I've got a scarf, the scarf is for football...

* In the words of Adam and Joe, 'BALL BALL BALL, FOOTY FOOTY FOOTY! 'Am I tense? A little bit, but I'm sure the Socceroos can do the business tonight against Croatia in Stuttgart, with Viduka to score the winner in a 1-0 victory. Those checkerboard Croatians don't stand a chance...

* Faux-French sounds from the States? That'd be Nous Non Plus then. Check out their official digs here, or their MySpace dwellings here ('Lawnmower Boy' is a particular fave here at Major Leaguer)

* New issue of the Shoreditch bible Ditched is out next Friday from the usual trendy trendy bars and cafes in East Lahndahn. An interview between myself and the talented William Besson is just one of the highlights.

* Rekkids, rekkids, rekkids... and bands too! I'll be playing those vinyl discs at The Luminaire in September before the superb sounds of Inbetween Days at Remake/Remodel's night. More info soon.

* And last but not least, if you want to impress the ladies (or lads), then maybe a Yoda backpack isn't a wise move...(thanks to BoingBoing for the heads up)

It's never been like that, it's never been like that

2 posts in 24 hours? That's more like it.

* Now, there's this football-dealy-thingummy going on in German land at the moment and the Argentine lads didn't look too shabby yesterday. How's this for a goal? (keep an eye out for Diego's special 'moves' at the end - priceless)

* Those clever people at Adidas have done it again. First Adicolor, now this. It's not easy being green...

* June issue of Subter is up and running. Check out Brad's summer tips for your hi-fi.

* If you're not out and about enjoying the summer sun (sorry Southern Hemisphere peeps!), then why not have a Block Party in your home?

Major Leaguer Chart - June '06

MSTRKRFT - Street Justice
Phoenix - Long Distance Call (25 Hours A Day remix)
Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
Jamie Lidell - When I Come Back Around (Freeform Reform)
Audio Two vs Air - Top Billin
Annie - Crush (And The Lefthanded - Original Version)
Zongamin - Bongo Song
Mystery Jets - You Can't Fool Me Dennis (Good Books Remix)
The Shangri-Las - Leader Of The Pack
Shy Child - Technicrats
The Chalets - Theme From Chalets
Brakes - All Night Disco Party (Graham Sutton Remix)
Tiga - Far From Home (Speed Of Sexor Reprise)

Damn....

....has it been two months between posts? Well, yes. Apologies for the lack of updates, tidbits, links and other goodies. Regular service will resume shortly now that puter problems appear to have been sorted (Scouts honour, although I was never a scout...).

* New MSTRKRFT at 20 Jazz Funk Greats. Thanks to Headphone Sex for the heads up.

* The Orwell, that lovely boozer on Essex Rd in Islington where Through Being Cool resides once a month, now has a presence on tinterweb. Bookmarks at the ready chaps and chapettes. Oh, and TBC is online too at MySpazz (yeah, yeah, say you're not addicted but frankly this social networking malarky is a disease most peeps can't shake. Why don't you add us to your 2,081 other friends? I dare ya!)

* Movie of the summer? Forget X-Men 3, M:I:3, 3 Fast 3 Furious, and any other movies with 3 in the title. It's all about snakes. On a plane. Oh yes. (The fan sites are particularly amusing too, such as this one)

* So my German adventure never got off the ground due to passport problems, and Her Maj's mail service. However, boosted by the Socceroos impressive showing last Monday, spirits are still relatively high for this Sunday's clash with those samba-pansies from South America. Go you good things.....

* Playing rekkids for the Mindie kids at 93 Ft East on August 4. It's gonna get messy fer shure. Brap!

That should keep you blighters amused until tomorrow. Over and out...

Hot Cross Bunnies

Hey kids.... ever been to Beachclub at Notting Hill Arts Club? It's an extra special monthly shindig showcasing hipster Scandinavian (and the odd English) bands, with Sci-Fi Skane and Mersaultmusic being the guests of honour last Monday. While Sci-Fi Skane's mix of karaoke and mad drumming was infectious, Mersaultmusic stole the show with their supposedly 'live-via-satellite' bass player, whose contibution could be viewed on a TV set perched upon the stage. A nice touch indeed.

* Subter.com April issue is online now. Features include a look at what's indie (and what's not), how to grow old disgracefully, and some hack bitchin' about his MySpace addiction. Pfft....

* Thanks to all who braved the rain on April Fool's day for Through Being Cool at The Orwell. The biggest and baddest TBC yet, and we even managed to drink dry three of the beer taps as well. Aiming for the full set on May 6th!

* Ideas for the Bank Holiday weekend
1) Adventures In The Beetroot Field at Fabric tonight with Hot Chip, Juan Maclean, Shy Child, Long Blondes, Roland Shanks, Shit Disco and many more indie and electro up-and-comers. DJ Sets come from the likes of Bloc Party, Filthy Dukes, the Simain MD kids, Riton and heaps heaps more. Entry free before 8.30pm.

2) OR....also tonight, The Presets headline the Modular Rekkids 'Rave' at Cargo with support from New Young Pony Club and secret guests (shhhh....)

3) Friday? Have a rest, or hire King Kong. And don't say you won't cry. Sniff!

4) Saturday? I'll be spinning the odd circular piece of vinyl at Defectors Weld in Shepherd's Bush. Make mine a brandy and coke. Ta....

5) Sunday? 14 degrees in London means a walk along the Thames followed by an afternoon at the Tate Modern for the Martin Kippenberger exhibition.

6) Monday? One place to be. Trash at The End for The Slits. Yup.

Happy Easter y'all....

On the Major Leaguer stereo:

Shy Child - Technicrats/Summer 7"
Rilo Kiley - The Execution Of All Things
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Slint - Spiderland
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
Urge Overkill - Exit The Dragon
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
William Besson - EP
Good Shoes - EP
Q-Tip - Kamaal The Abstract

Cool? Nah, done with that jazz / Serena Maneesh

Yes, yes. Posts have been few and far between recently as i've been finishing off the monthly Subter spleen-ventage, plus a bit of work for these kids, and these kids. So, whaddya gonna do about it? Huh? Yeah, you're not so tuff now. Pfft....wiseguy.

