Heard these guys from my tent at Glastonbury this year and thought they were excellent. Should really have gone down to see them play the John Peel stage, but it was too early and the sun was out so I didn't want to jinx things. Still, it was the perfect background music to a lazy Sunday morning at camp.
The Wave Pictures make sunny Indie/Folk that definitely hints of the Beach Boys surfer genre, these guys definitely don't sound like they come from 2009. If you're in need of unconventional, mellow music to make you smile, check out We Dress Up Like Snowmen and We Never Motored West, which you can download below:
I've been meaning to post this track for a while. I was lucky enough to see a surprise set from the quirky ginger hippy at the DirtyBoots stage on the Thursday night of Glastonbury, and as well as being pleasantly surprised at his wit between songs, this track in particular rekindled my love of his music.
This was the only video I could find as it's a new one, and for a live track the quality is pretty good.
If this has whet your whistle for Mr Newton Faulkner's blend of chilled yet uplifting 'pop,' then I'd also recommend downloading People Should Smile More and Massive Attack cover Teardrop, as well as his chart hit Dream Catch Me. His new album Rebuilt by Humans is out on September 21st.
Whether they play or not, this will be the soundtrack to my Glastonbury.
'One day like this a year could see me right-' More like 5 days like these will see me right.
To all those going, have a good one, look after yourselves and each other, first one to make it to the top of the Stone Circle will get a pint from me at the cider bus!
In my next Pre-Glasto post I will be focusing on my Sunday night headliner choice, and boy was it a tough decision: Blur and The Prodigy are both playing at the same time as this electroclash vixen, it was like Sophie's Choice I'm telling you, only without the Nazis.
I LOVE Peaches.
Now, if you're a newcomer into the realm of Peaches or Electro in itself, you should know that Peaches is one of the staples of the Electroclash genre, admired by many for making sexy, danceable songs with lyrics suggesting she really doesn't give a fuck. Peaches just seems to ooze that charm that is lacking in most of today's electropop twaddle (see Lady Ga Ga) : she is cool. She's also different to the sea of synthpop about at the minute, a refreshing respite from all the saccharine coated music coming from bands who just want their music to be on the next series of Skins. Think a slightly more rough and ready version of Little Boots and you'll start to get a glimpse of what Peaches' music is like.
Peaches is the matriarch in the electro dynasty , and at the grand age of 42 she shows no signs of abdicating any time soon. New album I Feel Cream is just as edgy as one would come to expect from an artist whose previous tracks include Fuck the Pain Away (one of the best tracks she's ever done in my opinion). But it's not just about the innuendo; there are a few epic chooons in there too. Trick or Treat is one of the less explicit tracks and has an intensely catchy riff or two, designed to make for a great club track, whilst More is very 80's and reminds me of many a retro video game, which can only be a good thing.
She may be a Marmite artist, but I for one will definitely be as close as I can get to the front next Sunday, I think she's bloody brilliant.
N.B This video is a bit odd, but then so is the song so I guess it makes some sort of sense.
Now I don't want to get all NME on you but, seeing as I was going to blog about his upcoming Glastonbury slot, I thought I may as well follow the crowd and let you lovely readers know that frontman of Babyshambles, Mr Peter Doherty, has been arrested-again.
Not again..
Pete was apprehended by police in Gloucestershire in the early hours of this morning (11th June), after he was seen driving rather erratically around the town, only half an hour after finishing a solo set at the Guildhall. Reports from local police also state that drugs were also found in Pete's possession, and has been arrested on suspicion of "failing to stop for police, drink driving and possession of drugs."
This follows a previous arrest last week on board a flight to Geneva in which he was allegedly prosecuted for taking illegal drugs, a charge which was later settled with a fine.
Seriously, is anybody even surprised? You'd think that after surviving a stint in prison last year that Pete would know better by now; drugs are neither big nor clever, hardly worth losing the respect of your fans over at any rate.
Pete- seriously sort yourself out, your solo album is so promising and your gig with Babyshambles and Roger Daughtry was a personal highlight- you'd better get your act together before Glastonbury!
Pete Doherty is said to have been questioned at sometime today.
Yes it's nearly that time of the year again. The days are getting slightly longer, the sun has finally decided to make its sporadic appearance and there's a definite air of excitement creeping up on the residents of fair old Albion.. must nearly be Glasto time.
So, there's officially 22 days to go until the return of Michael Eavis' palatial farm of wonders, the place where truly anything can happen and where some of the finest bands of the 21st century have made their mark on the music scene.
So, in the run up to this most prestigious festival, I will be sharing with you some of the acts I am looking forward to. Yes yes there will be a post or two about the big guys, the mighty forces that are some of the headliners, but really this is a chance for me to let you in on a few as of yet undiscovered musical marvels.
Have I sold this to you yet?
