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Today's Document
DEAR READER
Mike Driver
trying on a metaphor
Sweet Seals For You, Always
todays bird
Not today Justin
if i look back, i am lost
tannertan36
d e v o n
$LAYYYTER
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
we're not kids anymore.
untitled
almost home
taylor price
pixel skylines
Cosmic Funnies
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seen from France
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seen from Pakistan
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@negomi-live
WHAT I 'M LISTENING TO- BB- Walk of Shame
Out of the ashes of the boss band that was 'Redtrack' Comes Billy Wright and Robert Gulston with 'Alterno-pop', which is a new one on me, but I like it a lot. Walk of shame is funky and the definition of catchy with a captivating, but simple video to go with it.
It seems Wright can do no wrong.
For fans of- Redtrack, David Guetta, Maroon 5
Arizona Law 25/08/12 Jack Chams, Plymouth.
Arizona Law are as cool as their name, honestly. The front cover of their new EP 'Ballard of a Deadman' is even cooler, and Jack Chams odd stage set up is also cool, creating one very cool evening in Plymouth.
This evening the band release their three track EP on Medical Records for just £3 a pop and they treat fans, friends and family to live versions.
The EP title track goes down a storm, Jack Chams has too many tables to accommodate a mosh pit, but you get the feeling that the audience kind of wants to and like the Kaiser Chiefs- I predict a riot (at future shows). Their music offers a surprise for the average Joe walking in off the street, heavy rock, with the speed and vocal attitude of Punk, this is a genre not so often experienced in Plymouth. More often than not its a case of metal, screamers and hair windmills. Its great to hear some bonafide Punk for once, and how Arizona Law are doing it is spot on.
Imogen Bird
What a week. Happy to report that I am now self employed and being paid for my work, my first proper job? Boardmasters festival 2012... I've decided this is all one big dream.
So I've not been doing 'reviews' for you. I have to be honest, the prospect of 'reviewing' Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, You me at Six and Ed Sheeran seems pointless with so many others out there, so if you need a fix, have a look at this one written by a nice person who used my photos on their site.
http://www.whosjack.org/boardmasters-festival-review/
Proper reviews from my head back soon!
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO- Fenech Soler- Demons
Going to be seeing these in 8 days at Leopallooza festival, they are a standout band on the line up (alongside Man like me obviously)
Catchy, upbeat and stylish, Demons is a perfect mix of electro, pop and rock.
For Fans of- FrankMusik, Florence and the Machine.
Hi Chaps, So you haven't heard from me in a while. Did you miss me?
Shooting local shows hasn't happened in a while as my Photography Career appears to have lift off, I've been away at London, shooting (and almost crashing golf carts) in Hyde park for the Queens Jubilee and have also traveled to Cardiff, Leeds, and Birmingham, following the Olympic Torch like a pyromaniac stalker, and have somehow got myself a job shooting with IPYN for Sportsvision. I'm all excited and happy that these things are happening and I hope they continue. For now, feast your eyes on the beautiful Emily Sande, You me at Six, The Wanted and another couple of sneaky snaps of whats been happening!
Ciao!
Stars in their eyes, White Rabbit, Plymouth.
Part I- 9/3/12
Part II- 4/5/12
Part III- 5/5/12
Sometimes, just sometimes, I get really bored at gigs. There's a band, some guitars, they are playing some songs, most of which I don't know. I love music, and sometimes I get bored. I don't think I should really admit that should I?
'Stars in their eyes' seems to be my antidote. An idea from the geniuses at 'Live Sound Promotions', local bands are masquerading as their heroes, influences and, well... Busted.
After the success of the first of these shows that saw Envy the fallen as Parkway Drive and Moscow Massacre play a set of System of a Down tunes to a packed out White Rabbit, the organisers put on another two of these shows over one glorious weekend of Jack Daniels, sweaty mosh pits, really silly outfits, belly laughs and some spectacular performances.
