So it's taken many months but finally my new podcast is out. What better way to spend your February 29th, that once in a lifetime experience. Featuring bands from as far and wide as...northern Europe, in roughly half an hour of great music and me talking as little rubbish as possible. And three bands with associations to my university but I'll leave you to figure which ones they are...
Keep Hope Inside podcast#6 (28.50, 26.4mb)
Intro (created with samples from Michael Oster)
1) The Joy Formidable - Cradle
[MySpace]//Download mp3 [link]
2) Marvins Revolt - Deliberate Deeds
Downloadable from their [MySpace]
3) My Amiga - Tongue Ties & Alibis
[MySpace]//Download mp3 [link]
4) Fanfarlo - Sand And Ice (Demo)
Downloadable from their [MySpace]
5) Gossamer Albatross - Whispered Thoughts
[MySpace]//Buy EP from Monosound Recordings [link]
6) Colour - Conversations
[MySpace]//Download mp3 [link]
7) Sky Larkin - Molten
[MySpace]
8) Portland Rise - Flatlight
[MySpace]//Download the acoustic live version mp3 [link]
Tracks used with permission or made freely available on the internet by the artist at the time.
DIRECT DOWNLOAD [right click, save target as]
Subscribe to podcast feed - http://feeds.feedburner.com/keephopeinsidepodcast
Subscribe in iTunes [link]
Subscribing to the feed means you'll be notified when I do more podcasts in the future. You can do that with podcatchers or through iTunes, as above. You can also do a DIY add to iTunes by going to "Subscribe To Podcast" under the "Advanced" menu and pasting the podcast feed (the podcast feed link above) there.
Thanks loads if you've subscribed already and you can also subscribe to my regular blog feed to get all the regular posts too if you like - http://feeds.feedburner.com/keephopeinside
And say hello on my blog MySpace if you like too [link] or just leave comments here about your favourite track on the podcast and what bands you might like to hear in future. And thanks for listening!
on Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Having tipped These New Puritans for success in 2007 in my Bands I Want To Namedrop etc feature (a little before the times seemingly) then acquiring the fantastic 'Navigate Navigate' for my last podcast [#5], I'm bringing more love to These New Puritans. Albeit in a different form than usual.
Tim Goldsworthy of DFA records fame has given 'Navigate Navigate' (the 15 minute Dior fashion show accompaniment) a tweak under his remixing guise of The Loving Hand. He strips the song down to its basics before adding his own throbbing bassline and an eclectic range of sounds. It doesn't quite match the original but then again, the bar was set pretty high wasn't it?
Considering I also put up the demo of 'Elvis' recently but never pointed you toward the pretty b-ace-ic ("basic" to those without the eye for hilarious word play) video, you can have that too:
And because I'd quite like to go to bed now, read an excerpt from the press release:
"The epic “Navigate, Navigate” highlights the artistic ambition and raw talent of the young band whose rich and disparate influences range from the sound of early 80’s industrial music to numerology, from This Heat to Dubsteb, and from J. Dilla to the films of David Lynch. The track begins with an unassuming sound collage of ambient electronics and feedback drones, which quickly fade out to make way for an urgent drum beat accompanied by brash guitar stabs and Jack’s dislocated vocal musings. Over the course of 15 minutes the track is an ever-mutating blur of layered vocal chants, taut rhythms and subtle details. A track of such stature had to be given an entire side on this, the band’s debut North American 12” release.
On the flip side is a club ready remix by Tim Goldsworthy under The Loving Hand moniker. Tim Goldworthy is part of the heralded DFA production team who have worked with and remixed artists such as The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and more."
So this remix will be joined by the original on a limited edition 12", some of which will be given away from beatpyramid.com [link]. The band are also hitting SXSW and will be Antone's on March 12th as part of the Domino Records showcase, with people like Simian Mobile Disco, Lightspeed Champion and The Kills in tow. Sounds like a good un.
These New Puritans - Navigate Navigate (The Loving Hand Remix by Tim Goldsworthy) [Yourfilehost download link]
Tim Goldsworthy of DFA records fame has given 'Navigate Navigate' (the 15 minute Dior fashion show accompaniment) a tweak under his remixing guise of The Loving Hand. He strips the song down to its basics before adding his own throbbing bassline and an eclectic range of sounds. It doesn't quite match the original but then again, the bar was set pretty high wasn't it?
