2010FM - November Edition Two

Papercutz are new to me and I have been really charmed by their music. Atmospheric, moving and gently reminding me of Goldfrapp and the Cocteau Twins at times, the most recent release: "Do Outro Lado Do Es­pelho (Lylac Am­bient Reworks)" is ambient at it's best. Some other reviews have stated - ":Papercutz has commissioned a remix album of his work which reads like a who’s who of contemporary drone. Remix records are often, by their very nature, frustratingly inconsistent, but thankfully Do Outro Lado Do Espello represents a notably coherent and engaging exception." Drowned in Sound

"delightful ambient" Record Collector

"Lovely set of shoegazy ambient remixes" Boomkat

"Here are twelve amazing tracks by masters of ambient and modern classical composition!" Headphone commute

"Soundscapes developed into lush new ambient forms or retract into spacious drones, while the voice is in turn wrapped in textures and treated as just another sound source, or isolated as primary organic element to increase its impact." The Milk Factory

"It's wonderful to see Bruno Miguel's :papercutz project receive newfound exposure through the Audiobulb imprint and to see his electro-acoustic pop re-interpreted by an impressive cast of kindred spirits." Textura.

Featured Track: Lylac (Helios remix).
Website: Official. Buy.
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White Mountains is the project of producer and composer Peter James. Exploring texture, space, and melody, James creates electronic music with an organic feel that often reaches blissful heights.

He is currently based in New Hampshire. His White Mountains LP, Wilderness will be released November 9th.

The featured track is all I have had a chance to listen to from the new album and I am really impressed. The electronic music genre has become a crowded place and stand out music such as this is always welcomed.

Featured Track: Bells.
Website: MySpace.

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The Radio Dept, have achieved some notable success through this decade. They become Labrador Records best selling band; the first to reach the sales charts in Sweden, end up on NME's albums-of-the-decade-list, enter the Billboard Heatseeker chart and serve as soundtrack to an odd costume drama by Sophia Coppola. Quoting Johan from Labrador records "The Radio Dept. are adamantly uncompromising, ridiculously self-critical, vastly independent and, not least importantly, constantly moving forwards". The album Passive aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 is a voyage through the first eight years on Labrador. 

The album is due out on January 25th (2011) on Labrador/Caroline Records and tour dates have been announced for February 2011 (NYC exclusive shows November 30 & December). The EP "Never Follow Suit" is now available and the featured track is an incredible dub version by Pistol Disco from the new EP.

Nov 30 NYC Knitting Factory
Dec 01 NYC Bowery Ballroom
Feb 01 Washington D.C.  Rock N Roll Hotel
Feb 02 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Feb 03 New York, NY Webster Hall
Feb 04 Boston, MA Middle East Downstairs
Feb 05 Montreal, QC Petit Campus
Feb 07 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace
Feb 08 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Feb 09 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
Feb 12 Seattle, WA Crocodile Café
Feb 13 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Feb 15 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Feb 16 Los Angeles, CA  El Rey Theatre
Feb 19 Mexico City, MX Teatro de la Ciudad

Featured Track: Never Swallow Fruit Dub
Website: Official.
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OK some PR words by way of an introduction. Danika Holmes is a rising star in the heartland!” says Bill Sullivan of The Rock and Roll Report. Mike Wolfe of The History Channel’s American Pickers says “She’s a true American talent… I couldn’t stop listening!” Music critics agree that Danika is charming and energetic with a welcoming tone in her voice, which is as gentle as a breeze.

As Holmes plays shows, fans tell her how they can relate to her lyrics, which is exactly what she is hoping for. “At first that was really scary for me. I felt like I was standing on stage and unzipping my soul!” Currently, Danika’s music is being broadcast on independent radio stations, blogs, and podcasts around the world. She performs regularly with her band, has opened for The Nadas, and her show was aired on Iowa Public Television and Radio.

“Second Chances,” Danika’s debut album, was released in March of 2010. The title track is a reflection of Danika’s dogmatic belief that everyone benefits from a second chance, or even a third, along life’s way.

Danika's music is a mixture of Americana, pop and country rock, her songs are strong and the vocals works across a range of styles. Splendid music that can both lift you up and move you, without being overly melancholy or indulgent. Recommended.

Featured Track: Lock Me In Tonight.

Website: Official.

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The introduction Beehive Candy has for Leslie Cours Mather reads better than we can write them so here it is - It can be hard to remain hopeful when times are dark. But out of even the darkest, most testing times can come great art- profoundly moving works that give us faith and let us know we aren’t alone in our hardships.

Singer-songwriter Leslie Cours Mather has certainly endured some dark times recently. At the age of four her daughter Stefani was diagnosed with leukemia. Thankfully, Stefani, now eight, has been treated and is doing just fine. But it was a tough patch there for a bit. Out of it all, however, came an added bonus. As she and her family passed through this emotionally wrenching period, Leslie found solace and release in writing songs. Several of these songs are found on For My Children, her astonishing new album.

Given all that Leslie endured, For My Children somehow doesn’t sound sad. Vulnerable at times, yes. And soul-searching. But sad? Not at all. Instead, it’s an album that’s uplifting. Affecting. And, most of all, comforting—all qualities you don’t seem to find enough of in today’s world of overly shallow, short-attention-span music.

Having listen to the songs I was impressed that this is indeed a wonderful album that would stand the test of music critics regardless of the background story. Recently, Leslie joined with a team of doctors from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where Stefani was treated, to establish the Parents’ Advisory Council of the international consortium TACL (Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma). Together, they are working diligently to develop new treatments, support families and raise money to eradicate these diseases. Fifty percent of the purchase price of each For My Children CD will go to TACL.

Featured Track: I'll Run.

Website: Official.

