Wed, 10 March 2010  I passed through London's Paddington Station last week. The architecture of these Victorian stations is really quite stunning.
Serious Bedtime - The Balconies (Ottawa, Canada) A lot of things can happen in university. You can walk away with a degree, a career path, and a place to start. Or sometimes you leave university with a killer rock and roll band. While training in classical music at Ottawa University, future couple Jacquie Neville and Liam Jaeger met in between concert etudes and ensemble practice. Though their passion for post-tonal theory and Brahms is a common thread, something else bound them together, and that something was their need to let loose on stage in the form of an incredibly high-energy pop band, taking their classically-trained backgrounds and throwing it all aside in exchange for soaked t-shirts, frantically dancing fans, and beer-stained van seats. http://myspace.com/thebalconies
Nordgarden in USA and Canada, in fact he's on a Greyhound bus heading to Toronto for a couple of showcase gigs at Canadian Music Week. Tomorrow, Thursday at Free Times Cafe, 320 College St, Toronto, then Friday he's on the main stage at The Great Hall on Queen Street West. Check out the beautiful building at www.thegreathall.ca I was just chatting with Terje and he tells me he is last act on stage so let's hope that some useful people are there.
Duck Duck Goose - Elisabeth Blair (Chicago and London) The 100% home-grown album Country of Origin -- recorded/mixed/mastered by her throughout last year -- features Michael Tracht on cello and a few guest appearances by musician Ryan Gunzel. It is a pay what you can release so, please be generous and let's keep this music happening. www.myspace.com/elisabethblair
Blood inna Mi Eye - Peter Runks (Nassau, Bahamas) In July of 2001, Peter Runks made a musical pilgrimage to the birthplace of reggae music - "Jamaica" to record the first set of singles for his Sophomore album entitled "Let Loose The Prophets".While there he recorded at Anchor Recording Studio with producer Rudy Valentino and worked with noted producer and sax player Dean Frazier. In July of 2008, Peter Runks recorded his second single titled "Badness Outta Style" on the "Promise" riddim also produced by Ray Armbrister for Buff Boo Records.This time,Peter Runks raised the bar and scored a major hit. In only two weeks,"Badness outta Style" was placed in rotation on all the major radio stations in the Bahamas and has been receiving rave reviews.It has somewhat become an anthem on the streets and has gained Peter Runks his overdue respect in the reggae music industry.
AMP - This week's AMPed is presented by Next week it's Nick Treadwell from Homegrown Podcast hosting AMPed. I think `I might give him that Peter Runks track to play.
Allende (feat. Matan Morag) - Triplexity (Belgium, Israel and France) Triplexity is Nikila, SaReGaMa and Hamelin Bérengnier. Allende means "beyond" in Spanish and indeed this track is beyond boundaries and definitions restricting the freedom of musical expression. This track is a result of collaboration between SaReGaMa and Nikila with a special guest - Matan Morag featuring his wonderful improvisation on Classic guitar. These musicians come from entirely different backgrounds but share the same love and passion for good music. This track is a perfect blend of organic and electronic sounds, different styles and influences bended together in a unique way. Sometimes nostalgic and relaxing, sometimes uplifting and dexterous this track carries influences from Argentina, Spain, India and beyond. http://triplexity.blogspot.com/ www.jamendo.com/en/artist/Triplexity
Panurge Akoustik2.0 - Eclectek (Lille, France) From the 2009 album Komiks Musik on Jamendo. "ECLECTEK is easily classifiable. One certainty they send heavy and good! An explosion of music and visual live live, a real show with humor when you see it happen action because it moves constantly reversals with their varied repertoire and surprises "because mine ECLECTEK nothing is above all a well-constructed music embellished with beautiful voices!" - Google translate. www.myspace.com/eclectekofficiel www.jamendo.com/en/artist/eclectek
Queen Kong - Last Man Standing (London, UK) The story of “London’s best unsigned band” begins in an AA meeting. After throwing in his New York towel, Max Vanderwolf washed up on the shores of the UK. Somewhere between steps 1 and 12, Vanderwolf took a daytrip to Chelsea Flower Show, where he ran into guitar genius Chris Cordoba, probably the only person at the world’s most famous gardening event that knew who the hell Vanderwolf even was. No matter their relative obscurity among the sun hats and suits of England’s social season centerpiece, the pair would go on to enlist a cracked troupe of warped music nuts and wagon-jumping substance-lovers under the fitting name, Last Man Standing. The sound they’d go on to develop for their debut, False Starts & Broken Promises (out now on the Judy Collins-owned Wildflower Records), borrows from junkyard juggernauts like Tom Waits and glam Gods like Bowie in equal measure. www.myspace.com/lastmanstandinggroup
Ivases Lament - Dark Patrick (Kiev, Ukraine and UK) Paul - Uilleann Bagpipes, Whistle, Harmonica, Keyboards; Eva - Vocals, Old World Bandura, Keyboards, Bodhran, Hurdy-Gurdy International duo Dark Patrick (Britain - Ukraine) successfully combines a mixture of old and new, traditions with a modern sense in a moody and mysterious acoustic blend of voice and instruments. Much of the sound replicates the style of a drone with simple percussion and instrumentation. Nice clear sound quality and the acoustic base make their music easy to enjoy. The best feature is in the structure of the music, the rise and fall of the dynamics, how it increases in intensity with a real sense of purpose and emotion. The repetition works to establish a meditative trance but the feeling is one of attentive focus. http://www.myspace.com/darkpatrickduo http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/darkpatrick
Katakata Mai - Te Vaka (New Zealand and S Pacific region) Te Vaka is a unique group of twelve musicians and dancers from Tokelau (just three atolls with a population at the most recent census of 1,504), Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands, and New Zealand bought together under the inspired leadership of Opetaia Foa’i, "one of New Zealand’s finest song writers". Most of their songs are sung in Tokelauan, which makes sense really with the climate being tropical and moderated by southeast trade winds from April to November. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, with July the coolest month and May the warmest. That'll do.
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Wed, 3 March 2010 
An altogether worthwhile trip over to Southwold on Monday led to this week's picture. The Sole Bay Inn is the closest of a handful of fine pubs to the Adnams brewery in the town. The bitter at The Nelson was excellent.
Strawberry Quick - Sandman Viper Command (Burlington, Ontario, Canada) In the beginning, the four best friends who make up the ambitiously named outfit (Rob Janson, Aaron Harvey, Dan Reardon, Matt Meyer) locked themselves up for days in their parents' basements practicing and refining demos, only emerging when they had stumbled upon the most perfect blend of garage pop/guitar fuzz rock this side of the border has heard in a long time. It's this obsessive compulsiveness in their music that pays off huge on their independently released debut, Everybody See This. www.myspace.com/sandmanvipercommand
In the morning - Leif Vollebekk (Montreal, Canada) The young artist has made a name for himself in Canada thanks to his organic and honest live performances. Inland was recorded in Montreal's Breakglass Studios (Wolf Parade, Patrick Watson, Stars, Unicorns). A true multi-instrumentalist, Vollebekk plays guitar, harmonica, piano and violin on the album. Now signed to rising independent Toronto label, Nevado Records, alongside the countries best (Bahamas, Yukon Blonde, Fox Jaws, and The Paint Movement), the time has come for this modest musician to take a few steps away from humble small-town beginnings, and into the arms of national, and international respect and adoration. Just wait and watch as the subtle beauty of Vollebekk's music embraces new listeners far and wide. He has a date coming up at El Mocambo in Toronto on Thursday 18th as part of a whole series of shows that AudioBlood are putting on as part of Canada Music Week.
Choice is Your Control - My Visor (Norwich) The My Visor Duo of Keith Brown and Kathryn Mac have a new album If I Could Pass This Message On To You set for launching on Saturday at The Marquee, in Norwich where they'll be joined by Follow your heart, Faster than Robots and The Chad Mason Songbook. The whole show costs just £3 which is crazy cheap. The album will be available in the form of a special limited edition (30 only) hardback book with CD inside including full lyrics and drawings by local illustrator Fay Elizabeth Heffer. It will also be available as a standard CD. Both of these will be on sale at the launch gig for a very small fee, but you will also have the option of downloading the whole album (through bandcamp) completely and utterly free. You can also get their first album Introducing… free from their site it includes the inspired song One day these legs won't dance
Tickets for Latitude Festival go on sale March 9... organisers have confirmed that this year's event will take place from July 15 until July 18 at Henham Park Estate, near Southwold. The Fool You Are - Kampion (London, UK) Jonathan Nelson is the founder and main songwriter of Kampion. He decided, at the beginning of 2009, (after being in a couple of very average bands) to try and get something special together. He spent some time studying the art and craft of song writing, trying to figure out what separates a good song from a great song. After working hard and getting some strong material written, He scoured the London music scene, hunting for somebody whose musical talent was bigger than their ego. After several near misses (and lucky escapes), he got lucky and bumped into the sultry voiced Elisa. He was blown away by her soulful vocals. Jonathan also discovered (to his delight) that Elisa was a talented songwriter and thus, Kampion was born.
Ten Thousand Times - Francis (Dalarna, Dalarnas län, Sweden) Featured on last week's show and I just love Petra's voice more, every time I hear it! Francis will be performing the Mike Galaxy BandPromote Showcase on 3/18, The MuseBox’s Showcase at Rusty Spurs on 3/18, the official SXSW showcase at Friends Bar on 3/19, and quite a few additional performances as well, so don’t miss them this SXSW season! Check last week's note for details
Bar Mami - Freestyle Percussio n Magik (Las Palmas, Spain) AKA Dave Tinman whose broader range of music you'll find on Reverbnation at www.reverbnation.com/davetinman Sorry, that's all I know. www.jamendo.com/en/album/37204
Nevermore - Freak Fandango Orchestra (Barcelona, Spain) The Freak Fandango Orchestra is a multi-ethnic band from Barcelona (Spain). Their music is a explosive mixture of folk, polka, gypsy music from the Balkans and punk-rock. The band is formed by six musicians (guitar, bass, drums, violin, saxophone and accordion). They are influenced by artists like "Emir Kusturica And The No Smoking Orchestra", "Goran Bregović" and "Gogol Bordello". The freak fandango orchestra has arrived to town, so move your ass, drink some beer, sing, dance, jump... and enjoy their punky-folky songs and crazy lyrics!!! Current members: Jürgen - guitar and voice, Xavi - bass , Alfonso - violin, Noe - accordion and voice, Vitto - saxophone, Alvaro - drums, David - Artwork www.jamendo.com/en/artist/The_Freak_Fandango_Orchestra
Club, bar and music scene workers' apartments available in Ibiza for the summer. Give me a shout and I'll put you in touch with Jess.
Bad Religion - Jimmie Bratcher (Missouri, USA) Jimmie Bratcher has posted a new video of Green Bananas on YouTube. Some great playing from the whole band. He comes over a bit preacher (as he has every right to) but absolutely agree with what he's saying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esy7KsTk_x8&feature=youtu.be&a Bad Religion is from his album Red.
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Wed, 24 February 2010  Suffolk is hereby declared waterlogged. So much snow and rain this past week. From the look of the sky earlier, somone is in for another soaking.
