Slacker. Another week off as MM was down at End of the Road last weekend. I could have had a go, but the likely outcome would have been no website by Monday. Tsk. Nevermind, business as usual this week. I’ve needed to find a new route on the dog run after a close encounter with a what appeared to be some extras from Deliverance. Sadly … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (9th September)
A couple of months ago we gave you the good natured, gentle, hippy inspired folk of BigBee of the Whitetree – his debut EP Fairytale Dust (what else?) has been a lovely, calming antidote to the hectic nature of everyday life – a reminder of when things were simpler, more naive even, and when what mattered most of all was getting together, chilling out and … Continue reading Another Track From BigBee Of The Whitetree
Fanfarlo’s debut album, the folk tinged, literate indie pop of Reservoir was one of the success stories of 2009, seemingly coming out of nowhere to generate a lot of buzz and deserved critical acclaim. At times it seemed The Walls Are Coming Down was on repeat play on BBC 6 Music. Two years later, and to the news that the band have now finished recording their … Continue reading The Return Of Fanfarlo
Ha Ha Tonka’s latest album Death Of A Decade is a gem and one we find ourselves playing more and more often. Original giveaway track, Usual Suspects has been hugely popular with all the Mackerel clan and associates ever since we first posted it, and to celebrate a new run of tour dates, the band have made a second single available for free download. So, … Continue reading New From Ha Ha Tonka
It is true to say that our first visit to the End of the Road Festival last year was without doubt the best music event (bar SxSW) we had ever attended. A superb line-up, brilliant layout, and festival goers who were there for the music rather than the ‘experience’ ensured three days of superb entertainment. It meant we bought tickets immediately they went on sale … Continue reading The End of The Road Festival: A Review
We were big, big fans of Vanish Valley’s self-titled debut album (a lovely mix of rootsy folk and hazy country psychedelia) that we got hold of back in the summer of last year, so we were delighted to learn that the band have expanded in number and will release new album Get Good in September on the Hard Bark label. Once again, perfectly blending elements of … Continue reading New Album From Vanish Valley
Today Barry-Sean and I head off, pop up tents in tow, to the marvellous End of the Road festival in lovely Dorset. Once again sold out, last year’s inaugural trip turned into the best festival visit we’ve ever had, and we’re looking forward to more of the same over the next few days. Even the weather forecast is good! Once again we have a huge … Continue reading Free End of the Road Festival Mix
The album Travels In Lowland by The Migrant was one of those that came out of nowhere last year and ended up being one of our favourites (see our Albums of the Year post for 2010 here). So we were delighted to find out that The Migrant (aka Bjarke Bendtsen) has returned with a new album Amerika, which gets a release on October 25th. Departing somewhat from … Continue reading Return Of The Migrant
Our usual round up of the very best of our August posts and some new tracks too. Dip in – every one a winner as they say. Download The Cabin Dogs – High Falls mp3 (from Midnight Trail) Invites you to kick off your boots, pour a stiff one and sit on the porch to watch the sun go down – a song for when you’re busy … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: August 2011
We’re really enjoying this two minute gem of pysch-folk and indie rock from Nallo. Now a native of Minneapolis, but previously hailing from the ‘nearly-as-pragmatic-as-Yorkshire’ county of Lancashire, he tells us he misses it dearly. What that has to do with the song Submarines is anyone’s guess, but the catchy, propulsive rhythm and repetitive sing-along chorus is getting repeated plays here at MM. Head over … Continue reading Introducing…Nallo
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