all your secret wishes could right now be coming true

The raw unspeakable feeling you get when you hear the first few bars of a song. The memories are encapsulated in seconds, forcing you to smile or in reality often weep.

If like me, to you, music is emotive, it's fulfilling, bridging a gap that often others in our lives can only attempt. The goosebumps prick as the tears roll down your cheeks.

I will at times, revert back to a mix tape an ex made me, the memories we shared live through those 19 tracks. Not just of our relationship but the friendships we made. Lost night on moonlit sand dunes or overheated bike rides across narrow pathways. 

In truth, I rarely think of him these days but any relationship lives on through the music you shared, whether it be a lost friendship or a brief encounter. Lyrics linger and often haunt us. We will all experience loss sooner or later and many of us draw comfort from hidden meanings or the blatant I miss yous. 

On a day like today I often reflect. Yes I am alone, but I am happy. I like me. Until you learn to love yourselves how can you expect anyone else to love you. It's simple, if you're alone today, have a moment, eat your body weight in chocolate, bury your head under the duvet, even have a little cry. But always remember you have the music, the memories and you are beautiful. 

Laurie Rose

I would love to hear which songs mean something to you.

1800 Week Four.

Seapony.
A story of some Seattle-ites & their twee indie record.


This week I am ill and this cold weather is really taking it's toll on my skin and my immune system, I needed warming up, cheering up & waking up from my winter hibernation.
So I know I haven't been up on my mix tapes for the last few weeks, I have been really busy doing nothing to be honest. I'm still not sure which way to take this blog, it seems a bit mixed right now, I am truly Miss Indecisive. I love music and when I was working in Holland, my Sunday morning mix used to get many compliments, which was a great ego boast, as I have been told in the past I like depressing music, so what if I do, the music I like is eclectic, emotive & always meaningful.

This week I am so delighted to introduce you guys to Seapony. A dreamy summer pop band from Seattle. I stumbled across these a few days ago on Youtube, I happen to always just stumble across these new bands lately and I'm loving it. Their debut album Go With You is easily described as infectious. The pillowy guitar and wispy soprano vocals are delivered with childlike melancholy and wonderment. The insanely safe album does have a slight tendency to bleed into one. But for me an easy listening album, and not to be scrutinised so closely, but if you are to pick and pull apart this album you could say it was samey. The overcast sounds draw you in to their indie simplicity. Perfect for dragging your chilly mood up during this ever so depressing Winter we are having here in the UK. With similar sounds to band such as Beat Coast, The Field Mice & The Dum Dum Girls, this twee indie sound is possibly my favourite right now, warming my ears and heart this winter, longing for beaches, camp fires and festivals...bring on the summer!

So dust off your picnic baskets and get your sunscreen and sunglasses at the ready.

Summer is not far off.

Thanks for listening.

Laurie Rose x

Born to Die

Review "Born to Die"

A story of a girls views on another.

After a intense dislike for this album even before I had heard a single note, Lana Del Rey, who in a recent issue of NME had been given front & BACK cover and a six page spread in anticipation of her eagerly awaited debut album Born to Die. I wanted nothing more than to despise her whole being! But for me to judge this privately educated individual without even letting my ears sample her efforts was a little unfair. Sat hear I am averting my thoughts and current judgemental mind away, trying to allow Born to Die absorb into me, listening intently somehow it's going to take a while. This contrived sound is on loop, her over worked facial expression delivered with such appathy is less than alluring. After witnessing her walling performance on SNL, her set up of Blue Jeans began so out of tune and the forced vocal screamed primadonna instantly, moving on she presents a horrifying Kate Bush impersonation, unfortunately Kate Bush could actually sing. More concerned about the state of her hair than actually working on keeping intune. Singing aside, whoever is styling Lana is doing a pretty good job, she looks great apart from that impetuous pout. Her hair is enviable, the way her video's are shot, the 60's vibe screams brilliance but the bland vocals and mundane lyrics just don't fit. I wanted her to live up to her image. 

I don't hate her music that would be a little harsh of me to say seen as I haven't listened to the whole album, it just strikes me as worrying that someone with the talent of a cabbage can be signed and actually outed on SNL before she has even released her debut album, this is actually a record, no one has ever performed prior to album launch, so why her? I feel awful for speaking like this as I am usually an open minded individual but something about Lana Del Rey has really embedded deep under my skin and she isn't moving anytime soon.

