Pop Cultureddd

The Field - Looping State of Mind

2011-11-26T15:37:00.004Z

The Field and his work have been - and this is not an understatement - probably the cornerstone of my musical existence since 2007. I would guess that From Here We Go Sublime is the album I have listened to most in my lifetime.

So new material from this artist is of huge significance.

I am still taking time to become acquainted with Looping State of Mind but I really do adore the opening track, Is This Power.

So here it is for your aural pleasure:

01. Is This Power by Nikita Velichko

Did you lose yourself in it? That is a rhetorical question. Of course you did.

Mr Oizo - Stade 2

2011-11-20T16:44:00.005Z

I'm not one for tattooing, but often when listening to Oizo - I've dropped the Mister - I feel overwhelming that I would happily deliberately scar my body with a permanent display of my love and affiliation for the work of this man.

I'm coming to terms with many things currently. One of those things being Stade 2.

Here is Camelfuck. Apparently it is obvious that I would love from 1:29 onwards. But who wouldn't?

CAMELFUCK by oizo mr 3000

Anyway, I'm off to rejiggle my 'top 5' to make room for Oizo and Eddie Mair.

New Build

2011-09-16T14:59:00.001+01:00

A new joint venture.

Very hot off the press. Featuring members of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem.

No link to the website as yet because it crashed when they announced it.

But I found the track.

It's great.

Finding Reasons by newbuild

Modeselektor remix Radiohead

2011-09-10T11:23:00.001+01:00

I'm smiling.

Good Evening Mrs Magpie - Modeselektor RMX by Radiohead

Breakbot

2011-08-24T21:50:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the lack of content round these here parts. Life is particularly odd. Not great, but chin is still up for now. This track is a little slice of disco magic to help me forget my troubles.

Joe Goddard

2011-08-03T08:11:00.003+01:00

As I live and breathe! Is there no slowing Joe Goddard down? Not that I'm complaining. But if anyone can afford to take it a little easier now and then it is the lovely Joe.

New EP? Wonderful. And it really is, actually.

Joe Goddard - Gabriel by DFA Records

LCD Soundsystem

2011-07-28T17:50:00.000+01:00

In Lego.

Absolutely spot on. Flawless.

Amy Winehouse

2011-07-25T18:38:00.001+01:00

How I always think of her and will continue to remember her.. Throwing stuff at Dido..

Starlesoufs

2011-06-25T21:19:00.005+01:00

If you enjoyed the most recent suggestion from Pop Cultureddd but thought it was just lacking, oh, I don't know, a late 70's disco vibe? Then worry not! Starlesoufs have breezed into our lives with some tracks that will make you dance regardless of heat and humidity. You'd fall into a dehydrated heap happily if you were having a boogie to this.

Just remember to stay properly hydrated, people!

Thank you Starlesoufs! Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

Here is a sample of their finery.

Love Cloud by Starlesoufs

Cherokee

2011-06-20T20:25:00.004+01:00

A Monday you'd just rather had bothered coming round. The more in unfolds the less you like it. That is until you get home and release it all in the discovery of wonderful tracks like these.

Laid back French stylings of Cherokee just ease it all away. Okay, so the influence might be pretty obvious, but that does not at all detract from the calibre and quality of these tracks.

Mambo Jet by Cherokee (Official)

Sable Doux by Cherokee (Official)

Errm..

2011-06-12T10:03:00.003+01:00

I suppose you can only really hide for so long. And in a bid to try and lie to myself that everything is perfectly normal I guess I should blog.

So in follow up to the previous long ago post here is the Tom Vek album, Leisure Seizure. As far as I'm aware it got leaked, but you can legitimately purchase it now, so you should probably do that.

Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure (2011) by modularpeople

OMG! Tom Vek really is back!

2011-04-19T08:08:00.005+01:00

It is alright. Just calm down. Getting over excited is not going to do anyone any good. So sit back down. Take some deep breaths and when you are ready watch the brand new Tom Vek single, A Chore!

Lots of equally exciting things to follow, including the album which is released 6th June titled Leisure Seizure. And hopefully some lives dates. And merch.

No later than I go ahead and post this than I receive an email with the following:

Paul Chambers and 2manydjs

2011-04-17T08:17:00.002+01:00

Not really being in the loop anymore with the ol' electro/dance/techno genres means I had not come across Paul Chambers until The Bearded Boy sent me a YouTube video of a 2manydjs at Coachella, which was mainly intended to demonstrate the crazy-awesome visuals that had been difficult to describe in conversation (see below). And other than reminding me that all work/reading/eating cake makes Stephanie a dull, wide-hipped girl highlighting the desperate need for some rollicking dancing to let off steam, the other thing I garnered from it was the amazing Paul Chambers track.

But how very lame! I can't embed the original. So you can have the link that will take you to the Paul Chambers SoundCloud page. And here is the Soulwax remix. Don't worry it hasn't got any of those 'Soulwax claps'. Phew!

Paul Chambers - Yeah, Techno! (Soulwax Mix) by soulwax

The 2 Bears

2011-04-14T21:33:00.000+01:00

Whilst I may be totally biased and my judgement clouded by my stalkerish tendencies for Joe Goddard, I have repeatedly been listening to the content of The 2 Bears page on SoundCloud.

These sounds excite me so much. So here are the two EP's so far released.

Is it a bit of a pathetic admission that the simplistic and declarative nature of Church makes me a little wobbly in the knee and tear duct areas?

The 2 Bears - Curious Nature E.P. by The 2 Bears

The 2 Bears - Follow The Bears E.P. by The 2 Bears

John LaMonica

2011-04-10T10:47:00.001+01:00

I must say it is pretty much an impossible struggle not to fall in love with John LaMonica a little bit more every time I hear his voice. He could call me a self-indulgent, bitch-faced, loser yet if he was singing it I would still be dewy-eyed. And this very candid confession will possibly prompt a lightening reaction 'unfriend-ing' from Facebook. But as long as he doesn't stop making beautiful music, then, whilst not ideal, I think I can live with that.

This guy is lyrically prolific and aurally stunning.

Now I have the privilege of being able to share a promo of his debut album, Volunteers.

John LaMonica - Volunteers by Moodgadget

Retro full-scale melt-down

2011-04-07T17:02:00.003+01:00

Remember all those blog posts in the final throws of my undergraduate degree where I'd castigate and denounce the theorists I was struggling to come to terms with?

Well this is similar. Except that I'm the twat that has gotten me into this situation by and large! Why am I blanking and unable to explain my own proposed research?! I should be shot! In the face. At least I'd have a viable excuse for being a useless, fumbling, tongue-tied non-sociologist loser.

I would like to crawl into a cave/hole/pit and be left with only this song for company and hibernate until all the stressful things just disappear.

Marriage by Gold Panda

Panda Bear

2011-04-07T09:58:00.001+01:00

For those of you that are giddy about all things Animal Collective it means that almost by extension you will be delighted by the surfacing of the new Panda Bear album, Tomboy. It is apparently a prerequisite that seemingly you don't have much free will or choice over.

Prepared to get giddy.

Panda Bear - Tomboy by In House Press

I am not ready to accept that it is over..

2011-04-05T12:30:00.002+01:00

The last time I saw LCD Soundsystem cannot be the last time I would ever see LCD Soundsystem.

A proper farewell tour. Is it really too much to ask? Murphy has been threatening it for so long I didn't think it would be quite so abrupt. So it can't have happened. It is not over. The part-time hipster portion of my life is not ready for retirement.

The Kübler-Ross model of the stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I am in denial. And acceptance right now seems like something that will never ever occur.

This article nearly made me cry.

I know that when I watch the final gig I will definitely cry. I shall inform you if it helps me through any of the other stages of grief.

If somehow the Pitchfork version makes a reappearance onto the internet please someone let me know. And obviously I shall do the same.

The LED

2011-04-03T17:45:00.001+01:00

The LED are providing some much needed bass and beats. And brilliantly executed.

Scottish homeland pride for these boys is overwhelming. I just need a plain loaf and Iron Bru. That would be all I would need to fuel me dancing to these tracks.

