INTRODUCING: Chase The Deer

So, last week I was contacted by the pretty lovely people over at Feutral Records and asked if I'd be up for interviewing some of their recently signed artists. I, of course, jumped at the chance.

I didn't want to feature musicians on my blog that I didn't listen to and I didn't want to write a post just for the sake of the opportunity, so I checked out the label and the artists that are signed to them and lo-and-behold, I came across the wonderful Chase The Deer.

Don't you just love coming across new music to listen to, especially when a band are so fresh and just trying to pave their way into the industry?

Ah, usually I'm selfish and want to keep the great new music I find all to myself, but I decided not to be greedy and give these guys some of the exposure they deserve.

Scroll down to read the interview and have a listen!

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Photo Credit: Feutral Records

Briony Watkins - Lead vocals

Owen Taylor - Guitar

George Frangoudes - Guitar

Angus Evans - Bass

Michael Evans - Drums

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Q: For those people out there who have never heard of Chase the Deer, tell readers who you guys are and how it all began?

We're a group of friends from Worcester who got together to play covers for fun. We played a few open mic nights and got a really great it went down really well. We quickly started to write our own songs for fun! 

Q: How did you end up getting signed Feutral Records?

Briony: I saw on Twitter that Feutral were looking for bands and I spoke to the rest of the band but they seemed reluctant. I was persistent and eventually we sent them an email. Within minutes we got the most enthusiastic response and things just snowballed from there...

Q: What advice would you give to other young musicians looking to get into the music industry?

George: Find what music you are passionate about and then start playing it. Keep on playing and you will get better and people will respect you for doing something you love.

Q: On average, how much time do you spend with the rest of the band, writing and playing together?

Owen: we get together every Wednesday night to write new songs and share ideas. Fridays we tend to rehearse at Tower Studios in Pershore and get ourselves ready for playing live.

Q: How about when it’s time to relax, what’s the best way to do so?

Angus: We always take a break half way through rehearsals and eat a meal together cooked by Mama Evans (Michael and Angus are brothers). Our favourite meal is Mexican, it is great for fuelling our creativity.

Owen and I grab any chance to get in a game of FIFA but it is just great hanging around with the band because we are such good friends.

Q: You guys played the O2 Academy in Birmingham recently, what’s been your favourite venue and is there a particular place you’d love to play in the future?

We have played at the Lounge in Birmingham, the Marrs Bar in Worcester and Snodfest. 

They were all fantastic but the O2 Academy was definitely the best venue so far. The atmosphere was amazing. As soon as we stepped onto the stage it felt unreal. The crowd were great, dancing, singing along and really getting involved which is always great when you’re performing. It was so cool to have our own backstage room as well!

 I think our dream is to play a festival such as Glastonbury or Reading and Leeds, watching sets from those festivals are just incredible. We know it’s a long way off but you’ve got to dream ey! 

Q: Now, I came across a cover you did of Latch and covering songs by other bands is considered a huge stepping stone when getting into the industry and starting to play live. What one song do you wish you had written?

George: My Heart - Paramore
Briony: One Day Like This - Elbow
Owen: Cha-Ching – Imagine Dragons
Angus: Around the World – Red Hot Chilli Peppers – the bassline is insane!
Mikey: Walk – Foo Fighters

Q: Back to the band’s progress for a minute, where do you see yourselves next year, or in 5 years’ time? What’s the dream?

We have got to keep writing new material and working on our sound. If this year goes well, we will be playing regularly and building up our following, Perhaps in a year we will be ready to record our first album.

It's hard to plan where things will go from there. When you think that we have only been playing since May and we have already recorded a single, been sponsored by MAS records, signed by Feutral records and played at the O2. It has been pretty crazy!

 We want to work hard and keep promoting our music but you need to have a lot of luck.

Q: And finally, for anyone reading, tell us where we can find out more about you guys and find out about gigs and new material?

We are on Facebook and twitter but next month we are launching our brand new website designed for us by Matthew Luke at Brightbyte! Matt is fantastic and we are incredibly excited by what he has created.

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So, what's my verdict?

For anyone who knows me, you'll know that I'm nothing, if not honest and when it comes to music you can guarantee my recommendations come on good authority.

Have a listen below to a snippet of Chase The Deer's new single 'Think'...

So would I recommend Chase The Deer? Absolutely!

Each member of the band is talented and their skill as young songwriters is evident from the get-go.

Upon first listen, it's obvious lead singer Briony has a strong yet delicate voice, that reminds me a little of a mix between Nina Nesbitt and Lucy Rose - which for vocalists, is right up my street!

