Life bullies and jostles sometimes. It takes something simple and heart-felt, twists it, remoulds it, wraps it up and represents it. Fait accompli. I have no say and you cannot change it. Not now. I thought about assimilating various appropriate lyrics, but decided on a different tack. I have some words pinned on my office wall by Mother Theresa. Morality-wise it really strikes a chord, … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (19 Nov)
Sea of Bees is Julie Baenziger, an utterly spell-binding new talent. Ahead of the release of her debut album Song For The Ravens, released on Heavenly Recordings on February 7, she will be embarking on a tour with the equally ethereal Smoke Fairies, taking in dates across the UK, culminating in a performance at the Scala on February 3rd. A multi-instrumentalist who possesses a truly … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Sea of Bees
London based blog Music Mule is taking the step from virtual to physical with the release of its debut record, a 300-limited-edition pressing of a quadruple A-side split 7″ from Brooklyn’s Dinosaur Feathers and Atlanta, Georgia’s Carnivores. Tropical flavoured garage punk outfit Carnivores have just released their second album If I’m Ancient through Double Phantom in The States. Parent’s Attic is lifted from that record … Continue reading Carnivores / Dinosaur Feathers New Split 7′
As well as the nice videos that have been coming our way, there have been some decent cover versions too. Always a dangerous occupation we think, especially if you murder the song (looking at you Paul Young), but here are four worth some ear time that have been floating around… Add It Up is a stonewall classic, one of those songs that gets those of … Continue reading Cover Me…MM’s Going In
We posted about Gwyneth & Monko a little while ago and their excellent debut EP Good Old Horse. However, it is probably true to say that their new record, the self-titled Gwyneth & Monko will more accurately reflect what the duo sounds like live, which is somewhere between folky acoustic and indie rock. Back in July, Gwyneth Moreland and Michael Monko spent time honing new songs in a … Continue reading New from Gwyneth & Monko
We seemed to have received a whole bunch of interesting, oddball, sweet, and unusual videos recently. Here’s the pick of the bunch… Fresh from supporting Frankie & The Heartstrings and Summer Camp and receiving praise from the likes of The Guardian, Snipe and NME, Big Deal’s debut single Homework is finally out this week on limited 7” through Records, Records, Records, Records. They have released … Continue reading Video Round Up
In 1987, when I was just a callow, spotty youth (though still very intelligent and good looking obviously) I went to see Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians play at the Town & Country Club in Kentish Town. While they were great, I was completely bowled over by the support band The Cardiacs and in particular the insane antics of lead singer Tim Smith. Ever since … Continue reading Leader of the Starry Skies – Tim Smith Tribute Album
Underwater Peoples is one of our favourite labels and so we were delighted to recently receive an e- mail from them about Spectrals and their forthcoming new EP. Hailing from the small town of Heckmondwike, 10 miles south-west from Leeds, Louis Jones is softly spoken with a shock of ginger hair. He was brought up on a mixture of soul, Motown and doo-wop, and as … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Spectrals
After several tours stateside and abroad, a new full-length, (Constellations), and a lauded Austin City Limits performance, Balmorhea is keeping up the momentum to finish 2010 with the release of Candor/Clamor. This 7″ will see a physical release on December 7, 2010 via Western Vinyl. Put simply, Clamor is ecstatic with its persistent piano propulsion, electrifying bass, and bombastic drums – a heart-pounding shamanistic wake-up call. … Continue reading Balmorhea release new 7″
Ah, how we love the downtempo indie (and sometimes downright miserablism) of The War Crimes. They have sent us their latest offering which came with just one line of introduction: “to celebrate the birth of my daughter, Juno, I’m feeling the pinch so may I interest you in The Cost“. So firstly to them we say hearty congratulations from the Mackerels. And secondly, to you, … Continue reading The War Crimes Return
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