A Ricocheted Kitty is a powerhouse the likes not seen since approximately 2008.

The LED - A Ricocheted Kitty by TheLED

A remix of Telephone with an 8-bit breakdown? It is a must!

Lady Gaga - Telephone (LED Remix) by TheLED

Moshi Moshi mix by James Yuill

2011-03-28T17:34:00.004+01:00

The ascent into a difficult week has been made all the easier by this brilliant (yet short) mix by James Yuill for Moshi Moshi.

I want to fall asleep in the ray of sunshine hitting the carpet behind me whilst enjoying this mix again. Alas, I am caught between the demanding poles of my life work and study.

If you click through to the SoundCloud page it is on you will find the tracklisting. Or just click here.

Moshi Moshi Mix III: JAMES YUILL by moshi moshi music

BRAIDS

2011-03-19T18:10:00.002Z

If you've already read about a million blogs waxing lyrical about this band then go do something more productive. Like 'fug' yourself!

BRAIDS are a band that are growing on me in an addictive kind of way. Like I crave listening.

That is a good sign!

Check their MySpace page (link above) for upcoming gigs. I'd like to chance they'll be pretty special live!

BRAIDS - "Lemonade" by BRAIDS

Help!

2011-03-16T21:03:00.003Z

I have never (that I can think of in this very moment) actively asked any of you to support a cause. But now I am. Please sign this petition to stop a young woman being separated from her family, having her bright prospects extinguished and help show your agreement that sending a fellow human being to a country where she will legitimately fear for her life is simply wrong.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jeanine_kamba/

An electro pop 80's icon has shown his support. So follow suit!

Name: Gary Numan on Mar 16, 2011
Comments: Does the press know about this? a fan sent it to me and i'm shocked, I will pass this on good luck x

Death From Above 1979

2011-03-13T10:58:00.000Z

Err, so, yeah.

I suppose I should try and formulate words that represent the emotional state I have found myself in with the recent announcement of Death From Above 1979 reformation. Elation. Terrifying joy. Ecstasy.

You have to have the full story.

I considered selling anything and everything to get to Coachella. Which is in America. And I don't do leaving the country. I'm not sure in the use of my passport. But I seriously considered it. But the fact it would have cost oh-so-very-much money stopped the far-fetched dream before it had begun. But at least they were back together. I had a serious conversation with The Boy in which I laid my intentions bare and told him if they came to the UK I would ensure categorically that we would be going.

And then! They only went and announced dates in bloody London! LONDON! Hyperventilation was inevitable. I calmed myself and spread the word.

Ticket sale day meant I was up and ready to get tickets. Which I did. I was lucky. As that stupid, idiotic, bastarding SeeTickets is a useless website and they tell lies. Within half an hour I had spent my months wages on tickets, travel and accommodation. I was poor. But poorer than normal. I had £34 to last me two and a half weeks and I spent £20 a week just on travel! But I have never been happier to be poor.

So that is it. I'm going to see Death From A-fucking-bove 1979. And it means that one of the bands I never got to see, have reunited and I will get to see. Just one biggy remains. Can you guess?

Weekend Wolves

2011-03-11T15:43:00.004Z

Emails asking me to check something out largely go unnoticed in my inbox. Busy bee, n'all that. But for some unexplained reason, it wasn't even procrastination, this caught my attention and I was glad I stopped and had a moment with Weekend Wolves.

There is little I know other than their German origin and they make incredibly dark, macabre and beat-compelling tracks. I hope to see them on the up-and-up.

More of this, please!

Weekend Wolves - Venus by WEEKEND WOLVES

Weekend Wolves - The End by WEEKEND WOLVES

Weekend Wolves - X by WEEKEND WOLVES

Yelle

2011-03-04T16:55:00.004Z

A brief moment of calm. Eye of the storm. I am all too aware. So I won't be winding down fully. It will all kick in again in a few days.

But just for now I'm going to use Yelle and her awesome new track as a bit of a soundtrack to me dancing around and not feeling (too) guilty about it.

And once I have played hard, I'll be back to working infinitely harder.

Fucking awesome track. You can download it for free too! Woo!

Safari Disco Club by YELLE

Radiohead - King of Limbs

2011-02-16T08:31:00.008Z

This is fairly exciting news, I suppose. Especially since I have learnt my lesson the hard way and will definitely not be writing a sociological dissertation around the release of this new album of theirs. So maybe I will be able to enjoy King of Limbs a little more. If it is good, that is.

I still have In Rainbows nightmares.

Sort yourself out with a copy here. Digital release Sat 19th February. Followed by the hard copy to be sent out from Mon 9th May.

Watch the ridiculous race to review and tell everyone about your thoughts on the album as soon as is aurally possibly on the internet. But not here. I kid myself that I have a life.

Just because..

2011-02-02T17:51:00.002Z

If you had managed to forget I am here to remind you that the wonderful, sexy and wonderfully sexy Funeral Party are currently touring the UK.

I am positively beaming over the prospect of going to see them tomorrow in Newcastle at The Cluny. I've never been to this venue and I have high hopes that it will do justice to the performance that Funeral Party will give, which never seems to be anything less than face bleeding.

So here is Finale:

And here is a little documentary:

They should get you in the mood for some indie rock 'n' roll.

T.E.E.D remix

2011-01-29T17:22:00.004Z

Yes please.

And for once, I'm like super hip, this was posted approx half an hour ago and here it is blogged for you. But its a Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur remix and obviously I am going to aurally ingest it as soon as is humanly possibly. Plus as it is of a Katy Perry song it gives me an excuse to post a quite over-the-top, drool-inducing picture. I may have crossed a boundary here, but obviously you'll all enjoy it, so no boundary crossed.

Katy Perry - Firework (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix) by T-E-E-D

James Owen Fender @ Maida Vale

2011-01-19T09:50:00.001Z

James Owen Fender went to Maida Vale. Have a look. It seemed to go pretty well.

And he is touring. So you should, like, definitely go. I will be going.

The Lamp - Tuesday 8th Feb - Hull
Mojo - Monday 21st Feb - Liverpool
The Old Brown Jug - Weds 23rd Feb - Newcastle Under Lyme
Trof - Thurs 24th Feb - Manchester
Milo - Friday 25th Feb - Leeds
The Live Lounge - Saturday 26th Feb - Blackburn
WAMA - Sunday 27th Feb - High Wycombe
Kasbah - Monday 28th Feb - Coventry
The Monarch - Thursday 3rd March - London
Spanky Van Dykes - Tuesday 8th March - Nottingham
The Attic - Friday 11th March - Bathgate
King Tuts - Saturday 12th March - Glasgow
Stereo - Sunday 13th March - York

The Chapman Family

2011-01-16T18:10:00.003Z

Still producing some of the best lyrical content and musical angst imaginable.

Having a long-running battle with anxiety and panic disorders any song with 'anxiety' or 'panic' in the title usually make me feel a bit... off.

But I love this.

Anxiety by The Chapman Family

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

2011-01-13T08:54:00.005Z

I hate that I was not particularly aware of Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. Everything was there that would point to this being fully ingratiated into my life by now. Awkward looking artist. "Or something". And being on the fucking Greco-Roman Label! Where have I been?! Their roster includes David E. Sugar, Grovesnor and the sex-dream inducing Joe Goddard. So it really only makes sense that I love Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. I knew I knew the name from somewhere, bloody Greco-Roman! There is no suitable and acceptable excuse for this oversight. Get it in your life, Reader(s) of Pop Cultureddd!

Household Goods EP by T-E-E-D

Grouplove

2011-01-09T16:27:00.003Z

Grouplove are a fairly up and coming band. Their EP is out 7th Feb and they have a few dates around the UK and elsewhere to do all that promotion malark. No doubt 6 Music will have them in at some point, they've given them enough promo so far.

But, let's be honest, if Colours is anything to go by, as a stand alone single, we may have some pretty awesome music to come from this band.

