Having spent the past week in winter clothing here in Suffolk, the remains of the summer appear to have gathered themselves up to make a decent show of a few days. The hops growing on the barn seem to appreciate it today releasing clouds of pollen.

A Harbour Fair - The Good Ship (Melbourne, Australia)

From the album Avast! Wretched Sea (described as "undulating tales of woe and intrigue").

John from the band got in touch through mutual contact Mark Muggeridge and popped the album in the post at the end of last week, just before flying off back to Australia.

It's a wonderfully theatrical album which extends last week's maritime theme for just one more week. 

As Rave Magazine pointed out "a loud burly chorus of men’s voices it sounds very much like something ole’ sea dogs might sing out at ocean...These rollicking tunes are great for a dance and a laugh, but be warned, these are true sea shanties, complete with coarse and crude lyrics that sometimes tiptoe very closely to the offensive" Oh good!

Wonderfully theatrical songs and a great live show I would imagine. Part of what I am assured is a thriving music scene in Melbourne. The extensive line-up comprises:

Darryl "Graybeard" – wailing, strumming

John "No Time To Wallow In The" Meyer – caterwauling, plucking

Geoff, Son of Will – plinking, clowning

Benny the White Russian – scratching

Janey Mac – plucking

Kat Cooke – blowing

James Lees – hitting

Elly the Ship's Cat – meowing

Roger the Cabin Boy – comforting

Various scurvy dogs and scoundrels - clapping, cheering, heckling

www.thegoodship.com.au

www.myspace.com/thegoodshipisaverybadship

Damn Honey - Simon Fagan (Navan, Ireland)

Simon Fagan is not our typical Irish singer songwriter. Blending elements of gospel and folk with acoustic rock, Simon and band produce a big Americana sound. He's opened for both Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson and has sold out shows in Ireland, The UK and Egypt.

Currently on the festival circuit in Ireland, he will be touring throughout Ireland and the UK in September and travelling to Toronto and New York for Indie Week and CMJ Marathon respectively to showcase his music. Further plans are in place to bring his band to Dubai and Qatar in November.

www.simonfagan.net

www.myspace.com/simonfagan

@simonfagan

Wings of a Wounded Raven - The Rhythm Kills (Vacaville, CA, USA)

The Rhythm Kills (TRK) started out as an instrumental band in 2005, once the group was fully organized in late 2008, the immediate goal was to rewrite their original music. This brought in a new sound, a new focus and a renewed excitement.

Band members include the talented vocals of James Hopkins, Andrew Gregg (guitar/vox), and Joe Sullivan (bass/vox), formerly from a local Bay Area metal band Murder York , Chris Campbell (guitar/loops) formerly from Romancer and Thee Holy Roman Nightmare. In late 2008, Alex Espinoza (drums) joined the band.

TRK brings the element of surprise into their music. Their signature sound comes from the group’s talent and drive. 

www.myspace.com/therhythmkills

Addicted to you - Brother Magnum (Austin, TX, USA)

From the album Feel like a King.

He first started making music at age 11 when he snuck onto his oldest brother’s drum kit and surprised him when he walked in and heard how Magnum had a natural knack for the backbeat. The guitar and keyboards soon followed, and at 13 he played his first show. “All the girls that were there saw me and they were all screaming my name as the lights were flashing. Needless to say, I haven’t been right ever since,” he explains with a chuckle.

His family background and itinerant youth as the child of a career military man also contributes to Magnum’s expansive music, attitudes and world view. His father’s family has Afro-Cuban roots and his mother’s lineage boasts a Native-American heritage. He grew up in various parts of California as well as Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida, finally landing back in Central Texas by his senior high school years. “The cool thing was that you experienced every kind of culture and all kinds of people, ideologies, and music,” Magnum observes. “My parents are very unique in that they always encouraged us to accept people for who they are, not what they are.” The sum of his considerable musical experience led him to ultimately make the music closest to his heart as Brother Magnum. “For me, it’s more than trying to make it and be a big rock star,” he explains. “I want to do it my way. I want to be able to write the music I feel and bring it to people so they can enjoy it too.”

www.brothermagnum.com

www.myspace.com/brothermagnum

www.cdbaby.com/cd/BrotherMagnum1

Heebie Jeebies - The Boswell Sisters

"Heebie Jeebies" is a composition written by Boyd Atkins and achieved fame when it was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1926. The recording on Okeh Records by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five includes a famous chorus of scat singing. This recording by The Boswell Sisters dates from 1932 a couple of years after they moved to New York and started getting some attention. Their career only lasted until 1935.

There are some videos on YouTube of The Boswell Sisters's performance in The Big Broadcast try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jld2Z0TmaXo 

Just a trio of young girls from New Orleans having a great time making music - timeless.

www.bozzies.org/

Amsterdam - Hippie Uprising (Vallejo, CA, USA)

Hippie Uprising is a collection of the best musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area playing and singing an eclectic blend of original music in various musical styles including rock, jazz, country, blues and everything else in-between. Many old and new friends were assembled for the first and lat time to make this music and CD truly memorable in more ways than one. Featured performances by Norton Buffalo (harmonica/vocals), Ernest Boom Carter (drums/vocals), Greg Douglas (lead guitar), Naomi Ruth Eisenberg (vocals), Nick Gravenites (vocals), Kathi McDonald (vocals), George Michaelski (piano), Maria Muldaur (vocals), Ben Perkoff (sax), Si Perkoff (piano), Lorin Rowan (guitars/vocals), Bobby Riddell (drums), Jay Russio (vocals), Pete Sears (keys) Lonnie Showtime Walters (percussion) and Steven Webber (bass).

The list of bands that they have produced, performed in recorded or toured with is remarkable.

www.hippieuprising.com

Peaceful Buddhist Warrior - The Beautiful Losers (California, USA)

The Beautiful Losers are:

Raj Ramayya - vocals and acoustic guitar

Brett Boyd - electric guitars, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitar, Variax sitar, and banjolin

Appealing to The Beautiful Losers’ vast Indian fan base, "Four Corners Of A Tiny Planet" includes a remake of the blockbuster Bollywood song classic, "Yeh Dosti", known by virtually every Indian throughout the world.

The Beautiful Losers "Peaceful Buddhist Warrior" (mp3) from "Four Corners Of a Tiny Planet" (Strawberry Hill Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Album

www.reverbnation.com/thebeautifullosers

Adnams Coastal Clean - Saturday 18th September

More information and Contact Emma to book your place.

A largely maritime theme on Suffolk'n'Cool this week. Not particularly by design, it just seemed to come together that way and hell, with music this interesting, why fight it?

Southwold, where the beer comes from, looks very "easterly" from the sea.

The Rolling Sea - Bagas Degol (Penzance, Cornwall, UK) 

The band is Rick Williams (clarinet), David Twomlow (bag pipes and soprano saxophone), and Dave Trahair (tabor drum and percussion).

From Penzance in the far west of Cornwall, BAGAS DEGOL has a fast growing reputation on the Cornish music and dance scene with their distinctive style of traditional music delivered with a powerful, raw edge. Their name in Cornish means 'Feast Day Band' in recognition of the occasion for which they originally came together - to accompany the famous Tom Bawcock's Eve lantern procession in Mousehole.

I first played a track (Bodmin Dubbing) from their album Tonight we're going to party like it's 1399 on SnC 039 back in November 2006. One concern is that their website is advertising gigs from 2007. :(

www.bagasdegol.com

Sailing the Sea of Tea & Keeping it Me - Tom Caruana (UK)

From the masterly album, Welcome Aboard (Budabeats).

Tom Caruana is a music producer who has the ability to create an eclectic range of beats, most of which fall into a hip-hop style. His experience ranges from working with rappers, singers and musicians in studio and live environments, to reworking classic a cappellas in a series of renowned remix albums. He is not only a master of blending samples, he raps and is also a multi instrumentalist playing drums, bass, guitar and keyboards. His production has provided the perfect backing to artists such as Grand Agent, Count Bass D and Insight. His live band Son Of Sam have supported Raekwon and KRS One, and his remix work has caught the attention of The Chicagoist, The New York Times and The Guardian.

www.myspace.com/tomcaruana

www.teasearecords.net

www.budabeats.com

Pirates - Entertainment for the Braindead (Cologne, Germany)

From the excellent Roadkill album which is on the aaahh netlabel.

Entertainment for the Braindead is in fact Julia Kotowski

"There are lots of instruments that I’d always really wished to own or be able to play, a piano, a cello, a harp, a clarinet … but I would never had expected that one day I could fall in love with a banjo.

Yet since this is exactly what happened, I decided to start exploring this instrument’s versatility by recording a couple of songs equipped with nothing else but a banjo. (Well… I admit, there’s a tambourine in one song..)

Over the last four months I collected those songs. They occasionally sprouted, sometimes several a day, sometimes none for weeks, and then grew and ripened. I harvested them at home, though a bit more carefully than usual. They tell little tales of friendship and failure, of discovering the world and of hiding at home, and the banjo helped tracing their contours and gave them a shape.

It brought me through a very cold winter. Now maybe it can brighten yours a bit, too?"

Far away from the massive and unresting sounds of electric guitars and pounding noises of drums, Singer/Songwriter Julia Kotowski creates a small, intimate and especially silent musical sphere that she fills with notes, lyrics and rhythm. She lets these outcomes ripen slowly. Then, sound tracks are being arranged and ranked in lonesome nights and home appliances will be misused for special elements. There is a lot of tinkering and pottering, but little sleep. All this takes place at home, in her bedroom, in front of her computer.âJulia is a girl of the German city of Cologne, where she was born and where she grew up and, unlike most young people, she does not feel the urge to leave her home. Thus, she lives with her parents. That at some point she will be leaving Cologne is for sure, but before that day, her home city is the source and the playground for her life – Julia does "audio-visual Media-Studies" at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne (KHM).

www.entertainmentforthebraindead.com/

www.myspace.com/entertainmentforthebraindead

www.aaahh-records.net/

In the trial of Pirate Bay (the file sharing site) the RIAA sought $13 billion in damages for 34 cases of copyright infringement. One case per file. That values the download of one any one file, song, movie or game at about $382,000.

Your average 8 gig iPod can hold about 2,000 songs. According to the RIAA, that's worth $764,705,882 making it the most valuable object on the planet. 

Swallowtail Jig - The O'Marleys (Exeter, Devon, UK)

Reggae, rock, folk and traditional Irish tunes mix into the O Marleys sound. Taking influences from Romany music, The Upsetters, Bob Marley and Moving Hearts creates a heady and exciting soundscape.

In the rhythm section there is the wild yet subtle Bodhran playing of Mike Nangle and the heavy relentless electric bass of James King, complimented with electric percussion. On the top line is premier fiddle player Mac Moulton who plunges from Irish set dances into the jazz style of Stephan Grappelli with surprising ease. At the centre of the band is the rather mysterious 12 string guitarist, John Fitzsimons. His playing is a startling combination of cross rhythms/ jazz chords and counter melodies that produce completely original arrangements of the songs. With a background on the London music scene he brings many diverse influences to the band. Lead singer Mike Nangle hails from the theatrical tradition and adds rasping drama to the songs. Three members of the band sing (and make strange noises), creating rich vocal patterns and harmonies.

Their new album, The Rising of the Moon, (their second) is out in September on Idleday Records. It is available for download from i tunes, amazon and Tesco online. You tube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHmQSFLosV0

www.myspace.com/theomarley39s

The Reprisal - Sand River (Durham, UK)

It just proves how quickly things can move. I'd never heard of Sand River until this morning. An email from the band just landed at a point where I was finalising the playlist for this show and things really took off t=from there with the track arriving in the middle of recording and going straight into the show at that point. 

Sand River are Si Robinson (guitar/vocals) and Guy Siviour (drums / percussion / ukulele who have been playing together for a few years.

The band's eponymous debut EP can be purchased online, both digital and hard copy formats.

UPDATE: The is a gig in the pipeline. In fact, in the beer pipeline. Guy tells me that they are playing the Durham CAMRA (CAMpaign for Real Ale) annual beer festival. The band will be on at around 1:30pm on Saturday 4th September.

Details at: http://events.myspace.com/Event/6842395/30th-Durham-Beer-Festival

www.myspace.com/sandriveruk

http://sandriver.bandcamp.com/

What a joy - Kwayze Judah and Iyanman Gabriel (LA, CA, USA)

Kwayze Judah found his musical roots as he grew up in Belize City and more specifically at Queen Anne's nightclub which was owned by his grandmother, where world music shaped his musical identity.

Iyahman Gabriel had a more complex upbringing, both in the village township of Gringa-Dang, Belize and the streets of South Central LA. Two very different ghettos.

"Roots Reggae Music. Conscious Lyrics to promote Irie Vibes. We promote Ital Livity and Oneness with the Most High!!"

www.Jahbandismusic.com

Beauty and the Beats - Filthy Kicks (London)

Stuart played a Filthy Kicks track Crave on IR UK a couple of weeks ago which remind me that I was meaning to follow up the track Awaken that I played back in June on SnC223 

This too is from the album Dirty Little Secret on Jamendo all tracks excellent tunes and beautifully produced.

Filthy Kicks are Darren Turze, Violeta Barrena, Roland Heap, Beats Boy, Ibrahim Sha'ath and Jana Skene.

You can download the MP3 album from Jamendo or trek over to the band's site and you'll have a choice of MP3, FLAC or glorious Apple lossless downloads.

Then you can just listen and enjoy it or accept the band's invitation to share and remix their work under the Creative Commons licence arrangements: attribute it to Filthy Kicks, non-commercial use and distribution only under the same licence terms. Neat. Creative Commons is such a useful system.

www.filthykicks.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/filthykicks

www.jamendo.com/en/album/56612

Rude - Nando (New York, NY, USA)

Nando is a singer /songwriter who is equally adept at gliding over mellow one-drop reggae grooves, riding uptempo dancehall and soca riddims, or belting out pop and R&B tunes with a comfort that belies his Jamaican roots. While the majority of his catalogue either address male-female relationships or are meant to make you dance, Nando is not afraid to tackle social issues such as racism or single-parenthood.

That Nando would venture outside of the reggae boundaries on his debut EP is not surprising, as he draws inspiration from a diverse pool of illustrious musicians from across a wide range of genres for both his songwriting and his singing. Nando counts mainstream R&B singers, such as D’Angelo, Babyface, and Maxwell, and iconic reggae artistes such as Bob Marley and Beres Hammond, among his primary influences. However, he also points to Dave Brubeck, a less familiar name (at least among non-Jazz aficionados), as an early influence who eventually led to his love affair with jazz and the broadening of his repertoire beyond his native genre.

www.hearttoartmusic.com/

www.myspace.com/nandohearttoart

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=552347865

www.twitter.com/themusicofnando

As quirky a selection of tracks as you could possibly want with music predominantly from artists in California and New York but a couple of interesting tunes slipped in from France and Spain.

Suffolk is getting damned noisy this week with harvest in full swing. 

It's been a crazy fun week with friends visiting and frantic travel planning although I don't think this duck is going anywhere fast.

Going down to Louisiana - Marshall Lawrence (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

Not many blues artists can call themselves “the Doctor of the Blues” without a whole stretcher-full of the idiom’s winking big talk. But Marshall Lawrence can, and with only the slightest bit of irony. The award-nominated Canadian bluesman actually holds a doctorate in psychology, and he knows how to use it—just as he knows how to use his slashing guitar, stinging, lightning-fast slide, and pleading, mournful moan: Marshall’s prescription for a maximum blues remedy.

www.myspace.com/marshalllawrence

www.doctorblues.com

War within - Kira Fontana (LA, CA, USA)

I played a track or two from The Inner Revolution, her stunning 2007 debut album mixed by Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire). The new 3 song EP "Seek the Light" is recorded and mixed by Grammy-award winner Ryan Freeland (Aimee Mann, Ingrid Michaelson). 

Full credit for the production and amazing layered string playing. In fact this is one of those recordings where full credit is due to everyone and especially to Kira. That voice is getting more and more expressive. Love it.

Kira Fontana: voice, piano 

Cosima Luther: violin 

Eric Wuest: violin 

Jerome Gordon: viola 

Alisha Bauer: cello 

Sidney Hopson: vibes 

Kaveh Rastegar: bass guitar 

Scott Seiver: drums 

www.kirafontana.com

http://music.kirafontana.com/

I'm Feelin' Good - Janiva Magness (CA, USA)

From her CD, The Devil Is An Angel Too, (on Alligator Records) co-produced by Magness and Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Meredith Brooks, Dan Hicks), is a hard-hitting collection of material that explores the depths of good and evil, with Magness’ glorious, soul-baring vocals burning their way through twelve powerful songs. I also played One Heartache Too Late a month or so ago on 228.

http://janivamagness.com/

Adnams distillery taking shape

One of the side effects of the brewery being right in the centre of Southwold is that they have to be particularly creative (not to say cunning) with the use of space. There simply isn't room to sprawl. Judging from Sean's pictures, some serious engineering going on there. 

http://ow.ly/i/3gKz

http://ow.ly/i/3gO7

Put your hands up high - Gangstagrass (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

In the summer of 2007, Brooklyn based producer, singer, and songwriter Rench was at such a crossroad. He had been producing honky-tonk infused trip-hop albums of his own material for several years, and had also developed a stable of NYC emcees that were recording at his studio.

All along he had an idea in the back of his head that just wouldn’t go away – take rap vocals, add beats, along with classic bluegrass for all the instrumentation and call it Gangstagrass.

You see Rench had always had a love for both country music and hip-hop. As a kid growing up in Southern California, Rench spent recess breakdancing to Run-DMC on cardboard boxes and evenings hearing his father’s country and bluegrass records.

Although country music and hip-hop are perceived to be diametrically opposed music styles, the appeal of Gangstagrass is easy to understand. Gangstagrass was born out of a sincere love for good music and an “I just don’t give a fuck” attitude towards sonic boundaries.

www.gangstagrass.com

http://twitter.com/gangstagrass

You're Great - The Roast Beef Curtains (Long Island, NY, USA)

Inspired by tight reggae rhythm sections & thrashing punk bands, Three Hofstra University graduates birthed The Roast Beef Curtains. Taking a DIY approach, Andrew, John, & Mike evolved The RBC into the best live reggae, dub, & punk experience on Long Island. Since 2005, the trio has played well over 200 shows, creating a buzz from Manhattan to Montauk.

On stage, each band member works double and sometimes triple duty playing their instruments while controlling live dub effects, transforming every concert into an eargasmic experience. Whether it's reggae, dub or punk you're after, The Roast Beef Curtains deliver it with pleasure! Pleasure EP is the long awaited debut release from The RBC. A Full Length Release is scheduled to drop in 2010. 

For a feel of how they produce the dub sound live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myvzN2Rf_PQ

http://TheRoastBeefCurtains.com

www.myspace.com/theroastbeefcurtains

If you enjoyed the Lee "Scratch" Perry track last week, you might enjoy Marisa Aveling's review of his show at The Highline Ballroom in New York last night.

www.cmj.com/relay/?p=10509  

The 2010 CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival is happening in New York October 19-23.

I'll be there for at least a couple of days of it. Meet up?

http://cmj.com/marathon/  

Down the Drain - Alexis Foxe (New York, NY,USA)

Alexis Foxe is a musical provocateur. Every song on “To Have and Want More” has a flavour all it’s own. From the 1940’s Big Band feel of the title track to the futurist pop synth style of “Revel Without a Cause,”

Alexis Fox was born to a Cuban mom and a Colombian dad. As a child, she lived in Buenos Aires and Madrid and Spanish was her first language. She started playing piano at an early age and says, “I grew up dancing ballet and flamenco, writing and making films. My parents really encouraged my individuality and creativity. But I didn’t sing a note until I was 20 years old. Can you imagine? Not a peep until I was 20.”

The family moved to New York when Alexis was 11. Her mother worked in the music industry, so she spent her adolescent years doing what a lot of teens would dream of; listening to music demos and going to concerts. Alexis soon fell in love with US Cinema. She says, “I learned to speak English by watching films. I became fascinated by how language was manipulated and began to notice how exquisitely music could be used to enhance the story. I started to think of music as the second language of the film. I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something with music and film.”

With the help of top notch musicians like the Pizzarelli Trio, the album, “To Have and Want More” was born. “To Have and Want More” is a collection of stories from an international girl trying to find her way in the world. “Down the Drain” will appeal to generation of people who are used to living on credit cards. This is a brassy, energetic tune that has the feel of a 1940’s big band. The lyrics are sassy and insightful, “My mother tells me that my spending habits, are as wild as copulating rabbits.”

August 31, 2010 - 11 pm - Pete's Candy Store - Brooklyn, NY 11211 Info: (718) 302-3770

September 4 - Medalla Light - San Juan, PUERTO RICO

September 7, 2010 - 10 pm  Crash Mansion - NY, NY 10002 Info: (212) 982-7767

September 23, 2010 - Piano's - New York, NY 10003 Info: (212) 505-3733

www.myspace.com/thealexisfox (yeah this one is without the e)

twitter.com/alexisfoxemusic

EMI (via Hypebot.com)

"In its report to investors this morning, EMI detailed a net loss of £512 or US $802 million. The company also wrote off another £602 million ($943M USD) in 2009-2010 and despite a recent round of refinancing still has £3 billion ($4.7B USD) in outstanding debt.

Just in case investors think that things can't get much worse, EMI also forecast that it may need another cash infusion as early as next year and that it will fall short of its banking covenants (the financial requirement of its lenders) every year until at least 2015. “EMI Music continued to be challenged by the overall decline in physical sales, which has not yet been fully offset by growth in digital sales.”

