music

Cell Solutions: The Phone Dilemma

/ James Fenney
Photo by Alena Darmel on Pexels.com

Jack White’s latest tour has been making headlines with it’s no phone policy in order to promote a more “human” experience. This is nothing new, as his previous tours included a message asking fans to put their phones away and rely on the professional pics from the tour photographer to satisfy their social media needs. The difference this time around is the fact that a humble request has escalated to actually enforcing a venue-wide ban, which has been seen as a very heavy-handed move and prompted others to question the problem surrounding the use of mobile phones at gigs.  Continue reading →

Top Tracks: Monti – Cowards Castle

/ James Fenney

We all build emotional walls around ourselves to a certain degree, but some people find it all too easy to take things too far. They keep building brick by brick, pushing you further and further away, and before you know it you realise they sit atop some lofty spire while you’re left out in the cold. There’s no point beating bloody fists at the gates of the citadel, when you can barely even recognise the person atop the tower as someone that you once cared about. This stunning new track sees Monti walk away dignity and purpose as the walls crumble to dust behind her. Full of pop sensibilities, boasting passionate soulful vocals and a cathartic guitar driven climax, ‘Cowards Castle’ is one of the first big stand-out songs of the year.

Top Tracks: Annachristie Sapphire – Cut The Line

/ James Fenney

I always take delight in discovering tracks that blur the line between genres, but I’ve yet to come across a song that blurs a decades long divide in styles the way that this does. Kicking off with a hazy 90s melancholy that recalls the likes of Jeff Buckley or the Smashing Pumpkins, before bursting into dreamy 50s doo-wop, ‘Cut The Line’ shares a superb interplay of light and dark. Not a combination you perhaps consider, but it sure as hell works. Lyrically the song takes the old adage about there being “plenty of fish in the sea” and takes it a step further, as Annachristie contemplates reeling in her love. I feel like this song is ahead of the curve, like it should be the next big trendsetting track. Needless to say, Annachristie is on to a winner with this one.

Spotlight!: Cameron Jones

/ James Fenney

cameron jonesGreat art need not come in the form of some grand sweeping gesture. Sometimes the most humble and unassuming creations can have the most profound effect on us, providing that they come from the heart. In the case of Cameron Jones, he just seems to radiate beautiful melodies as though with all the effortless ease of breathing. Crafting mature and refined songs that exude elegance and encompass you like the morning mist, and with a voice as pure as some faultless crystal, Cameron is one of the most gifted new singer/songwriters on the scene. ‘Let Me In’ builds up layers of atmospheric synths, dreamy guitar tones and expressive percussion to form a chilled out indie vibe reminiscent of The Paper Kites. The driving beat and simple yet illuminating riffs of ‘Love You Save Me’ pull you in deeper and deeper as the song progresses, while the stripped back piano balladry of ‘Warning’ gives Cameron’s vocals a chance to shine. Cameron Jones is yet to disappoint, and should that continue then we may have something deeply special from him in the near future.

Fans of Holy Holy, Lorne, The Paper Kites and Meadowlark should check out his latest EP Warning.

Interview: Ophelia

/ James Fenney

ophelia photoIt’s always a delight to see artists that you admire grow and achieve great things. Sheffield based duo Ophelia have quickly become firm Belwood favourites, and their eagerly anticipated debut has set the year off in fine form and is sure to stand as one of the most memorable releases of 2018. Heartwarming Americana, folk as delicate as some flickering candle flame, and haunting gothic rock are all to be found within Blackbox Memories. I’ve been looking forward to interviewing Ophelia for some time now, and it struck me as the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into their new record:  Continue reading →

Top Tracks: Percival Elliott – Forever

/ James Fenney

It’s happened to me more times than I care to admit; you see some beautiful stranger and suddenly it’s like your eyes have opened for the first time, and in that moment you see your whole life together. Some blissful parallel world of lifelong love and devotion enthralls your day-dreams, before they disappear never to be seen again. This gorgeous track from folk duo Percival Elliott captures that same fateful spark. With its elegant orchestration and vocals reminiscent of Five For Fighting, ‘Forever’ carries an ineffable air of charm and romanticism. This poignant track from their forthcoming debut Save Your Soul feels like a song from another time, a precious relic long since forgotten, reminding us that there is still a place in this world for hope, innocence and romance.

Top Tracks: Parmy Dhillon – Friend or Foe

/ James Fenney

The latest single from this Melbourne based singer/songwriter may follow a well-trodden path, but Parmy Dhillon still leaves his own unique footprint. The acoustic driven Americana of ‘Friend or Foe’, recalling the late Tom Petty in his road-weary vocals, has plenty of heart. This track is like a place of comfort and dependability that you can take with you wherever you go. When we need reassurance in life we return to the familiar; we treat ourselves to lunch at our favourite cafe, we curl up and watch an old film for the hundredth time. That’s what this track is, it’s an everyman song; sometimes you don’t need something big and clever, all you need is a song offering warmth, familiarity and a little piece of home.

Top Tracks: Will Varley – Seven Days

/ James Fenney

It still seems like 2018 has barely started, and yet January is already half over… where does the time go? That’s exactly the sentiment captured by the new song from acclaimed singer/songwriter Will Varley. ‘Seven Days’, taken from his forthcoming album Spirit Of Minnie out 9th February, speaks of all the wonderful moments that we let slip by when we get too absorbed in living and don’t put enough thought into thriving, into enjoying every step of the journey while we can. The song’s video takes the theme even further, as we follow along on an 8-bit adventure, sharing in  the landmark memories that make life remarkable. While the video may be in black and white, this vibrant folk favourite is sure to inject some colour in your life. Savour this song, before proceeding to savour each new day that life brings you.

Top Tracks: Chiara Berardelli – Deep Space Hibernation

/ James Fenney

If like me you are drawn to tracks that think outside the box and deal with unique themes then this little gem from Glasgow based artist Chiara Berardelli is just what you need. We all wish sometimes that we could just drift away to escape our problems, but ‘Deep Space Hibernation’ takes that feeling a step further as Chiara seeks to escape the heartache around not being able to have children by fading into unconsciousness in orbit of some distant world. Taken from her upcoming album Seamonster, out 2nd March, the track boasts sublime and elegant orchestration, rich imagery, Chiara’s hushed vocals and tiny subtle hints of psychedelica that recall early Bowie and the Flaming Lips. It’s a wonderfully bittersweet song that I’m sure you’ll love.