carmina charm #19

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

carpe carmina christmas special: Making Out Is The Best Part Of Christmas

carpe carmina's song selection: cozy hours in winter time

Given the cold and bleak weather outside, here are 5 songs for cozy hours at home - some to brighten your mood, some to rock out to, some to relentlessly indulge in and some to simply warm your heart ...

I. Waitin' for You 

carmina charm #18

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

Single Review & Interview: Jack McAllister - Do You Want It? A noisy and energetic musical statement. A new musical beginning.

'As one thing ends, another begins' - since Watchtower drew the curtain earlier this year, Jack McAllister, former frontman of the once vibrant alt-rock four-piece, carefully planned his debut as solo artist and strikes back now with attitude and confidence: first single 'Do You Want It' sounds arrestingly powerful and energetically edgy. 

Live sessions and lyrical life lessons with Ali Ingle

Take a seat and enjoy the musical motion picture Ali Ingle presents (photo courtesy of Dave Turley)

In light of what can only be considered a fabulous foretaste of Ali Ingle's already announced follow-up EP to 'A Life Unlike Yours' (2014), recently premiered 'Hey Kid' hits home with lovers of melodiously buoyant and brightly imaginative music-making. What already has shown when the witty singer/songwriter showcased his new single live on Merseyrail Sound Station in september, now manifests in a memorable manner: an inspiring and intelligent artist is at work, combining moony juvenility and contemplative compositional maturity, fusing elating electronic playfulness and light sonic serenity, coupling haunting tonal depth and heart-aching melodic melancholia.

carmina charm #17

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

A single shot II: Songs you need to hear

The SSS (photo courtesy of Jason White Photography)

 The SSS (sheffield-based indie rock quintet)

Genre: indie rock

Members: Josh Coddington (vocals), Tom Foster (guitar), 

Morgan Somers (guitar), Cal Atherton (bass), Max Smith (drums)

Song: Eighteen

With 'Love, Lust, Loss' set  to be released in autumn 2015, sheffield indie force, the SSS give a vibrant foretaste of what to expect from their musical debut: confidently controlled, infectious instrumental frenzy and passionately powerful vocal glow. 

carmina charm #16

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

EP Review: The Juveniles - You Won't Control Us. A confident, provocative and thrilling debut is made!

carmina charm #15

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

carpe carmina celebrates VIII (featuring artists Liberation Of Man & Raikes)

It's said that birthdays come with surprises, and carpe carmina's 2nd anniversary is no exception to that saying. In the course of promoting 'carpe carmina celebrates' two bands reached out to me on twitter and offered to help make the birthday celebration an even more memorable one. Which is why you are in for yet another musical treat: Liberation Of Man decided to perform a new song of theirs called 'New Crown', one that won't be officially released until late 2015,  and Raikes came up with a wonderfully sensitive and alluring acoustic take on a new song of theirs, called 'Fault'. Birthdays are lovely, aren't they?! 

carmina charm #14

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

carpe carmina celebrates VII (featuring artists Grasscutter & Kevin Morgan)

It's been a true joy to share the musical contributions, covers and collaborations of carpe carmina celebrates with you thus far. And we're not done yet....

carpe carmina celebrates VI (featuring artist Stephen Langstaff)

We're amidst carpe carmina's birthday celebration, and today's performance is a gem on its own. I'm loving how the musical contributions have turned out. How's about you? 

Single Releases: Go Fiasco & The Jackobins. Two liverpool bands, one mission: the creation of moody and passionate, tense and thrilling musical bravado

Master Crime 

carpe carmina celebrates V (featuring artists Will Robert & Jamie Sloan)

carpe carmina celebrates - and you shouldn't miss out on having a good time! Hence put your headphones on and find pleasure in indulging in these two covers performed for carpe carmina's 2nd anniversary.

carpe carmina celebrates IV (featuring artist Emma Harrop)

We're back at celebrating, so here's another charming musical contribution to carpe carmina's birthday bash. Two years, that's indeed something worth throwing a party for!

