Broeder Dieleman: De Koeter

photo: Mechteld Jansen

Dutch folk singer Broeder Dieleman has released De Koeter, the second one of two new songs about a life in the West part of Zeeuws Vlaanderen in the early 20th century. A "koeter" was a young boy, who had uneviable task to lead the cows to the pastures, a kind of pocket-cowboy who was treated like shit, under the tutelage of De Eerste Knecht (the farmer's righthand man). On the upside: koeters had each back when they were allowed to roam free for awhile, giving them opportunity to help themselves to some free apples. And they kept tabs on each other by yodeling (seriously), so there is a bit of that in the song too.

HCTF premiere - Cozy Slippers: I Can't Keep You Safe

Seattle based jangling, indie rock trio Cozy Slippers tackle the anxiety that pops up after realizing that trouble always finds a way on their new single I Can't Keep You Safe. It is quite unsettling, but they sugarcoat the message with an upbeat chorus as a counterpoint to the melancholy of the verses. Barbara Barrilleaux (drums, keyboards, and vocals), Sarah Engel (bass and vocals) and Steven Skelton (guitar) have bottled their fears and serve it as a sparkling beverage. Guitar lovers should take note of the short and sweet break.

Dez Dare: "Trashin'" video

Darren Smallman has posted a no-frills video for Trashin', a track by his one-man garage-punk band Dez Dare that can be found his album Ulysses Trash: "a collection of gnarly fuzz-heavy songs, combining the Stooges with Ministry and the Jefferson Airplane in a foul mood. He is a veteran of the Australian noise scene, now based in Brighton, where he is waking up the neighbours with monolithic riffs, and fighting off his demons with his guitar and singing his heart out".

» dezdare.com

HCTF review of Ulysses Trash.

Nell Davies: Repeat After Me

English indie pop singer Nell Davies' uncanny knack for sardonic songs about the pitfalls in relationships is in full swing on her new single, Repeat After Me. Getting shafted by somebody who takes over the spot of the coveted one sucks. And it sucks even more that the same mistakes are highly likely to be made again.

The video was shot in the early morning at a remote Victorian folly named Rogers Tower in Cornwall. Being on a budget meant she had to play her own twin, but it looks great nevertheless.

» nelldavies.com

HCTF review of Everything and Nothing.

Seb Zukini: The Devil You Know

Dutch rock band Seb Zukini sound pretty tight for a band who has only been playing together since May 2021. After releasing a couple of singles their first EP The Devil You Know is aimed at taking them to the next level. It is a smorgasbord of hooks and licks, topped off with lyrics that are both dark and catchy.

A hat tip to Mr White and Mr Blonde, two main characters from Reservoir Dogs in the opener Mirror, sets the tone for six hard-hitting, melodic songs about getting even (Reap What You Sow), betrayal (Treason) and trying to bail out of a mess before the shit hits the fan (A Good Time To Stop). The stand-out track is Lord Lord. They have the audacity to slow down to create tension and release, with an irresistible chugging back beat that will get a rise out a live audience, with plenty of options to stretch out a bit and add a couple of minutes of free-flowing guitar mayhem.

Sparks: "Live At The Record Plant '74" Black Friday release

A legendary Sparks performance will be released on vinyl on Black Friday (November 25). Live At The Record Plant '74 was recorded for KMET-FM’s ‘Saturday Night At The Concert Hour’ and part of the show was also broadcasted on TV on the Don Kirshner's Rock Concert program. The full show has been making the rounds on bootlegs for decades, so it nice to finally have an official release of this art rockers in full flight, riding high on the success of their Kimono My House album. 2500 copies worldwide.

Update: this release has been pushed back for a Record Store Day 2023 release on April 15. Supply, demand, yada yada.

The World of Dust: tour dates

Dutch musician Stefan Breuer is on the road with The World of Dust project, promoting his new album, Gaman: "[He] is a keen observer and a collector of sounds that he used to add depth and texture to the basic framework of his songs. The recording process can be described as peeling an onion in reverse, adding layer upon layer and giving his circle of musicians a free hand to become part of the equation. Superb slowcore that digs deep".

Ronan Conroy: "Dark Paradise" video

NYC based singer-songwriter Ronan Conroy has unveiled a video for his new single Dark Paradise, a Lana Del Rey cover that will be included on his forthcoming new album, The Slow Death of the LoveMyth. It's a bit more post-punk than the original, thanks to swirling synths courtesy of his longtime collaborator Charlie Nieland, and Conroy's vocal delivery comes close Dave Gahan.

