Easy Life @ The Joiners Southampton 23/03/19

After being recently signed with Universal Island Records and releasing their new EP Spaceships Mixtape via Universal, this is Easy Life's first ever gig in Southampton after being signed to a major label. The gig felt so surreal being held at The Joiners, an intimate 200 capacity venue in Southampton, which of course Easy Life sold out. From start to finish, the energy level of every performer that entered the stage is off the scales. Support act, Che Lingo and Jacky P get the crowd feeling a sense of euphoria, and they carry their performance with a high energy level, a sense of joy and so much passion - creating a great atmosphere and buzz for headline act, Easy Life to begin their set.

Walking through the back of the crowd to make their long awaited entrance on to the stage, lead singer Murray greets Southampton as he walks through the crowd and he then falls into singing 'Frank', their second single release, acapella, before being accompanied by the instrumental.

Having released Spaceships Mixtape on March 18th, just five days before the gig, it was expected that a few new tunes would be played. Easy life receive a great reception on all of the new tracks they play, but 'Sunday', 'Afters' and 'Wet Weekend' are the standouts. 'Sunday' is the first track where the saxophone is being played, so wonderfully, and it sounds amazing.

An assembly of gifted musicians is what builds up Easy Life, with their talented front-man showcasing his multi-instrumentalist skills playing the keyboard and saxophone throughout the performances as well as performing vocals (obviously not singing and playing the sax at the same time), and the bassist Sam also plays the saxophone, joining Murray on the sax when playing '0520'.

'Slow Motion' itself is rather melancholy and slow track, however they remixed the track with 'Nightmares' after Murray sings "try and get a little bit... high" the track spirals into '0520' and explodes into a jazz wonderland, the two saxophones creating a sensational sequence of rhythm and groove.

Exclusive to Southampton was a track Easy Life have never played before, and they went on to play a track called 'Housebound' the exclusivity resonates with everyone in the room, so when Easy Life play popular track, 'Pockets' - the crowd goes untamed - likewise with 'Nightmares', and it radiates a unique sense of unity within the crowd. Leaving a lasting impression on Southampton, the crowd are left chanting for more and Murray gets flattered and states how this is the first time it has ever happened to them, and they had no more songs left to play. Therefore he left it to the audience to decide on a song to repeat for the encore, and the decider was 'Pockets'. Easy Life cease the night on a high - high energy, high performance, a high reception and a high impression.

Four Years and 100 Reviews Later

March 18th sets the date I first started sharing my thoughts and opinions on live and recorded music to a worldwide database. 2019 means its been four years since I had first written a review, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Chasing Yesterday deluxe album, being that first review. Reflecting back on it, it isn't written the best, but I was 16 with mediocre writing skills and a die-hard passion for any sound-wave with a groove - music, and that is all I had to work with.

"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines, or dates by which bills must be paid." - Frank Zappa

Having been a music lover from a young age, I've always loved every aspect of music; the controversy, the media, the togetherness, unity, singing and of course the way it makes you feel. A lot of people quote that they owe their life to music, and those who share that deep connection with music, will understand that. Music has the ability to make you feel any and every type of emotion; sad, happy, angry, misunderstood, and even sexual. Yep, you read that right. Music is so powerful and so are words, being able to endlessly ramble on about an album or a gig you've been to and for people to WANT to read that, is the dream right?

"Now is not the time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." - Ernest Hemingway

Where am I now?

I sort of flopped college to be honest, I tried really hard to succeed in academic subjects (business studies and economics) but music had always been my underlying passion - the thought of doing a job in one of those professions for the remainder of my life makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out with forks. I enjoy singing, but not performing - so I couldn't be a performer, meaning I would have to get one of the 'invisible' jobs in the music industry. I think music journalism is an 'invisible job' because people never forget the content of what is written, however you can be whoever you want to be! Who remembers names anyway?

When I started to write reviews it would take me days, because I would listen to the album on loop until I knew it like the back of my hand, whilst relentlessly writing notes on any lyrics/ sounds that I thought were interesting in one way or another. As the years have developed, so have my writing and planning skills (hopefully), so I set up my own blog and began to upload a review (religiously) every Sunday.

Then I moved to Southampton to create more precision in my expertise, and be taught the other aspects of journalism I wouldn't otherwise know unless I had done trial and error and figured it out for myself. Studying music journalism at a degree level has motivated me beyond belief, because I haven't failed, I have remained resilient throughout. Three years of deadlines, not one was missed. All whilst balancing a part-time job and committing to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, passion drives you in crazy directions and forces you to accomplish your goals, no matter what hurdles you may hit along the way.

In my final year at university, I am feeling the pressure. Multitudes of deadlines all over the place, whilst balancing my individual work and dissertation with my group project Talk Tonight Events isn't light work, but I am confident I will get through it. After all, I have gotten this far.

