Birdy: Rise in public - featuring Mumford & Sons

Who is Birdy? I hear some of you ask. Well, Birdy is one of my favourite artists, and only 16 years old. I studied her as my Arts Heroine for my Bronze Arts Award, and aspire to be as musically talented.

Although many have not heard of Birdy, she is appearing in many public places. For instance, the sell-out film 'The Hunger Games' featured Birdy's song, 'Just A Game', which she wrote after being inspired by the books. You can listen to it here.

Another film, 'Brave', features Birdy and indie-folkers Mumford & Sons collaborating to form 'Learn Me Right'. Watch it below, and read the description: ownership goes to Mickey Mouse, Birdy, or possibly Mumford OR ONE OF HIS SONS... :)

Now let me explain something: I love Mumford & Sons' music... I just don't like Marcus Mumford for cheating on lovely, whole-hearted singer Laura Marling. Got that cleared up? Thank you, Zoe and Ellie.

Finally, who watched the Paralympic Opening Ceremony? I can guess most of you did. Did you see the amazing acrobatics, accompanied by Birdy's beautiful cover of Antony and The Johnsons' 'Bird Gerhl' (original here). Apologies for the bad quality, but if you want better, go to this video and skip to 3:11:42.

This caused her to appear in 'i'. Well done Birdy :), and thank you for Mumford & Sons for recognizing her talent and blessing Brave with your own talent. More posts containing Mumford & Sons to come soon, as well as a breakdown of music used in the Olympic Closing Ceremony! ---HT---

My dad bought me 'i' just because he saw Birdy in it.

            

'Twice' - Little Dragon

Electronic group 'Little Dragon' from Sweden don't really cater for my taste, but I persisted in exploring almost all of their songs and this is the one I love:

'Twice' - Little Dragon

Beach Listening

Hello to all from the sunny beach!!  I'm going to preach my Top 5 Beach Listens:

1. Anything by Florence + The Machine. Flo, as you may have noticed, is quite taken with water. Especially in her second album, 'Ceremonials', where you can hear 'What The Water Gave Me' and 'Never Let Me Go', where she tries to recreate a feeling she had when she was little that she could breathe underwater. Also listen to 'Swimming', which is not in the album.

2. 'Alas I Cannot Swim' - Laura Marling's first album, as produced by her ex, Charlie Fink. Perhaps not the best title for you less confident swimmers, but with tracks such as 'Alas I Cannot Swim', 'Crawled Out Of The Sea', 'Tap At My Window', which starts with rain, and 'The Captain And The Hourglass', it's one of the main things I've been listening to.

3. 'Seaside' - The Kooks. Self-explanatory. See previous post for more details.

4. Noah & The Whale's second album, 'The First Days Of Spring'. I know you're thinking I've got the wrong timezone, but Charlie Fink's breakup album for Laura Marling, the girl whose first album he actually produced, is very water based, with water running acting as a continuer for all the tracks. To see the film for the whole album, click here.

5. Cliff Richards' 'We're All Going On A, Summer Holiday...!!!!!' (so maybe that is not the official title but I call it that - with 5 '!!!!!') Just listen to it. 

'Forget' - Lianne La Havas

Here's an artist I found just today, after reading one of Birdy's interviews in which she stated some of her favourite artists. (I looked up Birdy again because she was performing at the Paralympic Opening Ceremony last night - she was amazing with her cover of 'Bird Gerhl' by Antony + The Johnsons)

'Forget' - Lianne La Havas

Sorry if official means you can't watch it, iUsers, but I love the video! Here's a video of the same song in a Best Fit session - softer and still beautiful.

'Seaside' - The Kooks

Going on holiday tomorrow, so I won't be posting for a while. To get me in the mood, here's a little acoustic guitar song by The Kooks - making a change from their usual songs infused with electric guitars and drums. Quite short, very sweet.

'Seaside' - The Kooks

Pianolicious

http://pianolicious.blogspot.co.uk/ is my favourite website to get free piano sheet music. It provides links to other websites where you can print it straight off for free. Music is arranged alphabetically by artist name, and you can request for more sheet music links in the comments section. No hidden tricks, costs or scams - absolutely free!!

'Wilderness' - Bat For Lashes

Last post for today, and it's devoted to this amazing song by Bat For Lashes. Slightly spooky, shiver-inducing, lyrically amazing and just absolutely overwhelmingly beautiful.

'Wilderness' - Bat For Lashes

Broadripple Is Burning - Elle Cover

For those who may be interested, Elle (our band) is working on a cover of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's song 'Broadripple Is Burning', which you can see in an earlier post - just scroll down a bit. Anyway piano has been finished, which I covered from original guitar chords. I'm showing it to E & E, my bandgirls, and they'll decide if they want to sing it. I do hope they want to: it's a lot of work!! I'm sure they will though, so if you want to keep updated on our progress as a little band, check back here, I will be posting news and maybe making an Elle page. Also coming soon is a Free Piano Sheet Music page on my blog where I'll provide links to free sheet music. Peace out!! ----HT xxx ----

'Jolene' - Dolly Patron/The White Stripes

Queen of Country Music Dolly Parton has composed over 3,000 songs, and this, 'Jolene', is one of the most well-known. Yes, people, it's old. It's by a woman who could be your grandma, it was released in 1973 and it's a country song... so who cares? It's brilliant.

'Jolene' - Dolly Parton

Voice of an angel. But here is a cover that has its own merits and skill. Jack White, of the White Stripes, puts so much emotion and desperation into this live recording at Glastonbury Festival 2002 that it gives me shivers.

'Jolene' - The White Stripes (Dolly Parton)

Any opinions? I asked my friends; one is a Jack White lover (you know who you are ;) ) and the other grew up with Dolly Patron's Jolene. Our Jack White fan says his is much better than the original because of all the emotion he displays in his voice and face, perfectly mimicking the desperation of a real life situation, however the other says she knows Dolly's like the back of her hand, and would support the original all the way. Dolly's is so delicate and relaxingly sad, yet Jack's is ripped with emotion. I'll let you make up your mind; you might not like either!

------Dedicated to Maggie-----

Coldplay: Going Downhill

Good morning (or afternoon) to my few followers on my little music blog. Today, I'm going to write about Coldplay. Now, I'm sure everyone has heard of Coldplay, especially those watching the BRIT Awards: this year, they not only opened the music award show, but took the trophy for the British Group, as they did in 2001 and 2003, and also took Best British Album in 2001 and British Single in 2006. The group, formed in 1996, seem to be quite successful, travelling through 'limestone' rock, as frontman Chris Martin once described it, alternative rock, art rock, post-Britpop and melodic pop. But now, with pages like 'We Want Old Style Coldplay Back' appearing over Facebook, they, like Snow Patrol, as I said in my earlier post, have changed and evolved. However this change, I do not think successful.
Let's have a look at my favourite Coldplay song, 'Yellow', which first achieved them worldwide fame in 2000, following 3 'trial' albums.

'Yellow' - Coldplay

A beautiful song, and the official music video (which I haven't posted because those on Apple technology might not be able to view it, but you can view here) is very simple - just walking along a beach, singing. At this, point, it really was all about the beautiful music.
 See if you can see the transition from this to 'Violet Hill' from fourth studio album,  'Vida la Vida'; they are already starting to change. As 'we want the old style Coldplay's back's wall post 'What was the cut off point of when u thought Coldplay should go back to their roots' was replied to by one fan, 'id probably have to say that by the time the album set of viva la vida was produced we all knew they would never go back to the old mysterious and mystical coldplay in which we all came to love'. 
Think about that as you listen to this: 'Violet Hill' - Coldplay

So, they were spiralling down. And things just went bad to worse. Remember the peaceful, simple, effective video for 'Yellow'? Now watch Coldplay performing at the BRITS 2012. As celebrity-gossip.net writes, "Never ones to disappoint, their performance was complete with a large amount of pyrotechnics which caused the audience to ooh and ahh at the impressive fiery display." So now, Coldplay are employing metods to getthe audience to love the performance, not the music. Yes, obviously, performance is important to music, as it sets the character, but as Adele says, she "makes music for ears, not eyes". Why can't Coldplay be like this anymore? 
   
I guess we've finally lost them with this final video: 'Princess Of China'. Apparing on Capital FM (or, as my brother calls it, the dreaded Chav FM), their duet with Rihanna makes me want to cry out in anger whenever I hear it - because I dislike it so much. The official music video features only Chris, and when a debate started in the comments about why, some people were claiming it was because he is the 'sexy one'. I commented: All those that think it's all about the looks: it's not - it should be about the music. A band is a band and they should stick together, a band is a band and so they should appear together. But what about the instruments? I miss the old guitar riffs, the acoustic bonus tracks that wrenched my heart, the piano, drums, orchestra and everything else they experimented with. I want the old style Coldplay back.

'Princess Of China' - Coldplay (ft. Rihanna)

...see what I mean? Coldplay have conformed to mainstream expectations by discarding their old, mystical self and replacing it with duets with Rihanna. Audience-affected? Very. They have tried to please Capital FM listeners, which hasn't really worked as well, and left most of their old fans behind, who wish they would return to what they once were,This is not the Coldplay we used to know, and it makes me very sad. But as we say, once you've lost a good band, they won't be coming back. 

Bastille FREE Download

Anyone wanna download Bastille's free EP? http://otherpeoplesheartache.com/ you're welcome! Enjoy! 

Snow Patrol: Development In Bands

Alternative rockers Snow Patrol have sold 10 million albums worldwide since they released their major label debut 'Final Straw' following their 3 commercially unsuccessful (but still awesome) albums on independent labels. I'm posting 3 songs from 3 different albums, so try and see how they matured from young, talented indie-rockers to the more famous alternative band they are today - and is it a change for the good? When were they at their peak? Just something to think about: is band development always successful in the view of musical quality?

'Get Balsamic Vinegar...Quick You Fool' - Snow Patrol

Possibly the greatest ever name for a song, this video has attracted comments of YouTube about 'back when Snow Patrol were good' - aren't they as good now? Your opinion...

Next up is 'Run' from their first mainstream success outside of native countries Scotland and Ireland, 'Final Straw'. During the making of this, the band's A&R wanted them to make more of a rock album than an indie one to gain more success. However SP found it hard to adapt from indie to a more 'commercially viable' pop-rock sound - but they did. Was this the end of Snow Patrol? I don't think so. Yes, they had changed, but 'Run' is an amazing track. Have a listen - 'Run' - Snow Patrol at the V Festival in 2009 (for album version click here)

How amazing must it be to stand there strumming a song you wrote and have a whole crowd sing it to you? As I commented, that's what so great about music - it can unite anyone and everyone, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, it will always be there for you.

On the subject of uniting, the next video is Snow Patrol performing live for Sport Relief - an acoustic version of 'New York', from their most recent album and sixth studio, 'Fallen Empires'. If you want the original, click here, but I love this version... it makes me cry!
'New York' - Snow Patrol for Sport Relief 2012

...and if that didn't get to you, I don't know what will. So Snow Patrol's Development was successful - but other bands, maybe not...

'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' - Panic! At The Disco

Recording their first demos while they were still at high school, American rock band Panic! At The Disco were destined to make great rock music. This song, 'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' was their third album's first single, released last year. Great song to have a little air-guitaring headbang along to.

'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' - Panic! At The Disco

Dedicated to Grace, her favourite rock song xxx

Jon Cozart/Paint

Some of the songs on the radio these days are like listening to nails scratching down  blackboard wjile a dentist is drilling a kebab stick through your ear drums. Yes - ouch. And they call that music, and not this? Jon Cozart, using his YouTube Channel 'Paint', has been named King Of The Web, auditioned for Glee and nearly made it through, and collected millions of fans, views and subscribers on YouTube. This video is the first I watched on Paint, and it's fab. No instruments, which is strange for me to post it as I usually define proper music for its love and talent through instruments, but watch it and you'll see why I've posted this talented video: MUCH better than Justin Bieber.

'Harry Potter In 99 Seconds' - Jon Cozart/Paint

'Down In The Valley' - The Head And The Heart

Indie folk-pop band The Head And The Heart's 'Down In The Valley' is one of my favourite little tunes - after I heard it the first time, I just couldn't stop singing, "Down in the va-le-ey, whisky ri-ive-ers..."

The music video is really cute, showing the travels of the band themselves and their special relationship. And as the (current) top comment says:

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” ― Bob Marley

This describes this song perfectly.

'Dani California' and 'Californication' - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers: what an awesome name. This rock band, who emphasise on funk, punk rock and psychedelic rock, come from California, and so many songs are related to their home state. If you think it doesn't sound like you, give it a go anyway - I was unsure when my best friend first showed me them, but I've grow to love the band that no know shirts and no boundaries.

'Californication' - Red Hot Chili Peppers

'Dani California' - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Did you spot some ledgendary bands in the Dani California music video? The Beatles were pretty easy...
-As requested by FHTlego (http://fhtlego.blogspot.co.uk/)

Curlyleaper's Musical Desk

My best friend's desk shows all her favourite music (most of which is mine too!!).

the ordinary life of curly leaper: this is my desk, it shows all the music I'm into, ...: this is my desk, it shows all the music I'm into, I love art :)

'Broadripple Is Burning' - Margot and The Nuclear So & So's

If you ever feel like listening to a sad song, this is it: Margot and The Nuclear So & So's 'Broadripple Is Burning'. This is the demo version, but if you want to watch the album version click here.

I've also done a piano cover of it which me and my friends will be practising and we will record it soon and post it on my youtube channel - will update when we do!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato.
This is written on the bass guitar of Cubbie Fink from Foster The People, which I saw in this awesome video. Check out the Tiny Desk Concert videos - there's Adele, Foster The People, Noah & The Whale, The Cranberries, and 196 others to choose from!
 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B627337ED6F55F0&feature=plcp

'Skinny Love' - Bon Iver and Birdy - First Post!!!

First post for my new blog! And I'm going to kick off with one of my old favourites: Skinny Love. This was originally written by Bon Iver and covered by Birdy - I'm going to include both links.

Absolutely beautiful song by Bon Iver, so calm yet sad.
And this is the version I heard before Bon Iver's: Birdy's Skinny Love.

Birdy is just a 16 year old, 15 when she recorded this, but to be able to cover such a great so well... amazing. What a beautiful voice. Sadder than Bon Iver's, at least I think, a sharper pain which she conveys so beautifully.

Oh, and if you want to see my friends and I perform this (albeit with a few mistakes) please, please head over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsP2DgQhZs Thank you lots and lots!!