Rewind by Sophie May Brooke

MY TOP TEN MUSIC ARTISTS

BY SOPHIE BROOKE IWA 2017

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Damien rice Damien Rice is an irish singer/songwriter whose first solo album was released in 2002, titled o. After previously being a member of teh band Juniper during 1990’s, Rice left the group due to artisitic disagreements allowing him to travel to Tuscany. It is here where he settled as a farmer before returning to Ireland to busking his own music years later. For the majority, his first two albums were in collaboration with musician Lisa Hannigan on vocal harmonies. This gave Rice the ability to extended the narrative of his lyrics further by dividing the lead vocals between a man and a womans voice. Within the song ‘I remember’, this technique is utilised clearly and effectively as the song narrates the story from the womans point of view first, Lisa, and the man secondly, sung by Damien is a roaring, layered, break down.

Along with his success, Rice also larely participates with charities and campaignes including the Enough Project and Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace’. He plays multiple instruments such as percussion and piano but he is widely recognised for his raspy irish vocals and fiery, yet delicate guitar riffs. His most well known song is likely to be ‘Cannonball’ from his 2002 album, being covered numberous times, most notably by X-Factor winners Little Mix in 2011.

Damien Rice is my favourite musican of all time.

When I first heard him back in high school, he became a massive aid in assisting with mental health issues and depression and his emotive songwriting really made an impact as a teenager.

Stand out element- Pas-

sionate Vocals and raw lyrics, combined with intense layered cresendos.

Genre- Folk Rock Suggested Album/s • 9

Suggested Songs• • • •

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The greatest Bastard, The Professor, Elephant The Blower’s Daughter

(Illustration inspired by live performances)

Bon Iver

Bon Iver formed in 2006, lead by

multi instrumentalist, producer amd songwriter Justin Vernon.

The name comes from the french phrase ‘good winter’ taken from the tv show Northern Exposure. In 2007, For Emma, Forver Ago was independently released as the bands first album. The whole record was produced and created while Vernon was suffering with mono, the break up of his previous band and his relationship with his girlfriend. During these months, he spent his time in isolation from his father’s cabin in Winsoncin. A large majority of the sounds heard upon the album were made up from randomly found objects, a few worn drums and his silvertone guitar.

Later that year, the band signed to Jagjaguwar but continued to refused anyone but themselves would be allowed to have input into their music in any form, as they were capable of producing everything alone. Ever since, Bon Iver has recieved much critical acclaim for their work and have just released their third major album in 2014, titled 22, A Million.

If I think back to when I first dsiscovered the band, I remember the exact moment. I was sat in the living room, scrolling youtube playlists, and as I clicked on Skinny Love, they blew me away. The band has become a medative escape for me personally. They act as a background soundtrack through many childhood memories of my own but also for many movies such as A Place Beyond The Pines, as they create a sense of euphoria and spiritualism in their music. I remember listening to Bon Iver in headphones before bed to fall asleep to like ASMR.

Stand out element- Vernon’s lead falsetto vocal and experimentation with instrumental sounds often including rhythmic patterns repeated throughout, from horns to synths.

Genre- Indie Folk, Alternative, Americana, Instrumental, Electronic Suggested Album/s - For Emma, Forever Ago Suggested Songs• • • •

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Holocene Bloodbank Re:Stacks Skinny Love

Paolo Nutini Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini debuted his first solo record These Streets in 2006. He was brought the the public attention with singles such as Last Request. After dropping out of school, it wasn’t until the age of 17 when Nutini started to climb his way up in the music scene. He began by suporting acts like Amy Winehouse and eventually became known for singing with his eyes closed as he performed.

In 2014, Nutini’s latest album Caustic Love was delivered and was vastly different from his previous endevours.

This new music was more experimental and less restricted by the format of a pop songs verse-chorus-verse. Instead, songs were included that carried a light political and social undertone in themes of fashion and public unity.

In Iron Sky , Nutini utilised inserts from speeches including Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, along with the rest of the album containing a childlike electronic voice haunting the listener. (Iron Sky is also sampled on Bon Iver’s track 33, God).

The first song I recall from Paolo Nutini was from the charts in 2009 called Pencil Full of Lead. This was from his second album Sunny Side Up, but as I listened more, I found a few of my favourites on his earlier releases. Although sounding more structured to the basic format of a pop song, the grit in his voice allows any song to become sexy whilst also exuding the smooth quality it needed to be soulful.

