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I wrote an article for WhatCulture on the more unusual and unique locations that famous musicians use in their songs, from Arctic Monkeys to Johnny Cash and everything in between. You’ll be surprised by some of them!

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January's over (thank God for that), and after months incognito I've managed to get Spotify working again. Here's a musical menagerie of new releases I enjoyed if you fancy it, featuring emerging hopefuls like Viet Cong and Natalie Prass and the return of musical heroes like Laura Marling and Django Django, plus a whole lot more. Enjoy!

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Rae of light

With her debut "Unguarded" crawling out from under the shadows, Rae Morris will be hitting Liverpool's Kazimier next month- I had a chat with her for Bido Lito! on releasing her debut and the state of the singer-songwriter in 2015. Have a gander!

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Cavalry: the charge is coming...

Cavalry are one of those bands in the Merseyside music scene that are destined to light a fuse; the question is not "if," but "when." I caught up with them on behalf of Liverpool's music press bastion Bido Lito!:

As much as I adore Liverpool, I am still occasionally hit by the tantalizing temptation of retreating to the countryside. Lock yourself away in a reclusive log cabin in North Wales and the lush surroundings will surround and delight you in abundance. But influence you? It’s certainly worked in the past (Bon Iver anyone?), and with track names like Leaves you might well argue the case, but for Cavalry guitarist Austin Logan it remains a casual excursion. In fact, despite the sense of determination that lurks within this five piece, they refer to it as a “happy accident”, one of many that have permeated the band’s career since coming together in late 2013.

It’s laughably ironic that I meet the band in the ever bustling surroundings of Leaf, ambushing them in the midst of a busy schedule of meetings and rehearsals. Two demos posted online back in January, the aforementioned Leaves and Lament, have garnered acclaim across the board; from BBC Introducing in Merseyside to Radio 1’s new music heavyweight Huw Stephens and Radio 2 darling Janice Long. But instead of rushing to respond to such praise, Cavalry have been carefully planning their next move while perfecting their craft with regular stints on the support act circuit. There’s a charge coming, certainly, but never underestimate the importance of tactics.

Even the name Cavalry, perhaps unintentionally provocative, seems to personify this charge present in their songs, with slow burning, folk-tinged introductions that intensify to a grittier, more alternative sound. Frontman Alan Croft highlights this idea of unification as one that captures the essential aesthetic of the band, while bassist Paul James Jones points to the meaning of the word in the military sense. “It suggests the notion of being a last minute rescue, a chance to escape- which I think reflects on how this project has taken us all by surprise. The way we came together, it was a last minute, saviour-style moment where we just decided to go with it.”

Although Cavalry have officially been together for a year now, the roots of the band run far deeper. Croft and Jones were childhood friends in Wallasey while Logan met fellow guitarist Steve Taylor met while studying music at the University of Liverpool, originally starting the band as a project for one of their modules. Later they encountered drummer Gareth Dawson, a Swansea native in the year below. With roots so criss-crossed it is unsurprising that an amicable relationship shot up quickly, culminating in Croft, Logan and Taylor moving in to a house on Lark Lane last year before recruiting Jones and Dawson to their plight.

With its zealous bohemian spirit and sense of remoteness despite being a stone’s throw from the city centre, Lark Lane seems an endearing setting where you would naturally expect creativity to flourish, but it is the act itself of sharing a house that has provided the impetus for Cavalry. Granted this is hardly a new phenomenon, with Fleetwood Mac and Radiohead being classic examples, but it still raises an eyebrow about how dedicated these lads are. Logan citing the latter band as his source of inspiration, although he does admit the lack of divide between a professional and personal relationship can be strained under the circumstances. “The positives outweigh the negatives though,” reasons Croft. “We initially moved in to focus on getting the songs to a certain standard. When you rent out a rehearsal space you can often feel like you’re working to a strict deadline, but it’s not so rigid when you’re living together.”

It might come off as a slightly romanticised idea, of five sincere self-sacrificing figures putting in the overtime to iron out the fine details all for the love of their craft. But put those glamorized notions aside and think about it in terms of communication and collaboration; suddenly it actually seems like an obvious choice. If the perfect melody comes to you in a sudden moment of inspiration, then it’s much easier to share it with your bandmate if he’s in the room next door, and the best time to react to an idea and work on it is while it is still fresh.

Living together has also encouraged a democratic approach to song writing, where one member comes up with the main riff before the rest offer contribute their own ideas, allowing them to amalgamate the vast range of influences among the members from their own individual experiences. Jones has an invested interest in post production through his past experiments with electronic music, which bleeds into Cavalry through the orchestration of different layers of sound. Croft spent time abroad in Canada prior to the band’s inception, but he finds hindsight and reflection more fitting for inspiring his lyrics. “It’s been quite turbulent in the past few years, but now I’m far more comfortable writing knowing the situation that we’re in.”

