Legend Lyrics: Jamie MacDowell (& Tom Thum) - Thanks

 Tom Thum, the Australian beat boxer on this track, invited his friend Jamie MacDowell on stage to sing and strum at his Edinburgh Fringe show in August. The song is beautiful, but it is only when you properly discover the complexity and imaginative lyrics that you appreciate the song and genius behind it.

I've got no need for anyone but you.
I could get used to losing nutrients and them kilograms, abandon all the food groups.
Man, the truth is I would stand upright all night long if you asked me too.
Because that would mean more room for you.

There ain't a coat that could protect me from the coldness like you do.
Can't find comfort within cardigan, that i can't find in you.
I've got no use for, what some would call the usual pursuits, because i got used to the unusual in you.

I don't need light, I barely need my eyes, because you turn up on the other side behind them. Just like light, you follow through.
And I can make excuses for the places that I said I'd be tonight, if you don't mind, I'd rather follow you.

As far as food goes, I'll survive without it, so far I've been fine.
Since meeting you, I've lost my appetite, and ain't got plans to find it.
Just like fighters meet the bruises, and chemicals will find their users, just like lightning meets the gloom, well I met you.

And since then I've been experiencing a longing that comes close to being lonely, and goes in hand with hopeful.
It's oh so quotable. It seems, the more i let myself believe, the less the rest of this will mean.

Now there's just two good ways to stun a man, the gun, and then there's you.
But there's a hundred ways to love you and one hundred ways I'll use.
I'll even keep the best of all of them for last, so i can prove that after all, there's even more to look forward to.

I don't need light, I barely need my eyes, because you turn up on the other side behind them. Just like light, you follow through.
And I can make excuses for the places that I said I'd be tonight, if you don't mind, I'd rather follow you.

Festival Review - Truck

In the month of July, nestled among the hazy, green Oxfordshire fields, wedged between the hustle and bustle of farm life, is Truck Festival. Not to be confused with Truck Fest, (The Original Road Haulage and Trucking Events Company...!?!) Truck Festival is a small UK music festival with big line up.

Described as ‘the godfather of small festivals’, this year Truck boasted headliners like The Temper Trap, Mystery Jets and Tim Minchin on the Main Stage. Alongside these, there are plenty other smaller acts to keep things cruising. 

Funky rock posh boys Theme Park kept the crowd merry, while folk newcomers Lucy Rose and King Charles packed out the (sweaty) Second Stage.

A personal favourite for me were Man Like Me. Their previous single Squeeze was featured a few months ago, and sums up the band: completely bonkers. At one point, the red Second Stage tent was filled with people jumping around to one topless skinny bloke, someone who looked like the topless skinny bloke, and a black man wearing what can only be described as a shiny African woman's dress. Their energy transcended into the crowd. We were now in a parallel universe where everything was red, we were all dancing in shiny African dresses. And loving it. 

Aside from the music, Truck Festival had a go at the standard ‘vintage dress’ shop, ‘massage and relaxation centre’, and an embarrassingly dead marquee disco. The food stalls, despite running out on the last night, were stocked with local YUMMY produce, and the chips – Oh the chips – kept my wheels turning.

As for the people themselves, there are a few families with wee ones, and a few too many cocky teenagers, but everyone seemed to mind their own business.

Potential improvements for next year lie with the dodgy loos getting a good cleaning, the lack of pubs/bars atmosphere, and a serious need for some after dark escapades. 

Overall, Truck is a chilled out festival. It’s easy to get to, it’s not too busy and the staff were helpful and friendly. If you’re after hard core clubbing and drugging, Truck is not the right ride for you; but if you want a little laid back adventure with interesting music, food and atmosphere, then hitch a lift for Truck.

This Time For Africa

Digging the African influence right now.

But it's not all waka waka

.

She's Back - Ellie Goulding

New Ellie Goulding, featuring Tinie Tempah.

Tingleies.

Changing Tracks

The music industry is changing. No one can dispute that; and yet it is difficult to foresee how the relationship between artists, record labels and gigs will impact the business. 

It is now a cliché to now comment on the problems that mainstream record labels, and indeed artists, are facing. Illegal music downloads are rampant. But there are also positive factors at play, which have turned the industry on its head, and shaken things up for the experienced music fat-cats.

'Internet YouTube sensations', social media self-publicity, and unsigned artists having the ability to sell tracks on iTunes, means there is no longer a monopoly dictating who can make it, and who cannot. Fresh, upcoming artists and talented bands are able to break through and penetrate the business, while the strategically constructed image of squeaky clean solo artists and bands, is no longer dominating the charts and the industry.


