Author: Tom Connick

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Album Review: Band Of Skulls – ‘Himalayan’

The title of Southampton rockers Band Of Skulls’ third album is a decent starting point to describing the sound on show here. ‘Himalayan’: the riffs are towering and the rhythm section is colossal. Kicking off with ‘Asleep at the Wheel’, the lead single, guitarist and vocalist Russell Marsden howls, “Where we are going is anyone’s guess!”, before laying down a monstrous Led-Zep style guitar riff. … Continue reading Album Review: Band Of Skulls – ‘Himalayan’

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Album Review: Kylie Minogue – ‘Kiss Me Once’

‘Locomotion’. ‘I Should Be So Lucky’. ‘Better the Devil You Know’. ‘Spinning Around’. ‘CanÔÇÖt Get You Out of My Head’. From the beginnings of her fame as Charlene Robinson in┬áNeighbours┬áto joining┬áThe VoiceÔÇÖs judging panel earlier this year, there arenÔÇÖt many figures in pop with quite the same CV of hits as Kylie Minogue. Even after a breast cancer scare in 2005, creating enough awareness publicly … Continue reading Album Review: Kylie Minogue – ‘Kiss Me Once’

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Live Review: Straight Lines, Solus, 09.03.14

Solus is busy before Falling With Style even start.┬á Their sound is powerful, vocal driven, heavy rock ÔÇô not unlike Linkin Park ÔÇô and it definietly precedes their youth.┬á Singer Lucas Woodland performs confidently; itÔÇÖs refreshing to see a young band move on stage with such passion and energy (you can blame raging teenage hormones for that).┬á┬á Unfortunately, the band seem to have little understanding … Continue reading Live Review: Straight Lines, Solus, 09.03.14

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Album Review: Morrissey – ‘Your Arsenal’

MorrisseyÔÇÖs third solo effort post-Smiths-departure has recently been re-released. Recognised as his seminal album, ÔÇÿYour ArsenalÔÇÖ sent MorisseyÔÇÖs career on an upward trajectory. Including four chart singles and boasting an extra DVD of previously unreleased live footage, the Definitive Master edition will surely be snapped up by hardcore fans. Despite the randomness of the release, it is inevitably going to reawaken an interest in MorisseyÔÇÖs … Continue reading Album Review: Morrissey – ‘Your Arsenal’

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Interview: Man Overboard

Charlie Mock talks to the New Jersey pop punk crew about defending pop punk. You can ignore pop punk all you like, but New JerseyÔÇÖs Man Overboard – along with their ÔÇÿDefend Pop PunkÔÇÖ mantra – are making sure that itÔÇÖs one genre that wonÔÇÖt be disappearing any time soon. At least, not on their watches. ÔÇÿThroughout the years itÔÇÖs always been thereÔÇÖ vocalist Nik … Continue reading Interview: Man Overboard

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Preview: Devildriver / Sylosis / Bleed From Within, Cardiff Solus, 03.04.14

The California-based groove metal band return to the UK in support of their new album, Winter Kills, released last summer. Without a doubt, Devildriver have now hit their stride, with six studio albums under their belt, and a dedicated following of fans, they are without doubt one of the biggest metal bands to come out of America in the past decade. With an unrelenting, brutal … Continue reading Preview: Devildriver / Sylosis / Bleed From Within, Cardiff Solus, 03.04.14

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Preview: Jungle at The Globe, Cardiff

The word ÔÇÿelusiveÔÇÖ is often thrown about when discussing new, emerging bands, but in the case of Jungle, it couldnÔÇÖt be more appropriate. Despite revealing very little about themselves, the group have built up a large fanbase, including Radio 1ÔÇÖs Huw Stephens who called them, “One of the most intriguing and fresh sounding bands out there”. Further recognition for Jungle came when they found themselves … Continue reading Preview: Jungle at The Globe, Cardiff

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Album Review: Wild Beasts – ‘Present Tense’

Kendal-based indie rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Wild BeastsÔÇÖ fourth album ÔÇÿPresent TenseÔÇÖ sees the light of day following a full year of studio work, after experiences of ÔÇÿburn outÔÇÖ from the two year touring cycle for previous album ÔÇÿSmotherÔÇÖ. The album title is in many ways a reflection of the style; their aim for this body of work is reflecting their identity in … Continue reading Album Review: Wild Beasts – ‘Present Tense’

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Live Review: George Ezra, Clwb Ifor Bach, 16.02.14

