Before you ask, this post has nothing at all to do with Kerry Football. Instead it will focus solely on a band from Portland who tend to be obsessed by a different brand of football altogether. You see their debut EP was built as an ode to a quarterback called Johnny Unitas. ‘I Am Constellation’ was one of its tracks and a uniformly non-uniform piece of indie rock it is too. Boy/girl harmonies crash into each other, unseemly synths are never far enough away to be out of earshot and the drumming is as flat as the rolling hills in Holland. The funny thing is that everyone involved gets out alive and anyone who bothers to listen in is taken aback by the shambling beauty of it all. KD

The Kingdom - I Am Constellation

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Kingdom
Year: 2006

Today I inflated a plastic hammer. Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed to take over the crumbling artefact known as the Irish Football team with the expressed intention of taking us to tournaments (and maybe even more if we don’t wake up from this incredible dream). The last couple of years have been so hard to take; limp performances, gormless victories and a consistent policy of dropping points against inferior opposition. Trap has certainly got something to work with as there are some promising players coming through. That and the fact that he still feels he has something to prove at international level (his home country of Italy have been drawn in Ireland’s qualifying group) should ensure we have some good times to look forward to. So best of luck to you Trap, we’ll be drowning the shamrock to celebrate your birthday next month (Paddy's day as it happens!). KD

The Walkmen - They're Winning

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Buy Songs: The Walkmen
Year: 2002

Welcome to the inaugural hugger mixtape based rather tenuously on theme of ‘the arsonists songbook’. I've attempted to patch a story together which may or not become apparent as the tape progresses.



If you want to know more about a particular song, click the 'info' button on the bottom left of the player.

Of late I seem to have fallen into some sort of parallel universe inhabited purely by sweet acoustic female vocalists. With her softly plucked guitar swaying not too dissimilarly to Nick Drake and a voice that unfurls seemingly live beside you Anna Ternheim is proving to be another multi-talented citizen. Ternheim is feted back home and recently picked up several Swedish Grammy Awards. ‘I’ll Follow You Tonight’ is sparse and affecting and was recorded alongside the 9 other tracks from her debut album ‘Somebody Outside’ on an island off the coast of Sweden. Ternheim is adept at recreating the scared little girl, which can lend a chilling aspect to the music, which would otherwise prove quite comforting. Dark and enchanting. KD

Anna Ternheim - I'll Follow You Tonight

Watch The Video To Girl Laying Down

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Buy Songs: Anna Ternheim
Year: 2004

I can still remember the disappointment I felt with Sugar’s follow up to their debut ‘Copper Blue’. ‘Beaster’ may only have been an EP but after the pop majesty of ‘A Good Idea’, ‘Changes’ and ‘If I Can’t Change You Mind’ it all seemed so harsh (the EP was actually made up of outtakes and leftovers from the ‘Copper Blue’ recording sessions). Thinking back though it wasn’t quite that bad, in fact ‘Walking Away’ and ‘Come Around’ stack up favourably with the highlights from ‘Copper Blue’. Funny that because ‘Come Around’ is just a maze of churning chords with Bob Mould mouthing in a near meditative style. The combination works well though and like me you’ll likely be replaying it over and over to once again bask in the ocean of grungey noise. Bob Mould's 7th solo album 'District Line' is out now. KD

Sugar - Come Around

Watch The Video To Changes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Bob Mould & Sugar
Year: 1993

They may not have the frenetic craft of that other colony of primates from up Sheffield way but right now it’s Monkey Swallows the Universe that I’m going bananas for. Right, that is likely to have been the lamest sentence ever uttered on these pages so if you are in need of instant therapy ‘Time Will Be Last’ should do the trick. Monkey Swallows the Universe are unashamedly acoustic so are unlikely to grab you by the throat straight away but there’s magic in them thar slow turning melodies. The band have 2 albums to their name but worryingly have gone on a little break to think things through. Whether this means this Monkey’s gone to heaven remains to be seen but while we wait for their next move there is plenty of luscious audio to fawn over. KD

