Gig Photos: Scenic Route To Alaska at Kellerklub, Stuttgart

Hey guys!

Sometimes people ask me whether I prefer huge arena shows or intimate club gigs.

Well, I love both.
As a photographer I LOVE arena shows - the lighting is great, you've got a photo pit to move around and the energy of having the crowd behind you is thrilling.

But as a fan of music, club gigs are just a tad bit more enjoyable.
There's one venue in Stuttgart which is one of my favourites - Kellerklub.

Now, if you don't understand German, "Keller" stands for basement. And that's exactly where the club is - it's underground.
It just begs for a Rock show and so do I.

Recently two fabulous bands delivered just that and today I'm finally sharing the photos with you.

In case you feel like supporting my photography, come and say hi:

website | twitter | facebook | instagram

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Date: 25th May 2018
Venue: Kellerklub, Stuttgart (GER)

Support Act: daysormay


daysormay are a five-piece from Vernon, B.C. (Canada).
Their sound is a unique and refreshing Alternative sound, allowing the best elements of Pop, Rock and Indie to collide.

daysormay are:
Nolan Bassett (bass, vocals, trumpet)
Eli Garlick (guitar, violin, vocals)
Carson Bassett (drums, percussion)
Craig Matterson (piano, keyboards, vocals)
Aidan Andrews (lead vocals, guitar, keys, ukulele)

No matter how many reviews and comments you read, the band seems to always be able to convince their listeners with ease.
Maybe it's because of their quality tracks, maybe it's because of their energetic live sets.
Probably it's a combination of both.





daysormay online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






































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Headliner: Scenic Route To Alaska


Scenic Route To Alaska are a trio from Edmonton, Canada.
Their sound lies somewhere between Pop, Rock and Indie - but really is too complex to settle for just one genre.

Their live sets are energetic, expressive and watching them perform their relatable tracks is a lot of fun. It's basically that rock gig we all need every now and then.

Scenic Route To Alaska are:
Trevor Mann
Shea Connor
Murray Wood

The band members all met when they were kids and have been (quote) "making noise" together ever since.
With so much time to hone their craft and find their sound, the band has been more than just productive and has managed to release an impressive amount of quality tunes:

EP: Scenic Route to Alaska (2011)
LP: "All These Years" (2012)
LP: "Warrington" (2014)
LP: "Long Walk Home" (2016)
LP: "Tough Luck" (2018)

Whenever they aren't writing and recording, the band is touring the continents and connects with their fans.

Before their show in Stuttgart, we sat down to have a little chat which you can view here.





Scenic Route To Alaska online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






























































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And that's it!

We sincerely hope you took the time to check out these two fantastic and exciting bands.

Let us know what you think!


If you enjoyed seeing photos, say hi to us on Instagram.




Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Photography: Vanessa Jetwash

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Release Of The Day: "Shed A Tear" by Kodaline

Hey guys!

And we're onto post number 4 - and judging by the state of my brain, we're gonna leave it here.

Of course there are still plenty more releases out on this fine New Music Friday, but we can't just cover them all in one day.
(Although the thought is tempting!)

It's been such a blast sharing all this new music with you in one day and we truly hope you've enjoyed it as much as we did.

We're finishing off with our release of the day - a track by Kodaline.

Ever since we've been introduced to the band about three years ago, we've been big fans of their sound and already had the pleasure of interviewing them twice.

And until this day, they are two of our favourite interviews we've filmed so far -
check them out here: Kodaline interview & "who is?" game | Kodaline interview & "accent challenge"

Now let's do this one more time!


- Release Of The Day -
"Shed A Tear" by Kodaline


Kodaline are a four piece band from Dublin, Ireland. 

Genre-wise they've walked on the fine line between alternative and folk but they seem to navigate towards a modern Alt-Pop sound.

Singer Steve and guitarist Mark have known each other from school. Meeting drummer Vinny and former bassist Conor a few years later led them to start out as a band. As "21 Demands" the quartet was part of the Irish talent show "You're A Star" and came in second. 