To mention all of the acts who played would take a quite a while, (There were over 20 of them) so here are the three that really stick in my mind.
Up first, the surprise of the May weekend, Staring in Part II- Fel Fiasco as Justin Timberlake. Yes, it sounds like a car crash, and it probably would have been in the hands of many other bands but this female fronted group handled songs such as 'Cry me a river' and 'SexyBack' with such swagger I almost forgot to shoot any Photographs. Lead singer Lianna's voice is, quite frankly; captivating.
Secondly, a band remembered for totally different reasons- Elithia doing Busted. These guys graced Part I, and lead singer Tyler could only be described as very, very drunk. Does anyone really blame him? Elithia are a renowned local metal band- Busted was a risk, but one that everyone enjoyed for the comedy factor. It didn't even seem to matter that Tyler couldn't remember the words to 'What I go to school for', the audience helped out, shouting every single word, it came very close to karaoke. Scary. Elithia returned in Part III, (they were less sloshed you will be pleased to know).
Lastly, and most exciting, Bring the Plague and friends as Slipknot, a band that have since decided that this needs to be repeated, have donned the name 'Knotslip' and have big plans to become an official Slipknot tribute band, a feat of which they are definitely capable. It has to be said that after barrels being wheeled on stage and other threatening implements laying around, I was genuinely scared and wished I wasn't in the front row. I stuck it out however and was rewarded with an amazing performance with spectacular character and passion. The barrels were indeed, extremely loud after two of the masked members stepped up and bashed the hell out of them with large sticks.
The effort put in to this performance was astonishing, the impact of the outfits, practice and props and showmanship by all members of the band made this show one of the best I've ever experienced.
Imogen Bird
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO- Young Guns- Bones
It's really exciting to feel like you are witnessing a new Rock genre that will go down in history. UK bands such as The Blackout, Deaf Havana, Lower than Atlantis, Don Broco, Young Guns and many more seem to be taking over venues, cities and minds up and down the country. Maybe there is a sort of Illuminati thing going down here because most of these bands seem to know each other... quite well.
UK rock is exciting right now, it's fresh, it's loud and it's probably going to punch your Oasis mix cassette in it's play/record button.
For fans of- Lostprophets, You me at Six
'IPYN Live!' 12/5/12 at DBS live, Plymouth.
Grasping what this event was all about took me a while. I was given limited information about what exactly this gig entailed, or what IPYN actually was until I arrived. Turns out IPYN is the best thing in the world. Basically it stands for 'International Production Youth Network' [ http://www.facebook.com/IPYNetwork?fref=ts ] and the whole idea is to give young people a platform to break into all areas of media production, such as sound, lighting, artist liaison, photography and event promotion. This event was put together by Rachel Haughey, Creator of IPYN, as a practical example of how the organisation helps people who want to get into live music production.
The bands on the bill- Jonathan Stafford, Sky vs Mountain, Seize the Day, Dead Poets and the Deering.
At only 18, Jonathan Stafford opens the show with confidence, just a boy and his guitar but playing songs from his EP- ‘The Beautiful Catastrophe’ goes down well with those in the audience who have come out early.
Sky Vs Mountain follow with not such a confident or enjoyable set. The four guys spend a lot of time standing quite still with fixed shoegaze, but to their credit, they don’t clear the room and manage applause from the supportive crowd. A good attempt; hopefully a confidence booster for the band who maybe need a little more practice at performance.
Next up, a band that have a place on so many bills around Plymouth it’s surprising there is anyone left who is yet to see Seize the day live. With their relatively new addition- female drummer Lou (Who is a completely new member; This isn’t a sex change situation.) They ramp up the volume, heat and pretty much everything else in the room with an energetic and professional performance.
The evening seems like a slow ascent to a full on ruckus as Dead Poets get the headbanging going, a quality band deserving of national acclaim. Formed in 2006, this 4 piece have been slowly taking over the rock scene around the south west. ‘Stop Drop and Roll’ a particularly great example of their hard rock spirit and also, the point the crowd gets their wiggle on.
