BLOG: LUMIX DMC-G6 PHOTOSET 04.14

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MAG: MS MR HURRICANE GOLDROOM REMIX

Another brilliant, bright remix by Goldroom this time for MS MR's hit track Hurricane.

MAG: THE WEEKND BACKSTAGE WARMUPS

We saw a glimpse of these backstage scenes in that GoPro video he did, and now The Weeknd has uploaded the full acoustic clip of 'backstage warmups' from his London headline show at The O2, performing Belong To The World and The Town. It's probably the most revealing evidence of his unquestionable vocal talent, putting on some sumptuous licks and tricks so pleasurable to hear. We saw what he can do with stripped down acoustic versions when he did Wicked Games as the conclusion for the set from his first tour and I certainly wouldn't mind hearing more in similar fashion.

MAG: BANKS NEW SINGLE GODDESS

Mistajam had the world exclusive on 1xtra yesterday evening and of course I tuned in to hear the first play of BANKS' brand new single. It was at a slightly awkward 8pm because I was in the middle of dinner, so I had to excuse myself and dash upstairs, but I was treated with a live interview with Jillian calling from LA plus the song that was played twice in a row. I've never heard a DJ repeat a track on radio before (I'm not a regular 1xtra listener so it could be normal for these occasions) but if there was ever a track to hit repeat on, it's Goddess. She's just amazing and the album to which she has "poured her heart and everything into" is going to be spectacular — there are no two ways about it.

MAG: BANKS DEBUT ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT GODDESS

From: Banks

Noise from the BANKS HQ is always good news but today's is big. What seems to be an album cover has been toyed across her social media and there's even a page to pre-order the record on Rough Trade's website. With a release date of September 8, we have just over four months to prepare for BANKS' debut full-length — naturally the hottest thing since her "London" EP. And speaking of hot, just look at the artwork; I'm not yet sure if Studio Moross is behind the design again or not, but it's a beautiful thing. The countdown is on and I will struggle to contain my excitement. Look out for audio of the title track Goddess undoubtedly coming shortly.

MAG: OCEAAN NEED U OFFICIAL VIDEO

The second song to get a video from Oceaán's self-titled EP released earlier this month is Need U. Like Pharrell's Happy with an indie-youths-on-London-nighttime-streets sort of twist. Maybe that's not fair. But what a fine tune though.

BLOG: NIKE SPORTSWEAR TECH PACK TECH HYPERFUSE COLLECTION

From: Nike, Inc.

The Spring/Summer 2014 lineup for the next release of Tech Pack is here and it looks stunning. Made to be lightweight with Hyperfuse technology, there are some superb pieces including the Women's Poncho that I very much want. And this entry is as much about the lookbook as the items themselves with some luscious photography highlighting all the functions, angles and opacity. Can't get enough of the tapes and seams. They hit shops in May (or online now) and for sure I will spend some time in the changing rooms, followed shortly after by checkout probably.

MAG: JAMIE XX NEW SINGLE GIRL / SLEEP SOUND

Out on May 5, Jamie xx will be releasing his latest double-sided single on Young Turks. Just in time for summer, Girl and Sleep Sound are gorgeous, ambient numbers that epitomise his mastery of sound-making. He's also one confirmed for Field Day in June. And as a side note, I love these new visuals that accompany the two tracks.

MAG: OF MONSTERS AND MEN LITTLE TALKS LIVE AT STOPP

A timely release by Of Monsters And Men, reminding us just what a talented bunch they are, with this live footage from Stopp, an environmental awareness fundraiser in Reykjavík. Performing Little Talks, the addition of a piano and subtraction of acoustic guitars makes it sound more like a gloomy Sigur Rós number than the upbeat, folksy original that emitted sun rays the world over last year. But it's a beautiful rendition that I feel tightens our attention to the last echo and grips our emotions just a little more. The band have been working on a second album and I can't wait for new material to drop, not to mention to catch them on the road as a supremely skilled live act.

