It's not a phase!!

So last night I was thinking about how I was 20 in a week's time and even though I've grown up so much since I was 14, I still love my bands. Most people would assume that it would just be a phase that lasted a few years, but no, not me! I thought I'd use this post to share some of the stories behind how I discovered some of these bands, because I find it so interesting hearing about other people's experiences!

Age 12/13, JLS

Now I don't count liking JLS as part of my band phase because this was before I became in deep for bands, and I was just a fan of their music. This was the first time I can remember actually thinking 'I have a favourite band' and I guess it was the start of things to come! 

 

Favourite Album: Jukebox

Age 14, The Wanted

I was 14 when I discovered The Wanted. They had their singles 'All Time Low' and 'Heart Vacancy' out on the radio and although I liked these songs I never really paid much attention to the artist behind them. My sister decided to buy their album one day, and whilst on a family holiday to France, when we couldn't access the radio in our car, we listened to their album on repeat. From that moment I was hooked. That same month both my sister and one of my friends developed crushes on two of the band members and so all talk turned to The Wanted. I remember sitting in the park during the summer holidays, buying the latest teen magazines just because there were posters and articles about them in there. Those were the days!! 

Anyway, I'd like to say that I managed to resist the band members, but no, instead I also developed a crush on one of them! 

I was luckily enough to see them live back in 2012, which was my first proper concert and it was amazing!

Sadly they're currently on a break and working on solo projects which aren't all in music, but I'm still holding out hope that they return! 

 

Favourite Album: The Wanted

Favourite Member: Nathan 

Age 16, One Direction

One Direction, where do I start?

I'd liked their music since their 'Up All Night' album was released, and I decided one day to put my sister's album onto my iPod to give it a listen. I remember cleaning my room whilst listening to it and instantly thinking how good it was! 

The 'Take Me Home' album was even better, and was the soundtrack to Year 11 and my last year at high school. However it wasn't until late 2013 that I starting getting into the band members and wanting to find out more about them. I desperately wanted to go to their 'Where We Are' tour but I just couldn't afford it. Two years passed and I had finished 6th form and compulsory education forever. I spent several months looking for jobs and during this free time I turned to Tumblr and YouTube where I spent my days watching 1D videos and I fell down the rabbit hole, I was obsessed! 

I got to see them on their 'On The Road Again' tour in 2015 and it was the best concert I had ever been too!

Again they are currently on a hiatus and I really miss them! 

 

Favourite Album: Midnight Memories

Favourite Song: Little White Lies

Favourite Member: Harry (but back in the day it was Zayn) 

Age 17, The Vamps

I don't exactly remember how I got into The Vamps, all I know is that I had the biggest crush on one of them and I became obsessed with their first album 'Meet The Vamps'. It was the soundtrack to my summer in 2014 and I played it on repeat! 

I've been lucky enough to see them live five times so far and I've even very briefly met them at their book signing. I'm still determined to meet them properly one day though! 

I'm actually seeing them in May on their tour and this time we have Wow Pit which I'm so excited for! 

 

Favourite Album: Meet The Vamps

Favourite Song: Wild Heart

Favourite Member: Connor

Age 19, The Tide

Through The Vamps, I discovered The Tide. The Tide are The Vamps' first signing to their record label and have supported The Vamps on their past couple of tours. I properly got into them last year after meeting them at The Vamps' last tour and realising how nice they were! 

Since then I've met them once more, and seen them four times! 

They don't actually have an album out yet, but I think that's on the cards for this year which I'm really excited about! 

 

Favourite Song: Naked

Favourite Member: Levi

Age 19, 5 Seconds Of Summer

I've liked 5SOS' music now for a couple of years but since they've recently released their B-sides and rarities, I've been listening to them a lot more because these songs are so good! In my opinion, these are some of their best songs and they were my soundtrack for on the way to work back in December and January! 

It's also made me pay more attention to the band members, and I've watched several interviews with them. I'm really hoping that they tour some of these songs because I desperately need to hear them live! 

 

Favourite Album: The B-sides and Rarities

Favourite Song: The Space Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Favourite Member: Ashton

I realise this post is pretty long but as you can see I'm pretty passionate about music! 

Thanks for reading!

Daniella x

My top albums of 2014

I was going to do this blog post a while back, at the start of 2015 but I just haven't had time & kept thinking of other ideas that I preferred.

So today I'm going to share with you 5 of my favourite albums of 2014:

1) X - Ed Sheeran

I was obsessed with this album at the start of last summer, for a while it was literally all that I listened to!

I loved his first album & this follow up album definitely didn't disappoint!

There wasn't (and still isn't) a song that I don't like on X, the lyrics are great and the songs tell a story which I think is what makes his music draw in the listener, and you really feel like you connect with the lyrics. 

Favourite song back then- Afire Love

Favourite song now- Thinking Out Loud

2) In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith

I'd never really heard that much about Sam Smith before listening to his album- so I just assumed that I wasn't gonna like his stuff. I knew he'd been on some other songs like 'Latch' and 'La La La' and I liked both of these songs but I really had no idea what his own album would sound like. I'd heard great stuff about it though so I decided to give it a listen- and it was amazing!

He has one of those voices that is amazing on it's own- he doesn't need backing singers or even backing music, just his voice. I would definitely recommend 'In The Lonely Hour' as it has great songs and deep lyrics to it. 

Favourite song back then- Latch Acoustic

Favourite song now- Latch Acoustic (it's stayed the same!) 

3- Meet The Vamps - The Vamps

This was the year that I fell in love with The Vamps- and I was lucky enough to see them in concert in October and I'm going again in May this year! :D

I can say that this was probably my 2nd favourite album of the whole year, I dread to think how many times I've listened to each song! 

Favourite song back then- Oh Cecilia

Favourite song now- Somebody To You

4 - TRXYE - Troye Sivan

For anyone who may not know, Troye Sivan is a YouTuber, and I watch his videos all the time. This is his debut EP and I love every song off of it! 

Favourite song back then - Happy Little Pill

Favourite song now - Happy Little Pill (no change)

5 - Midnight Memories - One Direction

I know this album came out at the end of 2013 but I was most obsessed with this in 2014. One Direction are my favourite band and every single album is perfect. All the songs on this album are so catchy and I love all of the lyrics! 

Favourite song back then- Strong

Favourite song now - Don't Forget Where You Belong

These albums are in no particular order btw, I love them all and they all remind me of a certain time in 2014. That's what I love about music, when you listen to it all the memories come flooding back :) 

Okay I'm gonna go now, see you soon! :)