July 2011
2 posts
8 tags
The War on Torrents: Time to Say Goodbye to...
U2’s long term manager Paul McGuiness penned an article for The Daily Telegraph website last week in which he claimed that the end of the free digital music era is nigh, thanks to internet service providers (ISPs) in North America finally embracing their “obligation” to prevent “copyright thefts on their networks.”
North American ISPs are due to install a system of “copyright alerts” for those...
4 tags
Update (...Or, Justifying my Absence from Tumblr!)
Hello Tumblr followers!
So it has been a ridiculously long time since I posted anything to this blog and for this I apologise. My excuse? Well, I managed to secure myself a full time job (as an SEO copywriter) with SEO and web design agency Fresh Egg back in October 2010, located in Worthing on the UK’s south coast. Although I love my new role, it does mean that I now spend the majority of my time...
October 2010
1 post
10 tags
Linkin Park 'A Thousand Suns' [REVIEW]
Written by Kat Cole for MidnightMixtape.com [LINK]
Release date: September 8th, 2010
Many a hip, alternative-young-adult type would readily deny ever owning a copy of the 26th best-selling album of all time, but the success and vast appeal of Linkin Park’s debut Hybrid Theory was no doubt rooted in its’ not particularly big or clever - but certainly infectious and accessible - song craft. A...
September 2010
11 posts
13 tags
Rev78 'Killing Me' / 'Boy And The Blitz' [Press...
Written/Edited by Kat Cole on behalf of Mud Hut Digital.
“…an impressive professionalism and an enigmatic musical presence that belies their status as relative newcomers… Keep an eye on this lot.”
Rock Pulse Magazine
“…a collision between dark, clashing soundscapes, and bright, catchy melodies which seep like honey through a toxic sea”
MusicTowers.co.uk
Too...
9 tags
REVIEW: Pineapple Express (2008) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Pineapple Express (2008)
Director: David Gordon Green
OK, I admit it. I watched this film with every intention of hating it. I just never imagined it would be so easy!
Dale Denton (Seth Rogan) is a lazy, pot smoking court-process clerk who meets a new dealer named Saul Silver (James Franco) in his quest to get high. Saul hooks Dale up with a quarter of “Pineapple Express”, a...
8 tags
REVIEW: Eagle VS. Shark (2007) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Eagle VS. Shark (2007)
Director: Taika Cohen
Lily (Loren Horsley) is a shy, strange and awkward girl working her last week as a cashier at a fast food restaurant. Lily has developed a crush on one of the stores’ regulars; Jarrod (Jermaine Clement), an equally awkward but apparently self-assured geek who works in a local video games store. Jarrod manages to resist Lily’s initial...
11 tags
REVIEW: What Happens in Vegas (2008) [University...
Review: Kat Cole
What Happens in Vegas (2008)
Director: Tom Vaughan
Joy McNally (Cameron Diaz) has just been humiliatingly dumped by her fiancé. Jack Fuller (Ashton Kutcher) has just been fired by his own father. Simultaneously, they are individually convinced by their best friends (Tipper (Lake Bell) and Hater (Rob Corddry) respectively) to spend the weekend drinking and partying away their...
8 tags
REVIEW: Teeth (2007) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Teeth (2007)
Director: Mitchell Lichtenstein
Teeth tells the story of Dawn O’Keefe (Jess Weixler), a leading teenage spokesperson for a Christian Abstinence group that she and her friends are members of. Despite their supposed morals, these horny teens just can’t keep it in their pants and soon (well, actually, after about 40 minutes of extremely slow paced, character building...
13 tags
REVIEW: American Beauty (1999) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
American Beauty (1999)
Director: Sam Mendes
“I’m 42 years old; in less than a year, I’ll be dead. Of course, I don’t know that yet. And in a way, I’m dead already.”
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is having a midlife crisis. Fed up with his uptight wife, ungrateful daughter, unfulfilling job and after meeting (and taking quite a shining to) Angela (Mena...
8 tags
REVIEW: Trapped in the Closet (2005, 2007)...
Review: Kat Cole
Trapped in the Closet
Chapters 1 – 12 (2005), Chapters 13-22 (2007)
Directors: R Kelly, Jim Swaffield and Victor Mignatti
Trapped in the Closet is the “hip-hopera” written and (partly) directed by R&B singer, R Kelly. The whole of this musical is sung by Kelly but it uses actors to portray the characters that he voices throughout. Kelly plays Sylvester, a married man who...
