University is over!

Well, I thought i'd let you all know... my dissertation has been submitted!!! It was a stressful few weeks leading up to submission, and of course I caught a dreaded cold as I was so run down. After no sleep for a week and 15 hours in the library the day before submission, I managed to submit it on time, 3 hours before the deadline in fact!

Now is the dreaded wait to find out my degree classification, I honestly just want to pass, that's it. I've learned a lot at university, and although things might not have gone to plan with certain aspects of it, I have come out a much stronger person. 

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to go to university, is this the end for me and education? Who knows, right now I'm going to take some time to figure out what I want and get me feeling a bit better as I'm very run down!

No more university means I have more time for my blog, hurray! I have found out about and been sent some fantastic music I want to share with you all, so watch this space...!

Livvy x

The Doctorates

We are all about variety here at A World Of Music and Madness, one week Melody Gardot, next week, indie rock. In between dissertation writing (stressing) I wanted to tell you about a great new band the Doctorates and their new single Make For An Exit/Why Not. Check the tracks out down below

I think you'll agree that they are a mixture of the Vaccines and the Ramones. Make for an exit is a catchy indie anthem that would be sure to get a crowd moving. Whatever/whoever you think they sound like, there's no denying, their songs are upbeat, catchy and they're going to go far! Let me know what you think! Give them a like on Facebook

Livvy x

Melody Gardot - Preacherman

It has been a while since we've heard anything from the enigmatic Melody Gardot, I am pleased to let you know that she is back this year with her fourth studio album Currency Of Man. 

The first single from the record is Preacherman, written about the story of the death of Emmitt Till, a 14 year old boy who was murdered whilst staying with his Grandmother in Mississippi in 1955 in a racially motivated attack because he allegedly flirted with a white woman.

Melody said she wrote the song because she wanted more people to know about his story, I certainly have learned something I did not know about the civil rights movement in America. 

Paired with the song is a moving music video showing the story of Emmett's mother finding her son and carrying him to a preacher. The song has a different sound to her previous album The Absence, it's blusey and very powerful. Watch the emotional video and listen to the raw track here at MOBO. 

Currency Of Man will be released on June 1st 2015 and Melody begins her tour in Europe in June.

Read more about the story of Emmett Till here
www.emmetttilllegacyfoundation.com 

Livvy x

The Whereabouts

(photographer - Mark Hylands)

The Wherabouts are a young 4 piece rock and roll band from Co. Cavan in Ireland. 

They have been together for just over a year, and are all the tender ages of just 18/19; when I first heard their music, I thought they sounded a lot older. 

Here is their new video for their latest single "Money and Fame" - a rhythm and blues track which also has rock n roll elements. 

The BBC described their sound as 'Jump Beat'. The boys have had a great year, and have been featured on BBC6 music and Dermot O'Leary's radio show. On new years eve, they supported the very successful Kodaline in Dublin. The band have also supported Tom Odell, Imelda May and Daughtry.

Check out their music video and let me know what you think. 

Livvy x

Stock, Aitken and Waterman

I'm writing my dissertation on the music of Stock, Aitken and Waterman, I have just one question I'd love to hear your answers to as part of my research..

What are your first initial thoughts when you hear the music of Stock, Aitken and Waterman? (Kylie, Jason, Rick Astley, Mel and Kim, Sinnita etc...)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6KT7M2M

Thanks very much!

Livvy x