Charles Connolly

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙

Charles makes it clear…

You remember when people used to use Facebook to document their entire life in public? Sorry: you remember when people used to use Facebook? It was rather ahead of its time. And believe it or not, it still exists today! I know, impossible but it’s true. Still sitting there with its dated blue and white F logo. This logo is regularly redesigned for millions of dollars, but as with most redesigns, no one notices. Because no one cares. Because people don’t use it anymore. But in the noughties, oh MY it was popular. Went on a bit of a bender last night? Stick the embarrassing photos up on Facebook in the morning, for the world to see! Or even direct from the drinking hole itself! I’ll tag myself with my exact location right now so that everyone can stalk me – a splendid idea and a wise use of technology. Playing “Words With Friends” (poor man’s Scrabble) on Facebook with someone on the other side of the world who you met once at a party – bafflingly brilliant. Status: “feelin groggy heres a pic of my puppy she looks so warm i wish i was that fluffy”. We actually wrote this guff, as if anyone would care. But hey, it was new! It was the beginning of the modern era. I believe some even still do this – God help them. The problems started arising when they introduced something called Relationship Status… What a dangerous little info box this was. In a relationship. Single. Engaged. Marred. Sorry, Married. And then there was the classic: “It’s complicated”. This screwed with everyone. It was so clever, yet so detrimental to so many. Lover’s tiff? “I’m changing my relationship status” – NOOOOOOO!!!! – said the partner. “It is NOT complicated, I beg you! It is oh so simple. I love you and you love me! How is that complicated??”… But the thing is, this little info box was a feast for the gossipmongers. “Ooh, did you see Lucy’s changed her status to It’s complicated. I know! I thought they were going to be together forever!”. Suddenly something so private was there for the world to see. Well, the mini world that cared at all. It only made things far more complicated than they already were (probably not complicated at all). A live real-life soap opera.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙚 – 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙖

Charles hits the wall and bounces off…

YouTube is a thing. A thing we all use for one thing or another. Or maybe both one thing AND another. In fact, it is the second most viewed website in the world, with a figure that is slightly staggering. Utterly staggering, really: around 5 billion views… PER DAY!!! And that’s just me and Adele! Nah, just kidding. Adele doesn’t get those kinds of figures. So what are we all watching? What is it that glues us to that screen? Are you more of a “pot luck” kind of person? Do you just dip in occasionally to see what YouTube has pushed you this time? Maybe “pot luck” of a different sort. Maybe you like videos on decorating pots. Making pots? Collecting pots, perhaps? Rare Roman pots unearthed? Or maybe you like videos on different strains of pot and how best to grow it? Whatever you feel like viewing (within reason…), it is there. It has become the video version of Google. You will never find “Your search did not match any videos”. My personal YouTube obsession is using it for education. It schools me and helps me to find better ways of mixing. All for no pennies. Utterly free! Who’da thunk it?? So this is what I do. Whether I am looking for a specific technique when attempting to compress a bass guitar, or maybe more information on “different kinds of saturation”, there will always be many videos to help me along my journey to perfection. Sometimes I just browse and think “that looks interesting” – only to find it wasn’t. But I’m nevertheless eager to learn. Dedicated to the core, to my profession. Of course, REAL one-to-one tuition would be far superior and more helpful, but it comes at a price. A price I cannot afford right now.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 (𝘿𝙪𝙚𝙩) – 𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙨, 𝘾𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙚

Charles can’t get enough of this GAS…

I often delve into the dark ages like an old fart, despite not being old. I mean, just HOW many times have I mentioned The Beatles?? At least once or twice. Oh, the 60s was quite the decade. The revolutionary, swinging 1960s. But going back as far as the 50s for me is rare. The pretty and beautiful 1950s. Maybe I mentioned the odd quiff? Perhaps an “uh-huh-huh” or so? How about the 40s? The brave and romantic bomb-stricken 1940s. Well I might have done. Maybe to mention the war, for old times’ sake – “those days of going down to the shelter while listening to Vera Lynn” etc…. Have I even touched on the 30s? The gloriously opulent (Great Depression notwithstanding) 1930s. Perhaps I mentioned Art Deco or Cubism once? I just can’t remember. And what of the 20s? What, NOW? No, no – wrong century. The similarly gloriously opulent (not to mention roaring) 1920s, before anyone could conceive even the notion of a depression, great or small. It’s more than likely that I had fun with the odd flapper or two, but let’s be honest here. I haven’t really gone into that era. It’s a hundred years ago, for Christ’s sake! How is that possible??

