Sunday Swoon. 9th June 2013.

1. I’ve had One Of These Days on constantly this week. This is such a stunning track. Gaz Coombes tracing time hauntingly, the man responsible for the care free soundtrack of my late teens with Supergrass now writing heartbreaking songs about loss eighteen years later.

2. Unexpected new Hot Chip track arrived this week, Dark & Stormy (one of my favourite rum based mixes). Consistently great and one of my favourite bands to see live.

3. For all the hipsters (and I mean the good sort of hipster, which does exist) into electronic music you’ll be as happy as I with the new Fuck Buttons track The Red Wing. Annoyingly clashing with the one band I’m determined to see at Glastonbury this year. Festival clash woes starting already.

4. Disclosure’s debut album Settle was released this week. Every track uplifting and instant. Such a great time for electronic music. So good that Boards of Canada even return next week.

5. My love for Tom Krell (How To Dress Well) grows deeper on Shlohmo’s track Don’t Say No. I didn’t think I could love him anymore after he covered Janet Jackson’s Again at Field Day. I suspect myself and Jo were the only ones in the audience that recognised the cover, or were willing to admit we did.

6. Finally Vampire Weekend released another video for Diane Young. Featuring Dirty Projectors, Santigold and The Walkmen. I especially appreciate naked tambourine playing.

Sunday Swoon. December 2nd

Not a peep of a Christmas song despite the fact it’s December, I shan’t punish you all yet…

1. The partnership of Hot Chip and Peter Serafinowicz continue their artistic relationship as he directs a third music video for them. Don’t Deny Your Heart was released this week. Spot the controversial refused handshake at the start of the Football match and try and work out where it will go from there.

2. Anyone sauntering past a book shop recently would have spotted The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Joasson as it seems to be in every window I pass by. Lovable characters from one unique imagination. Highly recommended read, would make a good stocking filler for a book-worm.

3. Finally got to see Mystery Jets live this week. Five albums in and somehow they’ve always alluded me but it was worth the wait to see them headline the Royal Festival Hall. Beautiful set taking us to sunrise through to a full moon, birds fluttering across the desert scene of their Radlands. Appearances from a gospel choir and Laura Marling to name a few. I was still grinning two days later from this gig.

5. Apart from Mystery Jets the song I’ve had most on repeat this week is Local Natives with this beautiful track Breakers. I’ve added them to my Glastonbury wish list.

Edge Of Seventeen

I alluded briefly on my blog this Sunday to two teenage girls we met at the Hot Chip iTunes festival. They were in front of us in the queue and immediately started chatting away. At first we just talked about their love of Madness, how much they liked the tattoo behind my ear, cars (of which I am brilliantly ignorant, that’s Lucy’s department) and make-up. The usual topics I’d expect to cover with two sixteen year-old’s (apart from Madness, that threw me). They also couldn’t get over how old I was. I told them I was 33 (it turns out I am not 33 at all. I am in fact 34 and at some point over the past couple of years I have accidentally been lying about my age. That’s another story I’m still trying to get my head around).

This may also go some way to explaining why at one point I found myself screaming “I don’t even know if you kids think high-fives are cool any more but I’m giving you one anyway”. They humoured me with part pity and part bemusement.

Conversation soon moved on to truancy, let down dads and getting into fights. That’s when, in my drunken state, I imagined a cape falling from the skies and wrapping round my shoulders. I must be a responsible and inspirational person in a queue for a very brilliant band. They had to endure lectures about why they shouldn’t fancy Chris Brown, that if they keep on getting into fights how they need to join a boxing club like Nicola Adams, drugs, careers, school. I covered it all in a breathless whirlwind before the band started, each time something they said gave me cause for concern. We just danced non-stop after that, pausing only for me to give them horrendously middle-aged nods and winks every time boys their age walked past.

I was so determined to make some small impression on these girls, some little dent that come Monday morning they’ll decide not to bunk off school after all  that I didn’t really take into consideration some of the things they were saying to me. When I told them I had a date soon they grabbed me by the shoulders and told me not to sleep with boys on the first night with furrowed brows and a stern pout, it was the most serious I’d seen them all night. When one of them said she had an audition for a talent show she turned to me and said “It’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t work out, life carries on doesn’t it? You just keep putting one foot in front of the other”. Wise words from one so young.