Apple Pie Bed - Lawrence Arabia (Christchurch, New Zealand) A former member of bands including The Ruby Suns (Sub Pop), The Brunettes and The Reduction Agents, Lawrence Arabia – the savant-like songwriting alter ego of James Milne -- is shedding his sideman status and stepping alone into the bright light of the U.S. music scene with his first full-length album Chant Darling on Bella Union. Hewn in large part from James’ gradual relocation to London and recorded over 18 months in a studio in Stockholm, three flats in London, a garden shed in Port Chalmers, a car club in Wellington and a studio in Auckland, Chant Darling signals the emergence of a weighty new voice straight from the new pop frontier of the southern hemisphere. Lawrence will be touring the United States this spring, beginning at SXSW in late March. Video at: www.myspace.com/lawrencearabia
iTunes reviews will be greatly appreciated - all helps get the music out there. European Podcast Award
Daddy you've been on my mind - Saadi (NYC, USA) Weeks out from the official March 9th release of her debut EP “Bad City”, SAADI is gaining acclaim amongst the most influential media outlets in the industry. Pitchfork, RCRD LBL, The Music Slut, Prefix Magazine and Swagger Paris have all offered exclusive content, competitions and raved reviews for New York City’s new must see act. Ampeater have also released an exclusive SAADI 7” single featuring the tracks ‘Pollen Seeking Bees’ from the upcoming ‘Bad City’ 12” EP and the unreleased ‘3am (Black Lodge)’. Be sure to check out SAADI if you are in New York City area March 3rd at Cameo and March 12th at Silent Barn, or at SXSW 2010! www.facebook.com/pages/SAADI/145202038898
Going to the carnival (to get some sleep) - The Yellhounds (Manchaster, UK) The Yellhounds have been receiving very favourable reviews on their live performances following appearances at the International Songwriters & Publishers Festival alongside the likes of Steve Earle, In The City Festival, a live session on BBC Manchester Radio and having a BBC commissioned video broadcast on Manchester ’s Big Screen.
Sir Ged has posted a video of the interview he gave me last week. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y6EL3BSBIg
Jamendo and Sellaband - sad news for both this week.
Two - The Daylight Faded (London, UK) Although a new project these guys are now strangers to the road, this line-up existed as ‘The Lee Gordon Trio’ in 2006 in Norwich where they played to sold out crowds in there adopted home town and played up and down the country to critical acclaim. The Daylight Faded - Debuting all new material live @ The Miller Saturday, March 6 at 7:30pm at UP ALL NIGHT @ THE MILLER 96 Snowfield Rd London SE1 3SS www.myspace.com/thedaylightfaded
Facebook group set up to help musicians resist bad promoter's "Pay to Play" deals.
Forget about everything - Vista (Norwich, UK) Vista have been creating quite a stir on their local scene as well as in the electronica world of music. The duo recently supported Dyko which features ex Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flur, and have also played alongside a number of other German electro outfits where there is a huge scene.
Welcome to the Ghoul Show Horror rock icons Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper to share stage for the gruesome twosome tour. APRIL 26 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre 27 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union 28 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place 29 Calgary, AB Corral MAY 1 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum 2 Kennewick, WA Toyota Center 4 Casper, WY Casper Events Center
Sans convention - Kapadnoms (Rosny sous Bois et Paris, France) Another track from their excellent 5 track "petit maxi avec 5 titres extraits du prochain album" Mis en Bouche on Jamendo Les kapadnoms developpent le concept de musique en patchwork liant l electro swing au hiphop en passant par des chansons a texte plus intimes ,le tout releve d'une plume hiphop engagee,parfois enragee...la pluspart des enregistrements sont fait en autoproduction dans un homestudio et sont composees et arrangees par informatique, les musiciens travaillent les adaptations pour les lives... www.jamendo.com/en/artist/kapadnoms
One of those people - Neil Innes (Suffolk, UK) A fine pedigree: The Bonzos, The Ruttles, Monty Python, Grimms, touring the world and now Brandeston Village Hall (Kidding, just a warm-up date). Do check Neil's site and MySpace - there are some classic videos on the MySpace. UK Dates 19 March ROPETACKLE ARTS CENTRE, Shoreham by Sea West Sussex 20 March THE TOWER ARTS CENTRE, Romsey Road, Winchester 28 March THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow US Tour April 11 Ocean County Library Toms River NJ April 13 The Turning Point - Piermont,NY April 14 Night Cat - Easton, MD April 15 Jammin' Java - Vienna, VA (Wash. DC area) April 16 Record Collector Bordentown, NJ April 17 Tin Angel Philadelphia, PA April 18 Iron Horse Northampton, MA April 20 BB King's New York, NY April 21 The Lovin' Cup Rochester, NY April 22 Hugh's Room Toronto, ON April 23 This Ain’t Hollywood Hamilton, Ontario April 25 The Doug Fir Portland Oregon April 26 The Triple Door Seattle, WA April 28 Cobbs, San Francisco CA April 30 McCabe’s Guitar Shop Santa Monica, CA May 1 Acoustic Music San Diego, CA May 2 Skye Peoria, AZ (Phoenix)
I was never bored at all - Francis (Dalarna, Dalarnas län, Sweden) The current single. The area of Dalarna in Sweden have one of Europe's least hours of sun and it is dark and cloudy most days of the year. That affects people in many ways. Ways that need an outlet. So a couple of childhood friends found an abandoned cellar which contained an old piano, some other instruments and that particular outlet. After having lent a broken recording equipment the song "Bad to the Bone" was born and recorded at the same time. The tasmanian devil of Francis was given birth. Later the song was released as a single by the Swedish label Gravitation. Since then, the circus of Francis has taken place in everything from churches, living-rooms and festivals to illegal clubs and amusement parks. A self-titled EP has been recorded and will now be followed by the bands debut album, early 2010. 24 Feb 2010 Agaton w/ Good Morning June Uppsala 25 Feb 2010 20:00 Sugar Bar w/ Good Morning June Stockholm 10 Mar 2010 20:00 Canadian Music Fest (cancelled) Toronto, Ontario 17 Mar 2010 20:00 SXSW Austin, Texas 18 Mar 2010 20:00 SXSW Austin, Texas 19 Mar 2010 20:00 SXSW Austin, Texas 20 Mar 2010 20:00 SXSW Austin, Texas 21 Mar 2010 20:00 SXSW Austin, Texas 22 Mar 2010 20:00 House Of Sweden Washington, Washington DC
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Wed, 17 February 2010 
Music this week from France, Australia, Germany, The USA and Canada. Perhaps a rather louder show than normal but none the worse for that I hope! The snow has gone … again ... and the snowdrops are making a brave show of it. Owen Noone & Marauder - Deskaya (Feurs, France ) From their new album on Jamendo Le Printemps Est Là. "October of the year 2003 was one morning, six sailors and a fish stew decided to release the mooring ropes and to leave while singing. The construction of the ship was difficult: several unfruitful splashings, some attacks of duck battalions missed little discouraging the crew. But one year later, thin but proud raft, baptized Deskaya, took the broad one." My thanks to Gaspard from the band for alerting me to the new album. www.jamendo.com/en/artist/deskayarockband
Django - Nina Vox (Sydney, Australia) Born in Moravia, Nina was raised in a happy family, who taught her how to love life and always find joy in the World. It was a country town where her Grandmother made buttons from Mother of Pearl and grew vegetables for the local community…an idyllic life. Then Russia invaded Czechoslovakia. Nina’s Grandmother harbored fugitive Gypsies, who taught Nina their songs and stories and all the while Nina yearned to travel and to sense freedom as they had before the Russian invasion. Nina grew in song and helped her Gypsy friends by singing for the soldiers to distract them while her friends escaped into the forest. One day Nina and her parents said goodbye to her Grandmother and fled with other Moravians to the Austrian border. Tragically she was separated from her parents. Desperate to know what to do, Nina was swept up and saved by some gypsies who recognized her. Together they ventured south to Venice where Nina was able to stow away on an Ocean Liner, which took her to Greece, France, Spain, USA, South America and eventually to Australia (where she now resides). It was on the cruise ship that she learned all the jazz standards listening to the ship’s resident band, from her lifeboat home. Just listen to Tony King's guitar.
Minimalistic (tommiGO mix) - SirGed (Munich, Germany) From the Geddidmuss album. Geddismuss is a Project instigated by the Munich-based Great British Artist "SIR GED” in the late Summer (Sept;) of 2005. SIR GED who together with "Mr TO-NAAL” , and "Mr BLAB” and a unique collection of like minded arteests, musiko..s and technophiles, have developed a Unique Sound & a New Dancefloor Explosion is Presently taking place. Incorporating elements of "RAGGA”, "FUNK”, "REGGAE”, "ROCK”, & "TECHNO” And also by combining a great deal of "FUN”, "HUMOUR”, & "WIERDNESS” into their musik, They have managed to Develop an Individual Sound that has been sweeping the Dancefloors of GERMANY, and BAVARIA! for the last few Months. YouTube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCix8DppSeE Download from: www.junodownload.com/ppps/products/1537045-02.htm or www.musicload.de/sir-ged/minimalistic/musik/maxi/6750455_2
Blue Lighters - Red Pens (Minneapolis, USA) Seeing the Minneapolis duo, Red Pens, is like witnessing a demonstration, a demonstration in raw sonic bliss. Howard Hamilton III is a string-bending master who knows how to make feedback work to his advantage. His confident vocal stylings, coupled with drummer Laura Bennett's all or nothing kit pounding, are about as uniquely refreshing as it gets these days. The stage is littered with junk shop amps and guitars Hamilton seems to almost get tangled up in while he and Bennett exchange doses of laser beam eye contact revealing a seemingly deeper connection between the two of them than your average indie rock outfit. Hamilton and Bennett met in the arena of visual arts and started Red Pens as a way to express their deep love for rock and roll. Howard's old project, The Busy Signals, toured with The Shins and its beat and loop based jams proved to be an underdog favorite in the early 2000’s. Laura is well known as a painter, but is best known for her painting on guitar effects boxes. She even has her own signature fuzz pedal, not bad for a drummer. Their debut album Reasons on Grain Belt Records is a mid-fi bonanza of fuzzy reverb drenched art rock. The wiggly winding guitars, slap back vocals and killer backbeats are sure to give you that silly grin you've been starving for.
No Heaven - DJ Champion (Montreal, Canada) No one could accuse Maxime Morin of modesty. The nameplate he’s affixed to his mighty electro rock Voltron - DJ Champion - doesn’t exactly reek of humility. But that kind of bluster passes the smell test when “electro rock” can mean everything from thumping spaghetti-western to ethereal house in the same damn song (See: “No Heaven”, which features acclaimed chanteuses Betty Bonifassi of Beast on vocals). On No Heaven Borderlands, the Montreal-based Morin’s stateside debut (and his fifth release overall), DJ Champion takes the unchecked zeal of his Juno-nominated (equivalent to the Grammys… but Canadian) Chill ‘Em All to the max with a series of remixes and re-interpretations.
Justin Wayne - the promoter! Justin is working with Jade's House Events to put on a night in Enfield (N London) at the Bar Form this Friday. Starts about 9pm, and it's right outside the Enfield Town BR station (or an 8 minute bus ride via the 121 or 307 from Oakwood Station off the Piccadilly underground line). The band Those Handsome Animals will be playing. Once called The Retro Crooks, they split and reformed to create the current band. Tom, the lead singer is on my show this week to chat about the gig.
