I must be getting old because it doesn’t seem like too long ago that Verve (see what I mean, still refusing to adopt the ‘the’) broke up. Of course mad Richard recorded some solo LP’s (where are they now?) but the last thing most people remember about the Wigan outfit came via their colossal unit shifting ‘Urban Hymns’. And the funny thing is that that album wasn’t even close to being their best, for that you had to go back to the early 90’s when it was difficult to see any of their faces for all the hair. ‘A Storm In Heaven’ was shoehorned between a raft of great EP’s and during that hallucinogenic period the band produced their most innovative, if rather less commercial, work. Bass lines tripped over themselves while shredded chords held bloody hands as Ashcroft sang as if he was the man who’d just discovered a cure for flightless humans. Anyway, McCabe and Ashcroft are now back in the same room and the results will be heard in impressive stereophonic sound on their ‘Forth’ LP to be released in August. To prove they have moved with the times Verve have also seen fit to leak a non-album track, ‘Mover’, which surprising reveals a group that has finally rediscovered its Northern soul. Movers and shakers all over again. KD

Verve - Mover

Watch The Video To All In The Mind

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Verve
Year: 2008

I hope you have room in your heart for another Brooklyn band because Donny Hue and the Colors are worth it. For one thing doesn’t it feel kinda refreshing to hear sleigh bells on a tune that belongs in a warmer season? This band are big fans of that musical device in fact because they brought out a Christmas EP last December called ‘Mr. Red Blues’. ‘Humming with the Flowerbirds’ is taken from their debut ‘Folkmote’ and is bursting at the seams with honeyed melodies, lightly brushed glockenspiel and a guitar turn the likes of which you’d expect to hear on a stage erected on a white sandy beach surrounded by an audience well into their 6th cocktail. Blissful in other words. KD

Donny Hue And The Colors - Humming With The Flowerbirds

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Donny Hue And The Colors
Year: 2007

Portrait of a Song is a new series where the music makers explain how a particular song of theirs evolved. Our second installment comes from Woven’s Ory Hodis who recalls the rocky road to the making of ‘She Blows My Amplifier’. The eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted a review I did of this recently, it is quite something and when you read Ory’s account it will undoubtedly leave an ever greater impression. KD

Ory Hodis: "With Woven our song writing style is different with every song. Each song has a story, different parent combinations that give birth to it, and many experiences that nurture the inspiration. No song has the same birthing process. She blows my amplifier is the last track on our new full length, 'Designer Codes'. Here is its story of how it came to be.

It was a rather dismal night. It was Halloween and I felt absolutely horrible - had just ended a six year relationship, and was a total wreck. I was the opposite of inspired. I could barely write music or talk about anything. I felt like I was a lower life form trapped in a dark, dreary dream with no light at the end of the tunnel. I would wake and sleep with the same thoughts. I was a heart broken amoeba. In the midst of this chaos we were playing a Halloween show at a warehouse party downtown, and my ex shows up as a pirate in the middle of our set. She was in the front row drunk as hell, dancing and crying to the songs I wrote for her. Damn she made a great pirate. When we played "My Conditioning" she grabbed my shirt pulled me to her lips, kissed me for the last time and ran out. That show was really symbolic, because it made it clear to us that we were not going to be together anymore. When I went home that night I wrote about my experience downtown. Later on that month Rich was jamming on the Rhodes alone in our control room, and it somehow reminded me of that night. I grabbed my laptop and started recording him. It was a beautiful synchronistic moment. I then started chopping out parts, and running the line through my arsenal of effects. I wanted the song to have an ethereal feeling that would dive in and out of the pain I felt. I knew that I could not rely on drums, definitely too earthy. I created feedback loops out of the Rhodes, to create a feeling of floating on clouds of razor blades. I pulled the loops out to give relief, and then put them back in to create the pain. It was a delicate balance of creating the feel of wanting something that you know would never work, and knowing that it was better that way and feeling a little resolve. I simplified my lyrics, so that it would be a mantra repeating exactly my experience downtown. I then sung the vocal tracks that night. I should mention, that I had a bad case of strep throat. All the whispering, cracks and imperfections in the song are there because I'm in pain singing, but am too inspired not to sing. I am a firm believer of trying to keep as many first takes as possible. I played the song for Johnny and he was inspired by it and said he had the bass line in his head already. The bass line just came out in one take. He added the energy the song needed. I then gave Steve the tracks. Steve always has an amazing ability to take a song into realms that I would not think possible. The bridge to that song was now born. I bounced a copy of it, and played it for my friend Lance. He said he had an acoustic guitar line in his head. I tracked him in his closet and the end was born. I think I love the end so much because the song eventually gets rooted back down to earth with the acoustic guitar and finally resolves. Loves a bitch, but in the end its worth the gut wrenching torture, if you come out alive."

