New God Help The Girl track - 'Mary's Market'

Recorded as recently as last weekend, God Help The Girl (ostensibly Belle & Sebastian with guest female vocalists) have announced details of a new song on their site. This is what Stuart Murdoch had to say about it;

Hi folks

We have a new track for you. It’s called ‘Mary’s Market’, and we recorded it last weekend. It’s going to be the B-side to the ‘Funny Little Frog’ single, but we thought we’d let you hear it since the weather’s nice here, and we’re in a good mood, and it seems to match the weather!

The picture to go with the track features the stylish Scottish BBC newsreader, Mary Marquis. When I was writing the song, I wrote the lines

You showed me yesterday’s dress
The one you nicked from Mary’s Market

And it kind of sounded like Mary Marquis, so she gets to go on the cover! It kind of amuses me to think of the girl in the song nicking a frock from Mary Marquis, as it would probably be a frock worth nicking! (As you can see from the picture)

So enjoy the song, which you can download from here, and probably myspace too:

Aphex Twin @ Primavera Sound Festival 2009

'Farm' - Dinosaur Jr

Their first release featuring the original line-up of Mascis, Murph and Lou Barlow since 2007's 'Beyond' is out on Jagjaguwar Records on June 23rd.
mp3: I Want You To Know

James Yorkston & the Big Eyes Family Players

Recent visitor to Sligo, James Yorkston has announced details of his newest musical project. Entitled 'Folk Songs', it's available on Domino Records, albeit not until August 10th. Between now and then, you can hop over to JY's YouTube page where he's recorded daily diary entries for each day of his recent tour with Lisa Knapp.
If you're so inclined, you can also purchase it now on a special edition 3-disc digipack and if you do so before July 6th, you have the added bonus of having your very own name appearing on the limited edition artwork.
The lovely 'I Went To Visit The Roses' is streaming over on Domino right now - like a more up tempo 'Tortoise Regrets Hare'.
Mr. Yorkston has been quite prolific of late - he's also recorded an album of Daniel Johnston covers with fellow Fence Collective member (and soon to visit Sligo) Adrian Crowley. According to Crowley's myspace blog, it's entitled 'The Invaders Salute Captain America'.
onfire hopes to have James Yorkston back in the not too distant future, this time with The Athletes in tow.

The Second Album Syndrome

The Stone Roses and My Bloody Valentine became notorious for a time for their failure to record follow-ups to wonderful debut releases. The latter famously bankrupted Creation Records (former boss Alan McGee's recent claim that MBV were his 'joke' band, proof that he could sell anything to the public at the time seems a tad disingenuous) and the former went into hibernation having the world in their collective hands, only to awaken and discover that the world had largely forgotten them, replacing them in their affections with a nascent Oasis.
And yet both of these pale in comparison to the trials and tribulations of one Lee Mavers and his forlorn attempts to get his shit together long enough to record the follow up to 1990's self-titled The La's. Rumours of persistent drug use, Mavers oft mooted perfectionism as well as a fear, perhaps, that the world had forgotten who the fuck they were (Cast did little to keep the flame alight) has resulted in a 20 year hiatus.
And yet, the NME recently reported that all is well with Mavers again and he's recruiting members for The La's Mk II (20 years on and he's still recruiting? It does little to debunk the Scouse stereotype in truth). He's played a few intimate dates of late and seems set to finally get himself into the studio and better his (quite patchy as it happens) debut. Here's hoping. That said, he'll never better this...........

Mogwai interviewed by an octogenarian

Bizarre yet amusing fare. And it's much less embarrassing than this attempt at interviewing.

'Barcelona' - Shaun Ryder w/ Russell Watson

It would be remiss of me to let the moment pass.....

Low to play Kilkenny Arts festival?

Spiritual heirs to the Galaxie 500 mantle of rocking quietly, over the years Low have recorded a canon of work comparable to any alternative music act currently still functioning. 'Things We Lost in the Fire' and 'Secret Name', their mid-period albums, outshine the rest of their work but they've retained an intensity about their music beyond most others.
They're apparently playing this year's Kilkenny Arts festival (August 7th - 16th) but nothing's been confirmed yet and there's, as yet, no mention of it on Low's official site.
Plenty of Low tracks old and new here.
Last year saw the release of the band's documentary 'You May Need A Murderer' (available for purchase here) which took a compelling, if sometimes tragic view, of lead singer Alan Sparhawk's, er, issues with both religion and life itself. Beautifully made and thoroughly recommended.