Through Being Cool caught the eyes of the gang at Time Out this week. If we can make it there, we'll make it anywhere! Seriously, TBC this Saturday will be aceness personified indeed. Stacks of new tunes to play...come. on. down. Gives me another excuse to post our lovely logo too.



TBC @ The Orwell
382 Essex Rd
N1 London

sioux-elin. Euan. Rekkids. You. Join us?

9pm-2am, Saturday April 1 (no foolin!)
Put yr cash money away people. Entry is on the house....

Oh, and the Serena Maneesh album is on high rotation on the MJ boombox. Check out the shoegaze love here, and expect to hear 'Un-Deux' at The Orwell on Saturday night (and maybe some Loveless too...)

Defectors Weld playlist / David Attenborough = legend

So....having worked in muzak retail for a number of years now, I've been asked who were the coolest 'celebredees' I've served. Well, if I had no narrow it down to three, numbers three and two would have to be Jarvis Cocker (key purchases: Beck - Sea Change and The Wickerman OST) and Henry Rollins (key purchases: Nico - Femme Fatale and The Fall - 2G+2) respectively. So who's in at number one? This gentleman (key purchases: half the damn store...) If you haven't been watching Planet Earth over the last few weeks on BBC then what's up wit you fool? There were swimming monkeys tonight!

SWIMMING MONKEYS DAMMIT!

Ahem....

Defectors Weld playlist highlights 17/3/03 (...and their fur was all wet and fuzzy...Oh, sorry)

Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Outkast - Spottiedottiedopalicious
Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just
NWA - Express Yourself
Rachid El Taha - Rock The Casbah
Diverse - Uprock
Thee Headcoatees - Have Love, Will Travel
Iggy Pop - I Wanna Be Your Dog
The Sonics - Shot Down
Dolly Parton - 9 To 5
The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me
Annie - Me Plus One (The Rapture Hush Hush remix)
The Knife - Heartbeat (Rex The Dog mix)
Shy Child - Technicrats
Vitalic - Valletta Fanfares
N*E*R*D - She Wants To Move (DFA remix)
MSTRKRFT - Easy Love
Daft Punk - Human After All (Justice remix)
Cut Copy - Going Nowhere (Digitalism remix)
The Presets - Girl And The Sea (Cut Copy mix)
Missy Elliot - Lose Control (Jacques Lu Cont mix)
AC/DC - Back In Black
Abba - The Winner Takes It All

(....and on the first episode there were polar bear cubs! Huh? What's not to love there?)

Evolution of man / ATP / Tandem @ Bar Music Hall

After a week of carting boxes from one house to another (and getting a sore back in the process), what better way to relax than to watch last night's Letterman. How? Thanks to this baby!



Sigh. Truly the human race has evolved, and the TV Hard Drive is the pinnacle of our progress. Yeah....now that we've conquered this hurdle, peace in the Middle East should be a piece of piss.

* Tandem at Bar Music Hall next Tuesday (14th March) with elin and myself. Rekkids, rekkids, rekkids, and Belgian beer. The fun kicks off at 8pm.

* Apparently people who like Tribe Called Quest also like DMX (so says Windows Media Player. Mr Gates, you don't know me very well, do you?)

* Last year's best quasi-festival is back. All Tomorrow's Parties presents Don't Look Back 2006, and to wet your whistle, here's the first gigs to be announced...what, Low playing Things We Lost In The Fire? I think I've just creamed my pants.

* Speaking of gigs that make you drop your bundle, this is the only place to be on May 16th.

* 'Industry rule number 4080, record company people are shady'. That's my favourite. What's yours? (Slight hitch. VH1 have already picked 100 lyrics, and you can only choose from that list. Huh?)

'This. Is. How. We. Move' chart for 11/3/06
(oh, speaking of Fiddy, has anyone else heard the 80 Cent mixtape? Hit and miss, but the Many Men/Take On Me cut-up is priceless)

General Echo - Rapping Dub Style
J Dilla - The Diff'rence
The Nu People - I'd Be Nowhere Without You
Caetano Veloso - Alfomega
Ghostface feat. MF Doom - Charlie Brown
Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (Diplo remix)
Wonderland Avenue - White Horse (Mike Monday remix)
The Presets - Down Down Down (Digitalism remix)
Uffie - Pop The Glock (SebastiAn remix)
Hot Chip - Over And Over (Nuam Gabo remix)
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart

Whoops! / Through Being Cool

Well, it's been a while 'tween posts. What can I say? Between working and preparing to move house I've had no free time to blog or write, which is certainly frustrating to say the least. To make up for this, here's a jam-packed post filled with goodies and links.

* It's the first Saturday of the month, which means Through Being Cool at The Orwell tonight. Join sioux-elin and myself for records galore, a drink or two, and a swell time. Oh, and we've got a lurvely new logo too courtesy of Will Kane. So, come along kids...



Through Being Cool @ The Orwell
382 Essex Rd
N1, London
9pm - 2am

Oh, it's FREE! (hey, even the Nice kids give props too, Skeff Anselm style)

* Ghostface's newie Fishscale has sprung up on tha net and My Old Kentucky Blog has two of the tracks (both Just Blaze productions as well), plus the latest woozy opus from Secret Machines.

* Finally saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this week. Damn fine film, particularly the performances from Dr Who, and Jarvis and the two 'Heads as The Wyrd Sisters (not the folk group). I don't think I can resist reading the books for much longer now, especially as the fourth installment is heavily abridged. Roll on Order of The Phoenix.

* If you come along to TBC tonight you'll probably hear 'Rapping Dub Style' from this new collection from the guys and gals at Soul Jazz. Uptight? Alright.

* Classic album of the week? No contest. Guru and Preemo all the way.

* Here's a selection of the Defectors Weld playlist from last Friday (thankfully, no speakers blown...)

General Echo - Rapping Dub Style
Derrick Laro & Trinity - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
Zero 7 - Sommersault (Danger Mouse remix feat. MF Doom)
Kraftwerk - The Model
Envelopes - Sister In Love
Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just
Caetano Veloso - Alfomega
Rachid El Taha - Rock The Casbah
The Pharcyde - Runnin'
Ghostface - Be Easy
Dr. Dre feat Snoop Doggy Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang
Jay-Z - I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me)
The Rapture vs Mobb Deep - Got It Twisted Sister (DJ Dopplebanger bootleg)
N*E*R*D - She Wants To Move (DFA remix)
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
Long Blondes - Seperated By Motorways
Data Panik - Cubis (I Love You)
Rubicks - I See You
Hot Chip - Over and Over (Nuam Gabo remix)
MSTRKRFT - Easy Love
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (Diplo remix)
Motorhead - Ace Of Spades

* Please welcome to blogging fraterntity....Laura. Like, y'know, whatever. Actually, that's what the blog's called.