Lyrics like “All the leaves in my head settle down with you” confirm the significance placed on afterthought and perspective in Croft’s lyrics. Coupled with their penchant for balancing intricacy with intimacy, likening Cavalry to elements of The National and Bon Iver would be deemed fair suggestions. But heads nod fervently around the group when Croft mentions Paul Simon citing Graceland as an album which they all agree upon as a defining influence. “He’s definitely someone I collect with lyrically,” Croft argues, “but what also stands out for me is that a lot of the songs are based around one man and his guitar; its then about how you coordinate the other parts.”

There we have the tactic behind the charge; it is not just simply “what,” but “how.” The first few on their demos are pleasant enough, but it’s the potency of the guitar on Leaves that catches your ear. Soon this is elevated by percussion that eases you in with its cushioned tone, before harmonies from Logan and Taylor allow for the tension to release. There’s no denying its power, but it comes as a warm embrace rather than a crushing blow. “When I write a song, it always starts with an acoustic guitar,” Logan explains, “which can leave you quite limited. The harmonies add another texture, a different layer you can use to transform the melody.”

The tracks released in January marked the first time the band nailed their ideas down, but rather than rushing to release new material in response, the band have opted for a steady approach which looks more at the bigger picture. This year has seen them playing among some sterling rosters on the live circuit, most recently supporting The Antlers during Liverpool Music Week. It’s not simply a case of them biding their time either, as the slots have allowed the band to explore what they can achieve with their raw demos. “I think if we’d known how much joy we would have had from Lament and Leaves, we would have had more material lined up to drip feed the response,” admits Croft. “There’s more material ready to go, enough to fill several albums, but it’s just picking the right time.”

“I think it’s been for the best though, because we've carved our identity into our sound a lot more since then, offers Jones. “When the new release comes out, it’ll be the best representation of us as a band, because of what we’ve learned in the live arena.” Maybe it’s the harsh cold of the winter’s night that makes Cavalry’s music so soothing at this time of year, but it’s the band’s determination to evolve that pulls you back in. Change is natural after all, but when you have this solid unit, each equally invested in each other, you know that this change will be balanced by consistency. Even with scarce details on future releases, with the only promise being a single before an EP, the 2015 Cavalry still promises to be an exciting prospect. Heck, they’ve already got their New Years Resolutions worked out; time will tell if they keep them, but the willpower is certainly there.

facebook.com/cavalryliverpool soundcloud.com/cavalryliverpool

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Issue 51 / Dec 2014/Jan 2015 - OUT NOW

If lush, alternative folk musings are your cup of tea, then you'll love the exhilarating sound of Cavalry, definitely one of Liverpool's bands to watch out for in 2015. I did a feature piece on them for the latest issue of Bido, check out the link for the piece! I'll be sharing the article on here next week, but be sure to give the website a visit in any case- it's a must for any music lover, whether from the North West or not.

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The Twelfth Blog Of Christmas: The End

The first time I properly considered the Twelve Days Of Christmas, I was quite surprised by a number of factors. Firstly, with all the lords leaping, drummers drumming and ladies dancing, surely your “true love” is going to be sent down for human trafficking? Just something to consider there. Secondly, twelve days of Christmas may sound magical to some, but it is unrealistic to the rest; my family go full throttle with the celebrations on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day as well as the main event, and by the end of it we are well and truly knackered. Most of us have now gone back to the daily grind and Christmas is the last thing on our minds. But finally, the one factor that surprises me is that the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day itself, and finish on January 6th. Surely by the time the New Year rolls around, it’s time to move on?

Sometimes I think it’s just to allow us some flexibility in getting our decorations down and finishing up all the leftover food (while I was home, there wasn’t anything I ate which wasn’t from the fridge and covered in clingfilm). Another part of me thinks it’s to do with easing the pain of letting Christmas go after all the build-up. One small cynical part of me thinks it’s to allow corporations just a bit more time to shove sales, discounts and must have deals down your throat. Whatever it is, I doubt there are many people who will be continuing the celebrations for a dozen days.

Above all, that’s nothing but a good thing. Everything ends after all, and although that might be a particularly bleak way of looking at it, the beauty of Christmas is that it is an annual constant; it’ll roll back around in its usual fashion next winter, perhaps even in October if the retailers think they can push the limit just a little bit more. But even my local supermarkets have moved on; one of them had all their decorations down by the end of December, and were already pushing the “limited time offer” of the Crème Eggs. Only till April you say?! We better get our skates on!

More than anything, it allows those Scrooges among us room to breathe. It might seem ludicrous to those of us who particularly indulge in the festive period, but not everyone likes Christmas or indeed celebrates it; one of my housemates didn’t even go home for the big day, and spent it alone in our house share. While I find that image horrific, others won’t be bothered, and of course they are entitled to their own opinion. If anything, both sides will stop spouting their opinion of Christmas, and we can all go back to getting along.

