Tune Of The Year

Well folks- last post of the year!  I have never been a list person so no point in trying to order everything that has been on my ears this ear but this track has been on them more than most and deserves one last bump.

No surprise for people that know me that it’s Dan Deacons Snookered- be it the sampling, the layering, the wind up or the wind down- it’s simply pure electronic bliss and has never been very far from my ears.

Enjoy and hope everybody has a very Happy New Year!

Snookered

So how many of you actually followed the instructions on the inside of the cd sleeve and cut it up to make the tent?!

Angus And Julia Stone- And The Boys

Great news from Angus And Julia Stone- their second album Down The Way is due to be released in March 2010!    Even better,  according to their tour schedule, they will be hitting the UK and Europe from the 12th of April for a month so hopefully they will get to Dublin- their 2008 show in the Sugar Club was spectacular so another visit is always welcome.

And The Boys from the forthcoming album hits the spot with Julia’s delightful vocals so looking forward to hearing the rest.

You can get the single which also has Change and Take You Away from iTunes Australia and US.

While you’re at it check out Angus’ side project Lady Of The Sunshine.

Sleigh Bells

Just in time for the end of the holiday season, the appropriately named Sleigh Bells will give you some jingle and just a wee bit of jangle to boot.  Actually did I say a wee bit?  Make that a lot of jangle…and screaming female vocals…And a floor stomping bass drum…AND one hell of a great vibe!

Infinity-Guitars

Their live show looks like it’s full of energy- so much bass it sounds like the microphone is being eaten away.  Hopefully hitting these shores soon and a definite gig for earplugs!

An Indiecater Christmas 2009

Ahh another Christmas over and I can finally find some time to catch up on all of the new Christmas tunes!  The ever reliable Indiecater has put together another set of stunning tunes and quite a few absolutely breathtaking….so if you have just finished your leftover turkey sandwiches do take care!

Some tunes from groups that have appeared on previous compilations and in particular Adam and Darcie‘s It Came Upon A Midnight Clear is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.  Some new groups as well and I will be following Oldfolks Home and their electronica tunes for some time to come!  You can stream each of those tunes below as well as get the download for Standard Fare’s Tinsel Politics.

As I have done in previous compilation posts- just a few thoughts on each…

The Garlands – Christmas Song Bells galore and great female vocals.
Candy Claws – Snowdrift Wish Unmistakable sublime electro and great harmonies.
Loxsly – Mrs. Kris Kringle Hilarious lyrics- slow start but the horn section at the end is excellent.
Adam and Darcie – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Subtle instrumentation which supplements the gorgeous vocals- both solo and harmonies simply outstanding.

Allo Darlin’ – Baby, It’s Cold Outside Great female vocals and lyrics with good array of instruments incl ukulele and rattle.
Woodpigeon – Little Nemo Great male harmonies.
Boca Chica – Snow Angels Female vocals with subtle drumming and some nice harmonies further in.
Oldfolks Home – We Don’t Cry At Christmas Feck me- a great tune with subtle electro, sampling and excellent vibe.

Betty & The Cavaleros – Hey! I’m Your Gift Today Bossa-nova funk with a superb female vocal.
Standard Fare – Tinsel Politics Boppy start with drums and good rock vibe.

Sunset – New York Love Great array of instruments and some good harmonies.
I Hate You Just Kidding – It’s Fun To Do Bad Things Subtle male vocals and harmonies.
Sweet Jane – Silent Night Great reverb and pounding bass drum with deep pitched female vocals-oh yeah!  Electro choir at end in a shoegaze haze makes it a great ending!

As the 12 days of Christmas aren’t over just yet- head over to Indicater and get the tunes for €6- the best money spent next to the acid indigestion tablets after all of the feasting!

Sofia Talvik- Snowy White River

Ahh finally getting around to some Christmas tunes and there is no better place to start than with Sofia Talvik!

I first came across her with the Christmas tune from last year, A Carol For The Lonely, and this year is the excellent Snowy White River.  Beautiful tones that will certainly put you in a peaceful place while grabbing those last minute things for the relations that had somehow slipped your mind!

While she releases a new Christmas tune every year, this year she is doing it in collaboration with Gehrmans Publishing who will be issuing a sheet music and all proceeds will go to Music Teachers Without Borders.  There is also a link at the download page to donate so get clicking!

Competition- The Very Most, Upstairs @ Whelans

The Very Most will be hitting Ireland with their Christmas cheer and I have two double passes up for grabs!

They will be in Upstairs @ Whelans on the 12th of December and support on the night will be from the excellent Irish groups Storkboy Choons and The Ambience Affair so it should be a cracking night!

For your chance at a pass simply email the answer to this question:

What US state are The Very Most based in?  Hints here.

Answers to tenacioustimothy[at]gmail.com with The Very Most in the subject line by 8 pm on Thursday the 10th of December.

You can have a listen to a tune from each below along with a quite wicked Santa video from The Very Most to go along with their version of Away In A Manger!

The Very Most- Sweater

Storkboy Choons- Rockfield Symphony

The Ambience Affair- I Recoil

The Very Most- Away In A Manger

The Very Most- Winter: An Indiecater Release

Ah the end of the year approaching and what a year for The Very Most who have been delighting my ears from the beginning of 2009 with their EP release for each season- no better way to mark the time than with their lovely tones!

Their tunes are full of the emotions associated with each season and once again the three tunes on the Winter EP have summed it up well- the Christmas spirit in the air with their harmonies keeping the chill at bay with that warm feeling in your heart.

They kick it off with a cover of Away In A Manger which has some great upbeat harmonies and the interesting use of a Doucaine just after the halfway mark.  I wouldn’t have spotted the instrument without knowing it was in one of their tunes but it has an interesting sound.  (Slight aside being an oboe lover- I thought it would sound more like a shawm which has a shrill edge to it but it was more subdued and probably a bit closer to the clarinet- music geek bit over)

It’s The Best Thing is next with a slower start but the same great harmonies and in a word is cymbaltastic!  A great vibe altogether which is carried into When Does The Goodwill Start?- a snappingly good tune that will get you into the Christmas spirit…even for those heavy hearted grinches among us!

You can listen to Away In A Manger right now but you can get all 3 from Indiecater for the paltry sum of 2 Euro- so get clicking!

Competition- Deer Tick With Megafaun At Whelans

Did I hear you say indie folk?  Both Deer Tick and Megafaun are two great American groups with a healthy dose of various influences that will have you under their spell right quick.  Great news then that they will be meeting up in Dublin to play Whelans together on Sunday the 6th of December!

Let’s just hope Deer Tick stick to their excellent raspy and powerful tunes and not the Christian Rap or nude modeling as their MySpace suggests!

Thanks to Foggy Notions I have a double pass up for grabs for the gig- simply answer this question:

Which one of my favourite groups did Megafaun support in November?  Hints also here.

Answers to tenacioustimothy[at]gmail.com with Deer Tick in the subject line by 8 pm on Thursday the 3rd of December and the winner will be picked at random.

[EDIT] The winner will also receive copies of both their albums so get typing!

For a taste of the sounds check out the videos…

Megafaun-The Fade

Deer Tick @ SxSw 2008- NSFW!