#MusicMonday: Patent Pending presents...

#MusicMonday again and this weeks choice is Patent Pending present Mario and the Brick Breakers: Greatest hits. This Ep was released last Tuesday and did amazingly in the UK charts hitting no7 in the pop charts and no16 overall, which is brilliant for the 6 song Ep that has a song entitled boom boom pass the mushroom.

The Ep opens on  Hey Mario a ingenious song off there Brighter album. The whole album follows suit and is pure brilliance, an incredible work and I urge you all to go and check out everything Patent Pending have done. This band has an unreal energy that is intensified when you see them live (which I have had the pleasure of three times now) but the energy is also incredibly evident in all of there recorded work. 

So stay tuned for what's to come from Mario and the brick breakers, including a thirty minute documentary and not one but five music videos. How many bands can you say have done that 

Check Patent Pending out online 

website 

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Let me fall... even if I hit the ground

It's hard to sit and watch people you care for take a tumble in life. We all do our best to support the people we love to make sure that they are doing ok so when the unexpected blow comes it can leave everyone in a bit of a funk. 

It's learning what to do next that defines us all. It's learning not to destroy yourself in the process that will help aid the recovery. You can not set yourself on fire to keep them warm. You can not lose so they can win. Life goes on, if your life encounters highs, celebrate them, embrace them. Don't downplay them. You're allowed to be happy. 

Your successes might be the kick start they need or they may need more time. nudge them in the right direction, let them find there feet again. Because they will find there feet again. The funk does not last forever though sometimes it feels like it might. Slowly and surely they discover what is the right choice for them to make and they will continue with life. Let them hit the ground as many times as they need to, do not try and cushion the blow, we discover our strength each time we are knocked down and are able to get back up. 

Sometimes you have to fall before you can fly. It is when you hit the ground that you really begin to find yourself and discover your strength. 

Music Monday: Salvation - Wakey!Wakey!

                         

It's been four years since wakey!wakey! released "Almost Everything I wish I'd said the last time I saw you..." And now the much anticipated fan backed (via pledge music) "Salvation" is here. 

The large break between albums means it is hard to tell what we should have expected with "Salvation" but Michael Grubbs has proven that his music is explosive as ever. 

The album opens with the upbeat "All it takes" a song that definitely encourages you to move along to the beat. You can hear the heart and soul pouring out of the music and lyrics throughout all 11 tracks. 

Highlights: 

- "Thru the night" a song that carries on from "light outside" sharing a positive message to keep on and that everything will be okay. 

- "waste away" I think this song is my favourite on the album. 

- "always and forever" this song has a great beat and even better lyrics definitely a great sing a long song. 

-  "Salvation" the title track really speaks for the album it's upbeat, positive and makes you want to move around. 

Getting to finally here the album makes me beyond excited to see Wakey!Wakey! (For the third time) when he plays the Oran Mor this October 

Check out wakeywakeymusic.com for more information on where to buy the album, tour information and a whole lot more. 

     

One day more...

Today consisted of Harrods and the National Gallery with some wandering in between and a lot of sitting soaking up the sun and the sights. 

Then tonight it was on to the much anticipated performance of Les Miserables. Now I have seen a really good armature production of Les Mis and of course have seen the movie countless times (though I'm still pissed at some of the movies choices) I've rewatched the 25th Anniversary concert DVD so many times just because it's so good. 

But this was the first time I've seen it done professionaly live and I wasn't disapointed the staging was fabulous the fact that the stage itself revolves makes the show flow effortlessly. The hype around les mis and the fact it's the longest running show does not in any way take away the pure talent and power fullness of this show and if you should have the opportunity to see it I strongly urge that you do. As seeing it on stage beats the movie a 1000x over. 

The Heat is on in Miss Saigon

London day two and I'm a tourist... So sue me. But I love London and all it's sights. Once we were up we headed straight to Buckingham Palace which though I've been to London before I have never seen the palace and what a day we picked we made it just in time for the changing of the guards and them caught glimpses of Kate, Prince Phillip and THE QUEEN as there were driven out of the grounds (Kate drove herself). 

Then it was a lot more walking round this lovely city in this amazing weather seeing everything we wanted too. Before coming back to the hotel to freshen up. 

Then the heat was on in Miss Saigon. Now I must have heard the soundtrack for miss Saigon when I was 6 or 7 it was the first musical my mother ever took my brother to I was not taken along but my brother listened to the soundtrack for weeks after it. I have always loved the music but seeing the production took my breath away. The set design is truly amazing ( there was a frickin helicopter!) and all the cast were stunning within there roles. It's a truly powerful musical with such poignant moments and truths behind songs. It hits you from every angle and your hooked beginning to end in the lives of the characters before you. Definetly worth the wait. 

Once...

It was up early to get ready so we could get to Glasglow and then it was the train down to LONDON!!! 

We got here mid afternoon so by the time we sorted ourselves out, got to the hotel and freshened up it was straight out to sort out this evenings festivities. 

I have wanted to see once ever since I first heard falling slowly which is a hauntingly beautiful track from this amazing musical. 

I kept putting off watching the film because I wanted to see the stage version first. I was not disapointed it was everything and more the cast are on the stage well before the show starts singing and playing fabulously whilst you are able to go on the stage and order a drink from the bar. The whole pre-show show geared me up for what was to come. 

The musical itself is heartfelt, hysterical, brilliant the cast are insanely talented as they act, sing and play instruments there is this unreal energy that they emanate whether the song was upbeat or slow. Each member of the cast was brilliant with strong performances all round. Well worth the wait. 

#MusicMonday: Ed Sheeran - Even My Dad does Sometimes

Sitting listening to Ed Sheeran as we travel down to london. The whole X album is fabulous but music Monday goes to  "Even my dad does sometimes" a brilliant track well suited to Ed's amazing voice the lyrics are powerfull and it's a must listen.   #HoldOn 

Remarkable people are everywhere

My job involves working with the public I'm constantly interacting with new people and listening to their moans and groans.  There are days where the thought of having to go to work to talk about the weather to everyone that passes through is just enough to make you want to cry. 

But if you give everyone a chance... Or enough people a chance. You will find some of the most brilliant people you will ever encounter; people who have lived full life's and travelled the world seen things you have only ever dreamed of, You will find people who have fought diseases or laws or wars and are here to tell you, You will find everyone has a story worth listening too. 

      You will find yourself inspired 

So venture forth knowing that remarkable people are everywhere and don't just write someone off before you have had a chance to hear what they have to say. 

#MusicMonday: Keira Knightley - Tell Me if you wanna go home

The whole album was only available for download today but this song and a few others have been available for a little while. And I'm totally in love with this song and Keira's voice, the lady has talent!