There follows a very positive bit of spinning from EMI from which you'd think everything was hunky dory.

Read the full article on Hypebot at http://ht.ly/2rqTZ

Stereophonic Motor Club - Juanitos (Chambéry, France)

"No need to go underground to explore the African American ghettos to find the ultimate soul nugget. In Chambery, in Savoy, 60's soul and garage have more exotic mystery to Juanitos. Based on fun, chili and mint jeep, the music is Juanitos spontaneous dancing, for a maximum of groove on the intersection of the easy-listening funk of James Taylor Quartet and the punky fury of Seeds.

The rhythm and blues, samba, rock'n'roll and reggae are the appointment in good spirits and was a nice mess, I must say!

These "soulmen" Spanish Savoyards, a bit dark in the soul, while returning to base clapping and singing Charleston depraved humor and energy ... fast a volume 3!"

www.jamendo.com/en/album/41987

www.juanitos.net

¡Cógelo! - Sundayers (Madrid, Spain)

At the end of 2009 they began the recording of their second album “Cógelo”. This time with Ferni Duhalde as sound engineer (El Tio Calambres, Eureka, Outro Jazz), and a very creative music production - with thirteen tracks full of energy and a crucial fusion of styles and the consistence and strength of the songs. In March 2010 they published the album for free download on Jamendo.

This Spanish collective plays an energetic music, a mix between reggae, ska, funk and all the styles each member will bring out. Always ready to party, you could see them everywhere in Spain and maybe in Europe in the next months.

www.jamendo.com/en/album/62611

www.sundayers.com

Check out (and "like") the Suffolk'n'Cool Facebook "fan" page: http://tinyurl.com/2wyupl3

Not one but two free downloads in this week's Suffolk'n'Cool show, courtesy of our friends at IODA Promonet.

A diverse selection of tines again and, I hope you'll agree, a few little gems included.

This weeks picture is a gain from Aldeburgh just over on the coast. It has to be one of the most photographed buildings in the area and although next to the beach it has a car park on three sides. Hey ho, you can't have everything.

Pocket - Big Mess (Manhattan Beach, CA, USA)

Big Mess is a band of three guys from diverse backgrounds with a common punk heritage. They love mischief and know how to rock. If you like your music raw and uncensored Big Mess is the band for you. Hear them coming at you fast and furious and at full volume it’s Big Mess.

Rex Bailey, (guitar and vocals) started his career with his father playing jazz and bebop then he formed Ambrosia and played with the late great Dave Travis. He is known to be one of the best guitar players in LA

Chad Carrier, (bass and vocals) started right in the thick of the punk scene and formed Easter one of the pioneers of the 80’s sound. With hits on KROQ, VH1 and MTV Chad lives his life large enjoying every moment.

Bernie Deal, (drums) while not technically a punk rock veteran, is by anybody’s definition a punk, so it all works out. Originally from Maryland, this is a guy who has done it all from rock, to metal, to funk. This is the chief reason the band is called Big Mess.

www.myspace.com/bigmess1

www.cdbaby.com/cd/BigMess

Follow me to the sun - Dave Eggar (NY, NY, USA)

Kingston Morning, was recently recorded in Brooklyn, NY, Kingston, Jamaica, and Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Favorite Eggar tracks on the release include Earth’s Paradise (vocals by Jamaican roots reggae legend Luciano); Follow Me to the Sun (vocals by Chuck Palmer); High Atmosphere (vocals by NPR’s Robin & Linda Williams -- Prairie Home Companion); Itsbynne Reel and Jacob’s Vision (vocals by Bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley -- O Brother Where Art Thou) .âDave notes, “The new project represents to me a new and extreme brand of high-risk, high-impact classical crossover. Kingston Morning juxtaposes Reggae music and Appalachian music in a look at local culture fighting for a voice in an increasingly global environment."âEggar says this project was an especially moving and emotional recording for to make. He adds, “This is a project of ingenuity and improvisation which took many hours of dedicated perseverance to complete. With open minds and open hearts, our lives were forever changed as these unique Reggae and Appalachian collaborations took shape. As we immersed ourselves in these seemingly disparate cultures, amazing similarities in the history and storied cultures emerged. Their individual hopes, dreams and the power of the music eventually seemed to bring the music and people of Jamaica and Virginia ever closer together.”âDave continues, “My imagination has always been captivated by the music and culture of Jamaica and Appalachia. These journeys to Kingston and Big Stone Gap were truly a life altering experience for me. I am especially proud of the music that has been produced as a result of our efforts.”

The New York Times said: “Eggar's work is breathtaking ... a deliverance from the sedate formality of the typical cello recital." Truly it is.

Dave Eggar "Follow Me To The Sun" (mp3) from "Kingston Morning" (Domo Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album www.daveeggarmusic.com

www.myspace.com/daveeggar

@daveeggar

Famous Last Words - Ed Vallance (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

With one ear solidly rooted in classic British songwriting styles from Ray Davies and the Kinks to Supergrass, and the other schooled in the sonic approach of bands like Spiritualized and Galaxy 500, Vallance has honed his craft into a focused blend of pointed pop melodies and the ethereal qualities of his predecessors.

The Summer Fire EP ( on Hello My Name Is records) is a concise snapshot of the wide array of talents Vallance possesses in his arsenal. Opening with the sweeping vocals and pulsing drive of “Black and White Light” The Summer Fire EP seamlessly shifts between genres before closing with our track "Famous Last Words".

Ed is playing The Bell House and Pianos in NY August 11 and 12

www.edvallance.com/

www.myspace.com/edvallance

Another Dollar - Crazy Mary (New York, NY, USA)

Formed by veteran Lower East Side guitarist and songwriter Charles Kibel and drummer Nick Raisz, Crazy Mary has been conjuring its refreshingly oddball avant-garage rock since 1998. A bubbling cauldron of chiming and scraping guitars, creepy organ, spacey, experimental sounds, Dada-ish pranksterism, and absurdly danceable rhythms, the band distills it all into a surreal cocktail of post-punk/psychedelic weirdness. And now, with the recent additions of legendary underground violinist Walter Steding and expatriate Australian vocalist Em Z, things have gotten even weirder. In a good way, of course.

www.crazymary.com

www.myspace.com/crazymarynyc

@CrazyMaryNYC

Cadillac Coupe de Ville - Jimmi Accardi (Penn Valley, CA, USA)

Jimmi Accardi is a singer, songwriter, musician, and performer. He toured as lead guitarist for Chubby Checker, and as lead guitarist for Mickey Dolenz and Davey Jones of The Monkees. He was the session guitarist for Rupert Holmes on his self-titled album. He also was lead guitarist for the Eddy Dixon Band, and played with Evan Lurie (The Lounge Lizards). Jimmi's own group, The Laughing Dogs, enjoyed two critically acclaimed albums on Columbia Records with original songs in the Billboard picks.

Here Jimmi returns to his roots, with original rock and roll, rockabilly, and jump blues tunes. Jimmi's vocals and lead guitar are accompanied by his band The Wild Cats.

www.jimmiaccardi.com

www.myspace.com/jimmiaccardi

www.cdbaby.com/artist/jimmiaccardi

I'm Sorry - Lauren O'Brien (Astoria, New York, USA)

A second track from Lauren O'Brien

“I love rock ’n’ roll, the passion and rebelliousness of it,” says Lauren. “But I want to be part of it in my own way—I want to take poetry and rock it out.”

Which is exactly what Lauren does—and then some—on Inconsequential Dream, her astonishing debut album. Take “color code,” a menacing, tension-rich rumination on love’s blurred lines of communication

Much like Lauren’s riveting live performances, inconsequential dream is a cathartic, emotionally cleansing experience that keeps the listener on the edge of their seat throughout—only to find them back in line when the last track stops, eager to sign up for another wild ride.

She has a live acoustic show coming up on Aug 27 at Cornelia Street Cafe, just off Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, New York. Show starts at 6pm, Lauren is doing an acoustic set at 7pm. Info on 212-989-9319 

http://laurenobrienmusic.com/

http://myspace.com/laurenobrienmusic

@laurenobrien1

Playing for Change: One Love - live in Madrid

A superb live performance of Marley's One Love featuring the core Playing for Change band (including Grandpa Elliot) along with many of the street musicians. Featured musicians include Tula's amazing vocals, Roberto Luti playing the National steel slide guitar, Francois Viguie on the bongos, Stefano Tomaselli on the sax, Venkat playing the tablas, and the beautiful choir vocals of Sinamuva. Many of whom recorded their parts of the original Playing for Change version a year or more ago in locational all around the world. This time they were brought together in December at The Caja Magica which was packed to the gills (over 8,000 people were in attendance!). The band put together a set list of 25 songs (our longest list to date, I believe), and performed for well over two hours. Total musician count was nearly 20!

www.playingforchange.com/episodes/32/One_Love_Live_From_Madrid

Psalm - Lee Scratch Perry (Jamaica and Switzerland)

Lee "Scratch" Perry is one of the most important figures in the history of reggae music. Not only did he help develop the early reggae sound captured in a number of important recordings, but as an engineer, producer, songwriter, and performer he pioneered a number of innovations, including dub reggae. Lee Perry again draws his narrative from his spirituality and today's global events. One track features very special guest Keith Richards.

Lee Scratch Perry "Psalm" (mp3) from "Revelation" (Megawave) More On This Album www.myspace.com/leescratchperry

www.lee-perry.com/

Suitcase - Lloyd's Garage (San Francisco Bay area, CA, USA) Platform 1

This band just came in from my new best friend Chrysti at Platform 1. I admit that at very first listen I wasn't too sure but by the time the second track on their MySpace came on I was hooked. This is that second track on MySpace. Get over there and check them out for yourself.

There's a fundamental integrity in these passionately delivered songs. The energy is, fortunately, matched by songs that retain interest both lyrically and in their arrangements. This energetic two-piece band delivers more watts of energy per song than you'll hear in many a larger setup. 

Lloyd's Garage are Seth Heitzmann - Guitar, Vocals

Lloyd Llewelyn - Drums, Keys

Better still, you can catch them live 

13 Aug Point Richmond Summer Concert - Point Richmond, California, US

14 Aug Red Devil Lounge - San Francisco, CA

18 Aug Luckey's - Eugene, OR  

19 Aug Hawthorne Theater - Portland, Or

20 Aug Central Saloon - Seattle, WA

21 Aug The MadHappy Lounge - Bend, OR

11 Sep Cafe Du Nord - San Francisco, CA

lloydsgarage.com

www.myspace.com/lloydsgarage

I was in Southwold (right) yesterday - all this and a brewery too! No wonder it is described as "beer from the coast".

Start it Off - Hot Fiction (London, UK)

Hot Fiction is a rock band from England, comprising a singing drummer (Andy Yeoh) and a guitarist (Simon Miller).Their music creates the same blood-in-the-guts feeling that the best blues music does, but has a charm and atmosphere all of its own. Debut album is called 'Dark Room'. You can find them on Jamendo.

Definite shades of White Stripes but non the worse for that.

www.hotfiction.co.uk

Looking at the stars tonight - Marc Farr (New York, USA)

It has been ages since I played a track from Marc.

Indie artist Marc Farre delivers cinematic pop/rock songs shot through with a raw, poetic energy. His voice is deep, intimate, intense. (Critics have called it "mesmerizing.") Equal parts open-hearted and hallucinatory, his music pulls you in like an art-house film.

Though he is based in New York, Marc Farre’s French background imbues his music with a European, art-house feel — a seductive ambiance perfectly paired with his driving rhythms, otherworldly lyrics and magnetic melodies. 

Do check him out, he's an interesting man and thoroughly nice guy. He deserves his success in building an audience that actually what to listen to his songs. I commend you to join them.

Marc's His Facebook Fan Page is at http://tinyurl.com/yfb9s9b 

http://marcfarre.com

www.myspace.com/marcfarre

Baby Bones - Laura Stephenson and The Cans (Brooklyn, NY, USA) IODA

Originally released in the fall of 2008, this 8 song album has turned heads from all over the world garnering over 20,000 downloads via QUOTE UNQUOTE RECORDS (digital download only label) Laura Stevenson: A Record with her trusty Cans by her side, Laura mixes textures, arrangements and harmonies to create a warm and inviting album that will make you smile or crush your soul depending on your current level of sadness. An additional 3 brand new unreleased tracks were recorded in Jan. 2010 to complete the debut physical release of "A RECORD".

Laura is on the road with a vengeance in August with dates in:

08/04/10 - Sugar City, Buffalo, NY

08/05/10 - Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI

08/06/10 - Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH

08/07/10 - Horeshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON

08/08/10 - Il Motore, Montral, QC

08/09/10 - Club Metronome, Burlington, VT

08/10/10 - Space Gallery, Portland, ME

08/11/10 - Middle East Upstairs, Boston, MA

08/12/10 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

08/13/10 - Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY

08/14/10 - Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA

08/15/10 - Black Cat, Washington, DC

08/17/10 - Brillobox, Pittsburgh, PA

08/18/10 - Southgate House, Newport, KY

08/19/10 - Meattown USA, New Brunswick, NJ

Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Laura Stevenson, The Cans
"Baby Bones" (mp3)
from "A Record"
(Asian Man Records)

Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

www.myspace.com/laurastevenson

www.laurastevensonandthecans.com

Istanbul - Emerald Park (Malmö, Sweden)

They have been around since their first release in 2004 and brought a touch of Swedeish class to The Cavern in Liverpool for the IPO festival in May.

Signed to the 23 Seconds net-label in Gothenburg, from where you can download the 2010 edition of their album For Tomorrow. Take a look around 23 Seconds they have interesting artists.

www.emeraldmusic.net

www.myspace.com/emeraldpark

www.23seconds.org/042.htm

I have a thing for you - Tendawema (London, UK)

I played a track Wish on SnC 219 and I've at last managed to secure another track for you. 

While Wish was a dead sexy minimalist ballad, I have a thing for you takes it to a very different level with almost industrial (but homemade) sounds and some really interesting timings that bring to mind some of Robert Palmer's most interesting material. What a duet that would have been.

Described as being low to mid tempo, deep and emotional songs being a reflection on her inner self, you can find out more information on Tendawema including more material on her website. 

www.myspace.com/tendawema

My Girl Dances - Hot Fiction (London, UK) Jamendo

A second track from Hot Fiction. Get the album and tell your friends. You can download it free from:

www.jamendo.com/en/album/71656

Historia de un amor - Los Campusinos (Villalcampo, Spain)

From their EP el microtonalismo de los campusinos.

Villalcampo is right over on the west of Spain only a hundred miles or so from the Portuguese city of Porto.

That's about all I know but I'd love to know more about the instruments used, they seem to have a seriously Arabic pedigree. Do let me know if you know.

www.jamendo.com/en/album/72184

Adnams Artist of the Month

Chosen for us by Al Marshall - keen festival goer and senior wine buyer at the Southwold based brewery. You can hear an extended version of that interview on the SnC site Artist of the month and then July 2010.

La cécité - Kapadnoms

Congratulations to Kapadnoms.

From the 20 track album Un Point C'est Tout. You can download that and a whole load of their excellent material from Jamendo.

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/kapadnoms

Colour Code - Lauren O'Brien (Astoria, NY, USA)

“I love rock ’n’ roll, the passion and rebelliousness of it,” says Lauren. “But I want to be part of it in my own way—I want to take poetry and rock it out.”

Which is exactly what Lauren does—and then some—on Inconsequential Dream, her astonishing debut album. Take “color code,” a menacing, tension-rich rumination on love’s blurred lines of communication

Much like Lauren’s riveting live performances, inconsequential dream is a cathartic, emotionally cleansing experience that keeps the listener on the edge of their seat throughout—only to find them back in line when the last track stops, eager to sign up for another wild ride.

She has a live acoustic show coming up on Aug 27 at Cornelia Street Cafe, just off Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, New York. Show starts at 6pm, Lauren is doing an acoustic set at 7pm. Info on 212-989-9319 

http://laurenobrienmusic.com/

http://myspace.com/laurenobrienmusic

http://www.twitter.com/laurenobrien1

In need of fresh air and photographs headed over to Aldeburgh this morning for an hour of total break. Beautiful.

Moving On - The Famous (San Francisco, CA, USA)

Take the ‘50s-era country of Hank Williams, Sr. and filter it through ‘70s punk rock, ‘80s psychobilly, and ‘90s post-punk. You’ll find yourself staring eye-to-eye with San Francisco’s own “Pixies in a cowboy hat.”

“You can pound your fist on my front door / But it’s been too long, I don’t need you anymore.” Laurence Scott sings the opening line of “Better Things,” from the Famous’ 2005 debut Light, Sweet Crude, like he really means it. He might be singing about an old lover, an old friend — heck, even an old car — but the line could just as well be a kiss-off to the staid country and Americana his band seems all too happy to leave behind in a cloud of dust.

www.thefamous.net/

www.facebook.com/TheFamousMusic

@thefamous

Cage Against the Machine

Could we be on for a "silent night" on Radio 1 at Christmas?

www.glasswerk.co.uk/news/national/9491/Cage+Against+The+Machine

I Can't Feel - Matthew Dear (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

A track from the consistently excellent Ghostly International label.

After meeting Ghostly founder Sam Valenti IV at a house party in the late 90s, Dear eventually produced the A-Side for the label’s first 12” release, Hands Up for Detroit. Since then, Dear issued his pop-infused debut album Leave Luck to Heaven and its counterpart Backstroke, which caught mainstream attention, as well as myriad releases under his club-oriented pseudonyms 

Matthew Dear’s Black City can’t be found on any map. It’s a composite, an imaginary metropolis peopled by desperate cases, lovelorn souls, and amoral motives. Like most literary Gothams, 'Black City' is a place to love and hate.

Make a note that Street Release is scheduled for Aug 17 but Digital Release happens on Aug 03

Matthew Dear "I Can't Feel" (mp3) from "Black City" (Ghostly International) More On This Album

www.myspace.com/matthewdear

www.matthewdear.com/

Selene - Imagine Dragons (Las Vegas, NV, USA)

Combining synth-laden rock and infectious dance grooves, Imagine Dragons comes off both anthemic and eccentric. By way of Vegas, the quintet brings the restless energy of “the city that never sleeps” to the masses with its 2010 sophomore EP “Hell and Silence.” A short, yet impressive history includes sharing the stage with indie notables Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Nico Vega and The Envy Corps and opening for mainstream acts such as Blue October, Jet, and Kelly Clarkson.

www.myspace.com/imaginedragons

@Imaginedragons

Justin Wayne - congratulations

http://thejustinwayneshow.com

Yes! I'm French - Gypsy Nomads (New York)

Video contest

In support of their ‘HAPPY MADNESS’ album release as well as the French national holiday Bastille Day (July 14th), The Gypsy Nomads launched the “Yes! I’m French” Video Competition on Animoto.com, challenging fans and French culture enthusiasts to create their own videos, using the Animoto service, set to their song of the same title. Fans can visit this custom Animoto.com link to grab the song and work on their own “Yes! I’m French” video: http://bit.ly/bZXKKQ.  Full details about the contest can be found here: http://ow.ly/2dvp6

Subajo - Etran Finatawa (Niger)

From a Rough Guide Music compilation album Desert Blues.

Etran Finatawa’s musicians come from Niger which is one of the three poorest countries in the world, it is a landlocked country in West Africa bordered by Mali, Algeria, Libya, Chad and Nigeria. Niger has a very rich cultural heritage and sits at a desert crossroads between the Berber and Arab cultures of the North and the many sub-Saharan cultures of the South. In Niger there are eleven different ethnic groups most of whom are farmers or pastoralists, both sedentary and nomadic. Amongst them are the Tuareg and Wodaabe, many of whom are still nomadic. They move with their camels, long-horned cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys seeking pastures along the Sahelian savannah at the fringes of the South Sahara.

New album Tarkat Tajje-Let´s go! was released in March 2010.

The band have been in the US for a couple of weeks and have one remaining date at the Lincoln Center Festival Outdoors in New York City on 1st August.

Etran Finatawa "Subajo" (mp3) from "The Rough Guide To Desert Blues" (Rough Guides/World Music Network) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

www.etranfinatawa.com/

Skully Said - Jesta (Lancashire, UK)

Jesta is taking part in the Cyber PR blogging challenge and could really use some listener feedback. He has a very short questionnaire set up on his site at http://jestamusic.com/help-us and is offering copies of the new CD (just as soon as it is finished) as random prizes for folks who help him out with the feedback.

http://jestamusic.com

Music Success in Nine Weeks - Ariel Hyatt

http://vimeo.com/7365725

http://arielpublicity.com/

Charming Grass - Hymas (Spycker, France)

From the Jamendo album Hymas 2, the follow up to Hymas. I can tell you nothing more but commend you to download both albums. Big fat in-your-face beats with loads of beautifully played bass and some great drumming whilst also weaving in some really subtle little touches which just keep you listening.

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/HiGhMaS 

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'

185 voices from 12 countries

Composed and conducted by Eric Whitacre, produced and managed by Scott Haines. Please get over and take a look. Amazing.

http://youtu.be/D7o7BrlbaDs

Certains adultes errent - Kapadnoms (France)

Translates as "Some adults roam". Preceded by a rather fun little intro(version Brigitte Piaf) from the album "Un Point C'est Tout".

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...

Download a whole load of their excellent materials from Jamendo

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/kapadnoms

Adnams Broadside in Mini Casks

Yay. Adnams Broadside Mini Casks now available online (virtual order ... real flavour!

http://ow.ly/2hFAt

New Cluck Old Hen - Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub (Nashville, TN, USA)

I played some of Paul Burch's music on previous shows and, if you heard them, you may remember that he is releasing two tracks a month. This track is one of this month's pair. 