MAG: LONDON GRAMMAR SIGHTS OFFICIAL VIDEO

Recorded at the Troxy venue in London last month, this is the new video for Sights, London Grammar's next single off the gorgeous debut album. I hesitated to buy tickets for the show when I had the opportunity last year and what a mistake that turned out to be. Together with a string quartet, their room-filling sound would have been just stunning, and you can almost feel that intimacy from this video alone. The single is out on June 1, and their album will astound you if you've not yet listened to it.

MAG: GOPRO ONE NIGHT WITH THE WEEKND

In association with GoPro, The Weeknd has released this tour video from his show at London's O2 Arena — the one I attended in November last year. Smartly edited, it includes The Town and Belong To The World, combining footage from on-stage and behind the scenes, even an acoustic setup too. It also reveals some telling moments in which Abel describes the show as the greatest of his entire life immediately after concluding what really was a great, great show. As tour videos (scarcely) go, it's a unique production and as a fan I'd love to see more artists put together more live videos. It's the pinnacle of most artists' routines and they're always revealing and packed with special moments, as is this one. Could be the start of a new thing, GoPro in the music scene, and why not.

DIARY: KATE MOROSS MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK BOOK PURCHASE

I picked up a signed copy of the "Make Your Own Luck" book at the show — 224 pages of first-hand insight and stunning showcase — written by Kate Moross and published by Prestel. She said she started writing it six years ago, which by my calculations would make her 22 years of age and just either side of graduating her BA degree. That's impressive for a number of reasons but most pertinently I suppose it shows the confidence in her own ability and attitude to come this far with such great success and recognition, to ultimately be in a position to release a book of this sort — all foreseen as a graduate. I love that. I'm going to start writing my own book now, due out by the end of 2020.

DIARY: KATE MOROSS MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK SHOW

Kate Moross has opened her very first solo show, held at Cob Gallery in Camden, and it runs until Thursday this week. Packed with her multitude of brilliant work, it's like a step into her wonderland and I'm so pleased I got to see it yesterday.

She's a renowned graphic designer and illustrator, epitomised by colour and vibrance, unique quirk and a work ethic that is second to none. It's the latter upon which the "Make Your Own Luck" project is born from, with the focal point a self-written book that not only showcases her impressive roster of work but tells a first-hand narrative of her attitude toward the industry as a voice to help increase any budding creative's chance of 'making it'. I've been fascinated by her aesthetic and ethos since I first stumbled upon her work (I think in the form of a Jessie Ware video) but the relentless attention to detail and natural charisma you can find with every pen stroke is just so mouthwateringly good. Walking around the modestly sized exhibition space, the sheer volume and variety of produce and discipline is an impact in itself, as well as that flair of personality unmistakably present everywhere you look — even in the set of nonchalantly placed 8-set of oil-based marker pens by Zebra, which I presume is used as part of her daily rituals.

For me, she's a fascinating being not only as aspiration and working example of success from hard work, but also because her style, for want of a better word, is totally unattainable for my hands. To some degree, it's a polar opposite to my more methodical and understated approach, which is perhaps most telling of my infatuation toward her work. Or it could just be the fact that we are both shiba inu owners...

MAG: PAOLO NUTINI LIVE LOUNGE RECOVER CHVRCHES COVER

A bit of Scottish camaraderie going on here as Paolo Nutini covered Recover by CHVRCHES when he visited the Radio 1 Live Lounge the other day for Fearne Cotton. Paolo Nutini doesn't really figure in my musical vocabulary but this cover provides great contrast to the original electro-sunny, nonchalantly sung version with some grittier rock-pop energy. It's a really good song though.

MAG: TOURIST PATTERNS FEAT. LIANNE LA HAVAS

Out on April 20 is Tourist's new EP "Patterns". And that lead track, featuring Lianne La Havas, is here to listen to now and it's a summer wonder that builds and builds relentlessly. One to play and enjoy over and over.