Phish: New Year's Run at MSG 12/28/2022-12/31/2022

Phish takes over NYC's Madison Square Garden again for a four-night New Year’s Run (12/28/2022-12/31/2022):

Phish returns to New York City this year for a four-night New Year's run at Madison Square Garden Wednesday, December 28th through Saturday, December 31st. A ticket request period is currently underway at tickets.phish.com (ending Monday, October 3rd at Noon ET). Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, October 7th at Noon ET at ticketmaster.com. A limited number of travel packages (hotel and tickets) will go on sale Thursday, October 6th at Noon ET here.

» phish.com

Mint Biscuit: Mouth Like A Rocker; Mint: Leaving It Late (2022 reissue)

Richard Thomas goes for a rough-around-the-edges approach on Mouth Like A Rocker, the new album by his one-man project Mint Biscuit. His hard rock side comes to the fore in I'm A Big Metal Fan and the bluesy The Jaguine Article. Being the proud owner of a couple of cool axes - he used a Squier Jazzmaster, a Squier Jaguar, an Epiphone ES-339, and an Epiphone Les Paul, allowed to explore various moods and tunings. As for the album's title: it is a pun on his place of residence Cockermouth. And yes, he has heard all the lame jokes about that already.

Power chords sit comfortably next to single notes. Playing by intuition is not without risks - a tune can fall apart quite easily - but Thomas has a firm grip on when he wants to go. In this case a bit louder than his usual shtick, but it worked out quite well. He might be working his working to thrash metal or something equally challenging.

Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls: new album" I'll Put My Voodoo On You" in November; "Dose Of Your Medicine" video

English old school vaudeville blues trio Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls will release their fourth album I'll Put My Voodoo On You on November 14th, a collection of songs about their pet subjects: love, terror, and destiny. They have made a video for the lead single, Dose Of Your Medicine, a classic tale of being offered a potion with unwanted side effects.

All I want for Christmas is a Jimi Hendrix ornament? Not!

The Jimi Hendrix Estate has reached a new low: a glass ornament for the Holiday season, using the guitarist's image at his Monterey performance on June 18, 1967. This piece of crap will set you back $108.

» jimihendrix.com

The Wedding Present: Locked Down and Stripped Back Volume Two

Locked Down and Stripped Back Volume Two captures English indie darlings The Wedding Present during the virtual version of their long running At The Edge Of The Sea festival in 2021. The band decided to play a mostly acoustic set and offer it as a webcast. It serves as a companion piece for their 2021 studio album Locked Down and Stripped Back. A live record is by default a bit gritty and although they were not performing for an audience - or even in the same room for that matter - the band manages to connect rather well.

A good song works well in any guise and since main man David Gedge usually starts out with just his guitar and voice the core is already there, ready and waiting for the others musicians to pitch in and create the classic Wedding Present sound. Founded in 1985 and still going strong they have always found a way to get their message across, providing snapshots from every day life and taking the piss if need be. Lots of bands would have killed to come up with songs like What Have I Said Now and as Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft, but for The Wedding Present it is business as usual. Now where is that blue plaque in Leeds to honour them?

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers: shows in Herselt and Leiden added to European tour

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers have added shows in Leiden (10/25) and Herselt (10/27) to their European tour, promoting their latest album, Soul Crusade: "(...) a celebration of all the kinds of "roots" music that has made to the airwaves: country, blues, gospel, folk, and soul. Jeffrey Halford has broken out of his niche with this one, throwing all his musical references to the wall to find out what sticks. Well, all of it in fact. There is no way back now, but why should he? Play loud and dance the night away".

Joe Strummer: "Live at Music Millennium" Black Friday release

On November 2nd, 1999 Joe Strummer performed acoustic @ Music Millennium in Portland. The soundboard recording will be released on vinyl (3600 copies) on Black Friday (November 25). Note: the blurb n the Record Store Day site mentions November 4th as the date, which is wrong. The cover art has the correct date.

Setlist:

1. Junco Partner
2. X-Ray Style
3. Island Hoppingd
4. The Road to Rock 'N' Roll
5. Trash City

» joestrummer.com

Words about music (657): Trey Anastasio

We did this gig with Lou Reed in Germany. I was getting ready to go on, and I was walking across this field behind the stage. It was this kind of cool outdoor venue, and there was Lou Reed sitting there. So I went up to talk to him, introduce myself and everything, he was really nice, and I asked him a couple of questions about what he’s up to these days, blah-blah-blah. And then he was standing there and we went to go onstage, and as I was walking onstage he said, ‘Show ‘em how to rock and roll. After all, we invented it.’ I said, “Oh, okay,” and walked onstage. And as we started playing I got really confused and couldn’t tell if he had meant Americans or the Velvet Underground. I thought both statements could be true. So I spent the whole set trying to figure that one out. I still haven’t figured it out. I still sit there scratching my head every night while we’re playing: Did he mean Americans…?