Monkey Swallows The Universe - Time Will Be Last

Watch The Video To Little Polveir

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Monkey Swallows The Universe
Year: 2007

If you were asking I’d have to say the strand of indie that gives me the most pleasure is the template as espoused by bands like the Botticellis, namely melodic indie pop. You’ll hear it in good Apples in Stereo tunes or in those rarefied classics that the Shins sometimes throw up. The Botticellis plunder the same source from their San Francisco base; harmonies pour forth like water from a Roman fountain, guitars are tuned to exhale the sweetest jangle and a background organ adds the requisite nod to the late sixties when stuff like this was invented. ‘Old Home Movies’ is the Botticellis debut, it won’t be out until April but the title track and ‘Up Against The Glass’ show exactly why it could be one of this years most treasured releases. KD

The Botticellis - Up Against The Glass

The Botticellis - Old Homes Movies

Watch The Video Stay With My Brother

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

Marry the quirky melodies of Sydney’s Gerling (‘Get Go’) with the ‘where’s it gone I liked that song’ effervescence of Brighton’s Brakes (‘Radio’) and you’ll be at the gilded stage of Dublin’s Grand Pocket Orchestra. Doesn’t really matter if you’ve never heard of Gerling or Brakes (tut tut, you are missing out) though, Grand Pocket Orchestra have the charm and the songs to entertain you all by themselves. Up to now we’ve had to make do with home cooked demos like the heart swelling ‘Little Messy’ and the mayhem that is ‘Radio’ so it comes as a relief to see that plush studios and production trickery hasn’t chipped away at the bands nutty perspective. ‘Get Go’ is perfectly uneven, devilishly played out and about as adorable as a puppy with a penchant for odd socks and chongo pop. KD

Grand Pocket Orchestra - Get Go

Grand Pocket Orchestra - Radio

Watch The Video To Odd Socks

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Grand Pocket Orchestra
Year: 2008

It only feels like yesterday that we first came across the San Francisco duo the Dodos. In fact it was last August and at the time we were slurping in the quirky delight that was ‘Trades and Tariffs’. Well Meric and Logan haven’t been sitting idly by waiting for the world to catch up with their idiosyncratic sonic curves. Instead they've been pluming album number 2 ‘Visitor’, which is due on the hungover induced arena that is the 18th of March. In fact a messy head is where the Dodos could do most of their damage. Listen to ‘Jodi’ and you'll initially bask in the gently tugged jangle, before long though the momentum has a rocket rammed up its behind and all hell breaks loose. The effect is freewheelin and wholly liberating for ears forced fed on insipid ballads. Break free from monotony, a brave new whole awaits, let the Dodos show you the way. KD

The Dodos - Jodi

Watch The Video To Fools

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

Every year the crew behind the music wing of SXSW release a torrent with mp3’s from the bands appearing across Austin. If your bag is traipsing through a mountain of mp3’s (700+) then jump right in but be warned that you’ll have to circumnavigate plenty of dross to turn up gems like ‘Hands In Pockets’. At the point that Laura Gibson appeared I had massacred at least a dozen songs that ranged from badly recorded rockabilly to ear splitting thrash metal. ‘Hands In Pockets’ is a picture of calm, a clutter free misty morning with an alluring chanteuse in place of chirping birds. Gibson is from Portland and recently ditched her solo performances for the full-blown band effect when the wonderfully named 5-piece Musee Mecanique joined her on stage. She also recorded a Daytrotter session which goes to show how highly she is regarded in the right circles. An impressive new voice is emerging. KD

Laura Gibson - Hands In Pockets

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Buy Songs: Laura Gibson
Year: 2006

