A day in the life of Amy Wyke and the Mercury

Amy Wyke

Amy Wyke was born in 1987 and has been writing her own songs since a very young age and has always had a huge passion for music and performing live. 

Amy's producer is Andy Nichol (Aldous, JEAN, Madhen..) who worked with her on  her EP ‘Keep Breathing’ and continue to work on her forth coming album. 

 The Ep has been released last summer 2010 and is available direct from Amy, from itunes, from amazon MP3.

Amy has been on tour as the support act  for The Chris Moyles show feature “FolkFace” city Tour all the summer and she also has been performing with her band or alone with her guitare several gigs in UK and will be back on tour soon.

Please have a look at  :

Amy's official website, 

Amy's myspace

Amy's Facebook page 

Amy's Twitter 

and also on Last FM. 

Jersey Budd

Here some links to some old or not interviews and articles about Jersey Budd

BBC Leicester 
The Jitty 

The Jitty 2 

gigjunkies.com 

absolute radio  

absolute radio for Xmas 

the sun 

music-news.com 

the music fix (interview made by my mate Olivia.) 

teenfi.com 

several articles by "this is leicestershire" 

A blog for band from Brighton!

Here is the new address for the blog write by my friend about bands from Brighton/

http://brightonparis.blogspot.com/

Mooli- an interview with-

I must say that Im quite proud of the fact that my friends from Mooli gave me the chance to ask them several little questions for this 1st interview after the release of their new baby, the EP Black Spring....  Have a look at their answers and don't forget to buy their EP! ;)

Ben, Mooli is almost your old baby now, can you introduce Kristina to us?

Haha, yes I guess Mooli has past the kindergarten stage now, and the child has started school. Kristina is someone I've 

known for around four years now. I met her when she was 18, and she's 22 in a couple of months. In that time she has come on amazingly well as a vocalist. She's matured so much in that time,  and has her own unique vocal style. She's also someone who has her own fashion sense. Sometimes she wears the most random things, but somehow manages to make it work.

Kristina, can you give us your own "description" of Ben? Is it hard or easy to work with him in the studio?

Ben is full of character but can be very disorganised,as he will admit himself. It must be something to do with his mad  creative side, but luckily I am organised so it balances itself out. On the whole it's very exciting working with Ben in the studio

Kristina, you're now the lead singer and the "face" of Mooli, what's your feeling about that? 

 it was in fact quite a long wait for Ben to ask me. I felt like I been under Ben's wing for a few years,and sort of waiting in the wings , no pun intended, while he went about trying to find a vocalist for Mooli but it feels like now is the right time, and i'm very happy he asked cos I'm so excited about the future for Mooli. 

Have you ever wanted to work with your voice?

Always. For as long as I can remember. It's always been a dream, so it feels good to be making it a reality. 

Ben, why did you choose the name of Mooli for the band and how did you find this idea?

I first thought of the name about 6 years ago. Initially the band was called Regis, but then we discovered there was another band with that name, so had to change it. I really wanted to find the most random name I could find, that wasn't something people knew about, or spoke about haha, so I got the dictionary out, and started looking up random words, and got drawn to the name Mooli. Especially after i discovered it was used by medicine men to treat various ailments, and was also a name used as long ago, as biblical times. I was quite intrigued by the name, and somehow the name sounded warm to me, which was a good thing in my book, because although we make Electronic music, we try to inject some warmth into it. Electronic music doesn't have to be cold and sterile. .

What's your occupation apart from the band?

Ben: I am a songwriter and producer, and i have worked in many different genres.

Kristina: Truthfully it's really not that interesting, and you really don't want to know.. an assistant manager but i don't want to bore you with it. 

Can you both tell us what is your own past in the music industry?

Ben: I've been signed to a major label, part of Universal , called A&M records, who Emimem is signed to, with a previous band, and also was a songwriter with Universal, and Global talent, writing songs for different acts. During that time I've written and produced acts such as Beverley Knight, and had songs on a couple of top 10 albums in America, and further top 10's in places like Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Kristina: I've been around the kent music scene gigging since I was 18, so about three years, and I studied music at college.

Is there a place in your home where you love to be to write the song?

Ben: I'd say in my studio, which is located in my house. From the moment i saw the house, i knew exactly where I'd put my studio. I spend most of my life in there now, haha.

