From the Bottom of the Record Box: Recent Episodes
Richard and Tobin: Self confessed music addicts
The ultimate weekly music podcast for serious music lovers. Join your hosts Richard and Tobin for a show bursting with the best of new music, rock, blues, indie, pop, alternative, classic rock and roll, cover songs, electronica, singer-songwriter, listener recommendations and much more. Give your ears a treat on your commute to and from work as we listen to and discuss songs from all genres of music, young and old, as we attempt to widen not only our own musical palate but also that of our listeners. Whether you're an occasional music listener or a seasoned music lover, we're sure you'll find a new musical discovery in our rich musical grab bag! New show broadcast every Saturday 23:00GMT.
Hey beautiful people, hope you are enjoying the holiday season.
Just a quick note to let you know that FTBOTRB will be returning in 2023 and that you can catch Tobin and I on Bolton FM Wednesday 20:00-22:00 GMT. Just search for Bolton FM online to listen live, or you can hit Bolton FM's website to listen again for up to 7 days.
It would be great if you could listen in.
See you in 2023
Richard and Tobin
New Year 2022 is fast approaching and our traditional "best of" playlist is back — bigger, noisier, faster, more. Dive right in. That's the end of Season IV folks. Join us in April 2022 for more musical meanderings with Richard, Tobin and Jamie.
Christmas 2021 is officially upon us. And we are in a better place than this time last year, so let's party god damn it! like it's 1999. On today's Christmas 2021 Special please do join us for the best in alternative festive music and some idle chat. No big Christmas hits here, clear off Cliff Richard as we welcome artists as diverse as Christopher Lee, Asmodeus, Aloe Blacc, John Fahey and Sabaton amongst others. And to boot we are joined by may friends of the show all wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
We hear from Ben (Wolf City), The Black Armadillos, Wesley Bennett and Jacob Campbell plus many other friends and collaborators. So turn off that radio and tune in to From The Bottom Of The Record Box for a Christmas 2021 music playlist like no other. You'll also learn Jamie's secret formula for the best mince pie ever, our favourite Christmas tipple plus there's a quiz question or two.
Psykidelic Oven Mit return to the show with their new EP which is released on gorgeous transparent red vinyl and CD - yes, we have both! We have played Psykidelic Oven Mit before on the show — way back in February 2020. We played and discussed Staring Into The Sun from their debut LP Ghost Machine. Richard was lucky enough to be have given the pre-release CD of that LP (which he has since passed on to Ben from Wolf City). Whilst at an in-store event at X-records (Janus Stark) Richard stumbled across Ghost Machine on Vinyl. So yes, it was added to his collection. He was delighted to find it on coloured vinyl.
Further to that Frank and the boys from Psykidelic Oven Mit — ever generous — furnished us with their new EP on vinyl and CD, plus a copy of Ghost Machine on cassette. Add to that various bumper stickers and fridge magnets and you get the picture. Spooky Action At A Distance (their new EP) is a collection of rough mixes and demos recorded mainly through the COVID lockdowns of 2020. Well, the first three of four tracks are anyhow. Room With A View is the final of four tracks on the EP and is a demo from early 2019. It all comes beautifully presented in a full colour jacket featuring artwork by Rick Tyner. To cap it all, the record has been mastered by Greg Reierson (The Cure, Micky Dolenz, Grant Hart).
Tochiro is a project by a dude from Pennsylvania who felt sad and is still sad but at least he doesn't drink anymore. Furthermore, his debut 5 track EP The Age of Rock 'n' Roll Death has landed. It is limited to a run of 50 cassettes and you can buy your copy here. The cassette release of the EP also comes with an exclusive commentary about the recording. Jacob Campbell (guitars, vox, bass) and Danielle J Gallardo (drums) make up this band with an uncompromising and difficult to pin down sound.
Ethereal, Swedish-born multi instrumentalist joins us this week with her hauntingly beautiful ballad Black Mist. Ethereal has since formed an alliance and now records and gigs under the name Ethereal & The Elevated. During the UK's second lockdown Ethereal continued mainly as a solo project again although decided to keep the name & The Elevated as well for guest appearances and collaborations.
Then in April 2021 a Mancunian gentleman by the name of Ant O'Donnell was seeking a female vocalist for the song that would later become Mesmerize me and the rest is history. Ethereal is very proud to share the work that they have done together with absolutely no funding and only their own experience and knowledge in music production and their mutual love for trip hop.
Wesley Bennett joins us on today's show with a live performance from Saint Peter's Church together with pianist and cellist. It's a stunning performance, full of emotion and truth with a smattering of heartbreak. Having spoken to Wesley he mentioned that he was actually quite nervous about performing some of these songs because of that raw emotion. His fear was that an audience wasn't yet ready to be exposed to something laid so excrutiatingly bare. Without doubt though, it was clearly a massive success. And as Richard points out… "Wesley has grown up."
The Zipheads hailing from Jamie's home town of St Albans provide us with the rarest of beats - a cover that is way better than the original. Their take on a musical staple is both energetic and raucous without losing the sentiment of the original. In fact, in a post Dickensian world the sentiment carries even more weight. We've got two belters from The Zipheads and lots more information and links so please read on.
