The Dunwells - Live at the Oak

When I'd applied for uni, I didn't think there would be a place on campus where there would be bands playing every fortnight for free (yes, free live music!!), especially bands this big! So when I found out about County college bar, The Oak, I was immediately interested as you can imagine.

Uni events have the potential to crash and burn with this kind of thing. Well, I can assure you this one doesn't. This is the second one I've been to, and it was fantastic! The Dunwells were headlining, and there were three other guests - the front man of The Marties, Jack Schofield, Zlew is Dead and The Stetsons Electric.

The Marties is a university based band. Jack Schofield played an acoustic set of some covers mixed with a few of their own songs. My highlight was Dakota. He executed it perfectly! It was a version unlike anything I have ever heard before, and I wish that my stepfather could have heard it, being a life-long Stereophonics fan (and ironically Dakota being his favourite).

Zlew is Dead is a three-piece band with Alexis Collard, from Paris. By what I understand, he is a singer/songwriter who eventually formed a band, and I believe they recently got a new bassist - another uni based band. Anyway, they follow the punk influence without being cheesy, something that appears to be difficult to do these days.

One of my highlights (and my biggest surprise) was The Stetsons Electric. From Wigan, these guys follow the Rock 'n' Roll genre crossed with punk. Not only was their music great, with front man Thomas Hewitt's old-school style vocals, their attitudes were hilarious! With their new 'awful' (not) song, Man, which they abandoned halfway through embarrassed, along with no actual set list and Thomas Hewitt asking everyone to follow his Instagram (gammon_steak, for those intrigued), I had fallen in love instantly! Keep an eye out for these guys!

Now, then came The Dunwells. I'd only listened to a bit of their stuff before, but I really liked what I heard. When they started, I knew this was going to be a big thing. Reminding me of the likes of The War On Drugs crossed with Warpaint at some points, I sat there the entire thing silent, in awe. They played a range of their stuff (I apologise, I don't remember any names), including an encore song Alive. This was apparently brand new, so new in fact that when I tried Youtubing it, it wasn't even there. However, this was the highlight for me, and I was speechless. What a way to end a fantastic night of music!

The set was in the perfect order. Warming into things chilled with an acoustic repertoire, moving to punk, then rock n roll with laughs, then sweet beauty. They couldn't have made this evening better if they'd tried. Well done to everyone involved, and mainly to the bands. Also thank you to The Dunwells for being so generous. They are going to go very far, and I have no doubt that, before long, a lot of people are going to be talking about them.

Mae Reunited

So, Mae are back! They've been on hiatus, and are doing a tenth anniversary tour for the release of their album, The Everglow. They are also hoping to release some new music before the tour. My prayers have been answered!!

I am so jealous of you people in the US - if you can catch them, go! They are beautiful!

Here is one of my favourites from (E)Vening. I hope you guys like it!

The War On Drugs - Lost in the Dream. Praise!

I know this a little bit old news now, but I must sing my praises about this one album, as I can't stop playing it on repeat due to the nostalgic feel.

You must understand, for something to make me feel happily nostalgic is a rare masterpiece. Long story short, a lot of things in the past have made my memories painful. This beauty of an album by The War On Drugs, however, has shifted me. The title track in particular, 'Lost in the Dream', has a strong influence. I can't express how wonderful it was to look back at my life in happiness!

Anyway, The War On Drugs released this album last March. I discovered them later on in Green Man festival, Brecon, in August. Hell, they are a fantastic live band! I did wonder at that point where these guys had been all my life.

The echoey, haunting quality to the riffs, such as in 'Suffering', makes this record a perfect chill-out CD. This is definitely something people should try, no matter what kind of music you're in to! These guys have a distinct enough style to differentiate themselves from the hundreds of bands out there, mainly down to Adam Granduciel's unique vocals.

If you have heard of these guys, I hope you share a similar love for them as I do! For me, it was instant. I have been missing out on a vital part of life! As for you who haven't, check them out. I know I say it a lot, but I really do mean it when I say if there is one band you should listen to, it's these!

Hannah Miller

If there's one thing I've been excited for this year, it's Hannah Miller's new full length record, coming out next month.

You may have heard Promise Land from the haunting video, Drone in Pripyat. For me, her song added to the eeriness in the best possible way. I fell in love instantly and had to buy it!

I'm confident that we can expect great things from her next month. Until then, here's Promise Land if you haven't already heard it. You won't be disappointed!