Amber Carnegie, Author at Things&Ink

March 19, 2016

Music: Heck ‘Instructions’ Album Launch

‘Instructions’ has been a long time coming for Heck but it was totally worth it. Check out what happened when our music writer Amber attended their album release show….

It was an honour to witness Heck’s album release show at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham last week, and hear what is an outstanding debut album performed in full with an audience, who had clearly backed the band from their first tours to that very day.

The album was released the day of the show, which meant I had it on repeat at work all day and then on the journey to Nottingham that evening. I was so excited to hear them play live and by the time the incredible Raketkanon had got our hearts pumping I was well and truly ready for ‘Instructions’.

‘Good As Dead’ from the get go had Matt flinging himself from a stack of monitors and parting the crowd with the mic lead. It was only fitting that the audience knew the drill- pass the mic stand back then the mic lead.

Heck are becoming more and more renowned for their wild on stage performances and it is incredible that their iconic debut comprises all this live energy into just ten tracks. Their musical dexterity, creative talent and raw power is pushing the boundaries of music and Heck deserve every second of praise not only for ‘Instructions’, but for the mark they have made on music.

Rescue Rooms proved to be the perfect venue for an album showcase. The balcony was rammed with family, that feared for the balcony hoping band and friends safety. A balcony, however, didn’t mean that they were going to miss out on any of Heck’s convulsive action.

Within all the raucous chaos ‘Instructions’ is an album that binds every band member together, conveying their originality perfectly.

‘I. See The Old Lady Decently II. Buried Although III. Amongst Those Left Are You’ was probably the best 16 minutes of my life (although that doesn’t say much for me!) it closed ‘Instructions’ and the release show with a passion that reflected everything Heck have to offer.

Despite all their lunacy Heck never stop thanking the crowd throughout, and it just highlights that not only is ‘Instructions’ pushing the boundaries of music but that these guys have fought hard for this album. As the set closed you could feel the emotion and gratitude in the room. I had the pleasure of talking to Jonny and Matt at Reading Festival last year and there was a strong sense of hestitation about releasing an album that to attend the album release show less than a year later was an honour.

Nothing you read will even begin to sum up this band or ‘Instructions’ until you hear it for yourself.

March 2, 2016April 6, 2016

Music Review: City & Colour

Our guest music blogger Verity Vincent caught the culmination of City & Colour‘s UK tour at London’s Troxy last weekend and boy did they go out with a bang…

Support from Lucy Rose was the perfect choice for City and Colour. Her combination of soft yet powerful vocals and at times, heavy guitar riffs meant she was positioned with the perfect crowd. Playing a beautiful 40 minute set, Dallas Green stepped on stage to perform Lucy’s ‘She’ll Move’ and created a vocal blend almost as perfect as his with Alecia Moore. (AKA Pink, with their joint project You & Me). She seemed shocked at the number of bodies that had arrived in time to see her play, but the volume was justified. The venue was nearly full and she deserved it.

After some funky mariachi style intro music, Dallas opened with ‘Woman’ from fifth studio album If I Should Go Before You which instantly set the bar for their set. Magical light displays paired with Dallas’ equally magical tone can effortlessly fill any room.

Offering a perfect range of songs from the albums Sometimes, The Hurry & The Harm, Little Hell and Bring Me Your Love, along with 2015’s If I Should Go Before You, the blend of material spanning over a decade offered a nostalgic element as well as showcasing their newest, and equally brilliant, material. Sadly the repertoire didn’t stop the cries of song titles being endlessly screeched, like the band were there to form a human jukebox. Perhaps they take that as a salute to their back catalogue, either way it was suitably ignored.

‘Hello, I’m In Delaware’ was the first throwback track and kicked off an all mighty sing-a-long before picking the tempo up again with ‘Wasted Love’. Whether the audience were more familiar with the recent or earlier albums mattered not. Experiencing the sheer ability this man and his band have was clearly at the forefront.

After an impressive display of thirteen songs and swirling, multi coloured lights illuminating the Troxy, the band briefly stepped off stage to return for one outstanding encore. A further four track section of tear inducing music. Standing solo initially, Dallas treated fans to Day Old Hate before whipping out his harmonica for Body in a Box and a universal, “Oh wow”, could be heard as the initial bars flew out of the harmonica.

Switching from the delicate acoustic arrangement of ‘The Girl’ the full band returned for the second half to up the tempo one last time, culminating in a ridiculous vocal and guitar showcase with ‘Hope For Now’.

There is such a genuinely humble root to Dallas Green, and as he not only thanks the crowd for singing along to every single word and making his dream and career possible, he also thanks his band and each individual that helps put together their show. You feel a sense of pride for being part of something so special, to sing back the lyrics to him that were written in a small Ontario bedroom is an amazing moment to share, especially when the artist is so openly appreciative. Those lyrics mean something to each person standing in the room, as well as him.