Do I have any regrets from the period? Well, apart from the number of mince pies I consumed, I didn’t take as many photos as I could have; apart from one measly snapchat of the crib service on Christmas Eve (lord knows if God would approve), I forgot to beg and plead family members to try and smile for a handful of pictures. While they would have been pleasing trinkets to an extent, the honest truth is that I was simply too engrossed in enjoying myself to even think of it. Christmas is best experienced in the moment itself; besides, photos just would have been too enticing for me to look over at other times of year, when really Christmas should be the last thing on my mind.

So, farewell Christmas. Despite a few bumps, 2014 was an absolute cracker, and 2015’s has a lot to live up to. Bring plenty of festive cheer (and mince pies) on your sleigh when you come back.

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The Eleventh Blog Of Christmas: A Happy New Year?

It is impossible to reflect on 2014 without thinking about how 2015 will be different. What will you achieve? Will you be satisfied this time next year, or does the idea of setting goals fill you with anxiety or dread? And before you even come to achieving the resolutions, how will you make them? You can fill jars with little post its, create a checklist to put on your wall, or even a little note on your phone. The possibilities are endless, as long as you get the message across.

Setting targets may seem like the last thing you want to do after all the stresses of the festive season; you’ve just finished clearing up after all your guests and you’ve barely had a moment to breathe, yet you’re already moving on to the next big thing. Can’t you just play the time out card? Well actually, I find New Years resolutions work wonders in helping you move forward and battling post-Christmas depression. Already I’ve decided I want to be driving home next Christmas, or at least be able to, and I want to be competent at using Photoshop, and I really fancy visiting a city somewhere in the world that I’ve not been before. They’re not exactly formidable monoliths of targets, but they’d still be achievements I’d be happy looking back on once 2015 comes to a close.

But before all that, there is the act of seeing in the New Year itself. The Hootenanny or fireworks on the telly just isn’t enough for our generation; you HAVE to be out there living life to the full, no question about it. Sometimes I feel the stress of simply having something to do is too much to juggle, and it would be easier just to work and shrug it off at midnight. I’m working till 10pm on the big night this year, and it will be breakneck madness getting over to my friends before the final chime. I know there will be a hundred different things going on in Liverpool alone, but will it be worth it?

Despite the stress, I’m inclined to say yes. You should start the year as you intend to spend it, and going in with all guns blazing is a good attitude which sets the standard for the rest of the month which, let’s face it, can be pretty bleak. January seems to be the month where the country shuts down; everyone retreats inside to repel the harshness of winter, saving costs wherever they can, and it needs all the motivation you can muster to get through it.

From that perspective, there’s nothing like seeing friendly faces on New Year’s Eve and thinking about what you’ve achieved in the past 12 months. Just a few memories for me are attending my first Glastonbury, interning at Amazing Radio up in the North East and the small matter of graduating from university. So set some goals; remember you haven’t got to meet all those targets within the first couple of weeks- you have 365 days to achieve them, and a checklist might just be the stimulus you need in June if you’re pondering where the year’s gone. Only my second outing at Glastonbury is set in stone for 2015, but a new year can mean many things, and the best thing about a clear slate is that there’s plenty of room to fill in.

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The Tenth Vlog Of Christmas: Thank You For The Music

“Good King Wenceslas” will always hold a special place in my heart, for in 2003, on the 150th anniversary of the carol’s creation, I sung the carol outside Sackville College in front of the British media. I thought I did a good solo job, and the hundreds of other schoolchildren taking part did well too, taking particular glee in being able to say the word “sod” on national television. Sackville College, a Jacobean alms-house, provides accommodation for the elderly, and is run by a warden who resides within the building. One notable figure, the Revd Dr John Mason Neale, was a prominent hymn writer, with Good King Wenceslas among his compositions. Whenever I get home for Christmas, I inevitably meander through town admiring the lights, emerging at the top of the High Street to behold the College, and though it may look a little barren in the winter, the spirit of the carol still rouses me.

Asides from the small matter of the nativity, Christmas carols define the crib service at my local church St Swithuns, and with the place packed to the rafters each year, the crooning glides along the robust organ notes to create an ethereal atmosphere. I know carols aren’t for everyone, particularly if you’re not part of a Christian denomination,  but there’s still plenty of festive music to immerse yourself in. Your local supermarket will be slipping the odd “Last Christmas” and “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” by the end of November, before launching a full festive playlist in the last few weeks before the big day (no doubt I’ve noticed this more due to working in one), and any festive event will have Slade, Wizzard and The Pogues regularly playing out.

