2010FM - July Edition One

OK we have another bumper selection of new music to recommend this month so lets start with ten of the best.

The Rattles bring us some perfect summer power pop with the featured tune 'Wavy Lane'.

We are told 'Hailing straight from the swamps of Central Jersey, an eclectic band of anthropomorphic critters known as The Rattles are preparing to roll out their debut studio album ‘Rattle On’. Working in the classic traditions of The Beatles, Moxy Fruvous, The Monkees, and They Might Be Giants, The Rattles apply a fresh fusion of classic rock and power pop that is sure to appeal to fans of all ages and put them on the map'.

Well if this song is anything to go by I reckon the above might be right, get your summer clothes on and head for the beach with The Rattles providing the soundtrack.

Featured Track: Wavy Lane.
Website: Official.
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We are always on the look out for artists with new ideas and direction and Clare Burson provides us with just that.

Her album 'Silver and Ash' is due out on September 14th. The background to this new album is described as follows -  'Silver and Ash' is a concept album that imagines Burson’s maternal grandmother's life in Europe, from before her birth in 1919 to her escape from Germany in 1938.  

It also explores Burson’s own struggles with rupture, silence, guilt, empathy, and continuity. For the project, funded by a stipend from a prestigious Six Points Fellowship, Burson visited her childhood home in Memphis, Tennessee, where she interviewed her grandmothers, and ventured to the homes of her ancestors in Germany, Latvia, Ukraine and Lithuania.

Musically Clare describes her approach “I’ve always leaned towards poetic simplicity and subtlety in my music—wanting to express as much as I can with the fewest possible words and musical flourishes.”

Well going on the strength of the following track this will be another album on our 'must have list' for 2010. This is somewhere within folk and indie with enough personal style and credibility to listen to again and again...

Featured Track: I Will/With You.
Website: MySpace.
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We received a copy of the self titled One Happy Island album a couple of weeks ago, and having just got around to listening are of the mind that they deserve a big open and honest plug from the Beehive. This is yet another band and album that is just right for the summer, that said lets hope they stay around for the winter months as well!

Some background - One Happy Island is an indie-pop band from Boston, Mass, USA. They write pretty good songs and then bang them out on an electric ukulele, a rudimentary drum kit, and a hollow-body guitar that won't stay in tune. They've released three EPs and now a full-length album and have toured extensively in the US and the UK. The band's influences include the Lucksmiths and the Even Dozen Jug Band.

The band formed in spring of 2007, One Happy Island is a ramshackle indie-pop mini-orchestra disciplined enough to keep it together most of the time, and honest enough to just let it all fall apart when the moment warrants.  Their evolving arsenal includes bittersweet songs, awkward banter, jangly guitars, shaky trumpet, tiny percussion instruments, rough-hewed boy/girl harmonies, and a palpable sense of joy.

We say check them out this is an excellent album that we love.

Featured Track: Kudzu Girlfriend.
Website: Official. MySpace.
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Living Days are a new romantic pop group from Brooklyn, New York.

Their bio tells us that - The five love terrorists love each other dearly and include former members of Matisyahu, Coco Rosie, Lee Scratch Perry, and sci fi thrash band AQUI. Their unpredictable frontwoman, Stephonik Youth, is an underground legendary performer. Venus magazine writes, "Stephonik is of a reckless charisma, a dizzying combination of swaggering bravado and heart-wrenching emotion." They have completed a full length album called "Make Out Room" produced by Matt Boynton (The Butthole Surfers, Gang Gang Dance, The Lemonheads, MGMT).

OK lots of names there and we can add another endorsement as follows - “And then there's this singer called Stephonik Youth. She's so amazing. She literally, (sic) I think she's the most amazing artist I've ever seen. And her voice is incredible”. - Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes) for Pitchfork.

Well I might not have had the chance to see them live as yet (seen Bat For Lashes though) but listening to some of the album I am facinated by Living Days, this is wonderful stuff - you will not be able to keep still so feel free to leap about as you listen. It's a little like listening to a female fronted version of The Cure, with treble the energy!

Featured Track: Lets Kiss.
Website: MySpace.
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Megan McCormick is releasing her debut record, 'Honest Words' on August 17th through Ryko Music.

