Review: Indigo Girls - Swamp Ophelia

 Hello!

 Just letting you know I reviewed Indigo Girls' album Swamp Ophelia for The Mancunion.

 I hope you enjoy my write-up.

 Liz x

Interview with Amy Ray

 Hello!

 It was great to interview Amy Ray of Indigo Girls for Now Then Manchester.

 We talk about the folk duo's upcoming UK tour, the secret to their long-lasting success, their solo projects, social media, writing advice and more.

 I hope you enjoy it!

 You can also read my review for The Mancunion of Indigo Girls' album Rites of Passage.

 Liz x

Review: Indigo Girls - Rites of Passage

 Hello!

 Just letting you know that my piece about Indigo Girls' 1992 album Rites of Passage has been published in The Mancunion.

 I hope you enjoy learning about this vibrant record.

 Liz x

Boomin interview

Hello!

Adam, Edd and Rory

Today I have something special for you - an interview with Rory O'Grady of Wigan indie rock band Boomin. The band are currently celebrating ten years together so I caught up with Rory to learn about the band's origins, inspirations, highlights and aims for the future.

***

Congratulations on ten years! How did the band begin?

It started at Wigan and Leigh College back in 2003 where I met Edd and Adam. We first started a metal original band and there were six of us back then. Edd was the lead vocal frontman and Adam and myself were rhythm and lead guitarists. 

Over time members left, then we decided to originally start a cover band and that's how it all happened.

Who are your musical heroes?

We all have slightly different influences. Adam likes blues, Edd likes 80s and I like alternative rock but we're all fans of the likes of Queen, Foo Fighters, Prince, Billy Joel and Sum 41.

You have some imaginative videos, such as Chocolate: how do you come up with ideas?

As musicians and artists you are always looking and listening to everything around you to give yourself ideas. Sometimes you can steal an idea as long as you put your own spin on it.

Do you feel your style and/or direction has changed over the years?

Yes. It started with the classic cover songs (Johnny B. Goode, Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl) and now we do more genres and do medleys. At the start it was more Adam lead vocal and now we all sing lead. We also chuck in some original material as well.

You travel a lot, do you enjoy life on the road?

It can be the worst part of being in a band but sometimes we can turn it into a positive by having a jam on the acoustics and doing live videos.

What would you say is your biggest achievement?

Getting our album in the iTunes rock chart at no. 22 without any PR or team. Other highlights include performing an original song on stage with Newton Faulkner, supporting McFly and finishing 12th out of 12,000 bands worldwide in Hard Rock Rising 2013.

What are your plans for 2016 and beyond?

Releasing an acoustic album that's more heartfelt and serious for us but it's something totally different for the fans, Then recording more original music hopefully. Just keep touring and making records and see how far we can go.

What advice would you give to young musicians?

Cliché but do what you love and stick at it. Don't change for anyone, be different, don't follow what others do. Hard work equals success, not Lady Luck.

***

It's been great talking to Rory - I hope you have enjoyed the interview. If you did, check out my interviews with Eddi Reader and The Kennedys.

Make sure to give Boomin's music a listen, and you can follow Rory on Twitter at @roryboomin.

Thanks for reading!

Liz x

Eurovision 2016: The fabulous first semi-final

 Hello!

 As my readers know, I am a massive fan of Eurovision. I've been particularly looking forward to the 2016 contest, partly because I've had a super-busy year and Eurovision is a great chance to relax and celebrate, and partly as it is in Sweden again (after they hosted in 2013) and we know how well they do Eurovision. 

 As the first semi-final kicked off on Tuesday, I felt we were in safe hands. Sweden as hosts aren't glitzy or over-the-top, they're just... really good.

 Instead of having, as many countries do, three young presenters that seem slightly nervous and take things very seriously, Sweden gives us the wonderful Petra Mede whose attitude towards the show is just perfect.

 She is joined this year by last year's winning performer, Måns Zelmerlöw, who I feel has been okay at presenting so far, though he is often overshadowed by Petra. But then, it's hard not to be!

 I loved the segment where Måns and Petra pretended to be taxi drivers - it's the kind of low-budget, down-to-earth thing that other countries might shy away from but which the Swedes recognise as being genuinely entertaining. The moment when the two guys realised they were in a cab with Petra was brilliant and I had to re-watch it.

 Måns's performance and the part with the Pippi dancers were okay. They are clearly gifted dancers and I think they could have been used better to show off their potential. Plus, though I do love her, Pippi was referenced in the 2013 contest, and they could have had something new this time.

