Top Tracks: Matthew And The Atlas – Record Store

We leave pieces of ourselves behind everywhere we go like a trail of breadcrumbs. The memories we make are imprinted on the very walls of our surroundings at the time, and it stands to reason then that the more well-trod locales, the places that keep drawing us back time after time, hold the most prominent echoes of our past. ‘Record Store’, the latest single from Matthew And The Atlas, is a reminder of the enduring strength of memories, and how they remain long after the rock and stone around them has weathered away. The latest cut from forthcoming album This Place We Live, out 13th October, is a tale of returning to places you’ve formed a profound connection with, only to find how they’ve changed or even vanished all together. The cherished real-world tether is gone, but the memories remain; a time capsule of a place, and a version of yourself, that no longer exists. A fittingly haunting reflection on our old haunts, ‘Record Store’ is a wonderfully wistful musing on the disconnect we’ll all eventually feel with the life we once lived.

Top Tracks: Matthew And The Atlas – This Place We Live

I think it’s the responsibility of every generation to leave the world better than they found it, ready for the next generation that follows. It’s a simple prospect when talking in broad strokes, but on a more personal level, a parent trying their best to do right by their child, things get a lot more complicated. Making mistakes is part of life, it’s how we learn and grow, but every decision carries more weight when it affects a child as well as ourselves. Each path you’ve taken to get here is second-guessed, thinking whether you could have provided a better life had things worked out differently. Wondering if the things you strive to provide are what’s most needed, trying to find the balance of letting them make their own mistakes and protecting them from the same pitfalls that made you stumble. ‘This Place We Live’ sees Matthew And The Atlas reflect on the nature of parenthood. The title track from their forthcoming album, out 13th October, its stripped back arrangement gives Matt Hegarty’s distinctive voice room to shine. His weathered baritone lends a wisdom and gravitas to the track as he resolves to give himself room to make mistakes and grow as a parent, as well as fretting less about where the road is leading and instead savouring sharing the journey together.

Best Songs of the 2010s (#25-1)

songs2It’s time to live in the past for just one brief moment longer before we fully embrace the future. Time for one last shot of nostalgia as we look at the very best songs of the past ten years. Songs that dominated the airwaves and became anthems for millions, and the ones that formed the backbone of our playlists and became the musical lifeblood of a more personal journey. Songs that have hyped us up ready to take on the world and ones that helped us escape into daydreams, ones that have given us goosebumps and some that have even brought us close to tears. So, assuming you’ve caught up with part one, let’s get to it! Continue reading

Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2018

botfEven in the midst of the most unbearable heatwave I’ve ever experienced, the best weekend of the year didn’t disappoint. While most festivals would have had people literally fighting over the rare patches of shade, or disappearing to watch the England match and causing havoc on their return, this is Barn on the Farm we’re talking about. Everyone that’s been to this little patch of paradise can attest to the indescribable sense of community, and for whatever reason that feeling was stronger than ever this year. On the year where the festival returns to its roots in breaking new artists, I was lucky enough to occupy Over Farm for the full four days and catch all the action.  Continue reading