Feeling Christmassy yet? No? Me neither. Infact, I'd probably be silently judging you if you were; it's early November for goodness sake, let's not wish the year away quite yet shall we? Nevertheless, I think we can all agree that this time of year has no other redeeming qualities. We can all gush about the falling leaves and the festive glow but when it comes down to it it's still bloody cold and everything feels like far too much effort. So, after one of those days, I've decided to start Christmas that little bit earlier, just this once.

As far as collaborations go, I wasn't expecting the likes of Tim Wheeler to team up with Emmy the Great, but it kind of works. Although 'Home for the Holidays' is almost nauseatingly sweet, it's definitely a grower. Perhaps by the time Christmas rolls around you'll be ready to forgive the sleighbells and find something to relish about winter, even if it's still miserable outside.

I'm Not a Robot

In a year awash with female singer-songwriters, it's difficult to tell the good from the bad. I'm sorry, but Duffy and Adele sound too similar to me to tantalise my ears much, and I'm still making my mind up about Lady Gaga (she has a couple of good tracks but I can't help but feel angry whenever I listen to her for too long), there's just so many of them about these days that it's hard to find something truly refreshing. Of course Florence and Emmy both do a great job at just that, but I've now found a cross between the two, and she goes under the pseudonym Marina and the Diamonds.

Marina and the Diamonds

Ok, so she's not exactly unique, but she manages to combine the quirky lyrical talent of Emmy the Great whilst still having a voice so powerful it could almost rival Florence's, not an easy thing to accomplish. She's still operating very much under the radar, with only one E.P. to her name, but has managed to bag herself a place on the NME Radar Tour alongside Golden Silvers and Local Natives.


If you're going to Reading then try and catch her playing Little John's Farm, she'll be definitely worth a watch.


Marina and the Diamonds' Crown Jewels E.P. is available on iTunes.
www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds




Marina and the Diamonds- I Am Not A Robot.MP3

The Final Countdown..

Yes it's nearly that time of the year again. The days are getting slightly longer, the sun has finally decided to make its sporadic appearance and there's a definite air of excitement creeping up on the residents of fair old Albion.. must nearly be Glasto time.

So, there's officially 22 days to go until the return of Michael Eavis' palatial farm of wonders, the place where truly anything can happen and where some of the finest bands of the 21st century have made their mark on the music scene.

So, in the run up to this most prestigious festival, I will be sharing with you some of the acts I am looking forward to. Yes yes there will be a post or two about the big guys, the mighty forces that are some of the headliners, but really this is a chance for me to let you in on a few as of yet undiscovered musical marvels.

Have I sold this to you yet?

First up:
Emmy the Great

Oh no, I hear you cry, not another female solo artist, just what we need in a time when we're basically engulfed in a sea of Duffy and Winehouse. Fear not however, Emmy may be a solo singer songwriter, but her songs are truly different from the others. Emmy's songs have that clarity, that honesty that you wouldn't find in the tedious warblings of Duffy certainly. She sings about invented languages, drunken mistakes and the general fuck ups of life, in a way that is thoroughly refreshing and not in anyway disheartening.

If I had it my way she would be everywhere at the moment, but I'll settle for seeing her at Worthy Farm for now.
Playing:

• Queen's Head Stage, Saturday

• John Peel Stage, Sunday

Screw You Cupid!

Yes it's that time of the year again. The fated February 14th, when there's nought to be seen but sickeningly happy couples hand in hand and buying into the corporate monster that is the card companies (and florists to a certain extent). Where you are reminded constantly that everyone else has someone to make their day just that little bit more special, whereas you're sat at home watching Grand Designs with a pot noodle. Great.


So, in case you haven't gleaned already, I'm not a big fan of Valentine's day. Bitter? Maybe. Cynical? Too right. Point is, I don't see the necessity in expressing how you feel about a person on one day of the year, when you can get rejected every day of the year. Honestly though, I'm not too fussed, it's just another day for me, but I do realise that some take it more seriously than I.

If you happen to be one of those people (there's got to be some of them out there) then I have a treat in store for you. Hell, even if you think it's a load of tripe like me then give this a listen and it'll cheer you up. Or make you feel worse, whichever.

Yuletide Greetings

Yes that's a word.


I'd like to take a moment to say thanks a lot to everyone who's made the effort in the past 3 months to give my blog a whirl, it means a lot that people actually read these things. So cheers, it's very much appreciated and I hope that I can make this blog a hell of a lot better next year once I've found my feet.

Right, sentimental crap over, here are my gifts for you all..

Merry Christmas.MP3

If you delve into my audio stocking (what a carry on) you'll find tracks from the likes of Emmy the Great, MGMT, a very melancholic version of Stay Another Day by Glasvegas and a track by burgeoning band The Joy Formidable (pictured).

I know it's not much but it's been a bit hectic lately, what with work and christmas services to sing at, so I apologise for the rushed quality of my posts.

So, hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a kick ass New Year, from Yours Truly.
X



Tracks are courtesy of the BBC, The Joy Formidable, Glasvegas, MGMT and Emmy the Great.)