(Loosest of all) Album of the Year

The Field with Yesterday and Today.

The Field - The More That I Do [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Also the most magical gig I have attended this year, quite possibly.

(Looser still) Album of the Year

The Maccabees with Wall of Arms.


DownTheFrontSessions - Young Lions on MUZU

(Loosely) Album of the Year

Mr Oizo with Lambs Anger.

Mr Oizo - Positif [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Das Wanderlust Christmas Single!

It is December! I have genuinely been waiting for this month since approximately April. Over indulgence, time with loved ones, tacky tinsel and pretty lights, late night mad-dashed shopping, lots and lots of amazing food, giving gifts to those you love the most and possibly getting a nice little gift from Santa yourself too! It is far too easy to 'hate' Christmas. It is just bloody ridiculous. Put on a paper hat, keep your opinion to yourself, eat some pigs-in-blankets and get over yourself! Ahem. I do love Christmas. However there can be a darker side. It is during this season that there is the tendency to become quite narcissistic, ego-centric, self-centered. It can be fairly ugly.

That is why I implore you to think about the donkey's. That is right. Donkey's. Das Wanderlust have! At this special time of year my favourite power-pop band have gone and done a bloody Christmas charity single! It for The Brooke Donkey Hospital, which does fantastic work in some of the world's poorest communities to work with people to teach them how to care for and really look after their donkey's as best they can. It is a charity to which I have already given money in the past. But unfortunately I am poor until the end of the week. So I have barred myself from downloading the single -- which is free in the hope that your conscience will force you to donate to The Brooke -- until I get paid.

So here is the link:

Das Wanderlust - Someone To Pull Crackers With

And I do hope you enjoy it. I am very excited. But, alas, I shall abstain until Friday.

La Fleur

After seeing the post on the lovely Discobelle I downloaded the mix by La Fleur and her mixes fast becoming the soundtrack to my haphazard essay writing.

Some fantastic techno selecting going on. She's very estute. And stunning too!

Particularly fond of this mix.

La Fleur - Power Plant Mix by lafleur

PS If you've have or have never come across SoundCloud before let me know what you think of it, please. I'm undecided.

Broken Hooker DJ's

In the North East on Saturday? Then really, you should be attending this.

Broken Hooker DJ's @ The Medicine Bar, Middlesbrough, Sat 28th Nov 2009.

It'll be excellent. Fact. Plus, you can have a dance with myself and as long as there is no rohypnol sneaking in (I have work the next day, don't ya know?) you can buy me a drink. How kind of me!

The sum of all my parts

I'm not even sure what led me to the delightful Jack and Levi, who make up (Pretty) Girls & Lasers but something did and I'm glad that it happened.

They are DJ duo that hail from over that American way. They spin fabulous electro-pop-clash-rave records and make girls dance. Preferably pretty one, of course.

Anyway, rather than go on and inevitably profess that they are as great as some dead philosopher, or claim that their mixes are suddenly making postmodern theory clear to me now, we shall skip that. For something exciting in the future may occur (ahem), where I can do that. So temporality aside here is there latest offering.

In two parts:

(Pretty) Girls & Lasers - Late 2009 Mix Pt. I (Right click & Save as...)

(Pretty) Girls & Lasers - Late 2009 Mix Pt. II (Right click & Save as...)

And tracklisting:

Kleerup – Until We Bleed (Featuring Lykke Li)
La Roux – Colourless Colour
Pamela Hute – Hysterical (Perfect Loosers Remix)
Something a la Mode – Rondo Parisiano (Justin Faust Remix)
Tommy Sparks – She’s Got Me Dancing (Tommy Sparks & The Fury Remix,
re-edited by us to include sections of the original version)
Kissy Sell Out – This Kiss
VHS or Beta – Can’t Believe a Single Word (LA Riots Remix V6)
Daft Punk – Technologic
Fukkk Offf – Rave is King
Sebastian Tellier – Kilometer (A-Trak Mix)
80kidz – Getting You Off
MSTRKRFT – Heartbreaker (Featuring John Legend) (Wolfgang Gartner Remix)
Run DMC – My Adidas (Pilotpriest Remix)
Dragonette – I Get Around (Kolt13 Remix)
Edison Gem – Hold Back (LA Riots Remix V2)
DatA – Rapture (Bestrack Remix)
Grafton Primary – I Can Cook (Hey Now Remix)
Ruby Isle – So Damn High (Will Eastman Remix)
The Aston Shuffle – Do You Want More? (Featuring Danimal Kingdom) (The
Aston Shuffle Remix)
Ladytron – Ghosts (The Toxic Avenger Mix)

Enjoy! Hard not too, like.

