The 7th Annual Urban Music Awards 2009 – Bloomsbury Theatre, London review

Last night, Sunday November 1, 2009, we attended the 7th annual Urban Music Awards (UMA) at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London.

Urban Music Awards

Dave and I made our way to London via the Oxford Tube bus which is convenient and not too pricey. We were somewhat entertained by strangers Charlie and his mates, sitting behind us.

Last night, Sunday November 1, 2009, we attended the 7th annual Urban Music Awards (UMA) at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London.

Urban Music Awards

Dave and I made our way to London via the Oxford Tube bus which is convenient and not too pricey. We were somewhat entertained by strangers Charlie and his mates, sitting behind us. It was difficult not to overhear their excitement and conversation regarding their plans for the evening, which was going to the Snowboarding World Cup event at Battersea Power Station. While they were discussing their evening, we were getting excited too, on our way to the Urban Music Awards.

Bloomsbury is one of my favorite areas in London. It was the first place I stayed when I arrived in England a few years ago. This time of year, the streets are especially quaint, walking along, over the crisp fallen leaves… so I wasn’t too disappointed to find out that although we arrived, press passes in hand, at the Bloomsbury Theatre on time, we were an hour early. So, with some time to spare, we wandered around and found our way to the pleasant Cafe Toscana.

An hour later and back at the theatre, things were bustling and as the crowd made their way into the reception area, we headed straight for the bar…and then proceeded to people watch. A very nice looking crowd indeed, many dressed to the max, girls in short sequined dresses of all colors, guys dressed in suits along with some familiar faces.

One of those familiar faces was none other than Levi Roots! He was up for an award in the Best Entrepreneur category, which I felt was well deserved as we’ve been following his career since his successful appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den when he was given funding for his – and my favorite – Reggae Reggae Sauce.

We talked to Levi before the show. He has a new album and video out, and I asked him if he plans to come out with a milder Reggae Reggae Sauce. He said the current sauce isn’t that spicy! He looked great, a sharp dresser, and I was happy to find out that his warm and friendly personality that comes across on TV is the same in person.

Watch Levi Roots – “So Out Of My Mind” video:

After the announcement that the awards show was about to begin, we went into the theatre, found some good seats, and we were ready for the show.

Awards Presenters included:

Comedian Roland Rivron, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace (Big Brother 7), former boxer Frank Bruno, Paul Danan (Reality TV, former Hollyoaks actor), British MP George Galloway, actress Linda Robson, Christian artists Adam and Matt Brooks and R&B group Cleopatra.

Performances included:

Sons of Soul (SOS) “Candy Girl”; Sway; Wild Sugar; K.I.G Family “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”; Meleka “Go”; Lazee “Hold On”; Dj Luck and Mc Neat “A Little Bit of Luck”; Egypt “In The Morning”; Britain’s Next Superstar singers/contestants and Brick & Lace.

Voted by the public via the UrbanMusicAwards website, winners included:

Best Newcomer: Egypt
Best Radio Show: James Meritt (Kiss)
Best Entrepreneur: Levi Roots
Best Collaboration: Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne “Down”
Most Inspiring Act 2009 (?) Brick & Lace
Best Music TV Station: Flava TV
Best Jazz Act: Yolanda Brown
Best Album 2009: N-Dubz ‘Uncle B’
Best Producer: Blessed Beats
Best Hip Hop Act: Sway
Best Music Video: K.I.G “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes”
Best UK Asian Act: R.D.B
Best Gospel Act: Guvna B
Best R&B Act: Brick & Lace

The founder of the Urban Music Awards Jordan Kensington thanked his mother who was in attendance and talked about helping to get kids inspired at 200 schools and colleges. Children in The Urban Poets vs Double MDO (not sure of the spelling) performed poems about success, and from audience response, Double MDO won the Young Achievers Award.

I hope to get official documentation regarding winners, performances etc. which I’ll publish here on BandWeblogs.com when available, or in the meantime, go to the Urban Music Awards Official website.