There is more than a mere hint of the Interpol’s about this song and I for one am very happy about that fact. The trio known as the Bell are from Malmo (mostly) and Stockholm (leastly) and are about to release an album (it came out last year in Scandanavia) that is sweetly titled ‘Make Some Quiet’. Nothing in the least bit quiet about ‘On and On’, a rampaging anthem that is filled to the brim with melodic nuances. In what is a propulsive delight Mathias Stromberg does a great job mashing Paul Banks and Gary Numan in a smooth shape shifting vocal performance. The band provide able support, turning ‘On and On’ into one of the more memorable tunes to emerge so far this year. KD

The Bell - On And On

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Buy Songs: The Bell
Year: 2008

Speaking of the mad one from Down Under here is his undoubted masterpiece, I think. I’m guessing because I don’t own any Nick Caves & The Bad Seeds albums, as much as I think I’d love ‘Henry’s Dream’. The problem is the eccentricity that so pervades in their output, like a contemporary Frank Zappa you probably get it or more likely lump it. Cave was born in Warracknabeal, Victoria in the late 50’s and has had an incredibly varied career that has seen him perform central roles in bands like the Birthday Party, the Bad Seeds and more recently with Grinderman. He also has some soundtrack credits to his name but his most successful brush with the movie world has been his screenplay for the ingenious outback yarn ‘The Proposition’. ‘Straight To You’ hits you between the eyes with its intense playing, lovestruck lyrics and Cave’s unforgettable performance.The Bad Seeds 14th album ‘Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!’ is released on Mute Records in early March. KD

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Straight To You

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Buy Songs: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Year: 1992

It may lack the orchestral sheen of their best work but ‘The Flicker of a Little Girl’ is such a nice way to get reacquainted with Nottingham band Tindersticks. Their last album was over half a decade ago and their return sees the band stripped back to a more managable 3-piece. Good to hear Stuart Staples in such fine form, in the early days I had him down as a Nick Cave clone but quickly saw the folly of my ways and fell head over heals for his soft gravely tones. ‘The Flicker of a Little Girl’ is easy listening for those who lose their marbles listening to daytime radio playlists. It is taken from Tindersticks forthcoming album ‘The Hunger Saw’ which will be released on Beggars Banquet in April. KD

Tindersticks - The Flicker Of A Little Girl

Watch The Video To City Sickness

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

After an impromptu drinking session following a football game last night I am a tad slow in embracing anything resembling high decibels this morning. Funny then that I am awash in these glorious noise makers Heartless Bastards from down Cincinnati way. While it may indeed come across as indiscriminate audio to the untrained ear there is so much to applaud in Erica Wennerstrom’s dual guitar/vocal approach. You may hear Sonic Youth in certain passages but I’m not sure Thurston’s mob can slow it down to this degree and still sound so energetic. Nothing Heartless Bastards do is straight laced; their music is forever in full bloom with a myriad of colourful sounds vying for your attention. Hard to refuse, even when there is another set of pumping drums going off in your head. KD

Heartless Bastards - I Swallowed A Dragonfly

Watch The Video To All This Time

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Buy Songs: Heartless Bastards
Year: 2006

As anyone who has ever been to Glasgow will testify it is not really one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in the world. Much of the beauty occurs underground you see and no it's not the city's subway. Glasgow achieves this by punching above its weight in the here comes another great indie band department. Strawberry Whiplash are typical of the exciting fare on offer. Sandra and Laz may be slow to release their surnames to the expectant media but they nonetheless pour their insides out to coin endless classics. I mean ‘Who’s In Your Dreams?’ could have kept Sarah Records in cheap microphones for decades all on its own. It is a fuzzy delight, overdosing in sweet bah bah bah’s and drums that while pounded have a certain timedness. KD

Strawberry Whiplash - Who's In Your Dreams?

