Association of Music Podcasting

An altogether worthwhile trip over to Southwold on Monday led to this week's picture. The Sole Bay Inn is the closest of a handful of fine pubs to the Adnams brewery in the town. The bitter at The Nelson was excellent. 

 

Strawberry Quick - Sandman Viper Command (Burlington, Ontario, Canada)

In the beginning, the four best friends who make up the ambitiously named outfit (Rob Janson, Aaron Harvey, Dan Reardon, Matt Meyer) locked themselves up for days in their parents' basements practicing and refining demos, only emerging when they had stumbled upon the most perfect blend of garage pop/guitar fuzz rock this side of the border has heard in a long time. It's this obsessive compulsiveness in their music that pays off huge on their independently released debut, Everybody See This.

www.myspace.com/sandmanvipercommand

 

In the morning - Leif Vollebekk (Montreal, Canada)

The young artist has made a name for himself in Canada thanks to his organic and honest live performances.

Inland was recorded in Montreal's Breakglass Studios (Wolf Parade, Patrick Watson, Stars, Unicorns). A true multi-instrumentalist, Vollebekk plays guitar, harmonica, piano and violin on the album.

Now signed to rising independent Toronto label, Nevado Records, alongside the countries best (Bahamas, Yukon Blonde, Fox Jaws, and The Paint Movement), the time has come for this modest musician to take a few steps away from humble small-town beginnings, and into the arms of national, and international respect and adoration. Just wait and watch as the subtle beauty of Vollebekk's music embraces new listeners far and wide.

He has a date coming up at El Mocambo in Toronto on Thursday 18th as part of a whole series of shows that AudioBlood are putting on as part of Canada Music Week.

www.myspace.com/leifvollebekk

www.nevadorecords.com

 

Choice is Your Control - My Visor (Norwich)

The My Visor Duo of Keith Brown and Kathryn Mac have a new album If I Could Pass This Message On To You set for launching on Saturday at The Marquee, in Norwich where they'll be joined by Follow your heart, Faster than Robots and The Chad Mason Songbook. The whole show costs just £3 which is crazy cheap.

The album will be available in the form of a special limited edition (30 only) hardback book with CD inside including full lyrics and drawings by local illustrator Fay Elizabeth Heffer. It will also be available as a standard CD. Both of these will be on sale at the launch gig for a very small fee, but you will also have the option of downloading the whole album (through bandcamp) completely and utterly free.

You can also get their first album Introducing… free from their site it includes the inspired song One day these legs won't dance

www.myvisor.co.uk

www.myspace.com/myvisor

 

Tickets for Latitude Festival go on sale March 9... organisers have confirmed that this year's event will take place from July 15 until July 18 at Henham Park Estate, near Southwold.

www.latitudefestival.co.uk

The Fool You Are - Kampion (London, UK)

Jonathan Nelson is the founder and main songwriter of Kampion. He decided, at the beginning of 2009, (after being in a couple of very average bands) to try and get something special together. He spent some time studying the art and craft of song writing, trying to figure out what separates a good song from a great song. After working hard and getting some strong material written, He scoured the London music scene, hunting for somebody whose musical talent was bigger than their ego. After several near misses (and lucky escapes), he got lucky and bumped into the sultry voiced Elisa. He was blown away by her soulful vocals. Jonathan also discovered (to his delight) that Elisa was a talented songwriter and thus, Kampion was born.

www.taxi.com/kampion

www.myspace.com/kampionmusic

 

Ten Thousand Times - Francis (Dalarna, Dalarnas län, Sweden)

Featured on last week's show and I just love Petra's voice more, every time I hear it!

Francis will be performing the Mike Galaxy BandPromote Showcase on 3/18, The MuseBox’s Showcase at Rusty Spurs on 3/18, the official SXSW showcase at Friends Bar on 3/19, and quite a few additional performances as well, so don’t miss them this SXSW season! Check last week's note for details

www.myspace.com/francisishere

www.francisishere.com/

 

Bar Mami - Freestyle Percussio n Magik (Las Palmas, Spain)

AKA Dave Tinman whose broader range of music you'll find on Reverbnation at www.reverbnation.com/davetinman

Sorry, that's all I know.

www.jamendo.com/en/album/37204

 

Nevermore - Freak Fandango Orchestra (Barcelona, Spain)

The Freak Fandango Orchestra is a multi-ethnic band from Barcelona (Spain). Their music is a explosive mixture of folk, polka, gypsy music from the Balkans and punk-rock. The band is formed by six musicians (guitar, bass, drums, violin, saxophone and accordion). They are influenced by artists like "Emir Kusturica And The No Smoking Orchestra", "Goran BregoviÄ" and "Gogol Bordello". The freak fandango orchestra has arrived to town, so move your ass, drink some beer, sing, dance, jump... and enjoy their punky-folky songs and crazy lyrics!!!

Current members: Jürgen - guitar and voice, âXavi - bassâ, Alfonso - violin, âNoe - accordion and voice, âVitto - saxophone, âAlvaro - drums, âDavid - Artwork

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/The_Freak_Fandango_Orchestra

 

Club, bar and music scene workers' apartments available in Ibiza for the summer. Give me a shout and I'll put you in touch with Jess.

 

Bad Religion - Jimmie Bratcher (Missouri, USA)

Jimmie Bratcher has posted a new video of Green Bananas on YouTube. Some great playing from the whole band. He comes over a bit preacher (as he has every right to) but absolutely agree with what he's saying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esy7KsTk_x8&feature=youtu.be&a

Bad Religion is from his album Red. 

www.jimmiebratcher.com

 

Suffolk is hereby declared waterlogged. So much snow and rain this past week. From the look of the sky earlier, somone is in for another soaking.

