New Music Monday #78

On For You EP

by Michelle Xen (out now)

“In the distance, see the light glow, on for, on for, on for you!” Like a shining beacon of light in Brisbane’s ocean of indie rock/pop, Michelle Xen is a new entity carving a path through the waters greatly lacking in similar species of electronica.


On For You is the new EP project from Michelle Xen, featuring 5 singles and 5 accompanying videos (one officially released thus far) that will be released in the near future and features a cover of the popular Kendrick Lamar song, ‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’. If you like your electro adventures fierce and sexy, brimming in dark energy, pulsing with light and bass heavy beats that make you move like a marionette puppet controlled by an evil dance master, then this EP will serve as the first dose to trigger a desperate Xen addiction.


'Lose My Cool', is the first of the 5 singles which was released a couple of weeks ago and showcases Michelle Xen’s animalistic side which seemingly does NOT like roses at all. It sounds something like a jilted lover making heavy breathing, pleading phone calls in order to rationalize her irrationality, over an ominous bass punching backing track that lends well to the maniacal theme in the song.


Xen’s vocals are both soft and soaring, and confident throughout the 5 tracks. The standouts on the EP are the title track 'On For You', 'My Cells' and 'Electric Comb'. All the tracks are individually strong and the surprise of the 5 is ‘Swimming Pools’, a song I hadn’t heard of until MKS did a version of it earlier in the year and when I heard Kendrick’s original I wasn’t impressed, however Michelle Xen not only gives it her own treatments but impressively makes it a track I not only gladly listen to but dare I say, REALLY enjoy.


Since I first discovered the gorgeous soundscapes of Michelle Xen in a live show early this year I willingly fell in her trance-inducing web. Now that I’m getting the chance to hear those tunes again, my addiction only grows, especially seeing as I’m able to dissolve myself into her visual worlds. I’ve been waiting for this kind of entertainer to emerge from Brisbane’s talented pool of musical artists and Michelle Xen’s On For You EP promises to stand out as something quite special.

Nayt Housman gives the On For You EP four and a half Roisin Murphy heads out of five...

Astrid and The Asteroids EP

by Astrid and The Asteroids (out now)

"Because I'm so unique and so are all my friends." 

Well, that's certainly true of Astrid and The Asteroids. With their new self-titled EP, AATA return with an even tighter sound and show off a range that spans the galaxy. I don't just mean the powerful range of Astrid Jorgensen's vocals either. Brisbane's best emerging band go on a genre hopping journey on the Astrid and The Asteroids EP that will leave you swooning in your seats, dancing around like you're in a Beyonce video and stopping to take a moment to truly appreciate how talented this band is. You'll likely do all of those things on opening track 'West End'... especially the Beyonce dancing. 

Who knew that a song taking a playful dig at Brisbane's hippest suburb could be so much fun? There's not a lot of genuinely 'fun' music out there at the moment. It can be a little drab and all too serious out there in the big bad music world right now, but 'West End' sets the fun meter to 11 and shoots itself off in a rocket that takes you along for the ride. An energetic opening like this is hard to ignore and there's a lot to love. I'm talking rock and roll trumpet, singing ironically with really breathy tones and hipster sledging lyrical goodness. 

An exciting opening number leads into the second single, 'Autopsy'. I once read that Tina Fey is the thinking man's sex symbol, which is just crazy because she should just be Tina Fey, sex symbol to all. There's a point in here somewhere and it comes back to me looking at 'Autopsy' as intelligent pop music. It's very 'smart' with fascinating lyrics that tell the story of a Texan clock tower shooter, Charles Whitman. You want to know more and more about the dark and sad story that Astrid is telling you right from the very beginning. "Five knocks on the doctor's door, don't know what I am asking for, but I feel fine." 'Autopsy' might be smart, but those required 'pop magic' sensibilities aren't sacrificed in the name of good storytelling. There's a gripping hook that will work its way into your brain, thrilling build-ups to the chorus and a whole heap of lines to singalong with.

