Interview with Lillian Todd Jones @ City Showcase

‘I’m a day dreamer after hours’

 If you have never heard of Lillian before – shame on you! Let me introduce you to the soulful sound of the radiant Lillian Todd Jones.

It was Thursday night at The Borderline, London Soho. Many acts performed for City Showcase (Alternative at The Borderline) including We are Lost Boys, Ocasan and Filthy Boy. But the highlight of the show had to be the free spirited Lillian Todd Jones (We are Lost Boys weren't bad either, very popular with the ladies!)

Lillian’s delicate voice grabs the whole audiences attention. She stands on stage with bare feet complimenting her down to earth personality. She sings a variety of songs including her most well-known song (which is currently circulating around YouTube) ‘Butter Soul.’  

The crowd is captivated by her alluring energy (she was especially appreciated by a highly intoxicated man who wasn't shy about shouting compliments at the magnifying singer). Her rustic husky voice echoes around the room like an electric current. Pure magic!

Not only does Lillian have a unique voice, but she's currently working with THE Gordon Mills Jr; a credited song writer who helped with her successful song Butter Soul and who has also worked alongside top artists such as Ed Sheeran and Newton Faulkner.

After her flawless set I managed to hang out with Lil for a bit and ask the upcoming artist questions about her music and journey so far. So here it is the witty, intriguing, laid back and surprisingly really articulate - Miss Lillian Todd Jones….

Firstly how do you find your confidence when you’re on stage, you didn’t seem nervous at all up there?

Once you’re up there that’s it you can’t prepare anymore! It doesn't matter if there’s even just one guy in the audience you’re there to enjoy it, your presence is justified. When the audience is there enjoying it too, it’s really easy to relax.

Your song ‘Butter Soul’ what does it mean to you and what is the message of the song?

I wrote that after an argument with someone very special to me. It was less of a contrivance it was about trying to be honest.  I mean when it hits the fan you kind of get a window into what you actually feel, so I was just trying to say how I was – a daydreamer.

And the video it’s fair to say it’s pretty quirky, what was your inspiration behind that?

It is, your gunna have to talk to our drummer about that he was a significant help in that respect. It’s really along the same theme so when you hit rock bottom you get this window into how you feel.  The video is sort of in the aspect of if your mind is a house then the different areas are rooms and you’re just wondering through. The Lil that’s there in the beginning -  the wet and bedraggled one – we called her tortured Lil  because that’s  your conscious mind, that’s the bit of you going through reality and then just delving into all these different aspects of how you are and finding scary mice.

What artists would you compare yourself to and what artists inspire you?

I find it very difficult to compare the music that we do with other artists, obviously because we are trying to write new songs and you don’t want to pouch too much from other people. I've been compared to Patti Smith, Fiona Apple and that’s fine with me! A bit of Feist in there too but I think the inspiration in there is from Patti Smith and David Bowie in a big way and Bob Dylan. A lot of them are from people who tell stories instead of people who are fantastic singers. It’s nice to be taken on a journey and when you’re singing your song it’s much nicer to live that instead of just regurgitating stuff.

What was the last album you bought?

Caravan Palace, I think that might be the album name as well. It’s just too funky to avoid!

So your originally from Dartmoor, how have things changed for you since your singing career really kicked off?

Well I did a science biology degree, so it’s gone a lot more sideways than it did before! Yeah it’s great because when I was doing science at school and all that stuff, it’s very much ‘here’s a deadline, you need to work up to it and that’s that’ if it’s doesn't hit the calibre then bugger you. But with music it’s become a lot more I would say chilled, but it’s kinda more frantic. But it’s great because I can do something which people will enjoy and that’s fine!

That’s a massive change, Scientist to Singer. How did you go from doing a science degree to a professional singer? How did you know that singing was your true passion – as corny as that sounds?

I never really categorized it like that, whilst I was doing my degree I would always write songs and sing them and my poor flat mates would come in. So it was more of a chance thing when I met Gordon, he had the studio, was a song writer. I met him through his sister who was local to where I was based. He came over one day and we were both dragging our feet as his sister said ‘I got this brother and you've got to meet him and he’s a song writer, you two should do the open mic night together.’ So I was up in London at a party dragging my feet on the way home thinking I just want to sit in my pyjamas and Gordon was like ‘Oh another singer that my sister wants me to meet.’ But then we met and we started playing some of our stuff to each other and it was great! He really liked what I was doing; I was bouncing off of him as well. So basically that’s how it started so it was always there and because of him and Barney as well (my manager) kind of picked up on it and said ‘go forth and write and sing things’ – which is great!

As an upcoming artist yourself, what advice would you give aspiring artists?

Sounds so corny but honestly just be yourself. You've got Beyoncé, she’s already there. Aretha Franklin, she’s already done her thing. So if you’re trying to be that some people might like it but no-one is going to love it. You have to love what you’re doing and then when people respond to that, that’s what means something.

And lastly what does the future hold for Lillian Todd Jones?

I'm releasing an EP pretty soon, a few more gigs; we are always writing more songs can’t wait to get them out there! Hopefully the album coming out and we can do even more gigs.