Considering I also put up the demo of 'Elvis' recently but never pointed you toward the pretty b-ace-ic ("basic" to those without the eye for hilarious word play) video, you can have that too:
And because I'd quite like to go to bed now, read an excerpt from the press release:
"The epic “Navigate, Navigate” highlights the artistic ambition and raw talent of the young band whose rich and disparate influences range from the sound of early 80’s industrial music to numerology, from This Heat to Dubsteb, and from J. Dilla to the films of David Lynch. The track begins with an unassuming sound collage of ambient electronics and feedback drones, which quickly fade out to make way for an urgent drum beat accompanied by brash guitar stabs and Jack’s dislocated vocal musings. Over the course of 15 minutes the track is an ever-mutating blur of layered vocal chants, taut rhythms and subtle details. A track of such stature had to be given an entire side on this, the band’s debut North American 12” release.
On the flip side is a club ready remix by Tim Goldsworthy under The Loving Hand moniker. Tim Goldworthy is part of the heralded DFA production team who have worked with and remixed artists such as The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and more."
So this remix will be joined by the original on a limited edition 12", some of which will be given away from beatpyramid.com [link]. The band are also hitting SXSW and will be Antone's on March 12th as part of the Domino Records showcase, with people like Simian Mobile Disco, Lightspeed Champion and The Kills in tow. Sounds like a good un.
These New Puritans - Navigate Navigate (The Loving Hand Remix by Tim Goldsworthy) [Yourfilehost download link]
on Sunday, February 24, 2008
Forming from the remnants of short lived Sheffield band Umlaut, Situationists have bided their time before their upcoming debut release. The 'This City Holds Us All' EP comes two or so years after the media focus on Sheffield following the emergence of some band called the Arctic Monkeys.
But what really piqued my interest with Situationists was their fantastic post punk cover of Daft Punk classic 'Digital Love' from an XFM session last year. Tim funfunfun [link] was an early fan of it and only the most hardcore Daft Punk purist will dislike it.
As for their EP tracks, they project an anthemic sound with definate similarities The Futureheads and Hot Club de Paris. Understandly, 'This City Holds Us All' is the stand out track with its enjoyable "buhbuhbuhbuh etc" vocal hook and while the other tracks prove less inspiring, there's enough there to keep you interested.
While Umlaut released their only single 'Winter Coat' on Fantastic Plastic, the 'This City Holds Us All' EP is out on 10th March on Tough Love records. Preorder from the Tough Love website [link].
Situationists - Digital Love (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace]
Situationists - This City Holds Us All (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
But what really piqued my interest with Situationists was their fantastic post punk cover of Daft Punk classic 'Digital Love' from an XFM session last year. Tim funfunfun [link] was an early fan of it and only the most hardcore Daft Punk purist will dislike it.
As for their EP tracks, they project an anthemic sound with definate similarities The Futureheads and Hot Club de Paris. Understandly, 'This City Holds Us All' is the stand out track with its enjoyable "buhbuhbuhbuh etc" vocal hook and while the other tracks prove less inspiring, there's enough there to keep you interested.
While Umlaut released their only single 'Winter Coat' on Fantastic Plastic, the 'This City Holds Us All' EP is out on 10th March on Tough Love records. Preorder from the Tough Love website [link].
Situationists - Digital Love (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace]
Situationists - This City Holds Us All (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
on Thursday, February 21, 2008
So all the talk prior to the Brit Awards was about the Klaxons and Rihanna collaboration, which following the Manic Street Preachers recent 'Umbrella' offering, could have gone either way really. Personally, I think it turned out quite well. But I'm hardly the most objective source, I love 'Umbrella' so much that I even dedicated a whole post to covers of the song last July [link].
Ultimately, it's just 'Umbrella' with a more frenzied drum beat, some scuzzy guitars and the "ooo-oooo-ooo-ahhh"s from Klaxons' most commercially successful hit yet, 'Golden Skans'. And as a spectacle, it looked pretty good. Also, I'm sure it blew the Mika and Beth Ditto collaboration away - I don't know why the Brit Awards organisers would want to inflict such a thing upon millions of people.
If anyone actually cares about the nominees and winners (I've always been indifferent to the Brits, they remind me of The Brittas Empire more than anything), then head to bbc.co.uk [article]. No real surprises, with Artic Monkeys, Take That and Foo Fighters all snagging two awards. And Sir Paul McCartney celebrated his 'Outstanding contribution to music' award by performing 'Hey Jude'. Quelle surprise.
