Dry the River: Weights & Measures EP

Fronted by medical student Peter Liddle, East London five-piece Dry the River were never destined to be a simplistic musical project. In replace of minimalist chord patterns and generic indie-pop hooks, we are presented with complex layered harmonies that crescendo to anthemic choruses.

The desperately impassioned "Weights & Measures" from which the EP takes its name, carries with it a hymnal solemnity. Simultaneously depressing and curiously cathartic, there is an undeniable touch of Bon Iver in the subtle darkness of lyrics such as, ‘I was prepared to love you and never expect anything of you’.

Dry the River’s dramatically intense style can at times verge on the overly grandiose, an element guaranteed to divide critics. "Bible Belt" however, provides a soporific contrast to the theatrical, recorded in an acoustic session and hence lacking that often-superficial studio polish. A lullaby of ‘wintry calm’, this track is a poignant elegy to the lost fire of youth.

Covering Josh T. Pearson’s beautiful "Thou Art Loosed", the quintet arguably detract from the intimacy of the original. They do so artistically however, as the echoing harmonious round of ‘don’t cry for me babe, you’ll learn to live without me’ creates a quasi-transcendental effect, reminiscent of a candelight vigil or séance. The closing motif of ‘I’m off to save the world’ could well be dubiously bombastic in many cases; with Dry the River you find yourself hypnotically believing every word.

There are dazzling moments on this EP that present Dry the River as a band desiring to escape genre restrictions and expectations. However, whilst a sense of aching urgency is often most powerful when suppressed, they at times risk emotionally saturating their listeners. "Bible Belt" for instance, begins beautifully yet lacks the magical lustre heard on "Family Tree", perhaps because it fails to reach the climax anticipated throughout.

The highlights, for the most part, dominate this record’s relatively few weaknesses, proving that the time has surely come for Dry the River to quit flirting with EPs and make that first album move. They’ve no need to fear rejection; we’re already seduced.


Dry the River's official music video for "Weights & Measures"

Originally published by The Harker: www.theharker.com/2011/11/22/music-dry-the-rivers-weights-and-measures/

Ben Howard graces Newcastle’s Riverside with his spirited Devonshire folk-pop

Surf-kid by day, singer-songwriter by night, Ben Howard confirmed at his recent Newcastle gig that he has captured the musical hearts of Britain. Due to illness, he was not his usual talkative self on stage, yet this far from threatened the audience engagement he strived for and successfully achieved. Confident enough to rely on his evident talent for infectious hooks and instrumental improvisation, he appeared an unpretentious figure, instantly endearing and likeable. Irresistibly rhythmic finger-picking and wavering female harmonies washed over the welcoming crowd as they hungrily surged closer.

Hailing from Totnes, South Devon, Howard’s parents had a strong influence over his musical development, the soundtrack to his childhood consisting of the legendary likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Currently signed to Communion and Island Records (the latter due to its history with Nick Drake and John Martyn), his debut album Every Kingdom was released in October to widespread acclaim.

Howard’s humble reverence for natural beauty resonates from tracks brimming with imagery of water, wildflowers and, of course, wolves. His melodic vocals are, however, often caramelised with an illusive cheeriness. Addressing much deeper, darker themes than a first listen may suggest, "The Fear" and "Black Flies" both address the painful experience of losing someone you love.

Yet Howard’s lyrics do not merely weep melancholic doom and despair. Just as the unassuming 23-year old risked losing the full attention of those feeling a little dampened, his ability to sense a crowd’s reaction triggered a shift towards the upbeat and positive. Latest single "Keep Your Head Up", an optimistic anthem of self-empowerment, saw the eager Newcastle fans snap back freshly focused on the performance.

Closing an atmospherically charged set with the evocative "The Wolves", Howard bid goodnight to a rammed Riverside venue already excitedly anticipating his return next February.

Ben Howard plays "Keep Your Head Up" by the sea, naturally.

Originally published by Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=16860

Unearthing Durham's 'Elusive' Live Music Scene

Whether you started at Durham last week or three years ago, you’ll probably be well aware by now that everybody’s favourite bubble is, by the very nature of a bubble, pretty damn small. A fortnight of fun but hazy club nights later you may well find yourself longing to experience something a little bit different, particularly if your iPod isn’t filled with, well, Rihanna, David Guetta and Example. This is where Durham’s relatively elusive live music scene comes into play. There’s a live music scene in Durham?! Why yes there is, to be unearthed right here, right now, before your very eyes.

