tinhuvielartanis: (Andy Partridge)

Jen Olive’s “I Say Love” EP

I SAY LOVE: a lilting espousal of love, Jen’s bell-like voice washes over you like a warm ocean. The harmonies are flawless and make the song a lush garden of sound. Production quality forges a musical banquet that you’ll want to revisit time and time again.

ROBOT BOY: a quirky song, this showcases Jen’s song-writing skills. She pieces together a melody from unexpected places no one else would dare attempt to go. No matter its strange phrasing, the song is irresistibly sing-able and you’ll find yourself hearing it in your head despite yourself. One of the stand-out aspects of the song is the almost South African-sounding guitar.

SO FUNNY: another lovely offering that changes pace without regard for the foot-tappers out there. It’s definitely for people who like to truly listen to a song, dive into it and examine what’s being offered by the artist. This is a song that must be listened to repeatedly in order catch all the musical treasures Jen has placed like Easter eggs throughout. It’s wonderful the way production brings the guitar and Jen’s voice to the forefront of luxuriant instrumental support. All-in-all, a well-crafted song that should take a prominent place on anyone’s playlist.

FAIRY FLESH: shades of Kate Bush tinge this song at the beginning of this beautiful song, but Jen makes it her own with her perfect voice, immersing you in a rippling, dreamy auditory experience. Her vibrato is showcased, which will make your eardrums tremble with bliss. This is another song that will wedge itself within your brain and compel you to hum the tune when you least expect it.

SUPERMAN (LIGHTERTHIEF REMIX): Lighterthief places its mighty finger on Jen Olive’s melancholy melody. Stuart Rowe’s production makes for an enticing musical resonance that permeates every cell of your body. Jen’s vocals wrap around the regretful lyrics like a warm blanket, and Andy Partridge’s backing vocals only serve to enhance hers a hundredfold. Lyrically, the song touches on our insecurities and how they often grow from seeds planted by the very ones we love and trust. It seems to be a very personal song, which draws the listener closer to the artist.

ROBOT BOY (LIGHTERTHIEF REMIX): If there’s one thing Lighterthief and Stuart Rowe do, it’s to magnify the strengths of a song and concentrate them until they become like sonic diamonds. This remix is one that needs to be played in your car, full-blast, so the opulence of the sound can assault your senses with Jen’s curious refrain. Most definitely a song worthy of being on anyone’s playlist.

Should you buy the new Jen Olive EP? Unequivocally, I would say yes. If you want a strange and lush musical experience that you’ll want to listen to repeatedly, absolutely purchase her EP. There’s really no way you could regret having good music that stands the test of time. You can find Jen’s new collection on the Ape House website starting on 1 April.

tinhuvielartanis: (Andy Partridge)

I finished the Jen Olive review for Stuart Rowe and sent it to him, and I asked him to let me know when it was okay to blog it. He told me he was going to forward it to Jen, which is fine, we've talked online before and she's super cool...and Andy Partridge. Andy Fucking Partridge. ANDY PARTRIDGE. Aaaaaannndddyyy Partridge!!! AAAAAAAGGGGHHHH! When I read that, I pooped in my pants a little. I'm writing Stu back and telling him I'd be more comfortable with knowing Jen and Andy are okay with the review being released to the public before I blog it anywhere. I'm also gonna ask him to let me know what Andy said. I'm really curious and freaked out about what he will think of the review. This is just...I don't even... O_O

Finished!

Feb. 24th, 2011 07:57 pm
tinhuvielartanis: (Cadmus)
I just finished the first story for The Harming Tree. Combined, the prologue and "Taking Isobel" gives me a word count of 10,195. I have an idea for the next tale, but I'm gonna let it percolate for a while. Stu sent me the new Jen Olive tunes and wants me to review them, so I need to focus on that. I also need to create a fan page on Facebook for Restaurant for Dogs and The Caretakers. Bruce gave me some tunes and pictures for that project, so I need to get cracking on that. Sometimes I wonder what I've gotten myself into. Ha!

Olive

Feb. 17th, 2011 05:42 pm
tinhuvielartanis: (Andy Partridge)
Stu has sent me some music by Jen Olive that I promised to review. Once I get my head back on straight from the godawful tumble I took this morning, I'll be delving into her quirky musical world with relish. I do love her voice and her songwriting skills, so I'm very grateful to have them include me in their projects. I just hope what I have to say about the songs does both the music and the artist and producer justice. I will do my level best, that's to be sure.
tinhuvielartanis: (Here is the news!)
The subject line means nothing. I just thought it sounded funny. I know why I'm on this planet, at least partially. I'm here to observe and write down what I see. The problem is, I suck at it.

I just got finished drinking my second Loca Mocha, courtesy of Monster. Why O why did I drink these coffees so close to bedtime? And why did I wake up this morning with O Brother where Art Thou on my mind? And that song, that accursed Bluegrass song sung by George Clooney and his bros? Of course, that just led me to thinking about Fargo, another Coen Brothers movie. Then I got to thinking how much I'd love to throw the hillbillies from O Brother where Art Thou into Fargo's wood chipper of doom. Then this made me wonder how many people Scott has wanted to throw in the wood chipper of doom because they've made some snide wood chipper comment upon learning he's from Fargo.

And what was it I just wrote? Jesus Christ, I'm out of control! It must be the caffeine kicking my arse.

I'm still waiting for the lyrics to the new Shriek songs so I can go ahead and write the song-by-song review. Barry said they were coming shortly and I haven't heard from him since. In the meantime, I'm listening to the songs and letting myself immerse in the different sounds of a couple of them. Barry warned that the new album would be radically different from the other Shriek albums and, even though the sound is a little different, you can still tell it's Shriekback. Any fan will love it and I plan on doing my best to bring in new fans, like I always do. I just don't want to write the song-by-song review until I have the lyrics, so I can quote the songs correctly.

Speaking of lyrics, I'm having to remove all the non-Shriek lyrics from The Blood Crown as I proofread. I only have permission for the Shriek lyrics, so everything else must go. Poo on that. I've always loved prefacing a chapter with song lyrics. I definitely did so with The Augury of Gideon. Every chapter is prefaced with a Shriek lyric ~~ BOOYAH, baby, BOOYAH!

Just in case someone didn't notice my announcement from the other day, I've finished The Vampire Relics the other day. This is pretty much how I wrote The Augury of Gideon. I don't think I'll ever be the same again.



Jen Olive is looking for an apartment and a roomie in Swindon for the Summer. I told her I would if she didn't mind my writing (see above). Of course, I can't do it, but I can dream. Imagine...hanging out in Swindon with Stuart and Barry, meeting Andy Partridge, and who knows what other mischief I could get into? I'm so jealous, but so very happy for Jen. She deserves it, she's such a good musician.

Thanks to the Mother Unit, I'm going to see an orthopaedic doctor tomorrow. I intend to take whatever anti-inflammatory he gives me. I don't care if it rots my stomach clean out, I'm tired walking like Granny Clampett after a gang bang.

I think this is the end of my babbling because I haven't anything else to say...at least I don't think so.
tinhuvielartanis: (Andy Partridge)
tinhuvielartanis: (Luthien Tinuviel)

Hi music lovers!

Boy, have I got news for you! If you can make it to Swindon, Wiltshire, UK on 8 April, you really ought to. Jen Olive will be playing her first UK concert for Andy Partridge's (yes of XTC fame) Ape House label. It's sure to be three hours of pure enchantment and, believe me, if I could, I'd be there with bells on, cheering this lovely lady on. She's an incredible talent and I'm certain seeing her live would be an experience I'd never forget. So this is where you come in. If you can make it to the concert, I want you to write a review of the concert and submit it here. I'll be posting a Jen Olive review fest right here just to prove how brilliant the young lady is! In the meantime, here's a You Tube performance of Ms. Olive and all the information you'll need to make it to the concert. And don't forget to let me live vicariously through you! I'd be much obliged to you, I tell you no lie!

Here's a You Tube vid of her.



Date:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Time:
8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location:
The Vic Swindon

Description

This is the first ever UK show for Albuquerque based singer/songwriter Jen Olive

She is the latest in that select group of handpicked artists signed to Andy Partridge’s Ape House record label. She ‘s described by Andy as ‘’this astounding allegro algorithm from Albuquerque".

Jen first hooked up with Andy in 2007, sending him an exploratory e-mail after a friend suggested he might be open to ideas.

After agreeing to make an album, Jen wrote and recorded the songs at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and sent them to Andy who added percussion , some keyboards, and various effects as well as mixing them.

Her music has been described as "a cross between Karen Carpenter and Bjork with some Beach Boys thrown in as well'

Jen Olive’s debut album, Warm Robot, is released on March 29th.

She has also been recording with Swindon based producer Lighterthief and sang on "Up on Hi" and 'My Dream Sea"


Plus support from Matthew Kilford - a Swindon born singer/songwriter who currently resides in the relative serenity of the Oxfordshire countryside.

Matthew has built a very strong reputation for his songwriting , guitar playing and commanding performances
He has crafted a set of tunes that possess echoes of Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey and Joni Mitchell without actually sounding like any of them.

Autumn 2008 saw the release of his first four track E.P. entitled “House on the Hill", which was chosen for radio play on Tom Robinson's BBC Introducing show, and Mojo's "Church of Dave".

In 2009, Matthew was selected to play at the Radio One Big Weekend Official Fringe festival, and at Camden Crawl (he's been welcomed back to play this year).

Keen to play more festivals, Matthew entered the Glastonbury Emerging competition 2010 and reached the final 10 of the public voting stage (out of 1,600 entries).

This year, Matthew will continue to tour the UK and complete his debut album, which is due for release in the Fall. .


Tickets £5 from the Vic-01793 535713

thevicswindon@aol.com


And here's the info you need to attend to one of the singular most original and wondrous performances you'll ever have the pleasure of enjoying!

Type:
Date:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Time:
8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location:
The Vic Swindon

Description

This is the first ever UK show for Albuquerque based singer/songwriter Jen Olive

She is the latest in that select group of handpicked artists signed to Andy Partridge’s Ape House record label. She ‘s described by Andy as ‘’this astounding allegro algorithm from Albuquerque".

Jen first hooked up with Andy in 2007, sending him an exploratory e-mail after a friend suggested he might be open to ideas.

After agreeing to make an album, Jen wrote and recorded the songs at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and sent them to Andy who added percussion , some keyboards, and various effects as well as mixing them.

Her music has been described as "a cross between Karen Carpenter and Bjork with some Beach Boys thrown in as well'

Jen Olive’s debut album, Warm Robot, is released on March 29th.

She has also been recording with Swindon based producer Lighterthief and sang on "Up on Hi" and 'My Dream Sea"


Plus support from Matthew Kilford - a Swindon born singer/songwriter who currently resides in the relative serenity of the Oxfordshire countryside.

Matthew has built a very strong reputation for his songwriting , guitar playing and commanding performances
He has crafted a set of tunes that possess echoes of Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey and Joni Mitchell without actually sounding like any of them.

Autumn 2008 saw the release of his first four track E.P. entitled “House on the Hill", which was chosen for radio play on Tom Robinson's BBC Introducing show, and Mojo's "Church of Dave".

In 2009, Matthew was selected to play at the Radio One Big Weekend Official Fringe festival, and at Camden Crawl (he's been welcomed back to play this year).

Keen to play more festivals, Matthew entered the Glastonbury Emerging competition 2010 and reached the final 10 of the public voting stage (out of 1,600 entries).

This year, Matthew will continue to tour the UK and complete his debut album, which is due for release in the Fall. .


Tickets £5 from the Vic-01793 535713

thevicswindon@aol.com

Go now. Shoo!

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