OK, time for a haircut.

Shit....damn....Motherf***er.... (official Gossip after party)

It's the second Saturday of the month, which means it's Motherfucker time at the Garage. Best get some records ready then....see you there!

Club Motherfucker Live!
Upstairs @ the garage
20-22 Highbury Corner
London N5 1RD
Tube: Highbury & Islington
9pm-3.30am
£4 before 10 cons, £5 others *
Bands early, dancing and that till well late yo!
Arrive Early Mo..'Fuckers!

Live!Live!Live!
Heidi Mortenson
Solo lady Heidi Mortenson performs a terrifyingly exciting mix tomboytronica and electrosoul dirtyrocking nutechpop on a sturdy frame of beats and vocals. She loves twists and fat bass lines and crisp sound-patches. To this she adds a mentalist flavour and lots of energy. She’s recently toured with best pal Kevin Blechdom and resides in Berlin making music with other music crazies.
Oh and she’s totally hawt to boot. Alright!
www.nosnetrom.net
www.myspace.com/heidimortenson

The Ape Drape Escape!
Hand picked from the cream of washed up child stars and inbred royal fodder is this nations saving grace. For the baggy, i..'ll-fitting youth of Great Britain, comes the tailored cut of nervously stitched rock n roll. The swamp sex of degenerate apes beating the jesus out of the art of ability, like Cole Porters bastard child after a night on the tiles. The new sound of Sheffield throbs and pummels, it doesn..'t stand and wait, it lurches at you like a drunken uncle. werd!
www.theapedrapeescape.co.uk
www.myspace.com/theapedrapeescape

David Sugar
VORC artist of the year 2005 and International chiptune superstar, David Sugar will be dropping an 8-bit bomb on our unsuspecting motherfuckers with his own brand of folky, indy, jungley, chip tune, 180 bpm 8-bit punk! Get ready to get your skank on to live gameboy and guitar action! Check it!
www.myspace.com/davidsugar
www.davidsugar.com

between the bands and after, awe-so-me super fun dance party action with
Hosts and Residents
Daughters of the Kaos
with hot guest deejay selectas
Tapedeck (Bosh!)
+ Euan (Through Being Cool!)

Plus, we host the official stylee aftershow party for Washington State Hot Shizzles, The Gossip! Yeah, The Gossip Blud, WAY!!!!!! An aftershow party is like what R.Kelly sings about bouncing at while drinking cristal in one of his songs but dont worry kids, R.Kelly wont be there! we don..'t sell cristal either.
The Gossip will be there though, playing the sweet sweet music on the decks and everything..... and there is more warm beer than you can shake a stick at, Whoopah!
Special Rekkid playing from
Brace + Hannah (The Gossip)

R.I.P. Jay Dee

Damn. R.I.P. Dilla Dawg. You'll be missed.

Advance warning - Cupid Gone @ Juno, Valentine's Day

Love's dead kids. Let's dance on the rotting corpse.

(For more gorgeous broken hearted images, check out Patricio Oliver's site. Beautiful)

Steady as she goes / Oh Jenny

*PLUG*
Yes, it's the first Saturday of the month, and you know what that means.

THROUGH BEING COOL @ The Orwell

Join the lovely sioux-elin, and the sometimes-lovely-if-induced-with-trinkets Euan for a night of soul, indie, rawk, perfect pop and much much more.

Saturday 4th Feb (tonight!)
@ The Orwell
382 Essex Rd, London N1.
9pm - 2am.
FREE!

*PLUG ENDETH*

Ahem. Howdy. So, who managed to snare a copy of The Racontuers debut 7 inch single this week? Gonna keep mine minty fresh for years before hawking it on E-Bay to sustain my crack habit (nah, it'll be a sherbet habit. Wizz Fizz....mmmmm).If you haven't heard either of the two tracks, Store Bought Bones and Steady As She Goes, then head over to Zombies Ate My Blog for a tasty treat.

* Another series of The Simpsons on DVD, another well spent 30 quid. Check the commentaries on Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming and Mother Simpson (especially the former, with explanations as to the many Dr Strangelove and Failsafe references contained within)

* Giant Rabbit!

*PLUG II*
If the thought of Valentine's Day and the Hallmark hell surrounding it aren't you're cup of tea, then come down to Juno on Febuary 14th for Cupid Gone. Join Electric Palimino and myself as we celebrate the death of love in the 21st century. Um...by playing records. Loudly.

Cupid Gone @ Juno
134-135 Shoreditch High Street.
7pm till late.
FREE!

*PLUG II FIN*

Album of the week
Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat


Well, indie rock's queen has taken some time off from breaking boys hearts around the globe with Rilo Kiley. Yes, she's breaking boys hearts around the globe with The Watsons Twins instead. Lewis mines memories of her early days as a child actor (as well as more songs about love, plus a Travelling Wilburys cover to boot) to come up with an album that refuses to budge from the Major Leaguer stereo. A delight from start to finish.

Tuesday is the new....um... Tuesday? @ barmusichall

Witness the sickness. OK, so I've been a slack lil' blogger recently due to a combo of illness and busyness (and when say illness, I mean Vicks Vaporub illness, not just the regular illness that you'd expect from Major Leaguer...ahem). But I'm feeling so much better now, so to celebrate I thought I'd play a record or two.

Tuesday night. barmusichall in Shoreditch is the place to be. Join elin and me from 7pm onwards for heaps of tasty treats, plus Belgian beer aplenty. Oh yes yes. If you come down to Curtain Rd you'll hear some of these records I'm just bursting to play....not in an Alien coming out of Ripley's chest way, but you know the deal.

The Knife - Neverland (Ah! New Knife....swoon!)
Lomax - Modern Life (Phones Extended Mix)
Cut Copy - Going Nowhere (SebastiAn mix)
Stereo Total - Bad News From The Stars
Clinic - Walking With Thee
Ghostface - Be Easy
Who Made Who - Space For Rent (The Rapture Hush Hush Mix)
Madonna - Sorry (Man With Guitar mix) ....yes, it's that JLC fella again!

and a whole lot more!