Paul has been over in the UK in the past few days playing a tight schedule of shows in the north east and London. But it just hasn't been possible to hook up, perhaps next time.

http://paulburch.com/fr_recordclub.cfm 

Still no rain to speak of but the sky did briefly sweat on us this afternoon. I only mention it because as you'll see, rain becomes a bit of a theme in the show.

Suffolk'n'Cool now has a Facebook "fan" page. - just click the link then don't forget to click the iLike button at the top of the page

Makeout - The Gypsy Nomads (New York, USA)

Folk-punk is as old as the pint glass. Unsurprisingly then, the genre’s roots are a bit of a haze. To be sure, they’re planted in the pub-filling chantalongs bleary-eyed blokes have been singing for a century or so. But it’s hard to point to an exact beginning, which is fitting for a style of music that sounds so timeless.

Composed of French-born Brit Samantha Stephenson and ex-Deep Wound punkster Scott Helland, the pair evoke a tribalistic miasma of ancient sounds as interpreted by a female Gordon Gano. A great combination and a bit of a bonus as far as I'm concerned is that there is something about Samantha's voice that reminds me at times (particularly in Vaudeville Voodoo) of Lena Lovitch - hear the track for yourself on their MySpace page.

On their fourth release, Happy Madness, Stephenson and Helland are at their songwriting peak, offering up a dozen leering come-ons and sultry kiss-offs about Magic, Making Out, and Marionettes.

They have a range of enticing CDs on their site and a new CD is "coming soon". If you like the music you can make a donation towards the production courts and get a CD when it is released - an interesting approach. It is scheduled to be out any day now.

22 Jul The Can Can, Seattle, Washington

28 Jul Pub at the End of the Universe, Portland, Oregon

30 Jul FaerieWorlds Eugene, Oregon

31 Jul FaerieWorlds Eugene, Oregon 

7 Aug World of Faeries Festival, South Elgin, Illinois

8 Aug World of Faeries Festival, South Elgin, Illinois 

http://thegypsynomads.com/

www.myspace.com/thegypsynomads

I mentioned that there is an excellent video of Lene Lovich live at Studio 54 in New York in 1981 with Thomas Dolby in her stage band on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=swbv-_vBXLI

Rain - Jack Roberts (Liverpool, UK)

Noted for his stage persona and the contradiction of wit and pain in his lyrics, Jack Roberts is a true story teller creating a huge buzz on the Liverpool music scene and beyond.  

With a reputation of captivating audiences with his elegant vocals likened to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, Jack Roberts has already received exposure on Radio Belfast after being named Record Of The Week, performed for the BBC after his Glastonbury performance, and played at a number of prestigious venues across the UK such as Shepherds Bush Empire, Jazz Café in London and Birmingham, Manchester Apollo and The Albert Hall to name but a few. 

Jack Roberts battles with Dyslexia, the result however is that he produces some of the most well crafted songs the country has ever seen.  Keep an eye out for his latest invention ‘LEN’; an animated dog described as being an extended character of Jack’s personality which you will be seeing more of soon.

www.myspace.com/jackrobertsliverpool

www.jackroberts.net

When it Rains - Brett Caswell (Barrie, Ontario, Canada)

A New Balance is the product of two years of writing, performing, and rehearsing a live band. But, Caswell's love affair with making music began in his early teens. Developing his musical persona, and himself, through a series of projects, from alternative rock to acoustic covers, he has honed his song craft and live performance skill.

His natural energy and his broad experiences make him a powerful presence on the stage. Almost upstanding and slightly weathered, Brett Caswell is out to make you cry, but in a good way.

After releasing his debut LP earlier this year, Brett Caswell is announcing a string of east coast tour dates this summer. Kicking off on home soil in Barrie, Caswell will join Ottawa band Old Crowns in a number of Ontario cities and all the way out to Halifax.

Jul 17 @ Kenzington's, BARRIE

Jul 21 @ The Phog Lounge, WINDSOR.

Jul 22 @ The Spill, PETERBOROUGH

Jul 23 @ The Elmdale Tavern, OTTAWA

Jul 24 @ Boom Nightclub, FREDERICTON

Jul 27 @ The Company House, HALIFAX

Jul 28 @ Uncle Larry's, SACKVILLE

Jul 29 @ Bar St. Laurent, MONTREAL 

www.myspace.com/bcaswell

http://brettcaswell.com/

Jericho Road - Kelly Richie (Cincinnati, OH, USA)

As a teenager, Richey practiced guitar 12 hours a day. "I never set it down,” she remembers. "I took it to school, I took it to the kitchen table and if I took a walk it was strapped on." Now, when she picks up her guitar, anyone within earshot is compelled to listen. A working musician since her teens, she began her professional career as a member of the Arista Records group Stealin' Horses; in 1990 she formed The Kelly Richey Band, with whom she has become both a national and international touring artist.

Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity inadvertently reminded me last week that I've not played  Kelly in a long, long time, even though I follow her on Twitter. Now is the time to put that right with the epic Jericho Road a track from her solidly excellent album "Carry the Light". 

Take a look at her videos on YouTube at http://tinyurl.com/5orlu3

www.kellyrichey.com

www.myspace.com/kellyrichey

Another wonderful music video is "Newport" by MJ Delaney Films. It echos Gavin and Stacy althopugh perhaps in it's wacky Welshness - you must check out the lyrics (subtitled) which are just brilliant. Use the comment button below these notes to let me know your favourite line! Yeah.

La Otra Historia - Sundayers (Madrid, Spain)

At the end of 2009 they began the recording of their second album “Cógelo”. This time with Ferni Duhalde as sound engineer (El Tio Calambres, Eureka, Outro Jazz), and a very creative music production - with thirteen tracks full of energy and a crucial fusion of styles and the consistence and strength of the songs. In March 2010 they published the album for free download on Jamendo.

This Spanish collective plays an energetic music, a mix between reggae, ska, funk and all the styles each member will bring out. Always ready to party, you could see them everywhere in Spain and maybe in Europe in the next months.

www.jamendo.com/en/album/62611

www.sundayers.com

Litterbug - Blabbin On Babylon (London, UK.)

After first smashing the dance floors doing DJ’ing, outdoor festivals and specialist events around the UK, plus the occasional slot on Portsmouth’s Pure FM radio, Lucius returns with his new project Blabbin On Babylon.  

Already receiving positive reviews from radio presenters and described as being ‘an epic adventure through sound scape wrapped in fine beats’ you can find out more information on Blabbin On Babylon at their website.

www.brainbomb.com

Burn it Down - AWOLNation (New York, NY, USA)

AWOLNATION is a riptide of head-banging dance beats, toe-tapping soul, biting lyrical cleverness and fiery rock romp that is poised to break all the rules of pop music.

AWOLNATION has dropped their debut EP Back From Earth featuring the explosive lead track “Burn It Down”. The EP is engagingly unique and exciting, as the tracks seem to invite listeners along to the proverbial secret party and then keep them up all night to welcome the apocalypse, and well, Burn It Down. But just when these glorious party bangers might leave you “jonesing” for more, AWOLNATION keep your hope and smile well fed with the uplifting swing of the groovy “Guilty Filthy Soul”. Overall, the 4-track EP is a mosaic of genre-twisting pop gems that covers the spectrum of sonic fun. Like squeezing watermelons into lemons, Back From Earth is an immersive listening experience that packs a lot of punch. The collection is rounded out with a bonus remix of “Burn It Down” by Innerpartysytem.

More than just a band, AWOLNATION is also an outlet for AWOL’s artistic outlook. To complement the band’s sound and musical aesthetic, AWOL has unearthed a series of Deep Danger and Lost Signal short films that combines the careful details and painterly attention of a Wes Anderson film with the sci-fi imagination and intergalactic absurdity of Barbarella, the movie.

To view clips of AWOLNATION’s Deep Danger and Lost Signal video series, visit www.haveyougoneawol.com/

www.myspace.com/AWOLNATIONmusic

7ths and 3rds - Green Go / Gregory Pepper (Guelph, Ontario, Canada)

After a whirlwind 12 months which included the release of their debut album 'Borders' to substantial critical praise, and shows with the likes of Thunderheist, Think About Life, You Say Party! We Say Die, Fischerspooner, and hosts of others, Guelph ON's dance party bringers Green Go are pumping out the jams once again. But these ones come, how Ringo might say, with a little help from their friends.

The Green Go Remix Project vol II, available as a free download on the interwebs as of April 1st, features the band's dual-organic and electronic re-hashings of their friends' bangers - Woodhands, Diamond Rings, Gregory Pepper, and Think About Life, as well as their own fuzzed-out remake of their own track Watch Your Step, which originally appeared on 'Borders'.

Remix Project Vol II is the result of a band with hordes more knowledge than first time around, and the subtle touch of producer/engineer Roger Leavens (the RAA, Woodhands, etc). The result is a much more polished, refined sound than the previous set, and one which promises to continue to expand the gospel of Green Go.

www.greengomusic.com

www.myspace.com/greengomusic

Sorry to interrupt your Saturday, or whatever day it is that you're reading/listening, but I just had a very excited call from Jeremy Gugenheim (The G Spot) who is at the Latitude Festival this weekend and who has just seem School of Seven Bells perform an astounding set and I thought you might like to hear what all the fuss is about or, if you are at Latitude, to have a little reminder of what it's all about.

Half Asleep - School of Seven Bells (New York, NY, USA)

A couple of SoSB tracks from previous Suffolk'n'Cool shows are available for free, and legal download via IODA. If you go to show 142 and 140, you'll be able to download Connjur and the track from this show, called Half Asleep.

Enjoy them and then get the albums which are on Ghostly International.

Their latest album, Disconnect from Desire is also available now at Amazon and on iTunes.

www.sviib.com/

It's been a busy week including a trip over to the Adnams brewery to talk to Fergus, the Head Brewer for our new feature. 

I couldn't resist the temptation to take a few pics while the light was dramatically "after-rain" (right).

Music this week from from California, London, Jamaica, Netherlands and Florida.

Intro: Happy - Jimmie Bratcher

www.jimmiebratcher.com

Hungry Daze - iNi Kamoze (Kingston Jamaica)

Ini Kamoze has worked with some premier artists and producers in hip-hop and reggae such as Jermaine Dupre, P Diddy, 9 SOUNDCLIK, Sly & Robbie and Phillip “Fattis” Burrell. 

Hungry Daze is taken from his all-new studio album 5150 Rule.

iNi Kamoze's long career history had him first recording for Island Records in the mid 1980s.

iNi Kamoze "Hungry Daze" (mp3) from "5150 Rule" (9 SoundClik) Buy at Napster More On This Album www.inikamoze.com/ 

Artists House - Chris Blackwell

From one of a whole series of recordings from Artists House. I swear he sits right behind me as I'm selecting tracks for the show! 

www.artistshousemusic.org/node/5369/245

@artistshouse

A Lot for Her to Take - Dry Riser (Kentish Town, London, UK)

Dry Riser have been creating a huge buzz on the South East music scene since the release of their debut EP ‘Two Many Chiefs’.

They recently performed at Guilfest alongside the likes of Squeeze, Jimmy Cliff and Newton Faulkner helping increase their profile further.  More gig dates will be announced shortly which will be listed on their websites along with details about how you can purchase their material.

www.dryriser.info

www.myspace.com/dryrisermusic

Hippie Girl - PC Muñoz (San Francisco)

I first played PC Muñoz on SnC 035 back in October 2006. He has certainly been on the move since then with some really interesting work along the way. At heart he is San Francisco-based recording artist and producer known for genre-defying projects which stretch the boundaries of funk and the avant-garde. 

From his on-going Micro Jams project. 

http://pcmunoz.bandcamp.com/album/micro-jams

www.myspace.com/pcmunoz

http://pcmunoz.com/

One Heartache Too Late - Janiva Magness (CA, USA)

Award-winning vocalist Janiva Magness is among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. A charismatic performer known for her electrifying live shows, Magness is a gutsy and dynamic musical powerhouse. She received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award, Koko Taylor being the first) and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007.

Her new CD, The Devil Is An Angel Too, (on Alligator Records) co-produced by Magness and Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Meredith Brooks, Dan Hicks), is a hard-hitting collection of material that explores the depths of good and evil, with Magness’ glorious, soul-baring vocals burning their way through twelve powerful songs. “All of us have a light and a dark side. Human beings are capable of the most incredible acts of kindness and absolute wretchedness. This record explores both sides,” Magness explains. She wraps her huge, soulful voice around original material written especially for her, and songs from Julie Miller, Graham Parker, Nick Lowe, Joe Tex, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Ann Peebles and James Carr.

The band comprises: JANIVA MAGNESS (Vocals); ZACH ZUNIS (Guitar); GARY DAVENPORT (Bass); JIM ALFREDSON (Hammond B3 & Keyboards); MATT TECU (Drums).

July

7 Durango, CO Abbey Theater

8 Woodland Park, CO Crystola Roadhouse

9 Longmount, CO Oskar Blues

10 Denver, CO Blues & Brews Festival

11 Taos, NM Solar Center

15 Mont Tremblant, ON Mont Tremblant Blues Festival

17 London, ON Bluesfest International

18 Windsor, ON Bluesfest International

24 Reno, NV Aces Ballpark, Freight House Dist.

25 Tahoe City, CA Commons Beach Concert Series

30 Santa Barbara, CA Warren Hall

31 Deming, WA Mt Baker Blues Festival

See Janiver talking about the new album on her site.

http://janivamagness.com/

Adnams Artist of the Month - Ingi

Interview in the Adnams Brewery with Fergus Fitzgerald, Head Brewer about his musical tastes, the brewery and his choice of Icelander Ingi as Artist of the Month from the SnC June playlist.

There is a longer version of this interview in the Artist of the Month section of the site.

Saturday - Ingi (Reykjavik, Iceland)

www.myspace.com/ingitunes

Tension - Azoora (London, UK)

"After one year of silence and recovering, one of the most well-established and best bands in the whole netlabel scene are back with a new EP. As always with 3 originals and 3 remixes.

Azoora is a blend of all the great bands and music styles you can think of. From 60s psychedelic garage sounds to modern techno trip hop. Via the 90´s indie and Manchester baggy acid pop. Their uniqueness and greatness has been marking a land of their own since the early 2000s. Like a green dream in a grey reality." 

Their new EP was recorded during the winter last year and spring this year by 

Paul Loader: songwriter, vocals, acoustic guitar

John Purcell: producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist

Ben Cochrane: drums

Trudi Lawrence: backing vocals

You can get the EP direct from the excellent 23 seconds netlabel at www.23seconds.org/047.htm

www.myspace.com/azoora

Ain't Good Lookin' - miXendorp (Netherlands)

Another of Jan Mittendorp's intriguing remixes of artists on his own Black and Tan blues label.

At the Black and Tan site you can find all this information plus lots of other and interesting stuff (pictures, links, opinions). The content is updated almost daily.

www.black-and-tan.com

Buffalo Soldier - King Sporty (Miami, FL, USA)

Noel "King Sporty" Williams, the author of one of Bob Marley's greatest pop reggae hits. King Sporty is a performer in his own right, and he presents a different take on the beloved Buffalo Soldier.

In an industry where hype often covers artistic mediocrity, Noel “King Sporty” Williams is a rarity - an entertainer whose work is actually better known than his name. As a deejay his early recordings for legendary Jamaican label Studio One are some of the most sought after by collectors and lovers of reggae music’s golden era. His songwriting skills have landed him a place in pop music history as author of Buffalo Soldier, one of reggae icon Bob Marley’s biggest international hits.

King Sporty’s multi-faceted skills were initially honed in his homeland of Jamaica. Born in small-town Port Antonio, Sporty developed his early sound by working the Kingston discos. His experiences there stood him in good stead once he came to Miami and founded International Sounds and Films Productions. King Sporty is a leader when it comes to club sounds, experimenting with electronica and vocoders a full decade before they hit the mainstream. He has recorded club hits under several aliases including Cybermon and the Extras.

King Sporty "Buffalo Soldier" (mp3) from "Buffalo Soldier - Single" (Konduko Records) Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Album www.myspace.com/kingsportyrecordshop

Confused - Latvian Blues Band (Riga, Latvia)

“Unreal” is the first studio album by the Latvian Blues Band, who have been performing together since 1997, largely in Latvia, but also in Lithuania and throughout Europe, with occasional visits to the United States and Canada, including most recently when they were a contestant in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in January of 2010. This album showcases the band’s songwriting talents, with ten of the fourteen tracks being written by the band. Duke Robillard makes guest appearances playing guitar on two of the album’s songs and is also the album’s producer.

Latvian Blues Band
"Confused" (mp3)
from "Unreal"
(Blue Skunk Music)

More On This Album

www.latvianbluesband.com/

Merchluv.com

Not an advert or sponsored link, I just thought it might be of interest to bands and designers.

www.merchluv.com

Best I can - FireBug (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Forged in the storied Wicker Park section of Chicago by vocalist Juliette Tworsey and guitarist Jules Shapiro, FireBug (named for Juliette's flaming red hair) began cutting their musical teeth in and around local Chicago venues before making their way out to Los Angeles.

Since arriving in Los Angeles, FireBug have become a part of the essential club scene sharing the stage with many artists including Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Donita Sparks (L7), to unplugged sets at the Hotel Café with new folk artist Jesca Hoop (Tom Waits), and even performing with classic 60’s folk icon Donovan. 

The band has also received high praise from various publications such as Time Out NY and LA Weekly, who compare the FireBug sound to that of a new millennium version of 70’s rock, with each song being stamped with their own unique signature. 

FireBug's touring efforts over the past year have garnered a core fan base, and 60,000 "friends" on MySpace. They are currently working on their upcoming U.S. & UK tour.

Their music can be gentle one moment, then fiercely aggressive the next. Their expertly woven rock/alternative/blues sound with a bit of Irish/British influence is brought home by the sweet, slightly psychedelic, but intense vocals of Juliette Tworsey.

You can see what all the fuss is about when FireBug visits the UK for a tour which includes performing at the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth on 1st August.  Full details of this along with how you can purchase their material can be found on their websites. 

www.firebugmusic.com/

www.myspace.com/firebug

Multiverse Playground Part II 

Two Paper Garden Recrords bands are touring the west coast kicking off in Seattle, WA (July 7) with Peasant playing at Tractor Tavern and Mighty Tiger at Neumos, then the two will join forces and head down the coast stopping in Portland (July 8) at The Woods, San Francisco (July 9) at Five Points Art House, Davis (July 10) at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen and ending the party in Los Angeles for Multiverse Playground II.

Last November, Paper Garden Records put together a spectacle of an event featuring music, art, and comedy at an art gallery space in NYC.  The idea was for this event to plant the seed  for a series of similar events, entitled Multiverse Playground.  With this event getting praises from media outlets including NY Post, Village Voice, Flavorpill, NY Press, Death & Taxes to name a few, the day has finally come to announce part two of the series - but this time cross-country to the land of Los Angeles on July 11th  And to sweeten the deal, the event is FREE and ALL AGES!!.

To be held at Urban Outfitters' Space 15 Twenty, a unique and uber-trendy retail and art space, featuring music from Paper Garden's very own Peasant and Mighty Tiger as well as LA's Monster, Mulitverse Playground Part II will also exibit the live artwork of Gregory Siff, artist and actor who has made appearances on Late Night With Conan O'Brien and Saturday Night Live, not to mention has artwork is in the collection of Leonardo DiCaprio, Russel Brand, Robert Downey Jr., Lindsay Lohan and many more.  Cafe Bustelo will be sponsoring the event as well, doing free t-shirt and coffee giveaways!

Multiverse Playground will be held from 2-5pm on Sunday, July 11th.  The event will be free, all ages, and open to the public! Location 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd, LA.

RSVP by Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/3xezfax

www.papergardenrecords.com/

The End - Peasant (Bucks County, PA, USA)

Peasant is Damien DeRose, 23-year-old poet turned artiste, from fabled and beautiful Bucks County, PA.  The sleepy hometown and its surroundings, melded with trials and tribulations, to inspire Peasant's confessional and straightforward style of music. In and out of the bedroom studio throughout high school, DeRose helped form a small scene in Bucks County by doling out frisky live performances and DIY records. After high school, he traveled solo on several tours of the US and Europe before signing with Paper Garden Records in 2008 and releasing "On The Ground."

www.myspace.com/peasant

www.papergardenrecords.com/shop/item/47

Mixdown [Eye Dance Master] - Grant Beardsley (Norwich, UK)

Grant came in to record a Session at the Barn a couple of year ago, last week he sent me a new track which marks quite a departure from his ambient style. I think it brings together the electro and real instruments in a really interesting way.

Hear more of his music at:

www.myspace.com/grantbeardsley

Back to this - The Heist (London, UK)

The Heist are four London-based twenty-somethings who spend their time writing songs and rocking out in the garage. Once you enter that garage… it hits you. An intense wave of sound will grab you, then shake you into a serious session of head-banging and fist-pumping. 

This is what The Heist are all about. Their blend of powerful rock is infused with melodic guitars and catchy choruses sprinkled with elements of funk, psychedelic and acoustic sounds. Musical influences include Rage Against The Machine, My Vitriol and the Foo Fighters whose presence can be felt in songs where strong, melodic vocals give way to heavy riffs and loud choruses.

Catch them live next week (15 July) at the good old Purple Turtle in Camden.

www.myspace.com/theheistrock

Unlock Democracy / Eyesee sponsored show on Friday in London

Eyesee, with thegood people at Unlock Democracy, are putting on some gigs in aid of the Take Back Parliament campaign which is all about trying to change our electoral system so we live in a Democracy… which would be nice.

