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September 18, 2011 Leave a comment
Wouldn’t you agree that sitting on a dodgem whilst being interviewed is just too cool? Well not for the Soundgirls, it’s standard. They opened Future Hits Live and I chatted to them fresh from their performance and find out why they prefer geek-chic and just who would win out of Parade and Wonderland!
September 18, 2011 Leave a comment
Being described as the streetdance version of Glee comes with very heavy expectation, yet the aura surrounding this six-some hasn’t stopped. I caught up with Six-D backstage at Future Hits Live and we chatted everything from how they all met to working with Lady Gaga’s choreographer!
SixD Interview from EQ Video on Vimeo.
August 3, 2011 Leave a comment
When these cheeky little so-and-so’s are in town, you know what you are in for – a bloody good time! I caught up with the lovely duo to talk singles, being Example’s protegees and just how much swag they really have!
EQ Backstage Pass With Oh My! at Future Hits Live from EQ Video on Vimeo.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
Whilst you cannot deny that Kasabian are the biggest band in Britain, their new turn has still got me turning.
Yet when I first heard ‘Switchblade Smile’, we were stunned. Our jaws simply hit the floor and hit us back in the face twice as hard.
In their typical cocksure jock style, they claimed it “squares up to you”. Not only does it live up to the claim, in essence, this is going to be a smash. For anyone who thought that the previous Kasabian album sounded like the inmates were running the Pauper Asylum, then they are going to be in for some serious bouts of shock therapy. This song is probably the most demented and deranged thing they have ever done.
Encapsulating their urges in everything that is electronic, one would presume that they’ve finally bitten the dust on the electronic fence that surrounds the Asylum. The night-howling clamours of sheer aggression suggest that they’ve turned the amplitude up another thousand volts. The live drums boom with impel something totally unholy and the dubbed guitar lines still give Kasabian that they talked up prior to the release.
When you first have a listen, you wouldn’t win prizes for saying they’ve got a bit Crystal Castles on our ass, but you most certainly can see why. Starting off all 8-bit and an arpeggiation that is gallantly berthed next to a packed and staunch guitar riff, you can see why this four-piece from Leicester have been successful.
Whilst it lacks that laddish vibe about it, it ruminates you’re brain in to an obliteration of distortion and reverb that not only will knock you out, it will frazzle you in to another millennia.
Ultimately, Switchblade Smile is an anthem for a generation that combines the best in catchy riffs and memorable synths with the lyrics that you won’t get out of your head no matter how many pills you can pop.
Not only is the soundtrack for the march to oblivion, it is a statement of intent that no matter how their music is delivered, Kasabian are instantaneously one of the most recognised bands in the world at the moment.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
Future Hits Live in Leamington showcased just what is good about the future of British music. Not only did was it a brilliant night out, it was a great stage for many young, up-and-coming artists to flourish on the main stage. Many of the artists on the bill had already played gigs across the length and breadth of the country many times before, but what made this gig special wasn’t just the intimacy of the Assembly, just walking in to the vast old venue you got an immediate buzz for what was to come.
Oh My!, SixD, Soundgirl, Talay Riley, Her Majesty and the Wolves, Wretch 32 and of course, Tinchy Stryder completed the line-up that promised so much – and lived up to the high expectation of the pumped-up crowd made up predominantly of 14-18-year-old screaming schoolgirls.
Shouty girl-duo Oh My! launched the night off with a frenzy with their trademark trouble-and-cheek style. Debut single “Run This Town” and follow-up “Kicking and Screaming” got the crowd loosened up and ready for a fabulous night ahead.
They’ve been labelled as the ‘future of pop’, much hyped streetdance-infused pop group SixD also conjured up an almighty stir. Entering the stage one by one followed by a classy and well rehearsed individual move each, they launched in to “Best Damn Night”, which has had multiple radio plays. Not only did they get the crowd bouncing, they got the floor shaking. You have to admit, it takes a lot to work with the same choreographer as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj! “2 Seconds” has been confirmed as their next single.
Ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt’s new project Her Majesty and the Wolves bought the electropop to the floor, complete with an LCD wall! Her new sound, alongside Spencer Nezey, isn’t necessarily PCD-esque, you could file it next to Robyn and Mini Viva if you had to. It’s playful and jumpy, electronic bliss that filled our ears is something that is fresh and new for the pop-diva. Playing through an extended set list that contained debut single ‘Goodbye, Goodnight’, the elegant and tranquil ‘Glaciers’, anthemic ‘Stars In Your Eyes’ and the sheer dominating ‘Emerald Showers’, Her Majesty and the Wolves sure will be dominating the Saturday night scene for many summers to come.
Headliners Tinchy Styder and Wretch 32 bought their vast array of chart-topping singles and favourites to an already raucous crowd. With their arms in the air, they both showed just why they have been so successful. Wretch 32 powered in to the pulsating ‘Traktor’, the insanely catch Example-collaboration ‘Unorthodox’ and new single featuring vocalist Josh Kumra, ‘Don’t Go’. Tinchy showed just why he is the name on the lips of thousands of teenagers across the country. With screaming girls echoing around the Assembly, Tinchy literally bounced on to stage and straight away he was drowned out by the crowd singing every word back to him.
Future Hits Live showed just why pop music in the UK is stronger than ever.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
This is my exclusive interview for EQ I did with Soundgirl, one of the best, up-and-coming pop acts in the UK right now!
EQ Backstage Pass with Soundgirl from EQ Video on Vimeo.
Interview by Jordan Muckley, camera by Raj Rudolph.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
There’s a new kid on the block, and if you say he’s anything like Justin Beiber, he will kick you. Nathan Cameron has not only burst out on to the scene, he has imploded. Bringing his funky, electroboppy, dancefloor-ready tunes to the fold, this youngster from Merseyside has already mingled with A-listers. Big things are expected from this lad. I caught up with Nathan and discussed everything from those A-listers to the city of Liverpool…
J: Hello Nathan!
NC: Hello EQ and thanks soooooooooooooooooooooo much for this!
J: How would you describe your music to EQ readers who may not have come across it before?
NC: I feel my music is a fresh sound because I don’t really hear stuff like it. That could end up being a good or a bad thing but people seem to like it. I am working on a lot of new stuff at the moment and they will be coming out over the next few months.
J: Did growing up in Liverpool, a city with such a vast musical heritage influence you?
NC: Growing up I used to listen to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 a lot and used to dance and sing to them all the time! I never thought of doing it as my job, though. Coming from Liverpool doesn’t really affect my music as I never really listen to anyone from here but I hope one day to be put on the list of major artists from this city.
J: Who do you look up to in the music industry?
NC: I absolutely love Chris Brown, I love his music and look up to him so much. It would be amazing if I had the opportunity to sing to him and hope one day I can.
J: A little dicky bird has told me that a certain someone has had a brief encounter with the divine Perez Hilton?
NC: It’s a funny story really. I heard there was a pre-party for the MTV EMA Awards and let’s just say the security where a bit lame so I and my friend blagged our way in as singers signed to a major label! I don’t want to say the name of it, but this was way before I even started to think of doing music as a career. We got to meet a few famous people along with Perez, but no one had a clue who I was so they were quick to move on. It was a goodnight and I was star struck to the max but I wish the party was tomorrow and not back then so I can give them all a copy of my CD!
J: Is there an album in the pipeline?
NC: I am currently working on my first album but it’s very early days yet it’s a whole new experience for me and I’m still learning. I’m hoping to release it at the end of the year or at the start of 2012. This is something that I’m definitely looking forward to.
J: Can we catch you on tour or at a festival?
NC: My management have organised some gigs in line with the release of my debut single in around 2 months but I can’t say much about that at the moment, I’ve been sworn to secrecy. I’m not doing festivals this year, but who knows, anything is possible.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
Rebekkamaria has no doubt made waves amongst London’s trendies. Playing songs from her album Corollaceous, humping beats and a few low and dirty basslines have become the trademark of her new sound, playing a full 15 minute set uniterrupted.
I caught up with the one and only, Rebekkamaria to discuss everything from how she got into house, to playing Copenhagen Pride!
What can fans who haven’t had the chance to see you live expect?
They can expect some awesome house tracks, some awesome remixes and versions that have been made for doing club gigs. They can expect great songs and great melodies and a very punky live experience! I try to bring the full club experience to the audience and hopefully will be inspired to dance along with me!