10 tags
REVIEW: Boss Nigger (1975) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Boss Nigger (1975)
Director: Jack Arnold.
There is desert. There is conflict. There are horses! There are guns! There are ladies. There are sluts! There is the defending of honour. There is a lot of sand. This is a Western film. But with one difference that is nicely summed up by the films tagline:
White Man’s Town… Black Man’s Law!
Boss (Fred Williamson) and...
9 tags
REVIEW: Perfect Blue (1997) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Perfect Blue (1997)
Director: Satoshi Kon
Mima Kirigoe is one third of the sweet and innocent pop band CHAM!, until one day when she decides its time to enter and launch an alternative career for herself in acting. Not everybody is happy with Mima’s transition - primarily due to the sordid and horrifying, rape-involved roles that she agrees to play in order to further her...
11 tags
REVIEW: Idiocracy (2006) [University Blog]
Review: Kat Cole
Idiocracy (2006)
Director: Mike Judge
Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) is average in every possible way. And this is exactly the reason why he becomes selected by the Pentagon for a top secret experiment; to spend one year inside a hibernation chamber. Simply forgotten about, Joe eventually wakes up in 2505, 499 years after the experiment had meant to end.
The last 5 centuries have seen...
5 tags
Film Reviews [University Blog]
Going through my old emails, I stumbled on the film review blog I completed for the ‘Genre and Film studies’ module in the final year of my university course.
Since it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything (my internship with iCrossing has kept me very busy of late!) I’ve decided to post them here for your reading pleasure ;)
I received full marks for this...
July 2010
1 post
15 tags
Rockwood LX30 'Songbird' Guitar
Finally finished. Hand-carved, hand painted. No more soldering or breathing in toxic paint fumes!
June 2010
5 posts
9 tags
REUBEN 'Christmas is Awesome' for Xmas No1 2010!
Official FaceBook group HERE
Let’s have another rocking song for Xmas NO1 this year…but one that’s ACTUALLY about Christmas! OK, it’s Reuben. NO1 is impossible (particularly because everybody will try for the Xmas top spot after Rage’s success last year). But top 10…even top 20 would be great. This is about celebrating and exposing a great band and song....
4 tags
14 tags
Brighton Live Lounge Competition [PRESS RELEASE]
Written by Kat Cole on behalf of Mud Hut.
The ‘Brighton Live Lounge’ is a new, prestigious competition in support of undiscovered musical talent in association with some of Brighton’s best known music companies; Soundlocker recording studio, Juice FM and events guide The Source. We are hoping that your publication/radio station would like to get involved too by promoting the event to your...
13 tags
The Federals: ‘Aint Got Nothing To Lose’ [SINGLE]...
Written by Kat Cole for The Federals and Mud Hut Digital.
The Federals: ‘Aint Got Nothing To Lose’ [SINGLE]
iTunes RELEASE DATE: June 28th, 2010
TRACKLIST: 1. ‘Aint Got Nothing To Lose’, 2. ‘Cut Loose’
“The Federals are noisy, they’re catchy, and to put it simply, they’re easily the best British band for years.” The Daily Express
“Band to blow your mind in...
9 tags
Pendulum - Brighton Centre May 25th 2010 [REVIEW]
This review can be seen in it’s original context for XYZ Magazine HERE
Often criticised by drum’n’bass purists as a lesser respectable act due to their commercial success, genre-spanning and accessibility, eclectic Anglo-Australian rock and d’n’b mash up superstars Pendulum have attracted a most diverse crowd this evening. The spectrum of age starts at...
May 2010
4 posts
12 tags
'The Boiler Room' EP - I Dream In Colour (Press...
Release: ‘The Boiler Room’ EP
Worldwide iTunes release date: 14th May 2010 (LINK)
Label: Monotwin Records
Tracklist: 1. Get Along, 2. I Won’t Let You Down, 3. Reigns, 4. The Boiler Room
Band: Richard Judge (Vocals, Guitar, Piano), Peter Judge (Drums), Michael Thackeray (Guitars), Steve Daniels (Bass).
“With a vocal as towering as city metropolis, as British as Moz and gritty like real...