Trey Anastasio

Jaws The Shark: That Feeling

photo: Rob Crawford

London based musician Olly Bailey countered a bout of writer's block with letting go and find out where the music would take him for the next single by his one-man project Jaws The Shark. Well, it turned out that going full-on grunge was the way to capture That Feeling. He added some healthy screaming to get rid of any lingering doubts, and presto: a rocker that hits hard.

Cover Me: Save It For Later

Watch Pete Townshend's Deep End tackle Save It For Later by The Beat during their two-night stand @ The Brixton Academy in London, UK (November 1-2, 1985). The concert was released on VHS, Laserdisc, and in various permutations on CD, but never on DVD or Blu-Ray.

» Deep End on Wikipedia

Ciel: Back To The Feeling

photo: Lizzie Clark-Nørgaard

Brighton based trio Ciel keep their streak of passive-aggressive love songs going with their new single Back To The Feeling, discussing getting older and not being able to enjoy the nightlife as much as they used to. Mixing shoegaze and goth, singer and bass player Michelle Hindriks takes charge of the construction of a wall of sound with Jorge Bela Jimenez on guitar and Tim Spencer on drums.

Euphemia Rise: Children Who Will Change the World

Belgian multi-instrumentalist Wim Lankriet has announced that he will put his Euphemia Rise project on the backburner, and concentrate on his writing of prose and drawing for now. The two new songs he just released on his Children Who Will Change the World EP are snapshots from his past, growing up in a small village where being different was frowned upon. Written from the perspective of two kids the title track and Forever in Your Room are haunting psych-pop songs, wherein the power of friendship serves as a lifeline in a hostile environment.

GDVRDGDVR: Songs in the Key of GDVRDGDVR

photo: Tjeerd Derkink

Singer and guitarist Harmen Kuiper (The Slow Clock) switched to bass and teamed with drummer Hester den Boer to make crunchy post-punk as a duo called GDVRDGDVR (goddamngoddamn). Their debut album Songs in the Key of GDVRDGDVR combines the sound of the Pixies, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr, stripped down to the bare essentials. It is a spicey collection of in-your-face garage rock that is catchy as Hell, which keeps going for 16 tracks in a row.

It is ramshackle at times, especially when they play fast (Roughle, Hammer), and straying off pitch is part of the equation, but this kind of fuzzy, scuzzy DIY music (Sentimental Reasons) proofs that there is still room for off-kilter melodies (Handout, I Know U Know) in the underground scene. And they have a sense of humour as well: the final track is called Intermezzo. Recommended if you like Little Foot Long Foot and Blood Red Shoes.

Tape Op "DISCussion" Episode 25: Cults

Tape Op has posted a new episode of their DISCussion podcast series. They get on the phone with an artist or producer to discuss an album they love. In episode 25 the members of NYC indie band Cults talk about the Ween album The Pod.

» tapeop.com

HCTF premiere - Sheyna Gee: Lost and Found

Visitors of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row in Nashville, TN, were already aware for quite some time that country singer Sheyna Gee has a serious set of pipes. Her latest single Lost and Found has the potential to lift her to wider recognition. It is an anthem for all those who are looking for love again, never mind that the mistakes from the past are likely to be repeated again. Chances are that the lead guitar won't be buried as deep in the mix, as she plays up a storm to make the punters enjoying their drinks shut up and take notice.

My Favorite: Tender Is the Nightshift: Part 1

NY danceable New Wave synth band My Favorite reformed in 2014 and were quick to release a single, Second Empire b/w Dance With a Stranger, and dropped off the radar again shortly after that. But now it looks that they are back for real. Tender Is the Nightshift: Part 1 is the first of three new EPs, with the evening as the main theme. Main songwriter Michael Grace Jr. hasn't lost a bit of his knack for writing about romance and tragedy and the band still sounds quite English, with hints of Soft Cell, Ultravox, and even Spandau Ballet. The late '80s saw a resurgence of plastic soul in the UK and a reappraisal for the saxophone as a lead instrument, something that was not on their Stateside counterparts. Tracks got longer to appease the gently bobbing people on the dance floor. That approach has aged well and for the EP's lead single Dean's 7th Dream they managed to keep the groove going for a little over 8 minutes.

