are we recording?

Look At What The Light Did Now

2005-11-01T12:42:00.000Z

MP3:'Look At What The Light Did Now' by Little Wings

Just been recommended Little Wings by some close friends. This seems to be somewhere between Iron and Wine, Herman Dune and The Radar Bros. As far as I can find out, Kyle likes to draw. He also likes to write lovely little tunes that float away on those little wings of his. The K records website is worth a wander around and has some great MP3s.

AmAnSet set free to roam on Morr

2005-09-26T08:52:00.000+01:00

MP3:'Immaculate Heart' by The American Analog Set

Having just signed to the brilliant Morr Music, home of the likes of ISAN, Lali Puna and Tarwater, The American Analog Set have just released 'Set Free' which to my ears is their most varied and accomplished to date.

With Andrew Kenny putting in some great vocal preformances ('She's Half' finds him singing like Georgia from Yo La Tengo - not a bad thing!) and a cover of 'JR' by Codiene to boot. Not stopped listening to this album for 3 days, so I think I can safely say that it is a great record and whoever reads my blog (if anyone) should buy it (or at least check out the MP3s on their site!

drawn and quarterly

2005-08-18T10:18:00.000+01:00

Drawn and Quarterly publish grahic novels by two of my favourite garphic artists. Adrian Tomine whose fantastic Optic Nerve is just so beautifully drawn and Seth, whose portraits of characters from the 1920's are truly great. Just a quick post to say 'CHECK OUT THE DRAWN AND QUARTERLY SITE (link above!)

how come all the other unicorns are dead?

2005-08-18T09:41:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Ghost Mountain' The Unicorns

There is something very infectious about The Unicorns album 'Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?'. Highly recommended for those who like anything in the realms of early Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse and any of the elephant6 stuff!

like an old 78 vinyl...

2005-08-12T12:05:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Looking through the facets of a plastic jewel' Bibio

Another artist on the CD given to me by Big Lucas, Bibio has made an album 'Fi' of found sound, laptop tinkerings and some lovely guitar playing. This album has bags of atmosphere and sonic subtleties, one minute sounding like John Fahey playing into a glass (I know what I mean by that, not sure anyone else would) and the next sounding like an old 78 vinyl that keeps looping, scratched but being heard from a distant room in the house. Hmm, yeah thats the kind of thing. If I had an IPod, this is the kind of thing that would sountrack my coast path walks or drives to the waterfalls in Wales.

Search this out, please.

is it wrong to remind?

2005-08-03T11:57:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'The Perfect Map' Thee More Shallows

I just really like the drums on this track by Thee More Shallows. Reminds me of 18th Dye and Yo La Tengo with its whispered vocals and loud/quiet dynamics. I also love the crunchiness of the noisy guitar when it kicks in. Try it, you might like it!

Saturday Afternoon Plans

2005-08-02T10:00:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Saturday Afternoon Plans' I AM ROBOT AND PROUD

Pretty sure I have linked to this guy before but not since I have been doing this as an mp3 blog. This tune has made it on to so many mix cd's for my car stereo and for friends, with its summery/mouse-on-mars vibe. If you like this you may also like: Dntel, E*rock and Clue To Kalo.

It's all around you....

2005-08-01T16:35:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'It's All Around You' Tortoise

...it gets inside your head, and you find yourself humming days later and wondering what it is. Well I have always been a firm fan of Tortoise and their latest album is no expection. I have been hooked on their way of making instrumentals interesting for some time, since my best mate Paul bought me the first self-titled album. They, I guess, have got progressively less hardcore-influenced and more soundtrack/electronic. However, I like both side of this tortoise, so it suits me just fine.

oh, the glory....

2005-08-01T10:01:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Casimir Pulaski Day' Sufjan Stevens

Strangely I was put off listening to Sufjan Stevens when I first heard about him, I think mainly because I felt like I wasn't stumbling upon somthing great, more being told to like it (pretty hyped by the press etc). Anyhoo, now with a bit of distance and I guess finding the odd track online, I have got really into what I have heard by him. Have since bought Greeting from Michigan and yesterday 'Illinoise' from which this song comes from. No I can't get enough of the fella. This new album is on heavy rotation in my headphones at the moment. His mix of samba-influenced tracks and banjo-led ballads has my vote.

