Happy Sunday folks. Ethereal, cathartic and simply beautiful, The Cinematic Orchestra is the perfect soundtrack to your lush hot chocolates, snug blankets and warm fireplaces as we venture into the season of Autumn.
Enjoy their eclectic collection below. The classic 2007 album of Ma Fleur is the perfect place to start.
I had the privilege of visiting one of the many great independent purveyors of great music today – Rough Trade.
Located across four stretches of UK life in Bristol, London, Nottingham – and even a managing to branch itself across the pond in NYC – Rough Trade has been an integral staple in the discovery of modern music mania here on our doorstep in the UK and in the US.
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A somewhat fanciful term for such a warehouse-etiquette but, their ‘headquarters’ are situated in the west of London. They first opened in 1976, right on the doorstep of punk. Now, in their 45th year of trading, they have become a global constituency in the world of music and its industry. Still to this day – as they did in the 70s strife with the punk mania that came before it – they’re celebrating the most exciting new music.
Situated in the most stylistic and cultural pockets of stark cities, their chosen locations were by no means accidental. Diving off main roads into kernels of art graffiti, tapestry and masterful architecture to independent bistro bars, awash with international food stalls and eventually into the crowds who are ready to spring into the new groove of life. Often situated in the most vibrant, culturally contrasting communities in the UK – as well as in the US – they are flagships to the strength of the accompanying cities’ music scenes.
From Portobello Road, Old Truman Brewery to Rockefeller Center itself, it really paints a story.
“As far as we’re concerned, our stores are where the magic happens.
Sure, we sell great music, but the bigger picture is bringing together artists and audiences within a celebratory, inspiring environment, one that welcomes all ages and taste under one roof.”
It’s important to note that they are not merely just record stores, oh no no no. They have also become some of the most celebrated music venues, playing host to some iconic acts in past years that put on simply fantastic, immersive and illusory performances surrounded by an arching wave of artist vinyls and band merchandise.
For me today, I was able to notch off another on the list of all four venues as I visited Nottingham’s store in the area of Hockley. With only one UK venue to go in Bristol, (as well as the obvious one in NYC) I’m holding out hope that I can provide myself an opportunity to visit this one too.
With these being such iconic stores within our music retail, purchasing and general perusers of music, I just had to buy something.
With its fitting home of a tote bag to take home in, I managed to pick up The Cinematic Orchestra’s beautiful story of Ma Fleur, pressed on a clear vinyl with a rarity of exclusive art work present – it was certainly one of the more fitting vinyls to purchase.
Fantastic day.
Similar to that of Black Honey, this indie-grudge grunge quartet are as viscous in their bold music-beatings as they are as sweet in their intriguing delivery.
Tough acts of “Beaches”, “All My Pride”, “Corrine” and “I Like The Way You Die,” are what makes this Brighton collective so unique and wild in their coming-of-age industry story. Love, lust, hate and all-between.
Another band is rising into the limelight showcasing a boss bitch frontman and a no-nonsense attitude knowing exactly what they want.
For some, the new rockers are the next influencers for the industry – they just don’t know it. For many, TikTok is very much running everything.
With the global pandemic shutting down the industry as a whole, artists had to adapt and bend the rules a little bit. Enter the meteoric rise of TikTok. A multi-global phenomenon that has taken the world by storm, it is a huge opportunity for upcoming musicians to get the go-ahead, from just the sheer numbers they pull in!
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The story of Jason Derulo is one to admire. Dropped by his label in early 2020 for not being a priority, Derulo was at a loss. After feeling under appreciated from his mass delivering of number 1s over the years, he felt done for in the music industry. But, since he joined TikTok, he has amassed over 46m followers and became the 13th most popular music artist influencers on the platform. No doubt, revitalising his music career and putting Deluro back into the name of Jason.
It may be certainly easier as an already established artist, but the independence is there for anyone to pry into their creativity and amass a large following. The importance is to understand the game and out-work everybody – then? The sky’s the limit.
Emotions ran high as one of the heaviest metal festivals returned to our fields with Bloodstock. In midst of panic and disruption caused by COVID, we were unsure about whether music would stir itself back into a frenzy come the summer, but it seems the festivals are coming back once again. We will see the likes of Skindred, KREATOR and Judas Priest renter our halls of darkness onto the fields of Catton Park in Derbyshire this weekend.
With Midlands counterpart of Download, hosting a smaller pilot version of their original mass festival, it sees a major heavy metal festival return in major fashion – full size scale with all the trimmings.
For me, I won’t be careening into festivals too soon since the pandemic, but I’m excited for lost of music fanatics and festival goers, and I’m certainly thrilled to see the many photos and videos that will come after it.
You can view all of Friday’s action so far via the link below:
