LIFESTYLE || Christmas with Yankee ||

This year I bought my mum a Yankee Candle advent calendar which I am incredibly envious about. My house is filled from room to room with Yankee candles and accessories - and now my mum has spread the Yankee bug to me. I absolutely love them!

I got an electric wax tart burner earlier this year and was really excited to get some festive scents to use during the Christmas period.

Merry Marshmallow, Christmas Memories, Snowflake Cookie, Christmas Tree, Christmas Eve, Christmas Rose, Cinnamon Stick, Season of Peach, Cranberry Ice & Sparkling Snow. 

The tart burner is perfect decor for any room or season and is a nice alternative to buying a standard jar candle. Because Yankee Candles are so expensive I love the fact I can buy multiple tartlets to use and not having to make do with just one fragrance. The tarts to me are also reasonably priced at £1.20 on YankeeDoodle.com which is a really good SLIGHTLY discounted sight, compared to buying them on the official Yankee Candle website.

I haven't used all of these tarts yet but I am currently using Christmas Memories, which has a scent of a comforting recipe of spices and sweets. There is also a hint of ginger as well, which I think is one of the most festive scents you can get!!

As well as the tarts I also picked up a medium jar of the Snowflake Cookie and a small jar of the Merry Marshmallow. Both of these I had used the tarts and fell in love with - so had to buy the jars to replace them!

Snowflake Cookie - I think this is a new Christmas fragrance as I had the Christmas Cookie last year and don't remember seeing this in store or online. It is now definitely one of my favourite scents by Yankee and I think it is so pretty and girly. I love the food scents more and it really does smell like cookies baking!!

Merry Marshmallow - Because I loved Fireside Treats during the Autumn, I knew that Merry Marshmallow would be the perfect replacement during the Christmas season. The scent reminds me of creamy marshmallows and vanilla!

BEAUTY || MAC & NARS wants ||

1. Nars Lipgloss in Turkish Delight - If it's good enough for Kim Kardashian it's good enough for the rest of us, right? I have had a keen eye on this lipgloss for ages and now I am finally starting to have some money to spend I think I might have to treat myself this Christmas to it. I have never bought from Nars in the past but always heard such brilliant reviews on their products, although pricey I think its evident that you pay for quality. I also love the pink sherbet shade as it looks like it will be quite tame and natural with lovely pink undertones. 

2. Nars Blush in Orgasm - I've made a promise to myself to find a decent blusher to use as all previous blushers I've had have either been really heavy or totally useless. Again I have heard so much positivity surrounding Nars products and will be certainly purchasing this blush and giving it a good testing. 

3. Mac Lipstick in Shy Girl - I feel like I'm really behind on joining the Mac bandwagon, but it's always been so expensive and a bit out of my price range when it comes to cosmetics. However, this shade of lipstick looks stunning. I find it hard to find lipsticks that don't completely drain what little colour I have in my face out. I've read many blog reviews on this lipstick and haven't come across many that say it is poor! I have already ordered this and will be very excited to use it and see for myself. 

4. Nars Illuminator - My pale complexion can make me look drained and a bit dull so I am always looking for products that will add a bit of illumination to my face. I have been using the High Beam highlighter and Fake It Up by Benefit which have added a pinch of brightness; but I would love to try this from Nars as its described as having "A collection of light-reflecting liquids that glide on to refresh and enhance the complexion with shimmering incandescene." Can't say much more than that can I?

LIFESTYLE || Heartwood Candle Review ||

"Cedarwood soothes the mind and body you'll see, along with May Chang known as the Oil of Tranquility. Add restorative Katafray into the pot, and a dose of relaxation is what you've got!"

I'm obsessed with keeping a nice, pleasant scent in my room and bathroom. I think it's an essential when maintaining a happy home. My obsession with candles has been inherited by my mum - who has an array of candles scattered around the house. I have never really steered away from the much adored Yankee candle collection until I came across the pleasingly different Heartwood candle company. Laura from the company kindly sent me a much appreciated Cedarwood, May Chang and Katafray candle to test out.

Heartwood candles are handmade with love and care, using 100% natural soy and a clean burning wax that contains no unfriendly toxins, carcinogens or other pollutants. It is clear that the founders Dominique and Laura really take pride and care in formulating aromatic blends - and their passion shines through the wonderful, delightful scent that the candle releases.