Oh, go out and buy the Cat Power's The Greatest this week. It'll warm your heart like a big ol' hot water bottle!

It's a motherf***er.....

So, I climbed from my sick bed and answered the call of duty....Club Motherf*cker asked me to spin some records last night at the last minute. How could I say no? A swell time indeed, and playing out the new Justice remix of Cut Copy certainly made the night worthwhile. If you've never been to Club Mofo before then get your ass down their next month on February 11th...it's going to be quite messy. I'll be bringing my Lady Sov records too...meanwhile, it's the ones and twos at Keston Lodge in Islington tonight. If you're in the area, say 'ello.

Non DJing highlight from last night? Has to be Marvin the Martian dropping some fine rhymes about being drunk. Check out his MySpazz profile here.

* Harry, Harry, Harry. Scoring in front of the Kop is a mighty fine way to say thanks. Well done son.

Sandshoe very much / Cat Power 'The Greatest'

So, after an extended holiday break (read: working, working, working, and the odd party) time to get back to business. First up, a big thanks to all who came along to Through Being Cool @ The Orwell last Saturday. Considering it was only TBC number two, I was amazed to see such a good crowd turn up considering New Years was only a week beforehand. Hearing regular cheers and hollers every second tune is sign that elin and I weren't doing too badly when it came to track selection either!

Through Being Cool number three though will really be something special though so make sure you come on down on February 4.....and while you're at it keep Valentine's Day free, especially if you're single and you hate the Hallmark holiday for all it's worth, and want to drink and dance instead! More details as they come to hand....

Major Leaguer selection @ Through Being Cool, Jan 7

OCR West Side Story - America
Zero 7 - Summersault (MF Doom remix)
Marvin Gaye - I Want You
Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
Esso Trinidad Steel Band - I Want You Back
Walter Sears - Hey Jude
The Electric South feat. Bob Lind - Sing! (Alabama mix)
LSG - It's Alright
Kanye West - Gold Digger (Diplo mix)
Joe Jackson - Stepping Out
Annie - Heartbeat (Phones Maximo mix)
Envelopes - Sister in Love
LCD Soundsystem - Disco Infiltrator
Gang Of Four - Man In Uniform (Yeah Yeah Yeahs remix)
The Presets - Girl and the Sea (Cut Copy remix)
The Fiery Furnaces - Single
Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer

Right, this week it's all about one particular record on the Major Leaguer stereo.

Cat Power - The Greatest


Easily the most consistent offering from Ms Marshall yet, The Greatest sees Chan hook up with some of Georgia's finest musicians (including members of Al Green's old band) for a true southern delight. Tracks such as 'Living Proof' and 'Could We' showcase a real groove that elevate Marshall's vocal performance to new heights (think Beth Orton, but with substance), while 'The Moon' harks back to more familiar territory explored her last album, You Are Free. So, just a few weeks into 2006 and we've got a contender for the year's best album. Lovely, just lovely.

2006....howdy y'all / Through Being Cool

Greetings, salutations, and so on. Happy New Year!

So, what better way to celebrate the start of 2006 than coming to Through Being Cool this Saturday at The Orwell? Nope, didn't think you had a better idea. So come along, get merry with sioux-elin and myself, and have yourself a rockin' time. Oh, and Through Being Cool is now a monthly shindig, so if you can't turn up tomorrow, then come along next month (Feb 4!)

Through Being Cool with Euan and sioux-elin
@ The Orwell
382 Essex Road N1 3PF
London
9pm - 2am
NIX!!!

For more info, and general coolness, contact us at throughbeingcool@hotmail.co.uk

The best X-mas present in the world....ever!

My nervous wait has paid off. Woke up, checked my bank account....all is good...

I'M GOING TO GERMANY TO SEE THE SOCCEROOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best Chrissie present a boy could get. Watch out Brazil and Croatia!

Merry Christmas y'all!

Here's some presents from me (via Bedroom Dancing & Music For Robots ) to you....

Erland Oye - Last Christmas

Low - Just Like Christmas (the best holiday song ever....)

We be giggin'....Major Leaguer Top 10 gigs of 2005

As promised, here are the top ten Major Leaguer gigs of the year (in no particular order). Ticket stubs not included.

Slint @ The Forum (Mar)
Pelican @ Scala (Dec)
LCD Soundsytem/Soulwax/The Go! Team @ The Astoria (Feb)
Clor/Absentee @ Barfly (May)
Maximo Park @ ULU (May)
Willie Mason @ ULU (April)
Of Montreal @ Spitz (Nov)
Cut Copy @ Big Day Out, Sydney (Jan)
Sleater Kinney @ Koko (Sept)
Brendan Benson/HAL @ Electric Ballroom (April)

* Congratulations to Silvia and Joe who had a bouncing baby boy yesterday!! Super fantastique, and certainly an excuse for me to post snaps of my favourite Spanish/Swedish homeboy Xander. Nice hat boyeeee.



* Major Leaguer Playlist highlights @ Edinboro Arms (16/12/05)

Nostalgia 77 - 7 Nation Army
Derrick Laro and Trinity - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
Ghostface - Be Easy
Blackalicious - Alphabet Aerobics (Cut Chemist remix)
Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds (DFA remix)
The Presets - Girl And The Sea (Cut Copy Mix)
Annie - Heartbeat (Phones Maximo remix)
The Rapture - Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks
Gang 90 - Jack Kerouac
Franz Ferdinand - The Fallen (Justice edit)
Jay-Z - Izzo (Hova)
Stars - Fairytale Of New York

Pardee! / Schwab / Who wants Donuts?

Whay-hay! I've now officially got time off work for a possible three week holiday in Germany next year. Oh yes. Now I've just got to get those tickets sorted. Fingers crossed....

* Thanks to the folks at The Space Between and Corbet Place for the swell pardee on Monday night. The mag looks great, brandy was drunk, and records were spun. Tune of the night? Close run thing between The Long Blondes 'Giddy Stratospheres' and the Tom Middleton Cosmos vox remix of Schwab's DJs In A Row (yes, apparently it's featured on the 'It's All Gone Pete Tong' soundtrack but don't let that put you off. Jon Spencer style vocals throughout, while Mr Middleton brings the breakbeats in. A winner every time). Special shout outs to Julieta and Daughters of Kaos too. Now, pass the brandy...