After a busy time and a chart hit, things slowed down.

With a new bassist and a new band name - Kodaline was born. Their first selftitled EP brought out their song "All I Want" which found a lot of positive feedback, especially online. Soon that song was played on the TV series Grey's Anatomie and The Vampire Diaries.
In 2013 the press re-discovered the band and predicted big times for the Irish lads.  

Kodaline are:

Steve Garrigan

Mark Prendergast

Jason Boland

Vinny May

 

2015 was a whirlwind for the band; they released their fantastic second record "Coming Up For Air", played tons of festivals, performed with Ed Sheeran and continued touring.

They then slowed down the touring side of things and started writing and recording new material.
Soon they released single "Brother" (and made everyone cry with it) and later on in 2017 they dropped their latest EP "I Wouldn't Be".

Earlier this year they shared "Follow Your Fire", the first single off of their upcoming record "Politics Of Life".

And today they've dropped "Shed A Tear" - so let's hear it!

The thing with Kodaline is, you never know exactly where they are going to take it, but you know that they'll nail it.
It's their thing. They just nail it.

And "Shed A Tear" is no exception.
It falls in the atmospheric and emotional category and let me just say this - the production of it is on another level.

The band has always convinced audiences with their lyrics (chances are high that you've cried to "All I Want" before) and also with their harmonies (just look up any of their acoustic performances) - and "Shed A Tear" combines both of those strong elements.

Mesmerizing lead vocals guide us through the track, while it feels like the percussions carry us through. With the support from guitar and bass, there's no way this track could go wrong.

To top it off, they've casually added choir vocals and now we're feeling all the feels.


Listen to "Shed A Tear" right here:




- buy "Shed A Tear" -



Kodaline online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Kodaline

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EP Review: "People To People" by DNCE

Hey guys!

Post numero three of this wild New Music Friday.

I'm not gonna lie, sitting at your desk for hours is so exhausting for the mind and so painful for the butt.
I've been walking in circles in between parts and stood while writing the last post.

Good thing is, the next EP we're here to introduce to you, is going to get us all up on our feet and d(a)nce away.
(Okay, that was a #dadjoke, sorry!)

So yeah, put those dancing shoes on and let's move our desk bodies a bit.

Band: DNCE
Title: People To People
Genre: Pop, Alternative
Label: Republic Records
Release Date: 15th June 2018


DNCE are a four piece outfit based in Los Angeles, US.

The band found together through a couple connections and is now here to share their funky Alternative sound with us.  

DNCE are:
Joe Jonas (vocals)
JinJoo Lee (guitar)

Cole Whittle (bass, keyboard)

Jack Lawless (drums) 

Their debut single "Cake By The Ocean" ended up scoring double-platinum and allowed the band to enter the pop industry with a bang.

After releasing their debut EP "SWAAY", touring with Selena Gomez and winning "Best New Artist" at the MTV Video Music Awards, DNCE have created a lot of buzz for their debut album "DNCE" which they released in November 2016.

With an ever-growing fanbase and the big media loving their sound, DNCE haven't slowed down. "Kissing Strangers" ft. Nicki Minaj was one of 2017's catchiest tracks.
Their re-imagined version of Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" featured none other than the legend himself and got us all dancing.

Now, let's check out their brand new EP, "People To People".


Tracklist:
1) TV In The Morning

2) Still Good
3) Lose My Cool
4) Man On Fire


Opener "TV In The Morning" starts our journey into the new EP on a gentle and relaxed note.
When listening to the details of the instrumentation, we're getting proper 80s vibes. 
The layers of synths, drum beats, bass line and guitar riffs blends into a smooth mix of greatness.
The way the backing vocals duet with the lead vocals - all performed by lead singer Joe - creates a super interesting and dynamic vibe, whilst still not going over the top and letting the song breathe.