'Old Friend' is a sweet R&B detour that definitely brings that swoon factor we were discussing earlier. A chilled out number with beautiful harmonies that teeters on the edges of slow-jam glory and funk-infused balladry. This current vibe is carried through to 'Love Right' and you will love this, alright. Yes, that is a statement, not a question. Is it getting a little steamy in here, or is it just this sleek and oh so sexy tune? "Think fast and move slow, 'cause I know that we're doing love right, doing love right." Yes. Yes you are. 

Saving the most suitably 'epic' number for last, 'House of Cards' is one of those brilliant slow-burners that gradually pulls you further and further into the band's world. This expertly layered final number starts with a simple piano arrangement and Astrid's lines, "all the walls are closing in, all the walls so paper thin," before adding in more and more. Expect beating drums, dramatic guitar lines and a stunning conclusion that will have you racing to hit repeat. I've been hitting repeat for what feels like weeks now and I don't see myself tiring of that anytime soon. 

Astrid and The Asteroids have unleashed another intergalactic knockout with their self-titled sophomore EP. Don't just take my word for it... go forth to infinity and beyond or something and give it a listen yourself (last space-ish reference, I promise). Astrid and The Asteroids won't leave you disappointed.

Matt Bond gives the Astrid and The Asteroids EP five Amanda Palmer heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:

Hide

by Little May

EP: TBA (???, 2014)

Little May knocks another one out of the park with Sean Dooley’s stunning video for the bewitching ‘Hide’. There’s hocus and pocus, with the build to a raging bonfire in the forest at night which suitably matches the dramatic tone of the track. Despite my camp language, the clip doesn’t suffer from any such nonsense. It calls to mind the heretical dance from The Crucible more than wacky Samantha Stephens’ hijinks on Bewitched and I think we can all agree this is a good thing. Dooley’s shots grab your attention from the opening lonely walk home, the view from the driver’s seat on the open road, the mysterious flashes of our leading ladies from Little May and, of course, the final dance that’s equal parts cool, mysterious and beautiful. You should already be loving them now, but if you didn’t have Little May on your list of acts to watch in 2014, ‘Hide’ will make you change your ways. I can’t wait to hear and see what comes next from this powerful trio. 

Matt Bond gives the video for 'Hide' four PJ Harvey heads out of five...       

Shiver

by Avec Sans (out now)

Let me tell you about all the times I've listened to Avec Sans 'Shiver' since I spoke about it last week. I've listened in my car, I've listened on my walk to work, I listened on the street during my lunch break while I watched the world rush by, I listened on my walk home from work, I listened while I cleaned my house on the weekend, I listened while I baked some cupcakes, I listened on headphones in the corner of my lounge while my housemate watched TV at the other end of the room, in fact, this is one of those songs that has become part of my daily existence at the moment, I've listened to it so many times. So, imagine my excitement, when, not long after I reviewed it last week, the clip was released.


It's simple and it's adorable and, like the song itself, it's not what I expected from this fabulous duo, so therefore, it's somehow even more lovable. Alice Fox is fabulously fantastic, her 80s inspired makeup perfectly matching the beats and dancing around with all sorts of 80s looking graphics popping around her make it hard to keep your eyes from the screen. I'm no musician, but Jack St James certainly looks like he knows what he's doing amongst all the effects and it's kind of funny how this clip was made by the same person, Sing J Lee, who made the CHVRCHES clip I spoke of last week. What a small world it is. Or maybe not.


Either way, this is a super cute clip I adore and the best part is that now as I bounce around manically as I listen to Avec Sans on the street, in my car and in my house, I have an excuse. I'm just re-enacting the clip, don't you know?

Jo Michelmore gives the video for Shiver four Shirley Manson heads out of five...

