I am most certainly the best at being utterly shit. Spent the past three days sorting things out for Leeds and packing my bag…definitely lost my passport along the way (needed for over 18 wristband, obviously/I have no other form of I.D cos I’m crap) so instead of being at Ashleigh’s over an hour ago, I’m still at home. The good news is, though, I did find my passport eventually and remembered to pack other vital things such as my toothbrush and copious amounts of coffee, two of my more obvious requirements (especially when it comes to waking up with a killer hangover) but of course being the idiot that I am, previously forgot to pack them. They’re all in there now, though =)
Looking forward as I’ve said in a million other ‘Leeds Fest related posts’ to seeing a bunch of old schoolmates and sixthform friends, it’s gonna be a nice way to send ‘em all off before university - sad to see them go, but the next 5 days are gonna be spent partying and going a little bit insane, haha. Also looking forward, of course, to the disgustingly good lineup - I’m having to mentally prepare myself for the amount of vomit-inducing excitement that I’ll be experiencing throughout Foo Fighters, exhibiting ‘proud mother’ syndrome during Deaf Havana and Young Guns (even though I’ve seen these two bands more than any other band in the world, they’re still the ones I’m most excited about and to be able to take so many friends along to see them to is something I can’t wait for - don’t let me down, boys!), and just plain giddiness for The Gaslight Anthem, Twin Atlantic, Pure Love, Paramore, Azealia Banks and everybody else I’ve mentioned in an extensive list elsewhere on this blog. Really looking forward to discovering a multitude of newer bands and artists, as well - I stumbled across some great acts when I was last at Leeds Fest in 2010 so it’s going to be interesting to see who I find this time around. Let’s just hope I’m sober enough to remember who these musicians are, as opposed to being too drunk and forgetting like I did at Redfest…
SO! This will probably be the last you folk will hear from me until at least Monday, so apologies for the amount of deadness on my behalf but I’m pretty sure that nobody will really notice a difference anyway, haha. Hopefully I’ll bump into a few of you there, to those of you who’re at Reading I hope you have a fantastic time and I am infinitely jealous of the whole ‘Green Day secret set’ thing. Seriously. I’m more envious than you’ll ever know. Anyone who ISN’T going, I’m sorry you can’t be there but enjoy the rest of the week anyway! Lots of love x
Reblogged this before, but just a reminder: even though this video is all in jest, every dude should style themselves like this. Best ever.
The more I listen to Deaf Havana, the more I seem to relate to their lyrics. I’ve always said that James is one of the best out there, particularly in terms of honesty, and this song is a perfect example of that. Kinda makes my heart do this weird soaring/sinking thing when I realise just how much I see myself in this track.
I’m gonna be on the floor when I see this played at Leeds Festival.
Deaf Havana have been one of my favourite bands for some time now, but ‘Fools And Worthless Liars’ really is one of the best albums I’ve bought in my life. (If you haven’t heard it yet…why the heck not?! Go pick up a copy!) I’m not one for favouritism in bands - each person contributes a mass of importance to the overall product - but I’ve always been attracted to lyrics and James is a lyricist comparable to none. I appreciate the honesty in his writing; how songs are more of a ‘stream of consciousness’ as opposed to being over-planned and forced onto paper/into melody. And as a frontman, I like how unassuming his role is. All my favourite frontmen seem to have found their way there by way of an accident, and while I’ve read in interviews that James was reluctant to ever TAKE this role on, he’s doing a fucking good job with it.
I was bummed out only to catch about half of Deaf Havana’s set at Hit The Deck this weekend just passed, but my friend Rosie told me about this song being performed and how things kind of came together in a nice way while the band were onstage. The lyrics mention ‘Mike’ and ‘John’ (Lower Than Atlantis and Young Guns) who, despite touring for a similar amount of time/playing many of the same shows as Deaf Havana, found more success than DH earlier on. All that being said, at Hit The Deck DH were playing higher on the bill than LTA, and much like YG they are set to open the mainstage at Reading and Leeds this year. It’s a funny thing, really, but ultimately very cool. I’m ridiculously happy for Deaf Havana, and proud to call myself a fan of all the bands mentioned above. British music right now is the strongest that it’s ever been, and those mentioned are leading the pack.
Following on from my last post
Please do two bands that I love the greatest honour and check them out if you’re not familiar with them already. It feels kinda silly saying this now, being that they’re both getting big radio play and playing HUGE shows these days, but in case you’ve managed to miss out: please listen to Young Guns and Deaf Havana. They both have albums which are MORE than worth checking out; show ‘em some love and listen to them, go to a show or two, and support British music. Thanks! x
The Shape Of Rock To Come
This is, without a doubt, one of my favourite articles that I have read in a very long time. Written by the wonderful folk over at This Is Fake DIY (who are, in my opinion, flying the flag for ‘real’ music journalism - please, check out their articles and show them some love!), ‘The Shape Of Rock To Come’ has captured exactly what I adore about the U.K music scene: the work ethic, the community, the hard work that it takes just to play that one show in the hopes that somebody might be listening and that it might all be worth it…the way U.K music is growing and changing right now is so organic and true, I only have the utmost respect for each and every artist working their way to the top. And, perhaps by way of self-indulgence, I particurlarly enjoy the fact that this article contains bands that I myself have seen grow from the dingiest venues to playing some of the biggest stages the U.K has to offer.
