Sounds of an Eccentric

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...