Lyrics

JOEL - WOLF & CUB

Lyrics, they’re my Achilles heal, I usually avoid them until the night before vocals are to be recorded, sometimes and quite frequently actually, I’ll complete them whilst they’re being recorded. It usually results in weak lyrics and an even weaker vocal take, so I’m not proud of my attitude towards writing lyrics, and neither is Chris it would seem as he’s forcing me to complete the lyrics for every song before we commence any further with recordings. I’m now stuck in a room with little ventilation, warmth, a desk, three partially full note pads and a pen trying to complete the lyrics of 12-15 songs, I’d curse at Chris but I really only have myself to blame, I’m just lazy.

As annoying as it is however, it’s a challenge I’m up for and glad to be pushed into, because I really need to get out of my comfort zone on this album and thankfully Chris isn’t afraid to be the one to make it happen. It’s difficult, however because I’ve been stuck in a routine for so long, I’ve just never been able to settle on lyrics before the actual music is completed, I’ll sketch out a basic melody and a few words to accompany it but I’ve never gone into the recording of a track with lyrics I’m 100% committed too. I’m annoyed at myself. It reminds me of being back in school and even university, procrastinating over assignments and essays until its too late, I guess that’s how I tend to view lyrics sometimes, like assignments that have to been handed in by a certain date, something that only I personally will be judged on, its kind of pathetic. I guess I’ve never felt too strongly about my lyrics or maybe that just how I‘ve justified not working harder on them, because I’ve never seen them as being important for this band, which is just a cope out I guess. So like I mentioned earlier I’m up for the challenge and prepared to try a different approach on this one.

Well this week has been very steady for us; we’re deep into it. Tommy has pretty much finished his bass parts and there’s talk of him flying back to Adelaide, but I have a feeling he’s enjoying himself so he’ll probably stick around. Marv is still struggling to get over his backing vocal anxiety despite repeated ego strokes and copious amount of alcohol, I’m starting to think this isn’t going to happen, and it makes me sad, I guess JC (the other drummer) will have to step up to the plate. Personally I think there’s a voice of an angel waiting to be awoken in Tommy; check him out here second from right, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

Anyhow I know I said my last post was going to be the last for Levityland but it would appear that I can’t count as I actually had two more to go (that is including this one). So tune in next week for the actual final blog from yours truly, and this time I PROMISE to have pictures. Until then…
J

A Model Performance

KRISTY BRADLEY - Ex YEN MAG

Last night I dreamt I was made to perform on this huge stage at this massive music festival. Before I go on, I should make you aware, that in real-life, I cannot sing. But all I was worried about (in my dream) was locating my skinny black jeans to wear on stage. This dream stems from my research on model performances. By model performances, I'm referring to runway/editorial models singing with professional musicians.
There's a long history of models appearing in music video clips. Some are wise to lip sync (or just look pretty) like super models Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz and Naomi Campbell in George Michael's Freedom '90 clip and Aussie model, Lisa Seiffert in Robbie Williams' Eternity clip.But others are not so wise. The 'singing with my rock n roll boyfriend/friends' trend that these leggy lasses are driving is slightly disturbing. Example number one: Kate Moss and Pete Doherty.

There are several YouTube clips revealing KM's desire to become the next Sonny and Cher. She has even appeared on stage with The Babyshambles at various gigs and festivals. Example #2: Agyness Deyn, who recorded a song with US band the Five O'clock Heroes. I do love her to death, well, I love her style, but Agyy should really stick to the runway. Example #3: While, local model, Louise Van de Vorst hasn't got up on stage as of yet with her new rocker boyfriend, Daniel Johns, it may only be a matter of time. Check out Grazia (the new weekly fashion magazine that launched yesterday). Louise features in a fashion story, 'It's only rock & roll' with her new lover's jacket. Is this a prelude to their model performance? Only time will tell.

P.S: My dream ended sweetly, and for some reason, the crowd starting cheering, it must have been because of those 'skinny black jeans'.

P.P.S: I'm really loving the new Beck and Mystery Jets albums. They're definitely worth purchasing!!

Australian in Paris

Kristy Bradley (ex-YEN)

Bonjour, Bonjour

We've all got tragic stories of housemates who turn out to be absolute nightmares. So I'm not surprised when I inspected a room at an acquaintance's house in Newtown recently, she wanted to interview me. For inspiration, she actually looked up a website that specializes in questions to ask potential flat mates. I couldn't help but laugh at her, actually I couldn't but laugh after every question she asked me. Hmmm, perhaps that's why I didn't get the room???