Hard Out Here

by Lily Allen

Album: TBA (???, 2014)

So Lily Allen makes a pretty solid statement about the objectification of women in music, especially African American women, and ends up in the news for being racist and anti-feminist. What? What world is this? ‘Hard Out Here’ and the accompanying video takes a satirical dig at your Britneys (you’d better work/it’s hard out here for a… etc.), your Robin Thicke’s (Robin Thicke has a big…/Lily Allen has a baggy…), your Miley and Rihannas (twerk, twerk, twerk) and those that are actually responsible for encouraging misogyny in the music industry.  But Lily Allen is an anti-feminist, racist British mother who came from a privileged background and is part of the problem and part of the corporate machine blah, blah, blah. Allen’s response to the “controversial” clip came via her Twitter account:

"1. If anyone thinks for a second that I requested specific ethnicities for the video, they're wrong.

2. If anyone thinks that after asking the girls to audition, I was going to send any of them away because of the colour of their skin, they're wrong.

3. The message is clear. Whilst I don’t want to offend anyone. I do strive to provoke thought and conversation. The video is meant to be a lighthearted satirical video that deals with objectification of women within modern pop culture. It has nothing to do with race, at all.

4. If I could dance like the ladies can, it would have been my arse on your screens; I actually rehearsed for two weeks trying to perfect my twerk, but failed miserably. If I was a little braver, I would have been wearing a bikini too, but I do not and I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see. What I’m trying to say is that me being covered up has nothing to do with me wanting to disassociate myself from the girls, it has more to do with my own insecurities and I just wanted to feel as comfortable as possible on the shoot day.

5. I'm not going to apologise because I think that would imply that I’m guilty of something, but I promise you this, in no way do I feel superior to anyone, except paedophiles, rapists murderers etc., and I would not only be surprised but deeply saddened if I thought anyone came away from that video feeling taken advantage of,or compromised in any way."

If you’re not adverse to a bit of intelligent, thought provoking fun and don't happen to be completely insane, hate women or participate in race-bating, you should get a good kick out of this video. It was good enough for Adele, Ellie Goulding, P!nk, Laura Mvula and Lena Dunham. Welcome back, Lily Allen. You've been missed.

Matt Bond gives the video for 'Hard Out Here' three and a half Ellie Goulding heads out of five... 
 

Top 25 - 17 November, 2013

Lily Allen returns and storms to the top of this year's last Top 25!

Songs of the Week, 17/11/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Lily Allen - Hard Out Here (NEW)





2. Phebe Starr - Tonight





3. Warpaint - Love Is To Die





4. Eminem ft. Rihanna - The Monster





5. Michelle Xen - Electro Comb (NEW)





6. Major Leagues - Silver Tides





7. Little May - Hide (Re-Entry)





8. The Night - Like This (NEW)





9. Architecture In Helsinki - In The Future (Re-Entry)





10. His Merry Men - Gold





11. Hamish Anderson - Winter (NEW)





12. The Griswolds - Mississippi (Re-Entry)





13. Astrid and The Asteroids - House of Cards





14. Lady Gaga ft. R Kelly - Do What U Want





15. Pigeon - Two Moon Love (NEW)





16. Hayden Calnin - Coward





17. Abbe May - Perth Girls





18. Chvrches - Lies (Re-Entry)


 



19. Say Lou Lou - Beloved





20. The Naked and Famous - I Kill Giants





21. I'll Be an Indian - Nowhere (NEW)





22. Cloud Control - Promises (NEW)





23. Bec Sandridge - Stones





24. Ariela Jacobs - The Sound





25. Lady Gaga - Dope

It's My Kind Of Interview - Dear Plastic

DEAR PLASTIC'S

SCARLETTE BACCINI

Interview by Lou Endicott

First of all thank you for joining us!

Scarlette: Thanks so much for having me!


You have a unique sound that is reminiscent of 90s trip hop mixed with vocals that would sit comfortably in a 60s female driven power ballad. Can you tell us a little about how the outfit came together and who it includes?

Scarlette: Josh Moult and I started writing songs together a long time ago. It was just for fun, but then we were offered a gig supporting a band of 11-year-olds. We asked Josh’s guitarist pal Danny Cox to help us come up with a set, and after two mad weeks of writing, those kids wiped the floor with us. Then last year, Nathan Clark took over our terrible electric beats with his killer ones, and Cory Mollison joined us with drums, and we formed Dear Plastic.