Princess Diana Awaiting Ambulance is the dark horse on this release. This is sadness captured on wax - "There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's death". It is a lament for a lonely soul caught in the crosshairs of her predators. Michael Grace Jr. comes close to channeling Bowie on this one, with on point backing vocals and saxophone courtesy of Stephanie Cupo. Reaching for the stars can get you killed and Blues For Planet X - with Roots guitarist Captain Kirk Douglas laying a foundation of choice chords - is both a celebration and a warning for prospective traveller. It doesn't help to try it while on some bad news stimulants either.

Eric Burdon & War: "The Complete Vinyl Collection" Black Friday release

The full studio recordings by Eric Burdon & War will be released as a 4LP box set on Black Friday (November 25). The Complete Vinyl Collection contains Eric Burdon Declares War on transparent violet, the double The Black Man’s Burdon on translucent sun yellow, and Love Is All Around on transparent red vinyl. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. 2500 copies worldwide. They have not been been released on vinyl since the '70s.

Joel Fausto & Illusion Orchestra: Negrume

Portuguese one-man band Joel Fausto & Illusion Orchestra incorporates elements of jazz and ambient on his new single Negrume (blackness), a dirge-like composition that pulls the listener in with one note at the time, with a few tinkling vibraphone touches playing catch with the woodwinds.

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers: Soul Crusade

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers have dipped their toes in the sound of Motown for their new Soul Crusade album. The core trio enlisted outside help from noted guest players, including lap slide maestro Bruce Kaphan (REM, Jewel, The Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow), singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tom Heyman (Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet), and alt. blues pioneer Preacher Boy. Make no mistake: it is still country music, albeit in a far broader sense. The tracks swing and purr - note the organ and crunchy guitar in Kitchen Door or the Tex-Mex seasoning applied to Pescadero. Need some dirty blues? The Devil delivers, with ace female backing vocals to boot.

Soul Crusade is a celebration of all the kinds of "roots" music that has made to the airwaves: country, blues, gospel, folk, and soul. Jeffrey Halford has broken out of his niche with this one, throwing all his musical references to the wall to find out what sticks. Well, all of it in fact. There is no way back now, but why should he? Play loud and dance the night away.

Jessie Kilguss: "What Do Whales Dream About at Night?" video

Brooklyn singer Jessie Kilguss has unveiled a video for What Do Whales Dream About at Night?, the title track from her forthcoming new album: "Inspired by Headphones by Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan, she wrote it in 2019 for the Bushwick Book Club, at a time that she could not have dreamt that the subject of war would again be making the headlines".

Jumble Hole Clough: The Erik Satie Toga Party

English avant-garde musician Colin Robinson has been listening to a lot of Van der Graaf Generator and the Bonzo Dog Band lately and it shows on The Erik Satie Toga Party, the new album by his one-man project Jumble Hole Clough. Subtitled as "a Compendium of The Macabre" and "a series of sordid short stories" he went in at the deep end to find hidden gems and ditched items that still work. And of course there are quite a lot of insider jokes as well, like inserting a snippet of Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf into Gurdjieff's Trousers.

Robinson's mostly deadpan delivery is a nice contrast to the bells and whistles he has sprinkled with reckless abandon upon his free-flowing compositions. He always had a soft spot for the craving for weirdness that is part of the human condition. Take Don't Sit On My Rugose Cone, which could very well be the first song to have been written about this made-up creature that can be found in the works H.P. Lovecraft. God's messengers can be bad news as any fan of Doctor Who knows and A Fear Of Angels is in sync with that premise.

Motörhead: "The Löst Tapes Vol. 3 (Live in Malmö 2000)" Black Friday release

A Motörhead show from the We Are Motörhead tour will be released as a 2LP on green vinyl (2600 copies) on Black Friday (November 25). The Löst Tapes Vol. 3 (Live in Malmö 2000) was recorded at KB Hallen on November 17, 2000. The show became available earlier this year as a digital release. Not a lot of crowd noise on this one, because it was a culled straight from the board.

Words about music (656): Thom Yorke

I've never believed that pop music is escapist trash. There's always a darkness in it, even amidst great pop music.