This candle has taken pride of place in my bathroom as I think it is perfect to be used whilst in the bath as its main function is to calm and relax (which is certainly does!) The packaging of the candle was charming - the candle came neatly wrapped in brown paper with a handwritten label. To me this makes the candle stand out from any other candle product as it feels more personal due to the handwritten label. Because of this I think that a Heartwood candle would make a perfect present for an candle/aromatherapy lover this year.

I have been burning this candle religiously since receiving it a couple of weeks ago and can honestly say that unlike many other candles the scent is still going strong, making its away around my house.

You can purchase a wide range of Heartwood candles from their online store by clicking here, also keep up to date with all the latest updates via the Heartwood Candle Twitter Page

BEAUTY || Give your face a spring clean! ||

Amie is a pure and natural beauty company who combines gentle and effective formulas that are your skins best friend.

I am always keen to try new beauty products, especially face masks and was lucky enough to be sent the 'Spring Clean Deep Cleansing Mask' to try.  The main objective of the mask is to purify pores, combat oiliness and blemishes for all round beautiful skin.

What stands out about this face mask is the scent! It's really fresh and literally does remind me of Spring with peppermint and lime extracts. If you like a strong scent with your skincare products then I would certainly say this is the product for you as even before application to the face, the smell quickly makes an appearance.

When applying to the face it became apparent immediately that you wouldn't have to use much to get full coverage. I made the big mistake of using to much on my first go and felt a slight burning sensation - I have really sensitive skin so when a formula is to powerful I am really prone to feeling it! However when I began to use a smaller, grape sized amount I felt no burning or discomfort. It goes without saying that with the mask you have to avoid sensitive areas such as your lips, eyes etc. When the mask is spread generously on your face and neck area, you are allowed for ten minutes to do as you please. I love putting face masks on in the bath as I like just relaxing and letting the mask work its magic!

After your ten minutes are up your face will feel VERY firm and stiff (like you've had some kind of plastic surgery and can no longer make any facial expressions). You then wash off the mask with warm water - either with a facial cloth or by just simply splashing your face with water.

Amie recommends to use the mask once or even twice a week - I have used it once a week on a Sunday night and found it really refreshing on my skin and although not an exfoliator, I found it got rid of dead skin and overall renewed my skin for the week. I wouldn't personally use it twice a week but I think this is more based on your skin preferences. Also, I think if you suffer from very dry skin this product wouldn't be that ideal as I feel it is more beneficial to those of us prone to spots and with oily skin.

I would recommend this product to those who want to try something a bit new and different to the usual high street products - and for those who suffer with acne, teenage spots and blemishes.

You can purchase Amie products from high street stores such as John Lewis, Waitrose and Boots (all of which can also be bought online!)

To visit Amie's official website click here 

& to follow them on Twitter...

BEAUTY || Mimi & Me Review ||

Due to having sensitive skin I see pure organic and all natural products as a life saviour; and essential in maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. I can always feel and see the benefits of organic products straight away after first use, compared to using some beauty products that are packed with fake and unfriendly chemicals. 

Mimi & Me are an organic skin care company in Shropshire and produce Artisan products that they promise you won't be able to find in the shops! These handmade products have NOT been tested on animals (bonus) and are free from any corrupt chemicals that will damage your skin. Mimi & Me were kind enough to send me some of their products to try with my everyday skincare routine (as well as a very much appreciated candle)

Signature Bath Oil

Being a lover of evening baths at the end of a very very long and tiring day - the Signature Bath Oil was the perfect addition to my evening bath routine. I found it also had many multiple uses; to be poured into the bath whilst it was running, onto my skin whilst in the bath and as a moisturiser for afterwards. It left my skin feeling silky soft straight away... after the first use! Which I think is rare to find in beauty products, as they seem to take a few desperate attempts before you start to see the physical results. 

The scent is really intense and despite it being a natural product you do get the benefits of having a strong and admirable smell left after you have used it. 

Signature Scented Candle

Candles are most certainly my thing - so I was pleased when I was sent the Signature candle to test out. Again I used it predominantly in the evenings and found it was perfect for winter weather; as the scent made me feel relaxed and calm, after being at work all day.

