Posts

Jesca Hoop - Live in Manchester, UK - 2010 (IA)

Image
From the Internet Archive (IA) this is Jesca Hoop live at Band On The Wall, a venue in Manchester, England, back on Monday 24th May 2010. This is what the Manchester venues website had to say about Jesca prior to the gig - Jesca Hoop was born in Southern California to strict Mormon parents. She grew up singing traditional folk tunes in four-part harmony, but soon broke away from this background, becoming a homesteader and working with children. As a nanny for Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan’s three children, Hoop gained both musical experience and notoriety; Waits said of Jesca, 'Her music is like going swimming in a lake at night'. Following exposure through radio station KCRW, Jesca toured with Polyphonic Spree, Mark Knopfler, Andrew Bird and Elbow – with Guy Garvey also dueting with Hoop on her (then) latest acclaimed album Hunting My Dress. In addition to this we can add (from Wiki) As a result of meeting Tom Piper, the touring manager of the band Elbow, Hoop moved to

A Couple Of Good Ones: Murder Shoes - Rissy

Image
Murder Shoes - Nineteeneightyone. Bio -  Sometimes, it really does boil down to who you know. Shortly after Derek Van Gieson first moved to Minneapolis, he met fellow guitarist Chris White through an ex-post-hardcore-punk pal. For a year or so, Derek and Chris stockpiled hundreds of songs. The songs ran the gamut of 60s pop/garage nuggets, gothic folk, chaotic post-punk, 80s funk and R&B, country/western, shoegaze, rockabilly, and surf.  It could have been a real hot mess, but Derek brought Tess Weinberg in to the picture and she tied the whole thing together with her sultry cross-genre vocals. They further refined their sound as a trio and just when they thought they had it figured out, bassist Tim Heinlein and drummer Elliot Manthey brought the volume, power, and muscle. Inside of a year as a quintet, Murder Shoes recorded and released three EPs, a full length album, and went on tour. After many adventures in the studio and live, the band has refined the eclectic nature of th

Sunday Alternative: Sin Cos Tan - ALXA - Jade The Moon - Sweet Mix Kids ft. Pikachunes

Sin Cos Tan - Ten Years (single from Smile Tomorrow Will Be Worse -EP). Background - Finnish synthpop duo Sin Cos Tan shares new single ‘Ten Years’, a new EP is also set for a release in October. Synth-pop duo Sin Cos Tan have already three albums, a host of packed-out festival appearances and a big dose of musical experience. Finnish duo consists of 2 already established musicians: producer-DJ Jori Hulkkonen (who has previously put his magical producer hands on works also with Tiga, Pet Shop Boys´ Chris Lowe, Jose Gonzalez...) and Juho Paalosmaa, songwriter and vocalist also from Villa Nah who released one of the best albums of 2010 ‘Origin’. 
The Sin Cos Tan duo received huge international critical acclaim for their self-titled debut album and hit single “Trust” back in 2012, including a nomination for ‘Critics Choice of Album of The Year’ at the Finnish Emma-Awards. The boys chose not to rest on their laurels and released only 10 months later their successful follow-up album ‘Aft

Saturday Songs: August Wells - The Sea Birds - Angus C Crowley

Image
August Wells - Come On In Out Of That Night. Background Info - 'Come On In Out Of That Night' is the new single by August Wells and was released on September 4th on FIFA ('Forever In Financial Arrears') records. A musical project formed in New York by Dublin native Ken Griffin (Rollerskate Skinny, Kid Silver and Favourite Sons) and New York pianist John Rauchenberger, August Wells teamed up with the Cork based independent label earlier this year for the release of the sumptuous 'Here In the Wild' single and that partnership continues for what is the perfect follow up.  'Come On In Out Of That Night' once again has the deep lilt of Griffin's voice combined with the sound of Rauchenbergers piano arrangements, add to that Louis Schwadron (Radio Head & Grizzly Bear) and Griffins uplifting brass arrangements which are accented by fat choruses contrasting with the deep twisted vocal. The result is a an elegant three minutes of lustrous music tin

Friday Five: Liphemra - Peru - Little Death - The Noted - Apothek.

