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

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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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

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Year: 2008

This will be the last post until Monday due to my impending festival reawakening at EP. First impressions from the ground are positive and with not much rain promised (believe me this counts as summertime in Ireland) it could end up being the best weekend. MBV are the prime forces in driving this particular antique out of hibernation and because the auld hearing is a little rusty, what with my advancing years, I probably won’t even need earplugs for the apocalypse that is ‘You Made Me Realise’. This tune from Four Tet details exactly how I am feeling at the moment, giddy, all over the place and ready to experience several days without warm soapy water. Talk next week. KD

Four Tet - Sun Drums and Soil

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Year: 2005

Despite being feted by both the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Jesus & Mary Chain the People's Revolutionary Choir decided to call it a day earlier this year. Brave new sonic endeavour would never have been a tagline you’d associate with the London collective but I’m going to miss their psychedelic fuelled numbers. ‘Do You Feel Like I Do?’ may be souped up like a Cortina with no engine but given a decent sound system and an eager crowd it could quite easily fit into the perfect Friday night playlist. Guitars spiral wildly out of control while vocals swoop and glide over the din in an transparent gesture of hedonistic behaviour. Yep, it’s obvious but I’m tired and my ears need something meaty to chew over. KD

The People's Revolutionary Choir - Do You Feel Like I Do?

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Year: 2007

For some reason it was just never going to happen for the House of Love. Stuck in a period that was characterised by a tranche of scenes such as madchester, grunge and shoegaze the House of Love never quite fitted in. It was probably more an indictment of the scene hoppers of the time though because the HOL wrote some of the most perfect indie pop tunes of the late 80’s/early 90’s. Their back catalogue has aged remarkably well and much of the credit must go down to Guy Chadwick’s pristine sense of melody. Chadwick was a constant throughout whereas beside him a revolving door of new guitarists put their jangling mark on several of the bands albums. Of those Terry Bickers was probably be the most prolific and although he jumped ship in late 1989 he made a surprising return for the band’s reunion on 2005’s ‘Days Run Away’. ‘Babe Rainbow’ is probably my favourite HOL album, although not as universally strong as their eponymous of 1990 it contains the most effervescent singles imaginable and I find myself constantly returning to it. A fine example is ‘Crush Me’, a subtle drift of understated melodies all coaxed along by Chadwick’s softly delivered vocals. Some people had the Beatles, others the Stones but a select few find it hard to look beyond the House of Love. KD

The House of Love - Crush Me

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Year: 1992

As you probably know by now Scandinavia is an indie pop-making factory. In fact I’d wager that if you climbed to the rooftop of any shopping centre in the region you’d likely to come across some cool haircuts playing the sweetest of audio. Which brings us neatly onto Copenhagen outfit Leisure Alaska, they of the odd CGI video (see link below) and spirited melody. Their album ‘The Deja In My Vu’ may be 3 years old but it certainly has the legs to push the band onto a wider audience (a follow-up is almost in the bag). ‘Hey There Mr.’ could appeal to Interpol fans looking for some light relief, something that loses none of the gravitas but dispenses with the airtight seriousness. A feast for your ears. KD

Leisure Alaska - Hey There Mr.

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Year: 2008

Ben Wilson could have been in too many bands, by giving so much away on each new incarnation he risked watering down the talent he was born to exploit. Thankfully his latest and greatest guise as That’s The Spirit sees him finally straddling a most perfect Yo La Tengo/Apples in Stereo/Sparklehorse swell of imagination. ‘Staying Places’ is the product of his endeavours in his own basement studio. And even if the sun didn’t make it down that far by the sounds of ‘Orienteering’ there may have been plenty of warm rays going in the opposite direction. It’s clever, hook laden and blessed with delightfully flitting brass and Wilson’s genuinely warm voice. A near perfect piece of indie pop then. KD