Megan was bought up amongst music as her press release states - “Everyone in the family played… so I’ve always been around great music,” says the dark-headed young woman with the glint in her eye.  Her parents played too, though not professionally.  Her mother was a country singer while her father was more of a rock & roller. “It was never about the glamour, but the grits, you know? Because I’d be doing this whether people listened or not. It’s how I’ve chosen to live… It’s a necessity, not an option".


Listening to the featured song 'Things Change' I guess the strong musical background is clear, plus Megan has a quality and maturity that stands out, no wonder the press release mentions her being only 23 years old, on a number of occaisions. Influences include Bonnie Raitt and Steely Dan however this is great music in it's own right.

Featured Track: Things Change.
Website: MySpace.
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not an Airplane tends to dodge the labels of country and bluegrass as their take on traditional music is stepped with songwriting that matured in the atmosphere of contemporary folk. The band takes their lyrically strong, modern songs and uses thick three part vocal harmonies and other traditional influences and instrumentation to propel them forward into a sound all their own.

Nick Shattel formed not an Airplane in his hometown of Syracuse, NY as a project to showcase his songwriting. After moving to Northern California and shortly after their release of the 2008 EP that Shattel began discussions with Jared Neilson (vocals, upright bass) about abandoning their alt-country roots and developing a new sound in new ways. The addition of multi-instrumentalist Daniel Edward Harris (vocals, guitar, banjo, dobro) and Chris Haupt (drums) gave not an Airplane a breath of fresh new life as well as a creative balance. not an Airplane released Things and People in the early Spring of 2010.

The band are touring the Pacific North West through to September and we highly recommend catching up with them (tour dates on their MySpace site).

Featured Track: Trains.
Website: MySpace.
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Donny Hue and the Colors sent Beehive Candy and by the looks of it a good number of other people, the ultimate minimalist message which read:
Starting now and continuing for the next few months, go to donnyhue.com for free, weekly e-singles (with A and B side).

So we did & reckon you might want to do the very same yourselves. We have included one song here and some links below which include other bands some of the members play in - all good stuff!

Featured Track: Wedding Chairs I Said.
Website: Donny Hue and the Colors. Olivia Mancini. The Shrouded Strangers.
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KCRW (yep the home of Morning Becomes Eclectic) seem rather keen on Saint Motel and having listened I would add with good reason.

A few days back they performed at The Hammer Museum courtyard to open the “Summer Nights” free concert series hosted by KCRW. We can add to that Saint Motel’s EP ForPlay is out now with a full length in the works. The band’s wildly creative videos are all self-conceptualized, produced, and directed from start to finish. One exists for each song on the EP. KCRW will feature Saint Motel with a special Morning Becomes Eclectic session in September (dont forget you can listen online). More music thats suits my summer mood today and need I say, another band we reckon you may well hear more from.

Featured Track: Dear Dictator (Sam Sparro Remix).
Website: MySpace.
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Another brief and to the point message was received last Thursday regarding Brother Tiger. It included  a copy of the track 'Vision Tunnels' off of the EP of the same name.

So lets be brief and to the point, this is a wonderful piece of music that kinda chills in a calming way without knocking me out of my summer day mood. These songs have been around since the spring (what is my obsession with seasons today?) so lets hope it's not to long before we can enjoy some more!

Featured Track: Vision Tunnels.
Website: MySpace.
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Second Dan I am reliably informed have a reputation for fiery live shows, so if you are in New York keep an eye out for them (they are appearing at the Rockwood Music Hall on Friday July 23rd and there is free entry!).

Second Dan's lead singer Dan Rosen grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and Adam Wolfe Lerner is a born and raised New Yorker, who leads muscle and a touch of genius on guitar. On drums, Sonny Ratcliffe goes from a whirlwind to a windchime, sometimes in the same song. Hailing from Virginia, he adds a Southern charm to the band.

Musically they have a really strong definative sound that can rock a small hot nightclub or equally fill a stadium. There are comparisons drawn by others from Elvis Costello to Oasis via Radiohead. I would add simply that whilst those may be true the real spark in this band is natural passion that comes through in both more gentle numbers to fiesty rock songs. Last but definately not least on this 2010FM round up - check them out!