Wiley -- again!

A video for the new song Take That. Which I would suggest features some rather schizophrenic looking girls.

"Conceptions of schizophrenia as the loss of more real, authentic, versions of the self are typically combined with the disease models, again displaying the social nature of medicalized constructs inidivduals use to explain their lives."

Jim:

"Having one character that says one thing and another character that says another ... having two different, especially when I talk to myself, that's sort of my schizophrenia ... I imagine people talking to me, I just imagine I don't hear voices ... sometimes I hear society talking to me, yea, which is not normal [laughs]"

I'm reading about schizophrenia and attempting to deduce what, if anything, this can allude with regards to the creation of self and identity.

I may empathise too much with the schizo's.

Plus, the girls in this video are quite sexy.

Primary 1 and Riton

Riton and Primary 1 - Radiates from Bob Harlow on Vimeo.

Ere, don't ya think that Primary 1 looks like T4's Rick Edwards?

I've loads of half finished posts. Proper busy at the moment, like. Sorry.

Laura White

Now, obviously everyone watches X Factor. Even Bauman and Björk watch X Factor. I know for a fact The Boy Least Likely To are fans of the national hub of identity that is this Saturday and Sunday evening social phenomenon.

Anyway, so last year, I was devastated. My world was utterly rocked, and not in the good way, by the ongoings of X Factor. I vowed to hate it forever, but carry on watching, if only from a curious sociologists point of view (ha). When Laura White was voted out of last year's competition it left a bitter taste in my mouth and some grandiose metaphysical questions about the worth of television, the general public and a certain Louis Walsh.

But now, after 'a break' -- by which, I mean, not a break, an agreed amount of time that artists that have participated in the X Factor are banned from releasing any material as such as they become famous to the great annoyance of ITV and Simon Cowell whom have not been able to gain any monetary profit from -- LAURA WHITE IS BACK!!

I'm not sure I wholly love the single on initially hearing it. But I still back her most deserved rise to success after the disaster that was 2008!



Her sound is only two-clicks away from Alexandra Burke's and Cheryl Cole's. So if Laura White doesn't do well then we can view this as being down to the power of money, promotion and the big labels. Not a lack of talent! She's gorgeous!

Buy her single here! Go Laura!

Miike Snow

Excuse me a moment whilst I go all chart-hugging. But I currently cannot escape this song. I have a poor little dance to go along with, but it does require that I am entirely in my own company.

Miike Snow is pretty much loved at the moment. I'm enjoying the popularising and beautiful utilisation of drifting techno sequences. It is working in favour of the changing seasons. Honestly, put it on your MP3 player and listen whilst doing a night-time bus journey through a twinkling city centre, preferably past a river.

And I congratulate the subversion of the current trend to drop all vowels from your act name. Fucking add some! Come on Miike! You could probably get some more in there. If your not MSTRKRFT you probably just don't do it as stylishly.



And here is a remix. There are a few out there, but this is my favourite by Savage Skulls.

Miike Snow - Black & Blue (Savage Skulls remix) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Wiley

We'll start with the obvious and less than positive remarks.

a) This appears to be Wiley's response to Dizzee's crazy-mad hit Bonkers. Agree?

b) Who is doubting Wiley all the time? As The Other Half pointed out, he often seems to take, what not many people even notice is, a break and then triumphantly returns with a song lambasting anyone who had been dissing him. So, lets just stop all that silly nonsense. Otherwise you'll have to answer to this EskiGirl. And Wiley, just calm yourself.

So, I must admit I'm liking this embrace by grime of bass and big beats. Wiley really seems to have taken on a sound that for a lot of other grime artists wouldn't be able to stand up against. It is fucking full on. We've gone beyond provocative and entered reactionary. But it really isn't going to come close to toppling or troubling Wiley. I'd like to see more of this. Any recommendations, do share.

Here is the track. Just a still-picture video, I'm afraid.