The band included in this article are You Me At Six, Canterbury, All Forgotten (R.I.P!), We Are The Ocean, Deaf Havana, Lower Than Atlantis and Young Guns. All of which are bands that I have adored from the very early stages of their career, and particularly in terms of Canterbury and Young Guns, they are bands who are extremely close to my heart.
You Me At Six I first saw in 2008, so not as early as some people did, but I remember the days before their insane crowds (note: insane crowds are GOOD, just to point that out!) and before their massive fanbase had evolved. They’re not one of my ‘favourite’ bands, but I do have a lot of love for ‘em and have seen them live a number of times with friends, have their albums, and am willing to support them. I’m definitely a fan, and it’s an amazing thing to have seen them grow from such humble beginnings to being one of the biggest bands currently making waves in the U.K right now.
Canterbury are a band who’re dear to my heart for a couple of reasons. They were the first ‘real’ band that I ever interviewed (I work in radio, and one snowy day got the chance to hang out and chat to them - such gents they are!); but also because, a good few years ago, my best friend’s band were given the chance to open for them and All Forgotten (one of my favourite bands at the time, and who I wish had never parted ways!) at an amazing venue mentioned in the article, York Fibbers. (That venue is of huge importance to me, and I’ll mention why a bit later on.) My friend, who I don’t really think understood or knew how exciting a prospect it was to be opening for these dudes, put on a killer show that night and also spent time with the boys, who were, as expected, lovely. So not only are Canterbury important to me in terms of career, but also to my friend Jenna, as that support slot was maybe a starting point for the rest of HER career.
Deaf Havana are a band that I remember seeing in my local shitty venue, and it amazes me to this day that they ever came to Doncaster! I’m glad that they did, though, because they are incredible and one of the best feelings in the world is knowing that all their effort has finally turned into something wonderful. Deaf Havana have recently been announced to open the mainstage at Reading and Leeds, and knowing how hard they’ve worked over the past six years (slight pun? Maybe!), they completely deserve that slot and I will be stood at the front of the crowd, screaming my lungs out and showing my support.
The most important band to me in this list is Young Guns, and I mentioned earlier an amazing venue called Fibbers. This is where I saw the band for the second time; the first time I saw them was in May 2009 at the Slam Dunk festival in Leeds. I was actually waiting to see All Forgotten on the Fishing For Eskimo stage, but Young Guns were on first and I enjoyed what I saw. I did, to be honest, let them escape my memory somewhat until June 2010, when - without adding too much personal baggage to this - my life was going a little bit to pot. However, at York Fibbers I rediscovered this band, completely fell head-over-heels for a song called ‘There Will Be Rain’, and was introduced to a lovely fellow called Gustav Wood. This man, despite being a total stranger, was polite enough to introduce himself to me and my friends, and even though I didn’t know much about him and his band, he was so nice that I wanted to help out in whichever way that I could and bought Young Guns’ E.P, ‘Mirrors.’ It’s a reoccuring tale between myself and Young Guns now that I actually spent my train fare home on that E.P - a potential disaster! - but something that, in hindsight, I don’t regret at all. I could have ended up stranded, but me being a fool and buying that E.P sparked off my love and adoration for Young Guns; a wonderful relationship with the band themselves and their incredible fanbase; enabled me to see parts of the U.K that I’ve never really seen before; and truly become a part of the way British music is changing and shaping up. I’ve seen Young Guns in tiny little venues, and also HUGE venues, and each and every time they’ve had the courtesy to come out after shows and chat to each and every person who wanted their time. With Gus, I still see the bewilderment of people WANTING to talk to him and his bandmates, as opposed to him approaching them and hoping that somebody might want to talk back. I’m watching this band and I’m seeing their fanbase grow and grow, and looking at all that they’ve achieved - two amazing albums, time spent over in Thailand and Australia and everywhere else - and it’s impossible not to feel your heart swell when stuff like this is happening to people who you KNOW deserve it so much, and who have helped you through your own personal traumas, and so forth. I couldn’t be prouder.
I’m talking like a loser because I’m tired and can’t really string my sentences together, but if you support any of these bands at all or are just interested in the U.K music scene/music at ALL, then please read this article. It’s amazingly well-written, honest and enjoyable. Check it out! x