Thom Yorke

Katie Lass: Sunshine1 (headspunstar)

Detroit art-rock artist Katie Lass breaks all the rules of "proper recording" on her new single, Sunshine1 (headspunstar), a neo-psych rollercoaster ride in slow motion, with an unrelenting back beat and swirling background vocals, drenched in reverb and echo. It is a journey into a musical innerworld where she is playing the role of Alice in Wonderland, partaking in a disuccion with Syd Barrett and Kim Deal about holes in the fabrics of time and space. The track is a first taste from her debut album, Hypnopomp, which was mastered by Warren Defever of Third Man Mastering, so all the weirdness was carefully preserved.

Cover Me: Sad Lisa

Watch Phish and Sarah McLachlan tackle the Cat Stevens classic Sad Lisa. Recorded live @ The Bridge School Benefit show at the Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA - October 18, 1998.

» phish.com
» sarahmclachlan.com

Jessie Kilguss: What Do Whales Dream About at Night?

Brooklyn singer Jessie Kilguss has released the title track from her forthcoming new full-length What Do Whales Dream About at Night?, due for release on September 23. Inspired by Headphones by Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan, she wrote it in 2019 for the Bushwick Book Club, at a time that she could not have dreamt that the subject of war would again be making the headlines. Kilguss: "The protagonist is a poet who escapes the harsh realities of the war happening around him by putting on his headphones and tuning out the world".

Do animals even care about the human race is up to? Most likely not, they move on in their own habitat: "They say that whales feel things more deeply than the rest of us do // Maybe they’re already enlightened // Wiser than me and you // Are they scared of the dark? // Do they stay up late? // when the lights go out, can they see where they’re going? // Do they get insomnia sometimes, like I do // What do whales dream about at night".

Heavenly: reissues of their four studio albums

All four studio albums by jangly indie pop band Heavenly will be reissued on vinyl over the next two years, starting with their debut album Heavenly vs Satan on November 26th. The originals are still in high demand among the cognoscenti of superb melodic pop with an edge. Fabled DJ John Peel liked them a lot and they recorded two sessions for his radio show, both of which were released on 7" EPs this year. They disbanded in 1996 after tragedy had struck: drummer Mathew Fletcher took his own life.

Nowadays singer Amelia Fletcher and bass player Rob Pursey both play in The Catenary Wires and Swansea Sound, still on the fence between pop and punk, and Peter Momtchiloff is playing guitar with Would Be Good and Tufthunter.

ON: Blackmail

Toronto alternative rock veterans ON keep gnarly, bass-heavy music alive with their latest single, Blackmail. It is as if the Nineties never ended in their neck of the woods. Lead singer and bass player Lucy Di Santo knows how to work a crowd, spitting out the words of this song about finding empowerment in the midst of chaos. For a start, taking shit from nobody helps a lot. Sonic Youth fans will appreciate Steve Fall's low down and dirty guitar tone.

Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen: "The Legendary Typewriter Tape: 6/25/64 Jorma’s House" Black Friday release

Janis Joplin and Jorma Kaukonen had a tape rolling when they worked their way through a bunch of folk and blues songs at Jorma's house in Santa Clara on June 25, 1964. It will be released vinyl (3500 copies) on Black Friday (November 25). This lo-fi tape, captured on Sony TC-100 tape recorder, has made the rounds for quite some time, but now gets an official release. The typewriter that can be heard in the background was used by Jorma's then wife Margaret, who was writing a letter to her parents.

LIJO: in the studio again + tour dates

photo: Mirel Masic

Dutch avant-pop singer LIJO is back in the studio working on new material. She needed a break, but is ready to create again, as well going on stage for a couple of intimate live shows.

We All Shine On: Celebrating The Music Of 1970

Cover albums are a dime a dozen and most of them are a waste of space and resources. The folks at Big Stir Records and Spyderpop Records reached out the artists on their roster to lay down a new version of tube that is more often than not overly familiar, but most of the tracks We All Shine On: Celebrating The Music Of 1970 got a fresh paint job that gives them a new lease on life. The recipe? Make a song your own, throw in instruments that were not used for the original and have fun in the studio. Also: have a guy with good ears in the producer's seat, in this case music journalist/ author/drummer John M. Borack. By doing so Bill Lloyd nailed Mama Told Me Not To Come, The Armoires got Yellow River flowing, The Legal Matters roughed up What Is Life a bit, and Diamond Hands reinstated the original "Coca Cola" line for Lola.