carpe carmina celebrates III (featuring artists GRIM & The Knievel Dead)

Let the celebration continue! For those of you just joining today, here's what carpe carmina celebrates is all about: on the occasion of its 2nd anniversary carpe carmina decided to throw a rousing music party. And what's a party without its illustrous guests?! ... Exactly, that's why some of the finest musicians, thus far featured on carpe carmina, have been invited to contribute to this joyful event by performing a song in honor of two years of musical musings. The outcome, eventually, is none to be missed!

carpe carmina celebrates II (featuring artists Ali Ingle & Thom Morecroft)

carpe carmina celebrates - and this is your invitation to join the party. Enjoy live session videos and recordings of musicians whose compositions graced carpe carmina's front page over the years, whose aptitude and music has contributed to make carpe carmina what it is today. Now, shall we start with the second edition?! 

carpe carmina celebrates

It's been an eventful and exciting journey, a wondrous, delightful and compelling venture, a stirring and cheerful, a sometimes nerve-wracking and consuming yet always rewarding and satisfying voyage; milestones have been reached I never imagined to be met when this 'literary undertaking' began, new paths have been taken, traditions have been found and carried on, music has been embossomed, enjoyed, praised and shared. Its audience, carpe carmina's readership grew alike, and witnessing the progress of artists featured, seeing the amazingly positive response to their music, to my musings warmed my heart and made me proud contributing to a cause that is not only dear and important to me, but also worth taking a stand for - effort, time were invested, passion and words were set free in order to get promising and creative indie music heard, the songwriters and composers, the artists behind those musical gems acknowledged. 

carmina charm #13

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

EP Review: Liberation Of Man - Burning Bridges. Here's to a rockin', passionately rousing and thrilling musical beginning!

Dover-based Liberation Of Man did choose wisely when settling for their debut EP's title: 'Burning Bridges' marks a fresh start musically for both frontman Thom Cakebread and bassist Sam Moore as they have been with now parted alternative rock outfit Common Outlaw from 2010 to mid 2014. It's an exciting new beginning for the duo who have found active and creative support in drummer Matt Barker in autumn last year when the band gave their debut performance as Liberation of Man at The Harp Restrung in Folkstone. Since the EP launch of 'Burning Bridges' is set for June 6th at the same music venue, we have come full circle here. But what can the audience expect from the powerful and passionate group of three? The three tracks featured on the band's debut record bristle with explosive instrumental energy and firm vocal intensity, that's for sure. 

'We all are one in WEATNU' - Interview with Almark about electronic music movement #WEATNU, its driving force and rules, its successes and plans

'WEATNU is my gift to the independent world' - Almark, originator and head of the electronic music movement WEATNU - short for 'We are the New Underground' - did talk about the reason and inspiration for, about the driving force and philosophy of his 2014 established 'fostering and promotion project' that aims at unheard yet noteworthy electronic musicians to be acknowledged and appreciated for their sense of composing, for their musical audacity and creativity. WEATNU is Almark's 'take on how the independent electronic music scene has been ignored for so long', giving talented musicians with great potential (yet less means) a voice, an opportunity to be heard, to publish and sell their music without fees (with 70% proceeds of every sale going to the artist directly) - when part of the movement's own label, WEATNU Records; it's a chance to connect to like-minded musicians and producers, eventually granting those involved a place to communicate and collaborate.

carmina charm #12

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

carpe carmina selection

© Kiera Cass

'Every selection is governed by general principles concerning truth, force, beauty ...' - Thornton Wilder 

carpe carmina decided to showcase the best (this estimation is subjectively coloured) song of an EP, album or artist simply, in order to give its readers an impression of what to expect when getting more acquainted with the musician/band in general. The songs featured vary in style, genre, intensity and vibrancy, they are, however, all of distinctive compositional and lyrical finery, of instrumental and vocal beauty. 

Gig review & interview: Robert Jon & The Wreck (Blue Notez Club, Dortmund, 10th April 2015)

One night. One band. Rousing, passionate and melodic rock'n'roll glory at once. 