7th Sea Dub in Twilight - Ras Amerlock meets Professor Balthazar (Milwaukee, WI, USA) Whether performing with The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as a classical solo violinist in his youth, or a Roots Reggae Dub Entertainer, opening for acts such as Burning Spear; Ras lives to perform and give JAH the glory for all that is, in this life. Ras Amerlock's Music is a reflection in sound of the Rastafarian way of life he as a Rasta in USA embraces. His current releases are heavy "old school" style dubs aiming to reflect a variety of techniques within the realm of Dubstyle sound. This recording is on the LCL netlabel download it at www.lclweb.org/audio_lp_lcl20.htm www.myspace.com/rasamerlockstatemonrasta
Bottom of the river - Adam Arcuragi (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) On his second full-length, Arcuragi expands on the dark, sparse style of his preceding 2006 untitled album and 2008 EP, Soldiers for Feet. The backing vocals on I Am Become Joy invoke the feeling of a ramshackle choir almost as if each song was tracked in a different church across the wide swath of Route 80 that cuts from southern Georgia to Mississippi. There is also a rotating cast of instrumentation layered with pedal steel, dulcimer, accordion, trumpets, and even a singing saw, each song has a unique arrangement to compliment Arcuragi on vocals and guitar. I Am Become Joy shows the full width of Arcuragi's brilliant songwriting style in a manner befitting a man who proudly made up what he lovingly refers to as his “own phoney baloney fake religion.” The album art for I Am Become Joy (which exists in three different versions for CD, vinyl, and digital download) was done by illustrator Peter Wonsowski, who also contributes his musical talent to the recordings, playing singing saw and accordion.
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Wed, 10 February 2010  A largely NYCentric show this week, purely by chance, I promise. Yet another bout of cold weather and snow is sweeping across Suffolk again this week. Nothing like that being seen in Washington DC but unusual for us.
Messin' with the Kid - Sugar Blue (New York, NY, USA) Sugar Blue grew up listening to jazz - particularly Lester Young and Dexter Gordon - and soon fell in love with Muddy Waters and the blues greats. He incorporates what he has learned into his visionary and singular style, technically dazzling yet wholly soulful. Along with his instrumental virtuosity he’s got a rich, intense sensual voice with a whisper of huskiness which by itself would be something out of the ordinary. The track is from his new album Threshold, released in January. “We have chosen the title Threshold because the tunes open new musical territory for us,” says bluesman Sugar Blue of his new album, which came out January 26, 2010 on Beeble Music. The album follows the acclaimed 2007 album Code Blue, which hinted at a widening musical path. www.cdbaby.com/Artist/SugarBlue
Closer - Shayna Zaid and The Catch (New York, NY, USA) Blending elements of folk, jazz, indie pop and cabaret, Shayna Zaid's melodically inclined lyrical work leaves traces of solace, reflection and affection. The combination of Zaid's dynamic stage presence, her powerful smoky voice and her playful jazzy swagger lends an enchanting display. There is another Shayna Zaid track on Insomnia Radio New York with Sarah Morrison at http://insomniaradio.net/category/ir-regional/ir-new-york/
Virgin - Elizabeth Blair (London / Chicago) The 100% home-grown album County of Origin -- recorded/mixed/mastered by her throughout this year -- features Michael Tracht on cello and a few guest appearances by musician Ryan Gunzel. It is a pay what you can release so, please be generous and let's keep this music happening.
Paranoid Android - Lachi (New York, NY, USA) This songstress has a rock, jazz and alternative sound that many music lovers surely can vibe to. Lachi also works hard around the clock to promote and further the careers of other blind musicians in the New York City area.
Suckers and marks - Jack O the Clock (Oakland, California, USA) Jack O' The Clock is a 5-piece art-folk band out of Oakland, California, whose sound has been described as a jangly mix of junk-shop scouring and concert-hall agility. The band crafts its songs with careful attention to lyrics, melody, and orchestration. Their line-up reads like they sound … interesting. Jordan Glenn: drums, percussion, accordion Jason Hoopes: basses, voice, music box Kate McLoughlin: bassoon, voice, flute, recorder, percussion, trombone Emily Packard: 5 string and baritone violins, banjo, psaltery, musical saw Damon Waitkus: voice, guitar, hammer dulcimer, banjo, piano, flute, ukelin, odds 'n ends, production www.cdbaby.com/cd/jackotheclock
Mastrom, Mastrom - Khi Darag (San Francisco, CA, USA) Inspired by Persian classical, late 60's acid garage psychedelia and surf mayhem, traditional Armenian and Jewish dances, Cambodian street music, 70'S "Prog" and Gothic art rock along with a fistful of Bollywood and European soundtracks, SF Bay Area based ensemble KHI DARAG walks a thin line between the modern and archaic. "khidarag" (ki-dah-rahg), pronounced with a clearing-of-the-throat sound at the beginning, roughly translates from Armenian to mean "disgraceful scoundrel" or "person of unpredictable or outlandish nature." The group has embraced this as their namesake and mission.
Babylon - La Olla Express (Spain) Jamendo LA OLLA EXPRESS nos presenta su primer larga duración: PANIC, una colección de canciones donde se entremezcla ROCK, PUNK, REGGAE, SKA... una fusión de colores enérgicos y letras comprometidas. Con el espíritu del "Do it yourself" el grupo nos regala su fusión de sonidos, jugueteando con la electrónica, el reggae, el punk... siendo en directo donde mejor se comprueba la herencia de grupos como The Clash o Mano Negra. El disco, producido por el propio grupo junto a Carlos Suay y Dani Sáiz, se grabó a finales del 2008 en los Estudios Sacramento de Alicante y se está presentando en Directo a lo largo y ancho de España... el próximo objetivo: invadir Europa!!!! Fieles a sus principios de libertad, el disco se edita con licencia Creative Commons, para que todo el mundo pueda disfrutar de este sonido fresco y embriagador. Recommended by Lebosqui on Jamendo to whom sincere thanks.
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Wed, 3 February 2010  As quirky a collections as you'd want to hear this week from: California, Israel Switzerland, UK, Germany, Jamaica and Canada. The ice was forming early this afternoon on the pond (right), much to the irritation of the ducks.
Best time to say goodbye - The New Fidelity (Long Beach, CA) The New Fidelity takes the stage in sharp suits to play well-tailored songs that capture moments of everyday life. The New Fi made its first movie appearance in a dance club scene in the independent film We Are The Mods that debuted at the Director’s Guild of America Theater in Hollywood last summer ‘09. More performances on the silver screen are planned for 2009 and beyond, including music to Vespa scooter chase scene in an independent film featuring Henry Winkler to be released on The Independent Film Channel. The Los Angeles area band performs regularly at clubs festivals and scooter rallies up and down the west coast from Vancouver to Vegas to San Diego, where they seamlessly mix their original songs with covers of mod and soul classics. www.myspace.com/thenewfidelity
Parallel Me - The Quiet Revolution (Rehovot, Israel) TQR (The Quiet Revolution) is an internet project that features talented singer/songwriters singing songs written and composed by Tal More, a 31 year-old Israeli songwriter. So why a revolution and why a quiet one? According to Tal: “TQR attempts to focus on the things I believe music should be about- original lyrics, strong melody & sincere delivery. Production is kept at a bare minimum as I feel it tends to steal focus from the more important aspects of music and sometimes disguises uninspired substance. My approach to music is largely inspired by Elliott Smith’s low-fi recordings, which I consider a sort of musical bible that demonstrates how meaningful & truthful music should sound. If you liked the tune get over to their myspace and enjoy the lovely animated video of the song.
Time to dance - Self Made Man (Switzerland?) Self Made Man appears to be the nom de plume of Reto Battaglia. The track was recommended to me by Andy Fidler. Check out free.superhits at http://free.superhits.ch Self Made Man simply has a page or two at: www.music.1to1-success.com/index.html
Der lurch - Arschepopeng (Archen, Germany) Arschpopeng is a band from the German city Aachen. We play mainly during the local "Karneval". Our songs are happy music songs and all the band members are close friends. We do not take our music too serious. You can catch them in Archen: Do., 11. Februar, 12:30 Uhr: Aachener Marktbühne Do., 11. Februar, ab 14:50 Uhr: Penn-Zelt auf dem Katschhof Fr., 12. Februar, 22:00 Uhr: Cafe-Madrid „Viva Pontonia“ Sa., 13. Februar, 20:00 Uhr (Einlass): Pengball, Bar Museo Mo., 15. Februar, ab 13:30 Uhr: Wie immer an der Jakobstraße
Mid AIr - Naama Hillman (London, UK) Naama got in touch again to let me know about her new album which is now available both digitally and on CD. Naama will be giving a live webcast in Sunday Feb 21 at 7pm GMT which is 8 pm CET, 2pm EST and 11am PST find out more about the music and the webcast at
Makisupa Policeman - Rootz Underground (Kingston, Jamaica) From the album Dub Like An Antelope - Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish. Recorded at Grafton Studios (Kingston. Jamaica) by Jomo McComo When the great legends of reggae inject their hypnotic drums and infectious bass-lines into these "jammin" renditions of Phish's most beloved songs, the result is an uplifting and groove oriented album that will have e a dramatic effect on "4:20 Sessions" for generations to come. Rising reggae stars Rootz Underground sound like they have a great time bashing “babylon” on Makisupa Policeman. www.myspace.com/rootzunderground
Back Pocket - My Son The Hurricane (Ontario, Canada) With their roots deeply planted in the big brass sounds of New Orleans, and an indie spirit that refuses to be pigeonholed or defined, Ontario’s My Son The Hurricane is ready to hit the road with their own original 11-piece take on brass, and a debut album that will blow away your pre-conceived notions of the genre. Combining catchy horn lines and a thumping, driving bass with uniquely phrased, hip-hop inspired vocals that drive the album, My Son The Hurricane will appeal to Hip-Hop and Indie fans alike, while paying homage to the big brass bands that came before them. www.myspace.com/mysonthehurricane
Don't stop - Patrick and Eugene (London, UK) Another track from the excellent Patrick and Eugene. Altogether Now (Birds Bees Flowers Trees) is the U.S. debut release from the UK’s Patrick & Eugene. The album was produced by band member Patrick Dawes. It’s being released by the Tummy Touch Music Group. The Patrick & Eugene sound is comprised of banjos, ukuleles and sunshine pop vocals combined with whistles, bells and bongos to produce unique but accessible music for post-modern vaudevillians, with nods to Monty Python, Derek & Clive and even Woody Allen. Try to imagine Noel Coward on stage with the Duke Ellington Band at the Monterey Pop Festival and you’re getting close … or on a substance which is probably illegal in most states. www.myspace.com/patrickandeugene
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Wed, 27 January 2010  Fine music for you again this week from London, San Francisco, New York, Hungary, Washington, New Jersey, Wales and Maryland. I had misplaced the picture of the SnC 200 cake which was waiting over in the house after the show a couple of weeks ago. Ah well, better late then never. Libsyn have introduced a new shownotes/blog system which seems, from the look of these notes, to have some very generous paragraph spacing. What do you think - too much scrolling or room to breathe? Looking down the well - The Mustangs (London, UK) With their current album Nothing Stays The Same featured in Blues In Britain magazine as one of its 20 recommended albums of the year, and now firmly established as one of the hardest-working and most charismatic bands in British blues, 2010 promises to be another productive and rewarding year for The Mustangs. Since forming in 2001, the band immediately started gaining rave reviews in the Blues press and have gone on to headline stages all over the UK, from the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival to the legendary Hackney Empire. As with every touring band, there has been a number of stories to write home about including sharing a hotel with a Goth Belly Dancing convention and having a show nearly sabotaged by a service station sausage roll….. Dates across the UK have recently been confirmed details of which can be found on the band’s website. www.myspace.com/themustangsblues
I Want What's Bad For Me - CIty Light (San Francisco, USA) Formed in 2006 by Seattle singer-songwriter Matt Shaw and Bay area producer Nick Andre (Gift of Gab, Lateef, Bicasso), City Light is a collaborative effort between artists from across the country with a variety of histories and influences. Musician and producer Denver Daley (Desaparecidos, Statistics, Intramural), Seattle’s Andy Fitts (Airport Cathedral Aqueduct) and Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday) joined the group in the years since the debut release, resulting in a project that sounds surprisingly rooted, but uniquely informed. www.myspace.com/citylightproject
Mi Salsa Vocal - Jimmy Fontanez (Albany, NY, USA) What do you get when you combine a mastery in composition, percussion, vocal manipulation and audio engineering? A one man a cappella experience, you'll never forget! Multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Fontanez, an NYC native, is currently a member of Alex Torres y Su Orchestra. He has been playing percussion since the age of 5, and today plays congas, bongos, timbales, drums, keyboards and also does much vocal work. He has traveled to Russia and the Dominican Republic via Project Troubadour. He also had the honor of sharing the stage with the infamous Tito Puente and Andy Montañez, a well-known salsa vocalist who acclaimed Jimmy’s vocal prowess. Apart from Alex Torres’s Orchestra, Jimmy is often featured with NYC latin band, Los Ciegos Del Barrio, and pop/rock singer/songwriter Lachi. www.sonicbids.com/jimmyfontanez
Blessinger Bareness (soundtrack version) - Hollandris (Hungary) All in Hungarian - I think. What we need is a friend of the show to check out what these eastern European bands are about! It came from the excellent Soundpilll net label. www.myspace.com/hollandris www.soundpill.org/?page=31&id=2⟨=2
Black Raven - Cee Cee James (Langley, Washington, USA) Cee Cee James has a voice made for the blues – deep, raspy and full of soulful emotion. Described on her MySpace site as "Whiskey-drenched roadhouse blues". Her voice and feeling for the blues have brought her scores of fans through her intense live performances, and is now captured on CD for the first time. Featuring 11 original tracks, Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl brings together a tight, well-rehearsed band with a strong, solid voice that is sure to blow you away.
