Phew! Another great day at [TIME*],more great music and what a pleasure it was to meet so many hard working, talented, interesting and friendly people who dedicate their lives to independent music. There was a real sense of community and helpfulness and I would like to thank all the people I spoke to and congratulate the organizers on such a successful event. I really enjoyed myself, but I’m officially shattered now. I would have liked to have stayed to see the Japanese electro band De De Mouse but I’m afraid I’m a lightweight by that time and dinner and bed were beckoning.
I did stay to watch Uk band Talk to Angels who performed like their very lives depended on it – they said they were intending to play their best show ever and they certainly put their heart and souls in to it. Singer Craig could hardly speak in between songs because he was giving so much to every one and was really struggling for breath at a few points, yet as soon as the next track started he’d get this incedible second wind and give it his all, all over again. I spoke to Craig and Mickey who plays keyboard(formerly of Embrace) for my radio show earlier in
the day and they won me over with their passion, conviction and that certain Yorkshire charm I can never resist. They told me it was their intention to evoke strong emotion and really make the audience feel something. I would say they achieved their objective , I tried to resist (cos you know I’m rock hard me) but by the last song (about heart break and being desperate and alone), even I was getting a bit choked. It was stirring stuff and only the truly hard hearted could fail to be moved by the drama, tragedy and joy . I mean who could break Craig’s heart?I just wanted to give him a big hug. An accomplished band, I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about Talk to Angels very soon.
Another stand out performance was the absolutely mental and strangely wonderful ShockOlady. A Russian glam –rock/power-pop outfit with powerful stage presence and the best actual outfits I saw all weekend. The very beautiful and totally captivating frontwoman had a kind of ball gown made from a Puffa jacket material which she whipped off to reveal a red pvc corset type affair. Kind of like a raunchy Bucks Fizz or a Eurovision Lady Ga Ga –totally out there but very entertaining,and the lyrics have stayed with me “ Get you bad ass to my bed-Rock in my Bed” Indeed! Genius.
To top it all off Phil and his wife Ginger took me to a lovely little Chinese restaurant for a delicious supper where I proceeded to tell the waitress I loved her. I got a bit muddled,my GCSE French being a bit rusty and when she asked me whether I’d put too much chilli on my noodles I said “ Non, Je t’aime”( “no I love you”) rather than “non, je l’aime” (“no, I love IT”) ,she looked a bit taken aback by the strenghth of my emotion considering we had only just met.
So, much fun has been had,I’m feeling well caffeinated(many free espressos thanks for the tip Walter),well fed,well schmoozed and well knackered. Over and out From [TIME*] 2009.
A bientot mon petits choux fleurs!
Milly Moo
xx
I’m writing this live from the [TIME*] event in paris and I’m certainly feeling alive after watching Cosmos 70. Cosmos 70 are a French electronic band and their sound is immense, by turns terrifying and awe inspiring, I feel like I’ve been psychicly rearranged somewhat after being immersed in the lush psychedelic sound-scapes they produce. Wow! Seriously wow! The French do electronica so well. It’s lazy journalism to compare two groups just because they come from the same country, make intensely emotive electronica and use vocoders but I did think of Air( on a diet of Dubstep and bad acid) but I can’t resist . Dark and exhilarating, all engulfing, truly music that permeates every pore and makes you feel alive . Evoking both great joy and a sense of impending doom that woke me up much more than the six espressos I’ve consumed today. Their bio says
I’m most looking forward to the premier of Brendon Toller’s film ‘I need that Record’ which is being premiered on the Friday night, and am (not so now) secretly fantasising that Thurston Moore ,who’s featured in the film , will be in the audience-if you’re reading this Thurston, I LOVE YOU!
As far as what else is going on musicwise in my office – I am really, genuinely amped over Joss Stone’s Colour Me Free…it’s been a while since her last CD (Introducing Joss Stone, 2007), but the new album is absolutely fantastic – it’s real and it’s about being real – genuine and from the heart. I have been a die-hard follower of Joss since I first heard The Soul Sessions back in 2003, and I still love that album. I was positively predisposed to Colour Me Free before I heard it. Everyone around here expected me to rave about this album, so okay, you got it – no apologies. Colour Me Free – this is Joss at her best.
of an obsession. To the point where on Saturday I gave up usual communication and insisted on answering my boyfriend only in lyrics to Mac songs(for the sake of this exercise I also included Stevie Nicks songs).Oh no it wasn’t annoying, he loved it ! I grew up with the Mac, my Mum was a huge fan (also The Eagles, Springsteen, The Travelling Wilburys, Dire Straits etc) and I remember singing along to ‘Big Love’ on the way to my ballet lessons-the ballet was a short lived phase but my love of The Mac has endured three decades. I was struck by the huge influence Stevie Nicks incredible voice and captivating performance has had on so many modern female ‘pop-stars’ from Florence and The Machine to Destiny’s Child ( who sampled Edge Of Seventeen).I also remember Dreams being remixed as a huge clubbing anthem in my teenage raving days. What a legacy! What a band! And what a story behind it all!
I’ve been listening to another band with a pretty incredible back story, though hopefully not so much of the bed-hopping and drugs kind. Our new charter member Farris. I’m loving their song ‘We Are The Creatures’ it appeals to my love of Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure and Placebo in it’s dark discordant harmony’s and a kind of grungy/shoe-gaze feel but with a the sweetly soulful vocals of Kathleen Farris giving their sound a delicate edge. Hard to define but here’s what they say:
Jenna was born to reach people with her voice! Raised in Greenwood, Indiana, she fell in love with singing and creating music at 8 years old. As she grew so did her passion, she began performing in her youth group and then at small venues locally. Now in her twenties she still carries with her that same vision. In May of 2008, Jenna had the opportunity to record an EP Album at Curb Studio in Nashville. Her project features some of the top musicians in country music. It was mixed by Craig White and mastered by Hank Williams. The collection of songs includes a variety of styles featuring Jenna’s artistic capabilities. She is a true artist, able to capture the heart behind each and every vocal. Stay tuned for more songs that will rock your socks off. In order to give herself an opportunity to work with the best in the business, Jenna decided to take a leap of faith this January and move to Nashville. She is currently getting settled in and making plans for her future recording career. “Jenna is an amazing talent with a beautiful soul. Listen to her music. You will be moved!” – Craig White, Curb Studio Engineer.
I just found a crucifix/guitar pendent thing on the ground outside my front door-it doesn’t belong to anyone I live with…weird. I’m inclined to believe it is some spooky omen shrouded in mysterious meaning and possibly witch-craft maybe a sign from the God’s of rock’n’roll maybe it’s some ominous warning I must heed, I’m sure it’s a good thing but Halloween has got me in a magical mood and it’s spooked me somewhat. What could it mean?
