My Blogger Network welcome pack from Campus Society

A few months back I signed up to Campus Society, a site that allows students to connect and discuss pretty much anything. It is also a great support and platform for student bloggers, whether they be writing about their university experience or anything else.

So naturally, as a way to boost my readership and make contacts, I've started sharing all my posts on the site, specifically in the Blogger Network where I've met some incredible bloggers and had some great feedback on my posts.

As the Blogger Network is a growing channel on Campus Society, the lovely team that run it have been sending out welcome packs to everyone who posts on the channel as a thank you for being a part of the channel's output.

I received mine today and I'm so impressed and happy to be a part of the channel!

In my welcome pack was a t-shirt (which I'm guessing stands for Blogger Network On Campus?), a tote bag, a notebook, a tricolour highlighter, two pencils, a ticket wallet and a lovely little card from the people who run the channel and Campus Society.

So really this post is a thank you to the people who put the welcome packs together, and to everyone else who has read my posts on Campus Society and its Blogger Network. I really enjoy reading everyone's posts and being a part of a lovely community which seems to grow each time I log in.

If you're interested in joining Campus Society, perhaps as a blogger/student blogger or just to see what's happening, you can do so by clicking here. It's a great way to meet fellow students and talk about everything and anything.

--Photos are mine.--

Record Store Day 2017- Placebo, Elvis, and... Fawlty Towers?

Following weeks of build up and speculation, this year's official Record Store Day exclusive release list has been announced. As always, it's a monster of a list full of gems available for just one day.

It was previously announced that two rare David Bowie records had made the list, but the Starman has popped up again as his collaboration with Placebo, 'Without You I'm Nothing', will be released exclusively on vinyl for the first time via Memphis Industries.

Placebo ft. David Bowie - Without You I'm Nothing

Gerard Way announced earlier that he would be releasing two songs on RSD to accompany his new comic book series. 'Into The Cave We Wander' and 'Pogi's Cavern' will be issued on 12" picture disc vinyl in a clear sleeve, with only 5,000 being made worldwide. The songs have been written and recorded by Way, along with his former My Chemical Romance band mate Ray Toro, and produced by Way, Toro and Doug McKean.

The Cure will release two LP's, Greatest Hits and Acoustic Hits. There will be a special Elvis recording available on the day; Elvis On Television 1956-1960: The Complete Sound Recordings will feature two LP's as well as a 24-page gatefold.

Goo Goo Dolls join the mix with a five LP box set, Pick Pockets, Tiny Thieves and Petty Victories 1987-1995. Toto's Africa/Rosanna will be released on an African shaped vinyl.

There is, arguably, an odd one out on the list, as Fawlty Towers makes an appearance. Possibly as a way of honouring the late Andrew Sachs, a picture disc featuring two classic episodes of the great 70s sitcom will be released via Demon Records.

Fawlty Towers picture disc

You can find the full list of releases and the stores involved on the Record Store Day website, including special and exclusive releases from Aqua (yep, 'Barbie Girl' is back), Motörhead and Pink Floyd.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the day, which celebrates the culture of independent record stores, Slaves, Kate Bush, Kate Tempest, Izzy Bizu and Anton Newcombe have been confirmed as official champions.

Record Store Day 2017 will take place on Saturday, April 22nd, so if you've got your eye on one of the exclusive releases then be sure to check which stores will stock them. It would be impossible for every independent store to stock a number of each release among their usual records and merchandise, so check to make sure you're not disappointed.

Photos credit: Record Store Day/101

Royal Mail David Bowie album cover stamp pack

I'm a firm believer that the UK (and the rest of the world) is still in some sort of state of mourning for David Bowie. Even though it's been more than a year, it's evident that people are still hurt by his passing, myself included.

You only have to walk round the back of Afflecks in Manchester to find a huge painting of the Starman on the side of a concrete structure, or listen to any radio station to hear one of his greatest hits.

