Nick Cave - Wild God- Single Review

by @rybazoxo // March 30th 2024 //

Indie-alt rocker Nick Cave has just announced a worldwide tour of which I've been lucky enough to land myself a pre-sale ticket for Manchester in November. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds has been stellar since the early 90s, but I didn't start listening until an introduction via the Peaky Blinders soundtrack: I became an instant fan. Still fresh with the embryonic enthusiasm and excitement (that comes with) discovering an established artist’s back catalogue, I thought I’d give his latest single ‘Wild God’ a review for my website. 

WILD GOD is the band's 18th album, set for release on August 30th 2024. The single that gave the album its name went live on March 6th 2024 via YouTube, and that's where my review begins. 

Delivered in Nick Cave’s unmistakable style, the single has a rather bouncy feel. As someone who has only listened to the mournful music within his back catalogue - this is a first for me!

The lyrics are typical of Nick Cave: gothic storytelling, mystical references and biblical imagery. It's a story of a man on a journey of redemption/ reckoning and all of the hallmarks of some seismic new material from the troubadour of doom. In among the expected Nick Cave wordplay was an unexpected reference to ‘Jubilee Street’ somewhat of an easter-egg in lyrical form, maybe? A crescendo chorus, a lyrical lament to a ‘wild god’, choral-sounding backing singers, and a pounding synth/goth/electro beat drive the song’s pace. If this single is anything to buy, ‘Wild God’ may not be wild in anything distinct (regarding a new musical direction). Yet, it contains all the essential Nick Cave sound and lyrical motifs that I am continuing to become familiar with. 

I get to see ‘WILD GOD’ live in November, and if you're quick enough, you can grab some tickets via the link below. 

Watch the video to ‘WILD GOD’ here 

All this, and more, can be found on the NICK CAVE website. Click the link! 

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New Music Review : Sandra Kolstad : Nordic Art Pop

By @rybazoxo // Sunday March 24th 2024 

It’s been a while (but to get this website into shape) I thought I’d review some music. Harking back to my radio DJ days I still get sent new music by email and quite a bit from Norway (random. but true) 

Norwegian musician Sandra Kolstad releases her new album "SOFT HARD"  on March 15th, with "Wind" being the focus single

Sandra Kolstad is a completely unknown artist to me but her latest single ‘Wind’ from her seventh album ‘Soft-Hard’ is an art-pop introduction I could gladly spin on repeat. 

Best known for her electronic music her seventh album, SOFT HARD makes an artistic U-turn and returns to her original main instrument: the piano. It has been an ambivalent rendezvous.

"On good days, it was like meeting an old friend. But usually, it was like meeting an old enemy," says Kolstad herself about the process. "I wanted to deconstruct the piano, open it up, not treat it with as much respect as I did when entering the classical music world as a child."

Textually, SOFT HARD is an exploration of human extremes: to be soft and hard (at the same time)in body and spirit. A longing to rid oneself of old layers, a kind of expulsion of spiritual sediment. Musically, SOFT HARD is a sonic exploded view, where Kolstad explores the piano's possibilities in tone and combination with electronics. 

"There is probably something in me that has always longed for the piano since I left it. I have been in a split between electronic music and acoustic music. It has been a musical - and human - split. SOFT HARD is my attempt to unite these two life worlds that the electronic and the acoustic represent for me. It is a union of head and body, an anti-duality," says Kolstad herself.

Sandra Kolstad's musical journey is filled with adventure and redirection, coming near full circle with her latest work. It began with training under the tutelage of Norwegian composer and pianist Wolfgang Plagge, before a daring escape from the tradition of classical music and the grandeur of the piano-led her into the playful realms of electronic music, dance, and club culture. Now, on her upcoming album, "SOFT HARD," Kolstad reconciles with her roots, returning to the piano with a newfound curiosity and exploration.

The title "SOFT HARD," is Kolstad’s translation of the Italian word for piano, pianoforte. It symbolizes Kolstad's exploration of the instrument, slowly gleaning its sonic possibilities and temperament, all while infusing her unmistakable electronic signatures.

Kolstad has released six critically acclaimed albums and has graced stages touring extensively in the USA, UK, Europe, and South America. Her versatility extends beyond music, as she is an accomplished composer in the performing arts. Kolstad has also made commissioned performances in cooperation with esteemed authors such as Jon Fosse, Ann Carson, and Edouard Louis. In 2021, she debuted to acclaim with her first novel "To ord for ødeleggelse" ("Two Words for Destruction"), earning her the coveted Aschehougs debutantpris (Aschehoug's Debut Prize)

LISTEN TO ''WIND'' here

Label: Nordic Records International Publishing: Sinnbus Musikverlag ll 2024 Nordic Records International ll

'PIS%ED!' a poem by Ryan B Oxley

This is my first published attempt at poetry. It's about being drunk, enjoying being drunk, but you've that pit to the stomach feeling that you know how vile it is, but you drink anyway.  Do let me know what you think; 

Pissed at the bus stop,

Drunk in the rain,

Sunk by that last drop,

Pissed in the rain

Pissed on the hard stuff,

Pissed to the last,

Pissed by that last drop,

Drinking to the past. 

Drunk at the bus stop,

Pissed in the rain,

Sunk by that last drop,

Drinking all the same.

Pissed at the bus stop,

Pissed in the rain,

Just missed my last stop, 

That last drop,

never again.

    (c) @rybazoxo 2022 All rights reserved. 

If you like this, you can find more of my writing at https://ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com/

'On Strike!' - {A Sheffield Sketch}

 

A suited commuter and a railway worker are standing outside Sheffield railway station. A miserably grey Monday and the start of another working week. 

The railway workers are on strike, and a suited commuter is frustrated and struggling to get to the office;

Commuter - Cancelled. Again.

Railway Worker - What is?

Commuter- My train is!?

Railway Worker - Whys that?

Commuter-  On strike. Again!

Railway Worker - Who is?

Commuter- Trains!

Railway Worker - trains are on strike?

Commuter- No

Railway Worker - Who is then? 

Commuter- Railway workers,... I think 

Railway Worker - Are they?

Commuter- I think so

Railway Worker - Why’s that then?

Commuter-  You should know

Railway Worker - Should I?

Commuter- Well, that's why you're standing here?

Railway Worker - Am I?

Commuter- Yeah, your lot - with your placards and banners. All the same!

Railway Worker - Ah We?

Commuter- Yes! 

Railway Worker - Whys that? 

Commuter- Greedy! - I can't get to work cos a your lot!

Railway Worker - Can’t ya?

Commuter- I’ll lose my bonus now

Railway Worker - Good job, is it?

Commuter- Yeah

Railway Worker - Good hours, is it? 

Commuter- Yeah

Railway Worker - Good pay, is it? 

Commuter-Yeah 

Railway Worker - Nice house, have ya?

Commuter -Yeah

Railway Worker - Garage?

Commuter- Yeah 

Railway Worker - Garden?

Commuter- Yeah 

Railway Worker - Mortgage?

Commuter - Yeah 

Railway Worker - Can work from home then, can ya? 

Commuter- Yeah - laptop, internet, wifi, skype, even got a smart screen TV that I can read my emails on

Railway Worker - I cant!

Commuter- Can you not?

Railway Worker - No. 

The suited commuter and the railway worker look at each other before leaving the outside of Sheffield railway station. One goes left, the other goes right. 

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On Strike! a Sheffield sketch by Ryan B Oxley Written in July 2022 © @rybazoxo 

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(Once again) I have used Sheffield train station as the setting for my writing. If you liked this you may like 'Late night, Sheaf Street' which is also on this website  © @rybazoxo

www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com