Matt's back - without his hat

I'm back! This afternoon, I managed to catch up with 2010 X Factor winner, Matt Cardle, who spoke to me about his new album 'The Fire', which is due to be released this month on 29th October. Matt's debut platinum album, 'Letters' sold over 250,000 copies in the UK alone and two years ago, he beat both Rebecca Ferguson and boyband 'One Direction' to be crowned X Factor king.

Hi Matt. You won X Factor just under two years ago - looking back, what was the best achievement: winning or performing with pop Goddess, Rihanna?
I don't think they can be compared because they're such different things when you look back at them both. On one hand, to perform with Rihanna was such a great achievement, and it was such a great performance - so much passion went into that song and the chemistry between us was amazing. To win X Factor was an awesome feeling too...they're just two separate life-changing moments.

On X Factor, you became known as 'Matt the hat' - how many hats do you own?!
Not many actually! I think the hat became my trademark and how people recognised me from everyone else on the show - I wore it every week and it helped me progress through each round and eventually win, it was my lucky charm. You'll be pleased to know that I've now ditched the hat!

And the yellow trousers...
Those yellow trousers! They better not haunt me forever...but you never know.

Your new album's out at the end of the month - tell me a bit about it.
Well it's called 'The Fire' and is based on the break-up of me and my ex-girlfriend - I started making it as soon as we split up so I decided to take something positive from the separation and turn it into music. It's much more upbeat than the last one and has a lot more emotion and sounds a bit 'rockier', I've put a lot of passion into it.

That must mean you're on the market - you should ask Rihanna out...
I could...

And how would you ask her out?
If I told you what I'd say to her, you wouldn't be able to publish this! Ideally, I'd ask her out for a Nandos (laughs)...and then see if she wants to come back to mine and share a bottle of wine...

Quite the romantic! Have you got any good chat-up lines you've used before?
I don't really do chat-up lines. I'd be too drunk to talk to a girl when I'm out so I'd probably end up passing out before I even got to her!

Music aside, what's your greatest achievement ever?
Outside music? That's hard...let me think. I really don't know...I learnt how to skateboard when I was about 12 and snowboard when I was 16, so I'm pretty proud of that because you have to have a lot of skill.

You're from, Essex - do you watch the Only Way is Essex and have you ever been to Sugar Hut?
I can't say that I've ever watched it to be honest...there's been the odd time where I've been flicking through the channels on TV and seen a couple of minutes here and there. But those people give Essex a bad name! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're all really nice people, Amy Childs and all of them...and no, I've never been to Sugar Hut, and don't particularly want to! I am an Essex boy, but live more in the countryside so haven't ever really been interested in the programme or club.

Finally, what's the oddest question you've ever been asked in an interview?
Hmmm...probably what my favourite colour is...

I'm going to guess green...
No, it's blue! (laughs)

Randomness of meine musique.

I've decided to try something new. And those that know me well will be proud of me for doing this, but I managed to leave my iPod running for an entire journey back from Brighton. I'm one of those that listens to the first five seconds of the track, then change it, even if I like it - a strange and annoying habit of mine, I know. Soz.

Below are the ten tracks that played IN ENTIRETY first. Also included a BONUS TRACK at the bottom (which you can listen to directly below...whilst you're reading this?! Wow, I've thought of everything right there! Check me out, Ha), which was playing whilst writing this entry, just because it's awesome. Enjoy.

1. Foo Fighters - Everlong
Classic Foos. If you don't have this on your IPod or whatever music device you wish to use, you shouldn't have a music device at all. Although I'm guessing you have an IPod. If you do and don't have this song, burn your musical device, burn it now. THE best band I've ever seen live; and they'll take some beating.
Song rating: 9/10
Live rating: 10/10

2. Chase & Status - Smash TV
There's two things that this song reminds me of and that's Cov Uni and Jordan Worrall. Just because this song is mental and he is too. That is all.
Song rating: 8/10
Live rating: 8/10

3. Dizzee Rascal - Sirens
Old school Dizzee? Nothing better than that.
Song rating: 6/10
Live rating: 6/10

4. A. Skillz Feat. Beardyman - Got the Rhythm
If you're looking for a summer car tune in the wintery surroundings, this is the one.

5. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
This song is God? Quite possibly.