Woven - She Blows My Amplifier

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Woven
Year: 2008

It took a post from Matt and a quick search of the archives for me to realise that I’ve been very remiss in not posting anything about Ultra Vivid Scene despite my gra for them/him. I got into UVS through MTV’s ‘120 Minutes’ (now that was a show) when I stumbled upon the fade out to ‘Special One’. I was entranced and ran to the library to investigate (hey this was the early 90’s, see how easy you have it kids). Ultra Vivid Scene was essentially Kurt Ralske but he was joined on the bar stool by Kim Deal (Pixies, Breeders) for this pure nugget of indie pop. Like all gems ‘Special One’ is simple and instantly memorable. It would have set so comfortably in 4AD’s roster as the label was at the forefront of all things ethereal and vibrant at the time. Ultra Vivid Scene only produced 3 albums but Ralske has since redefined himself as a highly regarded visual artist. KD

Ultra Vivid Scene - Special One

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Buy Songs: Ultra Vivid Scene
Year: 1990

This morning as the dawn bells rang out and the sacks that had replaced my eyeballs weeped a tiny tear the indiecater compilation finally made its entrance. Finally I say when in reality the gap between conception and birth was barely 2 weeks. No matter, I got a fair amount of pleasure in seeing this project come to fruition I can tell you. This collection gathers 10 unheralded yet really talented artists onto one release with the income from its sale going directly back to the 10 contributors. There is quite a bit of variation too, electronica, indie pop and experimental numbers are liberally sprinkled throughout. To give you a taster here's a classic-in-waiting from New York's Cymbals Eat Guitars. Even before I heard a single note I knew there was something special going on. Enthusiasm is half the battle in my book and these lads have it in spades. The fact that they can knock off slow burning epics like 'Share' sweetens the deal. 'Share' is a classic grower, only after several listens do the hidden layers and high creativity become evident. By the finish the swells of melodic sound prove a stark contrast to the ragged advance and retreat of its early movements. If your fancy is taken you can buy more of its ilk here. KD

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Share

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Indiecater Website & Amazon
Year: 2008

There is something altogether reminiscent of a nascent Happy Mondays on this track from Sweden’s the Studio. Like it wandered into the Shaun Ryder’s not unsubstantial cloud of dope smoke circa the ‘Thrills, Pills and Bellyaches’ sessions while at the other end of the room it had to shuffle around Bez during a particularly lively maracas waving session. Remember those ‘Hallelujah’ remixes, the way they seemed to go on for an age, without really delivering anything of note but still gripping the imagination with the intensity of a penalty shoot out. The Studio have 3 albums, the latest of which ‘Yearbook 2’ hasn’t even been released outside of Scandinavia. Which really doesn’t amount to a whole lot of restriction in these internet enabled days. Those ‘Import’ stickers have long gone the way of the Dodo and thankfully with them the bulging pockets of the fat cats. KD

The Studio - Origin (Shake You Down By The River)

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Buy Songs: The Studio
Year: 2007

I often wonder if the Dandy Warhols will ever be able to recapture the freewheelin beauty of their best album ‘Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia’. I’ve tuned out completely since that high but the Dandy’s are always capable of delivering a cool little ditty. Much like this one in fact, a song that trips along quite happily for several minutes without ever setting the world alight. Courtney Taylor sounds like he’s invaded the machines or they’ve invaded him so detached are his vocals. ‘The World the People Together (Come On)’ is taken from the Portland bands’ 6th album ‘Earth To The Dandy Warhols’, which was released digitally last month with the hard copy following at some stage later this summer. A psychedelic charm. KD

The Dandy Warhols - The World the People Together (Come On)

Watch The Video To Everyday Should Be A Holiday

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Buy Songs: The Dandy Warhols
Year: 2008

Terrene were one of my tips for last year and as you’d expect they went exactly nowhere. Not even the music blogging superhighway that is the Hype Machine has given this neat little band the mileage they deserve. To add to the tale of woe their record label seems to have gone kaput recently. It all seems so unfair given that Terrene’s John Dylan is a Tasmanian devil whir of talented activity. Dylan mostly operates alone so the vocals, chords and electronic squiggles are all of his own making. ‘What We’ll Never Be’ displays the master at work, perhaps it is too edgy for daytime radio but there are so many splendid bit parts it seems such a waste that as many as possible don’t get to hear it. The song is taken from 2007’s ‘The Indifferent Universe’, a title which has thusfar turned out to be sadly prophetic. Let this little apple grow in your stereo. KD

Terrene - What We'll Never Be

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Buy Songs: Terrene
Year: 2007

When it comes to absorbing music I have a slow digestive system. It usually takes at least half a dozen listens before I am fully up to speed on the merits of a song. Every now and then though I hear something and though the pieces may not have fully dropped into place I know I am in love. Who needs specifics when discovering the hidden glories between the cracks is half the joy in growing older with a song? So when Woven spun into my inbox I had no idea that several minutes later I would be laid out on a nearby couch fighting that urge to cry with happiness at the beauty of ‘She Blows My Amplifier’. And I thought it was only Sigur Ros that could do this. The 5-piece from LA have been on the go since 2001 and August will see them self-release (they were previously signed to Interscope) their second album ‘Designer Codes’. ‘She Blows My Amplifier’ is a lavish primer and displays more emotion than a cinema jammed with DiCaprio fans watching the closing scenes of ‘Titantic’. At this moment in time I feel like a man swallowed by the sea myself. KD