DIARY: SOHN LIVE AT VILLAGE UNDERGROUND

SOHN's tour stopped at London last night (just a few hours ago actually) and I am so pleased to have been there. I'll never know what any of the buttons or cables do but to know that each one was controlled there and then was a spectacle in itself. Add to that the impressive lightwork (as seen in the 4AD session videos) and the presence of SOHN himself, dressed in all-black covering his head with a monk-like hood, accompanied by two anonymous yet über-talented instrumentalists, it was quite the experience to see "Tremors" come alive. Lessons was particularly memorable, extraordinary, as his live rendition gave it a ridiculous breakdown most fitting for a pre-encore finale. I've always admired, for want of better terminology, 'digital artists' and their ability to recreate their musical product live — I felt the same for James Blake — but SOHN yesterday was one of the best I've seen. He returns to London in June for Field Day and I highly recommend you be there; I will of course.

MAG: CHVRCHES WE SINK THE RANGE REMIX

Lauren's vocals brought to the fore, The Range strips back CHVRCHES' album track "We Sink" with the addition of some string sounds and warm synth chords to create this spacious, dreamy version. With this remix came the announcement that The Range will be supporting the band on a bunch of US dates, plus "We Sink" will receive a special Record Store Day 12" vinyl with limited copies sold around the UK and Germany. (And that's on top of the repackaged release of Recover, The Mother We Share and Gun coming to America soon, as well as the exclusive Record Store Day vinyl release of "Recover" for the US and Canada.) How's that for an update.

DIARY: PRINTED PAGES SUMMER 2013 PURCHASE

I'd been missing the second issue of Printed Pages for Summer 2013 and had been on the lookout to complete my collection — it's one of my favourite titles that doesn't fail to delight. And yesterday I saw the blue cover on the shelf at YCN so I had to grab it. That's five out of five baby.

BLOG: COACHELLA 2014 WEEKEND ONE

A few of the sets I would have made sure to see had I been at Coachella, these are the select clips made available on the official YouTube channel. Ellie Goulding in particular was just incredible (you can search for her full set, you will not regret it). And if anyone happens to come across the full set by CHVRCHES, please please share it with me. Also, BANKS and Lana Del Rey were amongst those who weren't up for live streaming in Weekend 1 but, again, if you find a full set you must let me know!

BLOG: MØ NO MYTHOLOGIES TO FOLLOW CD PURCHASE

I finally got my hands on a physical copy of MØ's amazing debut album the other day. What quickly becomes abundantly obvious is how personal a project this entire record is to her. The music of a debut record often tends to carry an entire lifetime's work, and this is a prime example, but MØ's identity is clearly stamped all over it, everywhere physically possible, from her handwritten words to the collaged artwork. A quick scan over the credits reveals Karen Marie Ørsted's name appear after almost every title — this is work that very much belongs to her and I think this sense of possession holds huge significance to the album's success. The word 'congratulations' is first to come to mind upon experiencing the CD, and repeatedly so. My admiration couldn't be higher.

MAG: DAUGHTER 4AD SESSION LIVE AT AIR STUDIOS

Up until last week, it was SOHN's 4AD Session that made all the noise but this week is the turn of fellow label-mates, Daughter. With a total of five tracks, Daughter and composer Joe Duddell have put together this incredible performance with a 10-piece classical ensemble, amassing to what is quite frankly an overwhelming produce of music. Enriching, emotional, raw, it's such a stunning set and I can't imagine anything quite so beautiful. Not only is it a must-watch, a special EP is available for digital download as of today too, well worth getting. The session includes Shallows, Still, Tomorrow, Youth and Amsterdam — all from the brilliant debut album "If You Leave".

MAG: LONDON GRAMMAR SIGHTS TOURIST VERSION

This was debuted last night and it's one of the strongest London Grammar remixes out there, delivered by the immeasurably good Tourist — the man with an archive covering the likes of CHVRCHES and HAIM. The change of pace in this remix of "Sights" is so on point, able to maintain the purity of London Grammar's original whilst switching it from mellow bedtime to refined nighttime. The track will be on the single by London Grammar out June 1.