We've not had a Hot Chip post for a while..

So why the hell not? Eh?

Hot Chip - Playboy

Delightful. I demand you agree.

Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson - Exclusive: Forever Young on MUZU


I'm not sure I entirely have my thoughts in order with regards to this artist. But there might be a glint of something that is attracting me, like a magpie, with hoardful curiosity.

White Williams

This is is wonderful.

Although it made near suicidal with frustration for quite a long time. Whilst working at the retail chain CD's would be sent to pop in our CD player and play. Designed to be cool whilst subliminally encouraging shoppers to be happy, enjoy their shopping experience and buy many items from the shop. I had a pretty macbre fascination with those compilations. I think part of me wanted it to be my job to compile them and send them out. I think I'd have been very good at it. I used to get excited when we got a new CD and would spend quite a while pouring over the track-listing. Well, we'd had this CD for a while and I always found myself doing a little boogie and a bit of sing, much to the amusement to customers, idiots, to this song. So I worked out the other songs on the CD before and after and went to look for the tracklisting. And, I swear to you, swear, I think every tracklisting since the shop had opened was there except that one! I went near mad. Everyone knew about it, managers, the Saturday kids, customers. In the end I stole the CD one night to take home and have The Other Half listen to, "Oh yea. I know this." "Right. So what is it? Who is it?" "I can't remember. But it isn't Hot Chip" Thanks for telling me something I already know. This went on for sometime. I was delirious. I put lyrics in Google, to no avail. I nearly sent it to friends of mine in the blogosphere, but couldn't let them in on my sheer mental degeneration. Eventually I decided to get on with my life. Or what I had left of it having excluded anything other than this track.

And do you know what? As dishevelled as my mind is, I can't remember how it became know to me that it was by White Williams. I think my BestFriendHouseMate might have somehow had something to do with it. I'm not sure any longer. But I now have it on 7" vinyl which I purchased in Camden recently. And somehow that makes it all okay.

So here is the track that I had wanted to share with you all for so, so long.

White Williams - Violator [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

There are new things to have mini-breakdowns about, so please, no comments on how easily I could have resolved this situation.

CELEBRATE!

A distinct, some would even say seismic, shift is taking place. Here at the home of Pop Cultureddd there is much change occuring. Which will hopefully lead to a reinvigorated, rejuvinated and intellectually stimulated author*. At the same time this new era occurs the demise of Jo Whiley has finally happened. The joy imparted is tantamount to all my Birthday's and Christmas's coming at once. I am a very happy lady. Now I could carry on wallowing in somebody else's misfortune (my Mummy would be very proud, she artfully finds hilarity in other people's pain, not in a horrible way, but, you know), but this is probably not very becoming.

So check this out. I love it. Ignore the Whiley before and after.



Woo!

* - I'll still be fucking poor though, probably more so infact.

Old Friendly Fires

Still not really got over Friendly Fires as of yet. And I had been warmed to them even more by Ed's comments to someone on 6 Music, probably Lamacq, that they weren't surprised about being nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. They thought they were the sort of band that would be. Great self-awareness, no pointless, cliched humility. Fuck that.

So here is a mature Friendly Fires track.

I wonder if My Man has heard it?

Friendly Fires - Bring Out Your Dead [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

As a general rule songs that use the word disco and are disco-esque are fantastic.

Wham!

George Michael for the longest time was spitting dabs of my Father. So let's celebrate the fact.

Wham! - Club Tropicana [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Duke Dumont

After a slanderous, yet joking (yet still suprisingly accurate) attack on my never-flinching fella, he as a response made me quite a fantastic mix.

To shut me up. Obviously.

And instead I'm here, to rave about this track.

Duke Dumont - Feltham (The Borstal Beat) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Ripped from the context of the mix I feel it loses something. But it means, excitingly, that it is brilliantly constructed to pulse and push through a mix, and I guarantee will be the stand out moment.

Usual malark. Love the man Dumont, the indisputable Duke. Go here, in praise and worship.

Polytechnic

Has time sped up? It is starting to scare me.

Enjoy Polytechnic.

Polytechnic - Pep

Anyone got bundles of cash they are trying to get rid of? Blood money? Proceeds of crime? State pension? Anything at all? Let me know.

Looking up..

