7 songs: John Thacker

Hey guys!

You know, I'm having a lot of fun writing posts for you.

It's so cool that I get to share the music I love and that people are actually interested in hearing it.
We're all playing a huge part in music by caring about independent artists and sharing the art they create.

So let's all continue to be cool, shall we?
(I know, I know - why couldn't even stop if we tried.)

Today I'm super thrilled for two reasons;

1) the 7 songs feature is back: I love love love this feature, because I love finding out which songs people connect with.
2) because today we've got the fabulous John Thacker here to do a little playlist take-over.

He'll be sharing his selection of 7 songs with us and I can't wait for you to check it out.

But before you do, please make sure to check out John's music and follow his socials.


Listen to John's latest collaboration with Pet Planes:




John Thacker online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram


Let's check out John's playlist!

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1) a song which makes you dance

"Perfect Places" by Lorde

Now, this song doesn't make me dance like I'm at a festival jumping up and down to the latest EDM DJ, but it makes me jump around in my house like a crazy person with my headphones on.
Not a care in the world, and it just makes me feel so happy and free! My happy dance song.


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2) a song that calms you down
"Mystery Of Love" by Sufjan Stevens

I think this is one of the most beautiful and captivating movie soundtrack songs ever.
When I need to relax before a show, or when I'm feeling like I need inspiration, I'll play this.

The song takes me on a journey that I could listen to on repeat for hours.
It matches so well with the equally beautiful "Call Me By Your Name".


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3) a song with a deep meaning
"Samson" by Regina Spektor

My all time favourite song by my all time favourite artist!

Now these are big statements, I know, but couldn't be more true when it comes to this song.
Regina has always influenced me more than anyone else when it comes to lyrics.

This song has been with me through so many heartbreaks and feelings, the story of the lyrics just stand out to me so much, so powerful, and I connect with this song and Regina like no other.
This song for me is what heartbreak, love, loss, hope, all feel like, all in one beautiful song.


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4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"Foundations" by Kate Nash

Oh man, I love this song still to this day!

It reminds me of so many things, but mainly reminds me of sitting on the kerb with my childhood friends with our singles from HMV and playing this song on repeat without a care in the world.

Oh - and looking at each other and shouting "LEMONS" every time. Weird that now, nine years later, the song has a completely different feeling for me - nostalgia, yes, but also a new meaning.


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5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Time Is Dancing" by Ben Howard

I listen to this song on a every other day basis.

Ben just has magic, doesn't he?
This song is just so subtly epic, it's my perfect "stare out of the window and think into my future song".


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6) a song from your favourite genre
"Hoppipolla" by Sigur Ros

So, I don't have a favourite genre.

But I love love Icelandic music! 
Sigur Ros and Jonsi have been big influences in all my work, not just my music but my acting, my writing and my life!


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7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"What You Waiting For?" by Lily Allen

Lily is another artist who I've been so inspired by.

But her latest album, "No Shame", was such a pleasant surprise; the entire album brought me back to the mid 00's, the lyrics are punchy but honest. Lily isn't trying to be anyone else here.
Unexpectedly the best album of the year so far!

Lily was one of the first artists who insipred me to write my early songs, her lyrics stood out to me.


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And that was John's selection!
What do you think? Did you find any new favourites?


Previous 7 songs features: Racoon Racoon | Jackson Dyer | Simon Alexander | GOUX






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words (Intro): Vanessa Jetwash | Words (about songs) & Image: John Thacker

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EP Review: "Love & Other Things" by Alan Tukmatsev ft. John Thacker

Hey guys!

I remember when I first started out pursueing a job that mainly revolves around creativity,
I did a lot of research.
When you are meant to be creative every single day of the week, there come times when it gets harder.

To prevent those dry spells, a lot of internet gurus tell you to collaborate.

And it works, it really does.
Working together with people helps you expand your knowledge, skill set and creativity.

And in the best case, those collaborations have an end result which not only you get to call a success, but also the people you share it with will enjoy it.