Image
Liphemra - 'did u cry'. Background - Los Angeles based Liphemra (comprised of Liv Marsico, Trey Findley, Miles Gray, Chris Parise) have just dropped their first official release 'did u cry'. Both dark and hypnotising in it's repetition, the track manifest an aesthetic unrivalled by any other project coming out of LA right now. "You break up... Never talk again. You just want to know if they cried." - Liv 'did u cry' teases an up-coming EP by the same name which is set for an early March release via LA-based label Future Gods . A wonderfully powerful background sound, gives way to Liv Marsiso's emotionally charged vocals, that dance above the ever changing soundtrack. A real alternative that works so well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peru   (the band) - I Need You. Background - Great music can take you places.  So, perhaps it’s appropr

Double Delights: $omeone feat Kite - Lydia Schubert

Image
$omeone feat Kite - Hollow. Those background words - When the music producer, $omeone, recently signed on Gotta Records, meets the sensitivity of the genius vocalist named Kite. Kite is an award-winning Liverpool-based, Cumbrian-born songstress. Her debut EP ‘The Bed of The Brook’ was released in 2011 and led her on to play festivals such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Kendal Calling, Solfest and Ireby as well as gaining her a spot to play across the pond at Dewey Beach Music Conference in Delaware. Her first single ‘The Water’ was self-released in 2013 and has had extensive radio play including BBC Cumbria, BBC Merseyside and BBC Radio 2 as well as having been playlisted by BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson. Since her trip to the US in 2012 Kite has been working closely with Brooklyn-based collective Mason Jar Music (Feist, Wood Brothers, Josh Garrels, Alicia Keys) . Lot's of recognition and words of praise, already written for Kite here in the UK, and on the strength of this song, it

Another Genre Mix: Before The Flood - herMajesty - Still Parade

Image
Before the Flood - I Can't Wait For You. Background words - Before the Flood's 2nd LP (Hole in the Sky - 2015) is heavy on vocal harmonies, layered strings and deep percussion and bass. Electronic elements and synths add to the rich, and at other times ethereal soundscapes BTF creates through a long-awaited and eclectic 14 song journey. BTF's style and performances are constantly evolving but they continue to draw comparisons to Wilco, The Shins, The Weakerthans & Skydiggers. Before the Flood formed in 2005, and the line-up has fluidly performed with between 4 and 7 members.  The backbone of the band has been strong, diverse song writing and rich, textured arrangements. Bars Wire and Wood (2008) had two singles (the title track & The Halls) that charted on college radio across Canada. Over the last seven years BTF has been honing their craft performing through Southern Ontario - with 14 appearances at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto), 15 at The Moonshi

Gussie Clarke - From The Foundation (Reggae Anthology)

Image
Various Artists - Gussie Clarke - From The Foundation (Reggae Anthology). Press Release - VP Records' vintage imprint 17 North Parade opens its vaults to present a new reggae anthology from one of the most influential Jamaican producers and businessmen Gussie Clarke. On Oct 9th, 2015, 17 North Parade will release a comprehensive double-disc compilation From The Foundation, spanning Gussie Clarke's catalogue of hit productions from the 1970s until today, accompanied with a DVD that takes an in-depth look of the man behind the controls. All the music is re-mastered and coupled with deluxe packaging and extensive liner notes. In addition, a vinyl companion piece (carrying the same name) will be available the following week (Oct 16) that features exclusive tracks not available on the CD and digital version. In the early 1970s, Clarke's breakthrough success with deejay-style vocalists like Big Youth and I Roy put him at the forefront of the new rebel sound because he was

Four 4U: Parlour Tricks - The Little Unsaid - Foreign Architects - Unnveig Aas

Image
Parlour Tricks - Lovesongs. Promo words - Parlour Tricks released a new Double A side single yesterday (5th October) – the two tracks ‘Lovesongs’ and ‘Requiem’ will be out on cool New York label Bar/ None Records. Catchy and charming ‘Lovesongs’ is an electro synth pop earworm - think dreamy Goldfrapp, complimenting ‘Requiem’ a beat heavy, rhythmic track that is layered with the mystical and airy vocals of Lily Cato. The band are lead singer and songwriter Lily Cato, bassist and synth player Brian Kesley, drummer Terry Moore and guitarist Angelo Spagnolo, They met at college and first played together on a whim when Cato decided to try her hand at song writing. A few months later Cato asked Morgane Hollowell and Darah "DeeDee" Golub (also friends from college) to join when she realised that nearly every song she'd written was begging for three female voices. Influenced as much by the Andrews Sisters as she is by Vampire Weekend, Cato’s first few years of song writing