I think I first heard a track of the new album on a mix by pop77, which constantly seems to introduce me to new stuff. check his site out, it rocks. the mixes are always worth the effort to download.

scientific american

2005-07-07T11:18:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Drift In Place' Scientific American

Given a disc of mp3s by my bandmate lucas (not my son, the bigger James variety) with tracks by Bibio, Icarus, Gel and Scientific American. Really enjoying the above track in particular, with it Boards Of Canada vibe and Flaming Lips-esque vocals. one for a sunny day like today!

....and so on

2005-06-29T09:56:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Lipostudio...and so on' Matmos

take a microphone, a couple of free thinking electronic musicians and just about anything that you can make a noise from (this includes balloons, bibles, liposuction noises, etc) and you have yourself some pretty interesting sonics going on. Matmos make these sounds and create something that is just as routed in dance music as it is in exploring musical territories.

No suprise then that they have worked Bjork on her excellent Verspertine album, whose DVD Miniscule has some brilliant footage of Bjork and Matmos talking about their Opera House tour for that album.

had me do...a stroll with you

2005-06-24T10:17:00.000+01:00

MP3: 'Wierd Divide' The Shins

MP3: 'Girl Inform Me' The Shins

MP3: 'The Past and The Pending' The Shins

MP3: 'Pressed In A Book' The Shins

Ha ha, that picture is so funny!!!

So to celebrate my (possibly unhealthy) enjoyment of The Shins I thought I'd popst a link to some tracks from their first album 'Oh, Inverted World' (Sub Pop). The write the most sublime pop songs with a hint of country and a touch of pavement/modest mouse. 'New Slang' and 'Caring Is Creepy' appear on the Garden State soundtrack (see Feb 17th post).

My friend Paul and I went to see there first gig in London and we were just blown away. So, so if you aren't already wise to The Shins, you are now and you have a lot of singing loud in the car to look forward to!

clocks (not the coldplay kind)

2005-06-21T11:27:00.000+01:00

After reading an article in The Observer newspapers colour supplement on Sunday about the designer George Nelson, I decided to go online and look at some of his designs. I particularly like the Owl Clock, which would be ideal for my sons bedroom. The price tag is fairly high, so it may be that I can make one like it!

Reality Check

2005-06-16T12:05:00.000+01:00

SchneiderTM first came onto my radar via a free CD of tracks by artists on the City Slang label. I think the track was his excellent cover of The Smiths 'There is a light that will never go out', called 'The Light 3000'. Just checked out 3hive and noticed they had a link to this equally great track. Check out schneiderTM's official site for great videos, mp3s and loop sequencer game. much fun!

MP3: 'Reality Check' SchneiderTM

The Light Before We Land

2005-06-16T11:16:00.000+01:00

'The Delgados, influential figures in Glasgow's independent music scene for over 10 years, have announced that they are to amicably disband. The reason has been put down to the departure of their bass player Stewart Henderson who informed the band in the New Year that he did not wish to make another album. The Delgados have always been known as uniquely collaborative songwriters and as such, it was decided that the band could not continue without all of its original members.'

The above isn't particularlyt new news, but I thought I'd link to a track by The Delgados as they have probably been one of the most consistent and interesting of the many scottish bands I am into. I went to see them in Derby when they released 'Peleton' and the whole Chemikal Underground label had just started. Even back then they were a force to reckon with live and since then every album has been even better than its predecessor. Thats saying something these days! Anyway I am excited to hear what Emma and Alun come up with on their own projects, but in the meantime this track is just so HUGE !!! Enjoy

MP3: 'The Light Before We Land' The Delgados

living, breathing, etc

2005-06-15T14:15:00.000+01:00

audiodregs , it has to be said, knows where its at. the site and record artwork is spot on, the attitude behind it all (see info pages) seems to hit the point and on top of all that, they release some of the most exciting music I have heard in a while. I orinally found out about them through tomlab, who released the first album by The Books 'The Lemon Of Pink.

after a short while, I found myself emailing e*rock in person, discussing the purchase of his album, thumb magazine (feturing isan, mouse on mars, etc) and found him to be a truly nice guy. anyways, this track attached is the first track off his album, it is an infectious listen. check out the site, its like walking into a candy store!

