The Guestlist Live @ Express FM

Outside of blogging, Breaking More Waves has its musical fingers in a variety of other pies that are filled with delicious sonic fillings. All of these pies are tasty goods, but they all allow us to remain impartial as a blogger - none of them are created for commercial gain. Maybe this is why the BBC called us a ‘tastemaker’ when they asked us to vote on their BBC Sound of List – they’ve sampled our fillings and found them rather flavoursome.

Next week two of these musical flavours join together as our local radio station Express FM present a live show from Portsmouth’s Edge of the Wedge, next door to the infamous Wedgewood Rooms music venue. Our small band of Twitter followers or larger band of regular readers may know that every other week we take a slot on the stations number 1 alternative and new music show The Guestlist. The slot involves us recommending a new band or song under our guise as blogger. Previous tracks we’ve played out include Ellie Goulding, Stornoway, Silver Columns, Mirrors, Dan Mangan, Cults, Run Toto Run, Let’s Buy Happiness and Nedry – a reasonably eclectic spectrum.

Besides our radio banter we also have occasionally acted as a DJ of sorts, under the name DJ Hojo Hits. This DJ act started as a weird, shambolic, comedy alter-ego, which was in tribute to an internet campaign to get 80’s synth pop star Howard Jones booked for the Bestival festival. The campaign at times verged on musical terrorism, but ultimately, after four years, has led to curator Rob da Bank crumbling under the pressure and Jones being booked to play this year. In celebration of this DJ Hojo Hits is also returning to play some tunes, just like he did two years ago. (See here) It’s going to be emotional.

On Wed 14th April we will be acting as both blogger and DJ, as we participate in The Guestlist show live from The Edge of the Wedge. The fun starts from around 7.30pm, with the show going live on air from 8 – 10pm and then continuing off air after. There will be two live bands, other DJ’s (including Southsea ‘legend’ Pete Scathe who has been running one of Portsmouth’s most popular indie / alternative nights for over a decade Connection at Scandals) and entry is completely free. You may even see the worlds most shockingly amateur DJ battle in all of history. We're going to be raising our game for that one.

So, if you fancy biting one of these pies, we’re baking for you now. Get down to The Edge of the Wedge, Wednesday 14th and April and meet the pieminister. You can also listen to the show live on the night using the internet by clicking here, although unfortunately there is no listen again facility.

It’s going to be tasty.

Besti-Bod / DJ Hojo Hits

So depending on where you are in the world, the time for April Fool fun may still be with you or may have gone. Hope you enjoyed the Romanian Harvest film we put up earlier.

In a break from the norm we don’t have a ‘proper’ music blog today. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow. Instead we are going to refer you to another blog, that of our favourite UK festival – Bestival. This year a DJ collective known as DJ Hojo Hits and the Bestival Forum All-Stars will be taking to the Bestival stage, flying from all parts of the world (well, Texas, Scotland and the Isle of Wight at least) for a unique performance. Also jumping up to play will be eighties pop legend Howard Jones whose name and music ‘inspired’ DJ Hojo Hits. And who is DJ Hojo Hits ? Well, there is a very close relationship with this blog.

So for now, skip on over to the Bestival Blog and see who is this weeks ‘Besti-Bod’ by clicking here. All will become clear. There's also further info in a small feature here courtesy of Strong Island.

Southsea Fest 2009

Southsea Fest is modelled on events such as The Great Escape in Brighton and Swn in Cardiff but on a smaller scale. Established in 2007 the first event was held to raise funds for the promoter Josie Cutis’ younger brother, a musician, to record an album after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The event has now expanded and this year took place in twelve venues with over one hundred and fifty acts performing with some profits given to charity.

An entry wristband was budget price, being the same cost as a standard gig ticket, allowing access to all venues which were situated within close proximity to each other, mainly on Albert Road in the south coast town. Unlike similar larger events such as The Great Escape there was no need to turn up at a venue early and queue to guarantee entry, wristband holders were able to freely wander between locations as they chose. At times the event resembled something more like a giant pub crawl than a music event, with bands providing a backing track for happy drunken punters roaming the street. Breaking More Waves took a more conservative approach however, remaining in one venue all day, (Little Johnny Russells) except for our surprisingly well received DJ Set early in the day under our DJ Hojo Hits guise at Cafe Citrus, where we managed to bring dubstep, synth pop, vintage rock and roll, and seventies disco to the artists VIP area.