6. The Strokes - You're So Right
I love The Strokes, and am gutted that I've never seen them live. This tuneage isn't the best but to see Julian on stage would be perfect. Come on Julian, stop being an arse and tour the UK. Except for that shit performance at Reading & Leeds you did last year. Disappointing.

7. Twin Atlantic - Eight Days
A must listen, even for the intro to this song. Slightly like Biffy Clyro...or maybe just because they're Scottish? I got their album sent to me from one of the record companies that I'm in touch with last year and actually loved it; even staked it's claim on my iPhone which had a huge clear-out at the weekend.

8. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - The Adventures of Raindance Maggie
Big tune. Saw these at the back end of 2011 at the O2 in London and they were literally one of the best bands I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of artists perform live (I want to say over 100?). Hit all expectations, all the hype was completely justified.
Song rating: 7/10
Live rating: 8/10


9. Lady Gaga - Poker Face
I actually heard this song way before it came out, through my sister, when not a lot of people had heard it. She, like me, is a loser that attempts to find 'tunes' before they make it bigtime. This was one of them and I actually enjoyed it when I first heard it. Now, I'm shocked it didn't get erased from my Itunes at the weekend...oh dear.
Song rating: 7/10
Live rating: 9/10

10. We Are Scientists - Can't Lose
This is a great song, classic We Are Scientists. It's a shame that these are one of the bands on this list that I've not seen live. I remember when I interviewed a local band called 'The Ryes' when I was at uni in Coventry, whom had supported them at the small festivals that they had headlined. 'Strange little Americans with weird voices...nice guys, though.' Ha!

*Patrick Stump - Explode
Most of you will or will not recognise this guy for his time being the lead vocals of American rock/punk/pop band, Fall Out Boy. Who are awesome, and need to stop being on a hiatus. This song surprised me, because it's pretty darn good. Give it a try. It's a little different to the original Fall Out Boy stuff, and Stump makes a solo claim right here that you have to admit has some quality vocals going on. In fact, the whole album is good!

*photo above taken my myself (poor quality due to being taken on my phone), of Foo Fighters at The Roundhouse, London - possibly my best ever gig.

Trapped indoors = update on life. YAWN.

So basically, I've failed yet again to keep a continuous flowing blog going throughout the duration of 2012 as I first hoped to. Apologies for that one...if you actually ever bother to read any of these. Well, the two of them that I've posted so far.

For the three of you that follow these posts - yes, Ji Sung, Damian and Princess_x1988, that's you. I just made those people up, as you may have guessed. I probably have no followers...ha! But to write from time to time does make me feel slightly better about life and that it isn't as shrewd as I make it out to be.

Take one of my new year's resolutions for example - it's being accomplished, and even faster than I initially thought -YAYNESS! My girlfriend, Tara, and I, have taken a huge leap into the adult world and opened a joined bank account and have almost saved one half of the total amount that we're aiming to reach before moving in.

Not only have we opened a joint bank account, but we have also booked a whole week off work to 'check out the area' that we're going to be moving to. Yes, that means living in a Travel Lodge for four whole nights, which I'm guessing will be a little like going on holiday - apart from there will be no sun, no swimming pools and no shorts-wearing. The thing is, I'm actually really looking forward to it. And I'm also really EXCITED to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel, since Tara and I talked about moving in after university.

In year one at Coventry University, we had endless conversations about what would happen after the student life had run it's course - now, at last, and at a relief to both of us, we know exactly what is going to happen. And that feels great :)

So basically, we're going down to the Brighton area, to scout out houses, places to go, things to see - because even though I work near Brighton, neither of us have absolutely no idea what we're letting ourselves in for. Which will be a challenge - but also exceedingly exciting. After almost two whole years of continuously plodding along, both of us travelling from Kent to Milton Keynes and back every weekend has been a strain and more tiring than you'll ever believe - I fully sympathise with couples that have to endure the long-distance relationship in other counties - even other countries.

A part of my life seems to finally be coming together, and I finally feel like I have something to look forward to and that makes me happy.

The end!

Believe it or not, I will be posting on here sometime next week - I have an interview with Noah from hip-hop band, Chiddy Bang to write up, something to look forward to, guys!

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be chatting to none other than 'Dot Rotten', London's finest, who has recently arrived on the rhyme scene.

Peace out, A-town down x

This one's for the boys in the polos...