You'll be singing this song in your head and tapping your feet when you really should be concentrating on other things, like your boss talking to you, some suicide-inspiring meeting, a request from an old lady customer, your other half saying something about something you just nodded along to. Sign of a good song.

Grouplove - Colours by amediamindset

Moments of 2010

2011-01-01T15:33:00.001Z

1) Seeing Paul Banks of Interpol fiddling with the tuning of his guitar for the pitch-bends in the song The New is possibly one of the most amazing things I have witnessed. Only Interpol.

This is the gig I was at. So the quality could be better. But I was here! So you are having this one.

2:31 for those amazing pitch bends.

2) Whilst attending Leeds Festival this year was something I did a lot of complaining about when I think back to it I definitely do not get all nostalgic and think of it for something better. It was dirty. I was cold. But, fuck me, Funeral Party were incredible. An absolute force. I cannot wait for their tour in the spring and their album which you can pre-order here!

Giant Song by Funeral Party

3) Which leads me onto my next moment. The moment I discovered SoundCloud... Well, probably not so much that moment in the moment, but it certainly had major repercussions after. A brilliant medium to discover new artists and share them. Or hoard them to yourself. Whatever works for you.

Without SoundCloud I wouldn't have stumbled upon the next artists when I did.

4) The first time I heard Odessa by Caribou I knew my life was going to be irrevocably changed thereafter. Words fail me. I cannot adequately express what this album has come to be to me. But suffice to say it is seminal.

And here is the bloody whole album thanks to SoundCloud!

Swim by Caribouband

5) I've only gone and possibly saved the best til last!

Gold Panda has literally rocked my world. Upon discovering You I wondered what the point in continuing with this whole musical journey was. A bit how I felt after discovering The Field. And whilst not a million miles away from one another. I think Gold Panda is wholly more accessible and gives me much more the inclination to dance.

The pinnacle moment was seeing him live. In that funny little club The Cut in Newcastle. Seeing him jump about and hit those buttons with perfect precision for his awkward rhythms and the crowd absolutely lapping it up was the best gig I have been to in a long time. Sometimes your idols fail to inspire you and there is that cliché that goes along with it, but Derwin Panda has made my 2010. I am very grateful.

Here is the infamous You, followed by Snow & Taxis:

You by Gold Panda

Snow & Taxis by Gold Panda

Merry Christmas.. Don't buy Guinness..

2010-12-24T12:36:00.003Z

Something seasonal from Yuilly and a much love and festive cheer from little ol' me at Pop Cultureddd!

The suggestion to refrain from purchasing Guinness is to counteract the quite overt nature of the video. Other alcoholic beverages are just as good. Mine's a Boddington's if anyone's buying.

You know the 'Best of the previous 12 months' thing makes me bork...

2010-12-17T09:03:00.005Z

I don't get the constant need to review and mark the passage of time specifically in December by being nostalgic for the music of the past 365 days and gazing optimistically into the future with predictions of more music to come in the next 365 days that might just make everything alright.

But if you are going to press me on it then I might do my usual cop-out, I'm not doing a list or a chart rundown of singles, videos or anything like that. It is more likely to be experiences or general moments that resonated with me.

So just give me a moment, okay Blogsphere?!

Here is something old and not from this year to fuck you off.

This is simply due to an old post of mine that I read, from when I used to write well, and while the track and this video (without the amazing Mark Heap) still reflects the inside of my head, I am better off and happier in one particular way.

a whole lot of balls from Rui Madeira on Vimeo.

Thank you.

When capitalism exposes itself...

2010-12-14T17:39:00.008Z

Whilst Nicki Minaj might be packing abnormally exciting amounts of arse (that's right, we don't say 'ass' at Pop Cultureddd, we say 'arse') and making it look outrageously good, the blatant brand pushing of her latest "collaboration" has left me feeling decidedly less enthused.

Of late Nicki Minaj has become a hip-hip and r'n'b sensation both here in the UK and more internationally. And whilst the powers of corporate promotion have largely become acceptable there are glimpses of its inner workings that are just too ugly to allow to go unnoticed. A bit like when there was a near moral panic over the X Factor auditions being (or not being) auto-tuned. Or when once great bands who stated several years back that they would only reunite for a sizable sum of cash then have all recently started to reunite. Or when you put accidentally put on Radio 1.

Well, Nicki Minaj had done this song with will.i.am -- which is obviously awful in and of itself because he is a member of the Black Eyed Peas, who will stop at nothing to ruin chart pop music and every possible encounter you may have with a popular shop/club/bar/television programme/fragrance/anything that might make them money -- they realised a video for this song. I somehow found myself watching nearly all of it despite the presence of will.i.am. I didn't particularly enjoy any of it. In fact, I had what a questionnaire might categorise as a 'strong dislike' for it.

After some time I felt like I could have forgave Nicki Minaj for this sin.

Then I saw that rather uncouthly the video has been re-released and now also featured Cheryl Cole. But how do you re-release a video, you might be wondering? Well essentially you have Cheryl stand in front of a green-blue-who-cares-what-colour screen and jiggle about and then place those shots into the video. You might even get her to record some vocals singing over the top of will.i.am.

Original video:

Re-released video:

Regardless of whether this is a 'remix'. It is a sickening attempt to further exploit the fanbases of the requisite artists involved. Reportedly Cheryl is attempting to establish herself in the US to go and pedal her brand there and no doubt Nicki Minaj would love to gain a few of her Peoples' Princess fanbase here in the UK.

It is all a bit too painfully obvious. Where is the illusion? Smoke and mirrors? The magic of consumer capitalism has failed quite spectacularly here.

And do you know what annoys me the most? Nicki has several changes of outfit throughout the video, as is the expectation of any music video in the 21st century. However, the best Cheryl can muster is a pair of sunglasses for a few frames of the video! Wardrobe fail!

LCTRISC

2010-12-11T15:52:00.003Z

I'm shit at leaving notes for myself to blogs about particular artists. Utter shite. But despite another weird name LCTRISC are very not shit. In fact, this track of theirs is brilliant. And the video is worth a watch too. It reminds me of this. I'm a loser. But LCTRISC aren't! The Swedes are bloody great. Love Last Kiss.

Last Kiss by LCTRISC

LCTRISC - Last Kiss (Official Music Video) from johan stolpe on Vimeo.

Jamie Woon

2010-11-30T17:41:00.000Z

Dubstep singer-songwriter? Yes please.

Every aspect of this excites me. Jamie Woon may not be reinventing the wheel -- no, Burial did that for us -- but he is certainly doing something very fresh and, in my opinion, bold.

So be sure to keep an eye open on music sites and newspapers like The Guardian that get very excited this time of year by 'hotly' tipping who will be big next year, effectively ruining the careers of those they are trying to big up. Who really wants only Guardian readers at your gigs? Not even I would enjoy that!

Spiral by woon

Jamie Woon - "Night Air" from lorenzo fonda on Vimeo.

Ghost Eyes

2010-11-28T16:09:00.001Z

When we went to see Gold Panda at The Cut in Newcastle two weeks ago I was pretty taken aback by the whole evening.

The venue was odd to start with. Odd in an intriguing and kind of good way. It is supposed to look like a dilapidated warehouse/falling apart apartment block. Which whilst it had its charms, like the strip lights in the ceiling and interspersed between half formed stairs coming through the ceiling, which looked great when dim and acts were playing. I didn't understand the tables submerged into the floor. But a very cool little place. If it got more gigs like this I would be definitely going back. There is nothing worse when you really look forward to a gig only for the venue to be rubbish and spoil it.

Anyway, the real purpose of this post is to share the first support act. I'd suspected that there was two support acts, only to be told I was wrong by one of the people involved with the night, got there and there was two support acts. The Boys both sighed and agreed that they were fools and that I am always right. It is quite often the case this happens. And bloody hell, I wish I'd have been more prepared. I had a drink in hand and parka in a ball by my feet. Ghost Eyes seemed to rather coyly introduce themselves, no particular expectations, then proceeded to explode the club! And I mean explode. Various different looks were exchanged, but I failed to see anyone looking at their gig buddies with anything less than a particularly impressed face. The sound quality when they nearly killed us with bass was fantastic. Executed with perfection. It would have been an favourable way to have slipped into the afterlife/black hole for eternity.

