The Great Escape - Thursday Preview

The Great Escape - Official Website

It's May and you know what that means kiddiwinks, Summer is well and truly on its way and festival season begins now. We are exactly one week away from the start of The Great Escape (okay, there are some Alternative Escape events on Wednesday night, but the festival officially kicks off on Thursday) when thousands of us bloggers, artists and punters alike will be descending upon Brighton for three days of wonderful music, beer and weather (well, we can hope about the last one!).

I've been going to The Great Escape six years now (this will be my seventh) and over the last couple of years the festival has well and truly come into its own, an ever expanding volume of venues (although some 'new' venues turn out to be old ones renamed), acts and increasingly secret gigs. This year the number of bands playing is higher than ever (and that's before counting the Alternative Escape - always a place to find new talent in perhaps quieter rooms), this year's festival promising to be three days full of more music than you could ask for.

There are many, many treasures lurking within the line-up and that's where I'll try and go with my three preview posts (one for each day). I'm going to pick five acts I think you should see each day, the point of TGE in my opinion to discover something that might just become your new favourite act so for that reason whenever there is a clash between two acts I like (and there are many with the line-up being so good), I favour the 'newer' act.

I've given tips and information before but anyone reading this and heading to Brighton for the first time, be sure to use your head... If you do plan on going to one of the 'hyped' artist gigs, the advice is simple, get there early. If you plan on waltzing into the venue two minutes before stage time, you will be mistaken and you will spend the entire gig standing outside wishing you were somewhere else. In the last two years of The Great Escape I've not queued up for more than two minutes in total (and that was because the venue wasn't quite open yet).

The Great Escape is a vast, widespread festival (if you've never been, be warned that Concorde 2 is a LONG way along the front, don't leave five minutes to get there) with many treasures to be found (and to help stamp it in, don’t forget The Alternative Escape when you are investigating bands you want to see). Hopefully these tips will perhaps help you decide who you want to see... One thing for sure, with new and emerging bands playing in venues no bigger than your front-room, music festivals don't get much better (and you get a warm bed and shower to go home to as well!)…

Thursday at The Great Escape - Five Picks:

The Night VI - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

BRIGHTHELM

8th May 2014 3:30pm - 4:00pm

The Night VI have been one of my favourite discoveries of 2014 so far, I couldn't make last weeks London show and as such this afternoon show will be the first time I get to see them live. Robin over at Breaking More Waves gave their show in Reading over last weekend glowing praise (we tend to bump into each other about a dozen times over the course of the weekend) and as such my anticipation level has increased even more.

With a beautiful EP already under their belt and the immaculate "Sienna" recently released there live performance promises to bring to life Sophie-Rose pristine vocals with smooth, widescreen instrumentation. It think it all promises to be the perfect start to your weekend.

Rae Morris - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

CONCORDE 2
8th May 2014 7:45pm - 8:15pm

The progression highlighted by Rae Morris (who I actually picked as an act to see in my TGE preview back in 2012) on her recent tracks "Skin" and "Do You Even Know?" is quite startling, bringing the Blackpool singer-songwriter out from the crowd of solo acts around at the moment with a haunting blend of intimate, emotive songs and a captivating vocal.

I'm not sure what her live performance will be like anymore. I'm hoping for a full band to back her plaintive piano ballads as well as goosebump moments aplenty and perhaps a rousing version of "Do You Even Know?" to climax the show. I think it's going to be worth finding out what happens...

Russian Red - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

THE WARREN

8th May 2014 8:30pm - 9:00pm
NEIGHBOURHOOD
9th May 2014 8:40pm - 9.05pm (An Alternative Escape Show)

I've only had the pleasure of seeing Russian Red once previously, a wonderful show at Union Chapel in support of her second album a couple of years back. Her two shows at The Great Escape (and a couple of sold-out gigs at The Lexington earlier the same week) are the first shows back on these shores since...

Her third album Agent Cooper has recently been released (although not yet in the UK) and highlights a fuller, expansive sound which combines Lourdes' impeccable voice with a new soft pop-rock direction. The rich, bright and dynamic instrumentation helps to bring out the unique sweetness of her voice and the catchy choruses promise to sound even better in a live environment. I can't wait for this one.

Wilsen - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

UNITARIAN CHURCH

8th May 2014 9:00pm - 9:30pm
STICKY MIKE'S FROG BAR
9th May 2014 12.45PM - 1:15PM (An Alternative Escape show)

Hi again Wilsen. I posted about the Brooklyn trio just yesterday with "Go Try" so I'll keep this one short and sweet...

I was one of the early adopters when I fell instantly smitten with "Dusk", the perfect introduction to the heartfelt, intoxicating songcraft that awaited within the debut LP Sirens, a stunning record that ebbs and flows with exquisite arrangements and devastating vocals. I'll be seeing Wilsen quite a few times next week and I can't bloody wait. Go and see her at one of her gigs too.

