The Teaches Of Peaches.....

Last Friday I was privy to one of the best dj performances I have probably ever heard.

I saw Peaches – AKA – Merrill Beth Nisker perform a hard core, get up and dance, mash up set in Elephant and Castle.

Outside the electro gender bending world she inhabits, few have heard of PEACHES. This is a damn shame and the principle reason in which I am blogging about her today and spreading the word of the importance of empowered rock stars!

She put on an amazing set, complete with a re-mix of the all-time classic: Edge of 17. The raw vocals of Stevie Nicks was accompanied by pumping fists and a brilliant lip synching from PEACHES herself.

She was wasting no time in getting down and dirty – even attempting a moon walk – and enticing the crowd to bust out their moves. Such fun she was, few could resist her, including my friend who decided to break the barriers and climb up on stage alongside her.

I was gutted when her set ended, and was on such a subsequent high all weekend having witnessed such a legend in performance. The world is crying out for more female djs – and more women who are not afraid to voice their opinions and say whatever vulgar thing enters in their mind. She is truly an inspiration.

She is as bold as a the front man in an 80’s rock band, her songs are as catchy as any manufactured pop group and she is brazen like no-body else. She will not be constrained by her femininity, and blasts through the shackles of sexism with lyrics and antics that can even illicit a raised eyebrow (and gasp) from those who have seen it all!

That fact that she is pushing 40 , was a former pre-school teacher and not marketed as the next ‘hottest’ singer, makes her even more of an anomaly in an industry dominated by pre-pubescent, insipid flakes.

She is a woman with balls – and she is not afraid to flash them about, play with her gender and deliver an unforgettable performance in the process!

Review: Katie Cowell

Fat Chat: Musically Gifted......Sarah Leanne Palmer

Name: Sarah Leanne Palmer

Occupation: Singer/song writer

Location: London

SARAH LEANNE PALMER .....once you have heard her perform you won’t forget her name. She is a singer/songwriter living in London whose lyrical content has so much power and confidence it, deserves to be its own person!

Not just limiting herself to the mic Sarah Leanne Palmer also plays the guitar (electric and bass) and drums whilst still maintaining vocal control.

With all this talent it’s a safe bet that Sarah Leanne Palmer is going to go far. A strong vocalist, song writer and musician! How could she not?

We bagged an interview with the lady herself, and this is what she had to say......

Your musical style is quite varied with upbeat rock based tunes to the more slow bluesy style, what were your musical influences in your adolescent years?

My early musical influences are still some of my biggest influences today. I grew up with Tom Petty, Free, Talking Heads, Creadence Clear Water, Alice in Chains, Alanis Morrisette, Radiohead, Simon & Garfunkel, Steely Dan, Reef, Counting Crows, Jeff Buckley, Genesis, Suzanne Vega, The Black Crowes, Fleetwood Mac and more. My father had loads of videos from ‘The Old grey Whistle Test’ so I watched those endlessly. Artists like Captain Beefheart, Tim Buckley, Lynyrd Skyyrd, and Iggy Pop and so on.

If you were to describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it as an emotion or feeling, what would it be?

In a word…Exuberant.

Being a very creative artist, do you feel some mainstream acts sacrifice creativity and their individuality for the sake of fame?

That may be so, but sometimes I think they have to in order to get where they are. I don’t think the industry is as ‘pure’ or straight as it used to be.

You also play with a live band, which band/s are exciting you musically at the moment?

Kings of Leon, RATM, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Blackbud. Muse, Infadels, My Preserver, Imogen Heap, Gemma Hayes and more.

Do you have any words of encouragement for any unsigned acts or bands who are trying to break through into the limelight?

Enjoy what you are playing / writing. And don’t be afraid to take inspiration for other artists. In terms of getting noticed? Play as much as you can, give out free cd’s and merchandise etc. Cease the day! There is no formula nowadays as to how you get noticed anyway.

As a totally random none related question...

‘Hair of the Dog’ or ‘Aspirin and a litre of water?’

Hair of the Dog definitely!!

Thanks for your time Sarah, is there anything else that you'd like to add?

Yeah, these are great questions. Not like the norm. Oh yeah and please check out my MySpace profile @ www.myspace.com/sarahleannepalmerband

Interview: Tanayah McLeary

Fat Chat: Singer/songwriter Mark Mathews

Name: Mark Mathews
Age: ?
Occupation: Singer /Songwriter/musician
Links: www.myspace.com/markmathews


You are definitely one of the hardest working independant artists that I have come accross, what advice do you have for anyone looking to pursue a music career?
Play anywhere and everywhere as often as you can to begin with. It will allow you to get an idea of your live set (what works, what doesn't) at the same time as working out what Promoters and Venues you like and what ones you don't. Scour the internet for venues and places to play and just constantly play your tunes...you're meant to be into your songs so why wouldn't you want to play them everyday?!

Growing up, who inspired you both musically & on a personal level?
The Beatles and The Small Faces inspired me musically. When I was about 11 I found a Vinyl copy of Sgt Peppers in my Mums cupboard which I became obssesed with and at the same time I had a free tape that you got from Kellogs cornflakes called "Sixties Mania". On that tape there was The Small Faces song "Lazy Sunday". I'd been brought up listening to music in, but when I heard these two bands it really affected me as they sounded like something from Mars...and I loved it.Apart from that the other person that really affected me was Clint Eastwood. I would have been about 11 again when I came across the film "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and all I wanted to be, and pretty much still do, was a Cowboy...One day. One day!

What are your opinions on the current UK music scene?
It's pretty good if you bother to look/listen hard enough. I mean bands like "Last Of The Shadow Puppets", "Glasvegas" and "Mystery Jets" are making brilliant music, not to mention not so new bands like "Elbow" and "Radiohead" releasing unbelievable albums. The only objection I have is this trend for bands and artists with some credibility, saying they like all these crap acts, as if it makes them really musically rounded and inspired. So, you'll have Chris Martin or someone saying "Girls Aloud are brilliant", which they are not. I don't MIND pop acts like Girls aloud, but making out they are something they are not really grates on me. People should have a bit more honesty about them and say how it really is. That way musicians try to improve and top the last piece of music they did or prove someone wrong, resulting in better music and not so much of the throw away shit we see at the moment. Just look at what the Brits are like now. So friggin dull!

You have recently joined forces with a band...how did all that come about?
Well, all my songs are written with a band in mind so it was the most logical step to take. My producer at the time mentioned he wanted to play in a band so I told him to become my drummer. He'd never played before but he's got a great ear for music and so picked it up in a shot. Then I slowly pieced the band together and vola, "The One Ts" are born!

Musically what do you hope to achieve in the year ahead?
To get the recognition I deserve

Where can we catch your next live performance?
I'm in the studio recording an E.P at the moment, so the next performance will be at The Corn Exchhange in Reading, on the 1st April

And just because we always like to end on a random note.....if your were prime minister what 3 major changes would you make?
We'd have a 2 day week, all drugs would be legalised and there'd be shagging in the streets!?*

Mark has managed to beat 10,000 applicants and made it into the semi finals of the UK Live and Unsigned competition, been nominated for an Indy Music award for the second year running, supported THE DRAYTONES, and was featured as one of the top three artists in the London Metro newspaper...its safe to say this is going to be an exciting year ahead!

Good luck Mark and we look forward to welcoming you & The One T's back on the Fat Talent LIVE stage very soon!


Interview: Fusion

Don't give up your day job love.....

Can you sing? Want to star in a music video?

V Inspired are looking for people to sing and feature in a music video, being shot @ a top London recording studio and various locations around London.  The vid will be seen by thousands on YouTube and the hours will go towards a Vinspired Award!

Auditions will take part on Thursday 29th January & Friday 30th so get in there quick by emailing lynda@showemworld.com for further details.  Plus if you cannot make the audition dates you may still be able to help or apply, so get writing that email and practicing in front of the mirror with your hairbrush!!

www.vinspired.com

foto x

Skinny Dipping.....

Be brave people, I know the weather is frosty outside and promises to bite and those naughty bits but we at the Fat Blog are asking you to get naked and get exposed!!  

So we don't actually mean cavorting around your local high street starker's but we mean - Fat Chats and performances at Fat Talent Live.  As fans and followers will know Fat Talent Live is a monthly music and fashion event offering a fantastic platform for emerging UK talent.  The Fat Blog is an extension of that & a group of creatives passing on their knowledge (and more often that not random ramblings!) to anyone that cares to listen.  As you will have seen on the blog we have a popular feature - Fat Chats.  This is YOUR chance to be interviewed and gain exposure for yourself and your brand.  Be it a designer, singer, band or musician we are asking you to get in touch and be chatted up by one of the Fat Crew.  Your interview will appear here and on www.fattalent.com so.....want free marketing / PR / advertising for your brand?!  Who wouldn't!!  

Get in touch - pr@fattalent.com

(Picture courtesy of social.moldova.org)