For a band that only have only 11 followers on SoundCloud they really are very convincing and fully-fledged. I can only see them improving. But it was their live performance that was so amazing I just had to talk them up! There recorded stuff is good, but if you get the chance to see them live, I seriously recommend it! They have an upcoming gig in London that sees them on the same line-up as the almighty Matthew Dear.

Here is a track of theirs:

Kill Friends by Ghost-Eyes

Oh, and yes, obviously Gold Panda was amazing. I saw him kicking around for ages before he went on and wanted to say something. But I literally had nothing to say that wouldn't have embarrassed me or him. At least one of us would have blushed.

Funeral Fireworks

2010-11-26T18:39:00.000Z

Funeral Fireworks -- what to say? I genuinely am unsure as to how I stumbled across this artist. But it probably occurred after yet another long stint browsing SoundCloud whilst ploughing through several journal articles. And immediately I was completely enthralled. Melodically complex in certain points but still retains an endearing naivety.

The Light Shines On Your Face by funeral fireworks

Untitled by funeral fireworks

Future Shocked by funeral fireworks

WRSTLRS video!

2010-11-22T11:36:00.002Z

WRSTLRS - Tiny Mirrors Minotaur Windows

Willow Smith

2010-11-19T15:11:00.001Z

A much missed pop music blog would have probably burst at the seams upon seeing this.

'Impressed' is a word that doesn't convey what I feel towards this song and video. 'Awe', that is better. Awe.

Willow Smith - Whip My Hair from haute chicago on Vimeo.

YAAKS

2010-11-15T09:00:00.002Z

A blog new to me -- and pretty bloody awesome as it goes -- known as My Band's Better Than Yours recommended and hotly tipped a very fresh band called YAAKS. Who currently there is fairly little to say about.

A band with the mission statement:

"YAAKS ARE SIX MINDS PLAYING MUSIC TO BEST PORTRAY THE THOUGHTS OF JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU"

Nice. Attempting to portray political philosophy through music. That is a sure fire way to, not most girls' loins, but certainly mine.

They sound fantastic too!

BRKLYN FIG 1 (DEMO) by YAAKS

HRHRHYTHM by YAAKS

Banjo or Freakout

2010-11-12T18:05:00.004Z

Banjo or Freakout is the act supporting Gold Panda at the above gig -- and the other dates on the tour -- which I am going to tomorrow night and am rather giddy about.

Could be promising...

Upside Down by Banjo or Freakout

Go here for more tracks.

P Money

2010-11-11T18:58:00.000Z

Effortless. This is brilliant. I love P Money.

Kinnie The Explorer

2010-11-09T19:19:00.000Z

It is a sound of music that almost inherently causes me to use oxymoronic phrases to describe it.

So I won't bother embarrassing myself. Just check out Kinnie The Explorer.

Kinnie the Explorer - Blind Spider from Elliott Trent on Vimeo.

James Owen Fender

2010-11-07T16:10:00.002Z

I heard this ages ago, wrote myself a little note to check it out, then lost the note and have today just found the note. James Owen Fender is a new artist that is beginning to receive a lot of good chatter from all the people you want to notice you. So largely me blogging the track will do little-to-nothing in furthering his musical career.

The Cloud is possibly the most Northern idyllic, indie-pop song to come about in a long time. I really like it. The more I listen to it, the more I seem to smile.

And, the icing on the cake is that it is filmed in Filey. My Dad and lovely step-family live there. And The Boyfriend and I have incredibly fond memories of visiting. We'd love to go now, but it is such a tourist seaside town that we can't get a bus there this time of year. And whenever we go it is always basically cloudless skies. Just like the video.

So I'll dedicate this to my Dad and step-family. And the featured charity shop.

James Owen Fender - The Cloud from wearesealegs on Vimeo.

Funeral Party Tour

2010-11-03T14:39:00.005Z

Excellent. I don't have to put myself through the trauma of an arena gig full of 30 Seconds To Mars fans to see Funeral Party. The prospect of that had made me bork.

But no! They have announced today a UK tour in the new year!

Bristol, Fleece – Jan 25th
Oxford, Academy 2 – Jan 26th
Manchester, Academy 3 - Jan 27th
Glasgow, King Tuts - Jan 28th
Aberdeen, Tunnels - Jan 29th
Belfast, Stiff Kitten - Jan 31st
Dublin, Academy 2 – Feb 1st
Newcastle, The Cluny - Feb 3rd
Leeds, Cockpit – Feb 4th
Nottingham, Bodega - Feb 5th
Norwich, Arts Centre - Feb 6th
Birmingham, Academy 3 - Feb 8th
London, Cargo - Feb 10th
Brighton, Audio - Feb 12th

Get your surprisingly reasonably priced tickets here!

And here is Giant Song, which is a really brilliant track of theirs, and you can even download it. Look. See the button? It is the arrow pointing down. Get it? Go on, download it.
08 Giant Song by aimie

I Hate You Just Kidding

2010-11-02T21:50:00.000Z

This sounds terrible, but I find it really quite a challenge to enjoy music like this nowadays. My housemate/dead-weight-round-my-neck/best friend/surrogate-incapable-teenage-son is actually fuelled by this sort of thing and, therefore, all car journeys will be accompanied by a very narrow spectrum of music. He has ruined it for me. Moron.

Coupled with the fact that all fucking mobile network adverts seems to be plundering every ounce of cute-twee-idyllic music to peddle and promote more rampant consumerism.

"I have such a beautiful, summery existence and spend most of my time frolicking in meadows. But I still need a brand new phone with the latest and most irrelevant technology every year! Now, now, now! I want a new fucking phone now! Otherwise the guy in the independent bookstore might not fancy me. Or I'll lose the ability to frost perfect cupcakes. Or I might start liking X Factor. A NEW PHONE NOW!"

Hello hipster, you probably don't have that many friends because your self-absorbed existence renders you unfit for human interaction. And you can't see past the irony of your alternative-seeking life actually further playing into the hands of the niche capitalists who have your every wish planned, mapped out and controlled remotely.

Or something.

But it must be the vocals of My Little Dove with breaks in the voice as Jessi Fulghum sings that remind me of Tracyanne Campbell from the glorious Camera Obscura which have won me over.

I Hate You Just Kidding - My Little Dove [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

And the deep tones of the other half of this duo, Jeremy Brock really add in Speakeasy, as does the pace.

I Hate You Just Kidding - Speakeasy [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

You are all probably going to like them. A lot.

Caspian

2010-10-30T14:00:00.010+01:00

When the outside world really is just too busy, noisy, fluid and I need to generate focus, I can be often found squeezing my little black earphones in and nodding my head towards the book in my lap. And at the moment the sound to accompany this solitude is always Caspian.

Some of the most exquisite music you could wish to hear. Amazing melodies, crushing crescendo's and blissfully quiet moments. You do not get such an artistic range of emotion and sound from many other bands. And all without lyrics.

I am ashamed that I have not posted a thankful mention about Caspian sooner. The album, The Four Trees, has helped me get through a serious amount of reading. Hundreds, upon hundreds of pages. With ease. Such is the enchanting beauty of their sound that numbs my usually racing mind into a state of sheer concentration.

Unfortunately I will miss out on their upcoming UK dates. And it has been a long time coming. But they should have ventured North East way a bit more and I'd have been there.

04.11.10 Galway @ Roisin Dubh
05.11.10 Waterford @ The Forum
06.11.10 Dublin @ The Academy
07.11.10 Belfast @ Limelight
08.11.10 Manchester @ Ruby Lounge
09.11.10 Glasgow @ King Tuts
10.11.10 Leeds @ Cockpit 2
11.11.10 Birmingham @ O2 Academy
12.11.10 London @ O2 Academy Islington
13.11.10 Norwich @ Norwich Arts Centre

Here is a live performance of the opening track of the aforementioned album:

Caspian - Moksha (Live in Hong Kong) from Tommy Au on Vimeo.