One of the questions was 'what are your hobbies?' I didn't have an answer. I sat there silently for a few moments, pondering my existence and what I did with my life. Bing. Does shopping and hanging at the pub count? Nope. So, after not scoring the room and realizing that I didn't have any hobbies I put myself to work. I tried knitting, cross-stitch and crochet. Check. Boring. Check. So, I decided to dedicate all my spare time (i.e. when I'm not shopping or at the pub) becoming obsessed with Paris. Oui, Oui. Part of being obsessed with Paris means that you have to keep tabs on all the catwalk shows that occur in this fashionable city.

There's a lot to be learnt trawling through the Internet to seek out pictures from Paris Fashion Week. Like who is the latest musical muse Karl Largefeld has his leather clad fingers wrapped around. Last year it was Cat Power, now this year, after closely inspecting the front row at the recent Chanel couture shows, it would seem that Australian artist, Micky Green is his latest and greatest muse. Mikey Green, aka, Michaela Gehrmann, is an Aussie now living in Paris and is signed to Universal Music in France. See, I'm not the only gal in town who 'adores' Paris.

Her music is kinda poppy, definitely bluesy and has an indie edge to it. For those lucky peeps heading to the Super Sonic Festival, August 9 in Japan, you can catch her there. Otherwise, hit up You Tube or her MySpace – www.myspace.com/mickygreenmusic


That's all for now my cherries,


au revoir! xx

Tears & Mice

Joel - Wolf & Cub

Week two in the studio, is turning out to be not unlike week one but there a few subtle differences; its still freezing unfortunately, the mice are still around, but thankfully we’re much more productive than last time we spoke. First week was spent in pre-production which involved Chris and I sorting through all the demos again and deciding which of those we dig and think deserve further attention and which ones are basically shit and deserve to be never heard again. I’d like to say it was a painless exercise but it wasn’t, Chris is too blunt for me sometimes and as I tend to get a bit attached to all our demos it can be difficult to take criticism, especially when your producer tells you a demo, which you had high hopes for, isn’t really that strong, or “just shit” as Chris discreetly puts it. What can I say demos are like your newborn; it can be hard to be told they’re ugly. Anyhow once my eyes dried and I could be in the same room with Chris again we decided that about 13 of the demos were strong enough to work on. There are also a few new new ones that I’ve been developing during the tour period so they’ve been included in the maybe pile, although I think that’s Chris’ attempt at a peace offering.

So this week the rest of the band arrived and as soon they came to terms with the cold conditions, the mice and Chris Colonna we jumped straight into tracking. Right now Tommy, who plays bass, is laying down his parts, not without hassle though unfortunately. His bass seems to be playing up a bit and it’s not responding the way it normally would so we’ve had to drive to Canberra for a minor repair, thankfully Canberra is only an hour away so it hasn’t put too great a dent into the schedule. In the meantime however it’s allowed new member, Marvin and I to go over some new songs and get him feeling comfy with the arrangements. Speaking about Marvin actually, he’s under enormous pressure from everyone to step up to the plate and provide some backing vocals on this recording. It’s turning out to be a bigger hurdle than anyone had counted on unfortunately as Marv has developed an insane insecurity complex which seems to be crippling his attempts to sing so fuck knows how we’re going to get his angel like voice present on this album. Its very frustrating actually, because he can really sing and it would really add another element to the w&c palette, let alone make my job allot easier. I think alcohol is going to play a big part.

I really wish I had some photos for you this time, believe me it was the plan but for some fucking reason this digital camera that I borrowed is not cooperating at all, I think I’m going to head into Canberra on the weekend to get another one

Making records

JOEL - WOLF & CUB

Ok so here we are again another blogging attempt from me, I think the last one was ok so I’ll stick with the same formula for this one. Unfortunately, Wolf & Cub still seems to be on my mind probably because we’re still on tour and also because the single is being released officially this Saturday on July the 5th. I’m excited but very anxious. It’s been almost two years since the last release and I’m a little concerned that we’ve been forgotten. Thankfully the shows have sold well and the crowd seem receptive to our new material. So you know that’s a positive thing.

Actually by the time this goes to print we would have again already played the upcoming shows in Melbourne and Adelaide, so with that in mind here is a review; each show sold out and both were equally electrifying, they will be remembered as definite highlights for Wolf & cub fans and the band themselves and seen as fitting end to a successful min-tour.