Do you get inspired by the British dance scene?
To be honest, I’m not really a music listening musician. It wasn’t really music that inspired me, I try to pull stuff out of my life and real life experiences and stories that need to be told. I’m really inspired by art, books, film, theatre and literature – there are so many unanswered questions that you can create songs from.
How did you get into house?
I used to do a lot of pop things when I was a teenager and obviously danced a lot then I put that aside for a long time and it was just building up inside me and I just needed to get out. I just felt in sync with the house scene. I really felt at home.
How does the Danish dance scene compare to the British dance scene?
I feel there is a similar vibe going on, I mean in Scandinavia, it’s very much linked to Britain and there are a lot of the same sort of sounds going on.
How have you found London?
So gently and so nicely! It’s been a treat beyond. We actually took some dates around the show to just relax and walk around in the sun. We were invited to a house party so we did go out and it was this year’s first BBQ for me! It’s really nice for me because in Copenhagen is usually 5 degrees colder!
Do you have a lot of gay fans?
Do I? I might! I think maybe I do, I have an audience at least! I played Copenhagen Pride in front of 30,000 people so that was really awesome! I was very well responded too and a great experience and when I’ve played in Copenhagen there is always some gay guy that comes out and sees the performance and writes a blog about it. I love the gays!
What are your future plans?
I’ve not long played the Danish DJ Awards, which was huge! There was dancers and everything on stage and we put on a killer show. I’m doing some acoustic and quiet shows, which is a totally different direction with Hymns from Nineveh so we are going to be doing our songs totally stripped back.
Who are you favourite DJ’s and your favourite dance anthem?
I’m a huge fan of the Faggot Fairies and their track ‘Feed the Horse’, it was huge in Denmark a couple of years ago. I also love Royksopp. My all-time favourite is Nina Simone and Lauren Hill; it’s good to like other genres apart from your own as it’s totally out of your comfort zone.
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
I don’t know about you, but I never really get excited by girl bands. Too many have come and gone through that some old A&R recycled manufactured plastic process that predominates much of our beloved pop world today.
Whilst there are exceptions like her wonderfulness Lady Gaga, there are many, many obvious casualties that just don’t seem to cut the mustard. Many just don’t seem to have a connection with their music – probably because they haven’t written it.
This is why we at EQ like Oh My! They have something a lot of others don’t – originality. You can’t just write a single and hope that the masses will jump onboard your bandwagon and click with your sound, you have to tell a story; form a connection with your music and show the world why your music is better than everyone else’s. This is what we like these ladies.
Named after a lyric in the Tweet and Missy Elliot anthem ‘Oops (Oh My)’, this all-girl duo have enveloped their catchy electro sound with some clever and witty lyrics.
Their debut ‘Run This Town’ is produced by expert knob-twiddler Example and is a harsh and hellacious way of saying hello. Its catty, brash and infectious. Its stop and start, but it works.
Check it out below:
http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13528674
And if you like the sound of that, you can download it for FREE here:
July 20, 2011 Leave a comment
This glacial-edgy-pop three piece have arrived from another dimension. Not many bands attempt to combine the power of a six-string and the harshness of some ear-scything synths, yet Talking Pictures have produced the goods.
Their fused chord-clad indie and the sheer wonky-pop vibes have already made their mark. Think Hockey with the depth of Everything Everything and that’s the similarity of these boys. It’s euphoric choruses that wouldn’t be out of place at a major festival and the restless strumming that the indieboys and indiegirls in the little indieclubs wouldn’t mind beating up their Converse too.
Their debut single Mirrors is released on 23rd May through Split Records and has already caused a stir within the chasms of the electro underworld; they’ve already broken the glass ceiling. The wistful vocals threading through with inimitable beats reminiscent of gunfire automatically synchronise your brain in to telling the rest of your body that is has to move. It was produced by one of our all-time faves, Britt Meyers off of Yeasayer and you can see his playful influence throughtout the record.
Cadaverous in demeanour these fellows maybe, but they simply let their music do the talking and within their own soundscape, they are a master of their world.
You can check out ‘Mirrors’ on their official Myspace - www.myspace.com/talkingpicturesuk