The tributes keep coming, and on March 14th Royal Mail released the next installment to their Music Greats Special Stamp series to honour Bowie.

There are a few different packs that Royal Mail are currently offering, including framed sets and postcards. I've got the album cover set, which I believe is now sold out as there were only 10,000 made.

The set includes six actual stamps with album covers on, as well as 18 images of the other albums Bowie released. The actual stamps are of Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane, "Heroes", Let's Dance, Earthling and Blackstar.

I've blocked out the serial number in red...

The thing I'm most impressed about, and I'm so happy Royal Mail have done this, is the presentation of the stamp pack. It's just as though it's a vinyl record, as the stamp sheet is inside a white sleeve with the 'tracklist' on, which is then inside a black card cover, similar to Blackstar.

This presentation has made the stamp set so much more special. I'm planning on having all three parts side by side in a long frame. Be sure to check my Instagram to see the set once I've displayed it.

I'm so happy that Royal Mail have released Bowie tribute stamps, not just because of their Music Greats series, but also because it's something so small that means so much to so many of Bowie's fans.

To find the other Bowie stamp sets that are currently available, click here.

Royal Mail have also previously released Pink Floyd stamp sets, as well as Harry Potter, Agatha Christie and Beatrix Potter sets.


-- All photos are mine--

blink-182 announce California deluxe edition and new song

blink-182 seem to be having a creative burst at the moment as the band has announced a deluxe edition of their latest album California.

Not only that, but they've also revealed a brand new song, 'Parking Lot'.

The deluxe edition of California will be released on May 19th. It will include 11 new songs, including 'Parking Lot', as well as an acoustic version of 'Bored To Death'.

You can pre-order the album here.

All the new songs will feature on the second CD.

California deluxe edition track list (CD two):

1. 'Parking Lot'

2. 'Misery'
3. 'Good Old Days'
4. 'Don’t Mean Anything'
5. 'Hey I’m Sorry'
6. 'Last Train Home'
7. 'Wildfire'
8. '6/8'
9. 'Long Lost Feeling'
10. 'Bottom of the Ocean'
11. 'Can’t Get You More Pregnant'
12. 'Bored to Death (Acoustic)'

blink-182 are also on tour this summer, and you can catch them at the following dates:

July

3rd Cardiff  Motorpoint Arena
4th Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
5th Leeds First Direct Arena
7th Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
9th Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
11th Glasgow SSE Hydro
12th Aberdeen GE Oil & Gas Arena
14th Manchester MANCHESTER Arena
15th Liverpool Echo Arena
17th Bournemouth Int Center
19th Lonon O2 Arena
20th London O2 Arena

Emma Blackery announces EP title and tour

Emma Blackery is destined to make 2017 her year as, along with her upcoming book, she's also releasing an EP and heading on tour.

Blackery took to her social media to announce the title and artwork for the EP, Magnetised, on Wednesday evening (March 15). The second announcement of the EP's tour dates followed in the same way last night (March 16). Check out the artwork and dates below.





It is not yet known how many songs will feature on Magnestised, or when the release date will be, as Blackery simply put "Music is coming soon".

This will be the YouTuber/musician's fifth EP, following last year's very successful Sucks To Be You, which also featured a tour.

Magnetised was recorded in two studios in Wales. Blackery compiled various vlogs about the recording sessions on her YouTube channel which you can watch below.

Be sure to check back here for any more announcements when they happen.

Picture credit: Emma Blackery/Magnetised crew

Record Store Day is fast approaching...

Be sure to put Saturday 22nd April in your diaries as Record Store Day 2017 as, although the official release list isn't yet available, it's already set to be a cracker.

This year will mark ten years of the Day, which was inaugurated in 2007. It is a day dedicated to celebrating the unique culture of independent record shops, which is marked by the limited release of many vinyls only available in participating indie stores.

The official full list of limited, mostly special edition, products will be released later this month, but there are two releases which have already been announced: two rare David Bowie albums will be released to commemorate the day.

