3 posts tagged “becca williams”

Well, I was going to post this imaginatively titled entry into the canon last week but I’ve had a terribly serious case of man flu that has resulted in me loafing around and feeling sorry for myself, and obviously completely incapacitated in every possible way, so much so that I can’t even bring myself to sit at a keyboard and type a few short words for your entertainment.

I think I can safely say that we have arrived at 2008, and today being Monday 7^th January means for most of us its probably the most depressing day of the year as we are all back in work, and also the day when most of us start thinking about new challenges and changes of jobs! I dare say they’ll be a fair few hours in my office spent trawling the internet as various members of staff decide they are fed up of the place and start looking for something else.

I was thinking the other day which records and artists have most impressed me in 2008. It’s always nice to have a little retrospective, so here we go.

In terms of albums, “Attack/Sustain/Decay/Release” by Simian Mobile Disco stands out for me as a great dance album, and I’ve also enjoyed !!! (pronounced chik chik chik I understand) who are on Warp Records, with their album “Myth Takers”. All in all, it’s been a good year for Warp with both the excellent Battles album “Mirrored” and “Our Earthly Pleasures” by Maximo Park being brilliant too. I’d also be keen to mention the new Bjork album, “Volta” which came out this year, and although I don’t think its as good as some of her previous works, there’s a few great tracks on there. I’m a massive Bjork fan. Her set at Glastonbury was one of the highlights of the year for me. A lot of end of year polls have mentioned “Myths of the Near Future” by the Klaxons as being the album of the year, and it’s a record I’ve enjoyed as well, so well done to them. I also liked “Control” by Good Books, which featured their excellent single “Passchendaele”. I haven’t yet heard the new Radiohead album, as I’m not into downloading music I’m afraid, no matter how free it is, but I dare say I’ll be acquiring a copy on CD and hopefully that’ll be good too.

In terms of singles and one-off’s, you can’t go wrong with a bit of Manchester pop, and I think the recent offering from Take That, “Rule the World”, is one of the finest pop records of the decade and fair play to Gary Barlow and chums for having a bit of a renaissance this year, its been brilliant. Slightly more alternative but no less fun was the great single “Lets make love…” from CSS, which is guaranteed to get me dancing. I just love that sine wave analogue synth sound over the bridge. Returning with a heavy, up-tempo sound, the recent offering from Bloc Party is a real winner – unfortunately I can’t remember the title off the top of my head, but it’s been on Radio One a lot. If someone could enlighten me, that would be marvellous. It’s a good record. Good records too from Cold War Kids and Crowded House, who return with a beautiful melancholic single called “Pour Le Monde”.

On a local or unsigned level, this year I’ve been impressed by the acoustic strummings of Becca Williams, Kev Fox and Liz Green, three solo artists with really distinctive sounds, and of course, Vox’s own Suzie Wilkins who we met at “The End Of Camden” gig. I also came across a Manchester band called The Travelling Band during In The City, who I thought were marvellous, playing Crosby, Stills and Nash type folk indie with a ridiculous amount of contributors. Other local treats included Tetchi, who supported us at our Futuresonic gig way back in March doing ambient, trance and paganist dance music, and Ollie Farshi, an old friend who has delighted and impressed me with his output this year in the downtempo electronica vein. I think he's putting an album together for next year. On MySpace, I discovered a band called Elliot Jack from Birmingham, with whom I have a lot in common as we are both Doctor Who addicts. They sent me a copy of their recent DIY album. It was a real treat of sweet, electronic tinged folk, pop and acoustic music. I urge you to get a copy by contacting the band directly on MySpace.

Biggest disappointment to me this year was the realisation that once again, the hype in Manchester seems to be surrounding some real pap, such as The Courteneers and another outfit, Twisted Wheel. I attended a gig by a band called The Children, who apparently went on to become Twisted Wheel, and I thought it was a bit cack although they managed to fill Academy 3, so they must be doing something right, or have a lot of friends. I also saw another band, Air Cav, at the Night and Day and although I thought they were good, I was a bit disappointed with the turn out and it was really lacking in atmosphere. Where are all the music lovers? Pissing about on the internet at home, I dare say! And, of course, The Ting Tings, not a bad band but somewhat overrated IMO.

So there we go, I think 2007 has been a great year for music, and I think there’s going to be some real treats in 2008 as well. Bring it on.

Still trying to work out with the help of vox staff why I can't upload any new music - its a real pisser but I'm working on it. In the meantime, all our up top date mixes of our best tunes are available on MySpace.