Notable Performances / Ones to Watch: Sway; Wild Sugar: hopefully I’m spelling that right – I’m unable to locate their website, but Wild Sugar was fantastic. Three girls singing up front with nine dancers behind them. The main vocalist’s voice was somewhat reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, with some scat singing thrown in for good measure. Great to hear young artists singing in that style; Meleka: she has a great voice, looked fabulous on stage in her sparkly silver dress and I really like her debut single “Go”. She pulled Entrepreneur of the Year Levi Roots up to the stage and he good-naturedly danced along with her; Swedish rapper Lazee; Cleopatra: when they presented the Best R&B Act Award, they sang part of a song acapella and announced that they’ll be back in 2010. I’ll look forward to hearing their new material.

The night was fun and entertaining and the setting was intimate. There were some glitches – a couple times when presenters were announced to come out, we were left in complete silence as nothing happened – to then be told that the presenter wasn’t available to present the award. But I guess “technical difficulties” are to be expected at this kind of event.

Also, it was disappointing to see that it wasn’t a full house and I’m not sure if that was due to keeping the awards show more low key this year because of the violence that erupted, as Sway mentioned when he accepted his award, last year at the larger 2008 Urban Music Awards at the O2 arena in London, or if there were other reasons.

I hope that more people continue to go out and support UK artists of this genre, either by checking out live shows and/or buying the music, as there are a lot of talented artists and musicians out there, performing their craft and entertaining audiences.

On our way back home on the Oxford Tube, we were coincidentally reunited with – still strangers – Charlie and his mates, as they sat behind us again and loudly talked about the Snowboarding World Cup and the winners of the event. It was good to hear the results.

For more information, go to:

Invincible Group
Jordan Kensington on Twitter

Urban Music Awards Official Website

By: Jenny May

Benjamin Taylor ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk’ review + LIVE @ The Social, London + “She’s Gone” video

Benjamin Taylor

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo. After listening to Benjamin Taylor’s music on his website and MySpace page, I was quite interested to see him perform live. Ben is Carly Simon and James Taylor’s son, so the idea of seeing him and hearing him in person was intriguing …

Benjamin Taylor

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo

After listening to Benjamin Taylor‘s music on his website and MySpace page, I was quite interested to see him perform live.

Ben is Carly Simon and James Taylor‘s son, so the idea of seeing him and hearing him in person was intriguing. Also, he’s from New England (Martha’s Vineyard), which is always a treat for me – running into fellow New Englanders in England.

The intimate showcase took place last Monday night downstairs at The Social in London. The Social is a great place for an acoustic show. There’s limited seating, but the stage is always in view as the room is quite small.

Continue reading “Benjamin Taylor ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk’ review + LIVE @ The Social, London + “She’s Gone” video”

Emma Deigman (Edei) interview + live review (The Regal Room, London)

Emma Deigman

With her upcoming tour supporting Girls Aloud and her debut album release this summer, London based singer Emma Deigman is one to watch this year – and Dave and I had the pleasure of meeting her at The Regal Room in London last week …

Emma Deigman

With her upcoming tour supporting Girls Aloud and her debut album release this summer, London based singer Emma Deigman is one to watch this year – and Dave and I had the pleasure of meeting her at The Regal Room in London last week.

We had a bit of a rocky start getting to the interview – the Oxford Tube bus broke down on the way to London. Luckily, though, the bus was able to make it to the Hillingdon stop where we conveniently got on the tube to where we were originally told to go, Studio Valbonne in Soho.