 

Apple Pie Bed - Lawrence Arabia (Christchurch, New Zealand)

A former member of bands including The Ruby Suns (Sub Pop), The Brunettes and The Reduction Agents, Lawrence Arabia – the savant-like songwriting alter ego of James Milne -- is shedding his sideman status and stepping alone into the bright light of the U.S. music scene with his first full-length album Chant Darling on Bella Union. Hewn in large part from James’ gradual relocation to London and recorded over 18 months in a studio in Stockholm, three flats in London, a garden shed in Port Chalmers, a car club in Wellington and a studio in Auckland, Chant Darling signals the emergence of a weighty new voice straight from the new pop frontier of the southern hemisphere. Lawrence will be touring the United States this spring, beginning at SXSW in late March. Video at:

http://bit.ly/4waZ3W

www.myspace.com/lawrencearabia

 

iTunes reviews will be greatly appreciated - all helps get the music out there.

European Podcast Award

http://tinyurl.com/y9mr57e

 

Daddy you've been on my mind - Saadi (NYC, USA)

Weeks out from the official March 9th release of her debut EP “Bad City”, SAADI is gaining acclaim amongst the most influential media outlets in the industry. Pitchfork, RCRD LBL, The Music Slut, Prefix Magazine and Swagger Paris have all offered exclusive content, competitions and raved reviews for New York City’s new must see act. Ampeater have also released an exclusive SAADI 7” single featuring the tracks ‘Pollen Seeking Bees’ from the upcoming ‘Bad City’ 12” EP and the unreleased ‘3am (Black Lodge)’. Be sure to check out SAADI if you are in New York City area March 3rd at Cameo and March 12th at Silent Barn, or at SXSW 2010!

www.myspace.com/saadinyc

www.facebook.com/pages/SAADI/145202038898

www.twitter.com/saadinyc

 

Going to the carnival (to get some sleep) - The Yellhounds (Manchaster, UK)

The Yellhounds have been receiving very favourable reviews on their live performances following appearances at the International Songwriters & Publishers Festival alongside the likes of Steve Earle, In The City Festival, a live session on BBC Manchester Radio and having a BBC commissioned video broadcast on Manchester ’s Big Screen. 

www.theyellhounds.com

www.myspace.com/theyellhounds

 

Sir Ged has posted a video of the interview he gave me last week.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y6EL3BSBIg

 

Jamendo and Sellaband - sad news for both this week.

 

Two - The Daylight Faded (London, UK)

Although a new project these guys are now strangers to the road, this line-up existed as ‘The Lee Gordon Trio’ in 2006 in Norwich where they played to sold out crowds in there adopted home town and played up and down the country to critical acclaim. The Daylight Faded - Debuting all new material live @ The Miller Saturday, March 6 at 7:30pm at UP ALL NIGHT @  THE MILLER 96 Snowfield Rd London SE1 3SS

www.myspace.com/thedaylightfaded

 

Facebook group set up to help musicians resist bad promoter's "Pay to Play" deals.

http://bit.ly/dwYRuh

 

Forget about everything - Vista (Norwich, UK)

Vista have been creating quite a stir on their local scene as well as in the electronica world of music.  The duo recently supported Dyko which features ex Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flur, and have also played alongside a number of other German electro outfits where there is a huge scene. 

www.myspace.com/1vista

 

Welcome to the Ghoul Show

Horror rock icons Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper to share stage for the gruesome twosome tour.

APRIL

26  Winnipeg, MB  MTS Centre

27  Saskatoon, SK  Credit Union

28  Edmonton, AB  Rexall Place

29  Calgary, AB  Corral

MAY

1  Vancouver, BC  Pacific Coliseum

2  Kennewick, WA  Toyota Center

4  Casper, WY  Casper Events Center

 

Sans convention - Kapadnoms (Rosny sous Bois et Paris, France) Another track from their excellent 5 track "petit maxi avec 5 titres extraits du prochain album" Mis en Bouche on Jamendo Les kapadnoms developpent le concept de musique en patchwork liant l electro swing au hiphop en passant par des chansons a texte plus intimes ,le tout releve d'une plume hiphop engagee,parfois enragee...la pluspart des enregistrements sont fait en autoproduction dans un homestudio et sont composees et arrangees par informatique, les musiciens travaillent les adaptations pour les lives...

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/kapadnoms

 

One of those people - Neil Innes (Suffolk, UK)

A fine pedigree: The Bonzos, The Ruttles, Monty Python, Grimms, touring the world and now Brandeston Village Hall (Kidding, just a warm-up date).

Do check Neil's site and MySpace - there are some classic videos on the MySpace.

UK Dates

19 March ROPETACKLE ARTS CENTRE, Shoreham by Sea West Sussex

20 March THE TOWER ARTS CENTRE, Romsey Road, Winchester

28 March THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow

US Tour

April 11 Ocean County Library Toms River NJ

April 13 The Turning Point - Piermont,NY April 14 Night Cat - Easton, MD

April 15 Jammin' Java - Vienna, VA (Wash. DC area)

April 16 Record Collector Bordentown, NJ

April 17 Tin Angel Philadelphia, PA

April 18 Iron Horse Northampton, MA

April 20 BB King's New York, NY

April 21 The Lovin' Cup Rochester, NY

April 22 Hugh's Room Toronto, ON

April 23 This Ain’t Hollywood Hamilton, Ontario

April 25 The Doug Fir Portland Oregon

April 26 The Triple Door Seattle, WA

April 28 Cobbs, San Francisco CA

April 30 McCabe’s Guitar Shop Santa Monica, CA

May 1 Acoustic Music San Diego, CA

May 2 Skye Peoria, AZ (Phoenix)

www.neilinnes.org

www.myspace.com/egowarriors

 

I was never bored at all - Francis (Dalarna, Dalarnas län, Sweden)

The current single.