(I've got new music to upload but after a week of trying, the site wont let me! I've had to email IB for help. Let me know if anybody is having similar problems. You'll have to make do with this. Well, I think its interesting....!)

I was forwarded a link today from a friend with whom I have been having lots of discussion recently about the state of the Manchester music scene.

Now, I know alot of people reading this blog probably wont give a monkeys about the various local bands dotted around our trusty city - of course, you are all This Morning Call fans, so local trashy rock bands probably aren't on the agenda - however, as we seem to surrounded by them, we should aquaint ourselves.

http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2653397

For those of you who can't be bothered to read all that muguffins, here's a quick once over. Basically, its a review of the Ritz gig featuring The Courteneers and Twisted Wheel, followed by various other bits and pieces about other Manchester bands, followed by a much more interesting discussion from various posters about how they feel about the aforementioned bands and if they really represent the "scene", whatever that may be.

(pause here while I pour a glass of wine)

So, lets reopen the debate again about the state of things. Does the apparent success of Twisted Wheel and The Courteeners represent a brave new dawn for Mcr bands, or is it retreading the same old ground that we've heard time and time before, with added ego, and less talent?

Between us, I know we know alot of bands in Manchester. Some are obviously better than others, but I do like to think that the majority of people that I'm involved with on a regular basis are pretty good, and certainly better than average. With regards to the bands mentioned in that link, they are good, for sure, but the world is full of good bands. What I want to hear are great bands. New bands. Exciting bands. Bands that are offering something a little different. Nobody can claim that either Twisted Wheel or The Courteeners are offering something new or different, no matter how much you are into them. It feels very Manchester, very traditional, very "5th ave", very.... well dull.

Lets look at a few examples. Band(ism) - who have apparently disbanded sadly - were a decent bunch, and they certainly had a look and a performance that, although it may not have been to everyones taste, certainly stuck in the mind. It was a bit different, all white suits and hats. Becca Williams, who I have oft mentioned, has great songs, a big gob and a lovely onstage personality, and has gigged extensively around town to reasonable aclaim. A brilliant solo performer in my opinion, but the recordings aren't as good. Then we come to The Travelling Band, who managed a few centimeters of press in the metro recently, and who deserve an awful lot more if you want my opinion. Their recent gig at Enchanted Brave was one of the highlights of In The City 2007. I think this is a band that is best appreciated in a small venue with a real ale in your hand, because when I saw them at Glastonbury it didn't really work as well. But yeah, great stuff.

Now, I can't claim to have seen either Twisted Wheel or The Courteeners live, but I have seen The Ting Tings. The Ting Tings have the rather unfortunate problem of being the band everybody "quite likes". I kid you not, absolutely everyone I speak too (except Jake) said that they "quite liked" The Ting Tings. This includes other member of TMC, A+R men, including some rather senior people, press, other bands and your average lovely music fan. I saw them at a gig at Islington Mill in spring and I have to say that .... I quite liked them. But that was it really, I didn't have much of an opinion either way. So there we go, we "quite like" the Ting Tings.

Oh I've just remembered my friend Johnny said he was really into that "say my name" song by The TT's. He must be the exception that proves the rule!

I went to watch another local band who I've been hearing about alot recently last Friday, Air Cav, and again, I thought "here's another good band". I wish I could have seen these when there was more than about 40 people in the audience because we were really struggling for atmosphere, which was a shame. But, yeah, I'd say check these guys (and girls) out and see what you think. I don't think it'll be to everybodies taste, but I liked it.

But lets put things into perspective here. The best bands I've seen this year have not been from Manchester. Whether it be the brilliant Maximo Park album and the associated stuff thats coming out of Newcastle, to the brilliant Suzie Wilkins, with whom we were lucky to share a stage with in London, to the new darlings of Camden, Fox Cubs, who we also played with and and were great, but fit neatly into the "indie-disco" scene that we are all, lets face it, are getting a little bit fed up with. And then Ghosts who we supported at the Hard Rock who clearly had a very professional and well realised performance.

(pause for third glass of wine)

I was hoping that with the sad death of Tony Wilson this year, our city might undergo something of a sea change in music. And there's time yet. I'd like to see some new styles breaking through. This is what has inspired This Morning Call. The need to try and break down a few barriers, do something different, unexpected. Try and engage and audience firstly with a project that is predominately downtempo, and secondly that has this interesting mix of guitars and electronics, cellos and saxophones. Didn't Dave Haslam say that Manchester was a wonderful melting pot of styles, a cradle of experimentation. Something like that. You know, like Manchester has one of the best higher education music colleges in the world but nobody ever seems to mention it. The talent here does not just lie in rock. Lets try joining the dots. Like a Manchester Sigor Ros with Jimmy Summerville as the front man....no joke.... !

