Saturday, 30 March 2013
Lost At Sea
"SÆGLÓPUR" - Sigur Rós
It occured to me how little I've written about Sigur Rós on here, which seems so insane, because they're one of my favourite bands of all time. I found out about them when I was fourteen, after hearing lead singer Jónsi's solo work, gorgeous 2010 album "Go". I remember telling a friend about him, one of the first I had who felt like this about music, and he laughed because I'd never heard of Sigur Rós. Then it was "Takk", of course, that was the album that had me enchanted.
It goes like this: I go through periods of not listening to them for weeks and months, then something happens that triggers it. I hear their music in one of the evergrowing hoards of TV shows that chooses to feature it. Or someone mentions them. Or it snows. And then I remember them again, go through long periods when I'll listen to nothing else, and notice new things every time.
There is just nobody like them. Beautiful Icelandic goodness, their music is the perfect companion to an adventure. Twinkling glockenspiel, that piano part and Jónsi's vocals; a caress to your soul, lovely ethereal falsetto - the above song is one of my favourites of theirs. They're so many things simultaneously, orchestral-choral-classical-minimal-cinematic-ambient-rock music.
I haven't written in a while. Except I have, weirdly, more than ever, and listened - I think this month I've heard more music that I've felt like I had to share suddenly than I have in a long time. A notebook full of it, and then I get to the computer to transfer all of this mess and forget how to write. I have no excuse, not even laziness or stress this time, like in the past. And apart from that, in all other areas, I'm happier than ever.
Kick of motivation starts tomorrow, I swear. I have so, so much to tell you.
And I wish you a very happy Easter/Spring time xxxx
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Recommendations: February 2013
February, this year, was the month I saw the fantastic Bear's Den for the first time, in a tiny venue in Manchester. I also didn't really buy much new music this month (except for Julia Stone's "By The Horns", which I'm waiting for the right time to discuss because it's so perfect), but a lot of it was spent rediscovering old favourites.
Joe Banfi
I saw him supporting Bear's Den in Manchester this month, he's recently signed to Communion and he has an incredible, instantly distinctive voice. Check out single "Nomads", as well as his gorgeous EP of the same title.
"O" - Damien Rice
You'll have heard of Damien Rice: a master of the love song, someone who played a large part in putting simple, clean, acoustic pop music back in the charts. I've loved this album the year that I've had it but the songs I appreciated most were always the hits, the singles - "Delicate" tugs at my heart strings, and both "The Blower's Daughter" and "Cannonball" are lovely. This second batch of listens, though, has brought me to pay attention to the lesser known tracks on the album, the ones that don't stand out straight away. "Amie" and "Cheers Darlin'" are these, and pay attention especially to "I Remember", a duet in two halves, the most serene and past-dwelling ballad that takes a dramatic turn of the wheel part way through.
"The Flying Club Cup" - Beirut
When I was fourteen, there was a time of several weeks, maybe months, where this record was pretty much all that I listened to. Every word, every note, every beat is dripping nostalgia, the accordian and horns giving it such a sense of place, ages it so very gracefully. It drifts in mood, from the bittersweet, memory-filled "A Sunday Smile" to darker "Cliquot" and songs like "The Penalty", a song that belongs on lonely, peaceful walks in the night.
"Peaches for Monsieur le Curé" - Joanne Harris
Joanne Harris' third sequel to her bestseller "Chocolat" is a tale of magic, and love, and food. Vianne returns to Lansequent, the town that she changed for the better and the town that drove her away, out of spite, with her daughters Rosette and Anouk. They find that again, the people of Lansequent are in need of a little magic, and also a little chocolate. A brilliant novel, exploring culture, kindness and humanity.
Joe Banfi
I saw him supporting Bear's Den in Manchester this month, he's recently signed to Communion and he has an incredible, instantly distinctive voice. Check out single "Nomads", as well as his gorgeous EP of the same title.
"O" - Damien Rice
You'll have heard of Damien Rice: a master of the love song, someone who played a large part in putting simple, clean, acoustic pop music back in the charts. I've loved this album the year that I've had it but the songs I appreciated most were always the hits, the singles - "Delicate" tugs at my heart strings, and both "The Blower's Daughter" and "Cannonball" are lovely. This second batch of listens, though, has brought me to pay attention to the lesser known tracks on the album, the ones that don't stand out straight away. "Amie" and "Cheers Darlin'" are these, and pay attention especially to "I Remember", a duet in two halves, the most serene and past-dwelling ballad that takes a dramatic turn of the wheel part way through.
