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 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts

End Of The Year: 2016



Hey guys!

WOW. The year is over. (well, almost!)
Please allow me a moment to reflect on the year. I have to warn you, it might get really cheesy.

Like I said before, it's been a weird year for the most of us.

2016 has taught me a lot of things.
I've realised what art and creativity really mean to me and how I define creative happiness.
Creating something is not just a career choice, it's a need I have and I'm forever grateful I get to share it online.

I have also learned a lot of personal things; such as - one should never have to apologise for not wanting to be with someone.
Or, that it is important to take responsibility for this planet we live on. 2016 was my first year of being vegan and learning more about animal cruelty. It made me realise how much I want to help those creatures whose voice isn't heard by everyone.

It was a year of understanding that impulses and quick decisions can bring you a lot of happiness.

I started the year with a trip to Manchester in January. I travelled alone but had the best company once I arrived. After years of talking online, I got to meet those music friends in person. I got to see so many special places in Manchester and met some wonderful new friends.
It was one of those trips that made me realise how simple it can be to make new friends. 

In April my wonderful friend Jim Kroft asked me to join him for his 48 hours recording marathon.
Jim and his band decided to record an album within two days, in order to raise money. The money (+19.000€) funded a boat which later helped saving refugees from drowning in the sea.
There has never been a project like this one, which made me so incredibly thankful to be a part of. The time in the studio was emotional, inspiring and is probably my favourite memory of the year. I saw people unite for a wonderful and much needed cause and it was magical.

This year I got to watch so many of my friends work their behinds off. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing passionate people succeed. I'm forever proud to be in this community.

I've also learned that no matter how lonely you might feel, there are always people who have got your back. Sometimes you just don't see them at first.

I've learned that believing in your dreams will always pay off.

I've learned that sleepless nights are worth it.

And I've learned that life isn't always butterflies and fairy lights.
Sometimes motivation and inspiration leave you for a brief moment, and it will scare you. It makes you questions your decisions and makes you think you went wrong.
But it's always worth it to make it through those moments.
After every low comes a high. Always.


Alright - I hope I haven't bored you to tears with all of this, but once I started writing, I couldn't stop.

Just because I'm a weirdo, I've decided to list every post we've published this year.
This is a fantastic way to look back on 2016 and it also helps me to figure out what kind of content we need more of.

I'm incredibly proud of the content we've created and the names we've worked with.

Absolutely every artist and every band I got to work with this year has been a dream.
That's something to be thankful for.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all members of the house in the sand team who have done such incredible jobs and have been nothing but fabulous to work with.

So here we go, below are all posts we've published in 2016:


Access All Areas:




And that's it for this year!

I hope you've all had a good time. I'm forever thankful to have this platform and I hope that we will get to spend a lot of time together in 2017.
Enjoy the last few hours and have a great start into 2017.

The only advice I can give you, in order to make the next year a good one, is - be compassionate. Help others, protect others and you'll feel truly fantastic.


Lots of love!!!



Thank you for 2016!













Credits // Text & Image: Vanessa Jertschewske
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Best Of 2016: Music Photography



Hey guys!

With 2016 coming to an end, it's only right for us to start the "Best Of" post-marathon.

I love reflecting on a certain amount of time.

Whilst preparing this "Best Of" photography edition, I realised how many incredible artists we've had in front of our lenses this year.

2016 has been the first year of me working with a team of photographers.
Even typing that feels surreal to me - it's absolutely wonderful.

I'll be posting another write-up in which I'll talk more about that.

For today I really want us all to focus on the photography.

house in the sand has really made the jump from being an online blog written by a small town girl, to becoming an ever growing music publication.

This has allowed us photographers to go out and capture some fantastic gigs.

At this point I would like to thank our talented photo team who have not only created incredible work, but have also helped me to take things to another level.

Below are my personal favourites of 2016!
By clicking on the artist, you'll be lead to the full gallery of the gig.

(note: next to every artist will be the name of the photographer, please head to our "about the team" page to find all their social media links and show them some support.)