* Next week - Major Leaguer Gigs of 2005. Now where are those ticket stubs again? (I saw The Wurzels too. It was very, very scary)

* Rumour of the week? Everyone's favourite Canadian indie band of the year jumping ship to a major in 2006. I didn't start the fire.....(puntastic)

* New J to the Dilla out in February! Jay Dee's first solo album for Stones Throw, Donuts, will hit stores on Feb 6. Let's hope he gets well soon so he can play some live shows in a better state than this ....

The Space Between launch pardeee tonight!

Beer. Beer. Vodka. Hangover. Ow.

Ahem.... The Space Between Magazine are having their launch party at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch....TONIGHT. Come along. I'm gonna play some rekkids. Then have me some vodka. Beer. Beer. Oh dear (it's been a bit like that this week).

No Crazy Frog in this here chart....

Major Leaguer stereo selector Dec 11

Tiga - Far From Home
Goldfrapp - Slide In (DFA remix)
Cut Copy - Going Nowhere (Digitalism remix)
Rex The Dog - Frequency
Franx Ferdinand - The Fallen (Justice remix)
Annie - Me Plus One (James Iha remix)
Mylo feat. Freeform Five - Muscle Car (Tiga remix)
Wolf and Cub - Thousand Cuts (Phones Slasher remix)
The Esso Trinidad Steel Band - I Want You Back
The Strokes - You Only Live Once

Bowl-a-rama drama

'Come bowl with me, let's bowl, let's bowl away...'

Yes. Bowling is the new black. Or summin' like that. The folks at Rock'N'Roll Soul are having an early Christmas shindig tonight at The Tavistock Hotel featuring non-stop bowling, DJs and a very special live performance from The Pipettes. Lovely. More info here.

* The Space Between magazine are having their launch party this Monday evening (12th) @ Corbet Place in The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch. I'm spinning records from 7.30pm until 9pm, and then will proceed to get very merry so come down, have a drink and shake a leg. The Daughters of Kaos (Club Motherfucker) will be closing the night so it should be a good'un.

* Japan? Croatia? Brazil? No sweat.

Yes, it means 'light skinned boy' in Mexican slang. No, it's not a taco.

For more design lovlieness, check out Ilisu's blog

So, like every other music blog out there, I've thrashed out a Top 10 albums of 2005 list (as previously mentioned). The man above unfortunately didn't make the cut, but I still thought Guero was a good album, despite the likeness to Odelay in parts. What I don't understand is the way in which critics thought it was a 'return to form'? Does this mean Seachange was rubbish? Has Beck ever really had a creative rut, or did some critics turn on him because he stopped being the whacky guy with two turntables and a microphone, and beared his emotions to the public on an break-up album full of sombre, yet beautiful accoustic songs? You work it out.

Anyway, here's the Top 10 in order (if you want rhyme and reason then mosey along to the full article at Subter)

1. Sleater Kinney - The Woods
2. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
3. Low - The Great Destroyer
4. Isolee - We Are Monster
5. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
6. Common - Be
7. Bright Eyes - Digital Ash
8. Brendan Benson - The Alternative To Love
9. Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger
10. Vitalic - OK Cowboy

* Larry Bird, Tom Waits, Eli Wallach, Noam Chomsky and myself are going to go out drinking tonight to celebrate our shared birfday. I just hope Noam doesn't repeat his antics from last year (the bouncers certainly didn't appreciate his loud opinions on syntax and semantics, especially when he presented them to the hen's party across the room whilst stripping down to his Calvins...sigh. You can't take those linguistics professors anywhere....)

New Belle and Sebastian?

No, it's certainly not here. Oh no. Nope.

Too cool for school (NB. Kids - stay in school, OK?)

Ah, I love lazy Sundays. A big thank you to all that came out last night to the first Through Being Cool night at The Orwell, and special props to the posse representing all things Nice. For those that couldn't make it, well you'll just have to wait until January for the next one. Watch this space for for the why's and where's, or sign up to the Through Being Cool Mailing List at throughbeingcool@hotmail.co.uk

Before that though, there's the small matter of December 31st. Looks like I'll be here.....will you?

So how what did this lazy Sunday consist of? Well, after a long lie-in, I set to work demolishing pastries and the weekend papers (hey, The Observer provides important ruffage ok?) before settling down to some Jack Sparrow shenanigans in preparation for July 6 (take a sneak peek here). Yo ho ho.

* Sign the petition to get Marty McFly's Nike Air's on the market!

* Remix of the year? Well, Koushik's re-rub of Four Tet's A Joy, featuring Stones Throw dynamo Percee P, is certainly a contender. Or perhaps the Justice overhaul of Franz Ferdinand's The Fallen? (Ta muchly Razorblade Runner)

* Highlight of last night, sans deck buffonery, was Nathaniel from My Two Dads showing us a sneak peek at this year's Christmas TV highlight

Jacques Lu Cont is remixing in my house, my house.

Well, his remixes have certainly been in most of my ramshackle sets this year, as well as regularly seeping through the tinny speakers of my laptop. The latest two that I picked up today are yet more evidence that he's a sheer bloody genius.

First up is a storming take on 'A Pain That I'm Used To', the first track from the latest Depeche Mode album, Playing The Angel. Lu Cont, a.k.a Stuart Price, takes the original and turns it into a peak time anthem with whirring noises all over the shop. Listen to a snippet here, along with the Goldfrapp and Telex mixes (thanks to Quiddity). It's out on December 12.

If that doesn't sink your slipper, then Lu Cont's remix of the new Royksopp single might be more up your alley. Sure, the album it came from, The Understanding, may have been a bit vocal heavy but 'What Else Is There' was one of the hidden gems, featuring the vocals from the lurvely Karin Dreijer from The Knife (whose track 'Take My Breath Away' also got the special re-rub treatment earlier this year from Mylo - another of the year's best). While the original is a dreamy yet somber affair, the Thin White Duke rub (one more of Price's various monikers) is sunshine in a record sleeve, with the words 'euphoric crowd sing-along' written across the front with a big black marker pen. A summer classic if ever there was one, it's a shame it's hit stores in the UK in dreary wet November instead of sunny July. You may just hear this one later on tomorrow night at Through Being Cool (no, JLC won't be spinning it himself, but you get the picture). 'And the flashlights, and explosions...'. Get your mitts on it now.