Lillian was a pleasure to watch on stage and a pleasure to talk to. I'm sure we will hear plenty more from her in the near future!

Be sure to check out Lillian’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LillianToddJones?ref=ts&fref=ts

To finish with I shall leave you with Lillian’s enchanting song Butter Soul. You can also listen to some more of her tracks on her soundcloud. So check it out NOW! http://soundcloud.com/lilliantoddjones

Paige Taylor #TIYFT

Twitter, the home to hundreds of pyscho twitterers, some of which I think should genuinely be sectioned (yes I'm talking about you @John_Lavery).  There are thousands of funny yet slightly pervy twitterers (@RoyCropper) who everyone enjoys a good laugh at but finds somewhat cringey. Not forgetting the millions of on-the-verge of suicide tweet freaks, moaning about their ex ditching them because he was dogging the old bird across the avenue (the majority of twitter).

 Celebrities are well known for using Twitter; they use the site to promote their work, tweet pictures of themselves posing next to their riches and of course to ignore the mass numbers of devoted loyal fans that tweet them on a daily basis. In addition, female stars send BT'S (bitch tweets) to other stars over who rocked the red carpet better and rappers send AT'S (angry tweets) arguing over who's getting under Rihanna. 

But the person who EVERYONE is talking about on Twitter has certainly left her mark on twitters newsfeed. Think along the lines of Mary Poppins bottomless bag, a hole which has got everything in it. Yes you’ve got it - The one and only Paige Taylor.

@PaigeTaylor_93 has over 85,000 twitter followers! She is a twitter celebrity in her own right. For those of you who aren’t familiar, I think it’s about time you did. Let me put it this way, we all have that draw at home where we put all those random bits and pieces we have lying around the house for example: wii remotes, game consules, action figure, candles. Let’s just say Paige ‘bares’ all and her nether regions is literally the same as that crowded drawer – full of household items stuck in a dark place.

I got the chance to speak to the lady and find out really what she's like 'inside' 

Firstly, the question which I think we all want to know is how did it all start? What happened that one day that made you think ‘today I'm going to start inserting random things into my vagina?’

Well haha, I've always been a bit of an exhibitionist to be honest. I made the twitter account and started posting nudes and one day thought it would be a little different to put something up there. People seemed to like it and TIYFT just led on from there.

TIYFT, what exactly does that stand for?

#ThingsInYourFannyThursday, it was shortened for obvious reasons. 

Catchy! So it’s fair to say you have quite a popular fan base, what's the weirdest request you've had from a twitter fan?

The most common request is 'my dick' but that's a tad overused now. People tend to ask for live animals a lot, hamsters, snakes, small birds. But I'm not entirely convinced that is legal. And also bacon because everyone loves bacon!

 I would be a little concerned if you used live animals!! Like everything with the fans you must get the hater’s aswell, what’s the ratio of good comments to the bad?

I do get my fair share of abuse, because some people's moral convictions differ from mine. But the good feedback majorly outweighs the bad, people are a lot more open these days and most don't see a woman's body as something dirty.

 On a more personal note, everything seems too look so well presented down below. Does it take much time and effort to get the look you wish to achieve downstairs?

I just shave; I use men’s razors though because it seems to produce a smoother end product. 

So there ya go ladies, a little tip on how to keep your lady bits looking silky smooth!How do you choose the things that you put up there? Do all of them belong to you or are you ever cheeky and use other people’s things?

They all belong to me, I don't think people would appreciate me inserting their belonging into myself haha. And it depends, sometimes it's topical e.g Olympics, sometimes I take a suggestion from a follower, and other times I just spot something and think 'that might work'.

 Halloween's coming up, have you got any ideas for the special occasion? Do you ever plan ahead?

I have no idea! I usually leave it until the last minute and hope that someone gives me a decent suggestion. I'll find something Halloween related, maybe a broomstick or something haha.

 A broomstick – that’s brilliant! Be careful you don’t get splinters. PaigeTaylor_93 followers don’t forget to tweet any suggestions!You keep yourself pretty anonymous; does any of your friends or your parents know what you do? And do they approve?

Only one or two of my friends, I try and keep this part of my life quite low key. Because as you know, not everyone agrees with what I do and I wouldn't want it affecting my future prospects. 

That’s fair enough. I think one of the questions everybody wants to know is your name actually Paige Taylor?

No it isn't haha. 

How did you come up with the name Paige Taylor and is that almost like your alter ego? Paige Taylor comes across as confident, proud of her body, very sexual. Is that the real you?

I'd like to say that it was something clever, like an anagram of my real name or something but in reality it just came of the top of my head. And I would say it’s just a pseudonym rather than an alter ego, I try to stay as true to myself as I can doing this.

 Last but not least, you seem so confident with your body, do you have any advice or a message for women who aren't as confident…

Generally to stop caring so much what people think of you, we're all stuck with what we have and we all have our flaws so just work around them rather than dwell on them!

 Very true, we should learn to embrace our flaws and to be confident within ourselves. I think we could all learn a thing or two from Paige (I’m not saying you should take photos of yourself spread eagled stuffing pots and pans up your lady bits) but to be ‘open’  and proud of our feminine figures.

