We’ve been fans of Vandaveer ever since we came across them on the excellent compilation The Old Lonesome Sound a couple of years ago. Equal parts folk and pop, towing a line where Nick Drake and Andrew Bird set up shop, Vandaveer tells campfire stories under the guise of crafty, quiet, dynamic torch ballads, beautifully executed and brilliantly captivating. Balancing between the theatrical weaving pontificating … Continue reading New Vandaveer Video & Album
The Morning Birds album The Quickening has slyly seduced us over the past few days and weeks with its infectious blend of sunny harmonies and groovy rhythms. We posted the lovely Hearts Desire from the album a couple of weeks ago. Now they are giving the title track away as a free download – take the chance to be seduced too. Visit their website here where you can … Continue reading More From The Morning Birds
The Skeleton Dead have been back in touch with two more tracks of delicately beautiful acoustic tracks that still reveal some wonderfully dark and sinister undertones. Lock The Doors is a brilliantly realised tale of the macabre – follow the twists and turns of a murderous burglar told over a sparse backdrop of gentle instrumentation that acts as a wonderful counterbalance to the coiled menace … Continue reading More From Skeleton Dead
Following our post about Races and their Big Broom 7″ on Jaxart Records, we have label-mates, the noise pop trio Polls and their follow up to their well received debut EP with a brand new 7 inch single, Mouth of A Fox b/w Careful Way, which is out May 24th. Only 250 copies will be made on translucent blue vinyl. Order your copy here. Download Polls … Continue reading Polls – Mouth Of A Fox Single
One of the advantages of having a blog like this is being able to make up the rules as you go along, and today that means giving the limelight to our youngest Joe, who reaches the ripe old age of seven today. Now, we are all guilty of bias and of nepotism at times (and this is one of them), but I think you’d be … Continue reading Joe’s Birthday Mix
We’re always pleased when an Oxford band starts to make waves and this is certainly true for Jonquil who have debuted a new video for Get Up off of their debut EP, One Hundred Suns (available now on Dovecote Records). Sharing their vibrant brand of western afro-pop and calypso rhythms, the band made a phenomenal US debut playing three sold-out New York sets in 48 … Continue reading Jonquil’s New Video for Get Up
Another month, another mix. A collection of twenty or so of the best tunes we posted in April plus a couple of tasty new ones. Download, hit play, relax. Download Ha Ha Tonka – Usual Suspects mp3 (from Death Of A Decade) Soulful, catchy, country rock. Download Sweet Lights – The Shortest Man On Earth mp3 (from Digital Single) Beautifully judged excursion into the world of classic sunshine and … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: April 2011
The first time we came across Beth Jeans Houghton she was supporting Phosphorescent at a gig in London. She was disarmingly quirky, funny, and a little self conscious, but underneath the oddball behaviour it was obvious that there was real songwriting talent and a unique voice at work. After releasing just one EP (Hot Toast) and one single (Golden/Night Swimmer), Houghton attracted major mainstream media … Continue reading Beth Jeans Houghton signs with Mute Records
Ontario’s Dark Mean have built up quite a buzz and a following since 2007 when they started recording their debut album. During this period band members Mark Dean, Billy Holmes, and Sandy Johnston released two “work in progress” EPs without expectation. However, Frankencottage and Music Box ended up being downloaded in more than 100 countries and expectations certainly were set by their brilliant blend of folk and alt-country. … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Dark Mean
Here are four corking singles for you to listen to and, should you be so inclined, subsequently purchase. First up are Scumbag Philosopher and their second single, God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead. It is typically English in it’s odd spoken word style, wry black humour and deadpan observations of the ludicrousness of life. Out on May 23rd, visit their website here for … Continue reading Try Before You Buy…
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