Kina Grannis

...way back when I was a young'un, (I mean even more baby-faced than I am now) I stumbled upon a lady called Kina Grannis. I watched her 'Gotta Have You' by The Weepies cover with her sister, Emi. I watched her cover of 1234 by Feist. I got hooked.

When you're starting out at high school as I was then, people often underestimate how far little things go. And week in, week out, watching these videos on YouTube were my little sanctuary at 6 o'clock in the evenings. This was so far back that you could actually e-mail Kina herself and request shout-outs to be posted at the end of her videos (a random message, a birthday wish etc) and I did this several times. I ordered a signed copy of her first LP Stairwells: it was the first thing I'd ever ordered online. I used my dad's card. I fudged a lot of it up. (Who knew Address 1/Address 2 meant the lines of your address and not to put two different addresses 'just in case'?!?!)

 I think the thought of ever seeing her live was a little crazy because a) she was from Cailfornia and b) I was 11 and lived in the remote countryside of England.

But hey, crazy can. happen. My decision of going to university in London has blessed me with so many opportunities and the one I have cherished the most is watching (AND MEETING, EEEK) Kina Grannis. This is the modern fangirl-tale. Kina announced her return to England after two years (the last time she was here, I was merely but a fifteen year old child living 3 and a half hours away from London by car) and I rejoiced. Like, full on screamed 'hallelujah' into the ceiling of my room and memorised the date and time of the sale. And it was done.

If you still haven't heard of Kina Grannis, you're really missing out. Her compelling tone matched with the acoustic companion of her trusty guitar will bring you to your happy place. And it's brought the likes of Ellen Degeneres to hers too. Her new album, Elements, has such an attitudinal edge to it. It can't be described in a way that will do it justice, so maybe take a listen for yourself right here?

I do, of course, have a signed copy of Elements as well, and I'm going to try to make this a tradition.

Elements is the whole reason that Kina (and her wonderful husband/talented musician Imaginary Future) came to England/Europe. Their show was beyond amazing.

It was held at The Tabernacle in the Borough of Kensington/Chelsea.

Imaginary Future (aka. Jesse Epstein) was an astoundingly awe-inducing opener. He has such a charm, charisma and wit that emanates into the crowd, and then pauses time with his tranquil-toned voice. It's really, really captivating. You should definitely check out his music - my favourite song just so happens to be 'I Knew This Would Be Love' (*wink*).

Kina Grannis. *Deep breath* She was mind-blowing. She sang a couple of oldies and ended the show with The One You Say Goodnight To. It felt so surreal to have her stand a metre away from me. She brought Kate McGill (of Meadowlark) on to sing backup for a few of the songs and the harmonies felt like they could melt if they were touchable. I don't have enough words.

I also attended a free show at Westfield's (Shepherds Bush) as part of the Westfield's Present scheme. It was pretty spectacular and a good crowd of Kinerds were there to show their support. She played a lot more oldies which made me feel all kindsa nostalgic! Like, literally, my feels.

Here are some of the pictures I took and I might mush together the footage and create a little video. We'll see eh. Thanks for making it all the way to the end of this blogpost. I hope you're now a fan.

L.

Joel Baker

Joel Baker is a mine. He’s going to explode in front of our eyes and I know it. We're not quite sure when, we're not quite sure where, but we know it…

 I first saw Joel at Orla Gartland’s Dingwalls gig in Camden, London. He was one of her many openers and to me, the one that stood out the most.

I took this! 

The first strum of his guitar already has you locked in place and paralysed until the song is finito. What’s even more great is that he’s a singer-songwriter. All these little lyrics that make you want to sit in a jazz bar on Southbank ( ;) ) with someone you love come straight from this chivalrous gentleman.

But don’t get me wrong, there are also songs that make you wanna shake your head and make the stank face, bop from side to side and genuinely just have an absolutely great fucking time (LISTEN: Kiss In The Rain)

And I dare you to listen to any of his songs and see how long you can last without humming a melody or singing the odd lyric.

Joel’s EP, ‘Long Sleeves’ was released on the 21^st of July 2013. His latest EP is now available to pre-order for release on the 11^th of May, 2014! The EP, ‘Every Vessel’ includes the most chillingly beautiful song ‘Every Vessel Every Vein’ (available to download now!)

 If the opportunity ever arises, DO go see him live, even if just for that song.

All the info you need is efficiently given on his website right HURR.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man. Bake me a Joel as fast as you can.

L.

Hozier

Long time no post… no excuses: I just haven't really been into the writing spirit.

I've been stuck in a whirlwind of university life, Veronica Mars (I'm watching all 3 seasons before the movie… 2 down, 1 to go. What will I accomplish? I'll tell ya when I'm done) and being a teenager.

However, something that has crept into my life is a little artist called Hozier. Hozier (or Andrew, I'm sure his bezzie mates call him) is an artist I happened to stumble upon earlier last week. …Okay, I admit it, I heard his stuff on Teen Wolf.

"Like Real People Do" is the song that features during a really RULLY cute scene. It's little anticipating acoustic tap at the beginning is hauntingly beautiful. Kinda like a musical version of waiting for a movie to finally come on after the adverts play. You're met by satisfaction in the form of a gorgeously toned voice and comforted by a consistent riff. Listen to the lyrics - they'll make your mind slow dance.

But my favourite song (after I exhausted the one aforementioned) is "Cherry Wine". It begins in the same melancholy way… the pluck of a string. I can't explain it, but I guess I can try. When I listen to it, my heart feels yellow and hollow and when I cross my arms to clutch my biceps to try and radiate that warmth from within, all I feel are chills. Antonymous, I know.

Listen for yourself, I guess. And please do - all of his stuff. Heck, buy his EP if you really want to.

(Disclaimer: Photo is not mine. This image belongs to hosier.com)

(Links are scattered all over this blog post. Just do what Charlie Swan doesn't… hover.)

L.