The area of Dalarna in Sweden have one of Europe's least hours of sun and it is dark and cloudy most days of the year. That affects people in many ways. Ways that need an outlet. So a couple of childhood friends found an abandoned cellar which contained an old piano, some other instruments and that particular outlet. After having lent a broken recording equipment the song "Bad to the Bone" was born and recorded at the same time. The tasmanian devil of Francis was given birth. Later the song was released as a single by the Swedish label Gravitation. Since then, the circus of Francis has taken place in everything from churches, living-rooms and festivals to illegal clubs and amusement parks. A self-titled EP has been recorded and will now be followed by the bands debut album, early 2010.

24 Feb 2010    Agaton w/ Good Morning June    Uppsala

25 Feb 2010    20:00 Sugar Bar w/ Good Morning June    Stockholm

10 Mar 2010    20:00 Canadian Music Fest (cancelled)    Toronto, Ontario

17 Mar 2010    20:00 SXSW    Austin, Texas

18 Mar 2010    20:00 SXSW    Austin, Texas

19 Mar 2010    20:00 SXSW    Austin, Texas

20 Mar 2010    20:00 SXSW    Austin, Texas

21 Mar 2010    20:00 SXSW    Austin, Texas

22 Mar 2010    20:00 House Of Sweden    Washington, Washington DC

www.myspace.com/francisishere

www.francisishere.com/

 

Music this week from France, Australia, Germany, The USA and Canada. Perhaps a rather louder show than normal but none the worse for that I hope!

The snow has gone … again ... and the snowdrops are making a brave show of it.

Owen Noone & Marauder - Deskaya (Feurs, France )

From their new album on Jamendo Le Printemps Est Là.

"October of the year 2003 was one morning, six sailors and a fish stew decided to release the mooring ropes and to leave while singing. The construction of the ship was difficult: several unfruitful splashings, some attacks of duck battalions missed little discouraging the crew. But one year later, thin but proud raft, baptized Deskaya, took the broad one."

My thanks to Gaspard from the band for alerting me to the new album.

www.jamendo.com/en/artist/deskayarockband

http://deskaya.fr/

www.myspace.com/deskaya 

 

Django - Nina Vox (Sydney, Australia)

Born in Moravia, Nina was raised in a happy family, who taught her how to love life and always find joy in the World. It was a country town where her Grandmother made buttons from Mother of Pearl and grew vegetables for the local community…an idyllic life.

Then Russia invaded Czechoslovakia. Nina’s Grandmother harbored fugitive Gypsies, who taught Nina their songs and stories and all the while Nina yearned to travel and to sense freedom as they had before the Russian invasion. Nina grew in song and helped her Gypsy friends by singing for the soldiers to distract them while her friends escaped into the forest.

One day Nina and her parents said goodbye to her Grandmother and fled with other Moravians to the Austrian border. Tragically she was separated from her parents. Desperate to know what to do, Nina was swept up and saved by some gypsies who recognized her. Together they ventured south to Venice where Nina was able to stow away on an Ocean Liner, which took her to Greece, France, Spain, USA, South America and eventually to Australia (where she now resides). It was on the cruise ship that she learned all the jazz standards listening to the ship’s resident band, from her lifeboat home.

Just listen to Tony King's guitar.

www.ninavox.com/

www.myspace.com/ninavox

 

Minimalistic (tommiGO mix) - SirGed (Munich, Germany)

From the Geddidmuss album. 

Geddismuss is a Project instigated by the Munich-based Great British Artist "SIR GED” in the late Summer (Sept;) of 2005. SIR GED who together with "Mr TO-NAAL” , and "Mr BLAB” and a unique collection of like minded arteests, musiko..s and technophiles, have developed a Unique Sound & a New Dancefloor Explosion is Presently taking place. Incorporating elements of "RAGGA”, "FUNK”, "REGGAE”, "ROCK”, & "TECHNO” And also by combining a great deal of "FUN”, "HUMOUR”, & "WIERDNESS” into their musik, They have managed to Develop an Individual Sound that has been sweeping the Dancefloors of GERMANY, and BAVARIA! for the last few Months.

YouTube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCix8DppSeE

Download from: www.junodownload.com/ppps/products/1537045-02.htm or www.musicload.de/sir-ged/minimalistic/musik/maxi/6750455_2

www.myspace.com/geddismuss

 

Blue Lighters - Red Pens (Minneapolis, USA)

Seeing the Minneapolis duo, Red Pens, is like witnessing a demonstration, a demonstration in raw sonic bliss. Howard Hamilton III is a string-bending master who knows how to make feedback work to his advantage. His confident vocal stylings, coupled with drummer Laura Bennett's all or nothing kit pounding, are about as uniquely refreshing as it gets these days. The stage is littered with junk shop amps and guitars Hamilton seems to almost get tangled up in while he and Bennett exchange doses of laser beam eye contact revealing a seemingly deeper connection between the two of them than your average indie rock outfit.

Hamilton and Bennett met in the arena of visual arts and started Red Pens as a way to express their deep love for rock and roll. Howard's old project, The Busy Signals, toured with The Shins and its beat and loop based jams proved to be an underdog favorite in the early 2000’s. Laura is well known as a painter, but is best known for her painting on guitar effects boxes. She even has her own signature fuzz pedal, not bad for a drummer.