That's The Spirit - Orienteering

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Year: 2008

Get inside this noise, it’s freewheelin and although you’ll be dizzy the overriding feeling with be of having experienced something new and vital. Ponytail are a quartet from Baltimore and they're bringing their torrent of manic invention to Whelan’s on the 10th of September. If it all sounds eclectic on record imagine what will happen when the live incarnation runs riot in the dark recesses of the Dublin venue. ‘Beg Waves’ is taken from the groups new album ‘Ice Cream Spiritual’ and is a noisy approximation of Bjork/The Go! Team being played simultanously on a couple of turntables at 78rpm. It’ll most probably scare small children, pets and nosey neighbours so choose your play times very carefully. If you’d like to witness these loonbags performing we have 3 double passes for the aforementioned Dublin gig. To be in with a chance just email us.

Update: Congrats to John, Jean and friends! KD

Ponytail - Beg Waves

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Year: 2008

Amusement Parks On Fire come to Dublin tonight thanks to the Club AC30 crew so if you are partial to some Swervedriver/Ride/Revolver soundscapes it could make for a great night out. APOF has been Nottingham's Michael Ferrick project for several years, originally starting out on his own a group has gradually been sworn in to add the requisite muscle for his incendiary visions. The band's calling card is the molten guitar exchanges that frequently attempt to strangle the life out of Ferrick’s vocals. They don’t succeed and the pitched battle is what makes their second album ‘Out of Angelus’ such an enjoyable shoegaze experience. Thankfully they have their moments of introspection too to counteract the threat of tinnitus. One such track is ‘At Last The Night’ (quite appropriate too given how much the AC30’ers are looking forward to tonight's gig) which is awash with Sigur Ros-esque orchestral manoeuvres, dreamy voices and tailored jangle. KD

Amusement Parks On Fire - At Last The Night

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Year: 2006

So named after a bus driver and his happy disposition. Annika Norlin is a solo artist from the capital of Sweden so even before you hear ‘Anna’ you know her pop sensibilities will be in tiptop shape. The beauty of Norlin’s voice is the ease with which you can pick up on her stories, her crystal delivery rises above the admittedly cute playing. And though ‘Anna’ may be fantasy it is nonetheless an absorbing tale. The melodies help of course, something that I’ve completely missed on Hello Saferide releases up to this point. It is taken from the singer’s upcoming 3rd LP ‘More Modern Stories From Hello Saferide’ and somehow despite its beauty it may make you a little sad. Oddly happy sad though. KD

Hello Saferide - Anna

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Year: 2008

As dream line-ups go it ain’t too shabby, in fact the dreamy vocals from the Deheza sisters formerly of On! Air! Library! and ex Secret Machines Ben Curtis could just be about to snatch (hmmm, they're named after a South American school of pick pocketing) your affections in a big way. The threesome are called School of Seven Bells and are operating out of that hive of musical endeavour that is Brooklyn. ‘Alpinisms’ is the group’s debut album and it is due out any day now on Ghostly International. ‘Connjur’ is a small peephole into what you can expect and as a fan of old skool Stereolab I am pretty taken with its imaginative flights of fancy. Wispy guitars and soft ethereal voices tend to take my head for a spin and this is a road trip I will be taking many times. KD

School Of Seven Bells - Connjur

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Buy Songs: School Of Seven Bells (soon)
Year: 2008

Never thought it would come to this but indiecater has suddenly reached volume 2 and it barely a couple of months old. The idea was simple really, mp3hugger has certain songs that are constantly whirling around his head so one sleepless night he decided it would be nice to compile these songs and as a sort of digital mixtape. Of course such ideas often sound so simple in theory but their execution can be a tad on the tricky side. Without the support, enthusiasm and creativity of the bands who’ve taken part indiecater would have fallen on its arse fairly quickly so I am very grateful to one and all. Volume 1 concentrated on unreleased material but for its successor there are no such restrictions. Every track is hand picked after going through a rigorous testing process that is as secret as the formula to Wonka’s everlasting gobstopper. The compilation costs €4.50, most of which goes straight back to the contributing artists. Call yourself indie, now’s your chance to prove it! Read more and buy indiecater volume 2 @ the indiecater website. To help you make up your mind here is a sweet cut from Austin's finest AM Syndicate (track 5). KD