'So, you wanna be a rollin' stone, you think it's easy being on your own. So, you wanna be a travelling man, pack up, let's leave, so get in the van ...' - SoCal rockers Robert Jon &The Wreck are a five-time striking, vehemently roaring rock might, doing just that. In march the band left sunny california, got in the van and started their first european tour. Friday night the powerful rock gang stopped off at Blue Notez Club in Dortmund and their feisty, fiery and hard-hitting sound took the audience by storm. Opening with infectious, forcefully stomping belter 'Rhythm of the Road', fierce, concentrated instrumental and vocal vim imbued the venue from the outset, a thrilling energy arose to be continued in what was yet to follow: powerful, energetic compositions, brimful of atmosphere, brisk melodic vitality and rock'n'roll spirit.

Interview: Alistair Sheerin - 'You can do so much more on stage to have a good time and involve the audience [...] People want you to be great and show what you can do, so why waste the opportunity?'

Let's not mistaken Alistair Sheerin for a distant relative of a certain ginger-haired singer/songwriter, he's clearly not, but his acoustic preference and soulful vocal vibrancy might make you think so, rather than the tonal surname resemblence between A. Sheerin and E. Sheeran. Lyrically more vigorous, grittier, carpe carmina is lucky to have caught up with the first-mentioned one - an outspoken and determined young man with a firm affinity for rock'n'roll and a refreshing tendency for painting realistic, sometimes bleak and angry, sometimes uplifting and enthusiastic, lyrical pictures - to talk about what the middlesbrough-based songwriter strives passionately after as well as what he once hated with a passion, what he considers an 'opportunity' any musician should embrace as well as what his forthcoming trip to New York is all about. 

carmina charm #11

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

Eagerly anticipated release: Dirty Rotten Souls - I Bet She's Filthy (EP). Rousing, passionate and bluesy rock power rings out

The boys are back (finally!)

If you're a lover of bold, bluesy and vigorous, however stirring and museful rock music it's a safe bet to put (and actually spend) money on Dirty Rotten Souls' new EP; 'I Bet She's Filthy' provides you with boisterous and heavy, ardent and spirited compositional finery aplenty. Formed in 2012 the Stoke-on-Trent based rock outfit has been silent for a while after releasing a debut EP in 2013 alongside some hard-hitting, blues-infused and fiercely roaring singles mid 2014. Now the driven trio [Mark Bailey (vocalist/lead guitarist), Danny Nicholson (drummer), Mike Williams (bassist)] is ready to unleash a soulful and passionately rousing musical might anew. Watch out and listen up! 

Album Review: The Wild Young Hearts - Feel Good ... with jaunty, emotional and edgy surf rock

Rock'n'roll advocates The Wild Young Hearts bring us back to the sunny coasts and crowded, eventful streets of california with a good feel and enthusiasm for spirited and bracing music at heart. This time though we do not only feel the fresh breeze of youthful punkish attitude, the infectious vibe of dashing surf rock swagger, both creating a vivid portrayal of the golden state and its pulsating lifestyle (pictured by the trio's previous album 'California Dreams' in a buoyant and brisk fashion) but also are exposed to personal tragedy and 'emotional abysses', as Robb Laffoon, the band's lead singer and songwriter, drew inspiration from (defining) episodes of his life rather than depending on (generalizing) fiction. 'Feel Good' contrasts lyrical gravity and sincerity with energetic instrumental pep and vivacious pop-esque flair, thereby allows mournful moments to surface without neglecting the hopeful facets, the bright sides of (californian) life. 

Single Premiere: Winter 1982 - Sometimes

Exciting times for carpe carmina as yet another song premiere can be presented to you in such a short period of time (there has already been a perkily explosive instrumental remix of wonderfully nostalgic arcade game flair by canadian pop/rock outfit The Nursery in february): this time birmingham based alt-folk rock act Winter 1982  is about to treat your ears with his new single 'Sometimes', as acoustically performed already for house in the sand's birthday countdown last month - at this point I gleefully congratulate hits, my favourite music blog around, for three years of flourishing existence once more, we all know you hit the (music) mark big time. But now, let's get straight to the (very atmospheric and emotive) point, Winter 1982's  stunningly beautiful and melodiously haunting release.  