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Beady Eye are Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock. Beady Eye have made available ‘Bring The Light’, the first track to be heard from their debut album, as a free download worldwide to their fans as from now. The album was recorded over the past summer in London and will be released next year. So there is life after Oasis for Liam and if the song and accompanying video featured on their website are anything to go by things are looking up. The video shows the band as they will appear on tour with Liam on vocals, Gem and Andy on guitar, Chris on drums accompanied by Jeff Wootton on bass and Matt Jones on piano. 

Musically the addition of female backing vocals and the use of piano make this song sound clearly different from Oasis and although Liam's distinctive vocals will always link him to his former band I would say at this stage that Beady Eye look set to make their own mark on the world of music.

Featured Track: Bring The Light.

Website: Official.

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OK the background first - Brian Franke is an award-winning folk-rock singer/songwriter residing in the Washington, DC area. An up-and-coming artist with dynamic vocals, his music provides subtle commentary on life events, social issues, and politics, spanning such genres as rock, indie pop, and folk rock. With a sound that’s raw, contemplative and often edgy, his music appeals to fans of Elliott Smith, Pete Yorn, Vertical Horizon, and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Brian’s debut album ‘Six Blocks Down’ was released in the fall of 2010. ‘Six Blocks Down’ navigates through swells of hard rock, over meandering streams of rootsy folk, with an undercurrent of mellow indie pop. Lyrically he meditates on life, love, politics and social issues, blending lively folk-rock arrangements with colorful chord progressions and rich, raw vocals. The album’s award-winning title track is a breezy pop-rock number whose sound belies the serious nature of the song’s lyrics, about a couple struggling to find purpose in their relationship. Currently he is touring in support of the album making stops in such cities as New York City, Nashville, Johnson City, and Philadelphia.

Brian was born and raised in Fair Haven, New Jersey, where he joined his first band, Visitors Only (a fusion of acoustic rock and pop). After earning degrees in economics and public policy, Brian worked in the non-profit sector before starting his full-time music career in late 2009. Always seeking to engage others in his music, he collaborates often with local artists and involves his fans in his music career.

Today he is a permanent fixture on the music circuit in Washington, DC, with numerous residencies, and invitations to play top venues in the area such as Jammin’ Java, Iota Club and Café, and the Washington Nationals Ballpark.

The music is a mixture of indie rock and pop and stands out as both crisp and sharp musically, however what really makes it for the Beehive are Brian's vocals which suit perfectly the punch and delivery of his songs.

Featured Track: Never Let Your Guard Down.

Website: Official.

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This is one band that have really grabbed my attention this month and their album has been played more than any other since I received it! Official words state - With only an aim to create emotive music, Exit Calm channel a wall of immense and anthemic sound that evokes the mood and spirit of 90’s shoegaze heroes like the millennium never happened.  However not a nostalgia act, hipster music site Drowned In Sound said that “Exit Calm are so far out in front of the rest of the competition at present it's frightening. In fact, you can almost imagine bands forming in their wake as we speak.” This band of Northern Englishmen have also been embraced by UK alternative heroes like Liam Gallagher of Oasis and Alan McGee of Creation Records who tapped the band to play events they hosted in October.  Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets and David Francolini of Levitation and Dark star are regular attendees of their shows as well. 

“Exit Calm are the best British Indie band we’ve heard in years” - UNCUT

“Pure Genius-The assembly of iron and wood because temples must be made. And the avoidance of all that whiny, sexless bullshit passing for rebellion at the moment” - Todd Eckhart, producer of the JOY
DIVISION film "CONTROL"

“Proper f##kin’ music” –Mani of Primal Scream/Stone Roses

We can only add that this band are awesome and that's not a word we use often. Exit Calms S/T debut full-length on Sonic Unyon has now been released for the U.S. and Canada. Tour wise the band have supported such artists as Echo & The Bunnymen, The Charlatans and Modest Mouse. They have played through Europe and Japan and plan to hit up the U.S. in the coming year.

Featured Track: Youve Got It All Wrong.

Website: MySpace.

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I love the way the intro for this band has been written so being ever so lazy right now as we finish this edition here it is - Yes, Acid House Kings are back. Finally! Almost six years since the release of the highly acclaimed album, Sing Along with Acid House Kings, Sweden’s #1 pop perfectionists are ready to release new material.

The first single “Are We Lovers or Are We Friends?” is a drive in the Swedish countryside with nothing planned and a feeling that anything can happen. The radio is playing lush and heavily orchestrated 70s soul with huge arrangements and a distinct sentimentality. It's a blistering pop explosion inspired by the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, Tommy Körberg and flamenco percussionists with a chorus that will stay with you.

Stemming from huge elitist’s pop record collections and a slightly embarrassed admiration of ABBA, Stock Aitken Waterman and Swedish “dansband”, Acid House Kings have continued their slow, but steady fine-tuning towards perfect pop music. And with half a decade of song writing the fans are in for something extraordinarily fabulous.  “We’ve allowed ourselves to be extremely self-critical. Songs good enough for any of our other albums have been singled out repeatedly”, says Niklas Angergård.

Acid House Kings are brothers Johan and Niklas Angergård and Niklas’ sister-in-law Julia Lannerheim. “Are We Lovers Or Are We Friends?” is taken from Acid House Kings’ forthcoming fifth album Music Sounds Better with You, out on Johan's birthday, March  22nd, 2011. An album that during a short period was tentatively and logically named A Family Affair. According to the band, the new album is “sharper, catchier and livelier”, a “goodbye to genre obligations” and “it’s got castanets on every single song”.

This is just a wonderful pop song and I love it!

Featured Track: Are We Lovers or Are We Friends?

Grab It: HERE.

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Featured Tracks:



For reasons beyond me the White Mountains track needs a separate player to work properly, these mp3's can be as fussy as A list celebs at times, anything to get noticed....