"The Flying Club Cup" - Beirut
When I was fourteen, there was a time of several weeks, maybe months, where this record was pretty much all that I listened to. Every word, every note, every beat is dripping nostalgia, the accordian and horns giving it such a sense of place, ages it so very gracefully. It drifts in mood, from the bittersweet, memory-filled "A Sunday Smile" to darker "Cliquot" and songs like "The Penalty", a song that belongs on lonely, peaceful walks in the night.
"Peaches for Monsieur le Curé" - Joanne Harris
Joanne Harris' third sequel to her bestseller "Chocolat" is a tale of magic, and love, and food. Vianne returns to Lansequent, the town that she changed for the better and the town that drove her away, out of spite, with her daughters Rosette and Anouk. They find that again, the people of Lansequent are in need of a little magic, and also a little chocolate. A brilliant novel, exploring culture, kindness and humanity.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
"it's a curse of the mind to be sad at night"
On Friday, appropriately enough on International Women's Day, the princess of "nu-folk", Laura Marling, announced the release of her fourth studio album. "Once I Was An Eagle" comes out on the 27th May in the UK, and the 28th May in the US, produced by Ethan Johns, who worked on Laura's last two LPs. This is "Where Can I Go?", the first release from it.
Marling's website calls the new album a "hugely ambitious record that reflects the dark themes of "A Creature I Don't Know"". The song above confirms this, a melody that seems so gently nostalgic and relaxed, incorporating soft organ that serves as a reminder of Ryan Adams' strong influence in Laura's songwriting. The lyrics contrast this, the use of the same character we hear in "A Creature I Don't Know"'; bitter and worn by love. A chorus that cries out "Late at night he'll come to me and tell me I'm alone - don't you think I don't already know?", it all suggests the point of view of a hardened and broken heart. It breaks into gloriously liberal strumming, that feeling of release that comes with an openly tuned guitar.
"Once I Was An Eagle" is avaliable for preorder here.
Marling's website calls the new album a "hugely ambitious record that reflects the dark themes of "A Creature I Don't Know"". The song above confirms this, a melody that seems so gently nostalgic and relaxed, incorporating soft organ that serves as a reminder of Ryan Adams' strong influence in Laura's songwriting. The lyrics contrast this, the use of the same character we hear in "A Creature I Don't Know"'; bitter and worn by love. A chorus that cries out "Late at night he'll come to me and tell me I'm alone - don't you think I don't already know?", it all suggests the point of view of a hardened and broken heart. It breaks into gloriously liberal strumming, that feeling of release that comes with an openly tuned guitar.
"Once I Was An Eagle" is avaliable for preorder here.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Bo Bruce at Neil McCormick's Moxafrica Fundraiser - Wednesday 6th March, 2013 - Islington Assembely Rooms, London
*
Bo Bruce is someone I've written about a lot on here, but for those of you who don't know, she came in second place on The Voice UK last year. Since, she's broken away from the path of a typical reality TV show runner-up, signing to Mercury and working with the likes of Snow Patrol, Joel Pott and Danny O'Donoghue on new album "Before I Sleep".
This week, I went to London to see her perform at Moxafrica, a fundraiser gig for tuberculosis cures, held by the Telegraph's music critic Neil McCormick. She played alongside acts such as David Gray, The Magic Numbers, and Gabriella Cilmi.
Bo's performance followed those by country band Buckshot Soup and one from McCormick himself, her drifting onto the stage, adorned with trademark bangles and rings. She opened with "Save Me", and the upcoming first single from her new album. It's a heartbreak song, tonight's acoustic performance giving more focus on her voice, soaring falsetto notes, it glitters with Sinead O'Connor-esque lilts and glottal strokes.