Hark! There appears to be swathes of social immobility. Didn't you know? I just saw it on the news. And here I sat thinking my crushing despair and subsequent shattering of confidence was down to a change in the weather/Michael Jackson's death/body image issues. Oh no. It turns out that it really is all societal. I suppose that might ease my feelings inadequacy and guilt. Apart from the fact that it doesn't.

Ambition and a desire to progress do appear to be costing a great deal. Strain and stress. Punctured sleep and meals viewed in reverse. The mantra "Desperate times call for desperate measures.." no longer holding resonance.

I understand the competition. I truly do. But when I've nothing to offer than desire and a pledge that I will push myself beyond what I know my contemporaries will do its hard to know why it isn't enough.

Choking back tears during phonecalls that always spiral back to the well-trodden subject of money. "You know if I could help that I would love nothing more than to say 'Don't worry about it, Steph. Here is the money it is taken care of.' But you know I can't. I'm sorry." It tears the hearts of those around me apart. And only those closest know how deep it goes. The lengths gone to. The opportunities plundered and drawn up ultimately dry.

And all I can say is...

I'll be fucked if I'm going to give up!

Expensive academia and a glass ceiling will not deter me so easily. Wear me down, maybe. But it has it match met with me!

I may not have much, but it just means I've got less to lose.

David Bowie - Life On Mars [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Burial

It continues..

Burial - Archangel

Four Tet

Let us start..

Four Tet - Smile Around The Face

Esser

We tried to get out to see Esser recently. But due to lying taxi providers we missed his set. At the time I wasn't massively disappointed being somewhat loosened by the alcoholic content of my bloodstream. And my man and I threw some shapes and giggled drunkly together until the wee hours.

But when I awakened the following day in the cold -- much more sober -- light of day, I was gutted when I realised I'd missed Esser.

But hopefully I'll get the chance to see him again at Newcastle's Evolution Festival at the end of May. And I think his hip electro-pop tunes will go down a treat. I'm excited.

I have particular cringe-affection for this video.

Esser - Headlock (Spike Stent Mix) from stars redmond on Vimeo.

Lily Allen

I am a fan. I've always liked Lily. I was lucky enough to see her at V Festival on the cusp of her rapid rise to riotous fame. I love her feisty, unassailable, need to comment on it all. Good, bad, ugly. Usually the bad and the ugly. She inspires me to stay the same. Not feel the need to back down. Because a girl who'll say it all to the world can take the world by storm.

So, I need to air it. I do not like Lily's new single. I am fairly distressed to say, I can't stand it. I don't get it. The concept. It all sits awkwardly. No one should have had a hand in ruining this. I want Lily in one of two ways; ferociously spouting her opinions, or looking ferociously at me as in that picture above.

Country? Why? It reminds me of the two minute interviews done for chart shows aimed at teenagers with limited attention spans done with the latest blonde air-headed female solo artist.

"Well, I love all types of music, you know? I love it all. And so my new album has a bit of everything. Its got a bit of all genres. So there is a poppy song, a dancey song -- I think my fans will love that -- a rocky song, a couple of down-tempo love songs -- that are really close to my heart, one if about my Mom -- and a country song."

I don't get it. Is there still a need for this in pop music today? I don't have anything against a lot of chart pop music. I pretty much admit to having a very strong liking for it. But should there really be room for this now? I assumed we were beyond that. And after her fantastic last single The Fear, it hardly feels like we are building on it.



It upsets me.

Do you like the picture, by the way?

Akufen

This track makes me think of this time last year. And being rather giddy about someone. Funny how my love for this track and my giddy feeling has not receded at all.

Akufen - Wet Floors [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

What else is there to say other than go buy the album... maybe here.

Dizzee Rascal

Dizzee Rascal proving, as always, that having a defined and distinctive personality is not something to be ashamed of, but instead, fucking flaunt!



I'm getting very excited about seeing Dizzee live!

The Chapman Family

The Chapman Family. Astoundingly intelligent, judging, you-appear-to-have-no-knowledge-of-this-issue-so-please-kindly-fuck-off, cynical, forboding, yet really fucking enjoyable and endorphine producing rock. If you haven't had your latest news update then don't bother. Get these songs in your ears. Pretend that the knock at your front door isn't the apocalypse coming to take you. It probably is. Hide.

