The Lady is a Hawke

"I wanted to make music that could put a smile on peoples faces and give them a feeling of nostalgia even though they may be hearing my songs for the first time. "

Pip Brown

Ladyhawke: aka New Zealand songstress Pip Brown, aka my favourite guitar toting, fringe rocking, 80s repping, funky t shirt wearing, humble heroine, played a super-cool set on a crisp winter's eve on Thursday at The Foundry.  I've been a fan for a few years, my first foray into live Ladyhawke being a chance encounter during a somewhat spur of the moment attendance at Portugese summer festival Sudoeste; I'd heard of this blonde locked London based lady who channelled "all the good bits" of the 80s in her debut self titled album but I hadn't yet listened to her tunes myself and, I have to admit, I was somewhat ashamed that the audience members around me sang out her lyrics in fervent unison, whilst I, dumbfounded, had to enjoy the moment somewhat vicariously through them as they formed their fingers into love hearts and held them above their heads in admiration of Miss Brown. The vicarious business didn't last long though; sweet synths and 80s inspired guitar riffs got me dancing with the rest of them and I have been a fan forever after. Balance was restored on Thursday as I made my way to the front and sang to my heart's content beside other faithful fans; an experience I had been coveting in the years post that delightful Portugese summer.  She rocked it. Enough said.  Thank you, Miss Brown.  Please, come back soon...

via

The One About Bon Iver

Confession: I have a mild obsession. 

I just can't help it.  It's the bipolar timbre of Justin Vernon's voice, the poetical and enigmatic lyrics, the instrumental inventiveness, the collaborative genius, and yeah, maybe a little bit of the beanie toting flannelette wearing super-cool tattoo sporting elements too.  (But mostly the other bits).  I am well and truly on this band wagon, in all it's nonchalant grammy winning glory.  You are right there with me though, right?

It's not very often that I come across a band whose entire repertoire I love and listen to on repeat; whose videos I queue up on YouTube, whose links I post on my Facebook pages with reckless abandon accompanied by what can only be described as shameless plugging.  "Have you seen this??!" I virtually squeal, (yes, double question mark - exclamation combo) as I come across anyone I think may yet to have had their lives enriched by the sweet sounds of said band. "This is sooooo amazing!!" (again, believing that the repetition of "o" will enhance my point).  I swear I am this close to typing the dreaded OMG.  Yeah.  I am that dedicated a fan.  Annoying much?

Well you know what? I am so not sorry. These guys are incredibly talented.  Put it on, turn it up and pretend you are sitting lakeside on a blanket somewhere with the autumn leaves around you, a mug of mulled wine in your hand and a good book at your side.  Heaven. What's equally entertaining is singing along to a tune or two, googling the actual lyrics, finding out how incredibly wrong you were and laughing a little, but discovering that you kind of wrote a little ditty on your own in the process (albeit with a blatantly plagiarised melody.)  A private duet with Justin becomes a spontaneous poetry writing exercise. What is there not to love?

I recently stumbled upon this musical masterpiece and I have not yet ceased to be enthralled.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Bon Iver band members Justin Vernon and Sean Casey in a musical collaboration that might just change your life (or at least your Monday evening).

You are welcome.

Music by Moyenah

Hey friends! I can now share with you a little project I completed a couple of weeks ago.  I was fortunate enough to meet and interview up and coming Christchurch musician Mona Nourozi (aka Moyenah) for Canta's* New Zealand Music Month issue.  I had a great time chatting to Mona about her musical influences and aspirations, as well as her studies in psychology and philosophy and her other artistic pursuits (she is one talented lady...).  You can have a little look at the piece I wrote here.  She even let me take some snaps of her on the campus grounds, and kept a smile on her face as I requested that she prance around in the autumn leaves and look happy despite the freezing cold.  Thanks, Mona!  You can check out her Facebook page here.

*Canta is the University of Canterbury's Weekly Student Magazine.

30 Days of Me Day 21: Happy Happy Joy Joy

The prompt? A picture of something that makes me happy..................

