Eulogies wrote their 2nd record while touring with Film School last year. It’s gonna be next year before we hear the fruits of their labour but for now the ‘Tempted To Do Nothing’ EP will do just fine. In fact when tunes like ‘Two Can Play’ invade the space between your ears you might just forget about the bills and be content with your lot for a couple of minutes. Charming is what Eulogies do you see and when they present that charm in a setting bedecked in softly focused riffs and boy/girl vocal interplays you’d have to have the heart of a banker to reject them. So let the L.A. act colour your bad times and before you know it they’ll become as big a part of your good times. KD

Eulogies - Two Can Play

Watch The Video To One Man

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Year: 2008

For all I know this could have been a big hit from a famous rock act I’ve never heard of and Screaming Tea Party are just polishing it up. It just sounds so complete, don’t mind the fuzz and clatter because beneath the distortion lies a genuinely brilliant tune. Could be a ‘Teenage Kicks’ (do you hear it boys and girls?) for the noughties if it’s given the airplay it deserves. The trio are based in London but two-thirds of the group come from Tokyo and they play their instruments as if the cumulative pollution from both cities were deposited on their instruments. It’s dirty, raw and downright lovable once you prefer you melodies laced with a non fatal dose of toxicity. And that's before we even get into the mixed up song title. KD

Screaming Tea Party - Let's Do Not Say Another Word

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Year: 2008

Cass McCombs has been popping into this blog more than most artists so it’s safe to assume we are fans. Born in Concord his wandering nature has seen him taking up residency in several cities throughout the U.S. He is currently based in L.A. where his 3rd LP ‘Dropping The Writ’ was recorded. McCombs has yet to make a definitive record but along the way he has dreamed up several genuine classics. ‘Windfall’ is one of them, a fragile composition highlighting McCombs affecting vocals. In some ways, especially towards the end, the song has a certain Sigur Ros quality so you can imagine how cherisable that sounds. McCombs is coming to Whelan's on Saturday 15th November and we’ve got 2 double passes to give away for the gig. If you’d like to go just send an email to the usual address.

Update: Congrats to Stephen Banville & Clive Sullivan. KD

Cass McCombs - Windfall

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Year: 2007

You may or may not have been aware that of late I have been leading a double life. Indiecater is my attempt to help out through a series of indie compilations where the profits go straight back to the contributing bands. Thusfar it has been a quiet success, so much so that Volume 3 will be released towards the end of October and a compilation made up of indie Christmas tunes will follow in December. Our latest release is a little different however because it looks to the past rather the future for its inspiration. Red Star Belgrade’s ‘Where The Sun Doesn’t Shine’ originally came out in the mid-nineties and despite a wave of critical acclaim somehow got lost along the way. Hard copies of the album are extremely rare and up to now you could not buy the album digitally. About a year ago we struck up an email dialogue with Bill Curry from the band quite by chance and we both agreed that Red Star Belgrade’s music deserved a second airing. ‘Where The Sun Doesn’t Shine’ was RSB’s first LP, a frazzled, angry and important piece of alt country that I think you’ll really enjoy. Included here is a track from the album called ‘Saddest Girl’ that displays the simple yet powerful ditties that are dotted all over the LP. If you'd like more information about the band, the album and how you can own ‘Where The Sun Doesn't Shine’ head over to the indiecater site. KD

Red Star Belgrade - Saddest Girl

Buy Songs: Red Star Belgrade
Year: 1996

True Womanhood is the distillation of the type of band I set this blog up to talk about. Fresh, vibrant, as yet unreleased but buoyed by the sort of promise that should see them one day make an impressive break through. Based out of Washington D.C. they have already made inroads on the local circuit. Their demos boast a pleasing variety of styles with Sonic Youth’s influence filtering through on occasion. As such the songs are unconventional but they never forget to include some lovely hooks. They also employ a range of previously underused instruments to get their point across. Can’t imagine the Gallagher Brothers have ever put their grubbies on the subtle curves of the Iron Volcano, the Scythetar or the much cherished (in certain D.C. circles) Tympani. ‘The Monk’ is a lo-fi wonder, full of fey vocals and dutifully languid instrumentation. This is a quartet with a spark, can’t wait for the blaze. KD

True Womanhood - The Monk

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2008

Seeing Ulrich Schnauss in a half-empty tent colossus is not the most captivating musical experience I’ve ever witnessed. But, with a set of good headphones set to full throttle his brand of ambient exploration melts my heart. His remix of the High Violets song ‘Chinese Letter’ even crept into our top songs for last year, but this ‘A Letter From Home’ breaths new life into the dream pop/shoegaze revival (forget the fact that it came out pre ‘Chinese Letter’, it’s blogger license you see and anyway ‘A Strangely Isolated Place’ is being reissued). It heartening to see Chapterhouse so high up Schnauss’s list of influences, that band meant an awful lot to me despite only scoring a handful of bullseyes over their short career. ‘A Letter From Home’ is awash with pretty electronic flourishes, intermittent alien interceptors and hopelessly giddy expressionism. You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m slightly enamoured. KD

