Gary Clark Jr. - Music To Heal

My favourite album at the moment is nine months old, so I’m rather late to the party (timekeeping has never been my thing you see) - although this party shows no signs of slowing.

The record was released in September 2015 but thanks once again to Jazz FM and their superior playlist I heard them play an album track one weekend and frantically Googled the words ‘I will shoot you down, in cold blood’ to bring the song to life (which admittedly would look really dodgy if someone poked around my search history).

The artist is Gary Clark Jr. The song was Cold Blooded. The album is The Story of Sonny Boy Slim and for the unenlightened, I’d strongly advocate you take a listen. 

A bit of background stuff. Gary Clark Jr. is an American guitarist, singer and actor based in Austin, TX - the Live Music Capital of the World and a city I've developed a bit of an obsession with over the years by virtue of its rich music, culture and arts scene. My interest was further fuelled after watching episode four of the Foo Fighters documentary, Sonic Highways, which featured Clark Jr. and examined the foundations of Austin’s live music scene.

The polymathic Gary Clark Jr has been hailed as “the savior of blues" but also specialises in hip hop, funk, jazz, soul, country and garage rock to name a few styles. His breakthrough record was Blak and Blu in 2012 but it was the sophomore album and genre-spanning The Story of Sonny Boy Slim that shone a light on his accomplished guitar playing and indisputable cadence.

Known for magnetic live performances (he was awarded SPIN Magazine's Golden Corndog award for performing in more major North American Music Festivals in 2012 than any other musician on the planet), he has shared the stage with a dazzling array of musical virtuosos including Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. In 2014, he worked with Foo Fighters on the track What Did I Do? / God As My Witness from their epic Sonic Highways album and was the very special guest of the band when they performed the track on Austin City Limits.

The Story of Sonny Boy Slim showcases Clark Jr.’s musical versatility and expressive voice, and is all laid-back melodies and killer guitar riffs that fizzes with substance and style. My favourite tracks are BYOB, Can't Sleep and Shake (released as a trifecta complete with a super cool video trilogy), Stay and Our Love but I’ll let you discover your own.

On 26 June, he performed on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival and plays London’s Brixton Academy on 29 June for what will no doubt be an electric set. I’m gutted I won’t be there, but if anyone is going I’ll happily settle with living it vicariously through you.

On the album’s kickoff track, The Healing, Clark Jr. declares with intensity “This music is my healing” and then in the reprise he repeats the line but changes the word “my” to “our". I’m a great believer that music can provide solace, an escape when things get tough. So, in these hugely turbulent times we find ourselves in with the country unsettled and divided you could do worse than listening to Gary Clark Jr. over a beer or two.

Let music be our healing.

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Harry Pane at Bird of Smithfield, London - 6 November 2015

Ridiculously talented artists who live in your hometown and, on first actual meeting rather than virtual tweeting, are genuine and affable don’t come along that often. 

I first discovered Harry Pane when he opened Grillstock Festival back in the summer. It was a heady, boozy outing for the carnivores but as the token vegetarian I was mainly there for the music. Harry was the Lazy Jacks Cider competition winner and opened the Main Stage with a bluesy, raw and powerful voice and cheerful self-deprecation. 'Hello Wembley!' he said to the scattering of journalists/fellow bloggers/photographers and super-keen Grillstockers who, like me, were sipping cider at 11am and feeling a little bit smug about catching this brilliant artist while everything was still comprehensible. 

I gabbed on about his cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Big Love for weeks after, playing it on repeat to my better half, my mates and basically anyone sitting still ('YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS GUY’S VOICE’) and risked appearing a bit of a stalker on social media. Unfortunately I was away for The Stow Festival back in September where Harry appeared twice on the bill so when the gig at Bird of Smithfield came along, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Bird of Smithfield is a plush little venue near the iconic Smithfield Market; in an area I consider to be 'proper Laandan’. It is modern and smart and the street level bar is cosy, offering a more intimate setting to its formal dining areas on the upper level. The staff are friendly and with cocktails, flickering candles and obligatory WiFi it was all very civilised. Don't get me wrong, I love a rambunctious London boozer but at the end of a busy week, it's quite nice to have a seat with your beer.