Genesis - Lamb Tour Florida 1975

This is Genesis back on the 10th January 1975 in concert at the Convention Hall, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

There are hundreds of Genesis bootlegs in circulation spanning their history, this is from the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway tour, and is regarded as one of the best quality recordings from that tour, however there is a story behind this.

The concert has been circulated under different names and through differing CD sources including Descends on Waterbury, Supper's Ready With a Little Lost Lamb, Hogweed 5, Burp 09, SAB 06, Digital West Palm Beach. This copy is from SAB06.

The Genesis Movement site tells us, regarding the SAB06 version (Notes from Dan) - "Although I have a direct DAT clone of the Chris Davies tapes, I used a DAT clone from an unknown source which sounded a little bit better. I edited out as many 'artifacts' as I could find, but the 'reel squeals' are still there. The Shrine '75 recording was used to fill out the missing pieces of the show. The filler was 'enhanced' to make it sound as close as possible to the rest of the show. Obviously, this is not a 'pure' recording, but it is definitely an enjoyable 'Lamb' listening experience."

Another commenter stated - Definitely better that the others in terms of sound quality - I guess the listener will have to choose a "Pure" show with fillers from audience tapes, or a premium remaster like this that is in my opinion true to the actual concert. The way the necessary fillers are blended in on this remaster, makes this a great listening experience and because it deserves to stick out I give it an A+ rating. Fillers or no fillers, the sound quality on this is truly excellent.

From a personal point of view, when one considers the amount of 'enhancement' that can go into an officially released live album, the work on this bootleg is no different and possibly even less played around with, more a labour of love, it sounds superb.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps 

Genre: Rock, Prog Rock.

Set: Full Concert.

Set List:

101 The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
102 Fly On A Windshield
103 Broadway Melody Of 1974
104 Cuckoo Cocoon
105 In The Cage
106 The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging
107 Back In NYC
108 Hairless Heart
109 Counting Out Time
110 Carpet Crawlers
111 The Chamber Of 32 Doors

201 Story Of Rael
202 Lilywhite Lilith
203 The Waiting Room
204 Anyway
205 Here Comes The Supernatural Anaesthetist
206 The Lamia
207 Silent Sorrow In Empty Boats
208 The Colony Of Slippermen
209 Ravine
210 The Light Dies Down On Broadway
211 Riding The Scree
212 In The Rapids
213 It
214 The Musical Box

Website: Official Site HERE. Genesis Movement HERE.

Comments:

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.

The album tells the surreal story of a Puerto Rican juvenile delinquent named Rael living in New York City, who is swept underground to face bizarre creatures and nightmarish dangers in order to rescue his brother John. Several of the story's occurrences and places were derived from Peter Gabriel's dreams, and the protagonist's name is a play on his surname. In an interview Phil Collins remarked, "It's about a 'split personality'.

In this context, Rael would believe he is looking for John but is actually looking for a missing part of himself. The individual songs also make satirical allusions to everything from mythology to the sexual revolution to advertising and consumerism. The title track, as well as "The Carpet Crawlers" and "In the Cage", are live favourites for the band. Both "In the Cage" and "The Carpet Crawlers" were included in 2007's Turn it On Again: The Tour, with "The Carpet Crawlers" played as the closing number. 

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).

Weather Report - Japan 1978

This is Weather Report on the 28th June 1978 at the Shinjuku Kouseinenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Weather Report was an influential American jazz band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Josef "Joe" Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter (and, initially, by Czech bass player Miroslav Vitouš). Other prominent members at various points in the band’s lifespan included Jaco Pastorius, Peter Erskine, Alphonso Johnson, Airto Moreira and Chester Thompson.

Alongside Chick Corea's Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the early 1970s Miles Davis electric bands, Weather Report is considered to be one of the pre-eminent jazz fusion bands, although the band members themselves disdained the term. As a continuous working unit, Weather Report outlasted all of its contemporaries despite frequent changes of personnel, with a career lasting sixteen years between 1970 and 1986.

The recruitment of Jaco Pastorius helped to push Weather Report to the height of its popularity. Already a rising star in his own right, he could play lightning-fast groove lines influenced by rhythm’n’blues or funk, as well as demonstrating an extraordinary solo control of tone and string harmonics, often sounding more like a horn player.

By 1978 the band was once again without either a full-time drummer and percussionist, with Alex Acuña having returned to Las Vegas for a career as a studio musician and Manolo Badrena having been fired for "non-musical reasons." Shorter had been focussing most of his attention and compositional ideas into his solo work; while Zawinul was sketching out ideas for a solo album of his own which involved moving away from a raw group sound in favour of constructing a far more orchestrated and experimental studio-based recording with multiple overdubs. However, Weather Report’s contract and work schedule required another album, so Zawinul’s solo work was absorbed into what became Weather Report’s eighth album, Mr. Gone.

The studio sessions made use of a variety of drummers – Pastorius played the kit on two tracks and further contributions came from Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, and Peter Erskine (the latter an ex-Stan Kenton/Maynard Ferguson drummer recruited to the project by Pastorius). Erskine would become a full member of the band for the next tour and would remain with Weather Report until 1982. 

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps 

Genre: Jazz Fusion, Jazz.

Set: Majority of Set (8 of 11 songs performed).

Set List:

101. Elegant People
102. Scarlet Woman
103. Teen Town
104. A Remark You Made
105. Black Market
201. Gibraltar
202. Ponta De Areia - Sophisticated Lady
203. Birdland 

Website: Discography site HERE. Tour history site HERE.

Comments:

The three tracks not featured on the FM broadcast were (6th number) Portrait of Tracy (8th number) Brother Can You Spare A Dime (11th number) Drum Intro - Badia. Line up was Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, and Peter Erskine.

Download links (two) in comments below.

2010FM - November Edition One

There is a considerable variety of styles and genres in the first November new music round up along with a considerable amount of globe trotting with artists from all over the place, maybe not something for everyone but certainly something different on occasion.