Arthur Beatrice - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

PRINCE ALBERT

8th May 2014 11:15pm - 12:00am

One of my two heartbreaking clashes of the weekend sees Arthur Beatrice play at exactly the same time as Alice Boman. I've pretty much decided (if I can, the Prince Albert is tiny) that I'll see Arthur Beatrice ahead of Alice Boman because I've seen Alice before and she has a London show planned for early June.

Arthur Beatrice's debut album Working Out has crept up on me gradually over the last month or so and after numerous repeated play it's now one of my favourite releases of the year so far, awash with slow burning rhythms, exotic guitars and the beautiful dual vocals of Orlando Leopard and Ella Gerardot.

From the sultry, smooth beauty of "Late" to the joyous and frankly mesmerising singles "Midland" and "Carter", it's an album that oozes with both style and substance and I am still wondering quite why I am so slow on the uptake with the quartet. I think this one could get busy so best get there early if you want to attend.

Wilsen #6 - Go Try

Facebook

After what seems like a long, long time of waiting, it is now less than a week until I finally get to see Wilsen perform live for the first time (at their debut headline London show next Tuesday, a gig I adhered to earlier on and is supported by the equally wonderful Sophie Jamieson - details).

The reason for my excitement will be apparent for long time followers of this little blog, an immaculate debut LP that I named one of my favourite records of 2012 is due to be followed by a new EP Magnolia, from which the title-track has already hinted at grander things for the Brooklyn based trio.

The EP's second taster "Go Try" is softer and more spacious than "Magnolia", drenched in restrained, elegant beauty from the get-go with swooning guitars and Tasmin's honey-toned vocals blissfully combining to dream-like results, it's the sort of track that compels you to stop what you are doing, close your eyes and immerse yourself fully within. Go and give that a try below:

Wilsen #5 - Magnolia

Facebook

It's been a little while since we heard new music from Wilsen, my 'third favourite album of 2012' Sirens the sole release from the Brooklyn based trio led by UK born Tasmin Wilson until now and the announcement of Magnolia, a four track EP due on May 18th in support of her debut UK tour (which includes some rather tasty looking dates; a tour with Matthew & The Atlas is followed by dates on May 6th at Slaughtered Lamb with Sophie Jamieson, May 7th with Broken Twin at St John's Church and concluded by two shows at The Great Escape festival).

The title track "Magnolia" instantly reassures and finds even more, a luscious, stirring melody complementing Tasmin's enchanting vocal and heart-shattering lyrics, here as crystal clear and intimate as ever amongst rhythmically powerful percussion and mellow guitar shimmers. Everything you could ask for in a track is here, atmosphere, beauty, a devastating voice; I'm smitten all over again.

Wilsen #4 - Dusk

Facebook 

The name of this blog is aptly titled given I only feature music that I like, Wilsen is not just an artist I like though, I've been pretty much smitten with their beautifully atmospheric sounds from the moment I first heard the track I'm talking about (again) today, "Dusk", almost a year ago now...

Still as haunting and pure now as the first time I heard it, deliciously heart-breaking and devastatingly gorgeous it builds from gently picked chord patterns and lightly brushed drum strokes as layers of delicate, beautiful instrumentation are slowly introduced whilst Tasmin's emotive lyrics and ethereal harmonies send shivers down your spine.

After the release of the equally spell-binding "Anahita" earlier this year more and more people are starting to take notice of Wilsen and with "Dusk" the attention is only likely to grow. The band are currently on tour with Daughter in the US (that would be nice in the UK too!) and "Dusk" is released as a single on June 10th, backed by a cover of Grimes' "Oblivion", the album Sirens is available on iTunes now.

Wilsen #3 - Anahita Single Release

Facebook / wilsenmusic.com/

I'm posting about a song I've posted about on a couple of occasions before. Why? Because it's my blog and I make up the rules! In all seriousness that's pretty close to the truth but the catalyst is some exciting developments about the track "Anahita", by the incredible Wilsen.

Taken from Sirens, a record I named my number three album of 2012 a few weeks ago, there's news of a single release (available digitally & on CD from the Wilsen site on 18th February) and a new take of the track...

"Anahita" still runs at seven minutes but this is the most cohesive release its seen thus far, with Tasmin Wilson's beautiful vocal whispers ebbing and flowing around delicate, shimmering instrumentation. The exquisitely arranged track builds from languid and deliberate beginning to a soaring crescendo of harmonies and powerful drums and it's (still) truly, truly stunning.

The single will be backed with album track "Lady Jane" and with any luck if I keep mentioning Wilsen you'll all realise just how gorgeous, intimate, spine-tingling (add your own superlative to suit) their music is.