On the other hand, some artists picked a tough one. Danny Wilkerson could not save Everything Is Beautiful, but in his defence the original was cringeworthy corny. The Brothers Steve faced the Cracklin' Rosie challenge and came out battered and bruised, securing a win with call-and-response vocals. The big one is right at the end, when The Used Electrics make a fuzz to bring the noise for Loose.

Plastic Mermaids: Elastic Time

photo: Siobahn Devlin & Douglas Richards

Isle of Wight based dreamy psych-pop quintet Plastic Mermaids go all out with their new single, Elastic Time, which will serve as the final track of their It’s Not Comfortable To Grow album. Taking cues from the orchestral leanings of bands like The Decemberists it is haunting tale about life and death, inspired by singer Douglas Richards watching Disney's Fantasia for the first time since childhood. He was awestruck by the coupling of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain and Schubert's Ave María for the final segment. It is pretty ambitious to follow an act like that, but as a piece of inspired, melodic pop music the band can hold their own.

The World Of Dust: Gaman

Dutch musician Stefan Breuer called in a few favours from his friends for the creation of Gaman, the new album by his The World of Dust project. It is an all acoustic, multi-layered collection of songs about being on tour in Japan with like-minded artist Thijs Kuijken, being a father, endless soul searching and the crises - economic, health, climate - that everyone has to deal with right now.

Hiding in his shell would not have him done much good, but as the title of the album suggests - it roughly translates as "enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity" - he got to work and wrote a fresh stack of material that may the best he has recorded so far.

Slaney Bay: I Could Love You Better

London based dreamy shoegaze quartet Slaney Bay don the mantle of the shy person considering asking good friend to become a lover on their new single, I Could Love You Better. If only the other party was as interested as singer Cait Whitley projects a bright future would surely lay ahead. Either that, or it could be the end of a cherished friendship after making it weird. The video was directed by Dann Emmons.

Jason & Brit: Connect the Dots

Austing based synth pop duo Jason & Brit try to make sense of the QAnon inspired events on January 6th. How do people fall for a bunch of blatant lies and decide that it is OK to attack the Capitol? On their new single Connect the Dots references the verbal imagery that had such a devastating effect on the mindset of a lot of people. And it's still out there, waiting for another opportunity to strike again.

The Purcells & The Embryos: show in Chicago

A nice double bill in Chicago for lovers guitar-oriented rock and power pop: on September 16th The Purcells The Embryos will be on stage @ The Atlantic Bar & Grill. Prepare for a night of catchy craftmanship.

» The Purcells on Facebook
» The Embryos on Facebook

Words about music (655): Chas Chandler

It's all about being seen... You can be the best fookin' band in the world but if nobody can see you, you might as well be in the fookin' worst.

Chas Chandler

Mandrake Handshake: Emonzaemon

London collective Mandrake Handshake travel back to the early 70s with their latest single, Emonzaemon, a spicy mix of jazz vocalizing, a bit of funk, and progressive rock. It is a track from their upcoming EP The Triple Point Of Water EP, due for release on November 18th via Glasshouse Records. The grainy video was directed by Callum Tomlin.

» Mandrake Handshake on Facebook

Cover Me: Exit Music (For A Film)

Watch Amanda Palmer tackle the Radiohead classic Exit Music (For A Film). Recorded live during a soundcheck @ Sydney Opera House on February 27, 2009. It was released on her Amanda Palmer Plays The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele EP.

» amandapalmer.net

HCTF review of Amanda Palmer Plays The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele.

The Wood Brothers: tour dates; new album in 2023

photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Roots trio extraordinaire The Wood Brothers will hit the road again for an extensive Fall tour. Also: they are currently working on the final mixing and mastering tweaks for their eighth studio album, due for release in 2023.

Nervous Twitch: The History of the Wild West

Leeds New Wave trio Nervous Twitch dream about a better world on their new single, Thr History of the Wild West, a short and sweet throwback to garage rock. It will most likely cause a rise in people starting power trios themselves, trying to insert as many "yeahs" into their lyrics as they can get away with.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Live at the Forum" in November

Live at the Forum will feature a complete version of The Jimi Hendrix Experience captured in full flight on April 26, 1969 in Los Angeles. The show was recorded by audio engineer Wally Heider and producer Bill Halverson back then. A truncated version came out as the fourth disc of Lifelines: The Jimi Hendrix Story set in 1990, with shortened tracks and omissions: Tax Free was edited , the final verse of Voodoo Child (Slight Return) medley was cut altogether, and no sign of Foxey Lady.. The latter can be found as a bonus track of the CD version of The Jimi Hendrix Concerts in 1989. The tracks for this release were remixed by longtime Hendrix producer/engineer Eddie Kramer.