Ulrich Schnauss - A Letter From Home

Watch The Video To Gone Forever

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Year: 2004

The music industry is in turmoil but rather than sit on their laurels and complain endlessly certain savvy acts are using the so-called paralysing methods of distribution to their advantage. So credit everyone’s favourite pub rockers Oasis for several neat marketing tricks (giving away free sheet music with the NME for one) to plug their newest release. Escape Act are going a step further by giving their whole album ‘Loosely Based On Fiction’ away for free through some hand picked blogs. Yes, folks we’ve arrived - the band have been kind enough to let us post the joyous romp that is the opening track on the album ‘Kings Have Fallen’. Their website will tip you on where you can pick up the remainder of the album and once you’ve done that you’ll probably feel like splashing out on one of a limited run of CD's that will come with an individually customised booklet. That’s all happening towards the end of next month so you’ve got a bit of time to enjoy the Escape Act blog treasure trail. We’re rather proud of our track ‘Kings Have Fallen’ with its gilded riffs, driving percussion and sprightly vocals (forever reminding me of Mick Jones) which all adds up to a memorable indie anthem.

One of our favourite compilation blogs BoxSetGo have another song from the album called 'Cabin Fever', it's a goodie! KD

Escape Act - Kings Have Fallen

Permanent Download Link: Kings Have Fallen

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Year: 2008

In many ways this is the least obvious track to go blathering about from Fred’s incandescent ‘Go God Go’ album. It being a multi-faceted beast with a couple of fairly obviously nods to the Scissor Sisters and the Arcade Fire amongst other behemoths but perhaps it’s when they concentrate on just being Fred like on ‘Evergreen’ that my gra really starts to bloom. The Cork (maybe some Kerry in there too) collective have hardly appeared from nowhere given than this is their 3rd long player but surely ‘Go God Go’ will catapult them. At last we have an Irish band prepared take some risks and more importantly succeed in turning them into sweet audio. And despite the influences ‘Go God Go’ never fails to sound fresh, vibrant and adept at handling repeat visits. Looks like the Rebels are beginning to Yell all over again. KD

Fred - Evergreen

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Year: 2008

I was listening to the Kings of Leon’s new album today. Woke up 10 minutes later on an O’Connell Street monument with the faint sense that my ears were aching. It’s obvious I need something a little more chewable, a distant riff that sounds vaguely familiar but enticing enough to warrant greater than solitary listens. Oh, this will do just nicely from Brooklyn’s Bear Hands, an unsigned foursome who’ve been getting important tongues wagging and discerning ears flapping. It’s raw; stripped of several quintessential rock traits but boy does that circular riff leave some sharp memory traces long after fade out. The ‘Golden’ EP is out now, it kills the competition with its bare hands and keeps monument traffic to a minimum. KD

Bear Hands - Golden

More Info: Official & Myspace
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Year: 2008

In the pantheon of ethereal female vocals surely none is more distinctive than Stockholm’s Stina Nordenstam. I first discovered her music via the seminal ‘No Disco’ programme, Donal Dineen was enraptured and it was easy to see why. The thing about Nordenstam is that she looks exactly the way she sounds, delicate and shy yet utterly hypnotic. ‘Little Star’ was taken from her 2nd album ‘And She Closed Her Eyes’ which was released in 1994. It was also used on the OST to ‘Romeo + Juliet’ which cast Nordenstam to a much wider audience. She didn’t let the fame go to her head though and remains a reticent artist who continues to follow her own creative vision. Her talent for directing is best seen through her own visually stunning collection of music videos. KD

Stina Nordenstam - Little Star

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Year: 1994

As Jesus & Mary Chain songs go it is one of my least favourite from ‘Honey’s Dead’ so much kudos to Oliver North Boy Choir for imagining a thoroughly enjoyable reworking. In essence they’ve swapped the guitars for electro pulses which casts the tune in a different light while keeping the remorseless tone as preached by the Reid’s intact. The song was commissioned by the intriguing Jesus & Mary Chain Covers Project which attempts to take that signature sound and turn it into something altogether different. A difficult task but ONBC overcome the pitfalls to put their own stamp on proceedings. And when they unleash their own creativity they ain't too shabby either as witnessed by the Stina Nordenstam like ‘Nest Of Terror’. The trio come from Denmark and a couple of them have already appeared on these pages under the guise of epo-555. KD

Oliver North Boy Choir - Teenage Lust

Oliver North Boy Choir - Nest Of Terror

Watch The Video To Sometimes Always Wherein The JAMC Attempt To Sound Happy (Having Hope Sandoval On Your Arm Helps Of Course)

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Buy Songs: Oliver North Boy Choir
Year: 2008

This music is the sound of upheaval, of instruments shoved into uncompromising positions, of a singer singing as if she’s practising in the shower as the water slowly turns cold. And the strangest thing about it all is that I am utterly entranced. In the same the way that You’re Only Massive have the wherewithal to pull a victory from the jaws of an overwhelming defeat. Roni Brunn is From’s chief architect and she dreams up her patchwork quilt of audio from her base in Beverly Hills. How can she afford you might ask but then one only has to look at her resume to see how previous ventures yielded much fancied leather goods. It’s all a bit daft, from the unconventional execution to the strange reactions I am feeling in my approving toes. Oddly compelling. KD

