Next month marks the release of Baz Luhrmann’s eagerly anticipated film adaption of TheGreatGatsby. The soundtrack seems to be racking up as many stars as the movie, with Lana Del Rey’s offering of YoungAndBeautiful already garnering thousands of listens on Soundcloud. Del Rey – who wrote the track with Rick Nowels – recently described Luhrmann’s take on the F Scott Fitzgerald classic as “highly glamorous and exciting”.
The ballad features haunting vocals typical of Del Rey’s style, with dreamy strings and insecure lyrics. Jay-Z has curated the overall soundtrack, which also includes Beyoncé, Florence + The Machine, Andre 3000, Fergie, Jack White, will.i.am and Emeli Sandé.
The Great Gatsby debuts on May 16 in the UK with the soundtrack set to release on May 7.
Last night saw the launch of Uniqlo’s latest venture which brings together the worlds of fashion, music and art. The initiative has made its way to cities such as Tokyo, New York, Paris and Singapore, and now it’s London’s turn. The UT POP-UP is an unique concept gallery space which opens to the public today, located at The Hoxton Gallery at the Arch on Kingsland Road.
The gallery will have different art installations each weekend from renowned London-based artists Damian Weighill and Dan Freeman which look at music and art as themes, as well as a pop-up UT (UNIQLO T-shirt) store and events. There will be a private screening of the documentary on the life of Keith Haring at the UNIQLO Secret UT Cinema tonight. Other events at the concept gallery space include UNIQLO UT Sessions, a live recording session with Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs on Friday 26th April and the UNIQLO Record Fair on Saturday 27th April.
Everything is Embarrassing was labelled as one of the best pop songs of 2012 by many within the music blogosphere last year, so with her much-delayed debut album finally scheduled for release this spring, all eyes and ears are firmly fixed on the 20 year old musician, model and muse, Sky Ferreira.
Although Ferreira’s Everything Is Embarrassing EP has been available to buy in the US since late last year, it will be officially released in the UK tomorrow.
What can I say about Bleached… Firstly, they are two sisters (Jennifer and Jessica) who are effortlessly oozing the Twingirl attitude and energy. They follow no rules. But perhaps if they did, the pair’s understanding of regulative instruction would probably be something rather similar to those catchy slogans you find printed on stereotypical punk tees at festivals and Camden Market: ‘Live fast, die young,‘ ‘No Regrets,’ ‘Rock ‘till you die.’ The title of their debut album, ‘Ride Your Heart’ is another addition to this Bleached-Rule-Book…
Secondly, they also create some pretty awesome music. The sound is rough yet melodic, focused yet loud – Essentially a wonderful gnarly noise of bouncy punk-pop reminiscent of the music produced by fellow Rockin’ ladies, Vivian Girls and Wild Flag.
Ride you Heart is released tomorrow, followed by an extensive European tour.
With only five years together as a band, the effect that The Smiths have had on music, culture, and if you’re a fan of Morrissey, pretty much anything, is unbelievable. It seems there is an insatiable thirst for more from the infamous four that split 26 years ago – and that is where the Institute of Contemporary Art steps in.
Smithsfest is a two-day festival running this weekend at the Strand gallery, comprised of talks, performance, art and film, with the purpose to survey the artistic and cultural impact of The Smiths. A barber offering Moz-esque quiffs, a Q&A with SaintMorrissey author Mark Simpson and 80s DJ sets late into the night means that this will undoubtedly be the last weekend of any importance.
This week we’ve been lusting over a girl. In particular a Girl Called Johnny – the latest musical project from ex-Ramona vocalist and front-woman, Karen Anne. The debut single Heaven Knows is a beautiful story of heartache and lost love featuring catchy heartfelt lyrics that can undoubtedly relate to any twenty-something-year-old girl (even those not called Johnny).
Since going solo, Karen has embraced the opportunity to create a completely personalised record whilst swapping Ramona’s staple punk-rock sound for a refreshingly mellow indie approach reminiscent of early sixties mod-pop, “Ray Davis is a major influence – he writes the most beautiful lyrics, especially about London,” she told Twin. “Also a lot of the other bands I love like The Smiths and New York Dolls are influenced by all the sixties’ girl bands so I guess it all comes from the same place…”
As well as her music, Karen Anne has also become renowned for her sugary-sweet boyish looks (think Debbie Harry meets Edie Sedgwick) after posing as the face of Burberry back in 2011. However music is most certainly on the top of her to-do list for 2013. “Expect an album for sure, I’m also working on a new video right now which is exciting!”
Twin decided to get to know A Girl Called Johnny with a quick either/or game…
Colleen Green is a single guitar, a drum machine and a pair of oversized sunglasses, whose catchy, fuzzy tunes fuse Nineties surf rock with pop-punk… If California were a sound, it would be the sound of Colleen Green.
Time In The World is the first song to be taken from her latest album, Sock It To Me available from 19th March with HardlyArt.
For this week’s Sunday Soundtrack we’re stealing time with Stealing Sheep, three very lovely Liverpool lasses (Emily, Rebecca and Lucy) whose shared love for three-part-harmonies, whiskey and an eclectic mix of experimental music genres first brought them together back in the summer of 2010. Their debut album Into the Diamond Sun was one of the most exciting new releases of last year that subsequently took them on numerous adventures touring around the UK and Europe. Twin spoke to the musical trio to discuss future plans, the Merseyside music scene and telepathic dinosaurs…
Your music has been described as everything from psych pagan folk to post-punk pop, but how would you describe your sound?
