Sounds of an Eccentric

'Forget your name' is the charming debut track by native Cramlington lad Harry Smith. After supporting acts such as Raglans and playing at various venues including The Sage in Gateshead and Newcastle's THINK TANK , the young musician's demo is a promising step forward. The track itself is very intimate, with Smith's lilting vocals only being accompanied by delicate yet peppy acoustic guitar. The lyrics convey a sincerity without conforming to a sugary sweet register, addressing the mentality of a break up, opposed to spieling on about self-pity. The line 'what's the point reading everyone's destructions down to the letter' is particularly poignant and resonates with a candid charm. Smith's performances are elevated when accompanied by his tight-knit band and I can envisage this track becoming a powerful component of his set whilst enabling him to beguile vast audiences. Overall a solid 4/5 stars for the singer-songwriter.

'Love, Lust, Loss' is the latest four track EP from native Sheffield lads  The SSS.  The dynamic five-piece already have an impressive track record under their belts, winning 'unsigned track of the year' for their song 'Snake in the Grass' in 2013 and the group were voted 'Best Unsigned Band' by Exposed Magazine in 2015. The EP opens with the feel-good track 'Eighteen'. The song narrates the indie trope of being infatuated with a femme-fatale through catchy lyrics (executed by Josh Coddington and his Turner- esque tones) and even catchier bold guitar riffs. The ebullient drums and subtle bass cement a sturdy beat that will undoubtedly get crowds moving, long before the killer guitar solos send you into an indie infused bliss. The second track on the EP 'Calm before the storm' conveys a edgy tranquillity that is utterly charming. Fuelled by lilting vocals and mellifluous guitar, the band evoke a serene ambience. However ...

Bernaccia is a band who's name I've heard many times but never had the pleasure of seeing live. After listening to their track 'Power To The Hills', that is going to change as soon as possible. Before even clicking play on their SoundCloud, the fact that the track was embellished with "#psychedelic rock", made me a very happy lady and raised my expectations of the band. As much as I love indie, the Newcastle music scene is a little saturated with it, so it's refreshing to listen to something a little different every once and a while. The track opens with richly layered drums and synth, evoking a gorgeous ambience, before incorporating catchy looped guitar. The distinctive and almost bluesy tone to the vocals give the song a rockier edge but doesn't distract the listener from the bold guitar and bass, that create a ferocious fusion of rhythms and riffs. However, it is the ebullient drums really drives this track, providing the it with a sating substa...

Anyone who knows me, will tell you that I have a very broad and eclectic taste in music. However, the majority of my absolute favourite artists lie somewhere on the indie/rock/pop spectrum. The Newcastle scene is incredibly tight knit, which is why I love it, but it has meant that the majority of stuff I cover is in the same (or very similar) genres. So I decided to leave my double denim and paisley print comfort zone and go to a gig that was a genre which I have never been able to get into. Many have tried and failed miserably. I have vented many a time about how much I hate this genre and what goes on at that sort of gig. I despise metal and I hate mosh pits - they confuse and terrify me. Why scream so people can't appreciate your lyrics? Why would you want to hurt yourself, your friends and everyone around you? Why not just dance and enjoy the music? And breathe - rant over! Nothing quite like jumping into the deep end. Best to lose your metal gig virginity watching five band...

Every Sunday the Surf Café in Tynemouth plays host to a night of excellent music. Playing there on a Sunday has become a rite of passage for local artists, you know you're good if you get a spot on the bill. On top of the usual hype, there was a 'surprise headliner'... The first act of the night was an acoustic set by Karl Douthwaite, who combined sweet and melodic guitar with sentimental lyrics, characterised by his Geordie twang. Douthwaite's strongest original song was ''The way it goes'. The emotive track really resonated and the line: 'like the kiss she gives when she stands on her toes' was particularly poignant. The local lad balanced good music and chatter well, confessing why he loved performing first on a Sunday. "I don't work Mondays, so this is perfect. Play for half an hour and then get absolutely trollied!" The most entertaining part of his set was his cover of 'Sheila take a bow' by The Smiths. The room was un...

