All Things Music: Day Two

So I stayed up to listen to Nicki Minaj's new song on some obscure American radio station. It was 45 minutes late, so I spent even longer listening to random music than planned before I went to bed.

I woke up to my alarm again (Jessie J's album today) before listening to my iPod on my way into uni. We were doing filming today so I didn't have time to slack off, 'ahh this should bring down my music hours for today' I thought. Wrong.

So we had to go to a Cider and Ale Festival at Cardiff University for our story. There were loads of barrels of Ale and Cider, and bottles of wine and mead. So much mead.

There was a DJ to the side of the stage who was playing some really good mixes.  He was mixing them himself as we were all milling about, which impressed me.  He started talking to one of our team and gave us his Soundcloud link, so I'll have to check him out again and see if he's got any cheeky downloads available.

When we'd finished filming, we were invited back to the festival to check it out.  This time they had live bands playing, some were quite alternative but it was fun to check out some of the local talent, most of which were Cardiff University students.

I drank a bit too much mead during the evening, so wisely decided at this point to head home to bed.  (Never drink mead: it's not a good idea!)

So my music intake was really high again today, even though a large portion of that was subconscious, but it's really hard to escape background music - it's everywhere.  Even supermarkets have radio stations these days.

All Things Music: The Challenge

I walk into the kitchen with my friend Tom to cook some noodles while we have a break from the essay we're working on for uni. I flick the radio on as we walk through the door. "Do you have to have music on to do everything?" Tom asks me. I think for a minute... It seems that I would.

My laptop is still working its way through my playlist in the other room because I can't concentrate without background noise and anyone in the hallway is definitely experiencing some conflicting sounds.

So I'm looking at my life. I do listen to music a hell of a lot, who doesn't? But I'm interested to see just how much. Therefore, I present The Challenge. I will keep a record of how much music I listen to and how I listen to it for a week. And I will share it here, with you.

Day One:

I woke up to Jeff Buckley singing Hallelujah from my iPod alarm; score 1 for music and I haven't even opened my eyes. I have to walk into town to sign for my house so chuck my headphones on and work my way through Jessie J's album until I get to the estate agents.

When I get home I put the radio on in the kitchen while I spend a good hour cooking an amazing paprika tortilla and cleaning the kitchen - it is now spotless! I return to my room to eat so put Loose Women on in the background while I sort e-mails etc. I mute it occasionally to listen to some youtube videos; my music intake is increasing rapidly...

I shower (in silence!), get dressed (to music), then put my headphones back on to head to my mates house to do some uni work. I'm there all afternoon and evening (we have a vair important deadline tomorrow), and while I'm there we take random breaks to show each other new music that we haven't all heard before on Spotify and Youtube. I also put my headphones on from time to time when I'm really trying to concentrate and drown out the boys bantering with each other.

I listen to my iPod again on my way home and put it back on my alarm clock, ready to wake me tomorrow. Then I start my TV intake, no more music tonight.

Wow, day one alone seems to have shown a lot of music in my day-to-day life. I'm in lectures tomorrow though, maybe that'll change things a bit. In the mean time I'm waiting until midnight when Nicki Minaj releases her new song online...

All Things Brit Part 2

Oh dear, James Corden messed up his lines for Kylie's introduction. I think he must have been overwhelmed by how amazing she looks. Kylie awarded Adele Best Female Solo Artist. She is the first artist to sell over 3million copies of an album in a year in the UK.

She said to Kylie: "I feel like a drag queen next to you, I've got high heels on!"

"That's one hell of a successful tranny" commented James.

Jessie J and James Whitehall proved to be the best looking couple giving an award whilst announcing the International Male Solo Artist, which went to Bruno Mars.

Bruno promised his fans that his 2nd album was on its way before skipping off stage.

Olly Murs began his performance by hopping out of the top of a giant union jack painted heart. Before the awards he had been quoted as saying 'This will be the biggest performance I've ever done'.

A number of dancers were on stage with Olly, including plenty that stood in a heart formation at the front of the stage, hiding the Rizzle Kicks, ready for them to appear in time for their verse in Olly's song My Heart Skips a Beat.

James Corden then spoke to Jessie about her upcoming coaching role on BBC1's The Voice alongside Tom Jones, Will.I.Am and Danny from The Script.

Ed Sheeran finished Part Two with his stripped back rendition of Lego House using just his acoustic guitar for accompaniment. He had also changed out of his suit into a simple green t-shirt and jeans. Casual but amazing, Ed in every way.

All Things Brit

Ed Sheeran is remaining humble about his four Brit award nominations. In a quick interview with CapitalFM he said, "I don't want to place too much importance on it, in case I walk away like 'oh, that wasn't really...'"

He also went on to say that he shared Jessie J's stance that just being nominated; "We've already won, I know that's cheesy to say."

Ed is performing fourth on stage and will be surrounded by friends and family whilst finding out whether or not he wins.

"I think at best I'll come away with two." He thinks that One Direction will win British Single, "It's all on votes and their fanbase is massive." He also thinks that Adele is bound to win British Album.

All Things Brit

I'm a little bit excited for the Brits today. Just over an hour to go!

Ed Sheeran has been nominated for the most awards today, and upon arrival at the red carpet, was given this from Lego, in tribute to his song Lego House.

How amazing!

Also Jessie J arrived about an hour ago looking gorgeous as always...

Personally, I love her hair today but that dress is definitely a stunner.

She's not the only celeb thats glammed up for the event, Ed Sheeran is certainly looking dapper in his suit...

Big performances tonight are coming from Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Olly Murs. Also Adele is definitely going to have some big wins tonight. Her table is closest to the stage; if that doesn't give the game away I don't know what does...