My latest musings on music and writing
New Siobhan Wilson EP
When I say that Siobhan Wilson (formerly known as Ella The Bird) has a beautiful voice, it is a massive understatement. When I say she writes clever, moving lyrics I’m not really doing her justice. So, I was really looking forward to hearing her new EP Say It’s True.
It doesn’t disappoint. It’s a perfect soundtrack for curling up on the sofa when you want something downright pretty to listen to. Wilson’s musical and lyrical prowess is clear. You Make Everything Better is a stand-out track for me, with the longing of being in love summed up perfectly in the lyrics: “what’s a girl meant to do, when she’s so in love with you? Let’s make this come together. You make everything better”.
My only small complaint is I think this record lacks an All Dressed Up – a demonstration of Wilson’s feistier side.
Having seen her a few times live I can testify that she can stand alone on a stage, just her and her guitar, and captivate. Her voice really does do the talking! I think Say It’s True and Terrible Woman may suffer slightly from being over-produced and some of raw beauty of her live performance has been lost, but nothing can detract from the song writing talent running through this EP.
The Night Circus
The last couple of years I have taken 
part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and during November I have fought my way to 50,000 words of distinctly average, if not awful, prose. I now have two distinctly average, if not awful, first drafts that need editing. Getting stuck into the editing process is easier than it sounds. So for a bit of inspiration I have just finished reading Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, which is the product of her NaNoWriMo experience.
This is a great story, beautifully told. I was completely enchanted by it. I can tell when I’m really immersed in a book as my fifty minute commute on the train goes by in a flash. This is an old fashioned tale of magic and romance fuelled by conflict, competition and a few cruel twists of fate. This is against the odds stuff. I won’t give away anything else, I will just recommend that you read this.
With Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell now a TV series on the BBC, I hope that people interested in fantastical tales will gravitate in the direction of this charming book.
Man Of Moon are on the road to success
Man Of Moon are one of those ‘new bands’ that won’t be new for much longer. I recently saw them support The Twilight Sad and was impressed by their slow-building, almost haunting, style and found myself nodding away half way through the first song in their set. They reminded me a bit of Radiohead, although they have a unique feel. I can’t help feeling that big things may be coming their way. Anyway, their first single is out on 17 July. It’s called The Road and here it is:
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A real manifesto
I’m a big fan of manifestos. Not the political kind (they never stick to them do they?), but the public declaration of policy and aims bit. I’ve learnt that when it comes to writing (and most other goals and tasks I set my mind to), I achieve most when I declare my intentions in front of family, friends, colleagues and anyone who will listen. Telling people all about the challenge of taking part in NaNoWriMo (see above) has helped me ‘win’ both times. I dislike the fear of looking more stupid than I usually do.
So, I like this Reader’s manifesto. I will read the ones I have…eventually. You heard it here first.
Like every important movement, reading needs a manifesto: http://t.co/ZggutK9CbZ pic.twitter.com/wfId1I030W
— Grant Snider (@grantdraws) May 4, 2015
Read this
The Arches in Glasgow is the Hampden Park of nightclubs – shut it and Scottish arts will suffer
Then sign this