Kristina: My room, and in my car  are probably my favourite places. My room is my personal hide out, where I can shut the door, get away from the world, and into mine.

How do you find the inspiration?

Ben : It really depends. Sometimes it's feeling a sense of injustice, and being outraged at something I've read or seen on the news, ha, or sometimes it's personal, and it's cathartic being able to  revisit something that happened and make sense of it. A lot of the  songs on the new album in a way are like that. 

Kristina: Everyday random spontaneous happenings. What people say, what people do, what you see and what you hear in normal life. Anything that captures your attention can lead to inspiration. 

What's your biggest dream for the band?

Ben: For the band to achieve its full potential, whatever that means. Ideally to have more people finding out about us, and hopefully identifying with what we do. There's no point making music, and not wanting anyone to hear it. 

Kristina: My biggest dream fingers crossed is to go all the way, and become known worldwide

And do you have a personnal dream? (like playing in a movie, write a book.....)

Ben: Ooh I'd love to write a book. I actually started one, but I've left it alone for a little while. I must return to it, and see how crap it is, haha. I'm also quite into film making, and writing scripts etc. 

Kristina:  My personal dream would be to write songs for different artists, or have other artists cover my songs. 

Would you like to play big festival like Glastonbury....? 

Ben:Yes definitely. Playing Glastonbury would be such a buzz. I was reading an interview with Matt from Muse, where he was saying that certain songs he writes, he thinks, ' This one will be a stadium song' or this one will only work in a small intimate venue. I totally got where he was coming from, because certain songs that we do, i can hear would be great for a bigger stage, especially some of the songs off the next album, like Meek. 

Kristina: I'd like to play all of the big festivals. Every single one. So yes,definitely Glastonbury, and the Isle of Wight are up there

If you can give a song for a charity, which charity will you choose and why?

Ben: Oh now that's a difficult one, because i support several charities like Amnesty. I have friends though, who have been working for Crisis, over Christmas, and I really felt for the homeless people. Its tough being homeless especially in winter, and as someone who was once homeless I identify with what they must have been going through. I've always thought that one of the songs on the last album ' Underneath the same sun' would be a good  charity record. On the new album' One Chance ' is a song I'm particularly proud of, and could also be a good choice. 

Kristina: It would have to one of our new songs ' One Chance' . Its an appreciation of time you have in life to make a difference, because you often  only get one chance. Of the charities the one I support the most is cancer research, and particularly breast cancer.

Who is/are your heroe(s) in the music industry? And in the whole artistic world?

Ben: I have so many. Stevie wonder is amazing, and has done so well. Berry Gordy of course. Michael Jackson is an absolute hero of mine, and synth wise, Vince Clarke is god!

Kristina: Alanis Morissette is an absolute god. 

What is the First ever cd/vinyl you've bought?

Kristina:  I really can't remember to be honest. First ever music I bought was either  either city High- what would you do, Jennifer Lopez I'm gonna be alright, or one of the Misteeq single on cassette tape. On CD it was probably Christina Aguilera's what a girl wants.

What was the first gig you went ?

Kristina: Christina Aquilera's stripped tour at Wembley.

If you could make a cover, which song will you choose and why?

Ben :I really like ' Here comes the rain again' and keep thinking of doing a cover of it, but not quite managed to sort it out, haha. 

Kristina: It would have to be Alanis, and the song ' Thank you', because its my favourite song by her. it's genius!

Do you have an album in your Ipod that you love so much that you will never remove it ? Which one?

Kristina: Florence and the machine Lungs and Alanis's jagged little pill.Well all of hers actually. 

If you could make a duet, with who would you like it to be?

Kristina: It would have to be Chester from Linkin Park, or Alanis.

Kristina, would you like to sing in another language?

Kristina : Yes Italian would be quite nice, as would French. 

How do you take care of your voice?

Kristina: I don't smoke, and I don't drink coffee before singing, and I also have vocal exercises with the most amazing singing teacher in the world. oh, and Vocal zone.Its best for clearing your throat.

Would you like to be famous in France? 

Kristina: of course, I love the French. Would love to be famous Worldwide, haha. 

Do you have a special message for the persons who support you?

Kristina: Thank you lots and lots and I really appreciate everyone's time, and support, especially all the lovely emails welcoming me. being new to a band that has already had some success, and coming in halfway hasn't been easy, but i've been accepted, and it means a lot to me.

The Indifference of Nature - Smugglers Run

Smugglers Run - An introduction to-

 Wanna know more about  SmugglersRun , band from Sheffield (and London) who I talked about earlier in this blog.? Well, just read the following part of the article. They answered to some questions to make you feel a little bit more closer to them.... ENJOY!


First of all, can you introduce the band? And how did the boys have met each others?

We met at University, we were all on a film course, except Dave, the Bass player, who Liam met when he went home with a girl after a night out and saw a bass guitar through an open door in her flat. He went in and asked if Dave played Bass, he said yeah, and they had their first little practise that night in that room! Liam came to Sheffield from London seeking a new musical project and new band members. He just went up to people in public who looked like they might play instruments and soon enough it was arranged.

Where does your love for music comes from? Why did you decided, one day, to learn how to play 'your' instrument?

When Liam was younger he was a keen actor, he was in lots of theatrical productions in and around London and had several television performances under his belt. But soon after being offered a part in a big television programme in England he went to see 70's Punk Rockers 'Stiff Little Fingers' and was blown away. From then on all he wanted was to make music.

All the band are passionately interested in music from all genre's. We constantly argue and disagree on contemporary and historical musical, all the way back to the 1920's.

We had all messed around with music and instruments during our teens but we didn't start seriously learning until we got to university and decided to try and start a band. We took it slow, taught and encouraged each other. We learnt to play by writing songs, we can't read music or even tell you what notes we're playing but if we like the sound, we'll play it.

Where does comes from the idea to create that band?

We all wanted to be in a band, the passion flows evenly throughout the band. This meant that as soon as we met each other a band was the only way forward!

Who have had the idea of this name and why?

The name Smugglers Run was a joint effort. Liam wanted something to do with pirates, smugglers or the sea and after an evening sitting around drinking and discussing it, a really intoxicated friend suggested Smugglers Run, and we loved it!

Which artists are your idols and who, in the music world, give you some inspiration?

Liam loves Jim Morrison, The Doors, and a lot of British Punk and Rock. We are all influenced by Punk, Hardcore, Rock and Indie-rock. The Strokes, Rise Against, Ramones, Dead Kennedys, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath etc.

What are your others occupations, outside music?

David works at a sports centre, Nathan, Robbie and Liam are film makers. Liam also founded Sheffield based independent record label: Bad Merchant!

What are your BIGGEST dream for the band?

Just to be able to live off making music would suffice, but supporting the strokes would be nice!

Where do you find the inspiration to write a song?  And do you sometimes write a song "in 5 minutes"? (I mean, have you ever had a brainwave which makes you take a piece of paper and write a full song in 5 minutes?)

Songs are written in stages mostly, we write a guitar riff and go from there but quite often Liam will write a full song while sitting alone at night and then bring it to the studio. We definitely write some of our best material in a few minutes.

If you had to do a cover, which songs will you choose and why?

We already do a pretty good cover of Bulletproof by La Roux!

With who would you like to do a duet and why?

A duet with Jamie T would be a dream of Liams. But It would be good to duet with Mick Jagger or Julius from the Strokes!

Some bands asked to "famous" actors or models to plays in their videoclips, would you like to ask to someone in particular to play in one of yours? Or would you like to ask to a "special" director to direct one of your videoclip?

Wes Anderson to direct one of our videos and Al Pacino to star in one!

Which dead artist(s) would you like to see coming back to life?

Jim Morrison!

In France, we have, every 21st of June and for more than 29 years now, a National day called "La fête de la musique". On that day, every single musician can go in the street and play his art. This is free and everybody is welcome to play or listen and this is a very festive day.  I know that several others countries have "took" this idea now and do that too. What do you think of that? And would you like the British governement do the same and declare the 21th of june, a national day for music?
 

That sounds like an amazing day, we would love for that to happen in England, however, I think the British Government has a lot more important things to do first!

Do you have a special message for the people who loves and support you?

Keep up the support, we love you and you will not be forgotten!

Thank you, Let's get Smugglers out to France!