Gig Review: The Beards (London)

The Beards

Everyone with an older sibling has the experience of their older brother or sister telling them about a 'cool' band that they should listening to.  "Not everyone knows them, but they're really good and they'll probably be really big one day!" OOoohh we say. tell us more!  I still remember when my sister told me about a cool band. "They only sing about beards!"

....

Um. Ok.  Cute! Catchy song, but surely it's just a joke, right?  Cut to a few years later (8 years to be exact) and I am on the other side of the world and find myself interning for the company that does London based PR for the very well known rock band known as The Beards.  I guess the joke's on me!

The Beards originally formed in 2005 "a dark time for the beards. It was a time when having a beard could mean unemployment, social isolation, and sometimes death. That’s when four defiant bearded men from South Australia decided enough was enough, and the beard revolution began."  The humour and catchy tunes produced by this passionate foursome has seen them score incredible exposure online via through social media and cheeky online videos as well as eventual airplay and a spot on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2012.  Whilst some say The Beards are serious, and other's argue it's all an act, their's no denying that these fella's are set on bringing back beards and they sure can put on one hell of a show. 

On Monday the 20th of May I was lucky enough to score a pass to The Beards' London gig at the Hoxton Sqaure Bar and Kitchen.  If you've haven't heard of The Beards just yet, you clearly don't have one.  Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia The Beards are an incredibly talented and incredibly bearded foursome who write and perform rock-bluesy songs about their one and only passion of beards (and their loathe of those who don't have beards.)  Ever entainting with well known songs such as "If your dad doesn't have a beard,  you've got two mums" and "You should consider having sex with a bearded man," The Beards are showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

At one point during the show, my (bearded) friend Jay observed The Beards' front man and turned to me and said "If he's pulling out a keytar solo in only the third song, you really do wonder what's going to come next!" What did come next were a kazoo, a saxophone solo, and songs that brought the house down, ballads that made lighters wave from side to side in the air, and many, many beard rubbing between men.  And it was perfect.

The thing about The Beards is that not only are their lyrics and characters hilarious, but their songs are an incredible mix of old-school blues and rock that is incredibly enjoyable to listen too.  Extremely talented gentleman, I am quite certain that this bearded group are in fact a group of bearded geniuses.

I could go on but I'm hesitant to as I believe this show is to be enjoyed in person.   All I can say is you are in for a treat - a good audience, great music and performers that will have you smiling right into the next day; and the whole 'beard thing'? - it doesn't get old.  The Beards have well and truly mastered their craft and I was so thrilled to see them have the reception they deserved in Hoxton, London.

For more information on The Beards and any upcoming tour dates, check out their blog, facebook or twitter.

The Beards at Hoxton Square, London.

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter

"Loaded with guest starts and dazzling hooks, Random Access Memories is the long-anticipated return of Daft Punk. For their latest album, the French duo calls of a list of collaborators that's every bit as unexpected as the music itself, including legendary Italian electro producer Giorgio Moroder, vocalist/producer Pharrell Williams and Singer Julian Casablancas of The Strokes."

So, that's what the description on iTunes tells us, but have you heard the new Daft Punk album?

The album 'leaked' online earlier this week, and sure enough shortly after the album was available for streaming online across the globe whilst the duo launched their album at a celebrity filled shindig at The Shard right here in London Town.

Random Access Memories Track listing:

1. Give Life Back to Music feat. Nile Rodgers
2. The Game of Love
3. Giorgio by Moroder feat. Giorgio Moroder
4. Within feat. Chilly Gonzales
5. Instant Crush feat. Julian Casablancas
6. Lose Yourself to Dance feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
7. Touch feat. Paul Williams
8. Get Lucky feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
9. Beyond
10. Motherhood
11. Fragments of Time feat. Todd Edwards
12. Doin’ It Right feat. Panda Bear
13. Contact feat. DJ Falcon

And what did we all think of the music?  Well it's safe to say a fair few million of us were blown away.  Reminding us exactly why they are so awesome, Daft Punk's house music roots are evident throughout the track, with tracks injected with enough disco and funk to keep your body groovin' into the wee hours of the morning. (yes - "groovin")

Give Life Back to Music Feat Nile Rodgers - The song that featured on the Random Access Memories  teaser trailer - is almostly ridiculously epic but the build up is warranted being that is has been 8 years since the duo's last studio album. 

The Game of Love, the second track on the album is slow, passionate and deep but stays true to the signature sounds of Daft Punk.  Classic disco drum kit dance beats take you to a dark room where music is being played live and drinks are served on the rocks.  So many of these songs transport you to another place and time - Random Access Memories perfect mix of classic and modern music.  Timeless.

Daft Punk - Coachella - 2013

By now we've all heard the smash hit Get Lucky ft. Pharrell Williams and the funky riffs have a presence throughout almost all the tracks on the album.  Vocals aren't constant throughout the album, but even without the lyrical elements and even without the monoluges it is as if a story is being told through the entire album, and as well as individual songs.  Touch in particular takes you right back to another time. It's romantic and beautiful.

Giorgio's monoluge is gorgeous though, inspirational and passionate. He speaks of disco techs and the desire to create music with the sounds of 50s, 60s,  70s and the sound of the future.  Enter the syntheniser -  the sound of the future, the sound of Daft Punk.

STAND OUT TRACKS? Runners up to Get Lucky include Lose Yourself To Dance and Doin' it Right.  Clearly the best tracks on the album.*

There are so many good tracks on this album - keep an eye and an ear out for remixes which no doubt will be hot on the heels of the album release, happening 17th May 2013.

Can't wait till then? stream the album here

Also, check out interviews with all the collaborators on Random Access Memories
at www.randomaccessmemories.com

*according to Zach Camilleri.

Buskers of London: An Observation

Amy Winehouse once called Camden home

Camden town. A hub for creativity,  music, arts and home of the famous camden lock markets and the home of the late great Amy Winehouse.

This is a place I walk through every working day and on occasions on weekends and I can guarantee you that every time I stroll down that main street there is at least 3 or 4 buskers, rockin' out, doing their thang.  I've seen everything from solo male singers to beat boxers to girls singing soulfully with their guitars to a man with a drumkit a a digereedo.   You can practically smell the love for music in the air - either that or some weed wafting down from one of the apartments above the many many kebap shops.

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And if it is their day off, chances are those musicians have still made their way down to Camden town, to smile and you, ask you what type of music you like and to shove a free cd sampling their work in your face.   Of course, the weekends are when the big guns come out, one band having a regular spot next to Starbucks and before the bridge passes over the canal  into the markets.   Masters of their craft you can see that this is what they live for - sharing their music with every day people.

But it doesn't just stop at Camden Town.

The underground stations throughout London are not only modes of transport but are in fact incredible opportunities to discover and delight in musical talents of people from all walks of life.   On the Picadilly Line a beautiful African girl sings her heart out with the tiniest of radios as her back up music.   On the Central Line outside Holborn station,  a man plays an incredibly eccentric collection of percussion in which he has surrounded himself with in a full 360 degree circle.

The Bakerloo Line hosts two artists with thick I-dont-even-know-what accents, covering acoustic sets of the likes of Crowded House.  Walking by Waterloo you may encounter a gentleman with a sax or perhaps you'll bump into the tuba player near Covent Garden whose tuba on occasion will breathe fire.  it is absolutely incredible to open your eyes and ears to discover this whole other side to London.  The the busy, busy hussle and bussle of this major city, it makes you simply want to stop. and listen.

So why do they do it - why busk? To practice?  to pay the rent? To hope Simon Cowell will walk by and offer them a contract? It could be any of these reasons but the one you cannot deny, is for the love of music.