Gold Panda Tour

2010-10-29T10:27:00.005+01:00

It is not usual that I'll be so motivated by an upcoming gig that it'll end up on here. But this is pretty special. A November headline tour by Gold Panda.

Thu 11 Nov 2010 Brighton - Audio
Sat 13 Nov 2010 Newcastle - The Cut
Sun 14 Nov 2010 Leeds - Constellations Festival
Mon 15 Nov 2010 Manchester - Ruby Lounge
Tue 16 Nov 2010 Glasgow - King Tuts
Thu 18 Nov 2010 London - Corsica Studios
Fri 19 Nov 2010 Bristol - Start The Bus
Sat 20 Nov 2010 Norwich - Arts Centre

I think tickets are available through Ticket Web. I will be in keen attendance at Newcastle. Very excited. And I can't remember the last time I bought such bargain priced tickets. £6! Bloody brilliant.

Here is the video for the very wonderful Snow and Taxis.

Snow And Taxis from Gold Panda on Vimeo.

And here is a little gadget to help you sign up for the mailing list. Including a free gift when you do!

Caribou

2010-10-23T08:45:00.000+01:00

Obviously I have been living under a rock or something equivalent. And I don't just mean my most recent characteristic period of blog neglect. I have never had Caribou in my life until very recently.

WTF! FFS! And other such acronyms.

I am a thorough Caribou devotee now. But apparently not devoted enough to be able to attend any of the upcoming UK tour dates. I'd give my ability to logic and reason (which is admittedly pretty poor of late) to go to the Manchester date at The Warehouse Project where the line-up also includes - you'll have to excuse me whilst I sob gently through genuine hurt at not being able to come up with the funds to go - Four Tet, James Holden and - I'm biting my quivering lip at this one as I've never seen him live - Nathan Fake. It might be too early for this level of upset. I'm not sharing the Caribou tour dates because I would just be too jealous if you were to go. Go and Google it yourself, you show-off twat!

Uncalled for, I know.

I have a feeling that rather than playing with research proposals I'm going to be looking at cheap ways to get to Manchester. Accommodation is out of the question. And although I have never got free entry to a gig through writing this blog, if it were to happen now, for this, I'd definitely say yes. Just in case. You know.

Less about my needs.

Here is the latest Caribou album Swim:

Swim by Caribouband

And whilst I probably like the single Odessa more, I love this video:

CARIBOU - Sun from Caribou on Vimeo.

The Hundred In The Hands

2010-10-06T21:12:00.002+01:00

This is great. Enjoying their sound. Not enjoying the poses.

The Hundred In The Hands.

The Hundred In The Hands - The Hundred In The Hands by Warp Records

Gold Panda

2010-09-19T12:12:00.000+01:00

There is a new centre to my universe.

Gold Panda.

I seriously cannot get enough!

I stated recently that had I not only discovered Gold Panda last week on Sound Cloud that I think the album Lucky Shiner would have been definitely one that I was eagerly anticipating. In fact, having not purchased the album myself yet, but finding a little player from which to stream it I have found myself listening to it upto 6 times a day depending on the amount of time I have to be sat at a computer.

Maybe I have gone Gold-Panda-crazy. I've heard it can happen. Maybe it just solidifies my status as a square.

Either way the man of whom I have come to form a non-real, but very real affiliation for, based primarily on this interview, produces some great awkward-techno and will be up there now with my religious-type love for The Field. There is actually a Gold Panda remix of The Field, but I am having to work myself up to something quite so momentous.

Here is Lucky Shiner..

The Chemical Brothers

2010-09-17T11:38:00.006+01:00

After an interview with The Chemical Brothers on 6 Music and hearing approximately 30 seconds of one of their new tracks I decided that I liked the new album.

They had mentioned that they had not done the album based around guest vocals. Which I like! A lot! Not having the pressure and constraints of particular vocals to work around or work them into tracks seems to have worked wonders on this album. It works brilliantly as an album.

It has some very different moments in it. And my current two favourite are probably very different from one another. The depth and ferocity of Horse Power means that as a track it is an actual phenomenon. But the dreamy and circular nature of Another World has actually had me hitting repeat far too many times as is healthy.

The Chemical Brothers - Another World from ikkunapaikka on Vimeo.

Belle & Sebastian

2010-09-16T18:53:00.001+01:00

Ooooh, how exciting is it when Belle & Sebastian are releasing new music? I don't think words can accurately articulate the feelings of those a little bit twee. Or a lot twee.

I love the world.

For now.

Although, what if the album isn't very good?!

Then I'd hate the world.

I think I hate the world now just through fear of it not being very good.

Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

balanceisrestored

Funeral Party

2010-09-14T11:42:00.001+01:00

Picture: What I can't have...

Post Funeral Party Leeds Festival set:

"I could go home now. I'd be happy. I could go home and not regret anything. How can anyone top that performance?"
"What about LCD Soundsystem later?"
"The only thing that could contend. I'll stay for James hitting his cowbell. Even then they'll never put on a performance like that! Funeral Party are my new favourite band!"

The performance by this band at about 2:30 in the afternoon, in a half empty tent, was the best live musical performance I have seen by a band that I didn't know much about. It blew me away. Confident. Energetic. Tight.

It very nearly moved me to buy a t-shirt based on the performance alone. But at £20 my crippling poverty won out again.

Ignore all the fucking shite comparisons that lazy and boring music journalists tell you these guys are similar to, just to make you listen to them. Take two minutes out of your own time and life to listen for yourself.

I don't care if they make it big or not. I like them. Actually, I will probably be quite upset if they hit it really big and I have to go see them in an arena type setting. Critical acclaim. They can have that. But not commercial success.

Funeral Party - Just Because

WRSTLRS

2010-09-08T16:54:00.006+01:00

I had planned on blogging about another highlight of Leeds Festival today, but last week I stumbled upon a track sent to me on SoundCloud, and I am so excited to share it that the other will have to wait. It was from some new group by the name of WRSTLRS and immediately I was in love.

Matt Bergeland and John LaMonica are from America. For a more precise location go on Google Maps and type in their name. It won't help. I'm sorry. Extremely new and hurrying to create a website and get their music heard. Laptops and a mic. They create a sound that is instantly likeable. I want to hear more. Agreement that their music is brilliant was confirmed by the other members of my household, with their highly differentiated music tastes (plinky-plonky folk Vs. grime). So Pop Cultureddd will definitely be championing WRSTLRS.

This happens to be my current favourite track:

Did You Come To Save Us by WRSTLRS

Oh, and join their FaceBook group/page/thing! Do it now!

Holy Fuck

2010-09-06T08:33:00.004+01:00

Holy Fuck are always good to see live. It is a given.

At Leeds Festival everyone seemed to enjoy their performance. It was brilliant after all.

If you've never come across them before you really should have a part of your non-brand MP3 player dedicated to them.

To get you in the mood...

YT006- Holy Fuck - LP by Young Turks

Everything Everything

2010-09-04T18:14:00.002+01:00

Everything Everything were really impressive at Leeds Festival. One of the opening acts of the festival and they really set the bar high. Their sound is varied and diverse throughout the set, but with enough melodic coherence to understand that this is a very accomplished group of musicians.

Definitely worth investigating.

I like this. It is a good video too.

Everything Everything 'My Kz, Ur BF from Blink on Vimeo.

Mr Oizo

2010-09-01T11:25:00.000+01:00

My life will simply not be fulfilled until I can experience this...

Leeds Festival

2010-08-31T12:04:00.007+01:00

Shaking overly-long hair to James Murphy et al.

Oh, the aftermath. It is nearly over, but it has been painful. I would like back all the sleep that I was deprived of. I slept even less than I anticipated I would. 2 hours on the first night. Excellent.

That said, it was, overall, definitely worth it. I have my gripes about the organisation, and there were a few things that are pretty shameful for such a long-running, established and seasoned festival. But when you get to see performances like that of Everything Everything, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem and Funeral Party it is made all the better!