Woven - She Blows My Amplifier

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Woven
Year: 2008

‘Parachute’ is the opening track from Shugo Tokumaru’s 3rd album ‘Exit’ and should instantly clear the cobwebs from your head such is its brightly textured disposition. Full of cascading wonderfulness it hardly matters that we don’t understand what Tokumaru is saying (do you complain when you fail to interpret the waves?), this is as uplifting as an invisible helicopter. ‘Parachute’ is a mess of twee noise that congregates into a fine technicolor splatter. Tokumaru takes the reins impeccably, his lullabye tones fly out of him with the navigational acumen of a death star destroying skywalker. KD

Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute

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Buy Songs: Shugo Tokumaru
Year: 2008

The beautiful game has been reborn and it's wearing a Russian jersey. This classy football team led by the extravagantly gifted Andrei Arshavin arrived at Euro 2008 as rank outsiders but they have slowly become the team of the tournament. Seeing them outplay a much fancied Dutch side has been one of the many highlights from a glorious Euro 2008. Much of the credit must go their Dutch manager, Guus Hiddink, who has applied his total football philosophy to a group of technically brilliant players. We may have been crying into our beer as Portugal and Croatian went crashing out but this more than makes up for it. Of course we should have seen it coming, one only had to marvel at Zenith St. Petersburg performance in the UEFA Cup to see that Russia is currently endowed with a rich crop of bright new talent. Seems their natural resources goes far beyond that expensive stuff that's found in huge barrels. KD

Supergrass - St. Petersburg

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Supergrass
Year: 2005

Speaking of haircuts let’s go back to the early nineties when I was possessed rather a fine one myself. While it may have been borne out of Madchester’s loins it wouldn’t have looked so out of place at a Slowdive gig. To this day the Reading (also home to those other shoegaze purveyors Chapterhouse) band have held a tight grasp on my affections. The first 2 LP’s and a clutch of their early EP’s defined the shoegaze sound with its wispy vocals, thunderous guitar montages and periodic descent into ambient waters. Last year I did a little piece on what became of the various Slowdive members but nothing that came afterwards can eclipse moments like ‘When The Sun Hits’, ‘Avalyn 1’, ‘Machine Gun’ and this absolute belter ‘Catch The Breeze’ from their debut ‘Just For A Day’. The highlight is undoubtedly the cascading instrumental dynamics towards the end but the meditative build up and almost lazy delivery throughout is so utterly Slowdive. It makes me well up and wish I still had a floppy fringe. KD

Slowdive - Catch The Breezei

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Buy Songs: The Crimea
Year: 1991

I like this, mostly because it is different. Sometimes so much of what I listen to becomes a constant hum, an occasional memorable riff makes the same same all the more bearable but something out of the ordinary always pricks my ears. So when a band like The Dø comes along it acts like a fog clearing head cleaner. The French/Finnish duo are eclectic to say the least and much of what I’ve heard of them does point to a unique sense of what music should sound like. ‘At Last’ is less experimental that most of their tunes but it’s where I’ve laid my hat. Olivia Merilahti sounds as deliciously exotic as she looks but her multi-instrumental playing partner Dan Levy is equally adept at the alluring tease (their debut LP is called ‘A Mouthful’). ‘At Last!’ may pass you by initially but give it time to grow and those retro guitar haircuts will soon be shown up for the pale imitators that they truly are. KD


The Dø - At Last!

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Year: 2008

Regulate and Fold might seem like an odd name for a music project but then aren't all the best ones already taken? Seems so because artists like Jesper Henriksen are now drawn to the colourless workplace of an underpaid secretary to secure an appropriate moniker. Ah well, at least the music is inspired. 'Looks Like A War' has all the hallmarks of a US production but Jesper's feet are set firmly on Danish ground. You may hear a less focused Postal Service but I find the languid mood rather fetching. And don't those vocals just remind you how Grandaddy were once our favourite exponents of melodic melancholic pop. This sure is a world away from drab corridors and personalities with the appeal of half cooked rhubarb.KD

Regulate and Fold - Looks Like A War

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

Bye bye silky football, hello hard-nosed and ruthless but ultimately very effective semi-finalists. Cripes I feel a bit down after watching that game, Ronaldo did what you’d expect of him when the chips are down, namely shag all. Ah well, there is several cures for a football downer and one of them is a musical upper. Which brings us neatly onto Miracle Fortress, the side project (or is it the other way around given the response to ‘Five Roses’?) of Think About Life’s Graham Van Pelt. This was the album of last summer and if there is any justice every other summer that follows in its wake. Full of sucrose harmonies that have been slightly skewed so as to keep joe public at bay ‘Little Trees’ is a song to fill your heart with joy and your lips with smiles. It even has you dreaming of another silky winning performance in the upcoming semi-final encounter (even if I am getting at least 1 match ahead of myself here). Ahhhh, that feels better. KD