This years event was crammed so full of bands that it is no surprise that several stages ran behind the scheduled timetable, but most punters seemed unconcerned, happy to catch whatever artist they stumbled across at any particular time. The line up for the event consisted of a number of small national bands previously featured on this blog such as Peggy Sue, The Joy Formidable, James Yuill and Alessi’s Ark as well as plenty of local artists. So to the bands we saw..

With lead singer Clym Arnold swinging from the stage balustrade till it almost collapses, diving onto the floor and his band raping your ear drums with a fistf*ck of visceral punk, The Deads mean business; and we don’t mean the kind that involves hot desking, water cooler moments and power lunches. No this is business that is primitive, brutal and likely to find you sprawled over the photocopier with a microphone stand thrust up your backside. We have no idea about the songs they play, except for a dirty cover of Helter Skelter, but finding blood gushing from our ears actually seems like fun.

The Hall Of Mirrors are about as far removed from The Deads as you can imagine. Every song is a delicate spoonful of sugar adventure of perky tunefulness. “This next song is all about love,” gushes singer Jessica Spencer and we are sure we see fairy dust sparkle from her keyboard and Mary Poppins skipping around in the background. Only at the end when she kicks back her piano stool and delivers a harsher bluesy number do things become a little more unsettling.

The keyboard remains for a short set by Loz Bridge , this time without his backing band The Box Social, who we have featured here before. Bridge produces a short, accomplished set of jazzy rootsy sounds, full of earnest musicianship with just a hint of Chris Martins more reflective moments. One for the more mature listener, his sound is better suited to a quiet theatre or lounge bar than a chatty south coast pub on a Saturday afternoon.

Little Johnny Russells fills up rapidly after Bridge finishes for the megaphone wielding Holdfast, who having recently bagged support slots with White Lies, These New Puritans and in the near future The Chapman Family. The band have developed a confident swagger as they race through their charged punkish riot of keyboard and energetic guitar laden noise with glittery dress clad singer Roberta stepping into the crowd. They may not yet have perfected any killer songs, but they have a dark raw shout about them that takes them above the level of your standard local indie no hopers.

Breaking More Waves regulars The B of the Bang have been peddling their wares for some time now and tonight feels like one of closure, songs from their debut album Beginning Middle End being performed for possibly the last time before some new material is unleashed. Lung is still a colossal beast of a song, triumphant in its sadness and set closer Alaska bristles with taught atmosphere, but their live centrepiece remains Last Day On Earth which is performed with members of The Dawn Chorus; full of soaring trumpets and men singing the words “La la la,” as if it were the most important thing in the world.

Rather like a game of tag The Dawn Chorus continue where The B of the Bang left off. The band are a menagerie of multi instrumentation and subtle tunes with heavenly trumpet fanfares that uplift and involve, and on one song the band even have a little stab at some ska which seems rudely off centre to the rest of their country tinged rock sound. Strangely endearing and glorious.

Eight piece Revere (pictured) are physically and musically too big for such a tiny stage as Southsea Fest. The band bring military jackets, waistcoats, strings and a big big sound that comes from the same musical space as bands like Broken Records and Arcade Fire. Their songs sweep and soar gloriously high, powerfully evocative and beautiful. With due respect to all of the bands that have come before them, Revere stand that much taller, that much stronger and bring the most illustrious sounds we hear all day.

After Revere ‘dirty folksters’ Billy Vincent have a tough job. A slimmed down check shirted version of the whole band, they play with just two acoustic guitars, and as the beer flows more readily you have to feel sorry for any act that really demands quiet attention.

Next up are San Francisco’s Love Like Fire who play a fairly straightforward female fronted blend of indie rock that has a vaguely early to mid nineties feel to it. The band suffer from an audience that now seems more interested in alcoholic kicks than actually listening to the music. There are hints of something epic trying to break out, but it’s a case of seen it all before with this band.

