Emily Jane White – They Moved in Shadow All Together
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Stageit: A new music revolution?
The music industry is well known for being averse to change, but despite this in the course of a few decades the way we listen to music has constantly evolved. From the heyday of vinyl, through tapes, CDs and downloads, all the way up to the advent of streaming which provides a vast vault of music at the push of a button. However in all that time the way we experience music in a live setting has changed very little. But now one pioneering company called Stageit has set in motion an idea that potentially could change the music industry using the wide reaching power of the internet. Continue reading
Polaris Prize shortlist announced
The Polaris Music Prize, Canada’s equivalent of the Mercury Prize, has announced it’s shortlist of the best albums of the year from Canadian artists. The winner of the award and the $50000 prize will be decided by a panel of 196 music journalists and announced during the award gala on 19th September. The shortlist is as follows:
- Black Mountain’s IV
- Basia Bulat’s Good Advice
- Grimes’ Art Angels
- Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION
- Kaytranada’s 99.9%
- Jessy Lanza’s Oh No
- PUP’s The Dream Is Over
- Andy Shauf’s The Party
- U.S. Girls’ Half Free
- White Lung’s Paradise
Top Tracks: SAHARA – Scratch
Ahead of the release of their eponymous debut EP on 29th July, Dundee based band SAHARA have delivered a top class hit single to lure in prospective new fans. Boasting some Johnny Marr-esque guitar work, it ranks amongst the best and most upbeat indie releases of the year and is sure to appeal to fans of Peace, Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club. Beneath it’s exterior awash with pop mentality beats a jangly yet intricate instrumental heart with some bright vocals to boot. Already one of Scotland most exciting new bands their influence and fanbase are all set to expand and I can see a long career ahead of them.
Spotlight!: Hannah Grace
Hailing from Bridgend in South Wales, Hannah Grace boasts one of the most beautiful and versatile voices around. Rightly championed by fellow singer/songwriter Gabrielle Aplin, and having supported Hozier on his European tour, Hannah is quickly making a name for herself as one of the best new singers in the business. With the mellow flowing melodies of tracks such as ‘Chasing Butterflies’ to the gutsy blues of ‘Mustang’ she consistently delivers a resplendent vocal performance, channelling everyone from Carole King to Janis Joplin. Having been a regular on the festival circuit for a few years now she has gathered a fiercely loyal fanbase that is rapidly expanding. Just a short while listening to the honeyed heartfelt beauty of her vocals will leave you thinking that here is one immensely talented artist that seems destined for success.
Hannah’s latest EP Mustang is out 15th July and is a must for fans of Gabrielle Aplin, Rhodes and Birdy.
Album Review: Biffy Clyro – Ellipsis
Biffy Clyro – EllipsisAlbums aren’t dead!
Modern music media is quick to write off albums as a thing of the past, pointing at dwindling sales figures as a sign that the end is nigh. Industry moguls can often be found lamenting over the apparently fickle nature of modern consumers and the fact that people these days simply can’t be bothered to sit through an entire album. To paraphrase Mark Twain: the reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated, and I for one am fed up of this bleak and out of touch outlook. The truth is albums have more power now than they have done in a long time, you just need to know where to look. Continue reading
David Gilmour returns to Pompeii
Source: Sarah M Lee via Instagram
Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour has returned to the ruins of Pompeii to play two shows as part of his world tour. In 1972 Pink Floyd recorded their cult concert film of the band playing to an empty amphitheatre in amongst the roman ruins, now over 40 years on Gilmour is returning to perform there in front of an audience making it technically the first ever rock concert in the city. He performed his solo material alongside reworkings of Pink Floyd classics. However ‘Echoes’, a track that was the cornerstone of the original Live at Pompeii, was notably absent from the setlist, apparently due to the fact that it was too difficult to perform without the contributions of the late Rick Wright.
Album Review: Player Piano – Radio Love
Player Piano – Radio LoveSpotlight!: Laura Roy
From humble yet determined origins selling her music out of her backpack during lunch breaks at school, this Canadian singer/songwriter is set to make her mark on the world. Having learnt from some of the best writers and producers around she is already adept at crafting intoxicating pop hits. Tracks such as ‘Bright Lights’, ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Plastic’ blend together slick and refined electropop with smooth and engaging R&B to create a divine mix that swirls round your mind for days on end. Laura’s music has all the catchy hooks you’d expect from a chart topping hit but with a great deal more heart and artistry. It’s rare to find such shamelessly infectious pop with real soul and meaning behind it, yet here we find a rising young star making pop music that matters.
Fans of Chvrches, Oh Wonder and M83 should check out her eponymous debut EP
Belwood Music 