I like this year's dandelion clock theme, but some of the dandelion graphics are rather psychedelic. I like how they use jazzy fonts for the names of the countries. The postcards, like many elements of this year's show, feel simple and serviceable, which I like.

 Okay, on to the music! I've given each song a mark out of 20. I'll comment on the voice, performance, staging, etc, but the mark is mainly for the song itself.

 1) Finland - Parts of this sounded like a recent-ish pop song, I think possibly by the Swedish House Mafia. I found it pretty average, and the constant "Bruh, bruh"-ing a bit annoying. Not a great start to the show, although at least it was energetic. 7/20

 2) Greece - I wasn't sure whether this was supposed to have some political connotations or not, and as a result feel slightly uncomfortable commenting on it lyrically. Musically, I found it quite ordinary and very typical of Greek Eurovision entries. 10/20

 3) Moldova - I liked her dress! The song felt clichéd but I felt she had a strong stage presence. I liked the silver and blue-themed staging.  8/20

 4) Hungary - Ah, the drums, the drums! We couldn't possibly yet a Eurovision year go by without them. I felt this song had lots of good ingredients but they never really came together. 8/20

 5) Croatia - I liked the staging and the way it built up to the end, with the falling sparks. Her first dress just didn't work even as a decoy for the second, proper one - her hair was too short for it and it swamped her. Had her hair been longer it may have worked. The song was on the good side of average and she sold it well. 12/20

 6) Netherlands - More country from them! I'm not complaining; it was a decent song, though it's hard to match the Common Linnets (whose success I imagine they're trying to emulate with this year's entry). One of the backing band reminded me of Mick Jagger. The staging seemed to swamp the lead singer at first but he settled into the performance. 14/20

 7) Armenia - Hmm! I don't know where to begin on this one. She looked like Nicole Scherzinger. Her voice and the song were both decent. But the over-dramatic camera work and cutting on this were awful and fitted a music video better than a Eurovision performance. It really was hard to watch. 13/20

 8) San Marino - The lyrics and the way he sang them came across as a bit odd. The horrible graphics in the background combined with his garish outfit were very hard on the eyes. 4/20

 9) Russia - Most clichéd lyrics yet - "Thunder and lightning, it's getting exciting." The staging was very reminiscent of both the Austrian and Swedish winning songs from the last couple of years, but it was quite good all the same. At the end it became hard to watch due to all the strobing. 10/20

 10) Czech Republic - The staging was nice but strobey. The lyrics were very repetitive but the song quite pleasant, and I liked her dress and the way she let her hair down at the end (quite literally!). 13/20

 11) Cyprus - As Scott Mills, commentating for the UK, declared, this really sounds like Somebody Told Me by the Killers. It was all just a little bit over-the-top, what with the flashing lights, moody glazes, blue smoke and howling. It was something different, however, and that is always welcome. 11/20

 12) Austria - She looked like a Disney Princess! She also reminded me of Amanda Seyfreid in Mamma Mia. It was all a bit too cutesy and high-pitched for me, and it seemed to go on for a long time. She didn't seem to be doing much and the background graphics got a bit annoying. 12/20

 13) Estonia - More chess in the postcard! Horses and chess were the recurring themes this semi-final! This guy reminded me of Nick Henderson from Big Brother. I personally don't like songs based heavily around a theme unless they're really good. The theme of playing cards totally dominated this performance and staging and it was too intense. I was relieved when it was over! But he is kind of endearing and I can understand why people seem to like him. 11/20

 14) Azerbaijan - I wasn't keen on the outfits here! However, it was a decent song and performance. Azerbaijan have been fairly consistent in recent years, sending songs that aren't amazing but are very solid. 14/20

 15) Montenegro - Scott Mills really didn't like this! I thought it was okay - it was certainly striking. It's a shame there were more silly jump cuts and angles; this time it felt like we were watching a festival set instead of a Eurovision performance and I feel the song itself, which was all right, was drowned out by the theatrics. 14/20

 16) Iceland - I liked what she did with the shadows staging-wise. The song was cheesy but good. 14/20

 17) Bosnia and Herzegovina - Scott and Mel Giedroyc joked about the tin foil outfits but I actually liked them! I wasn't keen on the "Ey, ey, ey," at the end. Overall it was very Eurovision. 10/20

 18) Malta - Another nice dress! She gave a very confident performance and I liked the background. The song is okay - a bit of an earworm. 13/20

 Overall, I enjoyed the show. I feel this was the weaker semi-final - the one on Thursday had more stand-out songs for me. However, this one was very watchable and Måns and Petra - especially Petra - did an excellent job.

 Watch this space for my thoughts on the second semi-final!

 Thanks for reading.