Even with the bus incident, we managed to get there early, buzzed the door, we were let in, and we waited a few minutes on one of the red couches (cool club by the way). I think it was the owner, Xavier, who let us in and after about ten minutes of waiting, with no one showing up to meet us, he came over and asked “who is it you’re here to see?”. After a quick call from Xavier’s mobile phone, yes, believe it or not I still don’t have one, we got directions to the actual location for the interview and show – The Regal Room in Hammersmith. We left Studio Valbonne after a few apologies to Xavier (lovely man), quickly got into a taxi, went to the correct location, and ended up being over 30 minutes late. The good thing though, is that Emma and her management knew that it wasn’t our fault for showing up late, and they graciously greeted us upon our arrival!

Continue reading “Emma Deigman (Edei) interview + live review (The Regal Room, London)”

Leonard Cohen review – O2 Arena, London

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen review, O2 Arena, London – 14 November 2008. Have you ever seen Annie Hall? If yes, then you’ll recall the scene where Alvy dates a music journalist played by Shelley Duvall and they emerge from a Stones concert, Duvall’s character rhapsodising about how the gig was ‘transplendent’. Well before you go any further, I should confess: that was me, after witnessing the legend that is Leonard Cohen in London …

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen review, O2 Arena, London – 14 November 2008

Have you ever seen Annie Hall? If yes, then you’ll recall the scene where Alvy dates a music journalist played by Shelley Duvall and they emerge from a Stones concert, Duvall’s character rhapsodising about how the gig was ‘transplendent’. Well before you go any further, I should confess: that was me, after witnessing the legend that is Leonard Cohen in London.

After a hellish journey from Oxford to London and then to North Greenwich, we found ourselves slightly late, hungry and cranky. Now anyone who knows me will testify to my horrendous hunger grumps. So it’s no mean feat that three hours later, I was in seventh heaven. Like Leonard advised, we forgot the past and were transported to another place by a performance which is best described as sublime.

Dressed in a pin-striped suit and rakishly tilted fedora, Cohen looked ice cool. He and his band gave the appearance of a thirties era group of gangsters, their iconic appearance matched in panache by a set in which it was clear Cohen meant every word of his poetic and mystical lyrics. A magnificent “Hallelujah” was a case in point.

Continue reading “Leonard Cohen review – O2 Arena, London”

Reckless Sons + The Splendour review LIVE at Madam JoJo’s – Soho, London

Reckless Sons

Last night I went to the Reckless Sons and The Splendour show at Madam JoJo’s in Soho, London. Before the show, we were having drinks across the street from Madam JoJo’s, upstairs at The O Bar …

Reckless Sons

Last night I went to the Reckless Sons and The Splendour show at Madam JoJo’s in Soho, London.

Before the show, we were having drinks across the street from Madam JoJo’s, upstairs at The O Bar, and the newest addition to the New York City based band Reckless Sons, drummer Austin Schumacher, sat down with me for a quick chat. Before making their way to the UK they played a couple shows in Washington DC area that went down well and he was looking forward to playing the London show and their UK tour. They’ve just finished shooting a video for upcoming single, “Blood”, which was filmed in New York, and from his description, sounds like one to watch out for when it’s released.

As 9:30 approached, we made our way to Madam JoJo’s for the show. I was looking forward to seeing these two up and coming bands, one from New York and the other, The Splendour, from Brighton.

Continue reading “Reckless Sons + The Splendour review LIVE at Madam JoJo’s – Soho, London”

Fila Vintage White Line film with Danny Dyer, Tamer Hassan (video) + EXCLUSIVE interview

Danny Dyer

There’s a short online – viral – film that has been making the rounds the last few weeks. The Fila Vintage White Line film features British actors Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan and can be found around the net on sites like YouTube, Bebo, various blogs and now Band Weblogs …

Danny Dyer

There’s a short online – viral – film that has been making the rounds the last few weeks. The Fila Vintage White Line film features British actors Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan and can be found around the net on sites like YouTube, Bebo, various blogs and now Band Weblogs.

Tamer Hassan

Danny Dyer has been in quite a few movies that I really like, such as Human Traffic, The Trench and The Football Factory, which also stars Tamer Hassan. The Fila Vintage White Line film has that Football Factory feel to it, as well as British gangster, which Danny and Tamer handle perfectly in their starring roles.