Winter 1982 contributed to house in the sand's birthday countdown
by performing a laid-back acoustic version of 'Sometimes' 

Interview: Cal Ruddy talks about his debut EP 'How To Rewind Life'

Cover artwork for Cal Ruddy's debut EP
 'How To Rewind Life' 

Ahead of Cal Ruddy's debut EP release this friday, carpe carmina sat down to chat with the passionate singer/songwriter about his forthcoming EP, about gigging and reviewing music, as well as about pre-show rituals and after-gig manners ...

Video Spotlight: Stephen Langstaff - Sirens

The world might have been derprived of a talented kicker when Stephen Langstaff decided to turn down a contract from blackpool, but it gained yet another sensitive, skillful singer/songwriter, full of musical potential and vision. Carpe carmina certainly is happy about this run of events and congratulates Mr. Langstaff on choosing the path of music-making, approves of the liverpool artist's strong passion for composing and singing, one that eventually outshone his for soccer and triggered a wonderful career: at the age of 11 the velvety vocalist laid hands on a guitar for the first time, over the years he honed, enriched his sound, released an album called 'Colours' (2012) and played a headline show at the Epstein Theatre - all of it, leading to the forthcoming launch of 'Sirens', a symbiosis of fine compositional craft and rich musical creativity, of tender, expressive and dynamic melodic moments and museful lyrical narration. The song's vivid and atmospheric music video bears testimony to Stephen Langstaff's subtle, stirring musicianship, reflects its very own haunting sonic charm, ahead of the official release on March 22nd. Let's have a look ... 

And a voice enthralls ... Album Review: Tallulah Rendall - The Banshee And The Moon & EP Review: Forthaven - Lifeline

Intriguing vocal charms carry away, take along on a wondrous journey through mystic, melodiously mesmerizing and atmospherically sweeping soundscapes; interwoven they convey opulent and museful imagery that captures with imbuing, dynamically sieging might. At times enticingly whispering, then urgently absorbing and powerful, sound, thruthfully ravishing feel arise, and music comes into being. A cryptically and astonishingly winding art created, pouring out dramatic, poignant storytelling and honest emotion born from an artist's vision, his inspiration, his heart's blood and being, heralded  into the world with a firm, soulfully gripping and inviting voice ...

Tallulah Rendall (photo courtesy by Paris Ackrill) 

carmina charm #10

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

Remix Premiere: The Nursery - Domino (8-bit remix)

With carpe carmina's second birthday approaching, I sure get a bit sentimental, especially remembering how this wonderful writing/reviewing experience all started. And it's been none other than an audacious and energetic synth pop/rock outfit from Toronto who asked me to write my first album review for their debut 'Carnival Nature'. carpe carmina has seen quite many EPs and albums ever since, interviewed a few artists throughout, yet I will hold my musings about the exciting and atmospherically swirling melodic exuberance of 'Carnival Nature' always dear, being my first for this blog. The 4 musicians behind the Nursery have not been idle since their last feature here, to the contrary, new music is on its way and for all those who loved, still do, their debut's ecletic, hypnotically elusive and evocative sound, here is a vividly sparkling treat: the band has come up with a 8-bit remix for 'Domino', and carpe carmina has the pleasure to premiere it. Thanks for that, guys, and now press START, or rather PLAY ...

EP review: James Holt - In The Face Of It All

With his youthful, dynamically powerful and atmospherically inviting compositional offerings, with a combination of vehemently urging rock'n'roll vibe and vibrant folk roots, it's hardly suprising to hear I was drawn into, familiar with James Holt's expressive and pointedly spirited music from the very start. And it's not because of the last name we share, but due to his music's vividly radiant charisma and its sensitive lyrical reflectiveness. The tonally characteristic and diverse set the manchester based singer/songwriter presents on soundcloud is already heralding the greatly creative and instinctive potential he holds as a musician, his soon to be released debut EP 'In  The Face Of It All' though gets to the heart of his candid, evocative and melodiously haunting musiciansship. Now, let's get there too ...

