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Hello,

The end of 2012 is approaching, quickly. The end of a beautiful year, honestly, it has been one of the finest. This year saw many concerts, it saw my FIRST EVER CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL! (the experience of that was absolutely the best bit of summer), Latitude Festival, many new friendships, aand this silly blog thing I started, with an aim to spark interests in different types of music, and open up people's minds. I don't know how well I'm doing, but I'll carry on because it gives me something to do, and I like to see where everyone is viewing from haha!

Recently, I saw that the BBC Sound of 2013 list was up (eeeeeekk exciting stuff) so I decided to check it out, and so far am not disappointed. The list consists of:

• A*M*E
• AlunaGeorge
• Angel Haze
• Arlissa
• CHVRCHES
• Haim
• King Krule
• Kodaline
• Laura Mvula
• Little Green Cars
• Palma Violets
• Peace
• Savages
• The Weeknd
• Tom Odell

I've had a listen, it's exciting, the sounds of 2012 are carrying through, the music is chilled out, and genuine, rich in harmonies in some cases, and the perfect music for exploring new sounds and styles.
Please check them out, Kodaline sound a bit like Coldplay in some places, Little Green Cars have the more vocals less everything else approach, there's a real variety in there, and I certainly am looking forward to seeing more from these in 2013.

For me, 2013 is going to be a year full of music, Cambridge Folk, Biffy Clyro, Muse, Mcfly, Olly Murs, The Script, and many more to come. I can't see a life without gigs, I really can't.

What are your 2013 predictions?
What are your plans?

Happy New Year everyone,
Now go fill it with music!
xxxx

Musical Comedy:D

Hello people!
I thought I would try something a little different today, in the form of a blog post about comedy in music ( however this can kind of link to the folky world of story telling, although I really am clutching at straws ) So here are my top picks of side splitting song writers (harharhar)

Jollyboat!
On Saturday I went to a Youtuber gathering in Hyde Park (which was fabulous by the way) and when on the tube on the way back, got chatting to a guy who I later found out was called Tommy Croft, and alongside his brother does comedic songs on Youtube. As soon as I got home I found them on Youtube, and wow, it was amazing! They are everything you want in comedic songwriting, their song about the Xfactor includes lyrics covering every aspect of the show, and putting it into the correct light (ooh sorry xfactor fans). In fact, it is so well thought up, that it includes a key change and everything, brill! The guys seemed very lovely chaps in the brief meet we had, and I reallly want to have the chance to see them perform, considering the time that looks like it has been put into this, the least you can do is check out the vid:

I don't know about you, but I really enjoy finding songs that make me laugh, music is a thing of many emotions, and laughter should be one of them! Comedy through music is possibly one of the best forms of comedy, feel free to share any of your favs here, caring is sharing x

Monsters and stuff...

Hello lovely musicians, sorry I haven't been posting for a while, been out adventuring and things (i wish more getting lost in the stupid piles of work), however the one thing that gets people through jobs and work and tasks would be music, so there are still plenty of things to write about!

Some of my favourites at the moment are Of Monsters and Men and most recently The Lumineers. I would say that both have quite a similar sounds, but it's cute music. You know the kind of music that makes you like "awwwhwhh ^^" and all smiley and happy and things. A bit like glitter and stars and rainbows.

Of Monsters and Men's most famous song which they emerged with was "Little Talks". I can see why it became so popular, it has a cute set up of responses between two singers which adds like a mini relationship within the song. nawwh. It has that catchy strumming pattern which keeps the beat, it has lyrics which everyone can relate to, and enjoys singing along to, not to mention the bits that EVERYONE can join in with ".....HEY!" There's a mood change at the end with a change of key, which then goes back to the original mood, the piece just generally contatins a story, and everyone loves a story. The rest of their album "My Head Is An Animal" follows a more laid back approach, with songs that have a sort of eerie feel, but not in a negative way, the album is kind of an album of reflective songs. Contemplation music for sure.

The Lumineers are generally more upbeat throughout. The song that most of you will be familiar with if you are going to know any of their songs is "Ho Hey" once again, having that fabulous "Hey!" that you can also join in with, even if you don't know anyyyy of the other words! The self titled album "The Lumineers" gets its own cute factor from the simple guitar part and just the voices, it's definitely over complicated. And the lyrics are cute once again, i belong with you, you belong with meeeee.
There are also songs on this album that are less up beat and more reflective, but generally the tone of the album is lighter than the Of Monsters and Men album. The voice of the lead singer Wesley Schultz is juicy, and kind of powerful in its own way, it's just great music really.

Don't take my word though, all be cheered up by the happiness of the music:

Love we need it now,

Let's hope for some <3

Dragon Killing and Quests and other Motivations

Hey guys,

So I was wondering,
Pieces of music can make people feel many different things, and what you feel changes depending on the person listening to the music. There are loads of ways of interpreting music, that's what makes it great right.

So, I love travelling, and exploring, and finding new things and places, and travelling to places and doing new things and meeting new people. Some songs that I listen to though realllly make me want to go out on an epic journey. You know like spontaneously get on a train to an unknown destination? For me, one of those songs is "Lover of the Light" by Mumford & Sons, I don't know why, possibly because light reminds me of the outdoors or something along those lines, but i can really visualise myself sitting on a train, destination unknown, listening to this song.

