Words by Alex PayneImages via Alcopop Records! and Kick Down the Doors PR. As music continues to become more accessible, we keep getting confronted with the same paradox; the more music there is, the less we know what to listen to. The democratisation of music has made the artform more diverse, more representative and more innovative, but the trade off is that itÔÇÖs harder to … Continue reading Ones To Watch: 2021
Words by Elly Savva, Indigo Jones, Josh Ong, Georgia Glenn, Daisy Gaunt, Sam Portillo, Emily Jade Ricalton, Lewis Empson, Rubie Barker, Maja Metera, Kate Waldock, James Allen and Alex PayneGraphic by Jasmine Snow Wow, what a year! That ever present sense that the world could suddenly let out one final splutter and give up was hardly conducive to making and releasing music, but thereÔÇÖs been … Continue reading The Best Albums of 2020
Words by Alex PayneImage courtesy of Ian Cheek PR Ska, in today’s musical landscape, is like chilli. No matter how eclectic a bandÔÇÖs influences are, ska has a certain punch that guarantees listeners will notice it first. Of course, like spice, it can certainly enhance an album, and provide it with a unique selling point – especially as the genre has largely fallen from the … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Telling Truths, Breaking Ties’ by Millie Manders and The Shutup
Words by Alex PayneImage courtesy of Green Ribbon Arts Festival If thereÔÇÖs two things that are certain in these very uncertain times, itÔÇÖs that both music and mental health have suffered this year. One leading charity, Mind, estimates that almost half of young people have experienced loneliness this year, but thatÔÇÖs almost belabouring a point thatÔÇÖs painfully obvious to most of us. Mind and Avant … Continue reading Virtual Event Review: Hip-hop for Better Mental Health, 29/10/20
Words by Alex PayneImage via Pomona PR ThereÔÇÖs only a select few nu-metal bands that most people would be comfortable admitting that they listen to, but Deftones are likely one of them. While the label isnÔÇÖt strictly accurate, itÔÇÖs not hard to see why a handful of angry dudes in wide jeans wielding guitars from Sacramento got lumped in with the likes of Korn, Coal … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Ohms’ by Deftones
Words by Maya Dean, Megan Evans, Natalie Graham and Alex PaynePhoto by Alex Payne Very few people could have predicted how accessible music was going to become over the past decade; armed with just a couple of quid and an internet connection, anyone can now listen to whatever they like, whenever they like. The MonkeyÔÇÖs Paw style twist that comes with this dizzying freedom, is … Continue reading How To Find Good Music: Quench’s Guide
Words by Alex PayneImage from ÔÇÿOne Kiss by Calvin Harris ft. Dua LipaÔÇØÔÇÖ music video Try and think about all the people that go into creating a music video. Performer? ThatÔÇÖs the obvious one. YouÔÇÖll likely manage to remember the director and the camera operator, and at a push you might spare a thought for the bloke with the fluffy stick that handles the sound. … Continue reading Pulling the Strings: An Interview with Emily Morus-Jones
Words by Caitlin ParrImage courtesy of Prescription PR Alan Wakeman ÔÇô The Octet Broadcasts ÔÇ£The next young generation of British jazzÔÇØ is a compliment that has been applied to many artists across recent UK jazz history, however the original Melody Maker magazine headline was penned to describe Alan Wakeman and his ensemble back in 1970. This collection from British jazz saxophonist, Alan Wakeman, was partially … Continue reading Understanding the Magic of Alan Wakeman: Quench’s Guide to The Octet Broadcasts
Words by Alex PayneArt by Shubhangi Dua ÔÇ£If I decide to transition, will I ever be able to sing again?ÔÇØ. Such a simple message scrawled on a forum in the dusty corners of the internet belies a battle that many gender-questioning individuals will face during the turbulent process that follows the realisation that their body isnÔÇÖt, well, theirs. Complicated courses of hormone replacement therapy and … Continue reading How Experimental Pop Has Given Trans Individuals a Voice
Words and image by Natalie Graham Signing to an Independent record label carried a certain type of musical superiority. The SmithÔÇÖs Johnny Marr stated in The Guardian that ÔÇ£The Very act of being on Rough Trade at the time was a statement in itselfÔǪ It cut across our whole aestheticÔÇØ. A product of Punk Rock, Independent labels welcomed with open arms the rejection of musical … Continue reading The Golden Age of Britain and Ireland’s Independent Record Labels
Words by Molly Allen and Alex PaynePainting by Thomas Jones, courtesy of National Museum Wales Hell yeah! By Molly Allen After binging the hit Netflix series ÔÇÿThe WitcherÔÇÖ back in January, I never expected to find a series of ÔÇÿmedievalÔÇÖ style covers of songs inspired by the showÔÇÖs soundtrack. At first, I was skeptical; I found these covers funny and entertaining, but is there a … Continue reading Bardcore: Is Medieval Music Experiencing an Unlikely Resurgence?
Words by Alex PayneArt by Travis Shinn and Rich Tu For hip-hop aficionados, thereÔÇÖs one announcement that’s always hotly anticipated; XXL magazineÔÇÖs Freshman list. Essentially a showcase of the hottest acts in the genre, the list highlights ten rising rappers that show promise, with previous years having featured the likes of J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Uzi Vert and DaBaby – all of … Continue reading XXL Magazine’s 2020 Freshman List: Who Are This Year’s Hottest Rappers?
Words by Alex PayneArt by Finn Cleverly Last Friday, the Met Office announced that it was the third hottest day on record, confirming the suspicions of anyone who dared brave the blistering heat for more than a moment. Weather that good is rarely more than fleeting in the UK, so when it is, itÔÇÖs worth celebrating with a classic combination of beach, BBQ and booze. … Continue reading EP Review: ‘Mirror Image’ by KNALLERS
Words by Alex PaynePhoto by Nathan Roach via TEG MJR CardiffÔÇÖs musical pedigree is indisputable. In the final days of 2017 a formidable team composed of Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, the CEO of Sound Diplomacy, and the leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Huw Thomas, formalised it by declaring that Cardiff was ÔÇ£the UKÔÇÖs first music cityÔÇØ. A powerful statement that confirmed a reality that … Continue reading Won the Battle But Lost the War? Grangetown Venue Narrowly Avoids Closure
Words by Alex PayneArtwork courtesy of Ian Cheek PR AustraliaÔÇÖs premier Britpop band, DMAÔÇÖs, are back with a bang for their third full length, The Glow. Threatened by the success of their first two albums, both of which are unabashed homages to mid-90ÔÇÖs Britpop, the three piece have begun to expand their sound, and explore new sonic influences. DonÔÇÖt get it twisted – clear nods … Continue reading Album Review: ‘The Glow’ by DMA’s
Words by Alex PayneArtwork courtesy of The Concert Promoters Association As of this week, over 1500 British artists have publicly declared their support for the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign. Launched by UK Music, the umbrella organisation thatÔÇÖs responsible for representing the national music industry in parliament and media, the campaign calls for increased aid from the Government in response to Coronavirus, which has seen all venues closed … Continue reading #LetTheMusicPlay: Over 1500 Artists Call for Increased Government Support
