Are we dreaming...

It's properly Autumn weather at the moment and the skies are looking dreamy in the evenings. Here are some videos that fit the nostalgic mood of the moment very well...

The Sound of Arrows - Into The Clouds



There are no words that can describe how wonderful this is.
www.myspace.com/thesoundofarrows

Frou Frou - It's Good To Be In Love



Wistfulness and wonderful production. I love the lyrics and I love the video. Especially when Imogen has the rose - it's so overly-dramatic. Perfect.



Marina & The Diamonds - Mowgli's Road



Made by a guy who did a video for me, Chris Sweeney, who has a wonderful imagination and the skill to make it come to life for everyone else, luckily. A great fantasy video.

www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds

Kings Of Convenience - Misread



I saw them play for the first time ever last week at Barbican, and it took me back exactly to the summer of 2002 waking up to their album every morning. Every song is so well written, and has such a particular charm. One of their most charming, here.
www.kingsofconvenience.com

An Autumn Mix

Summer's gone again. This is a collection of songs that have kept me singing through the summer, and songs that welcome in some cooler months.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band - 15 To 20



I heard this song this morning, and I've been singing it all day.
www.myspace.com/phenomenalhandclap

The Tiny - Last Weekend



I've been hugely in love with this band since playing with them at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen .. 3 years ago. Their previous work is amazing, and this track continues to highlight the strength of the songwriting and the wonder of Ellekari's voice.
www.myspace.com/thetinythetiny


The Presets - If I Know You



Such an incredible video for a killer song. Start to finish - genius.
www.myspace.com/thepresets


Jose Vanders - Faces Going Places



I've known Jose for ages, and saw her play this week for the first time. She has an amazing voice, and a set of beautifully written songs.
www.myspace.com/vandersmusic


Wave Machines - I Go I Go I Go



I played with this band YEARS ago and since then they've recorded an amazing album, produced this - one of the catchiest singles I've heard in years - and made a great video for it. Fantastic band.
www.myspace.com/mywavemachine

Richard Peter Snapes & The Lie Awakes - I've Made Up Stories



Really, really cute video. Reminds me of early Fanfarlo videos [see earlier blogs] and had a great ending.
www.myspace.com/richardpetersnapes

Moshi Moshi

So by the end of July I will have played with almost everyone on Moshi Moshi's amazing roster. So here's a round up of what the label offers, and just how great the acts are.

Casio Kids - Fot I Hose



I can't even say how much I love this band. We played together in Birmingham and their stage show is just the most exciting thing ever. Crowds go wild, beats and instruments are everywhere. Instrument swapping, dancing and looking like you're having the time of your life are central. BEST. LIVE. BAND. EVER.
www.myspace.com/casiokids

James Yuill - No Pins Allowed



James is amazing - at remixing, at producing, at writing, and at playing live. Much harder on stage than on record. This is one of his most amazing moments. Heavy beats with great vocals and brilliantly-crafted lyrics. He's going to be so huge so soon.
www.jamesyuill.com

Slow Club - Because We Are Dead



Unbelievably good live girl/boy duo. Their debut album comes out really soon and is going to be an instant classic and massive summer soundtrack. Go see them as soon as you can. This song is great and the video is fantastic.
www.myspace.com/slowclub

Au Revoir Simone - Dark Halls



Slightly 'Virgin Suicides'-esque video for 'Dark Halls'. They kind of remind me of The Waitresses a little. I love the Casio tones and the beats. Also check out James Yuill's remix of them at his website.
www.myspace.com/aurevoirsimone

Euro Vision?

So apparently we're all excited about Eurovision today.

Err...

But here's an Eurovision/Euro-dance inspired playlist.

Maja Blagdan - 'Sveta Ljubav'



I remember watching Eurovision 1996 very vividly. With my parents, on a horrible brown sofa that we got rid of around the same time watching Eurovision wasn't something we did anymore. This song, though, is so mesmerising. Her dance sequence is pretty ... inspired ... and the screams, particularly the last one - are something else entirely.

Kasia Kowalska - 'Chcę znać swój grzech'

Similarly, this very dark, dramatic from the same year was pretty amazing. She kind of reminds me of Winona Ryder in Bram Stoker's Dracula. So basically, Eurovision 1996, a great vintage year.

Culture Beat - Mr Vain



So now onto more quality vintage Euro tunes. This one still sounds amazingly good. Great female vocals, ridiculous, but great lyrics, and awesome rap. HIT.

Corona - The Rhythm Of The Night



MASSIVE vocals on a huge, huge track. Whenever someone pulls this out at a party people go wild. Although nobody really knows what she's saying. Great pop moment when in an interview Olga, the singer, (who mimed, she was a model) couldn't pronounce the word "rhythm". Hmm... how do you spell giveaway? Archetypal shoulder pads, oversized earrings and shitty funfair setting = seminal 90s dance.

Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir



My favourite modern Euro export. Yelle is perfect really - image, sound, vocal delivery, and my God, this video.
www.myspace.com/iloveyelle

You got me dancing ...

These songs make me want to dance till I pass out. I can't stop listening to them at the moment.