In contrast to this, I also have discovered that I revise particularly well to, well there's no other name for it, "Epic Music". This is the kind of music that makes you feel like you can do ANYTHING, literally I had it on non stop when I was revising for my GCSEs. A band that makes film music called "Two Steps From Hell" is exceptionally good at this music, it's what they do. You've probably heard their stuff somewhere, like in an advert for some epic programme, anyway here's something by them:



I'd like to know what kind of music you listen to, and how it makes you feel, like what are your motivating tunes?!

Now go and do something different and amazing and epic!

Swimming in the mainstream

If I say the words Mumford and Sons to you, there is a high chance that you will have heard of the band, listened to their music, and know all about them. The same can be said for Of Monsters and Men. Bands who have emerged into the chart with their popular music. However the number of you which will then claim that folk music isn't cool or that there's no point in it will shock you, seeing as so many of you claim to like the two previously mentioned bands.

It amazes me that I have friends who can completely slate the music I listen to, and play, and enjoy, yet claim to be Mumford and Sons' number one fan. Where do you think the influences for their music comes from? Bands like Mumford and Of Monsters and Men fuse modern and traditional instruments. Banjos aren't cool? Well they are a main feature in many of the songs. Folk music isn't cool? Many folk roots can clearly be heard in Mumford's music through rhythms, structure and the main tunes (and stories, every folk song has a story) of the songs.

All that I ask, is that before you are so quick to judge, and claim various things, think about why you like these types of music, think about the types of music it comes from, think about the instruments and all the other qualities of the music. Don't make judgements based on what you think is "cool" or considered "popular". Think about what you really believe, and have the courage to say it, afterall I am writing this blog knowing that half of my friends think the music I listen to is weird, but I don't care, because I love it.

Share your views, not other people's.

Happy Listening!

The Treacherous Orchestra!

Now, I know I have some folkies out there, but not all of my friends see themselves as folkies, they call folk festivals a "gathering of farmers" (yes that's you Nathan) and just generally mock me for what I listen to, buuuutt you guys are probably just not listening to the right folk for you! Folk music is soooo diverse, it can cover pretty much anything, and isn't just for old people/farmers/whatever you think!

Take the Treacherous Orchestra, when I saw them back in July at Cambridge Folk, there was the most mental gathering of youngsters at the front at the stage, having a fabulously wild time. That's because they fuse traditional instruments and modern which is nearly impossible not to like (cmon admit you like it, just a little bit). The instruments include guitar, pipes, fiddles, a bass, a banjo, drums and a few other traditional instruments. The band has both Scottish and Irish members, and their influences all shine through in the music.

You probably won't believe me, but this music has a drop, it's like folk's answer to dubstep! Rhythms are simple and repeated, with new phrases added in, and when it kicks off, you hear it! (and that is the moment my feet were trodden on soo many times, lots of jumping teenagers and little old me).

Here, don't just assume you won't like it, give it a little listen,

(someone else at cambridge loved them, here's their vid off youtube, i was at the front completely unable to film anything! and then a vid of the Treacherous Orchestra jamming as they do best)

Seth Lakeman

If Seth Lakeman is a name you haven't heard, then you have been seriously missing out. Seth has an amazing ability to play about a million instruments, and all of his songs provide the rough storyline required of a folk song. Every one of his songs tells a story, each one displaying Seth's range of abilities. Every performance is energetic, and Seth brings an exciting show whenever he performs, bringing energy to the stage, providing a quick beat in some pieces, which makes it almost impossible to stand still while seeing him live! Once again, a very friendly guy, which is nice to see, and prevents that horrible star stuck problem which often occurs!

Possibly one of the best uses of a string instrument I have ever seen



The wonderful and loverly Cara Dillon and some Lakeman

Cara Dillon. Having been introduced to her stuff at school one day, and borrowing a CD I soon fell in love with Cara's music, so as a keen fan I went to see her at the local theatre.

The support act Sam Brookes surprised me with his voice, producing a lovely sound and singing about things most of us can relate too. Having met him after the gig, I can also say that he is a very sound person, willing to chat to anyone who wanted to ask him anything.

Here is one of his songs,

 

And of course, a picture of me with him (can never resist a cheesey snap)

 

 

Cara Dillon:
Many of you have probably heard her stuff, a selection of traditional folk tunes with her own twist. Cara is irish, and has an extremely bubbly personality even after her performance, although in the style of a true musician was not able to tell me the whistle she played on, and has possibly one of the prettiest voices I have ever come across. A pretty voice that can relax you and sort of melt your insides, you probably won't understand what I mean unless you listen haha!




 
And of course another fan snap;)

Jake Bugg!

I thought I'd share my first vid with you all! One of my favs, highly advise that you check him out, his stuff is lush, and his voice is so unique! Enjoy:

Cambridge Folk '2012

If I could suggest one place to go, if you are planning on going to a festival, it would 100% be Cambridge Folk Festival. This years Cambridge Folk fest was my first, and I will never NOT go back ever again! Once you've been once there is NO WAY you can stay away, everyone is so lovely, the music is great, you make loads of new friends, get involved in crafts and dancing (wouldn't be a folk fest without a ceilidh). I cannot wait to get my 2013 tickets, see you there!

 

(two of the awesome new buds I made this year) 

Welcome!

Hello my loverly people,

Here you are on my blog, probably wondering what you're doing here. My name is Rachel and I am a 16 year old girl with an unashamed love of all things folk. My aim? To discover the most wonderful music and to share it with everyone. Whenever I get money it ALWAYS goes straight to music, instruments, concert tickets and festival tickets, the works, so I thought I would bring back my experiences and share them with everyone else:)

Welcome to my wonderful world of folk,
lets begin our journey.