Tag Archives: Stylusboy

Merry Christmas from Sourmash Music & Friends

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Peter Cornish-Barlow - a.k.a. Mr Sourmash Music and Music Nerd

Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la la, la la la la. That’s enough la’s I think. Hello everyone, I just wanted to take this post to wish all my readers and subscribers a very Merry Christmas. It’s the time of the season, as The Zombies once sang, to celebrate with family and friends and give to others. Enjoy and be merry and don’t forget to watch Muppet’s Christmas Carol at some point, its hand down the best Christmas movie ever!

Without this next lot of people, this blog wouldn’t be possible. Also with a special video from singer/songwriter, Stylusboy.

Enjoy,

Pete x

Alan McGee - Creation Records Founder

 “Merry Xmas to Peter and all the Sourmash crew. Love is the law always xoxo”

http://alanmcgee.com

Adam Ficek - RKC/Babyshambles/ London Guns/DJ

 To the readers of Sourmash.

‘Have an elephantine christmas and a whalelike new year, Christmas is all about shiny things, computers and consuming – so ignore your family, put your toe into your Playstation and turn off the real world’

Adam Ficek

http://www.adamficek.com/

The Narrows - Twisted Mancunian Electro Wizards

Dear Pete and the readers of Sourmash,

So it’s now 3.32am and I have been sat here for what feels like 15 years trying to figure out exactly what to write for this Christmas message. I assume this is what the Queen must feel like every year, except she probably doesn’t have a bottle of Heineken in one hand and a shoddily made cigarette in the other. Or maybe she does. Who knows what goes on inside the Palace? We don’t. And we don’t particularly care to be honest. The only thing we know for definite is that Prince Harry is more than likely locked away in a small Opium den under the kitchens with 3 call girls, a tommy gun and a Phil Collins CD.

So now it’s 3.56am and all I’ve done is speculate on the possible whereabouts of James Hewitt’s son. Back to my original question: what could we write to you, Pete, and you – the fabulous readers of the Sourmash blog? Should we mention the investment bankers who’ve ruined people’s lives? The government who are ignoring the problem of getting people in to work and who are instead waging war on the people below the poverty line who they helped to put there last time they were in power? The US and their continual thirst for war? The fact that all popular music seems to now be influenced by David Fucking Guetta?

No. We’re not going to mention any of that. Not us.

What we want to say is a deep and heartfelt thank you to Pete and to you for reading his wonderful words and listening to our music. Since Pete featured the video exclusive of our first single Initials MM back in April, we have gone on to play T in The Park, we’ve had airplay on 6Music, XFM, Amazing Radio and Absolute Radio, been to London to be interviewed by Tom Robinson and have added the likes of Zane Lowe, John Kennedy and Mike Joyce as fans. Next year we’ll be releasing our debut album, playing our second London gig and we’ve just been asked to play the HMV Next Big Thing event, which is unbelievable. Without people like Pete championing our music and without the readers of his blog who have supported and downloaded our work, none of these fantastic things would have been possible.

So thank you from the bottom of our weird, cold, dark hearts. Next year is going to be a big one. We would love you join us.

Lots of love,

The Narrows.

http://thenarrows.bandcamp.com/

Roxanne de Bastion - Mesmerising German Songstress

Here’s wishing all the readers of Sourmash,

A very Happy Holiday Bash!

A rather busy year we’ve had,

our schedules have been slightly mad!

Let’s enjoy a deserved break,

with lots of cookies, wine and cake!

With family, friends and music near,

Have a good slide into the New Year! (that’s how we say it in Germany!)

Dear Pete, thanks for all your support – we all love Sourmash!