Passion Pit - The Reeling



Oh my God this is one of my favourite songs this year. I feel like I'm in an old computer game, with my best friends and a huge party. And I LOVE this video. I want to be in it.
myspace.com/passionpitjams

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero



The first time I heard this, I remembered why I love this band. And everyone I know seems to have the same euphoria from this song. It makes me want to run outside and go absolutely wild. And the start of the video is such an incredible sequence. Simple but brilliant
myspace.com/yeahyeahyeahs

Filthy Dukes - Messages



Check out this insanely brilliant mash up of Short Circuit footage to Filthy Dukes' WICKED track 'Messages'. Impossibly catchy track, great lyrics, great vocals from Tommy Sparks, and Johnny 5 of course only accentuates the charm.
myspace.com/filthydukes

Rainy Day Mixtape

What a surprise. Rain. So here's a little mixtape.

M83 - Kim & Jessie



I walked to work today listening to this feeling very dramatic. I absolutely love the epic nature and the 80s sentimentality of it all. Such an amazing, amazing video to accompany a brilliant song.
myspace.com/m83

Richard Swift - The Novelist



A fairly dull static image of New York accompanies what is one of Richard Swift's most wonderful moments. From the double album 'The Novelist/Walking Without Effort', an archaic sounding number that introduced the remarkable man to me.
myspace.com/richardswift

Local Natives - Camera Talk



So everyone's talking about these guys at the moment. Their myspace is home to some gorgeous songs, none of which have a video at the moment. SO amuse yourselves with this great live performance! Great headbopping.
myspace.com/localnatives

The Title Sequence - Dinosaurs



I absolutely love this project. Formerly known as The Sound of Bailey, The Title Sequence make lovable indie musings such as this. Also check out 'Lovers', very reminiscent of Andy Williams / Kings of Convenience. Brilliant stuff.
myspace.com/thetitlesequence

Full at Easter

I'm so, so full. And have spent most of today in this disgusting state listening to some brilliant music.

Bat For Lashes - Daniel



I absolutely LOVE this video, and I love her imagery (initially I wasn't so sure circa debut album) and the production on 'Two Suns' is mind-blowing. However, this particular song ... it is basically this isn't it ...


(apparently the original video on Youtube is not "available in my country??" They're a British band for God's sake!!)

Still I think she is really quite something.
www.batforlashes.com

Sliimy - Wake Up



This is one of the songs I don't know whether I like, he sounds EXACTLY like a French male Kate Nash. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the video. I would love to make one like this. So much fun.
www.myspace.com/sliimy

Super Furry Animals - Hermann Loves Pauline



They have a new album out ... today! And I love them so so much. This one of my favourite singles, and favourite videos.
www.superfurry.com

Sam Isaac - Come Back Home Tonight



I spent the day with Sam in a mutual friend's house with 22 people having a huge Russian Easter dinner. It was truly amazing. We were both hungover. As I was when this was filmed. If you look closely, you can spot me. Great song. Great fun.
www.samisaac.co.uk

Amanda Palmer - Oasis



Her album 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer' was one of my favourite albums last year. An incredible collection. And this video captures her tongue-in-cheek, wry humour, her musical creativity and her colourful approach perfectly. I love it. A touch of genius perhaps.
www.amandapalmer.net

April Playlist

I've spent most of 2009 so far in a really good mood and have been given, or found some amazing music. This is a little mixtape of what I'm listening to in the month of supposed rain, which has turned out sunny and full of good times.

Filthy Dukes - This Rhythm



I literally can't listen to this without wanting to dance. Which is unfortunate as I can't stop listening to it ...
www.myspace.com/filthydukes


Fever Ray - When I Grow Up



The Knife's leading lady has a superb new project.
www.myspace.com/feverray

Sol Seppy - Human



I was clearing out an old box of CDs for charity shops and I totally forgot I owned her wonderful, wonderful album 'Bells of 12'
www.myspace.com/solseppy

Slow Club - Me and You



If you can, go and watch these guys live. They are almost peerless. So incredible on a stage. They're much less garish and 90s than the video :) Great melodies and great lyrics.
www.myspace.com/slowclub


A Camp - Stronger Than Jesus



Their second album 'Colonia' is more sombre, maybe more sentimental than the eponymous debut, but has some real gems. Nina's voice is something quite special, and moments like 'Love Has Left The Room' have real majesty. Here's the lead single with a great video.
www.myspace.com/acamptheband

How Time Flies! And so did I ...

Wow ... so I haven't updated a playlist for over a year. Maybe that's a good thing, at least I've had things to do!

I went to SXSW (South by South West), a festival in Austin, Texas. I played 3 shows, and watched about a million. And these videos make a little mixtape of my favourite SXSW acts that I stumbled across...

Sky Larkin - Fossil, I

I bumped into these guys on a bus into town from our hotels, and had played with them at a night in London before, so we got chatting and I spent my first morning and afternoon in Austin with them. They're so great, and on stage they're even greater. Go see them. Now, if you can.
www.myspace.com/skylarkinskylarkin

Wildbirds & Peacedrums

They played at the End of the Road party and were absolutely incredible. A really amazing duo.

www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums

Ohbijou

I really loved their track on the SXSW website, a sort of lush, orchestral, romantic affair. Really charismatic and totally charming.
www.myspace.com/ohbijou

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

I watched this band play in the sunshine in the grounds of a gorgeous park. The vibe was perfect, the band were hilarious and super tight, and Dent is a very lovable frontman. Gig of the week. And I adore this song.
www.myspace.com/dentmay

Telekinesis - Tokyo

Watched these with 2/3 of Sky Larkin. The frontman/drummer learned from Death Can For Cutie's drummer apparently. He's an all round star, really. Great set, great band.
www.myspace.com/telekinesismusic