No Direction Home Festival: Free Mix

As you read this I will probably still be speeding northwards through the torrential rain on the M1 heading for Sherwood Forest and the inaugural No Direction Home music festival. Having spent the last two years happily enjoying the fantastic End of the Road festival, my plans were scuppered for a hat-trick by a sneaky move in dates making it clash with our first overseas … Continue reading No Direction Home Festival: Free Mix

Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (25th May)

Yes, Spring has finally sprung. The soporific effect of heat and a spin of Sigur Ros from Steve Lamaq, saw me shut my eyes quicker than you can say “99 cornet, please”. It was only 4.45pm too. It took the premier cat to launch himself from a great height, skimming past my outstretched legs on the sofa, to force open one eye. Nevermind, earlier I … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (25th May)

Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: April 2012

So we exit April, which true to form turned out to be wetter than a Mackerel’s handshake. No matter, banish the blues with this scorching mix of some of the best downloads we offered in the month, plus a few new ones to get to know and love too. Download Alexander Tucker – Window Sill mp3 (from Third Mouth) Minimalist string arrangements with electronic manipulations … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: April 2012

Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (13th April)

So much can happen in one week, even when you feel that time stands still. Simone Felice at the Jericho Tavern, for example. There I was, MM photographer for the night, fins flailing, blinding everyone by inadvertently turning on the flash. Fortunately no-one asked me to leave, particularly as it was such a great gig. More like a front room jam. A couple of days … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (13th April)

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Alexander Tucker

Thrill Jockey are rapidly gaining a firm place in our affections with their uniquely off-kilter and diverse offerings making them a label to treasure. The latest release to cross our in-box comes from idiosyncratic singer-songwriter Alexander Tucker. Notwithstanding the sleeve art for Third Mouth, which Mrs M for one will find most acceptable, this record breaks new ground for Tucker by combining minimalist string arrangements … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Alexander Tucker

New Releases Round Up

Here are some ‘hot outta the in-box‘ new releases that are well worth exploring. First up is a new track from the Forty Nineteens forthcoming debut No Expiration Date. Truckers Song is another slice of garage inflected pop-punk that sounds as though it were forged in the underground scene of late 80s Los Angeles. Download The Forty Nineteens – Truckers Song mp3 (from No Expiration … Continue reading New Releases Round Up

Crushed Beaks Cover Torches VTOO

A couple of weeks ago we posted Torches cover of Crushed Beaks Close-Ups, now as part of the split single release Crushed Beaks are returning the favour with their cover of Torches VTOO. This time the duo have replaced their usual full-on steam-hammer approach with slowly pounding drums and staccato guitar noise creating something akin to a sonic maelstrom – a post-apocalyptic bedlam if you … Continue reading Crushed Beaks Cover Torches VTOO

Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: February 2012

Musically, the year is starting to really kick into gear now and February saw lots of top quality tunes hit the web. Here is our pick of the best of last month’s posts along with four brand, spanking new tracks for you to download, sample and treasure. All in all over thirty great songs in one great mix. Download Hoots & Hellmouth – Why Would You … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: February 2012

MM Shorts 105: Mirroring

Mirroring is a new collaboration between Liz Harris (aka Grouper) and her icy, fog-shrouded menace and Jesy Fortino of Tiny Vipers. This is the suitably eerie and off-kilter Fell Sound from the appropriately named Foreign Body album out next month. Pre-order here. Download Mirroring – Fell Sound mp3 (from Foreign Body) Continue reading MM Shorts 105: Mirroring