Going Gaga for Gaga

Something a little cray cray happened this weekend, I don’t know how it happened but it did and I’m still waiting for reality to slap me in the face. This cray cray thing that happened was my 13 year old dream come true, the inner 'child' of me would of been weeing on the floor and gasping for air. Why am I even lying? because I was definitely weeing on the floor and gasping for air! I was so excited because I knew this was quite literally a one in a million chance. If you’re wondering whom I’m talking about... you obviously haven’t read the title of this blog post. Yes, I met Lady freaking Gaga – one of the biggest and best-selling female pop stars on the planets. She has sold an estimated 27 million albums and 125 million singles worldwide, had 4 successful worldwide tours, the proud owner of 5 Grammy’s and a shit tonne of MTV awards. I mean nobody can forget the infamous Paparazzi VMA performance that saw Gaga hanging from the ceiling with blood pouring from her chest; controversial but an iconic performance that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Lady Gaga has played a huge role in my life whilst growing up - obviously not literally but you know what I mean. Imagine I’m 12 years old and in my first year of high school, everybody including me is trying hard to fit in and find friends. In this situation you find yourself following anyone and anything just to fit in and feel ‘alright’. One thing I found really hard when making friends was having an opinion and being an individual. I was so scared to be different that I made sure I was just like everybody else. My mum would always tell me ‘not to be a sheep’ but I just wasn't confident enough to stand out. One thing that stands out in my mind that I found particularly difficult was music. Everybody listened to Bassline, I didn't have a clue what this was and pretended that I loved and listened to it. I distinctly remember being in a music lesson and having to write in my book my favourite genre and artists, I was petrified to write Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. So I peered over at the girls book next to me to find she had written ‘Bassline’, I didn't have a clue what this was but I wrote it in my book and felt relieved like I had got the question right. Its strange and I’m aware I’m blabbing but what I’m trying to say is that Lady Gaga was the first artist I ever listened to and felt a connection – being young and vulnerable you look for anything to confide in and want to know that you’re not alone. Gaga was so out there and crazy that it opened my world up to something completely new and innovative. Just Dance was the first song I heard from her, again I was sat in a music lesson and my friend Wello (shout out to wedge!) asked the teacher to put “that new lady gaga song on” and in that moment, everything changed. The line “wish I could shut my playboy mouth” with Gaga seductively licking her finger stuck in my mind for days, I’m unsure why but thinking back now everything about the song and the video is untouchable. Gaga not only changed my world but she changed the whole world of Pop. 

Meeting Gaga reminded me of how much I fell in love with her music and everything she stood for. Not only did she play ball in the music industry but also in the political side by standing up for the LGBT community such as her ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ speech. That speech was in 2010, I was 13/14 and watching speeches about the rights of homosexual people serving in the US military whilst my friends were out gallivanting. I loved that she took advantage of her position and drew awareness to something she felt so strongly about. I see many teenagers today following boy bands and girls groups, they should take advantage of their power and influence and inspire them to get up and take a stand for something they believe it. I am so glad I was part of the generation that grew up with Gaga’s music because she taught me to be the person I am today. Music is one of the most powerful and influential outlets we have today, artists and bands should take advantage of this.

I hope you don't mind that this is more of an appreciation post but I want to know who was your musical influence growing up? Who’s music gives you butterflies and what’s your fav song by them? My favourite all time songs from Gaga are Brown Eyes, Dance in the Dark and Speechless. I have so many fond memories of these songs, my mum loves to blast Speechless in the car whilst attempting to sing it. Painful on the ears but always puts a smile on my face!

PS... Did you know Gaga is live streaming her last ArtRave live from Paris and you can watch it here, it airs Monday 24th at 6:45pm and I think we should watch a long together? Don't worry, I'll get the drinks!

Soph x 

This was the first time I saw Gaga live, I was lucky enough to be VIP at her Fame Ball Tour back in 09. The days of that bubble dress and strange tardis contraption she opened in.  

If you peep in the background on the left side, you will see me and Jenn. Clearly, my expression says it all..

  

The Monster Ball was one of the best concerts I have ever attended.

Born This Way Ball - me and my friend Jenn camped outside the night before just to make sure we were in the monster pit. My mum still doesn't know I camped...Hi mum! Also I was forced to go to college on the day because it was my first week and because I hadn't slept or ate I threw up in 

my literature class :)))))) Here's to great first impressions, not.

Im fully aware I look atrocious and my body was and actually still is frozen in this position because it was so cold. But this is me and gaga in all our glory. She is the only person who I have been well and truly starstruck by, like she isn't even real. CRAAAAAAAAAZY!

Alec Benjamin's Paper Crown!

Who is that you ask? If you haven’t heard of Alec Benjamin yet then I feel extremely sorry for you but don’t worry just yet, I’ll introduce you! I first discovered Alec on the Wireless festival line up this past summer. I like to scan the lineup and listen to a glimpse of every band/artist before I attend just in case I fall in love with anybody's music. Just like that, I typed his name into YouTube and the first song I clicked on was 'Animal'. With a title like 'Animal', I was expecting something super upbeat and loud but it was completely different. The first verse was delicate and somewhat relaxing, and then came the chorus and the animal was released. I was instantly hooked; it’s a song with the power to take you away especially when the lyrics are relatable. From here I knew I had to find more of his music. So you ask ‘How was he at Wireless festival?’ and I cry because unfortunately I missed his set because of traffic but I’m sure he’ll be back on British soil sometime soon!

Paper Crown is his latest song and today he released the video. I have had this song on repeat for a solid few months and I am still yet to get bored of it. Teen Vogue premiered the video and I must admit it was highly anticipated by the fans and it certainly didn't disappoint. The video is literally a work of art; from reading the Teen Vogue article I learnt the video idea came from a collaboration of friends, which makes the story behind it even more heartfelt. In the video the sketch portrays a love story between a boy and a girl who is characterised through the Statue of Liberty. From watching the video the first time, I was already attempting to put together the pieces of the story. The video can be read in many different ways, which is one of the things I love about it, its universal and the lyrics as well as the video can be read and related in various ways. Either way the video is incredible and captures the song perfectly - it's evident a lot of hard work has gone into it and it has definitely payed off. Nice one Alec! 

So I have linked the video below and expect you to go and watch it! If you love the song and wish to purchase it, it’s actually available on UK iTunes and only costs 99p – bargain if you ask me. Show you’re appreciation on Twitter (@AlecBenjamin) and support good music and a good musician.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/alec-benjamin/paper-crown/USSM21401308

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/paper-crown-single/id935831020

Soph x

Vevo Halloween 2014

So yesterday may have been spent awfully hungover with a bad back and consuming way too many calories to somewhat attempt to shift the shit storm that shat on my day.

However the night before, I was lucky enough to attend Vevo’s sold out Halloween event at Victoria Warehouse. The event began with a scary maze, I could attempt to describe the maze but my eyes were closed and I spent the majority of my time screaming and running whilst people grabbed my legs and sprayed things at me. As the location literally is just a massive warehouse, it was spooky enough without the dark corridors and zombie apocalypse operations taking place.

This wasn't the first time Vevo had held a Halloween event however it was the first time they brought it to Manchester! I had heard talk about Vevo’s previous Halloween events and always wanted to go but being in London it's always a mission getting there. So obviously when I heard they were hosting it here, I was right on it. The line up included artists such as Labyrinth, Ella Eyre, Rixton and Gorgon City. Originally Sam Smith was on the lineup but he had to cancel due to illness, which made me very sad but never the less it was still a top line up for a fiver! Yes, I can confirm that a ticket to this event only cost five whole British pounds, bargain mate.

I had already seen every one on the line up at previous events and festivals, but there was one artist who I had not payed much attention to. I’m not sure why, I’m quite annoyed that I hadn't took the time to listen to her music but at least now I've finally realised that I have well and truly been missing out. If you’re wondering who I am talking about, I’m talking about Ella Eyre. You may know her for Waiting All Night with Rudimental, her crazy curly hair or just because her music is pretty good! The girls I went with are obsessed with Ella and her music, so I knew I was in for a treat with her performance but I just didn't realise how much I’d love it. Ella was third on and my friends and I all ended up on the barrier, which always makes everything more exciting despite the bruised kneecaps and swift elbows to the sides.

I love when you don’t know artists music but they still get you moving and singing the lyrics and Ella Eyre did this. Her stage presence was incredible and immediately drew you in; she interacted with the crowd and her energy was contagious. When I watch somebody new, I want to fall in love with him or her and their music. I want to feel their passion and come out thinking ‘I need to go and buy their music now’. This is exactly how Ella Eyre left me feeling; she is definitely one of the best performers I have watched in a long time and I cant wait to see her perform again! Also if you’re wondering, I did indeed go home and buy her EP’s from iTunes (duh). You need to you go check out her music because you're missing out on a genuine and talented female artist who is going to be huge!