Their debut album Reasons on Grain Belt Records is a mid-fi bonanza of fuzzy reverb drenched art rock. The wiggly winding guitars, slap back vocals and killer backbeats are sure to give you that silly grin you've been starving for.

www.myspace.com/redpensband

 

No Heaven - DJ Champion (Montreal, Canada)

No one could accuse Maxime Morin of modesty. The nameplate he’s affixed to his mighty electro rock Voltron - DJ Champion - doesn’t exactly reek of humility. But that kind of bluster passes the smell test when “electro rock” can mean everything from thumping spaghetti-western to ethereal house in the same damn song (See: “No Heaven”, which features acclaimed chanteuses Betty Bonifassi of Beast on vocals). On No Heaven Borderlands, the Montreal-based Morin’s stateside debut (and his fifth release overall), DJ Champion takes the unchecked zeal of his Juno-nominated (equivalent to the Grammys… but Canadian) Chill ‘Em All to the max with a series of remixes and re-interpretations. 

www.myspace.com/djchampion

 www.djchampion.net

 

Justin Wayne - the promoter!

Justin is working with Jade's House Events to put on a night in Enfield (N London) at the Bar Form this Friday. Starts about 9pm, and it's right outside the Enfield Town BR station (or an 8 minute bus ride via the 121 or 307 from Oakwood Station off the Piccadilly underground line).

The band Those Handsome Animals will be playing. Once called The Retro Crooks, they split and reformed to create the current band. Tom, the lead singer is on my show this week to chat about the gig.

http://thejustinwayneshow.com

 

7th Sea Dub in Twilight - Ras Amerlock meets Professor Balthazar (Milwaukee, WI, USA)

Whether performing with The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as a classical solo violinist in his youth, or a Roots Reggae Dub Entertainer, opening for acts such as Burning Spear; Ras lives to perform and give JAH the glory for all that is, in this life. Ras Amerlock's Music is a reflection in sound of the Rastafarian way of life he as a Rasta in USA embraces. His current releases are heavy "old school" style dubs aiming to reflect a variety of techniques within the realm of Dubstyle sound.

This recording is on the LCL netlabel download it at www.lclweb.org/audio_lp_lcl20.htm

www.myspace.com/rasamerlockstatemonrasta

 

Bottom of the river - Adam Arcuragi (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

On his second full-length, Arcuragi expands on the dark, sparse style of his preceding 2006 untitled album and 2008 EP, Soldiers for Feet.

The backing vocals on I Am Become Joy invoke the feeling of a ramshackle choir almost as if each song was tracked in a different church across the wide swath of Route 80 that cuts from southern Georgia to Mississippi. There is also a rotating cast of instrumentation layered with pedal steel, dulcimer, accordion, trumpets, and even a singing saw, each song has a unique arrangement to compliment Arcuragi on vocals and guitar. I Am Become Joy shows the full width of Arcuragi's brilliant songwriting style in a manner befitting a man who proudly made up what he lovingly refers to as his “own phoney baloney fake religion.”

The album art for I Am Become Joy (which exists in three different versions for CD, vinyl, and digital download) was done by illustrator Peter Wonsowski, who also contributes his musical talent to the recordings, playing singing saw and accordion.

www.myspace.com/adamarcuragi

www.adamarcuragi.com

 

 

A largely NYCentric show this week, purely by chance, I promise.

Yet another bout of cold weather and snow is sweeping across Suffolk again this week. Nothing like that being seen in Washington DC but unusual for us.

 

Messin' with the Kid - Sugar Blue (New York, NY, USA)

Sugar Blue grew up listening to jazz - particularly Lester Young and Dexter Gordon - and soon fell in love with Muddy Waters and the blues greats. 

He incorporates what he has learned into his visionary and singular style, technically dazzling yet wholly soulful. Along with his instrumental virtuosity he’s got a rich, intense sensual voice with a whisper of huskiness which by itself would be something out of the ordinary.

The track is from his new album Threshold, released in January. “We have chosen the title Threshold because the tunes open new musical territory for us,” says bluesman Sugar Blue of his new album, which came out January 26, 2010 on Beeble Music. The album follows the acclaimed 2007 album Code Blue, which hinted at a widening musical path. 

www.sugar-blue.com

www.cdbaby.com/Artist/SugarBlue

 

Closer - Shayna Zaid and The Catch (New York, NY, USA)

Blending elements of folk, jazz, indie pop and cabaret, Shayna Zaid's melodically inclined lyrical work leaves traces of solace, reflection and affection. The combination of Zaid's dynamic stage presence, her powerful smoky voice and her playful jazzy swagger lends an enchanting display.

www.shaynazaid.com/

www.myspace.com/shaynazaid

There is another Shayna Zaid track on Insomnia Radio New York with Sarah Morrison at http://insomniaradio.net/category/ir-regional/ir-new-york/

 

Virgin - Elizabeth Blair (London / Chicago)

The 100% home-grown album County of Origin -- recorded/mixed/mastered by her throughout this year -- features Michael Tracht on cello and a few guest appearances by musician Ryan Gunzel. It is a pay what you can release so, please be generous and let's keep this music happening.

www.elisabethblair.net

 

Paranoid Android - Lachi (New York, NY, USA)

This songstress has a rock, jazz and alternative sound that many music lovers surely can vibe to.