“Give me some love it’s tough up here,” announces Chris T-T. Good god the man’s right. At this point in the evening we wonder if anybody is actually interested in the music at all. Chris T-T could have probably come on stage, pissed in a pot and walked off again and nobody would have noticed. So all credit to the man who has played on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square for having the guts to force out his political acoustic folk rock to those who care. Breaking a guitar string after his first song, he continues a cappella, before thrashing out tunes about getting older, hunting and the wonderful Preaching To The Converted which has thrusting intensity and humour in equal measure. “Billy Braggs gone fishing in his 4 x 4,” he sings to a an audience who are drowning in lager.

At this point it doesn’t look good for James Yuill , but miraculously his beats, loops and geekoid electronic wizardry win the day. The inebriated crowd are ready to dance and the heavy beats and laptronica that Yuill produces work well. His sound mixes elements of Nick Drake, Radiohead, Aphex Twin and Calvin Harris into something that is uniquely his own. As songs such as the dreamy rotating No Surprise and the gentle bounce of This Sweet Love are played out it reminds us why we put his Turning Down Water For Air album in our Top Ten of 2008. Enchanting electronic melodies with a human side, from one of the nicest men in music make a fine way to end the evening.

Glastonbury and Reading 2009 Litter - The Aftermath

This week Breaking More Waves is off to its last UK summer festival, one of our favourites; Bestival. Whilst we're there we'll be rolling out our DJ alter ego Hojo Hits again to play at the pre Bestival party at Waverley Park in Cowes, Isle Of Wight. For anyone coming expect to hear a fair few tunes from artists we've been blogging about this year.

So whilst we are enjoying the festival, we'll be making sure to clear up after ourselves. This year we have been pleased to see punters making a real effort to keep festival sites clean. At Camp Bestival this year there was only a very small percentage of rubbish left on the site, it gave us some faith in human nature again. However, unfortunately not every festival has done so well. As you can see from the videos below Reading Festival was like a war zone and Glastonbury, a festival that prides itself on its green credentials, looked more like a tip than a field in Somerset. Watch and prepare to be appalled. As the poster states, Glastonbury is now a festival created by people who care, for people who don't.

Breaking More Waves asks that you respect your festival, and have a look here at a new website which is currently being developed.

Here's Glastonbury 2009

And here's a shorter clip of Reading 2009

Blissfields 2009

Following the unsuccessful attempt to change venue and step up from an event of around one thousand capacity to five thousand with subsequent cancellation due to poor ticket sales in 2008, Blissfields 2009 returned back to its roots, down at Bradley Farm in Hampshire. This year however Blissfields sold out weeks in advance. With headliners Super Furry Animals playing their smallest festival of their year and Mercury nominated and Breaking More Waves approved Laura Marling appearing on Friday night, organisers Paul and Mel Bliss served up aces on a weekend when Britains tennis hero Andy Murray failed to do so at Wimbledon. Added to these headliners were a variety of other bands and DJ's, including Breaking More Waves very own alter ego comedy DJ persona HoJo Hits supplying some slices of musical mature cheddar interspersed with the occasional of the moment big synth pop tune (Yes Giantess, La Roux, Passion Pit) to a relaxed chilled crowd who lapped up the sun at the main stage. Here’s DJ Hojo Hits daring to play Hansons Mmm Bop.

This year Blissfields welcomed punters to the ‘United States Of Bliss’, from entry onto the site with signs stating ‘Border control, please have your papers ready,’ to the camp site which was labelled the ‘Shanty Town.’ The festival even had its own president who was elected by way of a competition prior to the event and its own national anthem which was played out at the opening of the main stage each day. Then at the end of it all, a so called ‘Ambassadors Party’ was held in the big top with the eclectic Bestival / Sunday Best residents Sombrero Sound System and DJ Little Chief bringing the house down with a bunch of big old party anthems, whilst in between Beans On Toast brought his gravel clawed voice, acoustic guitar and songs about festivals, MDMA and Laura Marling to an appreciative crowd, complete with a stage invasion at the end.