Primal Scream & Spiritualized for Galway

As if Bon Iver playing the Big Top wasn't reason enough to attend this year's Arts festival, on July 24th Primal Scream will play the Big Top with Spiritualized and David Holmes. Tickets available this Friday 29th at 9am priced 45.50 and are available here. Never have got around to catching Primal Scream live, reasoning that it would be a set of two halves - Bobby G doing his Stones' boogie or the more out of body thrill of hearing 'Higher Than the Sun', 'Kowalski' et al.
Spiritualized, ironically, are quite a similar proposition live. I've witnessed two Spiritualized shows - one touring 'Ladies and Gentlemen..' which began with an 18 minute version of 'Cop Shoot Cop' was unforgettable but another last year at Vicar Street when Jason Spaceman did his 45 minute homage to MC5 and The Stooges and was utter dross. Depends which Jason shows up.
David Holmes has also had a bit of a resurgence of late, having recently been named as the Best act in Irish music right now (for what it's worth).
More acts to be announced anon no doubt.

Actor Out of Work - St Vincent

Taken from the occasionally mad 'Actor', available now on 4AD. There's something wonderfully disconcerting about her songs, not to mention this video. The future's bright - hell, she's even got Barack Obama as a fan on her myspace page.

Godless Brother in Love - Iron and Wine

Taken from the recently released collection of odds and ends 'Around The Well', this is a newie. And it's beautiful. On the same show he played a cover of New Order's 'Love Vigilantes'. That's his sister on backing vocals.

Fresh Blood - Eels

Taken from the new album 'Hombre Lobo', due for release on June 2nd. Damn fine it is too. More tracks for your perusal over on their myspace page. 

Super Furry Animals @ Sea Sessions

I think it's safe to say that SFA are a singles band. And this is one of their best. SFA play Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival in Bundoran (is it possible to think Bundoran and not think slot machines? Like a northern Salthill) on June 27th.
Regardless, any excuse to link to the mighty 'Ice Hockey Hair' which sounds like they wrote three separate songs but threw them all together.

EMI get dirty.......

This whole Danger Mouse/EMI kerfuffle just gets dafter. Having put a hold on the album release of the 'Dark Night of the Soul' project - Danger Mouse retaliating by issuing a blank CD-R with the release of the book of images by David Lynch - EMI have now demanded that a 15 second clip featuring no music from the album be removed from YouTube (just checked seconds ago and it's still on there). Jesus wept. You couldn't buy this publicity eh? EMI - take a look at yourselves.

Anyway, the 15 second clip that big bad EMI don't want you to see is here. 

Woodpigeon @ Roisin Dubh

Woodpigeon seem to share the same ethos as Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene when it comes to band members - more is better. To see 7 band members cram the tiny stage in Róisín's last night was entertainment in itself. Variously compared to Sufjan Stevens, Belle and Sebastian and Grizzly Bear amongst others, theirs is a gentle, occasionally compelling sound. 

Singer, Mark Hamilton, who looks as if he could belt them out like Mark Lanegan instead sings with the choirboy hush of Sufjan, or to these ears, Bob Wratten of the now defunct Trembling Blue Stars. Woodpigeon have just begun making waves on this side of the Atlantic - their second album 'Treasure Library Canada' was released in February of this year.

Their sound, augmented by flute, violin and cello, whilst unquestionably pretty, failed to captivate. '7th Fret over Andres' in spite of Hamilton's admission that he wasn't familiar with playing it, shone through with its simple acoustic charm. 

The aforementioned 'Treasure Library Canada' is most definitely worth a listen.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/woodpigeon

Daniell in the Sea - Riceboy Sleeps

There are a plethora of reasons for this side-project not to work, not least the fact that Sigur Ros themselves have at times been as much about what hasn't worked as opposed to what has. The truth is, however, that this is quite magnificent. 'Daniell in the Sea' is typical of the album itself - loops of ambient sounds with dissonant voices buried in the mix. At times it sounds like 'Lazer Guided Melodies' without the constant references to God and various pharmaceuticals.
The album won't get an official release until July 20th but for now you can check out their myspace page which is streaming two tracks.

One week only: Tindersticks

Courtesy of Pitchfork: TV, Tindersticks featured live @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple as part of their recent US jaunt. Their gig at Vicar Street in November was as good as any I attended last year. For a band who were on the brink of oblivion, their return last year with 'Hungry Saw' was an absolute triumph.

There's also some footage below that I captured from that Vicar Street show.

Dark Night of the Soul to be shelved?

