Happy Is An Understatement

The past week has been a great one indeed, first rewind back to last Thursday when I get a phone call from the RSU 'headquarters' letting me known that I've been voted 'RSU Newspaper Editor' for 2007/08 with no less than 605 votes(thats about 603 more than I imagined).

Then on Sunday morning, after what seemed to be an eternity(a.k.a 2 hours in real time) we finally got under the busy online server and bought 3 tickets for the Glastonbury Festival, as if my summer calendar wasn't already amazing enough(IOW and Muse at Wembley), I now get to trek back to the greatest festival on the planet with the company of my brother and Martin this June.

As if all of the above wasn't quite excessivly jammy enough, my brother managed to secure guestlist passes(free) for the two of us to see indie legends Travis(!) when they play the Hammersmith Apollo this May!

Anant

Simpsons Movie Trailer

I know I'm posting quite excessively today but I've just seen the new Simpsons Movie trailer on youtube, and, boyhood-simpsons-fan opinion aside, it looks like its going to be quite something. Don't be afraid to watch it, its not really a spoiler, also word has it that Green Day are in the trailer (25 seconds before the ending), apparently their the band on the boat capsizing.

Judging by my snazy Simpsons widget theres only 143 days till the movie hits cinema's(27th July 2007).

The trailer can be seen below...



Anant

I Hate George Michael!/Isle Of Wight

I am utterly pissed at George Michael, the 43 year old's just announced that he'll be the first artist to play the brand new Wembley on June 7th - stealing the honour from Muse(bit of bias there I know), who booked the venue for 16th and 17th June back in December. As a consolation Muse will still technically be the first band to play the new Wembley but its just not the same I guess.

Even if it wasnt Muse robbed I'd still prefer a current, acclaimed band that keeps winning 'best live act' awards at every ceremony under the sun to open Wembley than a has-been thats only recently been on the th news for drug possession. Oh well.

While I'm on the subject it seems Klaxons(quality) will be supporting, and according to Dom in this weeks NME(28th Feb) Wolfmother and Bloc Party(!) might join in too!

Lastly on Muse, I got tickets for the Isle Of Wight Festival in you guessed it - the Isle Of Wight. The festivals going to be headlined by Snow Patrol, and rumour has it The Rolling Stones...but more importantly...Muse - On Matt Bellamy's Birthday!

Anant

A Couple More Reviews...

I've uploaded a couple more live reviews to my flickr page, I've reviewed two NME Awards shows from February; the Howling Bells and The Maccabees at Koko on the 25th and 27th(respectively). Hope you enjoy reading them.

The Howling Bells

The Maccabees

Anant

Kate Nash

I came across this singer-songwriter called Kate Nash the other day and she's already sent my iTunes playcount into double figures. I decided to write a short review for her Double A side single...here it is...


In other news I got a hair cut, I miss my finge tho, despite how messy and dare i say it 'Emo' it was getting. Heres a little sentimental photo of me and the hair enjoying ourselves...


Anant

Bloc Party Album Review

I've just uploaded my review of the spanking new Bloc Party record to my flickr page. For those of you who find it hard to read in image form heres the review in text below. I decided not to give this album a rating out of 10 as usual as it doesn't need one and, the album has loads of interesting modern themes pinned to it and I think anyone used to city life can relate to it, anyway I'll cut the jibba jabba - here it is....

__________________________________

BLOC PARTY - A WEEKEND IN THE CITY(Wichita Recordings)

Its one thing when a weekly music magazine hype your debut prior to release and you manage to live up to it and then some, but punters naturally expect the goods the second time round. Regardless of the pressures in hand Bloc Party have gone on to create a bold second effort. Produced at Grouse Lodge Studios (Ireland) with the help of Garrett “Jacknife” Lee, ‘A Weekend In The City’ is more politically charged and lyrically grounded and in their words “challenges Coldplay” over accessibility.


Burnt in and out with voice collages ‘Hunting for Witches’ is, strangely enough, a danceable song about Xenophobia in modern Britain, further downstream “Where Is Home?” also themes itself around hostility and discomfort and angst directed towards second generation citizens with ricocheting guitar flicks for extra lift. The two tracks provide a brilliant critique to a nation falsely recognised as a cosmopolitan one.

Waiting For The 7.18 documents the life of a Londoner ridden with frustration, Monday morning syndrome, nine-to-fives, and daily commutes. It’s a song centring on a character who has nothing to show for his/her life post graduation, reminiscing life experiences and wishing they took more risks and chances during youth. Climaxing with the plea “Lets drive to Brighton on the weekend”.

Continuing with modernists topics ‘Uniform’ critiques youth culture today and in particular the patterns amongst teensters and scenesters hanging out in malls being idle, following popular culture trends, abusing drink, drugs and others “when they have entertainment and things to pass the time".

One feature that made predecessor Silent Alarm such a hit for music fans was love, and Bloc Party haven’t departed from this notion. Tracks like ‘I Still Remember’ and ‘Sunday’ are memoirs of love past and present, which ooze confidence and nostalgia (“Our love could have soured, over playgrounds and rooftops”).

