There is something so beautiful about Les Shelley that almost instantly make you sit up and listen. Coming onto stage Tom and Angie give off such a gentle and honest vibe you find yourself somewhat listening to every word and at times closing your eyes to take in every guitar note, hand and thigh slap, and vocals which unfold into some of the best harmonies you could have wished for, Les Shelley’s are quite simply one of the best live act I have seen this year.

I have only seen Tom Brosseau once before at The Big Chill festival last year and then, much like now, he was very understated live performer. He has this ability of making you forget everything going on around you and simply listen to his incredible voice and guitar. After interviewing them just before their set I was really intrigued as to how they where both going to work on stage, one guitar, two singers, and some body slapping from Angie.

The ingredients are all there and so am not going to try and pretend that this is one of those duo’s that just happen. Through Tom’s solo work he has managed to build a steady and loyal fan base. Paired with his one time girlfriend and musician Angela Correa (from the Correatown band) a union is formed and on stage they work so well. The two are having fun and though Angie might be the more playful one of the pair the fact that they are enjoying themselves so much only goes to show how great a pairing they are.

Their set tonight was a selection of traditional and classic folk/Americana type songs as well as some songs from their album including the classic Andrew Sisters Rum and Coca Cola and one of my favourites Cocktail for Two. There was a few choice moments of banter between Tom and Angie and at one point during the plug for their merch table Tom told us that Angie hadn’t packed enough clothes for the trip and had to ‘borrow’ one of their t-shirts.

Yet if would be their final song they played, in which they decided to come and stand in the middle of the room and song it, without the guitar, which made the crowd erupt in a genuine display of respect and appreciation. This is an act that is something special and insanely brilliant to listen to, live, out of this world. Tom is very confident on stage but is at times is shy and I think that is why they work so well together seeing as Angie is less shy on stage.

Few shows will be able to beat this and Bush Hall proved to be a stunning setting for an amazing show. Les Shelley’s debut album was released this month and they are going to be back touring in the UK this coming November. Les Shelley’s performed Bush Hall in the 14th September 2010.

A parrot has been arrested for aiding drug traffickers during a raid in Columbia. Lorenzo, the bird was taken into custody during the bust-up in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla.

The bird, used by gang members, alerts people when coppers are near, squawking:

“Run, run, the cat is going to get you”.

But in a city well know to drug smuggling, using birds as spy’s has become the new way forward, with more than 1000 birds being trained to look out. Lorenzo has now been handed over to animal officials, along with 2 other birds they found at the scene.

By Sarah Hartland

BIG BROTHER is over and I am still waiting for John-James to wake up, I mean to really wake up and realise that the beast he is with is just that, a beast. I know this might not be the politest way of describing the behemoth that is Big Brother 10 winner Josie but this is the most diplomatic I am going to be, I mean, have you seen her?

I was thinking the other day that I was being a little cruel in my description of Josie and John-James, and I was thinking that may be John-James is a little, well, ‘special’ and has not realised what he has gotten himself into. But I was also transfixed into thinking that perhaps Josie has something about her, may be looks are only skin deep? Yet reality steps in and I see her for what she is, rough, and John-James can do better, he really can!

I know the show had few guys that where decent enough to look at so John-James stood out tenfold, and even with his moaning and pining for Josie he still came across like a nice guy but when is is going to wake up to the reality of Josie? When the reality of what he has set himself up for comes through I bet there is going to be a scream from JJ that is going to make those grey roots on Divina come through.

Look at that picture, in this week celebucrap OK! Magazine, just trash, pure utter trash, wake up John-James, wake up!

MADE – MTV

Offensive, simple that. MTV has made another fake and rather sad fly on the wall docu-semi-scripted show that shows uncool and pretty lame kids who want to get ‘made’ into someone other than who they are. The episode I was punished in watching starred Tanner a midwesterner who wanted to be ‘made’ into a hip-hop dancer, a pretty tall order for a guy who loved doing the twist and dressed like a 1950s preppy.

