new music

Noel Gallagher on The Graham Norton Show

December 15, 2017 — Leave a comment

This was from a performance, last week, by the better (in my view) Gallagher brother Noel, courtesy of his new band High Flying Birds on BBC1. Noel was performing his latest single ‘Holy Mountain’ and I have to admit I liked it within the first few seconds. Fresh, original, upbeat not to mention it’s quite vibrant to but there’s also something a bit 70’s rock to it as well which gives it just that little bit extra. Let’s not forget it’s testament to his ability as a superb songwriter. If the rest of the album sounds anything like this song does alone, I’m definitely getting the album

Also on the sofa with funny-woman Dawn French and funny-man, and Tenacious D singer Jack Black and Dwayne Johnson (The Rock). And yes plenty of laughs followed, but then again add Dawn and Jack it’s all laughs ahoy from there onwards.

Kesha on The Graham Norton Show

December 3, 2017 — Leave a comment

Saw Kesha perform her latest single on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 last week, Learn To Let Go, which I have to admit was actually quite good. It sounded quite melodic and just that little bit different to what she’s in the past. As always Kesha’s voice sounds as energetic as it does soothing, unless you could put it down to just that one particular song. Now I openly admit that I’m not really into her sort of music but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy her voice.

Also it was quite entertaining watching new Strictly judge Shirley Ballas perform a small dance routine with comic actor Will Ferrell. Seriously, they’ve both got the moves.

One To Watch: Beckon Lane

November 30, 2017 — 1 Comment

Another from the One To Watch feature from the Nottingham Post. May I introduce Nottingham band, Beckon Lane. For full Q&A head for the Published Pieces page

NN19-NEP-E01-S3-004-0714-CD

Listen To This… Thunderian Summer

November 10, 2017 — Leave a comment

thunder

Dave, Alex, Tim, Matt and Pablo, these five guys are from all over the East Midlands and form the newest band to get into the music scene. These guys produce much of their own material as well as the odd cover song but non-the-less are still worth checking out. If you like listening to melodic rock riffs and upbeat vocal check these guys next time they’re in town. Listen to Just A Soldier, The Man I Want To Be and Lion Bear Tiger Mama (live in Nottingham, you won’t be disappointed.

Who are you guys?
Singer – Dave Thomas (DT)
Guitar – Alex Lee (Big A)
Guitar – Tim Stone (The Juke)
Bass – Matt Morley (Pops)
Drums – Pablo Fernández de Dios (Pabs)

How did you get together?
I was in jamming with a couple of mates who had a covers band that was sort of on hiatus, that didn’t really lead to anything but in the mean time I’d recruited DT and Pops to join us. So a couple of adverts and we got Juke and Pabs in.

…. And your musical influences?

Loads, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Gaslight Anthem, Kings Of Leon, Foo Fighters… the list goes on. All five of us like different stuff and we sort of meet in the middle.

How would you describe the band’s style?
Loads of Reverb!

What’s the story behind the band name?
It’s what happens when five guys who should be doing more important things have a Whatsapp chat and start geeking out about Thundercats.

On a scale of 1-10, how rock are you?
Dunno, 7 maybe… depends what 10 is really.

Best gig so far?
Probably the Sausage and Cider Festival, weather was great and in the daylight we could see the crowd singing along to our stuff, which was cool.

Your dream gig?
Sunday Night, Glastonbury.

How’s life in the band?
Normally it’s a lot of fun.

Have you played abroad yet?
Not yet, got some plans for 2019, but still some work to do here.

Have you had much airplay at all?
Some internet stuff, there’s a few stations who are really supportive of unsigned bands who’ve played us.

And lastly where can fans listen to your music?
Soundcloud for now…. There’s been much debate in the band about the merits of putting the songs up for sale at this stage.