The candle is made with Eco-friendly soy wax and essential oils and also have a natural cotton wick. Knowing that the products you are using are kind to your skin as well as the environment really does make a difference. To me the scent the candle produces does make me feel as though I am in a spar having a luxury treatment. There is a fresh fruity and slightly spicy citrus scent, which I believe really helps you to relax and calm the nervous system. The addition of the ginger and cinnamon really do add the 'spicy edge' IDEAL for the festive season; there is also the use of Ylang Ylang, Coriander and Frankincense which help uplift the mood and boost concentration. 

It was also IDEAL to have on the side whilst in the bath - especially with the bath oil as the atmosphere felt calm and soothing!

Signature Solid Perfume

"A magical orange blossom balm with a hint of spice to soothe the senses and bring pleasure to your day. This little pot of truely potent ingredients has the power to help calm the nervous system & help with concentration, as well as smelling devine." 

I had never ever heard of a solid perfume before, and wasn't sure what I would make of it. It's a really nice alternative to the typical, liquid application and find it useful to have in my handbag to use on my wrists or neck during the day. The scent is really strong - so this means you don't have to use much to get the full effect. 

Within the satin packaging that  the perfume comes there is an applicator to assist you in applying the perfume to your neck and wrists; although I have used my fingers and gotten better results.

I was really pleased with my products from Mimi & Me - the packaging was also really pretty which makes any of their products ideal to give as Christmas presents this year. The other highlight to giving one of these products as a present is that they can be given to anyone from your mum, sister to nan! I know I will certainly be buying some more products in the New Year!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MIMI & ME

OR... follow them on Twitter: @NicSaccoOrganic 

BEAUTY || Save The Blow Dry ||

Make way for the Queen of shower caps that is Save The Blow Dry! You can say a farewell to the utterly useless, non protective, rip at any moment shower caps (that I'm pretty sure we've all 'picked up' from hotel rooms in the past) and hello to every girls new best friend. 

Save The Blow Dry gives 100% guarantee for the best blowdry protection that can save our hair from the enemies -  humidity and condensation. These two leave hair in the limp and lifeless states which I am sure most of us have experienced when showering and bathing (but not washing our hair) I was instantly impressed by Save The Blow Dry's promise for protection for even the longest and thickest hair - as my hair can be the bane of my life. I've always desired to have long and thick hair, but now I have it I actually see myself envying those with short pixie crops! Worries about washing my hair are now a thing of the past after my discovery of the absolute gem that is Save The Blow Dry. 

Immediately I noticed how feminine and pretty the design of the cap was - it was something I was happy to hang proudly on the back of my bathroom door. The first layer is a pink, soft micro weave towel, specially designed to zap humidity and condensation. This is then covered by a waterproof, protective second layer decorated by an abundance of girly bows in differing shades of pink; personally I loved this design as it felt retro and 'pin-up girl style' which is something I adore. However, do not worry if the whole girly pink is not really your thing, as Save The Blow Dry are bringing out a new turquoise design in the new year - more suited to the less 'pretty in pink girls'. 

The packaging was also really useful in terms of explaining the purpose of the cap and how to get the best results. The important tips for best results were easy to understand and more importantly easy to follow. 

As if that is not enough the cap is actually has a dual usage - you are instructed to turn the hat inside out (so the towelling doesn't get wet and yuckie) and put it over your favourite hair treatment allowing it to work on the hair more effectively. I thought this was perfect especially when in the bath as I could easily apply my hair mask and continue to soak in the bath - without worrying if my hair was falling out of place and into the water!

To summarise the cap makes three key promises to its users:

1. Super roomy - covers even the longest, thickest styles! I have incredibly long and thick hair and always trying to find easier ways to wash/dry/style my hair. Save The Blow dry entirely protected my hair from the gross humidity destroying my hair into a ball of unmanageable mess. 
2. Comfortable fab-flex grip stops strands escaping! My head didn't feel suffocated by a tight grip - nor did it feel to loose and as though my hair was falling out at any given moment. The shower cap was big enough (yet protective enough) to ensure all my hair stayed in one place through the duration of the shower/bath. I never had to re-arrange the cap and it was applied easily. 
3. Really banishes bathroom frizz and squashed hair styles! My hair was honestly the exact same when I left my shower/bath as it was when I entered. I was really impressed with how much protection the cap actually gave and how no water/condensation had gotten through into the cap. 