The blend of the boys' instruments is just right and doesn't take away from the overall sound, which can sometimes be a danger when it comes to alternative indie bands fronted by female singers.

For me, to be a good band there are many contributing factors, but it's obvious these guys, despite having only been together a short time are working hard and thinking of what's next.

Definitely listen to these guys if you're into Bombay Bicycle Club, The Maccabees or The Wind + The Wave.

I can't wait to follow their inevitable rise and look forward to their new material now they've been signed to Feutral!

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Find the band...

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | SoundCloud

Email: chasethedeer@outlook.com

As mentioned above, make sure you keep on eye on chasethedeer.com going live!

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Thanks for reading everyone! Also thanks to Feutral Records for contacting me with this opportunity and of course the lovely Chase The Deer!

Hope you all enjoy them as much as I do...

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REVIEW: Jamie T @ Barrowlands, Glasgow

There was no new post last Friday, I know. I was unfortunately otherwise occupied. With a lot to be getting on with at work and actually managing to go out and socialise, I just didn't find the time to write anything.

I did post a little bonus post yesterday, something short and sweet concerning the rules of going to gigs. You can find it here and comment your own!

I also felt a little bit of pressure, considering how well my post about mental health, being a carer and the negative perceptions on social media did. It was remarkable how it felt to be called inspirational for just writing about this one thing that happened in my life and I was a little overwhelmed by the support I was given.

Don't get me wrong, I actually couldn't be any more grateful if I tried, but I was a bit lost on inspiration and needed a bit of a sit back.

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I thought I'd just talk about what I've been up to this past week which really has only consisted of one, huge, life-altering, emotional roller-coaster of an event - going to see Jamie T live for the second time.

I saw him this one time in Edinburgh, 5 and a half bloody years ago and met him afterwards. At 15 years of age, it was the best thing to have ever happened in my life. You can read more about that within my 'Carry on the Grudge' review.

WARNING: All my photos are crap...
I mean who has time for selfies when there's dancing to be had?

As if I couldn't already be more excited about finally seeing him play new material, the gig was being held at the Barrowlands, Glasgow. Everyone in Scotland knows the Barras, as it's so affectionately named, as the best venue in Scotland and maybe even the world.

It's not in the prettiest part of town but you just can't top a night in the Gallowgate.

My friend Emma and I went to the Maths building of Glasgow Uni to hand in her projects, where I learnt all about Dyck numbers and Cauchy... (I have no idea either.) and then headed to the uni for a few rounds of pool (I won) and cheap drinks. We missed the support band 'Slaves' but I was really only wanting to see the man himself.

Emma and I had one of those drunken 'I love to tell you everything about me' chats and then had a jolly old walk to the venue.

The only bad thing I have to say about the Barras is that the vodka and lemonade tastes shit. Like bleach. It probably was bleach, but that didn't dampen the mood.

You could just tell everyone was literally abuzz with anticipation, excitement and joy.

The most impressive thing for me, was that though Jamie T had been away for a pretty lengthy time - I became an adult! - he hadn't changed at all.

Yes, his music has progressed and has a darker undertone, and he has experimented with different genres and styles (Don't You Find anyone?) but his songs are never void of his alt-pop beats and chat-rap.

When it came to the set-list I couldn't have been more pleased. It was almost as if someone had put together a playlist of my favourite songs from all three of his albums.

My highlights included a very eerie Limits Lie and the crowd sing-along favourite If You Got The Money.

Emma and I didn't think he would play songs like Pacemaker or Spider's Web but he did and then some. 

Shy of 11pm, following a stripped back Calm Down Dearest, the crowd were then presented with the most perfectly packaged encore consisting of his most famous hits, Sheila which when the opening lines were sung, sent the place into pure meltdown, stand-out second single from the new album Zombie and finishing on an absolutely mental Sticks 'N' Stones.

I always think that it's a sign of a great gig if you rush to the last train home a bit battered and bruised, smelling like a brewery and (disgustingly) covered in someone's piss. Yes, that just happens sometimes.

Jamie sounded fantastic live and through chatting to a few other people on the train (and singing a few rounds of If You Got The Money) they seemed to agree.

So, for a great night, thank you Barras and thank you Jamie T.

As for right now...

This shit is real.

(Yeah, I made a thing.)

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Autumn Favourites 2014

If there's one thing that always seems to happen at the end of the month, it's shopping.