(bit pissed now) 

Yeah, I know, there's alot of barriers to break down, we've just scratched the surface but hey, take the easy option and go visit The Courteeners MySpace. I'm heartened to know that even this week, we've had A+R from EMI contact us who don't want to sign rock bands, wanting demos. Wanting to hear something different. And with a bit of luck, it will happen.

Bed time now.

Ben

While we faff about in the studio putting a few more tracks together, I thought I'd keep the blog ticking over with mention of my own gig going activities last weekend. I like to try and support our local scene as much as possible and I had a great time at both of these gigs. Here are my reviews:

1.“PepperJam” at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, Friday 21^st September

Amongst the converted mills, new age bookshops, rocky outcrops and independent shopping precinct sits The Trade Club, Hebden Bridge. This small but perfectly formed venue hosts local bands, club nights and other recreational activities that attract an aging hippy crowd, occasional awkward teen and, apparently, virtuoso folk performers with flutes. Tonight sees the return of local band “PepperJam”. Let not appearances fool us into thinking this particular brand of pop, reggae influenced rock, soul and improvisation is as uninspiring as the name might suggest. A long set consisting mostly of uptempo material delighted the small but attentive crowd, and with a clientele quite prepared to dance without the support of a busy dancefloor, by the end of the night even the most reluctant were persuaded to tap out a few steps. The lead singer straddled his chair like an old blues man, a driving acoustic guitar sitting snugly on his lap while his soulful voice had a decent enough range to pull off the band’s collection of engaging, rootsy pop songs. The two female backing singers, in true hippy style, may have looked like they’d been dragged through a hedge backwards but sounded superb with simple but effective harmonies. Nigel Barrow, alternating between cello and fretless bass, put in a great performance, effortlessly flitting between the two instruments and was complimented by excellent, foot tapping drumming. This isn’t a performance that will be of much interest to the teenage nu-ravers, artic monkeys or the electro brigade, and anyone expecting a visit from the fashion police would have been disappointed, but the band stick to familiar, well worn ground, and do it with aplomb. It was certainly enough to satisfy the assembled throng. A good night was had by all.

2. “Flesh Tones”, M19 Bar, Levenshulme, Manchester – Various artists inc. Liz Green, KiN, Becca Williams, Sophie’s Pigeons. Saturday 22^nd September

Cultural activity in Levenshulme, slightly off the beaten track lying somewhere between Longsight and Stockport in Greater Manchester, has so far yielded quite a healthy crop of new music events thanks to the activities of various local promoters and the support of community radio station ALL FM. The latest addition is “Flesh Tones”, an acoustic event for female singer songwriters held upstairs at local wine bar, the rather unimaginatively titled M19. In an area known more for its biscuit factory and Irish pubs, it was always going to be an uphill battle hosting an acoustic night above a bar playing quasi-gay disco at club volume, with a tiny bar and slightly bemused local clientele.  Luckily the night was saved by a selection of artists that undoubtedly showcase the best of Manchester current crop of female performers. Notable for her recent, triumphant Glastonbury appearance and winner of the festival’s unsigned competition, Liz Green performed a short set of delicate songs with a European flavour. Her voice is unique, an acquired taste for some maybe, and tonally rather reminiscent of Edith Piaff and other continental crooners. Sadly performing without her double bass player, she still held her audience with intimate arpeggios and bang on in tune melodies. Next up, “KiN”. Known locally as the front-woman to trip-hop act The Peterloo Massacre, KiN offers an angsty, guttural, experimental vocal, rising effortlessly to an screaming warble and descending to a low, growling croak at the drop of a hat. Engaging stuff. Highlight of the night Becca Williams, now an assured performer after a summer of gigging and promoting, turns her set into something special with absorbing lyrics, great dynamic changes and an ear for a good tune, with the track “Astronaut” being a particular success. Her diminutive stature belies a terrifically loud and strong voice that easily filled the room. Thankfully, she easily drowned out the funky house subsonics drifting up from downstairs. “Sophie’s Pigeons” were a more experimental affair, with four performers (including one boy!) using a massive electric piano, a violin, some kind of drum between the knees, and an undisclosed portable keyboard instrument that sounded not unlike an accordion. Their vaguely comic songs draw equally from the likes of Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Stereolab, and the overall effect is of four rather happily deranged individuals hammering pianos who clearly enjoy what they are doing. Their overall madness and enthusiasm rubs off onto the audience and brings the night to a successful conclusion.

Both submitted to Sandman Magazine, Nov issue.

best wishes,

Ben