Album: Peace – Happy People

Waifish indie boys Peace return with the follow up to their 2013 debut, In Love. Similarly optimistic in title, Happy People is what the media would call the ÔÇÿdifficult secondÔÇÖ album, yet Peace have managed to create something that feels easy and natural. The album, which juxtaposes unhappy lyrics with happy melody, is full of buoyant beats and joyful vibes: the trademark sound of the … Continue reading Album: Peace – Happy People

Live Review: Enter Shikari – Y Plas 17/2/15

Y Plas has always been home to weird and wonderful sights, but tonight it bears witness to a whole new one: a floor-wide mosh pit as hardcore madmen, Enter Shikari come out to play. Before the carnage begins, Fatherson play some whole-heartedly pretty songs, which lull the crowd rather than rile them. Following are the inherently strange Allusondrugs. Bizzare movements and faces galore, the boys … Continue reading Live Review: Enter Shikari – Y Plas 17/2/15

Live: You Me At Six & All Time Low – Cardiff Motorpoint 9/2/15

  As the rumbles of ‘Ni**as In Paris’ roll out, All Time Low scuttle playfully onto stage at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena to an ear-piercing reception which, alongside a fun-fuelled rendition of ‘A Love Like War’, sets the benchmark for the nightÔÇÖs proceedings. What follows is by no means revolutionary; All Time Low are a band that wear their influences proudly on their sleeve. The onstage … Continue reading Live: You Me At Six & All Time Low – Cardiff Motorpoint 9/2/15

Live: Laura Marling – Thekla – 7/2/15

I recently suffered the indignity of going to the cinema completely alone on a Saturday night. Buying my tickets and popcorn, I could only grin sheepishly as I repeated ÔÇÿyes just the one adult ticket, thanksÔÇÖ. Not a half hour previously I was at BristolÔÇÖs Thekla enjoying a captivating, intimate performance by Laura Marling ÔÇô who is currently touring her as-yet unreleased LP Short Movie … Continue reading Live: Laura Marling – Thekla – 7/2/15

Live: Alvvays – Thekla – 31/1/15

In soft acquiescence with the melancholy, Alvvays soundtrack the adventures of post-teen life as if through an Instagram filter. A boat in Bristol is perhaps the perfect setting for the Canadian five-piece; you have to wonder if itÔÇÖs the water beneath you swaying the crowd or indeed lead-singer Molly RankinÔÇÖs crooning voice that undulates the bodies onboard The Thekla. Alvvays are captivating from the outset. … Continue reading Live: Alvvays – Thekla – 31/1/15

Live: Peace – The Fleece – 23/1/15

The Midlands unusual answer to a concoction of psychedelic, indie and grunge take to the stage of┬áone of BristolÔÇÖs most legendary small music venues, The Fleece. Prior to the release of PeaceÔÇÖs upcoming record, Happy People, the indie quartet are at the beginning of their fifth tour of the UK. The four walls of this intimate setting have countless stories to tell about the up … Continue reading Live: Peace – The Fleece – 23/1/15

new/newydd – January

The brightest and best in new music this month… Lucas A wise fellow once said ÔÇÿLucas is good.ÔÇÖ This wise fellow, better known as Ryan Hemsworth ÔÇô a firm favourite of Quench Music if you hadnÔÇÖt guessed ÔÇô along with his helpful habit of catapulting artists into the spotlight, has given RnB producer Lucas the seal of approval. Matt Lucas (no, not that Matt Lucas) … Continue reading new/newydd – January

On The Lookout: 2015

  Quench Music let you know what theyÔÇÖre looking forward to in the coming year Newcomer: L├Ñpsley As we enter the New Year, speculation surrounding the next big thing in music begins. Last year saw the rise of the solo artist, which is set to continue throughout 2015. For fresh take on the increasingly overworked formula add L├Ñpsley to your playlist. The 18-year-old singer songwriter … Continue reading On The Lookout: 2015

Quench Music’s Albums of 2014

  From FKA twigs to Bombay Bicycle Club and Death From Above 1979 to Caribou, Quench Music round up the records that made 2014┬á Death From Above 1979 ÔÇô The Physical World┬á After ten years of hiatus, Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler returned with second album, The Physical World, following up to ÔÇÖ04s YouÔÇÖre a Woman, IÔÇÖm a Machine. Not forgetting their once hardcore … Continue reading Quench Music’s Albums of 2014

