New From The Great American Canyon Band

Last spring we posted a track from the Great American Canyon Band’s Wild Heart EP and A Song For The Rest was one of the tracks that came so close to making our end of year Best of list. They’ve just given us this new single, Tumbleweed, it is the first track from their debut album, self-recorded in a gutted out house in Chicago with no … Continue reading New From The Great American Canyon Band

Free EP From Rose Elinor Dougall

In advance of releasing her second solo album Rose Elinor Dougall has made a three track EP of some earlier demos available for free download. While apparently not representative of the new record (these demos were recorded shortly after the release of Without Why in 2010 and ‘rediscovered’ in December) she thought it a waste not to share them and we’re all the better for … Continue reading Free EP From Rose Elinor Dougall

Bats Pajamas Ready Second Album

Last summer we featured the slightly unhinged proto-garage of Toronto’s The Bats Pajamas and a track from their Steve Albini produced self-titled debut album. They have just finished recording the follow-up, which they are hoping to get released shortly. We have a couple of tasters in the shapes of videos and downloads for Red Scared and Sarai. Pleased to report the levels of unhingedness are unchanged. Watch. … Continue reading Bats Pajamas Ready Second Album

Streaming Round-Up

Compared with mp3s, it takes us much longer to get around to listening to all the tracks we get sent that are for streaming only – annoyingly paid work has to take priority during the day and you can’t stick these on an iPod – however, there have been a selection of corking tunes released recently that are well worth some of your ear time … Continue reading Streaming Round-Up

MM Shorts 75: Halo Sparkle

Halo Sparkle are a new five piece band that hail from Minneapolis and have just released their first EP. We’ve listened to three tracks from it and it shows a lot of promise – well crafted songs with an nicely defined edge and not afraid to stray from the indie-by-numbers rulebook either. Watch the video for lead track Bessy, and download it below. a Download … Continue reading MM Shorts 75: Halo Sparkle

Introducing…Town Hall

Like many bands currently riding the wave of interest in all things traditional, New York’s Town Hall are firm inhabitants of the folk landscape, but unlike many such bands, their first full-band EP Sticky Notes & Paper Scraps has proved to be an unexpected treasure. Deftly moving from sweetly sung harmonies and gentle balladeering to something altogether more adventurous and unusual, the combination of lush, almost orchestral … Continue reading Introducing…Town Hall

Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (13th January)

I so hope my only daughter begins adult life with a little more self-belief and confidence that it has taken me years to find. When I was a girl and, actually many years from that time since, shy and tired eyed (thanks, Laura) I would kowtow and bite my lip. Old habits do die hard. For me, I would say retreat is always the best … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (13th January)