Your songs embody beautiful lyrics and moody soundscapes that include electronic synths. You also use traditional sounds such as piano. How do you song write? Is it a collaboration or is an idea brought to the group to flesh out? Where do you draw ideas from?

Scarlette: Thanks! The writing usually begins with Josh or Danny, and I’ll write lyrics and vocal melodies around that. Then Josh and Nathan work their magic with the synths – I have no idea what goes on there, it all takes place in the terrifying mess-cave of Josh’s bedroom, where they build everything themselves between electric shocks. The rest, we flesh out together.

The ideas come from all different places – sometimes a whole song bubbles out of experiments with the synths. I studied science, and became obsessed with space and biology, so I like tying those themes into stories about human life and feelings.

You have recently done a few shows around Melbourne. What can audiences expect at a Dear Plastic gig?

Scarlette: You can expect us all to be eclipsed by Josh and Nathan’s huge racks of synths. Those beasts steal the spotlight at every show. I seem to be great at alienating audiences with terrible inter-song banter and bad puns, too.

Who are your own personal music heroes? Is there a band or artist whose career inspires you?

Scarlette: During my teen years I was mental about Bjork – I think that’s fairly apparent in my singing. She’s my main lady. Nowadays I have a very long list of heroes, including Betty Davis, Nina Simone, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder... and perhaps my maddest props at the moment go to Scott Walker.

Career-wise, I’d look to Radiohead - they seem like genuinely nice people, and they push themselves to make music that hasn’t been heard before. They trust their listeners to be up for the challenge. I hope I can be brave enough to emulate that. And I’m always inspired by singers who aren’t afraid to sing off-key.

Your single 'Everything’s Coming Up Roses' is a delightful and trippy track. And the film clip to match is a dreamy wave of organic looking imagery. Can you tell us a little about the process of recording this song and the making of the clip?

Scarlette: Cheers! ‘Roses’ was the very last song we wrote for the album, so it came at the end of a huge learning curve. I think we were all feeling more comfortable with writing and with each other – the song came together fairly effortlessly.

The clip was made by Chiral Media, who are dear friends of ours, and similarly science-minded people. ‘Roses’ was filmed in a fish tank filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients that turned to a foul sludge by the end of several takes. Then they did some funky things with projections – it took hardly any computer trickery, and I think it’s the organic nature of the textures that makes them so pleasant to watch.

Scarlette, you are an illustrator as well as a musician. You even have your own comic book “Zombolette”. How does this visual side of your creative self balance with the musical side?

Scarlette: Music and illustration both come down to storytelling for me, they’re two sides of the same coin. I tend to flip-flop between obsessions with each medium. Once mixing is done, I’m planning to make a comic that goes with our songs – hopefully in time for the release of the album. 

When you’re not making comics or making music tell us what occupies your time.

Scarlette: I try to keep up the science stuff where I can – I’m in the Daintree forest at the moment actually, helping out with a study of Ryparosa trees! I need to force myself to go on excursions so I don’t atrophy in my lounge-room, since my other hobbies are collecting game consoles and sitting on the couch. 

Randomania: 

Best song to listen to after a heartbreak? 

Scarlette: Depends on the heartbreak! I always want the songs to make it worse. So maybe ‘Real Love’ (The Beatles). Salt in the wound.

Song to get your boogie on? 

Scarlette: Marvin Gaye – 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine'. Followed by everything else that Motown released.

An instrument you wish you could play? 

Scarlette: Piano - as well as Herbie Hancock, please.

Favourite album as a child? 

Scarlette: I was a great lover of Elvis and David Bowie as a kid... so of course the first album I bought for myself was Ren & Stimpy’s ‘You Eediot!’.

A visual artist whose work you love? 

Scarlette: Frida Kahlo.

Best advice given to you? 

