New Music August 2014

It has been a while since I posted some new music. These below tracks may not have been released this past month or even this year, but I love them enough to want to share them with you. I do so hope that you may be able to find some time to listen to them and fall in love with some of them yourself! This post has a mix of acoustic, plugged in, raw, honest and fun sounds. Hopefully something for everyone.


Helen Begley- 'West Brunswick'

This first track is by a local lady who I saw at a songwriters in the round gig. From the moment she started to sing her songs I was captivated. Why hadn't I heard of her before? Sure my mate Jody had been telling me to check her out and there always seemed to be something getting in the way of me being able to.. and now I'm kicking myself for not checking her out sooner!... Anyway, Helen Begley is the name of the artist.  Do check out her website! This track is off her LP 'West Brunswick', which is such a great Lp! I sometimes play it in my studio when I am painting.  I have attached the title track below. From the start there are such great lines (which remind me of early Paul Simon or Joni Mitchel), such as:

'Standing on the overpass in winter
The icy wind will slap you as it blows
Cars rush to the gorgeous city
West Brunswicks' not that pretty
from this road

On the local creek bed made of concrete
Philosophers leave words in thick black paint
 Saying dream as if you'll live forever
and live as if you'll die tomorrow

As I lie awake on lonely nights,
I hear the rumble of the 55*
And the braking trucks on their freeway ride,
A woman screams
you killed my life'



* the 55 is the number of the tram that runs across the city through to West Brunswick.





Perfume Genius- "Hood"

'Perfume Genius' is the stage name of American Mike Hadreas. My friend Flo from Paris, put me onto this guy and I love this track and video. Porn actor Árpad Miklós (Péter Kozma), who died early 2014 from an apparent suicide,  is in the video below. This track has such beautiful lyrics like:

 "You would never call me baby
If you knew me true
Oh, but I waited so long for your love
I am scared baby that I can't keep it up for long"

Perfume Genius- "Hood"



Future Islands- "Seasons (waiting on you)".

I can't work this band out. I have seen a few live clips and in particular their performance of Seasons(waiting on you), on Letterman, was insane in very confusing way. Is the singer dancing to his own drum or taking the piss? Still none of that diminishes my love of this track, which I purchased on i-tunes recently.


Future Islands- "Seasons (waiting on you)"




Tobias Jesso Jnr

Here is a guy who is getting lot's of press and hype at the moment, all from some demos and no actual releases. I actually really like the two tracks I have heard, which are just Tobias and piano. Yesterday I ordered a 5 pack of his demos on single sided flexi disc (ie flimsy plastic to play to the turntable). Yay!

Tobias Jesso Jnr- 'True Love'




Something Fun that isn't new, but I rediscovered it recently, is this hilariously and well done spoof of Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the heart', where they literally sing what is going on in the video clip!
Not sure who did this but the video says: Lead Vocals-PersephoneMaewyn, Lyrics/vocal/editing dascottjr.

Total Eclipse of the Heart (literal video version)






Recently I brought a couple of reissued albums on vinyl.

Life without Buildings- Any Other City

I love this Lp and this group from Glasgow. This Lp was originally released in 2001 and the band then broke up in 2002. The track 'The Leanover' is rambling, urgent and has a realness to it. I have been known to sing along to this loudly in  the car. This Lp was re-released as part of record day 2014!

Life without Buildings- 'The Leanover'



Deerhoof- 'Friend Opportunity'

This San Francisco noise-pop band are just so interesting! You never know what will happen with their albums or tracks which can just take a turn somewhere else when you least expect it!   This album also has one of my favourite album covers. A piece of art I wished I had done myself! This is another re-release on vinyl.

Deerhoof- '+81'