Kids is seriously going to make you assume that either you or society have failed. In actuality, it is both. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But somehow out of this massive let-down a band can create such a song as to create a nervous feeling as to make you await Jon Snow at 7pm just to affirm it all. But like Jon, The Chapman Family are telling you like it is in a way that indicates that a snazzy tie and socks combo and grilling a politician, or in the case of The Chapman Family an unsettlingly accurate account of the state of things packaged as a hook-line-and-sinker of a rollicking great song, might, might, MIGHT somehow change it all.

As a band that have come from my hometown, I am not so much biased, as we have produced a fair few indie bands over the years, but completely reassured and inspired.

So seeing The Chapman Family at Empire in Middlesbrough, the venue I see as my second living room -- it really is that familiar -- was a joy. A scary amount of feedback and the general problem with that venue of late, of the destruction of everyone's ability to enjoy a future free of tinnitus, hampered what would have been a truly proud moment for everyone from Teesside. Yet it did not deter the audience or the band from really enjoying a another, obviously frantic performance that The Chapman Family have become reliable for.

A old little taster..

The Chapman Family - You Think Your Funny [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Go to their MySpace page to hear an interview with the ever engaging Kingsley. Honestly, get into a conversation with this man, it is enriching as well as entertaining.

Then feeling his plight go buy the single!

If The Chapman Family are not a cult then they fucking should be!

The Maccabees

Never a consideration previously. But this song is under my skin like a spell-binding love.



The Maccabees have certainly pricked up my ears.

And that is what it is all about. Always a massively refreshing feeling. Like a lemon top from Redcar.

Camera Obscura @ O2 Academy, Newcastle

The return of a much loved band in our apartment-hold. Brimming with nostalgia; personal, musical, cultural and historical. Camera Obscura are so endearing, smile-enducing and humble. A band that have never shook that ever so slightly awkward feeling. You can see they love what they do musically but still worry as to how it will be received. It is not something that you see often -- if ever -- in this cock-sure industry.

So to see the Scottish band return to the live circuit again is delightful. It was a joy to see them play their new material last week, Tuesday 21st April, at the Academy. A venue I feel is perfect for the band. Dark, warm; enclosed in the palm of great big firm, yet reassuring hands. An audience that waiting verging on impatiently, but only due to the great sense of anticipation at sharing the air with a well-loved band of such likable people. My posse and I were actually impatient. We usually are. (But especially after the support act, not amusing.)

And not without reason. With teasers of new material surfacing it certainly gave the feeling that the wait would be worth it all. Their new album is certain to accompany the summer with no difficulty whatsoever. A genuine perfect match. Jangly, glorious and divinely orchestrated. To hear the a Camera Obscura track is to almost embark on an adventure that will surely deliver nothing but twee perfection.

With a couple of fluffs for good measure there is no way not to fall in love with Camera Obscura a little bit more for each one.



A cathartic appearance from a song that I did not expect to hear, and was quite choked to having to stand through publicly.

Extremely close to the bone. I'm not even sure why I'm sharing.

Camera Obscura - Razzle Dazzle Rose [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Friendly Fires with help from Air France make it seem better..

..just when I'm a little more than utterly despondant. A Monday you'd rather leave behind. Wishing your life away looking forward to time spent with a loved one. Dreams and aspirations that must be kept secret. Trying to make the best of something that just won't do.

This beautiful remix I've had floating around for a while has just reminded me of the hope of a life that I'm working so hard for and keeping ambition in mind it could all still fall into place.

Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (Air France remix) [via zShare]

Love Friendly Fires.

Adore Air France.

A localised post and suggestion..

The suggestion is that if you don't go, or you don't know about this band, then I judge you, harshly.


I love The Chapman Family.

Bombay Bicycle Club

Always Like This


"Good and nice."

I think it is absolutely beautiful. Shed a tear at the end of a warm summer's day at the knowledge that now you've experienced it and it was so sweet, you'll never get it back.

Bombay Bicycle Club and their MySpace.

Wiley

Personal idol.

Once introduced and given a little bit of an education on it, you cannot deny the power of grime.

I've never wanted to share Pop Cultureddd with anyone before. To be honest, I don't like sharing, full stop. But my other, infinitely better, half is fairly knowledgeable on the grime scene and I've been trying to cajole him into doing an occasional feature post.