Receive that unwanted pair of socks as a shocking Christmas present? Did Nan knit you an awful jumper that you're expected to wear on family occasions? Well you've come to the right place! See below for my top BARGAIN fashion tip-offs of 2012...


There's all in the sale, so no need to break the bank - you can even spend those left-over Christmas pennies on an awesome intricate accessory; everything under a tenner! (all courtesy of ASOS.com).

ASOS Crew Neck T-Shirt With Pocket

£8.00NOW £3.00
This is a simple jersey t-shirt, with a single patch pocket. Cheap, casual and at a snip of a price.
You won't like me when I'm angry.
Simples.
So...next were going slightly on the down-low and picking out some drop crotch carrot grey chinos. Chinos are definitely the 'in-thing' at the moment and if you don't own a pair then GET ON IT!!

ASOS Skinny Carrot Jeans

£36.00NOW £20.00

You can pick these bad boys up for only 20 smackeroons so, yeah, if you do have some spare change rattling around and you see yourself as a cool...young...hipster. Get these. Deets to the right, to the right...Skinny chinos baby!!

Next up...
Attentionnnnn!!

Here we have a standard military jacket to top it all off. Quite plain, but cheap and cheerful. Laaaaavely. Click on the link above to see the good stuff.

ASOS Slim Fit Double Breasted Military Blazer£70.00NOW £35.00

AND FINALLY - THE SHOES AND ACCESSORIES!

Frank Wright Navajo Workboots

£65.00NOW £35.00
Ms. New Booty.

ASOS Plaited Snood

£18.00NOW £7.00
Snoody baby.



AND THAT'S IT!
Total cost = £100.00
Simples!

Overdue growing pains

In a rather formal tone to set the scene, hello and welcome to my first ever blog post. Actually, to say this is my first ever blog post is a lie, as I've conducted various other writing notions displayed in dysfunctional formats to say the least. Hopefully, the below rambling will explain exactly what I'm writing what I'm writing. Please read on.

The key purpose of this post is to set in stone what my three main aims of 2012 are going to be, 'New Years resolutions' to the rest of you - the reason for this being that like many people, I rarely keep to these 'resolutions' and even end up forgetting what they were to begin with. To be honest, this is to make me remember and for people to hopefully remind me of what I promised...pretty much signing my life away before the timer even starts to tick on the resolution clock of fate.

Trying to make this as simple and easy to follow...

1. Keep up this blog: I'm not lying when I say that this will probably be the hardest of the three 'aims' of this year possibly because I'll either forget to blog or to be perfectly honest, nothing in my life is that riveting enough to write about! What will end up happening will be me writing about what I think people will want to read about...so fingers crossed. I also know that those of you reading this will definitely tell me your true opinions. To put it nicely, those that know me well will tell me directly if this is a huge mound of faeces (or to the chavvier of the bunch; shit).

2. Get fit: This will indefinitely be one of the most common of people's resolutions, along with giving up smoking, chocolate, fizzy drinks...men. I was going to put a 'lol' in brackets but thought that may have been slightly amateurish. My 'getting fit' will include at least two separate runs per week, plus attending at least one of my two football teams that I have been known to grace over the past couple of years. To specify how longs these 'runs per week' will be would be shooting myself in the foot. This could be as little as a jog around the block to a going on a lovely 10-mile dash...which certainly isn't going to happen any time soon.

The goal of this 'getting fit' business is to partake in the Bupa 10k London run at the end of May, which I previously ran (and finished) way back in 2010. Since May 2010, I've become an overweight office worker. Know what I'm talking about? I'll be running on behalf of my work's charity, 'Wateraid', which may sound a bit hypocritical, considering working at a desk each and ever day is the misfortune of my obesity...

But seriously, the charity is great and if any of you's are interested I'll give you a bit of info about their 'doings'...unfortunately, that does mean that I'll probably be asking you to cough up a penny or two in the next four or five months. Smiley face.

3. Grow up (and move in with my other half): This resolution takes a huge priority over the other two (...if I didn't my girlfriend of four years would give me one of her angry/massively disappointed looks and a possible slap around the face). Joking aside, this is pinnacle of the resolutions.

I'll spare you the boredom of reading about this now, as I'm sure it's going to crop up numerous times in the near future!

For now, that is all. It's near my bedtime, I'm watching the Countdown version of '8 out of 10 cats' on television and I'm failing to concentrate.

See why resolution one is going to be a bitch?

Peace out, a-town down x