The first gig is at The Luminaire in Kilburn on Friday 9th July, 2010 and features The Penny Black Remedy, True Ingredients and Jonnygonehome. 

It costs only £4. If you become a member of Unlock Democracy (£24 or £12 benefit) you will get a free ticket and a copy of their book… and of course help them in pursuing their campaigns.

You can buy a £4 ticket from our shop: Click on this £4 ticket link

You can become a UD member (free ticket): Click on this Membership link

Through the link in the shownotes you can see clips of the bands that will be playing on the night.

There’s only 250 tickets available. Show starts at 8pm and finishes at 11pm. Any profit to the Take Back Parliament campaign.

www.eyeseesound.tv/blog/archives/141

Essex - Catgut (UK)

“The artist known as Catgut, who was born in Norway in 1987, grew up in north-east Scotland and south-east England and has been making Stealth Pop recordings since 2007” - Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music

And we've been listening to him on SnC since 2006! He is up to some amazingly creative things as you can discover on his website which he assures me is officially open for business. Some interesting film collaborations on the site and don't forget to pick up the latest EP, Love and Essex while you are there. It is available as a totally free and legal download. 

www.littlecatgut.com/

Podcrawl

at The Bridge House, 218 London Bridge Road, really near err … London Bridge in … err … London. There's a map from this link.

Mabel - Kanda Bongo Man (UK)

Soukous legend Kanda Bongo Man, was born on June 8th 1955 in the village of Inongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

He grew up listening to Congolese legends such as Le Grand Kalle, Franco, Vicky Longomba, Dr. Nico, Tabu Ley and Zaiko Langa Langa, but Kanda began his own musical career when he joined the group " Orchestra Bella Mambo" in 1972, learning his craft from fellow band member Soki Dianzenza. Kanda Bongo Man and Dianzenza then both joined Diazenza’s brother’s group Bella Bella before Kanda moved to Paris in 1979. 

In 1981 Kanda released his first solo album "Iyole". This became a number one hit all over Africa and was to be closely followed by "Djessy" in 1982.

He performed at the first ever WOMAD in England in 1982 and in 1989 he released his first American-distributed album, Kwassa Kwassa.

www.myspace.com/kandabongoman

Listening back to these week's selection it does feel like hot weather music, which seems appropriate really as it is, as last, warm here in eastern England. Even the studio cat Warwick has taken to his look-out point outside the door. It is obviously such a good vantage point that he can keep watch with his eyes closed.

Hardcore - Second Time Lucky (Brighton, UK) Rann Records

Formed in July 2003 as a collection of experienced musicians from local Ska bands, we blend a punk rock attitude with the fast paced rhythms and cheery attitude of Ska to create a mixture that will both rock your socks off and have you skanking in your pants. "We give you powerful melodic vocals wrapped up in straight clean guitar riffs with catchy bass and danceable brass lines."

www.myspace.com/secondtimelucky

I saw Something Happened last night, playing their show Taboo-Be-Do! - an amazingly entertaining romp through 100 years of politically incorrect songs from the shadier corners of jazz, bluegrass, blues, cabaret, musical and pop. It's amazing how hearing a whole set of songs makes it clear how far we have gone down the route towards a world where anodyne is normal rather than an extreme! My thanks to Terence Blacker, Derek Hewitson and vocalist Victoria Hart for a hugely and bravely entertaining night. As Neil Innes said, the show was "Relaxed, funny and enjoyably provocative - I was delighted on all affronts."

I'm hoping to be able to play some of their songs in the next couple of weeks.  

Snake remix - Boo Boo Davis / miXendorp (St. Louis/Nr Amsterdam) Black and Tan

One of a few remixes (so far) by Dutch blues guitarist, promoter and label proprietor Jan Mittendorp. It's certainly unusual to hear blues incorporated into remixes. I think it brings a fresh new twist to the genre and applaud Jan for trying this new approach to spreading the word about the blues which he does so well through Black and Tan Records.

Remixes of three Boo Boo Davis originals. Here are the direct links to the tracks at this iTunes link and Emusic

At the Black and Tan site you can find all this information plus lots of other and interesting stuff (pictures, links, opinions). The content is updated almost daily.

www.black-and-tan.com

Sissel - Jienat (Hamerfest, Norway)

Jienat is based in the northernmost town on earth: Hammerfest, Norway.

If you drive north on Route E6, you only have 955 km left as you cross the Arctic Circle.

More than 5,000 years ago, fishermen and hunters with special needs for climatic masochism settled in this neighborhood. Even today, we are fewer that 10,000 persons in town-- a growth rate of less than 2 persons per year since 3 000 B.C.

Despite its small population, peoples have mingled in this region for thousands of years. In a reflection of this, the lyrics on this disc are in Swedish, Spanish, Northern Sami, Kildin Sami and Inare Sami. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only CD featuring the Kildin Sami language.

This may all sound pretty improbable but please check out the website to find and see more. It is quite remarkable to witness the lengths that people will go to produce music.

www.jienat.com

Be Africa - Bibi Tanga and The Selenites (Paris, France)

On Dunya, Parisian musical patch-worker Bibi Tanga crafts an interstellar inoculation of grooves and grit. With a wildly eclectic heart, the record references fellow afro-futurist Fela Kuti, funk foundationalist Curtis Mayfield, British post-punk pioneers The English Beat, famed New Orleanian jazz soloist Sidney Bechet, and a list of luminaries that gets increasingly obscure with each carefully-curated curiosity. Enlisting the invaluable assistance of producer Professor Inlassable – who worked on both of Tanga’s past releases, 2003’s Yellow Gauze LP and 2009’s It’s The Earth That Moves EP – Bibi and his band of moon-dwelling Selenites fire on all cylinders with their latest offering. 

Rounded out by Arthur Simonini on violin & keyboards, Rico Kerridge on guitar and Arnaud Biscay on drums, the Selenites prove the perfect backing band for Bibi’s brand of omnivorous world music, powering through steampunk flare-ups and pre-historic funkouts with equal aplomb.

www.myspace.com/bibitanga

We can Fly remix - Lachi (New York, NY, USA)

"Though these eyes are broken, well these ears truly see right...in black and white." Lachi sings, referring to her visual impairment, and her true ability to see through black and white piano keys. Alt-Rock Goddess Lachi has garnered musical respect from innumerable reviewers for her vocal and lyrical prowess. She and her talented band have recently finished recording an album under Fanatic Records, EMI/Caroline and are thrilled to be celebrating this release in the summer of 2010 at “Joe’s Pub”. With successful showcases at SxSW, CMJ, the IndieGirl Conference, and many other festivals, colleges and venues around the country, Lachi's music and live performances continue to garner critical acclaim. Lachi will be remembered as one of the most important musical voices of our generation.

The CD Release party is at Joe's Pub in NYC July 22 (and following east coast tour), and then the real national release (via EMI/Caroline) on July 27th. Joe's pub gig details

www.lachimusic.com

Panique sur le dancefloor - Volfoniq feat. Tribuman (Montpellier and Strasbourg, France ) LCL

From the 3-track EP Dub in Taiwan, available under Creative Commons from LCL netlabel at: http://lclweb.org/audio_ep_lcl11.htm

"Like with Cosmiq Ryoku, working with people from Asia on Dub in Taiwan brought to me lots of new ideas and sonic material. Kou Chou Ching style of rap is different from the occidental ones, and their harmonics are based on other scales. The mix of this with dub and breakbeats rendered a very original blend. It was also the first time I collaborated with Tribuman, a singer with a lot of personality and high voicing skills. Such nice encounters ".  Volfoniq - November 2008 

www.volfoniq.com/

www.myspace.com/volfoniq

www.twitter.com/volfoniq

Chuggin' - Second Time Lucky (Brighton, UK.) Rann Records

The second track from Second Time Lucky.

www.myspace.com/secondtimelucky

Fiesta in the Park (Cowley Road, Oxford) on Saturday evening with the now nearly legendary Kanda Bongo Man from The Congo, Grand Union Orchestra, the UK's most successful and diverse world jazz orchestra, Oxford's reggae favourites Makating, Unique Oxford collective Brickwork Lizards peddle a film noir soundtrack with a jazzy twist of arabic melodies and rap and Skylarkin' Soundsystem who will be kicking out its patented brew of Jumpin' Jivin' Rockin' Swingin' Reggae, Ska, Soul, Dancehall and Rhythm & Blues. Just the think for a hot weekend eh?

www.wegottickets.com/f/1750

Red Red Wine (with The Axixs) - Splurt (New York City, NY, USA)

In 2009, Splurt met manager Donovan Thomas (Lil Vicious, Dante Thomas.) They began to work on new material at Wyclef Jean's Platinum Sound Studios in New York City. It was there that his unique stylistic blend of reggae, hip hop and electro music caught the attention of the Fugees member Pras Michel. Splurt details the meeting,

“Pras heard me and asked me to do a track with his group, The Axixs. We chose ‘Red Red Wine’ because it was a reggae classic that we felt needed an update.” In 2010, Splurt continues to work on new singles for the upcoming release of his next album; Splurt Personality.

www.splurt.net/

www.myspace.com/splurt

www.twitter.com/splurt

Last evening was spent with my chum Debbie (on her birthday eve); a walk across the marshes and a pub meal at The Golden Key at Snape, here in Suffolk. A stark  reminder of how such a place can blow the minds of folks coming out of London for a weekend. Of course the pint of bitter, from "you know who", at the pub helps too and, for me, just tastes of summer! Altogether "most agreeable".

Where and how do you "re-charge"? Drop me a line and let me know via the Contact page.

What it once was - ForMarla (Brighton, UK)

Having supported A Flock Of Seagulls on their first UK tour since the 1980’s and most recently performing at this years Great Escape Festival in Brighton, great things are expected from ForMarla (pronounced For Marla)

Having originally been a 5 piece, the departure of their drummer has resulted in the band now using a drum machine after being unable to find a suitable replacement.  In the long term, this has now benefited ForMarla having created their own style reminiscent of music all of the band members love.  

The band’s debut EP has now been recorded which you can listen to at www.myspace.com/formarla along with further information about forthcoming gigs soon to be announced.

www.myspace.com/formarla  

La Cumparsita - New York Tango Jam Session (Portland, Oregon, USA)

Argentine Tangos interpreted by some of the greatest tango musicians, played in an improvised style for dancing. From the album Berretineando which features some of the best tango musicians in the US who have come together to record twenty danceable tracks of classic tangos in the “a la parilla” style.

La Cumparsita was written by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, an Uruguayan musician, in 1917. The title translates as "The little parade" and the original lyrics begin: "The little parade of endless miseries..."

The song was named cultural and popular anthem of Uruguay by law in 1997. In the Olympic Games of Sydney 2000, the Argentine team marched to "La Cumparsita". This originated protests and official claims from the Uruguayan government. 

La Cumparsita is very popular at Milongas; it is a common tradition for it to be played for the last dance of the evening.

Take a look at  the videos on the site.

www.newyorktangojamsession.com

Ballad of the Metronome - Elle Lefant (Poughkeepsie, NY, USA)

I heard Elle Lefant on The Bugcast a few weeks ago ( www.thebugcast.org/ ). Now they seem to be getting a bit of attention on Jamendo.

nijae:: disheveled vocalist. lyricist. banjo player. fast food enthusiast. ebay nemesis.

max:: a renaissance man, if you will. producer, choreographer, pianist. music fanatic. he holds all the keys.

www.ellelefant.com

www.jamendo.com/en/album/64104

www.myspace.com/ellelefantsounds

The Stripper Always Listens - Mistake (Rossendale, Lancashire, UK)

Mistake has made huge inroads since playing the triangle in the school band when he was 8 years old.

With a sound described as Tom Jones being in the Prodigy, Mistake writes music to cover all genres and is renowned for always wanting to try something new.  This reputation has already resulted in him being featured on BBC Introducing for Radio Lancashire with more exposure likely to follow over the coming months. 

www.myspace.com/mastermistake  

Money - CJ Priest, Sammi Starr and Robbie Cat (Nassau, Bahamas)

BuffBoo Records is the first Reggae Record label from the Bahamas and has released four Reggae Compilation albums (Riddims) in the last four years..The Label has signed local recording artists Be( Bodine Johnson), Peter Runks, CJ Priest, Robbie Cat, LoLa Makare, Shacara and Wolf.

The OMG album, a mixture of many Bahamian artists from different backgrounds is a surprising blend of vocal styles and song themes.

OMG has 11 tracks and features secular artists such as Landlord, MDeez, CJ Priest, Sammi Starr, Lola Makare, Bodine ‘Be’ Johnson, Robbie Cat, Shacara, DJ Chronic, Peter Runks, Mr. Yagga Yo, and Savage Bull. 

The album contains powerful depictions of life in the Bahamas from politics to partying all in one place.

OMG is also the debutante premiere of production house The Clones. 

www.buffboo.com

www.myspace.com/buffboomusic

www.reverbnation.com/label/buffboomusic

Adnams Spindrift

http://masterbrewer.adnams.co.uk/bottled-beer/coming-soon-new-spindrift-bottled-beer

Lady Salsa - Major Major (Liverpool, UK)

I said I wanted to play you another track from Major Major who I saw in Liverpool at the IPO festival.

www.majormajor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/majormajor

La retta via - Romualdo (Termoli, Italy?)

It is difficult to resist the temptation of a touch of reggae polka. So I didn't.

Can't tell you anything about the artist as the Jamendo page is very, very light.

www.jamendo.com/en/album/69242

Jericho - Hattie Snooks (Brighton, UK)

Hattie signed to Rann Records in 2008 and with the release of her debut EP in July 2009, Hattie is set to venture further afield, making her mark on both industry and people's hearts.

Hattie Snooks’ EP “Bon Appétit” is out now, distributed through Genepool and Universal Music. or it can be downloaded everywhere from iTunes and HMV to Amazon, Tesco, Play.com, Spotify and more. The CD can also be purchased from www.rannrecords.co.uk

www.myspace.com/hattiesnooks

Summer seems to have arrived this afternoon. After what seems like weeks of dark cold grey skies, the sun came out, so did the poppies on the field edges.

Marvelous - Lexi Street (Atlanta, GA, USA)

I found the CD and remembered that I'd intended playing you the opening track ages ago.

Champagne Promises is the tongue in cheek title for Lexi Street's long awaited second album which makes good on their promise to deliver. If you like Tom Waits, Shiveree, or moody broody music, with some playful attitude thrown in - then you'll like this album!

www.lexistreet.com

www.myspace.com/lexistreet

Shy - F&M (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

F&M have been in touch to let me know about a new YouTube video that they have. It really is a beautifully made video and well worth getting over to their site.

Dates:

June 17 The Dirty Jersey at Kamloops, BC

June 18 The Minstrel, Kelowna, BC

June 19 NXNE Festival  - Czehovski / F&M showcase at  10:00 PM / Toronto, ON

June 22 Cafe Deux Soleils, Vancouver, BC  w/The Magician & The Gates of Love

June 23 Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC *This is an amazing listening room! / $12 in advance, $15 at Door/

June 24 Fort Street Cafe, Victoria, BC  / F&M w/Lane Arndt 

June 25 Whistle Stop Pub, Courtney / Comox Valley, BC playing a showcase set at 6PM as part of the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference

They are working on a new album which will may well be out later this year.

www.fandmtheband.com

Red Dog Speaks - Elvin Bishop (Lagunitas, CA, USA) 

Elvin Bishop
"Red Dog Speaks" (mp3)
from "Red Dog Speaks"
(DELTA GROOVE PRODUCTIONS)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bishop’s earliest exposure to music came from the family’s radio, where in between “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” young Elvin could sometimes catch classic records of Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Once he’d got his feet wet, there was no turning back. He quickly acquired his first guitar and on his own began working out the basic outlines of the Blues, R&B and Rock & Roll that had captured his soul.

Elvin Bishop has been travelling the Blues road longer than most, and he’s got the stories to prove it - many of which are contained within the songs on this release. Stops along the way include his work as a founding member of the groundbreaking Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the early ‘60s, recordings with legends such as Clifton Chenier, John Lee Hooker, and The Allman Brothers, and Pop success with his own 1976 smash hit “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”. Bishop’s long and varied career has included plenty of side trips along the way as well, from deep down gutbucket Blues played in smoky South Side Chicago taverns, to raucous roadhouse R&B, to good time Rock & Roll on concert stages and festivals around the world. And at every stage along the way, he’s instilled all of his music with passion, creativity, and a healthy helping of wisdom, wit, and good humor.

He has a couple of dates this month in Canton Ohio and Nicasio, CA more dates on his site at

www.elvinbishopmusic.com

'pon the Dancefloor - Dubmarine (Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

Dubmarine
"Pon the Dancefloor" (mp3)
from "Depth of Sound"
(SugarRush Sol Records)

More On This Album

Featuring their trademark bass-driven foundations, twin trombone blasts and thunderous synth explosions, the band rocks deep dancehall, reggae, dub, and drum and bass riddims, lead by the vocal gymnastics of indigenous superstar and Darumbal man D-Kazman. Dubmarine have a mission, to produce the sound and fury of electronic music live, in all of its bass crunching, rhythm pounding, hip shaking fiendish glory, all played by musicians, all real. 

Dubmarine’s debut album, Depth of Sound was meticulously crafted by studio wizard Andrew Stephens (Kingfisha) it is a culmination of hard work and dedication. The album covers many different genres including reggae, DnB, dubstep, hip hop, dancehall, ambient, minimal and dub creating a rich sonic soundscape and downright dirty beats!

19 Jun 2010 12:00 Festival Mundial - Tilburg, Netherlands

20 Jun 2010 12:00 Amsterdam Roots Festival - Amsterdam! Netherlands

25 Jun 2010 22:30 Trier Festival - Trier, Germany

26 Jun 2010 20:00 Afro Latino Festival - Bree, Belgium

27 Jun 2010 20:00 Wereldfees - Utrecht, Netherlands

16 Jul 2010 19:30 Colours of Ostrava Festival - Ostrava, Czech Republic

There is a video of a live performance of another track Point the Bone, on their MySpace site.

http://www.myspace.com/mellowdubmarine

Lost in your eyes - Antoine Dufour (Montreal, Canada)

Antoine Dufour
"Lost in Your Eyes" (mp3)
from "Convergences"
(Candy Rat Records)

Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

Antoine Dufour is emerging as one of Canada’s young stars of acoustic, finger-style guitar.

Dufour was born in the little town of l’Epiphane, near Montreal. He started playing guitar at the age of 15. He studied at the CEGEP of Joliette, where his teacher made him listen to Leo Kottke, Don Ross and Michael Hedges. His life and his vision of the guitar changed, and since then he has been completely devoted to finger-style steel string guitar. His musical style is a mix of the powerful rhythms of rock, the sensibility of classical music, a funky groove, and a pure folk melody.

www.myspace.com/antoinedufour

The Surprise - The Real Nasty (San Francisco, CA, USA)

San Francisco-based The Real Nasty has just released its debut full-length album Paper City.  Recorded completely live in the studio, “Paper City” captures The Real Nasty’s gritty, live performance in a studio setting, a feat often difficult to accomplish for live bands.  With a traditional, up-right bass and a self-made cajon percussion set counterbalancing country-blues inspired guitar, The Real Nasty combines an electric sound with a more down-home, acoustic ethos, and are sure to gain some much deserved attention with their debut release.

Formed in January 2009, the Real Nasty is comprised of 3 veteran bay-area musicians with diverse musical backgrounds.  Jacob Groopman’s guitar work is noticeably influenced by his bluegrass picking skills, and drummer Matt Smith’s deep interest in West African drumming is what informs his mastery of the cajon.  With bassist Ryan Lukas, a music professor at the University of Santa Clara, holding down the bottom end, The Real Nasty brings together 3 very strong musical backgrounds, forming a unit and a sound that is truly unique.

Now, with their debut album just released, The Real Nasty are focused on bringing their explosive live show to new fans all over the West Coast.  "Paper City" draws you in and keeps you there, and the album is only surpassed by the band's live energy.  Don't miss them, there is a string of west coast dates on their sites.

www.therealnasty.com

www.myspace.com/therealnastyband

NXNE Festival

We're in the middle of NXNE week and AudioBlood Media have are presenting 15 bands during the course of the week. To celebrate, the good folks at Audio Blood have made a mixture available for us all to download free at: http://drop.io/abmixtapenxne

The Balconies have a new video of their track Serious Bedtime that is well worth a look at www.aux.tv/video/The-Balconies-Serious-Bedtime/

Needle in the groove - Brett Caswell and the Marquee Rose (Barrie, Ontario) 

Straight from the heart of the suburban wasteland of southern Ontario comes Brett Caswell, an emerging singer songwriter who has set his sights set on breaking your heart, then making you smile. Armed with his backing band, The Marquee Rose, (which contains members of Fox Jaws and other Barrie staples) 

Brett and the band are playing the Cadillac Lounge tomorrow night (Thurs 17 June) 

www.myspace.com/bcaswell

Code of a Mad Man - Brad Hammonds (New York, NY, USA)

From his Shoulders of Giants project. 

Brad Hammonds is an acoustic guitarist/ singer/songwriter from New York City.  His debut album, Through It All, is the sound of an artist discovering another enormous facet of his talent.  The Brazz Tree guitarist has earned a reputation as a great and inventive player, and now he has created a body of work that will add another distinction to his portfolio – that of “songwriter.”  On Through It All, Hammonds has simplified his music in the best sense of the word, letting the distinctive power of his songs and voice shine through, and what has emerged is the utter soulfulness of his artistry.