Obviously camping was awful. It had a few amusing moments. Some boys nearby quoting Toy Story. Another boy shouting 'Ben' in a strange voice for nearly an hour. On one day someone shouting "FUCK OFF!" then a pause "I FUCKING HATE CAMPING!".. I feel your pain. Waves of cheers were an auditory delight. The bass from Picadilly Party until nearly 5am shredded my famously fragile nerves.

There were moments of sheer joy. Tears at the wonder of Arcade Fire. Elation on seeing Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) in the flesh. Literal slack-jaw gawping at the energy of Funeral Party.

I'm probably going to pick out stand out performances and blog separately about those bands. But needless to say I was very lucky and fortunate and saw some fantastic acts.

But the organisers of Leeds Festival have left a sour taste in my mouth. Over the years they has put on this event they must have learnt an awful lot of lessons. Many things were vastly improved. But in my opinion they sold the soul of the festival to reignite some lack-lustre, nostalgia-provokers. There was little effort elsewhere on the bill. They should not have named the Dance Stage as such. The sound quality on the main stage was disastrous for many of the acts. Don't even get me started on the shambles that left my best friend devastated that was the performance by Mumford and Sons. Horrible advert folk. But nevertheless, if people next to you spoke you couldn't hear the band. WTF Leeds?! £180! I fucking brought my own accommodation, you twats!

Ahem.

I am clean now. I still have all my personal belongings and most of my dignity. Pictures are available on my Facebook.

Para One

2010-08-30T13:22:00.000+01:00

This track has been kicking around for what feels like ages. And it is a slow release kind of track. Like porridge. A porridge track, if you will.

And just like porridge it is bloody brilliant.

It definitely doesn't need anything adding!

I don't know why I've not posted this sooner! Browsing the wonderful Shattered Satellite reminded me.

LCD Soundsystem

2010-08-29T11:04:00.000+01:00

I'm still at Leeds Festival. Most likely I will be very unhappy at my general appearance and having not slept properly for 3 consecutive nights.

But I'll be coming home straight after this band. And probably on a massive high. And I'll probably think it was all worth it.

LCD Soundsystem - Disco Infiltrator (Single Version)

Four Tet

2010-08-28T13:21:00.000+01:00

I may explode on this day at Leeds Festival.

I have posted this video before. I make no apologies. Mark Heap is a stunningly wonderful actor. And the track will never lose any of its wonder.

Four Tet - Smile Around The Face

Arcade Fire

2010-08-27T10:14:00.000+01:00

The first actual proper, actually proper day of Leeds Festival. I'll most probably be a little bit hungover and nervous of the prospect of two more nights camping. It is rank.

But the highlight will definitely be the main stage headliner. And, in fact, the only real time I'll be at the main stage throughout the weekend will be this day.

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go / (videos: timelapses) from Mikel Àngel Rotger on Vimeo.

I must add when looking for a video, I found several videos of people's babies dancing and enjoying Arcade Fire. I nearly posted all of them instead. But they were just too cute. It may have induced vomiting.

James Yuill

2010-08-25T17:14:00.000+01:00

Or Yuilly, as I like to call him.

I meant to blog this track some time ago. But you know, most things seem to impede me currently.

The isolation of this video is familiar.

James Yuill - On Your Own from Ben Reed on Vimeo.

Justin Bieber

2010-08-24T08:24:00.003+01:00

Yeah! That's right. Justin Bieber! I don't like him. I'm not on any sex offenders register.

But there is a Sound Cloud sensation going on and it has to be heard to be believed.

The Justin Bieber track You Smile has been slowed down by 800%. I think it might, or might not be by Shamantis. But trying to confirm it was giving me a headache. So listened to this track again. Absolutely mind blowing. As ambient as you'll ever need. And at 35 minutes long it would be perfect to unwind to.

J. BIEBZ - U SMILE 800% SLOWER by Shamantis

Leeds Festival

2010-08-23T11:09:00.000+01:00

I am going to Leeds Festival. I'll probably schedule some inane posts to pop up whilst I'm there.

But I thought I'd ask if, from looking at the line-up, if anyone had any recommendations?

I'm bloody dreading camping. And having to possibly walk past the main stage on either Saturday or Sunday. And the fact that as a girl it is now a pre-requisite to have a specialised 'festival look'. And that I might be too cold. And that I'll feel old. And that someone might try and get into my tent at night. And that it might be a little bit cold. And that it might be rainy or windy. And that it'll bleed my purse dry. And that I will most likely be too cold. I'll be cold. Cold and I will cry.

But overall I am very excited.

Katy B

2010-08-22T10:47:00.000+01:00

Unless you only listen to XFM and only read the Metro, you should be aware that dubstep is getting a great big bloody load of attention of late. Not least of all because, well, it's about time.

Katy B is fresh out of the BRIT School, which whilst has had a few dodgy alumni (Dane Bowers, Katie Melua and The Kooks) has helped produce some really fantastic artists (Imogen Heap and Amy Winehouse). And I think if this track by Katy B and Benga is anything to go by, she is certainly 'one to watch'. That phrase just made me gag.

Seriously, her vocals seem to wander seamlessly through cutting beats and top notch dubstep.

I love this track.

Imagine if you only listened to XFM and read The Metro... Do you think people like that really exist? They probably like sitcoms with laughter tracks too. And use the phrase "I'm not being racist but.." a lot. And don't know who Jon Snow is. I hope I never meet one.

Canblaster

2010-08-20T14:37:00.003+01:00

I'd like to share some information with you about Canblaster, but then I'd actually have to be in possession of that information.

It basically comes down to the fact I like how this sounds.

Canblaster - Jetpack by CANBLASTER

Visage

2010-08-16T16:44:00.002+01:00

On occasion in order to move forward you need to retread the past. In becoming familiar with the good and the bad of what has happened it is easier to prepare and become keen-eyed for the future.

Whilst re-hashing an essay I recently made a mess of, and have cried far too many tears over, I am also having 1980's electronic pop whistling around.

This is for my increasingly short weekends.

Visage - Fade to Grey from JANUS MUSIC on Vimeo.

They Might Be Giants

2010-08-04T16:50:00.002+01:00

Regardless of how big a sigh I might be taking this song can literally make me jump up and down.

Has it got old? I'm not sure it has...

Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might Be Giants from They Might Be Giants on Vimeo.

Just great.

Go away..

2010-07-28T20:14:00.003+01:00

I really need to go away.

Get away from all of this.

Interpol - Take You On A Cruise [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Tempa T

2010-07-25T17:00:00.003+01:00

I am a proper massive fan of Tempa T. I'm not even going to waste my energy giving reasons and justifications. When I meet him you'll see the picture of us shouting "Won't get none of your CD's back" on here post haste.

TEEEEEEEEEEMPZ!

Would you like to dance?

2010-07-09T08:00:00.005+01:00

Friday is a day of the week that is representative of an awful lot of different things.

At the end of a week in which most of the control of the trajectory of my short-term financial dealings has been removed from me, I just want to indulge in a bit of mindless dancing. That being said, it has been a surprisingly positive week. All the more reason for dancing, I say.

So this sexy-disco remix will do nicely.

Gorillaz - Dare (DFA remix) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Spark

2010-06-30T18:55:00.004+01:00

How about a bit of pop on a summers day? No is not an option.

Spark is young, shiny new and has an electronica-sweet, pop sound, so if it were December the Guardian would be quaking and announcing her as rising sensation for 2011. So let's get all hysterical and announce she might be one to watch for Autumn! Oooo. We're cutting the hyperbole ten-fold here at Pop Cultureddd.

This is a demo of her current single doing the rounds. Very nice to stick on your non-brand MP3 player and accompany any overly-warm public transport journey.

Spark - Shut Out The Moon (Demo) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

P Money and Grime generally...

2010-06-28T16:35:00.002+01:00

I like grime. In fact, I had to think very long and hard, and sensibly talk myself out of doing my Masters dissertation on grime. Such is my warm feelings and fascination for grime.

It might not be your cup o' tea. But I'm sick of not sharing it on here. Broaden your horizons, people! The world of grime is seriously addictive and makes Hollyoaks look boring!