Leaving you behind - Rambin Dawgs (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) MusicSubmit Previously features on the show back on 160 and 169. The Ramblin Dawgs formed in late 2007, making waves throughout the music community with energetic rock driven modern blues performances. Currently driven by Carlos “C-Dawg” DC’s soulful vocals and guitar playing, Raul DC’s thunderous drumming, Charlie Saraeceno's screaming Hammond organ, and Jonas Landau’s rock solid grooves on bass, the Ramblin Dawgs enjoyed great success with their debut EP, "Rockin Blues" released in January 2009. The Ramblin Dawgs new 11 song CD "Shoot Em Up" is now available through Dawg Pound Records. The CD features 10 originals and the band's up beat rendition of BB King's "The Thrill is Gone" that is sure to please traditional blues as well as modern rock and Album Oriented Rock fans.
The sea is a good place to think of the future - Los Campesinos! (Cardiff, UK) The high energy adolescent explosion that is Los Campesinos! returns with their second full length album. The recording itself is masterfully put together to create a wild yet harmoniously arranged flare of color, energy and emotion. A more brooding introspective and almost poetic feel on this track although other offerings on the new album Romance is Boring are more typical of the high energy spittingly poppy Los Camps we know and love. The album was released just yesterday on Arts and Crafts. On this coming Sunday, January 31st we will be playing a FREE instore at Rough Trade East, Brick Lane, to celebrate the release of Romance Is Boring. HERE’S THE DEAL: Rough Trade will be selling CD and LP copies of the album on the day; the day before the album’s UK release. You can guarantee a wristband (and therefore entry to the show) by purchasing a copy of said record from the store earlier on in the day. We won’t start playing until the Manchester United v Arsenal match is finished, so you don’t need to worry about missing the end of that, incase you would have been.
Just for you - Can't Hang (Baltimore, Maryland, USA) Can’t Hang has “It”- the indescribable quality that draws people in. “It” could be the tight rhythm section, the booming bass, the unique punky-dub guitars, or the reggae infused songs, with their smooth vocals and catchy melodies. They can turn any crowd of boring sitters into dancing fans. Show coming up next week Feb 6th at The Stone Pony - Bob’s Birthday, 918 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, New Jersey Join me next week for more great new music - blimey, Suffolk 'n' Cool will be four years old! Comments[0] |
Wed, 20 January 2010  Some gutsy tunes this week from Montreal, Ireland, UK, Timbuktu, Sweden, Madrid, Nassau and the East Village in NYC. What? Nothing from Brooklyn!No time to take a picture today, but I was reminded, in a conversation with www.PeteCogle.com that it is a while since we've partaken of a pint or two together - I think this one from last year sums the feeling up pretty well. Since you ask, yes, it is Adnams … and it is in Southwold, not a hundred yards from the brewery. Mr Hurricane - Beast (Montreal, Canada) Montreal-based Beast began as something of an experiment. Drummer/composer Jean-Phi Goncalves, leader of his own cutting edge electro band Plaster and also an established platinum level producer, asked acclaimed chanteuse Betty Bonifassi to lay down vocals on a work-in-progress track. Something clicked during that first recording session, and Beast was born. Musician and songwriter Simon Wilcox worked with Betty (whose first language is French) to polish her English lyrics, while maintaining the structure and strong imagery Betty had infused them with. Betty spits the resulting fiery stanzas with a delivery that melds the spirit of rap and slam poetry with bellowing soul. The recording of Devil marked her first foray into rapping and the words, she says, "came out in a rage flow." Jean-Phi ventured into unknown territory during the making of the album as well. "It was the first time I ever had a mic in front of my face," he says. His vocal tracks were recorded with the intention of having someone else replace them later, but Betty pushed for them to stay. "I love the difference of texture," she says. The entire process spanned two years. www.myspace.com/beastsound Beast - Mr. Hurricane BEAST | MySpace Music Videos Long Goodbyes - I am not left-handed (London, UK - but mostly Irish) I played a track from their instrumental album Time to leave last week. Now time to unveil the fabulous voice of Kathryn Williams. "We don't play pop music, we don't write music for art's sake, we don't represent any movements, we're not hip, we're not cutting edge, we don't dress to be cool. We manage ourselves, we write our own songs, we do our own recordings, we shoot our own videos, we design our own covers, we run our own website. We're not generally negative people. Oh yes, and we're not lefthanded." An absolutely flawless, touching, rich chocolate sauce voice over simple, but yearning guitar, bass & drums can be heard on Yes Means No: 6 & 1/6th songs that don't always give a straight answer. No battling elements, just a smooth natural flow.www.iamnotlefthanded.com www.myspace.com/iamnotlefthandedeither www.jamendo.com/en/artist/I_Am_Not_Lefthanded Naafigi - Justin Adams, Juldeh Camara (UK) From the album Soul Science on World Village. Justin Adams co-wrote The Robert Plant album Mighty Rearranger released in 2005 to rave reviews. He has played guitar with Robert's band the Strange Sensation around the world, gaining an awesome live reputation. Soul Science is the result of a meeting of two worlds, an Afro-Blues shakedown. After a few years of collaborations with Robert Plant and Tinariwen, Juldeh's sound seemed like a perfect match for Justin's guitar and production. An African Master Musician who played in the fields for farmers as a child, Juldeh has the drive and effortless flow of a great Bluesman. And while his instrument brings to mind Delta players like Big Joe Williams, as well as Ali Farka, there is a lilt in his playing that hints at the ancient links between North Africa and the Celtic World. Soul Science is far from a purist piece, it has gritty rock and groove throughout. It uses the ancient Soul Sciences of scale and Rhythm to create a 21st Century Afro Blues. www.myspace.com/justinadamsproducer www.irl.org.uk/justinadams.htm  Justin Adams, Juldeh Camara "Naafigi" (mp3) from "Soul Science" (IRL)  Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This AlbumScarecrow Blues - Blind John Gunn (Timbuktu, Mali, Africa) "Blind John O'Gunn is a 19 year old boy I met when I travelled to Mali. www.jamendo.com/en/album/52635I found this young boy playing guitar and singing near the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, so I went and talked to him. Apparently he learned english by guiding tourists around the city, and one day he found a mp3 player with a john lee hooker album, and ever since then, it's the only music he listens to. In his announcement card he says he accepts donations in either cash or batteries. So I sat down with him, put my mp3 player in record mode and improvised some solos over his guitar playing, singing and stomping! So this is little John's only recording so far. There are a few more songs that will be published soon, and more when I visit him again." Butley Priory songwriters' retreat 1st - 5th February 2010 Songwriters and wannabe songwriters of all standards and genres who would like to spend a few days away from the usual demands of life and take time to focus on their music in beautiful countryside surroundings will be welcome. The team Kate, Kay and Frances will be there to encourage, enable and support, and there will be talks from at least one visiting guest during the course. A BOSE PA system, sound engineer, pianos and keyboards, plenty of rehearsal space will be provided; wholesome food, log fires, time to walk on the beach or in the woods, goose down duvets and owls hooting at night are all thrown in! If you are interested please contact us as soon as possible as residential places are limited. Alternatively join us for the day for £45 inclusive of food. Phone: +44 (0)1394 450046 website: www.butleypriory.co.uk High and Low - Sambassadeur (Sweden) The band's second album Migration not only gave them a more glittery sound than they had enjoyed before, it helped them gain further success around the world and brought them on tour in countries like Spain, the UK, Austria, Germany and Denmark. Offers for shows kept coming in but due to the severe flying anxiety of guitarist Joachim Läckberg most of them had to be turned down which gave the band a certain secret stars status. Their third, European has taken almost two years to finish and they've once again employed the talents of Mattias Glavå. According to the band he did very little. He merely lay on the sofa and cursed how badly they played their instruments and continued to bring in more and more musicians. A string quartet, three drummers, a saxophone player, clarinet, the list goes on... On European they've finally accomplished to make the grand, classic and orchestrated album they've always wanted to. www.sambassadeur.com/ www.myspace.com/sambassadeurtheband Prelude to Common Sense - Hypnostate (Madrid, Spain) The opening track of their album Curious State of Harmony. Madrid band Hypnostate formed in 2003 in the district of La Fortuna in Leganés. Its four Members: Alex (bass) Leo (vocals, guitar) David (guitar) and Sergio (drums) will soon begin to take matters into their own until the summer of 2006 and after a long list of concert halls of Madrid, they recorded a two songs demo, Aloe Vera and Desperate way to madness. In the course of 1 year between 2007 and 2008 the group gives a quantum leap recording the demo, Curious State of Harmony, featuring 11 tracks, and playing in venues such as Ritmo y Compás, Heineken, Heaven (Santander) and give their first concert outside the Spanish borders in Portugal. In early 2009 Hypnostate recruits a new band member, Roberto Vivancos "Robe" to the guitar. He's is bringing band progression's new ideas. In May 2009 Hypnostate presents its first album of the same name as the model with 16 songs inlcuding a DVD with its first two video clips, 27 and My dear contempt. Currently gigging around, Hypnostate continues throughout the country. www.hypnostate.com www.jamendo.com/fr/artist/Hypnostate I agree - Savage Bull (Nassau, Bahamas) Ray Ewing in Nassau keeps in touch and occasionally sends a tune or two our way. You may remember the excellent Badness out of Style by Peter Runks back on show 164. There is a live Buffboo show coming up in February but the link for details isn't working right now. www.myspace.com/buffboomusic Bad City - SAADI (East Village, NYC, USA) Songwriter Boshra AlSaadi was born in a tiny village in Damascus, Syria before relocating and growing up in a rainy suburb of Pittsburgh. At the tender age of 17 she moved to NYC's East Village where she has resided and created music ever since. Having developed her New York roots with Serious Business band, Looker, SAADI has come into her own with the upcoming 12"/EP titled Bad City. Due for release in March 2010. Prepare to dance. Leading up to the release of the Bad City 12", SAADI took over Pianos (NYC) on Sunday and will be doing so on both remaining Sundays in January - 24th, 31st. If you're really into comedy and ladyporn (meaning porn for ladies, not porn of ladies), the 17th is a must-see joint event with Kong Magazine. In the meantime, enjoy 12 inches of white vinyl (digitally, of course) from SAADI. www.myspace.com/saadinyc Comments[0] |