Miracle Fortress - Little Trees

Watch The Video To Have You Seen In Your Dreams

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Year: 2007

Despite breaking up in 1991 the main constituents of Galaxie 500 are still making vital music. Dean Wareham has perhaps had the higher profile post G500 with Luna and more recently with Dean & Britta. Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang decided to stick together after G500 and have produced 7 albums as Damon & Naomi (they like their straight forward moniker’s these Galaxie heads). The duo’s 1st album ‘More Sad Hits’ is being reissued next month but before that they are embarking on a tour which includes a trio of Irish dates. To be in with a chance of winning one of three double passes to their Whelan’s gig on Wednesday 25th June (next week) all you got to do is get in touch. KD

Damon & Naomi - Beautiful Close Double

Damon & Naomi - The Mirror Phase

Watch The Video To Galaxie 500's When Will You Come Home

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Damon & Naomi
Year: 2000

There were high hopes that Poland would assert themselves at Euro 2008. Sadly, a spirited defeat to Germany, a last minute choker versus the Austrians and last night's loss to Croatian adds up to a desperately disappointing campaign. If one was looking for a crumb of comfort then Myslowice based Iowa Super Soccer could well be the ones to provide it. I've been a fan for a couple of years now but the highs on their debut ‘Lullabies To Keep Your Eyes Closed’ still came as a pleasant surprise. Low-ebbed and thoughtful it contains a clutch of excellent indiepop ditties; none more so than ‘Cold’ which twins the cutest jangle with a strong vocal turn. This has all the necessary ingredients to soothe bruised expectations and make the wait for the upcoming world cup qualifiers pass by very pleasantly indeed. I've just realised this is the second time I've spoken about ISS and football. KD

Iowa Super Soccer - Cold

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Buy Songs: Iowa Super Soccer
Year: 2008

I’ve shared a car with someone who was in love with Iron & Wine. By the end I was close to climbing out the sunroof at fatal speeds. Not that the whole experience was horrible, the opposite was true in fact for about 3 songs but after that the law of diminishing returns certainly kicks in. Sam Beam is undoubtedly talented; the problem is that he primarily operates within the confines of a single gear. I love my slow and contemplative Americana spiced with pleasant melodies as much as the next man but there is just a limit to what I can take in a single sitting. I’ll turn on ‘Muddy Hymnal’ of a Sunday evening and for just over 2 minutes the trials of the upcoming week seem to evaporate into the night sky. In other words it is wonderful, as is much of this debut record ‘The Creek Drank The Cradle’. Just make sure you have some decent alternatives for those long journeys. KD

Iron & Wine - Muddy Hymnal

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Buy Songs: Iron & Wine
Year: 2002

Dublin band Sweet Jane are only 1 year old and have grown from the slight duo of Lydia Des Dolles and Danda (!) to a full blown 5-piece behemoth. I’ve had my fill of ropey Irish bands of late but from the second minute of ‘You’re Making This Hard’ I was completely sold. The template isn’t particular new but I find songs of this ilk as absorbing as a sun dried person-sized sponge. The boy/girl vocals help and the change of momentum gives it a discernible personality. And the good news is that it is not a fluke as the majority of the tracks Sweet Jane are giving away for free on their myspace are ace. You’ll be thinking BRMC, Jesus & Mary Chain and the Velvet Underground but at this rate of progress the overriding thought may soon become ‘hey, that sounds like Sweet Jane’. KD

Sweet Jane - You're Making This Hard

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sweet Jane
Year: 2008

Now here’s a strange thing, a Spanish speaking band based in Chicago that are signed to a Belgian record label named Crammed Discs. The geographical maze hardly seems to matter though when it comes to sitting down and listening to Allá because their unique communication style bulldozes through any potential language barrier. This is distinctly summer music that flows so organically I’m sure it could be squeezed and end up becoming a swish cocktail. Lupe Martinez has a lovely ethereal quality to her singing; the effect is further bolstered by the exotically fragranced music that surrounds it. ‘Es Tiempo’ is all mouth and no trousers initially but at 1.40 proceedings take an unexpected and delightful twist. I’m convinced that if belly dancers listened to indie then this would be their pre-gig warm up. Sultry has rarely been this loose limbed. KD

Allá - Es Tiempo

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Allá
Year: 2008

Put the music of Glasgow and Sweden on a gramophone and you’d easily have a lifetime’s worth of pristine pop. For such northerly climes it is quite amazing that the sunny melodies just refuse to stop shining. And now we have a new (ish, ‘Young America’, the bands debut, has been out in the States since 2006) entry in Glasgow’s impressive roll call, which is headed up by Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. The Poems are lead by the engrossing chanteuse Kerry Polwart and her delicate forlorn cooing never wanders too far without the sweetest of harmonies. The music for its part is understated but proves a soft foil for Polwart’s storyboard, which makes it all the more mysterious why it has yet to recieve a European release. Fans of 80’s popsters the Bluebells (‘Young at Heart’ still haunts me) will be glad to hear that Robert Hodgens from that band is a very active member of the Poems. KD

The Poems - Sometime Somewhere Someone Should Say Something

Watch The Video To I'm A Believer

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Buy Songs: The Poems
Year: 2006

