Sounds Like Interview: The Magic Lantern - Love Of Too Much Living

Ahoy there and Happy Saturday. And it really is a Happy Saturday too as I'm about to bring you the second of my "Sounds Like" interview features, which I hope you enjoy reading (and if you don't, please keep it to yourself, I can't stand audience participation). 

Today, I'm exceptionally pleased to be bringing you yet another fine act associated with PinDrop Publicity. The Magic Lantern and the exceptional new album "Love Of Too Much Living". Jamie Doe, the brilliant singer/songwriter/musical genius behind the act agreed to be gently probed by me (and I mean, who wouldn't fancy having that done...?) and here is the end result, chaos, classical guitars and Kleenex. No finer combination I think you'll agree. 

1. Your new album “Love Of Too Much Living” seems like a real labour of love – and it has a very intense feel to it. Do you think that keeping the instrumentation as simple as possible plays a part in this?

Yes I was really keen with this record to focus on the intensity that comes with stripping everything away, of trying to distill something to make it stronger. I think of these songs as miniatures, where the world, mood or experience they suggest is greater than the sum of their parts. In the same way an artist implies a face with a few lines, I spent a long time in the studio thinking about how I could make each song more powerful by the space I leave around it. I know for some people, all they’ll hear is what is there but I like the idea that with so much space, you leave room for the listener to colour in the arrangement themselves.

2. I noticed from your bio that you studied philosophy. Do you feel that this influences your lyric writing?

Ha! I don’t know! Certainly not stylistically as the language of analytic philosophy is pretty dry. If there is a connection it’s that the same impulse which drives me to write songs is what drew me to study philosophy. I’m curious about people. I think we’re remarkably fragile but surprisingly resilient and I have this urge to tell people that it’s going to be alright. I think that most of the time we’re doing our best but I really believe we could be better. Trying to understand what that could be but forgiving ourselves when we fail to reach it is something I think about a lot.

3. The album was recorded live – I love the idea of this, as I think you can capture more emotional depth and genuine feeling that way – would you agree or not?

Recording the album live was something that just felt like the right thing for these songs but posed some technical challenges in the studio. I don’t think it’s the only way to convey emotional depth, there are plenty of very moving studio albums where everything is multi-tracked, chopped, diced and edited but for the kind of record I wanted to make I wanted to create the impression of playing the songs directly to the listener in a very personal way. The way I play and the type of songs means there will always be some imperfections with each take. It took me a little while to be comfortable with that but once I stopped worrying that every take had to be perfect it freed me up to concentrate on ‘performing’ the songs rather than trying to just ‘record’ them and I think that helped to make each track sound like its being played just for you. 

4. From listening to the tracks, I can see that there may be inevitable comparisons drawn between your style and other artists like perhaps Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake, but there are also some lovely traditional folk music touches too – such as in your song “28 Years Old”. Who has influenced your music most – whether well known or otherwise?

Influences are a funny thing. I grew up listening to a lot of jazz and as a kid I always wanted to be a jazz pianist before picking up the electric guitar when I was 16 and wanting to play like Jimi Hendrix, then when I was 18 I got a classical guitar and wanting to play like Bert Jansch. But the singer that has influenced me the most is definitely Chet Baker. He sings with a such an unshowy simplicity that long before I started writing my own songs I’d learnt to sing along to all of his records. After Chet, there are just so many… when I lived in Bristol I discovered West African music for the first time and played in this crazy group with a flamenco guitarist, kora player, mbira player, I learnt so much in those three years. Since then, I’ve tried to play and learn as much as I can about lots of music but in particular I’ve been very lucky to spend time and becomes friends with a lot of musicians who really inspire me like This Is The Kit, Nick Mulvey, Fred Thomas, Sam Lee, Zac Gvi, Jiri Slavik, Alabaster DePlume and too many to name here!

5. The record was released on 29^th September. Can you let my readers know if you’ve got any gigs planned to promote the album?

Yes the album came out on the 29^th September and I’m currently on a UK tour promoting it. I hope some of your readers can come along to one!

