BAND REVIEW- British Sea Power

British sea power are a six piece band with members from various counties. (My favourite is Yorkshire) The band is mainly guitar, drums, vocals and keyboard with a dash of cornet and viola. Wild!

When I first listened to BSP I wasn’t blown away, I think this was due to the fact I started with their early work and had heard too many bands like this before. It wasn’t really getting me going, the guitar was simple, vocals dull and the overall sound was forgettable, more like low level background noise.

After a few listens they did grow on me, after their debut they upped the anti and created a few more epic songs mixing their original indie style with choral vocals, feedback and sound effects to result in more memorable tracks. Their style is definitely ‘indie’ but that can relate to so many different sounds these days. I think the charm with BSP is that they in essence have thrown such a mish mash of sounds together that it really shouldn’t work, but really does. A closer listen enables you to pick out sounds and effects that you don’t notice at first glance but if they weren’t there the sound wouldn’t be complete.

BSP’s music videos definitely reflect an indie style, the almost sepia toned effects within, sometimes transport you back in time to what feels like a post war period. Other video styles such as ‘living is so easy’ are reminiscent of an eighties style and are almost bowie-esque.

The themes of songs are very relative to the indie scene, ‘who’s in control’ for example is about protests and politics, something a lot of young students are involved in currently. Not just indie kids, but a wider audience of students/youths can relate to this song and many others like it on their albums, it brings a feeling of power and togetherness through song.

I would definitely recommend a listen, to their newer stuff preferably. I particularly like ‘who’s in control’ (video above) from their album ‘Valhalla dancehall’ Also check out their website for live tour dates and other news and information http://www.britishseapower.co.uk

Area Guide: Brighton

The beautiful seaside town, that is Brighton, famous for its large gay community, has over the years evolved into a place associated with the ‘cool’, swamped with people from the media, arts and music scene, this surge of creative talent has seen the emergence of new music, mostly guitar band based, known to most as ‘indie’. Due to the cities laidback and cosmopolitan attitude, the indie subculture thrives, surrounded by indie bars, venues and shops the subculture has been allowed to grow over the years and the city has produced some main players on the indie circuit.

When it comes to the indie scene, it is safe to say Brighton has it all. It appears the whole indie lifestyle can be and is played out in Brighton from shopping to nightlife, the shops stock the latest in indie clobber and the bars headline the latest indie bands no matter how good or popular.

When it comes to shopping in Brighton, the lanes are definitely the place to be. For true individual style wander lazily around the twisting and turning cobbles and discover stylish boutiques with one off pieces to team with luxurious vintage jewellery in shops nestled amongst the crowds. Pick up some quirky trinkets to treasure from the array of antique shops and trawl through the rails of beyond retro before stumbling upon a cute vintage dress or old flannel shirt. Rest your legs between shopping and grab a coffee and soak up the sounds of the buskers, which fill the lanes.

Indie kids are avid music listeners, and most bands to date source inspiration from music of the past, so where better to do this than in old record shops, for collectors of vinyl or for people who just appreciate music Brighton offers a vast array of record shops. ‘Wax factor’ is one of many, situated on Trafalgar Street the shop is bursting at the seams with second hand vinyl. There is also a section especially for indie music, dating way back in time. Borderline, rounder records and resident, just to name a few are other popular vinyl shops within Brighton.

At night the city is transformed, indie is at the forefront of the music scene, but Brighton really does cater for all tastes of music from northern soul to dance to blues, you are sure to find something to entertain you.

Hold up! At the Arc club is an unpretentious indie night (did you ever think you would see the day) on Saturday nights. Entry is £5 and the night goes on until 2am. They often have a guest DJ some of whom have been Shaun Ryder, Andy Rourke and Stuart Murdoch, so it is guaranteed to be a night full of indie fun!

‘Another sunny day’ hosted at toms bar is for the more occasional indie nights, playing a mixture of indie pop, Swedish indie, twee and Britpop.

Grab a slice of cheese at the Komedia with the Da Doo Ron Ron night, featuring strictly female vocals, experience a superb girl group soul extravaganza. Komedia club is the host to many other fantastic indie nights throughout the month.

If you are in need of a lower key chilled out pub night then Brighton is not short of them, home to over 1000 pubs you are guaranteed to find the one for you. Each pub has its own individual style, some more traditional than others. Whatever your style just adventure through the streets of Brighton and there is sure to be one on every street corner.

 As well as DJ nights, Brighton hosts many live gigs, the most popular venues being the free butt and Concorde 2. A variety of local indie bands originate from Brighton, these include British sea power, the pipettes, The go! Team, air formation and wonky Beak. It seems Brighton epitomises everything that is indie from the shops to pubs to the local bands, it is definitely where it’s at.

Interview.

Your home is? Bradford, West Yorkshire but I live and have lived in Brighton, Sussex for 2 years.

Age: 20

Occupation: Music student at Brighton Institute of Modern Music and a working musician.

1) What animal would you most like to be? A Japanese Snow Monkey, simply because I watched an Attenbourough documentary on them and their lives are horrendously laid back.

2) What is a typical everyday outfit for you? As close to Johnny Cash's wardrobe as possible. Bottom Half- Black jeans and smart shoes. Top Half- Shirts and light jackets usually of blacks, greys and dark blues.

3) What was the last album you bought/ downloaded? I bought 2 yesterday. White Lies- Ritual and Tracy Chapman's first self-titled album.

4) Where is someone most likely to find you? On facebook or Soundcloud. Myspace has been dead for years.

5) How do you fill your evenings/ weekends? Looking for new music, band practices, watching documentaries, socialising and catching up on sleep.

6)What would be written on your tombstone? Either 'Had something to say this lad.' or the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme tune. ( With the extra 2 verses)

7) What is your guilty pleasure? Michael Buble

8) What are you up to at the moment? I have 3 projects on the go at the minute. I'm in a girl from South Africa's band called 'Annaca' playing like a gypsy jazz/pop thing, playing guitar and backing vocals and we're playing a forum in about 2 weeks time.

I have recently started a swing function and original material band, with the aim to playing jazz clubs, weddings etc... playing Sinatra, Martin and Nat king Cole songs.

And finally my own band, which i'll tell you about at the bottom.

9) What is your life philosophy? 'Get on with it and get it done'

10) What would you save from a fire? My Gretsch guitar and a coat I bought from a shop in Toulouse.

11) What are you favourite shops? 'Beyond Retro' a vintage clothes shop in Brighton, plus any trinket shops I can find.

12) What makes you laugh? My housemates, Comedians like Bill Hicks and Dave Chapelle and just things people can come up with on the spot alot of the time.

13) What makes you cry? I had to pick and old fella up after he fell pretty hard in Victoria train station and no-one else would help or even look at him. Too busy apparently. C***s. Let's just say that wasn't what made me laugh.

14) What was the last book you read? Julia Lennon's (John Lennon's sister) 'Imagine this.' It was good if your a bit of a Beatles fanatic.

15) Tell me a little bit about your band

Playing a mixture of Johnny Cash, The doors, Strokes, with a big 50's influence from the crooners but with delay pedals in the same vein as Foals and Two door cinema club. Vocal harmonies also very important feature. Name pending.

Fashion Story

 

Photographer- Mark Sanders

Styling by- Alison Elwin

Models-Callum Wilson, Christian Campbell, Joe Walsh, Johan Ohlstrom and Luke Tristram