Beautiful Summer Sunshine

Photo diary for you all. Sorry posting has been minimal but busy times ending Uni. This is the fun that the UK has to offer - doesn't it look beautiful in the sunshine! 

Frozen Yoghurt from Yogberries in Manchester - delicious! 

Birthday cakes for my lovely best friend Nina

The amazing Jurassic 5 at Parklife festival in Manchester - coolest guys ever! 

Went to visit one of my oldest, best friends Emilie in beautiful Cambridge 

Butterflies at The Botanist restaurant in Alderley Edge 

View over Manchester from 'The Edge' in Alderley Edge 

1930s Singer sewing machine that belongs to my family 

I wish - fingers crossed. Best get saving. So much Glastonbury envy 

Belated birthday celebrations for my oldest, best friend Emily 

Weekend trip in London - view from Southbank looking beautiful in this heat wave 

Safety first 

Tried grits for the first time at Outsider Tart in Chiswick - very odd, like cheesy porridge. The staff and the cakes however were fab! Worth a visit for a bit of USA vibes 

Chilling in the garden of Katie's house in Chiswick - LUSH 

Ones to Watch

By watch I mean literally go and see. Had the delight of seeing Jessie Ware, Ben Howard and The Black Keys perform this term and none of them have failed to impress.
Three very different venues and three different artists/bands.
Jessie Ware played in the top room  of Sound Control and it was the perfect venue to really enjoy and listen to her music. Chatting and joking away with the crowd, Jessie played most of her 'Devotion' album to absolute perfection not missing a note. She has such a beautiful voice and if you like her album then I would thoroughly recommend seeing her live. She will not disappoint.

Jessie Ware, Sound Control, November 2012

Ben Howard, also in November, played at the Manchester Apollo. A large crowd and a sell out gig, he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Taking his songs up to crescendos with the whole room cheering and clapping along, he could stop the music and the crowd would fall silent with him within seconds. With only three other people on stage and a large amount of acoustic music to perform, this gig was far from mellow and one of best I've been to in quite a while. A seriously talented man and I urge you all to go and see him live.

Ben Howard, Manchester O2 Apollo, November 2012 

Finally was The Black Keys playing at the Manchester Evening News Arena (M.E.N). Energetic and with some really simple but great visuals, good old Patrick and Dan played the classics along side the equally popular new songs. With two of the worlds biggest disco balls making an appearance for their encore the gig was huge, upbeat and an absolute crowd pleaser. Get them on their tour!

The Black Keys, M.E.N, December 2012 

Jessie Ware - Devotion

Jessie Ware's debut album 'Devotion', released this Monday just gone, went straight to my top 3 albums of this year upon first listen. Treating myself to the Deluxe Version I sat for most of the afternoon yesterday just playing it on a loop. It is an absolutely stunning album. Having heard Jessie's vocals on the likes of SBTRKT's records and being a big fan of the Disclosure remix of her song 'Running', I was eagerly awaiting her solo stuff and was not disappointed. I've tried to chose a personal favourite off the album, but I just can't. There is too many. Her current single 'Wildest Moments' is a bit of a gem mind.

Jessie Ware - Wildest Moments

Go buy! Let's get this near the top of the album charts this week.

Recommendation

I first saw Lucy Rose play last November when she was the support act for Ben Howard. Fitting in perfectly with the ambiance of the night, her music was beautiful, relaxed and caught your attention. This is one of my favourites off her debut album, 'Like I Used To', set to be released towards the end of September.

Lucy Rose - Bikes

Go see her if you get the chance! 

It's Time...

They're back! One of my all time favourite bands Mumford and Sons have produced this gem as their first single off their second album 'Babel'.
One of those songs that you love as soon as you hear it and a perfect song to see you through the rest of the summer. Give it a little listen. 

I Will Wait - Mumford and Sons

Excited for tour dates!

The Wall Street Mash

Despite about 80 years separating modern day and the 1930’s, economic similarities unfortunately can be drawn. 1929 saw the Wall Street Crash and 1933 saw the Great Depression. Granted recent economic events may not have been on the same scale, but times are hard. There is no way to escape the harsh realities of money (if I find a way I’ll be sure to let you all know) but there is no point sitting in every night and worrying about it because that will change nothing.

The 1930’s was a time of glamour and sensuality. An era dedicated to swing bands, night life and dancing. Not so different from today (minus the swing bands) but that is exactly what I want to encourage you to change for at least one night.

The Wall Street Mash is a new club night in Manchester with its second night taking place on the 15^th March at Joshua Brooks. The music will be electro swing taking that little bit 1930’s charm and adding a current electro twist. If this sounds like your cup of tea then search out a long elegant, backless dress or a sexy flapper style outfit and go enjoy yourself for a night. I ensure you all dressing up is encouraged and this isn’t the kind of event you come across every day. Here’s a little taste of what to expect:

http://soundcloud.com/duttymoonshine/dutty-moonshine-swing-n-bass

If that date isn’t good for you, or you need a little bit more time to come around to the idea, don’t forget about it. There are not many nights like this about and I assure you, it will all be in the name of fun!

https://www.facebook.com/thewallstreetmash?ref=ts

Hawaiian Flare

Apple Cart’s last few blog entries have ended up adopting a summer essentials theme so I thought I’d continue this idea for at least one more post. This time, it’s something for the boys. However I can guarantee right now that the majority of you will hate, disagree and scorn what I’m about to say. Granted, with good cause but for those of you who are feeling slightly open minded, maybe my words won’t fall completely on deaf ears.

If you’re still a par-taker on family holidays then firstly: you’re a good son/daughter, well done and secondly: you may be familiar to the dread of your dad cracking out the just awful summer shirt. By this I don’t mean a simple, short sleeve, white or light breathing shirt, no, I’m talking about that bright blue gem with neon pineapples all over it, or a jungle shirt with an array of 7 different bright colours that clash horrendously. Until not so long ago I would of been taking the side of the haters and burning any single shirt like that the second I got my hands on it, but recent events make me feel like I’ve seen the light.

Back in May, two of my housemates and I went to see Friendly Fires at a small gig in Manchester. This was the first time I’ve ever seen them play live and I tell you now, I fell in love. I’ve never seen a band with such energy and such a spot on live repertoire. The atmosphere throughout the whole gig was electric and they left such a buzz behind. Ever since then I’ve been following the band avidly as they hit all the summer festivals. Spotted at Radio 1’s big weekend and Glastonbury, to name only a few, my attention started to stray from the overall performance and home in on the lead singer, Ed Macflarlane. He is hands down the coolest guy I have ever seen in my life. With an ability to dance like no one I’ve ever seen before he was completely intoxicating. But it wasn’t only his dance moves that were mesmerising but also the shirts that he sported at each different gig. We’ve had a sexy beach number with palm trees on; a white one that after a while I worked out was covered in zebras, flowers and trees and one that I could only make out as multicoloured. I mean if Ed’s doing it, I reckon we all should be. Dare to be a little bit different and let’s bring back the crazy shirt and make it acceptable. You won’t get many people supporting this venture but it’ll bring a smile to the majority of passer-by’s faces.

If I have not managed to persuade you to embrace the Hawaiian flare shirt I can only hope I’ve persuaded you to give Friendly Fires a listen. Their new album ‘Pala’ is out now and with a whole load of new tour dates realised, try and catch them before disappear back into the music studio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NncY6X0vJ0E

For some decent advice on men’s wear, check out 50% man. http://50percentman.blogspot.com/

(image taken from 'event-ist, Independent Music Media's
Photos - Rock N' Coke 2011') 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2011/artists/friendlyfires/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2011/artists/friendlyfires/