Stereolab - Not Music

The opening to Stereolab’s twelfth offering ’ Not Music’ offers a jingly, upbeat and almost playful welcome to the album, a quality which continues throughout the 13 track piece.

What stands out whilst listening to the album is the sense of occasion that the music provokes, orchestral elements including brass and strings mixed with electronic synths create an inspiring and powerful sounding combination.

By the time we reach ‘equivalences’’ the tone has changed by some measure, the sunshine, happy electric pop has been placed to one side and a slightly darker and understated sound has taken hold momentarily; in many ways this highlights the joining of Stereolab’s earlier sounds with the slightly new direction in which ‘Not Music’ is taking them.

Laetitia Sadier’s delicate vocals work their magic yet again and inspire a dreamy atmospheric sensation, the fusion of the heavily layered, and sometimes chaotic, electronic pop with the restrained mellow timbre creates a highly unique and capturing sound.One aspect that is apparent, whether you are an avid fan of Stereolab or a first time listener is the sheer musicianship. The complicated combinations produced within these synth soaked melodies animate a real appreciation of music itself; something with is sometimes lost in other genres or styles.

‘Not Music’ may be a little too much for some people to listen to on a regular basic, their experimental, alternative sound could prove slightly overwhelming, however for the unadulterated musicianship Stereolab’s newest endeavour is a very worthwhile listen.

Pitch for Dave Poulton - Glastonbuy feature

Title: Dave Poulton - Glastonbury.

Outline: Interview with Dave Poulton discussing the music scheme and his involvement in the links Solent has with the festivals.  Research into Glastonbury and what Solent students have achieved whilst there.

Why is this of interest?: Written for Vibe whose readership includes students within the music scheme and lecturers, this feature wold be of interest as it involves a well known character within the music scheme whose involvement is well documented.  Many older students have been involved in Solent's work with Glastonbury, therefore entertaining and varied stories can be researched; also prospective students may have an interest in what Solent has to offer them as well as current students within the music sheme .

Contacts: Dave.Poulton@solent.ac.uk

Music Scheme at Solent

If you are studying any course within the music scheme at Solent, the name Dave Poulton will, should, needs to be imprinted within your memory.

Known as technician instructor for media and visual arts Dave Poulton is involved in several areas of the music scheme, namely the links Solent has with the festival scene. Ask almost anyone and the first thing that springs to mind upon mentioning his name is Glastonbury.

Students from Solent have been arriving in the usually mud drenched fields of Somerset for over 7 years, from 2000 to present and there seems to be no signs of things changing.

Throughout the time spent working at Glastonbury, students within the music scheme have been offered numerous outstanding opportunities and real ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. Organised mainly by Dave Poulton, with the involvement of a variety of other lecturers, those lucky enough to be involved boast achievements such as: filming short documentaries, filming bands and artists performances and even interviewing the musicians – such as Fat Boy Slim and Klaxons in 2007.

For those passionate about music and willing to work hard and work together Solent’s music scheme has more than enough to offer it would seem life changing opportunities are their speciality.

Freddie and the Freeloaders

The two most notable things as you enter the soul cellar’s top floor tonight is the heat and the electric atmosphere, the room is near packed and it becomes apparent from the off that tonight is a real celebration of music.

Through the buzz of the crowd the sounds of soul and jazz classics can be heard in the Dj’s foot tapping introductory set, a steady increase in tempo readies the audience for the bands entrance.

Freddie and the Freeloaders take the stage and the array of instruments indicates that their set is going to be a musical treat. Their cover of Madcon’s ‘Beggin’ starts off the night and evokes more than a subtle head bop, the crowd sing a long and despite some minor technical issues the band perform well.

As they reach Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed sealed delivered’ the technical glitches are long gone, the cover inspires mass appreciation and gets the majority of the crowd up and moving; but it is their funk tinged cover of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ that receives the biggest cheer.

By this stage there could be a danger of them sounding like no more than a ‘wedding band’ but the sheer showmanship and musical ability more than succeeds in setting them apart from this label. Riveting solos from all members are a throwback to the1960’s soul era and showcase this bands true potential, lead singer Will Brown’s vocal performance is spot on and suits the range of covers in tonight’s two part set.

The night ends on a high, the groups up lifting, dance – worthy choice of songs proves successful and the crowd leave fully enthused, if you’re looking for a happy – go – lucky night out, Freddie and the Freeloaders 
are the band for you.

Max Raptor

After being sat at the back of the surprisingly tiny room, in which tonight’s headliners Max Raptor will soon be embracing, it becomes apparent that a good 80 % of the spectators are in deed friends and family.

As the first of the support bands begin to set up, people are still at the bar, mid way through conversations, more interested in their phones than anything else…but this changes to a degree when the band begin their set.