Wed, 13 January 2010  I'm really excited by the selection of fine new tuneage this week. Some great contrasts and representations from a couple of styles that don't feature too often on Suffolk 'n' Cool. But hang on, that's what SnC is all about isn't it? Playing the unexpected to revive jaded ears. :)I am. however, getting rather bored by the cold and snow which has been hanging around for the past month. Dark and cold today again. Made worse by the fact that Jessie is back off to Ibiza tomorrow. Spare ticket anyone? South Australia - Churchfitters (Brittany via England, Ireland and France) The group Churchfitters was founded in 1978 by singer/songwriter Anthony McCartan from Belfast and multi-instrumentist Geoff Coombs from Essex. Rosie Short joined soon after its formation having previously been playing in a London-based traditional Irish outfit. During the years that followed, the group frequently changed its line-up making a point of always including members from diverse musical backgrounds in order to maintain a fresh and original approach to Irish music. They enjoyed great success on the East Anglian folk scene before slimming down to a duo (Anthony and Rosie) in order to tour extensively throughout Europe and even as far as Australia. In 1993 the duo decided to move to Brittany and was joined by Rosie's brother Chris who had been in London playing in World, Irish and Bluegrass groups. From their base in Brittany they then toured as a trio throughout France and Europe until Anthony's departure in early 2004. With the arrival of Boris Lebret (double bass and percussion) and Topher Loudon (vocals and guitar), the group's tradition of breaking with the more classic treatment of Irish music has been upheld. Topher's rock background and Boris's experience with diverse styles of contemporary music create the driving rythmns over which Chris and Rosie's more melodic and folky styles are laid. And the unique and unmistakable sound of the Churchfitters continues ... Wed 27th January 2010 - Cambridge (UK) Cambridge Folk Club 8pm - Box Office: 01223 304 447 http://www.cambridgefolkclub.org Sat 30th January 2010 - Garboldisham nr Diss, Norfolk (UK) Village Hall, 8pm - info: 01359 251 498 Sun 31st January 2010 - Risby nr Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (UK) Risby Village Hall, 7.30 pm box office: 01284 810660 More dates at: http://churchfitters.com The extraordinary Life of Jimmie Dandelion - Ahmond (Brooklyn, USA) We last heard Ahmond on SnC 146 a little over a year ago. Ahmond is a singer-songwriter and instrumental composer. He has released two self-produced releases which include A Boy You Once Knew in 2008. You can hear his music being played alongside other urban folk contemporaries such as Sufjan Stevens, Patrick Wolf, Beirut, and Regina Spektor on Adult Alternative stations and College Radio. The last track on his debut album was played on the first season of the HBO series Rome. Ahmond got his start in music by writing songs for an educational theatre group he was involved in for two years. Prior to devoting nearly all of his time to music, he was featured in movies and commercials. He played Diahann Carol and Ruby Dee's great-grandnephew in the movie Having Our Say. Ahmond is currently embarking on a US tour and has a second release out. Monster & Minstrel is an EP of quirky rock songs embellished with his signature production of folk instruments and sweeping string arrangements. It is currently only available online through stores like iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and Nokia Music Store. www.myspace.com/ahmondband www.ahmond.com The Craving - Joshua Stedman (Miami Beach/New York/San Fran) Joshua's soulful, story-telling music sculptures poeticize the impact of the relationships personal to him, but familiar to all of us. He shares life's observations and experiences that tend to illicit that, “Yep, I've been there, too..." reaction in each of us. He weaves a clever web of funk/soul/rock roots, winding chord arrangements, elusive guitar riffs and deep organic bass lines around subtle rhythmic shifts. Joshua’s addictive melodies are fuelled by a distinct bright-breathy vocal that pours out an honesty that has been said to seduce the ear from fade-in to fade-out. www.joshuastedman.com www.myspace.com/joshuastedman Fade to black - Luke Parkin (Newburyport, Massachusetts) Luke Parkin is a multi-genre composer and performing artist. His compositions, all rooted in classical music, are orchestral and solo piano. His performance as a pianist–marks out the horizon in cutting edge music and keeps it connected to the classics. Luke Parkin’s music is always just ahead of the curve. EST. MXXIX. (Established 2009) is Luke Parkin’s 70th album. Despite some exotic sounds, few audiences will feel find themselves excluded. However, like those preceding it, EST. MXXIX is an album that eludes the easy sorts of labels that the recording industry uses – it’s as eclectic as its composer. While Parkin’s music can take the shape of almost any container, it inevitably overflows any limit. Though he insists he is not afraid of repeating himself, the protean variety of his recordings suggest an artist on a quest – investigating new and old musical territory with an explorer’s keen senses. "I'm trying to play a lot of musical characters," he acknowledges, "and I want to exploit the more eccentric parts of my personality in my compositions. Every album is an extension of who I am naturally." www.lukeparkin.com www.myspace.com/lukeparkin Home is where the heart is - Slo-Mo feat. Mic Wrecka (Philadelphia, PA, USA) Slo-Mo is the brainchild of Philadelphia steel guitarist Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner. Brenner has recorded and played on the road with such artists as Badly Drawn Boy, Magnolia Electric Company, Marah, Melody Gardot, G Love and more, but Slo-Mo is something totally different. Mixing Brenner's steel guitar grooves with frontman Mic Wrecka’s rhymes and hip hop poetry, Slo-Mo Featuring Mic Wrecka has become a Philly favorite, winning over fans with a slamming live show and uniquely funky tunes backed by a tight 8-piece band. While steel guitar and hip hop might seem an unlikely union, Slo-Mo Featuring Mic Wrecka has managed to make it their own little niche, creating not just uniquely funky tracks, but a rocking live show that has been impressing an ever-growing number of fans. Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka appearing at Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ this Fri, Jan 15 for Light of Day benefit. ... http://bit.ly/5h0VlG Twitter: got_shackamaxon www.heyslomo.com www.myspace.com/heyslomo The Place that won't take me back - I am not left-handed (London, UK - but mostly Irish) A track from the instrumental album Time to leave from I Am Not Lefthanded, who are: Kathryn - Vocals/Guitar , Daniel - Vocals/Bass , Benji - Drums "We don't play pop music, we don't write music for art's sake, we don't represent any movements, we're not hip, we're not cutting edge, we don't dress to be cool. We manage ourselves, we write our own songs, we do our own recordings, we shoot our own videos, we design our own covers, we run our own website. We're not generally negative people. Oh yes, and we're not lefthanded." An absolutely flawless, touching, rich chocolate sauce voice over simple, but yearning guitar, bass & drums can be heard on Yes Means No: 6 & 1/6th songs that don't always give a straight answer. No battling elements, just a smooth natural flow.www.iamnotlefthanded.com www.myspace.com/iamnotlefthandedeither www.jamendo.com/en/artist/I_Am_Not_Lefthanded Here is the city (Chicago) - Christophe Marc (Liverpool, UK and Nantes, France) A real treat from Christophe Marc - he describes this new album As a lifetime goes (a retrospective) thus: Here's my Xmas present! A compilation of what I did those last 4 or 5 years. So it's a sort of "best of"... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! Chris. www.myspace.com/christophemarcwww.jamendo.com/en/artist/christophe_marc Fatness - Pretonika (Budapest, Hungary?) I can tell you very little. Indeed the only way I found the likely location of Petronika was by using whois on the guy who administers the account on Jamendo. Pretty extreme. If you know more, please do tell! www.pretonika.com/ www.jamendo.com/en/album/35130 Comments[1] |
Wed, 6 January 2010  Music this week from London, Minneapolis, Cairo, Paris, Tiblisi, somewhere else in France, California and Toronto.The world around the barn seems to have become a black and white movie in the past few weeks but at least I didn't waste money on colour film for this weeks picture taken from the back window of the barn. The pond is very frozen, indeed there were rabbit footprints in the snow on top of the ice this morning! (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew - The Voodoo Trombone Quartet (London) The Voodoo Trombone Quartet are a cult 8-piece band from London whose unique sound skillfully blends the influence of old ska 45s, exotica and a 60's feel with contemporary beat-driven production and a wry lyrical humor. The band were conceived in 2004 by producer, record collector and multi instrumentalist Paul Thorpe. The first tracks were made freely available on the internet by their creator as supposedly 'rediscovered' originals. The joke backfired however when the tracks became immensely popular in their own right and each one clocked up thousands of downloads. Newly formed independent Freshly Squeezed Music duly took note and signed Paul for the bands eponymous debut in 2005. A live band was put together and festival dates through 2006 culminated in near disaster when the single Medium Wave almost blew the bands cult credentials by entering the fringes of the UK Download Chart. Fortunately it was a near miss and the band retain their underground status to this day. The VTQ can now be heard sound tracking numerous TV shows including Ugly Betty, feature on many CDs including the festival tribute Lost Vagueness (RIP) compilation and as the theme tune to several BBC Radio 4 comedy sketch shows. Medium Wave was also chosen as the theme tune to MTV's recent series The Paper.  The Voodoo Trombone Quartet "(Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew" (mp3) from "The Voodoo Trombone Quartet ...Again" (Freshly Squeezed Music)  Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This AlbumDark Horse - Bella Ruse (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) Kay Gillette and Joseph Barker are Bella Ruse. Based in Minneapolis they tour extensively and, having produced an EP do six songs recorded in their home studio in north Minneapolis. Now they are working on a full album and planning a tour. Thanks to Joseph for loading a couple of songs onto the Suffolk'n'Cool Drop box. www.bellaruse.com www.myspace.com/bellaruse Cigarettes - Digla (Cairo, Egypt) Originally formed as a cover band, it was not long before Digla realized the qualities of their own material through their growing fan base in Cairo after their first few gigs. This was encapsulated when they became the first band to perform a sold out concert at the Sawy Cultural Center in Cairo. Since then, the band has been interviewed and performed an acoustic set on Egypt's number one hit music station 104.2 and have released their debut album Free Your Mind which is available on iTunes and a number of other musical outlets. Keep an eye on their website for more gig dates soon to be announced. www.diglamusic.com www.myspace.com/diglamusic Oriental Blues - Garth Knox (Paris, France) Garth Knox now lives in Paris playing recitals, concertos and chamber music concerts all over Europe, the USA and Japan. His recently released solo CD with works from Ligeti, Dusapin, Berio, Kurtág and others (MO 782082) won the coveted Deutsche Schallplaten Preis in Germany, and his latest CD Spectral Viola (edition zeitklang) has been highly acclaimed. He is currently professor of viola at Musikene in San Sebastian. www.garthknox.org/ The viola d'amore has multiple strings and an infinite number of possible sound worlds. I was happy to explore some of there here, in a mixture of pre-meditated scenarios and free improvisations. On this track, tuning the third and fourth strings to the same note and using them together gives a nice doubling feeling to the sound and suggests something little oriental, Gently strumming the sympathetic strings when they're in a bluesy tuning takes us somewhere else. A litle musical journey from one set of strings to the other set. The SHSK'H Netlabel was created in 2007 in New York by the musicians Jody Pou and Igor Ballereau with the purpose of promoting their work through exclusive recordings to be found on the site, shskh.com. SHSK'H is also an audio-gallery of diverse music. They promote the work of other musicians by commissioning new pieces from composers and by producing personal recording projects by selected musicians of many different styles. These works, again, are exclusive to shskh.com and are not distributed anywhere in disc format. All music on shskh.com is free. You do, however, have the opportunity to participate in the development of these projects by choosing to pay the sum of your choice for the works that you download, if you so desire. Would you cry? - Buddhuza (Tbilisi, Georgia) SNC drop Buddhuza [but'huza] is a Georgian, English-singing musician and song-writer. His music is a mixture of indie