gig you’ve played? Singing with Curtis Eller’s American Circus in Innerleithan, Scotland Biggest musical influence? Too hard to answer. When are you next going to be playing in York? When I get back from Madrid I hope. Next release date? Soon!
tinnies with nothing else to do, and so this DIY music scene sprung up and suddenly there were gigs going on all the time, new acts on the scene and people putting loads of effort in to bring this small town out of the doldrums. I didn’t realise it at the time but I was really lucky to be just getting into music at that point, because I had a platform to perform and there were loads of other people doing it together, at the same time. What venues in your hometown have you enjoyed going to or playing at? I always enjoy the Astor Theatre. It’s an
old fashioned proscenium deal with red velvet curtains and an old time feel. It was essentially obsolete until the late noughties, when there was a big drive to refurbish and open it as a community Theatre. I did my first gig in the little room above the main atrium- a money raiser for the refurb project, so it’s a reciprocal history that we share, the Astor and I. What were the challenges that you faced with recording ‘Cheap Wine’ and ‘The North Side’? Well, the main difference was that the North Side took an hour or so, while
Charlie Tophill Cheap Wine took forever. I was travelling between Kent and York to record it so it was a very, very slow process. It was amazing fun though, collaborating with Bradley Blackwell (York bass-man) and Isaac McInnis (from Crooked Room Studio). I’m used to doing my music alone, and I assumed I preferred it that way but having other people on board turned out to be incredibly inspiring. Which tracks were your favourite to play live and why? What was the experience like to that of recording in a studio? I did a live recording for York University
Radio, which was fun. I enjoy live recording for the energy that you get to put into it. In the studio I can sometimes get carried away with the composition- writing is the most important part for me- but when it’s live you just have to forget all that and do it. Think less, enjoy more. Have there been any places that you would love to visit again that you have busked at previously? I’ve been busking for ages now. My best experience was a busking holiday I went on with my sister a few years ago. We travelled West in a beat up old car called Little
love, and so I would pretty much love to sing harmonies with absolutely any artist that I am into. Odds are if I like the song I’ve got all the parts figured out already. I think Sharon Van Etten and I could probably get something good going, but failing that I’d like to do some writing with my mate Nancy, from back home. We’ve been threatening to do it for a while now but we’ve not gotten round to it- yet. Besides the songs that you have released, are there plans of recording future songs, or perhaps an EP? All being well, the songs I’ve already recorded will be available online very soon. Following that I’m planning to start doing some more recording too. I’m living in Madrid at the moment and writing a lot, so I’m going to make an EP while I’m here. The plan is to start work on that within the month- it was my New Year’s resolution. Is there anywhere nationally or internationally that you would love to go to be able to perform and why? Everywhere. As many places as I can, because the diversity is the whole fun of it. You have an indie sound to your acoustic music. What other genres would you be interested in trying out if you had the chance? Green (which was all but destroyed by the journey), busking in the day and camping at night. The best thing about it by far was all the people we met. When you busk you put yourself right out there, and it’s the people who put themselves out there who get invited to all the parties. I think my favourite spot was in Salisbury, Wiltshireeveryone was so open and friendly, and it’s a good-looking city too. Are there any artists, famous or not, that you would love to perform with on stage and why? Yes. Loads. Singing harmonies was my first
I would quite like to have a go at something more electronic. I think I’d like to try a collaboration with someone who knows their way around a sampler, and to play around with melody and sound and write that way. It would be so different from anything I’ve done before and I’m finding myself increasingly drawn to the idea. What are your plans for the future? The rest of the tracks from the Cheap Wine batch should be available online shortly, on my soundcloud and YouTube. After that, some DIY recordings from Madrid.
