More of wot I have heard…

As well as the trip to Iceland I got a load of other nice gifts for my birthday. I got a few bottles of wine, chocolate, clothes – including a nice woollen jumper that looked very Icelandic and that I wore constantly for several days in a row. In addition I was given money which I used to buy loads of stuff off my Amazon wish list including books (to be reviewed after reading) and several albums…

The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager by Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly

This is an album of intense, angst ridden and occasionally angry sounding music that is full of youthful vigour.


The Glamoury by Emily Portman

This artist has a fragile and haunting voice that perfectly suits the melancholic and typically dark folk songs on this album – ‘Stick, Stock’ is a particular favourite.


Beta Male Fairytales by Ben’s Brother

You might know this band from their quirky song ‘Stuttering’ and if you liked that then you will like the offbeat album of troubled and hopeful songs with the lead singer’s distinctive voice that sounds like it is breaking with emotion.


Middle of Everywhere by Pokey La Farge and The South City Three

This is Old Time American Deep South Roots music in a riverboat soul style, with plenty of banjo, harmonica and even the occasional washboard is real cotton-picking good old fashioned fun. It looks like this band was born out of time.


Field Songs by William Elliott Whitmore

In a gentler folk style, this album harks back to American Roots heritage and this artist’s mature and rugged voice belays his more youthful appearance. Occasionally mournful and introspective many of the songs also have a sense of hope and positivity about them and all have an honesty and authenticity rooting them in middle America.


Making Waves by Megan Henwood

This artist’s star is on the rise with the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk award recently. We saw her at Towersey and were impressed with her effortless and crystal clear voice, singing folk style music with a modern interpretation she expresses personal and powerful lyrics with a gentle yet assured manner. ‘What Elliott Said’ is a particular favourite track of mine.


Sunshine and Other Misfortunes by The Candle Thieves

I heard of this duo second hand when we saw another group at the local folk club and they sang one of their songs, ‘Sharks and Bears’. I was so impressed I went on the web and found them to hear what the original song sounded like. Channelling the spirits of Eels and Sufjan Stevens they have a gentle pop like tunes that are at odds with darker edgy lyrics.


kmvt by ahab

This UK group sings four part harmony on songs that have an Americana / alt-country feel about them on this EP which was created to satisfy the demand of a growing fan base that included supporters such as BBC Radio 2’s ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris.


Kaputt by Destroyer

This Canadian Indie Pop band have been around for ten years now, but I have not heard of them until recently, and then it was a one-off track and I have not heard of them since. However it was good enough for me to go and search them out and try out samples of their album Kaputt, which impressed me enough to buy it. They have a full sounding group that uses brass alongside synth instruments with a slightly retro feel to it.


Volume One by She & Him

As is often the case with my music I came to this duo back to front with their second album first. I was charmed by Zooey’s upbeat sunny voice that acts to a delightful counterpoint to the quirky bittersweet lyrics. I was not aware that Zooey Deschanel was an actress until she cropped up in a few movies and most recently in the sitcom New Girl. M Ward I had heard more of through listing to the Seattle radio station KEXP where he features often on their playlist.


Metals by Feist

Another collection of bittersweet songs brought to life by a haunting angelic voice must say something about my tastes of music at the moment; I also have other work by the Canadian Leslie Feist.


Dermot O’Leary Presents the Saturday Sessions by various artists

Dermot O’Leary is a BBC Radio 2 presenter who has various artists on his Saturday show who perform either their own songs or covers in a cut-down acoustic style with some surprising results (the Ting Tings doing an version of Dub Be Good To Me, or Ellie Goulding’s interpretation of Jolene, and Cerys Matthews brings a tear to the eye with Love Me Tender)..


Netherbow by Saltfishforty

Another act we saw at Towersey where they blew us away with their energy and enthusiasm. It is hard to believe on two people can make that much noise. Part of a Scottish night they represented the far north, hailing as they do from Orkney, needless to say that meant much of their songs were incomprehensible to us southern Sassenachs. Very traditional.