It’s time for the month in music, a selection of the stuff wot I have been listening to over the last four weeks.
First off is a tune from New Zealander Jeremy Mason, a man whose set I just caught the end of when he supported Miss the Occupier and Popup earlier in the year. He has just released a new EP called You’ll Never Know Anything and it’s rather lovely, reminding me of Tom Mcrae as it juxtaposes dark imagery with gentle vocals and minimalist acoustics. Fom the EP this is Fly Along with Ghosts:
http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F21408079&show_comments=false&color=717171Fly Along With The Ghosts by Jeremy Mason
Next is Laki Mera (who you can see on TV above). They have had their song Crater remixed by the mighty Mogwai and it is understated and quite delicious. Have a taste for yourself:
http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F23685780 Laki Mera – Crater (Mogwai Remix) by Just Music label
Regular readers will know how much I loved the Mummy Short Arms single Cigarette Smuggling (it’s still my song of the year so far in case you’re interested) so it was with great anticipation that I clicked on to listen to his new(ish) song Change. It’s gloriously nuts, with a bit of Beefheart and a splash of Frank Black, and I have the feeling that we are witnessing someone a wee bit special. It won’t be for everyone, but then who would want that? I can’t wait for a full album, but as long as they keep releasing songs I’ll keep telling you about them. This is Change:
http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F21176298 MUMMY SHORT ARMS – Change by Flowers In The Dustbin
I finally got round to listening to The Fruit Tree Foundation album First Edition. As I’m sure many of you know, this album is a collection of songs which were recorded to raise awareness of the work of The Mental Health Foundation. Those involved include Emma Pollock, James Yorkston, James Graham, Scott Hutchison, Karine Polwart and Alasdair Roberts amongst others. A line-up that speaks for itself. Here is Favourite Son:
Finally, I mentioned last month that This Silent Forest were half way through undertaking a song a day over a 30 day period, something they acheived in some style. You can see the fruits of their labour by going to their You Tube Channel but they have a new single out called The Fight. Yes it’s folky, and yes, there is a lot of that about, but This Silent Forest play with a panache that few can match and remind me of one of my favourite bands Explosions in the Sky. Not so much post rock but post folk (have I said this before? If so it’s worth repeating). But don’t take my word for it, this is The Fight:
That’s all for this month, so, as Kasey Casem used to implore, “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”.