Singles wise, the first half of AWITC packs more punch than the latter which is much more sensitive and if you wanted to be harsh, “weaker” in comparison. The Prayer (the first single, shatters the amps with its drum loops and guitars humming like a beehive. Singer Kele Okereke voices his prayer for fulfilment with the words “tonight make me unstoppable and I will charm, I will slice, I will dazzle them with my wit”. ‘The Prayer’ and ‘On’ are both tracks depicting drug taking (“Hidden away in every old toilet…Rolled up twenties, they disappear”), not necessarily legitimating them but evocatively elaborating on why people choose and more so need to take them. The string arrangements ‘On’ embeds are sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand tall. These tracks are the centrepiece of the records fixation with the storytelling of how nowadays people just want to go out and get mashed. What better way for the album to comedown but “SRXT”.A track named after a widely used anti depressant drug. Inspired by his friend’s near suicide Kele pens the words “A battle that lasts a lifetime, a fight that never ends”.

A Weekend In The City is a record scored straight down the middle, coupling love and grit, an album which backdrops the state of a nation. Overflowing with intelligent beats and finely produced rhythm there’s no reason for it to not replica the success of its older brother. There’s no need to speak further, the album is summed up in its first line, ambitiously “trying to be heroic in an age of modernity”.

__________________________________

Anant

It's Been A While...

Indeed it has been sometime since this blog’s seen some action, unlike myself, I'm in the middle of a crammed week. I’ve considered that some people have the attention spans of the goldfish sort so I’ll do a short round up and try not to tangent off into a novel.

On Saturday and Sunday I was busy helping my cousin exhibit his chocolate fondue company at the Asiana Bridal Exhibition at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel on the South Bank. I spent the following day finishing up a photo shoot for another of my cousins’ business, this time a beauty salon.

Tuesday began at approximately 7:45am. Myself and Ammy went down to a swanky little bar in London to watch “The Culture Show” being filmed by the BBC in front of a tiny audience, the show, hosted by Lauren Laverne also featured flavour of the month Mika and the living ledge that is Patrick Stewart! We also met some awesome blokes from up north who kept us in hysterics all day. The show is being broadcast on BBC2 Tonight(3rd) at 7.30pm. I must add that I fell asleep on the tube back home for the first time ever in my life!

I guess stealing the odd ten minutes of Zzzz’s wasn’t such a bad idea really, I went to see Bloc party play a three night residency at the (newly saved, I think) Astoria from Wednesday to Friday which was quite exhausting. Exhausting however not regretful, each night had a different feel to it, a different supporting cast(Fields, Metric and Absentee) each day being the obvious reason. I went to all three nights with Katherine, we tried to mix it up a bit each night and enjoy the gigs from different views, first night from the heart of the crowd, the second on the balcony upstairs (which was an amazing view) all before enjoying the finale in the front row in front of Mr.Russell Lissack. Bloc Party themselves also tried to mix up their set and used the gigs to give fans a spin of their new record ‘A Weekend In The City’ (Out 5th Feb). My favourite night would have to be a tie between the latter two, with all the poster smuggling and chocolate bar antics(to cut a long story short Matt ate my dairy milk I threw onstage during ‘Helicopter’). I got a new compact camera today, which isn’t too compact but I don’t love it any less, with 7x zoom its quite handy for gigging. I took a few quality photos tonight, which – with a few tweaks on iPhoto are looking dapper.

So Now its somewhere between Friday night and Saturday dusk and I’m waiting for details of Diana’s birthday party to be texted back to me. Maybe its not wise to blog right now, two parties this weekent and refreshers week next week ontop of exhaustion don’t brew up a great academic Spring term. Oh Well, Cheerio!

Anant

Jamie T Live at the Astoria

Please forgive the lateness of my post.

The other night, Wednesday 24th January 2007 to be precise, I saw Jamie T play to a sell out crowd at the charing cross Astoria. The gig was extra special as my good mate Neil's and his band - Them Nudes, were supporting. Most bands may have crumbled with the nerves and pressure but the guys relished the oppourtunity to play such a renowned venue and it was probably the best level I personally have ever seen them play to. Also supporting were the brilliant Maccabees, fronted by Orlando Weeks who never fails to dress for the occasion, he was wearing a sequin waistcoat as I recall.

Onto the main attraction - Jamie T, he played a set with lasted over an hour and saw him showcase most of his debut 'Panic Prevention', This was my first time experiencing Jamie with his full backing band(The Pacemakers), so it was great to hear some of the tracks played across 5 musicians rather than just on an acoustic bass(which he still encorporated into his set). His encore was to be blunt - mad: including solo renditions 'Living with Betty' and his cover of Billy Bragg's 'A New England', before closing with a special sped up version of his latest lift 'Calm Down Dearest'.

As if an excellent bill wasn't enough I also met up with a few ex-Northolt mates, the wintermans, Ben off course, a handfull of people from my halls of residence, two guys I met at a Bloc Party gig over a year ago, and a few of my flatmates ...in Sainsbury's of all places.