So what of the live music highlights ? On Friday night the main stage belongs to Mumford and Sons and Beans On Toast favourite girl Laura Marling. Mumford and Sons play as the sun sets and the site turns into a romantic twilight haze lit by the moon, trails of lights marking pathways through the campsite and a few carefully considered spotlights. Marcus Mumford charms by explaining that he didn’t understand why there was so much disappointment when Blissfields was cancelled last year, but now he does. There is a real glow from the bands set, their sound unhindered by fashion; it pulls at the heartstrings. There is a tendency for the songs to be formulaic based around simple acoustic guitar and banjo building with a swell as kick drums take the songs rolling forward, but it's a formula that works. With the bands harmonies and bluegrass sound Mumford and Sons win many new fans at Blissfields and are probably the highlight for many. Half of the group then remain on stage to accompany Laura Marling who has grown massively in confidence since we first saw her about two years ago. Playing a mix of songs from her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim and new songs such as Hope In The Air, Marlings voice seems to be maturing, less girlish and more rasping and hearty; the sound of American country / folk played by a girl from Reading, England.

On Saturday three bands define the festival. Imperial Leisure first wowed Blissfields in 2007 and return as triumphant heroes, pulling one of the biggest crowds of the day, their energetic blend of rock, rap and ska skanking like Rage Against The Machine sparring with The Specials. From the word go the audience are in the palm of their lairy sweaty hands, their punchy brass and adrenalin soda fizz exertion creating a bouncing bottle of an audience that almost explodes with too much shaking. You can’t see the band in this video, but an audience reaction says it all.

“Last weekend we were at Glastonbury and it was too much like hard work,” announce Subgiant , echoing the thoughts of a number of punters at Blissfields. Subgiant are almost on home turf here, having been a Blissfields favourite and regular for some time now. Occupying the same sunset stage time as Mumford And Sons the day before, Subgiant bring samples and beats so large that we swear we feel the earth below our feet vibrating. A hedonistic warm old school festival vibe sweeps over Blissfields as bleeps and electronic riffs build and rise, strobes flash wildly, electronic drums pound and hands are raised in the air. Dancing outside has never been so much fun.

The final highlight comes from Super Furry Animals. Just last month we reported on their performance at Wychwood 2009 and suggested that they failed to move or engage. Tonight with a radically revamped set list SFA show us exactly why they have remained an essential part of the UK music scene, with their unconventional approach to song writing, ability to pen flawless pop songs, fine beards and sense of humour. “This is a live show just in case you thought you were watching the TV,” announces Gruff Rhys at one point. Later he gets the crowd to turn to the moon and howl at it. The songs they play have a spliffed out psychedelic oddness and inventiveness, but the band are never afraid to create just plain old infectious pop such as on Golden Retriever, which they dedicate to the kennels next to the festival site. Super Furry Animals are a fitting end to the main stage and whilst they may still not be a band we can adore, our admiration has been significantly increased.

Blissfields is the antithesis of corporate festival monsters such as Reading, Isle Of Wight and V Festival. It has a laid back, good natured feel that is suited to both young and old alike. With no over zealous security, lots of smiling faces, a site so small that it takes only five minutes to get anywhere, and this year a number of artists who gave excellent performances, Blissfields has firmly reasserted itself on the independent festival map following its stumble in 2008.

And to finish this review of Blissfields 2009 here’s a little more of our very own DJ set from a pod next to the main stage. Sun, dancing, and a bit of Wham. See you there next year maybe ?

DJ Hojo Hits - Version 2.0 Revealed !

A world exclusive. DJ Hojo Hits is back. Breaking More Waves DJ alter ego, created through the Bestival message board last year, first appeared at the Hidden Disco stage playing nothing but songs by 80’s pop star and keyboard wizard Howard Jones. Now Howard Jones has been dropped (although we still love him) and DJ Hojo Hits has a new look and a new sound. Coming to Blissfields 2009 and various parties and club nights through 2009, DJ Hojo Hits is in the mood for dancing and romancing.

May the horse be with you.

DJ Hojo Hits Returns - New Songs / New Look !

In 2009 DJ Hojo Hits begins a new campaign of aural fun on the unsuspecting British public. Following his debut DJ sets at Bestival 2008, where he subjected punters to an hour of nothing but the tunes of 80’s synth pop star Howard Jones , and subsequent appearances at parties and clubs across the south coast, DJ Hojo Hits returns in 2009 with a new look, a new sound and new gigs being confirmed.

