I’m in love and for once it is something other than vegan food. Welcome to a music post with a vegan twist!
One of my hobbies is to troll around the Internet looking for music that tickles my fancy. I adore finding songs that speak to me. During my latest round of musical exploration I stumbled upon a track that was so instantly catchy, I had to walk out of the room and re-enter to make sure I wasn’t imagining things. The song I am referring to is Somebody Loves You by the artist Betty Who.
I am quickly discovering that the Australian-born, USA-residing Betty Who writes and delivers tunes that are smart, poppy, loveable and catchy as all get-out. Her powerhouse vocals take her songs to a level above the current cache of throwaway dance tracks and her Aussie twang instantly sets her apart from other vocalists.
Check out the song that has got me going weak at the knees for Betty Who (available as a free download!) before scrolling down to read my interview with the talented singer in which she shares her love of Kylie Minogue, vegan cupcakes and being an independent artist.
Are you passionate about independent music and the protection of animals? Well, you are going to love this news!
Martin Rossiteris a singer/songwriter of the highest calibre and I personally have been a huge fan of his music for more years than I can recall. He first nabbed my heart and mind as the lead singer of the glorious band Gene and it has been complete adoration ever since.
Martin Rossiter at The Garage, London September 2011
Martin has a unique voice that is capable of the most angelic, soulful croons as well as searing, rumbling growls of angst. His lyrics are intelligent and he delivers them with poise, control and a healthy dose of passion. You can tell I’m a fan, right?
It has been a long time since Martin has been a part of an official music release (Gene’s final studio album was released during 2001) so serious music fans are seriously excited by the news of an impending solo album release.
For this new record, Martin is venturing into the scary, exciting and rewarding waters of an independent release. He is using the online storefront Pledge Music to sell his songs to his audience. As of 1pm (UK time) on Tuesday August 28, 2012 anyone from anywhere in the world will be able to log on and buy all of Martin’s new material as well as a whole host of tantalising items. Goodies include sheet music for the album, t-shirts, live tracks from Martin’s first ever solo gig as well as a vinyl version of the new album.
But the news gets better still!
Martin is also an incredibly vocal supporter of non-human animals. His Twitter feed is always brimming with links supporting news, views and campaigns dedicated to improving outcomes for all creatures. Martin is taking this commitment to animals a step further by donating a portion of funds raised through his Pledge Music venture to the wonderful organisation known as League Against Cruel Sports.
Go to the album launch page on Facebookand RSVP. Visit Pledge Music this Tuesday and buy the album (and some other treats). Then sit back, relax and enjoy your fabulous new musical purchases safe in the knowledge you have just supported a world-class entertainer AND contributed financially to the wellbeing of animals.
Is this the perfect time to use the well-worn expression ‘win-win’? Indeed.
Time for a quick poll. What consumes the attention of a FGV most?
Choices for answers:
1. Eating vegan food 2. Traveling 3. Morrissey
Well done to the readers who put a circle around all three answers. Let me take you on a little journey as a reward for your astuteness. Hold on as we take in the delights of Rome, Morrissey in concert and vegan gelato.
A few weeks ago I took a trip to a far off place to see Morrissey in concert. It was my first time in Italy and Rome certainly left a huge impression on me. The city was gorgeous of course, but the immense wealth harnessed and displayed by organised religion left a rather sour taste in my mouth.
The remedy for this was to find my way to Gelarmony, a gelato outlet with an entire case of vegan options. From an overwhelming range of flavours, I was able to whittle my choice down to just three plus a healthy dose of vegan soya cream on top.
With the increasingly-popular London Vegan Drinks taking place at tibits vegetarian restaurant and bar tomorrow night, I thought it the perfect time to remind you why it is still one of the finest places to dine on vegan food in London.
I’m feeling romantic. Come with me as I spirit you back to 2005, the year I first met one of the true loves of my life. People often say you can’t help who you fall in love with and in that vein, dear FGV readers, I would like to introduce you to Original Pale Ale by Coopers Brewery.
What do you get when you couple a moving musical experience from a musical hero with a dull, overpriced meal in a tiny restaurant in a suffocatingly upper-middle class town? Read on if you think you can deal with the dizzying highs and tedious lows of my recent trip to Cambridge.
My passion for veganism and my love of Morrissey often intersect, but not usually in such a meaningful manner as they did a few weeks ago.
When I heard world wide web whispers of a vegan fair taking place in the Midlands town of Wolverhampton, I went through my usual Morrissey tragic routine of recalling the significance this UK city holds for lovers of the Mancunian legend. As any Morrissey fanatic worth their weight in NME-related litigation would know, over 20 years ago the artist bestowed the honour of his first solo gig upon Wolverhampton. The Smiths had recently been consigned to pop history and Morrissey wanted to show the world he was ready to tread the boards once again.
The fact that a vegan fair was taking place in this historically-significant (for Moz fans) city was almost enough to get me there. What I found out next sealed the deal and got me leaving the south and travelling north (no horses were harmed).
Have you ever sat there in front of your laptop/computer/smart phone/tablet and drawn a complete blank when wondering what a FGV sounds like? Live in ignorance no more!
This weekend marks my first foray into being a radio show guest. The wonderful, charming and talented Jose Maldonado is graciously allowing me to keep him company during his weekly show dedicated to all things Smiths and Morrissey.
You would think gifting the world with Morrissey is enough but no, Manchester just can’t stop giving. This time it isn’t a whip-smart, whimsical lyricist being served up by this generous Northern city but vegetarian and vegan delights in a stunning setting.
I’m not a fan of festivals. The thought of searing sun, overpriced booze and fools with flags has been deterrent enough for most of my FGV life. Up until a few weeks ago, I had only ever been lured to a music festival once in my life and that was by the promise of seeing Morrissey live. I suffered through a stifling Australian day back in the Summer of 2002 and was forced to listen to some truly dreary supporting bands.
Fast forward almost a decade and Morrissey managed to drag me back to my second ever festival. A few weeks ago, I found myself strolling around a rather pleasant field of people in Kent as a cavalcade of musical legends (including Morrissey) thrilled on stage. Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and Prince (yes, Prince!) drew tens of thousands of people to the three day event known as the Hop Farm Festival. Morrissey and Prince were my major draw cards and both artists were close to the best I have ever seen them, but I must say I was also blown away by the copious amounts of vegan food on offer.
