Our Top Picks For Wrock at Leaky!

As I’m sure you’re aware, Leakycon in London will be bringing you lots of fantastic wizard rock bands from all over! Whilst every band will bring something marvellous and magical to the stage, here’s a run down of the sets we’re most looking forward to…

RiddleTM

RiddleTM hail from Oxfordshire and make emotive music about some of the most-heart wrenching moments throughout the Harry Potter series which never fail to move an audience, along with the occasional song about wizarding sweets! Maybe one of their best loved songs is For Jo, which is a musical thank you to the lady who created Harry and his world. RiddleTM’s talents will make your heart swell, and most probably bring a tear to your eye!

Alex Carpenter

We first saw Alex Carpenter play live at Scotland’s very first Snow Ball. We’d been fans of his music for quite some time so the chance to see him live was very exciting! He brings a lot of energy to his performances, making sure the crowd are totally involved and enjoying the moment. Looking For Trouble is probably one of our favourite wizard rock songs, hope he plays it this time!

Solitary Snape

Solitary Snape are set to bring a little effortless cool to Leakycon London this August. We first heard the band play in their native Sweden when we played a show with them there in Gothenburg. Over in Europe at least, it’s quite rare to see a wizard rock band with a full line up (drums, bass, guitars – you know, the full works) so they’re really great to hear live!

The Whomping Willows

It wouldn’t be a Harry Potter convention without The Whomping Willows presence! We heard Whompy live for the first time at LeakyCon 2011, and it has to be said his set was very fun, with lots of his self penned wizard rock classics to sing along to. The Whomping Willows are always sure to get everyone dancing, whether performing acoustic or with a band behind Matt.

Romilda Vane and The Chocolate Cauldrons

Romilda Vane and The Chocolate Cauldrons’ music is brought to you by Amy from Ireland. She is renowned in the community for her stunning classically trained voice, showcased on songs such as Sonorus (which you may have heard on The Leaky Cauldron’s Christmas compilation, Jingle Spells 3). One of our favourite songs by her is Summer With The Weasleys, which is maybe more suited to the time of year!

Harry and the Potters

Harry and the Potters were the band that first introduced us to wizard rock, and really inspired us to start our own band back in 2007, when we got to see them live right on our doorstep, in Manchester. I would definitely recommend seeing one of their sets to everybody – muggle or wizard! They ALWAYS bring the party.

This blog could have been a very long one if we hadn’t restrained ourselves and selected only a few of the acts to write about. Of course, if you’re attending, we would recommend taking this amazing opportunity to listen to each and every band, because seriously, who can ever get their fill of songs about Harry Potter?

Our Wizarding Attire!

One of the things most important to us is putting on an exciting and fun show, and a big part of that is wearing something flamboyant, theatrical and a little bit special! We thought it was about time we shared with you a few of our favourite show outfits – as well as a couple from the early days of the band (can you believe that it’s coming up for six years since we first performed as Siriusly Hazza P?!)

So, I guess we should do this in chronological order. Back in 2007, there were three of us in the band. We liked to bring a pop of colour to the Hogwarts uniform – with bright blue, bright pink and bright yellow garments. At our first show, it was skinny jeans, and at our second show, Potter Rocks – where we first encountered fellow wizardkind, we went for colourful tights.

A few shows on, and we were performing as a two-piece. We stuck with the yellow and blue theme, and at one event this took its form in tutus and bright heels. I suppose this is where the look we’ve got today started to develop a little. We later donated the tutus in The Snow Ball raffle.

After this, we really started to develop our retro sound – with a new retro look to boot! We unveilled this at the Hogwarts Spring Fling in Cambridge with polka dots and sequins. However, the most notable outfit was later on in the year at the aforementioned Snow Ball in Edinburgh, 2009. This really set us off on our love of fantastic stagewear!

We took a trip down to London to find the perfect dresses for the occasion. We found these black jones + jones dresses with lovely full skirts. The pièce de résistance though, was of course our shoes! They were so insanely high and beautifully sparkly that they were certainly a talking point.

Probably our all time favourite show outfits have to be what we wore for Cork Midsummer Festival. Our set was very theatrical and so we needed something to reflect that. We opted for burlesque showgirl dresses – complete with corsets, feathers and sequins!