It is all down to The Boyfriend. But I have a list of artists I'm currently into.

And when I saw that P Money had performed at Glastonbury I was thoroughly pleased.

Gorillaz

2010-06-26T19:59:00.004+01:00

Okay, so the performance by Gorillaz last night was hit and miss. I didn't particularly enjoy the first 30-40 minutes. I was singing along, but it lacked that essential connection you need. The bass apparently was non-existent. As was Mos Def due to tragic personal circumstances. Which would I have been my personal highlight. I adore him.

But when they were whacking out the guest appearances toward the end it really got an awful lot better. I disliked Damon Albarn, a lot. I don't know why. He doesn't normally irritate me that much, but I suppose it has something to do with normally being around that dick Coxon.

Anyway, I digress. Gorillaz might have got panned by the Guardian. But I've never trusted that paper after they gave reference to Pop Cultureddd in a Blog Roll Call. Questionable fools. I thought for all the pressure that was on them to replace U2 and orchestrate all of those guests, it was pretty great.

But I sure am glad I didn't shell out £50 to go see them on tour in the autumn. The whole illusion being broken of the real-life band. The lack-lustre performance in many parts. The lack of co-ordination. I'd rather keep my money. But as a Gorillaz fan, I felt a pang of pride.

I've been singing this all day.

Gorillaz Ft. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Sweepstakes [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Fake Blood

2010-06-25T12:29:00.004+01:00

Some great things have happened. I seem to have had many celebratory drinks of late.

And when I heard this Fake Blood track recently, it was beyond fitting. Fake Blood has been around for a while and I've always had a few of his tracks floating around my (old, dead) computer. But this is different and definitely I like it!

I will be playing I Think I Like It tonight whilst popping open some Bucks Fizz. Classy lady!

Fake Blood - I Think I Like It [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Radiohead

2010-06-21T16:22:00.005+01:00

Pretending I don't hate everything

For those of you who don't know, I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on Radiohead and the release of the album In Rainbows. While some might believe that makes me a seasoned expert, it doesn't. It makes me bitter. Full of regret. Wishing I'd have thought better. I hated myself long before the end of the project. And hated Radiohead fans. And most of all, I hated Radiohead. In the delirium of it all I bought a t-shirt and mug to wear and use almost constantly during my all-nighters to get the burden complete. Once the monstrous beast had been defeated there was some reprieve. And then I had to go see them live again! Bastards! I'd bought the tickets an eternity before the project began and then about 3 weeks after my needlessly in-depth encounter I was due to see them live in Manchester.

The above picture was my posing in between mumbling expletives about Thom Yorke.

I did enjoy it. There is no doubt. However, it was unfortunately timed during my much needed Radiohead detox.

The news that their new album is nearly finished and will be released later this year has dragged up some odd feelings. Thanks 6 Music!

Readers, please don't let me study it this time!

Radiohead - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi from Stephen Blacker on Vimeo.

Cut Copy

2010-06-18T09:25:00.001+01:00

Cut Copy are going to be back soon. Their 3rd album is on the way. Not a great deal of live dates, but give them time. It'll come soon enough. Just the news that they have finished making the album is good enough to have a cup of coffee and a biscuit to. Lean back in your chair and smile.

Here is a little short video of clips from the studio.

The Chemical Brothers

2010-06-14T14:32:00.001+01:00

When bustling or moping through my house of late I always seem to collide with the tracks from the latest The Chemical Brothers album. And I have really enjoyed everything I heard. I didn't give it too much thought as to why this might be. But then I heard Steve Lamacq throwing questions at them. And for this album they have done away with the big celebrity vocal guest appearances. Aaah, in one fell swoop I realise why I have instantly warmed more to their new stuff.

In the spirit of this The Boyfriend and I were discussing our favourite tracks by The Chemical Brothers and I have selected one that we both are enjoying massively again at the moment.

And obviously is has the amazing Michel Gondry video. Gondry is awesome.

Star Guitar - The Chemical Brothers from Chen VM on Vimeo.

Socially awkward..

2010-05-25T20:05:00.003+01:00

If I kid myself that isolation leads to objectivity might it make up for the fact that I am comparatively socially lonely? Not tonight. Most days, yes.

belle and sebastian_electronic renaissance from melissa harding on Vimeo.

I adore this song.

There have been two great polarisations at various points in my life that have very nearly been characterised and described perfectly by the lyrics:

"If you dance for much very longer, you'll be known as the boy whose always dancing...
If you work for much very longer you'll be known as the boy whose always working..."

I think I'm still a misanthropist, in part. And that is at the heart of it.

Avoiding defeat..

2010-05-24T14:19:00.003+01:00

Christ. It is all bloody stupid. I hate all of it. I am going to cry.

Patrick Watson- Luscious Life from Opak Media on Vimeo.

I'm keeping my chin up. Honest. I just need a moan, a hug and a drink. I will form a plan and I won't fall off the face of the earth.

All The Lovers

2010-05-15T18:32:00.002+01:00

Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers

Yey! Yey! Yey!

I like it. I can't wait for the real video. She'll look awesome. I want to go and see her live. I wish my Kylie t-shirt fit me.

Any promo company that wants to send me to her concert or send me a t-shirt or give me the new album, please feel free. They would all be warmly received.

Okay, that is the last shameless greedy request from me. For now. Until I really want something else.

We're fucked..

2010-05-11T21:11:00.005+01:00

Picture caption: "Look at the mess you've made!"

Yes, it is time to cry, despair, cash the pennies for the rainy day, repent your sins, watch the unfolding of the redressing of class power structures and throw up. I have done the last on that list. My tummy couldn't take the news. Throwing myself around the room and furniture. Writhing about on the floor. Postulating. Shouting. Conjecture and imaginings.

Sexual intercourse. I propose that fucking is the best way to proceed. Lose yourself in someone else. Exploit someone else to achieve ecstasy.

And do it do Death From Above 1979. It is amazing. That song.. Make Love And Listen To... bollocks.. it's a cliche for a reason, my friends.

Here is the sexiest. Hand picked not for love-making. For fucking. And to forget that we are politically fucked.

Death From Above 1979 - Pull Out [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Failing tactics..

2010-05-10T14:13:00.004+01:00

I am massively tired today. I have no reason to be. I didn't do anything strenuous yesterday. I had an adequate amount of sleep.

All the little things I usually do to kid myself into feeling energetic, or just less tired, are not working. I had 3 cups of coffee this morning, which is normally ends in nervous state. But yawns prevail. Peppermint tea to freshen up. Nothing. Sugary snack. Heavy eyes. Pretending I'm a Young Knife. Enjoyable but not making me as alert as I'd anticipate ordinarily.

And all the while toying with the question of whether it is social divisions that are important or is the real issue whether or not we can move beyond these social divisions through social mobility?

I'm too exhausted to mentally attend to this.

Collision: The Young Knives- She's attracted to from Smile on Vimeo.

The Juan MacLean

2010-05-08T21:05:00.004+01:00

My other half and I have been doing quite a bit of disco dancing around our house. Well - that is a lie - I have been dancing and then shouting demands that he join in.

You've got to command!

As sexy-voiced John MacLean would agree, no doubt. Or - if in fact he did disagree, then mother-fucking, fuck-me-I'm-sexy Nancy Whang would definitely agree.

I am addicted to disco "pow's". Fact.

If you've got a "pow", then you've got a fan!

The Juan MacLean - New Bot [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

A very strange day...

2010-05-06T12:58:00.002+01:00

I'm still poorly. Nervous and anxious. Desperate for anything to take my mind off what is happening. Listening to either Belle and Sebastian or Death From Above 1979. Immersing myself in the LCD Soundsystem album and attempting to formulate something exciting to say about it. I have a presentation next week. I'm not concerned, but I should be. My ears are ringing, my throat is sore, my eyes are puffy. I look bedraggled. I feel bedraggled.

At moments where I can no longer bare the world and the ongoings around me I have a deeply personal ritual.

I watch Yellow Submarine.

Yellow Submarine from alta2009 on Vimeo.

Must break tension..

2010-05-05T12:14:00.001+01:00

Kelis — Acapella from Schmidtriy Zhopkinman on Vimeo.

I am won over.

M.I.A.

2010-04-28T10:44:00.003+01:00

If you are of a slightly sensitive nature you may wish to carry on in blissful ignorance and not watch this very amazing video.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Romain Gavras is a pretty awesome video director. Certainly a man who does not do anything by halves and I imagine is quite intense. Also responsible for the Justice - Stress video - which I found made me not want to go to London for a while - he is a man of great talents.

On a different note... YEY! M.I.A. is back! I properly think she is a role model.

Darwin Deez

2010-04-27T09:40:00.003+01:00

death by audio|darwin deez|march '09 from darwin deez on Vimeo.

In a cold academic office on a Tuesday, lots to do to seem like I am worthwhile, fiddly annoying bits all day that seem inconsequential. In my lunch break editing an essay for my Masters. Go home and carry on editing. Possibly eat some mackrel. Read, read, read, make notes for a meeting tomorrow.

I don't have one bit of motivation and would much rather be in the above situation.

Darwin Deez.

10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong..

2010-04-22T18:00:00.003+01:00

..but Steph Mulrine can.

Simian Mobile Disco - 10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong

Tracks, sounds, noises, songs. Sometimes they articulate a feeling. It can lovely, bubbly, fluffy feelings that you may have for someone else. It could be gut-wrenching grief and loss. But how often does it tend to be frustration? And not all those with lyrically obvious cathartic messages that say the things you can't. No, fuck all that. Like genuine skin-crawling frustration at yourself and no visible way to deal with it. Elements of this track do that for me.

Maybe I need to talk about it. Maybe I need a fresh perspective. Maybe I need to be away from a University, my books, journal articles, notes, post-it's, etc, etc, etc, for more than half an hour. We're not making progress.

Waking up at 5am, nervous, thinking about how the two dissertation topics you are currently working around are may lack-lustre, is probably not good.

This track embodies the emotions that seem to characterise my tempestuous nature of late. And it goes someway to highlighting my continuing 'outsider' status. The bleeps seem to say, if you listen really carefully, You're a loner...

And you can't argue with the bleeps.

Thanks Simian Mobile Disco!

Kylie (!!!)

2010-04-20T15:41:00.003+01:00

Kylie is soon to be back! Yey!

Sounds exciting...

Drunk Girls

2010-04-19T13:47:00.006+01:00

LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls

My new job which is temporary and I was hoping I could impress the right people to keep me on looks like they'll have no other option than to let me go. And so working hard and trying to impress has been a big waste of time. Prospect of unemployment. Excellent. This video made me happier though.

Fuck. Shit. Fuck.

Duke Dumont

2010-04-16T09:01:00.000+01:00

This always catches me off guard and always, always, always makes me feel superb!

Duke Dumont - Postlude [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

I need alcohol and sleep. But this is still magical.

Kicking my heels!

2010-04-14T10:22:00.005+01:00

And I swear, when I feel like kicking my heels, I do actually do it. Quite well too! Good news, a day to get things done, a peek of sunshine. No money or food, but that is always the case! I'll survive.

This whole General Election is pretty much freaking me out. I get scared that I'll soon have to look for a new home, in Scotland, and uproot my life there. And generally, I'm far too philosophical to really pledge my alliance to any political party. But having seen a barrage of Conservative posters in the country side that surrounds Teesside recently I've considered putting a Lib Dem poster in my window. And a Labour poster. Or something that states free-choice. Or something crude that says "Vote for whoever, as long as it's not the Conservatives or the BNP".

So the article Tory lead narrows amid huge voter disenchantment is something to smile at. And, ~swoon~, Jon Snow last night talking to 'the people on the street' about the Tory plans and getting laughed at. Oh, it is very nice. Reportedly people would rather see a hung parliament over either a Labour of Conservative government. I think it is morbid curiosity. Part of me would like to see a hung parliament!

Anyway, my hero so far, and a lot of people's from what I can gather is Vince "The" Cable. I definitely have a bit of one of my notorious crushes there. The Cable is dreamy and he makes me laugh. Ladies, what more could you ask for?!

Yesterday on the bus home from work, I had a headache, I was forcing myself to read my book on the ever depressing subject of neoliberalism, the elderly lady next to me was doing that annoying thing where someone sits on your coat. Hope was non-existent. As it so often is on public transport. Then I looked up from reading the name Thatcher for about the 100th time to see a 'Vote Lib Dem' poster in someones window on the first floor of a flat on a main road. My hand automatically dropped my book and pressed against the glass. Hope. At the time one of my favourite tracks was reaching it's pinnacle. And I swear, it was all I could do not to shed a tear at the beauty of it all.

The Field - Everyday [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

The overt and publicly political nature of this post has made me cringe and blush at myself, I do not do this sort of thing normally and probably won't be doing so again. I apologise.

Supergrass Split

2010-04-12T19:59:00.004+01:00

Pottering around the kitchen and back yard yesterday in the sun, with 6 Music ringing out and Adam Buxton's Big Mixtape show is playing host to Danny Goffey and Gaz Coombes of Supergrass fame. They are answering very random questions on decorative bowls and trying to get in on the children's music market. As always the boys are very entertaining and get on wonderfully with Adam Buxton and his less than mainstream style of humour. I giggle lots, eat my lunch in the sun, everyone is happy.

But today is another day. The internet in my new house gets sorted (but not my broken computer), I nearly take my finger off peeling tatties, I eat a lemon top, I read a book on qualitative research methods that from the size and the text layout appears to think it is The Bible. It is fair to say it is a pretty mixed day. Then testing the internet connection what do I see?

Supergrass to split after 17 years

What?! No. I shouted the headline very loudly to my housemate. His reaction is equally as blunt and pained.

I have been a fan of Supergrass for many years. The above picture is the very same as a poster I had of them on my bedroom wall when I still lived at home many years ago. It was the centrepiece of a collage of clippings, posters, flyers, pictures and ticket stubs of many, many different artists. And it looked great.

I've seen them live four times. Never once have I been disappointed in their performances. They are simply a joy to experience.

Their DVD released for the 10 year anniversary Supergrass Is 10 was charming, fascinating and very, very funny. It spawned some lines that have stayed as one-liner in-jokes for years.

A band with character that without them the landscape of music will be forever lacking. I have shared one of my favourite and more obscure Supergrass tracks. The first is the last track of the album In It For The Money and I always got into it in a big way. At a festival some years later I found the single for Richard III which included the B-Side also for your pleasure Sometimes We're Very Sad, this being one of my favourite tracks I bought the single straight away to take home and listen to find out just what it was. And it is just great!

I might have been slightly too young to have followed them from their beginning, but my affection for this band caught up in no time at all. I'll hopefully be going to show my respect at their farewell tour dates schedules for early June.

Supergrass - Sometimes I Make You Sad [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Supergrass - Sometimes We're Very Sad [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

James Murphy

2010-04-09T16:34:00.002+01:00

He's told NME that he is done. "I'm out of here" in fact. There is another tragedy we can squarely pin blame on the NME for. If they hadn't of done that interview he wouldn't of said that. It would of happened regardless. But, fuck it, let's blame the NME.

And we can talk about the philosophic things he said in the interview with regards to money and getting rich. But right now I need to make light of the situation.

So I throw open the discussion of what James Murphy can do once he has 'retired'. I think come and carry my numerous books I always have around for me. My very own fluffy, older, entrancing American book carrier. It'd be a conversation starter.

"Oh, hi, how are you? Have you met my materials vehicle, James? He used to make amazing music with LCD Soundsystem, but now he turfs my books and notes around for me. He's got some interesting views on the nature of employment and pay.. Mmm.. Haven't you, James? And look at how cute he is! You should see him hit a cowbell! Got time for a coffee?"

I have time to work out the finer details yet, they are touring more or less forever. Go to Pitchfork to have a listen to Drunk Girls.