Record Store Day 2014

Why had I been putting off this post? I'm really excited to write about Record Store Day and how it was to sort of "take part" this year. 

Before I became interested in buying vinyl (brighter, less skint times) I had always wondered what the hype was around it, and indeed, Record Store Day. Of course the general principles were obvious - actually buying music and supporting independent music and their outlets - but why spend that much time and money? I have become what I once questioned, mes amis. 

Queuing for RSD is a bit like... the rush to buy tickets before a show that's bound to sell out, or queuing when you're fourteen hours before gig so you can get to the barrier when the doors open. This time it's a bit more hypothermia-inducing/soul-destroying. You may ask what we're queuing for. Every year for RSD (too many) artists/labels release limited LPs, EPs, singles, soundtracks etc all for which us saddos spend in excess of nine hours queuing. I was after two things for myself - The Muppet Movie OST and Bombay Bicycle Club - "To The Bone", a B-side to So Long, See You Tomorrow. For my friend I also had to pick up the Ghostbusters theme song on glow in the dark vinyl (?) as well as Kodaline's cover of Paul McCartney's "I'm Coming Up". Turning up at 1am best have been worth it. 

Soon after we arrived at the queue (just one person in front of us hoping to spend about three million quid), Spillers' staff left for the evening, hoping to dose themselves up on the little sleep they could get before the busiest day of the year. Apparently this was the earliest queue for RSD they'd ever seen. Something to be proud of? Maybe. 

For a couple of hours we were kept awake by the buzz of Metros (aka Sweatros) and for myself, a can of Sainsbury's energy drink before being joined in the queue by a few more people. Here's the sentiment at 4am.

And at 5am...

I'm sure as it got later it got colder? I dunno how that works. A little walk to McDonalds and the train station for their toilet facilities took off some of the edge of but blimey. Thank God my friend Nathan had brought me a camping chair. 8am called for another walk to the market for the biggest breakfast bap I have ever shoved in my face. Perfect prep for the "rush" at 9:30am. The first fifty in the queue were handed goody bags but as we were in the first five we were given a more executive goodie bag with more executive goodies i.e. more free vinyl and a cotton tote bag. A Dan Croll coloured single too! Decent freebies, Spillers.

When Spillers Recs' doors eventually opened, it was all systems go. Many staff were present and a brilliantly handled system meant I was out of the shop by 9:45 with all the records I had on my list. I would say I was jammy for getting the only Bombay Bicycle Club single they had ordered in but after queuing for that long with a numb arse I think I was rather entitled. SOZ anyone who was disappointed by its absence afterwards. It's now a shame to see the exact record on eBay now for an extortionate price with an inaccurate description (/100 when it's actually /1000. Naughty people). 

Here's what I came away with, displayed rather crudely on my living room floor. 

Only yesterday did I manage to play what I'd come away with, and I'm so impressed. For an original recording, The Muppet Movie OST sounds like an absolute dream. I'm a self-confessed Muppetaholic (I made that up) and playing that record in my room last night was something special. The BBC single is also gorgeous. I can see why it wouldn't have suited So Long, See You Tomorrow's more funked up feeling because it's just raw and smooth and more suited to the style of Flaws instead (I'm making it clear that the wait was worth it, fershure). 

After the success of this year I'll definitely be joining in next year, hopefully with the others for whom this was their first time too (I'm looking at the One Directioners)! I'm rather glad my student loan hasn't come in yet otherwise I'd have left with armfuls of stuff. Remember - vinyl's for life, not just RSD!

Deaf Havana, Cardiff University Great Hall, Cardiff, 15th April 2014

Now, I'm really really really defensive about Deaf Havana. In more than one previous post I've been like "piss off hardcore people leave them alone" and I'm still like that. Sorry not sorry. 

My friend Yasmin and I have been DH fans for years. Having seen them work their way up to the Reading mainstage I sort of feel protective and proud of their decision to stick to their guns in the new direction of their music during their member reshuffle. Tonight would be a bit emotional, and judging by the bottle of wine and several vodkas we'd shared pre-gig, a bit messy. 

SADLY the queue meant we'd missed by a few minutes first support act and locals The People the Poet, previously Tiger Please. Surely next band The Maine would be soothe the wound, right?!?!?!? Blimey, how... underwhelming. The Maine were a band I loved in 2007, when synths and breakdowns were the thing (thanks, Four Year Strong) and yet the performance was flat, as displayed in a bored looking audience. "We All Roll Along" was a bit more as if we were all plodding along. Soz guys. 

