MADEON - REVIEW

Hey guys!

Bit of a different review today, but I'm hoping you'll like it!

As a response to my last review, a guy I [kind of] know called Joe Joiner (@JoeJoinerr on Twitter) suggested I review something I wasn't particularly familiar with.

I liked this idea, so I asked him for suggestions.

And this is why I'm reviewing 'Madeon' for you today.



"Strike a pose"

I'd never heard of Madeon, much to Joe's horror, but I listened to some of his songs on YouTube and read up on him, and now I'm much more knowledgeable about him than I was before.

Basically, if someone asked me who he was I could tell them, but that's about it.

Yet, I think that's enough to base a review on for all of you to read.. I hope it's enough anyway.

Madeon is a 19-year old electro house/pop music producer from France, and in this country, he is something of a marvel, to both professional and novice music producers alike. He started composing music at the age of 11, so you could say he was a bit of a kid genius. Either way, he now makes a career out of doing what he loves, and I have to say, he's pretty good at it.

Although electro pop/house music is not my music of choice, since listening to Madeon and other similar music mixes, I've started to like it a bit more. I've never been a fan of club music - it's alright in the moment, but to me it's just noise. Yet, listening to some of Madeon's tracks and seeing some videos, you can really see how much work goes into producing each one. It is not an easy task, and I began to appreciate that kind of music.

The first song I listened to was 'The City' but if, like me, you had never heard of Madeon, then I don't think this is the best song to start with. Go a bit further back, and maybe start with his YouTube video 'Pop Culture'. It was this song that got me interested.

'Pop Culture' - Madeon

 

It's been almost 2 years since Madeon posted his video 'Pop Culture' on YouTube, and in that time it has had over 19 MILLION views. That's a lot of views for a song a 17 year old boy made in his bedroom.

It is a mash-up of 39 songs, covering many different genres including pop, house and club music, and Madeon puts his own twist on all of them, whilst mixing them together at the same time.

The video itself is only 3:26 long, yet it is, in it's own way, a masterpiece. Watching the video you can see it took a lot of time and effort for him to make it. God knows how many takes it took to get it perfect, but it shows he has skill.

Then I listened to a few more songs including 'Finale'. 'Finale' sounded familiar to me, I think it might have been used on TV or something, so you might recognise it too, but it's definitely worth checking out. Completely different to 'Pop Culture' in the fact that it is all his own work, not just a remix of other people's songs. It features vocals from Nicholas Pertricca from Walk The Moon, and it's brilliant.

 'Finale' - Madeon

'The City' was even more different to 'Pop Culture' and 'Finale'. There were more vocals used, and the computerised elements of the song didn't have as much focus. Some would say this is a bad thing, but I disagree. Despite all his songs having, essentially, the same electronic features, he manages to make every one sound completely different. This shows he's versatile, and will propel him to where he wants to go within the music industry.
Also, 'The City' (which was released in the October of last year) had a proper music video, which was very creative in itself. The colours used in the video and the feel of the song match perfectly, and despite not being overly convinced about it at first, I grew to really like it.

'The City' - Madeon

 

All in all, Madeon has gained himself another fan, and I hope you guys will check out his music. It might be different from what you're used to, but just do it! Get out your comfort zone every once in a while, you might find you quite like it!

Madeon also really likes The Beatles as far as I can tell from photos and Twitter, so I think we can trust him when it comes to music..

Here is where you can find Madeon:

Subscribe to his YouTube channel!
Follow him on Twitter!
Like him on Facebook!

Thank you Joe Joiner, for telling me about him; my horizons have most certainly been broadened.

Until next time!

x x x x


(P.S - I'm going to see Paloma Faith LIVE at Westonbirt Arboretum tomorrow, so expect a blog about that next week :) I'm very excited!! Bye for now!!)

They're saving rock 'n' roll and they're doing it well - ALBUM REVIEW

Hey guys!

Here's another review for you, as I got a lot of feedback on my last one! I even got a follow and messages from Mike Dignam himself.
Despite parts of my review causing a little misunderstanding, I think he was overall pleased with it, and I'm very happy he actually read it - so thank you Mike.

Today however, I'm reviewing a CD! Fall Out Boy's new album to be precise.

I heard a lot about the album when it first came out, on Facebook and Twitter and such, but I didn't actually start listening to it until about a month ago.

And the reason for this?

Well, I've always liked Fall Out Boy (my sister was indie before it was cool, therefore I was forced to listen to her music, thankfully FOB are actually good) but I was a little scared by this album.

1) It was everywhere. Everyone was talking about it, and it was almost becoming mainstream to like them.
Not that I don't like 'mainstream' things, sometimes I do, but I didn't want to go and listen just because everyone on Twitter was raving.