Viewers of The Voice UK will remember Bo for her cover of Coldplay's "Charlie Brown", that iconic moment of her twirling in a white dress, in a television studio lit up with the colours of the rainbow, "Glowing in the dark". The original arrangement is colourful and explosive, echoing the tones of "Mylo Xyloto", all keyboards and bouncing reverb. But tonight's rendition was just a piano and acoustic guitar, softer, whispers of what it was. A song like this, about being high, and feeling liberated, produced with layers of sonic joy and lyrics of heartfelt desperation can spin off into so many different directions, and the hint of sorrow gives it another kind of beauty.
"The Fall" is about losing someone, something huge and life changing that will weave its way through the undertones of meaning and honesty in every song on "Before I Sleep". But it means to you what it will: a song about loss, and ultimately survival. I've been lucky enough to witness two performances of this song now: once in a small venue, intimate and full of fans, once in a hall of unknowing strangers who'd come out to raise money for tuberculosis by buying expensive drinks. The effect of stunned silence has been almost the same each time.
The Coronas Danny O'Reilly, and violinist Gita Langley (who recently played with Muse, opening the BRIT Awards) were welcomed to the stage for the final song, "Speed the Fire", another from the album. It's lyrics are nostalgic and hold the bittersweet imagery of everything going up in flames.
"Before I Sleep" is due out on April 29th, avaliable to preorder here.
* Image belonging to Lisa
*
Bo Bruce is someone I've written about a lot on here, but for those of you who don't know, she came in second place on The Voice UK last year. Since, she's broken away from the path of a typical reality TV show runner-up, signing to Mercury and working with the likes of Snow Patrol, Joel Pott and Danny O'Donoghue on new album "Before I Sleep".
This week, I went to London to see her perform at Moxafrica, a fundraiser gig for tuberculosis cures, held by the Telegraph's music critic Neil McCormick. She played alongside acts such as David Gray, The Magic Numbers, and Gabriella Cilmi.
Bo's performance followed those by country band Buckshot Soup and one from McCormick himself, her drifting onto the stage, adorned with trademark bangles and rings. She opened with "Save Me", and the upcoming first single from her new album. It's a heartbreak song, tonight's acoustic performance giving more focus on her voice, soaring falsetto notes, it glitters with Sinead O'Connor-esque lilts and glottal strokes.
Viewers of The Voice UK will remember Bo for her cover of Coldplay's "Charlie Brown", that iconic moment of her twirling in a white dress, in a television studio lit up with the colours of the rainbow, "Glowing in the dark". The original arrangement is colourful and explosive, echoing the tones of "Mylo Xyloto", all keyboards and bouncing reverb. But tonight's rendition was just a piano and acoustic guitar, softer, whispers of what it was. A song like this, about being high, and feeling liberated, produced with layers of sonic joy and lyrics of heartfelt desperation can spin off into so many different directions, and the hint of sorrow gives it another kind of beauty.
"The Fall" is about losing someone, something huge and life changing that will weave its way through the undertones of meaning and honesty in every song on "Before I Sleep". But it means to you what it will: a song about loss, and ultimately survival. I've been lucky enough to witness two performances of this song now: once in a small venue, intimate and full of fans, once in a hall of unknowing strangers who'd come out to raise money for tuberculosis by buying expensive drinks. The effect of stunned silence has been almost the same each time.
The Coronas Danny O'Reilly, and violinist Gita Langley (who recently played with Muse, opening the BRIT Awards) were welcomed to the stage for the final song, "Speed the Fire", another from the album. It's lyrics are nostalgic and hold the bittersweet imagery of everything going up in flames.
"Before I Sleep" is due out on April 29th, avaliable to preorder here.
* Image belonging to Lisa
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
"the colours of another sky"
"MEXICO" - The Staves
Jessica, Camilla and Emily Stavely-Taylor are three sisters from Watford, formed in 2010. They work with Communion Records and ended last year wrapping up a tour with Bon Iver, as well as releasing their debut album.
This is their single "Mexico", wistful and longing for both proximity and distance. Their vocals brush lightly over a simple pattern plucked on an acoustic guitar, lyrics that whisper of the past and the future, "Lover, you may cause me tears". It is bittersweet and lovely, so minimal that it sounds almost just casually sung beside a campfire, with only gentle percussion weaved in, every instrument in the song second nature to their voices.
There is this sense of togetherness and perfect precision you hear when families sing together in flawless harmony, and that isn't missing in the sisters' music; their voices run together perfectly, like streams into a river into an ocean.
