Category: Music

A little late on this one…

I brought Cheryl Cole’s album when it came out all those months ago (no sniggering), and I was a bit disappointed with what I heard. Parachute was probably the best track on the album, but I had to watch the video to realise that it’s actually a really good pop song.

New Music: Liptease

French Electro. Their Myspace proclaims, ‘We Are Here to Dominate Your Ears’. Love love ‘Ooh Ai’ so much. Check out here.

New Music: Bruno Mars

Currently featured on B.o.B’s ‘Nothin On You’ (which is just about the most amazing bit of hip hop I’ve heard for ages), Bruno Mars look set to shake a few airwaves later this year. Check out here.

New Music: Washed Out

I don’t think you’ve ever heard anything like this before. It’s on a similar stroke to Active Child, but kinda not. I can’t explain it very well. I can listen to Washed Out’s stuff on repeat and not get bored. It just takes you away to somewhere new. Check out here.

New Music: Salem Al Fakir

It’s so rare to see people from Syria (my own home) get famous in the western world (for the good reasons!). Enter Salem Al Fakir, who’s a bit of a pop star in Sweden. I didn’t know about him til I saw a clip of him performing ‘Keep On Walking’ which is absolute perfection in my eyes. He’s already released 3 albums since 2007 in Sweden, so it’s only a matter of time before the rest of Europe clocks on! Check out here.

New Music: Active Child

Big things are tipped for this chap. Beautiful and haunting music that makes you feel a little bit good. Check out here.

New Music: Pete Lawrie

Just signed to Island Records, nice guitary music with a nice voice. Currently touring with Thurin Breaks (I didn’t know they were playing London til they came and went!). Check out here.

New Music: Fabio Lendrum

I’m not sure how to describe Fabio’s music other than it being fantastic. He co-wrote a track by Example which went a little huge here in the UK called Won’t Go Quietly (I’ve been rooting for Example for years, it’s so good to see his efforts being picked up finally). Check out Fabio’s Myspace here. Will be massive shortly.

Live: Alex Gardner at The Lexington

I’ve raved on about this guy for ages but this week I saw Alex Gardner live for the first time. We came in a bit late so only managed to catch a couple of songs but this little man can SING! If you get a chance to catch him then do it. I can’t get 0ver how young he is yet have such an amazing voice.

Just back from Eurovision: Your Country Needs You

I’ve just arrived back from the BBC TV Centre in White City (London) where the UK national selection for Eurovision was hosted live on TV. We were queing from 2pm and filming wrapped at 10pm! Pete Waterman composed the song, so all we had to do was pick a singer. They were all way too young I think (one girl forgot her lines half way through the song but she did have an amazing voice). Anyway, here’s the winner:

New Music: Neon Hitch

I really like Neon Hitch. She’s just got signed up by Warner Bros. She also co-wrote ‘Blah Blah Blah’ for Ke$ha.

Live: Corinne Bailey Rae at Shepherds Bush Empire

Last time I saw Corinne Bailey Rae live was around 5 years ago at the same venue, when she released her first album. It was fresh, fun, light and summery. This time round, she’s back with a deeper, darker sound that’s sombre with sorrow.

She shed a few tears when playing her older stuff, and I did feel a bit younger listening to them. I’m only 25 and Im starting to feel old! Darn! Her set went on for about an hour and a half, and it was pretty much amazingly nice to experience. The stage was a lot more static than last time- giving it a more grown-up feeling.

Standout performances have to be ‘Feels Like The First Time’, ‘Love’s On It’s Way’ and her versions of ‘Que Sera Sera’ and ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’.

Alfitude Album of the Year… and it’s still February

Erik Hassle is really good. Buy it!

New Music: Alex Gardner

Wow. I’ve been following this guy (not literally) since the end of last year and can’t get over the fact that he’s only 18, yet pretty much amazing already. Out March 22nd 2010. Alex Gardner

Mamy Rock

Mamy Rock is causing a bit of a storm in France right now. Why? Is it because she’s a 69 year old house DJ who’s actually called Ruth Flowers? Yes. And she’s really good. I can see a whole load of grandpa’s chasing after this GILF! Check this out:

Prince rehearsing in a warehouse in 1984

This proves that even icons like to practice. But it also proves that icons create unrefined beauty with whatever they do.