Now it's time to ponder next year's collaborations - Girls Aloud versus Aphex Twin? Ian Brown featuring Korn? Will Young with Snoop Dogg? Or even the outlandish suggestion of Robbie Williams rejoining Take That?
Rihanna & Klaxons - Umbrella vs Golden Skans (Live At The Brit Awards 2008) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
So I was perusing the interweb straight after posting this and came across The Music Slut's provision of the Brit Awards performances [link] and I quite enjoyed Mark Ronson's medley with guest vocalists. Featuring Adele, Daniel Merriweather and Amy Winehouse, it covers 'God Put A Smile Upon My Face', 'Stop Me' and 'Valerie'. Amy Wino's looks like she's doing okay these days, which is good. Well, she still looks a bit odd but healthier, at least. Kylie looked lovely in her performance of 'Wow' too.
And it gives me an excuse to post the version of 'Valerie' that Mark did with Kyle Falconer of The View for BBC Electric Proms 2007, with the BBC Concert Orchestra. It's a good un.
Mark Ronson ft. Adele, Daniel Merriweather and Amy Winehouse - Medley (Live At The Brit Awards 2008) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Mark Ronson and the BBC Concert Orchestra ft Kyle Falconer - Valerie [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
So yeah, some good performances at The Brits this year. Although why they chose Mika and Beth Ditto to perform as well as The Osbournes as hosts, I'll never quite understand. And while I still find the actual awards themselves a bit meaningless, I guess as an institution, it's not that bad really.
Ultimately, it's just 'Umbrella' with a more frenzied drum beat, some scuzzy guitars and the "ooo-oooo-ooo-ahhh"s from Klaxons' most commercially successful hit yet, 'Golden Skans'. And as a spectacle, it looked pretty good. Also, I'm sure it blew the Mika and Beth Ditto collaboration away - I don't know why the Brit Awards organisers would want to inflict such a thing upon millions of people.
If anyone actually cares about the nominees and winners (I've always been indifferent to the Brits, they remind me of The Brittas Empire more than anything), then head to bbc.co.uk [article]. No real surprises, with Artic Monkeys, Take That and Foo Fighters all snagging two awards. And Sir Paul McCartney celebrated his 'Outstanding contribution to music' award by performing 'Hey Jude'. Quelle surprise.
Now it's time to ponder next year's collaborations - Girls Aloud versus Aphex Twin? Ian Brown featuring Korn? Will Young with Snoop Dogg? Or even the outlandish suggestion of Robbie Williams rejoining Take That?
Rihanna & Klaxons - Umbrella vs Golden Skans (Live At The Brit Awards 2008) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
***UPDATED***
So I was perusing the interweb straight after posting this and came across The Music Slut's provision of the Brit Awards performances [link] and I quite enjoyed Mark Ronson's medley with guest vocalists. Featuring Adele, Daniel Merriweather and Amy Winehouse, it covers 'God Put A Smile Upon My Face', 'Stop Me' and 'Valerie'. Amy Wino's looks like she's doing okay these days, which is good. Well, she still looks a bit odd but healthier, at least. Kylie looked lovely in her performance of 'Wow' too.
And it gives me an excuse to post the version of 'Valerie' that Mark did with Kyle Falconer of The View for BBC Electric Proms 2007, with the BBC Concert Orchestra. It's a good un.
Mark Ronson ft. Adele, Daniel Merriweather and Amy Winehouse - Medley (Live At The Brit Awards 2008) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Mark Ronson and the BBC Concert Orchestra ft Kyle Falconer - Valerie [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
So yeah, some good performances at The Brits this year. Although why they chose Mika and Beth Ditto to perform as well as The Osbournes as hosts, I'll never quite understand. And while I still find the actual awards themselves a bit meaningless, I guess as an institution, it's not that bad really.
on Sunday, February 17, 2008
This post will finish off my tips for 2008 so let's crack on. There'll be a quick recap at the end and then we'll just have to wait and see if I manage more than a 1/12 success rate this time around.
Guillemots
This slot was going to go to either Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong or to The Ting Tings. Now as I'm not really a fan of either, I felt a bit stuck. Until, that is, I had an epiphany while watching Jonathon Ross' chat show last night, which featured a performance by Guillemots (gilly-mots). I thought to myself, "they were hyped, weren't they?" and lo and behold I found a suitable replacement. Not to mention that one of the other guests on the show, Welsh siren Katherine Jenkins, is a right fittie mcvitie.