Sorry Del Rey I tried.

Laurie Rose x

Am I an Ear Traitor?

A story of a girl who's ears have been swayed.

Johnny Flynn - Hop Farm Festival Summer 2010.

Since hearing Johnny Flynn for the first time at Hop Farm Festival in 2010 I was infatuated with his incredible talent, multi instrumental genius Flynn melted my heart. His poetic lyrics left me breathless in the July heat. Performing his classics such as "The Wrote & The Writ" & "The Water" (which can I just add is performed with Laura Marling) I could envisage many happy year spent being totally dedicated to just him & his wonderful music. For the months to come I couldn't spend a day without Johnny ringing through my ears, generally whilst ironing or on my long bus rides to work I would indulge my ears in beauty, time alone with Johnny became a regular occurrence. In the winter of 2010 I heard he was playing in Manchester at a tiny venue, this time I could appreciate him in all his splendour, it happened to be my best friends birthday so we were able to woo at him once again.

Johnny Flynn - Manchester, Winter 2010.

His intimate performance could have quite easily made me cry, I was star struck to be this close to the person responsible for this ear romance I was having on a daily basis. Not only was I sat on the stage staring in amazement I even got to meet him....

Aime & I with Johnny Flynn. 

Year's have gone by now and I still listen to Johnny A LOT! But recently I have been moved by a new love, The Tallest Man on Earth is a Swedish solo artist who's gravely tones and complex guitar work have mesmerised my ears for weeks now. I have reached my maximum plays on the majority of his songs on Spotify. (I am far too poor to pay for it) 

Krisitan Matsson of The Tallest Man on Earth.

As a classically trained Guitarist, Kristian in his youth regarded it as boring, he was tired with this style, saying it was like studying Maths. In his early Twenties he found Nick Drake. This was to begin the moulding of The Tallest Man on Earth. Admiring Drakes style of open tuning it enabled him to concentrate on his singing while still being able to play intricate compositions. I would just like to say he has been compared to Bob Dylan in style and lyrical tone, but I for one has to agree with Krisitan when he said, this is how I play & this is how I write music. 

Often Krisitan will ask Amanda Bergman of Idiot Wind to accompany him on stage. Amanda's voice is a delight when merged with his, perfect match I would say. It's a good job Kristian snapped her up and they are now married, the loving look they exchange is a powerful bond of unity they share.

Amanda Bergman & Kristian Matsson performing Thrown Right At Me.

What I would give to see them perform live, unfortunately there is nothing scheduled for any time soon, if anyone hears of anything coming up before I do, I would appreciate a nod so I can get those all important tickets.

The comparison is few and far between, I will never be able to decided who my allegiances lie with. I never thought I could replace Johnny in anyway, but now I have tainted my ears with the overwhelming tones of TMOE, I am lost in my own headphone, my mind often wonders but I get well and truly sucked in, it's hard to have reality pull me back out these days.

This is my collection of my favourites from both, see what you think!

You could always help me decide.

 

Laurie Rose x

One Thousand Eight Hundred Second Weekend.

Week Two.

Okay so this weeks edition is a little late, I like to have this posted by now, but I have been so busy knitting this week that I haven't had a chance, I had already planned the music, but I  needed to decided which artist would be being praised this week, and that was easy.

 Lucy Rose is a Warickshire born solo artist who's songs are captivating in every way, her delicate hushed tones leave me breathless at times. Ever since hearing her intoxicating voice grace the melody of Bombay Bicycle Club's Flaws on their 2010 acoustic album, I had to find out who this girl was. Now based in London, Lucy usually plays with a band, Guitarist Björn Ågren, drummer Sam Nadel, bassist Joe Steer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Eichenberger. Lucy has already made a name for herself in the underground scene and she has done pretty well up until now by herself, this is down to her incredible feminine sound and poetic lyrics. Having already had three singles released in the last few years Lucy is well and truly known, but this year they are working on her début album and you know this can only marvel brilliance. This year she will be touring, supporting Bombay Bicycle Club on their North American & Canadian tour early this year. Being tipped as HMV's "One to watch" for 2012 she is definitely going to be hitting the indie scene hard & fast at some point this year.