Gabrielle Aplin // Manchester, UK
- photographed by Vanessa -




Lewis Watson // Manchester, UK
- photographed by Vanessa -




Hannah Grace // Manchester, UK
- photographed by Vanessa -




Martin Kelly // near Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Kodaline // Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -










All Tvvins // Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -






Chris Pate // Burgrieden, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Revolverheld // Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Jim Kroft & band // Berlin, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -










Jack Garratt // Munich, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Martin Luke Brown // Munich, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Robbie Cavanagh // Liverpool, UK
- photographed by Alex -




Barn on the Farm // Gloucester, UK
- photographed by Vanessa -




Jess Kemp // Amsterdam, NL
- photographed by Saar -




The Hush Sound // Detroit, USA
- photographed by Reva -




Ryan Vail // Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Noah Guthrie // Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Hyena // near Stuttgart, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Birdy // Manchester, UK
- photographed by Alex -




Dan Owen // Manchester, UK
- photographed by Alex -




Bear's Den // Amsterdam, NL
- photographed by Saar -




K.Flay // New York City, USA
- photographed by Gina -




Tom Odell // Munich, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Jane's Party // Munich, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -










The Beach // Munich, GER
- photographed by Vanessa -




Bastille // New York City, USA
- photographed by Gina -




The 1975 // New York City, USA
- photographed by Gina -




Porter Robinson & Madeon // Seattle, USA
- photographed by Cissy -




Matt Austin // Detroit, USA
- photographed by Maggie -




Olivia Lane // Detroit, USA
- photographed by Maggie -






Thank you for your visit!
And thank you for your support!













Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Photography: Vanessa Jertschewske, Alex Lloyd, Saar de Graaf, Reva May, Cissy Ding, Gina Garcia, Maggie Clark
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Playlist: Christmas 2016



Hey guys!

For the first time ever I've decided to put a little Christmas playlist together.

The older I get, the more I realise how much music can influence my mood.
(And I say that at the age of 20- what other realisations will I be facing soon?)

Because I wasn't quite feeling festive this season, I figured a Christmas playlist might do the trick.
So little, desperate me went on Spotify to listen to all the usual Christmas playlists.

But guys, what kind of music blogger would I be, if I didn't feel the need to create my own playlist?

So when I've noticed that some friends started uploading their own versions of classic Christmas tunes, it was my time to open a new post and type away.
(More like, "embed" away.)

And here we go!
Below you can find my personal Christmas playlist which I shall have on repeat until Christmas!


I hope you enjoy!


Please feel free to share this with your friends and leave a comment telling us your favourite Christmas song!

_________________________________________________________________________

"White Christmas" performed by Martin Kelly

This song is one of my favourites, so it was super interesting to see where Martin would take it.
Obviously, he did a fantastic job and therefore makes the perfect opener for this playlist.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" performed by Ciaran Lavery

Another classic, another classy artist!
Ciaran's voice paired with the softly played guitar and the beautiful string section, just create the perfect Christmas scene.



_________________________________________________________________________

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" performed by The Ragamuffins

Alright, if you haven't done at least one intense performance; dancing around the room, singing Mariah Carey's mega hit song, you're clearly missing out.
The Ragamuffins have had the guts (and the talent!) to publish their version of it and I LOVE IT.

Now, let's DANCE! (And leave the music to the band, they do it so much better!)



_________________________________________________________________________

"Oh Holy Night" performed by Bastille

This is just great. There's not much to say other than that.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Fairytale Of New York" performed by Gavin James

Gavin James released a Winter EP and made my heart melt with it.
It was really tough to pick a song to put on the playlist, but his version of "Fairytale Of New York" was the one I wanted to share with you.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Baby It's Cold Outside" performed by Lewis Watson and dodie

Not only do I appreciate this beautiful version of the well known duett, but I also appreciate that Lewis and dodie also take a bit of time to question the lyrics. This just shows our standards and expectations have changed a lot - and we should be proud.



_________________________________________________________________________

"River" performed by Lissie

Joni Mitchell's "River" is one of the most beautiful songs out there, am I right?
When you love an original version of a song so much, it can be strange to hear a cover version.
However, Lissie has nailed it and delivered a stunning version of this song.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Merry Christmas Everyone" performed by Lucy Rose

Okay, I've got a confession to make - Shakin Stevens' hit song is my favourite Christmas song ever. I love the upbeat and cheerful vibe.
So, of course, I was excited to see a modern day artist put her own twist on it.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Lonely This Christmas" performed by Kodaline

From a cheerful tune, to a rather sad one. But it's Kodaline covering Elvis - what's not to enjoy?



_________________________________________________________________________

"Spending All My Christmas With You (Next Year)" by Tom Odell

Don't you get sad, here's an uptempo and mega rock'n'roll track for you to boogie!
Tom Odell is just fabulous.



