Playlist: HITS magazine

To celebrate the release of our first print issues, here's a playlist featuring all artists involved.

HITS x Berlin

We hosted our very first live gig in Berlin - and this is what it looked like.

Cover The HITS

Our latest video series - covers performed by our favourite acts, exclusively for us.

Video Interview: Scenic Route To Alaska

Melting away in front of Stuttgart's castle, we had a chat about touring, band names, Toy Story and a lot more.

Find us on YouTube!

Visit us on the 'tubes for interviews, exclusive performances and outtakes.

Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts

thank yous 2014



 Hey guys!

This is the last post of 2014. So technically it's a goodbye post.
Another year is over, another 365 days are history.

There were so many moments in 2014 where house in the sand left me speechless. It started when we hit 100 000 visits in May - a milestone I'm still so excited about.

And then, just yesterday, we hit 1 000 000 (I repeat: ONE MILLION) visits. I'm still not over this number. There is going to be a one million special on Friday (2nd January 15).

 I could never take these things for granted. That's why I really feel a strong need to just write a few lines about those people who made 2014 special. There are a lot more but the following are very important to me.
I got to work with so many talented and unbelievably supportive musicians this year.

Martin and James and Ryan - the three most supportive Scotsmen I've ever met. You guys have supported HITS from the very beginning and I'm really thankful for that.
Thank you Martin, for recording the fantastic music intro for HITS.
Thank you James, for helping me out with my studies. We got an A!!!
Thank you Ryan, for all the organisation. Without you we would be lost, that's for sure.

Jim Kroft - one of the most inspiring musicians I know. You've also been there from day one of HITS and it makes me proud to know you support this space of web. Thank you for all the positive words.

The Arkanes - oh boy, where do I start? You guys have probably been the most featured band in 2014 and I do not regret a single thing.
Chris, Dylan, Jake & Longy - thank you for adopting me into the band, for all the amazing gigs and the fun backstage. For being the funniest and most wonderful rockers and for involving me in so many band things. I'm so ready to join you guys on stage - my triangle solo is spot on. Spot on.

Dan Dietrich - another supporter from day one. You're one of the kindest guys I know and I'm really glad I was able to visit you this year. Need to do that more often in 2015, especially if there are more gigs at the farm.

Shoot The Rabbit & cat buddy - it certainly is always a pleasure having you on the blog. Thank you for all the support. Can't wait to see what 2015 holds for you.

Ben Barritt & Panic Tree - I absolutely enjoyed filming with you and I'm ridiculously excited for everyone to see what you've got coming up. Thank you for working with me.

Mark Mathews & Chris Stringer for the wonderful support online and for choosing to work with HITS more than just one time. It means a lot!

Nessi from carpe carmina & Ross from 6 Towns Radio - what can I say? You two have been absolutely supportive and your actions have left me speechless and smiling a couple of times. It's such a fantastic feeling being friends with creative people.

Seija - thank you for the help with the new design, the trips to B-town and the fun we had in general.

The fake friends - I didn't expect I'd thank you at some point, but hey - you taught me a few lessons. Those people who pretend to like you but really just want to be friends with musicians are frustrating. But they've helped me to realize what real friendship is. And that's worth a lot, innit?

Mamarazzi - for supporting me no matter what, for driving to gig no matter where and for dealing with me no matter how I've felt. When I say you're the best, I really mean it.


And most importantly:
The readers, followers, likers, viewers - without you none of this would be possible. If you weren't interested in house in the sand there surely wouldn't be a reason to do all of this.
I know probably everyone says this BUT - you are the best readers in the world!



I could go on for hours thanking everyone who's been part of 2014.
But I hope they all know what it means to me.


Thank you for reading, for liking, following, working with me and for being fantastic friends. I can't say it enough - I'm thankful.



Here's to 2015, let's make the most of it. :)


Thank you for reading!






Credits // Text & Image: Vanessa Jertschewske

Artist Overview 2014




Hey guys!

What a year this has been! If you haven't figured it out yet - I'm a big fan of cheesy, nostalgic and very cheesy reflections.

This years "Best Of" posts probably showed it all too well.
(Gig Pics | Video Highlights | All Posts)


110 acts have been featured on house in the sand this year!
 Last year we "only" featured 86.
Those 110 acts are from all over the world, the genres range from acoustic to rock.
Some are signed to indie labels, some to major labels and some are independent.

But there is one thing they all have in common: they work incredibly hard and are absolutely passionate about the music they make.
And I'm very honoured I got to introduce them to you.

I am also happy about how a lot of the artist and bands below have returned a couple of times for multiple collaborations. And some even became good friends.