* Oh, it's the end of year time and what better place to start than Subter.com. Some guy called Euan has listed his top 10 albums of the year. Yeah, what does he know....

Through Being Cool this Saturday @ The Orwell N1

Through being cool? Yeah, I think so.

Join Euan and Sioux-Elin this Saturday night for
the first installment of Through Being Cool at The
lovely Orwell on Essex Rd.

Tuneage? Rawk, soul, 60s pop, electro, indie and
a whole lot more. Stroll down Essex Rd, away
from the glut of bars near Islington, relax on the
comfy couches with a drink, then dance the night
away. Free entry!

See you there punkrockers....

Through Being Cool
Saturday Dec 3
9pm - 2am
@ The Orwell
382 Essex Rd
N1 3PF

(oh, and it's an early birfday bash for me too!)

New night at The Orwell, Islington

Right. The plans to take over the world Major Leaguer style continue in earnest, with a new night at The Orwell in Islington being the latest step. I'll be spinning tunes this Saturday with the lovely Sioux-Elin (Catch, George & Dragon), and would love to say 'hi' to y'all and buy you a pint. Or we could nip down to the local Sainsbury's and swig a bottle of Babycham instead. Either's good for me. Tunes? Rawk, indie-schmindie, electro, garage (the good garage that is), soul and anything else I can drag from the record bag. Come along!

Major Leaguer & Sioux-Elin @ The Orwell
9pm - 2am
Saturday 3rd December
382 Essex Road
N1 3PF

R.I.P. Mr Miyagi

First George Best, now Pat Morita. Sigh....

Rest? Bah. It's for the wicked.

In the last 24 hrs I've....
* played some records
* got some sleep
* worked
* listened to Low's Christmas album twenty times, and not got bored yet
* conversed about the life of George Best with countless numbers of old men (Sample dialogue 'Well, if Pele says he was the best who am I to argue?'
* fell asleep on the bus home
* ate homemade soup (Roasted Sweet Potato, Carrot and Chickpea.....mmmmm!)
* watched Bedazzled (the original, not the trash remake with Brendan Fraser and Liz Hurley!)
* zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...oh, sorry, I'm all tuckered out!

Major Leaguer @ Defectors Weld highlights

Feist - Inside & Out (Pearson and Usher Elektronische Dub)
Whitey - Non Stop
Schwab - DJs In A Row (Tom Middleton remix)
The Rapture - Sister Saviour (DFA vocal mix)
Death From Above 1979 - Sexy Results (MSTRKRFT remix)
Franz Ferdinand - The Fallen (Justice remix)
The Knife - You Take My Breath Away (Mylo remix)
Punks Jump Up feat. The Beepettes - Be You (Beep Beep) (love those backing vocals!)
The Futureheads - Area
AC/DC - Back In Black

Defectors Weld this Friday (25/11)

Just to let y'all know I'm spinning rekkids way out in Shepherds Bush on Friday at the lurvely Defectors Weld. Belgian beer and damn fine tunes. Not a bad start to the weekend....

The 'Love From Above'....

So, quite a bit's happened in my blogging absence. Here's a re-cap of the higlights....

* Purchased my first pair of Adidas kicks since I was 12. Gotta love the Trimm Trabbs. Speaking of the Three Stripes, check this blog out.

* I love American mail-order. Check out the new Death From Above 1979 remix CD 'Romance Bloody Romance' featuring the likes of Erol Alkan, Josh Homme, Fred Falke & Alan Braxe, and Justice reworking the Canadian duo's ace debut. Sonic bliss.

* American indie week. Last Thursday it was Of Montreal (just lovely), tonight it's Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. But do we need another Talking Heads?

* Everything's turned Green & Gold, and it's all thanks to John Safran (what?)...

* Life's really a rollercoaster isn't it?

* Hey, it's only this many days until Christmas. Have you got your copy of Low's Christmas EP yet? And if not, why not? Tsk tsk...

Yes. Yes. Yes. See you in Germany!

Yes.



Yes.



Yes.



Yes.



Yes.



YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week had been pretty damn good before today. Now, it's simply brilliant. Thanks Guus. If only Johnny had been there...

That nervous feeling every four years....

A brief holiday from Major Leaguer activities, but in the meantime I have one thing to say......C'MON SOCCEROOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bah humbug!

'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas'. No shit Bing. Walking around the West End was pretty hellish yesterday and, considering it was only the first weekend in November, it's going to get much worse in December. I'm going to buy my pressies early this year so I can spend my rare moments of free time -

a) staggering to and from Christmas drinks
b) recuperating from said Christmas drinks
c) wallowing in my own muck
d) robbing pharmacies of bird flu drugs to best prepare for the winter onslaught. Trust me people, I'm sure bird flu was predicted in the Bible somewhere. Yeah, in the back, between some psalms I think. Fine then, don't believe me.

* Am jockeying some discs at Bar Vinyl in Camden this Monday. You might hear a couple of these in amongst the poorly mixed mess...

The Presets - Girl And The Sea (Cut Copy remix)
White Enemy - White Enemy
The Rapture - Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks
Tiga - You Gonna Want Me (Isolee In-My-Bee remix)
Hardrock Striker - Control (In Flagranti Disco Punk mix)
Four Tet feat. Percee P - A Joy
Chromeo - Needy Girl (Bloc Party's High School Prom remix)
Radio 4 - Start A Fire (Justin Robertson's Revtone Instrumental mix)
Kenny Rogers - The Gambler (ok, now that's just being silly)

* Plug one - Drowned In Sound is up and running again this week after a re-launch. Nautical is definitely in this season.

* Plug two - November means it's issue 10 of Subter.com

* Plugs One and Two (from De La Soul) were at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon this week performing with Gorillaz. But weren't Gorillaz also performing in Machester at the same time?

A good mixtape to put you in the right mood

Props to Protein Feed who stumbled upon this gem of a memorial site to a plethora of C-90 goodness. How many of these blank beauties have you used?