Curiouser and curiouser. 'Dark Night of the Soul' - a music/artistic/visual/Lynchian uber-weird project headed up by Messrs Sparklehorse, Danger Mouse and David Lynch looks likely to remain unreleased. An album featuring Julian Casablancas, Black Francis, Nina Persson, Gruff Rhys et al has been recorded and is ready for release but now it appears this ain't the case. A book of over 100 photos by David Lynch looks likely to get its official release but will now come with a blank CD-R featuring the label 'For legal reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.'
All of this is a damn shame of course as the album is a treasure. The whole dispute stems from a disagreement between Danger Mouse and EMI. The upside of this is that the album is presently being legally streamed at NPR.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - 'Outer South'

Presently on hiatus from Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst is becoming something of a Ryan Adams, albeit with greater quality control. 'Outer South' follows on from last year's eponymous solo album. It's out now on the ever wonderful Merge Records.
Stream: 'Outer South' - Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band

Bill Callahan - 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle'

Continuing the Drag City theme, here's 'Eid Ma Clack Shaw' from Bill Callahan's wonderful 'Sometimes I Wish We Were A Eagle'.
mp3: 'Eid Ma Clack Shaw' - Bill Callahan

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - 'I Am Goodbye'

Taken from 2009's wonderful 'Beware'. The video is like a less violent 'Bittersweet Symphony'.
Video: I Am Goodbye - Bonnie 'Prince Billy

Moon Palace - Dean Wareham

onfire presents Adrian Crowley (with full band) & Chequerboard

Who: Adrian Crowley (with full band) & Chequerboard
When: June 12th
Where: McGarrigles, O'Connell Street, Sligo
Cost: 10 euro
Time: 9.30pm

The Irish Times recently ran an article covering the Top 50 acts in Ireland right now. It duly contained the good (Cathal Coughlan, Si Schroeder), the bad (Damien Rice, The Script) and an inevitable smattering of the ugly (raggle taggle nein danke).
It's a difficult, if not downright pointless task, rating one band over another but at least it serves as a signpost for folk who wish to seek out new music. Nestled at number 8 in the Top 50 was Adrian Crowley who's just released his new album 'Season of the Sparks', and not far behind at number 19 (one place below U2) was Chequerboard.
Both acts will take to the stage at McGarrigles on June 12th.

RSAG @ Castle House

Well this was a surprise. Despite the infectiousness of Jeremy Hickey's debut album 'Organic Sampler', the idea of one man sitting behind a drum kit reproducing its manic intensity live seemed unlikely. Wrong. For just under an hour last night, Hickey blew the room apart.
His live set up is simple - it's just him, his drum kit and his virtual band projected onto the wall behind him. It's visually stunning but by the end of the night it's the sheer virtuosity of Hickey's playing that leaves a lasting impression.

Animal Collective on Letterman

Great song but their choreographer needs shooting.

Come Monday Night - God Help the Girl

Basically Belle and Sebastian in all but name. All of the B & S constituents are there. Naff video? Check. Beautiful dark haired Scottish lasses in short dresses? Check. Wonderful baroque pop? Check.

Riceboy Sleeps

Fans of Sigur Ros ahoy - lead singer Jon and partner Alex, operating under the alias Riceboy Sleeps and specialising in some form of bastardised ambient pop, have a new eponymous record due for release on July 20th. They first came to my attention on the surprisingly wonderful charity album 'Dark Was the Night' with a track entitled 'Happiness'. 

You can read their long and rather pointless press release here if you have nothing better to do.

Bon Iver @ Big Top, Galway Arts Festival 2009

For those of you lucky enough to witness one of Bon Iver's three - three - live shows in Ireland in 2008, there's yet another Irish show to look forward to this summer. Justin Vernon and his multi-talented troupe will play the Big Top in Galway on July 23rd as part of the annual Arts Festival.

Simply put, Bon Iver are a stunning live act. Having witnessed their Tripod show last June (see below), the intensity with which the band (this is no Justin Vernon and random session players show) recreate each track from 'For Emma' is relentless.

Tickets priced €35 go on sale here on Tuesday morning next at 9am. Not to be missed.

Dark Night of the Soul

This sounds utterly wonderful. What if you cross Dangermouse, Sparklehorse, David Lynch and a host of American alternative behemoths (not to mention Nina Persson and Gruff Rhys)? Dark Night of the Soul is what. Available this summer in album and book format, DNOTS will feature Black Francis, The Flaming Lips, Iggy Pop and others. 

Curiously, I've always figured that there was something unquestionably Twin Peaks about Mark Linkous' output and now, come the summer, we have the opportunity to see what it's all about. Which is about how long it will take to figure out this bizarre promo trailer below. You can pop over to the official site here and sign up for some inevitable strangeness.

Bob Dylan @ The O2

For the tiiiimes they are a-changin'. Give it up Bob.

onfire event 2.......soon.....

....will feature this man. More details to come later in the week.

The Stone Roses

20 years ago today. Sublime.

Amateurs! Amateurs!

RSAG w/ Thread Pulls, Sat 9th May

Choice Music prize nominee Jeremy Hickey (aka RSAG aka Rarely Seen Above Ground) plays Sligo this coming weekend, though I'm not quite sure where. Still, worth checking out. Support on the night from Thread Pulls whose sound is, apparently, built from "feedback, dissonant chops and reedy vocals." Dissonant chops? Really? Admission is 10 euro.

Kings of Leon are shit

Was it ever really in doubt?