Hunger

My much spoken of favourites Frankie and the Heartstrings release their debut album Hunger today. I preordered it from HMV and it arrived on Saturday, so I have been listening to it all weekend (amidst all the partying and becoming 21 that I have been doing...more on that tonight). You have to get it. Just, please. Buy it. It is incredible in ways that music does not really tend to be any more. Plus, if you order it from HMV it's only a fiver, and it's free delivery. You can't go wrong.

The Heartstrings are on tour at the moment, and I saw them (again) last Friday as part of my birthday vibes. They completely blew me away. I mean, they always do, but there was something different this time. Me and Hayley were talking about this; the difference in them from when we discovered them supporting Florence and the Machine 14 months ago is astounding. I don't know whether Edwyn Collins has been sprinkling fairy dust on them, or something (he produced the album), but somehow the songs have reached a whole new level of excellent. The new version of 'Fragile', which was already one of my favourite songs of all time ever, is achingly beautiful, and 'Don't Look Surprised' is quite possibly the most perfectly composed song I have heard. It is nice to have a version of 'Possibilities' that I didn't rip off the NME website a year ago on a very questionable internet recording site, and as I always do when I mention F&TH, I highly recommend that you check out the video for 'Tender'. There is some great dancing on there.

I realise that my persistent Heartstrings promotion is getting a bit tiresome, but I really love them and I cannot imagine any band that deserves success and your support more. Hunger is a properly stunning album and I really, really cannot recommend it - and them - enough.

Tender

You may remember a few weeks ago when I posted about how me and my pal Hayley got to go and be in one of our favourite band's new videos (if not, read this: http://ihategracefulpeople.blogspot.com/2010/04/they-look-like-line-up-for-1960s-class.html). WELL! Yesterday the video was released - along with the single - for Tender, the new one from Frankie and the Heartstrings. It was filmed by Carol Lynn (http://vimeo.com/user1338089) who also shot F&TH's video for Fragile. It is all kinds of amazing.

"They look like the line-up for a 1960's class photo"

So it was Saturday night. I was sitting in a pub, incredibly drunk. On the table before me was my phone, and suddenly it lit up and started vibrating. It was Hayley. Oh gosh, I thought. This can only mean one thing. And lo and behold, when I answered it Hayley told me that we were going to be in Frankie & the Heartstrings new music video!

If you are unaware of Frankie & the Heartstrings, firstly: what is wrong with you? And secondly: you are really missing out. They play sort of late 50's/early 60's rock and roll that is completely impossible not to dance to. Radio 1 are bumming them at the moment, so chances are you'll hear about them soon.

The video was for their song Tender, and it was filmed in this little independant cinema in Newcastle. Basically the band were on stage 'playing' while about 15 of us danced to the song over and over again, getting filmed from all different angles. It was shockingly tiring! But the most fun I've had in a long, long time. F&THS are one in my top three favourite bands, so being able to get involved in something like this was really special. Not only that, but the Heartstring lads are actually the sweetest; they were so lovely to us.

Below are some photos I managed to take on the day, but I'll post the video as soon as it's released (even if I look retarded - probable - the band definitely won't. They take the word 'dapper' to a whole new level).







L-R Michael, me, Hayley and Frankie. As you can see, they're holding some delicious easter eggs that we provided. I look very tired and awful.