Anant

Refreshers Week at Roe!

It's been awsomely brought to my attention that the RSU are brewing up a 'Refreshers Week' for the week of the 5th-11th to gear all of us freshly-loaned students into the Spring semester. I'm mostly looking foreward to the Belfry reunion for the Digby crowd, Bands night, and the fancy dress bop.

Heres how the week takes shape:

Mon 5th
- Welcome Back Do, Hammersmith Palais
Tues 6th
- Digby reunion at the Belfry
Wed 7th
- Fez Club, Putney
Thurs 8th
- Bands Night
Fri 9th
-Refreshers Fair, The Bop(Fancy Dress)
Sun 11th
- Film night: Forest Gump and American Pie

For full and more pretty looking information clicky here.

Anant

Whilst The Workload's Away Anant Will Play

After a long hard two week stretch my autumn photography modules finally over. I had to present my photos to a group of about 20 students and lecturer's in and out of the studios today. It went suprisingly well and despite the pressure of grilling by lecturers(they seemed to dig them!) I dont think I did bad at all, trust me - when nervous, OD on skittles and bottled water. It turned out to be quite a strange day, with a humungus tree branch rolling down the studio roof(Roehamptons known for its tree's) and freak wind so strong it walks you down the street.

So anyway, now all that hard graft's done and dusted I can get down to some old skool fun during my Uni's two week 'Inter-Semester break' !Not entirly sure how to use the hours, probably meet up with some friends, watch snakes on a plane on DVD another 12 times over, review a couple albums and buy alot of crap online. Aren't Holidays just bliss?With rumours of 'refreshers week' at Roe spring semester looks bright and yes...orange. Roll on Spring!

Anant

Crisis Vols Party

If I could sum it up in one piece of dialogue it would have to be the following:

Anant: "Hey Andy, Happy new year! How're you doing?Do you remember me?"
Andy: "Yeh, off course I remember you Memec!"

Twas a good night with dancing and random people who liked my face!

Anant.

Chris Cain Shaves His Tache!

Chris Cain of We Are Scientists has shaved off his infamous heavyweight moustache to recreate a scene from the Nicole Kidman movie 'My Life" ...for a laugh. It see's him giving a short leson on how to shave for his son- whom he will never see as he's been diagnosed with a terminal disease.

The guilty-to-love-yet-hilarious video, filmed by W.A.S singer/guitar man Keith Murray is on the bands youtube channel and can be seen below:



Anant

Them Nudes Last Night

Went out to see my chum Neil play the Koko last night, exactly a month after my last gig (Maccabees, ULU). The gig was part of Club NME night and saw Neil's band Them Nudes play a short half hour set around midnight. I also had Aakash and Claire for company whilst in the lavish backstage area. We were amused by the cartoon put on loop which seemed to have the Harlem Globetrotters in it. The gig itself went great with the crowd diggin' Them Nudes alot. I've uploaded my favourite photos from the night to my flickr site, be sure to check them out! In other news, I moved back into uni this evening.Hurrah!

Them Nudes Myspace
Photos

Anant.

Muse - BH&R Most Downloaded Album of 2006

My Album of the year for 2006, Muse's 'Black Holes & Revelations' has been crowned the most popular album based on download sales, fending off the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Gnarls Barkley, and Snow Patrol - whose album 'Eyes Open' was actually the most popular album of 2006 based on sales across all sales platforms. This makes me a very happy bunny considering Muse are my all time favourite band!

Long Live Muse!

Anant.

LOAN RANGER!

Just been informed that I've recieved my Student Loan for this term! Woo, now have £2586 and 25 fine pense to my name lol. Gives me some ammunition for my inter semester break which starts around the 20th Jan! Shudn't need it all, I'm quite well with my account front, only got overdrawn on last day of term last year - thats quite a stat I'm sure many would agree.

To 2007!

Anant.

Seeing The Grates!

I've just bought tickets to see jumpcentric Aussies The Grates + The Blood Arm at ULU in March. If the Kings College gig last October was anything to go by it shud be mental and uber fun-filled. Last time I met the band and walked away with a bunch of free balloons.If anyone fancies tickets their still available here.

The Grates Official Site
The Grates Myspace
Read my review of The Grates at KCLSU last October

Anant.

Facebook

...Is the most addictive thing in the world to me right now. Just signed up this morning after I found my like 105th invite to join in my hotmail inbox. If I could sum it up I'd say its like friends reunited for friends who needent be reunited. Also I think facbook would probably suck if you didnt go to uni as it seems to revolve around uni friend networks. It's like myspace minus the bands, but plus the photo albums.

Anant

New Years Resolution

My New Years Resolution for 2007 is a mixture of getting down to work and getting down to some old skool fun, its the time honoured tradition of "working hard and playing hard". My schedule for January seems a great way to kick this off, with deadlines for 15th and then a series of gigs to cap off the month. These holidays have also taught me that I want to use my time more productively, so I definatly want to do more then laze about in my four months off during the summer too.

Keep checking back contantly to see how well Anant keeps his set goals during 2007!

Anant.