California Snow Story

Can you give us a brief history of how the band started?

I was already in a band that was becoming successful but was, unfortunately, pretty frustrating and unenjoyable… so I decided to leave. I had a lot of songs already written so I advertised for musicians, asked friends of friends to help and eventually recorded an ep for Shelflife Records. I worked with a
number of different people at that time but could never get a proper functioning band together. I then ended up taking a long break from music and it wasn’t until Sandra, the new singer, got in touch with me just over a year ago that I seriously thought about releasing a new record. Anyway, I really liked her
voice and we worked together really well and the result was the Close to the Ocean album.

What are some of the influences on the band?

A lot of British indiepop/alternative music from the 80s and 90s, some American bands like Yo La Tengo, Galaxie 500 and also 60s stuff like the Zombies, girl
groups, bossa nova, French pop etc.

Tell us a bit about the recording of “Close To The Ocean?

The previous ep was recorded in a studio but looking back it wasn’t a particularly great sound. This time round I had no money and no band so I did it myself. We just recorded when we had time and when we felt like doing it, so it was a really good experience. I think the sound is pretty decent too. There
are always things you’d like to change, but in the circumstances I’m quite happy with it.

How are most of the songs written?

I write different songs in different ways. Often melodies come to me, sometimes when playing guitar, other times randomly… then I try to record them in a basic way so that I don’t forget. Sometimes the lyrics come at the same time but often I work on them later. I usually also end up kind of writing the whole
song in my head, without particularly wanting too! If the melody is good I keep thinking of it and end up imagining what the music should sound like and what the arrangement should be.

“Suddenly Everything Happens” is a very special song. Any story behind
that song?

It was a song that was easy to write, arrange and record. It just happened naturally (suddenly?) and everything fitted into place without trying too hard. When it came to doing Sandra’s vocals it was also really easy and she sang it perfectly. Not really a story though is it? …there is a sad story about the
organ used I suppose. It was a massive old wooden Farfisa double organ which I had no room for anymore and couldn’t find a new home for. So after the recording it had to be put out of its misery. But it’s nice to know its sound lives on!

What are your favorite songs on the album, then?

Suddenly Everything Happens, A New Light to Guide You and Once an Ocean.

Any other bands out there the people should be listening to?

The Sunny Street

What hopes or goals do you have for the band in the long run?

Not sure. In the short term though we’d like to put out another ep.

By John Siwicki

The Bees – Who Cares What The Question Is?

You can always count on The Bees to deliver. This single is the first proper one taken from “Octopus.” According to the band, the album was recorded in their basement “Who Cares..” is such a foot stomping song if there ever was one. The song is quite Beatlsy with a touch of blues and psychedelic to it. The Bees are a band to count on and excellent live as well all the instruments and such really make for a great sound. “Octopus” will surely be another great record.

By John Siwicki

Paul McCartney – Jenny Wren

It is a nice enough song but not exactly McCartney standard. This seems a million miles away from the genius of the Beatles and could be by anyone frankly. It is a very gentle song with an acoustic guitar being the main instrument played. There is also an instrumental piece which is quite nice. McCartney’s voice is also fairly weak on the song and not as powerful as it can be. It is an odd choice for a single as it is not a stand out immediate track at all. I like it because it is not mainstream music and will not get much promotion or airplay but it is still nice and relaxing. We all know Paul McCartney is capable of so much more than this and I hope he returns to form soon

By Helen Daw

Sucioperro – The Drop

I have struggled to review this single, really struggled, due the fact as soon as I listened to it I forgot what it sounded like. Seriously, this song is REALLY difficult to remember and has very little impact. I even made a friend listen to it and offered him

The Brent Flood – EP

The Brent Flood represents south London and brings together a belend of indie-rock and some “jam-band” elements. They sound like a mix of Jeff Buckley, British Sea Power and early Radiohead. “Heavy Petting” starts us off and the line in the song “there will be no heavy petting tonight” is so laugh inducing. “Burn” has a bit of twangy and wacky bass at the start and then the rest sounds a little to adult contemporary for its own good but it has a certain charm to it. “Beverly” slows it all down a bit. Lyrically, it seems really sweet but the hook sounds pretty awkward as the singing just doesn’t sound natural. They need to remain deeper and a darker tone.

By John Siwicki

Arcade Fire – Keep The Car Running

After being on the cover of Time Magazine, being on everyone’s top list and just having the best 2004/2005 year then anyone out there. How do you follow that up? U2 used “Wake Up” before some of their concerts. But, credit needs to be given they put together quite a record, “Keep The Car Running” is our first taste from the much-anticipated “Neon Bible.” It’s the most accessible tune they have ever made. Win almost feels like a preacher on this song but it seems to go with the albums theme. The song only gets your appetite boiling for the album which, is littered with big potentially classic songs.

By John Siwicki

Patrick Wolf – The Magic Position

Multi-instrumental Patrick Wolf is back with his third album “The Magic Position.” The album is his best work to date; it is unlike his previous two albums, in terms that he created a pop record. “Overture” has a big building heavy instrumental track that gets you invested into the record. “The Magic Position” features everything to get me to like a track, handclaps and strings and a damn good hook. It is such an upbeat track hard to imagine its on Wolf’s record. Another big tune is “Accident & Emergency” while it will not hit many right away it is an acquired taste. Its hard to truly describe this song because he is pulling off so much in one track.

‘Magpie’, features the guest vocalist Marianne Faithfull. If you combine her voice with that depressing piano and violin it is spine tingling brilliant. “The Stars” makes you feel like you are traveling in space with Patrick as your tour guide and yet lyrically quite a beautiful song.

“The Magic Position” made me take notice of Patrick. Prior to this record, I did not invest a lot of time into his work, yes “Wind In The Wires” is an excellent work but her he brilliant takes a next step forward. The instrumental work is bigger, the hooks are bigger and Patrick will soon be as well.

By John Siwicki

Brett Anderson – Love Is Dead

There isn’t much of Brett Anderson’s work I do not like. I have always been a Suede fan and I might be one of the few who did enjoy The Tears record. But, “Love Is Dead” the lead single off his debut solo album is just so..bland and forgettable. It is your typical lighters in the air ballad but this one just easily escapes your mind. It especially gets worse he talks about “plastic people wearing plastic smile.” It’s quite a disappoint but lets be honest it was going to happen eventually.

By John Siwicki

Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future

In the attic where pop music lives, locked away and forced to feast upon fish-heads, broods the Klaxons. Their debut album Myths of the Near Future reveal this London group as pop music’s ugly twin

Nerina Pallot – Learning To Breathe

The latest single from Nerina’s “Fire” is another upbeat slice of pop perfection. “Learning To Breathe” is not quite as pure pop as “Everyone’s Gone To War” but it does satisfy your appetite. The tune is a feel good song about growing up and such. The hook is terrible catchy, and Nerina scrumptious vocal with beautiful melodies and harmonies. We all need a pop song every now and again and this is one of the better ones out there. For anyone who appreciates a good female vocalist take a look here.

By John Siwicki

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