Featured Track: Today.
Website: Official.
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Featured Tracks:

Dr Feelgood - Paradiso Amsterdam 1979

This is Dr Feelgood performing at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland back on the 5th October 1979.

The recordings may have been broadcast on a number of occaisions and we understand these are from KRO's Rocktempel and featured in November 1986.

It is likely that the order of material reflects the first and second sets at their appearance at the Paradiso which was one of seventeen venues played in Holland during October 1979.

Source: FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Pub Rock, Blues Rock.

Set: Material from two sets.

Set List:

01 Intro (radio presenter)
02 60 minutes of Your Love
03 Milk and Alcohol
04 Down At The Doctors
05 Take a Tip
06 Baby Jane
07 She's a Wind Up
08 Riot in Cell Block No.9
09 Roxette
10 Outro
11 Intro
12 Back In The Night
13 Riding On The L&N
14 Shotgun Blues
15 You Upset Me Baby
16 Milk and Alcohol
17 Down At The Doctors
18 Riot In Cellblock No. 9

Website: Official HERE. Archive HERE.

Comments:  


Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, the band are best known for early singles like "Back in the Night" and "Roxette". Although their most commercially productive years were the early to mid 1970s, they continue to tour and record to this day.

The group's original distinctively British R&B sound was centered on Wilko Johnson's choppy guitar style. Along with Johnson, the original band line-up comprised John B. Sparks (bass guitar), John Martin aka The Big Figure (drummer) and Lee Brilleaux (vocals).

Like many pub rock acts, Dr. Feelgood were known primarily for their high energy live performances, although studio albums like Down by the Jetty (1974) and Malpractice (1975) were also popular. Their breakthrough 1976 live album, Stupidity, reached number one in the UK Albums Chart (their only chart-topper). But after the follow-up Sneakin' Suspicion, Johnson left the group due to perceived conflicts with Lee Brilleaux. He was replaced by John 'Gypie' Mayo. With Mayo, the band was never as popular as with Johnson, but still enjoyed their only Top Ten hit single in 1979, with "Milk and Alcohol". Johnson never achieved any great success outside of the band and fans always speculated about a return by Johnson that never occurred.

Download link in comments or click on the picture.

Delbert McClinton - Live In Austin 1997

Delbert McClinton honed his craft working in a bar band, The Straitjackets, backing visiting blues giants such as Sonny Boy Williamson II, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Jimmy Reed. He made his first recordings as a member of the Ron-Dels and was noted for his distinctive harmonica  work on Bruce Channel's 1962 hit "Hey! Baby."   

This is a recording of Delbert McClinton with band in concert as part of the seventh anniversary celebrations for Austin, Texas radio station KGSR.
 
The event took place on December 5th 1997 and also included sets from Abra Moore, Steve Earle, and special guests Robert Earl Keen and Patty Griffin.

This is an excellent performance with tremendous musicanship along with real blues rock passion. 

Source: FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Blues-rock, blues, rock, country.

Set: Full Concert

Set List:

01 Take Me to the River
02 Thank You Baby
03 I'm With You
04 Old Weakness
05 Leap of Faith
06 I Just Want to Love You
07 Best of Me
08 Monkey Around
09 B Movie Boxcar Blues
10 You Were Never Mine
11 Lie No Better
12 Two More Bottles of Wine
13 Sending Me Angels
14 Every Time I Roll the Dice

Website: Official HERE.

Comments:

After relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, Delbert McClinton emerged in a partnership with fellow Texan Glen Clark, performing a combination of country and soul music. They achieved a degree of artistic success, releasing two albums before splitting, with McClinton embarking on a solo career. Emmylou Harris had a No. 1 hit in 1978 with his composition "Two More Bottles of Wine" in 1978, and McClinton's "B Movie Boxcar Blues" was used in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers. His 1980 album, The Jealous Kind, contained his hit single, "Givin' It Up for Your Love."

