Ten more great tracks we say you need to hear! Axwell /\ Ingrosso feat. Kid Ink - I Love You
Let's be honest, most of the appeal of this song comes from the classical riff of its chorus and not the by-numbers Kid Ink verses, but it's a better song from Axwell and Ingrosso than they've had recently. (6.5/10) British Sea Power - Keep On Trying (Sechs Freunde)
Not known for their poppiness, there is a surpisingly Sparks-level of hook here in a song that is memorable in a more arty fashion. Nice, and arguably their best track in a long while. (6.5/10) Bruno Mars - That’s What I Like
The lyrics may be pretty shallow and the territory familiar but it's all wrapped up in a catchy funk like his most recent singles that it's hard not to be won over. (6.5/10) Elle King - Wild Love
Elle King could do no wrong with her singles last year and 2017 looks like she's continuing in a similar vein with this quieter but no less strongly sang single with her trademark power and comforting voice. (7/10)
Glenn Hodge Banned
- Faces on Tables
‘Faces on Tables’ is a foot-tapping post-punk number with
a delightful fast-paced rhythm, great lyrics and a distinctive vocal from Glenn
Hodge. Instantly catchy, this is a great stripped-back acoustic punk number
that is worth a spin today. (8/10)
Julia Michaels - Issues
'Issues' is a sexy and sultry little number with Michaels vocals being very listenable and the simple production giving her vox and lyrics room to breathe. (7.5/10)
Lorde - Liability
In my opinion better than 'Green Light' this stripped back, dark, emotional and vulnerable single is heartfelt and all the better for it. (7/10) Louis Berry - She Wants Me
If George Ezra had a love child with the Animals or a similar act then out would pop Louis Berry. 'She Wants Me' is a gruff indie hit with a cheating little hook with its use of las, but it's well done. (7/10)
LP - Lost On You
My favourite song of the moment, this thumping pop number
is a delight, from the lead vocals of LP to the soaring classical-influenced
backing. Instantly catchy and singable, this is a great song from start to
finish. (8.5/10)
Matoma & MAGIC! feat. D.R.A.M. - Girl At Coachella
D.R.A.M.'s rap is entirely superfluous to this song and adds a level of crassness the song doesn't need, but elsewhere this laid back saunter of song captures the festival mood well in a more casual way, with a catchy chorus. (7/10)
Describing
himself as ‘original Antifolk kinda stuff with hints of Billy Bragg’ Glenn
Hodge Banned has a new single out called ‘Faces on Tables’ and we got chance to
speak to him about the new record, plans for the future, and an exciting
upcoming crowdfunded campaign.
You have a new single out
called ‘Faces on Tables’. How would you describe it?
Personally
to me it’s a bit of an adventure, a little bit of a journey concerning me and a
few friends in the distant past. I’m sure anybody else who hears the tune will
make up their own story to it which people often do, which I think is great. It’s
a bit of a toe-tapper. It’s Billy Bragg-esque. Some of my work is Billy
Bragg-esque. Not all of it, but I’m told that’s what comes across. There’s a
punky vibe. It’s not one to sit down to; it’s one to get up and have a move
about to.
You mentioned there Billy
Bragg; is there a political side to your music?
Some
of it. I’m more of a social commentator than full on political in what I’m
singing about, but of course it’s difficult not to have a slight opinion at the
minute, whoever you are. Everyone’s a lot more aware now so it’s a lot easier
to make a few comments and have people aware of what you’re talking about as
opposed to maybe a decade or so ago. You go to a gig, you go to a festival and
someone is banging on about something that’s happened politically in that
environment and nobody had a clue what they were talking about but now you can get
away with a lot more: you can say what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling
and some people are down with that, so there’s a definitely a little bit in
there.
You mention online that you
have punk influences; is that important to you musically?
I’m
not a big fan of punk music. I like it, but I think it’s more about the
attitude that goes with it. I love folk music but the folk world doesn’t seem
to love me. I’ve been describe as anti-folk and there’s always this underlying
feeling of, not aggression, but there’s a little bit of something in there in
the music. It’s not something I try to put in, it’s just my personality coming
through in the music, which is what you want! There are so many nice records
out there and I’m sick to death of them! It’s alright sounding nice here and
there but I think every now and again you’ve got to give it some.
Going back to Billy Bragg, he’s
been very positive about your work?
Yes,
that’s always very nice to hear. He probably won’t even remember me now after
saying that but it’s nice to have someone like that saying something positive about
you as there are always negatives flying around no matter who you are. I’ll
take anything and everything. I’m getting my name out there more and more. Having
someone like that saying something about you gives you a little lift and
reminds you that you’re on the right track, especially if you’re looking up to
these characters.
As well as your studio work,
you have some live dates coming up. How would you describe your live sound?
It’s
all about live for me. I only record songs because I have to. I don’t enjoy
being in the studio; I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed once being in the studio
getting something down. I enjoy the finished product sometimes but most of the
time I’m not crazy about it. It’s all about being on stage for me and interacting
with people and getting them to feel something, whether they walk out half way
through, sometimes in my first song as it’s not for everybody. Or whether they
stay to the end and I have a fan for life. It’s about that forty minutes that
you’re with this guys and the record is just a bit of a pesky by-product that
you have to do these days if you’re going to be recognised and validated. It’s
all about the live performance. There’s a lot of energy, I don’t take it too
seriously. I like to have a bit of fun and if people are willing to have a bit
of fun and go on a vibe with me then it’s generally a good laugh.
If
anyone wants to see me live and if they’re coming to London, or London-based, I’m
playing on the 27th April in the Spice of Life in Soho which is a
great venue. Dylan has played there as well as lots of great characters through
the years. I’m playing with a band called Heavyball so it’s going to be a
proper good night. They’ve got all sorts
of stuff out and they’re off on a European tour the day after that gig. They’re
great live, and I think they’re going to do a cover of ‘Faces on Tables’ at the
gig and I’m looking forward to that. It’ll be something different seeing
someone else’s presentation. I think a few years ago I wouldn’t have been too
keen on that but it’s nice to have someone interested in my work and putting
their own vibe to it.
What are your follow-up
plans for the single?
I’m
doing a Kickstarter campaign. I’ve had some really nice folk from the Bright
Brothers and these guys have helped me make a really quirky Kickstarter video.
I’m doing a crowdfunded campaign to pay for this record. Up until now, as an
independent folk artist, I’ve funded everything myself out of my own pocket but
I want to make a proper album. Just to have a proper body of work. The whole
album process is a tough slog but I want to get to the end of that, to have a
body of work to show to people and show them what I am and say ‘stick this in
your car!’. I’m hoping with the gigs that I’m playing and with the following
that I have, that I can get what I need and get something that I can be proud
of it out there. It will be live soon, possibly mid-April. I’ve recorded a free
single that I’m going to give away with it and I’m just waiting for that to be
mixed and mastered. Once that’s done and the video is edited I’m ready to go!
Finally do you have any big
ambitions for the rest of 2017?
My
focus has to be to enable myself to move myself forward. The Kickstarter
campaign is this spring so realistically it’ll be summer before I can start
making the record so by the time it’s made, mixed and mastered I’ll be looking
at Christmas, or maybe 2018, before I can take it on tour. That’s not that far
away and time is flying by, but it’s all about sticking to one thing at a time
and then the end game is taking that on tour and move up the ladder which I’ve
been doing all these days.