Although some may be put off by the retail price of £14.95 - this is more of a beauty product then just a simple shower cap. If you like me struggle to keep your hair protected from humidity and condensation then this shower cap will save your hairs life!

www.savetheblowdry.com

@SAVETHEBLOWDRY

FACEBOOK: SAVE THE BLOW DRY

Emily ♥

BEAUTY || Soap & Glory monthly favourites ||

Is it just me or is the '3 for 2' offer that inevitably comes out around Christmas time at Boots, seriously fatal to bank accounts? Honestly, I can never just simply acknowledge the deal and walk away - sometimes it's just to good to miss out on. 

I'd only gone into Boots for a new lip balm the other day and instead walked out with all of this...

And when the devilish '3 for 2' deal was advertised on all Soap & Glory skincare products, I could not resist. I still strongly believe I was hypnotised into spending the ridiculous amount I did in Boots the other day.

I have always been a massive Soap & Glory fan as I think their products are always spot on from their vintage/retro packaging, humorous play on words, luscious, indulgent smells and of course the results!

Glow Job

"Squeeze a pea-sized measure of GLOW JOB onto your fingertips, then rub together to release the bronze from inside the beads and blend. Apply to your face in upward circular motions then just GET UP AND GLOW!"

I do not and will not fake tan - I wish I did and could as I am naturally quite pasty, but whenever I have tried it in the past I have always ended up with streaks and HUGE patches missing. So as a rule I just don't bother. 'Glow Job' however is loaded with bronze bursting beads that when rubbed into your skin release a natural, glowing, temporary tan (that can be easily washed off after use), meaning I can add a slight hint of colour to my ghost like face! I use it as more of a tinted moisturiser if I can't be bothered applying layers of foundation as it adds both colour and radiance to your face. 

For this product I give it a beauty rating of 3 out of 5 stars: ★★★☆☆

Wish Upon a Jar 

"A must-have in the medicine chest. Packed full of actives to regenerate your complexion. Intensive. Exhilarating. With results that are consistently ‘amazing’. A potent anti-aging mix of tetrapeptides, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and oxygen boosters… it brightens, lifts, smoothes away wrinkles, and leaves your face looking radiant. Go ahead, take a wish..."

Okay - so technically this says it's an 'anti-aging night cream' and whilst I know I am only eighteen and perhaps do not need this, it is still one of the best moisturisers I have bought in ages. I have always wanted to use a night cream but whenever I bought one it used to make my face feel sticky and greasy in the morning. I have ALOT of faith in this night cream as my skin has never felt so soft and I am finding that in the morning my makeup is easier to apply to a smoother base. The product promises to lift and smoothen out 'wrinkles', but I have found it has actually done this to my acne scars and marks.

Oh - and the best thing about this product is that it smells like Terry's chocolate oranges!

For this product I give it a beauty rating of 4 out of 5 stars: ★★★★☆

No Clogs Allowed 

"Massage a grape-sized dab of NO CLOGS ALLOWED onto your face, then wet your hands and scrub until it turns blue and you feel heating. After 5 minutes rub it all off with a warm, wet washcloth"

I am a big lover of face masks and when I suffered with acne I found it really difficult to find one that wouldn't react negatively with my skin - i.e. making it sore or just a hundred times worse. 

I had never previously heard of No Clogs Allowed and discovered it by accident the other day when I was originally trying to find a Palmers mud face mask and couldn't. So, I thought I would give my trusted friend Soap & Glory a go and I wasn't disappointed. 

You are meant to use this once a week (sundays nights for me) and massage a grape-sized amount onto your face, as you would with any other facial mask treatment. For me it was the heating of the mask that really stood out, as I could physically feel the difference the mask was making to my skin! After my five minutes were up I washed the contents off with a warm, wet washcloth and my skin felt fresh, cleansed and brand spanking new! And the best bit it hasn't caused any redness or defects to my skin which is an absolute miracle for me considering the state my skin used to be in.

For this product I give it a beauty rating of 5 out of 5 stars: ★★★★★ (if I could give it more I would)

Once again Soap & Glory has not let me down and I know I will be purchasing these items for sure again in the future!