We like to have something nice to wear for before and after the show as well. These unique hats had to be aired somewhere special, after all.

The 2010 Snow Ball soon rolled around and we knew we had to wear something to equal what we had worn in the summer in Cork! Again, we went for the showgirl look, but this time our dresses were adorned completely in sequins. As it was Christmas, we couldn’t resist a little tinsel to complete the look…

Most recently – at the 2012 Snow Ball, we went for a 1950’s look, with petticoats to give the silhouette of the era. The look was fun and linked in to the new upbeat songs we’d written about the animals of the wizarding world.

Speaking of magical creatures, it’s not just us two who like to dress up. Our pygmy puffs Hughie and Toby like a slice of the action too…

Hughie wears a baby blue bow with white hearts, whilst Toby sports a stripey pink number.

We’ve got a few ideas up our sleeve as to what we’ll be wearing for our performance at Leakycon, but you’ll just have to wait and see!

♥

Looking Forward To LeakyLondon!

Over the past few days, our Twitter feed has been full of tweets from happy wizards the world over who were making their way home from Leakycon in Portland. It’s not long to wait for the next LeakyCon though, and this time it’s in London and we shall be taking to the stage!

There’s lots and lots to look forward to for all you Leaky London goers – fun and frolics with friends, discussions about your favourite fandoms and of course plenty of wizard rock! We attended LeakyCon in Florida back in 2011, so we’re super super excited to be involved this time.
Here’s a few snaps from our first con experience, can’t wait to add some from this year…

New Album, Available For Digital Download Now!

Hello there wizards and witches,

Well, we had a most splendid time partying with some of you at The Snow Ball in Edinburgh a couple of weeks back – I’m sure a blog about what a lovely time we had will spring up in the not too distant future.. : )

If you cast your minds back (or, y’know, just scroll down the page) you’ll remember that a while back we promised you would be able to grab a digital copy of our brand new shiny album, all about animals, Siriusly Hazza P and their Magical Menagerie. Now, that didn’t quite happen on time, as preparations for our trip to Scotland took over! But you’ll be happy to hear that you can now get a digital download of the album, right here from our website.

Just head over to our ‘Releases’ page and follow the simple instructions given and you too can become acquainted with the likes of Hedwig, Fawkes, Fang and more.

Lots of love and magic,

Siriusly Hazza P

❤

Siriusly Hazza P and their Magical Menagerie!

As we told you at the start of the new school year, we are working very hard to bring you a brand new album. Today, we’ve decided to release some very exciting news!

We are pleased to announce that the title of the album is – which has a rather intriguing concept, is, Siriusly Hazza P and their Magical Menagerie! 

 

The concept, as some of you may have guessed from the title, is based around some of our favourite magical creatures, and it’s lots and lots of fun!

You’ll be hearing from favourite pets Hedwig and Crookshanks, as well as some slightly more fearsome animals.

Here’s the definitive track listing:

1) Hedwig
2) Nagini
3) Arnold
4) Trevor
5) Crookshanks
6) Fang
7) Fawkes

Each song has a very different feel, but they all have the jazzy, poppy, Siriusly Hazza P harmonised style running through them.

The album will be released on the 31st October 2012. Remember, half of the proceeds will go towards making The Snow Ball 2012 happen, and also supporting their chosen charities.

An Announcement!

Yesterday, September 1st, heralded the start of a new year at Hogwarts school. Once everybody was off the Hogwarts Express and stuffed full of food from the welcoming feast, we decided it was time for a little announcement! 

The news we brought, if you happened to miss it, was that we have written a new album! Though that’s not all…

It shall be released in the lead up to The Snow Ball (just think, you can learn the words beforehand!) and half of any galleons, sickles, or knuts, that we make will help fund the Snow Ball, or be given to the charities that it supports!

We hope you’re all looking forward to our new release – we’re really looking forward to sharing it with you!

If you haven’t yet seen it, here’s the poster for The Snow Ball! Harry and the Potters are now confirmed as playing, thanks to the overwhelming support of a lovely bunch of wizards from across the world!

Hello!

Wow, it has been a very long time since we last blogged, hasn’t it? Sorry for neglecting you!

