Via the beautiful medium that is Twitter I discovered at the beginning of the week a group of girls have formed a band inspired by my onstage mantra 'Yolo / Carpe Diem'. They all play the triangle, arguably the most overlooked and intricate of all musical instruments.They have invited me to be an honoury member. I have accepted gladly.
Like many people in this world, I have secretly harboured an inner desire to be in a rock band. I fantasise about manically on stage - like the love child of Patti Smith and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (but with a less exciting haircut) - to a crowd of sweaty fanatics in a grimy dark venue.
In my heart I like to define myself as a 'middle class punk' - using the fact I was once in a punk rock version of The Tempest back in 2012 as my evidence. (It was a punk rock musical for my final year degree project at Bristol University, inspired by the work of Derek Jarman). I dressed up as a punk Margaret Thatcher and ran around flashing everyone my lady bits whilst bashing a tambourine over my head. I hit the tambourine so hard it broke and jangled around my neck like a dog-collar. I caused myself to have a very serious double concussion and a nose-bleed on stage.
It looked amazing.
The Evening Standard in 2013 found my headshot from the show and used it as the photograph to accompany a write-up of my stand up show Elf Lyons is a Pervert. In hindsight it probably misled people towards the type of comedy I create. Here is said photo....
I think we can all agree THAT is the worlds UGLIEST skirt.
Thus, this week I have been listening to TONS of music, and here are the songs and bands that I would highly highly recommend.
1) TWIN PEAKS
Introduced to these guys by a friend in Paris, I have become obsessed with this Chicago-born rock band. Full of young optimistic energy and 'rock'n'roll' enthusiam, their album Wild Onion is my favourite hangover cure. If you don't believe me, watch the music video to Making Breakfast. The lead singer Cadien's voice is full-bodied and rich. It's the perfect song to send to someone you fancy, or just like in general, or anyone you hate, in fact, just send it to EVERYONE.
2) MAC DeMARCO
Mac DeMarco's voice makes me time-travel to another time. Another time where I probably drove around Monte Carlo in an old car with the top down and the sun out. Lazy-sunday-afternoon-coffee-drinking music. Or, brilliant make-out music. Your choice.
Listen to his album 'Salad Days'. The first track itself is the best thing to dance around the kitchen to whilst you're weighting for the kettle to boil.
If you like the Velvet Underground you'd be hard pushed not to like him.
3) PINS
Was lucky enough to see these guys perform at The Garage at the end of last year. I can't remember who they were supporting but in my mind they stole the show. Four powerful young women on stage, amazing collection of songs and such electric, overt confidence. Lara Williams, the drummer, is f*cking ace and the lead singer is very hypnotizing to watch.
Their first single from their debut album is being played on Radio 6 quite a lot, so you'll probably here it at some point, but if not, here it is.
4) THE MYNABIRDS
If you like the emotional intensity of Sinead O'Connor and Kate Bush, and enjoy smoky emotive female vocals, then you will probably like The Mynabirds. This song attached below is my post-gig comedown song. I get the phrase 'I Love with all my heart' stuck in my head on loop. It's the type of song that would have been included in The O.C at some point, if that show was still going on.... (*mildy niche soundtrack reference there)
5) SHARON VAN ETTEN
If you liked the film 'Stealing Beauty', you'll probably like this song (again, very niche linking of cinema with music). This song is beautiful. Perfect for those reflective moments on your own, when you need a bit of 'you time'. Or, for those moments when you've been rejected on Tinder AGAIN and you need to question your life choices.
Sharon is an american song writer and this song captures a lot of the feelings I experience often as a twenty-something self-employed single girl in the big smoke.
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So there you go, my top five songs from this week.
Also, here's a song to dance around in your knickers too - Felix Da Housecat's 'Silverscreen' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_MLgWpiXEU&list=PLQcRaaBl7_kX1G4FH5_-lApWdEfUa-Fvh&index=9
Let me know what you think!
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