Here’s wishing you and everybody reading this a Happy Holiday – 2012 will be a great one, I can feel it!

http://roxanne.everycity.co.uk/

Mike Hough - RnB Rising Star and MOBO Nominee

‘Hey Guys, Mike Hough here! Just wanna wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & a happy and very productive new year! I hope you have a great time, eat lots, get fat, spend the new year contemplating going to the gym, and never do, because that’s what I do. Haha. Massive shout out to Pete and his amazing blog too. Many thanks to those who have shown me love and support this year and bring on 2012! MH x’

http://www.mikehough.co.uk/

XO Man - Very talented 'giant' rapper

Santa’s a PIMP…FACT!!!!!

and I ain’t afraid to say it.

Come on folks… Stockings, hoe hoe hoes, giving girls gifts for FREE and shit while all the man’dem ‘happen’ to be on the bloodclart naughty list KMT

All I’m saying is SANTA… I’m on to you. So from one O G, Pimp, playa, gansta to another… The only chimney sliding that’s gonna be happening is me down your hoes and they better swallow my coal.

P.s If your planning on parking on MY roof get a ticket or I’m clamping that shit.

GoodNite GoodBless & SuckBreast

XOMan

Sent from the future

http://www.xomanmusic.com

Zane Lowe - Radio 1 DJ and New Music Guru

“Merry Christmas to Peter and all at Sourmash. Here’s to a great new year full of great new music.”

http://www.zanelowe.com/

Hannah Trigwell - Awe inspiring Singer/Songwriter

‘To the lovely Sourmashmusic readers and the brilliant founder Pete!

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and an amazing new year.

Hope 2012 is a great year for everyone!

Lots of love,

Hannah Trigwell :) x ‘

http://hannahtrigwell.co.uk 

Mr Gee - Poet & Radio Presenter

“I wish everybody happy smiles & happy sighs & we’ll see who took the mistletoe a bit too far…. in 9 months time!

regards gee”

http://soundcloud.com/mr-gee-poet

Spring Offensive - The Princes of Oxford

“It’s Christmas, which as we all know is just another day of the year. Be it commercial, sentimental or theological, there is a lot of hype to avoid. Forget all that. It will only leave you feeling curiously empty. Christmas should be whatever you make of it. Surround yourself with people you love, forget about money, forget about next year. That can take care of itself some other time. For now, eat all the food and stay warm – no one should expect anything more of you. And for God’s sake be nice to each other for once yeah?” 

 http://www.springoffensive.co.uk/

Stylusboy - Songsmith

 “Happy Christmas everyone! I hope you have a lovely time and eat too much delicious food! Enjoy time with people you love and give and receive some great presents. I hope 2012 is an exciting year full of excitement and hope!”

And now a special video of Stylusboy’s ‘Silent Night’

Sourmash Mixtape Vol.1: The Walls Are Not Listening (15/08/11)

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Today saw the release of this site’s very first mixtape. A compilation put together by my good self of artists and bands that I absolutely adore right now. Every single one of them have kindly contributed a track so you can have this wonderful mixtape for FREE.

Sourmash Mixtape Vol.1: The Walls Are Not Listening

If you haven’t already you can download the whole mix here – http://sourmashmusic.bandcamp.com

What I want do now is give you a rundown of the people on it and why I chose them. We start off with something very special, and one track I was very pleased to get.

1. Poetry Of Life – Mr Gee

He was Russell Brand’s very own Poet Laureate and Mr Gee became a household name on his Radio 2 show. A very talented poet/spoken word artist, Gee gave me this exclusive spoken word piece as he felt it would fit perfectly into the mix and is a perfect introduction for the rest of the album. For more info on Mr Gee, you can head here - http://www.myspace.com/djmrgee

2. PACE MAKER – Breton

Recently signed to Fat Cat, this London based dance/art collective have been bubbling under the scene now for about  a year. Releasing a trilogy of EP’s, PACE MAKER was released just after as a stand alone free download. This track has become the gap between those EP’s and their debut album due for release in 2012. This band are exciting, innovative and just know how to blow up those boundaries. Check out the guys here - http://www.facebook.com/bretonlabs