And 2) This album was the first thing FOB had released as a group since 2008, so I was a bit sceptical; had they changed? If so, was it a positive change, or had they lost themselves in the five year 'rest'?

I was about to find out.

Then the day came when I decided I should dive in and find out what the new album was like, so using my trusty friend Spotify, I listened.

And 'Save Rock 'n' Roll' by Fall Out Boy was everything I heard it was... and more.

It exceeded my expectations.

Yes, it was a slightly different sound, but it sounded AWESOME.

Of course I immediately wrote a status and/or tweet about how the good rumours were true.. oh, they were so true.

I am usually light-years behind everyone when it comes to music, this case being no exception, but I really wish I wasn't.

I think I hold myself back too much when it comes to opening up to new artists- I like to stick to what I know, and if I'm not familiar with it scares me.

I loved Fall Out Boys first album 'From Under The Cork Tree' (it is still one of my favourite, and in my opinion the best, albums I own), but even so the prospect of a new sound from one of my childhood bands scared me.

BUT FACE YOUR FEARS, BECAUSE THE ALBUM IS GREAT.

 

The first track of the album is called 'The Phoenix'. My immediate thought when the intro was playing was "This sounds like Plan B" and it does. The intro really does. But it stops there; the rest is aaaaaaall Fall Out Boy.

All. The. Way.

'Save Rock 'n' Roll' is packed with ace songs that are catchy, musically brilliant and typical of Fall Out Boy.. the old band and the newer version.

The songs will stick in your head. Seriously.

But worship that; at least it's not a Rebecca Black song stuck in there.. sorry.

But moving on...

It has songs that make you feel good. You will want to sing along. They are not screamy or shouty or depressing. They're just good.

It's great, well worth any of your time and money. So what are you waiting for?

Whether or not you've heard of FOB before, or any of their songs, you are guaranteed to like this album.

It obviously helps if you like Indie/Rock music, so I'd probably avoid it if you can only listen to Acoustic/Country & Western without your ears bleeding.. this album might not be your cup of tea.

That shouldn't stop you though. Go find it on iTunes or Spotify or YouTube.
Broaden your horizons. I wish I'd done it sooner.

I give 'Save Rock 'n' Roll' by Fall Out Boy 9.5/10.

Fall Out Boy are BACK. They are back with a BANG. And gosh, we've missed you. But thankfully, you're here to save music once again. You're like a non-magical, musical, American Harry Potter..

Thank you for saving rock 'n' roll.

Find Fall Out Boy here:

Patrick Stump – lead vocals, guitars
Pete Wentz – bass guitar, backing vocals
Joe Trohman – guitars, backing vocals
Andy Hurley – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Facebook
Twitter

Go listen to 'Save Rock 'n' Roll'! Follow the links below:

Spotify (listen to the full album for free and/or buy)
iTunes (listen to samples for free and/or buy)
YouTube

Bye for now!!

x x x x

Mike Dignam Street Gig - Review

Hey guys!

Yesterday I went to a 'street gig' in Birmingham to watch a singer-songwriter Mike Dignam.

You may have recognised his name, as I have been advertising him and his picture to the right of my blog since I started it!

I first saw Mike perform as a support act for the band Lawson in March of this year, and I absolutely fell in love with his songs right away!

He writes and plays all his own music, which normally fits into the acoustic/pop genre.

It doesn't say on his website, and I never asked him in person/via Twitter, so I don't know what other bands/artists he would compare himself to, but my friend thinks some of his songs sound a bit like Stevie Wonder.

He's not only toured with Lawson, but also Gabrielle Aplin, and this September/October he is headlining his own UK + N.Ireland tour - buy tickets here!

To promote his current EP ('Paint') and his upcoming EP, he has been doing 'street gigs' all over the country- in Brighton, Manchester and Birmingham for example. They were in association with HMV, which meant shoppers at the store could pick up his EP for free with any purchase. This is great promotion for both parties: HMV gets more people into the shop (potential customers), and Mike gets more people to hear his music - win win!

I went along to the Birmingham gig, which was actually held in St. Martins Church - a good thing too, as it TIPPED it down with rain outside!

But that had no effect on our moods, as he put on a great short show, playing his own songs that the fans knew, a few covers, and a new song from his upcoming EP.

Although we all really enjoyed it (approx. 80-100 people turned up), it was a little awkward being in the church, as it was still open to the public, and we didn't feel we could be as loud as we wanted (even though Mike had permission to play there).

Also, we were seated, which restricted our movement to the songs.

However, the church made his songs sound great, as the acoustics of the building were excellent!

It was much better when Mike gathered us around him at the front; he even said "I should have done this before!".
And he was right, but that didn't matter really, because we all enjoyed the show, and he managed to get members of the public to stop and listen for a while.