Guillemots are returning with a new album, 'Red', following their previous effort, the Mercury Music Prize nominated 'Through The Windowpane'. After recently offering up album track 'Kriss Kross' on their MySpace, new single 'Get Over It' has hit the airwaves. And it's not exactly what you might have expected. Exceedingly radio friendly but with the same energy that brought the band success, it should be a hit single. Hopefully the album will prove to be the critical and commerical success that the debut proved to be.
Guillemots - Get Over It (Radio Rip) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Guillemots - Sexy Back (Justin Timberlake Cover..ish) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace] (with thanks to driftingnowhere.co.uk)
Late Of The Pier
Firstly, a nod to Transparent Magazine [link] for first introducing me to this band, a fact I did acknowledge in my post on Late Of The Pier back in September 2006 [link]. Wow, that was a long time ago. LOTP have done well for themselves since then, releasing two singles (including one on Moshi Moshi), signing to Parlophone and working with Erol Alkan on their debut album. The eccentricity still remains, not that that's a bad thing.
Thankfully their rise toward the mainstream hasn't been marred with the 'nu-rave' tag, although Klaxons comparisons could prove to be inevitable. Let's hope that if that happens, they can at least mirror their counterparts' success. They've got the man behind the Klaxons video, Saam Farahmand, to do the vid for their new single 'The Bears Are Coming'. It's really quite bizarre but then again so is most of Saam's work. He's got a cool name though, right guys? ;)
Late Of The Pier - Focker (BBC Introducing Live) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Late Of The Pier - Heartbeat (BBC Introducing Live) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Head to musiclikedirt.com for the other session track.
Friendly Fires
With Jack Penate being my only true success from last year's tips list, why not choose the support band on his UK tour in March. And their drummer used to go to the same university. As do I, in fact. Not to mention other acts that are really coming to the fore now such as Nic Nell, Sky Larkin and Fanfarlo/My Sad Captains. Yeah, a real hotbed of music excitment. Except they've all left.
Friendly Fires are yet another band in this 2008 list to have been affiliated with Moshi Moshi, releasing their much loved single 'Paris' on the label. With the aforementioned Jack Penate tour coming up as well as supporting the Kaiser Chiefs at Elland Road(!), Friendly Fires look to have a promising year ahead of them.
Friendly Fires - Paris (Live At The JD Set) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Nic Nell also has a remix/cover of 'On Board' on his MySpace [link]
So that's the end of my Futuresounds 2008 list, i.e my bands to watch out for this year. While last year's choices were more hopeful than expectant, this year I decided to include bands which had been blatantly hyped at one point or another (hence Vampire Weekend, Adele, Glasvegas and Guillemots). I also wanted to carry on with an ethos that I used last year, highlighting bands which hadn't previously appeared on this blog (so we got Alphabeat, Agaskodo Teliverek, The Wave Pictures and Friendly Fires). And finally I decided to support some acts that I was one of the first to feature in the past, meaning Elle S'Appelle, Jose Vanders, Look See Proof and Late Of The Pier made another appearance on Keep Hope Inside.
As there were only twelve choices, I had to leave out a good few bands that I felt would do well this year. I think the prime example of that would be Johnny Foreigner. I genuinely thought they'd take the blogging world by storm, like Los Campesinos! did but it's been a slower process. They are finally getting the attention they deserve though and the new tracks sound fantastic. Hopefully, some of the other acts I would have liked to mention, like Operahouse and Muscles, might end up on one of my podcasts!
What do you lot think though? Who are you tipping this year? Are my choices worth the computer they're typed on?
Guillemots
This slot was going to go to either Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong or to The Ting Tings. Now as I'm not really a fan of either, I felt a bit stuck. Until, that is, I had an epiphany while watching Jonathon Ross' chat show last night, which featured a performance by Guillemots (gilly-mots). I thought to myself, "they were hyped, weren't they?" and lo and behold I found a suitable replacement. Not to mention that one of the other guests on the show, Welsh siren Katherine Jenkins, is a right fittie mcvitie.
Guillemots are returning with a new album, 'Red', following their previous effort, the Mercury Music Prize nominated 'Through The Windowpane'. After recently offering up album track 'Kriss Kross' on their MySpace, new single 'Get Over It' has hit the airwaves. And it's not exactly what you might have expected. Exceedingly radio friendly but with the same energy that brought the band success, it should be a hit single. Hopefully the album will prove to be the critical and commerical success that the debut proved to be.
