For one brief golden weekend this gorgeous little patch of English countryside undoubtedly holds the title of the happiest place on Earth. As well as having built a reputation as one of the keenest eyes for new rising talent, Barn on the Farm above all else boasts an inescapable atmosphere of joy and togetherness. With so much in it’s favour it’s little wonder that I, along with the rest of the ever-growing Farm family, eagerly made my way back to my spiritual home for another year of incredible music and priceless memories. Continue reading
music
Must Own Albums: Modern Marvels part 2
The National – Boxer
Brimming with dark melancholy, but also with a an inescapable air of worldly wisdom, it’s hard not to be moved by The National. Boxer is the perfect album for contemplation and escapism, for times when you feel disillusioned with the whole of life and humanity and you need something to cling onto to stop you from drifting away into the abyss. When all else fails this album brings comfort.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Before you have even listened to this album, one look at what is possibly the most beautiful album artwork ever designed should tell you that this is something special. The band have grown from the folk origins of their debut For Emma, Forever Ago and have expanded into a grand yet delicate baroque pop soundscape. A thoroughly enrapturing listen from start to finish.
Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker
Following the collapse of his band Whiskeytown, Adams went on to create his first solo album. The raw honesty of his lyrics and the passion of their delivery led to a prolific career and Whiskeytown was soon forgotten. The intense beauty of songs like ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Come Pick Me Up’ have resulted in them becoming some of his most well loved hits.
Tame Impala – Lonerism
With the release of their second album Tame Impala proved themselves to be Australia’s greatest creative force. The mesmerising psychedelica of tracks such as ‘Elephant’ and ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ hark back to the heady hey day of the late 60s, and yet it feels so refreshingly modern like a vision of an alternate musical future. Indulgent, lavish and expansive it feels like a whole new world waiting to be discovered.
Apple patents technology to disable cameras
A patent has recently been granted to Apple for new technology that allows iPhones to have their cameras disabled via infrared sensors. The action has been taken in an effort to stop concert goers taking photos and videos. Although some people are in favour of curbing the use of phones at concerts, the general consensus is that it is a heavy-handed approach and even that it is breach of the public’s rights. There is plenty of antisocial behaviour at concerts of which use of phones is one of least irritating. There are also fears about the possible misuse of the new technology as a form of censorship, such as during protests.
Top Tracks: Happy Diving – Holy Ground
Hailing from the suburbs of San Francisco, Happy Diving deliver a visceral injection of no-holds-barred garage rock. Their latest single ‘Holy Ground’ captures so much in just an intense couple of minutes. Brimming with both passion and aggression it takes a deep and melodic song and drenches it in the warm fuzz of feedback to create a tempestuous track that is equal parts primal aggression and artful grace. This viciously addictive high-octane hit is one of the most gutsy and glorious songs of the year thus far. The band’s latest album Electric Soul Unity is out 19th August via Topshelf Records.
Glastonbury 2016
This year’s Glastonbury seemed doomed to fail. With traffic chaos, some of the worst mud in the festival’s history and even BBC coverage being affected by the EU referendum broadcasts it would have been an easy bet to back it being an utter shambles. Instead the world’s greatest festival managed to pull it off and maintain high spirits on the farm and accomplish record breaking viewing figures. Here’s a brief roundup of the best of what BBC iPlayer’s “Glastontelly” has to offer. Continue reading
Playlist: May/June 2016
Album Review: Stuart Wicke – Doxology
Stuart Wicke – DoxologySpotlight!: Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles
The former founding member and guitarist of Catfish & the Bottlemen has struck out on his own and is rapidly growing a following just as passionate and loyal as that of the band he helped propel towards stardom. With being a key player on one of the best debut albums of the decade already under his belt it’s hardly surprising that his solo career boasts some of the best indie hits of the year. A self assured musician with talent beyond his years, Billy has gathered a top notch band to help bring his vision to light. Tracks like ‘Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waitin’ For You’ blend together the intricate and impassioned indie rock that made him famous with a subtle hint of Americana. Billy and his Wry Smiles are masters of anthemic choruses and summer ready “sing your heart out” hits. With some top tracks at his disposal it won’t be long until this ex-bottleman and his burgeoning fanbase are selling out venues across the UK.
Fans of Noel Gallagher, Kurt Vile, The Maccabees and (of course) Catfish & the Bottlemen should check out the latest single ‘Are You Ready?‘
Top Tracks: Keaton Henson – Alright
One of Britain’s best kept musical secrets has new music on the way. Championed by Zane Lowe and rightly considered in the same light as folk genius Nick Drake, Keaton Henson has released the lead single from his upcoming album Kindly Now which is released 16th September. It is a glorious return to his roots after dabbling in classical music on Romantic Works and with electronica on his side project Behaving. It is another example of the transcendent beauty that we have come to expect from one of the most underrated songwriters in the world.
Top Tracks: Shenna – So Low
New York based indie pop and alternative R&B singer/songwriter Shenna has brought together a diverse range of styles on her latest single from her upcoming album Made of Gold. Starting with a simple guitar intro it soon builds into a hypnotic mix of electronica and undulating synths. Even dabbling with Eastern influences, this deceptively simple pop hit is more complex than it first appears. Carrying a message of strength and independence, and sinfully addictive as all good hits should be, ‘So Low’ could easily be the first step towards Shenna’s chart topping future.
Belwood Music 