Amateur Ramblings

Little Drummer Girl

Here's footage of Olive and Gemma rocking out on Euan's drums and guitar, at Steve and Helen's over the new year.

Fleet Foxes

On the Tuesday before last we saw Fleet Foxes play in Manchester.

After an ace meal at Umami on Oxford Road we walked over to the Apollo, arriving just in time to catch The Bees (the Isle of Wight folk-garage band, not the Anthophila).

It was hot in there, but a benefit of the venues original use as a theatre was that the floor gently slopes, allow most a good view of the generous stage.

 

Bang on time, the lights dimmed and the band walked out. Their ninety-minute set was filled with songs from their two albums, and although the crowd seemed a little subdued they were also very appreciative.

Gemma wanted to film the a capella intro to Sun It Rises from the first record because this is one of the bedtime songs we sing to Olive. They didn't end up playing the song but she did capture the whole of Blue Ridge Mountains from our vantage-point behind the sound desk. If you're lucky enough to be her friend on The Facebook, you can have a look.

I was worried that the delicate folk wibblings and the tight, soaring four-part harmonies would not be adequately reproduced live, but the band were, if anything vocally superior than on record. I would suggest that this is a band that you need to see.

Sadly, I am sorry to report that the beard quotient was much lower than expected. There was, however, plenty of Stephenage to be heard.

Song Challenge

A couple of friends recently turned me on to one of the 30-day song challenges operating on Facebook. I finished my run last week, on my birthday.

Here's the rundown, pop-pickers:

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song *
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate *
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio **
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral ***
day 25a - a song that makes you laugh
day 25b - a song that makes you laugh
day 25c - a song that makes you laugh
day 25d(i) - a song that makes you laugh
day 25d(ii) - a song that makes you laugh
day 25e - a song that makes you laugh
day 25f - a song that makes you laugh
day 25g - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27- a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty ***
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

*I felt unable to select songs I genuinely didn't like, so substituted some other footage.
**The last song I listened to on Last FM.
***Sorry, no entry for this day.

Minipops

Just look at these unbelievably young and suspiciously talented North Korean children playing guitars that you'd think were too large for them to yield.

Via A Welsh View.

More Theme Favourites (ready)

Here are some more sticky themes from Olive's* current TV favourites:

Charlie & Lola

Waybuloo

The Mr Men Show

Rastamouse

Green Balloon Club

*maybe we like them a little.

Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno (Miming On BBC Midlands Show 'Look Hear', 1980)

The Specials - A Message To You Rudy (Live On The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1979)

Teenage Fanclub - The Concept / Satan / Everything Flows (Live At Reading Festival, 1992)

Herman Dune - Song Of Samuel (Live At Les Inrockuptibles, Paris, 2006)

The Delgados - Thirteen Gliding Principles (Live, Unknown TV Show, Date Unknown)