Video Spotlight: The Juveniles - Help Me Out

With yesterday's single release from the Juveniles, let's have a proper look at the band's music video for 'Help Me Out' - we do not only see some familiar faces (and I'm not talking about the rock outfit's ones solely), get swept up in a kaleidoscope of quickly changing sceneries, whilst being exposed to a constant current of thrilling instrumental and vocal intensity, but also learn a thing or two about cinematic essentials.

Single Review & Interview: Thomas McConnell - Crocodile

Did you ever play hide and seek with a crocodile? Well, liverpool's imaginative muso Thomas McConnell can certainly cross that one off his list. In the music video for his latest single release, the characteristic singer/songwriter embarks on chasing a costumed crocodile, whilst drawing his listeners into a colourful visual frenzy and exposing them to vivacious and bright tonal buoyancy. 'Crocodile' dallies with dynamically upbeat and excitingly quirky instrumentals, topped off with jovial, eccentrically spirited vocal radiance, that occasionally flares Mr. McConnell's blurry, gripping falsetto, and accelerates with infectious and melodiously frisky jauntiness. Best classified as eventful contemporary pop music abundant in brisk rhythmic twists and vivid melodic vision, 'Crocodile' presents itself as a shiny bag of (sonic) sweets, zestfully sparkling and entertainingly delightful, blending eclectic tonal colours and bouncy harmonies as well as diverse musical genres, most notably embracing a tingly 60's flair and lively psychedelic tonal distortion. 

carmina charm #9

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? 

- Leonardo DaVinci

It's harmony that your soul and mind embraces again when listening to music. As sound surrounds you, only some melodies firmly resonate with you, get an immediate emotional response - whilst their approach is a smooth and soft one, whilst they slowly, carefully but steadily cling to you, these melodies eventually grab you with an intensity and force that overwhelms, that fully absorbs and stirs. It's these very melodies that are in chime with your mind and soul, it's music that leaves an imprint on your being and mesmerizes ... music that charms. 

carpe carmina's eclectic playlist - inspiring and euphonious music for everyone

Melodies roam, whisper into one's ear, enchant and captivate. Vocals sound, rise vigorously, stir and thrill with an alluring might. Jointly, both shape the glowing essence, the haunting euphony and rhythmic excitement music claims to combine. A dulcet harmony and vibrant atmosphere is brought into being, calms one's flustered mind, mends one's troubled soul, exalts one's imagination and titiliates one's senses, strikes a chord, affects and moves. Music in its charming and vivifying complexity bears the imprint of ease and serenity, of impulse and verve. All you need to do is, embrace and indulge. 

Branches

The Fireflys

When listening to the Fireflys' latest poignant creation of songwriting, 'Branches', one can't help but imagine sitting at a campfire, merging in the placid atmosphere of one's surroundings as well as of the song itself. Melodic memories of an early version of the song flare up, tonally absorbing and imbuing already back then, however, now harmoniously complemented by Adele Halsall's smooth and passionate voice - the lead singer of pop/rock quartet Chasing Infinity just recently joined forces with the soulful runcorn rock outfit, aiming to bring briskly melodious and emotionally evocative compositions into being. And with 'Branches' the band's calmly floating but powerful musicality is in bloom: Lee's husky and soothing voice stirs, whilst apollonian, ambient acoustic guitar serenades and rhythmically vibrant drumming blossom, whilst mellow harmonies soar and ardently dynamic guitarplay expands in a charming country-esque style. The song's lyrical narration flows naturally, resonates stirring sentiment, remains minimalist though, shows a repetitive formula even, which does no harm to its gleaming emotionality at all. 'Branches' provides authentic and heartfelt music-making that prospers.

Reach out & listen to The Fireflys on ...

.. twitter ...
.. facebook ...
.. the band's official website ...
.. soundcloud ...