From - Maple Drive

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Year: 2008

While ‘Jacket Hangs’ is undoubtedly their classic the Blue Aeroplanes had a career that was scattered with gems. And they were quite capable of ditching their low-slung signature guitars for an altogether lighter approach as witnessed on single ‘Fun’ from 1992. The vocals on this occasion came from guitarist Rodney Allen rather than mainman Gerard Langley with the result that ‘Fun’ skips along with unbridled joy. Putting a fine chorus in the opening bars certainly helps but there is much to saviour besides. ‘Fun’ was taken from the album ‘Beat Songs’ which included a major hit for the band in their cover of Paul Simon’s ‘The Boy In The Bubble’. In the end though the Blue Aeroplanes had to make do with becoming part of that select group of 'influential' groups with R.E.M. amongst others members of their devout following. KD

The Blue Aeroplanes - Fun

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Buy Songs: The Blue Aeroplanes
Year: 1992

Hooray, Bloc Party have gone off and come back all interesting again. Oops, sorry, got the right city but different act – Sam Isaac to be precise. Isaac is an independent musician with a penchant for the DIY approach, so much so that his torchsong ‘Sticker, Star and Tape’ has appeared on several releases over his short recording career. Easy to see why though given its ludicrous charm. The tune has been afforded new legs of late thanks to some nifty remixes, the best of which is Rod Thomas’s beat fantastic take. Thomas strips away the guitar bluster and pushes Isaac’s crisp vocals to the fore which if anything adds depth to the composition. I was immediately reminded of Kele Okereke’s uncluttered delivery but as the song progresses you’ll cast off such idle linkages and bask in the glow (his hair is on fire for God's sake) of a bright new talent. KD

Sam Isaac - Sticker, Star And Tape (Rod Thomas Remix)

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Year:

We’ve had the supercomputer and the ship and because things generally come in 3's we now have a band named Kitty Hawk. Seems this particular act are still at embryonic stage as there’s not the slightest hint of a record, just a series of fabulous demos. Kitty Hawk have a lush Grizzly Bear/Animal Collective feel to their fly by the seat of their pants recordings. Lo-fi it may be but this is music that is truly at home on a hi-fi. Right now ‘Bear In The Morning’ suits me grand, despite its fleeting lifespan this is heart melting stuff. Simple hushed dynamics rarely felt this comforting and if Kitty Hawk can draw more wonders like this out of their collective imaginations the future looks and sounds bright. Cheers to Jared for the heads up. KD

Kitty Hawk - Bear In The Morning

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2008

I’ve just watched a clearly awestruck Guy Garvey being interviewed on a BBC political program filmed in Manchester. As you’d expect for a Sunday morning slot of this sort the studio was bare and staid and the interviewer while accommodating failed at any point to connect to Garvey in a meaningful way. The pre-rehearsed questions came thick and fast without any sense of purpose but the answers while concise highlighted why Bury’s greatest ever band deserve everything that is now being bestowed on them. Polite and intelligent Guy Garvey is a most empathic frontman of a band of close friends. ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ was self-produced as Elbow were between labels so it makes the Mercury Prize triumpth all the more special. The band are currently making the follow up but are constantly distracted from doing so because of the spontaneous parties they throw to watch the playback of their proudest moment. There is a purity to Elbow that hopefully won’t get lost as the hoards come on board pronouncing that they’ve been with them since ‘Asleep At The Back’. They’ve been reborn and hopefully the best is yet to come. As the video for ‘Grounds For Divorces’ faded out following Garvey’s short interview the next guest had already descended onto the BBC couch. Gordon Brown was in for a truly gruelling round of pre-rehearsed questions. After struggling for 17 years Elbow had finally arrived. KD

Elbow - Newborn

Watch The Video To One Day Like This

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Year: 2001

+/- {Plus/Minus} is a pretty unusual name for a band don’t you think? Just imagine how many maths hating kids they’ve turned away because of that moniker. Well you are missing out kids because +/- {Plus/Minus}’s new album ‘Xs On Your Eyes’ is one of best of the year. It marks the trio’s 4th LP and its winning bag of indie devices should haul them a wide fanbase. ‘You’ll Catch Your Death’ leapt from my computer through a combination of sounding like something from ‘And The Glass Handed Kites’ and the joyous dichotomy to be savoured as languid verse turns to fluid neugaze chorus. It hits me hard in the solarplexis but rather than call for a doctor I merely press the repeat button endlessly. With +/- {Plus/Minus} it just all adds up you see. ‘Xs On Your Eyes’ is not out until next month so many thanks to Naomi at Absolutely Kosher for allowing us to post the tune. KD

+- {PlusMinus} - You'll Catch Your Death

Watch The Video To Steal The Blueprints

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Buy Songs: +- {PlusMinus}
Year: 2008