Some background on Jumpel who began life in 2005 when Jo Dürbeck, formerly of the German band Bones, began to write and record his own music. Prior to Bones, Jo’s formative musical experiences involved playing with empty detergent cans, boxes and a piano in his parents’ cellar. In 1986 he bought a Commodore C-64 computer and discovered electronic music.

Jo played keyboards, samples and loops in Bones, who over the course of eight years released three albums and seven singles with EMI Germany, and played over 400 gigs in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Then, after splitting up the band, Jo and Rene (Bones’ singer) founded their own company and studio and started writing and producing music for films. They wrote scores for numerous films and documentaries, and won the award for Best Score at the Film festival Valencia in 2006.

‘Edinburgh’ is taken from the forthcoming Jumpel album Europa (out November 25th). Inspired by Jo Dürbeck’s travels around Europe, the album transforms Dürbeck’s personal memories of 11 different European locations into minimal ambient electronica. The album acts as a kind of abstracted sonic diary, painting the intangibility's and romanticism of memory and travel using sparse yet resonant sound. A simple idea – and one that has produced Jumpel’s most restrained and unified effort to date.

A cool atmospheric start to this edition from an artist new to us and whom we hope to get to hear a lot more of.

Featured Track: Edinburgh.
Website: Official.
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We quote - The Azú Project is a ground-breaking fusion Afro Peruvian Music and Jazz with pop infused elements mainly. The Saraswati Inti Project is a blend of Indian, Andean and American pop-Folk.

Corina Bartra was the first vocalist to blend Afro Peruvian, and criolla music & Jazz. She also pioneered subtle and exciting instrumental textures in her compositions and her arrangements. She writes extensive intros, interludes, and solos filled with inventive rhythms and beautiful harmonies. She also guides her musicians to do so. With this approach, she adds an instrumental section to her unique & historic projects.

The featured track has a beautiful jazz vibe, oh so calm and laid back and Corina's vocals are the perfect fit. It does not matter that I do not speak her language, this is proof that music crosses far more boundaries than any language can.

Featured Track: Puente De Los Suspiros.
Website: Official.
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OK so this is from the publicity material, but it tells the story, so listen up!

Goldishack Guerrillas is a band on a mission: In a country where a culture of war has become business as usual, the Guerrillas fight back with a raucous mix of hip hop, guitars and political will to bring a message louder than any television.

Organic in its nature and sound, Goldishack had long been a headquarters for freestyle emcees and musicians. But when a holiday vacation turned into a war zone in 2006, things at the shack would never be the same. Lebanon was up in flames, and Goldi and his family were on the run from an Israeli bombing campaign. After a few harrowing weeks and a high-profile military evacuation, Goldi found himself in the hot seat of American news and a target of politicians and pundits. Back at the Shack, rage was building and the Guerrillas were born.

Fast forward and GG is on a roll with the release of War and two more albums nearing completion. Along with hip hop artists Kryciss (currently serving in the U.S. Army), Rcyn (from Cypha Cyndicate), UTK (from Beatards and Freestyle Love Supreme) and Shockwave (BeatBoxer Entertainment, Freestyle Love Supreme) and featuring other local greats, Goldishack is now headquarters for the musicians who seek more from their country, leaders and media. Presenting the Goldishack Guerrillas: your antidote to the war on justice.

Despite hip hop and me being poles apart, there is a considerable amount more to this group, and in recent months I have started to realise that some positive and thought provoking messages can be delivered and hit their target to a much wider audience when hip hop combines with other styles.

Featured Track: Rebel.
Website: Official.
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DeWayne Matthew Counce, born October 23, 1984 in Minneapolis, Minnesota was raised and brought up in the Twin Cities area, more specifically in the city of Brooklyn Park.

By high school, DeWayne's musical career developed through playing the piano and keyboard along with producing music. Eventually, DeWayne and some of his friends put together a hip-hop group, called the Soda Boyz, who went on to become well-known in Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

After high school, The Soda Boyz signed with an unknown management company and moved out to California for two years to pursue their dreams of touring and sharing their gift of music for any and all who was willing to listen. After experiencing differences between the group members and management, the Soda Boyz packed up and headed back up North to Minnesota.

At this time, DeWayne, now known as DPJ, decided that experimenting was over. It was time to make a drastic change. Growing up being heavily influenced by Prince and Michael Jackson, DPJ began to alter his music towards the 70's/80's live feel. Alone, he went back into the studio and began creating what he likes to call music with a retrosonic, pop, funk sound. For each and every record created by DPJ, he produced, wrote, played each and every instrument, engineered, mixed and mastered.

Whilst the comparisons with Michael Jackson and others can be easily made, this should be seen in a positive way, DPJ produces very catchy upbeat songs that draw you into his own styling. It's great popular music!

Featured Track: Phone.
Website: Official.
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Industrial-electro pioneers Nitzer Ebb are returning from a 15-year hiatus with a new album that renews their unique blend of hard-style industrial-electro-pop. Nitzer Ebb has a way of meshing a variety of different genres into a musical melting pot of powerful rhythms, minimal sequencer bass and hook lines and fierce, chanted vocals.

After originally reforming in 2006, the band’s increasingly active profile included 2010 European tour activities with Depeche Mode and at major festival shows, as well as embracing the challenge of returning to the studio. The result is a piece of work that sounds fresh and modern but without denying their past: the new album, Industrial Complex, is slated for release in North America on November 9th, 2010 thru Artists’ Addiction Records.

Well those are the 'official' words and all I would add is check these guys out if you like anything from Depeche Mode through to Kraftwerk and beyond. Powerful music!

Featured Track: Promises.
Website: Official.
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Earlier this year Lefse Records released Woodsman’s Mystery Tape EP, and will follow it up in January with their Rare Forms full length from which “Insects” is drawn.  They will be hitting the road with our very own Gauntlet Hair for a slew of West Coast dates beginning next week (tour dates below).

We featured Woodsman back in May of this year and have another great song from them to share, but first of all to recap - Woodsman is an experimental ambient post-psychedelic band based in Denver, CO. The quartet contains two totemic percussionists and two sonic animators who employ electric guitars, feedback loops, and recorded samples to build the dreamy astral soundscapes that define Woodsman’s sound. 

Influenced by hazy mountain passes, the cinema of Stan Brakhage, and early 1970’s improvisational recordings by Miles Davis, Woodsman has crafted aural offerings that are uniquely their own.  They are constantly exploring and pushing the boundaries of what they are able to do both live and in the studio; they are always one step ahead of their latest recording.

Featured Track: Insects.
Website: MySpace.
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Todd Clouser, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, is an accomplished guitarist, composer, producer, and writer with credits on over a dozen national releases and a number of albums as bandleader, highlighted by the organic compositions of 2006's "Baja", 2008's modern groove record "Beatnik Highway", and his newest collective, Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric, an aggressive, intuitive mash of 70's rock, Curtis Mayfield groove, and modern jazz. Clouser's production and playing span a number of genres, most recently settling in the modern jazz idiom after years of fronting rock acts. With a reputation for energetic and engaging performances, Todd's interest in a synthesis of styles and dedication to craft consistently draws committed crowds healthy in number, and have positioned him as an artist increasingly in demand on the international modern music scene.

With the release of Todd Clouser's A Love Electric, Clouser is gaining notoriety as a vanguard of a new generation of jazz guitarists who have been equally influenced by rock, hip hop, pop, and the pantheon of jazz legends, crossing boundaries in composition and performance. Clouser will spend 2011 touring with A Love Electric, featuring some of Mexico's most celebrated jazz players - Hernan Hecht on drums and Gilberto Cervantes on piano.

This is Genre busting music that has the sort of vibe Isaac Hayes through to Curtis Mayfield always had - love it!

Featured Track: Curtis.
Website: Official.
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We started off this edition by stating there would be variety and differing styles and we have yet another dimension for you now! Like those last few seconds before recess, the wait is unbearable. Tapping their feet, humming favorite songs: the crowd is antsy for the show to start. But where’s Mister G? Then, from off stage, the funky guitar groove kicks in, and countless tiny hands reach for the sky. By the time Mister G appears with his trademark hat and bright red shoes, high-pitched shrieks are threatening to crack the windows.

With the 2010 release of his debut children’s album “Pizza for Breakfast,” Mister G burst on to the family music scene. In addition to raves from kids, parents and school principals, he’s caught the attention of some of the leading figures in children’s music. “Live, he's got that rare quality where kids are simply and fully connected,” says Bill Childs, Founder of Kindiefest and host of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. As for the CD, Childs says it’s, “insanely catchy, totally engaging for kids and a lot of fun for parents.” And Emmy Award-winning PBS children’s television producer, Tim Banker, praises Mister G’s, “exceptional ability to write children’s songs that teach about complex issues, but are also hysterically funny and not preachy.”

OK so not what you might expect from Beehive Candy except that this is simply buzzing, catchy and suitable for us older grumpy folk as well. Put a smile on my face and just how cool are we featuring Mister G!

Featured Track: Run.
Website: Official.
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Pregnant is the work of Daniel Trudeau, a hillbilly savant from the Sierra Nevada foothills (physically), and Sacramento, CA (musically) that makes uplifting electronic/organic hybrids of multi-genre music using guitar, laptop, pedals, and tiddlywinks of all sorts.

He recently finished with a new album entitled Regional Music which is available now via Life's Blood Records.

That's about all I know about Daniel or Pregnant except to say that the featured song has something about it that will have me checking Pregnant out further. Different, but in a good way.


Featured Track: Wiff Of Father.
Website: Official, Life Blood Records.
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The Hartford, Conn., psych-pop outfit The Inclined Plane has been honing their craft since their last full-length, "I Am Pants," which found them opening shows for the likes of The Pains of Being Pure At Heart.

"Paw Meds / Mary All The Time", is a brand new 7-inch, jointly released with the band's own Popular Wallpaper Recordings, and officially available from the 30th November. The new single brings a mix of sounds together, from noisy ’60s psychedelia and harmony-rich folk, to kraut drones and detuned ’90s guitar jangles.

The Inclined Plane draws influence from bands such as Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Galaxie 500, The Clean, Sonic Youth and The Zombies, to name a few.

Regarding their previous 'I Am Pants' release here's what The New Haven Advocate had to say: Sometimes delicate, sometimes assertively pounding, the band grabs hold of so many classic indie-pop signposts (jangly guitars, buzzing organs, white noise, and, most importantly, catchy melodies that shine through it all), it's clear they understand the '80s progenitors of the sub genre and also the early '60s records those bands were referencing.

Featured Track: Mary, All The Time.
Website: MySpace. February Records.
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Sacramento’s Middle Class Rut (Sean Stockham - vocals, drums and Zack Lopez - vocals, guitars) has ventured out on their first U.S. tour in support of their debut album, No Name No Color, which was released on October 5th on Bright Antenna Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group.  The duo’s trek as openers for Filter lasts through November 12th in St. Paul , MN.

MTV has added the first single, "New Low," to the short list of artists that will be featured in the next round of the prestigious “Discover & Download” program and the video has been added to rotation at MTV2 and mtvU.

The bands music artfully blurs the line between heavy and melodic, showcasing the band’s skill for raw, energized rock and roll that is equally complex and immediate.  The record is enormous and rowdy, propelled by the duo’s ability to make heavy music tasteful and accessible.  Opening number “Busy Bein’ Born” represents the rest of the disc, setting a tone and pace for the impassioned tracks that follow.