09/10              The Speak Easy at Fudge Hull^

10/10              The Fuel Café                      Manchester^

12/10              The Independent Cafe       Scunthorpe^

16/10              Catweazle Club                   Oxford

20/10              St Pancras Old Church      London 

24/10              The Grain Barge                  Bristol* 

25/10              The Goods Shed                  Stroud*

26/10              The Lexington                      London*

27/10              Norwich Arts Centre            Norwich* 

28/10              Portland Arms                       Cambridge*

29/10              The Loft Sessions                Brighton*

30/10              Railway                                  Winchester* 

31/10              UCLU Folk Society              London

02/10              The Jam Factory                  Oxford

12/11              The Green Note                   London

18/11              Woodburner                          London

19/11              Bath Gallery                          Bath

05/12              House Show                            Fife

10/12              The Carlton Cinema             Westgate^

11/12              The Lighthouse                    Deal^

13/12              Irregular Folk                        Oxford

 6. I played this album late last night and again this morning. It did actually make me cry, both times. Will you pay for my next box of tissues?

Yes of course I’ll pay for the tissues! But seriously, I’m really glad you were able to relate to it. Since the record has been out I’ve been really pleased to see different people’s reactions to it and how different some interpretations are from what I thought about when I wrote the songs. More than anything though, I hope people who hear this record are able to find in it something that speaks to them and their own experience.

7. What’s next for you? I mean obviously, I think being interviewed by me is the pinnacle and it’ll be hard to top it…but...

Well after I get over the honor of The General interview, I’m focusing on touring for the rest of the year as well as getting together a collection of covers and remixes of the songs from ‘Love Of Too Much Living’ by some friends and fellow musicians including Rozi Plain, Sam Lee, Emilia Martnesson, This Is The Kit and others. It’s going to be out as a free download before Christmas along with a special vinyl version of the album which I’m really excited about. Then I’m going to lie down, sleep for a few days, and then go away somewhere to think about the next one!

You can find out more about Jamie here:

www.the-magic-lantern.co.uk

And follow him on Le Twitter here:

@magiclanternuk

You can also buy his astonishingly fantastic album here:

http://themagiclantern.bandcamp.com/

Please please consider giving The Magic Lantern an hour or two of your time, this is quite simply a delightful album, start to finish. 

The August List - O Hinterland

Yes. I know. It seems you can't get enough of me today. A hat trick of blog posts for this very very musical Sunday. What can I offer you for this final installment? Something very different, and very very most outstanding.

Eagle eyed readers of these pages (yes, I'm looking at you...I LOVE what you've done to your hair, by the way...) will know by now that I've featured marvellous purveyors of alt-country perfectness The August List twice already. I really love them a lot, and their last single "Cut Yr Teeth" was a precursor to their new album "O Hinterland" which has now, gloriously been released.

First of all, as always, the necessaries. Hoik your tramtracks over to their bandcamp page, have a listen and make your purchase thereof.

theaugustlist.bandcamp.com/

This is, as expected, a pretty phenomenal album. It contains the previously mentioned single "Cut Yr Teeth" plus last year's brilliant "High Town Crow".

But that's not all. No. There are some other real gems too. In particular, thegeneral really loved "All To Break", "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" and closing track "Cabin Fever". "All To Break" in particular is a really raw, powerful song. One of those tracks that seems to come from the band's feet and spread upwards in a glorious breakout of emotionally charged depth. "Cabin Fever" is a really superb way to close the album, gently lulling us out - the calm after the energetic storm.

I like the fact that both Kerraleigh and Martin are not afraid to trade vocal places, that they both get an equal footing in the songs and that it doesn't detract from the power of the tracks, having them do so. Both bring their own level of emotional intensity to the tracks, but both are different and unique enough to make it not sound like they're competing with each other.

I always bemoan the fact I never get enough alt-country/blues type acts to feature on these pages. The August List have justifiably become a regular feature of mine and long may they continue. "O Hinterland" is quite simply a brilliant album and one I urge you to give a try - even if you're new to this genre and unsure. You really won't regret it.