But asides from the classics, there are numerous covers and intricate recordings; my godfather’s brother notably has a festive playlist on Spotify with 1001 Christmas songs, sprawling across every genre imaginable, and he makes a new festive compilation every year; my highlight was Earth Wind And Fire reworking one of their classics into “December.” I myself enjoy new discoveries too, with Louis Armstrong’s “Christmas In New Orleans” being one this year, and I know as a music junkie I will be shaping my own collection in future festive seasons.

With my house being particular appreciative in all kinds of music, Christmas music has always played a big part in defining the period. Yes, many are as corny and cliché as they come, but they also evoke such strong nostalgia of past Christmases and get my family all singing along to their favourites that I can never discredit it. Me and my Dad are always in charge of music at our Christmas Eve party, and I would be a fool if I said I didn’t immensely enjoy organizing it. I don’t listen to any before December for a couple of reasons; firstly, if it’s overplayed then you’re only going to remove that special feeling of festive cheer you associate with it, and like anything you indulge too much in, it’s only going to annoy you after a while. Even I find my ears grating at the thought of listening to another slow-jam cover of Merry Christmas Everybody- sure I love the original, but the endless covers you hear never quite match up.

Maybe enjoying it so much discredits me as a music journalist; but Christmas music will always be a guilty pleasure. Music stretches back as far as possible into the history of Christmas celebrations and it has the power to remind me of home and comfort wherever I am in the world, and I am always grateful for that. Lord knows I can’t remember where I first heard “Fairytale of New York” or “I Believe In Father Christmas”; it was probably just at a Christmas party or the big day itself. But it’s how it’s become a staple over time that shows its true importance.

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The Ninth Blog Of Christmas: Boxing Day

It’s rare that you have a family member who has a birthday on Boxing Day, but even rarer when you have two. This is the unusual circumstance that has given my family a second Christmas Day, where we celebrate with my Dad’s side of the family on Boxing Day; a nice contrast to spending the main event with my Mum’s side. The two birthdays are my gran and one of my cousins, and the day involves us all journeying down to my gran’s to eat turkey sandwiches, open the inevitable chocolate hampers and have a good catch up. With most cousins around my age, it’s interesting hearing how they’re faring in this big bad world, especially when most of us have similar interests.

We’ve been doing it as long as I can remember, only changing location and number of family members present each year; we’re a pretty diverse group, so it always makes for an interesting occasion. It’s usually short and sweet, with a few final presents thrown in for good measure, which I think fits in nicely with Boxing Day’s early tradition of giving boxes to the poor; I’m not saying my family are poor for one second, but I can’t imagine spending it any other way.

You may find this surprising, especially considering that for many, it’s just another day; maybe a time to indulge in the sales or go on a family outing. Some European countries hold it as a second Christmas Day though, while Catholics hold it as St. Stephen’s Day, which commemorates the first Christian martyr. Many sporting organizations, such as the Premier League, even hold a full day calendar to entice fans along, and I always find my dad salivating over the listings.

These circumstances can affect my family too; with so many places now open on Boxing Day, there will be a year when the occasional cousin has to work, but at the same time we never like to let my grandmother down. With the hullabaloo of the main Christmas Day over, Boxing Day is much less defined, which I think you need after the big day itself- the downside to so many rigid conventions is that it can be stressful making sure they are all met. Without sounding boastful, I would say mine is pretty unique, and even though it gets harder each year to maintain the tradition, I’m going to do my best to continue it for as long as I can. It’s still a public holiday after all, so I would stress you make the most of it too.

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The Eighth Blog Of Christmas: The Big Day

When I was younger, the night before Christmas Day would transform me into a full blown insomniac. I would go to bed nice and early on Christmas Eve, only to wake up around 3 AM and see the stocking at the end of my bed and find myself giddy with anticipation at the day ahead. Too excited to even think about sleeping again, I would content myself with reading books- that old form of entertainment before we had iPods, iPads and Kindles- until 7 AM where I could finally justify running in to my parent’s room to reap the rewards of the day.

Now, my Christmas Eve is so jam packed that I never have any trouble getting a good night’s kip before the big day, but we all still manage to get up in the late morning to open our presents together. My Nan stays round, so there are five of us eagerly opening our stockings to see what Father Christmas has bought us each year, before we spend the morning enjoying our new gifts. It’s never Christmas without a new pair of socks and a toothbrush, and as usual he didn’t disappoint. Even though I’m now twenty one, I could never bear the idea of just giving money to my family. It’s not so much about what’s in the stocking, rather the fact we share the moment of opening presents together that counts. 

I only ever have a slice of toast for breakfast, as I need to save room for the main attraction. At one, it’s over to my Aunt’s for Christmas Day lunch, where we all have a good catch up with my Mum’s side of the family before devouring what can only be described as the most delicious roast in existence. It’s not just the turkey; the sausage meat stuffing is to die for. After that, it’s time for more presents from the family, before we traipse home for a festive film or two. This year’s was particularly special as my cousin Nick now has a son Toby, who was experiencing his first Christmas. His curiosity never faltered and he provided hours of entertainment throughout the day.

