Monday 14 March 2016

Tigercub- Repressed Semantics



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7mR99yiJo&index=5&list=PL4hCjIik8HNvU5jkFTDIbGSD09Kx38NG-

Following two successful single reseases in 2014, Tigercub;s first official EP, 'Repressed Semantics' offers a more polished, well produced version of their raw, Nirvana inspired grunge rock sound.

The three piece Brighton based band were formed in 2013 and now have enough material under their sleeves to begin their UK tour this winter.

The EP offers a more polished version of their raw, distorted sound, without loosing the character and political edge that they have previously projected. The EP is said to be "a refuge for anyone who feels a bit fucked over by the state of affairs or anything in their life really. Theres a little source of frustration that people can get behind."

'Rich Boy' is a prime example of this, mockingg the image of a bratty, spoilt generation- "rich boy dressing like a poor boy, daddy's money keep it coming. Its repetition and angry riffs project the ironic message perfectly.

'Antiseptic' is the strongest representation of the more polished side of the record. It is undeniably Royal Blood, focusing on rowdy guitar riffs and classic noisy rock.

Although this sound works for the band and will undoubtedly get them heard, songs like 'The End' confirm that their influences are not lost. Its slow build up and gentle into vocals have strong links to Foo Fighters- 'No Way Back', breaking into a heavy rock chorus


Monday 27 October 2014

University- My Experience So Far

Undoubtedly, universtiy is not for everyone. No one wants to find themselves ridden with thousands of pounds worth of debt after three years of hard graft; sharing a filthy kitchen with up to twelve people and sleeping in a room that’s forming worrying amounts of mould. However, many would agree that besides all these issues, university is the single, best decision they ever made. 

Two years ago i would NEVER have considered myself the outgoing, up for anything individual I feel I am today. In college I had (and still do have) a handful of amazing, lifelong friends. The only problem was, I became so comfortable around these people that I didn’t allow myself to branch out. A tight friendship group was something that I had always craved but I would find myself doing anything to avoid social situations. I was awkward, Introverted and frankly quite boring to be around. 

Once I found out that I was accepted into my first choice (Southampton Solent) I was both overjoyed and absolutely petrified. It took days and days to convince myself that I was capable, but suddenly, a strange realisation came over me. I knew it was something I both wanted and had to do to become a fuller person. so, just like that I changed my whole perspective. 

Nobody I was going to meet at university knew my background so it provided the perfect opportunity for me to start over. Here are just a few things I discovered/ wish I had sooner:


FRIENDS/ SOCIALS
-Don’t judge people depending on their Facebook profiles… yes, I know we all do it!

The Facbook pages that are set to help us freshers find their course and flatmates are genius, and for many of us a huge comfort. However, if you find yourself already picking and choosing who you like the look of, take a massive step back and remind yourself that this is a profile of a person, an image that they have created of themselves which is often hugely different from the truth. In my case, the people I found intimidating or just not my kind online are now some of my best friends. 

DRINKING
-Both the best and worst parts of your university experience. The greatest comfort most of us look towards when making new friends at uni. 

Being one of the youngest freshers, I found the whole going out/ party scene a huge novelty. Freshers really will be the craziest two weeks. You push your body to it’s absolute limits, and when you’re still feeling fresh after two solid weeks of binging… the dreaded freshers flu creeps up and bites you in the ass. 
But anyway, when drinking, just remember, emotions are up in the air and situations will probably get out of control at times. Don’t ever let these dramas take over or ruin friendships, talk it out and move on.    

SOCIALS AND SOCIETIES 
If you have a talent, join a society. If you don’t, discover one you never knew you had; societies really are the greatest way to meet more people and broaden your friendship groups. My biggest regret in first year was not joining a sports society. Initiations and socials in sports teams really are what you see on american pie movies (everything from naked streaking to filthy, filthy pints). Societies are designed to help us students embrace new experiences so go crazy. 

I could go on forever and ever. But my main piece of advice would just to be to embrace every minute of your university experience. Do things you never expected you would do. Be spontaneous and crazy. Were all here to learn, (not just academically) and university provides a place where you can be yourself no matter who you are, there are so many possibilities and everyone has you’re back so make the most of it. 

Jake Bugg at Ally Pally (22/10/14)








Thursday 29 May 2014

Wolf Alice at Wedgerooms, Portsmouth (interview) 18/05/2014

We strolled into the Wedgerooms Portsmouth where we were firstly greeted by base player, Theo Ellis, who stood patiently watching support band, Genghar rehearse. He shook our hands and guided us swiftly to the bands tiny 8ft dressing room. 

