Oh where to start and more pertinently when is the increasingly long and windy ode to Animal Collective/Panda Bear going to end? Must preface that by saying that I am really enjoying the emergence of this scene because most of what I’ve heard thusfar has something different and interesting to say. Universal Studios Florida are the latest duo to make and do from their backyard (Seattle). ‘Sun Glyphed Comanche Kissed’ (phew) takes its time to uncoil but when it does the heavens open and out pours a memorable swathe of celestial electronica. Jason Baxter and Kyle Hargus are the twin forces of creativity and they’ve pitted their machinations against the rest of the music industry with their debut ‘Ocean Sunbirds’. Going by this thrilling ride they may yet emerge victorious, like a pair of cheeky young Hartnoll bros. KD

Universal Studios Florida - Sun Glyphed Comanche Kissed

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Universal Studios Florida
Year: 2009

You’ll know this from an advert attempting to sell sandwiches or something. As it is ‘Did I Step On Your Trumpet’ could never be accused of being a filler on Danielson’s 2006 album ‘Ships’. It was a lovely collection and there should be plenty of interested spectators for Daniel Smith’s newbie ‘Trying Hartz’ when it arrives in early November (if nothing else it should prove an enjoyable exercise in spotting who Smith has roped in to help out). Danielson do push the envelop in the wacky stakes and this tune is no exception. It has the quirky value of a modern day B52's ditty but it’s worth sees it extend beyond that of a novelty record. KD

Danielson - Did I Step On Your Trumpet

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Buy Songs: Danielson
Year: 2006

You can’t beat a good riff, especially one that is bolstered by some old-fashioned vinyl crackle. And this is the genuine C86 sound, namely a pristine tune recorded for around 4p. The Groove Farm were from Bristol and were pretty partial to the DIY ethic, when a label did come a calling trouble ensued so they soon returned to base. It all happened long ago, when fanzines and flexi discs were often the most exciting diversions for indie boys and girls. But, now we have the web and bands like the Groove Farm must cry a tiny tear seeing what they could have achieved on such meagre budgets. Music never dies boys, you may not make any sheckles at this stage but you’ve managed to brighten up plenty Saturday mornings. KD

The Groove Farm - I Don't Blame You

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Groove Farm
Year: 1988ish

Oh I know what you’re thinking and I agree that this does sound a lot like you know who but that shouldn’t stop you from being swept away by the beauty filling your head right now. Fitting too that a song with such an epic sweep should come from a band called Loch Lomond. Despite that they are not at all Scottish and ram the point home by giving their stupendous EP ‘Trumpets For Paper Children’ away for free. A casual stroll through their back catalogue reveals a band with enormous potential, with fully-fledged opuses at every turn. The even better news is that our friends at Song, By Toad records are getting in on the action. That label is based in Edinburgh so it is rather fitting that Loch Lomond have choosen to lay their collective hats there. KD

Loch Lomond - A Field Report

Watch The Video To Blue Lead Fences

More Info: Official & Myspace
Be Sure To Donate Now: Loch Lomond
Year: 2009

I’ve been away for a week knocking the new hugger residence into shape. Oh what lovely biceps I’ve developed but my ears are so destitute I almost feel like putting them into care. The return needed to be special and wouldn’t you know it the first email I open from the unread tsunami managed to steal my heart. Quite by accident the song is called ‘Mend My Heart’ and despite fluttering for less than 2 minutes it is a magical encounter. It’s taken from Alli Millstein’s beguiling debut EP ‘Human Nature’. This is passive music designed to sink in despite you even knowing, after a bit you realise you are sold and then begin the slow anxious wait for Alli’s next release. A genuine raw talent. KD

Alli Millstein - Mend My Heart

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Alli Millstein
Year: 2009

Hmmm, is that a rustling in the giant hype tree? There’s definitely some movement and for once it looks like the winds of taste are onto something very promising. The XX are from London, close to being no longer teenagers and their threadbare sound achieves more through restraint than a thousand hours spend in studio polishing nothingness. ‘Crystalised’ from their self-titled debut is effortlessly cool and while it never breaks a sweat the tunesome chord volley and understated vocal interplay tend to appear randomly in your head for hours later. XX hit all the right spots, much like the Breeders used to in times of yore. KD

The XX – Crystalised

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Buy Songs: The XX
Year: 2009

Despite incalculable numbers of signatures from University Maths Clubs around the globe the petition to keep London outfit Add N to (X) as a going concern just didn’t cut the mustard. Pity really and despite not exactly owning their entire set of releases I did shed a tiny tear when the end came in 2003. Where I did dabble though Add N To (X) handsomely rewarded, from the bucolic electronic noise that was ‘Robot New York’ to this sliver of awkward digital from ‘Avant Hard’. The 3-piece stuck to their guns when the majors came running signing with Mute and while they delivered the goods their steadfast desire to carve their own path won admirers but hardly the key to the gold bullion. KD

Add N To (X) - Plug Me In

Watch The Video To Take Me To Your Leader

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Buy Songs: Add N To (X)
Year: 1999

I’ve always loved compilations and my favourites often contain tracks that I detest. But it’s their scattershot nature that draws me in, that age old proverb involving throwing a lot of shit. That’s why the notion of putting a compilation together myself seemed so attractive. So here is Indiecater Records fifth attempt at making the perfect collection of indie tunes. This time there are 19 of them from bands you’ve heard of and ones you may not have. Pricewise it works out about 37c a tune, which is not bad given the quality on offer (even if I do say so myself!). Here is a mini taster from Dublin act Sweet Jane who have already been immortalised by the Very Most in mp3hugger’s theme tune (see link at the top of this page). Indiecater Volume IV is streaming in full on the indiecater website. KD

Sweet Jane - Blackboots And Blackhearts

Buy Songs: Indiecater Volume IV
Year: 2009

Where’d they go? I thought Delays were being set up to be the next big thing and then, well er, nothing. You can see why the plaudits came thick and fast early doors when 2004’s ‘Faded Seaside Glamour’ revealed the near perfect piece of indie pop ‘Nearer Than Heaven’. For just over 3 minutes it sounded as if the Sundays had mutated into a shimmering homage to the Cocteau Twins (the singer is male in case you didn't know). In truth the 2 albums that arrived subsequently did quite well commercially but despite this and several appearances in the goals round up of Match of the Day Delays have signed to and been dropped by 2 major labels. They are currently working on their 4th album so here’s hoping Southampton finest aren’t confined to the odd play on wintry nights in St Mary’s Stadium. This is unadulterated bliss. KD

Delays - Nearer Than Heaven

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Buy Songs: Delays
Year: 2004

They’ve got that classic indie sound down for sure but even more pleasing is the punch in the tune. Why try to be someone else when what beats inside is far more interesting. exlovers are from London which goes to prove that the current malaise in the fresh new English band conveyor belt isn’t completely ubiquitous. Still unsigned the band have put out several singles and even scored a song of the week on the BBC’s 6music (with this song in fact). ‘Photobooth’ came out as a 7inch single in March and is now completely sold out. Someone should tell EMI. KD

exlovers - Photobooth

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: exlovers
Year: 2009

Not only is this a cool indie pop jamboree but it was also ingeniously released via the Dead Format label whose roster consists solely of albums put out on cassette tape (what a strange time for the music industry but give me tape over CD any day, hey you, it isn’t rendered totally useless if you don’t like the recording, just stick some balled up paper in its ears and hey presto you have the raw materials for a great mixtape). Anyway, back to the spider lovers and their ‘Contour and Context’ composition. Stuff like this will block up my shelves, hard drive and ear canals until I croak it such is its happy disposition, simple yet tuneful melodies and just the right amount of brass to round things off. [P.S. Most of the above is true]. KD

Brown Recluse Sings - Contour and Context

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Brown Recluse
Year: 2009

Although semi creepy it’s hard to deny the acerbic charm of ‘Chimes’. The protagonists are in fact siblings who got their break soundtracking one of their father’s documentaries. The experience paid off handsomely because their debut album ‘Dance of The Crazy Man’ is awash with gorgeous cinematic sounds. None more so than ‘Chimes’ with its winding storyline, interweaving vocal turns and ghostly silhouettes languishing in the wings. Remarkably, the album was recorded in the brother’s bedroom studio yet it is so easy to immerse oneself in the lush canvass. Memorable stuff. KD

Chapman & Brocker - Chimes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Chapman & Brocker
Year: 2008

This is not how I remember them, our first meeting was a rather pleasant shuffle but never as highly strung as this newbie. Not that I’m complaining because the guitars on ‘Hi-Fi Goon’ are wonderful. Scott Reitherman nimble vocals ain’t bad either and it must be said that Throw Me A Statue’s move to Secretly Canadian seems to have put a pep in their step (a pavementesque one at that). They are now a fully fledged outfit with eight feet so it's sorta sweet that their sophomore is called ‘Creaturesque’. Indie of this ilk is this blogs raison d’etre, songs that you can hum along with. Perhaps they could be the all conquering kids after all. KD

Throw Me The Statue - Hi-Fi Goon

Watch The Video To Lolita

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Throw Me The Statue
Year: 2009

I know what you’re thinking; the digital file has suffered the ignominious chipmunk effect. I thought the same but then at a running time of over 2 minutes I smelt a rat. Said rodent was in fact the knowledge that ‘Just Jamm It’ is supposed to sound like this. Pretty clever eh? Aside from the novelty aspect of actually setting out to carve a tune from what is a dreaded reminder of those early p2p days Portland’s Breakfast Mountain must be commended for making it sound pretty digestible. In fact after several spins it kinda garners a sort of disney charm and one that will drive the neighbourhood cats to your door with sharpened claws. KD

Breakfast Mountain - Just Jamm It

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Breakfast Mountain
Year: 2009

Simple yet so exotically delivered, ‘Hurricane’ is the promo from Emily Rodgers' debut album ‘Bright Day’ (she also has an album with her full band Her Majestic Stars) which is due out in early October on Misra Records. There is certainly an ethereal quality to the tune, a brooding intensity that reminds me of the Glee Club, Beth Orton or one of a plethora of female vocalists from 4AD’s early 90’s roster. Rodgers is based in Pittsburgh; a city we’re slowly beginning to realise has a bubbling network of wonderful artists emerging. ‘Hurricane’ is one of over half a dozen tracks available on the excellent Absolutely Kosher/Misra free sampler ‘Soon’. KD

Emily Rodgers - Hurricane

More Info: Official & Myspace
With Her Majestic Stars: Emily Rodgers
Year: 2009

John Hughes’ passing will lead to twitter tsunami’s I’m sure. He was the man responsible for a slew of incredibly popular teenage movies throughout the eighties. You’ll know them well, the Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and my favourite Some Kind of Wonderful. As you’d expect they are all beginning to flag under a modern microscope but SKOW always had one over its contemporaries through its stellar soundtrack (PIP wasn’t bad either mind you). It had a huge impact on me at the time, Furniture’s ‘Brilliant Mind’ alone steered me along the indie path (with the Apartments ‘The Shyest Time’ in close pursuit, not so much TJ&MC oddly). That song’s influence took its time though, it was Lick The Tin’s cover of ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love’ at the closing credits that got the hairs on the back of my neck standing. I can still clearly remember the night I watched the film on my own because I was too young to join the others at the hotel disco. In many ways I was glad because I got to spend it with a cool girl who could play the drums really good. She didn’t need that geek Stoltz when she could have had an Irish kid in oversized basketball boots with a cows lick. KD

Lick The Tins - Can't Help Falling In Love

Watch The Ending To The Movie!

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Buy Songs: Some Kind of Wonderful
Year: 1986

What an absolute oddity from 1993. I remember being entranced at the time as much for the MTV presenter cum lead singer Marijne Van Der Vlugt as for any merit in the music. The press interest in the group peaked early but they soon tossed Salad into the bargain bin. That’s the double-edged sword in having a female fronted singer I guess (Louise Wener can tell you all about it). But the band’s debut album ‘Drink Me’ did some business and you could never accuse Salad of following convention given the downright weirdness of ‘Diminished Clothes’. In truth it was a mild indie stomper that troubled the cool clubs up and down the land for the briefest of time. And that’s more than 99% of what gets released manages to achieve. KD

Salad - Diminished Clothes

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More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Salad
Year: 1993

Pearse McGloughlin has packed a lot into his musical career. The Sligo man has been in several bands (only one of which I was aware of - Walkperson) but he rather wisely decided to go all eponymous on his new album ‘Busy Whisper’. And what an apt title it turns out to be as the softness throughout is punctured by McGloughlin’s strong vision. The album is soothingly even throughout with the vocals reigning supreme over the mild acoustics. ‘Long Day’ and especially ‘Changeling’ stick out as obvious singles. The latter is beautifully realised, with instrumentation that in many places rivals the words in the war for your affections. And Pearse is not resting on his laurels as he is currently penning a homage to the South Korean football team. KD

