Christmas Countdown – Review: Taylor Swift, ‘1989’

Tay Tay has come a long way since her love story Nashville days when she wrote romantic songs about how you get the girl. Country clean style music was expected, prior to 1989’s release. When we were out of the woods, a polished product of modern pop culture evolved, this love of 1989 was born. Shake (it) off the country days, our blank space was … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Taylor Swift, ‘1989’

Christmas Countdown – Review: The Saw Doctors, ‘Red Cortina’

I inherited a fondness for Irish rock band the Saw Doctors from my Dad. If you ask me, its criminal that the best known Irish Christmas song is the PoguesÔÇÖ Fairytale of New York. You canÔÇÖt beat the Saw DoctorsÔÇÖ Red Cortina (similarly, the 2010 acapella version). Few songs encompass the kind of melancholy that many feel at Christmas like Red Cortina. IÔÇÖve never seen … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: The Saw Doctors, ‘Red Cortina’

INTERVIEW: ├ëÔÇïsme Patterson

Author: Kirby Evans Supporting Frank Turner on his UK tour, ├ësme Patterson welcomes the audience with some feminist┬ápunk-cross-indie-cross-country vibes. IÔÇÖve spent a while trying to compare her and her backing band to other artists but the truth of it is, sheÔÇÖs got a pretty unique sound. A seemingly delicate woman steps out on stage┬áand releases a powerful collection of empowering songs. This phenomenal woman has … Continue reading INTERVIEW: ├ëÔÇïsme Patterson

Christmas Countdown – Introducing: Will Joseph Cook

  Precarious jokes about his name aside (Will Joseph actually Cook?), this London-based musicianÔÇÖs wonderfully mature and unique offering of alternative pop music solidifies his place as most definitely a ÔÇÿone to watchÔÇÖ. I happened to stumble upon Will Joseph Cook on Spotify, along with many others so it seems. Infectiously good tracks such as ÔÇÿTake Me DancingÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿGirls Like MeÔÇÖ are amassing millions … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Introducing: Will Joseph Cook

Christmas Countdown – Review: Jack Garratt – ÔÇÿPhaseÔÇÖ

  After selling out two shows at LondonÔÇÖs Eventim Apollo, and our very own Cardiff SU (along with many other venues on the way), Jack Garratt has had quite the year. Not only has he had a stellar tour that has seen him take on the world, but the young artist also won the Brits CriticsÔÇÖ Choice Award as well as the BBC Sound of … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Jack Garratt – ÔÇÿPhaseÔÇÖ

ALBUM REVIEW: Pete Doherty, ‘Hamburg Demonstrations’

Author:┬áSean Kirkpatrick Our forgotten leader of the alternative music scene returns with an LP reminiscent of the pure talent of a young English boy that time forgot. The prodigal son has truly returned. Doherty, returns to us older, wiser and seemingly more reflective with his new album `Hamburg DemonstrationsÔÇÖ. The reference to the German homeland comes after Doherty was referred to Clouds Hill Recordings having … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Pete Doherty, ‘Hamburg Demonstrations’

INTERVIEW: Slaves

On a cold Sunday afternoon, in a hidden room in CardiffÔÇÖs student union, with the sounds of David Attenborough filling the room, a rather down-trodden, hungover Isaac Holman from Slaves confesses his delicate state after a wild and particularly heavy Saturday night out in Bristol. Not quite the manic, boisterous reception I was expecting on arrival, but it can be said that even a band … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Slaves

LIVE REVIEW: Akala @ Clwb Ifor Bach

Author: Rowan Lees Akala lives a full life, campaigning for social justice, appearing on news and debate shows (you might have seen him on your news feeds expertly shutting down former EDL leader Tommy Robinson) and even founding the highly successful Hip Hop Shakespeare Company. So when he announced another tour to commemorate 10 years since his debut album ItÔÇÖs Not a Rumour it was … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Akala @ Clwb Ifor Bach