rock, alternative and world, and is much influenced by the music of the sixties. Buddhuza quit his music class after three years of torture, when he was 9. Since then he rarely touched any musical instrument, until his father brought him a guitar that completely changed his life. Now the major reason for skipping school became guitar practice. Buddhuza and brother Lexo soon started to write songs and formed a duo called Fire Bricks. Their music was pretty much a reflection of their record collection and interesting period of time and place they lived in. The first ones to hear them perform their songs were neighbors and close friends. In 2004, soon after he moved to Tbilisi, Buddhuza started a home studio, where most of his music is recorded. www.buddhuza.com The Seals - No More Babylon (France) From the album Roots Meeting on IODA. This album of NO MORE BABYLON & FRIENDS includes 10 featurings : EARL 16, Ken BOOTHE, Josie MEL, Brother MARCUS, Maryse CHASTAN, Kenny KNOTS, Jah MARNYAH, U BROWN. The digital release of the album offers full length versions and some bonus tracks, featuring MADU and Brinsley FORDE. www.nomorebabylon.com/ www.myspace.com/nomorebabylon  No More Babylon "The Seals" (mp3) from "Roots Meeting" (A la Folie Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This AlbumThree fingers - Buckethead (California, USA) Buckethead's work has spanned many musical genres, including drum and bass, funk, thrash metal, ambient and minimalist music. Although a capable multi-instrumentalist (also able to play bass guitar, banjo and piano), he is best known for his virtuosic electric guitar playing, characterized by blinding speed, advanced harmony and idiosyncratic lead lines. He has recorded several solo albums, as well as collaborative albums with Les Claypool, Bootsy Collins, System of a Down's Serj Tankian and perhaps most notably with a great many Bill Laswell-directed projects. The Buckethead backstory begins with a kid named Brian Carroll growing up in a Southern California suburb not far from Disneyland. He's a shy kid and spends a lot of time in his room, which is filled with comic books, video games, martial-arts movie memorabilia, slasher-flick stuff, all the usual youth-culture detritus. He also spends a whole lot of time at Disneyland. As a teenager, Brian takes up the guitar, plonking away under the sway of such metal masters as Angus Young of AC/DC; the late Randy Rhoads, of the Ozzy Osbourne band; and Swedish overdrive virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen. What makes Enter The Chicken unique among all other Buckethead albums is the contribution of different singers throughout the body of work. Both producer and guitarist recruited some of today"s brightest musical talents to lend their voice including Saul Williams, Efrem Schulz (Death By Stereo), Maura Davis (Denali, Bella Lea), Azam Ali (Vas, Niyaz), Bad Acid Trip, Maximum Bob (Deli Creeps), Gigi, Shana Halligan and Ani Maldjian. Even Tankian himself lends his vocals on the album. When all was said and done, a total of 11 different vocalists specializing in musical styles ranging from opera, metal, rap, indie rock, grindcore, world and everything in between found their way onto Enter The Chicken. Do check out the website if you fancy a quick flip out of mundane reality http://bucketheadland.com  Buckethead & Friends "Three Fingers" (mp3) from "Enter The Chicken" (Serjical Strike Records) Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This AlbumBuckle Up - NLX (NYC / Toronto) BITCH GET FIT is the much anticipated, first full-length offering from NLX, but to call it a debut would be somewhat misleading. It's taken two years of preparation, collaboration and one tiny lawsuit to make this masterpiece. Recorded in both NYC and Toronto, NLX joined forces again with acclaimed producer/composer Byron Kent Wong to create an extraordinarily distinct, vibrant and compelling album. In a time of one hit wonders and copycat artists, NLX stands alone. Raised in the icy shadows of Canada"s steel city smoke stacks, NLX hails from the proud tradition of BS-free northern songwriting women. She continues to carry the electronically edged dark pop torch with BITCH GET FIT … 16 tracks of blow your mind and open your heart lyrical and musical smack. It is "fists in the air, tears on the floor, don't look back but close the door" kind of music. www.nlxmusic.com www.myspace.com/nlxmusic Comments[1] |
Wed, 30 December 2009  Fine music this week from Nashville, Copenhagen, New York, Norway, Kansas City, Nancy and Paris in France, Hungary and, of course, a couple of artists from Brooklyn. It barely got light here in Suffolk, UK today so I'll have to resort to another Barcelona picture, much as it pains me ;) Not that it was a lot warmer when I was there a couple of weeks ago. Air Conditioned Heart - Hollands (Brooklyn, NY, USA) Hollands is multi-instrumentalist John-Paul Norpoth and violinist Jannina Barefield. Together, they formed in February 2008 in Washington Heights, New York. Norpoth, formerly the co-lead of NYC-based Butane Variations, is the son of a classical flautist while Barefield is the daughter of Detroit based avant-garde jazz guitarist Spencer Barefield. Together, they combine fuzzy Flaming Lips guitars with Martin-esque orchestral arrangements and traditional folk nods to the Paul Simon's and the Grateful Dead's of years past At times, Hollands sounds like a simple folk duo, plaintive and gentle, soft and free. At others, the band performs as a loud, brash, orchestral rock ensemble; employing cello, organs, synthesizers, electric and acoustic violins. In other words, they'll explore any means necessary to realize the most honest atmosphere and capture the diversity of each song. www.hollandsss.com www.myspace.com/hollandsss "As of '09, bands have an official life span of about nine months dating from the launch of their MySpace pages, thanks to the comically accelerated, DSL-enhanced hype cycle. Faster than you can tweet "Serena Maneesh," entire genres of music are "discovered" by attention-starved writers; bloggers engage in hilarious slap-fights about who was there first; magazines feel pressured into writing clueless, hackazoid, late-pass trend pieces; bands get elevated to a critical mass of attention they can't possibly handle; and the phenomenon is promptly abandoned once we find a newer, shinier toy to play with." - Christopher R. Weingarten, Village Voice I'll forget you - Peter Bradley Adams (Brooklyn, NY/Nashville, TN) Peter Bradley Adams was one half of the duo "eastmountainsouth" signed by Robbie Robertson (of The Band) to Dreamworks Records in 2002. He has released two solo records (Gather Up and Leavetaking - from which I'll forget you is taken) and released his third, Traces in September on Sarathan Records. You can buy it at Amazon here: http://tinyurl.com/Traces-Amazon2 www.myspace.com/peterbradleyadams We all have our shortcomings - Alcoholic Faith Mission (Copenhagen, Denmark) The Alcoholic Faith Mission started in Brooklyn, New York '06. The apprentices of dejection Thorben Seierø Jensen and Sune Sølund were wandering around in the raw wintery-streets, shooting the breeze, brushing on alcoholism and close family members wet deroute. Suddenly before them was a big neon cross. This was a holy congregation called Apostolic Faith Mission - and this was just like booze is to the alcoholic, they thought. A true mission to withstand an empty existence; an Alcoholic Faith Mission. Three months later the duo"s underplayed and dogmatic debut Misery Loves Company was ready. Dogma's for the album, which was recorded in a small bedroom in Copenhagen, was that recordings had to take place a night, lit by only candles and always under the influence of alcohol. The critics said sweet things about the album. José Gonzales and Iron and Wine-ry they said. Shortly after, the duo turned into a collective for all their friends to join. Especially Laurids Smedegaard, Kristine Permild and Gustav Rasmussen turned out to be the two guys most important assets. Two years later they went back to Brooklyn to seclude themselves in an old factory loft at 421 Wythe Avenue. They tried on a selection of straightjackets for the inspiration. Everything used to make the music, had to be found within the loft"s four walls. For an example, dictionaries beat each other to become an electronically muted bass drum. This way of working turned into their second album; named after the street where they lived on - 421 Wythe Avenue. www.myspace.com/alcoholicfaithmission http://ponyrec.com/artist_alcoholicfaithmission.html Fancy Beer - Two Man Gentleman Band (NY, NY, USA) That The Two Man Gentlemen Band is amongst the United States' most learned, sophisticated, and musically able two-man bands is commonly understood. That they throw one heck of a party has been a rather well-kept secret until now. The Two Man Gentlemen Band: Live in New York! is an unparalleled achievement. Using only four hands, two mouths, a bit of erudition, and a strong helping of the drink, the gents whip themselves and their New York City audience into an unmitigated frenzy of joy. Listeners to this recording will likely find themselves in a similarly frenzied, sweat-riddled state. Digital release date: Jan 12, 2010 on Serious Business but if you want a CD, you can get it right now from www.seriousbusinessrecords.com/ www.two-man-gentlemen-band.com www.myspace.com/twomangentlemenband Appetite - Proviant Audio (Norway) Mathias Stubø gives you some really interesting jazz tunes. These are his unreleased works between 2005 and 2007. The five tracks from the EP Mushrooms combine glitchy, broken beats with funny, smooth and melodic jazz samples. The EP is available free from SoJus Records at www.sojusrecords.com Proviant Audio is 17 year old Mathias Stubø from Norway, producing electronic music influenced by jazz and soul. Mathias is known as a child prodigy in Norway. The NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) has already named him Artist of The Week (which is the most prestigious prize for unsigned artists in Norway) twice (first time when he was 14 years old). He is reviewed as a musical genious and Norway's biggest producer talent by the people in NRK P3. www.myspace.com/proviantaudioThe last years he has been playing at some of Norways greatest music festivals with his liveband including ten men on brass, reed, rhodes, percussion, drums, bass and more. Now Proviant Audio with full live band is ready to play at by: Larm 2010 which is Scandinavia's biggest festival for music industry. 72 musicians - the movie Twenty bands from Kansas City and Lawrence, KS performed live at the recordBar during the filming of 72 musicians. There are very, very few bands (or artists of any medium, for that matter) that would allow themselves to be preserved for judgement in such a raw, naked state. ONE TAKE. No overdubs. In front of a paying audience. And with no control over the front of house mix, or approval of the recorded mix that you'll hear in the film. I don"t care who you are, that takes balls. This kind of exposure would fucking wilt most bands. Enjoy the music. And be sure to download the soundtrack album. It's free. Please share it.And never mind that the film contains no info about the names of the bands, the names of the musicians, or the cities they hail from. That's on purpose, because our film isn"t about music… it's about the people who make music. There should have been a trailer here in the shownotes but it was too wide. Go to the 72 musicians site to view it. No really, do. http://72musicians.com Conscious Rasta (Version) - Guitoud (Nancy, France) I heard this on Pete Cogle's Dub Zone then Gabor played it on AMPed 209 a couple of weeks ago. Quite a long track but certainly interesting. Find the track on Reggaedubwise at http://cluster1.reggaedubwise.com/Guitoud/ www.myspace.com/guitoud In the Paris of the Neitherlands (Parizs remix) - Ez a Divat (Budapest, Hungary ) Es A divat translates as This is Fashion. A fusion of live jazz with electronics. From the Budapest netlabel bringing you the freshest sounds of Hungary. The new Ez a divat maxi, Must be the Neitherlands, includes a heavyweight original and 3 mind-blowing remixes. Ez a divat's own version is an astounding alchemy of jazz, funk, electro and vocoder vocals melting into a discerning pop song. The fat fender + bass foundations are seasoned with the usual catchy female vocals and band's trademark groovy brass section. The man Párizs has made this funk-fuelled electro version of the song.Get it at: www.budabeats.com/bube006.htm www.myspace.com/ezadivat Creative Commons non-profit fund-raising campaign. Target $500,000 by Dec 31 (tomorrow) total raised is now at $427,180. We probably know them best for the Creative Commons licenses on music related content such as this show which has a Creative Commons license so that anyone can share, what I produce with attribution and not for profit, but they also create environments where other content such as science and learning resources can be shared. In the music realm, it allows artists to make material available for legal sharing whilst not giving the rights away to anyone. That makes such a difference. If you would like to support the work they do in helping people share content across this wonderfully connected world, quite legally and for all our sakes, visit https://support.creativecommons.org/donate Dragons - Caravan Palace (Paris, France) A second track in as many weeks. The excellent Caravan Palace musicians, who are of course "gadjos" (non-gypsies), have breathed fresh air into the timeless swing scene without coming across as preachers. As well as listeners with curious ears, the Caravan also has its own following, a horde of fans totally into the electro vibe, who turn up at each of their concerts. Caravan Palace's reputation has rippled beyond the frontiers too, with Europe eager to check them out. www.myspace.com/caravanpalace Comments[2] |