Followed by the other one grinning at me, pointing at Hot Chip and saying “I like the beats”, North Face jacket pulled up over her head, Nike Blazers keeping perfect time. I am in love with that simple sentence. All my music reviews now will have that ode to her, even folk music. I like the beats.

You know, I told someone about these girls and they told me they’re probably already a lost cause. I’m not so sure. After all they burst into song during Hot Chip covering Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere and with huge grins said “We love Stevie Nicks”.

Sunday Swoon. September 30th

Salty beer, magicians, batshit ice skaters and dancing my socks off…

1. This has felt like one of this years eagerly anticipated albums for me personally. From the moment I heard the heartbreak in Scar “remember how lovely we were” sang like a sigh, choking back that lump in your throat when you’re trying to be brave. Lucy Rose, Like I Used To is another contender for album of the year.

2. Another book devoured in record-breaking reading time. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was easy to get utterly lost in. What is a simple and magical fairytale is elevated to something wondrous and that’s all down to the authors intricate imagination and way with words.

3. Adore this video by Emily Kai Bock for Yet Again by Grizzly Bear released this week. Who doesn’t want to see an ice skater go batshit  to the soundtrack of a brilliant song.

4. I’m not sure why I’ve never put Wahaca on this blog before, I think I perhaps take them for granted as I probably eat here the most in London. Everything tastes like it’s been plucked fresh straight from the ground seconds before it reaches your plate, the chillies a good balance of smoky hot and Modelo Negra beer served chelada style (fresh lime juice with a salt rim on the glass) is a refreshing kick.

5. So last night I danced my socks off to Hot Chip at the Roundhouse with my friend Lucy and we ended up being responsible adults for two young girls down there who chanced it and didn’t know who Hot Chip were. I vaguely recall giving them a stern lecture about liking Chris Brown but having faith in their future when they burst into song during their nifty cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere. Anyway, in the words of one of the girls “I like the beats”

Olympic Mixtape

So this weeks mixtape has been compiled by friends, family and tweeters that were willing to humour me with the following question:

“What would be your Olympic sport and what song would accompany your montage of best of moments?”

Some people were remarkably quick at replying, making me think that people have been daydreaming of Olympic glory during London 2012. Some people sent me hysterical replies (I’m looking at you Jo). Out of all the sports it seems cycling is the most popular, surprised no one picked Kenny Loggins Danger Zone and asked for it to be changed to Highway to the Velodrome (groan, sorry, a hundred times sorry!). You can play this Olympic Mixtape on Spotify or YouTube, track list and contributors below. Out of all of them I am grinning the most over Thom’s choice but huge thanks to everyone that played along as I’ve not stopped smiling at all the suggestions. More photo’s from my Olympic experiences can be found on my Flickr. Oh, and to my friend Lizzie, “six packing” is not a recognised Olympic event….yet. ♥

1. 13th Floor Elevators – You’re Gonna Miss Me (Monkeypicks for the 400m)
2. Hawkwind – Silver Machine (Lucy Track Cycling)
3. Nina Simone – Feeling Good (Rehanon, first of a few for the Triathlon)
4. Goldfrapp – Rocket (Burning_Lies, another for Cycling)
5. Queen – Princes of the Universe (Thom Vincent picking fencing for a gloriously camp, extravagant event being held in Britain)
6. Tori Amos – Professional Widow (Claire Loy, never worn a leotard but opts for Gymnastics Floor)
7. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run (My Dad running the Marathon)
8. Spandau Ballet – Gold (thepubdiaries for the Kierin because it’s slightly mental)
9. Elvis Presley – If I can Dream (Gareth choosing 1500m, on the song “you can fight a bear after hearing it, its that inspiring”)
10. Hot Chip – Over and Over (Priyam for Table Tennis)
11. F*ck Buttons – Olympians (Marc for the Triathlon, also dreams of winning gold in the 10k swim)
12. Beyonce – Run The World (Natasha blasting the 100m)
13. Anthrax – In My World (Phil also for the Keirin, the lyric “nothing touches me, I’m a walking razor blade” hits it for him)
14. The Cinematic Orchestra – To Build A Home (Helen goes for Rowing)
15. Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Balboa) – Bill Conti (Matt goes for Decathlon after his hero Daley Thompson)
16. Radiohead – No Surprises (Jo opted for Synchronised Swimming, “Although I would like to imagine that the water would add an element of grace I lack on land, I think the actual effect would be more like Thom York’s slow drown in the video. You get to wear coordinating costumes and listen to music in that event”)
17. Moloko – The Time Is Now (for me when I smash it at the Triathlon)

Sunday Swoon. July 29th

Searching for Sugar Man, swimming pools and our new hero….