It’s interesting to see that they’ve taken the time out to be involved with an innovative viral film for Fila, for their “Worn Again ‘Centre Court’ trainers – Summer 08 Fila collection”, and the film is only featured online.

More information about the film:

Rooted in the British gangster film genre, cult actors and faces of Fila, Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan, play two South London hitmen who are summoned for a job to see the big boss.

They are ordered to find two Italian culprits and beat them up accordingly. The film ensues with both Danny and Tamer dishing out the punishment, revealing the final twist at the end of the film…

Produced by Red Bee Media and directed by Marcus Jones, the short film was shot at The George Tavern in East London. The viral film will also be entered into a variety of industry short film festivals. The film supports a key Vintage style within their most comprehensive collection to date and is a testament to Fila’s firm grasp on everything retro.

Watch Fila Vintage White Line film (video) with Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan:

The Fila Vintage White Line Film Interview

Mark Travis, Marketing Manager at Fila UK was kind enough to answer a few questions that I had about the film.

Jenny May: Why did you choose to shoot the film at The George Tavern in East London?

Mark Travis: Red Bee Media (the production company who created the film) found this on their location visit and it fit perfectly with the treatment of the film-gangster genre. The first scene was going to be filmed in a seedy nightclub setting (ideally with a 70s edge) when Danny and Tamer go to see the big boss and the George had a brilliant back room with a disco floor. It was a perfect first location.

Which industry short film festivals has the Fila Vintage White Line film been entered into?

It has been entered into BEFILM The Underground Film Festival in New York which is the first viral film festival.

This is quite innovative to go viral with the film. Any plans on making a version for TV?

No, this was a purely online campaign which Fila wanted to do to capture their key audience who are looking to the internet for most of their inspiration and entertainment.

What are some of your thoughts on viral video?

I think they are becoming really important to gain cut through with a young edgy audience who are becoming more discerning and not so easily led by in your face advertising. Marketing to this audience is becoming more about creativity and subtlety which is what I think virals do very well.

How was it decided that Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan would star in the film?

We had already decided to sign them on as the faces of the Fila brand in the UK so it made sense to play with their gangster reputations and make a short film incorporating some new Fila product in a clever way.

How long did it take to shoot?

1 day.

Who’s behind the concept? How did they come up with the idea?

Frank PR came up with the idea of producing a viral with Danny and Tamer beating up the new Centre Court pre distressed trainers in humorous ways. We then got Red Bee on board who flushed out the full treatment and brought together the look and feel of the film including script/storyboards etc.

Who are the musicians (artists) involved with the music?

It was all library music from Extreme and KPM including:

From Extreme (020 7485 0111)
Elektrochrome (1′ 23″)
Pain Damage (20″)
Hell Bent (45″)
Creative Crack (18″)
Judge Dead (1′ 53″)

From KPM (020 3059 3000):
Gravity (41″)

Tamer Hassan and Danny Dyer - Fila

For more information:

Frank PR

Red Bee Media

Fila

Tamer Hassan Official Website

Danny Dyer Official Website

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Nicole Atkins LIVE at Soho Review Bar, London + EXCLUSIVE interview

Nicole Atkins

Nicole Atkins is one to watch – and I’ve found out why first hand. The singer/songwriter New Jersey native has been on tour in Europe with her band, the Sea, and I was lucky enough to catch her show while she was in London …

Nicole Atkins

Nicole Atkins is one to watch – and I’ve found out why first hand.

The singer/songwriter New Jersey native has been on tour in Europe with her band, the Sea, and I was lucky enough to catch her show while she was in London.

First of all the venue, the Soho Review Bar (formerly the Raymond Review Bar), a place that some might consider seedy due to it’s erotic nature, was a brilliant room to watch a live performance. Just what I like – intimate, dark, the red interior was a plus and the sound was exceptional.