So, back to Harry. He’s a folk/blues singer-songwriter residing in East London, hailing originally from Brackley, Northamptonshire. Described as owning a ‘soulful and emotive voice’, he adds guitar riffs, plenty of slide-guitar action and a stomp board to the mix with brilliant results. He writes and performs his own songs and cites John Martyn, Damien Rice, Bob Dylan and Xavier Rudd as his influences. His first EP, Real Souls was championed by BBC Introducing London and Amazing Radio and swiftly gained approval online.

On the night, Harry kicked off his set with a bang and his expressive voice really is effortless; when you hear it live it sounds prerecorded. Thumping his foot, he created a hypnotic beat which, even if you're not the kind of person who's partial to head-nod in public places, made it impossible not to. I glanced around the bar; yep, there were definitely people who did NOT look like your usual head-nodders, doing it without abandon.

With Nina Simone's Feeling Good given a lovely rawness and depth it was soon evident he gives great cover - taking a track and effectively turning it completely on its head. In my humble opinion, Harry creates a more impactful version of the originals. (Case in point: Firestone by Kygo, performed by Harry as part of Reload Sessions).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY7Qgth1ieE

Gnarls Barkley's Crazy followed which received the Harry treatment. 'There are absolutely no dud notes, everything is in tune!' said my hubby as I head nodded along in agreement. Not seeming the kind of bloke to let that undeniable talent go to his head, Harry exclaimed 'I'm lucky enough to be playing the O2 on Sunday before Van Morrison!' with a genuine glint in his eyes - in reference to Morrison's gig with Tom Jones at The Prudential Blues Fest  - before playing Moondance in celebration. It was sublime, instantly reminding me of seeing Morrison at Love Supreme Festival earlier this year. Pane also played the O2 Priority Lounge ahead of Fleetwood Mac at the O2, so it was fitting he covered Go Your Own Way. 

I'm a sucker for 90's R'n'b; an intro to a Destiny’s Child tune can fell me in one nostalgic swoop, so I appreciated Harry's cover of Backstreet’s No Diggity with an extra helping of funk. Throughout the evening, diners came down from the restaurant upstairs, passing Harry as they exited. Most would stop, listen and mouth 'He's really good!’ to their companion before hanging about the door for a bit not really wanting to leave.

Some more top class covers followed; a stomping version of The Lumineers. Hey Ho, Ed Sheeran’s Bloodstream, James Bay’s Hold Back the River, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz (‘it’s a bit cheesy but I’m going to play it anyway’ he quipped, effectively stripping away all the cheese and dishing out a corker) and James Brown’s It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World - all delivered with great intensity. He’s an engaging performer and hugely down to earth, with impressive staying power - forty-five minutes into the gig and there were and no signs of his voice, or him, faltering.

Clearly Harry does great covers, but his own material should also get the exposure it deserves. His own tracks had the most impact on me, especially the newly penned Cold Light of Day, influenced by artists like Jamie N Commons, The Bones of JR Jones, Seasick Steve and Rocco DeLuca and he used a slide to create a bluesy, glissando effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP19ETeYNjk

Right that’s enough from me. I'm going to let you discover Harry for yourself. Check out his website for upcoming gigs, including the new event at Brooklyn Bowl 'New Blood Live' at The O2, London on 26 November and his gig in the 02 Priority Lounge ahead of Mumford & Sons on 10 December.

Before do I close though, a final plea. Harry is crowdfunding his second EP and asking for help via the Pledge Music platform. At the time of writing, with 18 days to go he has reached 53% of his target. Good, but I'm sure you'll agree after checking out his stuff he deserves much, much better.

So, my advice is to get clicking, pledging and giving using the links below as soon as you can - it’s your chance, like me, to be part of the journey of this super talented artist. 

PLEDGE MUSIC - SUPPORT HARRY'S NEW EP

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSIbjwctN7Q&feature=youtu.be

Coachella - Early festival fashion forecast

The desert dust may have settled, but with UK festival season warming up nicely on the sidelines … I still have Coachella on my mind

Coachella, the Valley Music and Arts festival held annually in the Colorado desert, informs my festival fashion choices.

Paying close attention to what the cool girls and boys are wearing at Coachella is the equivalent of an early fashion forecast - the heads up for what's on the style horizon, something to chew over for a few weeks and inspiration for your own custom-built festival wardrobe.

Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival is first up on my summer festival programme. Described by The Guardian as 'the British jazz world’s Glastonbury', Love Supreme combines a class jazz, funk, soul, fusion and blues bill with a modern, green field boutique experience and top class DJs. This year's line up includes De La Soul, Gregory Porter, Soul II Soul and Incognito and if last year's inaugural festival is anything to go by then my confident prediction is that it will be epic. Cannot. Wait.

Festivals have many awesome components. Essentially, amazing live music you can dance to without abandon, singing in cheery unison with the crowd. Cold beer and cider in plastic cups that goes down just a little too easily. Quite good food, especially with veggie and street food options. Mates you know and love and new weekend mates you make.

For me, without question though, Festivals are about FASHION. A fantastic platform to express yourself and experiment with new looks - after all, it's a festival, not work, and you have sartorial free rein. For the past few years I have meticulously researched, planned and plotted my festival outfits, accessories and makeup weeks in advance. Sometimes, it's worked. Other times, I've looked like a plonker and I'll spare you the photos. But, it's intrinsic and I take influence from a variety of sources: Kate Moss, Stevie Nicks, Grace Potter, Kate Bosworth and Solange to name a few.

Here's what I learnt from Coachella this year...

 1. Denim cut offs and white look good together, especially with a print belt. Probably best for the beginning of the day though, and take a stylish layer for warmth and spillage-cover up later on when the sun goes down. We do not live in the desert and we'll have a beer rather than a water, thanks.

2. Any type of scuffed boot - be it Cowboy or Chunky Lace Up - is great and guaranteed mud / water / stamped-on-foot proof. However, utilitarian practical flats, chunky 'fuglies' and sliders have emerged as a covetable alternative. If it's good enough for my other favourite Kate then I'm willing to give it a try.

3. Tartan is not going anywhere soon and Jared Leto wears it well, casually pared with ombre hair and clash-print trousers. Gingham is summer's alternative to tartan and looks particularly good in sugary shades of lilac and pink or vibrant red. A roughed up battered leather jacket and boots will help it avoid looking too saccharine or that you're off to see the wizard.

4. 90s-cool is showing no signs of abating which is music to my ears. Chokers and vintage T-shirts make interesting additions to your festival wardrobe. See Francis Bean looking effortlessly cool circa 1993.

5. Fringed leather whether in jacket or bag form looks great with shorts, dresses and bared legs. Reference: Poppy Delevingne at her envy-inducing hen do at Coachella (oh to be part of the #Popchella crew) or my favourite Kate in her Kate Moss x Topshop version.

6. Coordinated top and bottom sets provide a great alternative to the trusted festival dress or playsuit. It is a look I have coveted for months and is fun and stylish. What Would Beyonce Do? She'd wear a matching top and bottom set from Topshop Boutique, of course.

7. Let your inner tomboy loose in understated sports chic. Possibly my favourite look to emerge from this year's Coachella and channelled effortlessly by Zoe Kravitz. It looks chic, understated and insouciant. You: 'oh, this old thing?' Reality: spending hours deciding exactly which shade, length and fit of tank dress will work with those boots. They'll never know.

8. Kimono coats made an appearance. Floaty, fringed and printed they look great with denim or clashed with a print. Helpfully, they can be squished into a bag and popped on later when it gets a bit nippy. I'm still partial to a slogan sweatshirt but may just dabble on one of the festival nights to mix things up a bit.

9. White lace looks pretty lovely, and accessorised with simple jewellery is uncomplicated but still striking. Same rules apply, keep it interesting with sliders (see 2), leather (see 5.) and plenty of jewellery.

10. Never ever underestimate the power of a great dress. Especially one with an unusual print, that covers you up tastefully but still makes heads turn. Vintage is always a winner as there's less chance of outfit clash.

So, ladies, the fashion forecast is looking very fine indeed at this stage.

Coachella provides a great source of inspiration, a covetable look-book and a chance to see what the cool Californians are wearing. Now it's time to turn what you've seen on its head...English-style.

Good luck with your research.

Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival takes place from 4-6 July 2014 at Glynde Place in Sussex.

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Reference: Coachella Street Style - Style.com