Fall in love below.

Just Music That I Like's Favourite Albums of the Year 2013 - Part Five

Just Music That I Like's Favourite Albums of the Year 2013 - Part Five

Previously posted: Part One // Two // Three // Four // Five

5. Fever Dream EP

Facebook // Order CD

Another EP making my top album lists, this one, the self-titled EP by London trio Fever Dream is arguably long enough to be considered an album in any case, I've heard albums that were less than this 26 minute, six track wonder.

The lackadaisical haze of the opening track "Glue" sets the tone, where raw and rambling rhythms hypnotise, spiralling in tempo around Adrian's vocals before exploding in a whirlwind of beats and guitar abuse. An awesome blend of noisy dissonance and dreamy vocal harmonies.

 Earlier single "This Waste" follows, it remains all kinds of wonderful with its feedback-drenched, shimmering guitars and slightly ominous sense while newer tracks equally impress, from the pure noise thrill of the energetic "Suspense" to the beautiful closure "Alchemy", a melancholy pop song.

The highlight though is "Poyekhali!", with bumpy bass line and explosive, murky guitar, I'll come back to that awesome word again, this is awesome.

4. TOY - TOY

Facebook // Order CD/LP

This is the album I pick when I go running, I'm not sure if that's a glowing recommendation or not but TOY is a truly superb album nevertheless, it's good to run with because of its runaway roller-coaster melodies and the maelstrom of storming, metronomic beats that rattle along with bursts of adrenaline pumping energy and pulsing rhythms.

Summed up perfectly on the aptly titled "Motoring" with overloading fuzz-drenched guitars and gaudy keyboards making for a slick, infectious ride combining the best bits of psyche, krautrock and shoegaze in one glorious track. The same intoxicating mix is the formula for much of the album, at its gazing best on "Dead & Gone", hypnotic and driving or "Colours Running Out" where gorgeous shimmering guitars duel with the korg keys and consistent drum beats.

Toy is truly superb, hard, dense, melodic, exciting, brilliant. My top UK album of the year...

3. Wilsen - Sirens

Facebook // iTunes Download Link

Wilsen, an artist completely unknown to me six months ago released her blow-away debut album Sirens towards the end of July with it's lead track "Dusk" as the most incredible prelude, a track that introduced an unbelievably talented artist and an album I've fallen head over heels in love with...

"Dusk" is deliciously sad and unbelievably gorgeous, Tasmin Wilson's ethereal whispers are soft and comforting and remain at the forefront of delicate, stripped back instrumentation throughout where gently picked chord patterns and light brush strokes combine to haunting, heartfelt results.

"December" commands your attention with thoughtful textures and melody, while the restrained title track shines brightly with soft instrumentation, "Paper Ships" even more so, beguiling in its beauty as Tasmin's pure vocal soothes amongst softened guitar twinklings, the near-folk instrumentation is radiant and blissful throughout, never more so than on Sirens opener "House On A Hill".

The highlight of Sirens though is "Anahita", the albums final song, a track which perfectly sums up the delicate fragility of Wilsen's songcraft and the intoxicating beauty of Sirens. Rising and falling almost Daughter-esque from soft, tender intimacy where Tasmin's heartfelt vocals showcase a range of shattered emotions with twinkling guitars providing a gentle backdrop before slowing increasing with a steady percussive beat to a raging crescendo of harmonies and powerful drums. Utterly stunning.

2. SoftSpot - Enso

Facebook // Order LP

The proper debut full length album Enso by the incredible SoftSpot  is a continual ride of superlatives that I can repeat from my previous posts on the band (I've featured them here quite a lot!).

The Brooklyn based trio, primarily the work of Sarah Kinlaw and Byran Keller released Enso on digital / vinyl earlier this year and I highly recommend you give it a listen and then a purchase, the vinyl is limited to just 250 copies.

Enso continues with Softspot's "wonderful layered sound that builds up to a wave of sonic wonder, its atmospheric build-up punctured by precise percussion. It's a sound that seems so carefully crafted yet performed so effortlessly" with "the combination of Sarah's hauntingly gorgeous vocal with momentum building textured guitar riffs", both those from my Introducing piece back in January 2011 when I first fell for the band and then moving forward to September last year (in reference to album track "Slack Tide"); "engrossing layers of melodies, wonderful guitar shredding riffs and to die for vocals." or about an earlier version of album track "Holy Father" "...an absolute monster. It starts peaceful enough, Sarah's hauntingly beautiful voice hits you straight away, it's unique, stunning. Accompanied by the rat-a-tat of drum sticks, slowly increasing in intensity as Brian's textured guitars glisten on the edge simmering until finally it explodes, cumulating in a euphoric cataclysm of aural pleasure, heavy-hitting drums, guitar buzz and hard bass-line riffs". This is a band whose sounds has it all.