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Buy Songs: Strawberry Whiplash
Year: 2008

Sexy and 80’s Ireland aren’t constructs you’re likely to see too often in a sentence together. The country was a desolate place, rife with unemployment and politicians with a penchant for feathering their own nests. Enter Leslie Dowdall and In Tua Nua (Irish for ‘A New Tribe’) and things started to look up. In Tua Nua were a distinctly Irish pop band who flew close but never quite achieved success outside of their home territory. Dowdall’s performance at the otherwise drab Self-Aid concert from 1985 is a fond memory. In Tua Nua had some fine singles, a strong pedigree (Steve Wickham, later of the Waterboys was a founding member and Sinead O’Connor co-wrote the one of the bands early singles ‘Take My Hand’) and a sound that could only have come from here. ‘All I Wanted’ was taken from their most successful album ‘The Long Acre’ and still packs a punch through its singalong chorus and the dancing at the crossroads instrumentation. KD

In Tua Nua - All I Wanted

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Buy Songs: In Tua Nua
Year: 1988

If I told you this band contained Peter Gunnarson from Suburban Kids With Biblical Names would it make you love them more? Peter has been leading a double life you see, with his girlfriend Lina Cullemark he has busying himself with Springfactory the fruit of which can be heard on their eponymous release on Series Two records which gathers the bands early EP’s together. Sounds like it must be a lot of fun to be in Springfactory, their music is uniformly light, airy and full of matters that are unlikely to give you grey hairs. ‘Get Out Of Bed’ could become a student anthem or alternatively map said organisms’ daily activities in less than two minutes of brilliant indie pop. The Charlatans spoke similarly in the early days (remember that single?) but they never exuded such an enthusastic lust for life from the confines of their warm duvets. KD

Springfactory - Get Out Of Bed

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Springfactory
Year: 2007

I mentioned the Motifs on the Jenna Nicholls post the other day, which was a sly reminder to self to check out what the antipodeans were up. Quite a lot it seems as they have had 2 separate releases out on 2 different labels in 2007. The first on the Japanese based Lost in Found records was a mammoth affair that gathered 25 tracks from the Motifs (lead singer Alexis!) bedroom etched diary’s. Later in the year WeePOP! snapped up the band for a 3-inch CD (a song for every half inch by the looks of it) which contained this flurry of delight ‘Yours and Mine’. It may sound effortless but it takes quite an amount of talent to sound this dreamy. In fact if it could be cannisterised it could likely spell the end to stinky teenage bedrooms the world over. KD

The Motifs - Yours And Mine

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Motifs
Year: 2007

I hope that I never lose this love I have for indie music, age may usher in quieter musical forms like classical or slow tempo jazz but hopefully it won’t quell my guitar absorbing sensibilities. Life would just be so much poorer without the elation of finding bands like the Liberty Bell. TLB engage in musical acts not too dissimilar to those early Ride EP’s (or the unfairly forgotten Jubilee Allstars), namely they sound like the recordings took place on analog tape in a dusty parish hall. The effect is beguiling, especially so when the rough edges are twinned with slow turning melodies like on ‘I Need You’. The Liberty Bell is primarily the work of Joshua Moblo of which I know very little about apart from the fact that he comes from Michigan. ‘I Need You’ is taken from a very promising demo he made last year. KD

The Liberty Bell - I Need You

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

Belgian indie bands of note may not come along too often but when they do tend to be pretty special. Deus should occupy at least a CD’s worth of space in your living area for the ramshackle genius that was their debut ‘Worse Case Scenario’. Equally impressive if perhaps a tad more immediate on the ears are Brussels based Girls in Hawaii. While much of their sophomore ‘Plan Your Escape’ struggles to match the incandescent glory of opening track ‘This Farm Will End Up In Fire’ it is nonetheless a rewarding listen. If you pleasure in the act of wallowing in Grandaddy like melancholia then this is something that should fit perfectly. But for me the Nada Surf at full melodic throttle (‘Hyperspace’) of ‘This Farm Will End Up In Fire’ is what I keep returning to. The funny thing is that that honeyed chorus really does take it’s time to unveil itself, a full 3 minutes in fact. When it does appear though you’ll shiver with delight, punch the air in appreciation and praise the Lord for priceless indie pop like this. KD

Girls In Hawaii - This Farm Will End Up In Fire

Watch The Video To Found In The Ground

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Buy Songs: Girls In Hawaii
Year: 2008