You've Got Heart

A predictable one I know but I just couldn't resist. After being almost shunned as a one hit wonder, Noah and the Whale came back out of nowhere with this song sweeping every radio station. It's melodious spelling out of L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N is the riff that will be getting in everyones head this summer...well it's making my summer playlist anyway. Perhaps cheesy to say but it's optimistic message is part of the reason it's easy to get a soft spot for as well. I shall definitely be singing along to this one at Reading this August.

Friar Tuck And His Psychedelic Guitar

Just the name of the band did this one for me. It's the kind of song that just gives you a happy sort of relaxation, bizarre as the song is, in the kind of way that reggae does. Kind of conjures up the image of 'Friar Tuck' being someone who dances at bohemian sunset campfire parties on a beach somewhere hot and care free. Or perhaps I'm taking the psychedelic aspect a bit literally... Have a listen to get in the mood for summer

Strokes Away

Quite a week for The Strokes it has been! The release of their new album 'Angles' earlier this week was a great success with some catchy new songs. As if that wasn't enough it was announced yesterday they shall be headlining the Saturday night at Reading Festival this summer- and I cannot wait! One of those sounds that just always puts me in a good mood whatever the song! Have a listen to their new album, now available on itunes, youtube etc. But for old times sake here's a classic of theirs - one of my favourites that I always listen to when getting ready for the weekend or going out.

Vive la Vinyl

The quirky space that is The Rifle Makers Gallery in Soho, London has recently had a brilliant installation which consisted of a recording studio in which anybody could walk in to record music and have it cut directly onto a vinyl record. Brilliant idea especially with vinyl coming increasingly back into fashion- make sure you get it right first take though! Here are some pictures from Lexi Wells's recording session in there which followed Mr. Hudson's who had just been recording some of his songs- exciting stuff! 

Lexi stepping up to the mike

Cutting The Disc

Drawing the label

Rehearsing

Folklore

Two years perhaps back a teacher of mine introduced me to music by his son's band named 'Stokes, William'. After listening to their songs and getting a liking for their folky Mumford-and-Sons-esque music, I heard they were playing at the Troubadour Club in London. The gig was fantastic and I was lucky enough to strike up conversation with them due to mutual friends from Stokes having gone to my school.  Anyway, my point being, I would urge you all if you possibly can to attend a gig of theirs coming up- at The Roundhouse in Camden, London. I very sadly cannot attend, despite being a local of the area, but please do go along and enjoy the wonderful music they produce!

Here are two little tasters of what your money is worth being spent on, first of which I was present at! 

Macabre

Another rainy day! I decided to draw as part of a recent art project about 'Identity' one of the macabre, yet interesting, members of the 'catacombs' I passed on a recent trip to Sicily.
Here is my attempt- though as you can see it is yet to be finished!
On a lighter note though- being in this strange, tomblike place reminded me of a title by one of my favourite bands- Belle & Sebastian. The song is called 'Sukie In The Graveyard' - quite appropriate! So I have to share with you this lovely (and cheery may I add before you worry!!) song, happy listening!
All the best from 'Sukie'