All the lovers…

Cracking new single that drops in July from the lovely Kylie Minogue.

Gig of the week

Looking forward to catching these guys in the Academy, Dublin on Thursday. I purchased Dig! last week on Amazon and I’m hoping to watch it before the gig .

It’s a documentary on the once-promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, and the friendship/rivalry between their respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor.

And So I Watch You From Afar

Look out for these Northeners with attitude in Andrew’s Lane, Dublin on Fridy 26th of March. I’m really looking forward to this gig – not my ususal genre – I usually like more melody to my music but there is something infectious about these guys.

NME described them as

‘The sound of someone crashing an oil tanker through Sigur Ros’ ice floe’

Brilliant!

Check out S is for Salamander from their excellent Letters EP

Coming Out at Christmas

Irish Times top 20 albums of the decade

The Irish Times published their top 20 albums of the decade recently. I was big indie kid back in the day and felt recently that  was out of touch. Of the 20, I own 13, 3 were/are on my wish list, I have never heard of 3 of them and I’m not too bothered about 1. So it appears that I’m not completely out of the loop.

Interestingly, I purchased Fleet Foxes’ self titled album in October, just before going away for a 3 week holiday. I bought it as it was number one on my amazon list of recommendations. And I love it. Amazon obviously know my music tastes too well. Interestingly enough, Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago is number one on my Amazon recommendations list right now so I think I’ll have to get it.

1 Arcade Fire - Funeral (2005)

2 Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)

3 The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

4 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)

5 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)

6 Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) (2001)

7 Brendan Benson - Lapalco (2002)

8 Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now (2005)

9 Cathy Davey - Tales of Silversleeve (2007)

10 Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)

11 Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000)

12 The Strokes - Is This It (2001)

13 The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000)

14 PJ Harvey - Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea (2000)

15 Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (2006)

16 Ash - Free All Angels (2001)

17 Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)

18 Sigur Rós - Ágaetis Byrjun (2003)

19 Doves - The Last Broadcast (2002)

20 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid (2008)

Phoenix in Vietnam

It was lashing rain in Hoi An, Vietnam. Pouring down buckets. We were soaked to the bone and after a few hours of being measured, nipped and tucked at the tailors we took refuge in a bar that stood out in this town. The music drew us in. The decor was slick and the staff were edgy – particularly the DJ who may have also doubled up as the owner or perhaps the manager. His job consisted of sitting in front of an enormous iMac chatting to multiple friends online and creating play lists for the bar. Now this guy was good – superb even. The music he played was consistently amazing. Music to my ears. He even looked the part – effortlessly cool.

What struck me first was that he played Lisztomania by Phoenix. I’ve been a fan of Phoenix since about 2000 when they released United – still a favourite of mine. The Phoenix sound would be similar to that of Air and Daft Punk. And if Wiki can be trusted as a source then I found out today that Phoenix started as the backing band for a remix of Air’s “Kelly Watch the Stars” single. Soon after, they released United. The name Phoenix was officially chosen in 1996 when Laurent Brancowitz permanently joined the band after the end of the short lived band Darlin’ he formed with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homen-Christo, who eventually became Daft Punk. Interesting eh?!

The Pheonix boys looking fairly dapper.

Music is my boyfriend

Well, boyfriend is very musical. He is an extremely talented violin player. Well, I would say that… but he is. Really. So good that my sister has asked him to perform during her wedding ceremony next year. And she would know.  To tell you the truth she wouldn’t know a falsetto from a stiletto but what does that matter? She chose my boyfriend and that makes me happy. Delighted actually. I mean, she didn’t have to choose him. She could have chosen anyone. But she decided, that out of all the musicians she knows or knows of, that boyfriend was the one. I’m going to be so proud that day.