1. Before Friday I was mainly ambivalent about the London Olympics, and like a lot of Londoner’s was more concerned with transport failing and being stopped every five yards to be asked for directions to [insert any old landmark here]. Danny Boyle has not only dashed my sport cynicism to the train tracks but made me feel so very proud to be British. Frankly, not something I have felt for a long time. The opening ceremony was utterly bonkers, quirky and bat shit wonderful. I, along with a ton of people, shed a few tears during this historic moment. To him and all involved I am truly indebted, thank you!

“This will be about us, and if some people don’t get it that’s fine. That’s what we’re like”

  – Danny Boyle

Fact: Emeli Sande sang the hymn Abide With Me which was wrote by the Reverent Lyte, penned in the little town of my birth Brixham.

2. The almost eerily beautiful Bat For Lashes returned with this heart cracking sad song this week. Such a woeful song with an equally saddening video for Laura. Stunning and has me almost holding my breath when I listen to it, and I’m never sure whether to cry or feel lifted by it. Strange but joyful quality.

3. Earlier this week I took my first literal plunge into a self-imposed challenge to swim all of London Lido’s over the next few weeks. Blog post here if you missed it. In love with swimming again.

4.  This week I fell in love, new music to my ears from a very old musician in Searching For Sugar Man. Such a moving documentary, made me cry, laugh, smile and shake my head in baffled disbelief. A musical fairytale. Any music lover, regardless of taste in tunes, will connect with this film immediately. Seek it out. 

5. Another skill, brill and ace video from Hot Chip demonstrating their playful randomness to end this post on, released this week for their single How Do You Do? ♥

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July 18th Mixtape – Marc’s 25 for 2012

Last week I blogged a mixtape made up of twenty-five tracks that have rocked my socks at the halfway point of 2012. This is born out of Twitter discussions with Marc and he’s agreed to let me put his list up so here are his. I expect he’s sleeping off Latitude somewhere so this will potentially pass him by. There’s a smattering of similarities to mine but it feels like a very different mixtape given the tracks he picked in comparison. I can’t stop playing the Purity Ring track.

You can play Marc’s mixtape on Spotify or *YouTube. Enjoy ♥

1. Friends – Friend Crush
2. Best Coast – The Only Place
3. Passion Pit – I’ll Be Alright
4. La Sera – Please Be My Third Eye
5. The Maccabees – Pelican
6. Solar Bears – Alpha People (feat. Keep Shelley in Athens)
7. Lower Dens – Brains
8. THEESatisfaction – Ecnhantruss
9. Pond – Elegant Design
10. Purity Ring – Fineshrine
11. Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid
12. Nicolas Jaar – With Just One Glance
13. Charli XCX – You’re The One
14. Death Grips – Get Got
15. Alt-J – Breezeblocks
16. Kindness – House
17. Beach House – Wild
18. Polica – Dark Star
19. Hot Chip – Motion Sickness
20. Sharon Van Etten – Serpents
21. Django Django – Waveforms
22. Burial & Four Tet – Nova
23. Perfume Genius – Hood
24. Grimes – Oblivion
25. Oneohtrix Point Never – I Only Have Eyes For You

*Not all the tracks were available on Spotify as he’s clearly too out there with some of the choices so for the full list YouTube is the best option.

July 10th Mixtape – 2012 Challenge

Around this time last year Marc listed his top 25 tracks of the year so far and challenged me to do the same. This year we’ve only bloody well done it again, and below are the tracks that have very much floated my boat during the first half of 2012, a smattering of them the same as his list produced. You’ll probably guess from the running order that they’re in no particular order, given Sharon Van Etten follows on from Azealia Banks being one good example of my inability to pick a favourite.

