The rediscovery of Punk Goes Acoustic

This album was the soundtrack of my mid-teens.

The days were: Punk Goes Acoustic, Breaking Benjamin, Bullet For My Valentine, Cute Without the E was the best thing, tight jeans, sweeping fringes, bright cardigans and MSN. I loved the simplicity too! Go to school, friday night is a sleepover where either Pro Evo or Need For Speed would get played all night and you had a new cup of tea and pack of digestives every 10mins! Saturday was the recovery and Sunday was football for my local team. 

Todays tonights are a little different. From now until next Friday I'm busy every night. This weekend my best mate Connor will be in Manchester so we'll be out. Sunday is the Screamworks!- the biggest bar crawl in halloween fancy dress. Still haven't sorted a costume....

But! - Jordan and I did carve some pumpkins earlier........ mine is the cheeky one. 

Monday is the radio festival in The Lowry at Salford Quays. Literally, just across the road from where I study most days. After having had my demo very constructively and briefly picked apart by Jo Good a couple of weeks ago, I made some changes this afternoon. The new demo is now live on the homepage of the site, alongside some new bits including a Sport Presentation demo and some featured audio. 

Having changed the demo, ready to be picked apart again on Monday by the demo experts, I've had to burn out a load more LC DVDs for my press packs! Only too happy to do so. These packs now include a much more stripped back 1 page long CV, a freshly printed infographic and the DVD. It's the most 'packaged' way I can think of to demonstrate myself, and I'm really fond of the end result. If you want a press-pack, just drop me a message I'll send one over, no problem. Even for feedback, would be great.

Can't wait for the variety of speakers we have at Foot In The Door @ Radio Fest. Some great names on the lineup, a couple that I know, but the majority I'll get to meet. Looking forward to that, lots more opportunity for networking and coffee drinking. Perfect day out really. 

From Tuesday through to Thursday I'm at the Manchester Academy enjoying the plethora of Manchester music this fine venue offers. Tuesday is The Rifles, a really cool band who've just released a new album, I hope to get down there for that one and get them in on the new show soon (new radio show details to follow in a few weeks!!). Wednesday is the re-arranged Charlie Simpson gig, Thursday is The Travelling Band!

How very exciting. Set for a very busy yet enthralling week. Not to mention the assignments I've got to complete and the ridiculously exiting new project I've taken on. I'll post some details after Seb and I have storyboarded something on Sunday. All I'll say is the project revolves around this musician...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xatQePq_QvI

Sun Studies at MediaCityUK

REVIEW: Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

Ben Howard - Every Kingdom.

When I first read that Q Magazine had rated Every Kingdom a sorry 2 stars, I was a little shocked. This is a guy that Radio 1 are hammering and seemingly half the population are enjoying right now. 

My best mate told me that Q had got it wrong, and that I needed to have a listen to this piece of music. Thus, a bitter cold northern morning provided the backdrop for my first listen to this album. Needless to say, the developing melodies, crisp guitarwork and passionate vocals hooked me. The raw authenticity of Every Kingdom and its associations of nature really stood out. You have the songs with tender starts like Black Flies, but you wait till the continual addition of different instruments builds the song into full-bodied folk class.

My walk to uni consists of a small walk through a lovely green park and onto a road completely enveloped by trees so the natural life scent that wafts from Old Pine was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed The Wolves, primarily for it's intricacies.. the guitarwork.. the lyrics.. and catchy melody, but also because of its animalistic references. Lovely. You'll find them everywhere on this album.. if you listen to Black Flies, you'll hear some howling towards the end that once again reinforces the natural aspect of this music. I love it, it's very clever. 

Every Kingdom has become a common choice for my journeys over the last week. 2 stars is a load of rubbish, this is an album of passion and talent. My friend picked up on the fact that the songs are constantly building and offer so much more than a plain acoustic artist. The band influence on this record make it sound whole and complete. 

Interesting, like I mentioned when I reviewed ahab's gig at Band On The Wall last week, this is yet more folk music that is kindling so much love across the UK. Fans are falling over themselves to enjoy new artists like Ben Howard, and it's so pleasing to see this genre of music becoming more accessible to the mainstream - especially good because it's such a fantastic album, and refreshingly unique. 