Hammonds has over twenty years of experience as a guitarist in numerous bands in Virginia, Chicago and then New York.  And in addition to his involvement in Brazz Tree, Hammonds has concurrently been studying jazz guitar, always looking to expand his vocabulary as a player.  It’s resulted in Hammond getting raves from greats like Vernon Reid, who has said of Hammonds, “Brad is a strong player in the Richard Thompson tradition, with a beautifully hypnotic approach.”

Sat 19 June International Festival of Arts, New Haven, CT  3pm

I'd recommend that you get over to his site and take a listen to the music from his debut solo album Through it All on there. If you only listen to one track, make it Indignation - some excellent open tuned guitar playing.

www.bradhammonds.com

www.myspace.com/bradrhammonds 

The big lump out to the north east of London (East Anglia) is renowned for its relatively flat landscape and "big" skies. Today, clouds were bubbling up into quite intense and beautiful shapes as music was selected from all around the world for your listening pleasure.

Resemblence - Subanez (Boise, ID, USA)

Kevin Auger, A.K.A. Subanez, is a one man alternative metal band with modern rock under pinnings. Subanez is a study of the human condition. The music is Kevin’s attempt to understand and live in a world that can be extremely cruel and chaotic. As a shy child growing up in Portsmouth, NH, Kevin spent a lot of time alone. He’d take his bike out on a seemingly endless journey around town to avoid the stifling tension at home. From an early age, Kevin struggled with his need for a meaningful connection to others and his inability to find it.

Kevin/Subanez recently went into the studio to record a new version of “Resemblance.” He played all the guitars, bass and sang, while Grant from the band Fly2Void sat in on the drums. It’s clear that working in the studio brings an extra layer of polish to Kevin’s work.

www.subanez.com

www.reverbnation.com/subanez

Good Looking - Jonneine Zapata (Highland Park, CA, USA)

Coming from the east side of Los Angeles, she seems about as far from the gloss & glitter of Beverly Hills as is humanly possible. Gritty. Earthy. Real.

LA Record described her as "the closest thing to Jim Morrison in the Silverlake scene and her live show is mesmerizing" and it's not far from the truth.

Infused with smoky, psychedelic instrumentation and slow-burning swells, Jonneine Zapata delivers a definitive grand-slam with her debut release, ‘CAST THE DEMONS OUT’, a record that luminously captures the musical essence and prowess of this one-woman army. Featuring the tantalizing, come-hither single “Good Looking”, each song on this ten-track collection is laced with dark overtones and an arresting magnetism reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Patti Smith.

www.myspace.com/jonneinezapata

Cantinabomb - Motion Potion (San Francisco, CA, USA)

Motion Potion (aka Robbie Kowal) is one of America's most versatile, experienced and flat-out joyous party rockers. 

San Francisco’s bootleg indie remix partypusher, is known for a rare ability to play exactly the right music for the moment and an expertise with a wide variety of genres that he seamlessly melds into a coherent blend.

His decade long mission is to 'put the party back into the party', and to connect the casual music fan with the hard core dance music mavens; proving that music is more than just beats. He calls his style “funklectic dancefloor nostalgism”.

There is a suggestion of comparison with Mr Scruff - I can see that.

www.motionpotion.com

www.myspace.com/motionpotion

http://twitter.com/moporobbie

Bonnes Gens - Deskaya (Feurs, France)

Recorded live at 'Le Fil' - SAINT ETIENNE on 6th March. If you are wondering Feurs is about 50 km west of Lyon and about the same from St Etienne where the track was recorded.

Gaspard (rhythm guitar with the band) got in touch earlier today to say hello and mentioned that he had that track and would I be interested - silly question. He got his brother to send it over at lunchtime and here it is in your ears perhaps within hours. 

http://deskaya.fr/

www.myspace.com/deskaya

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/deskayarockband

Awaken - Filthy Kicks (London)

The first track from the album Dirty Little Secret on Jamendo but honestly I could have played any track, they are all excellent tunes and beautifully produced.

Filthy Kicks are Darren Turze, Violeta Barrena, Roland Heap, Beats Boy, Ibrahim Sha'ath and Jana Skene.

You can download the MP3 album from Jamendo or trek over to the band's site and you'll have a choice of MP3, FLAC or glorious Apple lossless downloads.

Then you can just listen and enjoy it or accept the band's invitation to share and remix their work under the Creative Commons licence arrangements: attribute it to Filthy Kicks, non-commercial use and distribution only under the same licence terms. Neat. Creative Commons is such a useful system.

www.filthykicks.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/filthykicks

Creative Commons: http://creativecommons.org

Lay me low - John Ward and Mario Price (Lowestoft, UK)

Track is from the Waking Dreams album. John and Mario have been gigging together for a frightening 20 years and they have their anniversary concert at the Waveney Folk Club on June 18th. The club is held at Crown Street Hall in Lowestoft (most easterly point in the UK) although the entrance is in Factory Street.

Another piece of news is that work is well under way on John's 6th album. It's a collection of songs inspired by or from  this part of East Anglia, he's hoping for a release later in the summer, so I'll be keeping an eye on the website where you'll also find all the other up and coming gigs.

www.johnward.org.uk

Close my eyes - Rudely Interrupted (Melbourne, Australia)

Aside from selling out shows in Toronto, Bristol, Manchester and London, they played before the United Nations in New York City. No biggie, right? Yeah, while we spent our 2008 in front of computers, these badasses played their Flaming Lips-meet Big Star-inspired fist-pumpers in front of the most important people in the world.

“If you've never heard them before expect some extremely well-crafted music by a bunch of guys who happen to be saddled with slightly wonky sets of genes” – Vice Magazine.

It transpires that the band comprises entirely autistic musicians. Rudely Interrupted are back by popular demand, slated to make appearances up and down the east coast of North American this month. 

06-10 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl – Benefit Disabilities of NYC

06-11 NYC, NY – Pianos

06-13 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall

06-15 Ottawa, ON – Zaphod Beeblebrox

06-18 Montreal, QC – Lion d’Or

06-19 Toronto, ON – Sneaky Dee’s (NXNE)

www.rudelyinterrupted.com

You little fruitcake - Ingi (Reykjavik, Iceland)

Coming from a country more known for exporting cutting, surreal sounds, Ingi proves to be an exception as his music holds more in common with the legendary Bob Dylan rather than fellow country people Bjork and Sigur Ros. 

Icelandic music is a passion that slides into your life and takes over, possibly because its endlessly creative nature and schizophrenic styles takes a minute to fascinate and a lifetime (more realistically two or three) to understand, but one form has consistently found a place above almost all others - that of the solo singer/songwriter. Scratch under the surface, just past the multi-million selling artists from Iceland that half the globe can name, and this music is the heartbeat and soul of the country.

With his new album Human Oddities recorded in San Francisco and produced by multi platinum award winning producer Scott Mathews who has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Johnny Cash and Eric Clapton to name but a few, plus well renowned session musicians like Tom Leukens, it is no wonder Ingi’s music is proving to be a hit with the Icelanders.  

Quoted as being a remarkable album which will sit proudly in any collection, you can find more information including details on how you can purchase Ingi’s material on his website 

www.myspace.com/ingitunes

Ridin' on the L&N - The Hexmen (Liverpool, UK)

The Hexmen were a product of the post-punk maelstrom of Liverpool in the early 1980s. George Hexman: singer, sessions blues-harp player and frontman, founded the band. The line-up was a shifting collaboration of local luminaries including members of Afraid of Mice, Psychedelic Furs, Edgar Jones, The Las, the Boo Radleys, Shack and Elvis Costello amongst others. Even Charlie Whitney from supergroup Family was a sometime Hexman.

www.thehexmen.com

International Pop Overthrow

Thanks to the efforts if Graham Holland from the It's a Frog's Life Acoustic Podcast ( www.podcast.itsafrogslife.net ) and Alan from Darkhorse Radio ( www.darkhorseradio.com ), AMP had a strong presence at IPO Liverpool this year and it has hopefully established a productive link with IPO founder and CEO David Bash who describes the series of events,

"Each International Pop Overthrow features between 25-180 of the best pop bands from around the world. [Liverpool had over 150 acts] Everyone from the bands to the spectators has a wonderful time, and although we're all exhausted by the end, we part company with one prevailing thought: "I can't wait to do it again next year!"

If you are in California, the thirteenth IPO California is being held at various venues from July 23 to August 8. The circus them moves on to Portland Aug 11-14, Seattle August 18-21, Vancouver August 24-28 before organiser David BAsh takes a bit of a break before the November IPOs in New York, Boston and Toronto.

IPO information is all at: www.internationalpopoverthrow.com

So Little While Road - Antoine Dufour (Montreal, Canada)

Antoine Dufour is emerging as one of Canada’s young stars of acoustic, finger-style guitar.

Dufour was born in the little town of l’Epiphane, near Montreal. He started playing guitar at the age of 15. He studied at the CEGEP of Joliette, where his teacher made him listen to Leo Kottke, Don Ross and Michael Hedges. His life and his vision of the guitar changed, and since then he has been completely devoted to finger-style steel string guitar. His musical style is a mix of the powerful rhythms of rock, the sensibility of classical music, a funky groove, and a pure folk melody.

www.myspace.com/antoinedufour

Antoine Dufour "So Little While Road" (mp3) from "Convergences" (Candy Rat Records) Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Album

Colours - Major Major (Liverpool, UK)

I saw Major Major twice on Monday at The Cavern pub (in the afternoon) and at the Cavern Club (evening). The performances were similar but had quite different effects, at least on me. I suspect that this is a band that is better suited to a rather larger space. 

Their first show in The Cavern pub, a classic dark, sticky floored basement pub was totally competent and musically very impressive indeed, they put not  foot wrong. Finely constructed songs with wit, energy and fine individual performances from the totally solid Louis Cooper laying down a great foundation on the bass upon which Neil Owen's guitar and Liam Dobie's drumming manoeuvre some really inventive playing around each other to create a sound that seemed to be a lot bigger than its component parts. The excellent, playful, almost cheeky chappy vocals of Conor Clarke demonstrated a serious skill in delivery to really show off the collective MajorMajor songwriting skills. 

Whilst very much their own band, the overall effect may, at times, bring to mind a very youthful parallel to The Blockheads.

Colours is about the rivalry between the Liverpool and Everton soccer supporters. 

www.majormajor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/majormajor

Not because I am poor - Brother Lion (Jamaica) 

Producer Marco DeFelice found Brother Lion in the jungle of Jamaica where he sang a remarkable song, totally unaccompanied - it was recorded on Marco's iPhone and he later added music tracks to create this sound. 

Brother Lion picks fruit from trees to make his living and he recently suffered broken bones from a serious fall which has put him out of work. Marco has made the conga available on iTunes and all income from sales will go straight to Brother Lion. You can compare the raw and dubbed versions at the site that has been set up for Brother Lion.

www.brotherlion.com

Ella - Dave Sasscer (New York, NY, USA)

Dave is a New York City based singer songwriter. He was raised in Puerto Rico and currently performs his mesmerizing version of polyglot Spanish and English rock and reggae songs in clubs around New York City. He has just released his new album of Spanish Rock songs called “Cuentos de la Porta Del Sol (Capitulo Uno); available on iTunes and other online outlets.

www.davesasscer.com

Ariel - Social media in music marketing

"Music success in nine weeks" and Sound Advice video series. 

If you are musician who is serious about success you really should check these resources out.

http://arielpublicity.com

Fire on the Moon - Steve Hackett (USA)

Former guitarist with Genesis, Steve Hackett has a tour coming up in North America this summer with June dates in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin in support of a new (and as inventive as ever, album called "Out of the tunnel's mouth" which is in stores on 8 June. From the album, this is Fire on the Moon.

www.hackettsongs.com

There's a set of illuminating interviews with Steve on Lick Library at:

www.licklibrary.com/lessons/1062/steve-hackett/steve-hackett-interview

Gille - Jienat (Hamerfest, Norway)

Jienat is based in the northernmost town on earth: Hammerfest, Norway.

If you drive north on Route E6, you only have 955 km left as you cross the Arctic Circle.

More than 5,000 years ago, fishermen and hunters with special needs for climatic masochism settled in this neighborhood. Even today, we are fewer that 10,000 persons in town-- a growth rate of less than 2 persons per year since 3 000 B.C.

Despite its small population, peoples have mingled in this region for thousands of years. In a reflection of this, the lyrics on this disc are in Swedish, Spanish, Northern Sami, Kildin Sami and Inare Sami. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only CD featuring the Kildin Sami language.

This may all sound pretty improbable but please check out the website to find and see more. It is quite remarkable to witness the lengths that people will go to produce music.

www.jienat.com

Winelight Club are back in Norwich with "Mixed UP Music" tonight at the Brasserie at Greens on Barrack Street in Norwich. Featuring, DAVE SHARP (The Alarm), THE BELLHOPS (30's Swing like you've never heard it before), APRIL MAYBE MAY (formerly Fallen Leaves). Should be interesting.

£7 on the door.

www.myspace.com/thewinelightclub

Elephant in the Room - MajorMajor (Liverpool, UK)

And yet … I wasn't blown away by the live performance in the afternoon.

Later, in the even more dingy back room at The Cavern Club, they had room to move onstage and a larger audience to interact with. Now everything came together, the set connected with the audience without being oppressively in-your-face, the crowd were totally behind the band who took that energy and rode it. Now it was clear why they have been invited back to play Galstonbury again this year. Sadly, they will be doing so without Liam on drums. IPO was his last gig with MajorMajor after six years. The band are now actively searching a new drummer. There are big shoes to fill. Check the myspace and site for details.

A second track from the excellent MajorMajor closes out this week's Suffolk'n'Cool. By late evening, the front bar was almost empty with everyone crammed and sweating in the AMP Showcase show. Oops.

It was great to be back in Liverpool again and from yesterday's showings from The Hexmen, The Freebies, Emerald Park (played last week), Steve Roberts, Built on Tradition and Major Major, the city's musical energy is back and there's a real swagger about what is coming out of this extraordinary city.

www.majormajor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/majormajor

The hop that is growing up the barn steps put on 8 inches in the past 24 hours. I'll be able to give Adnams a run for their money soon.

25 years - Rude City Riot (Vancouver, BC, Canada)

RCR is a "POWER-SKA" BAND from Vancouver BC working overtime to bring you great original songs with powerful vocals & big juicy melodic hooks. If you see us live, you will remember the guitar solos & horn riffs the next day. We are 100% Power-Ska.

SHOW SCHEDULE

Phog Lounge - Pitter Patter Festival, Windsor, ON - Thu May 27

Absinthe, Hamilton, ON - Fri May 28

The Drake Hotel,Toronto - Sat May 29     

The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto - Sun May 30      

BTB Cantina, Ann Arbor, MI, USA - Thu Jun 03

The Left Hemisphere (L'Hemisphere Gauche), Montreal, QC - Fri Jun 04

bistro pub Renaud, Longueuil, QC - Sat Jun 05

Judge Dread Presents Rude City Riot, Ottawa, ON - Sun Jun 06

"The Stage", Tsawwassen, BC - Thu Jun 10

The Bourbon, Vancouver, BC - Sat Jun 12   

Vancouver Island Music Business Conference, Comox, BC - Thu Jun 24      

REVFEST 2010 Music Festival, Revelstoke, BC - Sat Jun 26      

Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB - Sun Jun 27

The Works & Art Design Festival 2010, Edmonton, AB - Mon Jun 28

The Works & Art Design Festival 2010, Edmonton, AB - Tue Jun 29

www.rudecityriot.com

www.myspace.com/rudecityriot

Ariel Hyatt from the excellent Ariel PR in New York is in London this week to run a 3 hour seminar for artists, song writers and music business folks in general.

The event is on Thursday THIS WEEK, in fact probably this evening from 6 'til 9 at PRS House on Berners Street in central London. Tickets are £30 and all the info can be had from: www.musicsuccessinnineweeks.com/london.htm

Polly - Jessica Goyder (London, UK)

A follow-on track from last week when I played you Skating. Jessica Goyder on vocals, piano and guitar. Paul Jefferies, double bass, Ben Twyford, drums and Pete Horesfall on trumpet for Polly and Bastimientos. Emily Parker on cello for Demons To Tea and Nick Parker on violin for Polly. Collaborations include work with The Soundbringer and the electronica album Cosmos with the producer Mr. Smith, released in Canada.

www.myspace.com/jessicagoyder

Archibald's Dance - Andreas Öberg (Sweden)

Swedish jazz guitarist Andreas Öberg has been seizing increasing attention for his seamless blend of virtuosity and musicality in recent years, and Six String Evolution, his second CD for Resonance Records (released just a couple of weeks ago) represents yet another remarkable step in his international ascendance.

"Archibald's Dance" (mp3) from "Six String Evolution" (Resonance Records)

Buy at Amazon MP3

More On This Album

Sand dunes - Kämmerer (Goteborg, Sweden)

From the Jamendo album "Sir Agent Chill" which you'll find amongst quite a few other chill, and downtempo material at:

www.jamendo.com/en/album/65809

ÐÐÐÐÑ (Traces) - Staraya Derevnya (Haifa, Israel)

A note from Gosha of the Israeli band Staraya Derevnya with news of the newest album "ÐÐ ÐÑÐÐÐÐ (From inside the log)" on Jamendo - a follow up to the three previous albums "Ð ÑÐÑÐ (I'm thicket)" and "ÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ (Onelegged)" and "ÐÐÑÐÐÐÐÑÐÑ (Expedition)". All are on Jamendo and "From inside the log" is also available as a limited edition CD release, available at www.etsy.com/shop/hniu

The album is categorised on Jamendo as: postrock psychedelic weird postpunk psychfolk

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/starder

www.starayaderevnya.co.uk

Shame - Magic Slim ands the Teardrops (Chicago, IL, USA)

Magic Slim is a great proponent of the intense, electrified, Mississippi-to-Chicago blues style that spawned much of the music played by modern blues artists and rock ‘n’ rockers. Magic Slim and Blind Pig Records celebrate their twenty year collaboration with the release of Raising The Bar, an outstanding collection of R&B gems and perennial crowd favorites culled from Slim’s vast repertoire.

Magic Slim and the Teardrops

"Shame" (mp3) from "Raising The Bar" (Blind Pig Records)

More On This Album

Don't make a sound - Jon Spanyol (London, UK)

Originally from Malvern, Worcestershire where the last big musical name to come out of the area ended up on the back of the £20 note, Jon Spanyol is not there yet but is certainly aiming just as high.  Since moving to London to complete a music degree, Jon has performed at a number of established venues in the area such as Café de Paris and The Troubador, either playing his own material or on keys and trombone in a wide range of Jazz ensembles. In 2009, Jon was the proud winner of the slightly dubiously named Broadjam "Get Lubed" songwriting contest, for his song 'Hyperactive Hypochondriac'.

www.myspace.com/jonspanyol

IPO is this weekend in Liverpool, I'll be heading up there on a fascinating sequence of trains and looking forward to seeing a few of my podcasting chums along with some music that I've not heard before. There may even be time for a drink at the wonderfully opulent Philharmonic Dining Rooms (The Phil) where I vaguely remember drinking with some of Liverpool's finest.

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/

Worries and Troubles (feat Apache Indian) - 1EYE (Birmingham, UK)

Birmingham based band '1EYE' have already supported UB40, Beverley Knight, Toots and the Maytals and Musical Youth. Creating a buzz within industry circles, 1EYE have recently released their debut single 'Worries & Trouble' feat. Apache Indian. 1EYE's debut single is available for purchase from www.industryrecords.org/shop or you can text 'WORRIES' to 81088.

1EYE have blended a multitude of flavours creating a barrel of an album entitled 'Whiskey Business' which is a distinctive mix of reggae, Latin, and soul. The album is lyrically entertaining making quirky references to life in Birmingham and beyond. http://industryrecords.org/artists/oneeye.asp

www.myspace.com/1eyemusicuk

The sun has arrived, so the blinds come down in the darn barn!

Senorita - The Quick and Easy Boys (Portland, Oregon, USA)

Via Twitter from Per Capita from their album Red Light Rabbit.

The Quick & Easy Boys "Senorita" (mp3) from "Red Light Rabbit" (Per Capita Records) More On This Album

Skating - Jessica Goyder (London)

Jessica grew up in India, Ethiopia and Oxford in the UK. A classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist, it’s her voice that continues to silence the room.

She cut her teeth in a local band and played her way solo around London and Sydney. Then little short of a musical explosion followed her first landing in Barcelona. Here she fell in with a crowd of Brazilian musicians, discovered Bossa Nova and lived for more than a year as a singing angel street statue. Later periods in the city were spent wrestling music theory in Catalan and taking local cabarets by storm in an eight-girl country band. Her songwriting is often inspired by her travels, from a tour of Central America and Cuba, where she performed regularly at Havana’s 'Casa de la Troba' to a series of concerts in Brazil and Argentina.

Jessica has performed on stages of all shapes and sizes, including 4 Glastonburys, Brighton and Edinburgh Festivals, City Showcase, a residency at Henley Festival and walked onto the main stage as Jools Holland walked off at the first ever Cornbury. Collaborations include work with The Soundbringer and the electronica album Cosmos with the producer Mr. Smith, released in Canada.

Having recently returned to London from Mallorca with a publishing deal in place, she is in the final stages of recording her debut album. She continues to write and perform regularly both solo and with a band.

