Music: This Week's Obsessions

In the last week or so I have been utterly consumed by an obsession with two songs.


The first is Meds and Feds by M.I.A.. This song is just so catchy, and is delightfully dark and dirty. It makes me want to run around and dance frantically - but as I'm normally at my desk when I listen to it on repeat, this probably isn't a good idea. It's a good healthy mix of guitar and big big bass and just makes you want to move. I challenge you to listen to it without even tapping your foot.

The second is Dance the Way I Feel by Ou est le Swimming Pool. The song reminds me initially of 80s style Soft Cell or Human League with lots of synths, but the vocals are inherently 21st century. A bit shouty, that kind of annoying singing you can imagine kids in a garage doing at band practice after school. But that isn't a bad thing! It feels new and although it has clear influences, it's different, and that is very special nowadays. Such a shame about the loss of the lead singer in 2010, this band would have been huge. Regardless, this song is right up there at the moment as one of my favourite songs ever. 

Let me know what you think of these two!


You can see all the songs I have an unhealthy obsession with on my Put These Songs on Repeat playlist on Spotify. 

Music: Girls Rock! Part 2

Last week I wrote about some of my favourite girl bands to prove skeptics wrong about female musicians. I was already convinced, and so it seemed were many of you. Thanks for all the tweets about this, it was great to see a lot of you feel the same, or were at least willing to give some of those listed a try! As I put the post together I realised that were loads more bands I wanted to list, so here is Part II of Girls Rock! I could do about 8 parts to this post but I'm not going to milk the topic, however do let me know if there's anyone you feel really deserves a mention!

Karen O and the Kids

More known for being the front woman for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 
this incarnation of KO is more laid back and still that little
bit odd. Glorious. 

Stand out track: All is Love

The Long Blondes

Northern indie rock, catchy sing-a-long type stuffs.

Stand out track: Lust in the Movies

Santigold

80s pop with dubstep infusions and funky RnB vocals

Stand out track: L.E.S. Artistes

The Pipettes

Indie pop full of doo wops and sha la la's

Stand out track: Pull Shapes

Goldfrapp

As if you need persuading. Just LOOK at her! She oozes brilliance!

Stand out track: Train

Metric

Canadian indie schmindies. Sometimes too high pitched to sing
along to.

Stand out track: Monster Hospital

Bat For Lashes

Ethereal wispy beautiful music with haunting vocals

Stand out track: Horse & I

She & Him

Zooey Deschanel & M Ward couldn't be anymore twee. Seriously.

Stand out track: Sing

MIA

The most mainstream of cool female hip hop females (and
therefore the only one I know). I may sound stupid saying
it, but she is fierce.

Stand out track: Bamboo Banga

Queen Adreena

Mental. Seriously unhinged front woman. Best listened to when
really bloody angry.

Stand out track: I Adore You

Music: Girls Rock!

I can't even begin to total up the amount of times people (male and female) have said to me that they don't like any female fronted bands or artists. I think there can only be one reason for this: you haven't looked hard enough. Because really there are actually a ton of talented ladies out there, putting the men to shame.


Music is one area where women aren't being overshadowed, they are equal and sometimes better than men. Pop is a prime example of this with Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Jessie J dominating the radio and the charts, and I do love a good pop song.


However, my music taste is often a little more...eclectic, and there's plenty out there for me. So this To-Do List Tuesday, make a note of these, download them, and change your damn mind! Oh and there's so many that I've split this post into two. See Part II next week!


(in no particular order)

Ladytron

Synthy, electronic, 80s throwbacks

Stand out track: Destroy Everything You Touch

Camera Obscura

Quirky, light and catchy

Stand out track: French Navy

Emmy the Great

Gentle folksy type songs with adorable lyrics

Stand out track: Paper Forest

Amanda Palmer

Cabaret punk fury. Real and unadulterated brilliance.

Stand out track: Leeds United

Au Revoir Simone

Think spring evenings and floral dresses, but the musical form.

Stand out track: Sad Song

Bitter Ruin

Delicate and scary all at once. Give me shivers. (Oh and they
played a gig in my living room about 2 years ago!)

Stand out track: Trust

Le Tigre

Fresh from the Riot Grrl era, annoying punk and electro pop to
play loudly

Stand out track: Deceptacon

Lykke Li

Beautiful Nordic catchiness

Stand out track: Dance, Dance, Dance

Who are your favourite women in music? Don't forget I'll have Part II of Girls Rock next Tuesday!

Film: Films to Look Forward To in 2012

It's a new year, and with 12 months stretching ahead of us all I am making damn sure that there is more to look forward to in 2012 then the bloody Olympics. It doesn't matter where you are in the UK, you won't be able to escape Boris and Coe (Seb, that is) but you could hide in the warm and dark depths of a cinema, and ignore all the hullabaloo outside and watch a new classic on the big screen.

This Tuesday keep this To-Do List for the whole of 2012, and tick off each of these as and when you see them. Here are the films I can't wait to see this year:

The Dark Knight Rises

The final installment of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight series. Boasting a flippin' amazing cast with the usuals of Gary Oldman and Christian Bale being joined by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy. The only worry I have is Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, as I don't think she's a particularly versatile actress, but I'll reserve judgement until 20th July! Watch the trailer here.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

This is the first big role by Olsen sibling Elizabeth, and I hear she is well deserved to be known within her own right after this performance. MMMM is the story of a young girl brought up in a cult, and the flashbacks she has once she escapes. I reckon it'll be one of those films that will really affect the audience and that  you can't get out of your head. Watch the trailer here.

A Dangerous Method

I think this is going to be fascinating. The biopic of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung and the innovation of psychoanalysis. Starring Keira Knightley as their batty patient along with two of my favourite actors, Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassel. Watch the trailer here.

