Hello! Bonjour! Guten Tag! ¡Hola! Ciao! Hej Hej! We’re only 66 days away from the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 so rather than thinking about saying “Hello” in the languages of the Big Six countries at the apex of the event – UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain Continue Reading
Music
Now this is music #64: DAWN, Phebe Starr, Sarah Borges, St. Lucia, Sunflower Bean
Can you dance and think and feel all at the same time? Hell yeah you can! These five immensely-talented artists from across the globe emphatically prove that you can pour your heart and soul into astonishingly catchy, amazing tracks that please the ears and instruct the soul. It’s a Continue Reading
CDs vs. LPs: 1985 news reports takes us back to the technological future
It’s always fascinating to look back at the way items we take for granted today such as the compact disc were viewed when they first came on the market. Like any new invention, there are detractors and advocates but in the case of this Detroit TV news report from Continue Reading
A Headful of (Driving) Dreams: Chris Martin (Coldplay) joins James Corden for Carpool Karaoke
James Corden is a thoroughly lovely, engaging guy. Which is a very good thing indeed since as the host of The Late, Late Show on CBS, which airs at 12.35am when many people are not at their most awake – the viewers, not the participants who tape the show Continue Reading
Now this is music #63: Flume feat. Kai, Bayonne, Archy Stranger, Hudson Mohawke, Bob Moses
We’re always told honesty is the best policy but knowing that and acting on it can often be two completely different things. But as these five artists demonstrate in different ways, being honest, both with yourself and others, before and after the fact, can have profoundly necessary consequences. It’s Continue Reading
Now this is music #62: The Dandy Warhols, EKKAH, Lady Bee, KEØMA, PANKHABILLI
“Love is a many-splendored thing” observed Frank Sinatra and while that is still as true as the day he first sang it, there’s also a lot about it that isn’t so wonderful. Well at least when it’s in its death throes anyway. Kinda gloomy to focus on you might Continue Reading
Now this is music #61: Jasia, The Walking Sticks, Fran Seven, Baby Blood, Breakfast in Fur
A month into the new year and it’s time to chill a little and think about life. But to do that you need a great soundtrack right? OK sure spiritual gurus may disagree – but we all know they’re plugging into their iPods the moment you’re gone – but Continue Reading
“We are here to party”: ABBA reunite in Stockholm for first time since 2008 (post #2000)
While it might not have been the concert tour or new album that many ABBA fans, rather vainly it should be aided, hope for, the fact that all four members of the legendary Swedish fans were on stage together this week in Stockholm is a cause for celebration. According to Continue Reading
Future Zeitgeist: 3 pop culture resolutions for 2016
Another new year! Thousands of new movies to watch. Hundreds of TV shows to watch. Billions of books to read (wait, is that only me?). And an insane amount of music waiting to be downloaded and listened to over the next 366 days. So what to prioritise? What to Continue Reading
Re-play the music please maestro: The 10 songs I loved most in 2015
Music makes my world go round. Well, granted so do movies, TV shows and books, and big fat slices of caramel cheesecake, but music is the one thing that goes with me pretty everywhere, the soundtrack to my life if you will. It’s there with me when I am Continue Reading