 Liz x

Top 5 love songs without the word "love"

 Hi!

 

 Just letting you know that my piece on the Top 5 love songs without the word "love" in them has been published in Cuckoo Review.

 When I shared it on Twitter Mike Scott replied to me, which was great and may give you an idea of what one of the songs could be!

 I hope you enjoy the article.

 Liz x

Gabrielle Aplin

 Hi!

Photo: abidainton @Flickr

 Shortly after returning to Manchester after my wonderful Spanish summer, I saw that a Gabrielle Aplin gig was up for grabs to review for The Mancunion. I had heard a few songs by Gabrielle and liked them, and claimed the gig in the hope of getting to know her better.

 There was then a lot of confusion between The Mancunion and her people and I was told by The Mancunion not to bother going as they weren't sure whether or not I would be on the guestlist. However, I decided to go to the venue - The Deaf Institute - and see what I could find out.

 It transpired that I wasn't on the guestlist but when I explained what had happened they let me in anyway. Relieved, I got a San Pellegrino, took a seat and sat back to watch what turned out to be a pretty great show.

 My review for The Mancunion of Gabrielle and her support Sample Answer can be found here but I also wanted to share with you some general thoughts about her music.

 She has released two albums, the folksy English Rain and the rockier Light Up The Dark. The thing is, when performed accoustically, any of the songs could be from either album. It's purely the production that separates them. Gabrielle has a very definite songwriting and performing style that remains unchanged.

 One of my favourites, as mentioned in the piece, is Don't Break Your Heart On Me.

 This is actually a secret track on Light Up The Dark - you have to wait a while after the last official song for it to appear. I like the general concept of secret songs (although in these Internet days, can any track really be secret?) but think this one is so good it should be on the main album.

 It's a classic example of what is clearly a folk song at heart, made grungier and darker by the production. I loved it sung accoustically on the night and was doubtful at first about the album version. But I've learnt to really like it.

 Another song from Light Up The Dark that I love is Hurt.

 Hurt is kind of the opposite of Don't Break Your Heart On Me in that I wasn't ecstatic about her live performance of it but fell in love with the studio version. 

 The song really reminds me of the relationship between Emily Starr and Dean Priest in Emily of New Moon and its sequels by LM Montgomery. Emily never loves the much older Dean but admires him and feels sorry for him as he has a humpback and has been spurned by society as a result. 

 For me, Emily's feelings towards him are evoked so strongly by this song and I wish they would make a video for it telling the story - I can imagine exactly how it would look, scene by scene! Gabrielle looks enough like Emily that she could play her and it could be amazing. The Emily books need more attention - for me they are far superior to the Anne (of Green Gables) books.

 The final song I want to highlight is from English Rain and is How Do You Feel Today?

 After the show I could not get this song out of my head but I wasn't totally sure it was actually by Gabrielle and not just some random other song that had invaded my mind. I kept forgetting to check it when I was online and it was getting annoying! 

 All the time I was remembering more and more of the song and it was coming to me more and more clearly. Eventually I looked it up and found it and love it so much. Her voice is perhaps the best in the above video that I have ever heard it (though it is always lovely) and the guitar is brilliant, too.

 I hope you've enjoyed learning about Gabrielle Aplin - I have high hopes for this talented young woman.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Songs: Don't Break Your Heart On Me - Gabrielle Aplin - 2015

Hurt - Gabrielle Aplin - 2015

How Do You Feel Today? - Gabrielle Aplin - 2013

Review: Roxette - Joyride

 Hi!

 Just letting you know that my Record Reappraisal of Roxette's 1991 album Joyride has been published in The Mancunion - both in print and online. I hope you enjoy learning about this classic.

 In other news, I am back from Spain and at Uni. I'm doing some interesting modules this year and trying to do plenty of writing too, both creative and journalistic. I'll post any of it that's music-related here, so watch this space!

 All my writing, musical or otherwisde, will be posted on my writer blog, so please keep an eye on that, too!

 Thanks for reading, hope you're well.

 Liz x

¡Hola from Salamanca!

 Hi!

 I thought you might like to know that the piece I wrote about the songs of my year in France has been published in Cuckoo Review!

 I am currently having a great time on a summer course in Salamanca, Spain. I am studying Spanish language, history and art. It is fascinating and I am learning a huge amount which is inspiring my writing and my own art.

 You can keep up with my adventures on my travel blog (which recently reached 10,000 views!).

 I'm planning posts for this blog as well: my review of The Kennedys' West, a piece on Canadian musicians and an exploration of the music that has so far defined my time in Salamanca, which includes Nanci Griffith, Céline Dion, Robin Gibb and Suzanne Vega.