This is the third time I’ve been lucky enough to watch City and Colour live and it never fails to leave the impression; Fuck. He’s just so, so incredibly, goosepimpingly good. His voice has the capability to go right through you, head to toe, and he still remains to be one of the most spellbinding vocalists I have ever heard.

February 21, 2016

A Chocwork Orange Beer Launch

Last weekend our music writer Amber Carnegie had the pleasure of heading to BrewDog Sheffield to try their latest beer collaboration. Here’s what she got up to…

‘A Chocwork Orange’ has been created by BrewDog in Sheffield, and independents Abbeydale Brewery and Skull And Bones Boys Club. A chocolatey pale malt brewed with a focus on citrus fruits and orange peel. The result- a rich beer with a lasting flavour that left you wanting another pint.

‘A Chocwork Orange’ have nailed it with a chocolate focused beer with none of the artifical taste that you sometimes associate with chocolatey beers. The chocolate notes coming from real cacao nibs and chocolate malts for a moreish flavour that certainly paid off with the first cask selling out in under two hours.

The launch also gave us a taste of the latest Skull And Bones Boys Club collection with baby pinks, pastel blues and intriguing washes framing the bar. As their brand evolves so do their pioneering collections, with already iconic products such as chopping boards and straight razors who knows what SABBC will be adding to their portfolio next.

Find out where you can try ‘A Chocwork Orange’ here.

February 11, 2016April 6, 2016

Music Review: The Libertines

Our music writer Amber Carnegie recently saw The Libertines, here’s what she thought of their gig…

After we caught The Libertines at the end of Reading Festival last year we were unsure of exactly how they were going to take on an arena. They may have sold out when they last played Nottingham but the arena still looked really sparse. The passion and eagerness of their fans made it clear that the faithful listeners weren’t just crammed at the front.

An arena tour usually comes with an organised act, special effects and rotating drum kits but The Libertines held their edge. There may have been glinting letters and screens but they kept all that to a minimal, even though there were scantily clad ushers handing out beers mid set. But for those paying attention the girls in the red guard jackets were a throw back to the band’s early gigging days.

Opening with ‘Barbarians’ from their latest ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ Nottingham saw this tight outfit finally back in sync, back as an identifiable unit, with all their raw rough around the edges sound that had a generation desperate for more. The Libertines are iconic for being one of the first indie bands to to create a scene around them, as they connected with fans through the internet, spreading their tales of Arcadia.

The Libertines can probably be counted as the inspiration for most indie bands we hear today and as they sped through a a set list of old and new tracks it was clear why they have become so influential. There were mic shares that brought back images of iconic scenes between Pete and Carl, but it was Gary Powell that stole the show. I couldn’t take our eyes off of him and the drum kit!

When I think of The Libertines we think of the last of the old school ‘rock stars’ with all the uproar that the media lapped up. With musicians now living lives online, I wonder how The Libertines would’ve rose to fame and how the band would’ve founded today. But as they closed their encore with ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’ British icons filled the screens around the arena and there was no doubt that they had earned their place among them.

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016

Music: Jukebox

Our music blogger Verity Vincent takes us down music memory lane with a selection of her favourite albums and song… and we want to hear about yours. Drop us a line with your music and memories to music@thingsandink.com

Now and then we all dig out old music and rediscover albums that conjure up all kinds of memories. Whether we go back decades or just a few months, music will never be disposable – despite the ever-changing face of the industry.

An album I often land on while scrolling through iTunes, is La Roux’s 2014 Trouble in Paradise. This is one of those albums to perk you up on a dreary journey to work. The ’80s disco feel jolts you to a cocktail holding, tropical sun-beaming place. And I like it.

The initial track Uptight Downtown is relatable to everyone who has been in one of “those” clubs. The clubs where the cool kids stand around subtly nodding their heads and casting judgement on all they see and hear. Kiss and Not Tell and Sexoteque offer the current generation an “It’s OK, we’ve all been there” vibe, with themes of love, sex and relationships.

For something a little heavier, I often make a return to Exit Ten. Their albums Remember the Day and Give Me Infinity are full of rock and metal enthused anthems which never really got the full notability they deserved. Give Me Infinity’s closer ‘Lion’ is a huge track and singer Ryan Redman’s vocals are just outstanding. Incidentally, he’s currently been playing with I AM GIANT, but maybe one day an Exit Ten reunion will be on the cards?

2015 was a great year for music and one of my top album picks is Leon Bridges – Coming Home.The title track blew up over the summer and songs like ‘Better Man’ and ‘Pull Away’ give the album such authenticity for this style of music. Peaking at number 8 in the UK and number 6 on the US Billboard chart, it was a great feat for a soulful, gospel album. It could sit up there with Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, easily.

There is also a staple record in my vinyl collection that never tires. The American Graffiti soundtrack. It’s like having a crash course in ’50s classics, some more well-known than others, but with tracks from Del Shannon, The Crests, The Beach Boys and Fats Domino, to name a few, it’s a timeless album that will resonate whether you’ve seen the film or not.