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The Fever by Crooked Tongues
Taken from their debut EP Headrush >>Click here to download<<
@CT_Leeds
Rock the Rock
As your guide to all that’s hot, fab, and undiscovered in the beautiful 166 square miles of Barbados, when I heard about the Rock the Rock concert you know I had to check it out!
This new event showcased local, regional and international acts, all with an alternative sound. It was set on the breezy, gorgeous East Coast of the island in an area called Bath, from midday till about 9pm. I expected a Glastonbury-type festival atmosphere and for the most part that’s what I got. However, apparently in Barbados this is more of a T in the Park summer vibe, with bikinis and flip flops dominating!
Every single act was a hit, although we were a bit confused by the Vanna Vee performance (think lip-syncing to dance music with bits of cloth attached). Weird. Local acts like Simon Pipe and the crowd-drawing Threads of Scarlet ‘mashed up the dance,’ while Trinidadian band Kin Sibling Rivalry was another standout. As the sun went down the true rock vibe took over and the lovely Cover Drive brought the house down (yes that was me in front the stage mouthing along to ‘Twilight’ and staring at Jamar's abs)
Nexcyx closed off the night and although they are quite popular and perform frequently around the island, for most of the other acts this was the first time I’d seen them outside of your neighbourhood dive bar, but, I have to say they all sounded damn good. I cannot wait to see this become a regular event on the Bajan calendar, Barbados has so much talent and it needs a showcase!
Check out some of the concert fashion onstage and off that my talented photog Nicholas McGeary spotted. Full album here.
Jessica Symonds
FU interviewed London Singer Jessica Symonds:
Since I was about 12 years old
What made you decide, right, I want to be a singer?
When I was 14 I got involved in a project called ADP (Artist development programme) at the Hackney Empire Theatre. I met so many other young talented artists, together we devised a show to be performed at the theatre and I was so inspired by the whole project, I knew this was what I wanted to do.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d say the dominant styles are Rock/Soul/Pop
Who are your musical influences?
Wow, I have so many; Nirvana, Billy Holiday, Etta James, Coldplay, Eryka Badu, Michael Jackson, Jessie J, Noisettes, Rihanna, Tina Turner and so many more. But I think the artists who have personally really inspired me are Beyonce for her Powerful stage presence, Amy Winehouse for the raw truthfulness in her voice and lyrics and my mum!
In terms of superstar singers who would you like to be as successful as & why?
I think there are so many amazing female artists out there at the moment kicking arse, and to be honest I just want to join them in some arse kicking!
With people being hailed as YouTube stars and the rise of independent artists do you still feel it’s important for you as an artist to be signed to a major or do you feel you can be equally as successful as an independent/underground artist?
I think no one can deny that artists have a hell of a lot more power now than they used to and you can really build a strong following and buzz around yourself and music independently. But I think a major does need to come in at some point, to take it a step further to reach the masses, if that’s what your aim is...
Do you have any EP’s or mixtapes out?
My debut EP’s being released this summer, so I’m super frickin’ excited to share it with everyone. I just really hope people connect and enjoy the music!!
You’re releasing your video for ‘Rockstar’ soon why do you feel it is important for artists to release music videos?
I think now that the internet and websites such as YouTube have become such powerful tools
for marketing and promoting yourself, it is extremely important to have strong visuals to go with your music in order to connect with your fans and draw more people in.As a new artist looking for some recognition would you ever consider auditioning for a reality show like Xfactor?
Xfactor does great things for some artists but it’s just not for me!
What’s next for you?
I’ve just released the video for one of my tracks off the EP ‘RockStar’ and I’ve got two more videos lined up. I’m releasing my EP in the Summer, and I’m planning to have a second part to the EP released at the end of the year, then hopefully an album next year and as all ways I’ll be gigging, writing, recording and singing me lil heart out to whoever will listen!
Mark Boutilier
After completing the Music Technology program at McKenzie College in Sydney,Canadian artist Mark Boutilier decided to focus his ambitions on songwriting. By 2009 he was already recording with Mark Scott the owner/operator of Smashbox studio in Nova Scotia.
Eager to get his music heard, Mark started recording in the September and aimed to be finished by January 2010. But while recording what was supposed to be a quick acoustic guitar and strings EP, Mark actually found himself recording a full length album which took 8 months to complete.
With upbeat, modern alternative rock tracks like Lose Another Day and Turn The Tide to adult contemporary ballads like Last Confession and A Song For Elle. Into The Sun can best be descibed as a modern, reflective, collection of songs which touch on a wide range of topics.
Although the album is now complete Mark is still working hard and plans to get his music out there anyway he can.
"I plan to promote this album any way possible, wherever possible - locally, nationally and internationally. From local restaurants/bars and busy street corners to online distribution channels, I plan on bringing my music to as wide an audience as possible."
For more info on Mark:
www.myspace.com/markboutilieruk
Gemma Mewse
If Kate Nash and Lilly Allen had a baby it would be Gemma Mewse (although Gemma is 100 times better :-) This South London girl has already performed at the Royal Variety show and will even be performing at The Camden Crawl
By looking at her, you may be forgiven for thinking that she is just another Britney bubblegum pop idol but don't be fooled this 18 year old can not only sing, but actually writes her own songs too. In 2008 she teamed up with emerging producers/remixers 2Darc Productions and has been writing her own songs ever since. Her talent is very evident on her EP Grounded.
Numpty is a guitar driven anthem about a cheating boyfriend, what makes it sound unique is that she sings it in proper south London accent, so if you're from them sides you'll already know what Numpty means, but if not the song will explain it to you. Either way theres a very big chance that you've encountered a Numpty in your life.
Peer pressure is a very big song, you can imagine people going crazy to it at a festival and singing very loudly (and out of tune) to it, it has a very [Rihanna] Shut up and Drive feel to it, it's very rock meets pop.
Stranger things is a storytelling track and Outside is definately the stand out track on the EP. It's strangely addictive, once you hear it you will literally be hearing it in your head for a good week and singing it to yourself randomly like a crazy person.
The good thing about Gemma is that she's not trying to be American, fair enough we all like American music, but, it's refreshing to hear someone singing (well) in a British accent, because sometimes it can sound a bit contrived. She's not a rich kid trying to act like a 'commoner' and thats why we like her.
Numpty
www.myspace.com/gemmamewse
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