Jessica Goyder on vocals, piano and guitar. Paul Jefferies, double bass, Ben Twyford, drums and Pete Horesfall on trumpet for Polly and Bastimientos. Emily Parker on cello for Demons To Tea and Nick Parker on violin for Polly. 

www.myspace.com/jessicagoyder

Get on the bus - Q*Ball (New York, NY, USA)

Q*Ball, in defiance of the corporate, pre-packaged, American Idol-era of music, started his own label in late 2005, Bald Freak Music, to release his own albums, as well as those from other artists who would otherwise be ignored because they don't fit the major label mold & preconception of what a "pop band" or a "rock act" should look & sound like. 

Bouncy beats, funky rhythms, virtuoso guitars, space-age keyboards & melodic vocals are just some of the reasons why Q*Ball has become one of the most talked-about independent artists out there. Q*Ball’s music is accessible to fans of mainstream pop & alternative music, but also has an audience in the underground DJ scene. Songs like “Edith,” a bump-and-grind instrumental tribute to All In The Family’s Edith Bunker, and “Licky,” a tongue-in-cheek club anthem, illustrate the dance hall appeal of Q*Ball’s music.

Q*Ball's albums, This Is Serious Business, Fortune Favors The Bald & Q*Ball In Space are available online at CD Baby, Amazon.com, iTunes, Rhapsody, & Napster!

www.qballmusic.com

It's all mine - Calatrilloz (London, UK)

Calatrilloz is the name of a Circus Family, protagonist of a tale created by the Brazilian Luciano (Mr Z), who, after many years of singing Classic Opera, decided to create a new musical project. 

Bizzarly enough, instead of starting from writing songs, he created a story that could inspire his music.

His tale brought him to write songs mixing Gothic, Rock, Jazz, Theatrical Opera and Circus vibes. 

The strong concept and the high desire to play brought him to London where he quickly found the rest of Calatrilloz.

Music on iTunes.

www.myspace.com/calatrilloz

Socialite (feast. Future) - YaZa (Nashville, TN, USA)

From the Per Capita album Bipolar in stereo recorded in Nashville

Ya Za "Socialite (feat. Future)" (mp3) from "Bipolar In Stereo" (Per Capita Records) Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Album

We had the coldest May night in 15 years last night and the beginnings of a government here in the UK. We really are in uncharted waters and it will be interesting (to say the least) to see how it all pans out.

People & Private Music - Adam Arcuragi (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

The third track we've heard from his I Am Become Joy album his winningly ramshackle sophomore album, Adam and his Atlanta-based band will play over 30 US shows, sessions and festivals throughout the US.

The band's June schedule looks pretty frantic and almost no matter where you are in the states, you'll have job to avoid him!

May 11 - Atlanta, GA - Wonderoot

May 13 - Greensboro, NC - Hawks

May 14 - Norfolk, VA - The Boot

May 15 - Marlboro, NY - Live at The Falcon

May 16 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge

May 17 - New York, NY - Rooftop Happening

May 19 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop 

May 20 - St. Louis, MO - KDHX Live (day The Foam (night)

May 21 - Rock Island, IL - Daytrotter Session #2

May 22 - Lincoln, NE - The Crescent Moon

May 25 - Gladstone, MO - Earwaxx Records

May 26 - Kansas City, KS - The Record Bar 

May 27 - Lawrence, KS - Replay Lounge

May 28 - Colorado Springs, CO - Triple Nickel Tavern

May 30 - Denver, CO - The Walnut Room

Then June follows at a very similar space.

There's a video at www.vimeo.com/11492412 which captures the spontaneous nature of Adam's music making and some remarkable percussion playing by the banjo player.

www.myspace.com/adamarcuragi

Happy birthday Ian Dury

Today would have been Ian Dury's birthday. The Blockheads tweeted a few minutes ago to ask that we watch this advert that he did and remember him this way. http://bit.ly/bcN3rh Oh yes, 'ave some of that.

1921 - Leif Vollebekk (Montreal, Canada)

The third track we've heard from this time a step further into a slightly unworldly place with some really interesting (and maybe just a bit challenging) orchestration.

The really good news for those on this side of the Atlantic is that Leif is playing a serise of dates around Europe in the next month:

May 20 @ South Hill, BRACKNELL, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 21 @ Captain's Rest, GLASGOW, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 22 @ Queen Charlotte Rooms, EDINBURGH, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 23 @ Puzzle Hall, HALIFAX UK, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 25 @ Dulcimer, MANCHESTER, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 27 @ Bush Hall, LONDON, UK (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 28 @ The Hope, BRIGHTON, GB (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 30 @ De Barra's, CLONAKILTY CORK, IE (w/ Sam Amidon) 

May 31 @ The Spirit Store, DUNDALK, LOUTH IE (w/ Sam Amidon) 

June 2 @ Whalen's, DUBLIN 

June 6 @ L'International, PARIS 

June 18 @ tba, TORONTO (**NXNE) 

June 25 @ Piano's, NEW YORK 

www.myspace.com/leifvollebekk

www.nevadorecords.com

Illuminatis - Petite Viking (just outside Grenoble, France)

From the Jamendo album Mes Musiques de Film v5 which you can download at www.jamendo.com/en/album/65781

Petite Viking's real name is Annabelle Debain

"Voici le volume 5 de mes musiques de film créées avec le logiciel MAGIX MUSIC MAKER.

un choix de morceaux variés et envoutants !! bonne écoute à vous et donnez moi vos avis ça me fera plaisir !"

http://annabelledebain.jamendo.net/

www.jamendo.com/fr/album/65781

AMPed

Jason from insomnia Radio this week and from Monday a brand new show (number 231) will be available, this time hosted by Rodrigo deSa from Cowboy Cantor.

Erk did a really interesting interview of Rodrigo on Erk FM show 89. 

http://echoromeokilo.com/blog/?p=13769

Wish - Tendawema (London, UK)

After already receiving exposure on a large number of radio stations across the UK such as Galaxy, Life FM and Fire FM as well as clubs and bars in and around London plus write ups in DJ Magazine from her previous single Let Yourself Go, Tendawema now returns with a selection of new material.

Described as being low to mid tempo, deep and emotional songs being a reflection on her inner self, you can find out more information on Tendawema including more material on her website. 

www.myspace.com/tendawema

Jani-ba-Lab - Quraishi (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Twenty years of war and the Taliban’s systematic repression have taken an incalculable toll on Afghanistan’s instrumental music world. With a little searching, you might be able to find historical field recordings from thirty years ago, or current synthesizer pop music made in the Afghan diaspora. But as the world music scene continues to explode around the globe, the vitality and immediacy of traditional Afghan artists making traditional Afghan music for our times has been conspicuously absent.

Until now.

Quraishi’s father made him his first rubab, an ancient instrument belonging to the short-necked lute family. It is traditionally made with a single piece of mulberry wood with a skin face, often richly ornamented with inlay of bone and ivory, and even occasionally encrusted with lapis lazuli or mother of pearl. There are typically three melody strings (now usually made of gut or nylon) and as many as twenty sympathetic strings that are variably tuned to the modes or ragas, imparting a deep resonance and unique timbre to the national instrument of Afghanistan.

www.evergreenemusic.com/quraishi.html#artist_bio

Quraishi
"Jani-ba-Lab" (mp3)
from "Pure & True Rubab"
(Engine Company Records)

Buy at Napster
More On This Album

Ursula Major - Paul Burch (Nashville, TN, USA) 

The Record Club was an idea Paul had to get music to his fans every month. Fans who buy into the record club get an A and B side single from Paul at the beginning of each month, plus little extras throughout the year. Fans can either opt for downloads only, or can add a CD and a personalized thank you note from the man himself. At the end of the year all the singles will be complied into a physical release. 

Paul’s been getting a lot of good press lately for his most recent album, Still Your Man, which was released last August. It got great write-ups in magazines like Uncut and American Songwriter and was featured on a few Best Of lists at the end of last year. He’s a great country/Americana artist who doesn’t simply fall into the labels attached to him.

http://paulburch.com/fr_recordclub.cfm

Roadkill - Entertainment for the Braindead (Cologne, Germany)

I heard this on new AMP member show Edinburgh Man which you'll find at http://edinburghmanpodcasts.blogspot.com/

From the excellent Roadkill album which is on the aaahh netlabel.

Entertainment for the Braindead is in fact Julia Kotowski

"There are lots of instruments that I’d always really wished to own or be able to play, a piano, a cello, a harp, a clarinet … but I would never had expected that one day I could fall in love with a banjo.

Yet since this is exactly what happened, I decided to start exploring this instrument’s versatility by recording a couple of songs equipped with nothing else but a banjo. (Well… I admit, there’s a tambourine in one song..)

Over the last four months I collected those songs. They occasionally sprouted, sometimes several a day, sometimes none for weeks, and then grew and ripened. I harvested them at home, though a bit more carefully than usual. They tell little tales of friendship and failure, of discovering the world and of hiding at home, and the banjo helped tracing their contours and gave them a shape.

It brought me through a very cold winter. Now maybe it can brighten yours a bit, too?"

Far away from the massive and unresting sounds of electric guitars and pounding noises of drums, Singer/Songwriter Julia Kotowski creates a small, intimate and especially silent musical sphere that she fills with notes, lyrics und rhythm. She lets these outcomes ripen slowly. Then, sound tracks are being arranged and ranked in longsome nights and home appliances will be misused for special elements. There is a lot of tinkering and pottering, but little sleep. All this takes place at home, in her bedroom, in front of her computer.âJulia is a girl of the German city of Cologne, where she was born and where she grew up and, unlike most young people, she does not feel the urge to leave her home. Thus, she lives with her parents. That at some point she will be leaving Cologne is for sure, but before that day, her home city is the source and the playground for her life – Julia does "audio-visual Media-Studies“ at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne (KHM).

Everything by Julia Kotowski

www.entertainmentforthebraindead.com/

www.myspace.com/entertainmentforthebraindead

The Winelight Club

Tony will be presenting a new night called Mixed Up Music at Green's Brasserie on Barrack Street in Norwich. What is great about this place is that it has almost everything that was a difficulty at The Wine Press there is plenty of  FREE parking, it is spacious, has air conditioning, and food (in the form of snacks as opposed to full meals) is optional.

The line up has been confirmed and we are delighted to have attracted such high calibre acts to our opening night: -

DAVE SHARP (The Alarm) - It doesn't always work when a member of a top band pursues a solo career but for founder member and lead guitarist with The Alarm, Dave Sharp, things are going from strength to strength. Tonight sees Dave play one of many dates of a mammoth UK solo tour on which he has chosen to play smaller and more intimate venues where lucky attendees can enjoy songs from his solo albums including Downtown America, an album which includes some of America's top musicians, including Dave Grisholme and Larry Crane (John Mellencamp), Al Cooper (Bob Dylan), Chris Soulberg (Santana) and Prarie Prince (The Tubes, Todd Rundgren), and earlier works have featured no lesser luminaries than the late greats Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. This is a real coup for us and we recommend you take this chance to enjoy Dave's music in such intimate surroundings as such an opportunity is unlikely to arise again.

http://www.myspace.com/davesharpsoulco

CATHY JJ - A couple of weeks ago you may have seen Cathy JJ give The Specials and The Doves a run for money when appearing alongside them on Channel 4's The Evo Rooms, so we are delighted she agreed to be part of our opening night's events. Cathy JJ is the new rock pop femme fatal. Now living, breathing and eating rock/pop music in London, Cathy JJ has teamed up with XWAVE Production studios to write her debut Album, “Feathers”. It’s a mix of Rock/ Pop/ Ballads and generally catchy, toe tapping music! Cathy JJ appears tonight as part of her nationwide tour to promote her latest single, Peacock Feathers, now available on iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/officialcathyjj

APRIL MAYBE MAY (FORMERLY FALLEN LEAVES) - In their days as Fallen Leaves, Cumbria's finest duo Matt and Rosie, were a big hit when playing Winelight Club events in Norwich, London and Manchester. Their music embraces several genres all presented in a way which fuses the likes of Massive Attack, Kathryn Williams and Everything But the Girl. Their latest album, released by Seahouse Records, has been receiving great critical acclaim. ''...April Maybe May turn in their songs with a natural, crystalline passion. Lyrically bright and seriously happy go lucky with lovelorn undertones it’s marvellous stuff, spliced with potential folk hits. Watch out for “Truth Is” and “Sunshine” from a new series of songs...'' Manchester Music

http://www.myspace.com/aprilmaybemay

Find out about The Winelight Club at: www.myspace.com/thewinelightclub

Trigger (Original Mix) - Desusino Boys (Germany) IODA

Described, perhaps a little prematurely, as: "one of the biggest and most driving progressive house tracks of 2010. Pull the 'Trigger' and unleash madness in the club!" The "Trigger" EP comes with a tech-house remix by Kotoswitch and a techno mix by D-Sens. Don't miss the B-side 'ReTrigger'.

www.myspace.com/desusinoboys

Desusino Boys
"Trigger" (mp3)
from "Trigger"
(Clubstream Blue)

Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Spain is quite close to my heart this week as I had to turn down an invitation to the 2010 opening party at Savannah in Ibiza (see Jessie's rather fine deliberately pixelated picture) because flights from the UK are few and far between right now.

This afternoon, an invitation that I'd love to accept, to meet up with a bunch of musicians and media folks, do a few interviews and see friends … but it is in New York - on Tuesday

Needle in the Groove - Brett Caswell (Barrie, Ontario)

Straight from the heart of the suburban wasteland of southern Ontario comes Brett Caswell, an emerging singer songwriter who has set his sights set on breaking your heart, then making you smile. Armed with his backing band, The Marquee Rose, (which contains members of Fox Jaws and other Barrie staples) Caswell will release his first full length album, A New Balance, on May 18th. A New Balance was recorded in a secret location on the outskirts of the Bruce Trail with Mitch C.W. Hall and Marty Kinack (Feist, Broken Social Scene, Jason Collett). The album is the result of many late whiskey-fuelled nights with friends and alone in the studio. Title track A New Balance features lap-steel from Cuff the Duke's Dale Murray. Caswell has shared stages with the likes of Jeff Healy, The Trews, Bahamas, Zeus, and has a live show worthy of much praise.

www.myspace.com/bcaswell

For You - Peter Bradley Adams

Free Peter Bradley Adams downloads from Amazon.

Featured Songs (one from each solo album):âFamily Name, âUnder My Skin, âOne Picture

This offer will only last for a few weeks, so if you want it, grab it right away at http://tinyurl.com/PBASampler

Also, remember: you can get yourself a free download of a song that didn't quite make it onto Peter's newest album, Traces. Download "Better Way" -- http://peterbradleyadams.com/free/betterway/

Amazon

Don't forget that you can help support SnC every time you buy something from Amazon, just enter the store via the link on the SnC "Listen" page and the show will get a small commission on whatever you buy. Thanks.

Can Man remix - Boo Boo Davis /Mixendorp (Apeldoorn, The Netherlands)

One of a very few remixes (so far) by Dutch blues guitarist, promoter and label proprietor Jan Mittendorp. It's certainly unusual to hear blues incorporated into remixes. I think it brings a fresh new twist to the genre and applaud Jan for trying this new approach to spreading the word about the blues which he does so well through Black and Tan Records.

DO B&T 910 / Remixes vol.1 / Boo Boo Davis

Remixes of three Boo Boo Davis originals. Here are the direct links to the tracks at

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/y9u9qsx

and Emusic: http://tinyurl.com/ybjcw9j

At the Black and Tan site you can find all this information plus lots of other and interesting stuff (pictures, links, opinions). The content is updated almost daily.

www.black-and-tan.com

Song of Night - The Shanghai Restoration Project / Neocha (China)

From the album eXpo, released just yesterday and available on iTunes and Amazon MusicThe 1st collection of its kind, eXpo is masterminded by The Shanghai Restoration Project, a U.S. group known for fusion of Chinese instrumentation w/ hip-hop & electronica, and Neocha, the leading online community for indie Chinese musicians & artists. eXpo traverses a broad array of genres from house and techno to dubstep and hip-hop, all evidencing an internationally-engaged yet regionally distinctive independent music scene brewing in China.

www.expoartists.com

ZLOX "Song of Night" (mp3) from "eXpo" (Undercover Culture Music) Buy at Amazon MP3 Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

Shuffle for KM - JPFM Band (Paris, France)

Fondé en 1996 par Jean-Pierre Venard et José Tagus. The Fox band est la continuité et l'aboutissement du JPFM Band. Formé de talents au parcours riches, The Fox Band se tourne sans concession vers la création dans l'univers du Jazz-Fusion.

Totalement acquis ? la cause de ce style The Fox Band distile avec bonheur un dialogue original entre solistes et "Samples" porté par des compositions "smooth'n cool" ou le blues flirt agréablement avec funk, électro, trip-hop et lounge.

The Fox Band c'est une alchimie entre plaisir et originalité. Musicalement

www.fox-band.com

www.myspace.com/jpfmband

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/jpfmband

Preface - The Shanghi Restoration Project feat. Di Johnson (USA / China)

The Shanghai Restoration Project (TSRP) draws its creative inspiration from the old 1930s Shanghai jazz bands, an early combination of East and West that's become an international legend. Produced by Chinese-American Dave Liang, TSRP revives this exotic blend by introducing Eastern instruments and rhythms to the Western sounds of hip-hop and electronica.

Producer Dave Liang was born in Lawrence, Kansas and attended high school in upstate New York, where he was selected as the pianist for the NY All-State Jazz Ensemble.

Track is from the album Story of a City on Undercover Culture Music.

www.shanghai-restoration-project.com

www.myspace.com/shanghairestorationproject

The Shanghai Restoration Project feat. Di Johnston "Preface" (mp3) from "Story of a City" (Undercover Culture Music) Buy at Amazon.com Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Washboard Wiggles - Jeffrey Lemon (Vannes, France)

From the excellent album Contra-utopia. Jeffrey Lemon does not fall anywhere: from hip hop, dub, drum and bass, the electronica and jazz, he experimented with various sound worlds and machines are a ticket of invitation to the doors of perception.

Often accompanied on stage by MC Nasty, posing texts with a flow of fluid disconcerting, and his drummer Crazy Drummer from the jazz, the electronic and the acoustic blend perfectly to give birth to a new genre: music "Electro-lemon"

http://julien.lebayon.free.fr/jeffreylemon.html

www.jamendo.com/en/album/49850

Bonus - Jayme Gutierrez (Jaen, Spain)

From the solidly excellent album Wompychew. You can hear five other tracks at his MySpace.

www.myspace.com/jaymegutierre

Panic - La Olla Express (Sant Joan, Alicante, Spain)

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

www.jamendo.com/en/album/51155

Dry weather over the past couple of weeks has triggered some manic barn painting. I've nearly done the steps (pic), so there's just the back, front and sides to do :(

Came to you - Talking to Walls (New Haven, Connecticut, USA)

From regional festival appearances like Connecticut’s Film Festival and New York’s MEANY to providing local tour support for artists like Soul Asylum and Zox, Talking to Walls has a strong history of relentless live performances. In an era of mindless friend adding on MySpace, Talking to Walls grew to know much of their audience the old fashioned way— show by show, garnering them fans from all over.

The first of two tracks on this week's show.

www.talkingtowalls.com

www.myspace.com/talkingtowalls

Adnams

Samples of the mini kegs of Adnam's Bitter arrived yesterday. They need to stand for a day or so to settle properly before drawing off. High standards to maintain with Martin's cellar skills at the Shoes. I'd never hear the end of a cloudy pint.

See what I'm blathering about at http://tinyurl.com/2w49wf2

At last - The Dø (Paris and Helsinki)

Recently played on SnC 213 (the track was On my shoulders)

The Dø are French/Finnish vocalist and guitarist Olivia Merilahti and multi instrumentalist Dan Levy, along with Pierre Belleville on Drums & Percussion.

www.myspace.com/thedoband

www.thedo.info

The Do - At Last (kidam version) from THE DO on Vimeo.

The Suffolk coast is looking particularly spectacular in it's characteristically bleak way this week.

Fake - Fake Elegance (Kiev, Ukraine)

Formed in 2005 and having their music described as being Fake Pop that finds access to all corners of the soul, Fake Elegance have been making huge inroads on the Ukrainian music scene.  The band’s single Beautiful Morning has been a top 20 hit on leading Ukrainian radio station Europa Plus and they also finished in the top 3 at the international music contest Empire Of Music which was held in Moscow.  The most significant step in the band’s development has been their collaboration with the famous Ukrainian designer of fashion clothes Anna Sosnovskaya who is renowned for creating unmatched style for bands.  Their image as well as their music and performances has since resulted in regular invites to festivals after their music gained a reputation for stopping raining following an infamous performance at Slavske Rock Fest in 2008 when the rain stopped for their set and started again immediately afterwards…..

www.fakeelegance.com

www.myspace.com/fakeelegance

Nick Drake documentary film on BBC last week. There is a concert The Songs of Nick Drake: Way to Blue on the BBC watch again service, but only 5 days left to catch it. Presenting their own interpretations of Drake's songs are Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan, Scott Matthews, Teddy Thompson, Krystle Warren, Robyn Hitchcock, Kirsty Almeida and Harper Simon. It is lovely to see Danny Thompson (who played on the first two Nick Drake albums) keeping an eye on proceedings from his double bass in the band.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s06v5

A new balance - Brett Caswell (Barrie, Ontario)

Straight from the heart of the suburban wasteland of southern Ontario comes Brett Caswell, an emerging singer songwriter who has set his sights set on breaking your heart, then making you smile. Armed with his backing band, The Marquee Rose, (which contains members of Fox Jaws and other Barrie staples) Caswell will release his first full length album, A New Balance, on May 18th. A New Balance was recorded in a secret location on the outskirts of the Bruce Trail with Mitch C.W. Hall and Marty Kinack (Feist, Broken Social Scene, Jason Collett). The album is the result of many late whiskey-fuelled nights with friends and alone in the studio. Title track A New Balance features lap-steel from Cuff the Duke's Dale Murray. Caswell has shared stages with the likes of Jeff Healy, The Trews, Bahamas, Zeus, and has a live show worthy of much praise

www.myspace.com/bcaswell

SnC site Message from Andy Fidler checking that the shownotes page works OK. Seems to from here Andy but if anyone has any problems please let me know.   

Rabbit Fur Coat - Catgut (UK) It is great to see Catgut making headway with fairly mainstream recognition in the form of a play by Tom Robinson on the BBC a couple of weeks ago. "Born in Norway and raised in NE Scotland and SE England, he has been making what he calls Stealth Pop recordings since 2007" Strange, we've been hearing Catgut since September 2006 when I played Milky Bar Kid.

www.littlecatgut.com

www.myspace.com/catgutmusic

Too much information - FlyinFisch (Caracas, Venezuela, New York, LA, USA)

FlyinFisch’s self-titled debut album was released a couple of days ago and is masterminded by Adrian Fischer. Adrian’s musical training began with classical and jazz piano at age six in Caracas, Venezuela. As a teen he formed several bands and became proficient in playing drums, the basis for his current fascination with layered, syncopation. After completing an electronic music course in Barcelona, Adrian moved to Florida to continue his study of music composition and performance at Rollins College. Then, at the California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS), Adrian focused his studies on electronic, electro-acoustic and acoustic composition, until his graduation in 2005.

Adrian Fischer - lead voice, keys, electronics

Ben Azar - guitar

Chris DeRosa - drums

Rawn Randall - bass

Jocelyn Medina - voice

Rachel Elmer - voice

David Ullman - guitar

www.flyinfisch.com

www.myspace.com/flyinfisch

Paul McCartney Rejects EMI, Takes Catalog To Indie

It was not the news that a struggling EMI wanted to hear. Yesterday Sir Paul McCarthey revealed that he'd re-release his post-Beatle catalog through indie Concord Music Group. EMI had previously handled almost his 2 dozen albums of McCartney solo and fronting Wings under an exclusive license. The former Beatle worked with Concord on a 2007 album and a 2009 CD/DVD hybrid "Good Evening New York City. "Since the release of 'Memory Almost Full' in 2007 I've had a good working relationship with Concord and enjoyed our mutual love of music," McCartney said in a statement. via www.hypebot.com

5th Base Girl - Roast Beef Curtains (Long Island, NY, USA)

Inspired by tight reggae rhythm sections & thrashing punk bands, Three Hofstra University graduates birthed The Roast Beef Curtains. Taking a DIY approach, Andrew, John, & Mike evolved The RBC into the best live reggae, dub, & punk experience on Long Island. Since 2005, the trio has played well over 200 shows, creating a buzz from Manhattan to Montauk. On stage, each band member works double and sometimes triple duty playing their instruments while controlling live dub effects, transforming every concert into an eargasmic experience. Whether it's reggae, dub or punk you're after, The Roast Beef Curtains deliver it with pleasure! Pleasure EP is the long awaited debut release from The RBC. Stay tuned for a Full Length Release scheduled to drop in 2010. For a feel of how they produce the dub sound live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myvzN2Rf_PQ

http://TheRoastBeefCurtains.com

www.myspace.com/theroastbeefcurtains

Raffi's Song (Bare Bones and Amplification versions) - Chapman (Hastings, UK)

Chapman – The Mr Ballad Trilogy

  2010 sees Chapman release three albums simultaneously, which interpret the same 11 songs in three stylistically different ways. The Bare Bones of Mr Ballad has Chapman performing the songs live acoustically in their most embryonic form with no overdubs or studio tricks. The Amplification of Mr Ballad is a much larger and more ambitious production, showcasing his unique vocal, drawing on soul, folk and pop influences using strings and brass to full effect. The third album is dance floor friendly, The Remix of Mr Ballad where the 11 tracks are remixed by his producer alter ego OneFourForty. Mr. Ballad is a nickname coined by Chapman's MySpace fans. A journey where Crosby Stills and Nash meets The Rotary Connection through Balearic, Italo and Afro Beats to stripped down acoustic songs with just voice and guitar.

www.mrballad.com

www.myspace.com/unexplodedbombshell

A few sunny afternoons in the past week have been very welcome and produced a respectable sunset this evening.

We're the ones - Plunkett (Italy)

The independent alternative folk rock duo formed in 2004 by singer-guitarist Ian Plunkett and ex A&R and producer Lara Bartocci. 

The first album of this independent band is 14 Days, released in 2006. The overall feel here is acoustic, but with more sophisticated arrangements and deeper musicianship than most work in this genre. Warm, melodic, and artfully crafted songs are in the best tradition of British Folk-Rock, a succesful cross between Nick Drake, Mark Laneghan and the Beatles. Standout tracks include the starry-eyed "Picture" as well as "The River", "Up A Hill" and "Breathe".After 18 months absence from SnC, they're back.

The albums '14 Days' (2006) and 'Folk Songs' (2008) are worth seeking out. This is a new song which Ian pointed me to on the PMN / Musicalley and I'm very grateful.

www.plunkett-music.com

Neil Innes US tour started last night in Piermont, NY.

www.neilinnes.org/live.htm

Airplane - Peter Comes from Neverland (Sydney, Australia)

p.c.f.n. is the solo project of Peter Covington, a singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia. His music pairs alternative and acoustic music with guitar prowess and genre-defying songwriting.

Peter's passion in the writing and performance is apparent through both the more restrained songs like Absorb as well as the more rocking songs like Balloons. That takes some craft and some thought - he should be commended.

It really is worth listening to the entire range of his available tracks. Time well spent. 

peter comes from neverland tours the USA in April to June, and plans a stint in the UK from July onwards.

April 5th, Airliner, LA, CA

April 8th, Good Hurt,LA, CA

April 11th, TRIP, LA, CA

April 14th, 3 Clubs, Hollywood, CA

April 15th, Viper Room, LA, CA

April 17th, Cafe Muse, LA, CA

April 21st, Uptown Nightclub, Oakland, CA

April 26th, Finnegans, Novato, CA

May 1st - P & H Cafe, Memphis

May 10th - The Muse, Nashville

May 17th - Elbo Room, Chicago

May 20th - Goose Island, Chicago

May 24th - Silvies, Chicago

May 26th - Quenchers, Chicago

www.petercomesfromneverland.com

www.myspace.com/petecovington

Breathless - Little Invisibles (Newark, DE, USA)

“I’ve always been drawn to the darker sides of art and music,” says Little Invisibles vocalist Gina Degnars. Raised in a musical family (her brother, Rich Degnars, is Little Invisibles’ drummer), Gina became a fixture on the northern Delaware/Philadelphia/New York club circuit with her previous band, Stygian Veil, which released one acclaimed album, 2001’s Poison Berries. Little Invisibles materialized in 2009, the transition dovetailing perfectly with the striking songstress’s move to more clubby beats and soundtrack-ready melodies. Strong songs are strong songs no matter what the setting, and for live appearances the band can tailor its flexible lineup to fit the given scenario; in configurations ranging from a quartet (keyboards/guitar/bass/drums) to the duo of Gina and Rich (keyboards/drums) or Gina solo, Little Invisibles have been casting their spell on audiences across the East Coast and beyond, entrancing new fans with every performance.

“I’m just trying to write songs that are sonically compelling,” says Gina. “Music that gets a physical reaction from people, and, hopefully, resonates with them emotionally, too.”

www.littleinvisibles.com

www.myspace.com/littleinvisibles

Mek dem gwaan - MasSicker (Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Glenford "Lee" Prospere, better known as MasSicker or "King Mas", is a prolific young singer/songwriter/composer/selector was born into a very musical environment and a very musical Caribbean family. His father, Glenford T. Prospere AKA "Supreme", a legendary calypsonian on his island of Montserrat. His mother, Pauline Prospere of Clarendon, Jamaica, is not a musician but nurtured his talent by surrounding him with music from birth. At 22 years old, "King Mas" is continuing to perform, tour, & produce hits. 

Recently, the self produced "Mek Dem Gwaan” and the crossover smash "Loving Forecast" have been bubbling on the underground scene. He is looking to release his debut album in early 2010 but is keeping most of his project under wraps. Look out for this promising young artist to step out in a big way

www.facebook.com/pages/18-Karat-Reggae/36796397868

www.youtube.com/user/TCOOOReggae

Click click - radio edit 2009 - Grünemusik (Japan)

I know Pete Cogle has played Grünemusik before. It is the name of a unit owned by hikaru (nankado). He's been publishing some experimental-pop tunes since around 2000 in Japan.

There is the album Time Machine (from which this track is taken and a four track single of Click click. Both are magic.

www.nankado.jp/

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/grunemusik

Push on - Bella Ruse (Minneapolis)

"This duo makes nothing short of stunningly beautiful minimal rock. It's almost impossible not to be charmed by singer Kay Gillette's warm, intimate vocals." -Pete Kearns, Snobs Music

In the last year, minimalist folk duo Bella Ruse have proven themselves to be a talented hardworking band, going on three national tours and recording three EPs. Their simple but engagingly intimate show has impressed festival and club audiences from their hometown of Minneapolis to Seattle to Hollywood, and their songs Push On and Dark Horse have received radio and podcast play worldwide. They have also fully funded their upcoming full length album via Kickstarter.com with the generous support of their fans all across the country. After only a couple of years together, band members Kay and Joseph are poised to have a big impact on the national scene.

www.bellaruse.com/

www.jamendo.com/en/album/56070

http://bellaruse.bandcamp.com/

Artists - signing or not?

Some interesting charts about how many sales it takes to earn a minimum wage from music sales.

www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/how-much-do-music-artists-earn-online/

Theatre … and the instinct - In the Cinema (Minneapolis, USA)

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts...such is the duty of the artist." - Robert Schumann, 19th Century German Composer, framed and hanging on the wall of brothers Ryan and Joe Hughes Northeast Minneapolis studio. The brothers have always kept a close bond. “We were pretty inseperable”, Ryan recalls, “even with an age difference of 6 years we always got along.” 

While spending most of 2009 writing and recording in this humble space, it was these powerful words that became the driving force behind their new collection of music, titled "for the struggle". A captivating and beautiful blend of both classic acoustic tones and ambient electronica, this new album stretches the modern rock boundaries. Acoustic guitars and warm vocals float alongside dreamy pianos, lush synth pads and innocent glockenspiel, while a deep sea of layered beats, samples and hand percussion provide the perfect substructure. The result is a mesmerizing and colorful sonic tapestry, the perfect soundtrack for life's inescapable peaks and valleys.

For their second album, the Hughes brothers took a more collaborative approach. Instead of building mainly on Ryan's lyrics and melodies, Joe's programming and percussion became the genesis for many of the songs. They welcomed spontaneity and improvisation into the sessions, recording everything but the live drums in their own space.

Definitely interesting, and deserves ... no, demands close attention. For me some of the tracks stray dangerously close to the brink of self-indulgence but Theatre and Waves definitely stay on the right side.

www.inthecinemamusic.com/

www.myspace.com/inthecinemamusic

www.twitter.com/inthecinema

Cantina - Piñata Protest (San Antonio,TX, USA)

What do you get when you meld “fast/loud rules” with the Tex-Mex accordion? Piñata Protest and their invigorating and pointed “punk rock-y-roll.” With their national debut album  "Plethora" on Saustex Records, Piñata Protest take their infectious and bracing South Texas slam-dance to the rest of America and the planet at large.

www.myspace.com/pinataprotest

Piñata Protest "Cantina" (mp3) from "Plethora" (Saustex Media) More On This Album

Suffolk is scattered with former airfields from the dark days of World War II. Most of the buildings are gone although at Parham (near Framlingham) the control tower and associated buildings have been restored and now house a museum. The grass of the old airfield has long ago returned to cultivation - always better to make food not war, eh?.

Beautiful Addiction - Mission Hill (Boston, MA)

Formed in 2006 and have been wording the east coast really hard to achieve quite a reputation, being named top Local Band to Watch in 2010 by Boston Music Spotlight.

They are Adam Jensen, Alex Knutsen, Takuma Anzai and Zach Jagentenfl

www.missionhillband.com/

www.myspace.com/missionhillband

Butterfly - Katie Herzig (Nashville, TN, USA) 

From her album Weightless, previously played on Suffolk'n'Cool quite a while ago.

Katie is due over from Nashville to play a frantic set of dates all around Europe in a few weeks.

22 Apr Spring & Airbrake Belfast

23 Apr Academy Dublin

26 Apr Koko London

27 Apr Glee Club Birmingham

28 Apr Academy Manchester

29 Apr Abc Glasgow

30 Apr Lemon Tree Aberdeen

2 May Sage Theater Gateshead

3 May Glee Club Cardiff

4 May Reservoir Club Paris

6 May Melkweg Sugar Factory Amsterdam

7 May Privatclub Berlin

9 May Vega Copenhagen

10 May John Dee Oslo

11 May Debaser Stockholm

13 May Underground Cologne

15 May Szene Wien Vienna

16 May Harterei Club Zurich

17 May Kofmehl Solothurn

18 May La Salumeria Della Musica Milan

all the dates are on her MySpace page at:

www.myspace.com/katieherzig

http://twitter.com/KatieHerzig

www.katieherzig.com

Lungs - Ideals (Ipswich & London)

"At the end of 2009, after relocating to London, the music we were producing in ‘It’s A Trap!’ was heading in a smarter and more exciting direction. It was different, each new song surpassing and bettering anything we had ever written. It no longer felt like the same band that we started when we were 17. With the addition of Mathew Bunkell (Formerly ‘Dungeons’), we decided to become Ideals. Now signed to the brand new label ‘Intruder Records’, we will be spending 2010 playing shows around the country."

Their first public performance, supporting Pete Doherty was at The Rhythm Factory (London). In February they worked with London based ‘The Animal Farm’  to produce their first single.

Lots of UK dates coming up.

Rather a good video on their MySpace page.

www.myspace.com/idealstheband

twitter.com/idealstheband

www.facebook.com/idealstheband

Tired - Psy'aviah (Antwerp, Belgium)

"Open-minded progressive electro-rock music at the crossroad of dark EBM, electro-clash and industrial rock."

While teaming up again with producer Len Lemeire (32CRASH, IMPLANT, etc.) for the recording of their second album Entertainment Industries, the Belgian trio again brilliantly score a top 20 entry in BBC’s The Next Big Thing contest, they appear on several high-profile compilations, deliver various excellent remix works and ended up signing to Belgian record label Alfa Matrix.

Entertainment Industries brought a more upbeat and danceable attitude, with the unique and sensual female vocals of Emélie and Yves’ unmatched vicious synth arrangements. PSY’AVIAH are challenging the dark elektro genre by grabbing it by the horns and giving it a special twist by incorporating an electric pop rock tone to their work while infusing fresh modern techno trance ingredients to the whole lot.

A new album Eclectricism is just out with guest appearances by Jean-Luc De Meyer (FRONT 242), Len Lemeire, (IMPLANT, 32CRASH), Jennifer Parkin (AYRIA).

Fri Apr 09 10  08:00 PM | Middelburg,  NL Venue: Bar American

Fri Apr 23 10  10:00 PM | Paris, Venue: LE KLUB

Address: 14 Rue Saint-Denis, Paris, 75001 (between GAP and the Mimmo pizza restaurant)

www.psyaviah.com

www.myspace.com/psyaviah

www.facebook.com/psyaviah

You can get a copy of the 2010 Adnams Beer and Event pocket guide. http://bit.ly/cbm3NZ

My baby's gone crazy - Kelly Richey (Cincinnati, OH, USA)

It's a while since Kelly Richey has been on the show. Kelly has been described as "Stevie Ray VAughan trapped in a woman's nbody with Janis Joplin screaming to get out." That’s an apt appraisal of the Lexington, Kentucky native who’s been based in Cincinnati for many years. Richey has often been compared to such greats as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan because of her ability to capture and entertain an audience with ripping guitar leads that both sing and astonish.

http://twitter.com/kellyrichey

http://kellyrichey.com

Setlist

How often do you go to a gig, love a particular song to bits and can't remember the title to know which album to buy?

A collaborative service called Setlist could just solve your problem.

http://www.setlist.fm/

My eyes to see - Alcoholic Faith Mission (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Any day that delivers a new album from AFM is a good day. So far I've only heard one track but it bodes well. If I can get the entire album Let this be the night we care (set for US release through Paper Garden Records on April 27) I'll be able to give a more considered review. 

The name of the band is more of an ironic corruption of “apostolic faith mission,” than a nod to the over-indulgence it implies. It’s from a neon sign in Brooklyn from which Thorben Seierø Jensen and Sune Sølund set off on their search for a musical road-less-traveled.

Alcoholic Faith Mission’s third release, cumbersomely titled Let This Be the Last Night We Care, will be available for general consumption in April of 2010. The band will be touring Japan and Europe along with the U.S.

www.myspace.com/alcoholicfaithmission

www.facebook.com/pages/alcoholic-faith-mission/10235049663?v=info

http://alcoholicfaithmission.com/

Tattoos of Angels - The August Infinity (New York, NY, USA)

Too hard to be considered pop but way too pop to be considered hard rock; seriously kids, this is how America writes music.

A quite bizarre video on their MySpace page. Hardish rock with a troupe of dancers. It comes over a bit tacky if I'm honest. 

www.myspace.com/theaugustinfinity

www.theaugustinfinity.com/

Hawkwind did something similar on their Space Ritual tour but with rather more style I think. Stacia was one of two dancers on the tour. I seem to remember that I was doing something like PA but it is all a bit of a blur (from Wikipedia). I do, however, recall a very happy tour with a bunch of really nice people (not that you'd always guess it from some stage personas).

In an interview in British music magazine Melody Maker, Stacia herself stated that she simply showed up and was inspired to dance by the band's music. In any case, she joined the "crew" in 1971 and immediately became an integral part of the group.

Stacia was six feet tall, "happily bisexual", an attractive and imposing figure of a woman by any standard, and often augmented her visual impact by performing clad only in iridescent or luminescent paint. In a 2007 BBC Four documentary, Motörhead's Lemmy described her as 6 ft 2 inches tall with a 52 inch bust and a bookbinder by trade. The same documentary said that she was working as a petrol pump attendant in Cornwall when she joined them.

There's a video of Stacia doing a fairly minimalistic performance to Silver Machine, fully clothed, with the band that was getting close to punk long before punk happened, at 

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/music/watch/v214900TZRcwqFy

For those with a strong stomach there are NSFW pics at 

http://www.angel.dk/hawkwind/HAWKovers2.html   Delicious madness and a lovely lady. The same can be said for Miss Renee who also danced on the Space Ritual tour.

High Consciousness - Zion Judah (Staten Island, NY)

Modern Roots Reggae artist/producer Zion Judah returns to the rapidly evolving music scene after a three year hiatus and hits the ground running with his unique and eclectic concoction of roots reggae, new age and contemporary flavoured musical ingredients.

His distinct vocal delivery and savvy parlance ranges from a Bob Marley meets Ziggy Marley, meets Jamiroquai meets Sananda Maitreya (fka. Terence Trent D'Arby), meets Steel Pulse meets The Police/Sting synthesis, to grittier, Super Cat/Jr. Gong-like chanting with tempered intensity when the mood requires it.

Zion Judah (b. Angelo Damian Singh) bears a multi-ethnic, West Indian background, and hails from the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago. He is a self-taught musician who grew up listening to anything that sounded good and moved him - roots reggae, dancehall, kaiso/soca, blues, jazz, funk, Rnb, hip-hop, rock, folk, pop, classical, African drumming, East Indian music and many other Indigenous styles. 

WWW.ZIONJUDAHMUSIC.COM WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ZIONJUDAHVIBES WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/ZIONJUDAH

suffolkandcool.com

I'm hoping to have the revised website up and running in the next few days. Sorry if it behaves a little oddly from time to time. The plan is to allow it to take on loads of new functionality and sections of interest to the discerning music lover without becoming a confusing mess.

Let me know what you think.

Spring seems to have been put on hold here in Suffolk this week - there must be a public holiday coming up ;) 

Pic from the barn shows what I mean. A shame for visitors but there are some great pubs to hunker down in and some wild stretches of coast that become even more wild on days like this. Fabulous.

All for show - Manny LU (Luxembourg) direct

Manny was in touch last week about Jamendo, saying that the Jamendo PRO system is working well for him.

One of Manny's tracks (Stroll On) has been used on a quite remarkable promotional video. It is the top video at www.slackline-tools.de/en/picsvideos/videos/slack-videos/

You'll find more of his music on Soundclick at www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=641721

http://sideshowmanny.com

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/Manny

On My Shoulders - The Dø (Paris and Helsinki)

Already the first French act to score a #1 record in France with an album sung in English, The Dø are set to release A Mouthful in the US on April 6th via Six Degrees Records, complete with three bonus tracks.

Running the full musical gamut, A Mouthful deftly channels the melodic and vocal stylings of Nina Persson, the sharp and bouncy guitar jangle of contemporary indie rock, a touch of folk intimacy and even some wistful hints of summer Tropicalia. The Dø are French/Finnish vocalist and guitarist Olivia Merilahti and multi instrumentalist Dan Levy, along with Pierre Belleville on Drums & Percussion.

As NME states, The Dø have created “something genuinely captivating. [A Mouthful] tastes real good.” It does indeed. 

