Do you remember tapes?

iremembertapes, too.  In fact, I remember tapes so well that I can still remember that feeling when I would make mix-tapes.  The kind that you record off the radio and sit with anticipation so as not to get the voice of the DJ stuck on the end. The ones you would take into your mates at school and swap for the mix-tape that they had made you.  That was how we used to learn more about the music we now know and love.  That was back when a DJ was someone who hit the play button and talked over your favourite songs on the radio.  Not the kind now who give it large behind decks at Ibiza...or your local, seedy club!

Anyways, on topic, but off point.  iremembertapes is the mastermind of three rather cool, and dashing, young chaps, from my home town, Winchester.  Having seen them play live, listened to their records on repeat and recently purchased their latest single (All I know), I felt it was only right I shared the love.

When you first hear a band that 'captures' you, you want to tell the world but, you also want to keep them to yourself.  Bands like Two Door Cinema Club, MGMT and Ben Howard spring to mind.  You hear them, you fall in love, but when you hear them on Radio 1 you kinda get a bit miffed.  It is as if someone has stolen them from you and you want to shout 'I heard them years ago!'

Well, it was the same when I heard iremembertapes for the first time.  Usually, when a friend hands you a demo or a CD you kinda think, 'well, I'll give it a go' and then you have to do the oh so nice thing of reporting back your thoughts.  As a rather diplomatic, articulate person I tend to do OK here.  Yet when front man Tom Ferry (relative of none other than Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music) handed me the latest brainwave from the iremembertapes archive, whilst I was on a rather drunken night out in town,  I kindly mentioned I would give it a listen...

Well that was some months ago now and it is still on repeat in my office.  From the second Human Architecture started blasting 'Don't touch me there' (my favourite track on the album - not a request to those around me!) from my speakers I couldn't help but think about the influences behind this album.  The 80's-esque beat with Ferry's very distinctive vocals immediately gave way to an Alison Moyet kinda vibe in her 'all cried out' phase.  As the album swings from one track to the next you can't help but get taken in by the catchy, yet unique, beats.  Before you know it you are singing along in a rather angsty way, whilst tapping your foot furiously!

The album screams Duran Duran, with lashings of Joy Division, and an equal measure of some Bloc Party style synths thrown into the mix.  All in all it is an eclectic sound that highlights how passionate this band are about what they are doing, and how they treasure the work of some of the greatest bands of all time.

As someone who could listen and talk about music all day long, there seems to be a serious lack of new bands inspired by old raw talent.  iremembertapes are most certainly doing their bit to help bring bands, electronica, synths, the 80's vibe and live music up-to-date

My advice to you...well, 'all I know' is that you should get yourself to one of their gigs.  You most certainly won't be disappointed.  And, if that is not possible right now, head to iTunes and purchase their latest creation.  They truly are homegrown talent at its best!

This modern love...

...is my modern love. As those who love me, for me, will know, music is my number one passion in life.  As an avid 'gig-goer' throughout my teens and early twenties, and only slowing things down in recent years due to no one wanting to come to dingy places with me (and a new found fear for big crowds), I was beyond excited when I read (through trusty Twitter) that my favourite live band, Bloc Party, had not only reunited, but were back on the road with a new album and tour.

Sorry, as I re-read that I can't help but let out a little 'eek' of excitement.  Seeing them for the first time at Reading back in 2007 I simply can't describe how I felt.  Having never been a fan, and thus not partaking in, hard-core drugs, it was a massive high for me.  I can honestly say that, to-date, it is probably THE best moment in my life. For photographic evidence of THE best moment in my life, please see below.  It could also have been the copious amount of alcohol I had drunk throughout that day and the 30+ degree sunshine that made it pretty special, but who's taking note, hey!