Deaf Havana though. After a couple more drinks, this shouldn't have been the band to see. A band for whom I normally completely lose my mind. Not good. Sorry to all who heard me scream as "Smiles All Round", my favourite Deaf Havana song, and one I thought I'd never hear live again, was played. Despite the fact that this was indeed the Old Souls tour, there was enough Fools and Worthless Liars content to go round, and even a stripped down performance of the beautiful "Nicotine and Alcohol Saved My Life" (remember that?) during the encore. 

Deaf Havana's performance was, above all, fresh. James and the guys like to play around with their musical style, so we were treated to alternate versions of "Fools and Worthless Liars" and "22" as well as anthemic variations on "Hunstanton Pier" and the lovely "Mildred". A highlight for myself was "The World or Nothing". I remember the first time I listened to it, perhaps a few months before the release of Fools and Worthless Liars - knowing that was when I would fall in love with them. Thank God I didn't cry seeing them this time, but I was bloody near it. DH rather unexpectedly finished on devastating Old Souls final track "Caro Padre", as if my heartstrings hadn't already been tugged ferociously by James Veck-Gilodi. Bloody lovely end to a bloody lovely set. 

Post-gig, Yasmin and I had this surreal night out whereby she somehow became acquainted with half the band in Live Lounge, and I wondered why I was alive in Live Lounge. See y'all soon.

Brand New, Troxy, London, 12th April 2014

It's been a busy few weeks with uni work and a trip to Rome but here I am with TWO posts for you tonight - aren't you bloody lucky? Perhaps not if you like neither Brand New nor Deaf Havana. 

There'll be a better photo soon, I promise.

The weekend just gone my friend and I took a little trip to London town to see Brand New. I was very fortunate to be seeing them as my initial quest for tickets ended with me waking up two hours after tickets had sold out, thinking I'd booked tickets only to see the final step confirmation page. But fear not, people are good and as I found out, so are Brand New. 

After a rather disappointing journey to London (don't believe the Megabus Gold hype, folks) and a gorgeous bellyful of pulled pork at Bodean's Soho (believe that hype though), I took my first trip on the DLR to a rather dodgy end of London to the Troxy. I say dodgy... I mean that I could smell weed on the walk to the venue. Troxy is far from rough though - seemingly grandiose for an alternative rock show, what with carpeted floors and a plush theatrical circle seating area upstairs, but somehow it seemed fitting for the unassuming and modest performance of Brand New. 

Support for the evening came from The Front Bottoms and Saves the Day. Having listened to both bands before, it's safe to say I was only excited for The Front Bottoms - I'm a big fan of their sarcastic and sometimes bitter lyrics as well as their cute melodies, perfect for a little singalong. I'd recommend you go see them if they're back again soon just to watch the drummer. My favourite song of theirs is "Au Revoir - Adios" which I was glad to hear them play (simple folky punky stuff if you fancy a listen). I just can't get into Saves the Day and neither could I live. Normally I can stand nasal vocals (I listen to pop punk, for Christ's sake) but Saves the Day's could make dogs bark. 

After doing my best not to spill stuff on the carpet and to avoid buying merch I was graced with Brand New's presence. I'd heard good things but nothing could prepare me for such a... familiar(?) performance. It's strange - Brand New have this amazing connection with their fans who are undoubtedly the most loyal I've seen. Guys and gals even in their late twenties were freaking out as classics like "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades" and "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" were played. I started freaking out when Jesse started playing a verse of Coldplay's "Yellow", much to the dismay of everyone around me. A couple of songs from 2009's Daisy were played in tandem and for some reason, this is the least favourite Brand New album of many of the people I spoke to that night. I'm not sure why because I find it to be heart-wrenchingly deep and just very bloody heavy. During their few-minute-long interlude in Daisy fashion I found myself swaying with my eyes closed (#emo) and this didn't help me prepare for "Mixtape", a song that makes you bellow "AND THE WAY YOU DON'T APPRECIATE BRAND NEW, OR ME" whilst pointing at either yourself or Brand New (or both). With such a strong setlist ("The Quiet Things...", "Jesus" and "Luca" followed) there was no need for theatrics between songs. Neither was there a need for any sort of bigged up stage presence. Brand New simply needed to play and that would be enough for a crowdful of raised hands, closed eyes and what I assumed would be very sore throats in the morning. Very impressive. I'm pretty jealous of everyone who gets to see them again at Hit the Deck festival again this weekend. Take me with you in your rucksacks. 

My weekend was accompanied by a trip to Five Guys (HEAVEN) and some inevitable record purchases at both Rough Trade West and at All Ages in Camden. Fab time.