Durham – and so she thinks

Last Letter From Istanbul by Lucy Foley

admin — Thu, 10 May 2018 17:41:06 +0000

In Allied occupied Constantinople, in the 1920s, a house is transformed into a hospital. A young boy learns English, the language of the hated soldiers, yet one that opens up many opportunities. He has a talent for cooking – a language in itself. His mother, bereft at the loss of her brother to war, finds herself challenged and changing, like the city she lives in. Relationships shifts, lines are drawn, and then they are crossed.

Lucy Foley’s Last Letter From Istanbul is a fascinating and engaging read. Told in chapters from the perspectives of each character, she builds up the story like a rich tapestry, each individual adding depth and detail to the novel.

This is a story about people, but also about place. Foley’s description of the city (Istanbul can be traced to mean ‘the city’) is sumptuous and sensual, with the sights, sounds and smells richly described. Myth, secrets and history all combine in this sweeping novel of a fascinating time.

Martha – Sleeping Beauty EP

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:51:00 +0000

There’s something lovely, and surprising, about a band making a mixtape. Of course, when you consider it rationally, of course they should be interested in music, of course they should be supporting one another, of course they dance until they drop to songs that shoot them through with adrenalin, and of course they should want to share their favourite songs with the world. But it’s still a pleasant shock, because we so rarely see evidence that this is the case. So thank you to Martha, the Durham based quartet, and this little collection of tunes, the Sleeping Beauty compilation.
Bookended by the fast and playful opening chords of new single Sleeping Beauty and the final angry shouts of their cover of Cheeky’s Bad Mood this new completion from Durham based band Martha is a rousing confluence of beats and pop ditties from some of their favourite bands on the scene.
It features indie-pop of Philadelphia band Radiator Hospital (with vocals from Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield), scuzzed up and anarchic buzz from Felt Enacted by Cardiff’s Twisted, and a lovely brushed repetition to the rhythms of Art Sorority For Girls on Cecille B. Demille pt.3. The pulsing and frantic buzz of a punky attitude and DIY aesthetic is counterbalanced by honeyed and tender moments like Chrissy Barnacle’s Nightride (with strings) and a yearning soul stretching melody courtesy of Trust Fund on We’ll Both Apologise.
Many of the vocals have that slightly out of tune off kilter tone, polish neglected in the face of authenticity, and an angsty recklessness pervades the EP, the intensity of the emotions that provide the lyrical content perhaps belied by the generally fun nature of the melodies. Despite a variety of locations and labels, what’s clear is the powerful influence of daily life and mundane activities on the craft of songwriting for all the groups on this EP, each drawing on the everyday social and psychological experiences of modern living.
At only twenty minutes long, this compilation of eight songs sure rattles through (that’s two and a half minutes each on average), but what it lacks in length, it more than compensates for in noisy and heartfelt clout.
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T-Shirt Weather

admin — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:52:41 +0000

A bit punk, a bit pop, T-Shirt Weather are a three piece from the stunning cathedral and castle city of Durham and T-Shirt Weather play fun and frantic music not to be taken seriously. These four songs, recorded over three days on chrome tape (a nightmare apparently) the tracks from their latest split EP with Kingston based Losing Sleep shout of a brash and bold maverick spirit, a bit of northern charm, and jovial honesty. And, like all good northern goods, they are as cheap as chips, available to download on a pay what you want basis.

Cattle & Cane – EP

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:01:56 +0000

Released on 16th October 2011 through Toasty Recordings
Latest EP Cattle & Cane is full of climbing chords, expansive endings and reflective laments – not necessarily what one expects from a group growing up in Teeside. On opener Waiting Helen loops her lips around the words with a slight huskiness, but its grandiose chorus and fist clenching soaring melodies bring elements of the X factor into it. Poacher sees Joe take vocal lead, accompanied by a Noel Gallagher esque riff and drum beats that revolve along as if on their way to a duel, the culminating ‘I’m gonna get myself a kill’ delivered with a tap of the triangle. A live version of We Were Children demonstrates a light touch to the craft through its oozing vocals and lightly plucked guitar that could create that loudest of applause – silent rapture, but final track Sail Home threatens to err on the side of nativity play Christmas carol. Although easily filed under Fleet Fox wave folk, if they follow the route of Poacher there’s a steeliness to the serenity and the sound of the bucolic meeting the city grit which marks them out as potential long players.