_________________________________________________________________________

"Silent Night" performed by Tori Kelly

This stunning acapella version of this beautiful classic is honestly breathtaking.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do.




And now I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas,
whether you celebrate it or not - I hope you'll have a wonderful time off.

Let's all use this time to find ways to make this crazy world a good one again.
I think we need it.



Happy Holidays!











Credits // Text & Image: Vanessa Jertschewske
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Album Review: "Wrong Crowd" by Tom Odell (Deluxe Version)



Hey guys!

I remember how in April 2013 I randomly turned on the TV, only to end up being completely mesmerized by a song that was playing.
It was Tom Odell's "Another Love", the emotional and very intense anthem that pretty much everyone knows nowadays.
I immediately downloaded his "Songs From Another Love" EP and then bought tickets to one of his only German shows at that time.

So in May 2013 I went to Cologne to photograph and watch Tom's show. It didn't take long for me to realise that this artist was going to be one of my favourites.
I also got to have a little chat with him after a show and can confirm that he's super lovely!

You can check out previous Tom Odell features here: Gig 2013 | "Long Way Down" Review | Gig 2014

I'm happy to review his new record for you today.


Artist: Tom Odell
Title: Wrong Crowd
Genre: Alternative
Label: Sony Music
Release: 10th June 2016
HITS rating: 9/10

Tom Odell is a singer/songwriter/piano man originally from Chichester, UK, now based in London.
His sound plays with elements of Rock, Pop and slight bits of Dance. 

The young musician started playing the piano at an early age, then began writing and performing himself.
It was singer Lily Allen who signed Tom to her label and soon the world had the pleasure of watching the talented piano man play his way to the top.

Being the winner of the Brits Critic's Choice in 2013 set the tone for a successful debut album release.
Tom's "Long Way Down" built him a loyal and non-stop growing fanbase all over the world.

After two years of writing and recording, he is now here with his brand new album "Wrong Crowd".

You'll find a review of the Deluxe Version below.


Tracklist:
1) Wrong Crowd
2) Magnetised
3) Concrete
4) Constellations
5) Sparrow
6) Still Getting Used To Being On My Own
7) Silhouette
8) Jealousy
9) Daddy
10) Here I Am
11) Somehow
______________________________________________
12) She Don't Belong To Me (Deluxe)
13) Mystery (Deluxe)
14) Entertainment (Deluxe)
15) I Thought I Knew What Love Was (Deluxe)


Opener and title track "Wrong Crowd" already allows the listener to get used to a slighty different sound.
If you're familiar with Tom's debut album, you'll find new elements in the track.
The beats are more danceable, they have an electronic vibe to it, they seem darker. 
The song tells the story of being with the "wrong crowd", having bad influences in your life and being very much aware of it.
Given the rather dark atmosphere, it's interesting to hear how Odell mixes mysterious with lively; moody with up-beat.

"Magnetised" takes the new-found dance chords and takes them to another level.
There are a lot of layers in the song, starting off with with the beats and the piano, the backing vocals highlighting every important detail.
Yet, it's Tom Odell's roaring, strong and very controlled voice, which reminds the listener why they first fell for this artist.

Further on in the record, Tom also proves that he still knows how to write the emotional, stripped back piano ballads. "Constellations", "Sparrow" and "Mystery" allow you to go on a journey through your own experiences, as the lyrics he writes are very relatable.

With "Daddy" the piano man and his band brought the energetic dynamic of their live performances into the studio.
Dirty guitar riffs are paired with a wild piano and an incredibly strong rhythm section. Listening to this tracks makes you feel like you're in the middle of an Odell gig. And it's fabulous. This one is definitely "the one" for the fans of up-beat, rock arrangements.

To sum it up: Tom Odell has managed to evolve as an artist and showed us that he can combine the light, danceable beats with the meaningful songwriter elements. He found the fine line between the modern beats and the elegance of classical piano songs. "Wrong Crowd" is full of depth, grip and a lot of thought.

You should listen to these tracks: Magnetised, Concrete, Sparrow, Daddy, Mystery

If the video below doesn't work for you, try this link.





Tom Odell online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit! 








Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Tom Odell press kit | ** a physical copy of this album was provided by Sony Music Germany
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Festival Excitement: Barn On The Farm 2016



Hey guys!

In exactly one month I'll be in England, having a beautiful time, listening to amazing music.
I love having something to look forward to all the time and currently it's a festival.

