It’s nice to get a unexpected surprise with a new song. Frankly, the name Hula Hoop didn’t promise too much, but on this occasion it was a case of what’s in a name? Because this is one of those effortless, simple, catchy, summer pop songs that is a genuine top-tapping delight. The damn thing is so bouncy that you feel like you need to put … Continue reading Introducing…Hula Hoop
It was Mrs Mackerel who first introduced us to Alessi’s Ark with the release of The Horse EP. Since then, London singer/guitarist Alessi Laurent-Markel has continued to make plenty of waves in the musical world despite her tender years, and her excellent 2009 full length Notes From The Treehouse was very well received by critics and fans alike. She is currently touring as support to Laura … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Alessi’s Ark
A few days ago we posted a new track by excellent Brooklyn folk duo Uncles from their forthcoming debut, Replacing Words With Other Words. It was fair to say that given the quality of both Deaf Dumb Dog and Settler’s Song, we were pretty excited about hearing the whole record. Well, now they have been in touch to say they are offering up the whole … Continue reading Uncles offer full album for free download
Regular visitors to MM will know how much we have been captivated by the charming and unique Emily Reo. Having already shared the title track from her forthcoming Witch Mtn EP with us, she has been kind enough to drop us another track from the EP – this time it is the wonderful Above Ground And A Golden Cloud. Enjoy and we’ll bring details of the … Continue reading More from Emily Reo
Goodbye, Killer by The Pernice Brothers is the band’s first album since 2006’s Live a Little. In several weeks-long bursts of work over the course of a couple of years, in between writing a novel, recording a soundtrack for said novel, touring on both, and doing real-life things, Joe, his brother Bob, and long-time collaborators James Walbourne and Ric Menck holed up in an attic … Continue reading New from The Pernice Brothers
It’s not often I venture to the North West, favouring the North Eastern climes best, but this week I’ve been on the road to Liverpool visiting a favourite client dedicated to cancer research who are based on Merseyside. I met some (literally) brilliant people with brains as large as planets, and hearts as big too. But with being so far from the mackerel shoal, I … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday
Big Tree is an angular pop band tapping into anything and everything – organic folk, greasy blues, ambient rock, a hint of jazz – they’re all there and vying for your attention. Big Tree’s musical product is hard to categorize, yet immediately appealing: infectious pop music splashed with colorful harmonies, driven by pulsing rhythms, unique time signatures, group vocals, and poetic quirky imagery. The band … Continue reading Introducing…Big Tree
Ah, how we love a good murder ballad! This weekend we visited our local independent record shop (the excellent Rapture in Witney) for the annual Record Store Day extravaganza. As well as picking up the latest Chapel Club 7″ and a copy of the limited edition 4AD taster for the latest Big Pink track we couldn’t help but purchase unheard a copy of a CD … Continue reading Settle down with a tasty murder ballad
Palmyra are a New York band (with some Michigan roots). They are singer-songwriter driven and dabble in everything from indie folk to indie rock often by way of a bit of power pop or even some smooth horn. They reminded us a bit of She & Him or even of forgotten Brit indie-poppers The Brilliant Corners. They have a very limited five track EP available … Continue reading Introducing…Palmyra
The marvellously named, and slightly mysterious, Howling Owls have already delivered one of our favourite songs of 2010 with the sparse, desolate and resigned folk of Snake Charmer (No Money In The Bank) and so we were delighted yesterday to receive in our in-box a new tune, Family Tree. We were more delighted after we had heard it. You will be too – it is … Continue reading More from Howling Owls
The Mad Mackerel 