Archive for March, 2009

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Maybe ‘Changing Horses’ was a Bad Idea, Ben Kweller?

For many years, Ben Kweller has been known for his quirky take on the indie pop that we are so accustomed to hearing. He's had various hit tracks, fantastic albums, as well as performances with many other highly regarded musicians. He's toured the world many times around, and seems to have come back with a different perspective on his music. His latest album Changing Horses is a country and blues/roots infused… Continue reading

Published: Monday, March 30th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Fugative: Jimmy Shoe (Single Review)

As regular readers of music.co.uk will know, we recently introduced you to rising hip hop star Fugative. With his single release fast approaching, it appears it’s not just screaming girls at his gigs that have been impressed by the teenager, but some notable names in the American Urban Music Industry too.

Published: Monday, March 30th, 2009 written by Lauren John

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The Jose Carreras Collection (Album Review)

The problem I have with Opera, if you can call it a problem, is that I’m not fluent in Spanish, Russian, or Italian, the languages commonly used in operatic material. So I slid the first C.D in The José Carreras Collection into the player, with a mixture of trepidation, and interest, as after all, it’s not every day you get to review a legend. Labelled as one of the worlds… Continue reading

Published: Sunday, March 29th, 2009 written by Lauren John

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A Girl’s Guide to the Moshpit

Going to gigs is perhaps my most favourite pasttime. To be honest, I have no savings whatsoever, because I go to gigs as often as possible, to enjoy music and naturally enjoy my life. However, when I was first thrown into the world of the moshpit, I was taken by surprise at not only the movement within the physical pit, but the reaction towards a girl fighting to stand up… Continue reading

Published: Sunday, March 29th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Happy Birthday Ronnie Scott’s!

When you think of true legends in the music world, how many of you think of music venues? Probably not many, well it’s about time that changed, so join with me as I wish the legendary Ronnie Scott’s a very happy 50th Birthday. Ronnie Scott’s was a dream come true for Ronnie Scott and Peter King when it opened in 1959, and it’s now one of the oldest and most famous… Continue reading

Published: Saturday, March 28th, 2009 written by Lauren John

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How to: Independent Release and Home Studios

If you've got an act, and you're up and coming throughout the gigging scene, it's probably a good idea to start looking into recording an EP, in order to distribute to gain fans and ultimately a record deal. Unfortunately, these days to book a studio as well as time with a producer (that you may not entirely trust artistically) the bill for such a production can start to climb through… Continue reading

Published: Saturday, March 28th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Opera: A Beginner’s Guide

 Many would consider a night at the opera either, a fantastic cultural experience, or the most boring thing they've ever encountered. Naturally, depending on your musical background, as well as your indulgence in the arts, it's going to depend on how you receive such a thing.

For too long, the opera has gained a negative image as being boring, or pretentious. With so many different movements of music… Continue reading

Published: Friday, March 27th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Calming the Storm: Dead Weather

It seems as though Jack White's done it again. Naturally, with his stellar success not only in Detroit rock favourite The White Stripes and raw folk rock group the Raconteurs/Saboteurs, White is no stranger to receiving kudos from his work. Yet, moving on and trying new things he's found a well balanced mix of likeminded musicians and created The Dead Weather. Premiering his new band during a selective release in his new favourite… Continue reading

Published: Friday, March 27th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Lee Mead: Nothing Else Matters Album Review

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Lee Mead first hit the headlines as a musical theatre star, performing to packed houses in the West End as Joseph, after winning BBC1 reality show ‘Any Dream Will Do’. During that time he somehow found the time to make an album, which despite being rushed, was far above the normal/predictable collection of cover versions that come from some T.V contestants, which is a case in point. Many… Continue reading

Published: Thursday, March 26th, 2009 written by Lauren John

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Uber Fandom and Music Obsessions

There comes a time in almost every music fans life, where they become uberfans. You know the type: The ones that plaster their walls with their posters, or refuse to listen to any other band than 'theirs'. They're the ones that scrawl the bands name on every single book, piece of furniture, and even public property they can see. They're the ones that cut their hair, change their style, and… Continue reading

Published: Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Summer Gigs and Festivals

[/caption] If you’ve been enjoying a rare burst of sunshine recently, then you’re thoughts may also have turned to the summer, and what a summer there is lined up for all you music fans. June sees the return of Let Loose. Some of you may remember the 90’s band in their original line-up, with classic hits such as ‘Crazy For You’, ‘Seventeen’, and ‘Everybody Say, Everybody Do’. Now the outstanding Pop/Rock band… Continue reading

Published: Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 written by Lauren John

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The Devious Past of Rockstars – or is it?

Rockstars are notoriously known for their bad behaviour. There is of course the typical 'trash a room' mentality, as well as their ability to be complete divas. They can demand what they want, and generally get it just because of status. We all know these things, but what about things that have been intentionally hidden? Ever misunderstood a lyric because it referred to drugs, jail and abuse? Well it seems as… Continue reading

Published: Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 written by Mel Clarke

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Death of Album and Poster Art

While some people might maintain the fact that the physical art piece is slowly losing its relevance within the defined art world – it can also be argued that album and poster art is taking off and becoming more popular and in some cases, more expensive than that of a typical fine art piece. For many decades, the art of constructing an album cover that is suitable for the band, its… Continue reading

Published: Monday, March 23rd, 2009 written by Mel Clarke