Sending all my Good Luck to Lucy for her new album.

Laurie Rose x

Baby Brave & The Love Bites open mic night at Telford's Warehouse, Chester.
A story of a Welsh invasion.

Well, as the internet has decided to just stop working at home, I have only been able to post this one today. On Sunday we went along to the open mic night at Telford's Warehouse in Chester, hosted by Baby Brave & the Love Bites a Wrexham based band, fronted by a good friend of mine Emily. It is such a lovely venue; exposed brick walls and old pump surrounded by candlelit tables. 

Emily (in the rather fetching dinosaur tee), Jo in spots, Mike on Drums and Sian on Bass.

Opening the night, we heard a small collection as a teaser for the evening ahead; never knowing what to expect at an open mic night, we settled in for a pint of responsibly priced cider and enjoyed the picturesque setting of the beer garden on the canal. Baby Brave & the Love Bites have a quirky French sound making me want to walk along the sand on a sunny day, picnic in the park or merely bob along as I bumble down the street. Bringing warmth and fun back into the rather quiet open mic night. There were a few local people covering some interesting songs, but third to last on the bill was my wonderful other half, performing under the name Field Commander I managed to get a front row seat, to support him in his acoustic set. As he hasn't played live for such a long time I have never had the opportunity to see him perform, all though I get serenaded on a regular basis, in fact my Christmas present was a personally written song all about me, and they say romance is dead, eh?

Henry playing his first gig for over a year.

Video

Flute.

Laura-Leigh

 We also had a stunning solo performance from Laura-Leigh. One of a wonderful four piece band, also from Wrexham Heal the Last Stand; her beautiful voice intoxicates the audience, the delicate lyrics accompanied by a beautiful guitar is always a mesmerising experience, take a look Laura's wonderful band.

After another dose of upbeat wonder it was time to say goodnight to Chester and the first open mic night I had attended in such a long time. After a delightful singsong besides the canal, we taxied home. Saying farewell to good friends we arrived home to late night snacks and The Young Ones on VHS.

Keep your eyes peeled for Friday's instalment of One Thousand Eight Hundred Second Weekend, the second issue of my eclectic music choices to keep you going through the weekend.

Laurie Rose x

All pictures in this post are courtesy of Emily and Laura's wonderful photography skills :)

Hey Guys & Gals, 

Well haven't I had a productive day, well, Henry & I had a lazy morning, which is becoming a little bit of a habit, since neither of us are working at the minute, no news on the job, but I haven't lost hope just yet. I decided to expand my creations of knitted flowers into knitted bows, with no pattern to follow I went in blind. And I must say didn't do too bad for a first attempt.

I must say I'm rather impressed.

Tomorrow is Sunday and Henry is performing at an open mic night at Telford Warehouse in Chester, I can't wait to see him finally play and I also can't wait to give my new vintage (thrift) dress it's very first outting, all in all this weekend is shaping up to be a good one, lazy but good.

p.s Field Commander Listen to Henry, he's pretty good.

Laurie Rose x

One Thousand Eight Hundred Second Weekend.

Whatever your plans for the weekend, you have to make time for yourself. Whether you have invited the family round for a Sunday Roast or the kids have a birthday party to attend - take some time for you. Make a cuppa, close the door and put your feet up, let the music absorb your pores and sigh out all those woes of the week. An eclectic combination of powerful inspiring music, to help you unwind, relax and maybe even make you dance around the room. This music gives me tingles I hope to pass it on each week, on a Friday, to give you all that couple of minute to let go.

The main feature in this weeks One Thousand Eight Hundred Second Weekend is Lisa Hannigan.

Remember the velvet tones of Damien Rice that a few years ago threw us into a depressing spiral of wonder. Hidden in the harmony was Lisa Hannigan, someone whom I now find myself drawn back to time and time again. After the Success of her first album Sea Sew in 2009, we have now been graced with Passenger her second album released in October 2011. The mix of fiddle and the wonderful use of percussion we are opened to her Irish influenced use of instruments. A must listen. Easy folk melodies infused with creative lyrics makes Lisa my favourite this week.

Enjoy,

Laurie Rose x