EMILY ♥

| TWITTER | INSTAGRAM |

MUSIC || Mutineers talk music ||

Mutineers have taken social networking by storm - sharing their music through Twitter and Facebook, the band have built up an admirable 93,000+ (and growing) fan base. 

Having released their first album 'Friends, Lovers, Rivals' in late November 2012, the band have returned with their new single 'Tell Me Why' and have embarked on a mini tour visiting Manchester, London and Leeds.

The prior drinking friends met at the beginning of 2010 and decided to blend their genius musical talents together to form Mutineers.   What makes this band stand out from the rest is their hard work and dedication to their music, which has landed them in the position they find themselves in today. The members Nicholas James Mallins, Michael Reed, Iwan Gronow, Charles Salt and Thomas Twemlow managed to make their way into the indie chart with their new single 'Tell Me Why' this year - with no high powered management or label. The band have also had respectable support slots with indie icons Pete Doherty and The View - which opened the band to a wider audience.

Mutineers are the definition of being hardworking and passionate about your music. They show that if you are willing to put the effort in to what you love it does pay off. I asked 1/5 of the band Michael a couple of questions about the new single and their thoughts on the bands social media success.  

What can you tell us about your new single "Tell Me Why"? Is it based on a personal experience from one of the members?

All the lyrics are written by Nick so I couldn't give you the exact meaning behind them. You can hear references to Greek Mythology in there and a lot of the songs deal with relationships and growing up. Nick spent a lot of time working in book shops so there's always an interesting lyric!

Click here to purchase 'Tell Me Why'

Your first album 'Friends, Lovers, Rivals" is relatable to those who have experienced heartbreak and is quite melancholic. Was this the purpose of your album?

I don't think you set out to do anything in particular really lyrically; it just seeps out of you from life experiences. The album was written in our mid 20's and that's quite an important time in most peoples lives; when you realise things haven't exactly turned out how you'd hoped them to. I think that's something that our audience really relates to and probably why we inspire a certain amount of devotion amongst a select group of people!

[Infidelity taken from 'Friends, Lovers, Rivals' click here to buy on iTunes] 

Why did you choose music, was it an industry you always wanted to be in?

I think music is something that chooses you in general and once you get the bug it's hard to give it up. We'd probably all still be doing it now if there was nobody listening, maybe to a lesser degree. I think we'd go mad if there wasn't that creative performance related outlet that music gives you. 

"The album was written in our mid 20's and that's quite an important time in most peoples lives"

Would you say it's hard to gain recognition in the music industry amongst other bands?

We've just been making good music really; our last single got into the indie chart without any press plugging, no booking agent, no label or no high powered management The social networking thing has been really important. We've found that by just being nice to people that love your music and showing them that you really do care (we really do!) you can find your own audience. Albeit at a slower rate compared to a major label band with a 100,000 promo budget!

The 1980's seems to have an impact on your material, what is it about this era that makes you want to incorporate it into your music?

There's a lot of good music from that era and we all grew up in the 80's, so maybe its related to that when people say they can hear echoes of The Cure, Smiths or New Order in what we do. Luckily we haven't been compared to Spandeau Ballet as of yet!

Your lyrics are both poetic and metaphorical - do you ever get compared to Morrissey?

We love what Morrissey does and The Smiths comparisons are never too far away, especially with Iwan being in Johnny Marr's live band. But I think we're original enough to have our own vibe going on. It'd get pretty boring to be copying other peoples music all the time!

"We've found that by just being nice to people that love your music and showing them that you really do care (we really do!) you can find your own audience"

Have you had any interesting experiences whilst preforming?

We had a bra thrown onstage at us during our recent Manchester show! We also did a gig in Cornwall once where about 90% of the audience were wired on plant food! People were invading the stage and having a dance!

What are the Mutineers plans for the remainder of the year?

I think we're probably going to put a few singles out for the time being; and get out on tour a little bit more, really build things and get people vibed for the next album. 

Follow Mutineers for updates on their music and future gigs:

@Mutineers__

Mutineers Facebook

mutineersofficial.tumblr.com

Emily ♥

BEAUTY || Dream advent calendars ||

When October is coming to an end I officially think it is time to begin talking about Christmas. I have never understood why some people don't like Christmas but for me I am a total festive fanatic. 

I came across some really exquisite looking advent calendars to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit. Looking at them made me really really excited for all the festivities to begin - but only in my dreams would I ever be able to afford these pricey advent calendars!