 

 

During the gig he would sometimes get distracted and make little mistakes or restart - but we didn't care.

I'd seen him play flawlessly before in front of a crowd of predominately Lawson fans, so I know what he is capable of. If anything didn't seem 'perfect', it was nobody's fault (if maybe a couple of distracting fans haha), and it made the concert seem more intimate - Mike didn't mind stopping and starting in front of us. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable, but maybe because he didn't have to prove himself to us. He didn't have to win us over: we were there because we loved what he did already.

After the gig he did a signing at HMV in the Bullring shopping centre.

He turned into a [non-creepy] Pied Piper, with all his fans following him to the signing.

We attracted some attention (obviously), which is what Mike wanted- more publicity! And we were happy enough to help.

The signing ran smoothly (whilst I was there, at least), and Mike's friend/tour manager/photographer/videographer Lloyd Willacy (who had been filming throughout the day) took some great shots of the fans waiting in line.

Mike was so nice when we reached him, signing our CDs, and my ukulele! Thanks Mike! :)

 

Me and my friends Abbie (@AJ_Burford) and Charlotte (@Charl_Emilyx) also got our pictures* taken with him.

 

 

 

Mike seems really down to earth, and me and my friends had a lovely chat to him at the signing. Considering he was going to be signing things for a while, and that he didn't personally know us, he was talkative - gestures like that that show you he's a nice guy.

It's always so much nicer to like an artist's music, and for them to be a good person too.

I feel like I'm at that age and stage in my life where, although I might get excited and woop/sing-along at a concert, I don't scream and 'fangirl' very much anymore.

I'm 17 now, and me and my friends noticed how silly some of the other girls were being at the signing- in fact, we were quite embarrassed to be stood near them, even though we weren't with them and didn't know them.

I'm not criticizing, as I may have been like that at one point, but now I'm old enough to really appreciate an artist and their music; I want to support their dreams and help them to achieve their aspirations of making/selling good music, rather than scream in their face.

People deal with their excitement in different ways though, and Mike handled all reactions very well at the signing; whether people asked questions, or couldn't take a picture due to uncontrollable laughter/nervous crying.

He seems to appreciate all the support he gets, whoever it's from, and that's the way it should be when you're in the music business.

I've seen him perform live twice, and I've met him twice (the first very briefly outside the Lawson gig in Birmingham), so I know I am biased when I say this, but I would really recommend his music. He's got his own style, and his songs are original - something you can't say about every artist, even the ones high up in the charts!

His music isn't just for teenage girls either; some of you guys might enjoy it too!

Here is a video of Mike's song 'Great Escape', one of my favourites of his. Take a listen, you might really like it. You never know, he could be you're future no.1 favourite artist!

Here are the links where you can find Mike:

Twitter
Facebook
Website
YouTube
Instagram
Snapchat: mikedignam


I give the Mike Dignam Street Gig in Birmingham 8.5/10 stars, which is pretty good I think!

I'm going to his headline tour in September, so I'll review that for you guys once I've been!

Thanks for reading!

Please share with your friends and to Mike if you want to :)

Bye for now!!

x x x x

(*all photos credited to Charlotte Clayton)

What goes on tour...

Hallo!

No, I'm not bad at spelling, that's how to say "Hello!" in Dutch! :)

And I haven't suddenly changed nationality, my blog post for today is about a trip I went on in the April of this year- a trip to Holland!

Every year my school organises a 'music tour', where the many talented students in the music department pack up and take their instruments and voices on tour, and perform to people of all ages in sometimes multiple countries!

I have been on 3 music tours since being at my high school- Spain, Italy and Holland/Belgium.

I have enjoyed every single one of them, and feel so proud to be part of such a energetic family of musicians.

I just wanted to share with you guys some of the photos that were taken, which might persuade some of you to organise or go on a similar trip yourself!

They are always really fun; you see so many amazing sights, make new friends, and visit places you never thought you'd go.

I'd really recommend getting involved with music!

Whether you sing or play and instrument, it's really worth it.


Music Tour to Holland and Belgium - April 2013.

We had to visit a windmill- we were in Holland after all!

We visited a beach, and despite the cold weather, our friend Arianna got into the beach spirit!

 

 

Me and Arianna at the beach in Holland :)

 

 

A small group of us by a pretty bridge and river :)

 

Some pretty views! :)
 

And for the last photo, a nice little group of us by the river in Amsterdam!

And no holiday with friends would be complete without a cringey picture in the reflection of a dirty shop window!

 

We all had an awesome time in Holland, and I hope you enjoyed looking at some of my pictures! :)

 

Bye for now!!

 

x x x x