Scarlette: "Just be the best you that you can be." Cheesy but choice words from my mother.

Massive thanks to Scarlette for taking the time to answer some questions! Dear Plastic's new single, 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' is available now over on Bandcamp - buy it now at 'name your price' rates.

10 and 1 - Ke$ha Goes To Dinosaur Land...

Ke$ha... destined for the bright lights of Broadway?

10 New Musical Ideas

Inspired by SPEARS: The Gospel According To Britney

by Matt Bond

Did you hear the one about the musical that would tell the story of Jesus through the songs of Britney Spears? It wasn't a joke. It was a true story, something that actually happened and by all accounts it was pretty good. Personally, I'm already a bigger fan of it than Jesus Christ Superstar. Only days after being informed of the existence of SPEARS: The Gospel According To Britney, I saw that Alanis Morissette was planning a jukebox musical based on her Jagged Little Pill album. Now that is going to be a good 'un. You're in a theatre... the character on stage is singing about going down on you in a theatre. That's going to be all kinds of awkward. Anyway, it got me thinking. What's next? Which pop stars are going to look to musical theatre as a new source of income and what wacky story ideas could they use. If Britney and Jesus could go together I'm thinking some of these just might work. As is the '10 and 1' way to play, I'll leave you with one musical they probably shouldn't look at making. Enjoy! 

THE 10:

The Music: Ke$ha

The Story: The Land Before Time aka Dinosaurs aka Bearded Cavemen

I even came up with the title Ke$ha Goes To Dinosaur Land for this one, which in no way steals from a Jenna Maroney film. Ke$ha would obviously have to play herself for every performance, because no one else could do it justice. The story is pretty simple: Ke$ha gets sent back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, hooks up with some bearded cave dudes, punches out a T-Rex and parties... all the time. Her timeless single, 'Die Young', could be used as an acoustic ballad lamenting the limited life expectancy of neanderthals. Or something... the party don't start until she walks in! 

The Music: Ice-T

The Story: Law and Order: SVU-sical

How has this not been done already? You've got song titles like 'Cop Killer', 'Killers', 'You Don't Quit', 'I'm Your Pusher', 'Lethal Weapon', 'The Girl Tried To Kill Me' and 'Police Story'. Ice-T's already one of the star's of the show, so there's that. And if they can't get Mariska Hargitay to step up and belt out a tune, just get T's wife Coco to play Detective Olivia Benson. Everyone's a winner! 

The Music: Backstreet Boys

The Story: Something to do with One Direction

It's already much more interesting because you don't have to listen to a single One Direction song. 

The Music: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Story: The Tudors 

Every single time someone gets executed (and in this story that happens pretty much every ten seconds) the chorus can bust out a little bit of 'Heads Will Roll' - "off, off, off with your head, dance, dance, dance 'til you're dead." You can tie 'Sacrilege' into Henry VIII getting out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and young, rebellious Princess Mary can bust a move through the palace as she sings 'Zero'. And do you know what Henry's later life coat of arms had on it? A 'Gold Lion'. That's what. 

The Music: Madonna

The Story: Dracula: Death and Disco

Let me set the scene for you. We're in Transylvania at Count Dracula's creepy castle. Man-servant to the stars, Renfield has just fearfully informed his master that Jonathan Harker has escaped and is on his way back to London to warn everyone of Dracula's existence. You're expecting Dracula to react violently... but what's that? A disco ball emerges from the ceiling and a jubilant Dracula turns around, throws off his cape and screams that they'll be taking a holiday! Madonna's 'Holiday' begins to play, Dracula dances with his vampire brides, Renfield busts out some crazy moves and you have a Tony Award winning musical on your hands. Come at me, producers. 