MP3: 'living, breathing, etc' e*rock

please wake me for meals

2005-06-15T11:38:00.000+01:00

so, I am thinking that although I have enjoyed uploading a number of tracks at a time, that I dont seem to be doing it very often, however discovering new things online seems like a daily occurence. so I have decided to do a ONE-A-DAY upload (maybe once every two days if I am busy). I may do a couple today though as I have found a couple of great tunes.

Todays upload is by Barbara Morgenstern and Ropert Lippok who's album 'Tesri' (on monika enterprise) is just great. Have always been a fan of To Rococo Rot and had heard of Barbara Morgenstern, but not heard her stuff. The whole album is full of the kind of noises and glitchy beats that you would expect, but more than most electronic records, this has got a lot of warmth to it. some lovely piano improv and acoustic guitar playing too. It came highly recommended from my local record imporium and it comes higly recommended from me too now!

MP3: 'please wake me for meals' barbara morgenstern and ropert lippok

always on the outside, always lookin' in....

2005-05-20T10:44:00.000+01:00

how good is this new spoon record!!! bloody great thats what it is. Makes me want to call up all my friends that play instruments and make an almighty racket!

Here are a few songs that I have been listening to a whole lot recently.

All My Friends Are Dead - Hood

The Only One - The American Analog Set

I Really Should've Gone Out Last Night - Dirty Three

The Clock - The Go Betweens

With Arms Outstretched - Rilo Kiley

Crystal Frontier (Widescreen Version) - Calexico

Does anyone know anyone who likes Spoon, The Shins, Yo La Tengo and any of the bands I go on about here, and wants to collaborate on some recordings. I've got a good few songs, but I'm no vocalist and would like to do an EP of about 6 songs. Worth a mention I guess!

cream teas (sent by post)

2005-05-18T11:50:00.000+01:00

ha ha this made me laugh so much. only in cornwall!!

My First MP3 Mix

2005-05-18T10:26:00.000+01:00

’Baby C’mon’ Stephen Malkmus

’Nervous Tick Motion Of The Head’ Andrew Bird

Gravity’s Bringing Us Down’ Beulah

’Newborn’ Elbow

’King Of Carrot Flowers’ Neutral Milk Hotel

EverythingDisco’ Spoon

’The Perfect Map’ Thee More Shallows

Thanks to 3hive, *Sixeyes, MyOldKentuckyBlog, YouAintNoPicasso for the nod in the right direction for these tracks. I will do my own leg work next time!

no spoon yet

2005-05-18T09:24:00.000+01:00

man, everywhere seems to have sold out of GIMME FICTION by Spoon. Hmm, may have to have another look around for it later. It seems to be getting some pretty great reviews and if it's half as good as KILL THE MOONLIGHT, then my are we in for a treat!

instead, I bought the new teenage fanclub album 'Man-Made' which is more of the same sounds and great tunes, but it seems to hark back more to the glory days of Grand Prix to my ears. Bloomin' fantastic stuff.

also I bought 'Over Fly Over' by Kathryn Williams, which is seemingly more of a rockin' affair. and a bit more experimental in places as well, a lovely instrumental track and a bit more flair than the straight ahead acoustic numbers of the previous album (old low light). She is playing in Bristol on the bank holiday weekend, but darn it I am off to my cousins wedding and back home to see my folks. Grrr (in some ways and not in others).

There's a whole (mp3) world out there....

2005-05-18T09:15:00.000+01:00

Something that has majorly helped my slightly straining purse strings, are these great mp3blogs. Not sure how I stumbled accross them. Probably initially through 3hive or something, but there are three that seem to inspire each other and upload similar bands etc. These guys have good taste. It's great to hear new stuff that is maybe local to them. Also great to hear live bootlegs of bands like The Shins and James Mercer etc.

YouAintNoPicasso

MyOldKentuckyBlog

*Sixeyes

So great are these, that I may have to look into doing an MP3 blog of my very own. watch out, here I (maybe) come.