MAG: LANA DEL REY NEW SINGLE WEST COAST

If there's anything that could make my day, that would be new Lana Del Rey. She's been teasing for some months now, but after her Coachella performance this weekend, Lana has now unveiled the first official audio from the Ultraviolence project. And in timely fashion too, with CHVRCHES and Ellie Goulding quietening down on the material front, it's the perfect time to turn my fanboy attention elsewhere. "West Coast" is the name of the new single and it's extraordinary. It comes with the same vocal breeze and suppressed expression that we've loved her for, but with an added dimension of power in the production — whether it's the heavier, rawer instruments I don't know — but it's fantastic and I'm ready to fall in love with her all over again. That tempo change is tingling. I can't wait for more, though for the time being you know I will be abusing that repeat button.

BLOG: BRITISH GQ MAY 2014 PURCHASE

Excuse the boyishness of this entry's content but this is the best £3.99 I've spent in recent memory. Miranda Kerr graces the (special fold-out) cover of British GQ's May 2014 issue and it is stunning. Shot by Mario Testino, the feature includes six spreads of full-bleed photographs that would see the biggest chatterbox stay quiet or any hyperactive to concentrate with all his might. I too have done well to tap these words out, I'd say...

DIAR: JFC WHU STADIUM SLEEPOVER 04.14

These trips we that we do at JFC — stadium tours, camping, holiday clubs — always drain every last drop of energy from you, thus explaining another few days' absence from blogging. But that's not due to a tough workload or stress — it's simply a case of spending so much time playing, just like a kid who spends an entire day at a friend's house. Being with my boys, I feel like a kid again, messing about and laughing away for hours on end.

It was a trip organised in a really short space of time, giving our members less than two weeks' notice, but our boys happily pulled through and we managed to enjoy a wonderful two days out at West Ham. It's been two years since our previous visit, but with a different bunch of little 'uns with us it felt fresh and it was enormous fun. I took my Lumix out with me so there's a ton of lovely photographs and video footage that I hope to make something out of not too long in the future. Memories to cherish.

MAG: ELLIE GOULDING ALL I WANT KODALINE COVER

After a series of covers with electronic productions, which by the way have all been incredible, Ellie Goulding has somewhat returned to her roots of the acoustic guitar in this beautiful, beautiful version of Kodaline's "All I Want". Beautiful.

BLOG: CHELSEA 2 (3) - (3) 0 PSG

From: Chelsea FC

I'd not had a chance to post about this yet, but I certainly wasn't going to let it pass by.

What a night. I won't dwell too much, but I would like to make one point about Chelsea's spirit. I always assumed I was biased thinking that our fight and desire, which we have shown time after time, is the best in Europe. Now though, I don't think I was being biased. Our team ethic, togetherness and perseverance is surely something unrivalled, certainly in the Premier League at least, no? That ability to capture the hearts of watching neutrals, that resilience to the very end whatever the setback (the 2010 final versus Manchester United to reach penalties, the 2012 Barcelona semi-final, the victorious final against Bayern the same year, Benfica in the Europa League final, the Super Cup match against Bayern this year, albeit we lost it in the end again on penalties). Regardless of the manager or the star player's identity, Chelsea has this deeply engrained character, in our blue blood, that I think always gives us a chance whatever the occasion. I think I'm right...

I was with my Man Utd boys on Tuesday, as we together continued our Champions League affair of offering mutual moral support throughout these quarter-final ties. Shame your journey has come to an end, but I sincerely hope your support shall continue as the Blues face another two fights in the semis. #KTBFFH

MAG: MØ DON'T WANNA DANCE GOLDROOM REMIX

Caught this for the first time the other day, a banging MØ remix by one Goldroom. Turning "Don't Wanna Dance" into a right summer dance tune with consummate ease and of delightful exuberance, it's rather tasty. And a quick frolic through his Soundcloud makes clear what a talented sound-maker he is. He's called Josh Legg and I'm downloading his material immediately.

BLOG: VICTATE NEW ARRIVALS 2014 EDITORIAL

 

From: VICTATE

We've been very quiet for some months now, but that's because we're plotting hard. Newness will arrive and some changes might even be made. But for the time being, some New Arrivals came to be last week in the form of our Raglan Floral Lace and Special Edition Snapback with a hand-stitched gold chain addition. These images are part of a new editorial we shot in the heart of London to accompany the release — some mean looking shots huh!