NORTHAMPTON HERALD & POST MUSIC BLOG: Shakespeare And The Bible and Temples ... our new music blogger says hello

To me music is everything. It can dictate the very mood I am in, it can turn a bad day into a good day (or vice versa) and can even, occasionally, motivate me to tidy my house. Music is the greatest art of them all and sharing it is something I take pride in. So it is with great pleasure that I am able to bring to you a weekly music column crammed with all the latest musical offerings Northampton has to give as well as those slightly further afield that may be worth travelling to see, along with new releases to listen to. If for some reason you do miss that particular artist you’ve wanted to see then check back to read the review and kick yourself even more for missing it.

More often than not it is the smaller places that host a vast range of quality (and majority unheard) artists performing and showcasing sounds that you may have never previously been exposed to. My first port of call when looking for new sounds within Northampton is The Lamplighter on Overstone Road just above the Town Centre. Aside from the regular open mic night that occasionally unearths some encouraging potential artists, there are various booked acts. This Friday sees Hamburg musicians Shakespeare And The Bible perform within this intimate venue. Having checked out some of their back catalogue prior to this performance I was positively surprised. The band is based around the Welsh singer – songwriter Owen Jones and they describe themselves as ranging from “sensitive folk ballads to angry protest chants, from indie-rock anthems to joyful punk romps” and from the limited tracks I found online the sensitive folk ballads certainly sprung out. One that particularly grabbed my attention was ‘Don’t Let Me Keep You’, a gentle track with familiar sounding riffs playing easily on the ear, holding a Sunday morning feel to it. This is paired with a slow tranquil story telling style of vocals. All in all a great track and a promising first glimpse at what looks set to be a night of interesting and varied music from the Hamburg outfit.

Fresh from their Reading and Leeds slot last weekend, current Psychedelia Kings from Kettering, Temples have released the video for their forthcoming single ‘Keep In The Dark’. Front man James Bagshaw’s vocals ooze a Bolan-esque nostalgia pushing them towards a very glam-rock terrain along with fuzzy guitar riffs and a big chorus on this track. However, as always, Temples surround this vintage sound with a very modern aura creating an interesting sounding psychedelia, differing from that of the original 1960s sound. Due for release on 7th October prior to their UK tour, expect big things from the self proclaimed, “Neo-psych” rockers as this is only their 3rd single and already they are causing a very welcome stir among listeners. Keep In The Dark is my track of the week.

Remember to check www.realbowman.com for interviews and in depth track and gig reviews as well as following @RealJimmyBowman for the latest music updates from in and around Northampton. Any artists interested in contacting me can email jimmybowman_@hotmail.com.

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