No Name No Color compiles 12 songs from a span of several years, showcasing a breadth of time without ever losing its clear impression of cohesion.  A few tracks have appeared previously on the band’s three EPs, which they released in 2007, 2008 and 2009, but the album as a whole is a new construction that reveals a band with a unique creative process.  The majority of the songs have been tested on the road during tours in the U.S. with Social Distortion, Them Crooked Vultures and Alice In Chains, and in Europe with The Bronx and …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. 

We say this is power rock at it's best.

Featured Track: Busy Bein' Born.
Website: Official.
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Night Surgeon are an electro-pop duo from Portland OR.  They have just recorded a full length album entitled Day for Night that is due out in February 2011.

What else can I tell you, well the band comprises of Patrick: Vocals, Guitars, Synths and John: Drums, Percussion, Piano, and that's about it really as these guys are clearly keeping the details close to themselves!

They clearly know that Beehive Candy like bands to keep things short and to the point when they contact us and it worked for them because all we could do was listen to their music...

From the two songs we have heard I am mightily impressed, there are a few comparisons I could throw at you OMD for example, however as they mention over on their MySpace site they sound like themselves most of all. Recorded in August this year at the Map Room in Portland, OR with Gabriel Espinosa (Blondie, Fischerspooner), the featured song Roman Error is from the first digital singles from Night Surgeon's upcoming album, which on the strength of the music heard so far is something to really look forward to!

Featured Track: Roman Error.
Website: MySpace.
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According to their MySpace site Wheels On Fire are - An energetic and wonderfully ragged-sounding rock & roll quartet out of Ohio, Wheels on Fire sounds at times like a vintage late-'60s garage band but the group's gleefully unhinged approach would be welcome in any decade. Members include singers and guitarists Michael Chaney and John Garris, keyboardist Susan Musser, and drummer Matthew Chaney, and the lack of a bass player gives the band a surprisingly sharp and raw sound, marked by blistering guitars and dual lead vocals (and plenty of attitude).

Their latest release "The Cherry Bomb EP" is the first 7"  put out on record label, Kind Turkey Records. The band we are told -  just got home from touring Europe during the whole month of October, will be out back on the road in the US in the next coming months.


This is a great band and song to finish of this edition of 2010FM, loads of energy and attitude and style. This brand new single features 3 unreleased tracks and 1 demo version of a track from their new LP, Liar, Liar out now on Alien Snatch! Records. First 100 copies are on purple vinyl, remaining 400 are on black. Art is screen printed, and all copies are hand-numbered. 

Featured Track: Black Wave.
Website: MySpace. Kind Turkey Records.
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Featured Tracks:

Lenny Kravitz - Chicago 2008

This is Lenny Kravitz live at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago USA on the 26th January 2008.

I have very fond memories of seeing Lenny Kravitz on the bill at Wembley Stadium, London back in 1999. Aerosmith were headlining and earlier in the afternoon The Black Crowes had played a sublime set despite being clearly hungover. When Lenny came on stage he ignited the audience and pretty much had 80 thousand plus people on their feet within minutes. 

Listening to this concert has brought back great memories and it is superb to hear that Mr Kravitz still plays a vibrant concert.

On January 17th 2008, Lenny Kravitz embarked on a 9 city mini-tour to promote his new album It Is Time for a Love Revolution. The tour started in Santa Monica, California and ended in New York City on February 1st. The tour was done in association with Myspace and called the "Get on the Bus" tour. At each stop on the tour, they would pick up one contest winner and their guest and they rode on the "Love Revolution" bus until the end of the tour. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, a close friend of Lenny's would appear at The Orpheum Theater in Boston. The New York City winner, Tyrone Good was presented a train ticket from Penn Station to travel to Philadelphia and rode with the tour the rest of the way starting in Philadelphia (The Electric Factory), Boston (The Orpheum Theater), and finally New York City (The Hammerstein Ballroom). The winners were featured in the YRB February Edition alongside Lenny Kravitz in a magazine pull-out. The photo shoot took place at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on stage. The winner's pull out was featured in another issue of YRB which had Lil' Wayne on the cover. 

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps 

Genre: Rock, soul, funk, R&B

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

1. Love Revolution
2. Bring It On
3. Ways On The Run
4. Mr Cab Driver
5. Lady
6. What The F*ck Are We Saying? (edited*)
7. Again
8. Stillness Of The Heart
9. I'll Be Waiting
10. Dig In
11. Why Are We Runnin?
12. American Women
13. Fly Away
14. Let Love Rule
15. Are You Gonna Go My Way?

*(someone has decided to edit the F word in track 6 which kinda spoils the song).

Website: Official Site HERE

Comments:

Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads.

In addition to singing lead and backing vocals, Kravitz often plays all the guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and percussion himself when recording. He is known for his elaborate stage performances and music videos. Kravitz has had multiple number 1 hits on the US Top Singles Charts, though none by himself on the Hot 100, and many more worldwide. He won the Grammy Award for "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and most consecutive wins in one category. He has been nominated and won other awards, namely American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, BRIT Awards and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.

Download links (two) in comments below.

Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) - Reading 1973

This is another audience recording that is featured on Beehive Candy as it is something of a collectors item for fans of the band and also because there is a story to go with this performance.

Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) (translates - Award-winning Marconi Bakery) were the first Italian group to have notable success abroad, entering both the British and American charts. Between 1973 and 1977 they released five albums with English lyrics. They also had several successful European and American tours.

PFM introduced new sounds, such as the synthesizer, to the Italian musical world. They were also among the first to combine symphonic classical and traditional Italian musical influences in a rock music context. Such innovations and their longevity have made them among the most important bands in the international Progressive rock genre.

