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
Swift returns with a surprise album, exploring deep introspection with new and old sounds alike. Continue reading Album Review: ‘folklore’ by Taylor Swift
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
By Katie May Huxtable Quench Magazine last caught up with Australian trio DMAÔÇÖs back in 2017, as a part of our 164th print issue. They had then released their first studio album, Hills End, and seemed to be gaining momentum amongst UK audiences. Now, Tommy OÔÇÖDell, Johnny Took and Matt Mason are about to release their third studio album to a large UK following. This … Continue reading DMAÔÇÖS Interview: Tommy OÔÇÖDell on ÔÇÿThe GlowÔÇÖ and finding Creativity during COVID-19
I have a troubled relationship with The 1975. When I first encountered their work, I was somewhat dumbfounded on how anyone could enjoy it. It was unlike anything IÔÇÖd ever heard before and was profoundly weird. In the following years, I grew to love their music, having seen them live on a few occasions. This, however, has always been matched by a somewhat distaste for … Continue reading Notes On An Unconditional Form – Review
By Kate Waldock Aitch is the biggest name in the UK right now. With Strike A Pose, Taste [Make It Shake] and Buss Down, heÔÇÖs pretty hard to miss. I sat down with him ahead of his recent Cardiff gig to chat about his upcoming plans, the slang he uses, and of course, the infamous Chicken Shop Date. Aitch is chilled out and relaxed. I … Continue reading Aitch Interview: what Buss Down actually means, and the truth about his Chicken Shop Date
By Emily Jade Ricalton Professionally known as Grimes, a female artist paving the way for the world of weird in music, Claire Elise Boucher, in more recent years has been classified and defined by her personal relationships rather than her career as a talented musician – something typical of female artists within the music industry. Releasing her first album, Geidi Primes, back in 2010, Boucher … Continue reading Grimes – An Insight into Women within the Music Industry
By Craig Strachan A couple months into our collective banishment to our front rooms, exile from the gig venues, expulsion from the indie discos and the heart breaking cancellations to our festival filled summers, life in isolation seems to have settled into itsÔÇÖ routines and procedures. The arduous late wake up, slipping into the comfy joggers and oversized band tee of the day and the … Continue reading Playlists for Quarantine: 20 songs that encapsulate life in isolation
To continue our theme of stories, we delve into a different medium of storytelling – music. Many musical artists choose to tell detailed stories through their song writing which could have personal, fictional, or political messages amongst many others. These stories are conveyed whilst still maintaining a beautiful sound and a pleasing lyrical arrangement which is something definitely worthy of applaud and recognition. In this … Continue reading Musical Storytellers
By Joshua Jones & James McClements Since their breakthrough in 2011, Hybrid Minds are long establishing themselves as rising kingpins of the Liquid D&B scene. From their debut album Mountains to its 2017 follow up Elements, Hybrid Minds have amassed a devoted fanbase and are some of the most sought after live performers of the genre. Now set to play festival spots and headline shows … Continue reading Hybrid Minds | Interview
By Kavan Singh Whether the female rapper Simbiatu ÔÇÿSimbiÔÇÖ Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, aka Little Simz, could be classed as an ÔÇ£indieÔÇØ artist depends on the definition of the word. On one hand, Little SimzÔÇÖs talent has been recognised time and time again by the industry – with Kendrick Lamar shouting her out on a BBC Radio 1 show citing that she may be ÔÇ£the illest … Continue reading Spotlight on Little Simz