It’s not often I realize how incredibly lucky I am at Christmas. The last Saturday before Christmas, dubbed “panic Saturday,” saw scores of shoppers frantically searching for something to encourage a smile from their family members on the big day. The upside of this is that you may just find the perfect little trinket or toy to bring joy to their Christmas. The downside is the cruel hypocrisy that while we go consumerist crazy, there are many who will be in poverty, in debt, or alone. 13 million in the UK alone will be in poverty. In 2014. What a golden age we live in.

I’m sorry if that might seem a rather sobering statement where really, on the big day, the last thing many of us want to think about is the problems that we face in the real world. It’s that reason exactly why we can’t have Christmas everyday, not simply because it wouldn’t be special anymore; the world as we know it wouldn’t be able to function properly if it was. I’m not saying go out and donate all you have to charities either; I’m simply saying you should value what you have each Christmas, and by that I mean those around you and what is intrinsically important in your life.

More than anything, have a very Merry Christmas. I’m sure you deserve one!

[jacksmyhero]

The Seventh Blog Of Christmas: Christmas Eve, “Losing My Religion”

Waking up to the smell of Christmas ham, pulled pork and mince pies is heavenly; it works wonders in encouraging you to get out of bed. It’s December 24th, and my Mum is in military-style preparation mode for our annual Christmas Eve party. There’s just enough time to grab the last chocolate from the advent calendar before everyone joins in with lending a hand- whatever needs cooking or cleaning, the sooner it can be done the less stressed everyone will be.

I find it surprising that some festive schedules carry such flexibility on Christmas Day, when I compare it to the rigid tradition that lies within my family over the three day period. The celebrations start on Christmas Eve with our party, with my Mum providing a delicious spread and easing us into the guilt of eating too much over Christmas. Another part of Christmas Eve that me, my Mum and a few other family friends partake in, is going to our local church St Swithuns for the annual crib service.

It’s fair to say the crib service is one of the biggest gigs of the year for my local church; the vicar always takes time in the service to stress that Christianity is for life, not just for Christmas, which shows how important it is for drawing in new denizens. I’ve been going to the service for as long as I can remember, and I’ve watched scores of shepherds and kings march down the aisle in the same old costumes; I’ve even noticed pages progress to more important roles, and then I wonder how I can remember such things in comparison to revision notes. Overall, the nativity is the ultimate feel-good story to enjoy at Christmas. Yes, it is the same story every year with the same old carols in-between, but that doesn’t make it any less remarkable with each telling.

I have been pondering this year’s crib service more than usual because this year I finally swayed from the awkward middle position of Agnostic to deciding I was Atheist. If you’re wondering what did it for me, I reasoned that if God made the universe, surely someone made God, and that you could keep going back in a never ending chain; it would have to start somewhere, so you might as well start with a Big Bang. However, I still highly enjoy the nativity story that provides part of the framework for Christmas, and I would loathe to give up the tradition of celebrating the story, but surely it is quite a contradictory and hypocritical image to see me in a church on Christmas Eve, singing carols praising God on high, when I don’t believe it myself?

I suppose the difference is that I do believe in Jesus; I mean virtually all scholars who write on the subject accept that Jesus existed. I reckon he was a Gandhi-like figure who had a lot of forward-thinking ideas that were comforting to a lot of people. That’s just my spin on it anyway. But the main thing is, you cannot deny that Christmas day itself was partly born out of celebrating the birth of Christ, and in my opinion there are few things more joyful than celebrating the birth of a child. So yes, I will still be attending the church service, before going back to my family party and then on to town, spreading Christmas cheer along the way. Everyone should be allowed to celebrate Christmas in their own way, even if mine walks tenderly between different religious views.

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The Sixth Blog Of Christmas: The Heroes Of Christmas

Years ago, Christmas Day meant convening at my Nan’s, where it was always traditional to go for a Christmas walk to wish tidings of peace and goodwill to passers-by, and more importantly start burning off the Christmas dinner to make room for pudding. One year, the strain from preparing the mighty dinner proved too much for my Nan, and as we neared the end of our walk she suffered a heart attack. If there’s one thing worse than fearing for the life of a close family member, it’s fearing for the life of a close family member on Christmas Day.Most of the parents went on to hospital with her, while the cousins convened round mine to take our minds off things with a seasonal Vicar of Dibley. Since then my Nan has been one heck of a resilient fighter, and I can’t stress how much I am thankful to the doctors, nurses and paramedics who were working on Christmas Day and helped get my Nan back to recovery.