3. Whole Picture – Stylusboy

Folk-Pop singer/songwriter from Coventry, Steve Jones a.k.a. Stylusboy delivers an infectious acoustic guitar driven gem. Whole Picture is the title track of Stylusboy’s latest EP. Also Steve designed the cover for this mixtape, so I owe this guy a double thanks, Thank you, Thank you. For more info head over to - http://www.stylusboy.co.uk/

4. Indie Electro Pop – Roxanne De Bastion

A tongue in cheek ode to the indie bands of late. Roxanne, originally from Berlin but now resides in London, is a very talented and endearing performer and has this way with words and simple melodies. This track can be found on her latest self titled EP and for more info on Roxanne you can head over to here - http://roxanne.everycity.co.uk/

5. Initials M.M. (3 Guys v Tompop Remix) – The Narrows

Manchester’s own moody dance trio, deliver dark, sinister slices of electro guitar rock. This track is a remix produced by themselves, of their latest single Initials M.M. The band are at the moment in the middle of recording their debut album and they tell me they have already blown up two studios in the process! Now that is Rock n Roll! For more info head on over to - http://www.facebook.com/thenarrows

6. Stepping Up – Nigel Thomas

Nigel is the very talented lead singer/songwriter for The Foxes. Nigel, who is a songwriting machine, had a series of home recordings ready to go a few months back so decided to release them and what become his debut solo album. Stepping Up is one of those songs off that album, it’s an energetic acoustic, 60s beat tinged beauty that I simply had to have on this collection. To hear the rest of his album go to - http://nigelthomas.bandcamp.com/album/third-movement

7. Mary Anne – Blind Atlas

Blind Atlas create divine Alt.Country rock that scales from Denver to Manchester. Mary Anne is a wonderful and touching ballad that can be found on their epic EP called Iron Wall. Definitely for fans of Neil Young right through to Fleet Foxes, head over to - http://www.myspace.com/blindatlas for more info.

8. Labyrinth – Underground Heroes

Ever since I heard a B-side they did called Lost In Dundee, I was completely hooked. Remaining just under the radar for a couple of years, Underground Heroes see a change in direction in sound on this previously unreleased track. Working at their own studio and experimenting with different sounds, the band are looking to release something new very soon. Head here - http://www.myspace.com/undergroundheroes for more info.

9. New-Ish – Azekel

East London rapper/singer/producer, Azekel, has given us a slice of Dub/RnB class. It’s big on beats and eclectic in it’s approach with a couple of little twists and turns. Ultra talented and one you will have to keep an eye on in the next year. Head to his new official site for more info - http://www.azekel.com/

10. I’ll Never Tell – Charlotte Eriksson

When I first heard Charlotte, I can’t stress enough how blown away I was by this singer/songwriters exceptional talent. I’ll Never Tell can be found on Charlotte’s self released EP, A Glass Child, and has to be heard simply for her exceptional songwriting and incredible vocal range. For more info you can go here - http://theglasschild.tumblr.com/

11. Landcrab – The Fierce And The Dead

This two minute power house of a post-rock/prog punch in the face is just a teaser of this brilliant instrumental tour de force. You can find Landcrab on their debut album, If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe. To check this band out head here - http://www.fierceandthedead.com/

12. The First Of Many Dreams About Monsters – Spring Offensive

Now for those of you who do follow me on Twitter will know my love for this band stretches very far. This epic and very complex 13 minute single has to be heard to be believed. A concept single based around Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s model of the five stages of grief. The track is about someone writing a song about dealing with similar issues. A very special band indeed who always produce thought-provoking music and should be everyone’s favourite band. Go to their own website here - http://www.springoffensive.co.uk/ for more info.

That is all 12 tracks, 12 ear pleasuring moments that you all need to hear. So that link again is – http://sourmashmusic.bandcamp.com it is FREE, so for great new music, what are you waiting for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whole Picture EP by Stylusboy (06/06/11)

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So I finally get to talk about how wonderful this EP is, I have had it for nearly two months now and have played it a lot! As I mentioned in my last post Stylusboy (A.K.A. Steve Jones) contacted me and got me to check out his website and obviously what he was doing musically. Since then I have been invariably hooked and transfixed by this guys beautiful songwriting.

