SOUND SEEKER: Hello 2011, Goodbye 2010!

I like where we are when we drive in your car! An equally fitting title for my first blog, dating on the last day of the first month, of a brand new year. So as a completely unestablished blogger, I thought I'd explode into the literary cyberspace by sharing artists I feel have accomplished greatly in 2010, and/or I have hope for in 2011.

PS - I have tried to include the odd picture for those who appreciate visual aids !

Favourite Discovery of 2010
GABRIELLE APLIN
Woohoo! Wafting through covers of Ellie Gouldings' 'Wish I stayed last year', I heard a beautiful new voice. Returning to my cover browsing, I came across another, You Me At Six 'The Liar and The Lighter', the same incredible and unique voice! So I explored my interest further, and have since been too excited about this girls' music and her career! She is excellently committed to her youtube cover-blogging, maintaining a massively high standard always as well as successfully collaborating with various other musicians. She uses her voice and her guitar, and sometimes keys, so anyone into the skills of a musician and a vocalist won't fail to fall in love. Concluding all of this from her youtube channel therefore, when I went to see her live for the first time at a peacefully intimate gig in a little cafe/bar thing in Manchester last September, I was nervous to see if she would be as amazing live. And she was, SHE WAS AIUEFBEGNEAMAZING! It was a glorious night my ears were so happy, and I came home with a signed EP (I recommend a copy to anyone into acoustic folksy stuff). A little while after a big picture of her and her guitar appeared on the BBC Introducing online page, which caused a massive bubble of confidence for her and her music to explode in my belly for her success to come in the year 2011. Follow this link & SUBSCRIBE!!! http://www.youtube.com/user/Gaberrz

Me & Gabrielle Aplin at An Outlet in Manchester on her amazing UK Tour Autumn 2010!!

Favourite Album of 2010
KINA GRANNIS
If you live over the pond in the magnificent USA, you will never understand how severely jealous I am for the fact that you are capable of seeing this girl live without having to cross any oceans. Her album 'Stairwells', named in respect of the stairwells she used to sing and compose in, became my ipod's best friend last summer. I literally couldn't place a favourite song, they're all incredible and the album is worth buying 100 times over. I first came across her singing a cover of one of my favourite songs of all time 'Hallelujah', and was instantly in love. You'll love her if you love to relax, and I think praising her with the title, future Colbie Callait, expresses her style fairly accurately. Her youtube is booming, and you can find versions of the songs from the album here, alongside amazing covers, some even featuring Boyce Avenue http://www.youtube.com/user/kinagrannis?feature=chclk , and you can purchase 'Stairwells' here, (I believe a fresh version is to be released in early 2011, I don't know what will be different but boy am I excited!) http://store.kinagrannis.com/products/stairwells-1

Favourite Cover of 2010
Mo Hat Mo Gheansaí (Tadhg & Oisín), Harry & Alfie and Hannah Vivian-Byrne
All you need to do is listen to it, and if you dislike it then you do not deserve ears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZI8DPvhX8

Favouirte Live Performance of 2010

MUMFORD AND SONS

I was slowly, calmly, yet excitedly introduced to the four magical people who grace the names Marcus, Ted, Winston and Ben. I first heard 'The Cave', followed by 'Little Lion Man'. I can't remember how I came across them, but the likelihood is that it had something to do with my insanely obsessed best friend, and I spent summer jumping up and down to the acceptable use of the word 'fuck', as it is delivered so eloquently. I had the honour, to attend their first headlining festival 'Summer Sundae', and then saw them again at 'Leeds'. Both times were outstanding, you literally cannot describe the atmosphere they create. They befriend the crowd so gracefully, jump up and down like menacing little angels, and somehow manage to create a sound sent from God. All I can say is see them live, because there are no words to describe the Mumford & Sons live experience. Their original folk exquisiteness (if that's a word), is projected insanely when straight from mouth/instrument to ear. Click here to see when you can see them live, http://www.mumfordandsons.com/ .I've tried, but this written word just doesn't do such an experience justice.

Summer Sundae Festival 2010, Mumford & Sons headline act!

Hello Goodbye STAR 2010 & 2011

I Blame Coco

This name was thrown about my life before 'Leeds' last year, and when I got there I overheard my tent neighbours talking about her. I drew a star next to the name on my little program, and accidently ended up missing her set. BIG MISTAKE. I came home, and she was on the cover of my 'ASOS' magazine, so I just though, enough's enough I am listening to something you have created Coco!. Since that moment I have become an Eliot Sumner addict. Her voice is completely unique, her old reggaeish sound and her new more synth sounds both make me so happy. There is just something magical about what she has produced she is like a musical fairy. Fortunately after my obsession began, a Manchester gig of hers was conveniently approaching, so I dragged a mixture of musically appreciative and musically questionable friends along with me - everyone loved it! (What made it all the more special was I managed to hand her a letter I wrote, from crowd to stage! Best moment of my life!) Her current album, The Constant, is unique in so many ways, the lyrics of the songs are extremely provoking and interest me greatly, and the whole thing is excellently produced and well crafted. I hope her career in the art of noise booms this year because she totally has everything going for her. I want to be her. Give this cover with Natty a listen, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSweH0gYZXI , it's one of my favourites, then fly over to her official site and get lost forever in her music.

I Blame Coco Manchester Academy 3 Autumn 2010, amazing, one of the best gigs in 17 years/my life!!!!!!

I Blame Coco, My Hello Goodbye star!

Most Promising for 2011

Jessie J

I was in an art lesson a few weeks ago and the words 'We can do it like the mandem' came zooming through my eardrums, and I was like WHOA! Pursuing this girl I have learnt she got the 'Brits Critic's Choice Award 2011', which just made me go "Brit Awards = On it!" I then saw the video and listened to 'Do It Like A Dude' repeatedly and I just can't get enough. I then found acoustic versions, showing off her Lady Gaga-esque I-can-sing-to-electronic-sounds-but-BOOM-give-me-an-instrument-and-I-will-make-you-cry-I'm-that-good! Her voice is perfected, and the girl has edge! There's limits to what I can say, as she has just blown into my life recently, so I will leave you with this piece of genius excellence, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K8kccffpPQ

I have come to realise if I was to award every artist I loved I would be here till I was dead, so I have created titles, however here is a shortlist of those I am unable to leave unmentioned;

So concluding last years findings, there is quite a mix of sounds to explore! I hope I have introduced to you, or share with you something to like, or something to feel! Remember though, there's no point me rambling on about noise, the best way is obviously to listen firsthand, and grow your own opinions! Have fun! First blog done wahoooooooo mwaaah xoxoxoox

Ambrin xoxo

SOUND SEEKER

Monday, 31 January 2011

Hello 2011, Goodbye 2010!

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