The first is Cracked Actor (Live in Los Angeles 1974), which was recorded in September 1974 and has previously never been officially released. It was recorded during the Philly Dogs tour and also features Luther Vandross on backing vocals.

The second is BOWPROMO1, a 1971 promo album which features alternative versions of songs that later appeared on the album Hunky Dory. It is believed that fewer than 500 copies were originally pressed and sent to music journalists at the time.

Its is not yet known how many copies of each vinyl will be made, or which stores will be stocking them, so stay tuned for further information when the official list is released.

Watch a video recording of 'Cracked Actor' from the Los Angeles show:

The full tracklist for Cracked Actor (Live in Los Angeles 1974) is:

Side 1:
‘Introduction’
‘1984
‘Rebel Rebel’
‘Moonage Daydream’
‘Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing’

Side 2:
‘Changes’
‘Suffragette City’
‘Aladdin Sane’
‘All The Young Dudes’
‘Cracked Actor’

Side 3:
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll With Me’
‘Knock On Wood’
‘It’s Gonna Be Me’
‘Space Oddity’

Side 4:
‘Diamond Dogs’
‘Big Brother’
‘Time’

Side 5:
‘The Jean Genie’
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide’
‘John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)’

Side 6:
David Bowie logo etching
Recorded live at Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles on 5th September 1974. Produced by David Bowie. Mixed in by Tony Visconti at Human Studios, NYC in October/November 2016.

The tracklist for BOWPROMO1 is: 

‘Oh! You Pretty Things’ (3.18)
‘Eight Line Poem’ (2.59)
‘Kooks’ (3.01)
‘It Aint Easy’ (3.04)
‘Queen Bitch’ (3.21)
‘Quicksand’ (5.09)
‘Bombers / Andy Warhol Intro’ (3.39)

Picture: Record Store Day/ 101 Ltd

Ed Sheeran- Divide review

After taking a break for nearly three years, Ed Sheeran is back and as good as ever with his new album, Divide.

The album was released on Friday (March 3rd), and I bought a copy from HMV in Manchester's Arndale Centre that very day.

After hearing 'Castle On The Hill' and 'Shape Of You' played on the radio multiple times, followed by 'How Would You Feel (Paean)' (which didn't seem to get as much airtime?), I was highly anticipating hearing the rest of what the album had to offer.

The opening of 'Eraser' sounded a lot like The Streets' 'Dry Your Eyes Mate' when I first listened to it; the music behind Ed's rap really gave me early 2000's vibes. This song also mirrors a lot of what 'Sing' gave us. Lyrically, Ed is speaking about his experiences with fame, highlighted in the line: "Friends and family filled with envy when they should be filled with pride". Its a witty song about the cost of celebrity culture, and as an opening track, it sets the album off to a brilliant start.


As I've mentioned before, 'Castle On The Hill' and 'Shape Of You' have been played a lot everywhere, but as it's Ed Sheeran's work, the music doesn't bore after multiple times of being belted out of the radio. In my opinion, these songs are the staple of the album and were very worthy first singles. The favourite of the two is 'Castle On The Hill'- the storytelling aspect of it really gets you hooked to listening and Ed's vocals are divine.




'Galway Girl' is another fantastic track. It's something a little different, with the overlaying Irish music in the background. Personally, I've found it addictive to listen to. It's still got the mix of Ed's rapping and stunning singing, but it stands out more than any other track.
 
Finishing the album is 'Supermarket Flowers', a song written about Ed's late nan from the perspective of his mum. It's sad, it's got a slow piano, and it's got Ed singing of pre-funeral rituals. This song is by far the saddest on the album, and probably the saddest he's ever written, but it is also one of the most beautiful.

 

Overall, this album is a complete mixture of different sounds, with songs to get you dancing, songs to make you fall in love and songs to make you cry your eyes out. It was inevitable called Divide to keep with the maths equations theme, but this album is in no way sticking to the conventions of the previous two records.


Cover art: Ed Sheeran