2014: Music Predictions: BANKS

I came across BANKS in August of this year. 

When I heard 'Waiting Game,' I was pretty sure I hadn't heard anything like it before. 

BANKS - Waiting Game

There was a slight buzz around BANKS this year, but nothing substantial enough to really allow her career to take off. BANKS did cause a stir, however, when she posted her mobile number on the internet: 

[Excerpt taken from newspaper article] 

"I like making connections outside of a computer screen. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have never really been my thing. So my manager is going to run the Social Media stuff. If you ever want to talk call me – (323) 362-2658 - BANKS."

Not sure what to make of that? Well, to be honest I didn't either. Assuming it was a publicity stunt to try and reign in more popularity, it wasn't until I actually heard BANKS, that I realised this interaction with the public wasn't needed for success. With tracks already produced by TEED and Jamie Woon, it's clear she has a lot of support already. 

My favourite so far has to be:

BANKS - 'This is What it Feels Like' (Prod. by Lil Silva & Jamie Woon)

  

BANK's is bringing that raw edge back into the R'n'B genre. All the synth intricacies in this particular track are so cleverly paired with BANK's vocals where she can really show off her range. From Los Angeles, BANKS is like the US version of the UK's Jessie Ware. She's cool, sultry, incredibly talented and more than welcome to produce more musical genius.

She's also tipped to be the "Artist To Look Out For" in 2014 by iTunes.

2014: Music Predictions: WOLF ALICE

I always root for the underdog. Especially when it comes to music. I'm always on the lookout for those secret hidden gems. Bands who still have that rawness you'll only find on an early demo tape, before all the polishing and airbrushing. Whilst sat here writing three pages of New Years Resolutions for myself, I decided to write a post on some musical predictions for 2014. 

Wolf Alice:

I wrote a blog post about them in March this year, but it was just when I was getting to grips with the world of Tumblr and felt it got pushed under the carpet a little. So thought I'd do a re-post:

"Forget about the Hounds of Love; it’s all about the Howls of Love as we welcome new North-London band Wolf Alice into our speakers and headphones.

Wolf Alice - 'Fluffy'

I listened to the full 2mins and 58 seconds of ‘Fluffy’ and instantly needed more to fulfil the rapid growth of my Wolf Alice cravings. The four-piece prove that short bursts of guitar are not all they have to offer with ‘White Leather’ which lays out a stripped down 90’s grunge-esque melodic track alongside Ellie Roswell’s sultry vocals. In other words, its ace; Not what I expected to hear after ‘Fluffy,’ which shows the band are still at that early stage of experimenting, trying to figure out which musical route they want to go down. It shows their rawness and when you find a track in 2013 which sounds like it could’ve been from The Cure’s discography, you know you’ve hit the jackpot."

I saw Wolf Alice play in March at Camden's KOKO and knew 2013 would only be the starting point for them. Now in December, about to grab hold of 2014, I came across this NME sessions video from the band's latest track 'Love's Whore.' Again, the three-piece are showing re-growth and give us a taste of what they are hopefully planning to release next year.

Wolf Alice - 'Love's Whore.' 

Previous Releases include: 

Blush EP (Release Date: 07/10/13)

Tracks:

Blush

She

Nosedive

90 Mile Beach

Apple & Blackberry Jam Recipe

 I felt so Christmassy at the start of November. Perhaps a little too early for some... (definitely too early, happens to me every year), and now I can't believe it has crept up on us so quickly and we'll be tuckin' into our turkeys NEXT WEEK. I did begin to worry that I'd used up all my festive fever too early, when my excitement faded slightly last week, but I knew what would get me back in the mood: 

Apple and Blackberry Jam.

Blackberries are the fruit I link most with Winter (well those and cranberries of course!)and I've always wanted to make jam so thought little pots of these would make great presents. I've bought my family other gifts but thought something homemade would make the present giving a little more special.

For me, Apple and Blackberry is the perfect winter combination so couldn't wait to get stuck in when I came across a recipe from Delicious Magazine online.

First things first; The Ingredients:

500g Blackberries

500g Cooking Apples (peeled, cored & chopped)

1 Small Lemon (juice of)

1kg Jam Sugar

Now, let's begin! Preparation Method:

1.Put the blackberries and apples into a preserving or large pan with the lemon juice and 100ml of water. Place over a medium heat and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes.

2. Pop a couple of saucers into the freezer to chill. Add the sugar to the pan and cook, stirring to dissolve. *IMPORTANT* Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. (Make sure you use a stopwatch, timing is key!)

3. Put a teaspoon of jam onto a chilled saucer for 1 minute. Drag your finger lightly over the jam. If it wrinkles, it has reached setting point, if it doesn't, boil for a couple more minutes, then turn off the heat and try again with another chilled saucer. Set aside to cool for 1 hour.

4. Once cooled, stir the jam, then ladle into each jar, seal and label.

 

"I'm Late, I'm Late, For A Very Important Date!"

Indulging in a scrummy cream tea!

I felt like the luckiest girl last week when my boyfriend treated me to Afternoon Tea at The Randolph Hotel in Oxford during our mini UK getaway. Those who know me, know I love love LOVE most cakes and going for cream tea is what I love to do with my girlfriends. I love hosting friends and always make sure we have something sweet in the cupboards for them. 

When Aiden told me he was taking me for Afternoon Tea, I was so excited, especially when I realised it would be at The Randolph, a 5* hotel! The interior was beautiful and the tea room carried an Alice in Wonderland theme throughout, (One of my other favourite things and definitely my favourite Disney film!) Cream tea for one and coffee were the only items in our price range, but I could've just sipped tap water the whole time as it felt like we had entered another world. It definitely gave Harrods competition, as we sat next to the most beautiful Christmas tree. Still continuing its theme, large, gold watches were placed on various branches and large playing cards hidden intricately alongside them. "We're painting the roses red," came to mind when the centrepiece for each table had a red rose with miniature playing cards around them, all contained in an elegant glass ornament. 

I really felt like we had escaped reality for a little while as the whole atmosphere was so relaxing and comfortable, and quite magical! I always think its important to collect some of those hard-earned pennies and take yourself away for a little while to experience something out of the ordinary, your very own Wonderland. 

My Top 5 CHRISTMAS Tracks!!

Surely it's acceptable to have these on the ipod now right? Not that I've been listening to Christmas songs already or anything... It's the first of December and I don't know about you, but I can really "feel" that Christmas buzz in the air now. Seen people carrying their Christmas trees home to be decorated, others trudging around with bags full of presents and wooly hats and scarves out unashamedly.

So, I thought I would share with you my Top 5 festive tracks, just in case you need some new additions to your ready made playlists.

1. Raveonettes - The Christmas Song

Definitely the Christmas song I play the most.

2. She & Him - Christmas Day

The She & Him Christmas album is a must-have/listen to this time of year.

3. Lucy Rose - Driving Home For Christmas

Lucy Rose's soft vocals really transform this track into a Christmas lullaby. Just so peaceful and beautiful.

4. Amy Winehouse - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I couldn't imagine anyone else taking on The Ronettes classic.

***

Let's not forget the other classics...

5. Doris Days - Silver Bells (An oldie, but still a very goodie)

                                            

This song will always remind me of decorating the Christmas tree with my mum. 'Silver Bells' was on a mixed tape my Dad had made and the cassette was so old that it would cut out sometimes, but it was like a tradition to play it every year. Doris Day and Judy Garland used to be my idols growing up, particularly Judy as I loved Meet Me in St. Louis when she sang 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.' That's what I love about this time of year. These songs may be decades old, but they're timeless and quintessentially Christmas.

Charlie xo