Apocalypse Day Musings

So I am aware it has been months, and months, since the last post - many apologies. Noisewell has had some technical difficulties, in other words my laptop's flash player is broken which makes music and videos almost impossible. In the meantime I will try my best to borrow others' to keep posting. I heard on the grapevine that the world was meant to end today and so far I have done nothing worthy of being my 'last act on earth'. I haven't yet skydived off Niagra falls, or found my one true love. But tonight I'm using this as an excuse to - in the words of every overrated rapper - 'party like it's the end of the world'. If I ruled the world I'd say we make this an annual holiday - an excuse to celebrate as if it's our last chance, just because we're still here...

I thought this was appropriate given people are insisting they 'do something amazing' today instead of being optimistic for tomorrow. It's also a beautiful song, I love the spontaneous layout of this video and the natural, untampered with voices of these two. Everyone, please big up Slow Club.

Secret Best Kept

Here are a few musical ones, best shared. 

Wherever The Sun Sets

Anoraak's latest album 'Wherever The Sun Sets' is out but have put here one of there older songs, so relaxing- I listen to this song whatever mood I'm in and it always feels appropriate. The video is well worth a watch too. 

Anoraak have remixed songs by College and collaborated with them too, the electronic, mellow vibes they produce are quite similar. Here are my two favourites by College, a band that deserves a lot more praise. I'm so glad the film 'Drive' has helped re-establish their name amongst listeners. 

Please Mind The Gap.

Notes from The Underground -

"It's the little things that take you back. 

 how one even misses that sarcastic voiceover on the tube, the city life that voices familiarity. 

Those who have nothing to move them, have no reason to stay, I doubt I ever feel more moved than in London, home. getting there

One rough draft after another."

On another note, Band Of Skulls were excellent supporting Black Keys recently at the Alexandra Palace and are really making a name for themselves. I love this new video, also check out 'Devil's Rug'- my new favourite of theirs on their new EP, which is not yet on youtube in its acoustic form.

It Sure Felt Outta Sight

Myself and the band I play with from time to time are working on this number at the moment. This is another reminiscing song, with some of the catchiest riffs you could imagine. This live version is particularly good, from his album Natural Wonder filmed and recorded live in Rio. We're working hard on mastering that ending... but it's so worth it.

Insomniac.

Possibly my favourite song at the moment. Appropriately, I often listen to this when trying (or failing) to sleep. The video is also beautifully made...reminds me of Tyler Shield's videos using milk. Apparently it's meant to represent a man being born... kooky.

Marilyn Monroe, fabulous despite her insomnia.

Photography by Eve Arnold. 

Rest In Peace both aforementioned.

Midnight City

Ione Wells photography.
This song reminds me of London at night (appropriately, given the title). M83 are an originally French band, producing some great songs. Commonly associated with the TV series 'Made In Chelsea'...though are much better than that in my opinion.

We Live Half In The Daytime

Just four of my favourite chill out songs from some beautiful voices. Have a listen while you're sleeping, lying in the sun, thinking,  putting off work, watching the world go by out the window of a bus. Or all at once. Go on, you know you want to. 

"You live your life like a page from the book of my fantasy."

"We live half at night"

"You gotta give to get back"

"Live by chance among the lightning strikes"

Adolescent Resonance

Here are four songs to celebrate being young and free. All of which also make top driving music. 

Artists: Does It Offend You Yeah, The Who, Youth Group & The La's. 

They were one of the best dance tent acts, Reading '11.

An all time favourite, one of the best ever opening riffs.

So many versions of this song, think this is my favourite.

Another classic- check out their performance of this at Glastonbury 2005. 

"Your thoughts, they become words.

Your words, they become actions.

Your actions, they become habits.

Your habits, they become character.

Watch your character. It becomes your destiny."

Photo: Ione Wells

Music: Foals 'Spanish Sahara'. A song for thoughts.

Today I am older than I have ever been before. 

And also the youngest I will ever be again. 

Light Up My Sky

I love how London never stops moving, even its shadows.

And how its colours never cease...