But, try this for starters...

Wiley - Wot Do U Call It [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

The Young Knives

Pleasantly bowled over. I'd not seen The Young Knives for a long while. Possibly three years. I'm not sure. But I've forgotten how much I enjoy them. Witty, roaring, slick and yelping. I have not been to a gig in a long time that made me grin with surprise and delight.

On the rounds of promoting their third album The Young Knives seemed fairly confused to have ended up in Darlington. And as the third band I have seen in this venue this year, they were not alone in this reaction. But Darlington should be really proud to boast this venue. Inside Out is wicked and the organisers of this night Amplified! are making great impressions. Hopefully The Young Knives benefited from the experience.

The geek chic rockers seemed to revel in the opportunity to showcase their new material which appeared to widely, warmly received. It is always a little bit nervey, enough to induce a jippy tummy. But The Young Knives lived up to the challenge and used the opportunity to indulge the audience further in their new abundant pride. If you get chance, go support your Young Knives, reclaim that great feeling that they automatically induce.

There is something wonderful about that happy sense of excitable familiarity.

A retro little piece of personal joy.

The Young Knives - The Decision [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Funeral Party update..

Oooo. Get me!

Living up to a promise. Who'd have thought it?

Believe me, it is not going to happen often. Don't get excited.

Funeral Party - Carwars [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Funeral Party

Sorry about the shitness of the video and please do not succumb to their advertisments. I won't be able to sleep if you do. And if I don't sleep then I'll die in 11 days or something. Thus, no more Pop Cultureddd.

Liking Funeral Party though!

I'll try and find something a little more concrete that the internet has not sucked the fun out of yet to promo this wicked band better.

Dan Black remix plea..

I had been complaining that no-one had really picked up on the terrific single, Alone by Dan Black, as a potentially cataclysmically awesome song to remix for quite a while. I suppose somewhere in the ether my upsets resonated.

The boyfriend named dropped, again, but I don't mind this remix. Maybe it is a grower. But right now I have a feeling in my waters that more could extrapolated from this song.

It could be fantastic.

Dan Black - Alone (Clouded Vision remix) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Clouded Vision on MySpace. Them and their nice things.

Don't get me wrong. It is nice, n'all. But I just think this song has so much to offer in terms of remix value. If you think you could do better have a go and let me know! Please. I urge you.

Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson @ Soirée de poche - Slip into your skin from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

What can you say? I'm dumb-founded.

Franz Ferdinand

It would almost be rude not to mention this track.

I love Franz Ferdinand. Love the Franz. I sometimes forget the sheer reiablity that their debut album brought to my life. You need some awesome, kick-arse indie? Not mediocre, sub-standard Radio 1 indie? Oh well, you must try a bit of Franz Ferdinand. You like that? Well see them live. Honestly, I cannot impress upon you how momumental Franz Ferdinand are as a live act.

But who could have predicted the tenth track on their latest album, Lucid Dreams? I like to think I'm a bit of a musical lothario. Yet there was just not a hint upon the horizon of this.

Do not allow even one miniscule lapse of concentration as you may suddenly think your existence has suddenly shifted into an alternate universe.

My well-used phrase 'break-down', doesn't come close...

Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

M.I.A.

I'm still on it.

"Hi, excuse me, hello, sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to ask what CD the track that is playing now is from.."
"Oh yes. That'll be The Brits 2009 compilation."
"I don't mean to be rude, but its not. I'm not questioning you, but I'm just telling you, it isn't from that CD. This is why I was asking, as its not on any of your Now Playing displayed CD's."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Oh," frantic looking around, "Errm."
"Its just The Brits CD doesn't do remixes, and this is a remix of a track by M.I.A. called Paper Planes. I just wasn't sure what remix it was."
"Are you sure it isn't on The Brits CD?" Looks at the tracklisting.
"I'm certain."
"Oh," picking up a Motown compilation, "It might be one of the others."
"No, it isn't. Its definately not considered a Motown classic and is not from the latest Take That album... I know who it is by and what the track is --"
Interrupting, "So what was it you wanted to know then?"
"It is a remix and I just wanted to know who by and it isn't on any of the CD's that I can see."
"Oh, well, errm... I'm not sure what to suggest."
"Nevermind, it is okay, thanks for your help anyway, thanks, bye, thanks." Under breath, "I don't even care... Or have the will to live."