 More recently as the album launch came closer words about "The Cleansing Hour". "It's an absolutely beauty, slowly building upon mournful shades of melancholic guitar and a metronomic drum beat gently entwining around Sarah's softening vocals and bells until at the three minute point light is finally allowed to win and the track blossoms with Softspot's signature cataclysm of sumptuous, shimmering sounds which manage to induce just about every spine-tingling sensation possible before parting and finishing as it begun, with its stark backbeat outro" and most recent of all "Disciple Fix" "..building sumptuously with a fusion of fast paced tropical rhythms and eastern influences blending with Sarah's ethereal vocals, as sensual and gorgeous as ever...".

 "I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love this band."

1. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Facebook // Order CD/LP

I'm honest enough to say for the first six months of the year I tried to stay out of the whole Lana Del Rey 'thing'. The sheer amount of hype and press around the release of her album, her 'authenticity' and 'back-story' put me off what really mattered, the music. I didn't get it at first, sure "Video Games" was a knock-out song, a voice so smooth and sultry on a slow, delicious track filled with emotion, but I'm instinctively adverse to following the majority.

It all changed at Latitude festival in early July when I was curious enough to check out Lana's live show, an oddity because what I had previous thought of as a middle class festival with middle-aged, middle income spectators politely sipping their inflated priced beers all over a sudden turned into an audience of rabid school-girls, the front rows were full of teenagers scrambling to get as close to Lana as they could whilst screaming (I'm not sure how much of the show they actually heard) - she duly obliged with a trip to the mosh-pit half way through the set. A set which was more than good enough to allow me to form my own opinion on Ms Grant, a world-weary voice with commanding presence and a collection of atmospheric songs on par with any I've heard in recent times. One I certainly wouldn't have expected to have earlier in the year...

Since that day Born to Die and later The Paradise Edition have easily become my most listened to record of the year, there's a couple of flops on the album, "Lolyta" for example, sure, but overall Born to Die is an album which oozes with class and sophistication with Lana's to-die-for vocals at the helm, it's dark and precise, out-pouring with richly melancholic melodies that tug at your heartstrings throughout. I read the words murder ballads to describe Lana Del Rey somewhere, I like that.

"Million Dollar Man" a sure highlight, like so much of the album it's bathed in production with adds the woozy ambience along with Grant's siren calls and haunting songs. "Lucky One" shines around around shimmering soundscapes and the immaculate tone of the vocal delivery while "Born to Die" with orchestral flourishes in simply radiant. I'm not going to sit here adding superlatives to the rest of the tracks I could quite easily instead I'll sum up. Born to Die is quite easily my album of 2012. Perhaps it's time to forget your pre conceived prejudices too?

WILSEN #2 - ANAHITA

Facebook / sirensofthedawn.com/

I first wrote about one of my favourite recent finds a couple of weeks back, WILSEN, whose debut full length Sirens is out now (you can download it via iTunes) and is a sure fire entrant into my albums of the year, a futher treat sees Wilsen share a video showing the recording of one of the tracks from the LP, its closure, "Anahita" (the video is an edit - the track itself lasts for some seven incredible minutes). A track which perfectly sums up the delicate fragility of Wilsen's songcraft and the intoxicating beauty of this, her stunning debut.

Rising and falling almost Daughter-esque from soft, tender intimacy where Tasmin's heartfelt vocals showcase a range of shattered emotions with twinkling guitars providing a gentle backdrop before slowing increasing with a steady percussive beat to a raging crescendo of harmonies and poweful drums. Utterly stunning, perhaps not quite the time of year for the contemplative melancholia as Olympic fever sweeps the UK but easily one of my favourite tracks of the year so far, and that after the write up I gave "Dusk" earlier...


W I L S E N - Recording A N A H I T A from ARA on Vimeo.

WILSEN - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / sirensofthedawn.com/

Another thank you to my mailbox here, New York based WILSEN (primarily the work of Tasmin Wilson) came to my attention through a concise email that landed in my overflowing inbox this past week, as soon as I clicked play (I do listen to every email I get even if I don't get time to reply to them all) on the soundcloud link I fell in love.

The only track on Wilsen's page so far, "Dusk", is deliciously sad and unbelievably gorgeous, with Tasmin's ethereal whispers the forefront of delicate, stripped back instrumentation where gently picked chord patterns and light brush strokes combine with the haunting, fragile vocals. Heartfelt and emotive "Dusk" is the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing, late night glass of whiskey (replace with wine / ale as you prefer!) whilst curled up on the sofa (presumably with your laptop or you won't be reading this!)...

The track is taken from WILSEN's debut full length Sirens due next week July 25th - immediately an album I can't wait to hear. Fall in love yourself below: