Thoughts, photos and other things.

Blood Red Shoes are a band I got to know by complete chance. 

At the 2008 Frequency Festival in Austria I had been coerced by my cousin and his then girlfriend to stand at the front of the main stage to see ‘The Wombats’. 

So as we waited to first band - of the weekend from what I remember were Blood Red Shoes. Fuck me did they know how to put on a show. Two musicians managed to perform in front of a massive crowd in the sweltering heat - most of whom didn’t know them and rocked it. It was brilliant.

Their first album had been released earlier that year and I quickly snapped up the CD. I enjoyed it but my immature mind seemed to think it had been recorded in a way which induced distrotion and I stupidly emailed the band asking for higher quality recordings.
Now don’t get me wrong, I know I was fecking stupid, but I was younger and at the time it was an entirely innocent request. 

I was shot down. I wish I still had the e-mail but I fear it was deleted in one of the many hard drive crashes I have suffered although I hope to find it one day. Either way the band took the time to tell me how it was intentional and I was being a bit silly.

Undeterred I continued to follow their career, I tried to make it to a few gigs but plans never quite formulated.  Two more cracking albums were released (this time with beautifully recorded tracks which I cannot fault) and after so many missed oppertunities I finally got to see them again.

It was chance. On the 18th of January I was perusing upcoming gigs and saw it. Blood Red Shoes, Shepherds Bush Empire 22 January. Considering this is the nearest live music venue to where I live I jumped on the chance and got myself a ticket.

After two very interesting and different support groups - Wet Nuns and Rolo Tomassi it was time. At 21:20 on the dot they started playing. 

The sweet sound of Laura-Mary’s vocals filled the room, the guitar screamed and Steven’s drums erupted. It had begun. What followed were some of their best tracks and some of their newest. Guest appearances and a bit of a laugh in-between tracks. Musical nirvana. 

I couldn’t tell you exactly why the gig was so good. Maybe it was simply the music. Maybe it was the atmosphere? The people around me were all chanting every word of every track. Dancing, even some crowd-surfing ensued. 

Fact is that their tracks are evocative and endearing. They almost force you to dance with their fantastic beats. The lyrics, well they are pretty special themselves.

This was according to the band themselves their biggest headline gig yet. They did a fantastic job and I am sure they will only get bigger and better. 

Last night was possibly one of the best nights out I have had in ages. Probably since BBB where we went for my birthday.

Started the evening off at Eclipse in South Ken, fairly standard but a good laugh.

Thereafter we decided to investigate the Vista Bar at The Trafalgar.
Now I don’t quite know how to put this. Actually I do, the roof terrace is without a doubt the best spot in London to chill out on a summers evening. Seriously, it does not get better. The views are spectacular, the drinks sublime and the music perfect. I really cannot understand how I missed this. Will definitely be going back there this week if the weather holds up.

As my friend and myself were feeling quite peckish (bear in mind it was now 1:30 AM) we drove back to south ken in search of a decent late night eatery. We stumbled upon Vingt Quatre  and for the second time that evening realised we had found somewhere quite special. 

Vingt Quatre is a 24 hour restaurant/bar serving some wickedly good food and equally great drinks. I don’t think I know anywhere else where you can enjoy Bangers and mash at any hour whilst sipping on a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon.  

I think my friend and myself really needed last night, literally just chilled out to the max. Relatively heavy/stressful weeks for both of us meant this was a must and I definitely feel much better for it. I think I had almost forgotten why I love London quite so much.

So there it is. Top tip for this month; check out the Vista Bar at the top of the Trafalgar hotel (make sure to press the red V in the lift for priority access to the bar) and then go on to Vingt Quatre for some more drinks or food. It actually makes for a perfect night.