 So watch this space!

 Thanks for reading; I hope you are having a nice summer (or whatever season it is in your part of the world!)

 Liz x

20,000 views!

 Hello!

 I am delighted to see that this blog has reached 20,000 pageviews! 

 I started it in 2011 because I felt a real urge to share with others the songs and artists I respect and to give my opinion on musical issues. Four years later, I feel I have succeeded. 

 Highlights have included choosing songs for Radio 2, interviewing The Kennedys and Eddi Reader, meeting Edwina Hayes and Kieran Goss and attracting the attention of Martika, Paul Young, John Illsley and Mark O'Connor. 

 I want to thank all of my readers for your support. Here's to another four years and hopefully many more views!

 Liz x

Strumming in Southport

 Hello!

 This blog has been going for four years now, has evolved a great deal and has seen some amazing shows, albums, interviews, lyrics and - most crucially - some amazing musicians have graced its posts.

 One constant that has become almost a tradition and certainly one of my favourite things to do on here is writing up Kennedys concerts. 

 I realised the other night that I have now seen them five times in the just-over-three-years I have known them. Considering we live on different continents, I'd say that is a pretty cool achievement on both my and their parts.

 The last three of these five shows have been at the same wonderful venue - the Atkinson in Southport. The first two of these - in 2013 and 2014 - were tribute shows to Nanci Griffith, with whom both Pete and Maura Kennedy have worked on-off for over twenty years.

 In May 2015 I set off for my third Southport show. This time the Kennedys would be doing their own songs - from not one but two new albums. It promised to be a night to remember.

 Not only that, but Grateful Fred would be hosting and playing. Grateful Fred's collaboration with the Kennedys and Edwina Hayes in 2014 created a beautiful, colourful evening of noise and spirit and I was looking forward to seeing what they could magic up together this time.

 As if that wasn't enough, Liverpudlian songwriter Alun Parry would be playing a set. I wasn't familiar with Alun's material but Grateful Fred picks good acts so I was keen to hear what Alun had to offer.

 NB: The video clips in this post are not mine; they are from YouTube but are from the night. The guy filming was actually almost directly in front of me, so you're seeing pretty much exactly what I did, only without the irreplaceable magic of being there and feeling the energy crackling in the air.

 The photos were taken mainly by me with possibly a few by my mother (we were using the same camera). Use them as you like but please credit Elizabeth Gibson and a link back to this blog would be nice!

 The night began for me with a hug from the ever-lovely Maura Kennedy and a chat with Pete and with Colin of Grateful Fred's. Then Alun Parry took to the stage.

 His first two songs were upbeat - although both had bitter-sweet lyrics - and he encouraged the audience to join in which was fun and got the room nicely warmed up for the evening.

 Next he performed "Bring Love", a swinging, hopeful tune which has been stuck in my head since! Then came the song that I will remember most from his set and one of the stand-out tunes of the night: "I Want Rosa to Stay", a very moving discussion of immigration. 

 The blue lights and smoke machine fitted beautifully with this song and the whole ambiance was incredibly effective.

 He then performed "If Harry Don't Go", a smoky, catchy ditty about famous docker Harry Constable and the rousing "Union Hall".

 He finished with "a slow song, which I don't normally do," in the form of "Climb", a quiet but strong little song about getting through hard times. In my eyes, ending on it was certainly the right choice.

 Overall, I enjoyed Alun's set and am glad to have been introduced to his good, strong folk voice, diverse range of styles and subject matter and charming Liverpudlian patter. It was very pleasant re-listening to his songs for this write-up and I intend to explore more of his music.

 We were then treated to Grateful Fred's ukulele trio. The last time I saw Grateful Fred's band there was a more diverse range of instruments and so I was surprised and intrigued to see the ukes. I was keen to hear what the three would play and how they would work together.

 The result was startling and wonderful, for me. I had imagined three ukuleles together could produce a limited sound and musical landscape - and that landscape was sweet, pretty, summery. 

 What I heard from this trio was a stunning range of colours and timbres. While there were the sweet, pretty, summery tunes such as "Just A-Roaming Round" and "Lean on Me", there was also the blues-y "Enjoy the Ride" and the dark, 50s-esque "Say You Will Remember Me".

 However, the highlight of their set and again, one of the highlights of the whole evening, was their gorgeous rendition of Cat Stevens' "Here Comes My Baby". 

 I'd probably heard the Cat Stevens version at some point in my youth as my parents are fans of his, but I didn't have it clearly in my memory and so this version was quite fresh for me. I loved it. 