Wed, 23 December 2009  A pretty chirpy selection from the flowing river of new music. Tracks from Ottawa, Venice (CA), Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, Rosney sous Bois (France) London and Paris. Comments[1] |
Wed, 16 December 2009  A quirky mix of tunes for you this week with tracks from LA, Munich, Toronto, Sezged in Hungary, Brooklyn (of course!), London, Alicante (Spain) and Flint, Michigan.The first hints of snow are falling here in Suffolk so I'm glad I'll be in Barcelona for the two days recording a feature on one of my favourite artists, Luthea Salom, who is recording an album there, rather than in her home city of Manhattan. I wonder why ... and aim to find out! I'll try to drop a few Tweets along the way, connectivity permitting. Follow @suffolkandcool You just behave yourself while I'm away. OK? World Upside Down - Rusty Wright Band (Flint, MI, USA) Rusty Wright is an experienced Musician, Composer, Engineer and Producer with several full length CDs and multiple film and TV credits. He is the Lead guitarist/vocalist for the Rusty Wright Band a 5 piece group with an emphasis on blues based music but with multiple genre influences. Rusty describes them as this. "We're like the Allman Brothers but with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt sitting in". World Upside Down is from the album "Playin' with Fire" Aggressive Blues with a Southern Rock boogie featuring Guitars, B3 Organ and duel male female vocals. www.rustywrightband.com www.myspace.com/rustywrightblues Shotgun - Dudley Saunders (LA, CA, USA) A track from quite an old album by Dudley Saunders' called Restore. Dudley just blogged: I couldn't go to New York for the Outmusic Awards, and there wasn't a chance in hell I'd win anyway. Except, then I did. Chicago's Scott Free had to phone me at midnight with the news (including the fact that the ceremony will air on MTV/LOGO within the next two weeks - without my smiling face accepting. Oh well.). www.dudleysaunders.comHas it made any difference? Yes: my email list is exploding, and I can't keep up with the Facebook messages. These are happy problems. Maybe I'm one of those people who only becomes cool when they're old. I could live with that. Simplistic - Gedismuss (Munich, Germany) My sincere thanks to Rowley Cutler at The Dark Compass for getting hold of this track for me. geddismuss is a Project instigated by the Munich-based Great British Artist "SIR GED” in the late Summer (Sept;) of 2005. SIR GED who together with "Mr TO-NAAL” , and "Mr BLAB” and a unique collection of like minded arteests, musiko..s and technophiles, have developed a Unique Sound & a New Dancefloor Explosion is Presently taking place. Incorporating elements of "RAGGA”, "FUNK”, "REGGAE”, "ROCK”, & "TECHNO” And also by combining a great deal of "FUN”, "HUMOUR”, & "WIERDNESS” into their musik, They have managed to Develop an Individual Sound that has been sweeping the Dancefloors of GERMANY, and BAVARIA! for the last few Months! www.myspace.com/geddismuss There is an interview on Darkcompass at www.darkcompass.com or if you want to go straight to the Gedismuss show http://tinyurl.com/yd2lv4a Underachiever - Ché Aimee (Toronto, Canada) Ché's debut solo album; Underachiever, has her displaying one of the strongest collections of songs to come out of an independent act in years. Having idols such as Cat Power, Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley to contend with; Che has aspired for a long time to create something that is as pleasing to the soul as it is to the ears. Endeavoring to create "something that has its own form of genius” as opposed to another pop diva record that revolves less around content and more around presentation. Underachiever's both rootsy and contemporary feel is the result of this inspiration, conveying both the heartbreak and the joy of life as seen through her own experiences. (See more detail under show 196) www.cheaimee.com www.myspace.com/cheaimee Rico - M.W.D. (Sezged, Hungary) The last Budabeats release in this year is Singing Forest by M.W.D. (alias Corp), who is a regular dj at Radio Mi from Szeged, Hungary. His music genres are nujazz and broken beat with a little downtempo and electronic spice; amazing rhythm and jazz inspirations. Cool stuff for nujazz-lovers! - and the rest of us! www.myspace.com/mwd www.budabeats.com Gloom Doom Buttercups - Kittens Ablaze (Brooklyn, NY, USA) Time was, an indie rock band would catch more than a few sideways stares for enlisting a - gasp! - string player. So sacrosanct was the gilded less-is-more template favored by the genre's progenitors (one more time with feeling, Malkmus, Marsch, etc.) violinist and cellists made a band seem bloated, seem like grubby over-reachers. But that was then, back before the likes of Kittens Ablaze (and contemporaries Ra Ra Riot, Cursive, etc.) proved that indie rock wasn't about instrumentation as much as it was about implementation. After all, you can play intricate rhythms on a cello, too, people! Hence, wonderfully rickety orchestral rock music gets its shot. Today, the six Brooklynites in Kittens Ablaze specialize in the stuff, turning parts of classical music, protest folk and punk rock into one disarming whole. In '07 they bowed with their five-track debut EP. And earlier this year, with assistance from Nic Hard (Bravery console-minder) the band returned with The Monstrous Vanguard, a record that's landed Kittens Ablaze on stages at SXSW and CMJ and in the pages of Vice Mag and RollingStone.com www.kittensablaze.com www.myspace.com/kittensablaze Bridges - Juliana Meyer (London, UK) Juliana was in touch this week with some news: I have some exciting news to share... www.myspace.com/julianameyer...I won Best Female at The EMAE Awards earlier this month!! I was nominated for both Best Female Artist and Best Pop Song, and was so delighted and surprised to win! I also found out recently that Music-News.com chose my Album 'Holding Up The Sky' as one of their "Best Albums of 2008", two places ahead of Oasis and two behind Take That! La Batalla - La Olla Express (Sant Joan/Mutxamel, Alicante, Spain) Debut Jamendo album is called PANIC - and an accomplished debut it is too, some very strong tracks throughout. LA OLLA EXPRESS nos presenta su primer larga duración: PANIC, una colección de canciones donde se entremezcla ROCK, PUNK, REGGAE, SKA... una fusión de colores enérgicos y letras comprometidas. Con el espíritu del "Do it yourself" el grupo nos regala su fusión de sonidos, jugueteando con la electrónica, el reggae, el punk... siendo en directo donde mejor se comprueba la herencia de grupos como The Clash o Mano Negra. El disco, producido por el propio grupo junto a Carlos Suay y Dani Sáiz, se grabó a finales del 2008 en los Estudios Sacramento de Alicante y se está presentando en Directo a lo largo y ancho de España... el próximo objetivo: invadir Europa!!!! Fieles a sus principios de libertad, el disco se edita con licencia Creative Commons, para que todo el mundo pueda disfrutar de este sonido fresco y embriagador. Recommended by Lebosqui on Jamendo to whom sincere thanks. www.myspace.com/laolla Comments[0] |
Wed, 9 December 2009  A "rum ole" mix of music to delight your ears again this week with tracks from LA, London, New York, Canada, Boston New Zealand, Germany and Sweden.The 'tash has made some progress during Movember. Many thanks to this who made donation to help research into men's health issues. The dilemma I face now is whether to shave it off now or keep it going a bit longer. You can never know - Pixie Carnation ((Malmo, Sweden) The product of two years of musical experimentation has culminated in what is now Pixie Carnation, a Swedish based, and yet very American sounding band. From the time that childhood friends Ola Pålsson and Tobias Hellkvist reconnected a few years ago there was an instant artistic connection, and it was only a matter of time before their sound and the band's lineup became what it is today. Despite it taking about a year and a half for Pålsson and Hellkvist to find like-minded musicians, Pixie Carnation has now evolved into a seven-member band and made their first recording, Fresh Poems EP, self reeled in 2009. A classic rock influenced, Americana infused, musical tapestry with orchestral elements, Fresh Poems is already making waves on the west side of the Atlantic. www.myspace.com/pixiecarnation Tell her - Daisy McCrackin (LA, CA, USA) Daisy grew up in San Francisco and survived the earthquake of 1989. A classically trained actress, she moved to Los Angeles and worked in film and television until, in 2005, she had a spiritual epiphany and began writing music. Daisy lived in the fabled Rodeo Grounds arts collective in Topanga Canyon, where she wrote funny campfire songs and fought the State to keep her land. Too shy to share her "serious" songs, Daisy stuck to acting gigs by day, and singing by night. Finally, after an intense song-writing jag Daisy sang a somber, personal song to a close friend who strongly advised her to quit her day job and dedicate herself full-time to music. She played her first live show in 2006, and was dubbed an 'instant rock star" in an L.A. Weekly review, which reported that Daisy "stole the show." Upon hearing the record's first single "Tell Her," legendary Grateful Dead lyricist, songwriter and poet John Perry Barlow called it "a very tight little novel," noting her "phrasing and delivery are perfect," and acknowledging Daisy as "the real deal." http://daisymccrackinmusic.com/ http://www.myspace.com/daisymccrackin Weebles (Featuring Dabbla) - Formula (London, UK) The latest member of the blocSonic net label family is Formula, a producer extraordinaire hailing from London. This here is his premiere solo release and our second original. You may have heard "Is It Too Late For Us All?" from the collaborative project that he was part of (along with Boston's own Tha Silent Partner), MUTE. It was featured on "netBloc Vol. 15: this album won't eat your gas money". Hip-Hop on another plain... from another perspective... but real boom bap hip-hop none-the-less. From the introduction "Ebony Shards"... to "X Man", there's not a boring or weak moment to be found. To me "The Overcast Project" feels like the perfect follow-up to Just Plain Ant's "Dig Deep". Formula seems to share a similar desire to expand the definition of "hip-hop". With Formula at it's core and a talented group of musicians and emcees, Overcast gels into a superbly cohesive unit (much like Ant"s release before it). There IS a "Formula sound" and each of the guest musicians and emcees lend their distinctive touches in such a way as to make the unit stronger. Sit back and get ready for the journey... the sky may be overcast, but no rain is in the forecast... so enjoy the journey! Free download from: http://blocSonic.com Me, I get high on a reefer - Two Man Gentleman Band (NY, NY, USA) That The Two Man Gentlemen Band is amongst the United States' most learned, sophisticated, and musically able two-man bands is commonly understood. That they throw one heck of a party has been a rather well-kept secret until now. The Two Man Gentlemen Band: Live in New York! is an