Since the last "Festival Excitement" post was very well received on here, I thought I'd write another episode.
This time it's all about a festival I'm actually attending.
If you want me to write about any other festival, please let me know.

Let's get into it!

Barn On The Farm - the title gives away what to expect. But not completely.
The BOTF festival takes place on an actual working farm in Gloucester, UK.
For those of you who don't know where Gloucester is (I didn't!), it's in the South West of England.

Surrounded by fields and animals, the festival area is a beauty itself.
The team behind the festival shows that their love for independent musicians is just as present as their skills of booking "the next big thing".

Acts that played the previous years are James Bay, Ed Sheeran, Bastille, George Ezra, Hozier as well as some house in the sand favourites; Ryan O'Reilly, Adam Barnes and Rhodes.

Barn On The Farm online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Tickets HERE.

Here are the acts that are on my schedule:

JACK GARRATT
Sunday's headliner is one of the finest headliners I could think of.
I had the pleasure of seeing Jack live last month and it was incredibly mindblowing.
Therefore it goes without saying that I'm definitely going to watch his set.
(And probably lose my mind all over again.)




FARM BAND
The "Farm Band" is probably the coolest band the Main Stage is going to present.
Some fantastic acts have teamed up to played some of their songs in a very special band setting.

The Farm Band will consist of: Gabrielle Aplin, Hannah Grace, Joe Keogh (of Amber Run) and Hudson Taylor.
My hunch tells me that this is going to be fabulous.
(That video below is a good proof, too.)




GAVIN JAMES
I've already had the pleasure of chatting to the absolutely lovely Gavin.
And I'm sure I'm not the only one who is looking forward to his set at Barn On The Farm.
His debut album "Bitter Pill" is a treat for the ears, therefore our bets are on him.




JP COOPER
Alright guys, who doesn't love husky vocals paired with bluesy guitars?
I have a strong feeling that JP Cooper is definitely going to be one of those artist whom the crowd can't get enough of.
His way of presenting his songs is honest, pure and very passionate. The perfect combination.




LAUREL
It doesn't take Laurel a lot more than an electric guitar and her hypnotizing vocals to grab your attention.
She's going to be on the main stage this year and you bet we're excited to see what this talented lady has in store for us.




BROTHER AND BONES
The recipe to win over a big part of the HITS team:
acoustic guitars, smooth percussions, warm vocals and beautiful lyrics.
Brother & Bones took the formula and make us weak in the knees. I'm definitely going to be in the front row for them!




MARTIN LUKE BROWN
I've known Martin Luke Brown's music for quite a while now and recently got to watch him perform live when he supported Jack Garratt on tour.
His soulful voice, the mix of gorgeous piano riffs and badass beats, as well as his guitar based tracks - it already got me during soundcheck.
Very much looking forward to seeing him again.




THE AMAZONS
I kid you not when I say that I've received a press release which included The Amazons' October tour dates, just a few days ago.
I was already chatting to our photographer Alex, asking if he wanted cover a gig.
Very annoyed that I couldn't make it.
Now that I've realized they're also playing at Barn On The Farm, I'm alright again!
Check out why by watching the video below.




DAGNY
More lady power! Dagny already won me over with the first verse.
Her slightly raspy, dark vocals, the alt-pop sound and her way of performing a track - can it get any better?
Thank you, BOTF - you booked some jewels there, didn't you!!




BLACK HONEY
I couldn't keep it a secret if I tried. I love rock music.
And I love it a lot.
I just love a good riff, a badass bassline and some roaring rock vocals.
Black Honey are definitely going to fill my little rocker heart with joy by making me dance.
(I can't dance though, so apologies to everyone who has to watch me...)





HANNAH GRACE
Another artist I've already seen live before, and another artist I can't wait to see again.
Hannah Grace has that kind of voice that you wish you had yourself. And if you did, you'd never stop singing.
But reality hits you and you realize you don't have that voice.
So you're quiet and just enjoy her live set. With a lot of impressed gasps every now and then.




NOTE: festivals are the perfect opportunity to check out artists you haven't heard of before. This post is just a suggestion of acts I recommend. Of course I'll be checking out other acts as well. 


I hope you've enjoyed my little selection of acts.
And I certainly hope to see some of you at the festival! Please let me know if you're attending and we can have a drink together!



Thank you for your visit!









Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Barn On The Farm
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