Hitting up Guardian HQ!

The video shown below for 'I Heart NY' may feature Samuel riding on the back of a garbage truck, but in real life the 22-year-old found his way into the more glamourous environs of Kanye West's blog with his recent cover of Drake's 'Find Your Love'. 'I Heart NY' could be considered a lyrically downbeat antidote to 'Empire State of Mind', with Samuel paying tribute to the backstreets of the flashy metropolis, where so many are "made to grow up and be famous". Insanely (and almost irritatingly) catchy.

Link to my post on The Guardian's new music blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/aug/19/samuel-i-heart-ny

Folky Fusion in India

Whilst touring India last Christmas, British folk treasures Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons experimented with native Rajasthani musicians to produce an irresistibly sensual fusion of the very finest of musical spice. This intriguing collaboration is inventive in its exploration of music as a unique part of a country’s culture and soul. Hypnotism to the ears, the resulting four song EP will enchant and fascinate, as the Dharohar Project paint their Asian opulence upon Marling and Mumford’s soft, soothing, and oh so English vocals. Building, layering crescendos, experimental lyricism and the seemingly effortless merging of instrumental styles (most noticeable during the highly textural climax of ‘Mehendi Rachi’) create that magically ethereal sense of having travelled without physically moving at all. It’s innovative, it’s exotically mysterious, and it works.


Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Dharohar Project performing 'Devil's Spoke' live in Delhi, December 2009.

'Mon The Biff!

When a band of beardy, tattooed men kick-start a gig having already removed their shirts, their intentions are clear. Throughout the next hour, Camden’s Roundhouse was to be transformed into a visceral sweaty cave of musical treasures and the true Biffy fans amongst the crowd were expecting nothing less. Storming the stage like primitive wild animals, the three Scotsmen proved the pure yet unapologetically filthy embodiment of masculinity. Simon Neil’s gravelly vocals lent authenticity to his deeply personal and at times hauntingly romantic lyrics, whilst fiery-haired feral James Johnston assumed mastery of the pounding bass.

Cinematic pop-rock singles ‘Mountains’ and ‘Bubbles’ from Mercury-prize nominated ‘Only Revolutions' arguably incited the fiercest adulation from the crowd, many of whom would have been less familiar with the band’s earlier work having won tickets to the show. However, with a substantial and more importantly, impressive, backlog of hits to choose from, anticipation was rife as to what guitar-ridden beast they would unleash next. ‘Who’s Got A Match’ and ‘A Whole Child Ago’, pieces in crucial fourth album ‘Puzzle’ that most definitely fit together, were particularly welcome surprises that helped fuel the already burning fire of their setlist. Despite the distinct metallic shine to their melodies, Biffy Clyro offered the fans a glimpse of both their versatility and softer side with gentler ballads such as ‘Machines’ and personal latest album favourite ‘Many Of Horror’ allowing for a break from the mosh.

Ending the night with ‘The Captain’, the raucous rock trio bid farewell to the full-force armada of fans they now well and truly had on board. Mon’ the Biff!

Biffy Clyro played Camden Roundhouse, 31/07/10.