I caught up with up-and-coming Sheffield band Eden Haze for a cuppa and a chat before taking me on a sunny stroll around Kelham Island.

First of all, can you introduce yourself to the Exposed readership with an interesting fact about each member?
Jenny: This is pretty difficult! Oh, actually, I once sang on a While She Sleeps track, which was pretty cool.
Max: I don’t normally share this with anyone but my middle name is Tutan, named after Tutankhamen.
Josh: [Laughs] I don’t think anyone will beat that. Erm, I broke my foot tripping up on a step in Malia.

Perfect. So, tell us about how you started off as Eden Haze?
Jenny: I originally started the band as a solo project a few years back, but I was really missing that band sound. I think it’s always easier when you can bounce of other musicians; you get more input because everyone brings different influences to the table. That’s why I brought these guys in.
Max: Yeah, the timing was perfect. I was looking for a band at the time and Eden Haze were looking for a bass guitarist.

You’ve had some big gigs recently, not to mention a support slot for Lonely The Brave, and you still have plenty more shows lined up. Things really seem to be taking off.
Max: Yeah, we are buzzing. To get on the support bill for Lonely the Brave is insane.
Jenny: I’m really looking forward to getting the band out of Sheffield. We’re going to be touring all over the UK – we’re even playing at Cleethorpes in December!
Josh: And not forgetting our Halloween Takeover at Plug. We love Halloween so that should be pretty special night.

Eden Haze started out as ‘ambient rock’. How would you describe your sound today?

Jenny: We are far from ambient rock now.
Josh: Yeah, I’d probably brand us as alternative, but even then I don’t think that does us justice.
Jenny: It’s a difficult one because we don’t really have a specific genre, but that’s a good thing in that we can get away with playing with heavier bands but we also fit in well alongside indie bands at shows.

Who are your musical influences?
Max: I think we’re all a bit different, which is obviously a good thing. My background is very much rooted in very heavy music. But currently I’d say the 1975.
Jenny: Heavy?
Max: Well, they’re my less heavy influence then. When it comes to writing music for Eden Haze, there’s definitely a big Wolf Alice vibe.
Jenny: If you’re talking favourite bands, mine’s Brand New. They’re incredible.
Josh: When it comes to writing the heavier stuff, I tend to look at bands like Basement, Citizen and Superheaven for inspiration.

And you recently signed to the Northern Crossroads management label, so you’ve now got that platform to really kick on.
Jenny: Definitely. It’s really helpful because it takes a lot of the time-consuming worries – trying to get gigs, booking tours, etc. – from your mind and allows you to just focus solely on the music. So, yeah, it’s a really positive thing for a young band to have that support.

So what can we expect from you guys in the near-future?
Max: We just want to keep writing but hopefully we will bring an album out fairly soon.

Ooh, exciting! More details please?
Jenny: Yeah, nothing’s set in stone yet. We want it to be perfect, so whether it’s a six-track EP or a twelve-track album will all depend on how we feel about the music we are producing. We’re just going to start writing and see where it takes us, I think.
Josh: Saying that though, we are definitely a lot more comfortable with what we are writing now so we are building up a nice catalogue of tracks. Watch this space.

Catch Eden Haze at Plug on October 28th. Tickets are £6, see www.the-plug.com for more.

So picture this right, its a Wednesday evening and Ive just finished work. I come home, I jump in the shower, then I get in bed. Its 7pm and I am doing that evening ritual every single, bored, poor girl does - I spend the whole night on social media (yes I really am that fucking interesting). And anyway to my luck, I see a picture of my friend sat outside a pub with a status reading nothing but ' The Albion x', and now you know that I am going insane. 

I think the most obvious thing for me was.. right I am a girl how do I get ready in 15 minutes? and how the hell do I make myself look half decent because I was about to be stood in front of Carl fucking Barat? Well, I managed to get ready in 15 minutes so thats great; however, not to sure about the latter. But who fucking cares, because when I got to the venue and found out the rumours were completely true, my adrenalin was sky high... I actually think I was shaking. 

The bands arrival was ace, as they all climbed over the bar, Doherty and Barat both with fags in their mouths; letting us all now that they have fucking arrived. And also that they clearly don't give a shit about the no smoking indoors ban; rock rebellions. 

Playing for 75 minutes, the lads created a stir and the fans loved it. Chaotic and very sweaty it made you realise that every live gig should be this way, and it also left you hungrier for more. The energy radiating from the band felt almost electrifying, and it was clear that their love affair for each other had definitely reconciled. 

I took a minute during 'Music When The Lights Go Out' where I shut my eyes to actually take in the music, and in that moment I have never felt more appreciative for these people who give their fans the music and the experience they actually want. Whilst Carl was quite reluctant to connect with the crowd, Pete was hugging, shaking hands, stealing phones for selfies and be a whole round top guy. 

 

The Libertines - Music When The Lights Go Out (Live at The Boogaloo, 20th July)

A truly fucking amazing gig, and a truly fucking amazing set list.

 The Libertines played:

'Gunga Din'
'The Iceman'
'What A Waster'
'Fame And Fortune'
'Twist And Shout'
'Music When The Lights Go Out'
'Good Old Days'
'Death On The Stairs'
'Don't Look Back Into The Sun'
'Time For Heroes'
'Can't Stand Me Now'
'You're My Waterloo'

I know, you are probably all wondering why I haven't done this review sooner, and I know I should be keeping up to date but London can really get in the way sometimes and honestly I have just been taking some time out to enjoy myself. That doesn't mean that I haven't been listening to The Stone Roses new single Beautiful Thing on repeat constantly... because I have. And hearing All For One live at the Etihad was actually 100% the most beautiful thing.

I mean what better timing than to throw a new track in our faces right before the Etihad gigs, as if we wasn't excited enough. For me, staying up till midnight to hear Beautiful Thing was not a chore, even if I was up for work at 7 am the next day. It was a brilliant start to the next working day, I had a new song to listen to on repeat whilst stood up on a moody, sweltering tube so I was in my element. I also noticed a lot of random people staring at my uncontrollable foot tapping and head banging but I just smile anyway. 

The song though, a solid 7 minutes of complete fulfillment. To many this is the 2nd coming so to speak after the much talked about All For One, which lets face it is fucking earth shattering, but somehow still managed to receive a mixture of lukewarm responses. Beautiful Thing introduces us softly, and I don't think any of us was prepared for what was about to hit us next. With many fans describing the song as "laid back bliss", the psychedelic groove gives the impression that this is a tune they have been jamming with since their stoned hazed days. The punk rock- acid house combination is what sets the Roses apart from any other band, allowing the funky Madchester rhythm we all know and love to shine.

All 4 members play their part, and this is arguably still old Stone Roses territory. Listening closely, Fools Gold can be heard behind the baseline, and in the drums; which will quite obviously get the crowd dancing like awkward Ian Brown-Liam Gallagher wannabe Manchurians. The Roses are undoubtably keeping it real, and they are definitely not doing it for the press. The reviews mean nothing to them as long as their die hard fans keep faith on their ability to create a sound many other bands can only dream of. Dance, Punk Rock, Acid House, Funk.. its the lot; I can not wait for the next one.