Reviews – and so she thinks

My Beautiful Black Dog

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:50:27 +0000

It’s running late, and if we don’t start soon, I’ll have to miss it.The packed line up at the Southbank’s Changing Minds festival means I’ve booked events back to back and delays are screwing my schedule. A one woman musical soirée about depression – I get where this is going, it’s fine. But I am aware it sold out super quick, and many others gathering around me are talking about how it’s their second or third time seeing the show – they love it so much. Perhaps I’ll stay for a bit.
I stay until the end. And I’m so glad I did.
Taking its name from Winston Churchill’s famous moniker for the depression which reared up throughout his life, My Beautiful Black Dog is not about sadness or gloom, but ultimately a play about life. This is acceptance of life.
Bridget Aphrodite and her boyfriend Quiet Boy tell the story of depression through song, poetry, comedy and glitter – so much glitter. It’s both a performance of celebration and acceptance. There’s not a happy ending, but it does end with smiles.
Shimmer, rainbows, high heels and flamboyance are counterpointed by black holes of despair, self loathing and a void – in both her life and on stage. There was a time in her life when she was either paralytic from alcohol at all times of the day or unable to lift herself up from the heavy weight of depression, once not leaving her bed for three weeks. As she says flippantly, things were so bad that she couldn’t even watch Clueless, the movie she deems to be the best ever.
There’s some beautifully tender moments, like when we see Quiet Boy bringing Bridget the radio to listen to Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service, and their warm smiles at the end, or when Aphrodite reads a punchy and sensitive letter to her familiar. The entire show manages to be tender as well as direct, as slang and made up vernacular becomes infused with the brutally affecting emotion of the situations.
Around me are grinning faces, shimmying chests, people tapping their feet and laughing. But there’s also those being hugged by friends as they cry in recognition of those days Bridget evokes on stage. Insightful and entertaining, it is a joyous piece of entertainment that reflects without knocking the complexities of life. Acknowledging whilst not resigning herself to its difficulties, there’s a sense that Aphrodite finds herself now in a wholehearted embrace of the vicissitudes of life.
As she sings ‘there will be sunshine after the rain’ she adds the comment ‘but it will rain again.’
Fast paced, chaotic and ramshackle, it’s not always an easy and ordered watch – but you know what? Neither is life.
And it’s all the more beautiful for it.

Striding To Svasana

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 11:20:21 +0000

First published on Draze

A thousand feet up, after a steep bit of hiking over undulating paths and craggy rocks, we’re all looking remarkably poised as we stand gazing over Lake Windemere. Usually, twelve mile walks and steep climbs make the shoulders hunch and the legs seize up, but Kevin and Yen seem to have hit upon the magic formula to prevent this from happening – yoga. The husband and wife team run yoga and hiking weekends across Europe, and as we found out on our weekend in the beautiful Lake District, their stretch and march approach is a wonderful balance.

Sixteen of us have signed up, and as we chat on the first night in the bar at the YHA Ambleside, which sits on the water’s edge, it’s apparent that the group are all keen walkers who enjoy an easy amble across the countryside. But the experience of yoga varies from those attending classes three times a week to those having never before set foot in a studio, who believe the rolled up yoga mats to be camping mats.

As we soon see, it doesn’t matter. This weekend is all about the journey, literally and figuratively. As we stand in mountain pose early on Saturday morning and begin our yoga practice overlooking the lake, there’s both an appreciation of the here and now and an urgency to get out and investigate the rolling hills and pretty villages around us. A National Park, the Lake District is one of Britain’s most startlingly beautiful areas and perfect for such a regenerative weekend. On Saturday we follow a loop from the hostel, along the River Rothay and up and along Loughrigg Terrace, where the views make us gasp, before heading on to Grasmere, where the infamous Sarah Nelson Gingerbread fuels us on past William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and back to base. Arriving back to homemade scones and tea, we stretch out on the mats before dinner and drinks with the group. Ranging in age, background and ability, it’s refreshing to spend time with people who have a similar curiosity and interest in the world around them and who are prepared to get up and do something about it. The walk has tired most of us out and after a short walk along the lake and a couple of pints of local ale, lights are out pretty early.

There’s something about using and soothing the body that is both stimulating and calming, and we’re all agreed post hike yoga means that our muscles are less tired and achey than normal. Which was just as well really, given that at 7.15 on Sunday morning we are on the mats doing it all over again! Yen has trained locally and in Asia, and her gentle restorative style of teaching is perfect for where we are at this morning. A shorter but steeper walk is on the cards today, up to Loughrigg Tarn with its views across four lakes, before a descent via the impressive waterfall of Skelwith Force. The air bracing up high, and a couple of hours later as we stroll through the valley and lookup to where we have just been, it’s clear why.

It’s tough, but we’re all agreed, more than worth it. The combination of yoga and hiking is energising and relaxing, and in these surroundings makes a perfect weekend break away from city life. Deep breathing and appreciation, being present and at ease with your body – all of these are things that can be found in both practices, and make the two something of ideal partners. Add beautiful views, tasty food and wonderful people, and you can’t go too wrong. On the train home we all swap numbers and vow to meet up again soon – perhaps on a weekend with Kevin and Yen. I certainly wouldn’t say no.

A weekend away with Lakes Yoga Fitness costs from £140 and includes accommodation and food. There are four yoga classes led by Yen, a fully qualified yoga teacher and personal trainer, and there are walks on both days led by Kevin, who is a fully qualified Mountain Leader. Find out more here.

Oh So Quiet – Oh So Quiet EP

admin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:39:57 +0000

Released on Cool For Cats Records on April 29th

From the opening gentle picking pattern on Rain At Night and the first time we are introduced to the warm wholesome vocals of Malena, through to the final lulls of Si Quedamos the debut EP from Oh So Quiet is one uses strings and strums to their full effect, being soothing and fluid whilst simultaneously dazzlling. Whilst being a ‘folk’ band they sound more at home in urban streets, the five songs on this EP having a feeling about them of not only living a life, but being scarred by it. Bubbling with wonderment throughout, the EP flickers and flutters with a gentle authority. Motorcycle Journey has a euphoric post verse riff, and Water’s Fall is so hauntingly delicate your ears are almost scared to listen too closely until it fights back with chimes and charm. The output of Argentinian pair Lucas and Malena Zavala, who currently live in Guildford and have substantiated the band with multicultural members Oh So Quiet combine indigenous Latin-American music with western world indie and folk to create something currently missing in the somewhat saturated folk scene, and are more than worth investigating.
A special Cool For Cats party is taking place at Tipsy in Dalston to celebrate the release.

Hilly Eye – Amnesia

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:15:03 +0000

From the album Reasons To Live, out January 22^nd on Don Giovanni

Fronted by Amy Klein, after she left Titus Andronicus, with Catherine Tung, Hilly Eye are a duo with power. Slower and softer with less angst than previous outfit, on Amnesia the tugging guitar work and chiming incandescent vocals mix to perfectly illustrate the vocals. ‘Oh glory’ Amy sings, before delivering the aching punchline ‘my country it lies.’ This desolate dichotomy of an understanding and exploration of one’s country, religion, relationship – anything held in esteem that sometimes fails – sounds like a warm sunset blown aside by a chilling gust of wind, ending in a cacophony of sounds and spirits that leave no neat conclusion, but a nice dent on the heart.

The Joy Formidable – Wolf's Law

admin — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:11:57 +0000

Released January 21^st 2013 on Atlantic Records.

As you might expect, it was with great joy that It’s All Happening heard the news that The Joy Formidable would be releasing their sophomore album. Having spent the last couple of years gathering rock celebrity fans with their intense and angsty music, they are back with Wolf’s Law, an absolutely stunning album, full of celestial grandeur and mountainous brutality.
Things kick off in traditional Joy Formidable style, with swirling orchestral sounds and crashing drums, bubbling up to an impressive and dizzy beginning in the form of This Ladder Is Ours. Second track Cholla was released as a teaser back in 2012, and its spectacularly fiery riffs and mixture of tempos and temperaments were not deceptive. The Maw Maw Song is an earworm if I have ever heard one, it’s syncopated beat and twang compulsive rollicking along, its dominant riff simplistic yet powerful. Coming just after the slower Silent Treatment, it marks the start of side 2, as the artistic packaging informs us. A beautiful end to the album comes in the form of The Turnaround, an immensely epic, brooding, yet unsentimental song, foreboding and formidable.
Ritzy, Matt and Rhydian have done it again.

Harold Honey – Helltown

admin — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 21:14:44 +0000

Helltown, the newest EP from Los Angeles based blues/punk rocker Harold Honey is a renegade rock soundtrack to damnation, and there’s a whole lotta shakin goin on in the Pit! This three song EP is rebel rock at its finest. Honey’s deep gritty voice grinds out dark lyrical storytelling while supported by wild choral backing vocals that evoke imagery of a band of fallen angels. It’s easy to imagine this album serving as the musical backdrop for a grindhouse flick set in a filthy desert roadhouse.
The title track describes the journey to Helltown with an upbeat, road ready rock riff and lyrics that peg Helltown as “a place where the lost souls go.” The song conveys the idea of descending into darkness with reckless abandon, though the narrator slyly warns that “You can have a little fun /but don’t come undone.” adding an ominous note to the opening track. Damnation never sounded so smooth.
The next song on the EP, “Paradise Club” features vocals (and a skillful baritone sax) courtesy musician Jo Elless. Continuing the narrative feel of the EP, Elless acts as a hostess, welcoming the listener to this bizarre nightclub filled with strange pleasures and freakish attractions while her saxophone rips a slow, lumbering riff in the background. This song evokes a speakeasy or roadhouse hosted freakshow with surreal characters, opulent seating (a rhinestone encrusted bean bag chair and champagne filled Jacuzzi are listed among the club’s amenities) and an interestingly lewd list of rules of conduct. The song is a riot and sets a great tone for the nightlife of Helltown.
Next up, Honey returns to the microphone for the hypnotic “Motorcycle Song” in which Honey boats of the badassery of the narrator’s biker persona. The song is pure rockabilly braggadocio, with a notable background vocal performance of wailing falsetto voice that sounds for all the world like demons singing to accompany the main tale.
“Bye Bye Beautiful Flower” a more heartfelt groove serves up classic Beatles type ditty with slow moving rhythm, meshed against well placed Organ and Keyboard accents, dynamic musical flow and an impressive finale.
The final track “Hollywood Jesus (Vegas Bound) waves you in for a safe landing with its psychedelic musical flair, impressive harmonies and rock solid slide guitar touches.
All told, Helltown is a good, solid rebel rock album. It is rough around the edges but holds a strong DIY charm. The overall tone is perfectly suited for those who love a little darkness, a little wiggle and a whole lot of rock in their rebel rock. It is a solid offering from Harold Honey and is well worth the download – seven out of ten stars.
More information about Harold Honey can be found at www.haroldhoney.com
Helltown is available on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/helltown-ep/id573588652
Review by Travis Legge edited by Cyrus Rhodes
Review Comments- rhodesm@wavecable.com

Den Haag – Trials and Tributes

admin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:03:44 +0000

Formed in early 2012, Den Haag are looking to top off a strong 12 months with the full digital release of their debut mini album ‘Trials And Tributes’. Ranging from the more contemplative ‘Hope And Fade’ to the full on ‘Tensions’, the full release available as of now.
Inspired by post-punk-new-wave icons such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode and The Cure, Den Haag are also a band with something new to say. Named after The Hague international criminal court – hence the album name ‘Trials and Tributes’ – they are looking to create music sprung from the grass roots of their chosen genre, stripping it down to make their recordings sound as raw and live as possible.
By eschewing the usual production techniques, Den Haag have created a rough around the edges sound that genuinely draws the listener in. Standing at six tracks, the EP showcases a true sense of identity which not only makes for a strong first release, but bodes well for the future.

Jonny Pierce – I Didn't Realise

admin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 20:46:21 +0000

‘Some might say it’s strange for a man to bare his soul the way I do on this album but I wanted to do something that exposed me for who I am even more so than anything I have done with The Drums … I wanted to be as self-indulgent as possible with this album. This is pop done the way I think it should be done.’
Whoozy and glacial vocals mixed with electro beats in this stylistic departure from Jonny Pierce of The Drums. His first solo venture, I Didn’t Realise is a teaser of the album out soon.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzX-J4yUpCU]

Darktown Jubilee – Stay

admin — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:30:49 +0000

Darktown Jubilee‘s new crowd pleasing single Stay, out on February 19th, is the first from debut album The World, The Devil & The Flesh, released February 25th. Driving guitars and a simple singalong chorus, this is MOR indie. If we tell you that they are from Manchester, influenced by The Temper Trap, and the track is mixed by Cenzo Townsend, who has also worked with The Vaccines and The Editors, you’ll have a pretty good idea of the sound.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPWt0MIIlYw]

Pandovisa – The Last Man On The Net

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:26:52 +0000

Tech duo Pandovisia are looking to change the music world with their pioneering new album The Last Man On The Net. The band have been dubbed ‘net artists’, because their entire album was ‘conceived, written, composed, performed and produced entirely over the net, in virtual studios, using cloud services and asynchronous communication’. Bearing this mind, The Last Man On The Net is a highly impressive piece of work redefining how music is made and definitely worth a listen!
The album plays on a geeky tech image combined with a healthy amount of tongue in cheek humour. The serious side to the album is highlighting the global sphere that we all live in whether we fight against it or love it. As everyone’s online presence is increasing it seems the natural progression that music is now reflecting this as well.
The video for ‘hypnotic’ is almost hard to watch as you are faced with repetitive patterns and stroboscopic effects. It’s playing on the idea that in everyday life the media uses subtle and not so subtle ways of trying to get us to behave and do certain things online. We are all simply as the song title suggests “In a Trap, Under the Net”
Watch the hypnotic new video for the track Under The Net (contains flashing lights and photosensitive inmages) here: