(^Hmm seems that my puns are getting worse. Sorry!)
Hello my
pretties, just lil ol’ me again, back with an extra special entry today. Aren’t
you lucky! AWAL for a few months now I’ve been giving you so much new tasty
information that you can help but love me again! Well…let’s be honest…you never
stopped loving me, just missed me like crazy. Don’t worry it will be our little
secret.
Let’s get
down to the nitty gritty shall we? As you all know, as you all hang on my every
word, I’m studying towards a music degree…see one of the many perks of
attending a music university that I have access to endless amounts of new
music. What’s more, I work with some of the most talented musicians this world
has yet to know about. Watching them rise in a vibrant city in which
competition to get yourself noticed is fierce. Yet some people defy most odds,
not giving in until they achieve their primary goal. Especially after getting a
taste of a life they could potentially live is a dangerously addictive one. One
of these artists being a Brighton based indie rock band Dove House.
Let’s
introduce them all shall we?
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| Photo by Olly Dolling Photography |
So from
left to far right we have Kieran Philbin on lead guitar; drummer boy Nick
Roberts; frontman and rhythm guitarist himself Jack Peacock; Ish Hussein on the
bass; and Anthony Barrett tinkling on the ivories…well keys/synth…kind the same
thing (that statement is now making every pianist and composer turn in their
graves and wince if they are still breathing…sorry!...maybe?) With Ish and Nick
providing powerful backing vocals to compliment Jack’s lead.
This
quintet are hell bent on presenting a social commentary in a powerful, melodic
rock package; something the music scene at the moment is severely lacking. As
their band bio suggests, they are “five alternative rockers, armed with mind-blowing
sounds and killer riffs, are not ones to miss”.
Remember
those perks I mentioned? Well one is that I get to see a song in its rawest,
most fragile state and gradually develop into a masterpiece. See the lovely
boys over at Dove House let me have
a sneak peak at their new single Cheap
Tricks, a song that frontman Jack Peacock presented last year before
constructing his ideal band. And being as wonderful as I am I have decided to
lend you some insight to the track.
I will try
not to go into the technically ins and outs of the song. Nor give too much
away. After all this is purely a taster for you, not a three-course meal with
all the extras. Have to leave you hungry for more.
Hold on to
your top hats. Brace yourselves. Here we go.
Okay so the
song immediately grasps your attention with a simple yet intriguing guitar
hook, shortly followed by a cutting edge synth sound provided by Anthony with
the rest of the band kicking in. This band sure knows how to peak your interest
within the first 20 or so seconds. Everything pulls back when Jack’s main vocal
begins, with guitar and kit providing a strong foundation. This brings the
listeners focus straight to the lyrical content. As I mentioned before, the
band provide a social commentary for the foolish youth…we’re all guilty for
fitting into this category so don’t you think you’re an exception and turn your
nose up mister! Through using this idea the song instantly becomes relatable to
anyone and everyone. As my trade is as a lyricist my attention is directly draw
to the words of the song, and Peacock has managed to write some entertaining
yet brilliant lines. What’s more, each line is powerful on its own, as a
songwriter it is difficult to maintain an intensity with every line, however he
has managed to compose a song that doesn’t have one weak line in it. Although a
personal favourite of mine is “I spilled
my drink on the floor/Everybody thinks I’m wasted/I’m just clumsy and
faithless” one reason because its so simple yet effective. It’s a statement
that makes the song more relatable. We’ve all dropped our drinks at a party and
we are accused of drinking too much. When its just clumsiness…I mean I trip on
air so dropping a drink is no drunken mistake for me.
Interestingly, the song
is packaged in a summer anthem wrapper whilst actually mocking that lifestyle,
which immediately demonstrates professional and clever songwriters. Notably the
song has so much space despite there being five musicians (not including
vocals) anyone who knows any musicians within the 16 – 25 years old bracket knows
that all they want to do it hit/play their instruments for as long and loud as
they can. Dove House illustrates
perfectly their professional musicianship, writing to compliment the songs
rather than their instruments. To add to
this further, most people in today’s world believe that instrumental sections,
and specifically solos of any kind, hinder a song, are there for the sake of it
and should be exterminated at all costs. However, Dove House manages to incorporate one into their track without it
feeling that way, instead it is a coherent piece that is necessary to the
track. The backing vocals scattered
within the song again aren’t mindlessly placed, but have been selected to
highlight imperative lines. Overall, the band couldn’t have written or produced
a stronger debut single. They demonstrate their technical, writing and musical
ability in a way that is enjoyable to listen to.
Okay so I
think that’s more than enough for you to chew on for now. But I’d keep your
eyes peeled on Dove House as:
“Thursday 23rd June will witness the release of the exciting
debut single ‘Cheap Tricks’ from indie rockers ‘Dove House’. With a headline
show booked at the Hope & Ruin, Brighton, and an energy infused music video
to premier the single, this promises to be a huge milestone for these five
eager musicians.”
You heard it here first folks, and that’s taken straight from
the horses mouth. So make a note in those diaries and get yourselves down to
the Hope & Ruin. Personally a favourite venue of mine…and let’s be honest I
have the best taste there is so you won’t want to miss this at all. Trust me.
If you do you will be lying in bed regretting that one decision. You’ll be
thinking “I should have listened to the wise words of Rebel Yell, after all she
knows best”. Yes, yes I do know best and don’t you forget that. So be there. If
you’ve never seen this band play live before, you are in for a real treat, they
are absolutely remarkable and worth every single penny. I know you guys love
supporting the local scene and new emerging bands, well you might as well help
out and fall head over heels for one that is actually going places.
The single will be made available, free, a week prior to the gig
to those signed up to the mailing list. So why don’t you go sign up, learn the
words and sing your lungs out on the following Thursday. Gigs are always made
better when you can sing along and get lost in the music. You could be one step
closer to that experience, so what’s stopping you? You will also have the
bragging right of when they are famous and on the cover of magazines such as
NME and Rocksound that you had a copy of their debut single before EVERYONE
else.
Be sure to follow the boys to keep one step ahead of the game,
on:
Just to add the icing on the cake, here is a small preview of
the track that the boys were lovely enough to share with you:
Also for anyone out there to get their grip on the band, write
about them, photograph them, book them for a gig etc. contact them at: dovehouseband@gmail.com
So I’ll see you there. (Note that wasn’t a question.)
Until then,