The Hunger Games

2011 was the end of Harry Potter, 2012 sees the first of a new children's book adaptation that's appealing to parents as well as their offspring. The Hunger Games tells the tale of a world where children are pitted against each other in battles to the death. There are rumours that the film hasn't held back on the violence, despite being a teens book originally. I hope they're right. Watch the trailer here.

Dark Shadows

Hooray! 1 of 2 new Tim Burton films due out in 2012, this is a new take on a 60s soap opera about vampires. Classic Burton territory, and of course it stars Johnny Depp. I can imagine it being very much like Ed Wood, which is definitely not a bad thing.

The Great Gatsby

Now, I wouldn't say I'm exactly looking forward to this. But I am very curious about it. I love the book, I love Carey Mulligan. However, I'm not a fan of Baz Luhrmann films and he's doing it in 3D. Why in God's name that is a good idea I do not know. You'll hear my opinions on here anyway!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I shouldn't even have to explain why this is going to be amazing. Just read the title.

Life: How to Prepare for New Years Eve

People seem to be split between two groups when it comes to New Years Eve. The first love it, and cannot wait to dress up, hit the town and drink into the early hours. The second can't stand the bother, knowing that it will nearly always be a disappointment and ridiculously overpriced. I'm in the latter. Don't get me wrong, I like a night out, I like getting dressed up. But New Years Eve just seems to be a chance of any idiot available to shout, puke and get in my way. I don't want to pay £50 to get into a club or bar that's usually free, and pay even more for drinks that are already hiked up because I'm in London. And the biggest thing is the expectation. People EXPECT that it will be the best night of the year, and in my experience, the more you plan an evening the less chance there is for spontaneity and therefore less chance for fun.

I've had a couple of great NYEs though. And today's To-Do List Tuesday is a little guide on how to make the last night of 2011 a good one.

1) It's all about timing
Don't plan too far in advance, but don't leave it until the last minute. I reckon optimum time is about 9 days beforehand. That way you don't make a rash decision to go to that bar with that person you hate, but you also don't end up staying in alone eating Ben & Jerry's from the tub watching Jools Holland in your pjs.

2) Wardrobe decisions
Despite not having any firm idea of where you're going, plan your outfit well in advance! If you're anything like me and leave it until the last minute you'll either end up wearing something you hate, or refusing to go out at all (This has happened to me. In fact I have been known to go home and get changed once I'm out too, but that was in my student days of being fickle and within walking distance of my house). Oh, and if you wear heels, cram some flats in your bag. No high heels are still comfortable at 2am. NONE.

3) Strategic Drinking

This works threefold: 1 - the important aspect of pre-drinking. Get your vodka jacket on and get you in the mood for heading out into the cold. 2 - take a hipflask. No harm in saving in a bit of money and keeping yourself topped up. Always good if you're heading out to fireworks or something outside! 3 - Pick a time and just drink water afterwards. Sounds prudish, but I'm not going to condone binge drinking, plus I am Queen Hangover and would be a billion times worse if I didn't have a self-imposed water o'clock.

4) Company
I've spent NYEs with 1 person and 25 people. It's difficult if you're like me and have friends dotted all over the country, but ultimately it's the company you keep on the evening that make the whole night. Don't get forced into going to a party with someone who will ditch you when you get there. Christmas is about family, NYE is about friends. 

I'm aware I sound like a moany old trout in this post. I'm not fussed about going out at all. But that doesn't mean I want to be sat at home alone when the clock strikes midnight! This year I'm going to one of my best mates' flats for a few bevvies. Warm, cheap and friendly - onto a winner!

Whatever you're up to this NYE, I hope you have a Happy New Year! Thanks for reading my little blog and I hope you come back in 2012!

Music: Christmas Playlist

I'm obsessed with making lists. Apparently it's a Virgo thing. Maybe it's because I have to organise everything from my meals to my outfits weeks in advance. So obviously the next logical step is to share these lists with the lovely readers of this here blog, one each week (on a Tuesday), to help inspire some organisation into your lives, or at least to share some attempted wisdom.


As it's Christmas NEXT WEEK, the first To-Do List Tuesday is dedicated to festive songs. That's right, tunes to have on in the background while your basting the turkey, or passing out from too many mince pies. Here are my must-have downloads for Christmas 2011:

1) It's Christmas (And I Hate You) - Paloma Faith & Josh Weller
It's not as miserable as it sounds, the tune is pretty jaunty, and it's funny more than anything. Perfect for singing at the other half when you've had too much mulled wine.

2) All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Now normally, Mimi makes me want to self harm, HOWEVER, it can't be denied that this is a classic that is guaranteed to make you hurt yourself attempting the high notes. The ultimate girls night in sing-a-long.

3) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - She & Him
The devine Zooey Deschanel paired up with M Ward are constantly in my 'Favourite Bands Ever Ever' list, and their album 'A Very She & Him Christmas' is so traditional it'll make your granny reminisce about the good old days.

4) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Michael Buble
Another cover, but Michael Buble's Christmas album is just so........Christmassy! He's a suave old motherlicker and those dulcet tones and videos of walking through snow are just the cherry on the Christmas cake.

5) I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
I don't care if I look uncool dancing to this around my kitchen (and my housemates can testify that I did indeed do this at the weekend), this song is my childhood Christmas memories wrapped into one. I always remember watching the video on Top of the Pops 2 on Christmas Day with the lead singer and his multi-coloured beard and paper streams in his hair. Aces.

6) Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
I have two memories of this song. 1) It being heavily featured in Home Alone. 2) Dancing to it in silver hotpants that my mum made me on stage at a school production when I was 11. Despite the small amount of trauma induced, I still love the song.


For my full Christmas playlist on Spotify click here (but beware, there's some naughty words in there!).