Their first album is "Dead & Born & Grown", and was released last year, and you can find more of them here.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
BRITs 2013
Hi Internet,
It is a Wednesday. I have wine. And the BRIT awards are on tonight!
Pop music and the way the media represents it are things that are both interesting and completely hilarious to me. As I am sat home doing nothing and will be "liveblogging" the BRIT awards as it happens on our TV. If for whatever reason that is something you'd enjoy, join me here at 8 when all of the action kicks off and we can discuss everything as it happens, make sarcastic jokes about Coldplay and cry at Adele together.
I'm not exactly sure how this is going to work from a technical perspective but we'll work it out!
Fancy red carpet coverage starts at 7pm on ITV2 I believe, then the show itself will be on ITV at eight o clock. See you all then!
hashtaglizziebrits2013
I'm kidding, don't do that.
Throughout the night, there willl be typos, there will be mistakes, and feel free to join in and comment @lizzie_hudson!
___
8pm - Muse open with "Supremacy", first track on their newest album "The 2nd Law". This is beautiful, explosive and fantastic and loud, an orchestra of around two hundred I believe, visually beautiful and fairytale Gothic as it is audibly. Tonight, they're nominated for Best British Group and Best British Live Act.
8:08 - James Cordon has made his necessary interrupting-Adele joke.
8:09 - Mumford and Sons. It's unfair to make unbiased comments because I've followed this band for two years and just love them incredibly. They're nominated for best British Band, Best British Live Act and Best Album this year and they just deserve them so so so much.
08:11 - Best British Female. My guess for this was Emili Sande but I'm really routing for Bat For Lashes, "The Haunted Man" is just a wonderful album. - Emili Sande! I'm happy about this, she was a massive part of the UK music scene in 2012 and has released some great singles. As long as we don't have to listen to another acoustic version of "Read All About It" with just a piano.
08:20 Robbie Williams performs "Candy". This song is kind of my guilty pleasure, it's just ridiculous and catchy and unashamed pop music, even if the screen is actively giving me a headache. He's nominated for Best Single later on.
Cordon interrupting Adele jokes count - II
08:24 Best British Group. As I said before, hoping for Mumford and Sons but I adore Alt-J, who recently won a Mercury, and The XX and Muse are great. Mumford and Sons! No words, they rock. 10 points for Marcus for pretending to be starstruck by One Direction.
08:28 Best British Breakthrough Act. I voted for Ben Howard to win this, but I think it might be Jake Bugg or Rita Ora? We shall see. I don't know how I feel about Jessie Ware, and wasn't really aware of her existence until a few weeks ago. BEN HOWARD. Big, big smiles and cheers over here right now. "I'm not very good at dancing"- that's probably a lie.
08:38 Justin Timberlake performs new single "Mirrors". This is kind of embarrassing but I don't really... have an opinion of Justin Timberlake? I wasn't a huge fan of him when he was first around, but the verse of this does sounds really similar to "Cry Me A River".
08:45 Paloma Faith's "Fall From Grace" - What I've heard of this album surprised me with how much I liked it, it's much more mature than the last one and her voice is gorgeous.
08: 46 Best British Male Probably predictably, I'm really hoping for Ben Howard for this. Yaaaaaay. He's just fantastic, I saw him in Manchester last year and he's wonderful. I think he's performing later on.
08:49 - Critic's Choice - Tom O'Dell, who to be honest I know nothing about except his single which I heard on the radio this morning, and sounds great. Slightly irritating how James Cordon is making this about Emili Sande, though, as great as she is.
Sharon Osbourne is incredibly annoying.
08:56 International Female Solo Artist I think Taylor Swift has this in the bag, but really hoping Cat Power will win, her 2012 album "Sun" is really great. Lana Del Rey! I don't really know how to feel about her, I thought "Video Games" was fantastic but the album as a whole kind of disappointing after all of the uproar, although "Born To Die" was another lovely single.
09:00 One Direction cover "One Way or Another". It's for Comic Relief so okay then.
