I am not going to lie and say that I particularly like Kelly's music. His voice grates on me a little and I think he looks a little too similar to Blake Fielder Civil in some of his press photos. However, a friend of mine works for the company that handles his PR and he asked me to get him some coverage in Scotland ahead of his appearance in Edinburgh.
This the first interview I have had published by The List so it is pretty exciting to be writing for a new publication. Let's hope I don't piss them off!
.. knows that I like tattoos. From time to time I will browse websites and see what other people across the world are getting and I recently stumbled upon this idiot. This guy actually got a tattoo of a woman on his leg and then got flesh implants so that she now has 3d boobs. What a tool. The joke is on him. The first time he walks into a table and smacks those stupid bumps against the edge he is going to scream like a newborn baby. That's what you get for being a moron.
Last week I got the chance to interview We Were Promised Jetpacks before their sold out show at The Borderline in London. The guys have had a great year so far with a critically acclaimed debut album and successful U.S. tour under their belts.
It is a bit of a shame that the interview is in a simple question and answer format because I don't feel that this gives a particularly accurate representation of the group. They are a nice bunch of guys who were relaxed enough to joke around and tell me a few stories from the road.
13thWitness is a journalist and video editor for an online streetwear/ culture magazine that I only discovered recently but I love his work. He has a really nice editing style that I always appreciate due to my years spent watching skate video. Below are two of my favourite videos made by the New York local.
I have heard of handball before but I have never seen it portrayed in such a fashionable way. The breakbeat jazz soundtrack over the slick glimpses of the players in action really does make the sport look appealing. Companies should get this guy to make their brand promos. He can make pretty much anything look cool.
This next video follows a day in the life of freestyle BMX rider Nigel Sylvester and the 13thWitness signature style is at work again. Brief shots to maintain your interest and another great breakbeat jazz score that just fits perfectly with the footage. I have no interest in BMXing whatsoever but this edit had my undivided attention for the duration.
I recently got the chance to interview one of my favourite bands, Camera Obscura, before their show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. Lead singer Traceyanne Campbell has not had the most pleasant relationship with music press over the years and I thought the interview was doomed when the first thing she said to me was: "I am thinking of not doing these (interviews) any more."
She argued with a few of the things I said throughout our discussion but on the whole I found her to by quite pleasant - if a little defensive.
After the interview was over, Traceyanne and Carey were nice enough to help me get out of the maze that is the backstage area of the Empire and they were quite chatty in the process.
I just saw the trailer for the Lil' Wayne documentary The Carter and I must admit, I am actually really looking forward to seeing this film. I am not a very Lil' Wayne fan. In fact, I can count on one hand the amount of songs I actually like but I read an interview with him in Rolling Stone recently and he is one fascinating guy.
He completely cuts himself off from society, is addicted to cough syrup and apparently has a guy who rolls joints for him so that he can smoke weed all day. How he gets anything done is an absolute mystery to me. But that's what makes him even more fascinating. He has a work ethic like no other artist in the world. He has made 100s of tracks in the little time that he has been in the entertainment industry and apparently records new ones every day.
The day his album went platinum everyone else was drinking champagne and celebrating while he was in the tour bus recording. By the time they went back to the bus he had already made four new songs. He is like a bloody machine.
I can't figure out if he is just trying to make as much money as possible or if he is afraid that if he takes a rest he will lose his momentum and run out of fresh ideas. The man is an enigma.
Oh well, the trailer looks promising - if slightly worrying at the same time.
I recently inteviewed Philadelphia rapper Amanda Blank for Huck Magazine. She was possibly one of the funniest and most charismatic artists I have had the pleasure of speaking with... and her debut album I LOVE YOU is bloody brilliant.
The Skinny have just uploaded an article I recently wrote about Berlin electronic label Get Physical. It may not be the most interesting of features but what can I say? Can't win 'em all!
On Friday I was lucky enough to meet up with Amanda Blank before her show at Proud in Camden. We were only scheduled to do an interview for 15 mins but ended up chatting and joking around for almost an hour. She is one very sweet lady with a great sense of humour. Check out here interview on HUCK shortly...
I am currently living in London and working for The Stool Pigeon. I write for The Skinny, The List, Huck, Amelia's Magazine, Kingdom Magazine and Be-mag.