Yet another Plymouth 4 piece, The Deering end the night on a high with top quality indie rock, a well connected band with lead singer Daniel Broadley owning a successful film company, [ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-Broadley-Films/162674190413277 ] having shot music videos for the likes of Deaf Havana, We Start Partys and Futures, big names around the UK’s indie rock scene, The Deering have their fingers in some truly hot pies. Supporting Alkaline trio in Exeter this week, the future of the band seems to be heading in all the right directions.
Imogen Bird
Huron and Tyranus Malus 13/4/12 C103, Plymouth.
C103 is being reborn. For a long time this club had vetoed its live aspect. Previously hosting such names as Biffy Clyro, Inme and Sikth and featuring DJ sets from Enter Shikari. The venue went down a not-so-live route- playing the big names over the decks rather than through amps. A much beloved rock club since the 80’s (previously known as JFK’s) a turnaround is happening and the live bands are heading back into the place. This week hosts Huron, a homegrown talent from Plymouth that have been enjoying nationwide underground success for quite a while now. The crowd at 103 is small but dedicated and a mass of swinging hair fills the front row.
Tyranus Malus support, this band, obviously ‘metal’ but with a sort of punky look to them is an obviously successful choice for Huron to allow to warm the room up. Not an easy task at a sober 9pm with no more than 20 people in the 700 capacity room but they do okay. A keen and skilled trio.
Huron are the band that the few dedicated fans in the room are looking forward to though, some even adorned in Huron merch, something which must be a big compliment to the underground band. The energy on the dancefloor is ample, the space giving the metalers room to really get down to it, a two man mosh pit even erupts at one point. Huron have a close relationship with the venue, a couple of years ago shooting their video for ‘disperse of we fire’ from the album ‘Mary Celeste’ there, a sweaty day of headbanging that left the extras with sore feet and necks.
The set, maybe a little long for the few spectators hanging around the edge waiting for the club night to begin, showcased however the power Huron bring to their music. Maybe more enjoyable for ‘proper’ metal fans who had previously listened to the tracks, the energy between the fans on the floor and the band doesn’t seem to extend past that to the bar and tables, not a flaw of the music as much as the lack of crowd, But with an upcoming performance at bloodstock 2012, this band is one that will keep pushing.
Imogen Bird
Thomas Ford and Head of Programmes-16/04/12 Jack Chams, Plymouth.
It's the first night of the tour. A tour that, if tonight is anything to go on will be a resounding success. Beginning their short stint on the road, Thomas ford (AKA Simon Langsford) And Head of Programmes (AKA Jim MacGregor) grace their hometown with a short but sweet evening of soulful folksy music that leaves the small bar in what seems like stunned silence. Talking to Jim after the show, I ask him if he found that that impossibly quiet room made him feel awkward- surprisingly but correctly he seemed to take it as a compliment and tells me that he felt more comfortable playing to a room that was focused on the music, an understandable but unusual reaction from a musician. I'm sure we've all heard; "[Insert venue name here] MAKE SOME NOISE FOR ME!!!!" Countless times.
Thomas Ford's performance is, as it always is, captivating and intriguing. For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of hearing this chaps singing voice, you may be surprised, in a Joss Stone, “Who’s voice did you steal” way. It’s not often in the depths of Devon that you hear a broad Delta blues accent, with melodies to match too. There is far more to Ford’s music than his voice; with just a few guitars, a harmonica, a voice muffler and a stompbox; he is a one man band but with more sincerity and style than most of his genre.
Jim MacGregor of Head of Programmes also astonishes with his voice. The band sometimes comprises of as many as 6 members, but the transition from full band to soloist with guitar fits a lot better into the night and venue and nothing is lost with the cut down.
These two acts are must-sees for real music fans, regardless of genre preferences, the show they put on is above all that. Just another example of the amazing music coming out of Devon these days.
