After several years away from the lime light one of Britain’s best-known girl bands, The Sugababes, made a come back and it was with the original line-up; Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy. They performed the late 90’s hit, ‘Flowers’, a garage classic originally performed by female duo, Sweet Female Attitude (SFA) with DJ Spoony. Now I remember the original line-up when they first emerged and it took me a while (and line-up change) to get into them. As much as I would have liked to have enjoyed their rendition of the garage classic sadly I just couldn’t get into it. Some of it may be because I’ve since grown up a bit since Sweet 7, the other might be because I’ve drifted away from that genre. Another reason why this girl band’s is that they are nickname as the time-lords of pop as every 1-2 albums there was a change in the line-up. Now I proudly call myself a fan in the past but sadly they weren’t doing anything for me this time.
Also on the sofa were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Debbie Harry and Nadiya Hussain to discuss their upcoming projects as well as the upcoming film, Terminator: Dark Fate
After nearly what feels like over a decade away indie favourites, Friendly Fires, have returned with a new album called Inflorescent and brand-new single called Heaven Let Me In. Straight from the start the song is just packed with energy, and a lot of it, and stays faithful to the bands’ musical roots. What I like about Ed Macfarlane’s vocals throughout this entire song is that every so often he sounds like he’s taking a deep breath, which in some ways adds a bit more body to the song. Also, I quite like how he sings cos it shows the range of vocal ability that he is capable of using. Heaven Let Me In shows a steady continuation of their music and how it is gradually evolving. A nice mixture of pop and dance, and plenty to go around. One of the good things that we can be grateful about is that, musically, the band haven’t taken a sudden U-turn and gone into a completely different direction. Ed’s vocals a smooth and have an almost hypnotic quality about them and just have this beautiful fluidic run about them that goes from start to finish. The song has an almost ambient feel to it which kind of compliments the band’s own musical style. For a band that have been out of the musical spotlight for what feels like just over ten years this song is a nice welcome back.
The music video that accompanies this features a young guy listening to music on his headphones, presumably the song itself. In the video he is seen walking along whilst dancing to the music whilst going past various locations and bumping in various people on the way.
This is a review of the album, Colour of Sound, I did a Derby-based band called Fionas Run a while back. Sadly, according to their twitter page they disbanded earlier this year but I thought I’d share this so as to share their musical talent with everyone. Have a read and enjoy
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A fresh new album by a fresh new Nottingham/Derby band, Fionas Run, full of ten brand new tracks to listen out for. They may well still be in the early years of their band but there’s been a lot of interest in these guys; Ben Boulton, Luke Wheatley, Robert Manrique and Jamie Pickering, all four of whom make Fionas Run. With musical influences from bands like Snow Patrol, Frank Turner and Mumford and Sons try these guys out and see, or hear, how they sound. Ben, Luke, Robert and Jamie are as talented musicians as they are singers, their song-writing can only be described as melodic and they are as diverse as their musical talents.
Also, they look like the type of band that wouldn’t look out of place at either Glastonbury or the Splendour festival, and they have played to packed crowds. Not hard to understand why there’s a big buzz about them right now. They sound like the sort band that could you could hear doing a live lounge-style performance on The Beat on Radio Nottingham.
If you like your music mature and melodic but with an edge and yet still packing all the rock riffs to your ears and hearts content, then this may be the album to put onto your playlist this year. With fresh original tracks’ such as Left at The Alter, Dragonfly and Summer Feeling you’d be forgiven if you easily thought of them as ‘just another teen rock-pop band’.
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if they appeared on the stage at next years’ Splendour Festival.
Birds of Prey and Colour of Sound are at least two of the tracks that we would recommend that you need to listen out for. The band’s new album Colour of Sound is available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and Google Play right now. Download and enjoy. Keep an eye out for them when they come to a music venue near you.
Down on the basement ground the doors opened at 6pm and a small crowd poured into Studio 1 at the Metronome, ready for their gig with upcoming Nottingham musician, Bria Buxton. Better known by her stage-name, Bria. She has been active in the local music scene for the three years now writing, producing and making her own material. Crowds of 30+ gathered themselves to hear her new single Strangest of Lovers which is out on EP/LP right now, courtesy of Denizen Records. Bria is a musical gem in Nottingham’s music scene and has the voice that can cut straight through the crowds. She is a talented songwriter and singer, as a musician she has the incredible ability to bring her words to life through music.