AM Syndicate - To The Peasants Of The Emperor

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Year: 2008

Bawl have been lost to the mists of time or more pertinently by its members who seemed for quite a time to be in a constant state of flummox thinking up new names for the band. Such energy would have been better dispelled on writing a follow-up to Bawl’s lavish debut ‘Year Zero’ for here was an album full of indie pop gems. Not only that but the melodies also served to colour lyrics showcasing the language of everyday life. ‘Mechanic From Rhyll’ is an absolutely magic rendering of human frailty against the backdrop of gorgeous audio and proved what a strong songwriter Mark Cullen was when he concentrated on the job in hand. Bawl became Fixed Stars and then morphed into Pony Club who are now, sadly, inactive. KD

Bawl - Mechanic From Rhyll

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Buy Songs: Pony Club
Year: 1996

One of the consequences of this blogging lark is that I don’t really get to hear whole albums anymore. Well, not in the traditional way anyway where the ferocious unwrapping of cellophane was only matched by the like-lightning drop into the nearest stereo. God only knows what delights I’m missing but by spreading myself thin over a greater numbers of acts it balances itself out I guess. One album I have been meaning to visit is Spiritualized’s ‘Songs In A&E’ because I’ve always had a soft spot for the spaceman even if his gospel tendencies have been beginning to wear thin of late. But his genius is not in doubt, just take a listen to this perfectly formed piece of spacerock ‘All Of My Tears’ from the brilliant ‘Pure Phase’ album. It is the sound of aliens with an ear for twigging human emotions through the use of cinematic audio alone. I’ll wager you’ve already succumbed. KD

Spiritualized - All Of My Tears

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Buy Songs: Spiritualized
Year: 1995

Fuck it, the summer was over before it began but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. And El Guincho is here to set us on our way. This may be a tad more ear friendly that our last meeting but it is no less enjoyable. In fact it’s a riot, a samba parade of vibrant colour courtesy of Canary Islander Pablo Diaz-Reixa (El Guincho) who will be uploading his first album ‘Alegranza’ to the world in October. In truth it has been knocking around for a while but you can’t have enough of a good thing and El Guincho is certainly a mood enhancer. ‘Palmitos Park’ is 100% party fuel, a knockabout smile with happy vibes sweating from every one of its sweat drenched pores. Rain or shine he’ll always be one in a million. A five star effort. KD

El Guincho - Palmitos Park

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: El Guincho
Year: 2007/8

In just over a week I will be gritting my teeth and venturing back into the world of the 3-day festival after a 13 year hiatus. Yep, Feile ’95 was the last time I put myself through sustained food poisoning, trench foot and an almost mind numbing obsession to find cold draught beer. In truth it wasn’t that bad (you have to go back to the hopelessly romantic Trip2Tipp for that!), in fact I was just ecstatic to see the Stone Roses play (badly). My abiding memory of the weekend however is of Dreadzone’s super extended version of ‘Captain Dread’ which seemed to invigorate the loosely assembled dance tent for aoens. It was a near apocalyptic scene as dreadlocks, severely low wattage lighting, plumes of hash infused smoke and at least a thousand sweating young people simulated incoherently to a recurring tranche of celtic fused mayhem. It was a near life altering occasion as music and euphoric endeavour formed a perfect union. Listening to it even now sends a shiver down my spine. Here’s hoping Electric Picnic provides us with similar experiences, over to you Mr. Shields. KD

Dreadzone - Captain Dread

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Buy Songs: Dreadzone
Year: 1995