unparalleled achievement. Using only four hands, two mouths, a bit of erudition, and a strong helping of the drink, the gents whip themselves and their New York City audience into an unmitigated frenzy of joy. Listeners to this recording will likely find themselves in a similarly frenzied, sweat-riddled state. Digital release date: Jan 12, 2010 on Serious Business but if you want a CD, you can get it right now from www.seriousbusinessrecords.com/ www.two-man-gentlemen-band.com www.myspace.com/twomangentlemenband My mate Malcolm Wixley put me onto "Flash music games", an internet audio experiment site. You'll see four links on this very basic site one or two of them are really pretty interesting, especially I think, the first on the list which is a Flash Player Piano devised by Rob Wright at Aleotronic Music. Click on the engine box to see it at work. Ok, the graphics is very 1990s but there is a certain naive charm to it. www.flashmusicgames.com/generator Malcolm is a good chum and is living in western France these days where he has a group of four of the the most idyllic and peaceful holiday cottages. Just sayin' www.chezmaurit.co.uk Blame it on the moon - Kat Danser (Edmonton, Canada) From Kat's 2007 album Somethin' Familiar. Her 'Swamp Blues' style is steeped in early roots and blues traditions and delivered by her deep, resonant vocals and the soulful sound of her Weissenborn lap slide guitar. Much like a long stretching railroad track, Danser draws a direct line from the Canadian prairie to the Mississippi Delta. She is one part backwoods juke joint, one part plow puller and two parts dusty ol' canvas tent revival. Kat Danser delivers a refreshing approach to roots, blues, and gospel music for the 21st Century. Currently in production on her third full-length album Rails and Rivers, Danser wrote the material for it while on a research and study trip where she immersed herself in the music of the Mississippi. Much like a long stretching railroad track, her music draws a direct line from the Canadian prairie to the Mississippi Delta. She is also filming a documentary entitled Women in Blues: Turn the Page. www.katdanser.com www.myspace.com/katdanser Take your chances - The Black Seeds (Wellington, New Zealand) The Black Seeds started turning heads around New Zealand following the release of their debut album, 2001's Keep On Pushing. The album received widespread critical acclaim, including being named one of the top 50 albums of the year by Rip It Up Magazine, and eventually reached gold sales status.  The Black Seeds "Take Your Chances" (mp3) from "Solid Ground" (Easy Star Records) Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Albumwww.theblackseeds.co.nz There was a time - Rubblebucket (Boston, MA, USA) Rubblebucket is a Boston-and-Brooklyn-based nine-piece polyrhythmic dance/rock band led by trumpeter Alex Toth and fronted by the alluring vocals of Kalmia Traver. Comparisons have been drawn to Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, Bjork and James Brown, but Rubblebucket's afro-beat inspired, trip-rock soul experience is beyond classification. Alex Toth- trumpet, vocals bandleader. He loves Kalmia. Kalmia Traver- lead vocals, tenor sax. She loves reverie, berry-picking and skinny-dipping, pennywhistles and making artwork. Adam Dotson- trombone, vocals. He won an international euphonium competition at age fourteen and never wears shoes when he plays. Craig Myers- percussion. He began playing percussion at age thirteen, and he has studied West African percussion extensively for ten years and traveled to Senegal, Mali, Cote Ivoire and Guinea. He's also taught and directed percussion groups in Hawaii and throughout Europe. Dave Cole- drums. Has also plays guitar and keyboards and has an amazing beard and smile. He also has a cyclops mask. Darby Wolf- keyboards. Darbstar has a plan. And he uses Goff organs and leslie speakers and is a vintage keyboard enthusiast. Ian Hersey- guitar. He lives in Brooklyn and recently bought a box of at least 15 Casio keyboards, and he takes them apart and fucks with them. http://rubblebucket.com/ www.myspace.com/rubblebucket Hey Ocean! whose track Write a song about California I played a few weeks ago have a video of their live performance on Fearless Music. It's at Fearless (couldn't ge the YouTube code to play :( I like it - Sapiens fx (Karlsruhe, Germany) You can download the whole album free and legal at: www.jamendo.com/en/album/55492 www.myspace.com/sapiensfx Comments[0] |
Wed, 2 December 2009  Music from Toronto, Brooklyn, Hungary, Nashville, London, Atlanta, Rio de Janeiro and Montreal. There's a bit of a jazz influence this week - perhaps related to conversations last night with jazz "incubator" Ken Butler.www.jazzcrazy.co.uk This week's pic is from before the rains came this afternoon. I was clearing undergrowth from around one of the pknds and came across this wasp nest. This is just the core, it was around 18 inches across and quite beautiful. European Podcast Awards Yes, Suffolk'n'Cool has been nominated again for the European Podcast Awards. Of course, that's very pleasing and a few votes, should you be inclined would make it even nicer. Here's a link. Lost Highway - The Blue Seeds (Montreal, Canada) Their acknowledged influences include Yo La Tengo, Lee Hazelwood, Leonard Cohen, The Velvet Underground and Eric Satie but you be the judge. I particularly weaned to play a different track so I'll see if I can get it for a future show. Led by the evocative voice of Amélie Laflamme, the music of Montreal-based The Blue Seeds resides somewhere between atmospheric-rock and alternative-folk. The band’s main focus is on writing and arranging songs in a way that time wouldn’t know how to make obsolete. In doing so, with its debut album, The Blue Seeds has also succeeded in creating its own unique soundscape that is as mysterious as a David Lynch movie and as refined as Wim Wenders’ pictures. www.theblueseeds.com www.myspace.com/theblueseeds Tweet from Marc Farre (Harry on SnC 193) who is playing a show at The Turning Point in Piermont, New York exactly a week from tonight, so that'll be on 9th December. Check his site or MySpace for details. http://marcfarre.com www.myspace.com/marcfarre Witch - Peter Squires (Brooklyn, NY, USA) Raw, unpolished, and disarmingly personal, Woe is Me — the debut release from indie-folk newcomer Peter Squires — is a sweet and sincere portrait of a young man recovering from heartbreak. Recorded in his Brooklyn bedroom, Squires' songs cathartically express lovelorn despair with refreshing humor and self-awareness. Like the best work of Morrissey and Magnetic Fields, Peter Squires keeps things playful while he breaks your heart. Then, please go over to his MySpace and take a look at the video for the song. www.myspace.com/petersquiressongs Getting lighter - Ché Aimee (Toronto, Canada) From her album Underachiever. After several years performing throughout the Greater Vancouver Area and spending her summers playing in the Yukon Territories, Ché left to travel Europe and experience more of what the world had to offer. Busking from country to country and meeting other musicians from all walks of life, she started writing songs for upcoming demos, some of which appear on her 2009 debut album 'Underachiever'. Arriving back in Vancouver, she recorded a three song Demo with local musician Tim Readman and a year later recorded her first 7 song EP 'lights out' with producer Ryan Hauschild. With a Warner Music recording contract on the table, Ché took a break from the whirlwind adventure and took some time to really think about what it was that she wanted and needed musically and although the offer was impressive and very alluring she knew the had more to learn and write before she could sign on to anything. Now completed, Ché's debut solo album; Underachiever, has her displaying one of the strongest collections of songs to come out of an independent act in years. Having idols such as Cat Power, Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley to contend with; Che has aspired for a long time to create something that is as pleasing to the soul as it is to the ears. Endeavoring to create “something that has its own form of genius” as opposed to another pop diva record that revolves less around content and more around presentation. Underachiever's both rootsy and contemporary feel is the result of this inspiration, conveying both the heartbreak and the joy of life as seen through her own experiences. www.cheaimee.com www.myspace.com/cheaimee Too Much Joy A well written account of what it can be like to have a record deal. Royalty statement. www.toomuchjoy.com Jazz.zene - Kovacs (Hungary) Budda Beats netlabel's first release was by Kovacs aka Nandor Kurtossy, the young Hungarian producer. He started making music in '96, so nowadays he has his own massive musical archive including his works under the name Kovacs as well as the rest of his side projects like Savages (downtempo), Vega Ass (funk breaks), Cockchafer (trip hop). The pseudonym Kovacs covers dirty jazz mixed with sensual electronica. What he simply calls "nu-jazz", however, is proved to be much more beyond its common meaning. You can get the whole album free at Budabeats. You find a download link at www.budabeats.com/bube001.htm Baby Blues - Rachel Pearl (Nashville, TN) Whether she’s channeling the 20th century classics of ella, billie holiday and tina turner, or crooning one of the self-penned compositions from her 2007 debut cd, love extravagantly, rachel pearl is consistently putting down roots in her own chosen field. you can usually find her in nashville’s backyard experimenting in night clubs like mercy lounge, the basement, cafe coco and the rutledge. Download it free right here:  Rachel Pearl "Baby Blue" (mp3) from "Love Extravagantly" (Per Capita Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This AlbumHealthy Fear - Lexi Street (Atlanta, GA, USA) Arrived in this morning's post. Champagne Promises is the tongue in cheek title for Lexi Street's long awaited second album. It was in 2002 they released the girl I used to be…. Since then, the band released a few singles, Summer and The Room which enjoyed a stay on satellite's XM radio. Their second album release, Champagne Promises makes good on their promise to deliver. If you like Tom Waits, Shiveree, or moody broody music, with some playful attitude thrown in - then we think you'll like this album! www.lexistreet.com www.myspace.com/lexistreet Serenata - Oswaldo G. Pereira (Rio de Janiero, Brazil) Oswaldo is an incredible versatile artist! His last album Serenata represents, more than his maturity as a composer, his confidence in a very personal perception of the contemporary Brazilian music. From original samba to the infinity of possible styles, from tradition to innovation, keeping the balance between his nostalgic feelings and his modern inspirations, Oswaldo G. Pereira brings Brazilian music with no strings attached, vibrant and aesthetically free. Serenata is the modern and contemporary Brazilian samba.  Oswaldo G. Pereira "Serenata" (mp3) from "Serenata" (Dubas Musica) Buy at iTunes Music Store Stream from Rhapsody More On This AlbumLibsyn / Wizzard Check out the video of Dave showing how to set up a website player (even if you are not interested) by click on Getting started with WMTools at http://tools.wizzard.tv/auth/index This is why I like dealing with these guys. Time Patrol - Ylotana (London, UK) From the album My Little God Anatoly Podkopov, the ideological inspirer of the project states, "YLOTANA project was born in the consciousness of people, who are infinitely devoted to art. It represents a certain musical, literary and visual art symbiosis. Actors, musicians, sound engineers, designers and various other artists, who have every right to be considered as some of the best in the field of the modern experimental art have gathered together and with the help of state-of-the-art technology will take contemporary music and art to a whole new level." The end product consists of a multimedia package which includes elements of: a music album, a comic book, a story and an audio book (see the video here) all masterfully combined so that each element intensifies the depth of the other art forms involved. Ylotana currently has five ongoing projects, all of which can be experienced online at the project’s website. Do watch it in HD if you can and full screen to make make it easier to read. You'll also find it on YouTube. www.ylotana.com Comments[0] |
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