My big A.Newman book

2005-05-18T09:08:00.000+01:00

Oh my god, I ordered this book from america (by Phillip Brookman/Taschen) and despite it having taken an age to get here, it is probably the single best photography boook I have seen. Full of great angles, ideas and compositions. Really fresh stuff which is saying something as most of his great gritty portraits were taken in the late 1940's / early 1950's.

I think it is quite unlikely that I will ever be able to take photos as good as this guy, but it can't hurt having it there for inspiration and trying eh!

Arnold Newman images

Three of a (different) kind

2005-04-15T09:10:00.000+01:00

There are three records coming out in May that I need to buy. This should be perfectly timed for my trip to St Ives, Cornwall – plenty of tunes for the journey then. A bit of background on why I need to buy them:

Spoon – Gimme Fiction (Matador)
Having pretty much worn out my copy of Kill The Moonlight by Spoon (strange as I have only had it for a couple of weeks) I am eagerly awaiting some new work by these guys. Ever inventive and full of interesting studio work as well as really strong hummable songs.

Quasimoto – Further adventures of Lord Quas (Stones Throw)
Now, ‘the unseen’ was just bloody genius. It will take a hell of a record to top the helium voiced alter-ego of Madlib. Having heard an mp3 called ‘greenery’ has only hightened my need to hear this. Madvillian (by Madlib and MF Doom) has kept me contented in the meantime – and that is a great record, but quas is ready and so am I.

Teenage Fanclub – Man Made (PeMa)
Now I am always gonna buy the latest Teenage Fanclub record, due to them being the band that started my education into what people like to call ‘Indie’. But the latest record has been recorded by John McEntire of Tortoise and that should make for interesting studio work on top of their usual Californian-tinged summery pop. About the right time of the year for this one, just as the sun is coming out!

I also found out that ‘Remote Viewer’ have had an album out called ‘let your heart draw a line’ (with Nicola from Empress on vocals again) and it passed under my usually sharp radar. Must rectify this by buying it.

five records to know and love

2005-03-31T08:54:00.000+01:00

Tiger, my friend - Psapp

Tum - The Impossible Shapes

A summer she has never been, a winter she never fears - Theodore

Diarios De Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries OST) - Gustavo Santaolalla

Nashville - Josh Rouse

All so good its untrue. All very different, but all worth looking for and listening to!

funny little man...

2005-03-16T12:53:00.000Z

This post is mainly for Tom (see amatuer ramblings link). Just found this guys stuff on a link from trusty old pixelsurgeon. Started off enjoying the drawings, but I am really loving his sculptures! Bookmark this badboy!

Brendan Monroe

Alex Steinweiss artwork

2005-03-16T11:34:00.000Z

Got bought a great book on Alex Steinweiss’ Record Cover Design a couple of years ago for Christmas. Have just found some more of his work on-line. Great stuff. Really fresh looking to my eyes, great use of colour and shapes.

Alex Steinweiss

National Treasure....

2005-03-16T11:10:00.000Z

So, on a day that brought me two great new albums, Brendan Benson’s ‘Alternative To Love’ and The Frames’ ‘Burn The Maps’, I was completely bowled over by an album called ‘Alligator’ by The National. Found it for £5.99 in the sales/promo section of Replay records (Bristol). The other albums are great, but I bought The National on a bit of a whim and strangely I am even happier about that purchase than the two albums I had planned to buy. Funny how that happens. Oh and the new Josh Rouse album is great too!

The National official website

mp3 mixes courtesy of pop77

2005-03-08T11:43:00.000Z

Not sure how I linked to this site, but I am glad I did. Chris at pop77 does great mp3 mixes and adds a bit of a theme and some film dialogue. The mixes are only available for limited periods and then disabled, so a site worth bookmarking and going back to time after time!

pop77 site

something awful for you

2005-03-08T11:31:00.000Z

my friend paul (see his photography in my links section) put me onto this. The whole site is pretty funny, but the boring movies section is my favourite.

Boring Movies

here are a couple of my favourite posters.

Plenty of other silly stuff to look at on the site, so check it out.

Dntel anyone, but he gets it right.