Guillemots - Get Over It (Radio Rip) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Guillemots - Sexy Back (Justin Timberlake Cover..ish) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace] (with thanks to driftingnowhere.co.uk)
Late Of The Pier
Firstly, a nod to Transparent Magazine [link] for first introducing me to this band, a fact I did acknowledge in my post on Late Of The Pier back in September 2006 [link]. Wow, that was a long time ago. LOTP have done well for themselves since then, releasing two singles (including one on Moshi Moshi), signing to Parlophone and working with Erol Alkan on their debut album. The eccentricity still remains, not that that's a bad thing.
Thankfully their rise toward the mainstream hasn't been marred with the 'nu-rave' tag, although Klaxons comparisons could prove to be inevitable. Let's hope that if that happens, they can at least mirror their counterparts' success. They've got the man behind the Klaxons video, Saam Farahmand, to do the vid for their new single 'The Bears Are Coming'. It's really quite bizarre but then again so is most of Saam's work. He's got a cool name though, right guys? ;)
Late Of The Pier - Focker (BBC Introducing Live) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Late Of The Pier - Heartbeat (BBC Introducing Live) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Head to musiclikedirt.com for the other session track.
Friendly Fires
With Jack Penate being my only true success from last year's tips list, why not choose the support band on his UK tour in March. And their drummer used to go to the same university. As do I, in fact. Not to mention other acts that are really coming to the fore now such as Nic Nell, Sky Larkin and Fanfarlo/My Sad Captains. Yeah, a real hotbed of music excitment. Except they've all left.
Friendly Fires are yet another band in this 2008 list to have been affiliated with Moshi Moshi, releasing their much loved single 'Paris' on the label. With the aforementioned Jack Penate tour coming up as well as supporting the Kaiser Chiefs at Elland Road(!), Friendly Fires look to have a promising year ahead of them.
Friendly Fires - Paris (Live At The JD Set) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Nic Nell also has a remix/cover of 'On Board' on his MySpace [link]
-----
So that's the end of my Futuresounds 2008 list, i.e my bands to watch out for this year. While last year's choices were more hopeful than expectant, this year I decided to include bands which had been blatantly hyped at one point or another (hence Vampire Weekend, Adele, Glasvegas and Guillemots). I also wanted to carry on with an ethos that I used last year, highlighting bands which hadn't previously appeared on this blog (so we got Alphabeat, Agaskodo Teliverek, The Wave Pictures and Friendly Fires). And finally I decided to support some acts that I was one of the first to feature in the past, meaning Elle S'Appelle, Jose Vanders, Look See Proof and Late Of The Pier made another appearance on Keep Hope Inside.
As there were only twelve choices, I had to leave out a good few bands that I felt would do well this year. I think the prime example of that would be Johnny Foreigner. I genuinely thought they'd take the blogging world by storm, like Los Campesinos! did but it's been a slower process. They are finally getting the attention they deserve though and the new tracks sound fantastic. Hopefully, some of the other acts I would have liked to mention, like Operahouse and Muscles, might end up on one of my podcasts!
What do you lot think though? Who are you tipping this year? Are my choices worth the computer they're typed on?
on Wednesday, February 13, 2008
So we're past the halfway mark in my little Futuresounds project, where I compound the existing hype even further so it will look even worse when the bands don't become global superstars. That's what a cynic would say anyway. Luckily, I am more blasé about this issue and this feature is simply about bands I think could do well and probably deserve to. And Whiskas of Forward, Russia! has done a similar thing on his new blog [Nyevsky Prospect]. Go check it out, it's certainly started off strongly.
Back on planet KHI, we've covered the likes of Agaskodo Teliverek, Vampire Weekend, Jose Vanders, Adele, Alphabeat and Elle S'Appelle. All the while keeping in line with one band per post being completely new to this blog, another being a golden oldie from my archives and the other being a band that's already been hyped ridiculously.
Glasvegas
#4 in the BBC Sound of 2008 poll and #2 in the NME's best single list of 2007. And they've only released one single. Good going. Although looking at them wouldn't inspire you with much confidence, their retro sound is surprisingly captivating. "Look like thugs, sound like angels" was one description I read recently, an accurate one at that. I reckon I could take 'em, especially the girl. But that's a lose-lose situation - you've either beaten up a girl or been beaten up by a girl.