The Whereabouts - I Don't Care

Two blog posts for the price of one. You can't say fairer than that of a weekend, can you? Thegeneral is actually in swinging sixties mode today, so following on from the brilliance of The Everglows, I'm keeping up the theme and bringing The Whereabouts to your attention.

I was genuinely really excited to get be contacted and asked to review these guys. They've been on my radar for a little while after the release of their initial recordings last year and their new EP "I Don't Care" has just been released. You can buy it by clicking on the following link:

i-dont-care/id914085170

The Whereabouts are a genuinely exciting prospect for the future. First of all, they've got real raw, musical talent. "I Don't Care" is a massively exciting EP. It's easy to see who their influences are, and who they take inspiration from, but there's more to them than just being a "painting by numbers" copycat band. Their songs are original, really interesting and solidly constructed. If the opening track to this collection of songs does not hook you in with it's awesome kick arse riff, then you have no soul. NO SOUL, I TELL YOU - AND WE CANNOT BE FRIENDS. SO THERE.

I mentioned in my last review of The Everglows, there were flashes of early *whispers* Status Quo. Here, in this EP, particularly in track two "Money and Fame" the guitars have that same feel, that same, real force and power, the same type of catchy hooks.

There simply isn't a bad track here. Every one of them will draw you in, in some way. The Whereabouts are an exciting, fresh act - with a real genuine energy to their music and their approach. Thegeneral cannot wait to see what they come up with next and in the meantime, spend some of your hard earned pennies on buying "I Don't Care".

The Everglows - Sugary Sun

Hello and Happy Weekend you big bunch of deviants. It's Sunday. A time for quiet contemplative reflection, tea, toast and Songs of Praise. If you're like, a total square and stuff. If you're me, you're probably rocking silently back and forth, ruing all your missed chances in life and wondering whether you'll ever be a contender. Charley.

Sometimes what you need to get you out of your stupor is a kick arse tune and I actually think I have it for you today.

Please behold The Everglows, go to their bandcamp page and listen to their latest track "Sugary Sun"

theeverglows.bandcamp.com/

Oh you know what, I absolutely love this. It's got a brilliant sixties vibe to it. Hush hush a moment, I'm about to utter something that might be a bit of an anathema to you. EARLY STATUS QUO. Yes. This reminds me of early Status Quo, when they were massively brilliant. Before they became laminated to their three power chord sheet.

I love the opening riff. I love the slightly distorted, muted vocal. I love the dissonance in it. It really does have a wonderful psychedelic, trippy feel to it. The more you play it, the more far out you feel. I think this could actually be one of my contenders for "track of the year", in all honesty. Something about it has really grabbed me by the loon pants.

So. I'm actually heartily pleading with you all to give this excellent band your support, go to their bandcamp page and buy their track. I'm genuinely excited by it, and really can't wait to see what they might come up with next...(that's an order, gents...don't let me down...)

Jordan Allen - Set In Stone

One blog post simply wasn't enough tonight - I'm back again with a second installment of musical brilliance to tickle you right under there...go on, admit it, you like it don't you? I know you do - you can be as coy as you like, but I know you're loving every second.

Sometimes it's nice to find out that the world genuinely is a small place. Last weekend I was spending an idle moment browsing for new music to listen to and happened upon Jordan Allen. I was really taken with his new song "Set In Stone" and, you should be too...if you'd like, you can follow this link to give it a listen:

What I was even more amazed to find out was that Jordan was from my neck of the woods in Lancashire and a brief Twitter Follow and a natter later I agreed to do a review for him, 'cos you've got to support local talent and Jordan is really worth a moment of your time.

"Set In Stone" is superb. No other word for it. It's got a bloody brilliant driving rhythm to it. Jordan himself looks like a young, funky, Elvis Costello, proper sharp. It's punchy and vibrant and feels like a super smart pop song that you'll want to keep playing over and over. In fact, since I first heard it last weekend I've been doing just that. I highly recommend you give this song and the other tracks from his new single/EP a go.

