music

Live Review: Amber Run, The Plug Sheffield, 18th Feb 2017

/ James Fenney
amber-run-sheffield

Photo by Lewis Marchant

There are some concerts that we simply go to on a whim, some that we have planned for ages in advance, and every so often a band comes along that you would drop everything to go and see. Having missed out twice already on seeing Amber Run, seeing the lads up-close and in their element was already long overdue. They have long been my white whale, the one that got away. However, with their new album For A Moment, I  Was Lost surpassing all expectations and launching headlong into contention for album of the year, there was no power in heaven or Earth that would stop me from catching them on their latest UK tour. I made my way to their gig in Sheffield for what was sure to be a night to remember.  Continue reading →

Top Tracks: Keston Cobblers Club – Almost Home

/ James Fenney

Sometimes it’s the simplest of songs that leave the most lasting impressions. That is surely the case with this latest folky offering from Keston Cobblers Club. The title track from their upcoming album Almost Home, out 31st March, takes an acoustic guitar, some foot-tapping rhythms, a few cheerful harmonies and brings it all together to make a carefree and homely hit. Perfect for fans of Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, it’s infectious, festival ready chorus is like the first blooms of spring after a long and bleak winter. This indie folk outfit have struck the perfect balance with their new song and have made something humble, honest and eminently lovable. With such warm and welcoming music in their repertoire, I’ve no doubt their new album will bring with it new fans and new horizons.

Top Tracks: Calista Kazuko – Poison

/ James Fenney

There are some tracks that grow on you, that you slowly start to love a little bit more with each listen, and some that immediately grab your attention and refuse to let go. ‘Poison’ definitely belongs in that latter category. The latest track from this London based singer/songwriter makes for the perfect Bond theme, with it’s dark dramatic atmosphere, soaring vocals and bewitching video. Taken from her upcoming EP Project: Love Me, released 17th March, it is a bold and empowering track that’s sure to make you sit up and pay attention. Strange, seductive and ever so addictive, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like this whole mad world is yours alone, just ready for the taking.

Top Tracks: East of Eli – Nowhere

/ James Fenney

Taken from his upcoming release Lost Transmission, East of Eli’s latest track is an endearingly innocent and heartfelt declaration of love. Under his musical moniker, singer/songwriter Nathan West has penned a gorgeous and cinematic Valentines gift for his wife, ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actress Chyler Leigh. With Chyler providing backing vocals, the track speaks of the limitless potential and power of true love, over a backdrop of swirling synths, folky interludes and dramatic indie pop guitar. This sweetest of love letters not only creates a surprisingly diverse and plentiful soundscape, but more importantly it has a whole lot of heart. Valentine’s Day may have been and gone for another year, but true love, and the latest charming track that it has created, is here to stay.

Interview: The Little Kicks

/ James Fenney

the-little-kicks-interviewAfter taking some much needed time away to reflect and find some fresh perspective, Aberdeen indie pop band The Little Kicks are back and better than ever. Equal parts fun and finesse, silly and sophisticated, electronic and orchestral, their new album Shake Off Your Troubles is one of the most surprising and rewarding albums of the year thus far. I caught up with Steven Milne from The Little Kicks to talk about the new album ahead of it’s release:  Continue reading →

Top Tracks: The Black Angels – Currency

/ James Fenney

You experience ‘Currency’ in two different ways; not only do you listen to it, but you can almost feel the apocalyptic tremors of it’s heavy and menacing riffs, like the approaching footsteps of some unspeakable horror. Dealing with the inescapable power that money has over our lives, this new single is a dramatic and imposing return to form for the Austin psych rock legends after four years away. Taken from their upcoming album Death Song, out 21st April, it treads the seldom ventured middle ground between The Black Keys, Mastodon and Queens of the Stone Age, with it’s sinister, doom laden guitar and it’s hypnotic and purposeful rhythm section. Writhing like some murky rapids in the river Styx, it’s the perfect track for fans of all thing heavy and trippy.

Top Tracks: Miccoli – Idle Stranger

/ James Fenney

Sometimes, for no real reason that you can put your finger on, a song just naturally creates a scene in your mind. Listening to the latest single ‘Idle Stranger’ from this Birmingham band, for me conjures an image of someone breaking away in search of something more. Leaving their old life behind and leaping headfirst into the unknown, eager and anxious in equal measures. It’s the mark of a great song to make you feel something or tell a story in this way, even if the story is of your own making. This trio of siblings have paired bright cascading indie pop riffs with exemplary vocal harmonies to create a track that’s beautifully bittersweet. It weaves it’s way into your mind like the first light of dawn. Released 3rd March, it’s hard not to be moved by Miccoli’s melodious and soul-stirring new single.

The Grammy Awards 2017

/ James Fenney

grammys-2017Despite being one of the worst batches of nominations in recent memory, this year’s Grammy Awards went better than expected… for the most part. David Bowie picked up posthumous awards for best rock song, rock performance and alternative album. Cage The Elephant won the pitiful pool of nominations for best rock album for their latest release Tell Me I’m Pretty. What was expected to be an endless stream of awards for Beyoncé ended up being clean sweep for Adele, picking up album of the year, song of the year and record of the year, as well as pop album and pop performance. She dedicated her award to Beyonce (and broke it, ‘Mean Girls’ style) in a moving speech. Performance wise the night was marred by technical issues, most notably when James Hetfield’s microphone wasn’t working during Metallica’s performance of ‘Moth Into Flame’ with Lady Gaga. By far the best performance of the night was surprisingly Bruno Mars’ tribute to the dearly departed Prince.