That was the first time I realized fully that Christmas is not immune to the problems that invade our everyday life, and also that for some it is just another day at work. You often forget those who put in long hours to make sure everyone has the best Christmas possible. After all, Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of year, and there’s even part of me that breathes a sigh of relief once January comes and its over until the next one. The act of buying a present can be highly fulfilling, providing you know what you are getting; otherwise, it can be a struggle that only increases in severity as the big day draws near. If your son wants a toy plane, does it have to be a particular model? If you’re buying for your other half, are you going to set a budget on how much to spend? Or what if you think of a special family member, yet nothing springs to mind? It doesn’t take much for the anxiety to bubble over and become hostile.

This is my first Christmas working in retail, and believe me there is nothing quite like it. You have about a dozen different things to do, and you cannot walk more than five paces without a customer asking you where something is, or if the item that you definitely don’t have out the back IS out the back. I’m not being overly critical here; customers are the life blood of retail, and I want everyone to have the merriest Christmas possible. The only time it really grates is when you’re faced with a negative reaction. You have to remember that Christmas doesn’t happen without the scores of people who work all over the festive period, such as the postmen who get you your much needed present on Christmas Eve, or those who keep serving drinks until the early hours of New Year’s Day.

It’s not just about those who work over the festive period in the more traditional sense; think of the people in your life who really strive to make the Christmas season the best it can be. We have a massive party on Christmas Eve with family and friends which is primarily the hard work of my Mum; I help out as much as I can, but it will never be compared to how much my Mum does. Then, my Aunt hosts Christmas dinner for fourteen of us on the big day itself, which is a tremendous achievement. So, I’d like to raise a toast to those who work like hell during Christmas, because that’s what the true spirit of the season is. For them, Christmas is a frame of mind where you can’t settle for less.

[jacksmyhero]

The Fifth Blog Of Christmas: The Christmas Jumper Curiosity

If there’s one defining image I’ve seen wandering around this festive season, it’s the number of Christmas jumpers. No matter how serious someone’s demeanour may usually be, you cannot help but smile at the sight of a festive garment. I was drinking in one of Liverpool’s pubs the other night when half a dozen jolly fellows bundled in, all adorning Christmas jumpers. Heads turned, eyebrows raised, but ultimately the level of merriment was raised beyond that of just the alcohol levels.

I’m an old hand at this fashion trend; three years ago, determined to make the most of my first festive season at University, I chose myself a Christmas jumper. Mine’s considerably neutral compared to the majority you see; it’s not overly bright or with any weird knobbly bits or flashing lights. It’s just navy with hints of red and reindeer and snowflake patterns. When I casually bought it three years ago, I had no idea of the phenomenon it would soon become.

Every shop has them too, in every design possible; from the more conventional patterns to even one of a Great White Shark in a Santa hat. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by choice, although the other way to look at it is that finding one will never be a difficult task. There’s even a Christmas Jumper Day dedicated to raising money for charity through wearing the ridiculous garment.

More than anything, it has to be one of the most unusual fashion trends to have sprung up in living memory. It doesn’t rely on how the wearer looks, nor is it remotely concerned with achieving some degree of sexiness. Its only purpose is to make the wearer look like a festive numpty. It yells peace and goodwill to all, and very loudly if you buy one of the more outrageous designs.

I have met a few sceptics in the past, but incredibly these are now in a very small minority. Christmas cynics are being rejected for more Christmas cheer, something I wholeheartedly support, with some of my friends even buying multiple jumpers for the festive season. While part of me wants to indulge further, I admit I feel to confined by the conventions of Christmas, which restrict wearing the jumper to one month a year. I say have one, but make it your own! Embrace the ridiculous nature of the garment; if nothing, it’ll put a smile on your face whenever you catch yourself in the mirror.

[jacksmyhero]

The Fourth Blog Of Christmas: Speke Hall Adventures

If you think grown-ups can’t have adventures, you’re wrong. With our backpacks bulging and our eagerness unrelenting, me and my housemate Ell abandoned the safe confines of our home last Saturday and journeyed across Liverpool from North to South, or Speke Hall to be precise. So what if the journey was by bus? It’s called “using your resources,” okay?

I have to hold my hands up here and admit: I am a National Trust nerd. As someone who has always been fanatical about English history, and whose holidays in the UK meant halfway stops at different properties across the country, I always enjoy visiting the National Trust for the comforting mix of soothing nostalgia and whimsical educational value. I’m proud to say I’m even a member, which makes me feel like I have a small investment in each of the properties I visit; that if I am ever stuck for a place to go, I can stop off at one of theirs. Yep, a hardcore nerd at that.

Speke Hall is a “wattle and daub” Tudor manor house and one of the finest surviving examples out there. Unusually close to the River Mersey, it preserves the 19th Century aesthetic and acts as a peaceful haven to explore, contrasting heavily with the local John Lennon airport which regularly sends planes over the estate. I’ve been there once before, but as my housemate had not and the house was decorated for a Victorian Christmas, I thought it the perfect time to visit and embrace the festive mood.