Major Leaguer mixtape (2/10/05)

The Kills - Good Ones (Tiga Remix)
Black Dice - Smiling Off (Luomo Remix)
LCD Soundsystem - Too Much Love (Rub'n'Tug Mix)
Skoud - Saker
DJ Shadow - The Number Song (Cut Chemist Party Mix)
Jurassic 5 - Red Hot
Ghostface - Easy
Cat Power - The Greatest (click to get this track free from Matador!)
Hugh Montenegro - Too High
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave Of Blood
My Morning Jacket - It Beats For You
Sufjan Stevens - What Goes On
New Pornographers - Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
Foreign Exchange - Foreign Exchange End Theme

What's your filing technique?

Mine's awesome. Chronological-style like my man Mike Gordon. Davis Rees' follow-up to Get Your War On is a brilliant snapshot of office politics and the insanity of day-to-day life in a cubicle. Hand me my stapler and a box of sharpened 2B's.

* A fiver is all you need for the super-duper DFA Holiday Sampler. It's sampleriffic!

* Spotted in Piccadilly Circus today - Giles from Buffy! Well, Anthony Stewart Head if you're going by real names. No, wait, his real name is Giles. Honest.

* Before you gorge yourself on candy, swat up on your Halloween history. Spooky.

* Good to see Elvis is still the king when it comes to making money from beyond the grave, despite Biggie and Bob's best efforts (cha-ching!)

365 days ago....

...I started this 'ol blog. In that time I've -

* posted 137 times (including this one)
* kept the same ol' job
* moved from the ghettos of Wood Green to the ghettos of Dalston
* lived through the break up of Busted and the rise of McFly.
* started playing records out and about
* started writing for these guys, and these guys, and these guys.
* curtailed my addiction to Friendster
* tried to curtail my addiction to MySpace (but failed miserably)
* visited home
* saw my football team become campeones europeos (thanks to El Rafa)
* discovered the joy of Rhubarb yoghurt
* started cooking again (try this one for tomorrow night)
* found a new favourite band
* and said goodbye to another one
* broke all promises to blog regularly
* missed many deadlines
* got broadband and cable (hooray!)
* and a monthly bill for them (hiss!)
* realised carrying two boxes of flyers probably isn't wise for my back
* found a great local watering hole with the best jukebox in town
* and realised that life isn't that bad (and will be even better if I get an early birthday present in 3 weeks time)

Beware: Giant Worms (and Bevin Kacon)

OK, hands up out there who's seen Tremors? I was flicking channels last night and happened to stumble upon it by accident. Class. One of the cheesiest horror films of all time (heck, does it even classify as a horror film now?) with equally cheesy performances by Bevin Kacon, the dad from Family Ties and Reba 'yee-ha' McEntire, not to mention a bunch of giant worms. I remember first watching it at a sleepover when I was 11...memories. Part of a video/pizza bill that included The Lost Boys, Die Hard 2 and Predator 2, followed by Coke-fuelled mayhem as my friends and I went outside to water bomb the neighbourhood. Ah, those heady days of youth...

* Happy Birthday Winona! I bought you a present, but someone stole it...

* Peep the new Gorillaz video for 'Dirty Harry' here. Features cute animated kids (Hewlett style of course) and the Pharcyde's Booty Brown jumpin' around in the desert. A much better single than 'Dare'.

* More visual pleasure, this time of the ass shakin' time - new Madonna, and it's not pants! That Stuart Price fella can fix anything.

* I know what I want for Christmas Sandy Claws. Why, a Girls Aloud doll!

* What? More Ryan Adams albums? He's some kind of indie-starlet datin', tune writin' cyborg! Get your wallets out on December 19th (or the following day if you're Stateside) for his third album of the year, 29 (so that's another Ryan Adams new album, some Girls Aloud dolls, and a pony. I've been good, I swear!)

* More alt-county goodness. Jeff Tweedy tells Billboard about the new Wilco album which will come out sometime next year.

The World of Kane! / Scarlet Mist

I've been on a writing holiday this week, hence the lack of bloggy goodness in the past week. To make up for it, here's a dearth of news, tidbits and links for y'all.

* Major Leaguer extends a warm welcome to Will Kane's entrance to the blogging community. Enter the World of Kane if you dare!

* UK readers only - Fed up with being unable to grab tickets for that upcoming Sufjan Stevens or McFly show? Yes, I know that's the only time you'll ever see those two artists in the same sentence...anyway, head on over to Scarlet Mist for a non-E-Bay alternative to securing those prized front row seats. Scarlet Mist aims to bring together people who are looking to buy tickets with people who are looking to sell tickets. If you see tickets highlighted for sale, simply fill in a form on the site, and in no time at all you'll be in contact with the person that owns them. No nasty booking fees, no overcharging, just tickets at face value!

* Phil's on trial, but just look at his hair!

* Something just as scary - letting Jacko in front of a microphone for charity.

* Stating the obvious #1 - 'Pete Doherty needs a good slap' - Sharon Osbourne in an interview with Attitude magazine. Really? Damn, that's just what he needs Sharon. Why didn't I think of that?

* Stating the obvious #2 - Test Icicles admit they were 'really shit' during their their aborted support set at last week's Leeds leg of the Arctic Monkeys tour, after failure to soundcheck properly (and write decent tunes, lyrics etc.) It seems they're not to keen on the Monkeys fans either.

* Swoon....new Neko Case due in March next year. Sigh. Oh, and Neko's delightful New Pornographers are playing next Tuesday Nov 1 at the Borderline, and Thursday Nov 3 at 93 Feet East.

Boards Of Canada - The Campfire Headphase

Woozy goodness abounds. 

Album of the week

Boards Of Canada - The Campfire Headphase

It doesn't feel like three years since everyone's favourite Scottish electronic duo were last filling our ears with lush, dizzy soundscapes. In fact, it seems much longer, especially since Mike Sanderson and Marcus Eoin are so far ahead of their contemporaries that an age probably has passed since an electronic album bearing the quality of The Campfire Headphase has graced the Major Leaguer stereo. Well, maybe that's not quite true, but the high standards BOC set early in their career have influenced a generation of bedsit beatmakers around the globe, much in the same way Radiohead or Jeff Buckley influenced the glut of high-pitched emoting bands that were a dime-a-dozen at the turn of the century. It's also safe to say that BOC's latest collection of fables from a faraway land is one of 2005's most anticipated releases, with messageboards, indie sites, and not to mention copious blogs (yes, this lil' ol' site included) being overloaded with information and hype on WARPCD123. There were even erroneous tracks 'leaked' all on the web during the last month to wet the whistle of fans the world over, in one of the strangest forms of flattery shown towards an artist by fans in recent years.

