Shazamers' Blog

Following on from the multi-million selling, multi-award winning, critically acclaimed success of debut album ‘Lungs’, Florence + The Machine has returned with new track ‘What The Water Gave Me’.

The track references 2 prolific female figures, the title coming from a painting by artist Frida Kahlo and the lyrics referencing the suicide of writer Virigina Woolf. ‘What The Water Gave Me’ is a captivating pop track drenched in Florence’s rich, beautifully distinct vocals and enriched with the backing of a choir and the signature sounds of the harp.

Not a stray from previous works but a development and play on the sounds she began experimenting with on ‘Lungs’, the track is destined to feed the growing appetite of Florence fans globally.

‘What The Water Gave Me’ is the first taste from the yet to be titled new album. Recorded over 5 weeks at the famous 3 studio in Abbey Road Road (where the Beatles recorded ‘Revolver’ and Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’) and produced entirely by Paul Epworth (Adele, Cee-Lo Green & Bloc Party), Florence + The Machine’s new album is due out November 7.

Click here for more on Florence + The Machine

To watch the video for ‘What The Water Gave Me’, click here

Steph Cox Tag Of The Day florence + the machine

‘It’s Not The Same’ is the new EP and title track from rising UK musician Liam Bailey. Liam’s music has a classic soul feel with a contemporary twist, which is enriched by his distinctive and stunning vocal.

Originally from a suburb of Nottingham, Liam Bailey draws musical influence from the likes of Michael Jackson, R Kelly and Oasis and appeared as a guest vocal on the Chase & Status hit ‘Blind Faith’. Having recently coming off support tours with Plan B and Jessie J Liam is on the road promoting his new EP.

We were lucky enough to have Liam come into the Shazam studio to give us a beautiful performance of ‘It’s Not The Same’.

For more information on Liam Bailey and to purchase his music please visit his website.

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Liam Bailey, Shazam Session

A couple of months ago Kentucky based Black Stone Cherry came in to the Shazam office to give us a fabulous raw acoustic performance of their single ‘White Trash Millionaire’. Blending roots and modern hard rock Black Stone Cherry’s sound redefines southern rock for a modern audience.

Their new album ‘Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea’ peaked at #1 on the UK Rock Album Chart and the band had a quick chat with us about the album and what’s coming up next for them.

Do you have a personal favourite track from the album?
One of my personal favourites’ is ‘Killing Floor’. It’s heave and we wrote it with John5 (Rob Zombie’s guitarist). Second favourite is ‘Won’t Let Go’

In what ways do you find ‘Between the Devil…’ an extension of the previous two albums?
It’s a little bit of both albums combined – but mostly a new level for the band as far as songwriting.

You guys have been together for years now, with the same line up, how do you all get along?
We’re brothers. We love like brothers, fights like brothers etc. But we’re best friends.

Do you prefer playing live shows or recording as a band?
Both are different. We obviously love playing live and feeling the energy of a crowd. When we’re in the studio, we’re in a different mode.

What does the next year have in store for BSC?
Lots of touring!

Here at Shazam we are all about music discovery, what are you listening to at the minute?
Different stuff. Elvis, country music, roots. I listen to a lot of different genres.

If you could have one song from history to claim as your own, what would you chose?
Dang, that’s hard. Probably Sweet Emotion or Stairway to Heaven!

Black Stone Cherry’s album ‘Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea’ is available now through Roadrunner Record and you can find more on the band by visiting their website.

Interview by Hazel Savage

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Black Stone Cherry

Folk musician Eliza Carthy has built herself an admirable and diverse fifteen year career, having twice been nominated for the Mercury Prize, regularly co-presenting shows on BBC Radio, playing Glastonbury and performing and recording with an array of artists including, Paul Weller, Nick Cave, Patrick Wolf and Rufus and Martha Wainwright.

Eliza has released her new studio album ‘Neptune’ through her own label, Hem Hem Records and came in to the Shazam studio to deliver a beautifully impressive performance of the single ‘Revolution’.

To find out more on Eliza Carthy, please visit her website.

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Eliza Carthy, Revolution, Shazam Session

AWOLNATION is the solo project of Aaron Bruno, former member of Under The Influence Of Giants and Hometown Hero. Often described simply as an ‘indie rock’ act, AWOLNATION’s debut sits somewhere between Beck and LCD Soundsytem’s quieter moments, seamlessly blending a range of genres from pop to hip-hop and punk rock

AWOLNATION would seem to have the songs to back up the early interest too. The band’s single, ‘Sail’, has been a sleeper hit and their debut album, ‘Megalithic Symphony’, has already topped the Billboard Alternative New Artist chart and climbing the Billboard Top 100.