After a rest period during much of the '80s, Delbert McClinton made a welcome return in 1989 with the fiery album Live From Austin, taped during an Austin City Limits appearance. He won a 1991 Grammy for his duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman," and reached the Top 5 of the country charts with the Tanya Tucker duet, "Tell Me About It." The fledgling label Rising Tide offered One of the Fortunate Few in 1997, but the label quickly folded. In addition to releasing two new studio albums in the early 2000s, New West Records issued Delbert McClinton Live in 2003, collecting songs from throughout his career.

Download link in comments below scroll down for second alternative.

Leon Redbone - VPRO Studios 1977

This is Leon Redbone in session recorded at the VPRO Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands on the 28th January 1977 for future radio broadcast.

For those unfamiliar with him Leon Redbone is an American singer and guitarist specializing in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics.

We have included a link below to a short biography of Leon on starpulse.com. I guess this limited session which features some very enjoyable if not a little quirky material for some, represents an introduction of sorts to Leon Redbone. If he is new to you and this arouses some interest, please do investigate further, I think you will be in for a pleasant surprise, and there is alot more depth to him beyond a solo studio session from way back.

Source: FM Radio

Sound Quality: Very Good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Vaudevillian, Ragtime, Jazz, Blues

Session: Taken from two separate FM broadcasts, cannot confirm if this was all Leon recorded at VPRO studio.

Set List:

01, The Whiskey Song
02, Way Out On The Wind Swept Desert
03, Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
04, Big Time Woman
05, I Ain't Got Nobody
06, Diddy Wah Diddy

Website: Official HERE. Short Biography HERE.

Comments:

The first four tracks from this session were not broadcast by VPRO until 2001, the final two tracks were broadcast originally in 1978, we do not know in what context these recordings were used on the radio.

Leon Redbone's website is currently asking the following - Do you own original early photos of Leon Redbone you'd like to share? If so, we're looking for any interesting and older photographs of Leon Redbone to include in an upcomming Anthology which we'll be putting together. We can't guarantee that we'll use them but we'll certainly give you full credit and a free Anthology if we use your photo.
See the link to the website above .

Reloaded 25/May/2015 - download link in comments.

2010FM - June Edition Three

One of the great aspects of running a music site is when you receive new music that really is something special and opens up another avenue to explore. Andy Clockwise is new to me, however I guess not so to a reasonable number of Australians and some in Los Angeles.

In 2003, Andy Kelly was homeless and destitute in his home country of Australia. After bizarre circumstances led him to help a friend with recording an EP, Andy fervently poured his passions into his own music. The result was his own debut EP “Song Exhibition,” which Australian radio station Triple J discovered and promoted heavily. From there on out Andy, working from then on as “Andy Clockwise” had his very own career in music, writing, creating and producing what he likes to call “Schizo Pop,” music that is “ever changing” but always emotionally captivating.

Now years later Andy who is also a Los Angeles resident, is releasing his finest work to date. “Are You Well?” is the product of years of refining his craft, as the music synthesizes many stylistic influences into one sound that is warmly familiar and classic yet uniquely fresh.

This is an artist that has struck a chord with Beehive Candy but dont just take our word for it...

“Like the perfect department store, Andy Clockwise has everything under one roof. The only thing more astonishing than how many styles he explores on this album, is how many he gets spot on.” - Bernard Zuel, The Sydney Morning Herald (4 stars)

“While it’s easy to identify his genial baritone voice with roguish lyrical masters like Jonathan Richman, Stephin Merritt and post-modern maestro Beck, Clockwise reveals his uniqueness by writing straight from his own creative heart.” - Daphne Yang, 944 Magazine

“He’s so good it’s almost unfair.” - The Daily Telegraph

Featured Track: Stealing Cars
Website: Official, MySpace.
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Devices Disguised is native Floridian Kyle Warden, an enthusiast of visual arts and the self-avowed friend of musicians. His recordings developed as interest in the former gave way and the latter helped him build up a repertoire of sounds and techniques, with enough accumulating that Devices Disguised became a convenient platform for releasing the backlog of solo material. Inspired by a late introduction to MIDI based production by his college roommate, Kyle self-resleased his Yonder EP and a two song single on French label Beko DSL. His most recent material stays percussion oriented while experimenting with more rhythmically sequenced synths sampling, multi-layered ambient soundscapes, alongside altered strings and pianos. The five track True Tides EP is his physical debut and the prelude to a Fall full length.