The EP is opened with the title track ‘Whole Picture’ which is probably one of the catchiest songs I have heard this year. A stunning composition with simple but affecting moments that come and just sweep you off your feet. It’s a perfect example of the kind of magic Stylusboy likes to sprinkle over anything that he does. ‘Beyond The Flags’ with it’s big roaring charm is doused in tinkering banjo and xylophone. I know Stylusboy classes himself as Folk Pop but there are some Country/Bluegrass moments in there too, Beyond The Flags being one of them. A summery “rally of the troops” energy to it that sends big thrills running right through your whole body.

Stylusboy slows things down with ‘Left To Hide’ and really tugs at the heart strings on this one. He powerfully sings “close your eyes push it all outside, there’s no where left to hide, lift your face underneath the sun, there’s no where left to hide” to heartwarming effect. Dazzling harmonies and packed with scores of glorious string sections that empower the whole song and capture your imagination. ‘Gunfight at the OK Corral’ is not one of his but was written by one of his favourite singer/songwriters, Andy Mort, who he says is a ‘one man’s Radioheads Kid A’. Packed full again of that Country music punch that I mentioned before, with driving acoustic guitar and just little touches of enchantment. The EP finishes on what is probably the most touching moment on this release. Entitled ‘Dave’s Song’, Steve tells me its a song he wrote when he found out one of his friends did not have long to live. He seems at his most vulnerable and you get the impression he is wrought with conflicting emotions. “This is not the end, it’s just the start from a different place” echoes his sentiment and just fills you with sadness and warmth all at the same time.

‘Whole Picture’ is six songs of pure joy and pleasure that you could seriously not listen to anything else ever again and you would be happy. It has me beaming from ear to ear everytime I hear it, with moments of delight that cannot be ignored. I am in awe of what Stylusboy has produced with ‘Whole Picture’ and for that he has my undivided attention.

Interview with Stylusboy

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So a bit of an introduction really into one of my favourite singer/songwriters right now, Coventry’s own Stylusboy! I first came into contact with Stylusboy, otherwise known as Steve Jones, through Twitter when he got in contact with me about his music. I checked out his site and his glorious tunes really grabbed my attention. Touching sentiments and all done with doses of morality and grace, simply sublime stuff! So when he agreed to do an interview for me, I was over the moon. Here he is talking about his brand new EP which is released next week…..

Stylusboy

Sourmash: So thank you for doing this interview for me Stylusboy, now I know that’s not your real name! How did it come about?

Stylusboy: The name Stylusboy came about when I was creating an email address a number of years ago. My name is Steve Jones and as you can imagine trying to get an email address without a million numbers after it, with a name like that is nearly impossible. So I decided to just create something easy to remember. I was sat in front of a well known printer at the time and saw stylus and that than turned into Stylusboy. When I started making these acoustic tunes I created a Myspace page (yes back in the day when it worked) and started performing as Stylusboy because I felt it was more distinctive and original. So there you go!