Indded, such anticipation is merited in the case of The Campfire Headphase, which proves to be the equal of the duo's previous album, Geogaddi, if not quite a career peak. 'Chromakey Dreamcoat' warbles gently along a sea of gentle broken beats, while the spectral beauty of 'Dayvan Cowboy' starts slowly with the gentlest of guitar loops, before taking flight. Shimmering strings weave in amongst crashing hi-hats before fading into the distance, providing the albums highlight. Where this latest album differs from previous BOC outings is the way in which the duo have integrated the guitar soaked melodies of Bibio, as well as the skewed beats of Boom Bip, to provide an atmosphere that although might not please the hardcore fans of Music Has the Right To Children, which remains a benchmark electronic recording that continues to assume greater importance with every passing year, shows the duo aren't going to rest on their laurels just to please the purists. A clear sign that while Sanderson and Eoin are continuing to follow their own path, they're not afraid to venture into the unmarked trails etched in the grooves of The Campfire Headphase's dream-like landscape.

Listen to Boards Of Canada's The Campfire Headphase here.

'Let 'em riot. We're Sonic-fuckin-Death Monkey'

Good. You know your music. You should be able to
work at Championship Vinyl with Rob, Dick and
Barry


Do You Know Your Music (Sorry MTV Generation I Doubt You Can Handle This One)
brought to you by Quizilla

Yes kids, it's the easiest music quiz around. Failure is unacceptable, OK?

*The word on Serenity? Go see it. To paraphrase my comrade Will Kane, 'The worst part of the movie was trying to figure out which female character I liked most'. Well said WK.

Happy John Peel Day y'all.....go buy the new Fall album and turn it up to 11 in his honour.

Nope, no slayers here / Aardman Studios is burning down

But where are the stakes? 

Off to see Serenity tonight. Wasn't a huge fan of Firefly but have heard only good things about Mr Whedon's latest work. Plus, this will be the only work from Joss until his take on Diana and her lasso (and that's not going to be ready until 2007) so I'd best get my fix now. Random burblings from my mushy brain...

* Guess Britney wanted her bra after all. Nuts!

* Spare cash? Spend it on these beauties.

Various Artists - Leave Them All Behind
Damn fine collection of tunes from the always reliable Modular stable, plus other assorted indie-dance tracks that sit very nicely alongside them. Pretty much all the tunes you've heard at Trash this year and more. Two CDs for a tenner? Bloody lovely I tell ya.

The Fall - Heads Roll
Mark E Smith in fantastic album shock! OK, the man is a bit of an icon (even if his appearance almost a year ago on the BBC on the day of John Peel's death was a bit random) but recent Fall albums have been underwhelming to say the least. Heads Roll however is a rampaging return to form, complete with Smith's drawled lyrical flow and tunes that veer from lush the one moment to downright stomping the next.

* Fancy a round of golf with the RZA?

NEWS JUST IN! Aardman studios is ablaze....sniff! Wensleydale on toast anyone?

Subter October / Britney's bra? You're so kind.

Subter October is a go-go. In it you'll find -

* an interview with the de-lightful, de-lovely and de-lish RecordPlayer lasses

* critiques on both Spain (the country) and The Strolling Bones (the retirement home escapees) from Houman Sadri

* and the first burblings of a new way for bands to be heard online

(Note to all fledgling bands and artists: Yes, there are other ways for your music to be heard instead of bombarding all MySpace users to be your 'friends'. I don't care that your influences are Incubus, Led Zepplin and Phish. Your music still sucks.)


That's a lot of diamonds. 

* Fine, I'll admit it. I enjoy the Britney celebrity roadshow (who, unlike Paris Hilton, does have a shred of talent). Combine that with charidee, and by golly folks, you've got yourself a weiner. All proceeds from the 'Out Bid Me Baby One More Time' auction go towards the Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund.

Oh, and if you want to donate but ain't down with Brit's garments, the OkayPlayer kids have some lovely 'ReNew Orleans' shirts you can trade for your hard-earned. ReNew Orleans? Geddit? Huh? Geez, I don't know why I bother. Grumble....if anyone wants me I'll be bidding for Britney's beret. Whaddya mean pink ain't my colour? Oh, yeah, that was last season, and I'm not down with the Jude Law style.

Fire Demons 'R' Us

Finally saw Howl's Moving Castle yesterday and it was pretty good, although not a patch on Princess Mononoke. Have to go see it again though as my local kino only had the 'American' dubbed version, and I'd have prefered to see it with the original Japanese language soundtrack. I guess that's what DVD's are for, although I'll be waiting until November 16.

*If you live in Lahhndahhn town, head to the fine record store that is Phonica for a free Slices DVD featuring clips and multimedia from Warp, Hexstatic, Novamute and Mantis. Tasty tasty!

*Speaking of rekkid stores, I had a fine weekend record shopping with the regular Soho trawl on Saturday, and a trip to Brighton on Sunday (with possibly the best record shop to person ratio in the UK). No pier of rock action for me though as it was straight to Resident and then Mic Check for some tasty treats where I found the new Roots rarities mix-tape compiled by DJ Ayers. I also finally snaffled the lovely Foreign Exchange 'Connected' album from last year, and a few cheapies from Rounder Records (Gang of Four, Beasties and Alter Ego). Grand total? Just over 20 squid. Met up with some new friends for evening pints, and then caught the last train back to the big smoke. Slept like a baby...a bit like this one!


Lil' Xander and some weirdo. 

* One Soulful Negro has a Roots rarity too, featuring the last appearance of Malik B. Heck, they even compare it to Prince's infamous 'Wally'. Oooh!

Kate. Bush. Yes.

Yes, not long now... 

Have just heard Kate Bush's new single on WOXY.COM, and it's simply beautiful. One of those songs you hear for the first time and halfway through the goosebumps begin to tingle. Stunning. Pencil in October 24th in your diaries for the single, and November 7 for the album.