Lachi also works hard around the clock to promote and further the careers of other blind musicians in the New York City area.

www.ulachi.com

www.myspace.com/lachimusic

www.cdbaby.com/lachi2

 

Suckers and marks - Jack O the Clock (Oakland, California, USA)

Jack O' The Clock is a 5-piece art-folk band out of Oakland, California, whose sound has been described as a jangly mix of junk-shop scouring and concert-hall agility. The band crafts its songs with careful attention to lyrics, melody, and orchestration.

Their line-up reads like they sound … interesting.

Jordan Glenn: drums, percussion, accordion

Jason Hoopes: basses, voice, music box

Kate McLoughlin: bassoon, voice, flute, recorder, percussion, trombone

Emily Packard: 5 string and baritone violins, banjo, psaltery, musical saw

Damon Waitkus: voice, guitar, hammer dulcimer, banjo, piano, flute, ukelin, odds 'n ends, production

http://jackotheclock.com/

www.cdbaby.com/cd/jackotheclock

 

Mastrom, Mastrom - Khi Darag (San Francisco, CA, USA)

Inspired by Persian classical, late 60's acid garage psychedelia and surf mayhem, traditional Armenian and Jewish dances, Cambodian street music, 70'S "Prog" and Gothic art rock along with a fistful of Bollywood and European soundtracks, SF Bay Area based ensemble KHI DARAG walks a thin line between the modern and archaic.

"khidarag" (ki-dah-rahg), pronounced with a clearing-of-the-throat sound at the beginning, roughly translates from Armenian to mean "disgraceful scoundrel" or "person of unpredictable or outlandish nature." The group has embraced this as their namesake and mission.

www.myspace.com/khidarag

www.cdbaby.com/cd/KhiDarag

 

Babylon - La Olla Express (Spain) Jamendo

LA OLLA EXPRESS nos presenta su primer larga duración: PANIC, una colección de canciones donde se entremezcla ROCK, PUNK, REGGAE, SKA...  una fusión de colores enérgicos y letras comprometidas. Con el espíritu del "Do it yourself" el grupo nos regala su fusión de sonidos, jugueteando con la electrónica, el reggae, el punk... siendo en directo donde mejor se comprueba la herencia de grupos como The Clash o Mano Negra.

El disco, producido por el propio grupo junto a Carlos Suay y Dani Sáiz, se grabó a finales del 2008 en los Estudios Sacramento de Alicante y se está presentando en Directo a lo largo y ancho de España... el próximo objetivo: invadir Europa!!!!

Fieles a sus principios de libertad, el disco se edita con licencia Creative Commons, para que todo el mundo pueda disfrutar de este sonido fresco y embriagador.

Recommended by Lebosqui on Jamendo to whom sincere thanks.

www.myspace.com/laolla

 

As quirky a collections as you'd want to hear this week from: California, Israel Switzerland, UK, Germany, Jamaica and Canada.

The ice was forming early this afternoon on the pond (right), much to the irritation of the ducks.

 

Best time to say goodbye - The New Fidelity (Long Beach, CA)

The New Fidelity takes the stage in sharp suits to play well-tailored songs that capture moments of everyday life.

The New Fi made its first movie appearance in a dance club scene in the independent film We Are The Mods that debuted at the Director’s Guild of America Theater in Hollywood last summer ‘09. More performances on the silver screen are planned for 2009 and beyond, including music to Vespa scooter chase scene in an independent film featuring Henry Winkler to be released on The Independent Film Channel.

The Los Angeles area band performs regularly at clubs festivals and scooter rallies up and down the west coast from Vancouver to Vegas to San Diego, where they seamlessly mix their original songs with covers of mod and soul classics.

www.newfidelity.com

www.myspace.com/thenewfidelity

 

Parallel Me - The Quiet Revolution (Rehovot, Israel)

TQR (The Quiet Revolution) is an internet project that features talented singer/songwriters singing songs written and composed by Tal More, a 31 year-old Israeli songwriter.

So why a revolution and why a quiet one? According to Tal: “TQR attempts to focus on the things I believe music should be about- original lyrics, strong melody & sincere delivery. Production is kept at a bare minimum as I feel it tends to steal focus from the more important aspects of music and sometimes disguises uninspired substance. My approach to music is largely inspired by Elliott Smith’s low-fi recordings, which I consider a sort of musical bible that demonstrates how meaningful & truthful music should sound.

If you liked the tune get over to their myspace and enjoy the lovely animated video of the song.

www.myspace.com/tqrmusic

 

Time to dance - Self Made Man (Switzerland?)

Self Made Man appears to be the nom de plume of Reto Battaglia. The track was recommended to me by Andy Fidler.

Check out free.superhits at  http://free.superhits.ch

Self Made Man simply has a page or two at: 

www.music.1to1-success.com/index.html

 

Der lurch - Arschepopeng (Archen, Germany)

Arschpopeng is a band from the German city Aachen. We play mainly during the local "Karneval". Our songs are happy music songs and all the band members are close friends. We do not take our music too serious.

You can catch them in Archen:

Do., 11. Februar, 12:30 Uhr: Aachener Marktbühne

Do., 11. Februar, ab 14:50 Uhr: Penn-Zelt auf dem Katschhof

Fr., 12. Februar, 22:00 Uhr: Cafe-Madrid „Viva Pontonia“

Sa., 13. Februar, 20:00 Uhr (Einlass): Pengball, Bar Museo

Mo., 15. Februar, ab 13:30 Uhr: Wie immer an der Jakobstraße 

www.arschpopeng.de/

 

Mid AIr - Naama Hillman (London, UK)

Naama got in touch again to let me know about her new album which is now available both digitally and on CD.