Imogen Bird
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO.
Everything Everything- Tin (The Manhole)
Been a fan of Everything Everything since seeing them live in 2009.
They take a little bit of getting used to because they are pretty out there, but it is well worth it. For a first listen to really get a flavor for them I would suggest 'Photoshop Handsome' or 'my kz ur bf'.
This song though is beautiful, Everything Everything are great at conjuring obscure and weird mental stories. It's like Music+
For fans of- Weird disco dance pop.
Charlie Simpson, Union sound set and Sam Beeton. 6/04/12 Exeter Phoenix.
Since 5pm a steadily growing group has been gathering outside The Phoenix. The jittering and fidgeting that is rippling through the assembly could be attributed to the large amount of empty coffee cups scattered around the place but the more likely reason is anticipation of tonight’s man of the moment- Charlie Simpson.
This fanbase is certainly committed and dressed in stylish festival-wear; hair decorated with flowers and in one case, dressed head to toe in a full on, white rabbit suit- an outfit choice that would probably go over the heads of anyone not familiar with Simpson’s latest single.
As the fans rush to get the best place in the venue, Nottingham songwriter Sam Beeton takes the stage and manages to captivate with just a guitar, harmonica and startling vocals. Sam is the first to remind us that Exeter is the last stop on the ‘Pilgrimage’ tour 2012 and as potential unemployment beckons him, he assures us that he is a good plumber. There seems to be a comfort between Sam and the audience, a feat that, surprisingly, his charming and awkward chit chat achieves. Song-wise ‘Lie low lie’ proves to be an instantly likeable tune much alike the charming ‘Good natured child’ and ‘Rain down on you’ all featuring on his innovative ‘Record Club’, a rather different approach to releasing music that sees Sam sharing music on CD with his fans monthly.
‘Union sound set’ follow, fronted by Charlie’s brother Edd Simpson. Charlie has made a habit out of having his brothers support his shows. Whatever the reason for this; brotherly love, a cheaper wage rate or a ‘sharing his toys’ sentiment, it is a decision that pays off and the talented Simpson family always bring something new. This particular band reinvented themselves from ‘Prego’ and do a good job of announcing their presence. Union Sound Set are as interesting visually as they are in sound, Disregarding the typical guitar, bass and drums set up, it seems tonight, like a competition to see how many musicians you can fit on a stage as the eight men playing instruments including a xylophone, a double bass as well as a bass guitar are left almost as cosy as the crowd, even more so as Charlie joins the ranks of musicians with a guitar to sing a track from the debut album ‘Start/Stop,’ that he features on. The song brings a clue to how excited the audience is to see the main act tonight, mobile phones and cameras appear instantly and screams erupt from around the room as the crowd get their first glimpse of Charlie Simpson, albeit quite an obscured one under a baseball cap and baggy hoody. As Union Sound set finish up, toilet trips are run like marathons and the pros and cons of venturing to the bar are weighed up and the now thoroughly warmed up auditorium waits.
It isn’t unusual at live music events for an act to prompt the audience to sing a part of the song by stepping away from the microphone and holding a hand up to an ear. It is unusual however, for the response to be actual singing and not just yelling. Fans seem to cherish Charlie’s lyrics and melodies and as the final hour of the pilgrimage tour gets underway they are singing every single one. ‘Parachutes’ opens the set and is greeted by as much emotion as it hands out. All but two songs come from the massively successful album ‘Young Pilgrim’- Although not a début studio album for Simpson’s career, it is the first for this reinvention. Simpson has an amazing ability to seamlessly jump genres successfully, a hurdle that has been fallen at by many artists previously. Other than Parachutes, clear winners in the room are ‘Cemetery’ ‘Down, Down, Down’ and ‘Farmer and his Gun’, the latter, the most recently released single, tonight temporarily impaired by Charlie’s giggling upon noticing the giant rabbit at the back of the room. Other than fluffy animals, the array of fans in the room is strangely obvious; at the front are the committed group that spent their afternoon drinking coffee and waiting outside the venue, just behind them, in the middle of the room stand the embracing couples- a Charlie Simpson gig may just be the perfect date. At the back of the room are the more unlikely fans, several groups of young men happily drinking and enjoying the music. It is a testament to Simpson that he can attract such a diverse range of fans. As the encore is concluded with ‘Riverbanks’, the final track on ‘Young Pilgrim’, parents wait outside in the cold and the room engages in one last beautiful sing-along.
Imogen Bird
Mad Dog Mcrea, Hobo Jones and the Junkyard dogs and Rosie Vanier 17/3/12. Exeter Phoenix
It is the nation’s favourite drinking day and at the Phoenix the atmosphere is as merry as should be legally allowed as the festivities of St Patrick’s Day get underway in the shape of a good old night of song and dance delivered by the finest ‘folk-plus-more’ acts around.
Rosie Vanier starts the evening with a sweet and obscure set of poignant, melodic keyboard songs with an edge, ‘Neon Nightmare’, the name of her latest EP and upcoming tour definitely describes her sound in one. Her themes range from ill wishes directed at an ex boyfriend to a ‘cheery tune’ about a girl murdered on Bodmin moor. The room turns from baffled wonder to amused appreciation for what is a very quirky set. Rosie herself (Formally of Rosie and the Goldbug) sits at her keys draped in string lights, 3 glittering skulls adorning a headdress, pressing her pedals with impressively high heels. The subtle showmanship is just on the money for her captivating style, lyrically- folksy themed, but more electro-indie sounding with a touch of sinister comedy and enough talent to hit the high notes with impressive courage, especially in ‘In the here and the now’. Undoubtedly a few new fans have been earned.
A change of pace would be the appropriate phrase to describe the next act. Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs most definitely have a few fans in tonight. The set plays out more like a comedy show with musical interludes, much to the delight of the slightly sloshed admirers. These dogs may not have shiny coats and healthy teeth but they will certainly jump up and greet you with wagging tails when you arrive. The fast-paced tempo is addictive, leaving no one in the room standing still. Delightfully adapted covers like American idiot by Green day and a whole mishmash of tunes somehow skilfully including ‘Sound of da police’ by KRS-one , raise quite a few uncontrollable grins. Self styled ‘Skunk’ music, of which we are assured is because of musical genre crossover and not in any way related to any kind of smells, is created by the washboard, tea chest bass and acoustic guitar which combine brilliantly well to create probably enough toe-tapping to power the Phoenix’s lights for the evening.
When St Patricks day rolls around though, there is really only one band you want to be doing the jig to as you sip a pint of Guinness- and that is Mad dog Mcrea. The local legends have achieved nationwide appreciation with their infectious Celtic melodies and spirited performances. Tonight they deliver many crowd favourites, which for Mad Dog is not a challenge as all Mad Dog songs are favourites. Getting in ‘Am I drinking enough’ early on seems almost like a challenge to those in the audience without a beverage in hand, although the bar remains uncrowded, quite an impressive feat on St Patricks day- a testament to Mad dog Mcrea’s incredible performance. ‘Little Black Fly’ and ‘Bear Necessities’ both get the singing along going and there seems to be no stopping the jubilant crowd from dancing, the swaying uncontrollable even between songs. Mad dog have a great ability to keep things fresh while retaining what it is that people love about them. The ‘Magic bus’ Cardboard creation, goes down a storm and fiddle player Nicky’s neon green tutu salutes the reason we have all come together tonight. It’s these little thoughtful details that show Mad dog’s quirky charm and leave us all wanting more.
I think what everyone in the venue would agree on though, is that just having the privilege of being where Mad dog are on this day means you are getting one of the best and most appropriate St Paddy’s day experiences in the country.
Imogen Bird.