This is a fine first record from Ben Howard, and everybody who gets to enjoy his live gigs this year, do relish every moment - the best song on the album is the live version Empty Corridors. If you're a stickler for studio recording, Old Pine, The Wolves and Black Flies really stand out. 

Listen on Spotify to Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

ahab Gig Review:

The first time I was properly made aware of ahab was at Fairport’s Cropredy festival 2 years ago. I heard them at the Brasenose Arms as part of the illustrious fringe festival at Cropredy, and then I saw their main stage performance, which similarly proved them to be very tight, organic Americana, Roots musicians.

A few years down the line and my love for folk/roots music has intensified due to the mainstream explosion of bands like Noah and the Whale and Mumford & Sons. From attending Fairport since a young age, that music genre is engrained in me personally, and what is fantastic to see is a new-wave of roots music becoming more accessible and relevant to those who would otherwise be stuck being fed mostly computer-mixed, fake Top-40 hits by today’s Radio. The chart exposure for these kinds of bands has made ridiculously talented up-and-coming bands like ahab easy to embrace and love.

Last night ahab played in Manchester, my new playground after having moved here from Banbury in September. I’ll start by quoting roughly what my mate Anthony told me at the end of the gig: “I love how you’re changing my music taste and introducing me to genres I haven’t even considered before”. Genuine words from the mouth of a trance-loving dance show manager at Chorley FM.

The renowned Band on the Wall venue in the Northern Quarter was the perfect setting for a gig that brought Fairport nostalgia flooding back to me. ahab played a collection of foot-tapping, sing-a-long, clap-a-long Americana from their various EPs to an extremely receptive crowd. Considering the band were enjoying their first gig in town, the northern crowd was abundant, warm, welcoming and full of folk-inspired dance moves – the kind I have yet to see on a Saturday night in The Printworks, and probably never will.

They interacted with the crowd on a very friendly level – haven’t seen that for a long time, a band really embracing their audience. I also think it resonates well with the audience when the band are moving and dancing along to their music, especially with songs like Lucy and their encore of Wagonwheel, the crowd were very responsive and energetic.

Even with one or two ‘nuances’ in performance, I’d still call the band tight and well rehearsed in their delivery. Technically, they execute their songs with a precision that rivals the movers and shakers of the mainstream world and do so with warmth and excitement.

They next play in Manchester on 15^th Nov as support for one of the UKs more treasured live bands, Bellowhead. Hold on to your straw hats Manchester, you’re in for a treat!

http://ahabofficial.com/
http://twitter.com/ahabofficial
http://bandonthewall.org/

If you didn't hear ahab featured on my Cropredy 2011 Relived documentary for Banbury Sound, listen again here

Standard Manchester

Let me bullet point tonight for you.

- nearly choke to death from the smoke from Jordan's cooking
- social media blast (www.louischadwick.co.uk/info.php)
- chicken arabiatta ready meal
- quadruple layers donned for northern cold
- 7:45, first pint in at Band On The Wall
- ahab
- 8pm, second pint in
- dance to Wagonwheel encore
- rum and coke begins
- fairport reminiscence begins
- mcdonalds
- train
- blog

No Story

Sadly, Storify isn't working. I can't link up my Flickr account so bare with me for some Stories that I promised you on Twitter.

In the mean time, I saw this artist on the counter in Cafe Nero at the weekend, been listening on Spotify and I'm such a fan. Missed out on her Manchester gig by a few days, gutted.



Also, this Friday, ahab are in Manchester at Band On The Wall - if you've got nothing on, do come along! And even if you are busy, cancel your plans and come down anyway. Great band who are receiving praise from all the big names. Bob Harris was couldn't speak highly enough of them on my Cropredy documentary (listen again here).



Hope to see you down there.

Tonight...... I'm at City And Colour at Manchester Academy!

"Will we get out of this little hell..."

Can't wait to see this live tonight.

Stop this train...keep me where the light is

"Because it isn't where you finish, it's the way you run the race, and I intend to go the distance, but I'll do it at my own pace"
Ben Marwood.