The shows in Sydney and Brisbane were actually pretty good, I know I gave a pre-emptive review on my last post that said that they went well, but I’m now glad to report, post-performance, that they went as well as I predicted, or perhaps ‘hoped’ is more accurate. Both shows did actually sell out so that was great, and for any who missed out, there is some footage from the Annandale show up our myspace so check it out at www.myspace.com/wolfandcub. Thanks to both Valley Studios in Brisbane and The Annandale in Sydney for looking after us so well. Also thank you very to the people that showed up.

So what’s next after the tour? Well we head back into the studio to complete the record. At the moment we’re about a quarter to a half way through, and things are looking good! To be honest I didn’t really want to have this little break from recording but Chris Colonna, the guy who is producing the record, had some touring commitments overseas with his band Bumblebeez that just happened to conflict with our recording time. I have to say though I really think its worked out well, we were able to do this little tour and we’ve also been able to assess what we’ve done so far and just a get a little bit of perspective on the record so far. Now we can’t wait to get back in so it’s also helped motivate us, I guess you need to come up for air every now and again.

My next post will be straight from the studio so stay tuned, until then.

SEX, TV & ROCK N ROLL

KRISTY BRADLEY

I was very bad this week and handed my blog copy in terribly late!! What a blogocracy! But it's very rock 'n' roll of me, right?

Congrats to Joel from Wolf and Cub for handing his in on time. Ha! I saw him play at The Annandale Hotel last week and his band totally rocked out. I love music that takes you on a mind tripping adventure and makes you forget about life on the outside. Mission accomplished. There isn't a bad thing I can say about this gig except how friggin' annoying it was having three drunk Scottish dudes dancing like they were at a Rave. I guess we've all got one of those stories?!

Ok, that's as much rock 'n' roll as you're going to get from me this blog!

There's a matter of great concern that I must explore this week:

While watching another Sex in the City episode - I admit I've watched every season at least three times and I've just recently seen the movie – I realized that music doesn't play a huge role. Firstly, you never hear them listen to records at home, buy music, talk about music or more importantly when it comes to SITC episode to have dated a musician. Carrie dabbled once; remember when the jazz guy she dates liked to played her like a double bass. Music doesn't seem to hit the SITC radar.
It's an atrocity that not one of the gals dated a 'black skinny jean wearing' band dude. There isn't a single Fab or Albert Hammond Jnr in sight (side bar: he's dating London It model, Agyness Deyn). Calling out to all you up-and-coming film/TV makers who are sick of watching SITC and all those me-too shows that are now playing on commercial TV, it's time to flash your creative gear and create a TV show about four girls who love to have sex with musicians, drink lattes and wear fabulous shoes.
Love and fat tunes,
Kristy xx

P.S: If you get a chance to see a Dappled Cities gig do so. I saw them play their new music last week and they were amazing.

Wolf & Cubssssssssss

JOEL - WOLF & CUB

Ok so here we are again another blogging attempt from me, I think the last one was ok so I’ll stick with the same formula for this one. Unfortunately, Wolf & Cub still seems to be on my mind probably because we’re still on tour and also because the single is being released officially this Saturday on July the 5th. I’m excited but very anxious. It’s been almost two years since the last release and I’m a little concerned that we’ve been forgotten. Thankfully the shows have sold well and the crowd seem receptive to our new material. So you know that’s a positive thing.

Actually by the time this goes to print we would have again already played the upcoming shows in Melbourne and Adelaide, so with that in mind here is a review; each show sold out and both were equally electrifying, they will be remembered as definite highlights for Wolf & cub fans and the band themselves and seen as fitting end to a successful min-tour.

The shows in Sydney and Brisbane were actually pretty good, I know I gave a pre-emptive review on my last post that said that they went well, but I’m now glad to report, post-performance, that they went as well as I predicted, or perhaps ‘hoped’ is more accurate. Both shows did actually sell out so that was great, and for any who missed out, there is some footage from the Annandale show up our myspace so check it out at www.myspace.com/wolfandcub. Thanks to both Valley Studios in Brisbane and The Annandale in Sydney for looking after us so well. Also thank you very to the people that showed up.

So what’s next after the tour? Well we head back into the studio to complete the record. At the moment we’re about a quarter to a half way through, and things are looking good! To be honest I didn’t really want to have this little break from recording but Chris Colonna, the guy who is producing the record, had some touring commitments overseas with his band Bumblebeez that just happened to conflict with our recording time. I have to say though I really think its worked out well, we were able to do this little tour and we’ve also been able to assess what we’ve done so far and just a get a little bit of perspective on the record so far. Now we can’t wait to get back in so it’s also helped motivate us, I guess you need to come up for air every now and again.

My next post will be straight from the studio so stay tuned, until then.