First/Last-Sam Forrest & Hayley Hutchinson

Image courtesy Roberta Rayner

The Sorry Kisses are a duo hailing from England. They were recently featured here as my Artist of the Month for March. Why them, you ask? Because they write and perform catchy pop tunes that deserved to be listened to. You can do so here. Sam and Hayley were nice enough to take the time to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Hayley Hutchinson: The Bangles 'Different Light' when I was 10.

Sam Forrest: The Beatles some Greatest Hits thing when I was 5.

Your last album bought?

Hayley: Ray Charles 'Hallelujah I Love Her So'.

Sam: Francoise Hardy 'Gin Tonic'.

Favorite album of all time?

Hayley: I don't know.

Sam: Neil Young 'After The Goldrush' maybe...

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Hayley: Stephen Stills' 'Man Alive'. I bought it because I love 'Manassas' and was curious to see what he'd been up to recently but I just couldn't get on with the production and the overused chorus pedal.

Sam: Some Ozzy Osbourne album from the Eighties I only got halfway through, which was pretty disappointing I suppose...

First concert attended?

Hayley: My mum dragged me to see Barbara Dixon and Elaine Paige when I was 5 in Scotland. All I remember is lots of over the top singing and big hair.

Sam: The Wedding Present in York, England. I got punched in the face. It was great.

Last concert?

Hayley: Roddy Woomble in York, England

Sam: Benjamin Francis Leftwich in Leeds, England.

Favorite concert ever?

Hayley: Wilco at Manchester Academy 2, England in 2004.

Sam: Queens Of The Stone Age at Leeds Festival, 2001 maybe...

Least favorite concert?

Hayley: Ryan Adams at Manchester Academy 1. Not because he was bad, it was just I couldn't see or hear anything for pissed students and I'd been really looking forward to it.

Sam: The Bravery in London 2005. I think I laughed so hard I had to leave the venue.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

BOTH: It's in America, Andy Warhol was born there (according to Wikipedia), it has something to do with steel, we've never been there, we'd quite like to go there, we don't know much about it, yet. If someone would like to pay for our flights from the UK we'd happily spend some time there and eat your burgers.

Thanks so much to the both of you. Hopefully, some day you will make a visit here and I'll be happy to buy you burgers!

Artist of the Month March 2011

The Sorry Kisses-Keep Smiling

Music-wise, March came in like a lion and stayed that way. IMO, there were many releases that were 'AotM-worthy' and it was no easy feat picking one. Did you hear that R.E.M. released their latest? Did you hear that it's a return to form? Yeah, I heard that too. Hopefully, you haven't heard of some of these artists and will take some time to seek them out.


The Sorry Kisses are a duo from the UK. This is their third album and it rocks. They really have me hooked. They have a power guitar crunch topped off with spirited female vocals. Think 'Opal meets Elastica'. I love discovering new bands. More from Hayley and Sam tomorrow, or the next day.

Other artists of note:

Telekinesis-12 Desperate Straight Lines
This is Michael Benjamin Lerner's second album under the Telekinesis name. He plays every instrument and I was lucky enough to catch his first tour. This album, along with many on this months list could have easily been in the top spot.

Kurt Vile-Smoke Ring For My Halo
I just saw Kurt play a few days ago and this feedback drenched album translates really good live. Pictures coming soon.

Middle Brother-Middle Brother
'Supergroup' made up of the songwriters from Dawes, Delta Spirit, and Deer Tick. Monsters of Folk Jr.? That's unfair, I know. I was expecting more during the first listen but it really catches on after that. Can't wait to see a live show. Oh yeah, we're in Pittsburgh. I'll be waiting awhile.

Alex Turner-Submarine
Alex Turner's band is Arctic Monkeys. I actually don't know anything about them. What I do know is that this solo EP is a soundtrack to the film Submarine and it's really, really good. Maybe I should start listening to Arctic Monkeys?

Marcellus Hall-First Line
I saw Marcellus open for The Hold Steady back in 2007. He was good but quickly forgotten. This new release changes that with his 'Dylan-esque' delivery and outstanding songwriting.

The Rural Alberta Advantage-Departing
This sophomore effort is pretty much a Part 2 to their fantastic debut. I love their live show and fingers are crossed for an upcoming Pittsburgh date.

The Baseball Project-Volume Two: High & Inside
This is a solid band making solid records. You would think the whole baseball theme would be corny after awhile but somehow it keeps working.

The Sandwitches-Mrs. Jones' Cookies
A female trio from San Francisco making spiritually dark lo-fi folk songs. The rudimentary production value adds to these hypnotic tunes.

The Liptonians-Let's All March Back Into The Sea
Cool Canadian quartet that mixes up rock with pop with folk with...you get the idea.

Those Darlins-Screws Get Loose
Why did I think this band was a bunch of girls playing jug music? This is anything but. The girls part I got right (with a dude in there for good measure) but hillbilly music this ain't. Catchy garage pop with 'tude to spare. Hope they are as good live. I'll find out soon enough when they hit Brillobox in June.