Video for “On My Shoulders” - www.vimeo.com/4475111

Free download at rcrdlbl: http://tinyurl.com/yekwa86

www.myspace.com/thedoband

www.sixdegreesrecords.com/

Journey to town - Cyberdread (Torino, Italy) 

From the "afro-house" album Hi-Fi African Drums.

Written, arranged, produced & mixed @ MostWired Mobile Studio (I-tal Village - Jamaica & Torino -Italy) by D.Suppo AKA Cyberdread way back in 2005

Lots of Cyberdread work is available on Jamendo 

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/cyberdread

www.cyberdread.it

Shackles and Chains - Al Lindsay (Suffolk, UK)

It is far too long since I played Al Lindsay on the show. I happened to catch two excellent sets at The Brewery Tap, in Ipswich last Friday. Quite unexpected but what a treat. 

His style has moved on and although there is still a strong John Martyn influence, we don't end up with a John Martyn tribute sound. He attacks the songs with mush of the spirit and in the way that John did but what comes out is pure Al Lindsay - and all the better for it. His live version of May You Never was pretty true to the original and was played with similar gusto to JM on a good night, but it had the freshness and commitment of a newly self-penned song. 

Shackles and Chains is from his album Songs from under the kitchen table. His most recent album, Shingle Street, is sold out as CD but it is available for download.

Do take a listen to Fly Away on his MySpace.

www.myspace.com/allindsay

www.al-lindsay.co.uk

Bonjour Monsieur Jean - Bibi Tanga (Paris)

From the new album Dunya. 

Afro-funk bandleader Bibi Tanga and groove-heavy accompaniment The Selenites are excited to team up with Nat Geo Music in preparation for their American debut release of Dunya on June 1.

Joining forces once again with producer Professeur Inlassable, Bibi Tanga and The Selenites -comprised of Arthur Simonini on violin and keyboards, Rico Kerridge on guitar and Arnaud Biscay on drums- follow up after the acclaim of their 2003 release Yellow Gauze and 2009 It’s The Earth That Moves EP. Though they’ve already made a stir in France, the group now unites with Nat Geo Music to bring their fashion-forward funk vision to audiences worldwide.

“It was like magic,” states Bibi on working with Professeur Inlassable. “He knew exactly what we wanted and exactly what he wanted – and knew how to bring it out of us... but also how to get out of the way!”

Dunya takes listeners on a wild, eclectic tour through the history and pre-history of funk, layering Afrobeat rhythms over electro-tinged soul and cosmopolitan trans-Atlantic grooves. Together with The Selenites, the duo forges a stunningly original new sound, and creates a space where Afro-futurism meets steampunk, Fela Kuti jams with Sidney Bechet, and Marcel   Duchamp gets down to Chic. A seamlessly appropriate fit for the internationally focused National Geographic music label.

www.myspace.com/bibitanga

Reasons to be cheerful - Ian Dury and The Blockheads on BBC radio

Insightful and inspiring documentary from the BBC. 

Andy Serkis tells the extraordinary story of Ian Dury and the Blockheads - how a disabled art teacher in his mid-thirties fused punk, funk and incredible lyrics to create some of the most important music of the 70s. Friends and colleagues including Chas Jankell, The Blockheads, Suggs, Phill Jupitus and Ian's son Baxter reflect on a career of "sex, drugs and rock and roll", from the revolutionary "New Boots and Panties" through to Ian's early death and the legacy of the Blockheads as the band continue to tour.

Only available for a few more days (expires on Saturday).

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rptth

A reason to keep breathing - Mighty Tiger (Seattle, WA, USA)

Mighty Tiger.  With its members emerging from the Midwest and the Southwest, this particular collection of musicians found their counterparts in the dreary Pacific Northwestern Seattle, WA.  Drawing from a diverse set of influences ranging from Harry Nilsson to The Flaming Lips, Mighty Tiger applies vintage pop sensibility to indie rock innovation, creating a sound that is uniquely their own. Forming in November 2008, Mighty Tiger wrote and recorded their debut full length album, Western Theater within the next 5 months. 

While Mighty Tiger shows a refreshing willingness to wear its musical influences on its sleeve, the primary strength of the album is the way the band’s divergent points of reference coalesce around a sound that is truly distinct and often tastefully unpredictable; whimsical chamber pop eddies swirling in a turbulent sea of epic indie rock glory.

www.myspace.com/mightytigermusic

www.facebook.com/pages/Mighty-Tiger/49630716796

www.twitter.com/mightytigrrr

Rat Racer (feat. Noelle) - Streetlab (NYC, USA)

Streetlab is an electro-rock music duo from NYC formed in late 2001 by Mark 'Cosmo' Lamorg and Ryan Leary. Taking the role as in-studio producers and songwriters, the two began by remixing classic rock songs with the dance-floor in mind. Being raised on the music scenes of the early 90's, the two attempt to erase boundaries - making music that appeals to both rockers and dancers.

After receiving much support from Radio 1's Annie Nightingale for their remixes, Streetlab inspired indie-rock label Kanine Records, where they contributed remixes to their catalog for Mixel Pixel and Professor Murder. Astralwerks and Invisible Records were up next, receiving remixes for artists Prophet Omega and Rx. The two also landed a mix on The Limitless Potential, a compilation of Nine Inch Nails songs from the album Year Zero. 

www.streetlab.net/

www.myspace.com/streetlab

Adnams  

Check the "on-line" Adnams kegs at: http://bit.ly/bYFGQh hmm, nice site.

Ventarron - New York Tango Jam Session (Portland, OR, USA)

Sorry, I got the track and album names confused in the show. Here they are correct (I think).

Argentine Tangos interpreted by some of the greatest tango musicians, played in an improvised style for dancing. From the album "Berretineando" which features some of the best tango musicians in the US who have come together to record twenty danceable tracks of classic tangos in the “a la parilla” style.

CD Berretineando will be available to order on April 3rd, 2010 through iTunes and www.cdbaby.com

There is a special CD Release Party / Milonga on Saturday, April 3, 2010 - 8pm-2am at Tango Berretín, 6305 SE Foster Rd. Portland OR.

Releasing two albums with Conjunto Berretin, leader Alex Krebs disbanded the group and released a solo project under the name Orquesta Electronica Berretin, forging his way into the genre of "techno-tango." Following the release of Orquesta Electronica Berretin he formed his Portland-based sextet, with Krebs on the bandoneon, 1st violin Erin Furbee (who is the assistant concert master of the Oregon Symphony), 2nd violin Shin Kwon (who also plays with the Oregon Symphony), bassist Allen Regnier, Nicole Portley on piano, and Andrew Ibert on 2nd bandoneon. This album combines the talent of five great tango artists.

Oh, and take a look at  the videos on the site.

www.newyorktangojamsession.com

Music from Tibilisi (Georgia), Brighton, Toronto, the east coast of the USA and Norwich.

I resisted the temptation to post a picture if the mating frogs - in the interest of good taste. Instead here is Butley Priory, here in Suffolk, where our daughter Eve married Jon last week. An amazing building to be so comprehensively filled with love.

Dog's Day - My Visor (Norwich, UK)

I promised another more typical MyVisor track and here it is from their new album If I Could Pass This Message On To You. 

The album is 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. You 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

www.myvisor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/myvisor

Still a surprise - Buddhuza (Tibilisi, Georgia)

Buddhuza [but'huza] is an independent artist from Georgia (the country, not state), who produces podsafe music in his mobile home studio.

He plays and records almost all parts of his songs, except for drums and some percussions, and offers his music for free download through his website. He also performs, accompanied by his laptop, in clubs and bars in Vienna, Austria, and offers free CDs during his performance.

The idea behind the free distribution is to be able to share with those whom the music was originally made for – the audience.

Since Buddhuza is not signed and does not financially depend on music, he enjoys making songs, which he refers to as electronic homers, and send them out for a custom recipient.

Follow the links on the site there are some real gems there. Last played on SnC201.

http://buddhuza.com

Everything's Good - Phoenix Williams (Brighton, UK)

since the release of Phoenix Williams debut album Wait And See… in September 2008, her emotionally charged acoustic rock has captured the imagination of all who have listened to her, making her new album which she is currently recording, one of the most eagerly anticipated by a female artist in years.

Her new Double A Side single Blow Out and Everything’s Good (2010) taken from her forthcoming album is released exclusively from the Deuce website at www.deucemp.com   All proceeds made from sales of the single will contribute towards the completion of her new album.  As an extra incentive for fans, those who introduce Phoenix’s music to over 10 people who then go on to purchase the single will receive a signed copy of her album on completion, and will also be credited on it too!

www.myspace.com/phoenixwilliams

Bay Mir Bistu Shayn - Balkan Balagan (location unknown)

Zouker David : Clarinet

www.jamendo.com/en/album/61648

Ice Hotels - Dinosaur Bones  (Toronto, Canada)

In less than two years since exchanging a university auditorium for a cramped 12-seater Econoline tour van, Fox and the fellow Bones have been efficient in inflicting enough damage on the Canadian indie music community to justify their namesake.  After releasing a self-titled, 4-song demo EP in late 2008, the band has hit the stage with Handsome Furs, the Rural Alberta Advantage, Born Ruffians, The Arkells, Malajube, Hollerado, and Sebastian Grainger, received praise from both college and commercial radio, and been personally invited to play some of the country's largest festivals.  They've also outgrown many of the venues in their hometown, packing the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, among others, wall-to-wall with hundreds of rabid fans, often storming the stage for sing-alongs induced by their anthemic blend of hook-laden melancholy and broody charisma.

In late 2009, Dinosaur Bones entered the studio with producer Jon Drew (Fucked Up, Tokyo Police Club, the Arkells) to lay down the foundation for their long-anticipated debut LP. 

http://myspace.com/dinosaurbonesband

Diddley Bo - Seasick Steve (Norway?)

Ryko is pleased to announce the U.S. release of Seasick Steve’s Man From Another Time on March 30, 2010. The tale of Seasick Steve is that of an anomaly in modern recorded music – signed in his 60’s, the US-born musician came to see a platinum-selling album in the UK, become the oldest Brit Award nominee in history and the winner of Mojo’s Best Breakthrough Act.

Seasick Steve’s “sudden” career rise began to take place in 2006 after a UK television appearance on Jools Holland's 'Annual Hootenanny' BBC TV show. His electrifying performance immediately propelled him into the UK public’s consciousness.  As his star rose, crowds flocked to his live events worldwide, including in a sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and appearances such at festivals such as: UK Reading, Leeds, Glastonbury (UK), Coachella, All Points West (U.S.) and Fuji Rock Festival (Japan).

“Every time I walk out in front of these thousands of people, I think ‘Goddamn, how can someone who’s not young, and didn’t used to be famous already have all this success out of the blue?” Seasick Steve remarked. “My belief is I’ve come at the right time. People are tired of everythin’ bein’ so fancy. I guess they kinda like hearin’ me with an acoustic guitar stompin’ on a box.”

Born in Oakland, CA, Seasick Steve ran away from home at age of 13.  He spent his adolescence living rough, grabbing work where an underage labourer could find it.  By 16, he was busking and starting to become the musician that close to fifty years later emerged as Seasick Steve.  Through this journey, his feet took him through Europe, back to the U.S., and then ultimately back overseas.

With momentum in hand, devastation struck when in 2004 he suffered a heart attack.  While home and finding a way of life he could sustain post-heart attack, his wife pressed him to start recording on his 4-track.  Those sessions would become the 2006 release, Dog House Music; which was independently released on the Bronzerat label (200,000+ copies sold).  His follow up album, I Started Out With Nothin’ And I Still Got Most Of It Left, found Seasick Steve landing his first platinum album and critical success.

www.seasicksteve.com

www.myspace.com/seasicksteve

Welcome the new SnC sponsor: Adnams of Southwold. In particular get a feel for what the company is about in the About Us section on their site. You can see just a few reasons why the relationship feels dead right.

http://adnams.co.uk/

Jars of Fireflies (Pharmatrionik remix feast. Tanya Donelly of Belly) - Pocket (NYC, NY, USA)

As the principal creative mind behind the NYC-based electro-pop band Burnside Project, Richard Jankovich (aka Pocket) is not just well-versed in pop music production—he’s quickly become one of the most celebrated remixers today. As Pocket, Jankovich has done remixes for Beck, Radiohead, Kristin Hersh, Of Montreal, Elk City, Joanna Newsom and many others, always to critical acclaim.

Jankovich continues this core idea of collaboration and ensemble recording through the release of a new project: a series of singles featuring a stunning lineup of both legendary musicians and newer artists, all of which were released digitally throughout 2009.

Pocket "Jars Of Fireflies (Pharmatronik Remix) [feat. Tanya Donelly of Belly]" (mp3) from "Jars Of Fireflies (feat. Tanya Donelly of Belly)" (24 Hour Service Station) More On This Album

Closer to home, Butley Priory is an amazing music venue just a few miles from The Barn and will be the setting for my daughter Eve's wedding tomorrow.

Too tired - The Mannish Boys (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Finis Tasby: vocals / Bobby Jones: vocals / Randy Chortkoff: harmonica / Kirk “Eli” Fletcher: lead & rhythm guitar / Frank Goldwasser: vocals, slide, lead & rhythm guitar / Willie J. Campbell: electric & upright bass / Jimi Bott: drums & percussion

The Mannish Boys new release "Shake For Me" picks up on the tradition established by the band's previous releases: A playlist of great songs from the deep end of the blues pool, performed with passion and vitality enough to make them sound new and fresh. And the band once again brings on board a slew of ringers, some of the very best blues players in the world today, each ideally suited to their featured material.ââAn important and sometimes tricky aspect of this tradition is choosing songs that walk the balance beam between familiar and unknown, with a conscious effort given to presenting some of the greatest music from the blues canon without lapsing into cliches and dead-horse beating. And if a little bit of royalty income can be generated for one of the originators of the art form or his estate in the process, all the better. The Mannish Boys aren't about forging new frontiers in space age blues technology and innovation, and they've never tried to. Their goal has always been to keep the classic music alive and make it a living, breathing force for today's generation, sharing the good times they have while doing it. And few who have heard their recordings, or seen them performing live at music festivals around the world, could argue with their success in achieving their goal.

The Mannish Boys "Too Tired" (mp3) from "Shake for Me" (DELTA GROOVE PRODUCTIONS) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Amazon MP3 More On This Album

www.themannishboys.com/

Younger Looking Skin - Robin Grey (London, UK)

In a small white room with a blue door tucked away in a leafy corner of Hackney, Robin makes music. He colours in his songs about love and life with guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, piano, double bass, organ, percussion toys, and any other instruments he can afford and fit into his little studio.

Robin featured on Suffolk'n'Cool 148 quite a while ago. He's back with a new album "Strangers with shoes" the tenth release from the consistently excellent modifythevan label. A higher quality MP3 version is available as is the physical CD at http://robingrey.bandcamp.com

Take a listen and download a standard MP3 copy at www.jamendo.com/en/album/56451

www.robingrey.com/

Tutti Frutti - Nikila (Belgium)

From the Jamendo album Other that you can download free from www.jamendo.com/en/album/7747

Classical music training .... After a few years off, returning to music by MAO. Eclectic musical tastes with a slight preference for jazz and electro trend IDM Ambient Trip Hop Hip Hop Lo-Fi.

http://nikilart.blogspot.com/

The Faster That You Run - The August Infinity (New York)

"The August Infinity, have crafted a superb rock album with their debut LP Voices of a Generation... a multi dimensional album that has an organic feel with its a simple guitar-bass-drums setup... All of which have substantial lyrics and create an emotional connection with the listener."â - Eat Sleep Breathe Music

www.theaugustinfinity.com

www.myspace.com/theaugustinfinity

Siesto Ocho - Suerte (Montseret, France) Jamendo

We are training 4 zicos diverse backgrounds and exploring a damaged area of music tinged with jazz, rock, world music, ... Briefly, dyslexic! To listen without moderation, a bird! worth a damn! there's more letters ...

http://suerte.hautetfort.com

The Stalker - Hunter Valentine (Toronto, Canada)

Hailing from Toronto, sweet, vicious and punky all-girl rock trio Hunter Valentine has made a run for the border, relocating to Brooklyn, NY in the wake of recording their newest platter Lessons From The Late Night. The 7-track disc was recorded and produced by Ian Blurton (Weakerthans, Skydiggers) at Toronto's Chemical Sound Studios and will be released on May 11th via Tommy Boy.

The band, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Kiyomi McCloskey, bassist Adrienne Lloyd and drummer Laura Petracca previously released a self-titled EP in 2005 and a 2007 full-length The Impatient Romantic. The trio had been causing quite a stir with constant touring in the U.S. and Canada (often with their good friends The Cliks) and the summer release of the their super fan-friendly live DVD, We're Here To Recruit You. Eventually they could no longer be ignored and were targeted by a legendary New York City-based indie label.

http://huntervalentine.com/

www.myspace.com/huntervalentine

Lost John Dean - Paul Burch (Nashville, TN, USA)

Paul Burch, a writer of unmistakably modern but instantly classic American songs, arrived in Nashville in the early 90's and helped spark the honky tonk revival in downtown Nashville with marathon performances at legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.  PB's 7th album Still Your Man was released to critical claim in 2009 and features his group the WPA Ballclub along with Tim O'Brien and Kelly Hogan. Burch's ear for producing and arranging has made him a natural collaborator to performers from every kind of genre including Dr. Ralph Stanley, Vic Chesnutt, Mark Knopfler, Lambchop, the Mekons, Beverly Knight, and the Grammy nominated comeback by legend Charlie Louvin. Burch also served as music consultant to the PBS documentary “The Appalachians" and wrote a soundtrack to Tony Earley's debut novel and NY Times bestseller "Jim the Boy".

"For some people music goes very deep, and I hope my music reaches that place for them," says Paul, "but I also hope my sound has something for those who haven't heard music speak to them yet." 

 On March 1st Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub will begin the streaming and sale of an A side/B side single every month throughout the rest of the year. For a one-time fee of only $5 fans can join the Paul Burch Record Club which will allow them to subscribe to the entire year-long series. For $10, in addition to receiving all 20 tracks in mp3 form, Paul Burch Record Club members will receive, at the end of the year, a CD of the singles with custom artwork.

http://paulburch.com

the incredible raggavolution - Stouffi the Stoves (Lille, France)

From the album Madness on Jamendo.

There certainly seems to be a bit of collaboration going on around Lille with Stouffi the Stouves, Eclectek and David TMX regularly combining forces.

www.myspace.com/eclectekofficiel

www.jamendo.com/en/album/37759

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.

www.myspace.com/nordgarden

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.elisabethblair.net

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.

www.myspace.com/peterrunks

www.myspace.com/buffboomusic

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.

www.musicpodcasting.org 

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.

www.darkpatrick.com

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.

www.tevaka.com/

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.

www.myspace.com/leifvollebekk

www.nevadorecords.com

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

www.myvisor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/myvisor

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.

www.latitudefestival.co.uk

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.

www.taxi.com/kampion

www.myspace.com/kampionmusic

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

www.myspace.com/francisishere

www.francisishere.com/

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 BregoviÄ" 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, âXavi - bassâ, Alfonso - violin, âNoe - accordion and voice, âVitto - saxophone, âAlvaro - drums, âDavid - 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. 

www.jimmiebratcher.com

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:

http://bit.ly/4waZ3W

www.myspace.com/lawrencearabia

iTunes reviews will be greatly appreciated - all helps get the music out there.

European Podcast Award

http://tinyurl.com/y9mr57e

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.myspace.com/saadinyc

www.facebook.com/pages/SAADI/145202038898

www.twitter.com/saadinyc

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. 

www.theyellhounds.com

www.myspace.com/theyellhounds

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.

http://bit.ly/dwYRuh

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. 

www.myspace.com/1vista

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)

www.neilinnes.org

www.myspace.com/egowarriors

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

www.myspace.com/francisishere

www.francisishere.com/

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

http://deskaya.fr/

www.myspace.com/deskaya 

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.

www.ninavox.com/

www.myspace.com/ninavox

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

www.myspace.com/geddismuss

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.

www.myspace.com/redpensband

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. 

www.myspace.com/djchampion

 www.djchampion.net

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.

http://thejustinwayneshow.com

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.

www.myspace.com/adamarcuragi

www.adamarcuragi.com

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.sugar-blue.com

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.

www.shaynazaid.com/

www.myspace.com/shaynazaid

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.

www.elisabethblair.net

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.

www.ulachi.com

www.myspace.com/lachimusic

www.cdbaby.com/lachi2

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

http://jackotheclock.com/

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.

www.myspace.com/khidarag

www.cdbaby.com/cd/KhiDarag

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.

www.myspace.com/laolla

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.newfidelity.com

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.

www.myspace.com/tqrmusic

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 

www.arschpopeng.de/

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

www.naamahillman.com

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

Rootz Underground "Makisupa Policeman" (mp3) from "Dub Like An Antelope - Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish" (Red Hillz Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

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

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.  âAs 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…..âDates across the UK have recently been confirmed details of which can be found on the band’s website.

www.themustangs.co.uk

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

www.myspace.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.

Cee Cee James

"Black Raven" (mp3) from "Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl" (Blue Skunk Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

www.ceeceejames.com/

www.myspace.com/ceeceejames

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.

www.ramblindawgs.com

www.myspace.com/ramblindawgs

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.

Los Campesinos!

"The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future" (mp3) from "Romance Is Boring" (Arts & Crafts) More On This Album http://loscampesinos.com/

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

www.canthang.com

www.myspace.com/canthang

Join me next week for more great new music - blimey, Suffolk 'n' Cool will be four years old!