aeolianblues

Honestly I think it depends on the band! Like I totally understand that some bands simply aren’t able to take the whole show on the road (and this is relevant since I’m following so many new bands at the moment), and I guess you kind of develop a fondness for certain quirks and moments in a studio recording when you hear it too many times? But if a band can put together a killer live recording, I do live for it, there’s something about vocals that are clearly affected by performing on stage, with some bands it’s the extra licks and riffs they play live (Muse beloved!!), Green Day’s little singalongs and covers, the way we have no way of guessing for Grian Chatten will pitch the vocals for Fontaines songs nowadays (also, we see you forgetting line orders every now and then G, it’ll happen when you’ve crafted such intricate monsters in those verses 💙💙). It’s those impromptu speeches that bands end up having tumble out of them that become a part of the recordings permanently that are so endearing and that you could never get on a record in a studio.

it’s also just in being able to hear the crowd sometimes and remembering how people love the songs you love— there are some songs (like Yard Act’s 100% Endurance) that are just MADE to be sung live. You just have to hold someone you love and sing those songs. Even though I’ve heard the studio version more, I just know you have to hold your neighbours and sing, ‘Give me some of that good stuff, that human spirit. Cut it with a 100% endurance 🖤’. I’ve been working with bands live lately, to record their live performances for radio play (we’re really fancying ourselves some kind of KEXP, aren’t we? 😅), and we asked to have one extra mic pick up room ambience and crowd sounds. Give me some of that good stuff :)

that said, I wish I could think of an example YouTube clip to embed here, I will have to think on it. I guess like, Muse at Wembley is a go-to for me! I also just know I’m going to get so so into The Last Dinner Party live recordings, and luckily they’ve been providing so many well-mixed ones lately 😄

hello! Hope you’re well!

Yes! I don’t have space for vinyl right now, I think if I started collecting vinyl it Would kill me like permanently (though it would be soooo good), CDs are a happy middle ground where they’re a little more durable, still have physical art and booklets and you don’t need a giant player or as much space for them. Also, I grew up with them. I love CDs!

Here’s my collection.

Lots of Muse, most of Fontaines’ back catalogue, some Bowie, some Super Furry Animals, Franz Ferdinand, Green Day, Blur, Charlatans, Depeche Mode, Kiwi jr and Half Moon Run. Cool bands, but I have Got to get so many more albums, I saw a Lush CD in a cool indie record shop but I couldn’t buy 3 CDs and ended up dropping it for then and I think about it often. I’ve got to pick it up next time!

Also, I don’t know if this is weird, I don’t really like ordering CDs online if I can help it? I used to have to, because we literally didn’t have a local record shop, but ever since I’ve been able to find one nearby, I’ve just liked running into CDs more. Like fate. The album crossed my path (I inevitably walked into a record shop, depending on who you ask) so I have to have it. Makes sense, right? Also I just don’t think I should be allowed to have access to the whole purchasable stock of online music. I’d go bankrupt in a day.

Tell me about your records!