As we entered, the band were looking incredibly lethargic, Joff Oddie was slumped contently in the corner, hugging a large cushion and giggling to himself occasionally. Drummer, Joel Amey was first to introduce himself himself, he appeared most sober of the group, guiding the conversation whilst Theo proceeded to grab a bag of kettle chips and hide under the table beside us. It was Joel that continued to answer our questions, followed by lead singer, Ellie Rowsell who sat next to him remaining pretty guarded, adding comments only when necessary.  

After the interview we took a trip to a small pub where we drank an awful lot more and demolished an entire pizza. We made our way back to the Wedgerooms to watch the bands perform. 

Because Superfood couldn't make it, Genghar took responsibility as lead support act for the evening, performing 5 tracks from their recent EP. Both the base player and guitarist were exactly as expected; skinny boys with curly brown hair and distinctive, hunched dance moves. However, the lead singers appearance was very different, his delicate, withered voice did not match the broad, muscular figure and slicked, blonde hair. 

Wolf Alice entered the stage, introducing the evening with their most recent single, 'Moaning Lisa Smile.' Their energy completely transformed from what we saw back stage just an hour or so before, the band appeared to pull together, crossing one another's gaze and sharing discreet smiles and winks. 

'Blush' brought a slower tone to the evening, Emily Rowsell drew the crowd in, welcoming them with soft smiles and glances. It was at this point that Theo thanked the crowd, emphasising just how far they have progressed; "the last time we were in Portsmouth we played to a crowd of about 14 people, so it's great to be here." The band then played 'TELLis', revealing even more hidden energy as they burst into a stream of spuradic dance moves. 

Wolf Alice's first ever release, 'Fluffy' brought the evening to a close. It was this single that was recognised by the likes of NME, XFM and many more. It proved the perfect end to the evening, emphasisng again just how vast the bands progression has been since their formation just two years ago.  
                                     

                                 

Thursday 22 May 2014

    I learnt how to develop 35mm today!
Check out a playlist of songs I have been obsessing over this month!

https://soundcloud.com/lgartshore/sets/may


Explore Everything

Bradley L Garrett, American urban explorer and member of exploration group, 'Place Hackers', held under conviction of 'conspiring to commit criminal damage' has, today been released with a conditional discharge. 

Garrett, 33, first gained media attention following the publication of  a set of incredible nightscape images. Climbing London's shard in the middle of winter before its completion, Garrett took a series of images of the city from a perspective previously unseen by public eyes.  

Since this time, Garrett has published much of his work and remarkable urban discoveries online and in his book, 'Explore Everything'. It was following an incident in 2011 at Clapham Common Underground that found Garrett in trouble with the law. 

The release 'Explore Everything' not only shows beautiful images of lost and forgotten England, but symbolises just how important explorations and adventures are to us as humans, retaining excitement and in the case of Bradley Garrett, 'peace of mind.'  

The book not only reveals how exiting and thrilling such experiences are, but also explores the concept of money and materialism. At one point in the book, Garrett and friends 'Gary', 'Winch' and 'Guts' are in Germany and decide to take a trip to a cinema to kill time. Garrett later states "that night demonstrated the reason we never watch films or do any 'normal' stuff- because our lives are more exciting than anything that can be offered to us for passive consumption."



We all stoop into a sense of subconscious where we consume rather than produce experiences. What Garrett does is both one of the cheapest and most thrilling experiences imaginable. Im not saying that we should all be risking our lives in attempt to climb Battersea power station or explore London's sewer system, but instead start to focus our energy on exploring new experiences rather than only connecting with life on a two dimensional level. This could be anything simple from walking the countryside to painting a picture.



I have recently spend ALOT of money which I feel terrible about, but when I look at the adventures im going to have this summer, I don't regret a thing. I could easily have wasted all of my money on clothes, material items and general shit, but instead I have a crazy summer to look forward to. 

I love gigs and music festivals so I've registered to both go to and work 5 festivals this summer:
-Glastonbury (Oxfam Stewards)  
-Benicassim 
-Secret Garden Party (Festival Volunteer- Bar Work)
-Reading (Oxfam Stewards) 
-Bestival (Festival Volunteer- Bar Work)

I know by September I will be absolutely exhausted, but I am going to meet so many interesting people and experience loads of  awesome things. I've put my savings into something I love and really want to change the way I look at money, focusing it on experiences over materialism, so I hope that this summer will open my eyes a little. 

I also plan to write about all of my festival experiences so STAY TUNED!