Sundays Alternative Take: Soothing, Grooving and Dancing

Tom Swoon Vs Ale Q & Sonny Noto - Alive. Promo words - Released through Ultra Music on September 25th is ‘Alive’, the collaborative single from Tom Swoon, Ale Q & Sonny Noto. Producers/DJs Ale Q and Sonny Noto have gone head to head with Polish artist Swoon for this track, and the results are nothing short of epic. A stirring piece of progressive house, the tune almost bubbles into action at the start before effortless vocals soak over the top of the bass line, and complementary piano twinkles add a further expressive edge. As the electro-edged beat really starts to take hold, there is another soulful intermission - before the power and intensity reaches a dance floor ready climax . Actually the promo words are pretty much spot on. Progressive House fans will love this energised and driving song, the vocals if anything help calm the whole thing down, so we can pause for breath. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday Double Selection: Sloom - Tohearmeroar

Image
Sloom - Magic Cup. What we are told - Sloom is a rock n roll band from Sydney’s Inner West, whose members are Chris Diamond and Cristian Di Paolo on guitar and vocals, Dane Macintosh on bass and Jamie Graham on drums. Coming from a variety of musical backgrounds they set out together to create their own original music. After recording their first EP, Kahayalan in 2014 Sloom has refined their sound and are set to release their first single ‘Magic Cup’.  Produced and recorded by the band, ‘Magic Cup’ captures the spirit of their live performances and draws inspiration from an older era. ‘Magic Cup’ might resonate with fans of John Dwyer, Ty Segall and any living thing that likes their music energetic and fun! Sloom are playing a show at Frankie’s Pizza on Hunter St on October 11, come down and grab yourself a slice of Sloom . The live feel to 'Magic Cup' gives the song natural, raw energy. The retro feel for me, is in the vocals, whilst the no nonsense rock soundtrack reta

Friday Uplift: Rabid Young - Peter Henry Phillips - Indiago

Image
Rabid Young - Not Enough. Background - At some point in 2014, Las Vegas musician Eric Rickey found himself at the end of a well-travelled road wondering where to go next. That year Eric’s previous band, Most Thieves, had opened for the Killers through Europe and Canada, playing arenas and getting a taste of international success. Reflecting on the experience Eric explains: “We had all the opportunity in the world but for whatever reason it didn’t pan out.” That tour culminated in a home town show at the Cosmo on New Year’s Eve where they played for thousands of people before the members decided to take a break from the project. It was at this pinnacle, looking out at the sea of eager faces, when the words “rabid young” popped into his head. Back in Vegas, Rickey joined up with friend and fellow musician Jackson Wilcox (A Crowd of Small Adventures) and the two began plotting their new endeavour with fellow Most Thieves alum Bobby Lee Parker (guitar), as well as Matthew Long (drum

Drive-By Truckers - Live at Cooley's House, 2003 (IA)

Image
From the Internet Archive (IA) this is the  Drive-By Truckers in a private family and friends performance at band member Mike Cooley's House in Gardendale, Alabama, USA. It is an incredible acoustic performance with superb audio quality and as one reviewer put it " this recording is amazing. I was having a few beers listening to it and the next thing I know I'm doing shots of Elijah Craig and singing out loud like a jackass" . Of the time before and around this session Wikipedia say's - After three years on the road, a tight-knit group of musicians emerged and began work on 2001's double album, Southern Rock Opera. The album weaves the history of Lynyrd Skynyrd into a narrative about a fictitious rock band called "Betamax Guillotine," whose story unfolds within the context of the South during the 1970s. Southern Rock Opera was originally released independently on Drive-By Truckers' own Soul Dump Records on September 12, 2001, and garnered p