St Vincent on The Graham Norton Show

November 3, 2017 — Leave a comment

American music supremeo (in my opinion) St Vincent performed her new single Los Ageless on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 right now, and I have to say it sounds really good. The lyrics are great and her voice is fully charged with masses of energy and passion, you couldn’t expect anything less from her. Mind you St Vincet’s one of thise artist whom can’t seem to do no wrong. What I liked about the song is that it had a 80’s electro sound to it combined with electro-rock. Los Ageless sounds like an amazing song and one that could easily grow on me. Also Johnny Depp and Judi Dench were on the sofa along with the rest of the cast of the new film Murder On The Orient Express, seen the trailer and it looks good.

 

Morrissey on The Graham Norton Show

October 27, 2017 — Leave a comment

Been listening to Morrissey perform his new song Spent The Day in Bed on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1. Now I openly admit I’m not much of a Morrissey fan at the best of times, or anytime to be honest, but I have to admit that this new single of his is quite catchy and found myself self-commenting ‘he’s got a point there’. See what I did there! just admitted to agreeing on a couple of things from a guy whom I can stand that much. Anyways as far as songs go it had a bit of a sci-fi/electro open to it which was interesting as not many songs have that these days. Also British actress Emma Thompson was on the sofa talking about a couple of projects she was involved in and her near-encounter with Donald Trump, which you could probably thank a small mercy for not happening (good on you girl).

Sounds Like Friday Night

October 24, 2017 — Leave a comment

Coming this Friday is a new music show called Sounds Like Friday Night, and it will be hosted by @BBCR1 Radio 1’s @GregJames and @1Xtra 1Xtra’s A.Dot @AmplifyDot It’s been 11 years since the BBC had a primetime music show since the axing of Top Of The Pops back in 2006. I for one am looking forward to this as it’s about time that we had something that wasn’t X-Factor or The Voice UK (though I openly admitting to watching the latter). Sounds Like Friday Night offers live music, interviews and comedy sketches which’ll be interesting to see, normally you just get a bit of to-and-through banter with the presenters. What’s interesting about this is that each week there’ll be a guest co-presenter from the music industry presenting the show and this weeks’ episode starts off with Jason Derulo. Lastly though before you get too excited by this being a new permanent viewing fixture it’s only on for 6 weeks, yes…. 6 WEEKS!!! but who know it could go on to be a regular thing depending on how things go. Anyways, don’t forget, 19:30 this Friday on BBC1

Niall Horan on The Graham Norton Show

October 13, 2017 — Leave a comment

The Irish cheeky chappie was back on The Graham Norton Show tonight on BBC1. No, not Graham but Niall Horan from One Direction. Anyways Niall performed his new single Too Much To Ask, and I have admit as melodic as it sounds and as soothing as a voice he may have I’m not much of a fan. I openly admit the song’s not bad but it’s not something that I’ll be rushing to download or buy anytime soon. For me, it’s as if Niall’s trying to be James Morrison and he isn’t quite pulling it off, though I’ll give him credit for trying. There’s also some friendly banter between Colin Farrell, Bryan Cranston Matt Lucas, Nicole Kidman and Jane Fonda. Also Jan reveals some insight behind that infamous police mug-shoot. Apparently the White House had a hand in it. Bet you probably weren’t aware of that were you.?

Liam Gallagher on The Graham Norton Show

October 6, 2017 — Leave a comment

Currently watching Liam Gallagher perform his new single, For What it’s Worth, on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 right now, and it actually sounds really good. I admit I’ve always been Team Noel when it came to the Gallagher brothers but Liam has come out with some good songs over the past couple of year, and For What it’s Worth is great listening pleasure. I could happily listen to this song a few more times over. Also there’s some great banter between Idris Elba, Chris Rock and Kate Winslet and apparently it’s the 20th anniversary. of the hit film Titanic. Don’t time fly by.

MacMillan Fest 2017: online review

September 22, 2017 — Leave a comment

My article for the recent MacMillan Fest 2017 gig I went to earlier this month, courtesy of Nottingham Post, read and enjoy (and share)

http://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/macmillan-fest-2017-rock-city-420133

MacMillan Fest 2017, Rock City, Rescue Rooms and more …
http://www.nottinghampost.com
Once again both the Rescue Rooms and Rock City’s Basement, plus another Stealth, Spanky’s and the Tap N Tumbler pub, played host to the ever-popular MacMillan Fest …