Mr. Woon & Friends

I am always a keeno when it comes to enlightening the horizons of my musical awareness, so when a friend asked me to accompany her to a Jamie Woon gig at the gorgeous Deaf Institute, Manchester, I was more than open to the adventure!

Me and my best mate with the main man himself, Jamie Woon!!!

I decided to keep virgin ears with his tracks, so went along not really knowing what to expect, and boy oh boy was I impressed! To be honest, impressed is an understatement. If his voice were an animal it would be a butterfly, as he sailed so comfortably and beautifully through all his vocals. Accompanied by the sounds of keys, guitars, drums and his cool machine, he somehow achieves the perfect balance between relaxing, energizing, and enchanting the crowd and the atmosphere. Whatsmore, he has the cutest smile ever.

Jamie Woon with his cool machine

Jamie Woon and his guitar

Check out this vid of him and the cool machine at work, and then give him a cheeky accapella listen to get a feel for what I'm rambling on about, coz let's be honest, with or without his great wire tail, his sound is rather sparkly special!

And if you fancy grooving to him face to face, hit this link up to see when you can!! http://www.jamiewoon.com/#list-_listing_shows

But wait!! There's more!!!!!!!!!! Whilst fluttering around for some Woon magic, I also came across two EXCELLENT musicians.......

The first is Matt Corby,

Matt Corby pic from http://mattcorby.com.au/

who is currently working with the label 'Communion', which was co-founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Kev Jones of Cherbourg! He supported Jamie at Start the Bus, Bristol on 20th Feb 2011, and I'm not even joking or embarrassed to say that as soon as I heard this guy play, I got down on one knee and proposed to my computer screen, via the following video...

But waaaaaaaaaaaaaait! There is yet more!!!

Yes I have another for you! Jono McCleery,

Jono McCleery pic from http://www.jonomccleery.com/

who supported Woon at Jericho Tavern in Oxford on the 19th Feb 2011, and this one released his first album, 'The Darkest Light' independantly! It was funded by his fans and he produced it himself!! My hands are clapping for you Jono because that's impressive! This one is called 'Tommorow', which I have listened to about 20 times in a row and is now best friends to both my eardrums. Prepare yourself for a filthy bassline...

BUT WAIT!!!!! Yes! I have more for you!! Some presents! Click the links and consider me your audio Santa :)
 
Free Jamie Woon download of Blue Truth http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Woon/6567033643?v=app_4949752878
 
Free Matt Corby download of Coloured Stones and Walls http://mattcorby.com.au/colouredstonesandwalls/
 

And, I couldn't find any on Jono McCleery, but check out his webiste anyway! http://www.jonomccleery.com/

 

PS. YAY THAT I WORKED OUT HOW CODE VIDEOS ONTO MY BLOG!!!!!!

Thank You Burberry

Last week was the first time I had James Blake enchant my ears with his massively popular song, Limit To Your Love (single available on itunes for a well worth it £1.49, or catch the video on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOT2-OTebx0 ). It was as if all members of The XX and a male version of Lykke Li had made a beautiful love child with a magical voice, providing the world with an interesting and provoking sound. Coincidentally, whilst flicking through my Sunday Style Magazine at the weekend, I noticed they had commented that 'There's no limit to our love for your new album'.  After putting two and two together, I thought, yes, fashion magazine, your slightly hot on your tunes.


My initial investigatory skills 


Investigating further, I dug out the issue from the week before, and re-read it to find another musical recommendation, Misty Miller, (follow this link to pursue her audiable art http://www.myspace.com/mistymillermusic ) 'The velvet-voiced, ukulele-playing 16-year-old, bigged up by Burberry. Two melty albums on the way'. Feeling comfortable in the arms of The Sunday Times Style magazines' taste in music, I youtubed this little nymph and was pleasantly surprised at uncovering a whole series of Burberry, promoting various acoustic musicians and bands! I have probably just been living under a rock, but at my discovery, I couldn't help but jump around and feel happy! Here are a few video links, handpicked by me as some of my favourite Burberry Acousitcs...

Misty Miller featured in Vogue

Bobby Long with Dead & Gone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAG2flpe8Yg

The Crookes with Yes, Yes, We're Magicians http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA3hYdKlDM8

Johnny Flynn Featuring Lillie Flynn with Amazon Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC5gdLYHihI

Johnny Flynn on the front row of the Burberry prorsum catwalk show

Not yet satisfied? Hit this link and you'll probably be there all day, http://uk.burberry.com/store/content/experience/acoustic/index.jsp

Thanks to http://www.vogue.it/en/ for the artist pics xoxoxoxo

Why I love Crystal Castles...



Classic Black-eye Tee!


If I was to explain the sound of Crystal Castles, I would probably start by describing a colony of gameboy addicted mermaids living in some sort of warped sea travelling around space. However on their myspace, they have chosen to express their genre as, 'Thrash'. Both sufficient descriptions?

I have been obsessed with this duo since they performed 'Alice Practice' on Skins with the original cast! They're 18 track album, 'Crystal Castles', (available on itunes for only £4.49 including a video of 'Courtship Dating'), features incredibly unique and explosive production skills from Ethan Kath, alongside the versatile and mentally calming vocal work of Alice Glass.

Band pic taken from http://www.myspace.com/crystalcastles

 

Our rendition :P

Together the pair have conquered the world of electronic audiable art, aswell as providing sufficient sounds for my revision sessions, pre-lash bus journeys and generally befriending the musical antennae I call my ears! Have a listen to a collection of their classic recordings! http://www.myspace.com/crystalcastles



Not a fan? I wondered how I would tackle the robotic fearing few! Not to worry, because I am not one to give up easy. The first time this appeared on Willow, (meet my Ipod), the three words that sprung into my brain initially were, 'Female-Bon-Iver'. Contraversial... maybe. But give it a listen and see what you think! You might be pleasantly suprised! :) (This is a video I love and is directed by youtube fan 'Jò'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaRfBNrkIyA



I have had the honour of seeing the pair perform live, twice! Once at 'Leeds Music Festival', and last Saturday at the NME Shockwaves Manchester gig. Both times were astounding! The NME Stage was the perfect location at 'Leeds', and I can honestly say there is nothing better than watching Alice Glass sail about the crowd on a warm summers' eve. En plus, in Manchester, following The Vaccines, Everything Everthing, and Magnetic Man, they also managed to bewitch and enchant yet another crowd. Both performances were so raw yet skillfull, and filled me completely with energy, and filled everybody there with energy! So much so it was spilling everywhere and the atmosphere created was indescribable. Follow this link to get your share of this magic! http://crystalcastles.com/tour/



Worn NME Ticket, Manchester Academy 5th Feb, Top night!!