This is a perfectly executed piece of instrumental rock with vocals (huh?). What I mean is ‘Pacifica’ could have operated quite capably without James Brookes deep utterances, as it is his output makes something great even better. The Exeter trio Appliance made 3 albums, the last of which ‘Are You Earthed’ appeared in 2003. ‘Pacifica’ was the closing track on their debut ‘Manual’ which owed its sound to gallery of references such as Spacemen 3 and Sonic Youth. But, Appliance were more than just a facsimile and their haul of several dozen instruments meant their hooks were often shrouded in the most exotic of aural fogs. ‘Pacific’ is a smooth operator, deft and blessed with a sleight of hand that’ll rob you of your emotions before returning them back with a rosier complexion. KD

Appliance - Pacifica

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Buy Songs: Appliance
Year: 1999

Here’s another interesting proposition from San Francisco that comes complete with a female vocalist, Dannie Murrie, who sounds curiously like Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell. Little Teeth are quite clearly loopy but there’s also a deep intelligence at work. So while Murrie singcreeches the band lurch from one sonic juncture to another with the frequency of a toddler’s bowel movements. It takes some getting used to but the mayhem does finally begin to charm if you are patient. Little Teeth are signed to Absolutely Kosher (also home to Xiu Xiu, ahhh, the penny drops) and their first record together ‘Child Bearing Man’ will be released next month. Run of the mill it ain’t but then again challenging is what we aim for. KD

Little Teeth - Applegate

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Child Bearing Man (next month)
Year: 2008

You are going to work hard for your kicks this time thanks to San Fran’s Tussle and their deliciously eclectic electronic storyboards. The cover of their latest LP ‘Cream Cuts’ shows an 80’s arcade styled patchwork quilt, which should alert you to their mazy freewheeling experimentation. Clinic are a close contemporary although Tussle probably lean more daringly to the dancefloor than the off-kilter scousers. That may explain their recent tour with Hot Chip, which led to frequent on stage collaborations. ‘Night of the Hunter’ has much to savour with knowing glances back to early acid and a pummelling schedule (reminiscent of the Morel's Pink Noise Dub remix of the Killers ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’) early on that sheds a cascading piano riff that is as eerie as it is euphoric. The experimental elements gradually take over but this never stops being a challenging and rewarding piece of contemporary dance. KD

Tussle - Night Of The Hunter

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

Yeah I know it’s early Sunday morning and these sort of antics should be kept for the night before but who could turn down a date with ace experimentalists Gerling (now hibernating in Antarctica, watch out for next years documentary ‘March of the Gerlings’) and her Kylieness. Back in 2001 when no one could get Kylie out of their heads it must have been a lavish coup to scoop her for a duet. But I wouldn’t put anything past Syndeysiders Gerling, makers of music so flush with inventiveness it’s a wonder they didn’t just go and call themselves Edison. Anyway, this really kicks off about 120 seconds in and what a dancefloor invitation it is. With Gerling frozen in time you can still listen to 1/3 of them via indiecater courtesy of Darren Cross in his potent new guise as the E.L.F. Ok....move on everyone....there’s nothing to see/hear...Kylie’s on mp3hugger....no big deal....nobody got hurt. KD

Gerling - G-House Project (feat. Kylie Minogue)

Watch The Video To Death To The Apple Gerls

More Info: Fan Site & Myspace
Buy Songs: The E.L.F.
Year: 2001

Forget about all the music you’ve ever heard, just clear your head and start from scratch again like an 8 year in the company of Sgt. Peppers for the first time. Now give this Brighton band a listen and bask in their collective genius. Yep, I bandy the G word about here quite a bit and mostly it’s hardly warranted but this time is different. Labelless and happy to live off the scraps that is the donation paypal button Stars and Sons are currently giving their ‘Goat Show’ EP away for free from their myspace. ‘Fights Already Fought’ sprung from nowhere on what seemed like another aimless shuffle and I was immediately hooked by its baggy demeanour. It is elusive, bewildering and downright heavenly through its stringent policy of non-linearity. Further inspection reveals the generous supply of goodies all over the EP like the beautifully turned profanities on ‘4 Stars’. This band makes my heart skip a beat, which at my age can be very dangerous, but it’s worth the risk. Tip them generously so they can further endanger us. KD