The home farm was bustling with families and couples embracing the Christmas cheer, and we were greeted by the gentle crackling of roasting chestnuts. I haven’t had them for years, and the hassle of removing the shell might be the reason why, but they made for a warming graze as wandered the grounds comparing our Christmas traditions and pondering how the impressive plant collection would look covered in fairy lights.

When we passed Father Christmas’s grotto, Ell drew a sigh of longing, but we decided that was something best left to the kids (plus we couldn’t be fussed with the queue). As we passed a pair of festive donkeys giving kids rides around the grounds, I remembered how many bitter fogeys complain “Christmas is for the kids”. While there are certain aspects of the festive period that you can only really get away with as a youngster, there are other parts that are exclusive to an adult, and I would never go as far as saying it isn’t as magical for grown-ups.

Inside the Great Hall, we found carol singers bringing heavenly peace with numbers old and new, but it was the traditional classics of “While Shepherds Watched” and “Away in a Manger” that roused the gathered throng. Gran always says the old songs are best. The hall had a spectacular Christmas tree, while nearly every room had a lush wreath adorning the mantelpiece. As we finished the tour with making our own sugar mice in the house kitchen, it was impossible not to feel thoroughly festive.

I’m aware this post has been rather self-indulgent, but then that’s just one side of Christmas. Yes it is a time for giving and selfless goodwill, but it is also for surrounding yourself with the things you love, and not just friends and family. Already I find myself looking back on this visit as a defining moment of my 2014 Christmas season; it doesn’t have to be limited just to the big day itself after all. Get out there and do something worth reminiscing about in the next festive season, if only to inspire you to top that in 2015.

[jacksmyhero]

The Third Blog of Christmas: Dreaming Of A White Christmas?

On Friday, I had an important job interview in London. You may argue that any job interview is important, but this was one of those particularly life-changing ones where I felt confident I could succeed in the role, and it could get me on the right track. When I woke in the morning, after a night of pummelling winds and riotous storms, I checked National Rail to find delays on all trains out of Liverpool Lime Street by at least half an hour. Thankfully, I had come down to see my family in East Grinstead the night before, and Southern Railway ran as smooth as a commuter’s wet dream.

It’s very easy and incredibly optimistic to dream of a White Christmas, but a thick layer of snow flies in the face of order, as if this festive season wasn’t stressful enough. Let even a few snowflakes fall in this country and everything falls into chaos; schools close, work is called off and any form of travel is deemed impossible (unless undertaken in wellies and at a snail’s pace. Maybe people just really want a day off; I remember being thrilled as a teenager if I woke up to see a landscape blanketed by snow, before hastily checking my school’s website for the official “closed due to weather” warning. For me, that was a day off to build snowman, have snowball fights and go sledging. But for many of us, our first reaction is not awe at the glistening blizzard before us, but dismay at picturing the inevitable delays. Is that a little bit sad, or just realistic?

I reckon it’s both. If I’m honest myself, I would detest a White Christmas. On the big day itself, my family makes the pilgrimage to my aunt’s for Christmas dinner in a neighbouring village. It’s no more than 15 minutes in normal weather, but traversing up and over hills with a thick layer of snow in our way would prove impossible. Then you have the crowds who hastily travel home on Christmas Eve, wringing their hands at the sight of train delays or accidents on the motorway; a White Christmas just isn’t practical in 2014. Maybe a White Boxing Day would be more practical, but it doesn’t have the same ring to it. Then again, surely that is what we all have in our minds at Christmas; a picture perfect scene. Real life may not be as scenic, but if you put the effort in it can be just as memorable. I’m happy just imagining a White Christmas, because I think reality just wouldn't be as joyful, no matter how pretty a Winter Wonderland scene is.

[jacksmyhero]

The Second Blog Of Christmas: What Christmas Films Mean To Me

How do you celebrate your housemate moving back in after months of overwhelming problems with her room? You treat her to her first viewing of the original Miracle on 34th Street, of course. Cue big bowls of popcorn, festive tunes aplenty and general merriment; such is the atmosphere that the classic comedy curates.

Guides divulging the best Christmas films are constantly thrust upon us, so-called “definitive” lists that can amount to as many as twenty films; enough for nearly every day of the Christmas season depending on how long yours goes on for. Add to this numerous TV specials and suddenly you find yourself spending a lot of time with your big screen in December.

That doesn’t mean you HAVE to watch them all though- there’s still several festive classics that I have yet to see, which means I have a couple of new treats to enjoy each year alongside my core collection. Winter is THE perfect time of year to stay in, when the weather outside is frightful, so why not embrace it?

