What’s in a name? MM and I have been enjoying the new series of Luther with the rather magnificent Idris Elba. We’ve also been quite enjoying the music that goes with it. Bit of Massive Attack. Bit of Joan As Policewoman – speaking of which, do you think she has days when she feels a bit Joan As Saleswoman, or Joan As Veterinary Surgeon; Joan … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (24th June)
We’re late to this one, but never mind – you like us might have missed the dubious charms of Daniel Knox – until now. Knox’s album, Evryman for Himself was recorded at home in his Chicago bedroom. Released last month, it is the second album in an envisioned trilogy, falling in between the self-released Disaster and the forthcoming, Chasescene. Some of the songs lure, some … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Daniel Knox
As regular visitors to the blog will know we are suckers for most things with a”roots” tag. In fact, anything half-decent ticking the Folk, Country, or Americana boxes is in with a chance on MM and this bunch is a whole lot more than half-decent. From start to finish, Jo Henley’s album Mohawk is brimming with story-songs: a rollicking retelling of the Schenectady Massacre of … Continue reading Roots Round Up: Americana / Country / Folk
Sub Pop have announced a new album from MM faves Blitzen Trapper entitled American Goldwing. Set for a September 13th release, American Goldwing is full of the introspective and striking storytelling that countless fans and critics have fallen in love with. With subjects ranging from falling in love to drug running good old boys and the final high school dance, American Goldwing is a freewheeling … Continue reading Blitzen Trapper Announce New Album
Seven-piece Belfast band Katie & the Carnival’s rootsy folk-pop has been characterised as like the love child of Lou Reed and Darlene Love. Their new single, Went to the Fair is taken from their EP The Places We Go; The Darkest Depths and was released a week or so ago – it is available for download on iTunes. A limited edition EP has also been produced and it … Continue reading Introducing…Katie & The Carnival
Way too much good stuff has been flooding our in-box. Way too little time to give it a proper write-up and give these artists the space they deserve. Anyway, what it means is a Friday smorgasbord of treats to choose from. Something for everyone we guarantee. First up is Vandaveer. A worthy pretender to the thrones left behind by Vic Chesnutt or Sparklehorse some might say. … Continue reading Mega Round-Up
We’ve already given you the wonderful Happy Banjo from Dark Mean’s excellent debut album of folk and alt-country. The self-titled record had its official release a couple of days ago and to mark the occasion the band have made a second track available. It’s another cracker, Smoke Lake. Download Dark Mean – Smoke Lake mp3 (from Dark Mean) Download Dark Mean – Happy Banjo mp3 (from Dark Mean) Continue reading More from Dark Mean
A few videos that have caught our eyes and ears recently. Watch and grab some downloads below. First up, Ale Mania have a nice line in sleazy guitars on Robust Universe. a Orange County quintet Young The Giant have unveiled a brand new ‘In The Open’ session video of their track Guns Out. a Milwaukee six-piece Collections of Colonies of Bees will release GIVING, their anticipated … Continue reading Video Round Up
We recently received a short e-mail from Woollongong, Australia resident Rowan Galagher asking if we were interested in “psychedelic folk noir”? Our response was “who wouldn’t be”, and thankfully Mr Galagher, under the moniker The Mad Pride, turns out to be a mighty fine provider of such tunes. With clear reference points from Syd Barrett to Leonard Cohen and more recently Mathew Sawyer & The Ghosts, … Continue reading Psychedelic Folk Noir from The Mad Pride
For some reason everywhere we’ve turned recently has brought us into contact with cover songs, so we figured we ought to do our duty and collect the best of them together in one convenient place just for you. So here you’ll find Deer Tick’s surprisingly faithful cover of an Eddie Cochran classic, Okkervil River taking on the White Stripes, Bat For Lashes doing The Eurythmics, Middle Brothers Daytrotter version … Continue reading Covers Up!
The Mad Mackerel 