New Music

Sorry its been a week since i last blogged, I've been really busy but have alot to talk about so there should be quite a few updates in the next few days. I feel like i've been letting people down but seeing as no one is reading this yet, then really i'm only letting myself down. Anyway i'll persevere.

Continuing with the theme of the last post, new music, i thought i'd talk about a really cool local group called Plans & Apologies


They're a 7-piece band from Derby and they play jangly and intricate indie pop songs. Think Belle and Sebastian, Bob Dylan and you have some idea what's going on. But they also bring a very distinct Britishness with their lyrics, which focus on the mundane events of everyday life, but can go wandering off into nonsense when they want to, which isn't a bad thing. I first saw them supporting The Good Life last year and was very impressed. I've seen them a few more times since then and they also put on a good show. They got a few cds out, check out The Tree Dee Pee Ep, which i would say is the finest piece of work so far.


These tracks are from their debut album 'Torn Out Pages From The Middle Agez' and their latest Ep ' The Free Dee Pee Ep, which are both available for download from their site... for Free, You can't say they're not good to you. If you like these, purchase The Tree Dee Pee, you won't be disappointed

So download these and make the talking frogs sing

Plans & Apologies - Poetry from Torn Out Pages From The Middle Agez
Plans & Apologies - Save, Save, Save from Torn Out Pages From The Middle Agez
Plans & Apologies - Attenzione Caldo from The Free Dee Pee Ep
Plans & Apologies - Tony Blair:Fucknut from The Free Dee Pee Ep

Bonus tune:
In celebration of the release of The Research's debut album 'Breaking Up' here's an acoustic, folky version of The Way You Used To Smile recorded for the BBC (i think).

The Research - The Way You Used To Smile

So go buy it

New Music

Thats what these blogs are all about really, helping others discover fresh new music, so i thought i'd join in and try and expose a few artists who i think are great and whose music needs to be heard by many many people. So every sunday-ish i'm gonna post about some talent that ears need to hear.
Today's is a bumper one as there are three artists/bands to talk about.


I heard about Whalebone Polly from one of my friends, who saw them at Truck Festival last year. They played folky, acoustic tunes and the music is gorgeous (i think that is the best word to describe it). The band consists of three, very talented, ladies. Rachael Dadd, who sings and plays guitar, Kate Stables, who also sings and plays banjo, and Virpi, who plays the fiddle and sings. They harmonize beautifully with each other on every track and throwing a variety of instruments when recording. The band have been on a bit of a hiatus since the summer as Miss Stables moved to France but a summer tour is in the pipelines

Two of the band, Miss Dadd and Miss Stables, have their own solo careers as well.I caught Rachael Dadd at the 12 bar club in london in September and was blown away by the passion and simplicity of her performance. Alot of the time, it was just her and her guitar alone on stage, but she also had a harpist and a fiddler to accompany her. I was taken aback by her sincerity and confident performance of songs that were both thoughtful and laced with beauty. It was a very good show. She has produced a few records that are for sale through her website, her latest was recorded outside so planes flying overhead, birds chriping and dogs barking can all be heard behind the wonderful music.


The other solo project,which is Kate Stables, under the pseudonym This Is The Kit, playing guitar and singing. Her songs are extremely soothing and relaxing, actually almost trance-inducing. I listen to them when i'm at all stressed, as all my worries seem to washed out as her voice fills my head. Give it a try.




Download these:
Whalebone Polly - Sweetest In The Land
Whalebone Polly - No Need To Rush
Rachael Dadd - This Whole Town
Rachael Dadd - My Wealth That Is You
This Is The Kit - She Does
This Is The Kit - Shared Out

Comics!!!

I bought the first volume of Scott Pilgrim (Scott Pilgrim's Precious Life) the other day. It's a really good read. The illustration are awesome and the story is great. It starts off quite normal and then goes off the wall a bit at the end which somehow works really well. It is very influenced by music, Scott's in a band and there's songs. Its awesome!!!! The new volume, Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness is out in the next couple of months and is definately worth checking out.


I also found this online comic series today called Super Spy. Its released weekly and is created by Matt Kindt, the guy who wrote and drew "2 sisters". Each week is a self contained story, which involves characters from the 2 sisters graphic novel, and viewed as a whole creates a new world. The artwork is excellent, as is the story which delves into the each character as well as including action and dialgoue. Its also available formatted for the PSP, which is good news for me

Also watch out for the film adaptation of the graphic novel "V for Vendetta". It stars Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman and is gonna be amazing, well i hope so anyway.

Just a quick side comment. I'm just watching The Brit Awards and Prince is performing. He's shredding his guitar and he's awesome. Very impressed!!!!!

anyway here's some music (i don't have any Prince unfortunately):
Thrice - See You In The Shallows
Nina Natasia - A Dog's Life
Acoustic Ladyland - Iggy
Bit of a odd mix but i thought i'd be eclectic.

Buy these and, who knows, you might cause world peace
Thrice - The Illusion of Safety
Nina Natasia - Dogs
Acoustic Ladyland - Last Chance Disco

Valentine's

Well happy Valentine's to everyone. Today is the day that excites or depresses people more than any other. I'm not a Valentine's hating person, i'm quite a romantic actually, if i had someone to make feel special today i would...but i don't. So here i'm gonna present a special valentine's...hmmm lets called it dedication to maybe the prettiest lady i've ever seen.

This is Annelise Hesme, she is a french model and film star. She is currently starring in an advert for the new renault clio and she is amazing. You may have seen her recently in Alexander as Stateira.

In the advert she stars beside some english guy, who was in Holby City, and they are arguing about whether France or Britian is better by trying to trump each other's suggestion. For example:

Annelise : Noveau cuisine

Holby City guy : The sandwich

I think the Holby City man wins here. oh man I lurve the sandwich

Its a great advert and she is just unbelievable. I'm don't know what it is about her. Her accent is probably the main thing, I love a french accent, its so sensual and sexy, but also she's gorgeous, funny and that dress she's wearing is amazing.

If you wanna check out the advert you can watch it here or download it from here

To celebrate this day of Valentine's, here's a few tunes:

For the ones who have someone: Jeff Buckley - The Way Young Lovers Do

And for the ones without: The Research - Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same

And to celebrate this lovely french lady, some french: Feist - L'amour Ne Dure Pas Toujours

Buy these and make the faeries happy:
Jeff Buckley - Live at Sin-e
The Research - Breaking Up
Feist - Let It Die

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

then i'll begin. I've wanted to start a mp3 blog for a while now. i've seen a lot and just thought they were a great idea. If anyone can give me any feedback, tips or ideas, i'd be grateful coz at the mo it doesn't look that impressive.

Anyway i thought i'd start with a couple of tunes that have gotten under my skin recently

Firstly I've been in a bit of a Belle and Sebastian frenzy for the past few weeks now. Their witty, yet meaningful indie pop has been in my ears almost non-stop. I was meant to see them in Sheffield last Thursday but complications arose so that i wasn't able to make it. very annoying.
Belle & Sebastian - If She Wants Me

I saw thisGIRL for the first time in about two years last week, id forgotten what an awesome live act they are. They're so kinetic and wriggly on stage and their music embodies the awkwardness of the onstage personas.
thisGIRL - Hallejuah

Buy these and let the music elves brighten your day:
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
thisGirl - Uno