"Still Good" might be the most lively track of the EP.
The song has a hopeful and comforting feeling to it and really stands out. The melody in the pre-chorus is absolutely addictive and possibly the catchiest thing we've heard in months.
If you close your eyes, you'll easily believe that you're somewhere at a beach, laying in the sun or jumping onto a surfboard.

(Fun fact: "Still Good" was co-written by Wrabel, one of our favourite acts who we had a super entertaining phone conversation with a while ago.)

Whilst we've mostly heard mellow instrumentals and soft vocals, "Man On Fire" is here to shake things up.
Guitarist JinJoo treats us with rocking riffs, drummer Jack guides us through the track with controlling beats, bassist Cole presents THE funkiest bassline this track could've seen and singer Joe shows off his wide vocal range.


To sum it up: This EP is many things - but mostly it is absolutely smooth and such a feel-good record.
DNCE have created a sound world of their own and with "People To People" they let us become a part of it.
It's a cohesive collection of tracks - but boy, it's anything but shallow.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into DNCE's world.


You should listen to these tracks: Still Good, Man On Fire


Listen to "Man On Fire" right here:




- buy or stream "People To People" -




DNCE online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: DNCE via Republic Records

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Song Of The Day: "If You Wanna Love Somebody" by Tom Odell

Hey guys!

Alright, post number two of the busiest New Music Friday we've had in a while.

Not sure what happened, but pretty much every brilliant artist and their grandmas are throwing new music at us today and we're just gonna roll with it.

When Tom Odell's new track popped up on our screen, we immediately started writing this feature.
Tom's music has been on our playlist for about five years now.
(Remember when "Another Love" was released and we all lost our minds over his voice?)

So, let's get to know the new song!

- Song Of The Day -
"If You Wanna Love Somebody" by Tom Odell


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 Soul. 

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 released his second album "Wrong Crowd" in June 2016.


And now, after touring the world and taking a little break, Tom is back with his brand new single "If You Wanna Love Somebody".


The song greets you with a piano intro that could remind fans of his older material, the "Long Way Down" vibes are pretty prominent and stay throughout the song.
The "Wrong Crowd" vibes meet you in the second verse and allow the song to become a more modern track while still having a very timeless feeling to it.

Tom's voice newer disappoints and is as expressive as ever. The warmth in his voice delivers the notes with such conviction and honesty.

One of many highlights of the song are the backing vocals; the choir/multi-layered vocals fit right into the mood of the song and carry the depth perfectly.


It's so much fun to see that no matter how much he evolves as an artist and performer, he's always staying true to the piano man roots.


Check out the music video right here:




- buy or stream "If You Wanna Love Somebody" -

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





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Tom Odell

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Video Of The Day: "Borderline" by Madeline Juno

Hey guys!

It's New Music Friday - and boy, we're busy over here, trying to get all the posts out there for you.
Talk about keyboards being on fire!

The first track we want to share with you is pretty special because of many aspects.
Number one being that it is a German song.
Yeah, that doesn't happen often on HITS, I know.

When I started the blog in 2012, my English was nowhere close to where it is today, but I've always written in English. I love that this language allows us to connect with more people and honestly, sometimes I just find more English words than German words.

And pretty much 99.9% of the music I listen to is in English.
The other 0.1%? They're Madeline Juno.

As of now, she's the only German singing artist I listen to - and today I'd like to invite you to listen to her music, even if you might not understand it.


- Video Of The Day -
"Borderline" by Madeline Juno


Madeline Juno is a singer/songwriter, originally from Offenburg, Germany - now based in Berlin, Germany.   

Her sound marches into quite a few directions; you can definitely spot the main element which is a glowy Pop sound, yet you'll easily spot the melancholy of Folk music and the intensity of Electro beats.

 Madeline's parents are both musicians, which makes it no surprise to hear she started making music at a very young age.
At the age of 14, the young musician uploaded her first video to YouTube.
Her talent, work ethic and the honesty of her music have gotten her multiple support slots.
All of that led to Madeline building herself a loyal and growing international fanbase.