09:05 Best British Live Act I feel like I can't judge this as I haven't seen them all, except if Mumford and Sons only win one award I want it to be this one, playing live is everything they are and that they put care into. Coldplay and the Vaccines are great, as are Muse and of course the Rolling Stones, though. Coldplay! I really like them but this award was a no-brainer for me - Mumford's studio recordings are so close to their live show, this award belongs to them. Carey Mulligan and I just pulled the same face of complete disappointment. But I want to write about Coldplay without thinking who didn't win. Footage I've seen of their "Mylo Xyloto" tour has been brilliant, and "Charlie Brown" in particular a big part of my life.
09:14 Best British Single I'm hoping for "Spectrum" - Florence and the Machine to win this category, I'm thinking maybe "Skyfall" will win but both of the Emili Sande songs nominated are lovely. "Skyfall" wins, I loved this - just a perfect, Bassey-esque Bond theme.
Cordon interrupting Adele jokes count - IIII
09:18 Taylor Swift performs possibly the weirdest song she's ever released, "I Knew You Were Trouble". I feel like Taylor Swift's personal life is in the press so much that the media forgets pay attention to what she's writing instead of what she's writing about. It's hard not to miss a time when she was just a girl with a guitar, though, instead of all this. Also James Cordon will make jokes about Harry Styles in a while, promise.
Un BRITs related - Moving on to drinking Bloody Mary, now. I think it's possible Robbie has been also.
09:24 International Group The Black Keys will probably win this, who are great, but as frowned-upon as it is I really am hoping for The Script to win. They've had a change of direction but remain a great band. I love the Killers too, "Battle Born" is a brilliant album. The Black Keys: I'm glad a band that are not already so successful won the award. They are so deserving
09:30 Ben Howard performing "Only Love", sounding beautiful, as is beautiful harmonies from cellist India Bourne. This is so minimal, considering his stage show at times can be big and loud with a full band and percussion, and it could have been easy to compete but this is perfect, no gimmicks (ignoring the falling sugar stealers). Favourite performance so far, hands down.
09:35 Alt-J are so fantastic, and I still think they're to a point underrated because these are the first band of this undefinable sub-pop genre that have gained so much attention. "An Awesome Wave" is such a unique album.
09:37 Best International Male My heart is split between Gotye and Michael Buble - "Somebody That I Used to Know" was a huge part of last year and well, Buble, but predict Frank Ocean who has been winning everything recently. Ah, Frank Ocean. Confession: I haven't even heard "Channel Orange" in full yet. But he seems impossibly cool.
09:49 Mumford and Sons perform "I Will Wait" - I've rattled on about them all evening but they're just a perfect, perfect band. Their live performance is flawless (although I feel like I can't fangirl too much or it'll just be awkward when Marcus and I are married...) and they are incredible, play with the same passion and energy at an awards' show or arena gig as they would in a bar, their studio, you can just tell they adore what they do. Going to say no more and just listen.
09:55 Best British Album Hoping for "Babel", obviously, though Alt-J and Emili Sande both released great albums and there were some good singles from Paloma Faith's new one. Congratulations to Emili Sande, she's excellent, "Next To Me" is excellent as is "Read All About It", and her beautiful rendition of "Abide With Me" during the Olympics.
09:58 Global Success Award I try to just quietly not have an opinion of One Direction because I don't listen to them, but some people do and they make them happy and that's okay. But beating Adele and Mumford. I may have just loudly cried out "For fuck's sake!" in my parents' living room.
10:09 Emili Sande performs her new single "Clown". After everything said, her voice is just excellent. Oh, it's a medley! "Next To Me" is great too. This lady has so much soul. Don't worry, guys, acoustic "Read All About It" might still be on the cards, we haven't heard it on a TV show in at least a week. Oh ok, no. Beautiful performance, though.
I don't really have anything to say in conclusion but this has been sufficiently exciting and hilarious! Thank you for sticking around and same again next year! Obviously have to rush off to afterparties now, if by afterparties we mean drink wine by myself. hope you're all doing well.
Lizzie xx
It is a Wednesday. I have wine. And the BRIT awards are on tonight!
Pop music and the way the media represents it are things that are both interesting and completely hilarious to me. As I am sat home doing nothing and will be "liveblogging" the BRIT awards as it happens on our TV. If for whatever reason that is something you'd enjoy, join me here at 8 when all of the action kicks off and we can discuss everything as it happens, make sarcastic jokes about Coldplay and cry at Adele together.