Anyhoo, second single 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry' is as good as the debut offering, 'Daddy's Gone'. Check out the demo version of 'Daddy's Gone' and see whether you can overcome your preconceptions too.
Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone (Demo) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Look See Proof
Making an appearance on Keep Hope Inside podcast #2 [listen here] almost a year ago now, Hertfordshire powerpop band Look See Proof have been steadily ascending into the mainstream. Having released a couple of well received singles, they're off to SXSW looking to pimp themselves out to just about anybody (as all the bands do).
Perhaps the indie snobs will be pining for oscillating time signatures, an orchestral feel or some other gimmick, I'm happy to appreciate Look See Proof's genuine, vibrant pop. Look no further than their cover of 'About You Now' by the Sugababes, from a recent XFM session. And because I like the original and its video (mainly because it's fun to try to recognise places in London, other than that, it's a bit of a rubbish vid), you can watch it below:
Look See Proof - About You Now (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
The Wave Pictures
After years of plugging away, The Wave Pictures finally signed to Moshi Moshi records last year. Apparently, they've already had six albums?! They also co-wrote material with John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats) and collaborated with Herman Dune on a Peel session.
Somewhat bizzarely, their MySpace page states their genre to simply be "pop". No doubt this is intentional, with leanings towards country and folk and a splash of 60s rock possibly. Unless they're just prophesising their rise to popularity of course...
The Wave Pictures - Three Songs Called Louise [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Back on planet KHI, we've covered the likes of Agaskodo Teliverek, Vampire Weekend, Jose Vanders, Adele, Alphabeat and Elle S'Appelle. All the while keeping in line with one band per post being completely new to this blog, another being a golden oldie from my archives and the other being a band that's already been hyped ridiculously.
Glasvegas
#4 in the BBC Sound of 2008 poll and #2 in the NME's best single list of 2007. And they've only released one single. Good going. Although looking at them wouldn't inspire you with much confidence, their retro sound is surprisingly captivating. "Look like thugs, sound like angels" was one description I read recently, an accurate one at that. I reckon I could take 'em, especially the girl. But that's a lose-lose situation - you've either beaten up a girl or been beaten up by a girl.
Anyhoo, second single 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry' is as good as the debut offering, 'Daddy's Gone'. Check out the demo version of 'Daddy's Gone' and see whether you can overcome your preconceptions too.
Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone (Demo) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Look See Proof
Making an appearance on Keep Hope Inside podcast #2 [listen here] almost a year ago now, Hertfordshire powerpop band Look See Proof have been steadily ascending into the mainstream. Having released a couple of well received singles, they're off to SXSW looking to pimp themselves out to just about anybody (as all the bands do).
Perhaps the indie snobs will be pining for oscillating time signatures, an orchestral feel or some other gimmick, I'm happy to appreciate Look See Proof's genuine, vibrant pop. Look no further than their cover of 'About You Now' by the Sugababes, from a recent XFM session. And because I like the original and its video (mainly because it's fun to try to recognise places in London, other than that, it's a bit of a rubbish vid), you can watch it below:
Look See Proof - About You Now (XFM Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
The Wave Pictures
After years of plugging away, The Wave Pictures finally signed to Moshi Moshi records last year. Apparently, they've already had six albums?! They also co-wrote material with John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats) and collaborated with Herman Dune on a Peel session.
Somewhat bizzarely, their MySpace page states their genre to simply be "pop". No doubt this is intentional, with leanings towards country and folk and a splash of 60s rock possibly. Unless they're just prophesising their rise to popularity of course...
The Wave Pictures - Three Songs Called Louise [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
on Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Welcome to part two of my list of bands to watch out for in 2008. Part one [link] seems to have gone down well, people seemingly can't get enough of Vampire Weekend but there was some love for Alphabeat in the comments. And in case Elle S'Appelle ever read this, I like you even more than the other two. So everyone's happy.
This edition of Futuresounds has a strong female presence for no real reason other than to wipe my memory of Beth Ditto. Christ, she was annoying. Obviously, I'm hoping for/expecting big things from these acts though.
Adele
Seeing as I was planning this a while back, you'll have to forgive me for including Adele despite her recent mounting of the UK album chart. But then again Just Jack managed to get to #6 in the album chart and most of you are probably wondering who I'm on about ('Starz In Their Eyes' sound familiar?). And it was her or Duffy, so I went for the lesser evil. I hope.