-Ione Wells Photography 12/11/11- 

Swinging In The Back Yard

I first discovered this voice in the summer when she was merely an internet word-of-mouth sensation, being passed amongst music connoisseurs and noted her as being something different, perhaps a combination of the husky voice and the beautifully edited music video for 'Video Games'. In a matter of months Lana Del Ray, as she calls herself on stage, has wowed us all and has featured on Jools Holland and even the charts would you believe it. I found myself starstruck this afternoon on spotting her in central London and decided she would be my blog of the day. Enjoy and become captivated if you haven't already...

One Forgets...

I had kind of forgotten about this song until I discovered a quirky mash up of it with, surprisingly, Jay-Z's 'Encore'. Surprisingly really good. Do have a look at it. Here's a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzRdWL47GIg . It's what a mash up should be in the sense the songs contradict each other so their genres almost change. Who would have thought Jay Z could have become a sort of funk, jazzy number? 
But anyway here's the original, an old favourite of mine. A good song to strut to for those of you who are holding their heads high this summer. 

Reminiscing...

Though the 'surprise guests' weren't exactly a surprise I hadn't prepared myself for the thrill of singing along with a crowd of tens of thousands up on a friend's shoulders to this:

Glastonbury

For everyone that went I think you'd agree there is now a universal overcast of 'post-glasto blues'. The weekend was phenomenal. Not only was the lineup exceptional but the general atmosphere, afterparties, crowds and setting were all amazing. Music wise highlights for me included firstly the inevitable, Coldplay and Beyonce- undoubtedly born performers and it helps that you can sing along to every number. Particular highlights for me however were the 'surprise' or not-so-surprise-after-rumours guests. Radiohead and Pulp attracted huge crowds and Jarvis Cocker was as much of a comedian as talented singer, finishing with everyones favourite 'Common People'. Lykke Li was another on the Park Stage who put on a fantastic performance as well as being a hugely talented singer. Dancing amidst a mysterious black veil and playing a variety of instruments are all additional talents of her. BB King was memorable, amazing to see the legend in the flesh. A few of my favourite, perhaps newer and less legendary, bands were also there and therefore unmissable for me. For example Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club, Dry The River, Metronomy, Warpaint and Anna Calvi. Perhaps one of the most touching performances was Jessie J, broken legged, who bought a young girl to the stage to sing with her in front of thousands of people. As well as all this unforgettable music entertainment didn't stop at the stages: Shangri La was an unmissable feast of nightlife, as were the buzzing, dubstep infested dance tents. The stone circle and hills filled with midnight bonfires, laughing gas and floating lanterns- one often finds oneself after a long night. Sitting watching the sunset on the hill under the 'Glastonbury' hollywood-esque sign, overlooking the spectacular view of the festival below as the fairy lights flickered on as the horizon darkened....we thought it didn't get much better than this.

I know I've been a long time

Just cause I've always liked this one... 

The Kings Were Gold

Not one of our own photos may I add as we were somewhere amongst the standing mess near the front. KOL definitely did not disappoint, with their signature KOL drum kit and Caleb's famous cross necklace in full view- it was quite something to see the boys in the flesh. They played all the best hits from old to new, opening with some of their old classics such as 'Bucket', 'Milk' and 'Taper Jean Girl' and finishing with some of the newer such as 'Use Somebody' and, of course, 'Sex On Fire'. The lights provided a show of their own, contributing to the unforgettable music and performance they produced. In short, it was the Kings at their very best, supported by US band 'The Whigs'... who we shall perhaps start hearing more about now. All I can say is I hope to see them again sometime in the future as didn't tire of it throughout the whole hour and a half set!

Enchant

This is one of my favourites by good old Justin Vernon despite not being as frequently played as some of his classics. A nice one particularly now that summer is on it's way, and also a good one to just push you over that brink of relaxation should you need it!

 And speaking of Bon Iver songs... how beautiful is Birdy's voice in her cover considering she is only 15?! 

Waves

I know I have already blogged about these guys before from their gig a while back but thought I would share this new song of theirs- which they've had a music video produced for! The sharply shot yet wonderfully understated video makes it great to watch as well as being a good insight to their 'behind the scenes' moments. But mainly of course, it's a great song- beautiful lyrics and sounds of their vast variety of acoustic instruments. I'm sorry if you get 'lost along the way'...