Rather than tell you why each film fits the festive season so perfectly, I thought I would include what each of my regular roster means to me.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Last year, I got a quaint copy of the classic novel by Charles Dickens in my stocking, and I’d polished it off by the time we set off to my aunts for Christmas dinner. It was interesting reading it with the context of the Muppets adaptation at the back of my mind, but what surprised me was just how faithful the The Muppet Christmas Carol is to the original text. Okay, there weren't puppets strewn across Victorian London, but asides from that it remains a very faithful adaptation.

I know not everyone warms towards the Muppets, but I’ve always loved their unique, hearty form of comedy, and Michael Caine will always be my definitive Scrooge; he refuses to let his bitterness be overshadowed by the performers around him. It isn’t just a festive classic, but a sterling literary adaptation, and one that refuses to be restrained by the label of a children’s film. One of my old school friends even managed to devise a drinking game, and though I missed the chance to give my liver something to moan about, it reinforces to me how the movie works well for every occasion.

Home Alone

As my first university Christmas approached, many of my hall-mates were shocked that I had never seen Home Alone while growing up. This resulted in a large group of us watching it together when it first came on to TV screens, and now it’s a firm favourite of mine. What I love most about the pandemonium Kevin pursues is how creative it is. Yes, Christmas is a time of year for celebrating, but it’s also one that encourages you to let your imagination run wild, to believe in optimistic myths and perfect winter scenes. Not only will Home Alone have you in stitches, it will stimulate your creativity, albeit the devilish side of it.

Miracle On 34th Street

I can’t remember exactly how old I was when my parents casually broke the news one summer evening about Santa (and if you’ve yet to have the news- don’t worry, it’s just about his delivery schedule). For some reason, I remember being particularly devastated while my sister casually shrugged her shoulders. It’s not as if I believed every department store Santa was really the big man himself, but I still clung on to the belief that Father Christmas was out there somewhere. Plus the notion of a job where you only really work one day of the year was a highly exciting prospect.

Miracle On 34th Street, despite a few flaws, can warm the hearts of the biggest Christmas cynics. It emboldens us to believe in all kinds of possibilities, and inspires us to make our own selfless mark on this wonderful time of year. Indulge in spontaneity, and forget the stresses that can come with the season; it’s the moments that you spend spreading goodwill, whether to family and friends or complete strangers, that truly warm the heart.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

On my first wander around Camden market, I picked up one of numerous knock off hoodies with Jack Skellington’s wicked grimace adorning the back. Because of the prominence of Halloween characters, you can sometimes forget The Nightmare Before Christmas is actually focused on the festive season instead. Because it straddles two holidays, I believe I can justify watching it anytime between the two, which means I always have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Aside from being an immense technical achievement in the field of stop motion, the film also promotes the idea that anyone can celebrate Christmas in our own individual way; we should not feel forced to be guided by tradition. There are so many things you can do at this time of year, you can sometimes feel a pressure to fit them all in before the season vanishes. Yes, Jack’s plans go a little bit awry, but you can’t deny the heart is there; do what you can, but don’t overestimate your own abilities.

As a final note to that, I’ve never seen Elf. This doesn’t bother me as much as some think it should; the way I see it, it means that I’ve got a festive treat to look forward to at some point in the future. After all, it’s the things you do in the present that define each Christmas, rather than reflecting on the past.

[jacksmyhero]

The First Blog Of Christmas: When Does Christmas Begin?

It's December. With advent calendar doors being thrown open, decorations slowly appearing in your neighbour's windows and potential presents on the mind, it's beginning to look at lot like Christmas.

Maybe it already is for you; some festive enthusiast begin reveling in the yuletide spirit in November, while stubborn purists and borderline Scrooges insist Christmas belongs to Christmas Day itself, and not a day earlier.

I sit comfortably in the middle. Once the advent calendar has begun and the countdown has commenced, so does my festive spirit. Out comes a colossal yuletide playlist, mince pies are always waiting in my kitchen cupboard, and I'm never seen without my Christmas jumper. I've had the same one for three years now, and never felt the need to change it; it has all the festive qualities without the weird knobbly bits that look so unflattering.

A month of Christmas shenanigans is enough for me, but I don't condemn those who begin earlier. For me, extending the festive season in to November removes some of the magic that makes Christmas so special; that feeling we long for each time it comes round. I understand the commercial giants parading out the tinsel as early as possible, but who really wants to have a Christmas tree adorning their living room a week after Bonfire Night?

Yet that only reinforces just how diverse Christmas is, even within your own country. For many in times of hardship, be those economic or personal, Christmas is a constant that we can rely on to come about and spread peace and goodwill. Numerous renditions of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas stress the importance of temporarily forgetting your troubles so that they do not constantly weigh you down.  Who am I to bemoan a source of comfort to those who really need it?

So, I guess there are two answers to my question. Yes, Christmas Day will always be the main source of celebrations, but otherwise Christmas begins when you want it to. Just make sure you go into it with all guns blazing.