As soon as payday hits, I feel like it's some kind of ritual you have to go through and I have to make stops at all of my favourite places, like Lush and Boots.

This month I was buying loads of stuff for Autumn and rediscovering old favourites as the leaves got crispier and the nights got darker.

I quite like it when the air gets colder because it tends to dry up my skin a little, whereas normally I'm sporting a shiny face from the get-go!

So, here's a small handful of products, old and new, that I've been loving this Autumn so far...

Zoella Beauty - Soak Opera & Fizz Bar

Soak Opera & Fizz Bar

Last week, blogger and YouTube vlogger Zoella launched her own line of bath products in Superdrug stores across the UK and online. Having watched Zoe's videos and been a fan of hers for about 3 or 4 years, I had to get my hands on some stuff ASAP!

Unfortunately, I was sad to see that pretty much the entire line was sold out the four times I tried to purchase items from it, so I had to time it pretty carefully.

Eventually, as you can see above, I got my hands on the 'Soak Opera' bath soak and shower cream and my favourite thing ever this month, the 'Fizz Bar'. As soon as my order arrived I ran a hot bath and was pretty damn pleased with the result.

I'm often sceptical about the quality of these kinds of 'celebrity' products, but I wasn't disappointed! It may as well have just come from Lush! 

Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette

Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette

I'm a pretty hardcore fan of my Naked 3 palette and Urban Decay eyeshadows in general, but I thought it was time for something new. This palette has about a billion looks in one. In terms of colour, it is extremely similar to a mix of the Naked palettes, it being neutral tones, however I think I actually prefer this set of shadows!

The texture and colour pay-off is so pretty, plus in terms of the shimmery shades, there's none of that clumpy glittery effect, nor the 'I feel like there's nothing going on' result.

I'm really loving mixing the pinks and browns at the moment and the creamy white in there is an excellent brow and inner corner highlight too.

It's not much of a cheap investment, however I really feel like this is a staple that could do you well for a long time to come.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

With this product, a little will go an awfully long way!

I'm usually shit-scared about putting anything oily on my face, because my skin is so oily all-year-round, but this is something else. I picked this same bottle up in Space NK about a year ago and keep forgetting I have it.

Weirdly, whenever I get a particularly bad breakout, this is what I reach for. A couple of drops on your face in the most affected areas before you go to sleep and there you go. As soon as you wake up you can tell the difference!

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

I'm so bad at trying new cleansers, so this comes as more of a trusted, reliable favourite than something new this month.

For the longest time, I would use my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and then I found this. It smells nice, it feels nice, it does the job.

I use this every morning and most nights, unless I can't be bothered and I go for my Garnier Micellar Water.

My skin has never broken out because of this and although it is pricey, it's worth the money if you're looking for a high-end treat you can get a lot of use out of!

Fudge Urban Iced Tropical Cocktail Miracle Ends

Fudge Urban Miracle Ends

Fudge in general, are fantastic when it comes to haircare.

The Fudge Urban range however, hosts all of my favourite ever hair products. I swear by pretty much everything from this range, but this is a relatively new find that I've only used in the last few weeks.

I own their 3-in-1 Moisture Stuff which is quite similar, though this comes in more of a gel cream. Everything Fudge smells bloody amazing and this is no different, it honestly gives you that all-day pleasant aroma!

In terms of what it does for your hair, I've always found my split ends a lot easier to hide with this - and believe it or not, my hair seems to get a lot less greasy after 2 days of wear and tear. Hmm...

Paolo Nutini - Iron Sky

Paolo Nutini 'Iron Sky'

I'm pretty sure anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I fricking love Paolo Nutini.

From debut 'These Streets', I've always been a huge fan of his, so when he disappeared for about 4 years, I was so disappointed at the lack of new music from him.

A good while ago now, he re-appeared with a few new songs and the instant I watched his Abbey Road performance of Iron Sky, I was completely sold.

The thing I love about Paolo is the raw emotion and feeling in every single lyric he writes and sings. I saw him, quite drunkenly, at T in the Park this year and will be seeing him at The Hydro, Glasgow, near the end of October.

He is the best live and this song means so much right now, ah, if I spoke internet, I'd be going 'I can't even'...

Hot Chocolate

Cup from my Secret Santa at work last year

It's a bit random, but as soon as the weather gets colder, I get this urge to be constantly cosy with a mug of tea or hot chocolate to hand.

Unfortunately my local Starbucks have neglected to bring back my favourite and the best drink ever (disclaimer: this has not yet been confirmed) yet, Salted Caramel Mocha's, so I've had to make do on my own!