Last year’s student-run Vane Tempest Sessions continue to bring the best up and coming folk/indie acts from around the UK to Durham. This year their intimate setting will host the welcome return of Dry the River and a variety of artists who you should definitely catch while you can.  After last year's Athlete show some more big gigs are in the pipeline too!

A promising new Thursday gig night is to be launched at Fishtank. According to its founder Tudor Skinner, ‘One More Tune!’ will feature “an eclectic range of acts, running from the ethereal folk of Bridie Jackson, through the up-and-coming Sunderland indie-sters So What Robot, to the deranged experimental noise of Waheela”.

Fishtank, appropriately named for its location above Stanton’s fish’n’chips shop on Neville Street, has a unique atmosphere that marks it out from the more typically ‘Durham’ drinking establishments. With ambient lighting, regular acoustic sets and its very own indie disco ‘Grammar’, there’s a character to the place that is well worth checking out.

A Deer For Your Lamb sessions, run by Shaun Atherton and his independent live music promotion team, showcase an array of intimate, unplugged shows from artists who would normally sell out much larger venues. Shaun commented to Palatinate, “We’ve got some really amazing people coming through, some of whom you’d rarely ever see playing a show in the North East. There’s such a wealth of interesting music happening right now and it does go a little underappreciated. I get a kick from watching people come out of shows with that ‘yes, that was amazing’ look on their faces. I think live music is probably the closest thing we have in our culture to a shared spiritual experience. I always feel on a high for days after seeing a good show”.

Returning this Friday after a successful appearance last year, Edinburgh’s highly regarded Withered Hand will play an intimate gig at Alington House on the Bailey. Other forthcoming acts include David Dondero at Head of Steam who is signed to Bright Eyes’ label, and The Shivers, an experimental rock band from New York previously compared to Lou Reed.

With the most extensive line-up of shows A Deer For Your Lamb have ever had lined up in such a short period of time (see their Facebook page for more information), it would be foolish not to see a gig for yourself. If you’re a live music fan, disappointment really does not look likely.

However, it’s not all about the folk here in Durham, just as North Road’s Live Lounge is not merely a nightclub popular on Saturdays. As its name suggests, the venue often plays host to bands from all over the country with their past repertoire including Funeral for a Friend, Gallows and Twin Atlantic. The popular Itchy Feet nights held at Live Lounge showcase a unique blend of 50s rock’n’roll, funk, swing and soul and have started to present live music, with Will and the People playing an upbeat set last year.

Moving on to those who take a more active approach to music and are keen to make themselves heard in Durham (you know, the ones who can actually play the guitar that sits in your bedroom looking pretty). With regular gigs, open mic nights and a music-orientated quiz every Wednesday, The Angel Inn in Crossgate has built up quite a reputation as an alternative rock pub. The proof is in the jukebox. Osbourne’s, next door to Klute, also hosts an open mic night every Sunday that will cure even the worst Saturday night hangover. Well, maybe not the very worst, but they try.

Let us not forget that many, if not all colleges organise live music nights to coax their talent out of hiding and into the Durham spotlight. Van Mildert’s free annual festival, Jam by the Lake, always proves a fun day of music post-exams, whilst many colleges have an Arts Week of sorts during which students’ music-making is celebrated.

The Alternative Music Society aims to bring Durham’s developing live music scene to the attention of students by organising their own gigs, as well as providing listings to events in both Durham and the rest of the North East. Socials include the popular Mixtape Swap Socials which aim to broaden attendees’ musical horizons whilst they enjoy drinks with like-minded people. They try to co-ordinate people going to the same gig further afield so that cheaper transport can be arranged, as well as offering discounts to events based around Durham for only a £3/year membership fee.

Speaking to Alex Appleton, president of the society, it became clear that the main reason many Durham students fail to attend local music events is simply because they are unaware that they exist. Alex commented on how “regular live events in Fishtank, Head of Steam, Live Lounge and Alington House as well as DJ nights have started to become really well attended in the last year”. When asked his own honest opinion on our current live music climate, he described Durham as having “a DIY and alternative music scene that belies the small size of the city- you just have to look for it and you’ll find it”.