Beehive's opinion - we love this and want more!

Featured Track: Gravity Taste Test.
Website: MySpace.
Buy: Due out June 21st via Royal Rhino Flying Records.
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Ok the official PR stuff tells us... Embracing classic pop hooks, throwing in a bit of soul, Brit pop and California sunshine, Loomis & the Lust has created a top notch pop rock sound that swirls with a light-hearted, fun-time attitude that conjures up visions of palm trees and good times. After releasing a batch of clever, catchy songs in their first EP last year, Loomis and the Lust quickly started making waves, being named one of the “Top 25 New Bands in the Word” by MTV Iggy, winning an MTVU “Freshman” video award, appearing in an online ad campaign for Subway.

 We say - you can dance to them, boogie along or whatever, they know a good hook and the featured song reminds me of good Rolling Stones although this is not to 'pigeon hole' them into one category.


Featured Track: Break On Love.
Website: MySpace.
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It saves us some work when the artist kindly writes an introduction.

My name is Stephen Luke and I am a guitarist, singer, song writer specializing in a blend of roots and rock music. My unique style of songwriting combines story telling and music generated from of my soul. I have a passion for songwriting and think a good story is worth a great song. I invite you to step into both the music and lyrics of my new CD, “No Man’s Land” and take a journey with me.

Some interesting background to Stephen and mention of an artist we featured last time round (small world)...

Stephen Luke started out on drums but then switched to guitar at age 17. “ I ran into some trouble and was on house arrest for a while. The guitar helped me keep sane.” He began performing at local dances and in the late 70’s early 80’s, he played the bar and party circuit with the group Venus who were chosen for one of the WEBN album projects.

After a long hiatus, which included raising a family, it took a serious hand injury to reignite the musical spark. “I cut two tendons on my index finger while opening a box with a dull knife.” (Always cut away!)

Surgery followed with several months of rehab. His physical therapist recommended picking up the guitar again to help the left hand function. Enter Kelly Richey who reignited Stephen Luke’s guitar world. “She took me from pitiful to powerful in about six months. It lit a fire. I couldn’t stop playing and started writing songs again.” Soon Richey agreed to produce his first CD, “No Man’s Land.” “It’s such an honor to work with Kelly and be associated with Sweet Lucy Records.”

Stephen Luke can be found playing around Cincinnati with the band “Westrock”. He continues to write solo and co-writes with Kelly Richey, John Redell and other Cincinnati artists. Oh and the music is spot on.

Featured Track: No Mans Land.
Website: Official, MySpace.
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Theres nothing like a press release that is in your face or what?

Bazaar Royale is a rock star, a larger than life personality waiting for the mainstream to catch on. The creator of the “Ghetto Metal” movement, Royale has built a new sound that is full of rock optimism, spiked with a gritty dose of reality—the hard times millions of people are going through around the world. On his most recent CD, “The Ride” Royale takes us on a journey of self-discovery; Who am I as an individual and What role do I play in society? If that seems like a grandiose premise, I encourage you to take a moment to press the play button and see for yourself.

Well at the end of the day it's all about the music and this guy has some real talent and real rock music. Dont be suprised if Bazaar Royale surfaces in a good number of other places beyond the Beehive.

Featured Track: Hard Times Celebrate.
Website: MySpace.
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How many times will Beehive Candy mention Julian Shah-Tayler ?

Well that all depends on how long he keeps on making excellent albums or E.P's. I do not want to sound like his personal fan club and having seen a good number of references from many other sources I know I am not, however I just feel that his music is to good to keep secret about.

If you read this Julian, I do not want to make your 'head swell', but thankyou for producing some thoughtful, crafted and striking songs that deserve to be heard in the mainstream right now.

His latest release 'Fill Your Joys With Love' is available now and if you like the featured track, then each song on the release is a must to hear.

Featured Track: Beautiful World.
Website: Official.
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Well that's it for this round up which having listened again to all the tracks featured, really does set a high standard for future editions to follow!
Featured Tracks: