Listening

Following on from my reading post, I also wanted to share a little of the music I've been listening to recently.

I'm a little late to the party, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. BBC 6 Music 100 greatest hits of the last twenty years was posted up recently. Clocks by Coldplay is number one and this has been scoffed at almost universally. I mean, it's not even Coldplay's best song...  Okay, so, Coldplay are a guilty pleasure of mine, but I didn't draw up the shortlist, or even vote, so I can't get that worked up about it.

I'm an indie girl at heart, so I like a lot of the top 100. One track in the top ten was completely new to me and I LOVE IT. You can watch the whole top 100 on YouTube, or listen on Spotify (the link is in the paragraph above), but here is my new favourite song: Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National.

We have Spotify Premium membership. It's a great way to hear new music - to try before you buy. I don't agree with downloading music for free, unless the artist is giving it away. I don't think Spotify can pay huge amounts of royalties, but it must be better than ripping? The main reason I use Spotify is to listen to all the music I already own. Our CD's are mostly in the loft, so I mentally scan them and then search for my favourites.

Looking back through my recent Spotify history you'll find The Delays, Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, Doves, Powderfinger, Electronic, Laura Marling and Adam & the Ants (yes, really).

Still, nothing beats live music.

One of my favourite bands of all time is Turin Brakes. Their debut album, The Optimist LP is as awesome now as it was when it was released in 2001. As I was adding the link to buy the CD via Amazon I couldn't help noticing that it was only £3.42. £3.42. An absolute bargain. I'd buy it again if I hadn't already bought two copies (the first one wore out from excessive playing). They have just recorded their sixth studio album and I can't wait for it to be released.

I've been to see them live a few times and they are always amazing.

Olly Knights, Turin Brakes' lead singer, has a beautiful solo record out. If Not Now When is personal and heart-warming. When I listen to it in the car, on my own, I turn it up to eleven and absorb the sound. It fills my soul. I can feel something inside me blooming. Don't laugh at me. I think Cliff had it right when he sang 'satisfies my soul'. Well, just that phrase. The rest of Living Doll is plain creepy.

I also have the vinyl copy and am waiting - patiently - for Andy to get our turntable out of the loft.

This is the video for Bitten by the Frost, the second single to be taken from the album. Enjoy.





Andy and I always watch Jools Holland. Most episodes are a bit meh. I must be getting old as a lot of the bands look and sound the same. I love it when there's a band or artist on there that I haven't heard before, but I love straight away. This happened with Alabama Shakes and Laura Mvula.




You're welcome.

Where do you discover new music? Please don't make me listen to Radio 1...

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Listening

Reasons to Love Living in Milton Keynes #8: The Stables

The Stables at Wavenden in Milton Keynes is my new favourite live music venue.

It was built by Dame Cleo Laine and the late Sir John Dankworth in 1970, in the grounds of their home. It is now run as a charity providing world class music and entertainment. There are also hundreds of educational events held each year. You can learn to play the ukulele or even study songwriting with Beth Nielsen Chapman.

The Jim Marshall Auditorium seats just 398, but attracts a diverse range of artists from Seth Lakeman to Sarah Millican via T'Pau. There is also a second stage hosting even more intimate performances from up and coming artists.

Late last year I saw that Turin Brakes were playing at The Stables. I'd seen them earlier in the year at Esquires in Bedford and wanted to see them again. Andy already had a ticket to see Luke Haines that night so we got a babysitter and I decided to see Turin Brakes on my own. I managed to book a single ticket in the front row.

Everything about my experience of The Stables was fantastic. Stewards ensured the parking was well-organised. Yes, I do realise how middle-aged I sound. All of the staff inside the venue were friendly and helpful too. We were all ushered into our seats ready for the support band. I don't think rockers Strange Empire had ever experienced such a polite, seated, appreciative crowd. I think they enjoyed the experience. We did.

