Welcome back to the blog! We decided to take a short hiatus from our regular blog posts at the start of the year, but are now back with some great new content planned for the coming months…
With whole tours cancelled, release dates postponed and everyone stuck inside, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and subsequent global lockdown could have been a dark and disastrous time in music history. However, many artists have taken the restrictions in their stride and got creative in isolation by utilising technology - writing new songs, collaborating with other artists over video calls, holding live streamed gigs and recording tracks from their bedrooms. With so much of what we do at PHIX being heavily inspired by music, we’ve collected some of our favourite ‘quarantine tunes’ to see you through this strange summer at home.
The Less I Know the Better – Blossoms Ft. Miles Kane
Since having to postpone their March 2020 tour, due to the coronavirus, Blossoms have been sharing live covers with their fans online, and have produced an ‘Isolation album’ from their homes. Their cover of Tame Impala’s hit song features the one and only Miles Kane as a guest vocal, alongside Blossoms’ Tom Ogden. The band and Kane go back to 2016, when Blossoms supported The Last Shadow Puppets on tour, and this reunion is a real treat for the ears.
Living in a Ghost Town – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones’ first single in four years, ‘Living in a Ghost Town’ was a surprise release from the band, after their ‘No Filter’ tour was postponed due to the pandemic. The group performed together from their homes for the historic One World: Together at Home concert on April 18th, with Charlie Watts notably playing air drums - as his wife does not like the sound, so they do not have a kit at their house! Released 5 days later, this track was based on 2019 recording sessions and finished remotely. The Stones fast-tracked the song’s release, due to its relevance to social distancing and isolation measures. This is another hit from the legendary band, which we’ve been playing on repeat during lockdown.
Village – Paul Weller
Released in May, former Jam frontman Paul Weller sings in the opening lines of his latest track, ‘Village’: “Not a thing I’d change if I could / I’m happy here in my neighbourhood”. A true anthem to #STAYHOME, the song is from his upcoming album ‘On Sunset’, which is set to debut on June 19th. The track goes back to Wellers’ earlier solo and Style Council sounds, and is a real feel-good summer tune about finding joy at home – exactly what we need whilst in quarantine.
Make Love – Kashmere
Recorded completely from isolation in their homes this spring, Stockport electro-indie band Kashmere debuted their latest EP, ‘Flatten the Curve’, in May. ‘Make Love’ was originally planned for release on their debut album, but was brought forward, as it felt more fitting with the mood of this EP. We recommend helping to ‘flatten the curve’ in corona cases by staying home, streaming all the tunes on the record.
Sad Song – Liam Gallagher
After missing Oasis’ original MTV Unplugged session at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 1996, due to a “sore throat”, Liam returned to perform alone for MTV last summer, at Hull City Hall. Spiting brother Noel, who dubbed Hull “a f****** s***hole” in 2018, Liam performed stripped-down Oasis and solo tracks, including ‘Sad Song’, live for the first time. The MTV Unplugged album was announced by Gallagher for release in April, later pushed back to June, but is available to stream now. This is a great soundtrack for long days stuck in quarantine, with Liam’s classic crooning vocals accompanied by Urban Soul Orchestra's 24-piece String section.
Since having to postpone their March 2020 tour, due to the coronavirus, Blossoms have been sharing live covers with their fans online, and have produced an ‘Isolation album’ from their homes. Their cover of Tame Impala’s hit song features the one and only Miles Kane as a guest vocal, alongside Blossoms’ Tom Ogden. The band and Kane go back to 2016, when Blossoms supported The Last Shadow Puppets on tour, and this reunion is a real treat for the ears.
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