The Music: Avril Lavigne

The Story: Romeo and Juliet: An Emo Love Story

Romeo's a boy, Juliet's a girl... can I make it anymore obvious? Romeo's a punk, Juliet does ballet... what more can I say? Romeo wanted her, she'd never tell, but secretly Juliet wanted him as well. All of Juliet's friends, stuck up their nose, they had a problem with his baggy clothes. For Romeo was a skater boy and so on and so forth. As much as it pains me to not combine Shakespeare with his modern day equivalent, Ke$ha, the music of Mrs. Nickelback really speaks to this classic love story. And Taylor Swift would just be too obvious... baby, just say yes. 

The Music: Anything written by Sia

The Story: American Idol: The Musical

Art imitating life imitating art, but not. This would be fun. It would be like paying $50 to go see something you could watch for free on the TV. And since Sia has played a part in writing every single song that's ever been popular and thus performed on reality television, they might as well just use her music. It is, however, unlikely that a song performed by Sia will be used. Just the songs she's written for the Guetta's, Rihanna's and Britney's of the world.

The Music: Amy Winehouse

The Story: The Robert Downey Jusical

Now you're thinking that maybe I'm not so crazy... 

The Music: Adele

The Story: The Mortal Kombat-sical

  ... which is a mistake you won't make again. But really, you should have known better after that whole Madonna/Dracula debacle. Want me to set the scene again for you? Sub-Zero sings 'Someone Like You' to Scorpion. Alright, alright, I'll stop.

The Music: Lady Gaga

The Story: Pirates of the Caribbean

Yeah, I've got nothing. But Pirates are huge, Gaga's huge... with their powers combined, they could be the biggest thing in ever. Ever I say! Sword fights on the high seas while everyone's singing 'Poker Face'. Johnny Depp reprising his role as Jack Sparrow. Gaga playing the Kraken or something. If Spider-Man: The Musical can work, this one can too.

THE ONE: 

The Music: Nicki Minaj

The Story: Barbie's Skanky Sunday

This is the right kind of crazy. It's so crazy, that it might just work! Who am I kidding, this is the worst one yet. Even worse than that Adele/Mortal Kombat one, which I think could really work if you'd just approach it with an open mind. Anyway, we'll spare Barbie having to drop some dope rhymes about having beez in her trap... for now. 

See you all on Broadway! I'm a staaaar, I'm on top.... somebody bring me some haaaaaaam! Shut up, I've been watching a lot of 30 Rock lately and by lately I mean this year.

It's My Kind Of Interview - Clare Bowditch

CLARE BOWDITCH

Interview by Nayt Housman

HI CLARE! Thanks for having a lil chitchat with me. Are you well? 

Clare: So well! Thank you!

In the “spirit” (woooOOOoooOOoo) of Halloween (which was awhile ago), I like to think of you as a mermaid, so as a siren of the sea what song would you sing to lure sailors into your musical web?

Clare: This Mortal Coil's version of the Tim Buckley "Song to the Siren"

What’s the best/weirdest thing you’ve ever done for Halloween?

Clare: Asked strangers for lollies. That's kinda wierd, don't ya think?

Congrats on doing Woodford at the end of the year! There are some pretty big names in this years’ lineup who is at the top of your “to see” list?

Clare: I can't say: too many. I'm just gonna show up and not sleep for a few days. You?

You are a big supporter of helping young creatives achieve their goals with your project Big Hearted Business so are there any new talents you’re excited to check out?

Clare: All of them really! I love being in the presence of both apprentices and masters!

What can we expect from the Clare Bowditch experience on stage at Woodford this year, maybe some new tunes (wink, wink)?

Clare: There will be 11 of us: Our biggest band ever!

Seeing as you have the luxury of two points of view, what makes Woodford special as an artist and as a spectator?

Clare: Exactly the same things; the thought that has gone into the event, and the quick-little-community those deep roots allow us all the build. It's offers the perfect mixture of intelligence and hedonistic dancing, don't you think?

Tell us about your favourite festival or live performance experience?

Clare: Ask me after Woodford! 

I remember seeing you owning it on ABC’s Q&A and do you realize you interviewed Julia Gillard (I’m sure you do but when did the reality set in?)??? Tell us about your experiences as a social and political commentator?