First up: Emmy the Great
Oh no, I hear you cry, not another female solo artist, just what we need in a time when we're basically engulfed in a sea of Duffy and Winehouse. Fear not however, Emmy may be a solo singer songwriter, but her songs are truly different from the others. Emmy's songs have that clarity, that honesty that you wouldn't find in the tedious warblings of Duffy certainly. She sings about invented languages, drunken mistakes and the general fuck ups of life, in a way that is thoroughly refreshing and not in anyway disheartening.
If I had it my way she would be everywhere at the moment, but I'll settle for seeing her at Worthy Farm for now. Playing:
..for liking the new single by Dizzee Rascal. Now I may not be the most lucid of them all, but I'm sane enough to recognise a good tune. And that, this track most certainly is.
Ok, so he may have sold out by adding more electro-induced sounds, but it's definitely a lot more inviting than many other grime artists I know of (which ain't a lot to be fair). You don't necessarily have to be a fan of hip-hop to like this track either; there's no bitches and hoes, pimpin' or any of that malarky, just a good bassline and irritatingly catchy lyrics.
One of his best? Possibly.
He's definitely a strong contender for my Glastonbury to- watch list at any rate- who's with me?
Franz Ferdinand are the latest act to confirm they will be playing the prestigious Glastonbury festival this summer.
The Scottish group confirmed on their official website that they were playing the festival on the Saturday evening. This isn't entirely shocking as last year they played a secret gig at the Park stage, (yet another secret show I missed out on) as well as joining The Ting Tings at the annual Pilton Party for the residents of Glastonbury. I'm still undecided whether I will give them a look in at the festival, new single Ulysses is destined to be a chart success but whether that will translate onto a live setting well I don't know. Saying that though, saw them at Benicassim in 2006 and they were immense, so you never know..
Other acts to have confirmed themselves for this year's Glasto include Lily Allen, Bon Iver and- Rolf Harris. Oh dear God. The scary thing is, I'll know just where to find my parents when he's playing, if last year's Wurzels rave was anything to go by.
If you want to go this year but haven't got your act together, the second batch of tickets has officially sold out so in order to be in with a chance of getting on when the third batch are released (April 5th) you will need to have registered your details at Glastonburyregistration.co.uk before March 31st. See you in the Green fields!
No Michael Eavis hasn't fallen down a well or anything, don't worry. My grandmother kindly took the time to send my family a newspaper cutting from that oh-so-credible newspaper The Sun, saying that Mr. Eavis has revealed some of the headliners for next year's festival.
That's right, they're back.
Michael Eavis has revealed that Britpop giants Blur will reform to headline Glastonbury 2009. To be honest, as thrilled as I am that Graham, Damon, Dave and Alex are getting back together in yet another band reunion, it's hardly very surprising. If you'd have asked me this time last year whether they would reform I would have put a tenner on that they would, and be raking it in. Sadly, I remain still a lowly teenager, one never thinks of these things at the time, does one? Anyway, the band, whose hits include the infamous Song 2 (below) and Girls and Boys will join the stage at wonderful Worthy Farm next year along with oldies Neil Young and Bruce Springstein.
Well, at least I know when to get a drink and check out Trash City..
In case some of you dim witted fools haven't noticed, Glastonbury tickets for the first time are being sold now. Well, technically they've been on sale since the first week of October, but I digress.. Anyway, is anyone else excited about next year already?
I know it's the equivalent to getting all giddy about Christmas in April, but still, now that the first act has been confirmed for the annual partay at Worthy Farm my head's already buzzing with images of all night mayhem at Trash City and watching the sun rise at the Stone Circle...
That's how life should be.
Anywho, the very first act to be announced are some indie troupe called Major Major. The Liverpudlian band managed to wing a slot at the prestigious festival after winning the RockstarBands' Competition. The band are somewhat familiar with the venue, having played withTheTing Tings and Franz Ferdinand at the Glastonbury party gig for the residents of the town. The group also won a trip to Genesis front man Peter Gabriel's recording studio, the lucky buggers.
Maybe I'm not giving them much credit, but to me they do sound slightly generic for a guitar band. However, there are some definite hooks in the songs guaranteed to make you bop your head and the vocals remind me of a slightly edgier Mystery Jets. Still, by the time you see them play at Glasto, you'll be too drunk/stoned/relaxed/all of the above to care, so enjoy.
I LOVE Peaches.
Not again..
So, there's officially 22 days to go until the return of Michael Eavis' palatial farm of wonders, the place where truly anything can happen and where some of the finest bands of the 21st century have made their mark on the music scene.
The Scottish group confirmed on their official website that they were playing the festival on the Saturday evening. This isn't entirely shocking as last year they played a secret gig at the Park stage, (yet another secret show I missed out on) as well as joining The Ting Tings at the annual Pilton Party for the residents of Glastonbury. I'm still undecided whether I will give them a look in at the festival, new single Ulysses is destined to be a chart success but whether that will translate onto a live setting well I don't know. Saying that though, saw them at Benicassim in 2006 and they were immense, so you never know..
That's right, they're back.