Having played a stint of incredible shows across the globe with the likes of MGMT and Weezer, including a raved about SXSW performance, AWOLNATION continues to tour relentlessly. Aaron took some time to have a quick chat with us about the formation and influences of this solo project.

What sparked the idea of starting AWOLNATION?
I had started writing a bunch of songs on my own after my last band split up, and it seemed appropriate to call it something when I realized I wanted people to hear it.
Read more…

Steph Cox Interviews AWOLNATION

While in London for a sold-out five night concert series, pop/rock band, Hanson took some time out to come into our Shazam Studio and give us a stripped back and fun performance of their latest single ‘Give A Little’.

Since 1997, the band have released five studio albums, toured excessively, set up their own label and focused on cultivating a relationship with their loyal fanbase.

With album sales in excess of 15 million, Hanson have recently released their critically acclaimed album ‘Shout It Out’. Debuting at #2 on the US Billboard independent charts, the album is a collection of songs that pays homage to the music that inspired them when they were starting out.

For more information on Hanson and to purchase their latest album, please visit their website.

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Hanson

Please note, this video contains language that may offend

Talihina Sky: The story of Kings Of Leon is an eye opening and honest perspective of the band whose strict Pentecostal upbringing in the Southern states of the USA transformed them into becoming one of the most admired rock bands in the world today.

Directed by Stephen Mitchell and produced by Casey McGrath, the film takes the band (Nathan, Caleb, Jared and Matthew Followill) back to Talihina, Oklahoma for their annual family reunion. It takes a journey into their personal world – from footage and photographs of the boys growing up, to stories from their family home by those that know them best, and of course what kind of rock documentary would it be without the booze and the women…

In what feels like very candid footage, they open up about the struggles of growing up poor, having literally only two pairs of pants, and the pressures and importance of religion in their day to day lives. The band discuss drugs and politics and argue over dollar bills, bass lines, pillows and alcohol abuse. Through-out the documentary though, it is very apparent that their colourful, at times very humorous, and proud family have driven the band to be who they are today.

Heavily influenced by their roots but inspired by the idea to ‘try something different’, Kings Of Leon’s massive success can be accredited to open hearts and dedication. Talihina Sky is a must see for any fan or for those that are just a bit curious about what catapulted this band to stardom.

For more information, please visit the Talihina Sky website.

Steph Cox News Kings Of Leon

Platinum-selling, BRIT & Ivor Novello Award nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot recently released her anticipated new album ‘Year Of The Wolf’.

Nerina popped into our Shazam Studios to give us a gorgeous and heartfelt acoustic performance of the lead single ‘Put Your Hands Up’.

Nerina is best known for her radio hit in 2006 ‘Everybody’s Gone To War’ from the album ‘Fires’ and more recently for her songwriting credits for the likes of Kylie Minogue and Diana Vickers.

For more information on Nerina and to purchase her album, please visit her website

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Nerina Pallot

Last month we had the pleasure of the delightful folk-pop duo, The Submarines, popping by the Shazam studio. The duo (John Draonetti & Blake Hazard) came in to give us a wonderful and stripped back performance of their single ‘Shoelaces’, taken from their latest album ‘Love Notes/Letter Bombs’.

‘Love Notes/Letter Bombs’ is the anticipated follow up to their 2008 release ‘Honeysuckle Weeks’ which featured the track ‘You, Me & Bourgeoisie’ which was used on Apple iPhone’s 3G television ad campaign.

For more on The Submarines and to purchase their music, please visit their website.

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Shazam Sessions, The Submarines

American singer/songwriter Pete Yorn joined us last month for a special acoustic performance of his new single ‘Sans Fear’ from his latest, self titled, album.

Yorn, who grew up in New Jersey, taught himself to play the drums and guitar at a young age before eventually releasing his critically acclaimed, gold record, debut LP in 2001 ‘musicforthemorningafter’. The latest release, produced by Frank Black (Pixies), was recorded in just five days and follows 2009′s ‘Back & Fourth’ and ‘Break Up’ (Yorn’s collaboration with Scarlett Johansson).

To find out more about Pete Yorn and to buy his latest record please visit his website.

Steph Cox Shazam Sessions Pete Yorn