Naama will be giving a live webcast in Sunday Feb 21 at 7pm GMT which is 8 pm CET, 2pm EST and 11am PST find out more about the music and the webcast at

www.naamahillman.com

 

Makisupa Policeman - Rootz Underground (Kingston, Jamaica)

From the album Dub Like An Antelope - Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish.

Recorded at Grafton Studios (Kingston. Jamaica) by Jomo McComo

When the great legends of reggae inject their hypnotic drums and infectious bass-lines into these "jammin" renditions of Phish's most beloved songs, the result is an uplifting and groove oriented album that will have e a dramatic effect on "4:20 Sessions" for generations to come.

Rising reggae stars Rootz Underground sound like they have a great time bashing “babylon” on Makisupa Policeman.

www.myspace.com/rootzunderground

Rootz Underground "Makisupa Policeman" (mp3) from "Dub Like An Antelope - Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish" (Red Hillz Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

Back Pocket - My Son The Hurricane (Ontario, Canada) 

With their roots deeply planted in the big brass sounds of New Orleans, and an indie spirit that refuses to be pigeonholed or defined, Ontario’s My Son The Hurricane is ready to hit the road with their own original 11-piece take on brass, and a debut album that will blow away your pre-conceived notions of the genre.  Combining catchy horn lines and a thumping, driving bass with uniquely phrased, hip-hop inspired vocals that drive the album, My Son The Hurricane will appeal to Hip-Hop and Indie fans alike, while paying homage to the big brass bands that came before them.

www.myspace.com/mysonthehurricane

 

Don't stop - Patrick and Eugene (London, UK)

Another track from the excellent Patrick and Eugene.

Altogether Now (Birds Bees Flowers Trees) is the U.S. debut release from the UK’s Patrick & Eugene. The album was produced by band member Patrick Dawes.  It’s being released by the Tummy Touch Music Group.

The Patrick & Eugene sound is comprised of banjos, ukuleles and sunshine pop vocals combined with whistles, bells and bongos to produce unique but accessible music for post-modern vaudevillians, with nods to Monty Python, Derek & Clive and even Woody Allen. Try to imagine Noel Coward on stage with the Duke Ellington Band at the Monterey Pop Festival and you’re getting close … or on a substance which is probably illegal in most states.

www.myspace.com/patrickandeugene

 

 

 

Fine music for you again this week from London, San Francisco, New York, Hungary, Washington, New Jersey, Wales and Maryland.

I had misplaced the picture of the SnC 200 cake which was waiting over in the house after the show a couple of weeks ago. Ah well, better late then never.

Libsyn have introduced a new shownotes/blog system which seems, from the look of these notes, to have some very generous paragraph spacing. What do you think - too much scrolling or room to breathe?

Looking down the well - The Mustangs (London, UK)

With their current album Nothing Stays The Same featured in Blues In Britain magazine as one of its 20 recommended albums of the year, and now firmly established as one of the hardest-working and most charismatic bands in British blues, 2010 promises to be another productive and rewarding year for The Mustangs. 

Since forming in 2001, the band immediately started gaining rave reviews in the Blues press and have gone on to headline stages all over the UK, from the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival to the legendary Hackney Empire.  âAs with every touring band, there has been a number of stories to write home about including sharing a hotel with a Goth Belly Dancing convention and having a show nearly sabotaged by a service station sausage roll…..âDates across the UK have recently been confirmed details of which can be found on the band’s website.

www.themustangs.co.uk

www.myspace.com/themustangsblues

 

I Want What's Bad For Me - CIty Light (San Francisco, USA)

Formed in 2006 by Seattle singer-songwriter Matt Shaw and Bay area producer Nick Andre (Gift of Gab, Lateef, Bicasso), City Light is a collaborative effort between artists from across the country with a variety of histories and influences. Musician and producer Denver Daley (Desaparecidos, Statistics, Intramural), Seattle’s Andy Fitts (Airport Cathedral Aqueduct) and Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday) joined the group in the years since the debut release, resulting in a project that sounds surprisingly rooted, but uniquely informed.

www.myspace.com/citylightproject

 

Mi Salsa Vocal - Jimmy Fontanez (Albany, NY, USA)

What do you get when you combine a mastery in composition, percussion, vocal manipulation and audio engineering? A one man a cappella experience, you'll never forget! Multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Fontanez, an NYC native, is currently a member of Alex Torres y Su Orchestra. He has been playing percussion since the age of 5, and today plays congas, bongos, timbales, drums, keyboards and also does much vocal work. He has traveled to Russia and the Dominican Republic via Project Troubadour. He also had the honor of sharing the stage with the infamous Tito Puente and Andy Montañez, a well-known salsa vocalist who acclaimed Jimmy’s vocal prowess. Apart from Alex Torres’s Orchestra, Jimmy is often featured with NYC latin band, Los Ciegos Del Barrio, and pop/rock singer/songwriter Lachi.

www.sonicbids.com/jimmyfontanez

www.myspace.com/jimmyfontanez

 

Blessinger Bareness (soundtrack version) - Hollandris (Hungary)

All in Hungarian - I think. What we need is a friend of the show to check out what these eastern European bands are about! It came from the excellent Soundpilll net label. www.myspace.com/hollandris www.soundpill.org/?page=31&id=2⟨=2

 

Black Raven - Cee Cee James (Langley, Washington, USA)

Cee Cee James has a voice made for the blues – deep, raspy and full of soulful emotion. Described on her MySpace site as "Whiskey-drenched roadhouse blues". Her voice and feeling for the blues have brought her scores of fans through her intense live performances, and is now captured on CD for the first time. Featuring 11 original tracks, Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl brings together a tight, well-rehearsed band with a strong, solid voice that is sure to blow you away.

