Just Dance

Don't Save Me by HAIM has me dancing like fool! It's so catchy, there's something of Fleetwood Mac and Feist about them and they've just been voted as the BBC's Sound of 2013. I think I'm going to be listening to this an awful lot over the next few weeks...

Middle Name

Working to ethereal, folky tunes is the way we like to do it at the moment. Sat at the drawing board with pen and ink and charcoal there is nothing better. Benjamin Francis Leftwich, James Vincent McMorrow and Ben Howard (...he doesn't have a known middlename!) are well worth a listen.

Image from Benjamin Francis Leftwich

Latin Jam

Last night we went to the Latin jazz jam at Matt and Phred's. As soon as the music started I was transported to the warmth of Cuba. Anyone is invited to jam with the band, and a saxophonist, a flute player, a drummer and this wonder singer joined in. Summertiiiime and the living is easy. Today I've been listening to the Buena Vista Social Club to keep me in the Caribbean spirit.

Lucy Rose

After seeing recommendation on my news feed, I had a listen to the music of Lucy Rose. She has a great voice; soft like Laura Marling, another of my favourites. Check out her music here and videos here.

I've also popped this image onto my Style pinboard on Pinterest. I resisted to join so far, but it's just such a great idea and will be so helpful to group together ideas and inspiration when I start back studying architecture in a few weeks!

Image from Lucy Rose Music

Big Apple

My dear friend Ben (who I'll be travelling to Israel with) is often inspired by music to create his illustrations. This one of Paloma Faith portrays her song New York, and he sent it to her last year sometime. Now she's keen for him to design her merchandise! So great and well deserved, I can't wait to see it!

Hello Goodbye

This year I have said goodbye to friends and met new ones. I've also realised that age is just a number. Yes, I'm just 21!

We found out on Thursday that the consierge of our building John was leaving. Now from day one he remembered my name, but then he remembers everyones - what, at least 400 people. Every day you were greeted with Irish charm and a wide smile. Emma and I decided to give him a card and before we knew it, it had gone around the whole office. The messages were all so heartfelt and sweet. I'm so glad that John was shown how much he was appreciated. So, I say, spread the love, and if someone means alot - tell 'em!

(PS. Just discovered this song by The Weepies - so lovely)

Falling Slowly

Years ago I heard a song I recognised whilst out shopping, but not knowing its name I wrote down some of the lyrics on my phone. I just couldn't find it out.

Today a friend at work recommended me some music and to my delight 'Falling Slowly' by The Swell Sound played. It is so incredibly beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes! I first heard it in the film Once, and all their music is fantastic - enjoy!

Bestival!

The past weekend I was at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Twas the first time I'd been to IOW which was beautiful - I have a slight fascination with small islands! There was so much to do, alongside the music and bands, there were craft stalls, so many places to eat and dance too.
My particular favourites to check out are:
Ellie Goulding - she was amazing!
Mumford & Sons
Hurts
The River People

Saturday was dressing up day - I went as a unicorn - but there were soooo many incredible outfits... robots, bananas, Maaario and Luiiigi, allsorts! I guess this means the end of the summer... roll on Autumn!

Yes Bestival

If it's as colourful on the Isle of Wight as it is in this illustration then I am ten times more excited to be going to Bestival in September! I bought my ticket today for my first ever festival - also my first trip to the island. Just check out their website, it's looks like it's going to be a kooky weekend! There is a fancy dress day and so many good people performing. I'm veeeery excited!

Folksy Evening

Last night my brother and I went to see Laura Marling play at the Palladium in London; she was incredible.
The supports were great too - the evening started off with Boy and Bear, a band from Sydney who sound like one of my favs, Fleet Foxes, and then Alessi's Ark played. Alessi had such a clear voice!
Miss Marling played stuff from her new and old albums. If you haven't heard any of her music, do! The lyrics are quite magical, and the guitar playing and harmonies are quite something!
All in all, a lovely evening!

In other news, my chive plants are sprouting and my chair is almost finished!
Image originally uploaded by alexdowle

Folk Friend

I'm listening to Laura Marling's second album, and it is beautiful! Brother and I are going to see her at the Palladium on the 25th, I can't wait! If you like chilled out, folky music, give her a listen.

Good Shed

Every other Tuesday since February we've invited architects from different firms to come and give an evening talk on their work and to here about their practice. It's been really insightful and last night was the last of the series.
Afterwards we taken the speaker for a bite to eat so we went out for a meal at The Goods Shed, which used to be a train shed, and the food is local and so good. Then we went to Orange Street for some blues!

Open Mic

Last night a bunch of us went to the last ever open mic night at Coffee and Corks in town. It was such a chilled out evening with some really folky and eclectic music. I think our favourite was the violin, guitar, rap combination but also one girl who sang with her guitar had a beautiful voice.

Starry Eyed

I am loving Ellie Goulding's music, it's folky and electro at the same time. She was the BBC Sound of 2010, so well deserved! The styling in the video is great too, so all in all a big thumbs up!

JM3

Yesterday my friend Howard and I ventured on the highspeed link (!) from Canterbury to London, to go and see John Mayer at the Hammersmith Apollo. I was incredibly excited for it!
Like no one else I think I've seen there was such a mix of people in the audience, which I guess shows his appeal even though still in the UK lots of people don't know him or his music. I, on the other hand... this was the third time I've seen him. Big fan? Yeah!

I could go on to describe every moment, but we could be here a while. Definitely check out Freefallin' live in LA, when he played it last night, that made our night!

Thunder only happens when it's raining

Today is frosty and day by day Christmas is getting closer. Festive jingles and songs are all over the radio. I've been asked (many times) what I'd like for Christmas and I definitely feel that my iPod needs an update. I've always been a folk girl at heart so these three are on my music list (take note Mutti!)Joni MitchellFleet Foxes image by Nicholas Kamuda

JM

John Mayer is my favourite music man ever. I can't really even say why but whenever I hear any of his songs, the make me smile so much! I've seen him twice when he (occasionally) comes to the UK and throughout I'm going "oh my gahd, I love this song" again and again! His new album is coming out soon and he's doing a few gigs in January - I cannot wait!

This is his new video, the song "Who Says" is so him, but I love how this is filmed, the colours and the imagery! And this is my favouritest!

A to the B-town

This weekend I went to stay in Brighton with my friend Lauren! On Saturday we went into town and wandering into this art exhibition called The Elephant Bed by an American artist John Grade based on a sea micro-organism called the coccolithophore!!?I really like the different levels of the hung sculptures and the way you can even climb under and into one!

Also seen in Brighton: these delicious looking cupcakes from the Angel Food Bakery in the Lanes,
the Regency pavilion, an Asian twist in a British seaside town,
and a band called Rubylux - really good! Give 'em a listen!

Eff

I have a few favourite bands at the mo and they all have something in common - check 'em out!

Florence and the Machine (the video's are works of art)
Fleet Foxes

Friendly FiresEmbroidery by chez-sucre-chez