We’d say something like… dreamy, doom pop with hypnotic boomy beats, slinky pitch bendy guitars, voodoo folk harmonies, 60′s drone Synths and 16-bit fantasy style keyboards frilled with accidental percussions such as zithers, tuned cow bells and far away howls.
You’ve just finished supporting Villagers on their UK tour – how was that? Do you currently have plans for any other live shows coming up soon?
It was really nice – they are sound lads – very down to earth and into whiskey just like us! We went straight to Europe after that to join Alt-J (who we also toured with before Christmas) and that was well fun. It was great to see them again and watching them play was as great as ever! We’re looking forward to the festivals next and our dates supporting The Postal Service.
What ideas inspire your music?
We play a word game in the car. It goes like: Moon. Spoon. Lagoon. Lilly. Pond. Fish. Plate…etc. You sort of say whatever that word reminds you of and only get a split second to say it so it’s random and fresh. We write it down and put the words together to see what we can create. In Paris last weekend we created a Telepathic Dinosaur with a Death Mind. So that’s the start of a couple of new songs or a new illustration, animation, music video idea… anything! We also listen to loads of music on tour. We listen to anything from composers such as Gustav Holst (The Planets) and Vernon Elliott (Noggin the Nog and Clangers), to Alt-J or Ariel Pink. This really inspires a mixed bag of ideas.
You were one of the coolest new female bands of 2012 – who are you keeping your eye on for 2013?
Girl band wise we’d say Novella and Pins are looking pretty hot!
You girls are all originally from Liverpool – tell us a bit about the music scene there?
…and we’re still here! There’s a good healthy mix of old and new bands. They’re all pretty diverse and doing their own thing. There’s a really cool art collective called The Kazimier and they run a club and do loads of performing arts style nights which are really inspiring musically and visually. There is such a great crowd of amazing artists and musicians so it’s great to be here and be part of it!
Female solo artists seem to be dominating the music world as of late but there are still very few all female bands out there in comparison – why do you think that is? Is there an additional pressure on females trying to make it in the music industry?
Maybe fewer girls are interested in being in bands? We’re not sure really. We like working together but not necessarily because we’re all girls. We’re all into having three-part harmonies and naturally interested in similar things. Maybe with all girl bands you find a nice intuitive level between you because of how the female brain differs creatively… or does it? Music industry wise, there are different kinds of pressures for all bands depending on your genre and style. Whether you’re targeting audiences that are interested in the music or the style or the looks. It all depends what you are in it for, it’s how you perceive it. We don’t want to be pressured into anything: if we don’t want to do it, we won’t. So I guess it’s simple. It’s all to do with how strong-minded you are!
What can we expect from Stealing Sheep in the near future?
We’re designing costumes, new music videos, writing new material and we’re touring a hell of a lot, so come an’ see us!
It was back in May of last year when the Scandinavian siren, Beatrice Eli, first stole our hearts. Now with her latest single ‘It’s Over’ and a new EP due for a worldwide release later this month, we’re ready to fall in love all over again…
Nottingham singer-songwriter Indiana has one of those honest voices. A simple and pure voice that refreshingly undermines the generic pop auto tuned screaming that seems to be the norm. Young but sure of herself, Indiana’s recent single Blind As I Am was listed in the BBC Introducing Picks Of 2013 and she is now set to play her first London Show on March 14th. Intrigued by her talent (and tear jerking rendition of Frank Ocean’s Swim Good), Twin spoke to Indiana as she reveals the story behind her journey into music, her creative influences and goals to take over the world.
Was there a key moment that inspired you to pursue music?
It was kind of accidental. My sister has always been in to music – she also sings, writes and plays the piano. She was moving house and couldn’t fit her piano in her new place so I offered to store it in my dinning room. I just kept having a play about on it every time I walked past and so I taught myself to play and began writing my own songs. They were terrible… I think I’ve made some progression…hopefully!
You voice has a beautiful vulnerability to it – is vulnerability key to your music?
I think connection is key, if I feel vulnerable it comes across. If I feel menacing I believe you can hear that too. Depends what I’ve written about.
What are your views on being a musician at present? Do you reckon it’s harder or easier to make it as a musician now?
I have nothing to compare it to – I’m new to the game in a lot of ways. I’m just happy I’ve found a passion that I’m relatively good at and I’m able to call it a career.
Your cover of Frank Ocean’s Swim Good is haunting and delicate – what drove you to cover that song specifically?
I thought the song was cool, it was John’s idea (my co-writer) but it wasn’t until I’d learnt the lyrics that I felt a huge and haunting connection with the song….i’m actually crying towards the end of it.
Are you a fan of Frank Ocean?
Massive fan. He brings something new to music, which is something I aspire to do. I love experimenting with production. He takes chances and pulls them off, I hope I can do the same.
Who are your top 5 influences?
Gary Numan
The XX
Alt J
James Blake (Retrograde makes me feel like everything I’ve ever written is crap)
Portishead
Have you encountered any obstacles in your musical journey – from the industry or otherwise?
Radio play. It annoys me how much rubbish gets on to the Radio 1 playlist. There are so many credible artists and such a vast amount of amazing music that can only be heard in the early hours of the morning, yet we have to endure Pitbull when the sun’s up!
What are your ambitions – in your music and life?
I’ve always dreamt of a stadium of people singing the lyrics of one of my songs back to me.
What would you say is you life philosophy?
When writing an album think “all killer no filler!”
Identifying a comfortable and trendy dog cloth is turning out to be difficult, as more and more cute dog clothes are venturing in the global market on regular basis.
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