 I'm so glad someone recorded it and put it on YouTube, so it is immortal. It was one of those performances where you just feel so privileged to be there because it is amazing and you know it will become - in your eyes at least - a classic. Even as I was listening I felt this.

 The three worked off one another beautifully: a great, husky lead vocal, nicely harmonising backing vocals and some top-class uke work including several amazing solos.

 I can't believe what I've discovered from YouTube: that it was a seven-song set. It seemed like less; the whole thing seemed to go by in a joyous blur of great music.

 We then had a brief break and I got to meet Alun and have the customary photo with the Kennedys. I must make a montage of the five I now have. Neither of them ever seems to change the tiniest bit!

 The Kennedys then jumped onto stage for their first set. The songs were all from their two new albums: West by the Kennedys and Villanelle by Maura Kennedy.

 They burst into the title track from West with their omnipresent dynamism and verve and fire. They are always a joy to listen to as well as to photograph - both the light and the dark love the Kennedys and their red guitars.

 I will review both albums as soon as possible but in the mean time let me tell you they are both brilliant. I mean it in the literal sense of the word: they both radiate lovliness and power.

 Villanelle is Maura's second solo album and is a collaboration with her poet/professor friend B.D. Love. They concocted a plan together: he would send her pieces of poetry and she would fit them to music. 

 The poems could be any style, not just music-friendly ballads, and Maura had to retain the original structure of the poem.

 Considering this strictness, it is truly amazing how effortless the songs sound. Beautiful and fluid. B.D. Love is a fabulous lyricist - I wasn't familiar with his work previously but hope to encounter more of it.

 Among my favourites performed tonight were "I Cried to Dream Again", based on the Shakespeare quote and "Mockingbird", one of those songs you're sure you must have heard before as it has such a classic, timeless folk beat and in which Maura's ever-gorgeous voice sounds exquisitely haunting.

 West is a celebration of the Kennedys' twentieth anniversary as a married couple and as a musical duo. It combines their established upbeat, hopeful folk-rock sound with a newer wild, raw Americana sound inspired by their trips Out West.

 As always they work perfectly and passionately together and each song is not just a song but an experience. It is a real honour and privilege to be present at a Kennedys concert; they perform every show as if it were their first and last.

 My favourites from West include Pete's message of hope and encouragement "Jubilee Time" and the jangly, chaotic and wonderful "Bodhisattva Blues".

 However, the very best and up with "Mockingbird" as the highlight of the Kennedys' performance was "Elegy", a truly beautiful and hard-hitting song. 

"Crimson and Clover on a hillside bright, I wonder where you are tonight." 

 It was only later that I found out it is an elegy for Dave Carter, who wrote "When I Go", a song of which the Kennedys do a heartbreakingly perfect cover. Suddenly "Elegy" made much more sense - there are many images reminiscent of those Dave Carter would create. 

 That being said, I think the ultimate beauty is that you wouldn't know for certain who it is about just from the song; it could be about anybody whom those words and images evoke for you. 

 It might not even be someone who's died, maybe just somebody you have lost if you stretch the sense of "elegy" a bit. I didn't hear that word the first time around and just heard it as a love song, one with real devotion behind it. 

 That, for me, is the power of this song; each person can attach their own meaning to it and make it poignant and personal to them.

 There was one song on West with which I was familiar before the creation of the album, and that is "The Queen of Hollywood High" by John Stewart, which was performed by Maura at a John Stewart tribute concert. 

 The YouTube video fast became one of my favourite things to watch. Maura is clearly so happy and proud and thankful to be singing this song and paying hommage to her friend and hero.

 So I was delighted to see that this song would be appearing on West and hoped against hope that it would feature in the concert. And it did! 

 I sat there drinking it in and thinking, this is a momentous occasion and I am here and I am so happy.

 It was also great to see Pete perform his evergreen "Rhapsody in Uke" and hear the story behind it again. It is so fascinating to see Pete in his own world, completely absorbed and creating such incredible music.

 The Kennedys then teamed up with Alun and the Uke Trio for a final rousing shindig. As with last time, all three acts worked off one another joyously and harmoniously. It was a great end to the night.

 I got home by train for midnight - although it sadly wasn't the Midnight Ghost. My head was full of songs from all three acts that I knew would become favourites. 

 I had aquired three albums - West, Villanelle and Pete's instrumental album Tone, Twang and Taste - and rest assured I will post reviews of all three.

 I cannot recommend the Kennedys enough - they never, ever disappoint. Or, if you live in the North of England, consider trying a Grateful Fred's night in Southport; the two I've been to have had great music and have been really good fun.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

P.S. Check out my interview with The Kennedys!