After weeks of globe trotting, away from my comfort zone of gigs and blogs, it was wonderful to be back with HeartRock Live  at The Dog and Parrot . First up was an acoustic set by the (not so) fashionably late Harry Smith, with every song being introduced by a quirky back story and a "Sorry if I f*ck up guys". The indie lad next door performed a mixture of original songs and covers of The 1975, Lana Del Ray and Catfish and the Bottlemen. My only criticism of his set was that he did cover 'Kathleen' and 'Cocoon' by Catfish . 'Cocoon' was by far the better cover and I would advise to just stick to that one. Smith is at his best when he incorporates bluesy undertones and riffs to his music, best shown in his cover of 'West Coast', or the quaint lyrics of his original songs. The line: 'And I could see you falling for me, through sticks and stones and the apologies' is simply charming live. Next was the London based band, Immortal Machi...

'Eighteen' is the latest  track from 'the best unsigned band'; The SSS . With high expectations to live up to, this punchy track has definitely preserved their reputation for dynamic indie-rock. A fusion of vigorous drums and gritty guitar opens the song, before being reinforced with a hearty bass line and peppy riffs , cementing a strong dance beat. The track is characterised by the Northern wit of the lyrics, similar in nature to those of fellow native Sheffield lad, Miles Kane. I can envisage phrases like 'She's barely legal' and 'tick tock you're running out of time' printed on the t-shirts of teenage fans. As well as being incredibly catchy, the lyrics are thought-provoking and will resonated with vast audiences. This is evidenced through poignant lines like: 'She picked apart your awful stare, now she's trying to repair your heart, your mind, everything'. ' Eighteen' is without a doubt one of the strongest songs i...

Kicking off Friday night was the bizarre yet brilliant Velvoir. Their front woman; Verity Jasmine Bee; introduced their set as an 'experience'. This was clear from the word go due to her femme fatale attitude and flamboyant feather boa. Her gravelly vocals conveyed immense aggression, heightened by her sexual dance moves, creating this mesmerising utter filth. You were left feeling confused about gender, music, life and everything in between. This effect was heightened by their powerhouse guitar riffs and ebullient bass lines. They're like a Warhol brainchild, but with apparent technical flair to enrich their artistic image. This group could easily become Newcastle's next hot niche band. Following the mind-blowing Velvoir , was Hakweye Roadshow. Despite their very vocal front-man fashioning an awful  tasselled waistcoat and exposing his bare chest (FYI - it wasn't a good look last century either), the group produced a rich bluesy sound. They kept their set fresh ...

Kicking off Thursday night at the O2 (2) was the larger than life pop diva Cortney Dixon - a woman armed with big hair and an even bigger voice.  Her music channels the iconic sound of 80's pop, whilst drawing parallels with the likes of Marina and the Diamonds , Paloma Faith and Florence Welch. The strongest part of her set was her original song 'Freddie'. Dixon captivated the audience with her enchanting vocals, creating a blissful ambience. This was intensified by the profound sentiment and apparent emotion that fuelled the ballad. It's obvious that this woman is incredibly talented and knows how to belt out a tune. However I feel as though she'd really come into her element if she fronted a band. She has the charisma, style and technical flair to bring something really special to a rock group. Next up was Tom Conway , a band fronted by (no prizes for guessing) -  Tom Conway. Despite the disappointing name, these lads produce a great sound. The only way I can t...