7 tags
Placebo - 'Covers' Review
Written by Kat Cole for MidnightMixtape.com (LINK)
Release date: May 3rd, 2010.
Originally released as an accompanying bonus disc to the special edition of 2003 album ‘Sleeping with Ghosts’, Placebo’s ‘Covers’ finally sees it’s well deserved physical release. Comprised mainly of b-side cover versions from their previously released singles, ‘Covers’ is an accomplished and engaging work which...
10 tags
Struan Shields - 'Say It Soft, Say It Sweet' EP...
Release: ‘Say It Soft, Say It Sweet’ EP
Worldwide iTunes release date: June 15th 2010
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/say-it-soft-say-it-sweet-ep/id370648988)
Label: None
Tracklist: 1. Without You, 2. Losing Sleep, 3. Something Real, 4. Tell Me Where To Run, 5. A Little Bit Longer, 6. Crazy.
18 year old singer/song writer Struan Shields hails from Arlington County, Virginia where he’s...
14 tags
LECARLA - 'Silent City' EP Press release
Written by me for Mud Hut Digital.
Release: ‘Silent City’ EP
Worldwide iTunes release date: May 14th 2010.
Label: None
Tracklist: 1. DILLIGAF 2. Violation 3. Cities In The Sky 4. Obstacles And Runways 5. This Is The Interval.
Band: Lizzy Dent (lead vocals), Nikki Brightman (bass), Hannah Whitmarsh (rhythm guitar), Joe Alfano (lead guitar), Steve North (drums).
“The future of great British...
April 2010
11 posts
15 tags
KOVAK ‘Heroes and High Heels’ Press Release
Written by me for Mud Hut Digital.
iTunes Release Date: Available NOW (iTunes)
Label: None
Tracklist: 1. Time’s Running Out, 2. I Love The Dancefloor, 3. Death In The Disco, 4. Sex Electric, 5. I’ll Be Good To You, 6. Never Find Love In A Nightclub, 7. Electric City Lights, 8. Atomic, 9.Numb [Explicit], 10. My Boyfriend Is A Rockstar.
Band: Annelies Van De Velde (vocals), Martin White (synths),...
12 tags
Live: Sonic Boom Six, Engine Rooms, 25th April...
This review can be seen in it’s original context here: http://www.xyzmagazine.co.uk/blog/wordpress/?p=5359
Eclectic Mancunian quintet Sonic Boom Six have gained themselves quite a reputation with music journos previously citing them as a “hefty shot of ska-punk, hip-hop, reggae and jungle”(Kerrang!) and as “simply the most exciting live punk band in the UK” (NME). Tonight’s show then, in...
11 tags
Sick City Club - ‘Talking With Lies’
Written by me for Mud Hut Digital.
“They have a glittering, promising future ahead of them”
NME.COM
“Mainstream darlings of the future”
THE BEAT SURRENDER
Release: ‘Talking With Lies’
iTunes Release Date: July 5th 2010
Label: None
Tracklist: 1. Before This Night’s Begun, 2. Thought She Was Leaving, 3. Country lane, 4. Save Your Life, 5. Let Go, 6. Song for Nobody, 7....
11 tags
The Julian Tulk Band - ‘Shine! My Brother, My...
Written by me for Mud Hut Digital.
Release: ‘Shine! My Brother, My Ghost, My Brother’
iTunes Release Date: 31st May 2010
Label: None
Tracklist: 1. Strong Level Road, 2. Old Owl Eyes, 3.Creatures, 4. Gold, 5. All Forgotten, 6. Little Preston, 7. Deceleration, 8. Broken Arrows, 9. Tall/Old, 10. Thank You, 11. River’s a Mess.
Band: Julian Tulk (Lyrics, guitars, vocals), William Twomey (guitars,...
7 tags
Fake Shark - Real Zombie! 'Meeting People is...
This is the press release I wrote on behalf of upcoming scenesters Fake Shark - Real Zombie! and Mud Hut Digital who will be distributing their music via iTunes very soon!
Fake Shark – Real Zombie!
RELEASE: ‘Meeting People is Terrible’ LP
RELEASE DATE: 31st May, 2010 - on iTunes presale now!
LABEL: Independent (Everywhere), Vinyl Junkie (Japan)
TRACKLIST: (1) Six Sick Suck, (2) Avril...