You should know by now that music and football are 2 of hugger’s passions but with crystalpalace and Arsenal now invading these pages it would be easy to speculate that one interest was taking a lead role. But, despite a new album called LOTUK it turns out Arsenal are from Brussels and not London. In fact the album was conceived further afield in a frozen part of Finland during a weekend of alcohol fuelled abandonment. Not that you could surmise that from the tropical wonder that is ‘Estupendo’, a pristine sliver of uncomplicated beats with undoubted mainstream appeal. This is Arsenal’s third long cut and they are already stars back home in Belgium but ‘Estupendo’ and its ilk could guarantee them a place amongst the elite. KD

Arsenal - Estupendo

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Year: 2008

Ok, I know scat all about Koushik apart from the fact that he is a he from Canada. I like a certain mystique, it adds to the glow in a musical prospect. As it is ‘Lying In The Sun’ was doing fine before the glow such is its sun kissed aura, the undoubted psychedelic edge resembling one of Dan Snaith’s better moments (is there higher praise?). Koushik’s releases have been of the EP kind so far but that is all about to change as his first long player ‘Out My Window’ comes out at the end of the month. ‘Lying In The Sun’ is the entrée to what should be an entrancing (!) main course. And what about a double bill with El Guincho, no contest, that would be gig of the year. KD

Koushik - Lying In The Sun

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Year: 2008

Ready for a slow funereal waltz? Grails have taken the longest time to settle in my mind, I knew I liked them (much like Low in fact) but I couldn’t quite work out why. But those frequent late night visits finally paid dividends and I am now quite satisfied to bathe in their slow progressions. ‘Dargai’ comes from as far back as 2004’s ‘Red Light’ but kind of hit the bullseye straight away. The pace, as ever, is slow, like the Velvet Underground at 13rpm (or Ry Cooder at 78rpm) but you can just imagine how the pieces fell together in the neatest of ways. It takes a lot of talent to sound this languid and it wouldn’t mean a whole lot if the crawl wasn’t so flecked with majestic artistry. Grails have a newbie on the way next month, it’s called ‘Doomsdayer's Holiday’ so don’t be expecting the gorgeous melancholy to end any time soon. Long may it prosper I say. KD

Grails - Dargai

Watch The Video To Slow Extinction

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Year: 2004

History repeating or just the future right now is what ‘The Evolution of Hunger’ had me pondering. I’m sure it would have found a sweaty home at the Hacienda in the early nineties but then again I can’t imagine Manumission turning up its nose at it either this summer. This is a downright fine piece of old skool electro with designs on the affections of contemporary dancefloors. Not much is known of Jean-Paul from Montréal who propels crystalpalace (‘1.0’ his new album is out now) but I guess that’s in with keeping with dance’s near faceless sound architects of the past. It’s even possible that JP could be amongst the throng as it loses itself in the cascading synths, pounding beats and the expected but altogether fitting sultry vocals. In short you’ll recognise the template but that doesn’t stop ‘The Evolution of Hunger’ from being one of the best dance tracks of the year. KD

crystalpalace - The Evolution Of Hunger

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Year: 2008

Sigur Rós’ music is a deeply personal experience. I know this because while I tend to shrivel up and retreat to a childhood state while their music plays my wife carries herself with the sort of nonchalant swagger of someone who is oblivious to their charms. We’ve discussed this state of affairs on many occasions, the recent being at Electric Picnic during ‘Festival’ wherein I crumpled into a heap as a brass band shuffled around the stage after appearing from nowhere to augment the sound to that of a heavenly embrace. How could she not comprehend what these Icelandic people were doing to her husband and why couldn’t she feel the same way? Now my time spent in the company of their new album is a solitary experience, despite that I return every few days. Sigur Rós don’t get better, they don’t get worse, they are just what they are – a spirit so joyous and all encompassing they are even capable of creating temporary schisms in the course of true love. Now that’s what I call music. KD

Sigur Rós - Festival

Watch The Video To Viorar Vel Til Loftarasa

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Year: 2008

You know, probably the easiest way to put a band together is to pitch yourself as the central focus and then invite your musician friends along when the need arises. Not only does this help maintain a healthy harmony it also ensures a steady stream of fresh ideas. Works for Michael O’Connell anyway and when you consider the light fantastic that is ‘Inside The Cinema’ it would appear to have plenty of mileage in the tank. The song can be found on Culture Reject's self-titled LP, which is out now on White Whale Records. The first thing you’ll notice is the warmth in the track as its rolling parts gently collide to create a melodic hum. Brass, piano, handclaps, gently tugged strings and O’Connell’s distant vocals fizz like silent fireworks in the night sky. A quiet delight then. KD

Culture Reject - Inside The Cinema

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Buy Songs: Culture Reject
Year: 2008

With cerebral lyrics delivered in Yoni Wolf’s near spoken polemic style Why? are a band that certainly deserve an in-depth thesis to make sense of it all. Every one of their tunes has a story to tell and the words are tempered by some lovely musicianship, which makes an irresistible combination. But this is not background music, it requires a good deal of listener focus so the prospect of seeing Why? in concert is an attractive one. That’s why you should be clearing your diary for the first day in November when the band will be performing with Son Lux in the Andrews Lane Theatre. If you’d like to go we have 3 double passes to give away so get in touch to be in with a chance of winning. ‘Light Leaves’ which is included here is taken from Why?’s middle album ‘Elephant Eyelash’.