Turin Brakes were amazing, of course. The sound quality was excellent. They played most of one of the best albums of all time, The Optimist LP, as well as tracks from their other albums. They also treated us to some new songs. I can't wait for the new album. They are great musicians. I love them. Me, gush? Never. Okay, just a little bit.

At one point they hopped off the stage and did an acoustic number, like a band of wandering minstrels.

Awesome.

Despite us staying in our seats (we didn't want to get a friendly telling off from the ushers), I hope the band knew we were loving the gig. There were ovations and encores galore at the end.

Dear Turin Brakes,
Please please please please come and play The Stables again soon.
Thanks, Sandy x

In the meantime I shall take my pick from Jane Siberry, Midge Ure, Ricky Ross, Richard Herring, Chas n Dave, 4 Poofs & A Piano, Hazel O'Connor, Sam Lee, Ruby Turner, Gretchen Peters, Elkie Brooks...
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Reasons to Love Living in Milton Keynes #8: The Stables

Desperately Seeking...

I've never been particularly ambitious. In fact, I think I've demonstrated an almost total lack of drive throughout my life.

When I was a Trainee Accountant I said I'd take the exams until I failed. I didn't. Once I'd qualified I had an appraisal or performance review, or whatever it was called that week. I was asked the dreaded question 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'. I said what I thought my boss wanted to hear. I told him I wanted to be a Financial Director by the time I was 30. I got that job at 31. It was a rubbish job. The company asked me to falsify the accounts. I resigned.

See, ambitions are a waste of time. I hate setting goals. I'd rather just amble along in life and appreciate the good stuff, rather than constantly striving for something and being disappointed. All this 'Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars' doesn't sit well with me. Besides, the moon is nearer than the stars. If you miss the moon you'll plummet back to earth and burn up on re-entry. Just saying.

As you can guess, I don't have a bucket list. There are things I'd like to do, like play the piano well or make a half-way decent Yorkshire pudding, but they can wait until I get round to it. I have a mental list of things to look out for, including orange ice cream or strawberry chocolate. One day I may see them in a shop and that's fine.

What I really love is live music, so I have email alerts set up for tour dates. One band I've loved for years is Turin Brakes. Their first album, The Optimist LP, is one of my top five albums of all time. This is my favourite Turin Brakes song, from that album, 'Feeling Oblivion':





I saw them in 2001 at Wembley, supporting James on their so-called 'farewell tour'. Turin Brakes were amazing live. A few months later they were supporting Travis in Brussels. My boyfriend and I got tickets, flights and a hotel. We turned up for the gig to find it had been cancelled. Travis couldn't be bothered to turn up. The gits. The box office was closed and would open for refunds the following morning, at the same time as the check-in desk for our flight home. We drowned our sorrows in strong lager in a dodgy bar, but that's another story. I can't listen to 'Why does it always rain on me?' without getting cross and shouting 'because you're gits' at Travis.

Fast forward ten years and I'm still on the lookout for Turin Brakes tickets. Finally I saw they were playing at Esquires in Bedford in July, that's not far from me. I bought tickets. Then I felt uneasy. What if I was holding onto an idea about something that turned out to be a bit rubbish?

I needn't have worried. Turin Brakes are still magnificent live. They played all the old stuff, new stuff and, er, stuff in between. Esquires is a small venue (I saw Evan Dando there last year with Rachael, we stood right at the front wishing we'd brought in a decent camera between us), with a great atmosphere. After a few songs I found myself smiling at Turin Brakes. I hope that didn't put them off. I was smiling because I was happy. Happy because I love their music, happy because they have the coolest looking bass player ever, happy because they've still got it, happy that I was out with my husband and happy because - just for once - having some ambition turned out to be a good thing.

If this super serendipity is not enough for you, I have another connection to Esquires. The Trainee Accountant I shared an office with twenty years ago is a face on the Bedford live music scene and I bumped into him at the Evan Dando gig. That's one for the fact fans out there, almost.

Turin Brakes are playing The Stables in Wavendon on 29th November. Do come. I'll be there, at the front, smiling at the band.

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Desperately Seeking...