I'm not exactly sure how this is going to work from a technical perspective but we'll work it out!
Fancy red carpet coverage starts at 7pm on ITV2 I believe, then the show itself will be on ITV at eight o clock. See you all then!
hashtaglizziebrits2013
I'm kidding, don't do that.
Throughout the night, there willl be typos, there will be mistakes, and feel free to join in and comment @lizzie_hudson!
___
8pm - Muse open with "Supremacy", first track on their newest album "The 2nd Law". This is beautiful, explosive and fantastic and loud, an orchestra of around two hundred I believe, visually beautiful and fairytale Gothic as it is audibly. Tonight, they're nominated for Best British Group and Best British Live Act.
8:08 - James Cordon has made his necessary interrupting-Adele joke.
8:09 - Mumford and Sons. It's unfair to make unbiased comments because I've followed this band for two years and just love them incredibly. They're nominated for best British Band, Best British Live Act and Best Album this year and they just deserve them so so so much.
08:11 - Best British Female. My guess for this was Emili Sande but I'm really routing for Bat For Lashes, "The Haunted Man" is just a wonderful album. - Emili Sande! I'm happy about this, she was a massive part of the UK music scene in 2012 and has released some great singles. As long as we don't have to listen to another acoustic version of "Read All About It" with just a piano.
08:20 Robbie Williams performs "Candy". This song is kind of my guilty pleasure, it's just ridiculous and catchy and unashamed pop music, even if the screen is actively giving me a headache. He's nominated for Best Single later on.
Cordon interrupting Adele jokes count - II
08:24 Best British Group. As I said before, hoping for Mumford and Sons but I adore Alt-J, who recently won a Mercury, and The XX and Muse are great. Mumford and Sons! No words, they rock. 10 points for Marcus for pretending to be starstruck by One Direction.
08:28 Best British Breakthrough Act. I voted for Ben Howard to win this, but I think it might be Jake Bugg or Rita Ora? We shall see. I don't know how I feel about Jessie Ware, and wasn't really aware of her existence until a few weeks ago. BEN HOWARD. Big, big smiles and cheers over here right now. "I'm not very good at dancing"- that's probably a lie.
08:38 Justin Timberlake performs new single "Mirrors". This is kind of embarrassing but I don't really... have an opinion of Justin Timberlake? I wasn't a huge fan of him when he was first around, but the verse of this does sounds really similar to "Cry Me A River".
08:45 Paloma Faith's "Fall From Grace" - What I've heard of this album surprised me with how much I liked it, it's much more mature than the last one and her voice is gorgeous.
08: 46 Best British Male Probably predictably, I'm really hoping for Ben Howard for this. Yaaaaaay. He's just fantastic, I saw him in Manchester last year and he's wonderful. I think he's performing later on.
08:49 - Critic's Choice - Tom O'Dell, who to be honest I know nothing about except his single which I heard on the radio this morning, and sounds great. Slightly irritating how James Cordon is making this about Emili Sande, though, as great as she is.
Sharon Osbourne is incredibly annoying.
08:56 International Female Solo Artist I think Taylor Swift has this in the bag, but really hoping Cat Power will win, her 2012 album "Sun" is really great. Lana Del Rey! I don't really know how to feel about her, I thought "Video Games" was fantastic but the album as a whole kind of disappointing after all of the uproar, although "Born To Die" was another lovely single.
09:00 One Direction cover "One Way or Another". It's for Comic Relief so okay then.
09:05 Best British Live Act I feel like I can't judge this as I haven't seen them all, except if Mumford and Sons only win one award I want it to be this one, playing live is everything they are and that they put care into. Coldplay and the Vaccines are great, as are Muse and of course the Rolling Stones, though. Coldplay! I really like them but this award was a no-brainer for me - Mumford's studio recordings are so close to their live show, this award belongs to them. Carey Mulligan and I just pulled the same face of complete disappointment. But I want to write about Coldplay without thinking who didn't win. Footage I've seen of their "Mylo Xyloto" tour has been brilliant, and "Charlie Brown" in particular a big part of my life.