It was the DFA remix.

M.I.A. - Paper Planes (DFA remix) [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

The Voluntary Butler Scheme @ Inside Out, Darlington

This is more a call to Rob Jones than a review of the actual event itself.

So...

Dear Mr Rob Jones,

I am a little-known blogger, occasionally, but mainly I am a music and gig addict (not to mention the band t-shirts, lets not go there, one draw no long suffices). I happened to blog about you a year or so ago. And upon seeing that you were billed as playing at Darlington nearly deafened nearby dogs when I yelped with delight.

I arrived not long after 11:30pm, not for the club night, but to see yourself. I was quite shocked. I mean, people are nice and all, but, well its people in Darlington wanting to get smashed to familiar tunes.

But I must say I am glad I waited it out and stayed for your performance. You guys were fantastic and I was incredibly won over with all aspects of your set. Despite the poor sound quality of the soundsystem in there I thought all your sounds translated beautifully live. Pre-recorded sequences, drums, trumpet and quite obviously, your gorgeous and ever-giggle-inducing lyrics.

I was a little worried that after that gig that the North East of England may not have the pleasure of your presence again for a while and wanted to intercept this early! Come back. Just maybe ask me about venues/club nights first.

Warmest regards,

Stephanie Mulrine

PS My boyfriend had to be comforted due to your not having any t-shirts with you. However, come pay day I will make him smile again!

An open letter/request/bordering on petition to The Voluntary Butler Scheme.

Here is the video for Multiplayer. Buy the single when it is released on the 2nd March! Imperative.

The Cribs @ St. Georges Hall, Bradford

Disorder and chaos. I mean, it really has got to be expected. After all it is The Cribs.

It seems a while ago now but Sunday 8th February saw myself and my lovely boyfriend in Bradford. Snow falling, lapping the city center for a restaurant, and my boyfriend jumping in icy puddles. A few hours to kill before The Cribs and we were excited. The boyfriend is a big fan and takes to putting on his Cribsmas DVD whenever I'm not in the room and then convinces me to leave it on with promises of glimpses of beards or Nick Hodgson. I am not as dedicated a fan as he, but have seen them more than he has, I just love gigs.

Plus, seeing The Cribs live is not something I'd ever turn down. Because, although I may lack the sheer enthusiasm my boyfriend has in abundance for the Jarman's, seeing them play live is an absolute treat. Indulgently, I like to observe the entire spectacle. Not just their performance which is always laced with haphazard, yet charming, inconsistencies. Sibling similarities but stark differences and approaches. Personally, my crush tends to lean quite unshakably towards Ryan and the boyfriend's, well, he is a Gary-lover. But the thing that I enjoy most of all is to watch the massive out-pouring of dedication and adulation from the audience and Cribs-worshippers. I genuinely love just looking and taking in the adoration that swarms of independent beings collectively muster for this band.

I mean it, if you get the chance buggering go! Ignore The Cribs for a moment or two (especially Johnny Marr), detach yourself from the ongoings and experience what it is that The Cribs still manage to foster in people.

The St. Georges Hall in Bradford is a great venue. And getting to go there again was such a treat for me. The city of Bradford helped shape me and going there made my heart ache, in a good way.

For him:

The Cribs - What About Me [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

For my leary crowd loving:

The Cribs - Another Number [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Dan Black

I am constantly singing and dancing to this.

In the depths of quiet I will burst into song!


Dan Black Alone from chic & artistic on Vimeo.

Friendly Fires

What deserved rise to fame these boys are eventually finding. Its nice.


Friendly Fires 'Skeleton Boy' by Clemens Habicht from Nexus Productions on Vimeo.

P.S. Vimeo is where it's at! Fuck YouTube.

Junior Boys are back!

It certainly seems to have been a hellishly long wait. And with that wait has been all sorts of nagging doubts about what their return would bring. I felt like a nervous teenage girl readying herself for her first house party.

What if I don't like it? What if it is different from what I expect? What if it is just a bit rubbish and I sit in the corner looking out at the definition of disappointment? Will it mean that there is something wrong with me if I'm not enjoying it? What if everyone judges me for not liking it? What shall I wear? What will my Mum say?