Last year the High Violets took hugger’s fancy so much so that they breached its top 42 songs for 2007. A lot of the credit must go to Ulrich Schnauss though for his dramatic reworking which summoned the dream pop gods of the early nineties. This time however the praise is reserved purely for the Portland janglers. ‘X-Tasy’ as a title might belong to a time when the Shamen and acid house culture was peaking but the music is timeless, a baggy swagger with all the mannerisms of a classic Friday indie night floor filler. The High Violets may be out of step with current trends but for those of a certain vintage this is still where it’s at for arch entertainment. KD

The High Violets - X-Tasy

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Buy Songs: The High Violets
Year: 2006

The trick to becoming popular and staying so has been one that has eluded Nada Surf. MTV championed them early in their career, 12 years ago, but since that zenith they have made the slow inexorable descent towards to relative obscurity (they still maintain a high profile in alternative circles mind). I guess you could argue that at least they touched the hand of success but hearing songs as wonderfully conceived (and radio friendly to boot) as ‘I Like What You Say’ you got to feel that the world is truly missing out. Lucky for us that the band have not let the high/low’s get to them, their independent streak and persistence should ensure that we their loyal servants will never let them go. Their gift is a weight whose burden will be forever shared. Shut up me, just treasure this band. KD

Nada Surf - I Like What You Say

Watch The Video To Whose Authority

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Buy Songs: Nada Surf
Year: 2008

Much like how I don't understand how FIFA Records gets away with calling themselves that I often wonder how the estate of Bonnie & Clyde don’t come running to this Swedish bands door. If they did they’d probably just spray them with complimentaries for making such luxurious audio though. ‘The Great Tram Robbery’ is Fanny Wijk’s and Rickard Hallin’s new produce and if ‘Guess There’s No One’ is anything to go by it may become the top Swedish release of the year (and that is saying something believe me). Naturally steeped in retroness Bonnie & Clyde are a close match for Camera Obscura and thus specialise in close harmonies and intricate lo-fi instrumentation. This is a far more instant pleasure than their last appearance here, but pleasingly stands up to fairly rigorous repeat listens. A joy. KD

Bonnie & Clyde - Guess There's No One

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Year: 2008

Fresh out of the box and not half as crazy as their name suggests (and distinctly Gregless too) this L.A. quartet are just the tonic for lazy summer afternoons. ‘Old Man’ is taken from their soon to be released debut ‘Big Nun’ and is awash with subtle harmonies and shuffling rhythms. To put it crudely it’s like Jack Johnson were he to up the talent ante 4 fold, quietly smash his acoustic guitar on some shore rocks and let his newly found creative juices flow. All four Mad Gregs members get involved in the vocals which leads to the wonderfully rounded utterances all over ‘Old Man’. Their frequent use of the clarinet, miniature drumming robots (allegedly) and in this case the sound of the clock from Countdown all adds up to a proposition that makes them stand apart from the herd. ‘Big Nun’ is out next month on Fake Four Inc. It's like Alfie never left us. KD

Mad Gregs - Old Man

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mad Gregs
Year: 2008

I am gobsmacked at this, over 10 minutes of quality audio and a good story to boot. Reminds me a lot of Animals That Swim, not only in the vocals but in the cerebral stakes also. Remarkably this London 5-piece remain unsigned but you’d hardly think that they were operating on a budget given the lush orchestration and rich production values. There are glimpses of the Velvet Underground and Chet but ‘Mysterious Skin’ is wildly original and a stark reminder of the quality that still inhabits the fringes. Orphans & Vandals have a 10” vinyl single on release at the moment and if that doesn’t bring them to the attention of the powers that be then the record industry is losing more than it ever had. KD

Orphans & Vandals - Mysterious Skin

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Buy Songs: Orphans & Vandals
Year: 2008

Sometime soon mp3hugger will have in its possession 10 brand new songs from 10 different independent artists. The songs will be packaged together to make a compilation to be titled ‘indiecater: volume one’. The collection will be low priced and sold directly from this site. Each participating artist will receive an equal percentage of the purchase price and so will be guaranteed an income once at least a single copy of the album is purchased.

Submit Your Song

As everyone knows a compilation is not really a compilation without songs so this is where you and your band come in. The only condition for submitting a song is that it is of good quality, hasn’t been released commercially already and will remain exclusive to this compilation. In return you will receive exposure to mp3hugger’s readership (currently 1K a day), receive income from every sale and benefit from any reviews on blogs/other media that the compilation may receive. If you are interested, have questions or would like to submit a song straight away please contact us.

Buying The Compilation

Those who buy the album will receive a zipped file containing 10 high quality mp3s that have been vetted by mp3hugger. This means there will be no filler whatsoever; every track will come with the mp3hugger seal of approval. Take it as read that there will be no compilation unless 10 tracks of high enough quality have been submitted. Also included in the file with be some unique artwork, a track listing as well as information relating to all the participating bands.

What Is Point Of This Exercise?

The number of great bands that receive little or no press whatsoever constantly surprises me. This collection will gather 10 of the best, which should prove to be an attractive proposition for indie music fans. The compilation will be of high quality and budget priced with profits going straight back to the music makers. If Volume One is a success further compilations may then become possible.