09:14 Best British Single I'm hoping for "Spectrum" - Florence and the Machine to win this category, I'm thinking maybe "Skyfall" will win but both of the Emili Sande songs nominated are lovely. "Skyfall" wins, I loved this - just a perfect, Bassey-esque Bond theme.
Cordon interrupting Adele jokes count - IIII
09:18 Taylor Swift performs possibly the weirdest song she's ever released, "I Knew You Were Trouble". I feel like Taylor Swift's personal life is in the press so much that the media forgets pay attention to what she's writing instead of what she's writing about. It's hard not to miss a time when she was just a girl with a guitar, though, instead of all this. Also James Cordon will make jokes about Harry Styles in a while, promise.
Un BRITs related - Moving on to drinking Bloody Mary, now. I think it's possible Robbie has been also.
09:24 International Group The Black Keys will probably win this, who are great, but as frowned-upon as it is I really am hoping for The Script to win. They've had a change of direction but remain a great band. I love the Killers too, "Battle Born" is a brilliant album. The Black Keys: I'm glad a band that are not already so successful won the award. They are so deserving
09:30 Ben Howard performing "Only Love", sounding beautiful, as is beautiful harmonies from cellist India Bourne. This is so minimal, considering his stage show at times can be big and loud with a full band and percussion, and it could have been easy to compete but this is perfect, no gimmicks (ignoring the falling sugar stealers). Favourite performance so far, hands down.
09:35 Alt-J are so fantastic, and I still think they're to a point underrated because these are the first band of this undefinable sub-pop genre that have gained so much attention. "An Awesome Wave" is such a unique album.
09:37 Best International Male My heart is split between Gotye and Michael Buble - "Somebody That I Used to Know" was a huge part of last year and well, Buble, but predict Frank Ocean who has been winning everything recently. Ah, Frank Ocean. Confession: I haven't even heard "Channel Orange" in full yet. But he seems impossibly cool.
09:49 Mumford and Sons perform "I Will Wait" - I've rattled on about them all evening but they're just a perfect, perfect band. Their live performance is flawless (although I feel like I can't fangirl too much or it'll just be awkward when Marcus and I are married...) and they are incredible, play with the same passion and energy at an awards' show or arena gig as they would in a bar, their studio, you can just tell they adore what they do. Going to say no more and just listen.
09:55 Best British Album Hoping for "Babel", obviously, though Alt-J and Emili Sande both released great albums and there were some good singles from Paloma Faith's new one. Congratulations to Emili Sande, she's excellent, "Next To Me" is excellent as is "Read All About It", and her beautiful rendition of "Abide With Me" during the Olympics.
09:58 Global Success Award I try to just quietly not have an opinion of One Direction because I don't listen to them, but some people do and they make them happy and that's okay. But beating Adele and Mumford. I may have just loudly cried out "For fuck's sake!" in my parents' living room.
10:09 Emili Sande performs her new single "Clown". After everything said, her voice is just excellent. Oh, it's a medley! "Next To Me" is great too. This lady has so much soul. Don't worry, guys, acoustic "Read All About It" might still be on the cards, we haven't heard it on a TV show in at least a week. Oh ok, no. Beautiful performance, though.
I don't really have anything to say in conclusion but this has been sufficiently exciting and hilarious! Thank you for sticking around and same again next year! Obviously have to rush off to afterparties now, if by afterparties we mean drink wine by myself. hope you're all doing well.
Lizzie xx
Sunday, 17 February 2013
"our love was made for movie screens"
"ALL I WANT" - Kodaline
Kodaline are from Dublin, currently unsigned and previously made music under the name 21 Demands. "All I Want" is their most recent single, released in late 2012, the first from an upcoming album.
This is one of those songs that fills a gap you didn't know existed. Something that could be just one more break-up ballad, another to the list of thousands of love songs that have been written, it's not. It's special because it is itself. Lyrically, it is simply leaking straight from the heart sorrow and honest desperation.
This isn't the music video for, "All I Want", but that too is just as creative and wonderful. This performance is just four guys, in a big empty room, filling it with the same amount of bursting noise and atmosphere as an entire orchestra, just as acoustic music should be equally able to. The swinging light bulbs and perfect timing of everything make it as visually stunning as it is to the ear, that moment around 3:20 where everything just explodes, stomping feet and beautifully powerful voices shining as bright as the lights.
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