Interview: The Staves

We spoke to Jessica Staveley-Taylor ahead of The Staves gorgeous Y-Plas performance back in November. We learnt about working with Justin Vernon of Volcano Choir and Bon Iver and being more balls-y recently, which may explain why this interview contains nudity. Hi Jess! You three must have been singing together your whole lives, but when was the moment you realised you three could make a … Continue reading Interview: The Staves

History In The Making

In celebration of LGBT+ History Month, Quench Music take you through some of the communityÔÇÖs most influential musical figureheads FRANK OCEAN In the build-up to his eagerly anticipated 2012 debut Channel Orange, rumours surrounding Frank OceanÔÇÖs sexuality began to circulate. Critics, who were able to listen to the album prior to its release, noticed that gender pronouns implying a male love interest were used on … Continue reading History In The Making

Interview: Menace Beach

Dillon Eastoe chats to Menace Beach singer and guitarist Ryan Needham about their freshman release, reading the reviews and keeping it real Two years after playing their first show, Leeds five-piece Menace Beach released their debut album, Ratworld. a raucous half hour of pop-infused grunge. Ahead of the bandÔÇÖs show at BristolÔÇÖs Louisiana, singer and guitarist Ryan Needham is nonplussed at the time taken to … Continue reading Interview: Menace Beach

Interview: Beartooth

Quench Music talk┬áBuckingham Palace, Barack Obama and opening the show with alt-rockers Beartooth So, Beartooth, coming from an alternative background, how would you describe yourself to people who havenÔÇÖt heard you before? Taylor: Fast and loud. Caleb: WeÔÇÖre like a mixture of Pantera and The Beatles. IÔÇÖm just kidding, weÔÇÖre nothing like that. I donÔÇÖt know really. WeÔÇÖre loud, intenseÔǪ Taylor: Fast and loud like … Continue reading Interview: Beartooth

Live: Kate Tempest – Motion – 8/2/15

In a packed-out and jumper-worthy Motion, Kate Tempest holds court to the second date of her live tour, the largest venue she confesses to have played so far. Support act Loyle Carner rips out some mellow jams for the first half of his set, sticking blissfully to recorded material, making sure his presence is heard for the crowd-participation of the final minutes. Carner is new … Continue reading Live: Kate Tempest – Motion – 8/2/15

Album: Ibeyi – Ibeyi

Ibeyi, a French Cuban duo whoÔÇÖs music is eclectic as theyÔÇÖre cultural backgrounds, arrive with their self titled debut. Singing in English and Nigerian Yoruba languages, the album sees a fusion of modern music styles and cultural clashes; on paper, inconceivable to work coherently. On whole however, the album completely quells these fears. Each track flows into the next, creating a wholly fluid sound to … Continue reading Album: Ibeyi – Ibeyi

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: 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

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

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