The whole point of this blog post is to revert back to how this all started for me, through blogging. My blog is essentially what got me in to university and has introduced me to so many musicians and artists as well as journalists, promoters, managers and other industry personnel. Not to forget the other amazing opportunities that have stemmed off the back of my blog. The points is, you can do whatever you want to do, and create your own opportunities - you just have to use what's available.

"Do a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life again."

Below is a picture of me after I hosted my first gig with Talk Tonight and it was a success! Here's to the future, to music, and to the future of music.

Easy Life - Temporary Love Pt.1 & Pt.2 (Double A-Side Review)

“WE GOT CALLED ‘ARCTIC MONKEYS WITH A COLD'”

Lead singer Murray Matravers says to Rachel Flynn of DIY Mag, Easy Life are a plethora of cross-over genres; but mainly work with hip-hop and indie rock. The Leicester five piece are going to be touring again this spring in the UK, and have also included some European dates, since the release of Temporary Love Pt.1 & Pt.2. Easy Life also have festivals on the horizon such as Coachella, and some other more smaller American festivals, they are currently on the brink of breaking their way through the alternative music market.

Previous stand-out releases include their breakthrough debut single 'Pockets' in 2017, the following single 'Frank' which was released in July 2018 including 'OJPL', and 'Nightmares' which was debuted on Later... with Jools Holland on the 2nd of October 2018. 'Nightmares' features an eye capturing music video of lead singer, Murray in a hospital gown in a wheelchair making numerous subtle political statements, about hypocrisy, lack of urgency, and respect for others; whilst he has something engraved into his head sticking out, and his (presumably) mother is crying beside him. However, she soon gets distracted by the celebration of the birth of a new born and free food at the hospital. As he carries on strolling through the hospital he comes across numerous encounters to which he reacts to.

Matravers has a very London street poet twang to his voice when he sings and raps, and that shows on their new double A-side release Temporary Love' Pt.1 and Pt.2.

The conceptual piece was released on December 7th 2018 and is their most recent work up to date, it envisions two different sides to love, wanting it to stay and wanting it to leave, creating two different moods for the listener.

'Temporary Love Pt.1' is a nostalgic serenading moment of the memories shared, and of the silly cringey things you do for someone when you're in love, like writing the four letters, in the sand, on the beach. And the excitement of seeing them again, "I wait forever in a day just to get you in my king size, and roll you up real tight."

The instrumental constructed by the saxophone, keyboard, drums and guitar gives the track an uplifting feeling in addition to Murray's nonchalant voice flowing out the lyrics. Everything is good, but preconceptions have led him to believe all love is temporary, and no matter how perfect someone can be for you, it will fizzle out. Well at least that's what he hopes.

The intro to Temporary Love Part 2 catches you off guard with its abnormally high pitch tuned voice screeching 'its temporary love, i'm sure.' Then the vocals tune in, and cut out the high pitch singing, the atmosphere flips and the song turns incredibly melancholy, the synth is played as a piano instead of a digitalized sound like in part 1, and the singing is very lugubrious as he reminisces on the summer again.

 "And when last summers springs, weekend kings, strawberry lace taste like honey bee stings. And with our midnight flings and pendulum swings, we can put it down as just one of those things. Cus love, its temporary, its temporary"

The nostalgic catchy chorus is reminiscent of the simple times in the summer, he would rather think they were just a summer fling instead of his love, yet again hoping for the romance to fizzle out.

Considering there's a tour in the pipeline for the spring, maybe Easy Life will release a new EP or album, who knows? One thing I do know, is that this band are definitely worth a listen. You can stream their music now on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and Deezer.  Their social media links are attached below the image.



Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Masa Diora - You Don't Love Me (Single Review)

Electro psychedelic rock meets 80s synthwave in Mancunian trio Masa Diora's debut track, 'You Don't Love Me' to be released on September 28th.

'You Don't Love Me' is a heart wrenching realisation of unrequited love with someone who doesn't love you back, but they stay around because they enjoy your company and having someone to do things with. Summery guitar riffs played by Jonty Lodge submerge with prominent synths from Callum Jackson creating the basis for the track. With his dispirited dirge vocals, lead singer George Knowles pours out the chorus,

"You don't love me, you just want me around. You don't need me, so stop acting up now."

Masa Diora mask the heartbreak with uplifting synths and guitar riffs along with poetic imagery within their debut release 'You Don't Love Me', it will be available to stream September 28th, on all major streaming sites.

 To keep up with Masa Diora, follow their social media links here - Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/ Website

DECO - Upside Down (Single Review)

Indie-pop duo DECO create an 80s wonderland with their use of backing vocals and synths by guitarist John Dell, and melodic pop vocals from lead singer, Max Kendall. 'Upside Down' is released today on September 7th and it is their title track from their new EP to be released early 2019, alongside pre-released tracks 'Wild One' and 'Roam'.

Pop song 'Upside Down' radiates a feel good vibe with it's upbeat summer dance beats and catchy repetitive chorus as Kendall sings,

"I found myself, I was living life upside down/ Held on by a thread, I was craving a good day/ When I met you, you took me higher, now I'm seeing things the right way/  When I met you, you took me higher/ Now I'm seeing things the right way round."

'Upside Down' maintains a fun and lively energy within the song and combines it with the strong vocals of lead singer Max Kendall which makes the track a solid pop tune.

Click here to listen to the track and for any further information or updates on DECO follow their social media pages by clicking the links : Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

TRAMPOLENE - You've Got to Pick A Pocket or Two (Album Review)

Welsh indie-punk rock trio Trampolene from Swansea follow their debut album, From Swansea to Hornsey with 28 track compilation album You've Got to Pick A Pocket or Two. The album is a compilation of songs and poems covering all sorts of different topics ranging from love ballads to rebellion and the album endures a stream full of emotion throughout, the tracks are collected from their early mini albums and EP's.

You've Got to Pick A Pocket or Two will be released on September 7th and it features covers such as an innocent, fun tribute to The Cure's 'Friday I'm In Love' on side one - Loud. There is a softer attempt of The Smiths - 'Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want' (which is already available to listen to here) as well as a rock rendition of Leonard Cohen's classic folk track 'Tonight Will Be Fine' on side two - Quiet.

The album is divided in two, just like that. Loud and Quiet. Side one is full of punchy punk tracks like 'My Bourgeoisie Girl', and a commemoration to hustler and crook 'Tom Hardy' showing a level of admiration towards him, claiming multiple things like... "He played the bass for the White Stripes then he quit the band, he can even play Jimi Hendrix with one hand. He builds robots for NASA, he found the cure for cancer, his mum's a fit belly dancer..." for example to then go on to repetitively chant "I wanna be Tom Hardy!" in a celebratory fit of punk rage.

"Does this make you happy ? The sons and daughters of some of London's top people seem to find wealth something of a burden" a news reporter says in a crackly prologue on 'Camden Mannequins' a speaker-testing track protesting against the privileged with its frantic drumming from Rob Steele and thundering riffs from both, Wayne Thomas on bass and Jack Jones on lead guitar and vocals.

Loud closes off with 'Swansea to Hornsey', a track about leaving your hometown, packing up a rucksack and a suitcase, and just escaping; it's a more calm, toned down affair in preparation for what is to come on side two, Quiet.

Side two brings you 'Newcastle Brown Love Song', a melancholic 60s psychedelic inspired track "Do you still want to love me now? Frankly my dear I couldn't give a damn if I died tomorrow. If i die tomorrow, can you love me for who I am?" As well as other ballads like, 'No One's Got Love Like We Got', a romantic apology for being overly smitten and proposal as Jack attempts to swoon and pursue a relationship in 'Red Sky Sings', and already released track 'She Sits With Me' an acoustic track dedicated to a woman who helps to listen to Jack on his dark days and calms him down and relaxes him by keeping him company, sitting with him.

The last four tracks are poems written and spoken by lead singer Jack Jones; 'Health and Wellbeing (At Wood Green Job Centre)', a descriptive honest poem that rolls off Jacks tongue as he has a political discussion on zero hour contracts working for minimum wage, and false hopes. 'To Be A Libertine' features snippets of Pete Doherty, Gary, John, Carl , and fans from around the world proudly claiming "I know what it means to be a libertine". 'Saving My Life In A&E' talks of Jack's own battles with mental health, panic attacks and how the NHS saved his life followed by a child-like nonsense short poem about a 'Slug' which seals the album.

Trampolene take you through a whirlwind of mixed emotions within Pick A Pocket or Two, it can be simultaneously serious, witty, and funny whilst keeping you confused in the meantime. Not to be missed, and not to be mislead, even though there is 28 tracks, each one of them is worth a listen.

For details of their upcoming tour or any further updates of their album, visit their Facebook / Twitter / Instagram and YouTube and the album will be available to stream via all music streaming sites.

Future Theory - Peace of Mind (Single Review)

Lincoln based alternative rock band Future Theory absorb ambient sounds into 'Peace of Mind' a dreary goth rock tune due for release on August 31st. 'Peace of Mind' is the second single to be released from their unnamed album, after first release 'Fractured Nation', the album will be available to listen to in 2019.

Future Theory have released two EP's prior to their upcoming album - 2016 October release, debut Fool's Dream  featuring heavier singles 'Horses' and 'Eye of the Storm' as well as their second EP Live at the LPAC which was released in 2017.

"Love factor aside, you need a kick in your behind. You try to make her realise the alcohol don't fix inside."

The track enters with a Rohan Parrett playing a drum fill and a psychedelic guitar riff from Chris Moore on lead and Rex Helley on bass during the intro, before the vocals enter from Max Sander, holding out the notes at the end of each line on the chorus to show holding onto a love whilst both trying to keep your piece of mind and sanity in fighting an ever longing toxic battle with alcohol addiction.

Keep updated with Future Theory's latest releases by following their social media's: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube and keeping an eye on their Apple Music and Spotify accounts by clicking on the links.