Haha: remember this?!

Another difficult one.  Despite my recent episodes of being predominantly UNhappy and feeling slightly sorry for myself, there are, in fact, so many things that make me happy, picking just one is a tough decision.  We just finished our weekly trip to the supermarket and had the van radio turned UP REALLY LOUD and it came to me...

I FREAKING LOVE LIVE MUSIC!

Just some of the pictures...

Pete Doherty, Glastonbury 2009

Kora, Kentish Town, 2009

UB40, Melbourne, 2008

Ben Harper, Kentish Town, 2009

 

Shapeshifter, Kentish Town, 2009

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music"

Well said, Mr Aldous Huxley, well said.

xo

The Apple Shuffle

Today I thought I'd take part in a popular blog meme and put my i-pod on shuffle and share with you, dear reader, the first ten songs that play.  Oh what gems may be unearthed in the next ten minutes....But I shouldn't be apprehensive, right? I should be proud of my sound selection, shouldn't I? I should be most willing to impose my perfect playlist onto you, don't you think? Well.... I'll let you make your own mind up after you've had a looky here...

1. Song: Part One, Artist: Band of Horses, Album: Everything all the Time

(Ah....did anyone else know that the lyrics to the song sometimes scroll up on the i pod screen when you press play? Coz I didn't!  How cool is that?)

Lyric sample:  "The bottom the earth i have to fall, but you really caught me, you really caught me, dear

at the bottom where I'd fallen".

Comment: Just recently got into this charming lil band.  Lovely song.

2. Song: Be Mine, Artist: David Gray, Album: David Gray Greatest Hits

Oh! (At the risk of sounding like Ive had a few too many wines on the dancefloor...) I loooove this song!

Lyric sample: "knock me over stone cold sober, not a thing i could say or do

'cos baby when i'm walking with you now, my eyes are so wide

like you reached right into my head, and turned on the light inside"

Comment: David Gray is the shiz.

3. Song: Lovesong, Artist: The Cure, Album: The Cure Greatest Hits (Disc 1)

Lyric sample: "whenever I'm alone with you you make me feel like i am home again, whenever i'm alone with

you you make me feel like i am whole again"

Comment: Wohoo.  The Cure.  Nuff said.

4. Song: I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, Artist: Arctic Monkeys, Album: Whatever People, Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Lyric sample: "I wish you'd stop ignoring me because you're sending me to despair, 

Without a sound yeh you're calling me and I don't think it's very fair
That your shoulders are frozen (as cold as the night) Oh, but you're an explosion (You're dynamite)"

Comment: Best for dancing like a maniac, playing air drums and singing into your hairbrush.  

When no one else is home.

5. Song: Hand in My Pocket, Artist: Alanis Morissette, Album: Jagged Little Pill

Lyric sample: " I'm high but I'm grounded, I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed, I'm lost but I'm hopeful"

Comment: Haha! Yes, I AM still listening to Alanis and NO I am NOT ashamed by this at all.  Her first album was the best.  I hear she is married these days and her music now sucks coz she isnt angry at the world anymore...Ah well, you live, you learn... (see what I did there?)

6. Song: Green Eyes, Artist: Coldplay, Album: A Rush of Blood To The Head

Lyric sample: "Honey you are the sea , Upon which I float

And I came here to talk , I think you should know , That green eyes, you’re the one that I wanted to find

And anyone who, tried to deny you must be out of their mind"

Comment: Yusss!!!! This is my fave song from Chris et al. I have green eyes.  Eat it, Gwyneth.

7. Song: I'm Yours, Artist: Angus & Julia Stone, Album: Heart Full Of Wine (EP)

Lyric sample: "Hope, oh what a funny word, wasn't like I was expecting all this falling down, I sit by the window, watching the air that you breathe, so far away"

Comment: Wickedly talented Aussie duo.  Wish they'd come over and pay us a visit!

8. Song: Blue, Artist: Regina Spektor, Album: Far

Lyric sample: "And all the gods and all the worlds, began colliding on a backdrop of blue.  Blue lips,Blue veins.Blue,The color of our planet from far, far away."

