Some of you may be aware of my general frequent behavior of getting weak in the knees in the presence of anyone or anything British. For those of you who don't know, let me quote Sienna Miller's character from Alfie when she finds out her limo driver is from jolly old England:
"You're British? I love British."
Such is the life philosophy of your blogger Miss Taylor here. Since much of my heritage is composed of Welsh and English blood, I feel very connected through some odd force I don't quite understand myself to the Brits...even though I've never been to the Queen Mother's country. But never fear, I'm in the process of fixing that as I type (more for a later entry).
My favorite guilty pleasure is British pop music. Good or bad, I love all of it. I don't judge either. I'm willing to give all of it at least one listen. It all started with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and from there, escalated. Girls Aloud, Sugababes. Robbie Williams. Alcazar. Duffy. Rachel Stevens. Well, technically it started with Robbie when I stayed up late at 13 to watch the video for "Rock DJ" on the MTV2 special Most Controversial Videos. Y'know, the video where he pulls his skin off and dances as a skeleton with all of the girls on roller blades? Maybe it's just me on this one.
In any case, a few weeks ago I got on my Pandora to my handcrafted Sophie Ellis- Bextor radio station I've spent a sizable amount of time editing and sat and listened whilst writing. Then I heard a voice, of a song I never heard before, the voice of someone that sounded intriguing and just wonderful. I felt that weird prickle you get when you know you're listening to someone who will infinitely make you feel happy, even for no apparent reason, even when you feel like you'll never be happy again. The sound like peppermint candy canes crackling apart in the cold wind with the echo of laughter and gasping for breath with sleigh bells ringing. It's this wild intrigue that just tells you things are going to be swell. Your heart knows it, because it just popped 12 times its size to inflatable proportions and is know doing a wacky sock hop dance next to your lungs. It's just how I felt for those 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
Check the name.
Little Boots
I adore her.
Victoria Hesketh is her real name. Her voice is a touch difficult to place in comparison to someone else, but her music influences include a solid list of greats from Kylie Minogue to Pink Floyd and even Gary Numan.
She sits cozy in the 20-something girl singer group comprised of Lady Gaga, Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine, and Pip Brown (Ladyhawke). If you're inclined to listen to these ladies, I highly, highly recommend giving Little Boots a shot.
Key tracks to listen to include:
New in Town (note: I am aware that this song was on the Jennifer's Body soundtrack. Do not worry. I promise, it's fun and not irritating. Then again, Hole also had the song Violet on this soundtrack, but they did have an album with the same title as the movie so I guess Courtney Love had to get roped into the soundtrack somehow.)
Remedy
Stuck on Repeat
Hearts Collide
Earthquake
Catch 22
Very much worth the listen indeed. Especially if you're in the mood for an accent.
You know I always am.
Love to you all,
Heather
10 comments:
I have been on Pandora non-stop for several days straight now- I don't even turn my computer off- just press 'still listening' I will totally listen to this now- I am Canadian which is SO not British- and I don't have a drop of British blood in me- but if you know anything about Canadian vs American there is a fundamental British connection, interest and association!
Off to copy paste your lady friend!
She sounds FABULOUS! I cannot wait to check out her music. I love being introduced to new music. I'm tired of listening to my obsessive rotation of Morrissey, Lady Gaga, and Lily Allen. Lol.
Back in the day (that would be the early 90's in my case), I was totally into a singer named Wendy James of Transvision Vamp To me she embodied all of the stylish things about London that I loved. Sienna Miller looks a lot like her. I was also totally into the "Madchester" music scene coming out of Manchester in the 80's and 90's. (New Order, Joy Division, The Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays). If you have a chance, pick up the movie "24-hour Party People" with Steve Coogan. Although the movie documents a period that might have been before your time, it gives you a great sense of some of the music that was coming out of the UK that had a huge influence on the popluar music of today. - G
PS - I didn't know you were part Welsh! I am too! - G
Hi, darling:) I missed you:)
Victoria is amazing....I am so glad you wrote about her:) Have a fantastic weekend, darling
Kisses and hugs
I don't have any English heritage (Italian & German all the way!) but I do have to say that I share an affection for British accents, hehe. :D And I'd absolutely love to some day go to, say, London. That would just be spectacular. But wow, this artist really sounds fantastic!
I ADORE Little Boots! Her music is so infectious. Last summer I went through this ridiculous obsessive phase with the song "Remedy" - it was pretty much the only thing I listened to for about a month. haha. Now that I listen to her a regular and healthy amount now :P, my favourite song has become Symmetry. LOVE.
This makes me miss London so much! I studied abroad there one summer not too long ago. I gotta check out this little boots chick!!
Well I never had a thing for British pop music except for the S[ice girl, but I don't really like to brag aout that. However, I do have a thing for men and British accents. That definitely makes me weak in the knees.
love love sienna miller
I'm Scottish and Dutch, and I studied in London, so I'm with you on the Brit Obsession thing. Even if a guy is moderately okay looking... man, throw in a British accent and you are GOLDEN.
I love Brit pop music as well (and I remember Robbie Williams' video!) so I will definitely go check out Little Boots. Thanks for the recommendation, missy!
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