We’ve been working very hard with our muggle band, Goodnight Astor recently! Visit our website for music and mystery – as in the time we have been away from this blog, we have written, recorded and produced our own Victorian murder mystery concept album – in which the listener has to solve the case of the murdered parlour maid from the clues laced within the songs.

When we’re not being wizards, we are Victorians.

But that’s not really what we’re here to talk about. Oh no. We want to talk about The Snow Ball 2012!

On December 1st, wizards from across the globe will be returning to Edinburgh for lots of merriment, dancing and festive fun, as The Snow Ball returns!

A photograph of some dashing wizards and fine young witches filled with joy over the news…

The line up was recently announced – and oh boy, what a line up! Joining us on the bill, are the splendid RiddleTM, the glorious Romilda Vane and The Chocolate Cauldrons, and a little known wizard rock band from across the pond, Harry & The Potters. Anyone heard of those guys…? I think they’re meant to be pretty good.

This is what Harry And The Potters look like with a dinosaur.

JUST KIDDING, WE’RE REALLY EXCITED! HATP! There’s one thing though, to make sure that The Snow Ball can secure their phenomenal headline act, 150 tickets need to be sold by 1st September. Tickets are on sale now, so get ’em while they’re hot! Just follow this here link and you’ll secure yourself a ticket to the best Christmas party in town!

So, we’ll see you there then?

The Wizarding Winter Fair – This Friday!

Hello lovely wizards and witches!

Well, it’s been quite a while since we’ve written here hasn’t it? Blimey. We’ve been very busy between the pair of us, Laura setting up her own online shop (find her lovely handcrafted things at www.goodnightboutique.com) and establishing our muggle band, Goodnight Astor, a bit more – check out our site for lots of exciting updates and blog posts dedicated to our unique blend of Victorian murder mystery and music!

Not to fear though, this Friday you can see us as Siriusly Hazza P at the Wizarding Winter Fair at Macclesfield Public Library. The event, held in our hometown, is sure to be lots of fun – a blend of cake, quiz, crafts, carols and wizard rock that will fulfill yearnings for Hogsmeade no problem.
Saturday, there’s an open invitation for everyone to hop on the train to nearby Manchester and enjoy everything it has to offer, as well as an exciting key hunt you can participate in. And why not attend the lovely local Treacle Market in Macclesfield town centre before you depart on Sunday? Lots of lovely stuff to behold there!

There’s lots more detail on the Facebook event page linked above. If you haven’t yet bought your ticket and you find yourself intrigued by what you have read – there’s a link for buying on said event page, tickets will otherwise be £7 at the door, or £2 if you hold a East Cheshire Library card (after all, having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card – kudos if you get the reference)

We sincerely hope we see you there, as it promises to be a magical weekend of fun and festive frolicks!

Lots of love,
Siriusly Hazza P

Wrockeborg!

Last weekend we took a trip to Gothenburg, Sweden to play at Wrockeborg – a fantastic wizard rock event! We had a marvellous weekend taking a trip to the local zoo, the Universeum – a museum containing monkeys, sharks and a flying space chair, a wander around Gothenburg, some interesting local cuisine and of course the show!

It was a well attended event, maybe owing to the organisers appearing on radio and in the newspaper. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing the Swedish bands, as well as The Pumpkin Pasties and Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons, who are both from closer to home but equally as fabulous.

View our videos from the weekend on our Youtube page – including our cover of Harry & The Potters’ Save Ginny Weasley and a vlog of the fun times we had!

Thanks for having us Sweden!

The next event coming your way will be the Wizarding Winter Fair, held in Macclesfield near Manchester – check out the details here!

4 years!

Yesterday marked the four year anniversary of our first ever Wizard Rock show, which means over four years being involved in this amazing fandom and the people who make it.
We’ve definitely come a long way over this period, changes in line up to changes in musical direction bringing us to be the band we are today.

SHP, circa ’07

We organised our first show by ourselves, performing at our local library to an audience of around 40 people on a rickety little keyboard in our coloured jeans. Things have definitely changed since then, sequins and feathers being more our style these days, as well as our performance and music skills growing.

SHP – 2k10

Since then we’ve had a chance to play with some of our favourite Wizard Rock bands, as well as making new friends.

Here’s to more magical shows in the future!