Introducing >>> The Hosts

The Hosts release a single on the 8th April called September Song. Written on the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death, it is about a love affair with music and the infinite power of melody to instantly transport you to another time and place. And we’re pleased to report that music for the Hosts comes across like a cross between The Walkmen and the hazier end … Continue reading Introducing >>> The Hosts

MM’s 5:1 Interview No 8: Pickering Pick

About a month ago we commended to you here the new album, (Tropic) by Pickering Pick released on Yer Bird Records (buy here). It is a triumph of sweetly fingerpicked, warm folk – unhurried, thoughtful and with a rare ability to grab and hold your attention without needing to holler, shout or pull at your coat-tails. It is a timeless record in the very best sense of … Continue reading MM’s 5:1 Interview No 8: Pickering Pick

MM Shorts 324: New Single From Black Manila

We seem to have a bit of a ‘black’ theme going on with recent posts on Black Hay, the Black Angels, Blackbird & The Storm and Blackwater Fever. Entirely appropriate then that we should bring you the video for the new single from South London’s Black Manila titled Shake That Thing. The band have featured on MM a few times over the past year and there can … Continue reading MM Shorts 324: New Single From Black Manila

Videos of the Day: Blackbird & The Storm || Crash & The Coots || The Blackwater Fever || Loch Lomond

The video for Blackbird & The Storm’s track Broken Wings was shot on Super 8 last summer in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. It perfectly suits the samples of crickets, toads, wind, rain, thunder, lightning, hummingbirds, songbirds and wings-in-flight which are mixed alongside musical instruments and Marie-Juliette Bird’s intoxicating voice. We also have the irreverent and effervescent indie rock of Crash & The Coots and their video for … Continue reading Videos of the Day: Blackbird & The Storm || Crash & The Coots || The Blackwater Fever || Loch Lomond

Videos of the Day: Yukon Blonde || Cat Martino || Hot Feet || The Blackhearts

Videos today from Yukon Blonde and some stunning visuals to accompany the ethereal indie-pop of their new single Guns. Then there is Cat Martino’s entrancing video for Yr Not Alone, which comes from her much anticipated forthcoming album of the same name. We have some beautiful folk from Hot Feet with Pine Needle Blues from their recent Songs for the Shed session (also check out … Continue reading Videos of the Day: Yukon Blonde || Cat Martino || Hot Feet || The Blackhearts

Mad Mackerel Recommends…JP Whipple

The press ‘blurb’ we receive at MM can often be, as you might imagine, somewhat repetitive. The Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes references seem still to be de rigueur as it were – whether it bears any resemblance to the music or not. Not so with JP Whipple… “Things had gone to black. The money ran out. Prospects were grim. I was (and probably still am…) … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…JP Whipple

Videos of the Day: The Scintillas || Harry George Johns || Ride Into The Sun || Straw Bear

Here is an animated video of eggs committing various murders and other violent acts to the tune of The Scintillas Say What You Like. We also have Harry George Johns’ new video for Tie Your Own Noose featuring a street preacher having a revelation of his own, and some classic space-rock psychedelia with accompanying b&w movie monsters from Ride Into The Sun. Lastly watch the video … Continue reading Videos of the Day: The Scintillas || Harry George Johns || Ride Into The Sun || Straw Bear

New Single From The Oyster Murders

The Oyster Murders will be releasing Lost to the Birds as a single. Originally available on the US version of their album Winter of the Electric Sun, the song originally started out with an acoustic guitar and an ambient chorus which contained the title lyrics. They ended up taking these lyrics out of the chorus when they started singing a more upfront melody in rehearsal. … Continue reading New Single From The Oyster Murders

MM Shorts 323: Ghost Carriage Phantoms

We’re a bit late to the party with this, but what the heck, Videotape by Ghost Carriage Phantoms is as good a piece of off-kilter, freakout pop as you’re going to hear in a long while. Frankly it was too good not to post even if Ghost Carriage Phantoms released their debut album The Boy Lives back in November. Continue reading MM Shorts 323: Ghost Carriage Phantoms

Introducing >>> The World War 1’s

In the spring of 2012, The World War 1’s released their first full length, The Bite and The Boogie. We have only just got hold of it, but it has grabbed our attention with its full-on uptempo blend of garage-punk, surf-rock, rockabilly echoes and mighty fine songwriting. They are currently recording our second full length which is due out in October of this year. Visit their … Continue reading Introducing >>> The World War 1’s