Bria’s voice oozes melody, carries pure emotion and her performance grabbed the attention of the entire room. The entire room was just completely enchanted by her and there was no shortage of love for her. As an artist her vocal ability is of the same quality of the likes of Christina Perrie and Adele and sounds like the type you could hear as the official soundtrack in a hit film. She has worked with the musical great, Gareth Jones, who has worked with Depeche Mode and Madness. Judging by the sound of her music and official single, they have both worked and produced an absolute corker of a song.
Can definitely see this doing well on the download. Since 2017 she has been gracing audiences with her beautiful voice, she takes musical influences from First Aid Kit, Jake Bugg and Phoebe Bridgers, all of whom are from Nottingham and have acquired massive followings. When it comes to music, Nottingham is the place to see fresh, new emerging talent. Keep your eye on Bria Buxton, she is an incredibly talented singer and songwriter and is on the road to bigger things. 2019/20 is to be her year. Have a listen and see what you think
An interview with veteran rocker, well I say that but he’s been active since 2005, Jay McAllister, and the next addition in the Listen To This series, also he’s playing at the Rescue Rooms tonight in Nottingham. Enjoy
Meet Jay McAllister, a one-man-band music veteran who’s been making music since 2005, or since Indie music got a breath of new air. Better known by his stage-name Beans on Toast, Jay McAllister is a home-grown solo musician with a soothing voice who sings about many aspects of life such as drugs, politics and love. Beans on Toast is an extraordinary musician in his own right who sings to you in a way that only a small handful can. A beautiful mixture of folk, rock and acoustic with a bit of heartfelt soul. He has ten albums under his belt, his most recent being A Bird in the Hand and countless tours and look forward to hearing much more from him in the near future. For your further listening check out Another Year, Magic, Here at Homerton Hospital, Bamboo Toothbrush and Miss You Like Crazy and let’s see what you think.
“I wrote my first song was I was 15 and I’ve been writing them ever since”
Who are you?
For all intents and purposes, my name is Beans on Toast. I’m a folk singer from Essex currently travelling around the country singing simple songs about life and Love.
What made you want a life in music?
It made more sense to me than pretty much everything else, it’s just how it’s always been. I wrote my first song was I was 15 and I’ve been writing them ever since.
Now you’ve been making music since 2005, about 15 years now, do you feel like a music veteran?
I feel like I’ve been around the block a few times yeah. Still enjoy it as ever as ever though.
Do you feel you’re at the stage where you feel like a pro or would you view yourself as someone who’s still learning?
I’m not sure the plan was ever to be a pro and you should always continue to learn, that said I’m pretty settled in what I do these days and feel like I know what I’m doing.
When you first began as a musician what music influenced you?
I played in a grunge band a school, so Nirvana, Placebo and the like were a massive inspiration. Around the same time, I also discovered The Doors and Jim Morrison and fell in Live with his attitude and magic.
Describe Beans on Toast in five words
Drunk Folk Singer
On a scale of 1-10, how rock are you?
5
Beans on Toast, how did that go from being an edible dish to your stage-name?
I think it’s a pretty fair description of the music I make. It’s English, cheap, easy and it does what it says on the tin.
Describe a Beans on Toast gig to the MusicNotts readers
A gathering of friends with some singing, drinking, dancing, thinking and forgetting.
As a musician describe to me how life on the road is as you’ve been both around the UK and Europe. What can you tell me?
That good people are everywhere and if you’re polite the world will open its arms to you.
Where are you top 5 music venues both in Nottingham, the UK and abroad?
I’ve played many, many times in Nottingham and 90% of the shows have been in the same building, just different rooms. So my top Notts venues would be Rock City, Rock City Basement, Rescue Rooms and stealth. UK venues I like include Gorilla in Manchester. Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. The Trades in Hebden Bridge. Omeara in London and The Phoenix in Exeter. Worldwide. Amnesia in San Francisco. Rockwood music hall in NYC. De Roma in Antwerp. Die Wohngemeinschaft in Cologne. The Bank Rooftop in Cape town and Smiles Saloon in Bolinas.
What reactions do you get from your music compared to both here and abroad cos I imagine the musical tastes are a bit different.
I’m generally surprised how well it goes down outside of English
speaking countries, turns out it was my ignorance I was worried about.
Now you’ve got a gig later this week at the Rescue Rooms, what can we expect from it?
Same as above: A gathering of friends with some singing, drinking, dancing, thinking and forgetting.
And will you be performing songs from your recent release ‘A Bird in the Hand’?
Yep, and a bunch from the back catalogue too. This is my first tour with a new band, we’ve reworked a bunch of old tunes into a full band affair. Which is fun.
The last time you performed in town you played at Rock City, how did it go and are you excited to be coming back?
Yep, I Love Nottingham. Can’t wait to get a Mocky D’s before the show too.
Something that people might not know is that your last album was produced by Ben Lovett, would you be open to collaborating with him in the future, either as a musician or producer?
Ben produced my first album and I was lucky enough that he found the time in his mental schedule to produce my 10th. Maybe in ten years, he’ll do the 20th.
Has your music been played on The Beat or any other radio station yet?
I have no idea. 6music plays the odd song here and there as does Radio X.
Lastly where can fans listen to your music?
Wherever they normally listen to music. I’ll be there. Or Google Beans on Toast. It took me a while to get above the food on the search results. But I did it.
Just been enjoying the musical legend that is Joan Armatrading on TV a few moments ago singing her latest single I Like it When We’re Together. This is one woman with two fantastic talents; a soulful voice and a guitar, and knows how to combine the two to perfection. As an artist she is a pleasure to watch and can’t get bored of her. She is one of those artists who need very few people with her on the stage as her presence and performance alone are enough to command an entire crowd’s attention. Her new single of from her new album Not Too Far Away. and I’m solely tempted to buy a copy. Joan is someone who’s music I’ve enjoyed listening to growing up and she just does no wrong. She amongst one of the top musical talents that this country has produce
Also on the sofa were Vanessa Kirby along with Josh Brolin, David Beckham and Ryan Gosling who provided some jokes and gossip, as well as beefcake/man-candy (oh come on you were thinking it as well)
This was an interview I did with Nottingham-based band Eyre Llew for their upcoming album Atelo. Sadly the interview itself never saw the light of day so for all those who’re fans of the funky trio, have a read and enjoy.
How long did you work on this album?
We wrote, recorded and produced it over 2 years around touring and playing festivals around Europe What can we expect?
It’s dynamic with ambient soundscapes and sing-along chorus. We’re really proud of it with parts recorded all over the UK Are there any tracks to listen out for?
We’ve released two singles from it so far, Atelo and Havoc. They were released with videos from our album video series that were shot in Norway and the Gran Canaria. What sort of album is it, sound-wise?
We’re often labelled as a post-rock/indie band. That’s definitely where our influences are. Inspirations for the album?
We’ve got fancy pedal boards so we love reverbs and delays. Artists such as Noah Gunderson, Bon Iver, Sigur Ros and A Winged Victory for The Sullen. Who did you collaborate with in the making?
No one. We self-produced the album. Though we did have a group vocal recording for our fans at the studio. What are you calling the album?
The album is called Atelo. Looking forward to touring with it?
Yes definitely, S. Korea, nine countries around Europe, UK tours and an album launch show at Rescue Rooms, Nottingham on November 10th. How much interest has been raised?
We’ve been touring around Europe for two years now, playing festivals all over. The response has been wonderful, it’s great to get over our first album to our patient fans. Any possible future collaborations?
Not sure yet, but we’re open to ideas.
The debut album from new artist Stevie McCrorie who won the fourth series of The Voice UK (team Ricky). For a debut album this is brilliant and demonstrates what a great artist @steviemccrorie is in the making. 11 tracks, McCrorie is an artist to keep your eye on. For more detailed review go to Album Reviews page
Adam's Journal 