7 tags
Live: The Joy Formidable (+Support: Baddies,...
Another of my XYZ Magazine live music reviews. Original context: http://www.xyzmagazine.co.uk/blog/wordpress/?p=4979
“The imminent death of BBC 6 means you lot are more important than ever in the discovery and support of new music. It’s great that you guys are here tonight and please, keep coming out to shows like this one.”
If venues like Audio continue to host bills comprising the kind of...
9 tags
Live: Miike Snow, Brighton, Digital, 30th January...
For Brighton’s XYZ Magazine. Can be seen in original context here if required: http://www.xyzmagazine.co.uk/blog/wordpress/?p=4219
Due to unforeseen technical difficulties tonight, Digital opens its’ doors almost two hours later than planned and as a result, the gathered fans of recent NME paramours Miike Snow are freezing and somewhat agitated. This situation doesn’t fare well for...
8 tags
Antidote Tour @ Brighton, Concorde 2, 13th Oct...
This was my first live music review for the Brighton based XYZ Magazine. It can be in it’s original context here if required: http://www.xyzmagazine.co.uk/blog/wordpress/?p=2577
From the sea of mohawks and beaming smiles filling the venue, it is clear that Concorde2 this evening is playing host for a punk party in which the vital ingredient is fun. Brighton’s own hardcore-punk outfit...
6 tags
Avosetta - 'Of Our Lives' review
This was an EP review I wrote whilst on work experience at Kerrang! magazine in January 2010.
AVOSETTA
‘OF OUR LIVES’
(BURNISHED SALMON RECORDS)
KKK (out of 5K’s)
3 MINUTE SLABS OF PLEASING MELODIC POST-HARDCORE
Comprising the all too familiar - but nevertheless affirming - blend of soaring, passion infused Alexisonfire-esque musicianship and pop sensibilities reminiscent of...
9 tags
'Welcome to the Grey Parade' - Moral Panics and My...
The following is an essay I submitted for the Popular Music module of my Media and Communications degree at Brighton University. I have however not included the bibliography which might squander a bit o’ possible plagiarism. I wanted to embed the MCR music video into this page but for some reason it’s not on YouTube…
“Within the teen world there is hardly a socialising force...
5 tags
Jamie Lenman (Reuben) Interview
This was a submission by me for Brighton based music and popular culture website Blaggg (currently under revamp).
Blaggg catches up with singer, songwriter and illustrator Jamie Lenman of fantastic altenative rock band Reuben fame to investigate what he is up to now that the band is in the state of infinite hiatus…
KAT: It is likely that the majority of Blaggg readers recognise you for...
March 2010
4 posts
11 tags
Today’s Lesson Kiddies: Game Boy Rave
This live music review was a submission by me for Brighton based website Blaggg (currently under reconstruction).
Chiptune Alliance Tour, Luton: 25th September, 2009.
[Sabrepulse; also reaching for the Mojitos…]
“I’m going to go fucking MENTAL tonight!” exclaims my mate – and electronic music enthusiast - Sam, accompanying me this Friday evening on a graffiti-raped train to Luton to...
7 tags
Black Gold album review - 'Rush'
This was a review for Brighton popular culture website Blaggg (currently under reconstruction) and Ollie at Work It Media.
BLACK GOLD – ‘RUSH’
Album release date (UK): 05/10/09
October sees Brooklyn indie-rock duo Black Gold release their debut album in the UK via newbie label Red Bull Records, just in time for their upcoming tour supporting alternative country act...
7 tags
IT'S NOT A FASHION STATEMENT, IT'S A DEATHWISH:...
This is my the body of my dissertation (submitted in my last year at Brighton University (2009)), about the societal effects and responses Emo music and fashion for which I received a first. It’s now on the shelf in Brighton University library. I’ve not included the literature review, bibliography or abstract but these are available on request if required.
IT’S NOT A FASHION...
15 tags
Reading Festival 2009 review (FRIDAY)
This was the first piece of live music journalism I ever wrote. I wrote it for two reasons; one, to have something to send to employers and internship companies as an example of my work and two, because of the epiphany I had that Friday at Reading Festival - that working in some way with music was what I wanted now that university was over. I had lots of ideas regarding what I would include in a...