BENEFIT COUNTDOWN TO LOVE | £50 |

"Our one-of-a-kind advent calendar comes in a show-stopping Pop Art box and is filled with 24 fun and flattering beauty treasures! It contains a bevy of Benefit bestsellers and three glitzy little look goods…a charm necklace & bracelet and an adorable barrette. It’s the gift that gets more gorgeous every day!"

Only in my dreams would I have this advent calendar and if anyone does get it then I am extremely jealous as from what I've read on the internet it comes with some really lovely travel size items. It's Benefits first advent calendar and I can imagine it will be massively popular as the items included such as BADgal lash mascara and the High Beam highlighter are a couple of their ultimate best sellers. Amongst the beauty products the calendar also includes a horseshoe charm bracelet, a start charm necklace and a ribbon bow barrette.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRODUCT ♥

BOOTS BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR | £30 |

"Wake up every morning to a new beauty treat and fill the month of december with gorgeous gifts to pamper yourself from head to toe.

Featuring brands such as;

Soap & Glory, Nails Inc, Paco Rabanne, Juicy Couture, Rimmel, Mavala, Umberto Giannini and Many More...."

Anything that promises Soap & Glory products is bound to be winner. I think this would be a really lovely replacement to the generic advent calendar. It promises to include products from some pretty well known brands in the beauty industry. Travel size perfumes are also included from Ghost, Juicy Couture and Paco Robanne (the Black XS Fragrance).

The only concern about this advent calendar is the Rimmel foundation thats included; as it comes in shade ivory. It seems a little daft to include a foundation when you are trying to hit a large target audience? - But apart from that I can't see how many people can complain about the goodies included. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRODUCT ♥

SELFRIDGES BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR | £84 |

"Selfridges' exclusive bijoux Christmas advent calendar brings you the best in beauty. From Viktor & Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Giorgio Armani to Lancôme and Maison Martin Margiela, you can discover a precious treat behind every door to make you dazzle, sparkle and shine this festive season."

I don't know who these people are who can afford these kind of luxuries in life but they are obviously in a completely different world. I don't shop at Selfridges but if I did I would be really tempted to purchase this. From what I can see the products are extravagant and a real treat. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRODUCT ♥

CIATE MINI MANI ADVENT CALENDAR | £42 |

"Every girl's diary can now be filled with a daily dose of delectable mini nail treats, as behind each door lies a very colourful surprise. Gorgeously packaged with seventeen of Ciaté's bestselling miniPaint Pots, four mini Caviar blends, and three extremely special exclusive Paint Pot glitter shades you'll not find anywhere else, ever."

I love the idea of a nail varnish behind every door on the countdown to Christmas. There also looks like there will be mixture of different colours and nail effects included. Glitzy glittery nail varnishes always look nice around Christmas time!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRODUCT ♥

CADBURY | £3.99 |

You can't really go wrong with a Cadbury advent calendar in my opinion - no matter how old you are! If you're like me and can't afford to part with your pennies for one of the beauty advents then don't worry; as there is still hope to enjoy the countdown to Christmas and not be out of pocket!

A true dream come true would be if Soap & Glory brought out their own advent calendar or even Yankee candles...christmassy scents behind each door! Now then I would be tempted.

Emily ♥

MUSIC || Who are The Castellers? ||

Being from the North has obviously had an impact on the music I have surrounded my ears with. From The Smiths to The Courteeners and being influenced by the poetic tongue of Morrissey, I have always appreciated the music scene that has emerged from the North. 

When I stumbled across The Castellers on Twitter I knew instantly that they were right up my street! I admired their ability to restore the 1960's vintage style into contemporary material. 

The Castellers are a currently unsigned British guitar band made up of five members: 

Ryan Healey - Vocals/22/Manchester

Russell Robertson - Lead guitar & Keys/28/Southport

Neil Troute - Rhythm guitar & vocals/25/Sheffield

Kieran Carter - Bass guitar/26/Southport

Paul Paterson - Drums/26/Southport

The Castellers had previously aborted attempt to start the band in 2011 with a slightly different line up. However due to the outlandish behaviour from various members of the band they  managed to get themselves barred from their rehearsal room and two main venues in Southport. 