SM: Let’s talk about the release of your second EP which is called The Whole Picture, what would you say has been the driving force behind its creation? What has influenced the song writing process?
SB: The driving force has just been that I love to write songs and let people hear them. I really enjoy the recording process particularly when the basic tracks have been laid down and I can start to mess about with melody ideas and harmonies. I have recorded the EP in my friend Chris’ garage studio over several months, going over once a week and then a couple of weekends to finish it. It had been great to work with someone like Chris, who is a musician himself. My last EP ‘Fingerprint’ was self recorded at home and so I didn’t really push myself too hard, where as Chris would often say “No do it again, you can play it better than that!”. I feel that really shows in the vibe of the EP, well hopefully anyway.
All sorts of things have influenced the songwriting. ‘Whole Picture’ is about when my little girl was starting to swim and how she will discover things for herself as she grows. ‘Beyond the Flags’ is inspired by the story of an open water swimmer in Australia who found more freedom when he did things differently. ‘Dave’s Song’ is written after I found out one of my friends, who was very poorly, only had hours to live. So its a big range of influences really. Mainly my thoughts, ideas and contemplations. I often like to use imagery in my lyrics rather than literal description.
SM: Now I understand you are doing some special things to promote the EP, like House shows and a series of live covers. Do you care to elaborate a bit on those for anyone who is not aware of what you are doing?
SB: Yeah I have just been trying to promote it and play in different places. I have done alot of gigs where people are not always listening to you completely. When I play I often play quite quietly and so this got a little frustrating at times. I am playing some House Shows for people where they invite people to come and watch and we chat and share food together. It is really good fun.
I have also been going live gigs from my Kitchen that I have called Screen Gigs. This is where I play my songs through a webcam and studio mike via the Ustream website. People come and watch and then we chat through a chat room and ask me questions and about the songs. They also make requests! I aim to play these gigs every other Wednesday evening! www.stylusboy.co.uk/screengigs
The Live Covers has just been a bit of fun. I play a regular gig where I play a number of covers as well as all of my own tunes and I thought it would be fun to record them and give them away. I called them Friday Covers as on Friday’s for the last six weeks I have posted a video and an MP3  on my site www.stylusboy.co.uk/livecovers
SM: I know you are based in Coventry, with its fruitful musical heritage, has the place had on influence on what you write about?

SB: Yeah I am a Coventry boy born and bred! Coventry does have a wonderful musical history with people like The Specials and The Selector and also recently The Enemy. It still has loads of wonderful music both bands and solo people. People like Wes Finch, The Shackletons, Emma Mcgann, Kristy Gallacher, and The Suit Corps! We also have a wonderful free music festival each July that is called The Godiva Festival where local bands play and acts like Idlewild, Badly Drawn Boy and all sorts of other people play. Its a lovely festival and I love bumping into old friends every year!

SM: As a songwriter who would you say is the biggest influence on you both musically and lyrically?

SB: I think Elbow are stunning. I think they are one of the only bands that I listen to where I do own all their albums. Musically they are just gorgeous with all the different interplay between all the little melodies that each song has. I love the vibe and feeling that lifts the listener. Guy Harvey is a great understated singer and a great guy from what I have been told. The gig they did for the BBC with the concert orchestra is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen and listened too.

SM: Are there any new bands/artists that you are really buzzing off right now?

SB: Yeah loads! I am really enjoying the music of Jess Morgan (www.jessmorgan.co.uk) who is a country folk singer songwriter from Norwich. I am playing a house show with her in July. I am enjoying my good friend Andy Mort’s music (www.atlumschema.com) who is like a one man Radiohead Kid A stylus! Another local artist is Wes Finch who I am really enjoying (www.wesfinch.co.uk) he plays americana style folk. They are all wonderful and deserve to be heard.

SM: What is next for Stylusboy? What else can we expect from you this year and the future?
SB: At the moment it is all about this new EP ‘Whole Picture’ and promoting it. I am playing various live gigs, house shows and screen gigs over the next few months.
After that I will start thinking about writing new songs. I am considering a more stripped back recording, just me and a guitar, as people often say at gigs how lovely it sounds. I am also looking at how I might release new songs. An album maybe, or a song a month. I am also talking to different songwriters about writing together which will be very exciting.
Thanks again to Stylusboy for taking the time out to do this interview for me. Please go check him out and also his new EP which is called ‘Whole Picture’ and it is released on the 6th June. It will be available via his bandcamp page and on a ‘pay what you want’ price scheme.
For more info, head over to www.stylusboy.co.uk and for the social networking lovlies amongst you may I suggest both www.facebook.com/stylusboy and www.twitter.com/stylusboy
Now check out his latest video too, my how I treat you guys sometimes. This is off that very EP and it’s the title track ‘Whole Picture’