Starting the night off was vocalist Catherine Dalzell, who performed   'Botanic Journey' by Agustin Fernadez . Her surreal voice quickly captivated the room, showcasing her impressive control and range through the various songs within the musical theatre piece. Catherine possesses a beautiful voice and was an undeniably impressive start to the night. Following the ethereal tone of Miss Dalzell was 'Duet, for Piano and Violin' , composed and performed by Caroline Bordignon and a violinist who I didn't catch the name of. The native Canadian student composed the piece during her year's study in Newcastle in her third year of her undergraduate degree, majoring in music and fine art. Both the piano and violin part were executed very well, with some stunning harmonies between the two parts. My only criticism of it is that it was somewhat brief. The piece was truly beauteous and I would have loved to hear more from Caroline. The third performance of the night was And...

Meet Tom, Andrew, Phil and Brad - a.k.a.: local rock group Motion. The lads and I took advantage of the sunny weather and caught up - discussing everything from Ben Howard to B.B.King to Justin Timberlake. Describe your music with one word. T: Shit, that's pretty genuine. Next question. One word? Ummm, music. Where does the name Motion come from? A: We did think of lots and lots of things. P:  We thought about our music and wrote down words that came to mind on a bit of paper that we passed about. Then came a process of elimination and we got down to a few words and just saw which ones sounded nice enough until we got Motion. Who are your musical heroes and influences? F: Flea, Michael Balzary, the bassist in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A: John Brush, yeah yeah I got in there quick! Go on then. P: Ben Howard, Simon Neil, the late B.B.King. A: Pfff, not the current B.B. King Phil? Or the previous B.B. King? B: Lads we can't be making a fucking jok...

I caught up with local R'n'B group SoShe - A.K.A.: Jamie, Dayna  and Alex before their gig with HeartRock Live at Newcastle's Dog and Parrot. Describe your music with one word. A: Pop D: After-party - does that count as one? Well it's a phrase anyway! J: Chilled. Where does the name SoShe come from? J: We wanted something that was two words but sounded like one and something that kinda sounded Japanese. Like Japanese sounding and just a little different. And also a word that you would say in a sentence -  so like "SoShe said this". Who are your musical heroes and influences? D: Beyoncé, The Weekend. I think all of our music is based off that really. J: Yeah all those sorts of music definitely influence us but original old music that got me into music was people like Nirvana, The Police and The Lemonheads. Stuff like that. We also really like dance music, like electronic, Black Eyed Peas - that sorta stuff. A: I like a lot of...

Kicking off at the Dog and Parrot  on Friday night was Benn2n and BobbyH, a two-piece composed of a singer/guitarist/decks and a rapper. Their sound was characterised by their loud beats and raw     (and often expectedly Geordie) lyrics. It's obvious that these lads are very passionate about their music and have a lot to say for themselves. If the duo tighten up their lyrics, (maybe switching some of their more crass lines for something a little more sophisticated) they could deliver their message in a more effective manner and really fulfil their potential. Second up was the uber-cool sound of SoShe, a mellow blend of R'n'b with pop influences . The suave trio combined smooth vocals, aggressive drums and rich guitar to create a sexy chilled vibe. Their vocalist Dayna captivated the room with her gorgeous tone that is powerful yet soothing. Their music as a whole possesses so many strong elements - from bold drum beats to mellifluous vocals to catchy guitar riffs (which ...

First up at Lola Jean's was the soulful voice of Sam Thomas. Initially my party and I nicknamed him 'The Twat in the hat', however we quickly ate our own words, after being wooed by his liquid chocolate voice. His enchanting voice resonated beautifully, evoking a chilled ambience. This was then heightened by his melodic guitar and suave presence. The highlight of his first set was his gorgeous rendition of Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box', as he brought a delicate sincerity to the angsty anthem. Sam's second set was somewhat more upbeat, opening with a cheery cover of Paolo Nutini's 'New Shoes', which got the whole room bopping along in between sips of their various beverages. The power behind his voice was best displayed when he sang  Led Zeppelin's  rock classic 'Give you my love'. I recall the neighbouring table murmuring: "Dayum, boy got some pipes on him". My  personal favourite moment of his set however was when he privi...