The lead singer spills into their first song, running in and out of the small gathering and shaking the hands of those not paying enough attention. Even with the chaotic guitars and scratchy vocals, for the most part, the band aren’t fantastic and in some instances sound very much like a local pub band, but what they have gained is the attention of almost every person in the room.

Next is a more straight up indie inspired band, they take the stage and begin a short but tight set, which creates some more movement amongst the growing crowd. Similarly to the first act, they do well and produce all the right sounds but something is lacking in their performance.

Max Raptor take the stage and produce hit after hit, with catchy tunes and chant worthy vocals. It’s clear from the off that this band are going to be great. Their addictive mash of indie tinged punk anthems are lapped up by the crowd and provoke more than a subtle foot- tap. Should this continue, I can see them becoming firm favourites on a considerably bigger scale.

How do editorial teams function?

 Functions of editorial teams within Weekly and monthly mags.

Editor

·         Decides what goes into the mag

·         Decides who writes for the mag

·         Deals with laws/copyright

·         Managers members of the editorial team

Example: Krissi Morrison, Editor for Nme

Editors PA

·         Helps with administration

·         Deals with writers/photographers fees

Deputy Editor

·         Backs up the editor

·         Deals with commissioning the writers/photographers

·         Becomes temporary editor when necessary

Example: Martin Robinson, Deputy editor for Nme

Features Editor (assistant editor)                     

·         Hands on relationship with the writers

·         Briefs writers on themes/questions for interviews

·         Matches a writer to a ‘piece’

·         Naturally opinionated

Reviews Editor

·         Break new bands

·         Act as ‘taste-makers’

·         Inform perhaps tell audiences what to think

News editor

·         ‘Breaking news’

·         Tour  dates

·         Band breakups

·         New album releases

Gig Guide Editor

·         Prints up and coming gigs

·         Guide acts as a sort of feature

·         User friendly  layout (weekly shows)

Art director

·         Decide on the look of the mag

·         Colours/layout

·         Commission photographers

Photo Director

·         Picture researcher

·         Liaises with agencies to produce photographers

Production Editor

·         Processes the mag

·         Checks everything is in place/correct

·         Prints final copy

Advertising

·         Tour dates advertised

·         Display sales

·         Sponsored events

·         Events – awards shows

·         Digital advertising

·         Classified ads

·         Inserts

Publishing

·         Distribution

·         Circulation of mag

NME weekender - best bands of 2010

Chapel Club: A seemingly Smiths inspired sound, an enjoyable listen yet by the third play they have already become tedious.
　
Egyptian Hip Hop: A sometimes chaotic mix of melodic synths and indie inspired rock, inspiring a different but not unique sound.

Babeshadow: A laid back sound, creating pretty indie pop songs, a nice listen but not remarkable.

Sharks: A bright, sing-a- long offering, with a rocky, uplifting and almost anthemic quality.

Chew Lips: Feminine electronic melodies infused with pop hooks and catchy lyrics.

Music Bio

Music was and has always been a welcome guest in my house, whether it's my sister blaring chart music before a night out, mother singing to classic 80's cheese whilst ironing or having to sit through my 10 year old brother's dance routine to a 'chipmunk version' of snow patrol.

From an early age I was influenced and introduced to a vast amount of various different music styles and genres, mainly due to the differing tastes of my parents.
80’s was THE decade for music in my parents eyes, however what they took from this era varies somewhat.

Anyone who has met my mother will invariably know that her favourite teen crush was based firmly around the lead singer of the ‘band’ Kajagoogoo, this therefore gained them one of their biggest fans… I’m almost certain I knew all the words to ‘too shy’ from birth.

My dad however, was taken in by the metal scene during the late 70’s through to the 80’s, bands such as Black Sabbath, Whitesnake and Guns ‘N Roses can still be frequently heard playing in his car; for the most part I believe this is where I picked up my love of heavier sounding music and awesome guitar riffs.

The first ever album I was given was Savage Gardens self titled debut in 1997 for Christmas (by this time I would have been 6) and I fell in love with it. I played the cassette to death and spent a lot of time sat next to the radio on a Sunday afternoon waiting for their single to play.

Needless to say by the time they released their second album, I’d moved on to another cheese filled pop offering.

I still have a soft spot for pop music and enjoy listening many mainstream bands and artists, however my taste has broadened over time and I would like to say I listen to a variety of things, not everything… but a bit of everything.

At the moment I’m obsessed with anything Jonny Craig releases or is a part of, Emarosa’s new album gets at least one play a day and I‘m counting down the days until their show on 5^th December. Another firm favourite of mine is City and Colour, being a huge Alexisonfire fan hearing Dallas Green’s dulcet tones in more than one genre is very pleasing.

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Boy!ohBoy!