Stand out element- Nutini’s heartfelt gravelly voice and upbeat rhythmic blues in his timing patterns.

Genre- R&B, Soul, Blues and Folk Suggested Album/s • These Streets • Caustic Love

Suggested Songs• • • •

Candy Last Request Diana Iron Sky

(Artwork inspired by Scream Funk up your Life video).

4

Ben Howard

Following on from his previously self distributed EPs, Howard’s first major record Every Kingdom came to us in 2011. Influenced by artists like Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell, Ben Howard was brought up on his parents music taste in London, before moving to Devon as a child where he resides. Along with playing the guitar in his signiture Pick and Go style, -influenced by John Smithhe also deploys drumming and percussion in his music.

It is common to see Ben Howard performing alongside celloist India Bourne and musician Chris Bond on bass, keyboard, mixing and/or producing the music.

In his later album, Howard’s sound started to become darker within it’s themes, moving from acoustic to electric guitars and alternative tunings.

The first Ben Howard song I gave ears to was Only Love on the radio to Liverpool. Now, preferring his more sullen tunes, his music is always a motivating playlist to work to.

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Stand out element- Howard’s

unique Pick and Go and Slapping technique on guitar. mixed with his lyrical depth. Vocally, his voice is very soft and it is also common to hear humming within his music as cresendo’s.

Genre- Indie, Indie Rock, Acoustic Suggested album/s • Every Kingdom

Suggested Songs -

• Move like you want • Depth over distance • I forget where we were (Illustration inspired by the song Black

Sharon Van Etten Sharon Van Etten is an American singer/songwriter who resides in Brooklyn. Until 2009, when the release of her album Because I was in Love came out, Etten was hand producing and distributing her own CD’s. At this time, she was working as a publicist for Ba Da Bing records and a wine store in New York to support herself. As her music has evolved from 2009, she began performing with a full band and this is reflected in her records compared to her earlier stripped back sound. Etten also has experience in a few minor acting roles in shows such as Twin Peaks

Genre- Folk, Easy Listening, Alternative rock Suggested album/s – Are we There • Epic

My favourite song of Etten’s is Love More featured on her second album Epic. The whole record was produced in 11 days in 2010. Her music can often be heard upon soundtracks for films and shows, so much so this is how I discovered her music.

Suggested songs -

Stand out element- Etten uses harmonies frequently

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• • •

Love More Every time the Sun comes up Your Love is Killing me One Day

in her music, with lyrical lines as complex as the wavering and fluctuation in her guitar melodies, showing her vocal range and control. Her voice is confident and yet soft creating recognisable ‘light and shade’ in her songs. The lyrics themselves tending to be personal and emotive, not holding back from the obscure.

(Illustration inspired by Etten’s song Serpents)

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L y k k e L i Genre- Indie pop, Electronic Pop, Dance, Dream pop

Suggested album/s – •

Youth Novels

Suggested songs – •

• • • 7

Let it fall I’m good, I’m gone Love me like I’m not made of Stone Sadness is a Blessing

Swedish musician/model/actress Lykke Li was only 22 when she released Youth Novels in 2008. Now 31, Li has continued to collaborate with various artists becoming more developed in his style album by album. Although Youth Novels includes some of Li’s most contemporary tunes such as Melodies and Desires, her later projects seem to have taken more of a sombre and gloomier influence in content and sound. As well as vocals, Li also focuses on piano and percussion. She states that she is inspired by everything from Beach House to Leonard Cohen but also listens to ‘Voodoo’ music as the chanting helps with creating her ideas. Now, her song writing comes mostly through ‘Transcendental Meditation’.

When I first heard Lykke Li, at the age of 16 I use to listen to her in headphones on my first job while I cleaned offices, finding her very motivational even with darker undertones. To name a few, her music is also featured in movies such as Twilight: New Moon (Possibility), and Blue is the Warmest Colour (I follow Rivers). Her song Gunshot is also recognisable from the tv advert for Peugeot 108.