Beach House @ Village Underground

At the end of the year I compiled my top 50 tracks and will look to do the same this year if I’m still whittling on and boring you via this blog. One thing I am utterly certain of (and I seem to be uncertain of so much these days) is Beach House will still be there come December, this album captured every single cell in my body.

You can play this mixtape on Spotify or YouTube. Enjoy! ♥

1. Savages – Husbands
2. Beach House – New Year
3. Kindness – House
4. Santigold – Disparate Youth
5. Grimes – Oblivion
6. The Maccabees – Feel To Follow
7. Hot Chip – Motion Sickness
8. Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid
9. Crybaby – We’re Supposed To Be In Love
10. Kwes – Bashful
11. Twin Shadow – Five Seconds
12. Azealia Banks – 212
13. Sharon Van Etten – Leonard
14. Mary Epworth – Black Doe
15. Friends – Mind Control
16. Polica – Dark Star
17. Lucy Rose – Red Face
18. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Garden
19. Two Wounded Birds – To Be Young
20. Chromatics – Kill For Love
21. Zulu Winter – Silver Tongue
22. Julia Holter – In The Same Room
23. Alabama Shakes – I Found You
24. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero’s – Man On Fire
25. Lianne La Havas – Lost & Found

Sunday Swoon. June 17th

I raced around Torbay on a trawler listening to Azealia Banks on Saturday. What did you do?

1. Thanks to National Theatre Live I got to watch Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein at the beautifully old Gate Picturehouse after missing out on tickets when it was performed last year. I was slightly apprehensive about watching a theatre production as a piece of cinema but concerns were immediately quashed. We attended with Benedict Cumberbatch as the monster, and Danny Boyle’s production gives back the monster his voice, it is told from his perspective. I sobbed, quite a bit, it was utterly moving, challenging and bleak.

2. This  book deserves, and shall have, a blog post of its own but I have to include it in this weeks round-up as it inspired me to the point of scribbling in the margins, underlining passages and bursting into tears on the tube. I shall save my words for when I write that post but for the time being I urge any woman with a creative bone in her body to read A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf.

3. Hot Chip released In Our Heads on Monday and from the opening track (Motion Sickness) I was in love all over again. Hot Chip make music anyone could dance to. White middle class boys slapping out rhythms that Prince would bow down to. People making whatever music they like, irrespective of whether it fits with outward appearances, and damn the consequences. Play it, buy it, improve your life ten fold. At least.

4. Despite growing up in Brixham I have always shied away from the annual Trawler Race as it tends to be fairly rowdy and as a teen I was too painfully introvert to join in. This year the town tradition saw its 50th race. My cousin is a skipper of a boat (star of Sky TV’s Trawler Race don’t you know) so this year I finally clambered clumsily and without grace over three boats to get to his boat with dear friend Lizzie on Saturday. We didn’t puke, the weather was so dire that it was called off halfway round the  race across Torbay, we didn’t fall overboard. A success.

 Also, Brixham appears to really, really, really like Azealia Banks 212. ♥

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The Letter ‘H’ Mixtape.

This weeks mixtape is delivered by the letter H. A twinge of Prince in Holy Ghost’s Do It Again, a lot of 90’s grunge from Hole and a heartfelt sigh from The Horrors.

Some bands have to be experienced live and Holy Fuck were something I stumbled on at Glastonbury one year, if you can picture a bunch of nerdy boys hunched over strange looking machines with minute features and tiny intricacies then you’re part way close to understanding them. I’m not entirely sure they translate so well just be listening to them but I wanted to include them for muddy knee cider memories.

If you’re a Spotify user click here to play the mixtape and if you’re a YouTube purist click here to play the videos, definitely worth watching the Peter Serafinowicz directed video for Night & Day which was released a mere 24 hours ago. ♥

1. House of Love – Destroy The Heart                                              
2. Harry Nilson – Jump Into The Fire
3. The Horrors – Still Life
4. Hooray For Earth – True Loves
5. Hot Chip – Night & Day
6. Holy Ghost – Do It Again
7. Holy Fuck – Lovely Allen
8. Hole – Awful
9. Harry Belafonte  Day-O
10. Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams