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a wannabe music journalist cover art par moi

[welcometograceland]

Yard Act and Gustaf at the LCR in Norwich

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Pip Blom 16/10/23

This Friday marks the release of indie trio ‘Pip Blom’s’ third album ‘Bobbie’. Hailing from Amsterdam, the band (named after its lead singer) provides unique melodies perfectly showcased in their new releases. The band stray from their original indie- rock roots influenced with the Britpop movement among others and develop an electronic, synth-y sound.

The Dutch trio performed at Norwich Arts Centre on the 16th of October, the venue was relatively small but perfectly reflected the bands slow rise to indie stardom – a journey that will no doubt be sped up by one of their songs being adopted into a ‘TikTok song” in the next few months.

The bands support was a whimsical act called ‘Vanity Fairy’. Like a glittering illusion of Kate Bush, or some 1970s disco queen (I can’t quite make my mind up) she sauntered through the crowd, getting a mixed reception. Her music was clearly not to everyone’s tastes,  but no one could dismiss the energy and vibrance that she brought to the stage - to those that were willing she provided a great warm up before the main act.

Starting with some of their new tracks, such as ‘Is this love?’ and ‘Tiger’, they carried through the upbeat energy from the previous act – all while giving their own spin on this new electronic sound that they have adopted. the rest of the performance was a seamless mix of old and new, occasionally reverting back to past albums and hit singles such as ‘School’ and ‘Babies are a lie’. Theres no doubt that the band have changed their sound – however with songs such as ‘Red’ on their new album, it is clear that they have not completely lost touch with their origins.

Overall, the gig was a great showcase of up-and-coming contemporary acts with a multitude of different sounds – and Norwich Arts Centre, previously a church, is a great place to house and showcase new music.

[welcometograceland]

Nothing But Thieves 02/08/23

Following the recent release of their self- produced fourth studio album ‘Dead Club City’, Nothing But Thieves announced three standalone intimate gigs – primarily consisting of acoustic covers of tracks both new and old, and short segments of question and answer with the audience.

The second show held at the Luke Rayns LCR in Norwich was aptly ambient, with lead singer Conor Mason providing an outstanding vocal range backed by both Dom Craik and Joe Langridge- Brown on guitar. The gig was fully interactive with the audience with no actual setlist, the band were taking requests and performing covers such as that of ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ by Radiohead – one of their biggest inspirations sound-wise, all while keeping the crowd engaged with comical interjections by all members. All the while renditions of the band’s new tracks such as ‘Keeping you around’ reference the band's earlier music both literally, “I’m still a broken machine” and sonically. Older tracks from the band's self-titled debut were requested but one stand-out performance was that of ‘Lover please stay’, the band's love letter to the late Jeff Buckley – another massive inspiration to the band, this was its first time being performed in 8 years. After a quick refresh of the chords and a failed first attempt, the track returned to the band members like muscle memory.

Catch Nothing But Thieves on tour now @ https://www.nbthieves.com/events/

all photos shot and edited by me x

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recent photo from final art project

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A piece I wrote on concert etiquette in recent times...

[roseblo0d-deactivated20250404]

Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star)

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Inhaler are back with their new single “Love Will Get You There”, the funky follow up from their last single “These Are The Days”, both alike in their bittersweet delivery. From first listen I was instantly reminded of “Lust For Life”, by Iggy Pop. Both tracks are melodically similar, deceptively catchy and upbeat for a songs with deeper and darker meaning. The indie-rock quartet hailing from Dublin, Ireland have successfully created a new sound for their new era, while still appealing to long-term fans after their debut album, “It Won’t Always Be Like This”. 

Inhaler’s second album, “Cuts & Bruises” will be released on the 17th February 2023.

You can listen to their new single “Love Will Get You There” on Spotify...

https://open.spotify.com/album/4WXV0n8Gk8TlNJHyXAhyWq?si=IfykJZWET0yxaDfuFQu1dQ

...and watch their music video for the new single here....

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Slightly different to what I usually write about, but here’s a piece I wrote ealier this year on Roe v. Wade for my school magazine. 

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I GOT AM TIX!!!!

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guess who’s going to (hopefully) see arctic monkeys next year!!!!!!

[loureedswampconcert-deactivated]

[jthm-moved]

Peace

[bluevelvetdelrey]

Mood

[badoobea]

smoking cigarettes on the roof, you look so pretty and i love this view

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september 22.0

gräcëkïng · Playlist · 34 songs

[marklanegan-deactivated20230103]

PJ HARVEY performing C’mon Billy on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Burbank, ‘95.

[tearyourpetals]

Hole photographed by Regan Cameron, 1998

[melaniebourget]

#Smoking #smoke #sculpture​ #raku #contemporaryceramic #contemporaryart #melaniebourget (à Nantes France)