Needless to say the band fell apart after a pitiful two months. It wasn't until late September 2012 when lead guitarist Russell moved to Sheffield that the band decided to start again. 

I knew right away that I wanted to do one of my first music blogs on The Castellers - and band member Russell was kind enough to answer some questions on behalf of all the band for me:


Firstly, can you tell us what the origin of your band name is?

The name came from the Catalan tradition of creating human towers. We thought concept of that was fitting the way we write/play; layering melodies with harmonies on top of lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys, bass & drums. But more importantly it sounds decent. 

Being from the North could put you into the stereotype of indie bands like Oasis, The Smiths and The Courteeners. Do you think you stand out amongst these?

There's been a lot of great bands from the North West but I'm not sure we sound like many of them. I don't know if we do stand out, but if that is the case then its probably because we haven't tried hang onto the coattails of the 'indie' scene & imitate bands like The Arctic Monkeys. We make tracks that are influenced by a 1960's sound & we'd do that no matter what was popular at the time. Having said that with bands like Temples & The Strypes coming through, that authentic sound seems to be coming back in. 

"We haven't tried to hang onto the coattails of the 'indie' scene"

When did you realise that the music industry is where you wanted to be?

For me it was when I was 15, I watched a programme about Oasis & I was hooked. The style, attitude & music was something that I instantly identified with, or wanted to. 

What influences and inspires you to write about certain themes and topics in your material?

Our songs are usually quite abstract, but there's always a definite story within them, it's just hidden in a way. Ryan's our main lyricist, our latest track 'Elysian Fields' is one he wrote about an Ancient Greek concept. It's a place where those who were selected by the Gods would spend a blessed afterlife. 'Jackson In The Barrel' was one I wrote after hearing that some gunslingers in the Wild West days used to put a 20 dollar note in one of the barrels of their revolver, it'd pay for their funeral if they were killed (president Jackson is on the 20 dollar note). 

We get inspired by hearing about something a little bit different or interesting. But it's something that Ryan is particularly good at. 

[The Castellers latest track: Elysian Fields]

From your Twitter page it is obvious you respect your growing fan base. Why do you think it's important to show your appreciation to your fans?

When someone goes out of their way to say something nice about what your doing then you should show your appreciation. It means a lot to me because if someones genuinely into one of your tracks then that means you've created music that's sparked something in a person you've never met, and that's fuckin beautiful in my eyes. I'll always show my respect to the people who support us. 

"You've created music that's sparked something in a person you've never met, and that's fuckin beautiful"

Miles Kane is another success from the North and respected within the indie music community. Is he someone you as a band admire?

He's top live, me & Neil went to see him Sheffield a couple of weeks ago. Never met him, would be good to though. But I'm not overly fussed about meeting those who have made it, you get what you need from their music, but it's always good to meet people who are into their music though, shows they've got a bit of soul. Met Temples & The Merrylees after their gig a few weeks ago, they were all top. Also met Mani a few times, we played a gig for a 60s night he used to run in Manchester, he is a proper geezer. 

Do you like your music to be somewhat nostalgic to the 1960's era, despite many of your fan base not being around during this period?

Nowadays anyone can get hold of music from any country or era because of the internet. There's kids who are 15, 16 & are listening to rare 60s garage bands, which was pretty rare 10 or 15 years ago. So every band or artist has the choice of what they listen to or how they want to sound & there will be an audience for it. So there's no excuse for shit music or jumping on a bandwagon. We listen to 60s music so that's what we do. 

Where have you preformed and can you tell us about any upcoming gigs you are doing? 

We've played mainly around Sheffield, we've done Tramlines Festival, 02 Academy, Green Room, Showcase Cinema & a few other places. Really enjoy The Green Room though, they play the 60s Mod Stuff & it's a slightly run down, RocknRoll bar. Playing their on Wednesday 6th November & then the Lava Lounge on the 8th, both in Sheffield.

How does the future look for The Castellers?

We have a few gigs between now & Christmas. We're going back to the drawing board in January, we're writing new material now so we can start to rehearse & record early next year. We're hoping to evolve our sound a bit & see where it takes us. 2014 is a big year for us, we'll be hoping for management & a label. We're not quite where we need to be yet, but next year we will. 

TWITTER: @THECASTELLERS

FACEBOOK: THE CASTELLERS

Emily ♥