Cee Cee James

"Black Raven" (mp3) from "Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl" (Blue Skunk Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

www.ceeceejames.com/

www.myspace.com/ceeceejames

 

Leaving you behind - Rambin Dawgs (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) MusicSubmit

Previously features on the show back on 160 and 169. The Ramblin Dawgs formed in late 2007, making waves throughout the music community with energetic rock driven modern blues performances. Currently driven by Carlos “C-Dawg” DC’s soulful vocals and guitar playing, Raul DC’s thunderous drumming, Charlie Saraeceno's screaming Hammond organ, and Jonas Landau’s rock solid grooves on bass, the Ramblin Dawgs enjoyed great success with their debut EP, "Rockin Blues" released in January 2009. The Ramblin Dawgs new 11 song CD "Shoot Em Up" is now available through Dawg Pound Records. The CD features 10 originals and the band's up beat rendition of BB King's "The Thrill is Gone" that is sure to please traditional blues as well as modern rock and Album Oriented Rock fans.

www.ramblindawgs.com

www.myspace.com/ramblindawgs

 

The sea is a good place to think of the future - Los Campesinos! (Cardiff, UK)

The high energy adolescent explosion that is Los Campesinos! returns with their second full length album. The recording itself is masterfully put together to create a wild yet harmoniously arranged flare of color, energy and emotion. A more brooding introspective and almost poetic feel on this track although other offerings on the new album Romance is Boring are more typical of the high energy spittingly poppy Los Camps we know and love. The album was released just yesterday on Arts and Crafts.

On this coming Sunday, January 31st we will be playing a FREE instore at Rough Trade East, Brick Lane, to celebrate the release of Romance Is Boring.

HERE’S THE DEAL: Rough Trade will be selling CD and LP copies of the album on the day; the day before the album’s UK release. You can guarantee a wristband (and therefore entry to the show) by purchasing a copy of said record from the store earlier on in the day. We won’t start playing until the Manchester United v Arsenal match is finished, so you don’t need to worry about missing the end of that, incase you would have been.

Los Campesinos!

"The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future" (mp3) from "Romance Is Boring" (Arts & Crafts) More On This Album http://loscampesinos.com/

 

Just for you - Can't Hang (Baltimore, Maryland, USA)

Can’t Hang has “It”- the indescribable quality that draws people in. “It” could be the tight rhythm section, the booming bass, the unique punky-dub guitars, or the reggae infused songs, with their smooth vocals and catchy melodies. They can turn any crowd of boring sitters into dancing fans.

Show coming up next week Feb 6th at The Stone Pony - Bob’s Birthday, 918 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, New Jersey

www.canthang.com

www.myspace.com/canthang

Join me next week for more great new music - blimey, Suffolk 'n' Cool will be four years old!

Some gutsy tunes this week from Montreal, Ireland, UK, Timbuktu, Sweden, Madrid, Nassau and the East Village in NYC. What? Nothing from Brooklyn!
No time to take a picture today, but I was reminded, in a conversation with www.PeteCogle.com that it is a while since we've partaken of a pint or two together - I think this one from last year sums the feeling up pretty well.
Since you ask, yes, it is Adnams â and it is in Southwold, not a hundred yards from the brewery.

Mr Hurricane - Beast (Montreal, Canada)
Montreal-based Beast began as something of an experiment. Drummer/composer Jean-Phi Goncalves, leader of his own cutting edge electro band Plaster and also an established platinum level producer, asked acclaimed chanteuse Betty Bonifassi to lay down vocals on a work-in-progress track. Something clicked during that first recording session, and Beast was born.
Musician and songwriter Simon Wilcox worked with Betty (whose first language is French) to polish her English lyrics, while maintaining the structure and strong imagery Betty had infused them with. Betty spits the resulting fiery stanzas with a delivery that melds the spirit of rap and slam poetry with bellowing soul. The recording of Devil marked her first foray into rapping and the words, she says, "came out in a rage flow."
Jean-Phi ventured into unknown territory during the making of the album as well. "It was the first time I ever had a mic in front of my face," he says. His vocal tracks were recorded with the intention of having someone else replace them later, but Betty pushed for them to stay. "I love the difference of texture," she says.
The entire process spanned two years.  
www.myspace.com/beastsound

Beast - Mr. Hurricane

BEAST | MySpace Music Videos

Long Goodbyes - I am not left-handed (London, UK - but mostly Irish)
I played a track from their instrumental album Time to leave last week. Now time to unveil the fabulous voice of Kathryn Williams.
"We don't play pop music, we don't write music for art's sake, we don't represent any movements, we're not hip, we're not cutting edge, we don't dress to be cool. We manage ourselves, we write our own songs, we do our own recordings, we shoot our own videos, we design our own covers, we run our own website. We're not generally negative people.  Oh yes, and we're not lefthanded."
An absolutely flawless, touching, rich chocolate sauce voice over simple, but yearning guitar, bass & drums can be heard on Yes Means No: 6 & 1/6th songs that don't always give a straight answer. No battling elements, just a smooth natural flow.
www.iamnotlefthanded.com
âwww.myspace.com/iamnotlefthandedeither
www.jamendo.com/en/artist/I_Am_Not_Lefthanded

