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

Verve - Mover

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Year: 2008

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

Donny Hue And The Colors - Humming With The Flowerbirds

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Year: 2007

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

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

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

Woven - She Blows My Amplifier

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

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

Ultra Vivid Scene - Special One

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Year: 1990

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

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Share

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

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

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

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Year: 2007

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

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

Watch The Video To Everyday Should Be A Holiday

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Buy Songs: The Dandy Warhols
Year: 2008

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

Terrene - What We'll Never Be

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Year: 2007

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

Woven - She Blows My Amplifier

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Buy Songs: Woven
Year: 2008

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

Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute

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Year: 2008

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

Supergrass - St. Petersburg

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Buy Songs: Supergrass
Year: 2005

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

Slowdive - Catch The Breezei

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Buy Songs: The Crimea
Year: 1991

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


The Dø - At Last!

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Year: 2008

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

Regulate and Fold - Looks Like A War

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

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

Miracle Fortress - Little Trees

Watch The Video To Have You Seen In Your Dreams

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Year: 2007

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

Damon & Naomi - Beautiful Close Double

Damon & Naomi - The Mirror Phase

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

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Buy Songs: Damon & Naomi
Year: 2000

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

Iowa Super Soccer - Cold

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Year: 2008

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

Iron & Wine - Muddy Hymnal

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Year: 2002

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

Sweet Jane - You're Making This Hard

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Buy Songs: Sweet Jane
Year: 2008

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

Allá - Es Tiempo

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Year: 2008