Stand out element- Li’s use of drum-

ming and percussion is very distinctive in her compositions. Her sound overall is very synchronized and exploits her echoing soprano or fast paced voice in time with drumming. (She often speaks her lyrics rather than sings them). Physically, Lykke Li constantly wears thick black eyeliner and used black and white imagery.

In 2005, All We Know is Falling became the debut release of the band Paramore. What started as a young group of high school teenager singing about growing up with ‘angst’, soon became one of the most popular rock bands of the 2000’s.

When they formed the drummer (Zac Farro was only 12 years old). They have had many members leave and return to the band whilst Williams has been the only consistent member since the very beginning. Now, on their latest album, After Laughter (2017), the band’s sound completely changed and became a complex mix of electropop melodies and instruments (whilst still containing what was recognisably Paramore through guitar playing and Williams’ vocals). The lyrics to their music became very personal, speaking about topics such as mental health (Fake Happy) and dealing with ending relationships with multiple people in life (Tell Me How, Forgiveness). In the song Idol Worship, it could be said that Williams is directing their fanbase directly considering how many people have placed her in a position of When I was younger, I recall sitting around the front of the house with my friends challenging each other to sing all the lyrics to Misery Business from RIOT. Everyone use to listen to them in high school as they’ve become nostalgic to teenager of our younger generation. Paramore are well known by those whom didn’t already know them as a rock band for the song The Only Exception from their album Brand New Eyes (2009), and Williams collaborations with B.O.B on the song Aeroplanes in 2010.

Stand out element- Hayley Williams powerful American vocals and the bands cynical lyrics. Visually, Williams has been noticed for her colourful, choppy hairstyles and ‘emo’ image.

Genre- Punk rock, emo, pop rock, Electropop,

Suggested album/s –

• Brand New Eyes Suggested songs – • After Laughter • Fake Happy • RIOT • Misery Business • Ain’t it Fun • Playing God (Image inspired by After Laughter photoshoot)

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Paramore

Mal Blum Currently living in New York, Mal Blum is a singer/songwriter whom is signed with Don Giovanni records. Originally however, they produced their music from self/fan-funded money and self-promoted material, booking solo tours alone. Within Blum’s music videos such as Robert Frost, this idea of generating everything individually can be seen clearly through use of private footage, becoming a large element of what makes their work so personal. Blum mainly tours as a threesome with bassist Audrey Zee Whiteside and a drum kit in the band. Whilst all their previous albums are similar in concept, in particular Blum’s latest recording, You look a lot like me, focuses massively around the themes of self-destruction and their personal difficulties in life dealing with anxiety/depression, relationships and struggling with music labels. Along with this, it has also been noticed that Blum is particularly vocal about LGBT+ issues- as can be heard in their music- identifying as non-binary and going by the pronoun ‘they’. Blum is also known to have a close relationship with Chris Gethard and is a regular guest on his show.

Being LGBT+ myself, I first discovered Mal Blum upon YouTube and became obsessed with how relatable they were. They are one of the few artists which appeal to me whatever the mood I find myself in, becoming a melancholy voice in my brain that can never disappoint. Blum can produce heart-wrenching tunes that also make you want to laugh at yourself for not being able to break out of your own personal barriers inside your own individual head.

Stand out elements- First person narrative and cynical, humorous lyrics. Blum has a uniquely gentle voice almost like speaking dialogue to the listener. Although their voice is very androgynous, together with their ‘twangy’ guitar hooks and heavy bass lines, it is instantly recognisable to be Blum. They have also realised many covers of other artists song including Poison Oak by Bright Eye’s using Social Media as a major platform for their music.

Genre- Folk, Punk, Anti-folk, Indie rock Suggested albums – •

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Every time you go Somewhere Tempest in a Teacup

Suggested songs –

Fine!

• Brooklyn • The Shrink Thinks • Cool Party • Valentine’s Day • With Samson in Washington State • New Year’s Eve (Illustration inspired by song Waiting in Line) •

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The Smiths

(Illustration inspired by Panic on the streets of london)

The Smiths is a British band that have been around since 1982, forming in Manchester. During the 80’s, The Smiths rejected

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many of the era’s popular music techniques including synths that came with the growing technology of the period. Morrissey (Lead vocal) and Marr (Guitarist) became increasingly admired as influential in contemporary music by bands to follow including Oasis and The Stone Roses. Lyrically, Morrissey has stated that amongst many, artist such as New York Dolls, Dusty Springfield and 60’s girl bands influenced his style in writing. He is notably acknowledged for creating ‘depressive’ songs and his opinionated personality on matters such as animal cruelty and veganism. He would regularly write about social realism with a sense of humour for The Smiths, representing the everyday man’s struggles personally and socially. They have been previously named; ‘one of Britain’s most overtly political groups’ and seen as very important to the history of alternative British rock music. The band eventually separated due to disagreements between Morrissey and Marr in 1987. Their song How Soon is Now was also featured as the theme tune to the popular tv program Charmed.

Stand out elements- Morrissey witty, sarcastic,

dark and melodic lines. His voice is sensitive and laidback throughout every song, together with Marr’s melodic guitar playing. Physically, The Smiths are known for their links with flowers as Morrissey would often perform holding a bunch and having an individual ‘bookish’ dress sense.

Genre- Indie rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Suggested album/s – • The Queen is Dead Suggested songs• I Know it’s over • This Charming Man • There is a light that never goes out • That joke isn’t funny anymore • Heaven knows I’m miserable now

Taking their name from a song in The Beatles’ movie Magical Mystery Tour, Death cab for Cutie have produced 8 studio albums to date. Originally the band was only a solo demo album published by Ben Gibbard, the lead vocalist, but after being successful, he decided to establish a full band under the same name instead. Their initial debut album Something about Aeroplanes was distributed in 1998 after the band formed the previous year. Recording by recording, the band grew in strength in terms of exploring with instrumental sounds, adding more use of synths, cello, organs and even flutes. It could be said that Death cab for Cutie’s strength rest mainly with the compositions of their tracks. In 2008, Gibbard, the lead vocalist and founder of the band, claimed that Narrow Stairs was the most ‘depressing’ of all their records yet it reached no.1 on the Billboard top 200 list. Recently, the band have dealt with the departure of band member and producer Chris Walla after 8 years of working collectively.

Stand out elements- Gibbard’s distinctive voice and unusual instrumental intervals placed diversely within songs. They mostly use guitar, bass and piano as their main instruments but repetition plays a large part in many of their compositions, creating a zoning tempo. Lyrically, they write very poetically and at times, ironically. This is demonstrated in tracks such as Title and Registration, pointing out colloquial subjects such as how a glove compartment in a car is rarely used to hold gloves, so why do we call it that?

Genre- Indie rock, Alternative rock Suggested Songs – • Title and Registration

Suggested album/s – •

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Transatlanticism Plans Narrow Stairs

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Passenger Seat A lack of colour Soul meet Body I will follow you into the Dark I will possess your heart The ice is getting thinner

(Illustration inspired by the Death cab for Cutie song Crooked Teeth)

Death Cab For Cutie

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Bibliography Damien Rice-

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/damien-rice-mn0000667584/biography https://web.archive.org/web/20070220112647/http://music.yahoo.com/library/default.asp?m=content&add=interview&i=12063810& https://web.archive.org/web/20070502083031/http://www.damienrice.com/faq.html

Bon Iver-

https://exclaim.ca/music/article/bon_iver https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22420-22-a-million/

Paolo Nutini-

http://www.digitalspy.com/music/feature/a564872/where-has-paolo-nutini-been-for-the-past-5-years/

Ben Howard-

http://www.islandrecords.co.uk/island-artists/ben-howard/ http://americansongwriter.com/2012/05/ben-howard/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Q1q51ftSU

Sharon Van Etten-

https://web.archive.org/web/20120314113926/ http://www.brooklyntheborough.com/2010/09/ its-epic-sharon-van-etten-emerges-from-the-basement/ https://www.sharonvanetten.com/about/

Lykke Li-

http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/music/ an-interview-with-swedish-musician-lykke-li/2010/06/08/

Mal Blum-

http://www.malblum.com/about/

The Smiths-

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-smithsmn0000899530/biography http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3005033.stm http://www.askmeaskmeaskme.com/

Death cab for Cutie-

https://www.spin.com/2011/05/how-death-cabcuties-ben-gibbard-got-sober/ https://www.allmusic.com/album/somethingabout-airplanes-mw0000668672 https://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/deathcab-for-cuties-ben-gibbard-interview

(Justin Vernon of Bon Iver illustration)