Don’t forget to check out Paige’s twitter forget Katy Perrys #TGIF it's all about Paige Taylor #TIYFT 

https://twitter.com/PaigeTaylor_93

Boys Vs Toys

Come on ladies, we’ve all heard of them and many of us have even purchased them. They are those little (or sometimes big) purchases which bring us the best present any person could ever buy; a full blown knees shaking, toes curling, sweat dripping, overwhelming sea of pleasure - an orgasm. It is argued that women in the 21^st century are stronger, more independent and more keen to explore other ways to (excuse my French) get off. Working women simply do not have the time to mess about with dead end dating or finding a guy in a bar for a quick fumble. No instead, after a hard days work at the office she goes home to her ever faithful Mr Rabbit. He waits patiently for her to come home, always pleases her first, knows what he’s doing and most importantly NEVER leaves her disappointed.  She never has to worry about him not calling her back or running off with another woman for the simple reason – ‘he’ is nothing more than a piece of plastic, a perfect piece of plastic may I add.

Now, let’s delve deeper into these man made products which makes us ladies wonder whether in actual fact these products are better than the real thing its self – men. Ann’s summers the X-Rated version of ‘Toys R Us’ is the home for your sexual desires. Ranging from Sexy lingerie to hard core penetrating machines, this is the place EVERY woman should be familiar with. In recent months Ann’s summers has commented on the rise of sales since the success of ‘the’ book which I’m sure will ring certain bells after I mention two un forgettable words, the sex god himself, Mr Grey. Yes, you know it alright; the book which has left women’s knickers soaked all over the country and makes even the most conservative of all ladies gagging to be gagged. Thank god for Mr Grey (in the words of E.L James) for ‘awakening our inner goddess’. No longer do we have to be coy about buying nipple clamps or spanking panels. Instead we embrace them and walk the streets proudly with tender tits and red arses.

Here is some of YOUR must have’s…

Like a baby needs a dummy, mummy needs a rabbit. The Rabbit, need I say more, the invention of the gods. Varying in size, girth, speed, and capabilities whatever you desire the rabbit will deliver. The latest and most popular one at the moment is ‘The Silicone’ which is available in three different colours.  I’m telling you ladies it is worth the investment and it’s on sale now for only £39.20! The Silicone with a bit of Tingle lube and bobs your uncle, you got yourself an orgasm waiting at home.

Next in your bag of toys has got to be Jiggle Balls. These have become the toy of interest due to the leg crossing use of them in ’50 Shades’. To top it off, they exercise your kegel muscles resulting in a pleasurable work out! BONUS!

Now this one is one for the couples out there, the Lelo Tiani 2 Deep Rose. Ladies trust me, after using this; he will never EVER look at another woman again, Period. At a pricey £100 this baby doesn’t ‘cum’ cheap. The toy comes in two parts which can be used separately or together AND they both vibrate what more could you ask for.

Every girl should carry a lipstick in her purse, ladies forget the lipstick, you need the bullet. The joys of the bullet, we’ve all heard the saying good things come in small packages. Well this small bundle of joy definitely lives up to the saying giving you multiple orgasms and then slips straight back into your bag. Jobs a gooden! Perfect for having a little time to yourself in the office toilets or even in the back of a boring lecture – DON’T act like you’ve never thought about it! Also, if you want to add a little summit summit to yours and your lover’s sex life, there’s nothing better than shoving the little bugger up your boyfriend’s back passage whilst performing oral sex. They LOVE it!

But of course, with the good comes the bad. I suppose there are nights when all we want is a little attention from the opposite sex, attention which includes having him pound you against your bedside table knocking your parent’s picture off of it. So here are a few things which I suppose prove that men sometimes have their uses…

Top of the list has to be spooning. As the saying goes, spooning always leads to forking; and 9 times out of 10 yes that is usually correct. But nothing can beat a good spoon. Well almost nothing, spooning with a bit of tit grab is always a winner in my eyes.

Intimate moments; the moments which you imagine in your head to look like a scene out of Romeo and Juliet when in reality you probably look like something out of a back room porno movie gone wrong. Not pretty.

When it comes to sex with a guy nothing turns us on more than having that skin to skin contact. There is no toy which can imitate having the weight of someone on top of you doing missionary style; sorry girls technology hasn’t moved that fast unfortunately.

Also let us not forget the one thing which we all need, man or woman, the actual physical attraction. You know what I’m talking about the feeling that makes you want to pounce on that person regardless of where you are or who’s around. And as much as we love our toys, we are probably not likely to take them back to meet the parents are we.

So at the end of it, it seems to be a tie breaker! We ladies need our boys but we certainly need our toys too. Carry on dating and carry on playing.

The start of it

HELLO 

If you are reading this then you must either be a friend of mine who I've badgered on about following my blog  OR hopefully a person who actually WANTS to read my blog. In that case THANK YOU. I shall be writing about the usual life's events, music (got a few cool interviews, so keep your eyes peeled) and many more things which I'm sure will BLOW YOUR MINDS! Ok so I may of exaggerated a little, but be sure to check out my latest posts.

Ciao for now 

I.C