Comment: I saw Regina at Glastonbury and she well and truly rocked it.  Crazily amazing pianist and quirky lyrics to boot.  Samson is my fave Regina song.

9. Song: Blinding, Artist: Florence and The Machine, Album: Lungs

Lyric sample: "Seems that I have been here, in some dreaming state, I tossed in the waking world, never quite awake, No kiss, no gentle word could wake me from this slumber,

Till I realise that it was you who held me under

Comment: I want to be just like Florence when I grow up. 

10. Song: Diamonds and Gold, Artist: Tom Waits, Album: Rain Dogs

Lyric sample:   "There's a hole in the ladder, A fence we can climb, Mad as a hatter, You're thin as a dime

Go out to the meadow, The hills are agreen, Sing me a rainbow, Steal me a dream"

Comment: A friend of mine introduced me to the musical wonder that is Tom Waits.  Try it.  I'm now never without him on my play list.

So.......

(awkward silence)

Album Review: Mumford and Sons "Sigh No More"

Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More

 

 (Image care of Mumford and Sons official website)

Picture this: an masse barn dance, where sun-kissed festival goers triumphantly toast strangers and sing together in boisterous unison, members of the crowd hand-clap and toe-tap in ardent delight, some dance barefoot in graceful circles with their hands in the air, others pound the earth in well worn gumboots, whilst their associates play air banjo and accompanying imaginary tambourines with flair and fervour. The sun is setting and the cider is sweet. The music: magical. This, my friends, is the sound of Mumford and Sons.

Bound by their shared obsession with bluegrass, country and folk, the foursome started to bring front man Marcus Mumford’s early attempts at song writing to life back in 2007. A mere six months after their union, the talented West London quartet were playing to sell out crowds in the capital city, gaining disciples whilst touring around Britain, and preaching to the masses from the Glastonbury stage. It’s no wonder then that the clever London lads caught the eye of producer extraordinaire, Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Bjork, The Maccabees ring any bells?). Four weeks of experimentation with Eastcote Studios vintage equipment, ongoing encouragement to enhance their distinct musical identity (“he just wanted us just to sound like us”) and fine tuning (pun intended) and it arrived: Mumford and Sons’ debut album, Sigh No More.

The twelve tracks, characterised by powerful vocal harmonies, driving bass lines and potent crescendos is a feast to the folk lover’s ears. Comparisons to The Fleet Foxes, Noah and The Whale, and Crosby Stills and Nash are a plenty, but the artists’ attempts to create their own brand of folk-rock appear to have succeeded. And whilst the artful composition and resplendent meeting of strong vocals and interesting instruments (including mandolin, banjo, brass and double bass) may be the makings of a good hand, the winning ace is surely to be found in Mumford’s poignant prose.

The lyrics have been crafted to be clearly heard and they are never in danger of being lost amidst the musical mountains and valleys present in each track – vocals intensified by faultless harmonies ring out above the colourful ensemble. The band pay homage to fellow countryman Will Shakespeare in the title track, quoting Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing: Serve God, love me and mend, followed by an insight that could have been uttered by the man himself: Love - it will not betray,dismay or enslave you it will set you free. Melancholic yet uplifting lyrics flourish in virtually every track, from Winter Winds (The flesh that lived and loved will be eaten by plague / So let the memories be good for those who stay) to Timshel (And death is at your doorstep / And it will steal your innocence / But it will not steal your substance / As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand). See what I mean?!

So put it on and turn it up, grab your makeshift tambourine and sing and stomp along with the rest of them. You’ll enjoy it, trust me. This truly is music to awaken your soul.

Tracklisting:

1. Sigh No More
2. The Cave
3. Winter Winds
4. Roll Away Your Stone
5. White Blank Page
6. I Gave You All
7. Little Lion Man
8. Timshel
9. Thistle & Weeds
10. Awake My Soul
11. Dust bowl Dance
12. After the Storm 

Mumford and Sons Website

Mumford and Sons MySpace