To get "Set In Stone" and the other tracks from Jordan's brilliant collection of songs, called "I Wanna Be Remembered" - simply clicketh ye this linky here and go buy buy buy:

Jordan Allen - I Wanna Be Remembered

Jordan's also on tour in the latter stages of this year. If you've listened and really like what you've heard, get some cocking tickets and GO SEE HIM. You can view his tour dates below:



In the meantime, treat yourself and give him some support. He's bloody brilliant and has got a bright future ahead.

BLOGUPDATE: Cross Wires - Vultures. NEW EP: Your History Defaced.

Friday, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height of a bottle of Gordon's Gin. Yais.

Welcome to the weekend and something to shuttle you headfirst into the evening as if you'd been shot from a cannon in a string vest.

Way back in May I featured the quite frankly delicious Cross Wires and their last EP, "Assembly". You can, if you wish, go and read that review here. I hope you do, because you'll get an absolutely brilliant taste of this fantastic band.

Last week, the guys asked me if I'd take a listen to a new track from their next, as yet untitled EP which is due out in the Autumn. I gladly agreed and think you should all do the same - here it is:

Cross Wires - Vultures

In my last post about the group I very slightly moaned about the lack of really good, honest genuine modern punk bands around today and the fact that Cross Wires really seem to be a cut above and something so genuinely sparky and full of energy you can't help but be moved along by them. This new song is no exception. There is something nicely Clash-esque about it, and a brilliant rough-round-the-edges-slightly-scuzzy feel to it that gives the song a great rawness and depth. It's shouty, pouty and fighty and I really love it. This is a song that really bodes well for the rest of the EP and I'm properly looking forward to reviewing it when it comes out in the next few weeks.

If you haven't added "Assembly" to your collection - in the meantime, while you're waiting for this...do it. That's an order. Otherwise I'll come round to your house with a safety pin and attach your epiglottis to the ceiling.

QUICK BLOG UPDATE. Cross Wires have now released the EP that "Vultures" is taken from. "Your History Defaced" came out on 8th September and you can buy it via this link here. If you don't. There will be trouble.

crosswires.bandcamp.com/album/your-history-defaced

Richard Earls/Thierry Audousset - Older, Wiser, Harder

Sin-day. The day that really feels like it's kicking you in the nadgers as we wait for the new week to creep up, goosing us in the shower when we least expect it.

What can I offer you to make the pain of the weekend go away? Well, I can offer you this...

"PREVIOUSLY...ON THEGENERAL..."

Eagle eyed followers of the blog will remember quite some time ago I posted about a sampler EP from the frankly marvellous Richard Earls and Thierry Audousset - which, if you'd like a refresher, in case you've forgotten, you can read about here. Richard said he would be back in touch to let me know when the EP was fully ready to be released and true to his word, he was - and here is my review (Richard, I'm sorry it took so long, better late than never!!)

First of all, the necessaries - if you'd like to buy the CD then you can go to this linky here and maketh your purchase thereof:

http://www.handsandarms.com/fr/indie-pop/5468-older-wiser-harder-cd-volume-one-before-that-long-hot-summer.html

The sampler EP I received was beautiful, and I remember the beautifully melodic and intricate "Expressionless" as my standout track. Again, here, in the finished recording it remains so. The haunting piano combines with a vocal performance that starts out gently lulling and breaks into something quite powerful and moving. The main difference between that and this final release of course is that the tracks are mastered and polished now - though it does not detract from their simple beauty.

There is a nice mixture of styles, themes and ideas on here and it feels like there will be something to interest you whether you like pop, indie, ballads - or genuine, honest to goodness decent pop music. Lyrically, the duo offer a gentle kind of moroseness (if that is possible!) and there is a downbeat feel to the music - however, it does not turn the songs into depressing paeans at all, rather they remain very moving and thought provoking instead.

This is a welcome collection of songs - of which I hope there will be more to come and I heartily recommend you add this to your collections pronto.