In one respect you can understand where the show is going or more what it is trying to do, going and helping and informing you guys and girls on who they can boost their confidence is a good thing, Made does not try to do this. But rather than tell these kids they should be happy and confortable within themselves and that they don’t need to change for anybody they show becomes just that, a show.

If you take Tanner for instance he is, from what we are told by his father, a young republican who likes pretty dated music and style. What the show doesn’t tell us is that Tanner is an only child so his style, music, and general attire comes from his parents, and at one point he even tells the camera that many of his neighbours are old. It becomes pretty clear early on that Tanner is in need of more younger people around him, but then we see him and school and he’s different but is well known.

It’s hard to figure out if these people actually know him or if they are playing up to the camera either way all you get from this is a fakeness that only MTV can create. Much like their Super Sweet 16, Cribs, and that ever popular The Hills what Made does is give out a very wrong message to people as well as a very fake one at that. Tanner runs cross country and yet every time the camera’s are there with him he has his top on. This might not seem odd but when you see all his running mates are topless you get the sneaking impression that the producers didn’t want to have him with his top off as he was pretty well toned.

The conclusion of the show sees Tanner do his Hip Hop routine in front of the school and they all go crazy for him and it appears his popularity has improved so much that a girl who was going to the homecoming dance with another guy has decided to that she now see what kind of great guy he really is.

Bunk, the sad thing is Tanner goes though a total personality change in order to be with someone who wasn’t that interested in him before, now he’s ‘cool’ she thinks he’s worth going on a date with. This is a bad message for MTV’s target audience and a rubbish moral lesson at that…kids stay who you are!

I have to admit sometimes we get albums to review and most cases we get the record companies telling us ‘this is great stuff…you guys will love it’. Then we get a rare case when we get told ‘this is beautiful’ and intrigues us. After listening Opticks by Silje Nes there is no mistake as been made in their support for Silje, this album is stunning and is one of the best musical offerings your are likely ever to listen to this year!

The first track The Grass Harp is the finest first song you could hope for. Musically it has everything, its warmth and beauty lies in the fact that Silje seems to want to hit you full on and manages to pull it off whilst still making you intrigued. The sound of the waves in this track feels as though she is coming gently to shore mixed with her vocals you get an appearance of sorts and the start of a blisteringly good album.

Musically there is nothing that this album does not have with almost every from guitars, drums, viola, bass, xylophone, electronics, keyboards, concertina, flute, trumpet, percussion. Silji says “…basically anything i have lying around, adding random recordings of things, video clips, effects…”

And this shows. At times the album gives you a brave and wonderful insight into what she wanted to produce and where she wants to take her album and the listener, from the sound of the waves you get the idea your on a journey with her yet she has managed to make you. It wouldn’t be easy to place this in your CD or on your iTunes lists and this is again to her credit, her first track builds and introduces you to her unique sound but still holds back giving you everything.

The final track is quit simply beautiful. Silje voice is stronger here accompanied by an electric guitar and the sound of a drum beat that seems off in the distance, like a beating heart, the track made me sit up. Then the violins come into play and a true finality of this song comes in to being, it’s the last song on the album and it feels like it, a sad farewell to the album. If the first song was Silje saying hello Ruby Red is her saying goodbye.

Silje Nes – Crystals from One Little Indian Records on Vimeo.

Opticks is like nothing you could ever have imagined. The album is an strange paradox in that on one hand you have loads of music, lots going on, but she has regained its simple and gentle feel. No track comes across overbearing or heavy yet you hear every single note that’s intended. Most important you hear Silje’s incredibly voice.

Silje is going to on a pretty extensive tour through October and TNC is hoping to catch up with her when she comes to Brighton on the 12 October, she will be performing at Brighton Ballroom with Mice Parade. DO NOT MISS HER LIVE!

Track Listing:

1. The Grass Harp
2. Symmetry of Empty Space
3. Rewind
4. Silver>blue
5. The Card House
6. Levitation
7. The Shades
8. Crystals
9. Branches
10. Hello Luminance
11. Ruby Red

5/5