Sponsored Swim: 6 weeks 11 miles down; 6 weeks 11 miles to go

Sponsored Swim: Week 2, Day 3 – 8th October 2013

Sponsored Swim: Day 5

Sponsored Swim Blog #2

Day 4: Wednesday 2nd September
Total Distance completed: 1.5 miles (2450 metres)

It’s day 4 of my swimathon, and with 1 and a half miles under my belt, I don’t think I’m doing too badly, if I do say so myself. Because of this, I’ve decided to have a swim-free day. I wish I could tell you that I spent my free evening doing something productive, but alas I cannot. I’m sat in bed eating Minstrels.

I’d just like to start by saying that I’m thrilled to bits with all of the support I’ve had so far. I’m only a few days into this and already I’ve had to raise the target on my Just Giving page because the original one got smashed, you generous bunch. A whopping great thanks to you all!

I thought I’d take this rare opportunity where I am doing chuff all to share some tracks I’ve been listening to lately to wind-down. I’ve got them on now in fact (not all of them at the same time, mind. That would be the opposite of relaxing). There’s quite an eclectic mix here, so hopefully everyone will find at least one they love as much as I do. Or so I hope.

Bonnie Dobson – Morning Dew

I heard this song for the first time a week ago; we played it on the Folk Show and I raced home to listen to it again (taking notice of the 70mph national speed limit, obviously), and then raced into work so I could listen to it on repeat a few times whilst putting the podcast for the show together. Bonnie’s voice is sublime and the whole song is luscious, rich, and steeped in romance…

…Or so I thought, before I found out it was actually a dialogue between the last couple alive following a nuclear holocaust.

 Lilliput – One Day, Know

I know, I know – I am always banging on about North-East based indie-folk chaps Lilliput, but they just never fail to disappoint. One Day, Know has been kicking around for a few years now, and I’ll listen to it on repeat for a few hours, then forget about it, only to return to it a few months later and do the same again. I also recommend Until and Little Wanderer… In fact just go and listen to their entire Soundcloud. Now.

 Darkside – Golden Arrow

I listened to this when I was half-asleep and it pretty much knocked my slipper socks off. I didn’t want it to end, which is saying something, as it’s already an 11 minute behemoth of a song. I’m chomping at the bit to hear the album, which will be out soon, so watch this space.

Arvo Part – Spiegel Im Spiegel

This is the ultimate chill out song, which you will probably recognise as it’s been used on so many TV programmes I’ve lost count. It’s recently been used in the soundtrack of Richard Curtis’ romcom ‘About Time’, but don’t let that put you off. It’s too glorious to put into words, so I won’t even try.

Breakbot (ft. Pacific) – The Beach

I got really into this track about 4 months ago at about the same time that the weather went uncharacteristically Mediterranean. It’s a perfect tune for the long Summer days.  Now the nights are closing in, it’s a little ray of sunshine cutting through the northern drizzle.

Right then, I just thought I’d keep you updated. I’ll be back in the water again – like a Yorkshire eel – tomorrow, but I hope you find something in this little assortment to keep you entertained in the meanwhile.
Now, where did I put those Minstrels?

Sponsored Swim: Day 3

Sponsored Swim: Day 2

Sponsored Swim: Day 1

Sponsored Swim Blog #1

I have decided to do a sponsored swim.

Yes, really.  Me, Sarah Harrison… doing exercise…for charity… who’d have thought it, eh?

Earlier on this year I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I’ll be honest, it was bloody awful news.

I promised myself that some good had to come out of it, and decided that when I got better I’d try and raise some money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK – a cracking charity that works to improve the lives of people living with IBD through raising awareness and funding vital research.

Now I’m on the road to recovery, this time has finally come.

I did toy with the idea of doing a bake sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I swiftly changed my mind.

I saw a poster for the Aspire Channel Swim, where people swim the distance of the channel – some 22 miles – over 12 weeks to raise money for people with spinal cord injuries.

“That’s it!” I thought – brilliant idea – I’ll do that, but put my own twist on it – I’ll do it to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

So that’s what I’m going to do. From the 29^th September to the 22^nd December I’ll be attempting to swim a grand total of 22 miles. That’s 35,405.568 metres, to be exact. I’m tired just thinking about it.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. ‘Hang on Harrison, what’s this got to do with music?’… ‘This is primarily a music blog, after all.’ Well, I’ll tell you how. For each entry I’ll also be talking about the music that I’ve been listening to that week; music that has inspired, energised, relaxed and motivated, music that has intrigued, moved and captivated me, music that has made me just want to get up and shake my booty. There’s going to be some corkers, so keep your eyes peeled.

Whilst training (yes, I’ve been training, try not to collapse out of shock) I was thinking about what I could pin to this post.  Stealing an idea (Channel swim) and changing it and making it my own (doing it for a different charity), made me think about songs where the artists have done the same – artists that have taken a song and covered, remixed or reworked it, and as a result, made it just that little bit better.

So here are a few favourites…

Corner Shop (Norman Cook Remix) – Brimful of Asha

A massive hit back in the late 90’s – would I go so far as naming it a classic? I think I might.  Norman Cook got a hold of this distinctly average tune (which was originally released back in ‘97 and got to an embarrassing number 60 in the charts) and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along The Watchtower (originally Bob Dylan)

To quote the mighty Bob himself:

“Hendrix had such talent, he could find things inside a song and vigorously develop them. He found things that other people wouldn’t think of finding in there. He probably improved upon it by the spaces he was using. I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day.”

Well said, that man.