Alan Tukmatsev and John Thacker teamed up and created a new EP, which we think is a total success.


Let's check it out!


Acts: Alan Tukmatsev ft. John Thacker
Title: Love & Other Things
Genre: Dance, Pop
Label: Independent
Release Date: 29th December 2017

Tracklist:
1) Don't Need You
2) Boys Don't Cry
3) Throwback

Opener "Don't Need You" greets you with an ambient and slightly mysterious feeling.
The song quickly evolves into a danceable track, asking for your attention.
With a subtle but steady beat, the instrumentation can be described as simple but every elements has an effect.
John's vocals complete the song, guide you through the emotions and project them onto the track by varying between soft and raspy highlights.

"Throwback" gets a bit more experimental and gives us more to digest.
The melody is colourful, the beat is vibrant and active, the vocals mix in perfectly and create the addictive vibe the song has to offer.
It's the kind of song that will remind you of Summer, of carefree times and it most definitely is going to make you dance. Whether you're up for it or not.

To sum it up: This collaboration was much needed and we're glad we got to share it with you.
Alan's instrumentals already speak for themselves but they feel a lot more vibrant thanks to John's vocals. The storytelling on the EP is vivid and relatable, it hits you right in the gut.
Play this when you need motivation and you should be fine.


You should listen to these tracks: Don't Need You, Throwback



Check out the "Love & Other Things" EP here:




Alan Tukmatsev online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram


John Thacker online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Alan Tukmatsev

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EP Review: "The Recall" by John Thacker

Hey guys!

Personally, one of the coolest things I get to experience with house in the sand, is being able to see artists grow.
Everyone grows as a person, and if you have a creative job, your art is most likely to grow as well.

It's so exciting to see everyone around me work so incredibly hard to be constantly improving.

Today I get to review an EP by an artist I have seen work hard to take things to another level, so make sure to check out his latest work.

Artist: John Thacker
Title: The Recall
Genre: Pop, Alternative
Label: Independent
Release Date: 12th May 2017

John Thacker is a musician from Manchester, UK.
His sound varies from Acoustic to Pop and back to Alternative - with hints of R'n'B and Electronic.

John's music is very autobiographical and very relatable, which is a quality you want to find in a musician.
In 2015, John released his debut EP "Hear" which, unlike most EPs, included 12 tracks.

After building himself a loyal fanbase over the years, he is now here with a new EP, "The Recall"
 - so let's check it out!

Tracklist:
1) Stories / Intro
2) Control (ft. Tony Jaxx)
3) You Want Me
4) Be Alright
5) My Words: Bedroom Diary, 2015 / Interlude
6) Anybody (live)

Opener track "Stories / Intro" welcomes you with electrifying, yet gentle beats and spacey elements.
John's voice guides you through the track- it demands your attention, but is still calming enough to not drown you.
If you have been a listener of John's for a while, you'll quickly notice the differences in his new material - and you'll embrace it.

"You Want Me" is going to get you on your feet - slowly, but surely.
The build-up in the verse is tastefully done and prepares you to launch into the chorus which is carried by danceable beats.
It's a catchy, up-tempo track which is definitely goint to find its way onto some Summer playlists.

"Be Alright" calms you down with a slightly souly R'n'B vibe.
  It convinces with less beats and more depth. The gentle raspiness in John's voice works hand in hand with the instrumentation.
This track is one that's best listened to when you can just sit down and focus on all the little details in it.


To sum it up: There are no doubts - John has grown a lot as a musician and presented a more mature piece of art with this EP.
You'll find lots of different elements on "The Recall"; it's an EP which takes you to different places and different memories - all within just six tracks.


You should listen to these tracks: Stories, Be Alright


Check out John's acoustic performance of "Stories" below:




- buy EP -
- stream EP -


John Thacker online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: John Thacker

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Get To Know: John Thacker

Hey guys!