Naafigi - Justin Adams, Juldeh Camara (UK)
From the album Soul Science on World Village.
Justin Adams co-wrote The Robert Plant album Mighty Rearranger released in 2005 to rave reviews. He has played guitar with Robert's band the Strange Sensation around the world, gaining an awesome live reputation.
Soul Science is the result of a meeting of two worlds, an Afro-Blues shakedown. After a few years of collaborations with Robert Plant and Tinariwen, Juldeh's sound seemed like a perfect match for Justin's guitar and production. An African Master Musician who played in the fields for farmers as a child, Juldeh has the drive and effortless flow of a great Bluesman. And while his instrument brings to mind Delta players like Big Joe Williams, as well as Ali Farka, there is a lilt in his playing that hints at the ancient links between North Africa and the Celtic World.
Soul Science is far from a purist piece, it has gritty rock and groove throughout. It uses the ancient Soul Sciences of scale and Rhythm to create a 21st Century Afro Blues.
www.myspace.com/justinadamsproducer
www.irl.org.uk/justinadams.htm

Justin Adams, Juldeh Camara
"Naafigi" (mp3)
from "Soul Science"
(IRL)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album


Scarecrow Blues - Blind John Gunn (Timbuktu, Mali, Africa)
"Blind John O'Gunn is a 19 year old boy I met when I travelled to Mali.
I found this young boy playing guitar and singing near the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, so I went and talked to him.
Apparently he learned english by guiding tourists around the city, and one day he found a mp3 player with a john lee hooker album, and ever since then, it's the only music he listens to.
In his announcement card he says he accepts donations in either cash or batteries.
So I sat down with him, put my mp3 player in record mode and improvised some solos over his guitar playing, singing and stomping!
So this is little John's only recording so far.
There are a few more songs that will be published soon, and more when I visit him again."
www.jamendo.com/en/album/52635

Butley Priory songwriters' retreat
1st - 5th February 2010
Songwriters and wannabe songwriters of all standards and genres who would like to spend a few days away from the usual demands of life and take time to focus on their music in beautiful countryside surroundings will be welcome.
The team Kate, Kay and Frances will be there to encourage, enable and support, and there will be talks from at least one visiting guest during the course. A BOSE PA system, sound engineer, pianos and keyboards, plenty of rehearsal space will be provided; wholesome food, log fires, time to walk on the beach or in the woods, goose down duvets and owls hooting at night are all thrown in!
If you are interested please contact us as soon as possible as residential places are limited. Alternatively join us for the day for Â45 inclusive of food.
Phone: +44 (0)1394 450046
website: www.butleypriory.co.uk

High and Low - Sambassadeur (Sweden)
The band's second album Migration not only gave them a more glittery sound than they had enjoyed before, it helped them gain further success around the world and brought them on tour in countries like Spain, the UK, Austria, Germany and Denmark. Offers for shows kept coming in but due to the severe flying anxiety of guitarist Joachim LÃckberg most of them had to be turned down which gave the band a certain secret stars status.
Their third, European has taken almost two years to finish and they've once again employed the talents of Mattias GlavÃ. According to the band he did very little. He merely lay on the sofa and cursed how badly they played their instruments and continued to bring in more and more musicians. A string quartet, three drummers, a saxophone player, clarinet, the list goes on... On European they've finally accomplished to make the grand, classic and orchestrated album they've always wanted to.
www.sambassadeur.com/
www.myspace.com/sambassadeurtheband

Prelude to Common Sense - Hypnostate (Madrid, Spain)
The opening track of their album Curious State of Harmony.â Madrid band Hypnostate formed in 2003 in the district of La Fortuna in LeganÃs. Its four Members: Alex (bass) Leo (vocals, guitar) David (guitar) and Sergio (drums) will soon begin to take matters into their own until the summer of 2006 and after a long list of concert halls of Madrid, they recorded a two songs demo, Aloe Vera and Desperate way to madness.â In the course of 1 year between 2007 and 2008 the group gives a quantum leap recording the demo, Curious State of Harmony, featuring 11 tracks, and playing in venues such as Ritmo y CompÃs, Heineken, Heaven (Santander) and give their first concert outside the Spanish borders in Portugal.âIn early 2009 Hypnostate recruits a new band member, Roberto Vivancos "Robe" to the guitar. He's is bringing band progression's new ideas. âIn May 2009 Hypnostate presents its first album of the same name as the model with 16 songs inlcuding a DVD with its first two video clips, 27 and My dear contempt.â Currently gigging around, Hypnostate continues throughout the country.
www.hypnostate.com
www.jamendo.com/fr/artist/Hypnostate

I agree - Savage Bull (Nassau, Bahamas)
Ray Ewing in Nassau keeps in touch and occasionally sends a tune or two our way. You may remember the excellent Badness out of Style by Peter Runks back on show 164.
There is a live Buffboo show coming up in February but the link for details isn't working right now.
www.myspace.com/buffboomusic

Bad City - SAADI (East Village, NYC, USA)
Songwriter Boshra AlSaadi was born in a tiny village in Damascus, Syria before relocating and growing up in a rainy suburb of Pittsburgh. At the tender age of 17 she moved to NYC's East Village where she has resided and created music ever since. Having developed her New York roots with Serious Business band, Looker, SAADI has come into her own with the upcoming 12"/EP titled Bad City. Due for release in March 2010. Prepare to dance.
Leading up to the release of the Bad City 12", SAADI took over Pianos (NYC) on Sunday and will be doing so on both remaining Sundays in January - 24th, 31st. If you're really into comedy and ladyporn (meaning porn for ladies, not porn of ladies), the 17th is a must-see joint event with Kong Magazine. In the meantime, enjoy 12 inches of white vinyl (digitally, of course) from SAADI.
www.myspace.com/saadinyc