Armed with the modest means of just two guitars and a collection of skillfully crafted songs, George Ezra embarks on his first headline UK tour. Ezra satirically humoured Clwb Ifor BachÔÇÖs crowd by suggesting that his two guitars granted him ÔÇÿprofessionalÔÇÖ status, yet it is clear that Ezra can captivate an audience despite such an economical production. Support came from Geordie powerhouse Eva Stone, whose … Continue reading Live Review: George Ezra, Clwb Ifor Bach, 16.02.14

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Feature: And The Beat Goes On – Cardiff and Underground Dance

It is truly remarkable that in a matter of years, CardiffÔÇÖs electronic music community has grown from one or two niche club nights, to a plethora of burgeoning events, each with their own sounds and styles, comfortably putting it as one of the most interesting in the country. The scope of size and breadth of the venues facilitating this kind of music is, also, remarkable. … Continue reading Feature: And The Beat Goes On – Cardiff and Underground Dance

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Live Review: Hopscotch Sundays, Undertone, 11.03.14

Following on from performances around Cardiff, at the Ale Festival and Koko Gorillaz, Hopscotch Sundays are going just downstairs from previous gig venue Ten Feet Tall for a show at Undertone. There is a healthy attendance at the venue, with its intimate nature and dark lighting. But the headline act at tonightÔÇÖs Kenyan Orphan Project is anything but dark. The smart/casual-dressed ska sextet, led by … Continue reading Live Review: Hopscotch Sundays, Undertone, 11.03.14

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Album Review: Angel Olsen – ‘Burn Your Fire For No Witness’

Olsen officially came on the scene with EP ÔÇÿStrange CactiÔÇÖ, a not displeasing clash of sparse, eerie echoes and voice oscillating between registers. The touch of folk that crept its way in was fully unleashed in first album ÔÇÿHalf Way HomeÔÇÖ, released in 2012. Angel Olsen went from resonance-in-the-rough to crisp vocals over guitar picking; from songs entitled ÔÇÿIf ItÔÇÖs Alive, It WillÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿCreator, … Continue reading Album Review: Angel Olsen – ‘Burn Your Fire For No Witness’

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Live Review: Drenge, The Fleece (Bristol), 27.02.14

In February Drenge were handed the accolade of ÔÇÿBest New BandÔÇÖ at the NME Awards, fittingly rounding off a year that had seen their stock rise thanks to string of spirited live dates and a critically acclaimed debut album. 24 hours later, and fans are queuing around the corner for doors as the Derbyshire brothers headed to Bristol and The Fleece. Given itÔÇÖs timing, this … Continue reading Live Review: Drenge, The Fleece (Bristol), 27.02.14

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Interview: George Ezra

Eleanor Wilson chats to upcoming singer-songwriter George Ezra about what 2014 holds for him. YouÔÇÖre currently in the middle of your first UK headline tour. How has it been going so far and how have your audiences been? ItÔÇÖs been brilliant! ItÔÇÖs really interesting because a lot of the people coming to the gigs have just heard the first EP, so theyÔÇÖve heard a handful … Continue reading Interview: George Ezra

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Album Review: Nai Harvest – ‘Hold Open My Head’

In a scene thatÔÇÖs saturated with jangly guitar riffs, and where everyone and their brother are the next big breakthrough act, it can be hard to take ÔÇ£indie rockÔÇØ seriously sometimes. Sifting out the good from the bad becomes tiresome and before you know it your Superfood have become your Splashh. Thankfully, northerners Nai Harvest donÔÇÖt seem to let this bother them. Following up to … Continue reading Album Review: Nai Harvest – ‘Hold Open My Head’

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Live Review: Skindred, Newport Centre, 08.03.14

A Newport-based reggae/metal band. It sounds like two musical genres and a place name picked out of a hat at random. But as sure as Peter ToshÔÇÖs ÔÇÿLegalise ItÔÇÖ and Black SabbathÔÇÖs ÔÇÿSweet LeafÔÇÖ are about the same topic,┬áSkindred┬áhave both a sound that comes together seamlessly and the reputation of being one of the UKÔÇÖs top live bands. The Newport Centre (how many gig venues … Continue reading Live Review: Skindred, Newport Centre, 08.03.14

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Win two tickets to Wales Goes Pop festival with Quench Music!

The Welsh music scene is one that many hold dear. Wales Goes Pop is just one of a number of festivals dedicated to the promotion of the talent held within these borders. Taking place at The Gate, Roath’s beautiful converted church venue, the weekend aims to promote the poppier side of the Welsh scene. Check out our Spotify playlist for a taster of the festival … Continue reading Win two tickets to Wales Goes Pop festival with Quench Music!

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