Now here's the massive list of people featured in 2014. Feel free to check out who you're not familiar with yet. I'm sure it will be worth it. :)

adullboy
Alex Stockley
Arionce
Ballerina Black
Bella Loka 
Ben Barritt
Billy Moon
Boardwalk Isabella
Carrie Lane
Casino Circus
Chimera
Chris Stringer
Ciaran Lavery
Cold Summer
Cooper Phillip
Crash Island
Dan Dietrich
Danton Jay
Dirty Little Lies
Doodah Farm
Dorothy
Dos Ringos
 Ed Sheeran
Emma Harrop
Faded Paper Figures
Fashion Week
Florida Room
Forever Cult
Gabrielle Aplin
George Ezra
Goonight, Sunrise
Holly Elle
Honeybone
Hozier
Hudson Taylor
Humbug
Inego
Ismael Clark
Jamie Lawson
Jayden Blair
Jeen 
Jim Kroft
Jonny Goode
Jonny Skeates
JShades
Kat Healy
Keeva 
Kiirstin Marilyn
Kosi
Laney Jones
Liam McClair
Lizabett Russo
Lucy Hall
Marcas O'hUigin
Mark Mathews
Martin and James
Martin Luke Brown
Michael Bublé
Midnight Hour
Moonlands
Nick Liam
Nina Yasmineh
Of Clocks And Clouds
Ooberfuse
Orla Gartland
Palms and Pelicans
Panic Tree
Pawns Or Kings
Pete Lincoln
Plastic Barricades
Polar Maps
Quinn Archer 
Ryan Morcombe
Rosco McCabe
Sarah Bollinger
Saint Raymond
Scarry Cherry and the Bang Bangs
Sean Rumsey
Shoot The Rabbit
Sound Of The Sirens
Stage Republic
Taylor Swift
The Arkanes
The Autumn Art Festival
The Blue Waves
The Glass Child
The GoAround
The Koniac Net 
The Open Feel
The Persian Leaps
The Ragamuffins
The Spase
The Unassisted
The Vibes 
The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco
The 95th
Thickets
Think Tank
Thorge
Tom Mitchell
Tom Odell
Tonight We Live
Tusk
Under A Banner
Venture
Violet 
Visitors
Vodsel
Waterbodies 
Winter In Toronto


Many thanks to all artists, their managements and labels who decided to work with house in the sand.
It was a pleasure!



Thank you for reading!






Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Images: press kit photographs, Vanessa Jertschewske

Best Of 2014: Gig Pics



Hey guys!

Those of you who have been around at this time of the in 2013 already know that I'm a sucker for cheesy best ofs.
I just can't help but love a good reflection of what happened within a certain amount of time. My friends have to deal with that all year long. And now that 2014 is coming to an end I feel like it's appropriate to give you a little reflection of certain and special events.

There are going to be a few more "Best Of 2014" posts throughout the rest of this month.
(This makes me really happy!)

I want to start off with a photography post.
Photography is one of my passions and I'm absolutely happy that in 2014 I got to photograph quite a few gigs.
All gigs were absolutely enjoyable music wise and therefore taking pictures was even more fun. I got to photograph my friends The Arkanes five times this year and every single time was fantastic!

I love taking pictures whilst standing in the crowd even though that can be tricky. There are some crowds who are super loyal and let you move around and then there are crowds who absolutely hate you for trying to move around. 

At bigger gigs there's usually always a photo pit which is the area between the stage and the crowd. The typical rule there is "3 songs, no flash" - means you get to shoot the first three songs and are not allowed to use flash.

I also got to go on stage a couple of times to take some shots, so thanks to all bands who let me climb on stage!

Below you'll find my favourite pictures I took this year. I hope you enjoy, feel free to tell me which one you like best. :)

Jim Kroft // Alte Schule, Bergkirchen

James (Martin and James) // Eldorado, Zurich

Martin (Martin and James) // Eldorado, Zurich

Martin and James // Centralstation, Darmstadt

Martin and James // Centralstation, Darmstadt

Martin (Martin and James) // Centralstation, Darmstadt

James (Martin and James) // Centralstation, Darmstadt

Tom Odell // LKA, Stuttgart

Tom Odell // LKA, Stuttgart

Longy (The Arkanes) // Kellerklub, Stuttgart

Chris (The Arkanes) // Kellerklub, Stuttgart

Dylan (The Arkanes) // Kellerklub, Stuttgart

Lee (ex-bassist for The Arkanes) // Kellerklub, Stuttgart

James (Martin and James) // Waldsee, Freiburg

Martin (Martin and James) // Waldsee, Freiburg

Jim Kroft // Café Rudi Marie, Berlin

Ben Barritt & Jim Kroft // Café Rudi Marie, Berlin

Dan Dietrich // Farm, Darmstadt

Jake (The Arkanes) // Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg

Chris (The Arkanes) // Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg

Chris & Jake (The Arkanes) // Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg

Jamie Lawson // Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

Saint Raymond // Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

Saint Raymond // Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

Ed Sheeran // Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

Ed Sheeran // Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

The Arkanes // Backstage Halle, Munich

Chris (The Arkanes) // Backstage Halle, Munich

Jake (The Arkanes) // Backstage Halle, Munich

Dylan (The Arkanes) // Backstage Halle, Munich

Longy (The Arkanes) // Backstage Halle, Munich


That's it. Out of probably 9000-10000 pictures I took, those are my favourites of 2014.
I hope you like them too! Let's see who will be in front of my lens in 2015! :)

Thank you for reading and taking time to look at the photographs. :)




Credits // Text & Photography: Vanessa Jertschewske

Playlist: Autumn Time 2014



Hey guys!