We are delighted to announce that the first of these confirmations is that DJ Hojo Hits will be returning to UK Festivals this summer, with a slot confirmed at Blissfields 2009, alongside artists such Laura Marling, one of our One’s To Watch for 2009, Mumford & Sons and dance specialists Subgiant.

DJ Hojo will be widening his mojo with a big slab of eclectic party tunes from his bulging box. Expect anything and everything from hard dance to guilty pleasures, but with every tune designed to put a big old smile on your face.

DJ Hojo will also be presenting a new image, so forget the 80’s wig, Howard Jones tshirt and bad shades. This is all new baby. Keep an eye out on You Tube and this blog for an exclusive of the new DJ Hojo Hits look coming soon. But for the time being, here’s a very short reminder of what DJ Hojo is all about.

And before you ask, yes Breaking More Waves has a very special relationship with the man that is DJ Hojo Hits. We share the same body. So expect more DJ Hojo Hits updates here soon

Now That's What I Call Music Selected Track #1 - Howard Jones - New Song

Not only is it twenty five years since the first Now That's What I Call Music was released, but it is also twenty five years since solo synth pop wizard Howard Jones released his debut single New Song. It is Breaking More Waves favourite song on that first Now album. Regular visitors to this blog will already know of our warped obsession with Jones and his one man band of retro synths such as the Moog Prodigy. This obsession lead last year to Breaking More Waves giving birth to its own one man comedy DJ Act known as DJ Hojo Hits, whom appeared at Rob Da Bank’s Bestival, alongside acts such as Underworld, My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse and Aphex Twin, playing an hour long set of nothing but Howard Jones tunes.

New Song was a big hit in the UK, spending 15 weeks in the charts, getting as high as Number 3. This simple song bears a resemblance to Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill in its melody whilst lyrically it is a message of positive and open thinking with Jones preaching his message of not being “Laden down by the doom crew,” whilst “challenging preconceived ideas,” unusual lyrics for a pop song.

Of course most people will remember Jones for his very eighties spiked haircut, his mime dancer Jed who performed with him and the “Ooo ooo ooo” chorus of this song, which is a shame as many of his lyrics had a vision and philosophy behind them that set him apart from many of his peer group.

Howard Jones @ London Indigo O2

The name Howard Jones may not be familiar to younger readers of this blog, except for my article about a certain DJ Hojo Hits a while ago, and for older readers probably brings back memories of bad eighties haircuts, a mime artist called Jed and synth pop. But for Breaking More Waves, the music of Howard Jones has probably had more influence on my life than any other. Whereas those with so called musical credibility may claim that Dylan, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley or Nirvana influenced their lives, I am happy to announce that I really don’t care about credibility and am happy to stand alone on this one. Yes, the man who sang in his first ever hit the line “Throw off those mental chains,” probably made me do exactly that. Jones has made me think more about my philosophy to life than any other artist. From his lyrics of “Challenging preconceived ideas,” to “Thoughts and actions, words you've spoken write the scripts of life and open up the possibilities,” his themes of change through positive action, and that of taking risks and taking responsibility for my own individual world to influence the world at large struck a deep chord. “Changes in the heart of just one, will affect entire nations,” Jones sang, and this ripple turning to a wave effect is something that I have absolute belief in. Jones is not just a singer but a mini philosopher, albeit one with spiky blonde hair and a lot of keyboards.

So from those early hits of the eighties Jones has continued to write and record to the present day, releasing albums on his own independent label dtox records. He also still plays numerous acoustic and electric shows.

Now, after twenty five years in the music industry, Jones has decided to celebrate, and has put on a special 25th anniversary concert at the ultra modern, superbly functional Indigo 02 in the Millenium Dome, London.

The gig clocks in at around two and a half hours with over twenty five songs in two sets. And it starts with this video....


Then Jones takes to the stage at the piano, accompanied by Robin Boult on acoustic guitar, with a pitch perfect string section being added as the show continues. The sound is excellent throughout, every word Jones sings having clarity; one of the advantages of a state of the art purpose built music venue. Jones shows his conviction to keep moving forward by playing several new songs including Ordinary Heroes which celebrates ordinary people doing incredible things in their everyday lives and Straight Ahead, a song which lyrically talks about having hope even through bad times. The second half, after a short interval, is fully electric with Howard blasting out the hits such as What Is Love, Pearl In The Shell, New Song and Things Can Only Get Better on his synth, joined by a plethora of musicians including backing vocalists, live drums, bass, brass and guitars not too mention a crowd who are happy to revel and dance in a nostalgic trip back to the songs of their youth.