This is PFM live at the thirteenth Reading Festival back on Sunday 26th August 1973. By the time PFM took the stage in the afternoon the band schedule was already running quite late and a further nine acts including Spencer Davis and headliners Genesis were still due to perform. Because of their Photos of Ghosts album success the band were proving very popular with the audience who were clearly wanting the band to play their full allotted set. The band started to play La Carrozza di Hans despite the organisers wanting them to come off stage (if you listen carefully you can hear someone angrily shouting at them from the side of the stage at one point). Without further warning the stage power was cut off in desperation to end the set however the drummer clearly was not finished and just played on.

Source: Audience.

Sound Quality: Good mp3@320kbps 

Genre: Prog Rock

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01 Introduction
02 River of Life
03 Mr. 9 Till 5
04 Instrumental Jam
05 Photos of Ghosts
06 La Carrozza di Hans (ends due to power cut off)
07 Outro

Website: Official Site HERE.

Comments:

PFM came to the attention of Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer while ELP was on an Italian tour and PFM were signed to Manticore Records. The first album on Manticore, Photos of Ghosts was released all across Europe, Japan, and North America and was first time an Italian rock band found success in foreign markets. It was also one of the first recordings by a European rock group to have chart success in the USA, peaking at number 180 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in November 1973.

Reloaded 2015 - see comments.

2010FM - October Edition Three

We have received so much great new music these last few weeks it really is proving a job to keep on top of matters. I guess in part it is the time of year however lets rip through the final selection for this month as I do not want to miss any of these songs out!

'Meatman, Piano Tuner, Prostitute' is the first single to be taken from the Vessels' second album Helioscope (due out Feb 2011) and is released on the 8th November. The band features the guest vocals of Stuart Warwick (formerly Jacob's Stories) who will accompany the band on their headline set of dates in November. Before then, Vessels embark on a tour of Europe with Oceansize. The band will be writing a tour diary so keep up to date at the band's website. The new song is just superb and we really want you to check these people out! Remaining tour dates as follows.

Thu 28 Oct - Kulturladen, Konstanz, GERMANY (with Oceansize)
Fri 29 Oct - Backstage, Munich, GERMANY (with Oceansize)
Sat 30 Oct - Sublime, Aflenz, AUSTRIA (with Oceansize)
Mon 1 Nov - Grabenhalle, St Gallen, SWITZERLAND (with Oceansize)
Tue 2 Nov - ISC Club, Bern, SWITZERLAND (with Oceansize)
Thu 4 Nov - Be Cool, Barcelona, SPAIN (with Oceansize)
Fri 5 Nov - El Tren, Granada, SPAIN (with Oceansize)
Sat 6 Nov - Sala Caracol, Madrid, SPAIN (with Oceansize)
Sun 7 Nov - Rock Star Live Barakaldo, Bilbao, SPAIN (with Oceansize)
Tue 9 Nov - Nouveau Casino, Paris, FRANCE (with Oceansize)
Fri 12 Nov - Brudenell Social Club, LEEDS (with Stuart Warwick, Veronica Falls &, Juffage)
Sun 14 Nov - Deaf Institute, MANCHESTER (with Stuart Warwick, Plank! & Go Lebanon)
Wed 17 Nov - The Queen Of Hoxton, LONDON (with Stuart Warwick, Humanfly & xm3a)
Thu 18 Nov - Bierkeller, BRISTOL (with Stuart Warwick, Austere & Hello Lazarus)

Featured Track: 'Meatman, Piano Tuner, Prostitute'.
Website: Official.
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The music of Nazatron can be best described as a cross between alternative pop and electro rock.

His website tells us that Nazatron is the musical vehicle of Genaaron Diamente. Genaaron grew up in a small town in Victoria, Australia and started playing guitar as soon as he was big enough to hold one. A steady diet of beatles records, 90s metal, school jazz bands and guitar lessons quickly evolved into an irreversible love of music. After high school, Genaaron moved to Melbourne and after a brief stint studying computer programming he decided to study music full time. He spent the next few years honing his craft and practicing jazz scales. But Nazatron was not satisfied. The crazy metal and electro beats that he still listened to when no one was around started to consume him.

After graduating with a nice piece of paper that said music degree, Nazatron gave in to the inner music rebel and decided to give life to the music that had been growing inside of him for years. At last, his world started to synergize. He could now marry his love for music and jazz scales with the computer skills that he secretly still harbored. He locked himself in his room (that is, in between teaching guitar and playing/singing Clapton songs at dirty pubs) and after a few years, his debut album was complete.

Having listened to the album 'Fork In The Road' we are pretty impressed to say the least, there is a mixture of styles and moods the featured track is just one dimension of these.

Featured Track: Just A Song.
Website: Official.
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We featured The Brute Chorus back in April of this year. A quick history lesson on the band. The Brute Chorus began taking it to the people with a monthly residency at Camden’s infamous Hawley Arms pub. The band’s first releases, charming offerings of psyched-out garage-folk we’e put out on the Hawley Arms backed Bumpman records to widespread aclaim from Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe, NME, and The Fly amongst others.

The scuzzy blues-folk quartet took their splendidly raucous live shows on the road with a host of festivals apperances including Glastonbury, Camden Crawl, Great Escape, Secret Garden Party, Belladrum, Standon & Kendal Calling. As well as touring with the likes of Martha Wainwright, Rumble Strips, Ida Maria and even a trip to the seaside with Peggy Sue and The Pirates as well as numerous headline UK and European shows.

Among others their music may well appeal to fans of acts as diverse as Nick Cave, The Gun Club, Edward Sharpe and the Arctic Monkeys to name just a few. 'How The Caged Bird Sings' was released on October 12th via The MuseBox/EMI Distribution, and if rockabilly-tinged garage rockers are your thing you will I am sure enjoy!