Run the Jewels
As the whitest white boy you will ever meet I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that I’m not biggest rap fan ever. However, RTJ3 (released late last year) might just be one of the biggest albums of the year if it qualified as 2017. The album itself is not all that different to the previous Run The Jewels but that still doesn’t mean it’s anything less than amazing. For fans of Mr Tangerine Man aka POTUS45 it might be a bit underappreciated but for everyone else there is something in here. The songs alternate between condemnation of the “fucking fascists” and Killer Mike stating that “I’m the shit”. There are also some sobering truths dropped including the genuine question of “when will the hate that we hold lead us to another holocaust?”. Fortunately, whenever you think the album and world are getting too depressing, RTJ throw in some semblance of optimism, such as on the track ‘Down’ which opens “I hope with the highest of hope”, and explores successes and progress (“oh my, y’all/ I could’ve died y’all”). The album’s main optimism really comes from the reminder that Killer Mike is in the world, which we need right now. This is an album that should be in everyone’s collection for the next four years. We’re going to need it. I’d rate this album a high 8. I’d go higher but honestly if you’re not going to let me forget how screwed we all are now I’m marking you down a point.
Top 5 - Albums discovered in 2016
5 – B.B King – ‘Friends’ (1974) Being a big fan of B.B King, it was both a surprise and pleasure to discover this gem. The album is rarely mentioned, noticed, or even acknowledged both by the fans and media, which is a shame as the album is absolutely fantastic! The 7 tracks that can be found on Spotify might seem small for a B.B King album, but regardless, it’s phenomenal. The mix between blues, funk and even rock, is fantastic. I’ve always known B.B King as the Blues Legend he is, but this album clearly highlights his skills as something more. From the album-titled track “Friends”, which has a bit of an ironic meaning behind it, to the aweing soothing sounds of “Baby, I’m Yours”, the album is perfect. There’s also an interesting instrumental called “Philadelphia”, which personally made me want to dance and enjoy the moment. This album quickly became one of my favourites, and I highly recommend to any fan of B.B King to try it. Warning! It’s not just the blues this time…it’s something more. 4 – Barry Gibb ‘In the Now’ (2016) I spoke very highly of B.B King’s “Friends”, so why is it that it’s only on no. 5? Well, it’s simple. I adore and love every one of my choices, it’s hard to pick the best. However, Barry Gibb did something that the late B.B King never did. ‘In the Now’ is Gibb’s 2nd solo album, his first solo album was all the way back in 1984…yes! 1984, that’s over 30 years ago! Being a massive fan of the Bee Gees, it was very nice to see Barry Gibb reuniting with a recording studio and releasing this gem that ended up reaching no. 2 in the UK album Charts. Being the last remaining member of the Bee Gees, it’s clear to say there won’t be any new material from the super-famed Disco group of the 1970’s. ‘In the Now’ is a beautiful, long awaited present to his fans. Despite the album being recorded Digitally, it sounds perfect. The harmonies, instruments, editing and performance, it all sounds like a wonderful studio album from
Top 5 - Albums discovered in 2016
the 70’s. It’s not over produced and best of all it manages to keep Barry’s signature song-writing skills to the best possible potential. Naturally with age his voice also changed, but I personally like it. The album has its soul and it makes you feel the comfort of both the lyrics and melodies. It’s wonderful, I love it. I would recommend giving it a listen. 3 – Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart – ‘Live In Amsterdam’ (2014) I was introduced to Joe Bonamassa early in 2016, by accident. Accidents tend to be seen as something bad or as a misfortune – not this time. I became a fan of Joe Bonamassa ever since, but for me his highlights are his collaborations with an equally talented musician Beth Hart. This live album is more than perfect and a fantastic example. This Blues-Rock album lives up to its expectations. One of the tracks, “Close To My Fire”, is a fantastic display of his musical talent. Hart’s voice gives you the chills and Bonamassa’s guitar gives you the thrills and the backing band are outstanding and flawless. The whole album is wonderful, and I would recommend listening to it. I’m still hooked into it and I’ve listened it more than I can remember. 2 – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet ‘Nine Tonight’ (1981) Bob Seger, one of my ultimate heroes! I love this man, and at around April/May time I had the chance to purchase one of his albums on vinyl. That album was ‘Nine Tonight’. I’ve always been a huge fan of Bob Seger so I had high expectations, and he didn’t fail to impress. The album is one of my favourites on vinyl, and I absolutely love every second of it, from the rocking “Hollywood Nights” to the passionate “We’ve Got Tonight” and even great covers like great Otis Clay’s “Trying to Live My Life Without You”. The album is fantastic as it manages to capture the moment of the great July concerts of Bob Segers tour back in 1980, and with it the audience and their response
and the musicians and everything. It’s fantastic! Bob Seger is singing is heart out, and if you close your eyes, you can just imagine that you’re among the audience and it feels just like the summer of 1980. An adventure within itself. This album is a necessity for any Rock N Roll fan, as it beautifully captures the youth and the soul of that generation. Right before the heavy beats of drum machines and synth-pop, Bob Seger was giving some of the Best Rock performances and this album is the pure definition of the legendary Detroit sound that is Bob Seger. 1 – Jeff Lynne’s ELO – ‘Across the Universe’ (2016) The previous four choices are wonderful and amazing, but the top spot must go to Jeff Lynne. The man who retired, eventually came back, and ended up achieving a no. 4 album in the UK. ‘Across the Universe’ is amazing, its wonderful and its Jeff Lynne. One of the biggest elements of Lynne’s compositions is the aspect of complex simplicity. His songs always used simple grooves and easy licks, but the chords and orchestration and solos made the simple songs sound so different and difficult. You never knew what would happen next in his songs, Lynne would always surprise any listener. ‘Across the Universe’ does just that! From the wonderful first track “When I was a Boy”, to the love theme “Love and Rain” and even the majestic “Across the Universe”, the lovable sound of ELO is right there. Jeff Lynne knew he had to make an album and he did it right. In the sea of over edited sounds called modern Pop, this albums stands out and clearly demonstrates that even the old legends can still create wonderful new music whilst remaining true to their styles.
artist in review
Haley Blais As an artist that scored 9/10 in a review, this is definitely one to check out again. Haley Blais’ latest EP is such a great mix of Happiness and angst mixed into one, with great uke played and so many layers of beautiful harmony and counterpoint it will undoubtedly be stuck in your head for days to come! Be sure to check out the vivid and visually compelling videos to all of the songs on this EP and others that she has on her YT channel. We would highly recommend that you listen to it! And if you’re somewhere where you can experience it live them make sure you get yourself there!
Laurel – Park Laurel’s EP ‘Park’ showcases four new tracks from the London based artist. The EP is a mixture of electronica and indie that blends well into one another. Even though many of the songs are short songs, the longest being 3:32, it showcases her talent as an artist and vocalist. Her song ‘Goodbye (demo)’ is an excellent example of the raw talent that she has. It has a catchy acoustic guitar hook all the way through. Her vocal tones throughout the EP complement each of the tracks and give them a sweet sound. This allows the listener to hear the pop sounds that is provided by her vocals and the rougher indie sounds of the instrumentals make for an interesting and intriguing contrast. This is definitely an EP to go and check out on the artists BandCamp page.
Dodie EP intertwined I gave this album my first ever 10/10 in my review earlier in January – and for good reason. Dodie Clark, a well-known YouTube personality, has been producing original songs for this platform for as long as I have been subscribed to her channel. Her studio EP is gorgeous, switching between slow emotional tracks and upbeat fast tracks, like ‘I Have a Hole in My Tooth (and The Dentist is Shut)’.
artist in review
‘Absolutely Smitten’, previously released as an acoustic version on YouTube, benefits massively from studio recording and remastering. Dodie never neglects her ukulele’s stamp on the track, but multiple layers build up to make the track more theatrical. ‘Sick of Loosing Soulmates’ recently gained a heart-breaking music video. The track is deeply emotional – applicable to the loss of both romantic or platonic soulmates. The final track, ‘When’ is a live recording featuring string elements. The song at times feels like something from a musical. It is flawless and incredibly hard to tell that it was recorded live. Ultimately, the development that Dodie has shown in progressing towards a studio album is inspiring. I would recommend this album and artist wholeheartedly.
Pura Vida “Sundae” This band has already been reviewed previously, but that rolling sound of modern Rock N Roll deserves to be reviewed again. Personally, this is the first time I heard this track, and I loved it. The drums are wild and crazy, a perfect combination that makes you want to dance and do something fun. With the guitars strumming away and making that beautiful sound of ease, all you want to do is get in a car and drive for hours upon hours whilst listening to this track. Personally, I’m not that fond of the vocals, but I do have to admit that the Smith’s-likevibe fits the song quite well. It makes you feel like it’s 1985 again. It’s quite a good tune to put in your playlist for a road trip. Over all, the track is great, my kind of modern music.
Top 5
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C. E. Brown. Since then – I’ve managed to clear out ten thousand emails and organise them into folders. The book has a section This is a photo I spotted in the Mad Alice for every room in your house, or every Instagram feed of a studio set up in aspect of your life – including managing Toronto, from Laser Sound. One thing I responsibilities, effective friendships and, love seeing in pictures is a detailed setup, carefully arranged with a precision layout to the dreaded, bathroom cleaning. everythng in this studio!
Book This month I managed to find a battered old kindle in my bottom drawer. Having scoured for the best free books on Amazon, I discovered ‘Declutterand Simplify’ by Andy
Band
This is a local jazz quintet is one to watch! They combined traditional jazz with electronica elements, all of which are played live, riffed off and improvised around. We’re waiting for their next release and to see where they’re looking to go next!
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This instalment to the Star Wars series was a treat to go and see. It is filled with action and adventure as well as the odd cameo from previous Star Wars movies. The plot is an interesting one with the ending being quite emotional, especially with the touching tribute to the late Carrie Fisher. Even if you are not a Star Wars fan it is definitely a movie to watch. You’ll get caught up in the world and its characters!
If you want a show filled with action, romance and adventure look no further than Shadowhunters. This show follows the characters of Jace Wayland and Clary Fray as they battle demons and other supernatural creatures. If this interests you, the first season is available to stream on Netflix. An episode of the new second season is being added every week right now!
Lemony Snicket’s ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ is an artistic, theatrical and gorgeous new series. Featuring a beautiful set, and taking place in a mysterious timeline with trams and clockwork inventions, the series is truly unique. Every single character is fascinating and quirky, and the storylines are full of dark humour. The narrative is so clever that it creates dramatic irony by explaining dramatic irony to the audience. When you watch the show, you will be greeted by rounded characters as well as bursts of amazing comedic performance. Whilst the theme song may warn you to ‘look away’, I urge you to look on.
Lemony Snicket’s ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ was my version of Harry Potter. The books were vital to my childhood. Snicket’s ability to explain longer vocabulary to a younger audience without patronising them was revolutionary. His enthusiasm for writing dark content for a young readership, as well as experimenting with form, language and his own character as narrator has influenced me greatly as a person. When the first filmic version of ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ came out back in 2004, I was massively disappointed. Despite casting Jim Carrey in the iconic role of Count Olaf, and matching the character
descriptions very well, the film condensed three books into one and neglected much of the development so important to the young protagonists. As you can imagine, when a Netflix series of the same title was announced I was very excited. Upon seeing the cast – Neill Patrick Harris, Will Arnett, Cobie Smulders - I was thrilled. When I saw the first episode, I felt like my childhood had come to life in front of me. The show features Snicket himself, played by Patrick Warburton. This makes sure that none of the affectionate narrative
finesse is lost in translation. Each book is encapsulated in two, hour long, episodes. These lengthy episodes have even allowed for minor characters to be given full subplots – including the wonderful Jaqueline (Sara Canning) who we see walking through tunnels tied to an uprooted tree, and dialling a phone number with her heels. One of the things I loved about Snicket’s books is that they never talked down to their audience. The children were intelligent, eager to learn and itching to invent. Even infantile Sunny has infinite wisdom, shown by her baby babble being
A Series of Unfortunate Events
translated into subtitles into some of the funniest lines in the show. Almost every house the Baudelaire children are relocated to has a library – including my childhood favourite Justice Strauss – who’s book collection is the envy of all enthusiastic learners. Neill Patrick Harris pulls of Count Olaf’s character with flair. He applies his musical theatre talents appropriately, and plays every disguise with an incredible sense of humour. My favourite episodes so far have been ‘The Reptile Room’. These episodes play out in the children’s Uncle Montgomery Montgomery’s (Aasif Mandvi) reptile collection. Decorated in a similar style to ‘Pushing Daisies’, the set is made up of giant snake shrubbery, glass domes, snake door knockers and of course – the screaming iguana clock. The child actors do a fantastic job. Violet Baudelaire is exactly how I imagined when reading the books. She never panics. Even when threatened with marriage to her adoptive father, she remains composed and outsmarts him whilst calm and collected. Claus is as passionate as ever – in a scene where he is struck across the face he condemns the actions vehemently, another action that shows Lemony in such a great light as a writer. This show is a peculiar mixture of crime, fantasy and children’s tv. But each episode focuses heavily on the failure of adults, and the superiority of the children. By enabling these child characters to prevail over those who are supposed to be wiser, Snicket has always done well to make children feel empowered. ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ features reading, invention and innovation saving the Baudelaire’s lives on many occasions. The books made me enthusiastic to learn, and I hold them deeply responsible for who I am now. The series is bringing these childhood aspirations to life, and I am very grateful for such a loyal adaptation – featuring even more empowered women, and young characters, in a world of daunting villains and peculiar mysteries.
