The next three months...

This is my life for the next three months, library, library and more library. This picture is just a small amount of the books I've been using for research. Sorry I have been a bit M.I.A in February, university started up again and it is really hard. I have to knuckle down, get my work done the best I can and finish my degree! This post is to say I haven't forgotten about my blog, I definitely will keep at it, but posts might not be regular up until May. I have so many ideas to post and I'm getting sent so much great music to listen to, after I hand in my dissertation, I will get back to it! 

Hope all is well. 

Livvy x

Age Of Anxiety - Rodney Cromwell

Well, 2015 is definitely the year of listening to music I wouldn't usually listen to! I've been told about this great electro pop artist Rodney Cromwell and his latest release 'Age Of Anxiety' on the label Happy Robots.

When Rodney describes himself, he modestly says "I make music which mainly appeals to the under-fives market".

I have never really had a chance to get into electro pop myself, I've never really been exposed to it as I've always been a singer with just me and my guitar. I was given the chance to listen to the album before the release date and I can definitely admire the intricate work that has gone into the making of this album. He uses vintage lo-fi synths and old drum machines in his work, and despite the title of the album, it is a really upbeat fun record. Check out the lead single 'Barry Was An Arms Dealer' on Soundcloud. 

The album will be out on March 9th but you can preorder it on iTunes from February 9th!

Check out the other releases from Happy Robots here

Let me know what you think! 

Livvy x

The Jackobins

Hope everyone is doing well! I wanted to tell you all about a band from Liverpool who are really taking off. They're called 'The Jackobins'. Alternative rock isn't my first choice of music but these guys definitely know how to write a catchy tune, and they're from my home town! 

They released their EP 'Ghosts' in December last year which you can download off iTunes and the band have just announced a headline show at the wonderful East Village Arts Club in Liverpool on March 28th.

This band are one to watch in 2015. Lead singer Dominic has a brilliant and very distinctive voice, I feel they are quite similar to You Me At Six/We Are The Ocean/The Blackout, catchy songs with a bit of an edge.

Catch up with everything on their Facebook page.

Livvy x

Be Kind

(picture from Pinterest)

So, I've come into the final few months of my degree, and safe to say I'm very scared about what will be next, but first I have to actually PASS university... help?

I got my grades back from last semester, they were good, I'm happy with one of them, but the other I wasn't so happy with, cue lots of crying, and generally beating myself up for it. But then I had a realisation, I did the best I could. In the last couple of weeks before the hand in date, I was really ill, sure I should have worked a little bit harder before that, and I am going to try and make myself work harder this term, but under the circumstances, I did really well, and I shouldn't beat myself up for a grade which is a little bit below my usual average.

If things don't go the way you planned, if you don't achieve the exact mark you feel you are meant to, thats OK. You can't change what has happened, but you can change how you view the situation, and maybe set yourself a few more rules for studying for next time. I've set myself strict (ish) rules for studying this semester, and I will really try my hardest to stick to it.

Just be kind to yourself!

Ryley Walker

I wanted to introduce you all to a great singer songwriter, recently signed to Dead Oceans, Ryley Walker. 

Though Walker comes from Chicago, his music sounds very British folk inspired. His new album 'Primrose Green' is out this March. His debut album 'All Kinds Of You' was released in April last year, he has been compared to the likes of John Martyn and Nick Drake. He is a very skilled, fantastic guitar player, check out this amazing video of him playing the title track of his new album!

I will post a review of the album when it is released, Walker is touring the US at the moment but he also  plays 4 shows in the UK in April. Check out his tour dates and keep up to date with all things Ryley Walker on Facebook

Let me know what you all think!

Livvy x