Live at the Forum will be released on CD and as a 2LP in a gatefold sleeve on November 18. Sleeve notes by former LA Times staff writer/critic Randy Lewis and Billy Gibbons. And yes, the cover art is quite bad, but probably used as part of a settlement with the Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell estates, a trend that started with the photo that was used for Paris 67 last year.

No Ninja Am I: Plenty of Blankets

Sander van Munster project hits the ground running with Next Time Around, the opening track of Plenty of Blankets, the new album by his No Ninja Am I project. Channeling Harry Nilsson (plus a quick reference to the Beatles's Come Together) this is as close as he ever got to being part of the Great American songbook. The hooks, the melody, the arrangements, it's all there. It is followed by the gentle title track, a change of pace about the need to stay close to each other. With this quick one-two Van Munster sets the tone for these new full-length, trying to be an extrovert, but being more comfortable as an introvert.

Van Munster is genuinely worried about the rampant rise of fake news. With Custom Pope he urges the listener to check the facts, like New York Times journalist Michael Barbaro does with his podcast The Daily. It is an album without any weak spots and it's hard to pick a stand-out track, but when push comes to shove it is the sprawling Come Closer - 13 Steps - Good Times (For John), an adventurous amalgam of a '70s inspired songsmith tune giving way to a dreamy bridge for the 13 steps, while being chased by a freak-out guitar, culminating in a Beach Boys sequence. One more then? He added dabs of electronics, plus a hint of jazz and psychedelic pop to Storyline, using tension and release to set the mood for a dreamy tale with his vocals knee-deep in echo.

HCTF premiere - Andy Pratt: Sweeter Than the Wine

Chicago jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Pratt is not very prolific with just one album and an EP since 2017. Producer Steve Albini worked his magic on those releases and while he was not on board for the new single, Sweeter Than the Wine, his signature raw edges are still there. Pratt's vocals sound like a mellow version of Mark Lanegan, as he describes a hot Summer night at the lake, with the cicadas making a racket.

Playing all the instruments himself, including analog synths, he created a late night speakeasy vibe that will go down well with fans of Tom Waits. It is the title track from his new album.

Nick Frater: "Stuck In My Ways" video

English multi-instrumentalist Nick Frater has made a tongue-in-cheek video for Stuck In My Ways, mimicking an Instagram stream to take a good-natured swipe at the shallowness of social media.

It is a track from his latest album Aerodrome Motel: If you happened to run into [him] puttering around in the aisles of a supermarket, singing into his smartphone, changes are you have overheard bits and pieces of one of the songs that ended up on his new album. He loves to stack layers of instrumentation on his power-pop tinged material, but his voice comes first on this fresh batch of observations".

» nickfrater.com

HCTF review of Aerodrome Motel.

HCTF premiere: Widows Gold: I Can’t Help You

Costa Mesa based indie rock band Widows Gold have somehow managed to channel The Smiths, The Bangles and Fleetwood Mac on their new single I Can’t Help You, a jangling song with plenty of earworm potential.

After bass player Ian Zamora has kicked off the proceedings with a few choice notes, lead singer Madeline Star slightly nasal vocals project a don't-fuck-with-me attitude, with her husband Ben Sauer unleashing his inner Johnny Marr on guitar. Drummer Carson Ford is a one-man swing band, keeping it all together. The Paisley Underground meets New Wave and it works like a charm. It is a track from their first full-length, Love Drops, due for release in January 2023.

The Aristocrats: on tour in the UK and Europe in 2023

Jazz fusion prog rock trio The Aristocrats will be on tour in the UK and mainland Europe in June next year:

It’s been far too long since our last shows in the UK and Europe, some of which were documented in our live album FREEZE! Live In Europe 2020 just before the big chill on live shows. So now it’s time for the DEFROST tour to bring us back, and we can’t wait to finally play shows again for our fans who have been waiting patiently for Aristocrats concerts to return!

More dates TBA.

Ronan Conroy: "Double Helix" video

NYC based singer-songwriter Ronan Conroy has unveiled a video for his new single Double Helix, a track from his forthcoming new album, The Slow Death of the LoveMyth. He is taking the backseat for the vocals, inviting a bunch of female singers he admires to step up tot the mike. In this case Julie Dicterow rose to the occasion, delivering shimmering vocals for a mesmerizing shoegaze excursion, with Justin Wierbonski on drums and Charlie Nieland on bass and additional guitar.