(And speaking of Bob Dylan, he has recently released an album of previously unreleased tracks called The Bootleg Series, Vol 10 – Another Self Portrait and it’s full of little jems – including a version of traditional English folk ballad ‘Pretty Saro’, which is well worth a listen)

Notorious B.I.G. (Ratatat Remix) – Party and Bullsh*t

Unlike Corner Shop and Hendrix, you may well not have heard this one. It’s a cheeky little triumph of a remix by NYC duo Ratatat… so just listen to it, please? You won’t be disappointed. And if you are, I can refund you the full 3 minutes and 57 seconds by clicking here.

Baron Von Alias – The A Team (originally Ed Sheeran)

You may think it’s not a difficult task to better an Ed Sheeran track, and you’d probably be right. North Eastern gent Baron Von Alias has shaken this up well and truly… who’d have thought an Ed Sheeran song could sound Street?! Top hats off to you, Mr. Von Alias.

Daughter – Get Lucky (originally Daft Punk)

Yes, ok, so maybe this doesn’t top the 70’s inspired funky disco grooves of the original, but it is a beautiful interpretation none the less; Elena Tonra’s fragile voice and otherwise sparse instrumentation, which is so very typical of Daughter, completely flip this song on its head – and it’s gorgeous for it.

You can sponsor me here. Thank you!

The Vinyl Revival

The nostalgia, the tactility, the art work; we all love vinyl. We just can’t help it.

Vinyl records possess a crackly warmth and sound quality that is as of yet unrivaled, even by its CD and digital counterparts. In this age of downloads, many may have thought that this would in turn mean the death of the vinyl. But in 2011, vinyl sales were the highest they have been in six whole years, and Record Store Day has helped raise awareness and restore vinyl sales figures.

Record Store Day is the one day of the year that all independent record stores unite together to celebrate just how wonderful music is. Record labels release special vinyls and CD’s and music fanatics queue with fervour to get a hold of them. And not only that, the stores themselves celebrate by putting on live performances, meet and greets and DJ sets, amongst other more zany activities.This years Record Store Day is taking place on the 21st April, and there’s plenty happening…You can visit the Record Store Day official website to find out more here.

I spoke to Marty, the rather lovely coffee-drinking owner of Hot Rats, an independent record store in Sunderland, about why he thinks it is important to be involved with this day, and why vinyls have become so popular. Listen to us having a natter here:

One special release for Record Store Day is this little corker. In my eyes Soulwax can do no wrong; Neither can Arcade Fire. So this track, originally by the latter and remixed by the former, is definitely my cup of tea:

Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Soulwax Remix):

Be it a cynical marketing scheme from record labels or worthy endeavour to support independently owned record shops, Record Store Day is capturing the hearts and minds of all music lovers. Long live independent record stores. Long live the vinyl.

tGotR x

NewMusicBlog #1

“the end is nigh” Tom Vek, A Chore (2011)

As I sat in the bath, musing about what the chuff to write for the first New Music Podcast blog, a familiar sound filled my ears. I’d done it again. I’d left the TV on and the 6 o’clock news was blasting out – I’m deaf at the age of 24 due to too many raves in my student days which, depressingly, seem like a lifetime ago.  My mother’s disappointed face emerges in my head, wagging her finger at me with her age-old warning…

“Don’t waste electricity! You’re burning the pennies!”

At this moment I don’t care – I’m warm for the first time all day – my flat has turned into a scene from frozen planet recently (minus the mauled seals, obviously). And anyway, it’s the pounds I’m fussed about.

But the sound skulks back into focus, bringing unwelcome headlines of economic uncertainty, EU collapse and potential war. I’m far from surprised.

On the stroke of midnight but a few weeks ago, through an alcohol-induced mist, we were thrust coldly and unavoidably into a new year, but not just any old year; The year the Mayan calendar ends. The year the world finally goes entirely to pot. The year of….  ARMEGEDON. It’s here. 2012.

Hang on. Isn’t this supposed to be a blog about new music n’ that?
I’m getting there – indulge me a little longer, music enthusiast.

I’m not one who really has a strong political viewpoints – could harp on all day about how corrupt I believe the system to be, but Countdown is on in 45 minutes so I’ll resist. Usually I’m of a cheery, positive disposition. Usually, simple pleasures such as a bowl of warm sweet porridge in the morning would keep me feeling content and smiley all day long.  But this year, I feel a shift – A sense of impending doom – something not even cracking out the Quaker Oats can rectify. The economy is grim, and everyone’s feeling it.

The indication is that it’s going to be bleak and difficult for many, apocalypse or no apocalypse. We need music that will stop the four horsemen in their tracks, and either reduce them to tears with melancholy, or blow their immortal socks off. I think I may have an answer for each of these in, what I believe, are two outstanding artists to watch this year.

Number one comes in the shape of The Lake Poets, aka Martin Longstaff, who creates beautiful and haunting music which is heavily influenced by his home town of Sunderland. He has the ability to mesmerise audiences with his stunning voice and personal subject matters.  ‘City By The Sea’ will be released in April this year as his debut, so hopefully you will be hearing more of this very talented young man… Here is a link to my personal favourite track, ‘Friends’.

Moving to the second – the eccentric, lolloping sounds of La Shark is perfect feel good music that gets feet tapping and (dare I say it) hips wiggling. I found out about these guys in late 2010 after debut single ‘A Weapon’ found its way to my ears due to a series of  fortunate events. However my favourite is latest offering ‘Magazine Cover’ – it doesn’t take itself too seriously and is just a delight. The Debut album rumoured for 2012 is bound to be a tonic to this dark year ahead.

These two should whet your appetite for the year ahead and keep you going for now. I know I’m certainly feeling better already. I think it’s time to turn off the news, grab some porridge and turn on the music player, don’t you?

tGotR x