Over the years I have been lucky enough to see them at Reading, again, Glastonbury, Bournemouth  and London (twice - other photographic evidence shows the eagerly awaiting of Bloc Party at Olympia). In total, seven times, not including the time Kele did a solo tour.  Yep, went to see that too. My love of Bloc Party baffles my friends and especially my family.  Granted, they get my love of music and often share in many of those musical loves.  I have even dragged my mum along to many gigs, including Feeder!  Whatever they release, through critical eyes, I tend to love it. Despite the negative reviews that 'A weekend in the city' received, I for one was still a fan.

I didn't intend to make this a gush about Bloc Party, but a mere insight into the world of music, sorry, my world of music.  The hold it has on me and the constant soundtrack to life that is in my head.  Perhaps I will save that for another day.  All I wanted to do was to note down the excitement for their forthcoming tour and await 9am tomorrow when, hopefully, I will get my hands on some ruddy tickets.

It has been three years, three years where we have waited, by 'we' I mean us Bloc Party lovers, eagerly anticipating their return.  Will it be a return to the more techno-house/new rave style of Silent Alarm or will a more poetic, less Kele-Okereke-takes-over-and-gets-his-way-again studio album take shape?

All I know is that when that album is released in August I will be purchasing, yes, physically purchasing, some things are just meant to be physically held.   And as for the tour, well, I will just have to say 'The Prayer' and hope that with enough 'Positive Tension'...sorry, I'll stop, you get the picture!

Am I a grown up?

As I sit chatting to an old friend about her life and all the things we have to catch up on, it reminded me of my 19th birthday.  Getting ready to go out, planning where we were all going to stay that night and needing only to think of, where we were going to drink, and who may be out that night.

Almost nine years on, the conversations we were having were rather different. As I flicked through her wedding photos, discussing her job and my business, it all seemed rather surreal.  At what point did we grow up? I read an article in a newspaper the other day that highlighted how you know if you are a grown up or not.  Many of the 'life-affirming' things on there were moments I am yet to experience.  Buying a house was top of the list, closely followed by having a baby, which was at number six and getting married at number nine.  These three are clearly, by society's standards, the epitome of being a grown up.  I am not sure what it says for me being close to not even one of these, well maybe the house, it is a daily aspiration of mine, but anyway.

What I did find really interesting was some of the more tenuous links to being deemed a 'grown-up'.  As per my last post I find myself in this cross between relishing in drinking my cares away to priding myself on living alone and taking care of myself!

If I am to be judged on this list then the results were quite alarming. Taking the key milestones of ones life away, I was surprised at how 'grown-up' I must be.  Number two was 'mum and dad no longer make your financial decisions', well I can't remember the last time they did that. Conducting a weekly shop and being able to cook from scratch were also in the top ten.  If I couldn't cook a meal, or several for that matter, from scratch, not only would I probably be a lot thinner and rather hungry, but I think I, personally, would be embarrassed.  I love having friends over and feeding them is part of the charm!

Number 11 was recycling.  Having lived with housemates who didn't recycle I used to find my blood pressure rise.  'What is wrong with you? Don't you care? Often met with nothing but a shrug and a blank stare, whilst being told I shouldn't sweat the small stuff.  Also in the top 20 were, watching the news, taking trips to the tip and knowing how to bleed a radiator.  Well, when you live on your own you have to learn these things you know. My radiator key sits close to hand in my kitchen, and I even have a 'man drawer', packed full of essential items such as a flat head, a Phillips screwdriver and even an array of alum keys.

A few of the things did make me laugh, but petrified me also...such as having a 'best' crockery set, enjoying cooking, buying a Sunday paper, filing post, finding a messy house annoying and even, on the odd occasion, listening to Radio 2.  That is me, I seemed to sigh out loud.

Firstly, at what point did I turn into my mother, secondly, I have many more to add to the list, such as my collection of blankets, vintage tea sets and buying anti-wrinkle cream, and thirdly, I have just glanced at the paperwork on my desk and realised I have a tax return to file and a stack of papers to file.

So, that is enough from me, as I still need to cook dinner, have a stack of ironing to do and a bottle of wine to drink, yes, there are some much loved pleasures in being a grown up. It really isn't all that bad.