Stars and Sons - Fights Already Fought

Stars and Sons - 4 Stars

Watch The Video To In The Ocean

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Stars And Sons
Year: 2008

This is pretty faultless and given the homemade setting surely announces Little Boots as a serious talent and star in the making. Wiley’s original is a big dirty piece of classic dance and should be making most end of year ‘best of’ lists but what’s the betting on this reworking doing the same in 2009? To get some context check out the youtube vid where this rip comes from and marvel at the ingenuity/simplicity with which ‘Wearing My Rolex’ is realised. Just goes to prove that genuine talent will shine through no matter how lo-fi the working conditions. Little Boots is the side project of Victoria from Dead Disco, the all female trio from Leeds, and her single ‘Meddle’ is out now. KD

Little Boots - Wearing My Rolex

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Buy Songs: Little Boots
Year: 2008

It might only be 2 minutes long but ‘Oxford’ still finds the time to get all messy and confused towards the end. But such noodles aside this is a pleasant distraction that really benefits from louder decibels. The Austin quintet certainly have indie rock down to a fine detail and thankfully they’ve plucked from the best possible influences (Pavement being particularly prevalent). Their self-titled LP of last year picked up plenty of critical kudos and in the grand tradition of 2008 they have decided to give their new EP ‘August Exhaust Pipes’ away for free (witness the curveball that is the title track below). And the good news is that it’s as good as you’d expect it to be, in a most perfect slacker Peel type of way. Yet more evidence that there’s certainly something in the water in Austin, most probably a cover band previously run out of town by an angry slew of sonic innovators. KD

Peel - Oxford

Peel - August Exhaust Pipes

Watch The Video To August Exhaust Pipes

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Buy Songs: Peel
Year: 2006/2008

‘Eight Golden Greats’ is the debut album from the Old Believers pair of Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle. It sounds earthy and blessed with the sort of moving parts that just get you in the gut. Because it comes from a remarkably youthful duo from Alaska also helps, that and the fact that it is fashioned in parts in Win Butler’s image. So as you’d expect there is plenty of mood with Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle reaching for the sort of nuances you thought had gone out of fashion. In that sense much of the album sounds like it was recovered from a long lost master tape. Must have been recorded in rich stereo though as ‘Granny’s Song’ so amply proves. This is memorable stuff, an unhurried shuffle that is subtlety crafted to soothe your overworked senses. KD

The Old Believers - Granny's Song

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Old Believers
Year: 2008

I’m a bit of a sucker for a haunting female vocal (must be my Pale Saints, Cocteau, Sundays upbringing) so it didn’t take very long before I was under the spell of Sleepingdog’s Chantal Acda. I’m hearing very early career Sinead O’Connor (and believe me this is a good thing) in her impassioned delivery. It really is tearful stuff and a lot of the credit must go to Adam Wiltzie’s sparse Eno-esque arrangements which illuminate rather than compete with the chanteuse. The duo’s sophomore ‘Polar Bear’ is out next month and ‘Your Eyes’ is a magnetic appetizer. Acda is from the Netherlands, lives in Belgium and her songwriting is informed by the dramatic topography/legends of Iceland. A very European creation then but something which should become a worldwide phenomenon. KD

Sleepingdog - Your Eyes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sleepingdog (soon) & Sleepingdog (now)
Year: 2008