2005-03-07T14:25:00.000Z

I can’t stop listening to this record at the moment. Although it’s not new, “Life is full of possibilities” is high up on my Itunes most listened to section. Without realising it, I have been coming back to it constantly. Whether it’s because its good to work to, or whether it’s because its just so good, I can’t be sure. This guy is also one half of The Postal Service (the other half is Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie.) The music is pretty sparing minimal electronica, mixed with a number of guest vocalists and simple melodies. Very close and personal music. Done by someone else I expect it would be quite rubbish, but this fella seems to get it right.

DNTEL listing on EPITONIC.COM (mp3)

three of a kind

2005-03-02T10:07:00.000Z

After uploading the Jack Johnson video yesterday, I thought I’d upload links to a few other videos I have been watching a few times over and still enjoying. You will need to follow the links on the relevant pages to watch these:

Firstly, the video for ‘Spit it out’ by Brendan Benson. Seems to be playing on the idea that the guy is a genius and can play all the instruments in the world. Can't wait for the album - expect a rant on how good it is in about 2 weeks time!

SPIT IT OUT by Brendan Benson

Secondly, the re-done video of ‘New Slang’ by The Shins, for the release of the track on the Garden State soundtrack. Other Shins videos can be found at www.subpop.com

NEW SLANG by The Shins

And last but not least, a David Shrigley drawn and animated video for ‘Good Song’ by Blur. Anything that involves a squirrel falling in love with an insect has got my vote.

GOOD SONG by Blur

ENJOY !!!

A strange linkage of recommendations

2005-03-01T15:13:00.000Z

Basically, my mate Paul copies me The Hustle by G Love & Special Sauce, then Stuart (a freelancer at my work) copies it from me and says 'Have you heard Jack Johnson? He is a pal of G Love and sounds a bit like him!'. So, I am now interested. Then I forget that I copied them (got too caught up in listening to The Lord of The Rings audio book).

So I come into work today and listen to both the albums I copied - 'on and on' and 'brushfire fairytales' and they are totally great. Like a chilled out G-Love, more stripped down generally, him and an acoustic.

Anyway I type his name into google and it comes up with this great video for the single 'Sitting, Waiting, Wishing'. Really enjoyable even after a few viewings. ENJOY.

'Sitting, Waiting, Wishing' video

VW camper redesign.

2005-03-01T12:06:00.000Z

Found this link on www.pixelsurgeon.com (worth checking out that site anyway, great links every day!), seems that a company has some pretty great ideas for an update of the classic VW camper. (You will need quicktime to watch this movie).

VW redesigned by Verdier

is anyone else 'looking for a thrill'?

2005-03-01T09:56:00.001Z

This is a DVD I bought the other day.

'Looking for a Thrill is a collection of personal stories about defining musical moments of inspiration (a record, a show, a musician, etc) for 112 musicians who themselves have inspired so many. The interviews on the DVD include recollections by Mike Watt, Thurston Moore, Hamid Drake, Bjork, Yo La Tengo, Tortoise, the Butchies, Jon Spencer, Vic Chesnutt, Kurt Wagner, Fred Anderson, and Giant Sand - as well as members of the Urinals, Califone, Jesus Lizard, the Boredoms, Mekons, Slint, the Sea and Cake, and Calexico (just to name a few). Over five hours of inspiration in total!

Although all were asked one simple question - to tell a story about a musical moment that inspired - the responses are as varied as the people interviewed. The film is a great resource for all those interested in the independent musical mind. As a collection it reveals much about the moments that inspire so many to pick up a guitar or a microphone, to start a label or a band.'

All profits go to Greenpeace and so far its pretty entertaining. Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) talking about early influences and members of Tortoise speaking with Robot voices etc. Oh how I laughed.

TEENAGE FANCLUB new lp

2005-02-28T12:44:00.000Z

Taken from the Teenage Fanclub website:

'It gives us great pleasure to announce that our new album Man-Made, will be released on the 2nd of May. Twelve new songs for your delectation. Released on our own PeMa label, with the catalogue number PeMa002. We'll also be playing a couple of shows to celebrate our return. The first is in London at the Scala on the 29th March followed on the 31st with a show at the Mitchell theatre in Glasgow. Support on both shows will be Green Peppers. We'll be announcing a fuller touring schedule very soon.'