The Birthday Countdown is over, so it's back to the "normal" business on house in the sand.
Once again, thank you to everyone who was part of our one month long birthday party, it was such a pleasure to see your reactions.

Today I'd like to introduce to you properly to one of the acts you've seen during the countdown, John Thacker.

In case you haven't seen his performance yet, click here.

John took the time to answer our "get to know" questions, so read ahead to learn more about a singer/songwriter we should keep an eye and ear on.


Who are you?

I'm John Thacker, a singer/songwriter from Manchester. I've always been writing music and making music, Music is a big passion of mine and couldn't live without it, it somehow manages to capture moments and feelings that can either bring you to tears or jump up and down until the early hours of the morning, and for me that's magic! I'm also an actor and writer when I'm not making music!

How would you describe your music?

I'm all about creating something that either means something or doesn't already exist, otherwise what's the point? My music is very emotion driven, I can only write or perform when I'm feeling inspired about something that I want to express in music! On my new album I have a mix of tracks but that generally fall into the Singer/Songwriter category, however I have some Indie tracks, some more Pop fulled tracks and even some neo soul tracks that I've recorded, so there's something for everyone!

What does music mean to you?

Music for me is expression, just as any art form. It should not be forced, it should just happen, naturally. I remember writing a song called 'The Coffee Shop' off my new album that I literally wrote while sat waiting for a friend in starbucks, it was a moment that felt right. Similiar to another song called 'How' off my album that I wrote while going through a rough period personally feeling lost, and writing the song just felt right, it helped me push through knowing I've created something out of it!

Your guilty pleasure song?

My iPhone is jam packed with tons of guilty pleasure tracks so it's honestly hard to choose, but I simply cannot resist dancing around the house in my dressing gown to Euphoria by Loreen. Not a proud moment.

What have you released so far?

My brand new album 'Hear' is out now on iTunes and Spotify worldwide, I worked on the album for over a year and a half on a off with a bunch of incredible people so I'm really proud of it. There are so many personal songs on the album and every song on the album was created from a personal moment or experience that I wanted to share, check it out! I also have some videos out on YouTube and some collaborations around the web!

What is coming up?

One thing that I'm dieing to do is tour with my new songs, I really want to get some gigs out there and living in Manchester it's the perfect place to do it so watch this space later in the year! I'll be releasing a music video for my lead single 'Fall Down' from my new album, I want to follow this up by more singles in the summer and some more radio play. I also want to do acoustic stuff, that I'll be releasing on Youtube or maybe as a little EP. I have some incredible colloberations coming up later in the year. And I'll be releasing a deluxe edition of my album 'Hear' later on in the year that I already have a bunch of tracks all ready for. Busy busy busy.

 John Thacker online: Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube 



Thank you for reading!

Credits // Text intro & questions: Vanessa Jertschewske | Text answers: John Thacker | Image: John Thacker

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Day 13: John Thacker | #HITSBC15

Hey guys!

It's Friday the 13th - a bad omen? Not at all! The countdown is still going very strong and gives you enough reasons to not have a bad day.

What is the Birthday Countdown though? Throughout the entire month of February, one artist/one band a day is going to wish house in the sand a happy birthday and then perform a song exclusively for us.

Today we're celebrating with John Thacker.

John Thacker is a singer/songwriter based in Manchester, UK.
He writes beautiful acoustic songs which have their focus on his voice as well as the absolutely well arranged instrumentals.

John released a new EP in January which is called "Hear" and consists of 12 fantastic tracks.
Make sure to check it out and buy it on iTunes if you enjoy what you hear.

I'm absolutely happy to present you John's live performance of his song "Forget" off of his EP. Watch it yourself and enjoy.

Many thanks to John for taking the time to film this video. You've been an absolutely pleasure to work with!!


Please go ahead and share this performance with your friends by using the hashtag #HITSBC15.


John Thacker online: Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Day 12:                                                                                                                     Day 14:

Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: John Thacker | Video performance & camera: John Thacker | Video intro: Vanessa Jertschewske

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