Update: Congrats to Amy, Ronan and Karl!

KD

Why? - Light Leaves

Watch The Video To Early Whitney

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Year: 2005

There was a time when Ash used to affix a sticker to their releases that confirmed that they were in fact Guaranteed Real Teenagers (GRT). If there were any left over I’m sure the Wild Mercury Sound would gladly snap them up given that their average age means they are excluded from having a legal pint for at least a couple of years. Don’t be surprised then when you hear their music that it’s snappy and off the cuff but the reason it is appearing here is because it is also off the hook. For an act that has barely a year under its belt WMS appear tight, fuelled by a common purpose and laden with splendid ideas that should ensure a tidy army of fans before too long. The 2 tracks below are both demos but will not require a great deal of tweaking before they eventually appear on WMS’s all conquering debut release. GRT stuff all round then. KD

The Wild Mercury Sound - Cultured Fools

The Wild Mercury Sound - Primrose Beauty

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2008

So much for an Indian summer as the rain cascades from the sky in ever increasing bucketloads. It wasn’t always like this, September always conjures balmy evenings in my head so there must have been sunshine in the 9th month at some stage in recent metrological history. Anyway, I’m sure that’s what London’s Grantura had in mind when they wrote ‘Forever September’ such is its sunny outlook. I hear Teenage Fanclub despite origins that probably are more stateside than northerly. A mandolin being plucked always helps but the vocal melodies provided by several of the sextet makes for a glorious end of summer soundtrack. Grantura’s ‘In Dreams And Other Stories’ is out at the end of the month on Ruffa Lane Records so pretty soon it won’t be just the rain that’s floating your boat. KD

Grantura - Forever September

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Year: 2008

Jive Bunny for the electronically minded? You must be having a laugh given the quality of this mashup from those electronic provocateurs the Dying Seconds. Deus may rule this particular roost but there are joyful intermittent visits from the likes of Feist, Laura Marling and Beirut and it’s all held together beautifully by the Dying Seconds peculiar brand of suds and soda. The Dublin act released their debut album ‘We Make Weapons’ earlier this year (it's free!) and it has since taken up residency at chez hugger. This mashup is just one of a batch that includes a grand nod to the National’s last album ‘Boxer’. With that I’d imagine mouths are beginning to water but it’s your ears that’ll come away the happiest. Just seems that there’s victory in the Dying Seconds no matter what they turn their hands to. If you don’t believe me then listen to the Orbital like genius of new track ‘Lift’. KD

The Dying Seconds - I'll Be The One To Break My Heart

The Dying Seconds - Lift

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2008

May be just me but is Brighton beginning to push Brooklyn for the title of most creative neighbourhood in the world? Perhaps not but I can’t stop running into great little bands from that neck of the woods. Shrag are the latest and within seconds you may detect a certain Ting Tings direction. The thing (ting) with Shrag though is that there are 5 of them which affords more opportunities to flesh out the sound. In saying that ‘Forty-five 45s’ peddles an even personality, buoyancy comes by way of a direct riff with singer Helen appearing like a bottle rocket with a short fuse. All very indie (a song about vinyl singles, yay), all very predictable but about as welcome as voluminous snow flakes towards the end of December. It almost pains me to say it but on this evidence you just can’t beat a good old Shrag. KD

Shrag - Forty-five 45s

Watch The Video To Talk To The Left

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Year: 2008

The comparisons with fellow swedes the Knife are apparent on this remix of ‘Crayons’ but the overriding feeling in Markovic’s music is its vaguely 80’s overtures. In its original guise Johan Berg’s vocal talent is to the fore and it pretty much runs the show despite the impressive grandiosity inherent in the music. For me though ‘Crayons’ beauty is best utilised on Christina Roos remake, where Berg’s vocals provide the lightning flashes while the electro movements drive the piece through a series of incessant thunderbolts. It’s hugely impressive stuff and given the right location it could easily command a Friday night crowd’s fleeting attention span. KD

Markovic - Crayons (Christina Roos Remake)

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More Free Downloads: Markovic
Year: 2008

I’m not surprised that Hot Lava have played with Videohippos because there are striking similarities. The noise, the mayhem, the utter craft in making it sound so palatable. That said I can’t help feeling that they could just as easily sit with a bunch of Scandinavian’s on the Labrador label. The melody is there in abundance you see but it’s coated in a haze of vocal distortion, throbbing percussion and interjecting noises from outer space. And you can expect more of the same on the band’s debut ‘Lavalogy’ which should be given a full arty workout at their upcoming show with Belfast’s (and hugger loved) Oppenheimer in deepest Virginia. ‘Resolutions '08’ is a total blast, a Tarantinoesque scene stealer that’ll get under your skin and won’t stop until it has checked into the honeymoon suite of your heart. KD

Hot Lava - Resolutions '08

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Year: 2008

The comparisons to Bjork may be inevitable as much for the lush production as Raissa Khan-Panni’s faultlessly dispatched vocals. There is purity a here, Raissa sings without the hint of a struggle, those high notes are pitched as easily as the rest of us hum along to a great chorus. So her vocal talent is not in doubt but the best news of all is that she can pen great tunes too as ‘March Of The Dawn’ so ably proves. It forms one section of a mini LP (8 tracks, full blow album in my eyes) called ‘Tale To Tell (Part One)’ (part two is due early in the new year) and even after 5 plays it already sounds like a classic to me. Should appeal to Morcheeba fans and for that matter everyone else who wasn’t a Morcheeba fan. A luminous new talent from Brighton to light up summer's passing. KD

The Mummers - March Of The Dawn

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Buy Songs: The Mummers
Year: 2008

‘The CD comes with some lovely handmade packaging’ - so goes the call to arms from Newcastle’s finest Lanterns On The Lakes. And you’d have to have a particularly stony heart to turn down the offer given a cursory listen to their heartfelt music. We’ve fallen for them before but their new ‘Starlight’ EP raises the bar considerably. The 6-piece create a lush sound, resplendent with folky voices and warm instrumentation. The effect is shiver inducing, inspiring and at various point downright moving. Whether it’s the sort of soundtrack the folks on the Tyne need right now given the Keegan theatrics is open to question but songs such as ‘If I Have Been Unkind’ remind us why we got into discovering new sounds in the first place. These particular lanterns burn so brightly they may soon be lighting up the night sky KD

Lanterns On The Lake - If I Have Been Unkind

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Buy Songs: Lanterns On The Lake
Year: 2008

You can’t keep a good man down. Despite making 4 brilliant albums with the Floors the Carlow based artist Dave Donohue was not content to sit back and bask in the critical acclaim bestowed on his music. Instead he went beyond his comfort zone and into the arms of Hollywood! Well, sorta, Donohue has supervised the music on 2 well known Irish made films In America and Once. Not only that but he has brought out a series of children’s books and is currently putting the finishing touches to a movie script. But, less about his outside interests and more about the audio so ‘Love Song To My Guru’ should be a nice introduction to the Floors, truly one of Ireland’s lost bands. ‘Superbe’ may have been the album that almost catapulted them to fame but there is so much in their back catalogue that is worthy of inspection. This one is taken from ‘Morphine Watch’, an album that was inspired by a bizarre incident that occurred to Donohue while in hospital surgery (hey Jason Pierce, stop stealing other people's ideas). Thankfully it all ended happily and gloriously languid songs (rather than important intestines) such as ‘Love Song To My Guru’ continue to spill from the Leinster bard. KD

The Floors - Love Song To My Guru

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Buy Songs: The Floors
Year: 2000

From conversations I’ve had with various people it seems that it might be best if you've had a good grounding in 80’s pop before you try on the delights of the Vanilla Swingers. And they do do a near perfect rendition of all that is good (none of the bad thankfully) about the music that came out back then. Primarily made up of the London duo of Miles Jackson & Anne Gilpin their talent doesn’t end at the music either as Gilpin is performing a solo dance show this weekend at the Dublin Fringe Festival. ‘The Hive’ is perhaps the most ambitious number on the bands eponymous debut, stretching over 8 minutes it has enough ideas to power an EP all on its own. Vanilla Swingers summon a delicate hushed quality on their music, which means it is a perfect fit for Sunday afternoon wind downs. ‘The Vanilla Swingers’ is available to download for free from the band’s website (or as a limited edition CD from Rough Trade) but we’ve got an even better way for you to get to know them. Miles and Anne have kindly given us 5 signed copies of the album so if you’d like one just drop me an email. Your Sunday’s will never be the same again.

Update: Congrats to Bruce, Tim, John, Jay & Stuart! KD

Vanilla Swingers - The Hive

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Buy Songs: Vanilla Swingers
Year: 2008

I wonder if you were to do a thesis on the likelihood of tune becoming memorable based on its whistling quotient what the results be. I’d hazard a guess that the presence of some lip rounding increases the likelihood, I mean you’d have the postman of the world on your side straight away. And so it proves with London’s Noah and The Whale’s ‘5 Years Time’, a little gem from the summer with enough cuteness to match even the biggest of crèches. In fairness the whistling is only a quarter of the joy as Charlie Fink and Laura Marling’s vocal partnership and the mandolin parts are equally dewy-eye inducing. Given the quality of their material (see also) it is somewhat surprising how low key the reaction has been. The band’s debut album ‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ was released last month and is just the tonic if you are up for some fun, fun, fun. KD

Noah And The Whale - 5 Years Time

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Buy Songs: Noah And The Whale
Year: 2008