These are the obvious questions. Obviously. Especially the last two. What is appropriate attire for first hearing the new album? After waiting all this time it certainly feels like a special occasion one must dress accordingly for. I do also wonder what my Mum will make of the Junior Boys new material, but from the two tracks I've heard the only way she could not like it was if her new medication was having an even more adverse affect on her than first thought! No, she will enjoy!

Junior Boys - Parallel Lines [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

Junior Boys - Hazel [via YouSendIt for 7 days]

The Rakes @ Inside Out, Darlington

I realise all has been quiet around these parts for a while. But I always suppose that Pop Cultureddd is not an outlet for personal crises' and a journal of my thoughts. But my desire for writing, experiencing, listening, chatting shit about and generally centering my life around music again has been restored.

Last night I, with my hottie on my arm, went to see The Rakes at Inside Out in Darlington, hosted by the clubnight Amplified. I'd never been to a gig in Darlington and was riddled with doubts about what to expect. As I had arranged this as a gift for my hottie I was hoping it would at least leave a vague smile on his face. The venue itself, was beautiful. A disused warehouse possibly, bare-brick walls, dark wood glass panelled windows, beautiful chandeliers and huge gold gilded mirrors. The drinks were cheap too! And the sound quality of the gig itself was surprisingly good for a small club venue. I really was won over by the place.


One of my worries before we went was that I didn't really think that Darlington would produce a crowd of people who liked The Rakes. I thought it'd be either lots of people who were unaware of the band and then you get annoyed feeling because you feel they don't appreciate an act you really like, or there would be my hottie and I and about thirteen other people. But it was really busy. With people who really, really liked The Rakes. It generated an astounding atmosphere. One which you couldn't help but get really carried away with. The hardcore kids at the front exerting a worrying amount of prolonged energy. Pushing, shoving, jumping about, jiggling unabashedly, they'll be bruised this morning.


All of this really suited the brilliant performance that The Rakes put on. I've been lucky enough to have seen them on a few previous occasions (and even have a rather odd story of meeting the very polite Alan Donahoe) and have always enjoyed them, but I think this topped it all. Which for a band that is testing material for the release of their third album, is a real testament. Some of the songs they previewed broke away from traditional sound but in a way that was genuinely filled with anticipation. All the elements of The Rakes were there. A great staple guitar band that you can rely on to produce songs that will provoke a number of emotions. The same vitality, passion and love for performing obviously has not waned at all for The Rakes. It was obvious that this enthusiasm just fuelled an already exciting crowd with a distilled excitement that by the end of the encore burst into sheer delirium which saw most of the members of the audience run the stage.

If you can make out any of the images I have scattered throughout, they do in fact try and show the vast quantities of people the security gave up trying to remove from the stage. A prize for anyone who can spot a Rake.

I found a video. I apologise, but you will have to turn your head on its side, but do not strain your neck. I will take no responsbility. You have been warned.

Alfie

Any activity is better than no acitivty at all. And on today I noticed that on Alfie's MySpace there had been uploading of 'new' tracks. For about 5 minutes all sorts of possibilities rushed through my head. But the basic conclusion was that Alfie were going to get back together. I nearly put on one of my five Alfie t-shirts to dance around in with joy. They'd tour again and I'd eventually be able to fulfil a life long dream of seeing Alfie live.

But no. It was just someone updating the songs on the MySpace player with already existing NOT new songs. NOT songs that had been recently worked on due to a secret reunion of the band.

No.

Bastarding disappointment.

White Lies

Happy New Year or something.

I'm not in a great mood. But I love my little Pop Cultureddd and any of you who can stand to read it, I love you too. So less of the bloody neglect, yeah?

So this is doing the rounds and I must admit I really do like it. A lot. For those on the fringes of mainstream media, you know, you don't like chart and take recommendations from four different blogs and then show off to your friends when you had the 'fore-sight' to predict the outstanding rise of a new band.

No bitterness here. Its all love.

So lets have it. If you want generic hype and good things said about this band you could just go read the culture sections of the Guardian or tune into Zane Lowe's radio show, I assume.

I'm just saying I like it, is all.

White Lies - To Lose my Life

White Lies MySpace.