Sum up + by Ed Sheeran in 200 words

A friend made me listen to the album all the way through. A train journey from Banbury to Manchester provided the perfect opportunity. Here's what I thought. 

Ed Sheeran’s latest offering into mainstream pop is quite a refreshing tale of young love and naivety. Or at least, that’s what I got out of it. The stories of youth told by a respectable young pop icon.

When the A Team was released, a lot of us thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. A mature, lyrically brilliant, poetic pop song that took over national radio. You Need Me was a similarly excellent single, with a captivating narrative told through some outstanding lyrics.

The album sadly can’t offer you too much more. Where the A Team and You Need Me are full-bodied singles, the album is a medley of bang average tunes and musicianship. Live, I imagine he’s a totally different story, the guy has serious talent, especially with that loop pedal!

However, it’s a pleasant listen and to be honest I wouldn't turn down an Ed Sheeran gig. 

Hopefully there’s more to come from this guy. Some more collaboration wouldn’t go too far amiss. For now, + is about 3/5, with the standout songs other than the singles being U.N.I & Grade 8. 

Ed Sheeran – + on Spotify.

I hope you have Spotify

If you're not a spotify user, then sort it out. Go along and download it - start sharing the music you listen to, because that is exactly what I'm going to do with you now. Roll over the song titles in this blog to open each song in Spotify, then hit the 'previous page'/'back' button to return to this blog.

You know I love very organic, roots, acoustic and indie music. I particularly love it when the music is a guilty pleasure or if it is refreshingly unknown. When I'm not DJing, I strive to listen to as little mainstream music as possible.

That's why I laughed the other day when I saw an acquaintance of mine had posted on Facebook that everybody who loves Ben Howard 'has got to check out this amazing new guy, James Vincent McMorrow'.

For you, if you haven't heard of James... James Vincent McMorrow – Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree. Raw, organic and pure.

Keeping up with my more current discoveries. In fact, so current, I discovered this today and it's absolutely beautiful. I introduced a friend to Ludovico Einaudi not long ago, I reckon this music is on par, if not better than the Nightbook album. Ólafur Arnalds – Tunglið. Beautiful. That's the only word you need to describe this.

Before it goes mainstream, hear it here first. She's recently recorded a version of Wherever You Will Go. Here is Charlene Soraia – Bike. She's got a pretty nice voice, but I think it's the guitar the wins here.

Featured on my Fairport documentary this is The Travelling Band – Battlescars - and as they're based in Manchester, hoping to hear a lot more from these guys! They are playing at Odd Bar in the Northern Quarter next wknd I think. Can't wait for that. Really talented guys, and just my kind of up-coming roots music.

A friend introduced me to this chap, I can't put my finger on it, but I listened to his album and I enjoyed it. Ben Marwood – Tell Avril Lavigne I Never Wanted To Be Her Stupid Boyfriend Anyway. It won't set the world alight or leave you wanting more...  but it's good. it's good, that's all.

I'm a real fan of this as well... very psychedelic and ultimately gorgeous music Spiritualized;J. Spaceman;Sean Cook;Kate Radley;Roddy Lorimer;B.J. Cole;The London Community Gospel Choir;John Coxon – Broken Heart. Just let it wash over you.

I incorporated this band into a fictional story the other day.... we won't go into it. All you need to know is this:  Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – I Come In Please. The rest of the album is fantastic. Another pure roots experience.

Just so keen to get out an explore what Manchester has to offer now! This list of venues to visit keeps growing!

Salford [Behind The Scenes]

Manchester is an incredible place to be. A great media location, a fabulous music scene and there's always something happening. It's also cheap, I can have a good night out (as I did last night) for £9, which is alright, and it can be even better!

Sad as it sounds, I'm marking on my Salford Student Map where I've been as and when I go there. So far we've ticked of places like The Courtyard, The Printworks, Barcode, Baa Bar, HMV Ritz, 5th Avenue, Odder Bar etc... lots of cool place, lots of clubs so far and I'm hoping to get along to some nice bars soon.

This week's been really hectic, as I knew it would be. It started with a nice night out at Odder bar on Oxford Rd. A quiznight - my favourite. The rounds were fun, the vibe was very cool and the whole evening went well. We came 5th and won a turban.