A wee look outside the video this morning definitely proved it - it's Autumn. The leaves turn from green to yellow, orange and red; it's starting to get foggy in the morning, darkness kicks in earlier and stays longer.
This also means we slowly but surely need to turn our summery roadtrip playlist down and switch to the Autumn playlist. 

If I was a fashion blogger I'd show you the boots I'd wear for this season, but I'm a music blogger, so I'll show you what I listen to when the days get shorter.

The autumn playlist consists of tunes I can't stop listening to by artists I've worked with already, artists I just really dig and some brand new stuff which was submitted via Twitter.

You can listen to the songs and find what I have to say about them below.
Hope you enjoy! :)




 "Evergreen" by  Jason Tyler
This song just screams autumn. The atmospheric guitar based ballad won me over with Jason's soothing yet expressive vocals. Great way to start the playlist!

"Chasing Rubies" by Hudson Taylor
I've got a soft spot for good harmonies. Harry and Alfie definitely got me. This is such a lovely up beat folk track, you just gotta have it on a playlist.

"Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene" by Hozier
Hozier... I'm obsessed with his music. This tune show cases his voice and writing skills in such perfect way. Calm in the beginning, grooving as it marches on.

"Last Penny Blues" by Dirty Rotten Souls
There's no season I could survive without rock'n'roll! Thank god the Dirty Rotten Souls submitted their track. I love it!

"Veins" by Shoot The Rabbit
The rabbits, great friends and even greater musicians. "Veins" is one of their rather calm and acoustic ones and really suits the autumn theme.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
Shame on me but I just recently got into Nirvana. I just never really had anyone hand me one of their records until now. Now I'm absolutely hooked. This one's a classic!

"About A Girl" by The Academy Is
Throwback! There was a phase, years ago, were I loved this song. Randomly found it online and gave it another listen, turns out I still quite enjoy it. 

"This Is Our Cloud" by Nick Liam
Piano based ballads, definitely an autumn thing. Nick has such brilliant voice!

"Clueless" by Orla Gartland
Miss Gartland, a bubbly and passionate musician. And so is this tune, lovely for a happy walk in the forest.

"Never Gone Far" by Alex Stockley
Alex Stockley is such a talented guy and I'm really glad he contacted me. We need to keep an eye on him, I'm sure he'll be big soon. Honest and talented music for the soul.

"Left For America" by Ciaran Lavery
This song has been on my playlist for months now, I can listen to it whenever. Of course it's on the playlist. 

"Keep Them" by Keeva
I know I'm going to make her happy when I say she's the female version of Elvis and John Mayer. One hell of a talented artist! Really glad to know Keeva and her tunes.

"Hate To Love You" by Sarah Bollinger
Did somebody ask for powerful soul/pop? Well, here you go! This slightly funky tune is for those minutes where you just NEED to have a good time dancing around in your room.

"It's Just My Skin" by George Ezra
Yeah, his voice is fantastic, isn't it? Seems like he could make the phone book interesting by singing it. A slower ballad for those dreamy moments in autumn.

"Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran
Get a cup of tea, a blanket and relax. Ed's gonna help you.

"Willis" by Yinka Oyewole
Enough with the relaxing, let's get grooving with Yinka Oyewole. Brilliant submission! Really not what I usually listen to but this is fun!

"Alive" by Bella Loka
Had the pleasure to interview this pop duo, "Alive" is one of their newest tracks and convinces with charming electronic elements and of course singer Tea's voice.

"I've Been A Mess" by PARLA
I love the calm moments in autumn where it's all about enjoying the beautiful nature and the freedom outside in the woods or somewhere. PARLA definitely wrote a soundtrack for that.



Thank you for reading!





 Credits // Text & Photography: Vanessa Jertschewske

Live Music: Gig Dates

 photo gig_zpseda28f48.jpg

Hey guys,

2014 has been brilliant so far when it comes to gigs.
And the rest of the year promises even more great shows to visit and to have a good time at.

Since live music is my favourite part of music things in general I made it my mission to get as many people to see amazing bands/artists as I can.
Rumour has it I've already succeeded but in that case I just can't get enough.

So I'm going to show case some events that I'm sure a lot of you would have a great time at.
Here we go!

Live | Dates: Cold Summer, Martin and James, Tom Odell

 
Hey guys,

it's no secret that I love going to concerts. It's no secret that I also go to concerts to write about them on house in the sand.
I've got a bunch of gigs coming up and in case you don't - check this post to hopefully find a gig you like near you.

(You might find me at some of the listed gigs. ;) )