By the time Nicole started her set, the room was full with an expectant audience. She looked a million dollars, wearing a short white and black dress, she sounded great and her banter in between songs was friendly and humorous. At one point she invited people to go up toward the stage to watch – and a few did get up from their seats to sway along to songs that she played from her album, ‘Neptune City’.

The band was tight, and members on stage were Gillian Rivers (violin), Daniel “Cashmere” Chen (keyboard), Derek Layes (bass), Dan Mintzer (drums) and Dave Hollinghurst (guitar). Special guest Russell Simins from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion sat in on tambourine at one point.

Stand out songs of the night were “Brooklyn’s On Fire”, “The Way It Is”, “Party’s Over”, “Maybe Tonight” and their outstanding cover of the Doors’ “Crystal Ship”.

Nicole Atkins

While in England, Nicole was able to squeeze in a phone interview with me for Band Weblogs the day before her show in Soho.

Jenny May: Do you have a favorite place to write music?

Nicole Atkins: I do. When the melodies of my songs come to me it’s usually when I’m sitting, but moving, so usually in the car or in a train is when they happen. But I really like to finish my songs in my parents’ living room at home. At least when they’re upstairs – but as long as they’re not in the room!

Are your parents musicians?

No. They like rock music, but none of them are musicians. We grew up with like, Frank Zappa as our ‘children’s music’.

Do you tend to write on guitar?

I write everything based on the vocal melody, and then I just put chords to that. It’s more fun and easier for me because instruments are limited, but on vocals, it’s not limited at all so I just layer everything through vocal melodies for every part.

What was the first guitar that you bought, do you remember?

I never bought one. My mom’s little brother, he passed away when he was thirteen and when I was thirteen I found his Yamaha Acoustic learners guitar in the attic. It was kind of a big deal. My mom was kind of reluctant for me to play it because she thought that I would break it, you know, because she got kind of sad when she would see it. Then I just kept going into the attic, I got this Grateful Dead guitar book, and taught myself how to play a bunch of Dead songs. So then after awhile they got really okay with it.

Do you still play it?

No. It’s a learner so it’s very short, and it’s actually harder to play than my guitar now!

And what are you playing now?

Now acoustic, I’m playing a Martin, and electric, I’m playing a Hagstrom Viking. It’s great.

I saw a video of you on YouTube singing “Be My Baby” – that was really good. It’s funny because that was the first song that I ever sang on stage with a band.

Nice. I love that song and I love singing that when my parents’ friends come to our shows ’cause you know, they have no idea what the hell I’m singing about, but when I start singing that, it’s just like, yeah!

I know what you mean. Ha ha.

Ha ha.

What are some of your favorite cover songs to play?

Three that we’re liking right now is “Crystal Ship” by the Doors, “Pissing In a River” from Patti Smith and “Under The Milky Way” by The Church.

I’m not sure if I’m familiar with The Church.

It’s a really pretty song.

I’ll have to look it up. I’m going to your show tomorrow night in Soho, London. Are you going to play that one?

Good. No we’re not…we’re still choosing, so maybe we will.

I was reading through your Myspace messages and noticed that your fan base is missing you in the States.

Yeah. Ha ha.

How do you stay in touch with them while you’re on tour?

Well, I always put out bulletins and I put up blogs of what’s going on out here, and little videos and stuff. So, I keep them fully abreast on the happenings.

I’m sure they appreciate that.

They do, and it’s always weird for me because I’m like, oh, they care!

I saw that video of you performing in Norway.

That was really fun. That was like, the funnest press thing that I’ve ever had to do.

It sounded great.

Yeah we met a bunch of people afterwards that were like super stoked on it. Like all these older people were like, “you have a very nice voice”. I was like, yeah!

How do you prepare for a show each night?

I don’t really do anything, I just kind of do brief vocal warm ups and just hang out with my band or my friends and then just go up and do it. I don’t really get into the mode until maybe 15 seconds before I sing the first note.

I would imagine that makes life easier for you.

It does. If you ever think it, you know, it will be weird and unnatural.

Some singers have all these rituals where they don’t talk or they don’t do certain things…

Yeah, I mean, unless I’m sick, you know, then I won’t talk. I always get on stage and I pick out the eight people that seem kind of skeptical or uneasy or unhappy in a crowd and kind of focus on them, kind of change their mood. I make them my personal mission.

Nice. I did read that you were sick on the road. Did you drink tea, or…

I’m always sick on the road. I just realized I’ve got the weakest immune system in the world. I do everything. I’m like a walking science project.

Ha ha. Is there any one thing that’s tended to work better for you?

Yeah…eight hours of sleep.

How did the David Letterman performance go (“The Way It Is”)? How was that for you?

That was the best day of my life. That was the day my record came out and it had been pushed back so much, I mean, it was, ahhh, finally we did it. It came off really, really well.

It was funny, the way he kept holding your hand at the end.

Yeah, he wouldn’t let go of my hand. It was cool, though, he liked us.

You could tell he liked you.

It was cool.

Nicole Atkins

With your “Neptune City” single, it gives me the chills when I listen to it. What was the recording environment like in the studio?

We were in a barn in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere in Sweden and it was during the middle of winter. I recorded that song almost a year before I recorded it for the album and it’s one of those songs, that every time I sing it, I get the same feeling as I did when I first heard it. It was one of those things that…it was so much bigger than me.

What brought you to Sweden to record?

The producer lived there so it was much easier for me to go there alone then for him to come to New Jersey.

Did you enjoy it?

I didn’t. At all. I love making my records, and I love the music part of it, but it was the middle of winter so it got dark out at like 2 o’clock everyday. And I was in the middle of nowhere and I didn’t know anybody so it was very isolating…which might have been good because I was able to really focus on the music, but at the same time it probably didn’t do too well for my mental stability. I was very happy when I got home.

How long were you out there for?

A month and a half. Not too bad, but very, very isolating.

What normally is a good recording setting for you?

My idea of a good recording setting is very off the cuff, and very intimate, but it never really gets to work out that way now a days.

Is there a certain studio that you would like to work in that you haven’t yet?

Abbey Road. Who wouldn’t?

With your upcoming release, “Maybe Tonight”, I love it, the video is fun…

Thanks!

Do you have any input with the making of your videos?

Yes, I have full input. The video director (Josh Forbes) said let’s do this like you’re walking on your way to get ready for a late night TV show. I was like, oh, let’s get some circus freaks, you know, because I grew up on the boardwalk. There was a very big carnival culture. So he ended up getting us Vaudeville Cirque, which was way past my expectations, and we improvised everything and did it as we were, and it was just so much fun.

It looks really fun, and it definitely comes across.

It was. I choreographed it too.

That’s really good to know. Had you had experience with choreographing before?

No, I just did a lot of theatre.

Do you want to do more videos, directing, that sort of thing?

Oh yeah, I have tons of video ideas. It’s kind of a passion of mine to make up stories for a film.

Do you have a favorite festival that you like to play?

I’ve never really played any except for Austin City Limits. The one I’m looking forward to the most is All Points West. It’s in Jersey City and it’s with Radiohead. It’s an hour from my house too, so it’s really nice.

You’re playing Bonnaroo as well?

I’m really looking forward to that too, cause we get to play that with our good friends The Avett Brothers, that I went to college with.

Not only are you a singer and musician, but you’re an artist as well. Did you do the cover art for your album, ‘Neptune City’?

No I got my friend Nick to do it. He basically draws how I would draw if I wasn’t lazy and if I had the time!

Are you going to continue doing your art along with your music?

Yes, I always do. Comics and stuff. I put together a zine that goes to our fans so that we can actually mail them the comics and stuff like that. The comics will probably be ready in the fall.

Nicole Atkins Official Website
Nicole Atkins Myspace