I made this at work on Monday and oh my god, it was the best thing ever.

I'm a Cadbury's fan, and to me, what's better to perk your afternoon up if you're feeling a bit down in the dumps?

'Dragon, Fly!' App

Dragon, Fly! (Free)

Lastly, another random one.

About 2 or 3 years ago, I was obsessed. I had to get to the next realm.

This app took over my life and last week, I made the mistake of downloading it once more and now, again, I can't stop playing it.

I got the free version because I'm a cheapskate and have never paid for an app on my phone in my life. Not even sure how it works to be honest, but I think this is available on Android and iPhone's for free or you can buy the full version.

You probably shouldn't, it's really addictive.

Random Favourites

TV: CSI - it's back in the states and the new series looks so fricking good!

Music: Paolo Nutini - I'm seeing him at the end of October for the 3rd time.

Film: About Time - I came across this in my DVD collection and I love Domhnall Gleeson.

Food: Mashed Potato - my craving for it has returned and Tony Macaroni's do a good'un!

Drink: Lipton Ice Tea - I am obsessed.

Well, anyway, this has been a long one, mainly 'cause of images, but oh well...

Hope you enjoyed the post and thanks for reading!

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REVIEW: 'Carry on the Grudge' - Jamie T

Five years I've been lingering on the music scene, waiting for Jamie T to get his shit together.

The first time I ever listened to Jamie T, it was something fresh and exciting and unlike anything that was around. Panic Prevention was an album I could find no fault with yet have so many fond memories with. Singing and rapping along to songs such as 'If You Got the Money' and 'Sheila' became before (and after) school staples and so after the second album, Kings & Queens came out, I had decided it was about bloody time I went to see him live.

18th of June 2009

After fighting with my best friend Emma over the setlist at the end of a fantastic performance, we loitered around outside and almost at the point of giving up hope on Jamie coming out, he appeared with his then band The Pacemakers and was the nicest person you could ever imagine. 

He was a guy doing what he genuinely loved doing and didn't seem phased at all by the fact that he had already built a good few fans around the UK and elsewhere.

That night was one of the best nights of my life and though the picture is blurry and the ink of his signature has long since faded on my ticket, those are a few things I was always treasure.

You can imagine my post-gig depression was at an all time low, but never would I have thought I'd have to wait over five years to even hear anything else from him.

So I waited. A really long time.

I'd heard a wee while ago that Jamie was working with Tribes on some stuff and about him and the Pacemakers going their separate ways, but still, no music, no social media antics and nothing.

Until one day, Jamie posted on his website and social media that he was back in a handwritten note and that he was playing a few shows. 

My excitement levels went through the roof and I think I screamed at my computer at work whilst my colleagues stared on blankly, even after I had shared my news.

Disappointingly, my nearest show was at Glasgow Art School and not through lack of trying, I didn't manage to get tickets. Depressing as fuck.

Everyone I knew who liked Jamie T was going it would seem and loads of folk at work took the piss.

However, Jamie thankfully didn't stay out of touch for long and then came Don't You Find, the leading single from third album, released on the 29th of September 2014, 'Carry on the Grudge.'

Jamie T 'Carry On The Grudge'

(Took a while to get to this review, I know. I'm not that sorry.)

As far as any Jamie T fan would know, Don't You Find was, different. But I liked it, and was so eager for more. Zane Lowe picked it up quickly and played it on Radio 1 fucking loads, as he did with the next single Zombie.

Zombie was my new favourite song within half of a listen and I must have played it on repeat around 60 times that first day alone.

When, finally, the album was announced, I couldn't wait. Plus with an album, comes a tour, and lo-and-behold I made damn sure I got tickets for this tour. November has to hurry up and arrive because Jamie and his new band are playing the infamous Barrowlands in Glasgow and I'm flustered and fidgety just thinking about it.

Can't. Fucking. Wait.

Though we're the generation of the digital age, there are a few artists where I really like to buy the actual physical copies of albums.

So instead of pre-ordering Carry on the Grudge, I went straight to my local HMV after work on Monday and tracked it down. I was a bit sneaky and had listened to the album on YouTube beforehand, but it only made me want it in my hand even more.

It's bloody brilliant. Probably some of the best music Jamie T has ever written and produced.

The first song off of the album is Limits Lie which I instantly fell in love with, and not just because I'm slightly biased when it comes to Jamie T. There's a real sense of finding where you belong with this album. Though Jamie's style varies from song-to-song there's a certain feel to the whole thing. Another firm favourite to listen out for is Peter.