Early Days

As you’ve probably guessed I am winging it a bit here but I think that something like this is workable. If you have any suggestions or issues with any of the above please get in touch. I could do with all the help I can get.

Update: 6 hours in and the response has been very encouraging from both readers and bands. And guess what we've already lined up our first band. The Seascape have been featured on mp3hugger already and they have kindly agreed to submit a track of theirs.

Hybrasil, Burning Codes, Slushco and Cymbals Eat Guitars are now on board. Wahay!

12.06.2008: 2 days in and the response have been overwhelming. We’re almost halfway there already with 4 really good tracks lined up. Several high calibre acts are recording new material this weekend especially for the compilation (gulp!), which will mean we will be in a very healthy position by this time next week. Someone asked me earlier what the CD would look like – well, I decided early on that this would be a digital release only. No point in introducing unnecessary delivery and packaging costs when a simple zipped file can do the business for free. The zipped file will include the 10 songs, a playlist (so the songs play in order), track listing, original artwork plus some background information and links about the bands taking part. It will probably sell for €4.50 with the income shared amongst all those taking place. As ever I would welcome any thoughts, ideas, guidance that you may have.

13.06.2008: We are up to 15 tracks submitted, with about the same number promised! The quality has been outstanding and there is a nice variation in the tunes so far. The biggest issue now could be to choosing the final 10 songs! If it works out then this could perhaps be the start of a series of releases so those that don’t make it onto volume one could be part of a future collection. I can’t get over the generosity and enthusiasm of the bands, giving their work away to a blogger whom they’ve never met. Hopefully I can repay their faith and indiecater will turn out to be a success. I have been working on the backend over the last day, I wanted a nice clean pay-and-here’s-your-download process and thanks to the help from Simon at SVC I think I have something that will make buying the album a seamless process. You may be wondering how I’ve had so much time to do all this, well having a week off work helps. Music in the morning/afternoon and Euro 2008 in the evening, yep, it’s turning out to be the best week ever! Updates can be found here now kids. KD

I held this aside for the fireworks I was expecting from the French when they took on Romania the other night at Euro 2008. Big snore ensued. That game aside it has been a terrific competition and even when the quality has dipped the effort has been heartening. Thankfully it seems that today’s rich footballers still give some currency to national pride. These French Kicks are based in Brooklyn but have their origins in Washington. A decade long career has seen them sign to Alan McGee’s Poptones at one stage though they currently reside at Vagrant Records. ‘Swimming’ is the band’s self-produced 4th album and ‘Abandon’ is a pretty little track from it. The tune is characterised by the memorable underplayed guitars and Nick Stumpf’s swirling vocals. It appears like a live take but this hardly hinders the result, which is both fresh and vibrant. Perfect for banishing les bleus in fact. KD

French Kicks - Abandon

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Buy Songs: French Kicks
Year: 2008

I suppose if I was more on the ball (more Dutchesque if you like) I would have spotted that Jong Pang have nothing at all to do with Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. They come from a different country for one thing but in my ‘gotta go through as many new bands as possible’ blogger mindset I wrongly surmised that I’d already been there so quickly moved on. Anyway, the Gods conspired to bring me back to their doorstep and I’m glad they did. ‘Small Cut Sensations’ is the first single from their debut album ‘Bright White Light’ and does a very good job of filling every corner of the air that you breathe. A consuming affair then, polished, eclectic and addictive in equal doses. It's enough to put a spring in your step. KD

Jong Pang - Small Cut Sensations

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Jong Pang
Year: 2008

You can now buy the self-titled debut album from Burning Codes from our record label Indiecater!

Imagine my glee when reading the list of thank you’s on Burning Codes snazzy debut the ‘Worthy Cause’ EP that mp3hugger got a lovely mention. Hooray I squelched in a slightly effeminate way before calming myself down with cold water. Probably wouldn’t have meant so much if Burning Codes were your run of the mill indie band but I’m convinced Belfast man Paul Archer has the midas touch. The songs may not be spilling out of him with startling rapidity but each new birth is something to cherish. There is something truly cinematic at work here, Burning Codes make tunes that will some day require huge stages and sunset lighting to give them a proper context. Contemplation ain’t something you’d associate with the sound of the underground but this gonna-be act are certainly giving us plenty to think about. Thank you, back at ya. KD

Burning Codes - Keep It On

Watch The Video To For All Time

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Burning Codes
Year: 2008

Few acts can rival A Sunny Day In Glasgow in the wonderfully obscure department (Xiu Xiu and the Fiery Furnaces excepted). To confuse matters further they decided to call their first album ‘Scribble Mural Comic Journal’, just trip offs the tongue doesn’t it. They are not Scottish so at the very least we should be able to understand them as they engage in banter at their Dublin show next month. Don’t be looking for incisive comment in their lyrics mind, the Philadelphia crew’s noise bursts are without fail shorn of decipherable wordage. Sound like a good night out? Thought so. To celebrate we have 3 double passes to their Whelans gig on Wednesday 30th July (Foggy Notions curated). All you got to do to be in with a chance of winning is to email us with the name of your favourite experimental band. Answers containing the word Aslan will be automatically barred from the competition.

