One of the things I love most about writing reviews for websites, is listening to an album or single before it gets released (especially if it's a good one!) Sam Brookes' debut album Kairos hits iTunes on March 17th, but 'James,' can already be found on Youtube. I've only given the record one uninterupted listen from start to finish, but what I can say already, is that it could be one of my favourites. Sam Brookes toured with Emily and the Woods last year and I'd never come across any of his music before. Since then, I've been waiting until his new material filters through the web, and I can finally say it's happened! What's even better, is, this whole album came about with the help of funding from local communities. They knew good music when they heard it.
I first came across Emily and the Woods on Youtube. Emily Wood was sat on a bank by the River Thames singing 'It Was Right There.' I even wrote a blog post about it. I think it must've been 2012, as it was just after I graduated. I was feeling the effects of leaving University, and I desperately needed to fill this void with new music. Emily, you couldn't have come at a better time!
In June last year at Nottingham's Rescue Rooms, I finally had a chance to see Emily and the Woods live, and even meet her. Starstruck? YES. My friend had to practically push me into her. I was adamant; I did NOT want to go over there. It's weird, that we admire these artists so much, yet when given a chance to actually speak to them, your words are lost, and you find yourself mumbling. I did give my opinion on their new material though, which she seemed happy about... *WIN*
Their live show was a lot different to what I'd heard originally. Guitar was more prominent and Emily's other half, "The Woods" definitely had a bigger impact this time round. They felt more like a band. A band with huge potential, and a modest determination to succeed, which is incredibly endearing.
'Tell You' comes from their recent EP, Then We Collide. Unfortunately this record only showcases a handful of their tracks.
I love YouTube. Yes, it allows us to keep up to date with the latest internet sensation but what I love most is the sessions of aspiring, unsigned artists spilling out their musical desires to share their material with the world in the comfort of their own living room, a street, a park or woodland area. It’s sessions like these which have enabled me to discover a handful of my favourite singers/bands to date; The Villagers, Lucy Rose and Emily and the Woods, to name but a few.
I discovered ‘More Like Me’ last summer and it took me aback. It was the early hours and I was having one of my mad hunts for a track which gives you the same sensation of what I can only compare to a sugar rush; a dreamy haze of musical brilliance. Emily Wood may sing about heart break but she’ll be mending some with her candid chorus:
I wish I felt more, I wish I felt more like me.
Beautiful.
I stumbled across many of Emily Wood’s sessions, one in particular was ‘It Was Right There,’ where she sang by the River Thames, in her hometown for thewatchlistentell channel and the performance was almost angelic. (The video can be viewed above so you can see for yourself)
I can’t believe Emily and the Woods are still unsigned! It astounds me; But with a few more tour dates to get excited about and the increase in ‘likes’ on their Facebook page, I can’t imagine it staying that way for too much longer. Supporting Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran and Lucy Rose in the past can only work in their favour too. If we look at the recent success of Lucy Rose with her debut album, I can only expect the same for Emily.
If only my current funds would allow for two gigs in one week… I’m already seeing Wolf Alice on the 22nd of this month and just wish I could afford a trip to Brighton to see Emily and the Woods two days before in The Blind Tiger Club. I can’t stress enough how silly you would be to miss it! Yes, I know that makes me silly too (trust me; I’m beating myself up about it, not to mention my sorry state of a bank account) but if you can afford it, spend your pennies on something worthwhile.
My fingers are crossed for more tour dates this year and after their recent YouTube uploads of more mesmeric melodies such as ‘Lonely Handed’ and ‘Arrows’, I’m also hoping for another EP release…
Sometimes I struggle to understand with what reins the charts these days but artists like Emily and the Woods remind me originality does remain.
