Monday 30 March 2009

PJ Harvey & John Parish - Black Hearted Love Video

We're a bit late with this, but we figured it was still worth posting as it's completely HERMAZING! Proper post to follow shortly, promise.

Thursday 19 March 2009

Blog Treats!

Can you believe it’s been six months (give or take) since we last produced a round-up of our favourite blogs? We can’t either, so we decided it was time to introduce you to a few new blogalicious delights. There are five projects in total, which just so you know, have been listed in alphabetical and not preferential order!

Fans of the Hey! Manchester live music events are probably aware that the lovely Chris Horkan – one of the promoters behind the events, and creator of Mancubist – has produced a brilliant accompanying blog. Anyone interested in all things folk, Americana and experimental happening in and around Manchester, should bookmark this one immediately.

Mercy Recommends... is an offshoot of the inspiring Liverpool-based creative agency, Mercy. Originally a zine back in 2002, they’re better known these days for the gigs, exhibitions and live literature events they put on. As well as keeping you up to date with what’s happening at Mercy and the many artists they’ve worked with over the years, they also aim to provide ‘bite-size chunks of internety goodness’. Yummy!

Next up we have Ninjatronics Lab, which, in their own words, ‘is a (music) blog that includes music reviews, podcasts, music projects, film, flash, animations, videos, short films, movies, and other productions along with commentary.’ Currently our blog de jour, it’s definitely one for y’all to check out.

Ohh Crapp! has literally been our online music bible for well over a year now. The reasons for this are threefold. Firstly it’s updated regularly, which is always a massive selling point. Secondly, it features remixes on top of remixes on top of remixes; it’s basically a Mecca for anyone who, like us, runs a clubnight! Thirdly, Faisal who runs the site is super passionate, and therefore top.

Last but by no means least we have Speech Marks, a collection of published and unpublished articles courtesy of student and writer, Jane McConnell. You’ll find all sorts of brain stimulating treats here, including interviews, news features, reviews and comment pieces. It’s a great read, period!

Monday 16 March 2009

Juliette And The New Romantiques

We can’t say we were surprised when madcap Juliette Lewis and her band the Licks parted ways. After releasing two warmly-received albums, touring relentlessly for four years, and undergoing more line up changes than we’ve had fillings, it was only a matter of time before they eventually ran out of steam.

A few weeks ago, Lewis decided it was time to introduce the world to her latest musical endeavour, Juliette and the New Romantiques. Claiming, ‘this new incarnation is more about disillusionment and hope. Determination and despair. Romance and tragedy. And truly creating music that comes from those conflicts. It is more about a sound and energy than a "band".’ OK then!

Whilst we were once huge fans of JATLs - attending every gig they played in our fair city of Mancunia, as well as rushing out to buy Native American-inspired headwear once we'd seen the artwork for second album Four on the Floor – our excitement has waned dramatically in recent years, and so we were incredibly excited to hear about Juliette’s newest project.

After listening to a selection of tracks over on their MySpace page for a few days now, we’ve gotten past our initial uncertainty and warmed to this mellower, more soulful sound. Be warned, die-hard fans of the Licks may struggle with this new ethos and direction though.

Only time will tell if Juliette and the New Romantiques are speaking our language.

New album Terra Incognita is scheduled for release sometime this spring with a series of tour dates to follow.

http://www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

Wednesday 11 March 2009

New Tori Amos!




We likey!

Tori revealed the cover art and track listing for her upcoming album Abnormally Attacted To Sin yesterday,
scheduled for release on the 19th of May (we're not sure if this is for the UK as well as the U.S). She gave the exciting exclusive to Spinner, you can check out the interview here.

Tracklist


1. Give
2. Welcome to England

3. Strong Black Vine

4. Flavor

5. Not Dying Today

6. Maybe California
7. Curtain Call

8. Fire to Your Plain

9. Police Me

10. That Guy

11. Abnormally Attracted to Sin

12. 500 Miles

13. Mary Jane

14. Starling

15. Fast Horse

16. Ophelia

17. Lady in Blue

Monday 9 March 2009

New Music: First Aid Kit

There seems to be something truly magical afoot in Stockholm of late. Maybe there’s something in the schnapps (sorry readers), we’re not sure. What we do know, is that Stockholm is fast becoming the place to find super-talented, wise-beyond-their-years, teenage lady music makers.

Our first case in point then is Those Dancing Days, purveyors of some of the best Northern-Soul-inspired indie-pop music in recent years. Admittedly they disappointed with their début album In Our Space Hero Suits back in October of last year, but we haven’t given up on the full-of-beans fivesome just yet.

Next in line we have First Aid Kit, a Swedish duo comprising sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, born in 1990 and 1993 respectively (Helen Of Troy... isn’t ashamed to admit that we were watching Byker Grove and dreaming of our first alcopops when these two were but a mere glint in their parents' eyes). Musically, they couldn’t be more different to TDD, but they are just as engaging.

You’re Not Coming Home Tonight, taken from their début EP Drunken Trees, is not only a nod to Bright Eyes, but also a fine example of stripped-down country-infused folk at its best. Jagadamba You Might, also featured on the aforementioned EP, is at once bewitching and sublime. Whilst the rockier Cross River Oceans sees the melodic Swedish sisters step things up a gear.

Enchanting folk melodies sated with crisp haunting harmonies and evocative melancholic lyrics, this is truly magical stuff.

http://www.myspace.com/thisisfirstaidkit

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Tracks We Can’t Stop Listening To - Old And New, Just For You, And This Time Legal!




Unfortunately, we got ourselves in to a spot of bother over our last post, and as a result it was deleted. Fear not though, we've learnt our lesson and have come up with a completely legal and ehtical alternative... a Spotify playlist. Yes we're rather limited in what we can point you in the direction of, but at least this way we get to keep our good name!

Anyhoo, here are our slightly amended, current musical obsessions. Enjoy!


Click here to listen to the below via our nifty Spotify playlist.

1. Britney Spears - Circus

2. Tegan And Sara - Walking With A Ghost

3. Brazilian Girls - Never Met A German

4. Metric – Monster Hospital

5. Grace Jones - Williams Blood

6. Girls Aloud – Love Is The Key

7. Saint Etienne – Only Love Can Break Your Heart

8. Eartha Kitt – I Want To Be Evil

9. Florence And The Machine – You’ve Got The Love (Candi Staton cover)

10. Sky Larkin – Fossil, I


Wanna see what else we’re listening to? Then check us out over at Last.FM