In association with Scotts Live and Pirate.com, the nation’s top new music promoters, THIS FEELING, present BIG IN 2021, 500 double vinyl LPs of 31 tracks and a moment in music history for Music Venue Trust.
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Among notifications I got from Bandcamp Friday (5th February), this one stood out. Perhaps surprisingly, because before its brief announcement earlier that week there had been no publicity - usually a risky publicity stunt, but we're reassured: “It's just that Sam is bad at business.”
After Long Teeth and new band Big Sea Creature, Sam has released a second solo EP. With the first, ‘Bored In A Beautiful Place’, the lyrics really stood out for me and this is again something I love in ‘Show Me The Best Thing You Can Do’.
The EP cover is perfect for the mood of the songs and the last year too. The sun streaking in through a restricted window, showing a fantastic day - outside. "Baby it's like how it was, but it's how it's become, Sunbathing on the steps cos the beach is shut" sung with a slight accent that seems to emphasise the normalness of this slight disappointment.
Harmonies throughout the EP are impressive (with I suspect occasional vocals from Big Sea Creature bassist Jade) remind me a little of the chilled warmth of The Velvet Underground and Nico and the 60's, combined with an uneasy, socially aware commentary that feels bitter. However unless you're listening to the lyrics you might feel upbeat by the tunes, and as I think this, Sam sings, "Don't talk to me until I'm listening".
This, mixed with the lyrics of 'Bent Back Mud Men Monster'. feels like whistling in the park, content with trying to forget what you're really thinking about. "Yeah the lights okay, but I think we're better in the dark anyway".
All this to say, it's not a sad EP and there is a depth and intelligence to the contradictions in music and lyrics. You'll go about your flat happily humming ‘Bent Back Mud Men Monster’ to your cat.
On third track 'Wet Hair', layers of guitar, harmonies and trumpet - played by Sam - feel a lot like the end of a day spent feeling slightly out of place, coming home to someone you feel safe with. The anxiety you might feel perhaps, having someone ask you to 'Show Me The Best Thing You Can Do'; before helping you relax while listening to it.
All proceeds will go to the Mind charity. www.mind.org.uk
The Music People Party started as a rock’n’roll freelancers “office do” at the end of 2017. The People have created new futures.
Read MoreBuzzing just got buzzier as they join The Virginmarys (London only), SHEAFS (Leeds only), Weekend Recovery (London & Leeds) and SNAYX (London & Leeds) - as genuine fan based, tipped and media acclaimed favourites. This heated bill is lighting up Saturday 6th November at London’s Club Kolis and Sunday 7th November at Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds.
Smaller live music events, later in the year are rebooting the rocking music world. #GhostRoadFest is definitely one to look forward to: On a mission to present the UK's most exciting up-and-coming bands plus mentoring and paid work experience for young people who are interested in a music industry career.
This guitar graced weekender by freshly sewn industry hitter Ghost Road Promotions is about music socialising with a gender balanced artists/crew vibration and in the spirit of rock’n’roll dreams. We need all we can get right now.
A seeding moment of the fertile environment. You'll swear you were there. With women not virtually outlawed from the line up as per some rock music festival sexist booker (literal) bollocks, Ghost Road Fest joins the likes of CroCroLand, DecoloniseFest and Loud Women on the side of inclusion. No tokens were formed in the making of the line up or crew members (TheZineUK really pleased to be one of the partners).
As per previously mentioned interdependents, no payola to play, here. The grassroots music venue circuit is loaded with future heritage where diverse working class is not excluded by lack of priviledge, so are organically feeding the mainstream.
For instance, This Feeling's stages showcase hot artists (and writers, photographers etc.) performing, creating and injecting a much needed dose of flashing fresh fiery fury with involvement opportunities to be announced.
Ghost Road Fest wishes to stimulate the underground music scene post covid-19, help smaller bands gain a further reach. National and regional DJs are on board (future announcements) with these music socials which are opening doors for artists, audiences and allies with networking welcomes and heartwarming outcomes. Trust.
#MusicTourism - 18+ events. London venue is next to a tube station (photo id scan entry), Leeds venue is in the city centre.
#GhostRoadFest partners Blackstar Amplification - Pistonhead Lager - Knight PR - Kycker - These Bloody Thieves Records - The Zine UK - Vocalzone
The second single from BLAB is also dynamically special.
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