gig guide Thursday Thursday 2nd 2nd February February Leather’o, Leather’o, The The Little Little 3, 3, Thirsk, Thirsk, The The Brew, Brew, The The Dead Dead Cats, Cats, Fibbers, Fibbers, York, York, Friday Friday 3rd 3rd February February Basement Basement Jazz Jazz Club, Club, Basement, Basement, York York Saturday Saturday 4th 4th February February Limehouse Limehouse Lizzy, Lizzy, Fibbers, Fibbers, York York Tuesday Tuesday 7th 7th February February The The Turnpike Turnpike Troubadors, Troubadors, Robert Robert Vincent, Vincent, Fibbers, Fibbers, York York Wednesday Wednesday 8th 8th February February Skindred, Skindred, Raging Raging Speedhorn, Speedhorn, RSJ, RSJ, Fibbers, Fibbers, York York Thursday Thursday 9th 9th February February The The Standard Standard Lamps, Lamps, Special Special Guests, Guests, Basement, Basement, York York Leather’o, Leather’o, The The Snickleway Snickleway Inn, Inn, York York The The Transmission, Transmission, Brudenell Brudenell Social Social Club, Club, Leeds Leeds Friday Friday 10th 10th February February Leather’o, Leather’o, The The Old Old Royal Royal Oak, Oak, Knaresborough Knaresborough Blues Blues Boy Boy Kings Kings (Full (Full Band), Band), Tap Tap & & Spile, Spile, Lincoln Lincoln Open Open Mic Mic Night, Night, Basement, Basement, York York Saturday Saturday 11th 11th February February Her Her Name Name is is Calla, Calla, Special Special Guests, Guests, Hebden Hebden Bridge Bridge Trades, Trades, Hebden Hebden Bridge Bridge Sunday Sunday 12th 12th February February Young Young Legionnaire, Legionnaire, NARCS, NARCS, Fibbers, Fibbers, York York Her Her Name Name Is Is Calla, Calla, Guests, Guests, The The Crescent Crescent Community Community Venue, Venue, York York Wednesday Wednesday 15th 15th February February Please Please Please Please You You Presents Presents Patch Patch and and the the Giant, Giant, Special Special Guests, Guests, Basement, Basement, York York
Friday Friday 17th 17th February February Flying Flying Machines, Machines, Kate Kate Peters Peters and and John John Marley, Marley, Basement, Basement, York York Blues Blues Boy Boy Kings Kings (Duo), (Duo), Flying Flying Circus, Circus, Newark Newark Sunday Sunday 19th 19th February February Under Under the the Influence Influence Presents Presents Neon Neon Waltz, Waltz, Basement, Basement, York York Tuesday Tuesday 21st 21st February February Eternal Eternal Choro, Choro, Basement, Basement, York York Wednesday Wednesday 22nd 22nd February February Unplugged Unplugged For For Martin Martin House, House, Basement, Basement, York York Thursday Thursday 23rd 23rd February February York York LGBT LGBT History History Month Month Presents Presents Do Do Us Us Proud, Proud, Basement, Basement, York York Friday Friday 24th 24th February February University University of of York York Jazz Jazz Orchestra, Orchestra, Basement, Basement, York York Saturday Saturday 25th 25th February February The The Guns Guns N N Roses Roses Experience, Experience, Fibbers, Fibbers, York York Monday Monday 27th 27th February February Under Under the the Influence Influence Presents Presents Man Man and and the the Echo, Echo, Basement, Basement, York York