Pearse McGloughlin - Changeling

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pearse McGloughlin
Year: 2009

A Polynya is a stretch of open water surrounded by ice. For the purposes of this blog though it is a band from North Carolina. I know which one I’d spend my leisure time in the company though, despite the uncommonly warm Irish weather. ‘Crop Rotation’ is the name of Polynya's latest early 90’s infected LP. ‘Ribbon Dragons’ is too short but over its teensy lifespan triggers all manner of memories via mountainous cascading guitars and wonderfully realised intertwining vocals. It’s quite the song for those who can’t sing, just now my nearest and dearest asked whether I was having a fit such were my headphone inspired emissions. For 10 dollars you get ‘Crop Rotation’ and a glow in the dark t-shirt. Could there be a more environmentally friendly release this year? KD

Polynya - Ribbon Dragons

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Polynya
Year: 2009

So one of Ireland’s top up and comers effortlessly move into phase two and in the process add the definite article (to become the genuine one) to their moniker. The Angel Pier have the wherewithal to be truly spectacular, for the moment we’ll have to make do with the truly excellent. ‘Align The Seas’ (a 7inch on real vinyl) will be launched in Whelan’s this Friday and sees the 4-piece reappear with a pair of fully-fledged anthems. The a-side and title track has a pulsing addictive rhythm and that special trick where songwriter Darragh Nolan orchestrates lumpen throats. ‘Belong’ is the epic flip, a song that matures quite brilliantly in the closing passages. While I’d never resort to punching the air while in the throes of a tune ‘Belong’ certainly encourages the practise. So much so that come Friday I’ll be the one with the strapped right arm. KD

The Angel Pier - Belong

Watch The Video To Sprites

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Angel Pier
Year: 2009

Despite a lull for a couple of years it seems that electronica is back on the map. You could put it down the panda collective effect but the most stirring records I've heard this year have all been made using non traditional instruments. As it happens my favourite of the bunch has just been released on our very own label. 'In The Dream of The Sea Life' is a remarkable effort, full of woozy effects, genuine sea sounds and full to the brim with memorable hooks. You probably have guessed by now how much we adore everything that comes out on indiecater but we feel this album has truly captured the zeitgeist. To listen to the album and win a limited edition CD just head over the indiecater. Here is a choice cut called 'Catamaran' to get you in the mood.KD

Candy Claws - Catamaran

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Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2009

Jesse Payne’s new album ‘Nesting’ is out in a little under a fortnight and it is quite a treat. For one I love the production values (don’t normally comment on this but it just sounds so lush), which really allows the excellent tunes to fulfil their undoubted ambition. The are quite a few highpoints and I struggled to choose between ‘Heavy Cotton Hands’ and this absolute beaut ‘Yards Of Paint’. The slowly building momentum is expertly drawn with all manner of side attractions. Guess you could call it off kilter, a lolloping piece of audio for those pining for early Willy Mason tuneage. I'd wager the blogosphere will soon be eating out of his hands. KD

Jesse Payne - Yards Of Paint

Watch The Video To A Thief Among Us

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Jesse Payne
Year: 2009

Very excited about tomorrow, not just because it’s a bank holiday and the fact that the dread is suspended for 24 hours, but because August 3 marks the occasion of our newest indiecater release. And it’s a belter, so much so that I’ve spent most of this morning laying the groundwork for what is to come ( = scanning for similiar sounds). So here is the hypnotic sound of ‘Cups’ from Baltimore’s Happy Family. The track opens his new ‘Sound Farm’ EP which is available for free download from his site. Plenty of Panda Bearisms which means the swell of noise is well, er, pretty swell. Sounding as if it was squeezed through an ancient gramophone, until the tape chewed vocals appear anyway, this is heart warming stuff. Picture a lo-fi youtube vid featuring a swaying palm tree with lots of contented peeps dancing in unison far below and you get the gist. Magical.
KD

Happy Family - Cups

More Info: Official
Download Free EP: Happy Family
Year: 2009