Clare: Look, I'm not a politician, which makes it easy to speak my mind, you know? That's all I ever do: some people agree, some disagree, and I insist on maintaining the right to contradict myself. Makes any job easy!

Your talents are certainly not limited to music as you’re the creator of Big Hearted Business, supporting young creatives, you’re Secretary of Music Victoria as well as having a bash at acting in the SUPER successful Offspring, performing on the stage, AND you’ve written for the likes of Harper’s Bazaar/Rolling Stone (jealous) among other fabulous endeavors (Wikipedia told me so). What’s next on the bucket list of what Claire Bowditch can do? Please tell me you’re an expert at macramé and crochet?

Clare: I want to plant frangipani and avocado trees all over Melbourne and somehow magically make them grow. It's a big challenge but I reckon it's possible...

You’re definitely one of the darlings of Australian music. At this point in your career how do you reflect on it and what can we expect in the future?

Clare: Not at all! I figure the trick to making music is just to keep making it. That's what you can expect more of!

My sister (Tania) and niece (Isabella) are pretty much your biggest fans EVER so I asked them to give me a question each for you (I think they lost a bit of bodily control when I told them I was doing a Q&A with you ^_^).

Isabella asks what is your fave song (of your own) and why?

Clare: Can you please give Iso a big hug from me and say "G'day" to her?

I love Pearl Fishers by Bizet: it's just sad and happy and beautiful and has history for me. I also like "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce and "Eye of the Tiger".

Tania wants to know what inspired you to write the song ‘A Lucky Life’ as she really relates to it as a mummy person?

Clare: Just the contradiction of parenthood, and my acute joy and fear when it comes to raising walking hearts in a broken world. I know she'll get it.

Plus can I be super cheeky and ask you to give a shout out to my niece for her birthday on Nov. 5th? I’m vying for Uncle of the year.

Clare: I am so sorry I missed it! Give her my love!!!

On that note, I love knowing if musicians have some kind of writing rituals. What’s your writing process like and do you find a recurring source of inspiration or theme that gets you going?

Clare: Lots of feeling: both euphoria and utter "I can't do this" feelings. The trick is to do it regardless, and transform the confusion into something that means something.

And finally this is my patented Abstract-o-matic question. If your music were a household appliance, what would it be?

 

Clare: Is a fireplace an appliance? Um... a teapot? Not so much? Well... Perhaps a cork screw? Um... Crikey...

Thank you SO much Clare! You are an absolute joy! Nayt

Clare: You rock xoxoxoxoxxxxx 


The incredibly talented Clare Bowditch performs at the Woodford Folk Festival on Sunday (December 29) at 8:00pm! Tickets are still available for the festival and you can get them right HERE! 

The Candy Shop #28

Nayt. Skate. Heartbreak.

by Nayt Housman

I had a relationship that has been on and off since I was 12, but Friday night it all came to an end. I’ve blogged about this relationship before and decided to rekindle the love again. That’s right, I was in love with Roller Skating but our last date ended badly. This is what went down.


It was like old times, I arrived, put on my skates, my friends arrived and it was all “Xanadu” fantasy like.

We got rolling, it was freeing, like we’d never stopped. Music sounds better with you baby.

Then some skank got in the way, all up in my stopper. I had nowhere to go but dowwwwwwn. Bitch got in between us and it was a wreck.

I could only see one thing keep me from totally falling on my arse. A boob. I grabbed a boob. It didn’t go down well (just replace “pillow” in “everybody needs a bosom for a pillow” with “handle”).

My night was over. I was a mess my relationship had abruptly ended and I couldn’t even put my shoe on or walk.

I woke up Saturday morning; I knew something was dire, so off to the Accident and Emergency I went.

Diagnosis? Broken ankle and broken heart…

 The lesson learned? Love is a bloodsport...

So that’s it. This is my farewell to Roller Skating. It’s been a beautiful relationship but for all the happiness you brought me, you caused more pain. I loved you Roller Skating, but we can no longer be together. At least not until my ankle heals…