The entertainment hub of Newcastle with venues including the O2 Academy, Riverside and The Cluny is but fifteen minutes away on the train, but this is no reason for Durham to remain eternally locked in its shadow. Live music relies on a supportive audience, so instead of moaning about the apparent lack of a music scene, why not get involved and help the existing one grow into something bigger and better? It’s what we make of it after all.

Link to Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=15747

Boxes: Silent Alarm EP

South-East London lad Boxes (a.k.a Carey Willets, former bassist for Athlete) has exploded a larger-than-life sound onto new EP, Silent Alarm.

The four track collection, a precursor to his forthcoming debut album, showcases multi-instrumental skills with punchy guitar, catchy synths and fun electro beats. The playful sheen to the title track inspires a feeling of innocent, sun-kissed satisfaction that heavily counteracts its mildly traumatising video.

Like a revved-up re-incarnation of The Dykeenies or an Owl City with less cringe and more guts, Boxes’ delicate melodies have an easy, disarming charm that will surprise even the most stubborn of sceptics. The acoustic "Don’t Look Down" proves that he need not rely merely upon artificial sounds, whilst the lazy Sunday vibe to "Throw Your Stones" exudes close to effortless cool.

Silent Alarm is released on 26th September via Bow Music.

Originally published by Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=15069

Straight off the Catwalk

Here, as promised, are some photographs from the catwalks at London Fashion Week. The first four images are from the collection by Spijkers en Spijkers. Inspired by the Persian queen with distinct 1930s elements, the graphic stars, tassles and fringing are colourfully exciting and eye-catching.

The following three images are from the collection by Kiki Kamanu, showcased at The Strand Palace Hotel. The Nigerian American designer presented a vibrant, opulent display of her cultural roots, complete with striking make-up.

Link to the rest of my London Fashion Week set: www.flickr/com/jessdenham

In Search of Pretty Things at London Fashion Week

Yesterday I visited Somerset House, the central location for London Fashion Week, where I was given access to the designer exhibitions with a photography pass. Below are some images from the collection exhibited by Ada Zanditon in collaboration with jewellery designer Luca Romanyi.

This necklace was created from recycled plastic and contains shredded ten pound notes that look like decaying leaves. Disappointingly, no money was wildly torn up for the sake of art as the notes had been discontinued. However, its creation happened to coincide with the credit crunch, giving it extra, if unintended cool points. The metallic glint of the money gives the piece an autumnal shine and fits perfectly with the AW11 trend for bronzes, silvers and golds.

The above necklace and its counterpart bracelet below were inspired by seahorses. The wood used is from Romanyi's father's furniture making company. Simple, bold and eye-catching with a fun tribal twist.

Catwalk photos coming soon....!

Marcus Foster: Nameless Path

Amidst a recent tidal wave of male singer-songwriters, Marcus Foster is remarkably far from ordinary. Described by Communion Records as "metaphorically dropped from a rambling Kerouac chapter", throughout his debut album he effectively balances raw passion with understated poise.

Displaying a soulful integrity that far surpasses his 24 years, Foster expresses a guileless yet unmistakeably masculine sensitivity on tracks such as "I Don’t Need to Know" and latest single "I Was Broken", whilst the dispersal of upbeat tracks amongst slower laments ensures that the album’s energy never once drops. 

Stand-out track "Shadows of the City" is a slick bluesy slice of urban sexiness, given edge by moments of almost primal intensity. Contained and composed with flashes of uninhibited vivacity, Foster presents a masterclass on the use of tension-building silence as trembling guitar forms a haunting support for his gravely vocals. Here is a record worthy of accolade, yet to be released but somehow already timeless. 

Nameless Path is released on 26^th September via Communion/Polydor Records.

Originally published by Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=15053

Scott Matthews: “I’ll be somewhere like Sainsbury’s and get an idea for a song, usually whilst looking at the fruit.”

Born and bred in the Black Country, accomplished singer-songwriter Scott Matthews has remained refreshingly modest in the face of international success. Speaking to Palatinate the very morning that his third album, What the Night Delivers, is released, his humble hopes and aspirations reflect an endearingly down-to-earth attitude. “I like to think that my songs will have their own place, that people will have their own journeys with the material like I have. All you can really ask is that they will have an effect on somebody. If there’s no-one to listen to your songs then it’s all a little bit pointless.”