Update: Congrats to Robyn, Laura and Patrick who all won a +1 to the gig! KD

A Sunny Day in Glasgow - A Mundane Phonecall to Jack Parsons

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: A Sunny Day In Glasgow
Year: 2007

Last year Montag’s ‘Going Places’ stole my heart, this year’s equivalent comes via the Jon Athans Project. The Jon (and the Athan) in the project is Jonathan Pretz from Pennsylvania and he creates his soft brand of electronica from his bedroom studio. He is giving his debut EP ‘Hard Holidays’ away for free and it a gorgeously understated listen. In the past ventures such as this would have been lost so thank you internet for bringing it to an appreciative audience. ‘Humid in Town’ is my favourite track as I love infectious little cyclical numbers. Everything about this is cute, from Pretz’s cosy vocals to the bouncy soundtrack that has a tinge of the eastern about it (JAP?). Stick it on repeat and watch the flowers around you accelerate into full bloom. KD

Jon Athans Project - Humid In Town

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Jon Athans Project
Year: 2008

Atlas Sound is the work of Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox and many of the recordings that are appearing around the net were conceived when he was much younger. Not sure if Atlas Sound is an entirely serious project, the music is always enchanting but seems to be dispatched into the world with a near blasé attitude. Cox is certainly prolific (2 EP’s and a debut album this year already) and much of what he produces as Atlas Sound has a hazy dreamy quality that more often than not hits the mark. Make sense that he has covered some Grizzly Bear material because the 2 acts inhabit a similiar neck of the woods. ‘Activation’ is one of Cox’s more lucid moments and is taken from the ‘Orange Ohms Glow’ EP. This one leans towards an hallucinogenic Brian Jonestown Massacre (or the Dandy Warhols whichever way you lean on that particular debate) direction and slips by enjoyably like a comforting evening spent on a beach watching the waves endlessly advance and retreat. KD

Atlas Sound - Activation

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Atlas Sound
Year: 2008

Straddling the perilously thin line between the Kings of Leon and MOR would prove too much for most bands but the Weeks have conspired to upset the odds. Given their tender years it is remarkable that they have already mastered the art of sounding interesting while not exactly reinventing the wheel. ‘Buttons’ is a rampaging anthem from their new album ‘Comeback Cadillac’, a piece so fuelled with youthful vigour and neat melodic hooks it will be a major surprise if it doesn’t become a decent indie hit. I mean it has all bases covered, the slow gravely intro, the building momentum and the inevitable mosh-pit frenzy of a chorus. Yep, I am definitely sold and pine ever so much for a huge mane of hair to colour my slightly retarted head banging routine which spans its 5-minute running time. ‘Comeback Cadillac’ is out next month on Esperanza Plantation. KD

The Weeks - Buttons

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Weeks
Year: 2008

You gotta hate Ben Cooper, not content with creating gentle classics with his main band Electric President he also finds time to record treasures in side projects like Radical Face. Last years’ ‘Ghost’ gets periodic revisits on my laptop, each return journey turns up splinters of newfound joy. Quite how I’d missed ‘Welcome Home, Son’ first time round is beyond me as it is bedecked in such a superior finish. Cascading vocals continually wash over a most acoustic of backdrops in a chorus without words. Elsewhere it’s as if you happened upon a deserted waterfall brimming with nature, untouched by human hands. It will quite literally sweep you off your feet in a whirl of euphoric joy, this Ben Cooper deserves to be adored. KD

Radical Face - Welcome Home, Son

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Buy Songs: Radical Face
Year: 2007

The Beach Boys, Cosmic Rough Riders and now Women, yep at last we have a beautifully formed hat-trick of bands with which to soak up anything the summer can throw at us. ‘Black Rice’ is undeniably retro but so honed with ripe melody it ends up with no black marks. Inextricably linked with Chad VanGaalen (he was involved in the recording) the Canadian 4 piece are due to release their eponymous debut in July. And ‘Black Rice’ is a tasty primer, ointment to the ears of Shins fans and with an easy charm that gives it a pleasing feeling of spontaneity. If it tickles your fancy there is another freebie ready for download from the bands website. Is this what Jim O’Rourke was on about when he sang about women of the world? KD

Women - Black Rice

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Women
Year: 2008

It may feel a bit stretched at almost 6 minutes but for the most part ‘Archers’ is a rollercoaster ride of indie rock thrills. So while you may have heard the best bits within the first 30 seconds the unshakable swagger means the thrills are maintained pretty much throughout. These Bostonians have been knocking around since 2004, have already dropped an EP (‘Seven Sisters’) but their debut album ‘The Troubles’ promises to finally ignite widespread interest. Led by Mike Fiore Faces on Film certainly don’t make it easy for us as there is very little in the way of bio to be found. Makes it all the more mysterious I guess and a couple of minutes in the presence of ‘Archers’ should have you waxing at the ears for more. KD