The artwork looks fantastic and I have it on some authority that the album was recorded at SOMA studios in Chicago (courtesy of Tortoise's John McEntire) so there's a lot to look forward to with this record!

all in one go....

2005-02-28T10:59:00.000Z

so, there I was not really thinking about holidays or the like and suddenly two conversations later I find myself invited to a holiday in St Ives, Cornwall and one in France (somewhere between La Rochelle and Bordeaux). May and September. The great thing is that they are both trips that I would like to do this year and very suitable now we have a little boy.

strange how things just happen. without you really trying!

gonzo gone

2005-02-22T08:51:00.000Z

Hunter S Thompson shot himself on 20th February 2005 at his ranch. He was 67. Below is a link to The Guardian's story on this news. Personally, I recently read The Rum Diaries by Hunter, and found it to be a great read with just as much going on as Fear & Loathing (with slightly fewer drugs and heady moments). Recommended. I also read an interview recently on his view of the current presidential situation in America. Highly entertaining.

He will be sadly missed.

Hunter S Thompson

"Daddy, my name's on the pier..."

2005-02-21T12:00:00.000Z

Decided recently to get plaque put up on the pier in Clevedon, to celebrate Lucas' birth. We liked the idea of him being able to go and see it in years to come. There are loads on there, for marriages, deaths and births etc. Anyway, here is the picture of the plaque we had made up.

Non-Format and The Wire

2005-02-18T08:59:00.000Z

One of my favourite design companies Non-Format has been working with The Wire magazine for some time now, and to my eyes has been constantly coming up with great ideas and layouts for a magazine who's content can be seen as very specialist. Personally, I find that the aesthetics helps this and tends to make me want to read it!

I first found out about them through Leaf Records who I have always like the packaging and artwork for. This months Wire design is something special and I thought was worth posting. Check out their site for more interesting design work!

Non-Format website

the state of gardens these days...

2005-02-17T09:31:00.000Z

Garden State - A new movie by Zach Braff (of US 'hospital comedy' Scrubs fame!)

Now any movie that can boast bands like The Shins, Iron & Wine, Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel on its soundtrack is bound to get my attention. But a movie that has Natalie Portman saying that she is listening to this new great band called The Shins in its dialogue, well that's me pretty much bowled over right there.

The film is great (the trailer hints at its cinematic style) and it seems pretty photographic to me. Like all the shots were really thought out and artistically set up. Obviously a labour of love. Highly recommended anyway.

Watch the Garden State trailer (you will need Quicktime for this!)

Oh and here is the cover and tracklisting of the Soundtrack in full. Worth a look I'd say!

1. Don't Panic - Coldplay
2. Caring Is Creepy - The Shins
3. In The Waiting Line - Zero 7
4. New Slang - The Shins
5. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You - Colin Hay
6. Blue Eyes - Cary Brothers
7. Fair - Remy Zero
8. One Of These Things First - Nick Drake
9. Lebanese Blonde - Thievery Corporation
10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel
11. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine
12. Let Go - Frou Frou
13. Winding Road - Bonnie Somerville

a. newman

2005-02-16T12:47:00.000Z

This guy has got to be one of the best Portrait photographers I have ever come across. Really need to get a book on this guy. He specialized in 'environmental portraiture'. Here is a link to more of his photos!

Arnold Newman

I am robot and proud

2005-02-16T12:12:00.000Z

The site 3hive is just great. I have found this electronica guy called 'I am robot and proud'. A bit like 'mouse on mars' to my ears. Below is a link with a few MP3s and a link to his website etc.

i am robot and proud (3hive link)

lucas at one month

2005-02-16T11:49:00.000Z

here is a pic of my little boy lucas at one month. he is a star.

Are We Recording?

2005-02-16T10:49:00.000Z

This is my first blog. It has come at a time that it seems to make sense to do one, having a baby, people moving away. A good way of getting info to lots of people in a new way.

So I think I may be a bit rusty for a while and its a bit of an experiment for me, but expect good design links, photography, rants about bands and songs. plenty of stuff to either mull over or just have a giggle at.

John x