I'm unfortunately one of those people who will form my opinions on a song from the first time hearing it, but this didn't hinder me at all when it came to this 12-track-delight. The album goes from old school Jamie T-esque rapping about life to delicate melodic tales of a broken heart. With plenty of in-between.

I'd recommend everyone give it a listen, but the songs to look out for are definitely Limits Lie, Zombie, Trouble and Peter.

You were worth the wait Jamie.

I've probably rambled on enough now. Even though I've been writing this for the last half hour, I've had that Taylor Swift song 'Shake It Off' stuck in my head. Fuck her for making catchy pop songs.

Guess I hope you liked this, to anyone reading?

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REVIEW: 'AM' - Arctic Monkeys

I guess when beginning a blog, putting your life, whether private or not, on the internet can be a little daunting and I have some sort of fear where people who know me will look at the blog and judge me. I guess you’re supposed to start off telling people (or no one in my case) a bit about yourself, why you want to spend your time writing nonsense which no one will read – I don’t get that.

Arctic Monkeys 'AM'

You can learn all about me in time, but number one, nothing makes me happier than a new Arctic Monkeys record. Boy, did they deliver. ‘AM’ is released on Monday and I received my copy on Friday. At the moment it’s all I can listen to. I wish with certain bands, books, films and tv, you could just erase everything you’d seen and heard and just feel those emotions all over again for the first time.

I recommend: Knee Socks, Arabella, No.1 Party Anthem 

I was supposed to be writing this album review for work, but unfortunately other things pushed it out of the way and I decided, why not just write it somewhere else?

AM is both full of surprises, where you thought Arctic Monkeys couldn’t possibly get any better or sound sharper and also everything you expected, wanted from them and more. Having always felt Suck It and See had took a bit of a backseater, my doubts about album 5 were soon put to bed.

Alex Turner is not only a skilled songwriter and performer, but a poet, an artist, a comedian and a story-teller. The way the 12-track album is laced with dark humour and a solid backstory is infallible. Listening to I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor now, you wouldn’t think these songs were by the same band – minus a change of bass player a couple of years down the line.

To me, this album really says, “We’re Arctic-fucking-Monkeys, who the hell are you?”

Upon listening to the album, you can easily forgive the decision to feature R U Mine? on it and focus on the 10 other brilliant songs on it. I say 10 because for me, track 5 I Want It All just could have been so much more. It’s the real Brick by Brick of AM, if you know what I mean.

Do I Wanna Know? and Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? (the band love question marks, oohs and shoowaps on this album, just FYI) or as I like to refer to them 'the-two-songs-we-already-knew-about-and-had-been-hearing-for-months-previous-to-this', are the shit. Fantastic. Phenomenal. Not what I was waiting for though.

It’s hard to believe I ever doubted Alex, Matt, Jamie and Nick’s abilities before AM and it’s definitely past the time we should have been believing the hype. This record is full of old school hip hop, unique Arctic Monkeys sounding guitar riffs and nods to Josh Homme and John Cooper Clarke to boot.

You can’t define this band under one genre, they are simply the best band in the world right now. I’m not just making an ambitious statement. Although some people yearn for the trackie-bottoms-tucked-in-socks days of Whatever People Say I Am…That’s What I’m Not, I feel AM might have surpassed the bands’ last 8 years, give or take a few months, in music. They’ve matured as musicians and performers and I can’t bloody wait to go see them in Glasgow this November.

Now, Turner has penned a few love songs in his time (hello, see 505 please) but No. 1 Party Anthem may have to be some of his best work to date. It reminds me of Secret Door, confetti raining down on the crowd, 4 years ago. That song would have fit perfectly on Humbug.

Another song that would have fit perfectly elsewhere, is Fireside. In my opinion, although it is a superb song, it sounds like it should be on a Last Shadow Puppets record, not the masterpiece that is AM.

Arabella is one of my early favourites – although that is subject to change. The arrangement is like liquid gold and features the bulk of the hip-hop influence used on the album, truly a work of art in all respects. You can’t help thinking, “fuck, this is good.”

If you want to know more about it, I’ve rambled on enough and you should probably go buy it in a shop on Monday or something. It’s hard to give this album a rating, but I’d probably give it a 10/10 anyway. You just can’t compare songs on this album, to songs from 5 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I love every Arctic Monkeys song unconditionally, but something like Mad Sounds or Knee Socks pisses itself laughing in the face of I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.

Holy Arctic Monkey, hope you enjoyed!

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