So then, what now is the 'industry', in 'music industry'? Where can the money be made? It is surely impossible to prevent illegal downloads, and certainly to prevent the listening. With YouTube, Vevo, Spotify, Deezer, Artists' own websites and other modern means of accessing music, surely soon even the business of legal downloads will start to crumble.

And yet we still want new music to be made. We want artists and groups, old and new, from every genre to aspire to make music. Obviously it is not all about the money, but there must be some sort of business there to satisfy production.

Among the muddle of media, festivals, appearances, and deals, are the performances. The gigs and shows where we can discover, support and enjoy the music at its best. That is perhaps where we should flash the cash. Instead of criticizing the availability of free music at our fingertips, we should embrace it. Going to see artists live, singing your favourite song, cannot be felt fully through your iPod or online. What is more, often it is online that we actually find these artists. Through tweets, blogs and YouTube, we can find music we would never think to listen to before. Our music taste can expand, our knowledge can grow, and instead of paying 99p for an intangible single, our money may be better spent booking tickets and going out to watch them perform. Whether it is at an opera house, an arena stage, a grimey basement, or an old run-down bar, sometimes going to see artists is the best way for you, and them, to get something back.


More innovative still, are the modern applications and platforms, which have seen this change coming. Live music is nothing new. People have been enjoying live music and entertainments for hundreds of years, which tends to suggest it isn't going anywhere. One example of said modern platforms is BandsInTown: a website, smartphone and facebook app, which allows users to type in their favourite artists and effectively 'follow' them for gig dates. When your tracked artists announce dates near your location, BandsInTown notifies you and helps you buy tickets. Furthermore, a 'Concert Cloud' shows users their tracked artists, alongside apparently similar artists, potentially helping users find new bands.


Altogether a simple but clever idea by App creators, CellFish Media, which steers clear of any possible negative impact on the music industry and socially promotes live music and new artists. It is by no means the only app or idea out there, [1] and it is not always perfect in finding every upcoming concert, but it certainly gives us a flavour of things to come.


In ten years time, music and money will still be made. However, it will not be made by the managers, record labels and production companies who are taking a cut out of the music industry; but the artists, venues and modern applications which are the music industry.

[1] http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/05/5-music-apps-scaremiddlemen/








 

Legend Lyrics: Jessie Ware - Wildest Moments

 From the outside
Everyone must be wondering why we try
Why do we try

Maybe in our wildest moments
We could be the greatest,
Maybe in our wildest moments
We could be the worst of all
...

Wait on, summer sky
Wherever there’s smoke, there'll soon be fire

Summer Rain Wave

Pool parties? Sun burn? Outdoor Tennis? ...Not so much. Maybe this will help:

Alt-J - Changing

 Alt-J are a standard four piece band with a very different sound.

Together, Thom, Gwil, Joe, and Gus use guitar, vocals, keyboard and drums to make music. The foursome met at Leeds Uni in 2007, and from student dormroom jamming, the band and its members have grown, creating and producing a new exciting sound.

They make a mix of electronic, soulful and folk music, carefully layered and knitted together to make unique tracks. There are hints of Bombay Bicycle vocals, dashes of electro synths, and the simple steady Mumford & Sons rhythm which somehow make complicated tracks, easy listening.

Describing Alt-J is difficult. Each song sounds like something else. Some tracks are dark, featuring dub, others feature playful bells and accapella harmonies. There are Indian vibes scattered across some songs, and the sound of classical orchestral strings in others. For me however, it’s singer Joe Newman’s voice that defines Alt-J. It’s soulful, versatile and rich.

After changing name from ‘Daljit Dhaliwal’, then ‘Films’, ‘Alt-J’ has finally stuck. Alt-J itself is apparently used in mathematical equations to show change. Whether this change means a ‘turning point in their lives’, or represents the change they add to current music, Alt-J’s tracks are full of change from one track to the next.

Let’s hope they don’t change too much.

Parachute Wafting

Remember those big giant mult-icoloured (yellow, red, green and blue) parachutes that you used to play games with in nursery and waft up and down and run under and round and inflate and deflate....These songs would be nice to do that to.

If You Wan't To Shape Up...Slow Down

Julia Stone, half of the sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone, has taken a song from hit musical Grease, and slowed it down to create the sublime beautiful track.

Instead of fairgrounds and sexy leather trousers, the lyrics of the song take a complete different meaning.