So we are left with Adele, a 19 year old "cock-er-nee" with a beautiful voice. But what about the tunes? 'Hometown Glory' is certainly bewitching but I haven't felt as absorbed by other tracks I have heard. Will she have staying power or is she just substituting Amy Winehouse for the time being?
Mark Ronson & BBC Concert Orchestra ft. Adele - Cold Shoulder (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Jose Vanders
I love piano pop! Something Corporate were one of my favourite bands and I'm one of the few bloggers who (openly) thinks that Kate Nash's music is enjoyable. Jose (nb not José) Vanders is a London teenager who writes earnest, melodic pop. Although lacking in music blog mentions, she's somewhat of a "MySpace sensation" with over 700,000 plays. That's a lot of plays.
Following her spiffing Christmas single with Klaus Says Buy The Record [listen here], Jose's recently been announced as the new 'face' of BBC Three. It wouldn't surprise me at all if her Regina Spektor meets Sarf Lahndan stylings were rewarded with a major label record deal this year. But first, she's got to concentrate on her exams....
Jose Vanders - Faces Going Places [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
With thanks to Drink Ink [link].
Agaskodo Teliverek
Last year I had Dananananananananananananakroyd in this weirdo slot but this Japo-Hungarian lot are FUCKING MENTAL. They really have raised the bar. Agaskado Teliverek describe their sound as 'psycho goulash' and that actually seems sensible. From screechy lead singer Hiroe (she's pretty much the polar opposite to the above females!) to the tamagotchi beeps via some crunching riffs, this is just insane.
But an invitation to play the BBC Electric Proms and a Dazed and Confused interview show they could just sneak into the mainstream too. Well, they'd fit in perfectly on a Later With...Jools Holland show at least!
Agaskodo Teliverek - Gay Hussar (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Agaskodo Teliverek - Dough Face (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
This edition of Futuresounds has a strong female presence for no real reason other than to wipe my memory of Beth Ditto. Christ, she was annoying. Obviously, I'm hoping for/expecting big things from these acts though.
Adele
Seeing as I was planning this a while back, you'll have to forgive me for including Adele despite her recent mounting of the UK album chart. But then again Just Jack managed to get to #6 in the album chart and most of you are probably wondering who I'm on about ('Starz In Their Eyes' sound familiar?). And it was her or Duffy, so I went for the lesser evil. I hope.
So we are left with Adele, a 19 year old "cock-er-nee" with a beautiful voice. But what about the tunes? 'Hometown Glory' is certainly bewitching but I haven't felt as absorbed by other tracks I have heard. Will she have staying power or is she just substituting Amy Winehouse for the time being?
Mark Ronson & BBC Concert Orchestra ft. Adele - Cold Shoulder (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace mirror]
Jose Vanders
I love piano pop! Something Corporate were one of my favourite bands and I'm one of the few bloggers who (openly) thinks that Kate Nash's music is enjoyable. Jose (nb not José) Vanders is a London teenager who writes earnest, melodic pop. Although lacking in music blog mentions, she's somewhat of a "MySpace sensation" with over 700,000 plays. That's a lot of plays.
Following her spiffing Christmas single with Klaus Says Buy The Record [listen here], Jose's recently been announced as the new 'face' of BBC Three. It wouldn't surprise me at all if her Regina Spektor meets Sarf Lahndan stylings were rewarded with a major label record deal this year. But first, she's got to concentrate on her exams....
Jose Vanders - Faces Going Places [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
With thanks to Drink Ink [link].
Agaskodo Teliverek
Last year I had Dananananananananananananakroyd in this weirdo slot but this Japo-Hungarian lot are FUCKING MENTAL. They really have raised the bar. Agaskado Teliverek describe their sound as 'psycho goulash' and that actually seems sensible. From screechy lead singer Hiroe (she's pretty much the polar opposite to the above females!) to the tamagotchi beeps via some crunching riffs, this is just insane.
But an invitation to play the BBC Electric Proms and a Dazed and Confused interview show they could just sneak into the mainstream too. Well, they'd fit in perfectly on a Later With...Jools Holland show at least!
Agaskodo Teliverek - Gay Hussar (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Agaskodo Teliverek - Dough Face (BBC Electric Proms) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
on Sunday, February 03, 2008
I didn't realise quite how long I'd been away from blogging but I'm back with my tips for 2008. Now I wasn't sure whether this was a sensible idea as I don't want to perpetuate ridiculous hype but then I realise that's basically what all mp3 bloggers do anyway! At least I've come with a more snappy title than last year's "Bands I Want To Namedrop Because They Will Become Big In 2007". Many of the bands I tipped last year are now on tipsters lists for 2008 (hello Foals, These New Puritans and Laura Marling) but hopefully my new list will prove to be a bit more successful.