Repeatedly compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake, Matthews was keen for his music to sonically progress from previous records, Passing Stranger in 2006 and Elsewhere in 2009. Drawing on films, books and general life experiences for inspiration, his style encompasses an eclectic array of genres with evident bluesy folk overtones. Determined for his music to resist pigeon-holing, future plans involve the possible release of some experimental EPs. “I’d quite like to try some instrumental work at some point, or a full on blues record. Different directions are important, I don’t want to stagnate. I’d like to think that over the three records so far, you can see a broad spectrum of ideas.” Luckily, Matthews has proven himself as an artist capable enough to reflect his wide-ranging music taste in his own creative work.

Matthews was first encouraged to engage with music when his drummer father bought him a guitar for his seventh birthday. Music became “a natural process of self-exploration” and eventually he was offered the chance to record a track with San Remo Records. What started out as a hobby soon became a lifestyle that he desired to sustain. Winning an Ivor Novello for "Elusive" back in 2007 (Best Song Musically and Lyrically) was “a massive deal, but a little bit daunting”. With such a dazzling accolade came the pressure to better himself; fortunately Matthews had the drive and ambition to do just that.


Scott Matthews plays his Ivor Novello award-winning "Elusive".

Over the last few years, the emergence of a plethora of singer-songwriter, man with guitar types has made finding space on a teeming platform tricky. Matthews however, seems undeterred by competition, believing that “people know what they like” in an era with “a tendency to explore a lot more”. Upon being asked to whom in the modern music scene he would award an Ivor Novello, Matthews commended Bill Callahan, “a much underrated artist and a fantastic writer as well.” Unfortunately as Callahan is American, he would not qualify for nomination.

Playing live is integral to Matthews as he revels in the opportunity to interact and connect with an audience. “People still need to get a true sense of where an artist is coming from on a live front. It throws a different vibe over the songs; it’s easy to gloss over some things in the studio.” He has toured extensively over the last few years, with a host of UK shows planned for September and October. To date, Matthews has supported artists such as Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Foo Fighters and Rufus Wainwright but, just like winning his Ivor Novello, he confided in Palatinate that these shows proved inspiring, if a little overawing. “I did about five or six shows with Snow Patrol, just little old me and my guys making music that we considered hard to get across in the big arenas.”


"Obsession Never Sleeps" & "Ballerina Lake" from latest album, What the Night Delivers.

With his unmistakable talent, Matthews’ song-writing recipe is the holy grail for budding musicians. Preferring to add the lyrical ingredients last, he reveals, “I’ll make a CD of melodies for the car and drive around listening to that. I’ve always been one to get a really strong feeling from the music which I put together.” However, in his characteristically chilled-out manner, it is whilst supermarket shopping that inspiration often strikes. “I’ll be somewhere like Sainsbury’s and get an idea for a song, usually whilst looking at the fruit.” Yes, a whole new light has now been shed on why his lyrics are so notoriously intriguing and mysterious; they originate from the visual delights of apples and bananas.

When asked to give some advice for students looking to make a career in music, Matthews asserts that it is primarily self-belief that propelled him to where he is today. “Be true to yourself, it’s so easy to get influenced by people. You’ll be inspired by something initially, but then I think it’s all about finding yourself.” 

Perhaps it’s time to do the supermarket shopping for Mum this weekend after all.

Link to Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=14974

Green Man Festival 2011: The Weekend in Photos

I'll be uploading the many photos I took over the weekend onto my Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessdenham), but below are five of my favourites. I was lucky enough to secure a photographer's pass which allowed for some up close and personal shots.

Anticipation, suspense and potential.

Laura Marling on the Main Stage, clearly reveling in the crowd's reaction to her set.

Morgan Henderson plays the double bass for Fleet Foxes, bathed in a moody blue light.

Fleet Foxes play 'Mykonos' as part of their Saturday night headline slot.

Marcus Foster gives an unforgettable performance on the Green Man Pub Stage.

Villagers: 'The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)'

This song played repeatedly on the main stage at Green Man in between acts and hence will always remind me of a wonderful weekend of first class music, chai tea and ginger ice-cream.