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'... 

The Deity Of Female Voices

So it's actually taken me this long to finally download the full album of '21' by ADELE. I am so happy. It's such a nice relief to have an artist dominating the charts who has got there from raw talent as opposed to with the copious aid of auto-tune and electronic enhancements. Instead she wins us over with a divine voice and some notable piano parts. Don't think there is one song on the album I dislike. My particular favourite I think has got to be 'Rumour Has It'... I have a secret fantasy of christening my first car sometime in the future taking a spin with this playing on the stereo. They all have something special though, particularly the more moving such as 'Someone Like You' and 'Set Fire To The Rain'- both would probably melt the hardest of people. Only downside is singing along only emphasizes how incompetent one really is at singing in comparison..

Johanna

I haven't yet come across a song by Dylan I haven't enjoyed. But someone recently compared me to 'Johanna' in this song... so that did give me a particular liking for this one, whether or not their comparison is true.

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'

If only life had background music

A good friend of mine recently introduced me to another little musical insight. It's called 'La Blogotheque' and it's a french website that's an archive of videos that are all small private performances by a range of artists in a whole collection of venues around the world. Brilliantly filmed and really atmospheric- as well as a brilliant way to discover new people. Click here to check it out- BLOGOTHEQUE

Apart from that not much has been filling up my rainy Sunday. Apart from contemplating whether to stay up to watch The Oscars and wondering who will come up top this year. There have just been so many good ones! The most recent I've seen have been Black Swan, The King's Speech and 127 hours- all brilliant! How James Franco keeps us entertained for 2 hours or so in a cave is beyond me, but he's amazing. 

Enough from me- all I'm wishing for now is a little bit of sunshine to clear up this rain. Here's a song to accompany my summer daydreaming- it kinda reminds me of walking in the sunshine too! Happy listening! 

The Tallest Man On Earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5DyCIdYfpA

Please watch this video. The lyrics are simply beautiful. Sweden has brought us their very own Bob Dylan. 'Tallest Man On Earth' - a musical nirvana.

Discover the music

So we all have our ways of discovering music. There's the usual.. your friend telling you you've just gotta check out so-and-so... or radio drilling a certain song into you. But I've been on a quest to find new ways. A little gem a got shown the other day is an apple 'app' called Aweditorium. A canvas of artist pictures you can can scan, listen to songs with, find out about artists and possibly everything you would want to know about them. It's simply brilliant.

http://www.aweditorium.com/# - the website is pretty minimal but download it if you have any sense in the world- it's FREE. And brilliant for passing long journeys. once again apple has proved to be genius! I applaud you.