The art of the shout has become more apparent in indie pop over the last couple of years. One of its more obvious exponents is Vancouver’s You Say Party! We Say Die! Let me tell you I’ve toiled with their sound on many occasions but always end up retreating with the expressed intention of returning once I’ve downed several Paracetamol. And if that all seems a little unfair at least we’re here talking about them, albeit after one of hugger favourites Montag has added some sugar to make the medicine go down. YSP! WSD! are signed to Paper Bag Records and have 2 albums to their name, the latest of which ‘Lose All Time’ came out last year. This remix is taken from a new digital only release called ‘Remix’s Cube’ which sees various impresarios remodel the material from ‘Lose All Time’. Montag’s take is particularly dishy, a freckle faced ball of electronic wizardry with wonderfully loopy interventions from the YSP! WSD! crew. KD

You Say Party! We Say Die! - Opportunity (Montag Remix)

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Buy Songs: You Say Party! We Say Die!
Year: 2008

You’ve probably heard me moaning about the state of the Irish music scene on a couple of occasions but of late several bright chinks of light have started to appear. Now you can add the Gorgeous Colours to a growing batch of newbies who may yet help usher in a new dawn. The Dublin acts’ eponymous debut is being launched in Whelan’s on the 6th of September (Saturday) and it promises to be a special occasion given how impressive their record is. In essence ‘The Gorgeous Colours’ doesn’t sound like it was made in Dublin, it has a drifter quality which means it could veer off to a destination unknown at any time. In many ways it is stripped of shiny adornments but beneath the fancy-free production is a lush bed of creativity that gives every song a clear individuality. There’s longevity in this album, it is a fascinating listen that never blows its own trumpet vacuously. Instead it slowly grinds you down with an understated sense of purpose while all the while your attention becomes more focused until the excitement becomes apparent. Up to this I hadn’t listened to a full album in a single sitting recently but I’ve just gone through ‘The Gorgeous Colours’ twice. My ears are in heat and at this moment in time TGC is the only thing that can sate their animalistic cravings. KD

The Gorgeous Colours - Means To An End

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Buy Songs: The Gorgeous Colours
Year: 2008

‘Starlite Walker’ from Silver Jews came out the same year as Pavement’s seminal ‘Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain’. Probably not that surprising then that songs such as the immaculate ‘Trains Across The Sea’ should have that signature Pavement slacker tone given that at the time Silver Jews was populated by half of the slanted and enchanted. Paradoxically, it would be grossly unfair to put the genius of this song down to Stephen Malkmus as it was written/sung by the one Silver Jews constant over the years David Berman. Berman met both Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich while at college but unlike the other two has remained with Silver Jews ever since. Pavement have been long since vanquished but Berman’s group remain a viable entity releasing their 6th LP ‘Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea’ this summer. ‘Trains Across The Sea’ is a gold trimmed RSVP to explore what Silver Jews have to offer. Thanks to Brendan and Gareth from Analogue for the tip. KD

Silver Jews - Trains Across The Sea

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Buy Songs: Silver Jews
Year: 1994

I’ve just sorta parachuted into Kurt Wagner’s world via this song. Lambchop to me appear to be the sort of band with a small healthy but hugely committed fanbase (some bands are just wired that way, Wilco for example). Previously I’d imagined a slow moving, countrified (they are from Nashville) cerebral outfit that required a degree in emotive reading to get what they were about. I know I’m wrong and with a huge scatter of albums since 1994 there is bound to be ample variation (ok, I’ve read somewhere else that the Lambchop sound is constantly evolving). ‘Nine’ is taken from a b-sides, rarities retrospective called ‘Tools In The Dryer’ which was released in 2001 and a hugely enjoyable bundle of fun it is too. Displaying endless energy from the outset it combines quirkiness with the bands adept musical adroitness. Perfect for getting you out of bed in the morning with a spring in your step. KD

Lambchop - Nine

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Buy Songs: Lambchop
Year: 2001

Wowsers, how has Lars Pederson slipped through the net given the psychedelic-eyed harmonies to be found all over last year’s completely neglected ‘Trippy Happy’. Pederson operates under the When moniker and much like what he peddles musically it’s a wonder nobody had thought of it before. ‘Trippy Happy’ is awash with nods to the Beatles and all manner of late sixties blissed out pop. For modern contemporaries look no further than Cosmic Rough Riders/Super Furry Animals with a dash of Lemon Jelly thrown in for good measure. But for all the happy go-lucky pop tunes swirling around Lars' head it's his experimental electronic dashes that consume me. Like ‘Toy Party’ which is akin to a dark Caribou incarnation with all the attendant genius flourishes that that involves. It’s a bit scattered but I have a really sore finger from pressing the repeat button (metaphorically anyway). Investigate at your leisure or simply wait patiently for the new When album 'You Are Silent' which is out before the end of the year. KD