Her song "Error" made it onto the soundtrack of a German movie.
She later presented another single of her's at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.

Ever since, Madeline has released three albums - "The Unknown", "Salvation" and her latest record, "DNA".

Once you see her live and listen to the stories behind her songs, you can't help but appreciate her refreshing way of putting relatable emotions into songs.
She's outspoken, she's honest and she's absolutely great at it.


And today she's here with a brand new track - "Borderline", so let's check it out!


"Borderline" deals with mental health and the ups and downs a lot of us experience.
The 'all or nothing' mindset is something many people can relate to, but many times don't know how to vocalise.

Well, Madeline can.
Her writing skills are on another level and seem to climb up another five steps with every song she releases.
She's eloquent, knows how to express feelings in a way that you can feel them yourself and always does it in such grounded manner.

From what I see in my friendship groups and in myself, I know that this song is going to hit home with a lot of us.

The production of the song is so well suited; the lyrics are the main element of the track and take the lead, allowing us to focus on the meanings.
However, the instrumentals are anything but dull.
Subtle beats underline the words, giving them even more depth.
The soft synths bring that extra bit of grip and tie all elements together so smoothly.

So, whether you actually understand German or not, I have a feeling you'll enjoy this track, so give it a go and let us know what you think!



Watch the music video for "Borderline" right here:




- buy "Borderline" -
- stream "Borderline" -




Madeline Juno online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Madeline Juno

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Song Of The Day: "The Ballad Of Anne Beverley" by Charlie Hole

Hey guys!

Some musicians just seem to release one fine track after the other.

I'm pretty sure you know the kind and also know of a bunch of musicians who fit that description.
This website is pretty much filled with them, just in case you're ever looking for your new favourite acts.

Charlie Hole is one of them - not only is he on the road pretty much all the time (talk about Instagram travel photo goals!), but he also keeps releasing tracks that let you feel and let you relax.

Today we're thrilled to share his latest release with you, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.


- Song Of The Day -

"The Ballad Of Anne Beverley" by Charlie Hole

Charlie Hole is a singer/songwriter from Bournemouth, UK.

His carefully crafted music combines Acoustic and Folk elements in such elegant manner.
Charlie started making and writing music at the young age of eleven and has been going strong ever since.

With inspirations such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits & Paul Simon, it's no surprise that we find a lot of personality and intimacy in his songs.

His debut album "The Joy of a Caged Bird" was released in 2013.
With loyal fans and praise from none other than Rod Stewart and three time Novello Award winner Andy Hill, it's safe to say we're not the only ones with his music on repeat.

In October of 2017, Charlie dropped his latest EP, "Someone Else's Dream" and proved that his music is proper on-repeat material.


On June 8th he released a new single, "The Ballad Of Anne Beverley".


"The Ballad Of Anne Beverley" is a vividly told story, showcasing Charlie's talent for writing lyrics that describe scenes and hit home with you on a personal level.

It has a gentle and melancholic feeling to it and greets you with soft percussions, paired with a nostalgic sounding piano melody.
The lightly strummed acoustic guitar adds enough depth, whilst still allowing Charlie's vocals to take the lead.

You'll find yourself eagerly awaiting the next words and verses, to see where the story of Anne Beverley takes you.
Charlie narrates the story in such respectful, yet honest manner. His vocals guide you through the song and let you discover each element.

Towards the last quarter of the song, a cleverly arranged instrumental duets with the vocals and creates a brilliant finale for the track.


Check out this live version of "The Ballad Of Anne Beverley" - but don't forget to stream the studio version below:




- stream "The Ballad Of Anne Beverley" here -



Charlie Hole online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit! 

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Charlie Hole

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Song Of The Day: "Rose Lane" by rx Soul

Hey guys!

Picture the scene:
It's so hot outside that you have to keep the blinds down, in order to block the sun from heating up your room even more.