Featured Track: Heaven.
Website: MySpace.
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I am told that Arron Dean was raised on a small farm in an area called Knoppieslaagte, about an hour outside of Johannesburg, amid the political upheaval that led to the end of apartheid. As a young man at the turn of the new century, he followed his muse to the United States in pursuit of his dream of being a great jazz guitarist. "I was pretty young and utterly in love with jazz," Dean says. After a few years in Boston, his determination led him to New York City, where he made his mark on the scene—and came to the realization that "making it" in jazz means playing to disinterested bar patrons and "making about $200 a week."

The South Africa-via-Brooklyn singer-songwriter has had several homes and musical identities in his lifetime, howeve his new album MPLS has a defined and very appealing sound that I am sure will appeal to a wide audience.

The promotional piece describes his new sound, as a strain of modern Americana infused with a hint of British melancholy a la Nick Drake, which sprang from the old bluegrass and country records Dean played to find peace during long drives through the Midwestern expanse.

Featured Track: St Paul On Mississippi.
Website: Official.
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Davy Mooney is a world-renowned jazz guitarist who also sings and writes melodic, lyrically complex, and often nostalgic tunes with his alter-ego band ‘Davy Mooney and the Ghosts’. Featuring his guitar playing and vocals as well as saxophone and piano stylings from virtuoso musicians, the ‘Ghosts’ weave a genre-defying musical tapestry that aims, first and foremost, for the heart.

We are also told that - Davy Mooney and the Ghosts is his new singer-songwriter project and that Mooney has been leading a double life for his entire musical career: he is well known on the international jazz scene as a melodic and harmonically sophisticated guitarist, but for the past 15 years he has been performing solo in coffee houses and small bars singing his bittersweet, nostalgic songs to old folkies and young indie-rockers.

Although some of the songs go back 10 years or more, Davy Mooney hadn't gotten around to recording them until this past year. The CD is "Ghosts of Music, Past", and the band Mooney has put together to perform the music is called, fittingly, the Ghosts.

The featured track gives a wonderful taste of the album which just oozes class!

Featured Track: Maybe Tomorrow.
Website: MySpace, Official.
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When the band 'Stars of Heaven' imploded in 1990 its occupants were in need of an outlet to lavish their gifts upon us and that place became known as The Sewing Room. Well thats the way to introduce a band to the Beehive albeit sadly on this occasion the band are no more however a reissue is upon us and as we are guilty of missing them first time around are delighted to share this info with you.

This Dublin quartet only shone for a couple of LP's, one of which now finds itself being reissued on Indiecater. 'And Nico' was a stunning debut record but despite the attentions of John Peel and a large critical fanbase it has slipped into the ether.

We are just grateful that the music is being released again and a visit to Indiecater where you can also find a history of the band by drummer Dez Foley, is recommended.

Featured Track: Kill Me.
Website: Indiecator.
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OK first the promo words and background - Janell McCracken p/k/a Lola Bleu is a truly unique talent. The beautiful 22-years-old songstress has been singing all of her life and it shows on her debut album Love Will Find A Way.

Released in early August on HSP Music, the album is the story of Bleu getting out of a relationship, dealing with the breakup and finally finding the person she wants to be with. Produced primarily by David Sanders II, Love covers various genres from soul to hip-hop to mid-tempo grooves with the one constant being Bleu’s smooth soulful voice.

Recorded over a two year period, Bleu put her heart and soul into the album. “Recording the album matured me a whole lot with my voice and how I sing and as a person,” she says. “I learned and am still learning more about myself musically every time I sing each song.” Though she is only 22-years-old Bleu has known that she wanted to be a professional singer since she was seven years old. She began singing at a very early age in her father’s church which led to her catching the showbiz bug very early.

I was not disappointed when I listened to Lola ! Her voice is just as the promo said, smooth and soulful and although hip hop is rarely my thing songs such as the featured track are most definately. One for all soul lovers to keep an eye out for!

Featured Track: Journey.
Website: Official.
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Lost Boy? is the project of Brooklyn-based 26-year old, Davey Jones. For over five years, Jones has been regularly playing his infectious brand of lo-fi, punk-infused bedroom pop around the NYC-area while handing out free CD-R’s of his music at shows. With all the hard work, people have begun to take notice of his keep-it-fun and simple approach to catchy, garage punk.

In 2010, Lost Boy has garnered coverage on Pitchfork, Altered Zones, Brooklyn Vegan, and Prefixmag.com. Looking to take his music beyond New York, Lost Boy? has released a free, digital-single of his fan-favorite “Fast, Burn” with “Oh My Creepy” as the B-side to hold people over while he records his new LP, slated for an early 2011 release.

It's infectious music and beehive cant wait for more!

Featured Track: Fast Burn.
Website: MySpace.
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And again we quote - 'As a turntablist and energetic one-man musical act, Boy Eats Drum Machine spins breaks and surgically inserts sounds while juggling vocals, percussion, and saxophone.

Touring the country like a mad man, and known to his friends as Jonny Ragel, he started to make recordings under the name Boy Eats Drum Machine in 2001 when he used a 4 track to record and load his MPC with scads of samples, creating blippy pop experimentations.

He wanted to evoke the idea of pac man and the music of the NES game metroid. He sold his mpc and switched exclusively to computer-based recordings a couple years later'. Boy Eats Drum Machine has a brand new record out (October 2010) – 20 Beats.

You can stream it over at bandcamp, me I need to go and take a sit down...


Featured Track: Silverskate Gateway.
Website: Bandcamp.
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We finish this round up with Lykke Li, who is a wonderful Swedish indie singer.

Her music often blends elements of pop, electronic, and alternative rock; various instruments can also be found in her songs, including violins, tambourines, trumpets, saxophones, and cellos. She released her debut album, Youth Novels, in 2008.

Lykke Li's new EP ('Get Some' / 'Paris Blue') is now available from her website and we are more than pleased to be able to include one of the songs on Beehive Candy, which is a great way to finish this edition.

Featured Track: Get Some.
Website: Official.



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Featured Tracks: