New Music: Eli Paperboy Reed

If Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson had a kid – this would be it. Check out here.

Live: Active Child at Relentless Garage Upstairs

I went to see Active Child at the Relentless Garage Upstairs a couple of nights ago but only just managed to upload this clip just now (my videos take ages to load on Youtube- but I guess the sound quality is pretty good no?).

The music was kinda stunning, and he played around with a mini harp which is always good ‘When Your Love is Safe’ is so far my favourite track of his, but he also played another track that was really upbeat but I couldn’t figure out what it was called. Anyway, if you get a chance to see him, go do it! Cold Cave were supporting and left my ears ringing for ages after; but ‘Theme from Tomorrowland’ blew me away.

Live: Hurts at the NME Radar Tour at Koko

I was really excited about seeing Hurts perform for the first time in a big venue- they’ve been the talk of blogs since last year and they were super good. The whole set was just really swish (does anyone use that word anymore?). Everything Everything were also sharing the top bill but I wasn’t so keen on them, although Photoshop Handsome was loads of fun. I feel like they try to do too much at the same time. Darwin Deez was supporting, and much as I think he’s really cool, some of the songs sounded a hot mess. The dancing was between tracks with his band was so awesome though! When I arrived I discovered that Active Child was also playing on the night but I didn’t get there in time to catch it, so I’m off to see him tonight at the Garage.

FLASHMOB!

Here’s some pics from the London version of the Eurovision Flashmob. Call me a geek, but I was really looking forward to this. The memo said to come dressed in bright colours, and somehow I think I took that too seriously (I looked like an orange…)

It was held outside The Place– which was a bit weird as it was just a little street in Kings Cross  (although it did look very London)

Anyway, there was a massive mix of people, and it was all loads of fun. We started at 6pm, didn’t finish til around 10 at night. Looking forward to seeing the clip on the night of the Final!

New Music: Jamie Woon

I really don’t know much about this guy, other than he’s supporting Ellie Goulding at this summer’s iTunes festival in London. He’s got a smooth, haunting, soulful voice about him. His Myspace is a little empty, but his first single is on Youtube. Be sure to give ‘Spirits a listen too. Check out here.

New Music: MNEK

Before I ran this blog, I shared one with my ex-wifey called Baby Sonic Trap. It didn’t last very long. Anyway, Mnek was one of the artists I featured on that old blog, and I kind of forgot about it for a while but his song, ‘If Truth Be Told’ came on my iTouch yesterday and I remembered just how fun this guy is. He’s only a teenager- something like 15 or 16 maybe? But so so good! Check out here.

New Music: Jennie Abrahamson

I said last week I would mention more about this Swedish lady. I didn’t really know who she was until I saw her live last week at Penguin Prison’s London gig, and I didn’t expect that I would enjoy her stuff as much as I did (her pictures make her look moodier than she actually is). She seems to be more established in Europe than she is in the UK. I guess it’s cool pop- and it’s easy to listen to. Check out here.

Live: Penguin Prison at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

I managed to catch Penguin Prison in London last night in Shoreditch (this gig was meant to happen last week but because of that volcano cloud thing it had to be put back). He was amazing. Really really amazing. I don’t know how else to put it. I thought he would be headlining the night but turns out he was supporting a band I’d never heard of, which is a bit ironic. Or maybe I’m out of touch. I also saw another lady called Jennie Abrahamson who was also really good. I’ll put up a post on her in a little while- she’s a sort of Kate Bush/ Lykke Li hybrid with a smile.

Live: Alan Pownall at Borderline

I only heard of Alan Pownall last week, so I thought it would be cool to check him out at the Borderline in London last night. It felt like there was a big buzz around the venue, and it was pretty much a packed house (too packed- and I I’m not a big fan of the Borderline), but he was really really good! Chasing Time will be huge. Above is a clip from the night. Go see him if you can!

New Music: Florrie

Florrie is from the British Xenomania camp of hit makers- Girls Aloud are probably their biggest success yet (and Alex Gardner later in the year I reckon!). I don’t know much about Florrie, so I’ve stolen her bio from Last.fm…

Florrie Arnold (b. 1988) is a drummer, singer and songwriter. As the drummer in Xenomania house band JFK, she has performed drums on Girls Aloud’s “The Promise” and Alesha Dixon’s “The Boy Does Nothing”.

Give ‘Panic Attack’ a listen. Check out here.

Brasilia 50

It’s been 50 years to the day that Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, came to life. It just looks like something made for a Bond movie set, and you won’t find a city shaped like an aeroplane anywhere else in the world (London just looks like a fried egg from the sky). I’ve never been there, but it’s one of my things to do before I turn 30. Check out the Rio Times here for a cute little article.