Colin Robinson: Mixcloud of his 7th "Answers On A Postcard" show on Otto Radio

English avant-garde musician Colin Robinson (Jumble Hole Clough, Churn Milk Joan, Big Block 454) broadcasted the 7th episode of his monthly Answers On A Postcard show on Otto Radio. Missed it? It is now on Mixcloud:

This one covers rock, prog rock and folk from the early 1970s - so expect Deep Purple, Led Zep, ELP, King Crimson and Richard Thompson. And the Bonzo Dog Band. Don't forget them.

» ottoradio.co.uk
» Jumble Hole Clough on Facebook

Skinny Dippers: The Town & The City

In the lead up to the release of his debut album The Town & The City Brooklyn based musician Ryan Gross released seven singles by his Skinny Dippers. Only of them, Panties, did not make the cut for the final running order. Thematically, it would have fitted perfectly - love found and lost again, but it lacked the gloss that was used for the rest of the songs, after his neighbours Jordan Dunn-Pilz and Dan Alvarez of indie pop duo Toledo had entered the picture to help him out.

Gross's knack for catchy, happy-sad lyrics on top of an intricate musical yet catchy foundation make The Town & The City the perfect soundtrack for a day that is not all sun and rainbows. New York can be a harsh mistress, loneliness and anxiety can wiggle their way in without warning, while he is dreaming of better days (Big City, Small Apartment). Landing a fulfilling relationship can be a frustrating push-pull game (Through Tryin', Highs & Lows), and finding out that the woman already got hitched (Wedding Ring) can be devastating indeed. Still, he always takes it in his stride when things went South yet again. Despite all the setbacks Gross an optimist with an unshakeable belief in a Hollywood ending.

Phish 2022 Summer tour SBD + torrents: 2022/09/04 Commerce City, CO

Commerce City, CO 2022 poster by Johnny Dombrowski

Phish
2022/09/04
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Commerce City, CO

Set 1:

1. First Tube
2. Bathtub Gin
3. Undermind
4. Drift While You're Sleeping
5. Halley's Comet
6. Everything's Right
7. More
8. Fluffhead

Combo Qazam: Live in Central Europe 2022 Tour Documentary

Dutch post-punk/math band Combo Qazam were on tour in Central Europe in May. They have made a mini-documentary about their shows travels and shehanigans. It was stitched together and edited by band member Stefan Breuer.

Noel Redding on Jimi Hendrix's "Red House"

In 1989 Jas Obrecht was an editor for Guitar Player, who wrote a piece about the Jimi Hendrix classic Red House: "we scored an unreleased recording of the Jimi Hendrix Experience playing “Red House” at San Francisco’s Winterland. In those days, we included a flexi-disc “Soundpage” in the issues, which readers could tear out and play on their turntables. Jim Marshall provided us with a stunning cover photo, and I volunteered to write the copy." He reached out to Billy Cox, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Noel Redding, to share their throughts on the track. Jimi's original bass player Redding was hard to track down - he lived in Ireland then - but alo and behold, after a couple of weeks he received "six hand-annotated pages from a dot-matrix printer", in which Redding went in at the deep end to tell his side of the story. All pages from that fax are available on Obrecht's substack page.

To me "Red House" was Jimi's way of using his musical roots, everything he knew and understood best, in our pop context. A standard blues structure, it allowed him infinite freedom in a. familiar, and therefore relaxing, area. The blues are made for the guitar and "Red House" is no exception. Jimi could play it as short or as long as the mood moved him. Being a rock and roller, I preferred the shorter versions though in the last year and a half of the group (early 1966 to mid-1969) our gigs were mostly extended jams. Sometimes they'd go on so long I'd just say 'fuck it' and stop, take a break, return and lead everyone back into the song.

Phish 2022 Summer tour SBD + torrents: 2022/09/03 Commerce City, CO

Commerce City, CO 2022 poster by Brian Steely

Phish
2022/09/03
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Commerce City, CO

Set 1:

1. Punch You in the Eye
2. Wolfman's Brother
3. Walls of the Cave
4. Heavy Rotation
5. Boogie On Reggae Woman
6. Stash
7. Free
8. Mike's Song
9. Bug

Words about music (654): Ennio Morricone

In music, what is very important is temporality of space and length, based on the breathing space the director gives the music within the film, by separating the music from various elements of reality, like noises, dialogues... That's how you treat music properly, but it doesn't always happen this way. Music is often blamed, but it's not its fault.

Ennio Morricone