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 – 𝙅𝙤𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙮

Charles wishes to make one thing clear…

As the world seemingly loses its collective mind, I continue the progressively difficult task of keeping a grip on mine. Just like it is a New Year of some sort most days of the year, it would seem like it is April 1st most days too. I base this mainly on my daily perusal of The Times. I think by now, most of you know I am a Times reader. The main two reasons used to be because the news was vaguely unbiased, and each article was relatively well written and “newsworthy”. I say “used to be” for a reason. Things have changed. The world has changed. People have changed. The only options are, to go with it and accept what is apparently reality, or to absorb said information, chuckle a little, and move on. Actually, there is a third option. To duck under the covers (being sure not to leave one’s wits on the outside), to tightly close one’s eyes, and keep hold of one’s sanity. Deny, deny, deny. Or maybe a little of all three…? Retain a sense of balance. As said by a young Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 classic – based on the 1843 classic – (please excuse the unseasonal reference): “I think the world is becoming a very hard and cruel place, Mr. Marley. One must steel oneself to survive it. Not to be crushed under with the weak and the infirm”. Now, although I don’t wholly agree with this statement, I very much do feel its resonance in the modern day. A more contemporary approach would be to HELP the weak and infirm…

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 – 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙧, 𝘼𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙡 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚

Charles undresses the truth…

Dear costumer,

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘿𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙪𝙥 – 𝘼𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙤 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖́𝙣

Charles talks science – and art…

We’re so often reading about “The Science” in the papers. The news seems to speak of it like this impossibly unreachable superpower that only the special people will be able to comprehend. Or like it is a filthy rag that no one wants anything to do with. “The Science”: there’s always this slight pause before those two words are delivered. As if it were to be a warning to brace yourself, or to pinch your nose tightly. It also seems as though this pause is for comical effect, as if those two innocent words were to make us corpse in hysterical laughter once uttered. But aside from all this polite observation of mine, it is really just an easy save these days in politics. “Our team of experts has looked at ‘The Science’, and the facts are indisputable”. Huh. Handy get-out clause. Noyce. Blame “The Science”. It is easy because most of us DON’T understand it, so we simply can’t argue. Facts are facts, right…?

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 – 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠 𝘼𝙝𝙡𝙢

Charles is all caught up…

The following piece is simply my views and my views only. It says nothing about the New Artist Spotlight and its views (of which it has none). I promised myself I wouldn’t talk about the war. But since it was only a promise to myself, I don’t feel too guilty for breaking it.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 (𝘼 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚) – 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙂𝙪𝙖𝙯𝙯𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞

Uninvited, Charles quietly passes through a memorial service, to breathe in the emotion.

Death, is the one and only thing we can be sure of. Those who have been fortunate enough to join this Earth, will eventually leave it. Or at least move on to greener pastures, depending on your view. It is an inevitable fact of “life”, that it will cease. We only hope that it comes late enough to give us time to have a rich and fulfilling life beforehand. Our dear friend – the Gentleman of Rock – Charlie Watts, passed away very recently. This was very saddening, what with him being the rock of the Stones, but he certainly could be said to have lead a full life, and managed a whole 8 decades before removing his Savile Row suit, to sleep. This will be The Last Time.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙢 – 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨

Charles takes to the waves of psychedelia.

Last week we discovered Sabrina’s Barreto’s magnificent ‘Colourblind’. This week I can see again in glorious Technicolor! It is time to ditch the comfort and normality of the grey 1950s and shoot forward at terrifying speed, through an era that encompasses the swirling beauty of the 60s, 70s and 80s. I have always had a retro side – many of you may know – but it has subsided a little in recent years for a more level-headed concentration of the sober, sterile modern day. White walls are dull, cold, boring and unimaginative, yet almost every household has them. Clothes are drab, dark and ill-fitting. A hoodie is little more than a thin duvet with sleeves and a string. We do what we do because that’s what we do. There is no thought. No care. No light! People are so self-conscious these days and afraid of not fitting in. Why should one fit in? I enjoy colour. I enjoy art. I love clothes that are different, without purposely being “different”. I admire natural style. I admire a different personality, unless they make me uncomfortable. I am not a sheep. I like people who are not sheep. To me, the opposite of standard normality is, well, the opposite. To be oneself. Let me take you down, ‘cos I’m going to……

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣 – 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙢

Charles meets his alter ego…

So the legend goes, we are all apparently born with morals. So they say. The obvious, clear differentiation between good and bad. A young baby – as opposed to an old one – is as innocent as the bright blue sky. It knows what to do and what not to do. Admittedly it doesn’t really know HOW to do it, hence the green mush all down its front. But at least it TRIED to get said mush in its pie-hole. As a baby, it simply wants to be content and happy. There is no gain in doing something “wrong”. Everything is there for them. Food, warmth, fun silly colourful plastic things to poke in to anywhere they’re not supposed to go. This in itself could be construed as “doing a bad thing”, but this young bundle of joy is really just being inquisitive. Finding things out. All innocent enough. When toddlerdom comes along however, it discovers a cheeky side. It realises that doing something “wrong” can make them giggle. And who doesn’t like giggling?? Or – a wondrous phrase my girlfriend came up with – “I wasn’t laughing, I was just smiling out loud”. Inspired! Back to our toddling friend. It is only when it sees gain, and ways of gaining said gain, that things start to change. It is by now, a young child. It can reach the cupboards and the fridge. It has had dinner. It knows it is not supposed to eat something straight afterwards. Not due to an uber-trendy vegan diet, but simply because it shouldn’t turn into a fat pig too early on. This naughty young thing is still craving a certain sweetness. To get said sweetness, it is to be anything but sweet. It knows that if it asks for the sweet treat, the answer will predictably be “No”. Not because the mother is Lois from Malcolm in the Middle, but because this little person has had this treat five times within the week, and so she feels she has to lay down some rules. No one wants a spoilt chubba-bubba – as cute as it is to squeeze Sweet Cheeks’ sweet cheeks.

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