Influential Waves.

Frank Ocean was an obscurity back in March 2011 when I first heard him, although he'd been in Odd Future since 2010.  Since then he has exploded onto the RnB scene and injected it with life, soul, rhythm and emotion.  When it was published he made the Time 100 list, well you can imagine the excitement, but also there was not actually that much to be surprised about.  The buzz around Ocean is insatiable  he is being talked about everywhere and by everyone.  In the 2 years since I started listening to him he hasn't once played here on his own tour meaning that, as an Ocean-starved nation, the tickets to his Brixton Academy show sold out within about 20 milliseconds.  It is breathtaking what the force of the internet can do to someone.

Here are couple of my favourite tracks, from his Channel Orange album and surrounding areas:-

Strawberry Swing

Bad Religion

Lost

Super Rich Kids (ft Earl Sweatshirt)

For Your Future Reference.

Already a huge fan of this T-Rex song, my favourite covers are the ones that turn a song completely on its head and makes you look at the lyrics in a brand new light you never thought you could.

Watch out for Azekel, a superstar R'n'B musician from East London with talent and drive, right at the start of his career.  Enjoy his sweet sounds...

Azekel - Get It On (T-Rex/ XXYYXX cover)

Hear Me Roar.

My adoration for The Civil Wars continues to grow, and I'm excited for them to be the first I blog about.  I stumbled across them quite accidentally whilst randomly searching for songs on Hype Machine, and was staggered by the tones and harmonies between Joy and John Paul.  The blend is completely seamless, the lyrics are sublime and after seeing them play at Rough Trade East, I can confirm their stage presence is beyond magical, even with Joy being distractingly* pregnant at the time.  There's something beautiful and special about artists who have plugged into their niche so completely.  100% buy this album, you can get it from the normal music purchasing channels although I would recommend buying the CD from their site - its pretty good quality and comes with some extra songs.  They've also made their Eddie's Attic Live album a free download from their site, ideal!

I couldn't find an official Soundcloud or YouTube link, second best it is unfortunately.

Tip of My Tongue - my favourite song they played at Rough Trade.

I've Got This Friend - beautifully performed on Abbey Road Studios: In Session on Channel 4, well worth a watch.  The whole show is epic, The Civil Wars are on Series 1 Episode 8.

On a side note, I can completely recommend going to an in store at Rough Trade East.  Their gigs feel intimate and feel completely raw, and its also pretty cool to be surrounded by records and posters and CDs.  Prepare to queue if its someone like The Civil Wars, but totally worth it.  I spotted this little David Shrigley during set up, fun!

*I've possible made up this word can use that suffix