I wasn't too surprised on hearing this song that it was from a band called My First Days on Junk (you were hardly expecting The Daisy Fields now were you?). The purists may be tempted to scoff aloud and then discard due to its likeness to a chain of bloody Mary Valentine's but that would be to deny themselves a really pretty tune. You should already know that guitars that fuzz have a knee weakening charm and when they're topped by a sweet boy/girl interaction it attains an irresistible quality. ‘Count Me In, I'm Good To Go’ is a classic of its kind and is well matched by its siblings on My First Days On Junk’s sophomore ‘No Order’ (out next week). Nope, the wheel is not being reinvented but this should still set your world in motion all the same. KD

My First Days On Junk - Count Me In, I'm Good To Go

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: My First Day On Junk
Year: 2008

It took me a while to warm to this track from Dublin collective the Jimmy Cake but its intoxicating mix of LCD Soundsystem and Jaga Jazzist finally had its way with me. ‘Jetta’s Palace’ is taken from the band’s current album ‘Spectre & Crown’ which was 5 years in the making. Inspecting the intricate building swell of sound it is easy to appreciate how they must have sweated and fine-tuned the disparate parts. ‘Jetta’s Palace’ is a swarm of instruments led by an irrepressible piano riff, pounding drums and some of the best brass you will hear all year in indiedom. There have been so many members of the Jimmy Cake over the past few years it is quite likely that one of your acquaintances has been involved, maybe it's time you gave them a call to congratulate them on their fine achievement. KD

The Jimmy Cake - Jetta's Palace

Watch The Video To Hungry Ghost

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Buy Songs: The Jimmy Cake
Year: 2008

It’s always risky seeing a band you are fond off perform for the first time. A bad show can sometimes leave a sour taste which taints your opinion from then on. Angel Pier are 2 EP’s in (they are currently working on a 6-track mini LP) and thus far haven’t put a foot wrong. This is a quartet with that spark in the studio that is all too rare and after seeing them last night it would appear that the magic extends to their live incarnation. The Gorey/Ottawa/Dublin lads liberally showcased new material along with the majority of tracks from their ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors’ releases and the quality was consistently good throughout. Angel Pier play with an infectious happiness, they are obviously a tight outfit which means when highlights (of which there are many) such as the crescendo on ‘Sprites’ arrive it’s hard not to be taken in by the joy of it all. Lead man Darragh Nolan holds court brilliantly and his vocals have a powerfully clear delivery. He is ably supported by livewire Lucas Paluch on guitar, Mark Colbert on harmonies/drums and bass player Vinny Redmond. On the wettest night in Dublin since last week Angel Pier reigned supreme. You can catch them in Galway’s Roisin Dubh on Thursday next and at HWCH next month. Photos courtesy of John McRedmond. KD

Download the aceness that is 'Make' for free from the HWCH website.

Watch The Video To Sprites

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Angel Pier
Year: 2008

Now isn’t Secretly Canadian just the cleverest label around. Not content with just bringing Philadelphia’s finest the War on Drugs on board they then proceed to give the bands first EP away for free. But, I see through their devilish plan. Give the initial stash away and pretty soon folks all over the place will become hopelessly addicted. So by the time their full length ‘Wagonwheel Blues’ comes around pasty faced punters up and down the land will be shivering and shaking until the War on Drugs peculiar take on Americana is wholly ingested. Two or three listens reveals why addiction is a natural product of the War on Drugs. I mean ‘Pushing Corn’ just boasts thats slow inexorable grip on your attention. The retro vibes are obvious but it all sounds curiously of their own making. When it comes to this band at least just say yes kids. The War on Drugs are currently touring Europe and will stop off in Crawdaddy on the 17th of this month. KD

The War On Drugs - Pushing Corn

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Buy Songs: The War On Drugs
Year: 2008

An awkward little stomper about to take over the world.

The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation

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Buy Songs: The Robot Ate Me
Year: 2004

All out attack sees the Belgian capital fall in under half an hour.

My Robot Friend - 23 Minutes In Brussels

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Buy Songs: My Robot Friend
Year: 2006

Resistance is futile but swearing at them certainly helps.

Pro Audio - F.U. Robot

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pro Audio
Year: 2008

KD