Faces On Film - Archers

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Faces On Film
Year: 2008

There may be something wrong with me, on the face of it I should be fodder for Bon Iver’s charms yet I remained unconvinced by ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’. I’m sure the magic will reveal itself when least expected but for the moment I will have to make do with what he’s done with the Rosebuds ‘Get Up Get Out’. Such a slinky thing, an acoustic heart given a bolt of reserved green energy it makes for perfect background music (in a kind of, I like that, wonder who it is kind of way). It is just one of several remixes of tracks from the Raleigh bands’ 2007 album ‘Night Of The Furies’ that can be downloaded for free from the Merge Records website. The whole thing is so life affirming you may find yourself ditching your idyllic remote cabin for a shoebox apartment in the nearest metropolis. KD

The Rosebuds - Get Up Get Out (Bon Iver Remix)

Watch The Video To Box Car

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Buy Songs: The Rosebuds
Year: 2008

The Wedding Present have a new album out, it’s called ‘El Rey’ and believe it or not it is only their 8th proper release. On the face of it given that prolific lead man David Gedge is probably pushing 90 at this stage it seems a little strange that the album count is so low. But then if you look under the covers there was the majesty of Cinerama, which ate a dose of the eternal lovestrucks' time. The great news is that ‘El Rey’ is another fine album, not that you could expect anything else from this consistently brilliant yet ultimately overlooked Leeds band. I’ll dip into the new one later in the year but for the moment here is a classic (geddit, it’s taken from their ‘Mini’ release!) from their back catalogue. 2 minutes of glorious indiepop with flightly boy/girl dynamics, shimmering chords and bag of lyrics to strike a note with would be lovers/breaker-uppers the world over. KD

The Wedding Present - Convertible

Watch The Video To You Should Always Keep In Touch With Your Friends

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Buy Songs: The Wedding Present
Year: 1996

‘Silly Killings’ is the Copenhagen based Said The Shark’s second album. Primarily made up of singer Maya Saxell (the girl) and Kim Oxlund (the boy) they create songs that are something and nothing yet somehow everything. You’ll know what I mean when you listen to ‘All You Want’ (from their debut ‘Always Prattling On About Wolves’), a slice of pastoral bliss that shimmers so delicately yet wields a mighty impression making force. Saxell’s vocals are key but the surreptitious playing adds gravitas giving the piece a sense of gorgeous otherworldliness. ‘Silly Killings’ is a deeply impressive sophomore, a sleeper that’ll catch you unawares but will soon reside among your favourites of 2008. KD

Said The Shark - All You Want

Watch The Video To December

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Said The Shark
Year: 2008

Those of you in the know will already have figured out that Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip is actually the work of 2 people. I on the other hand struggled for minutes on end trying to make sense of the riddle that never was. The Essex duo have been collaborating for a couple of years now and despite myself I fell for this their latest single on the very first listen. Hip hop doesn’t really get any meaningful coverage on this blog aside from some pretty obvious Streets/Beastie tracks so chalk this down as a new beginning. Well, maybe not but ‘Look For The Woman’ is peppered with such an easy charm and fluid wordage it proved impossible to resist. The video is pretty cute too. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip’s debut album ‘Angels’ was released last month and it has already scored some UK chart action, finally giving the populace some genuine X factor to chew over. KD

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Look For The Woman

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Buy Songs: Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
Year: 2008

The emergence of the Dying Seconds was good enough news but I’ve been listening to Waterfordian the Bear People (Dave Grimes, thanks CB) all morning and I’m starting to believe there could be something of a new electronica movement happening here. That’d be nice because I had high hopes for the genre, which provided so many interesting albums in the early part of the century. Detailed information on the Bear People is distinctly thin on the ground save for the fact that Dave likes putting mixtapes together that lean towards the shoegaze end of things (wahay!). M83 tends to be an influence (he hates them) especially on the celestial breaching drone of ‘Guitar Static’, elsewhere a more clearly defined sequence of ideas emerges like on the mixed up vocabulary (and at times beats) of ‘Drunk Velvetsy Noodle’. ‘Song For Baby Bear’ shades it though amid the rumour that the Tour De France is on the lookout for a new anthem. KD

The Bear People - Song For Baby Bear

The Bear People - Drunk Velvetsy Noodle

More Info: Myspace
Year: 2008

You can now buy this song on one of our Indiecater compilations here!

Been awake since 4am, always happens after too much grog, fast easy sleep followed by insomnia. Lie there in constant twisty turny mode until I realise it’s getting bright outside and I’d be better served catching up on some new music. Not the loud stuff though, something soft and uncomplicated but with the essence of genuine talent. This morning Bakers at Dawn feels like the perfect fit, lo-fi recordings in an acoustic setting with handcrafted melodies. Malmo based Marcus Sjoland is the engine and his cut and paste retrospective is out now on Series Two Records. Budget didn’t allow for production sheen but songs this good always sounds better without superfluous framing. Sjoland put it perfectly when he said he wanted his music to sound either like a cold rock wrapped up in a warm blanket, or a warm blanket wrapped around a cold rock. You see, ideal listening for someone in need of Z’s who lacks the wise to catch them. KD

Bakers At Dawn - Hopeful

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Bakers At Dawn
Year: 2008