Like last year there will be 12 entires but this around, I'll be tipping bands that have been hyped already (Is This The NME?), artists which have been raved about on here before (We Still Remember) as well as a bunch of new but fresh acts (First Time Lucky). So without further ado....
Vampire Weekend
How fitting that it is Superbowl Sunday. This slot was going to be filled by one of the massively hyped acts from across the pond, be that Vampire Weekend, Black Kids, MGMT or Yeasayer. I think you can figure out who won that battle.
Vampire Weekend's quirky "college-rock" is complimented by African influences and with their debut album having just been released on XL in the UK, success beckons.
Vampire Weekend - I Stand Corrected (BBC 6Music Session) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace link]
Vampire Weekend - Campus (BBC 6Music Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Alphabeat
Jackson Five meets ABBA. Danish six piece Alphabeat are pure pop brilliance. They're just lots and lots of fun. New single 'Fascination' has hit written all over it and the video below shows just how much fun Alphabeat are:
Already celebrated in Denmark, they have signed to EMI in the UK, who aren't doing so well at the minute but Alphabeat are no doubt one of their big hopes for the year. They're one of mine too.
Alphabeat - Fascination 6 (Fitzmaurice Remix) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Elle S'Appelle
Liverpool and its surrounding areas have produced some amazing bands in the last couple of years from Hot Club de Paris to My Amiga. Elle S'Appelle are as good as anything from Liverpool or otherwise. Appearing on Keep Hope Inside podcast#4 [link] way back in July, the S'appelles have since inflicted their wonderfully harmonious synth pop on the free world via the fantastic Moshi Moshi records.
2008 sees the bands embark on a BOSSPOP tour with one of my 2007 tips goFASTER>>, which should be an utter treat. With more singles due and maybe even an album, we can only hope 2008 brings Elle S'Appelle the success they deserve.
Elle S'Appelle - Mariappa [Yourfilehost//Downloadable from [Converse Music]
Like last year there will be 12 entires but this around, I'll be tipping bands that have been hyped already (Is This The NME?), artists which have been raved about on here before (We Still Remember) as well as a bunch of new but fresh acts (First Time Lucky). So without further ado....
Vampire Weekend
How fitting that it is Superbowl Sunday. This slot was going to be filled by one of the massively hyped acts from across the pond, be that Vampire Weekend, Black Kids, MGMT or Yeasayer. I think you can figure out who won that battle.
Vampire Weekend's quirky "college-rock" is complimented by African influences and with their debut album having just been released on XL in the UK, success beckons.
Vampire Weekend - I Stand Corrected (BBC 6Music Session) [Yourfilehost d/l link]//[Sendspace link]
Vampire Weekend - Campus (BBC 6Music Session) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Alphabeat
Jackson Five meets ABBA. Danish six piece Alphabeat are pure pop brilliance. They're just lots and lots of fun. New single 'Fascination' has hit written all over it and the video below shows just how much fun Alphabeat are:
Already celebrated in Denmark, they have signed to EMI in the UK, who aren't doing so well at the minute but Alphabeat are no doubt one of their big hopes for the year. They're one of mine too.
Alphabeat - Fascination 6 (Fitzmaurice Remix) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace]
Elle S'Appelle
Liverpool and its surrounding areas have produced some amazing bands in the last couple of years from Hot Club de Paris to My Amiga. Elle S'Appelle are as good as anything from Liverpool or otherwise. Appearing on Keep Hope Inside podcast#4 [link] way back in July, the S'appelles have since inflicted their wonderfully harmonious synth pop on the free world via the fantastic Moshi Moshi records.
2008 sees the bands embark on a BOSSPOP tour with one of my 2007 tips goFASTER>>, which should be an utter treat. With more singles due and maybe even an album, we can only hope 2008 brings Elle S'Appelle the success they deserve.
Elle S'Appelle - Mariappa [Yourfilehost//Downloadable from [Converse Music]
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So that's that for part one, the next post will be following soon with more overly hyped/former KHI faves and "noob" bands. Are any of the American hyped bands going to make it at all, let alone this year in the UK? Who do you think is going to be huge in 2008? Are bands like Forward, Russia! going to step up upon their return?
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