INTERVIEW: Sunset Sons

Author: Charlie Minett Sunset Sons have just embarked on their second UK and European tour, with bigger venues and sell out dates than ever before. We were lucky enough to grab a chat with frontman ,Rory Williams, previous to their tour. The start of your European tour is coming up very soon, with Nottingham and Birmingham sold out, how are you feeling about this? IÔÇÖm … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Sunset Sons

LIVE REVIEW: Panic! at the Disco @ Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Author:┬áSanja Dragojlov Friday nightÔÇÖs Panic! at the Disco gig commenced with a glittery, confetti-strewn bang, with the perfect opener from their latest, sell-out album, DonÔÇÖt Threaten Me With A Good Time. Playing over 18 songs, their set was a mix of both old songs and new. If you came to see Panic play some of their catchy, witty and ÔÇ£vaudeville-esqueÔÇØ songs from back in the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Panic! at the Disco @ Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

LIVE REVIEW: Slaves @ Cardiff’s Student Union

Author: Joe Fletcher The 13th┬á of November saw the return of punk-duo Slaves ÔÇô Isaac Holman on drums and vocals and Laurie Vincent on guitar ÔÇô to the Students Union. Their simple, aggressive riffs and belligerent, shouted vocals that fly perpendicular to the manufactured noise of todayÔÇÖs popular music. The rawness they bring, as well as the energy which injects into the crowd, is always … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Slaves @ Cardiff’s Student Union

LIVE REVIEW: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes @ The Fleece, Bristol

It seems nothing, not even the typically British weather, could dampen the atmosphere of a 450 capacity sold out show at The Fleece. ThatÔÇÖs because tonightÔÇÖs headliners, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have become synonymous with an unmissable assault of a live show that has become a staple for any self-respecting fan of British punk rock. As the lights dim, the band take place on … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes @ The Fleece, Bristol

FILM REVIEW: Be Pure, Be Vigilant, Behave

Here at Quench, we are still having S┼Án festival blues. Now we are going through a quiet spell, we thought we would reminisce on such a fabulous weekend. One of the interesting events which took part over the course of the S┼Án festival weekend was the Manic Street Preachers documentary, which was premiered in coordination with S┼ÁnÔÇÖs 10th anniversary celebrations. One of our reviewers, Dillon … Continue reading FILM REVIEW: Be Pure, Be Vigilant, Behave

Don’t Miss… JAWS!

The ÔÇÿB-TownÔÇÖ scene that brazenly emerged out of the heart of the midlands in 2013 gave the indie world somewhat of a trio of bands. They were characterised by their psychedelic sound, uncontrived persona and imperfections when it came to music-making. Yet, if B-TownÔÇÖs poster bands, Peace and Swim Deep that is, were the ones banging the drum for BirminghamÔÇÖs supposedly latent music scene, the … Continue reading Don’t Miss… JAWS!

INTERVIEW: Billie Marten

Billie Marten is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Ripon, North Yorkshire, known for her cover of Royal BloodÔÇÖs ÔÇÿOut of the BlackÔÇÖ and her own singles such as ÔÇÿLionheartedÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿBirdÔÇÖ. Ahead of her performance at Buffalo Bar in Cardiff, I was given the opportunity to ask the bright, demure teen a few questions about her music and daily life. Which artists inspired you when you … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Billie Marten

LIVE REVIEW: Billie Marten @ Buffalo, Cardiff, 28/10/16

CardiffÔÇÖs Buffalo Bar seems to be bringing the live music aspect of their assorted venue to its forefront, boasting a diversity in styles to suit everyone. Hence the billing of Billie Marten, with the graceful and subdued guitar playing seventeen year old being a million miles away from the classic Bump and Grind on a Monday night at Buffalo. Yet, the upstairs room of Buffalo, … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Billie Marten @ Buffalo, Cardiff, 28/10/16

LIVE REVIEW: Angel Olsen @ The Marble Factory, Bristol, 16/10

On a Sunday night in Bristol, a rare gig occurs ÔÇô a rare gig where you find yourself getting into a band way too late, only to see them soon after and be completely and utterly captivated. Angel Olsen has been on the scene since 2010 with her enchanting, yet haunting melodies, and now has three albums and an EP to her name. Third album … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Angel Olsen @ The Marble Factory, Bristol, 16/10