A variety of special guests are also introduced; Nick Heyward from Haircut 100 joins Jones after just 2 songs and announces him as “The Neil Diamond of synth pop,” before playing his hit Fantastic Day with him and later there is a huge round of applause as a now very bald Nik Kershaw arrives on stage to perform Wouldn’t It Be Good. For hardcore Jones fans probably the biggest and most appreciated surprise is when Duncan Sheik appears to play, the first time they have ever performed live together in the UK. Here is Duncan on guitar and Howard on piano for the ballad Someone You Need.


At 53 years of age, Howard Jones’ singing voice is actually better now than it was 25 years ago, stronger and more resonant; and of course he is an incredibly accomplished keyboard player. But despite the spiky blonde hair, catchy synth pop songs and elements of nostalgia to the gig, what comes across most is that through his relaxed persona and friendly way that he interacts with the crowd and his band, Howard Jones is genuinely one of the nice guys.

DJ Hojo Hits

One of the more unlikely ‘stars’ of this years Bestival Festival on the Isle Of Wight is a certain DJ Hojo Hits, a man who by his own admission has no DJ ability whatsoever. This maverick, from the south coast of the UK is planning to DJ an hour long set of songs which consist solely of those recorded by eighties synth pop star Howard Jones. Yes, that was the man with the spiked blonde hair and a mime artist called Jed. If you are young enough to not remember Jones, here he is back in the eighties.

Howard Jones - New Song

Jones had a series of worldwide hits including New Song, What Is Love, No One Is To Blame and Things Can Only Get Better. He still performs today, and later this year will be celebrating 25 years since New Song bounded into the Top 5 in the UK with a big show at the Indigo O2 in London.

So who is DJ Hojo Hits, and how did he come about ? Well this is what the man himself had to say when I caught up with him the other day. “It all came about when a group of us ran a two year internet campaign to get Howard Jones booked for the Bestival. The campaign failed, but instead Radio1 DJ and Bestival organiser Rob da Bank has allowed me to do this DJ set, after I wrote him a poem which I posted on the Bestival forum. I think Rob da Bank said yes just to get me off his back,” laughs DJ Hojo, who seems strangely familiar to me.

So what started as a bit of a joke, seems to have taken off in a strange way. DJ Hojo Hits has become a bit of a hit with regular Bestival go-ers.

“I’ve had quite a few messages on the Bestival forum from people who say they are going to come along and dance to my set. It’s all a bit bizarre. One so called fan from the U.S.A has even set up his own DJ Hojo Hits unofficial website !” The site is http://www.djhojo.com/

So if you are attending this years Bestival, get there early and search out the Hidden Disco on Friday afternoon where a man dressed in a bad 80’s pop star wig will be DJing badly with no mixing skills whatsoever, playing Howard Jones CDs in a shambolic, yet strangely sincere way. All DJ Hojo Hits asks is that you learn the words to New Song and What Is Love?

So is DJ Hojo Hits actually a fan of the real Howard Jones ?

“Absolutely. I’m a massive fan of Howard Jones and a massive fan of Bestival, so this will be a marriage made in heaven!”

And who is DJ Hojo Hits really ? The mystery isn’t hard to solve. DJ Hojo is closer than you think. Here's a video on You Tube which reveals his identity...

DJ Hojo Hits revealed (Video 2 of a series)

Catch DJ Hojo Hits and his Howard Jones CD’s at The Hidden Disco at Bestival on Friday 5th September between 2pm and 3pm. He will also be appearing with the bands Bastila and Finger Monster at Waverley Park, Isle Of Wight on the 3rd September playing a non Howard Jones set of Bestival inspired tunes.

The real Howard Jones will be playing at the London Indigo O2 for his 25th Anniversary show on 20th September and as part of the Portsmouth and Southsea Music Festival on October 12th 2008