Tuesday 12 April 2011

Don't Sit Down...

...Cos I've Moved Your Chair is the brand new song from the Arctic Monkeys, played for the first time on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show last night. The boyfriend is a huge fan of the Monkeys (and coincidentally looks a bit like Alex Turner minus the long hair!) so was keen to get a listen asap - which meant I did too.

Have to say, I'm hoping it's a grower - esp after their slightly (in my opinion) disappointing last album. The guitar riff is typically catchy as in most of their songs which means it probably will grow on me, and Alex Turner's voice is as rich and as gorgeous to listen to as ever. I am also loving the song title! But for now, that's all I can really comment on without a few more listens....looking forward to hearing it more, along with the album :)

You can still listen to Zane Lowe's show with the band for the next 6 days at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zztpc

Be good to know what you think!

Jo x

Tuesday 29 March 2011

The Girl Who Couldn't Be Moved....

....From my seat last night (even though I was desperate for a wee!) Why you ask? My good friend Sam and I went to go and see The Script in Plymouth and they were just A-MAZING.

I've wanted to see The Script for ages now, and as Sam works for the local paper she gets free press tickets for herself and one other person, which naturally she jumped on for us to go last night. The seats were up in the balcony so we had a great view, here's a little pic taken on my phone (so quality isn't great I'm afraid)...




The only downside with sitting up in the balcony were the annoying late comers who had to be escorted past with the little torch!! The late - comers missed out though as the support act was brilliant. If you haven't already heard of her - go look up Claire Maguire. You may have heard her current single 'Last Dance' on the radio - but the stand out song for me last night was the Breakage Dubstep Remix of her first single 'Ain't Nobody'. It was her opening song and was so powerful! Go type it into You Tube and check it out - then come back and let me know what you think :)

As for The Script - they were exactly how I expected. Flawless and captivating - I really meant it when I literally could not be moved from my seat! Their opening song - "You Won't Feel a Thing" is from the new album Science and Faith and a great choice to kick of the set. The lead guitarist Mark Sheehan came out on his own and played the opening guitar intro super loud, getting the crowd mega excited. He has definate similarities to The Edge from U2 with the riffs he uses and the style he plays in, which is no bad thing!

Shortly afterwards, Danny O'Donoghue appeared and Sam and I swooned haha.... But handsome good looks aside, he put on a bloody good show - he commanded the stage and has an incredible live voice, particularly when performing 'I'm Yours' from the first album with drummer Glen Power, who managed to play acoustic guitar and drum at the same time - just one example of  what incredibly talented musicians The Script are.

I would say what my favourite song was.... but I just can't choose! So for now I'm recommending their next single 'If You Ever Come Back' for you to go have a listen....and if, like me you're into moving melodies, heart-felt lyrics and gorgeous but equally raw vocals - go buy Science and Faith now!

Thanks for reading.... Jo x

Thursday 24 March 2011

Some songs I love right now...

I thought I'd just share some of my current favourite songs to listen to...

Lady GaGa - Born This Way... A definate getting ready to go out and partyyy tune! The lyrics as well are traditional 'GaGa Genius' - especially when mixed with her blimmin incredible voice.

The Vaccines - If You Wanna... This one was made for driving round in my little Fiesta (called Fifi) in the sun and played nice and loud. Am loving this band right now but haven't heard great reviews about the album...need to listen soon and find out for myself!

Wretch 32 (feat. Example) - Unorthodox... If you haven't heard this and are looking for some up-beat, summer time music you NEED this song! Just in time for the sunglasses - wearing weather we're having, the song also samples the Stone Rose's classic 'Fool's Gold' (incase you're wondering where you've heard it before!)

Ellie Goulding - Lights... Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Ellie Goulding, from the moment she won the Critic's Choice Award last year at the Brits I knew I was going to love the album... and I wasn't disappointed!

Kings of Leon - Pyro... Because I'm going to see them in May!!

Thanks for reading, happy listening!

Jo x

Thanks Sam!

Quick little note to say thanks to my lovely friend Sam, who introduced me to the world of blogging and has added a link to my blog via her own -  http://www.barefacedbeautyfool.blogspot.com/

Here is a painting I did of her a few years back now......



...Isn't she beautiful?

Brand new post to follow shortly....

Jo x

Monday 7 March 2011

Darwin Deez, Concorde 2 in Brighton (05/03/11)

So last Friday myself and Joe (the boyfriend) travelled up to Brighton to see Darwin Deez live. I've seen them once before at YNot Festival last year, but got tickets to go see them again as a birthday present for Joe. Seeing them once before only made me more excited to see them again as they are probably one of the funniest bands (yep - funniest!) I've seen live. If you haven't heard of them, here's a link to the video for 'DNA'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQNJgVKE9UY

If you have seen them live before then you'll know aaallll about the dance routines they do during their sets - on Saturday they came out on stage to 'Power' by Kanye West which got everyone in the mood and created an awesome atmosphere. They also danced to Rage Against The Machine and Enya in between songs, to name a few! Live, they sound incredible - no different to listening to a recording, just better! You can't help but smile during and after you've heard them play.

As a venue, Concorde 2 in Brighton was brilliant, not huge but to be honest I always think that's better! there was a great atmosphere and the sound was flawless. Altogether a great birthday weekend for Joe! Here are a few pics...




Thanks for reading! Jo x

First ever Blog Post!

Hello, nice to meet you :)

Now, I have never, ever written any sort of blog before so we'll see how this goes...! (please, bear with me)

Although most of my posts will be about music (song/album/gig reviews etc) and painting (link to my portrait site to follow!) I reckon there will probably be the odd blog or two where I feel the need to tell you something interesting about my day or recent goings on, so my very first blog will be telling you a little bit about me.

I'm Jo, 24 and blimmin' bonkers about music. Playing music, singing music and most of all...listening to music. Now I should let you know I have a major issue with 'moany musicians', you know the ones, they complained about Beyonce and Coldplay headlining Glastonbury this year (who, by the way I think will be amazing!) and will only go and watch gigs if hardly anyone else in the whole world has heard of the band (which is fine, but it is always great to go and see a band or artist with some hype around them) Anyways, I play guitar and sing, but have never had a guitar lesson and taught myself which means I'm not exactly fantastic at it but figure I will continue to do it as long as I love it!

I listen to the radio aaalllll the time and love hearing a new song or album I can blab on about to anyone who will listen, or catch an amazing Live Lounge on Radio One. Friday (if anyone heard it) was Jessie J (who I am loving right now) covering one of my recent fave songs - 'Young Blood' by The Naked and Famous. If you haven't heard it, LOOK IT UP! Even if you don't know or love the original, her version is just incredible.

My other love is painting portraits and you can visit my site here - http://www.joharrisportraits.co.uk/ to see what you think! I will post any recent requests, paintings or sketches on here too.

I think that's probably about it as a little welcome post, thanks for visiting and I'll be back with a new post soon!

Jo x