Tuesday was a pretty exciting day because I had my spine checkup. One really good thing about Manchester is the MEN. I love it- what a great local paper. They were advertising a free spine checkup because, after all, 'we check our teeth regularly, why not our back?!'. The spine doctor told me I had to dramatically increase my flexibility and core strength otherwise I'm going to have serious trouble in a few years...

Also on Tuesday I'd scheduled in a haircut in Deansgate. I arrived, chatted, enquired of the price of the cut and left in shock. No haircut ever took place.

I attended a Social Media Storytelling workshop at Cornerhouse on Wednesday evening with a few pals from Uni. The session was led by Katie Moffet - very interesting indeed, and it introduced me to the power of infographics and also Storify, a story-telling/blogging tool that integrates all your social media - certainly something I'll be using in future!

After that we went to Acoustic Night at Hard Rock Cafe, that was fantastic, finally some live music. However, no scratch on Banbury's finest yet. I am working hard to find a decent bar that can beat Banbury's live acoustic music scene. It's week 3 so naturally I'm still hunting......

A man and a guitar, yes!

Last night was spent watching darts at the pub then playing some pool whilst enjoying a good pint.

All in all, there's always something to do, and I love that. Here's life in Manchester from the last week or 2 in photographs:

Fire at halls! Or not, as it turned out. Just drunken antics resulting in a lot of angry students at 3am.

Seb capturing some scenic shots for our documentary

Deadly boring afternoon in the library

My day out in Sheffield to see Sophie

Beautiful day for a good book at MediaCity

3am pizza!

A shot from the train - Manchester City Centre

By night.... The Printworks in Manchester City Centre, ready for a party!

What they don't show on the virals....

What they do show on the virals!...

A city alive with the sound of talent

City life

Really settling in now. I've not exactly felt homesick whilst I've been here, but the relentless lifestyle was something I had to adjust to. And preparing so many meals!- tedious.

When I say relentless, it doesn't mean work-wise. I always like to be busy and happily I'm enjoying one of my busiest weeks yet! The relentless aspect comes with how often you have to socialise with people- and at first where you constantly want to be in the right flat at the right time so you can enjoy your friends' company...it's all just settled now. The social circles are established.

That last paragraph makes me sound real insular and reclusive. Sometimes its just nice to take an hour out, put some music on and reconfigure yourself before getting involved again with a fresh head.

This week I've got a really exciting schedule ahead of me. The documentary about MediaCityUK continues to move along strongly! I anticipate it should be done within a few weeks. However. Seb, the idiot. Somehow he managed to delete one of our interviews off the DSLR! Tragedy! I have a backup audio track so that may well be exclusive to the radio doc! Poor guy, we've all been there.

Got meetings this week, it's the Arndale Student Giveaway later today..got a social media workshop at Cornerhouse to look forward to as well..a pal of mine Marcus Taylor has just released the review copy of his new book so I'd love to take some time to read that..

On the other hand, last week I saw in the Manchester Evening News an advert for a free spine checkup. The advert gripped me and I signed up. So this week I'm looking forward to a specialist check-up and to work out if I'm going to snap in half in my 40s etc.

Also signed up for a free checkup at a new Dental surgery in MediaCityUK, that's on the horizon so exciting there. Very exciting here because the lovely lady confirming my booking had asked whether I'd like a tea or coffee upon my arrival next week. What excellent service.

As you know, live music is my passion so this week I've been working out where the cool places to go for music are and testing them out. Tonight I went to Odder on Oxford Rd in town, fantastic groove in there- loved the vibe and so aptly The Travelling Band, one of my favourites from Fairport earlier this year, host a live music night on the 4th Sunday of the month. Really keen for that. They also do a 'Cool As Folk' night to showcase come cool folky music! Right up my street. Can tell Odder will be a regular for me.

Alongside the music at Odder, I've got some great gigs lined up this month, including City & Colour, got lots of cool bars and venues to check out too.. Also.. Hard Rock Cafe do an acoustic night, which to me sounds heavenly, and they do a live music night on Friday so when my family come up this weekend I may treat them to manchester's finest!....