New Cerebral Ballzy Single

The Brooklyn-based punk band Cerebral Ballzy have announced they have signed to Julian Casablancas’ label Cult Records. The band’s new album, produced by TV on The Radio’s Dave Sitek will be out in early 2014. Until then we have the band’s new track Better In Leather, which premiered as Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record In The World’ yesterday on his show on BBC Radio 1. Catch them live: … Continue reading New Cerebral Ballzy Single

Graph Rabbit Cover Pink Floyd

There have been more than a few covers of Pink Floyd’s classic track Comfortably Numb, and now Graph Rabbit have added their version to the list. The track is undoubtedly 100% Graph Rabbit too, with sedate acoustic guitar strumming and endlessly evolving arpeggios – the feeling is one of bliss rather than anguish – a different kind of numbness, heavy with psychedelic overtones and, perhaps, even … Continue reading Graph Rabbit Cover Pink Floyd

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Driftwood

From Binghamton, NY comes Driftwood, a young string band with a rock n’ roll soul and a folk art mind. Their self-titled third album drops on the 3rd December. Incorporating upright bass, banjo, acoustic guitar and violin, they channel the ghost of traditional American folk music but the melodies, the harmonies and the lyrics are something else entirely. Check out infectious first single The Sun’s … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Driftwood

Videos of the Day: Night Beds || Califone || Deep Dark Woods || Broken Twin

A set of videos from some of indie’s big hitters and up and comers today. We have the orchestral Americana of Night Beds, the gritty, and often eerie indie rock leanings of Califone, the pastoral folk of Deep Dark Woods, and the haunting singer-songwriter Broken Twin. . . . . Continue reading Videos of the Day: Night Beds || Califone || Deep Dark Woods || Broken Twin

Emily Jane White – Keeley & Holiday Song

Back at the beginning of the week we included the noirish folk of Emily Jane White in our big Round Up posting, and now as the end of the working week appears on the horizon, what better way to finish than with two more tracks from her forthcoming album Blood / Lines. First is Keeley. It is a gorgeous melancholy, gothic tinged drama, a lost … Continue reading Emily Jane White – Keeley & Holiday Song

Mad Mackerel Recommends… Scott Barkan

Somehow Scott Barkan manages to combine wonderfully the raspy, gritty quality of Tom Waits with the warm and introspective tenacity of Townes Van Zandt. On his new album Flightless Bird he manages to create a set of songs that echo with the restless, free spirit of jazz, but which are also firmly anchored by their Americana roots. Of the title track to the album he says, … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends… Scott Barkan

New From DZ Deathrays

After releasing their excellent debut LP of ferocious, thrash party anthems Bloodstreams last year, Australia’s DZ Deathrays have literally spent the last eighteen months touring the world. Now the duo have offered up the first taste of their forthcoming sophomore LP (scheduled for the first half of 2014) in the form of a crushing new single entitled Northern Lights. Continue reading New From DZ Deathrays