Gotye ft. Kimbra - ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’

Both genuinely unique artists that are worth battering your eardrums with.

3:31 pm  •  24 August 2011  •  1 note

(Deferring from the aim of this blog) but everything was put on hold for a while as I said goodbye to what had been an extremely big part of my life, both amazing and not so much. And as much as I look like such a smug little graduate I really was just happy to make my parents proud.

4:30 pm  •  23 July 2011  •  1 note

By the help of a generous young gentleman I have managed to wriggle my way onto the Virgin.com writer’s list somehow, to which I am eternally grateful! Check out the website because it’s not only pretty easy to maneuver around but actually covers artists that you’ll find working their way into your play-lists in no time. There’s no poncy music reviewer obscurity here, just album’s and insight. 

http://www.virgin.com/music/reviews

Alex Clare:

http://www.virgin.com/music/reviews/alex-clare—the-lateness-of-the-hour

Baby Monster:

http://www.virgin.com/music/reviews/nothing-to-fear-from-baby-monster

10:24 am  •  14 July 2011  •  2 notes

Now, in the summer I am not normally one to ‘chill’ out seeing as i’m always dashing to the biggest patch of shade and slapping on factor 50 like I earnt my wage from it, but regardless I thought i’d list a few tracks that are not only charming but great for mellow-ish sunshine music:

1. Erin K & Tash - ‘Coins’
2. Death Cab for Cutie - ‘Transatlanticism’
3. William Fitzsimmons - ‘Fade and Then Return’
4. Augustana - ‘Sunday Best’ and ‘Fire’
5. Pearl Jam - ‘Just Breathe’
6. Pasadena - ‘I Held You Pretty Good’
7. The Notwist - ‘Consequence’
8. My Favourite Highway - ‘Entertain the Pain’
9. Jimmy Eat World - ‘If You Don’t, Dont’ 
10. Farewell Fighter - ‘Golden’
11. The Almost - ‘Free Fallin” (Cover of Tom Petty)
12. Kyle Andrews - ‘You Always Make Me Smile’

8:47 am  •  1 July 2011  •  1 note

The writing beast has once again been unleashed. I’d love it if you guys would quickly head on over to www.muzikdizcovery.com to read my review of American Verse’s great EP ‘Standard Emotions’ (one for all you sprightly little pop-punk lovers out there) but also to check out a few more great reviews filling you in on bands such as The Wonder Years and The Dear Hunter. G’wan, every little helps.

10:35 am  •  27 June 2011

Fair to Midland - ‘Musical Chairs’

I’ve been a slight Tumblr reject ever since I started moving out of my University bubble of three years to flock back to the home nest. Hence why this is only a quick video post. After hearing ‘Dance of the Manatee’ on Fair to Midland’s ‘Fables From a Mayfly’, released in 2007, it was safe to say that I found myself in a somewhat happy mosh for years to come. Not only is the album an entertaining mix between prog-rock and flirtatious metal but it is interesting. So many ‘metal’ albums dabble too comfortably in their musically macabre nature, lacking any feeling of spontaneity and excitement. Fair to Midland dash such idea’s and created an album that you could not only lightheartedly mosh to, ironically, but respect as a well manufactured metal album all the same. Above is the music video ‘Musical Chairs’ from their upcoming album ‘Arrows & Anchors’ (12th July) and if this track is anything to go by, then the album is really something for fans to get excited about. 

8:52 am  •  26 June 2011

I’ve just this week joined the Muzik Dizcovery team and I’ve sadly yet had the time to write anything for them (finally leaving university is such a drain). But I will happily introduce all you folk to a jolly good blog that is not only doing great reviews of great bands, but doing exactly what it says on the musical tin and helping you ‘dizcover’ some new ones too. So get clicking, get reading and get listening.

www.muzikdizcovery.com

10:37 am  •  16 June 2011

(Photo by Alex Reside)

Band spot: The Graduate (Razor & Tie)

Considering this band is signed to a record label that supports the likes of Norma Jean, and 1000 miles worth of Vanessa Carlton, there appears yet to be enough recognition for the fact that The Graduate in their early years not only epitomised playful Indie rock, but matured into a solid Alternative rock institution. Their 2006 EP ‘Horrow Show’, boasting feisty little numbers such as ‘Justified’ and ‘Confidence is Everything’, introduced the band as a spirited bunch of musicians that could churn out excitable and melodic rock songs.

As time got on, seasons changed, and relationships matured, so did The Graduate. Using their 2007 album ‘Anhedonia’ as a stepping stone, they created for themselves a more established adventurous Indie sound that echoed that of Valencia and the 2006 split Seattle band, Acceptance. Many that will listen to The Graduate might be persuaded by the constant upbeat nature of their choruses but shouldn’t be inclined to consider them a pop-punk band. Their most recent album ‘Only Every Time’, released in 2010, is a testament that denies such a pop-punk branding. Tracks such as ‘Stuck (Inside My Head)’ and ‘Don’t Die Digging’ with their energetic guitar chords and fresh yet resonant vocals, instil in any listener the reassurance that this is ultimately a soft-sounding rock album. This band will dig their heels into your mind with their catchy lyrics that will leave you prancing around for days, yet remind you that as far as creating an atmosphere with rock music goes, they’ve got it.

http://www.myspace.com/thegraduate

10:28 am  •  13 June 2011

If anyone is familiar with the ‘Ten out of Tenn(essee)’ tour then hopefully you picked up on this gem of a singer, Madi Diaz. An artist, that working in collaboration with Kyle Ryan, deserves plenty of recognition. Their 2008 album ‘Ten Gun Salute’, just oozes (that word is becoming a regular on here), like I was saying, oozes acoustic magic. If you’re looking for beautiful music, about beautifully painful topics, then Madi is your girl.

8:57 am  •  8 June 2011  •  3 notes

I wish I had more motivation to finish these sketches, there’s something nice about starting something to eventually finish it, plus there’s not much point if you don’t right?

(Taken with the artsy fartsy Instagram)

7:45 pm  •  7 June 2011  •  2 notes