Feature: The Spotify Debate

  We weigh in on the Spotify debate; was Taylor right to take her music away from the worldÔÇÖs largest music streaming service? Country star turned pop giant Taylor Swift reached the coveted platinum mark for her newest album, 1989. Selling nearly 1.3 million copies in the first week, the album is expected to have the largest first week sales since Eminem sold 1.3 million … Continue reading Feature: The Spotify Debate

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Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part Two)

On Thursday 20th November Danii Penny caught up with the lovely Sam Douglas, bassist and songwriter of Mallory Knox, for a chat about the band before their incredible headline gig at Bristol O2 Academy. The first part of the interview was published last week, below is the second half. Sam explains why he doesnÔÇÖt want Mallory Knox to ÔÇÿmake itÔÇÖ as a band, his festival … Continue reading Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part Two)

new/newydd – December

The best new and upcoming artists to look out for this month… PALMISTRY ThereÔÇÖs something incredibly appealing about PC music and PALMISTRY has got it spot on. From swooning vocals dripping in distortion to blipping synth lines, this London based producer comes bearing a musical escape you wonÔÇÖt be able to turn down. With a full-length debut album knocking around on Soundcloud thereÔÇÖs ample to … Continue reading new/newydd – December

Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Jade Attwood reviews Augustines at The Globe… With both floors of The Globe packed to the rafters from the outset, support act Arkells start the evening off. Procuring a distinctly mixed age crowd, the Canadian rockers have a task on their hands to get the mood right. But, with constant witty interaction and angsty enthusiasm, the band certainly create a buzz in the previously sombre … Continue reading Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Interview: Years & Years

Ahead of their support slot in CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Rachel Cunliffe and Louis Browne caught up with Olly and Emre from Years & Years to discuss synthesizers, celebrity fans and singing in the shower. Your sound seems to span numerous eras and styles; OllyÔÇÖs vocals are warm and soulful and have an almost nostalgic 90s feel to them, but then the production is modern and … Continue reading Interview: Years & Years

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Interview: Moose Blood

On Thursday 20th of November, Music Editor India Thomas caught up with Moose Blood ahead of the Bristol date of their tour with Mallory Knox. They talk touring, records, and the importance of family. India: So, youÔÇÖve been on the UK tour with Mallory Knox. How has it been so far? Mark: The venues that weÔÇÖre getting to play are nuts, we donÔÇÖt expect it. … Continue reading Interview: Moose Blood

Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

We chat to Superfood and Honeyblood about the 1990s, being the ÔÇÿones to watchÔÇÖ and exactly what they think about music magazines ÔÇÿWe didnÔÇÖt take it very seriously, we were quite bored at the time.ÔÇÖ It seems a pretty devil may care attitude, the way Ryan Malcom – ┬águitarist of Superfood – speaks of his early days in the band. ÔÇÿWe actually booked a gig … Continue reading Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

mallory knox press

Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

On Thursday 20th November, Danii Penny caught up with the lovely Sam Douglas, bassist and songwriter of Mallory Knox, for a chat ahead of their incredible headline show at Bristol’s O2 Academy. He talks about how MK formed and have progressed, and even gives us a little exclusive about a song from their new album, Asymmetry. Danii: IÔÇÖm not as nervous as I mightÔÇÖve been … Continue reading Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

Words To The Blind sees two of LondonÔÇÖs most exciting alternative bands, the post-punk institution Savages and Japanese noise rockers Bo Ningen, perform simultaneously. At the heart of this 38 minute long experimental track is the early 20th century art movement Dadaism, in which artists valued and expressed irrational thought through visual chaos and unconventional structures. Words To The Blind finds the practice of automatic … Continue reading Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Parkay Quarts – Parquet CourtsÔÇÖ offshoot consisting of Andrew Savage, Austin Brown and a few friends ÔÇô return with Content Nausea, juxtaposing the last Parquet Courts release, Sunbathing Animal, which heavily featured ideas of freedom, with the idea of ÔÇÿcontent.ÔÇÖ Content Nausea is a slower, plodding release compared to the more up-beat, aggressive albums previously released, but the characteristics of a sharp punk band are … Continue reading Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Album: One Direction – Four

Despite their meteoric rise to fame and global success, Four does nothing to cement One DirectionÔÇÖs status as the most successful boy band since The Beatles. The aptly-titled fourth album from the band boasts a more sophisticated 70s pop-rock sound with Fleetwood Mac-esque guitar riffs and layered choruses reminiscent of EaglesÔÇÖ Hotel California. On paper, this sounds like a step in the right direction (pun … Continue reading Album: One Direction – Four