I'm trying not to lose what's left of my mind and writing these posts is honestly the only thing that doesn't make me want to throw the laptop out of the window.
It's one of those days, it's so annoying it could actually be Monday.

But alright, let's deal with it later and get ourselves calmed down with some great music.
Afterall, that's what we came here for.


- Song Of The Day -

"Rose Lane" by rx Soul


rx Soul is a musician from Los Angeles, US.

His sound is yet to be defined, but let me tell you one thing - it's exciting!

rx Soul made his debut in late 2017 and has released attention-grabbing songs ever since - proving that he means business.
Although we've only heard four tracks, we know that rx Soul is one to keep an eye on.
The soulful vocals, the clever and well thought out arrangements and the flawless production - each element just works so well and we're extremely excited to share his music with you.


rx Soul's latest release "Rose Lane" is that kind of track, you just shouldn't miss out on.


"Rose Lane" feels familiar but surprises with a good amount of elements you might not have seen coming.
It starts of mellow and calm, allowing you to sink into the feeling of the track. Subtle percussions soon hint that there is more to come - and as soon as you realise, a relaxed beat kicks in and takes the song on a journey - which you're invited to come along to.

rx Soul says about the track:
"Rose Lane is the name of a street I spent quite a lot of time on growing up.
In this song, I wanted to explore the very natural process of losing touch with the places, feelings and experiences that were so familiar to a younger self, and trying to keep as many of them alive as possible."


Listen to "Rose Lane" right here:




- stream "Rose Lane" on Spotify -



rx Soul online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Quote & Image: rx Soul

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Video Interview: Scenic Route To Alaska

Hey guys!

I've been having a lot of fun with the whole interview process recently.

Discovering a band's history and sound while doing the research, challenging myself to come up with tailored questions and finally getting to meet the people behind the music and having a chat with them - it's pretty cool.

You never really know what you get when you first meet someone - we all know that.
But when you meet someone to film a video and only have a few minutes to get comfortable with each other before you start rolling, you remember why it's important to prepare.

Sometimes things can be a bit stiff and tricky, but most of the time it's really all fun.


Fortunately, we got to add another band to the "brilliant people" list recently, so please let me introduce you to Scenic Route To Alaska.


Scenic Route To Alaska are a trio from Edmonton, Canada.
Their sound lies somewhere between Pop, Rock and Indie - but really is too complex to settle for just one genre.

Their live sets are energetic, expressive and watching them perform their relatable tracks is a lot of fun. It's basically that rock gig we all need every now and then.

Scenic Route To Alaska are:
Trevor Mann
Shea Connor
Murray Wood

The band members all met when they were kids and have been (quote) "making noise" together ever since.
With so much time to hone their craft and find their sound, the band has been more than just productive and has managed to release an impressive amount of quality tunes:

EP: Scenic Route to Alaska (2011)
LP: "All These Years" (2012)
LP: "Warrington" (2014)
LP: "Long Walk Home" (2016)
LP: "Tough Luck" (2018)

Whenever they aren't writing and recording, the band is touring the continents and connects with their fans.

During their recent monster of a tour, I got to ask the band a bunch of questions so that you can get to know them a little better.

I'm not sure what it is, but filming interviews in the boiling sun seems to become a thing around here. 

The gents of Scenic Route To Alaska embraced the heat and we had a relaxed little chat on the steps of the castle in Stuttgart. 

Check out the video as we discuss being on tour for eleven weeks, alternative band names, their first jam sessions and a lot more.

(I might've talked about The Golden Girls again...)


Watch the interview here:




Massive thank you to Shea, Trevor and Murray for taking the time to run around Stuttgart and to have this lovely chat! Was a pleasure!

And another massive thank you to Marco for arranging the interview, really appreciate it!


Check out Scenic Route To Alaska's latest music video for "How It Feels" here:




Scenic Route To Alaska online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram | Spotify





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jetwash

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