When - Toy Party

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Buy Songs: When
Year: 2007

It’s been raining for a couple of hours now so goodbye to summer sunsets and welcome to the 6 month Irish winter. It’s at times like this that we need to ingest uppers and today my drug of choice comes courtesy of the Swedish duo of Erik Sunbring and Jacob Lind who together make up the smallest yet most tuneful Marching Band in all of Europe. They’ve been composing together for years and after a series of EP’s decided it was time to make something a little more wholesome. So out popped ‘Spark Large’ and with that a thousand new melodies were born. And winning ones they are too as ‘Aggravate’ so amply proves. Damn, I hate waiting for choruses but in the case of Marching Band the lead up tends to be just as entertaining. This is big and bold and woven from several sucrose laden shoestrings. So even though summer’s over you should just forget about the dying of the light because we’ve got the effervescent sound of Marching Band to take us merrily through the winter. KD

Marching Band - Aggravate

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Buy Songs: Marching Band
Year: 2008

Jönköping’s Immanu El could well have the cutest song titles around (‘Panda’, ‘In Valleys’, ‘Astral Days’) but it’s the audio that’ll truly capture your heart. Plying their trade in the slightly overcrowded post-rock circuit means they constantly get compared to Explosions In The Sky, Sigur Rós and Mogwai. And you’ll spot shades of each of those magnificent bands all over their debut album ‘They’ll Come, They Come’. But, rather than being a nice imitation Immanu El have the wherewithal to sing from their own expansive hymn sheet. ‘Under Your Wings I'll Hide’ is particularly swoonsome, wallowing beautifully over 10 lush minutes. Equally special and slightly more manageable is this low slung beauty ‘Home’ (particulary Logh-esque). If you’d like to witness the spectacle first hand we have 3 double passes for the bands Whelan’s gig on Saturday 13th September. If you’d like to go just contact me at the usual address.

Update: Congrats to Peter and Brian!

KD

Immanu El - Home

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Buy Songs: Immanu El
Year: 2007

They may be separated by a great expanse of water but somehow I’m guessing a Grand Pocket Orchestra and Church double-header could be about the wackiest show possible. You should already know GPO but Church from Portland are also worth getting your head around. Despite only forming late last year the threesome are already 2 releases down with the ‘Gold’ EP spawning this straight from the hip slice of bright eyed glee. It may squirt mischievously every which way but it is still pretty good fun listening in on the antics of several young fellas who’ve just broken into a toy store to play with its contents. ‘Gold’ was recorded live so that goes some way to explaining the sense of joyful abandonment. ‘Happiness’ it’s called, the same thing that it brings. KD

Church - Happiness

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

Arcadia – The surreal mix of fire, water and dance beats made for a perfect Friday night wrap.

BJ – In open view amongst the trance heads on Saturday night in the Sibin forest area. Good to see romance is alive, well and proudly rearing its head…periodically.

Closing Time – A most stupendously flawed decision to stop serving at 10pm, sort it out for next year or at the very least allow us to bring our own grog in.

Donal Dineen – The Electric Picnic of DJ’s.

Elbow – 2 majestic Irish gigs already this year, there’ll be a hat-trick before the year is out. ‘Newborn’ provided one of the genuinely spine tingling moments of the weekend.

Faust – Taking art (literally) to new levels, guitars as they were meant to be played.

Gomez – Remarkable crowd for their ‘Bring It On’ reprisal, couldn’t get in and so threw a 13 stone wobble in disgust.

Humour – Are Irish comedians funny or do they just shout a lot?

Insomnia – Faithless blaring out of the Body & Soul bowl sounded so apt on Saturday morning.

Jape – Richie Egan once again floats (!) his genius. He could be about to take over the world on the strength of Jape’s Friday evening show.

Kerrazy – What were those SEBP boys on?

Lavatory – What would have Andy Warhol made of the shit buckets in the campsite named after him. Peering down it almost looked like art.

Main Stage – Somehow it felt wrong, the least atmospheric of all the stages.

New Find Of The Weekend - Hercules and Love Affair.

Orange Faces – Aliens, superheroes and ghost like dancers on wavey poles.

Primal Scream – A decent smattering of Screamadelica, James and Feile t-shirts. Good to see the old guard haven’t retired yet.

Queues – We have it easy lads don’t we?

Rain – Or lackthereof. Hooray!

Sigur Rós – The angel’s in the detail, brass interludes from heaven.

Tinnitus – Hey, you were warned about the white noise apocalypse during My Bloody Valentine’s ‘You Made Me Realise’. 18 minutes of bliss, once you packed the ear spongers.

Underworld – The most euphoric audience response of the weekend came as the curtain feel on their show. Visually impressive and just as vital as a decade ago.

Vibe - The most laid back/friendly festival crowd imaginable, half the fun was watching the world go by on the soft dry grass.

Wash – You must be joking and shur that’s what baby wipes were made for.

Xpensive – EP’s not a cheap thrill by any manner. Burgers for €9, crepes for €6 (even though they kept the hugger boat afloat on several occasions), lager for €8.50 (wherein you can enjoy lugging the souvenir cup around).

You’re Only Massive – 3 gigs in the thisispopbaby tent, voices may have become lost towards the end but many hearts were won in the process.

Zzzz’s – Not many of them over the weekend. The EP crowd mightn’t be a particularly noisy lot but jaysus can they talk and talk and talk. KD


The Dying Seconds - Electric Sheep Disturb My Sleep

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2008