It's a wonderful return to form from show favourites, Philadelphia's very own Godcaster. There's a new album in the wings which leaves Richard evidently salivating. Jamie's on board too. And, when paired with West Yorkshire three piece The Lodger and their kitchen sink classic Bewildered even Tobin is convinced. Speaking of whom, he unwittingly sparks a vox-off between Brent Cowles and The James Hunter Six. Looks like Brent is edging into first place.
And then there's The Bins. What a fantastic and original concept this is. Tobin will tell you more, and there's talk of a bookend in the next few weeks from The Bins. So until next week, when we'll welcome the return of Wesley Bennett and Jack Hubbell, dive right in and enjoy.
Thai Elephant Orchestra provide you with a listening experience quite different from anything we've ever played on the show before. You can learn more about this engaging project later on in these show notes. Richard has gone down the vinyl rabbit hole again and snapped up their only vinyl release on RSD2. That should tell you how good these "boys" are. Do we have a gender breakdown on the band? Interesting question.
The bad news is, however, that you're going to have to listen to Richard railing on The Puppini Sisters before you get there. Jive, swing-based covers just aren't his thing it would seem. Cue a bulging email inbox full of complaints about him. There is hope though. Jamie brings the beyond excellent Wet Leg to the show as well as Black Pistol Fire. There's also Tobin's Bahamas and authentic glam rock from Sheffield-based The Voltz. It's frothy man (thanks Richie!).
The Black Armadillos are a rock duo from Genoa, Italy. The band was formed in 2019 by vocalist/guitarist Santo Castagnaro and drummer Maurizio Nuzzi. With sounds heaped in fuzz and reverb it's reminiscent of garage rock revival bands like The Black Keys and The White Stripes. Secondly, there are bigger influences at work here like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.
The Black Armadillos have released a self-titled 8 track LP to wax and here at Record Box HQ we are very much looking forward to it landing in our crates. The lyrics are written in English (the language of rock 'n' roll if Wolf City is to be believed) and are predominantly about everyday life, dreamlike experiences, love, money etc. The sound is strong and highly processed to compensate for the lack of bass player.
Snowglobe give us cause to question whether you need to be writing and performing garage rock to make it in Memphis. And the answer would appear to be "no". We spin five tracks in all in today's show from their 2 albums. Our Land Brains was Snowglobe's debut LP released on Nine Mile Records and is beautifully produced and features a completely blank side D. Followed up by the brilliant Doing The Distance which was never pressed to vinyl. Until now that is. Black and Wyatt Records of Memphis, Tennessee have now released this excellent LP on wax.
Both Snowglobe albums are interspersed with dainty little musical diversions that far from being filler, are sweet moments in themselves. Horns, glockenspiels, keys and the usual guitar suspects weave a tender web of uplifting music. There is certainly a little of the Elephant 6 Collective to be heard on both recordings. However, we find Snowglobe's music to be less avant grade than their stablemates.
Notable tracks include Adrenalin Mother, Baby and Medium. It is a refreshing sound that comes from these releases and a welcome change to most of the mass produced and manufactured sound that gets fed to the masses. We only hope that Snowglobe attract the interest and recognition they richly deserve, and of course we want another LP!
Los Psychosis manage to cut their debut LP to wax amid a system that is groaning under the strain of unprecedented global demand. And we've managed to grab a test pressing! Wow, what a record this is. Authentic, dripping with fiery Latin fusion and more than a nod to music from a bygone era. Gone are the overtly familiar tones of a sloppy double bass and a welcome heralding of accordion and lap steel. Certainly very different from the psychobilly movement in the UK back in the 1980s this is, however, certainly a noticeable stable mate. There is certainly an imminent line up change in the band looming, but this debut LP from this bunch of Memphis rockers will long remain a favourite here at Record Box HQ. Secondly, Tobin scoops a chat with friend of the show Abril Gabriele. Since we last featured her on the show much has changed for Abril. Her angelic voice though remains just as mesmerising as ever, and we find out just what she's been up too. Jamie brings the excellent IKOQWE along with a cover shot of a much revered Bowie classic. Furthermore we have Test Card Girl's new release, a poignant and tender serenade to her father. It's a glimpse of what is to come on her much anticipated EP.
And to top off an already excellent playlist this week, the mighty W.H. Lung return with a new album. We spin the pre-release single on the show and it's a banger.
Birthday Ass were formed as an improvisational outfit with no clear idea about the sound of the band. It's freeform we guess. Richard loves Birthday Ass. Jamie is confused by Birthday Ass, he thinks he loves it but it makes his brain hurt and makes it difficult for him to speak properly. Tobin definitely does not like Birthday Ass, he tried it, he was at first open to the idea but eventually he decided he didn't want anymore Birthday Ass. It's a shame really because it's a great thing. And we recommend Birthday Ass to everyone.
Secondly, there is more this week. First up is Jamie's excellent glam rock bookend from Art d'Ecco and the "all so shouldn't work" mixed bag of instruments that is Indialucia. Stop Light Observations prompt some intense studio discussion and later Richard butts in with an impromptu spin of theirs. We also trade off Manchester against Liverpool with some class music from each of these great cities. Plus, there's news of Kelsey Bulkin and Made in Heights. Oh yeah, and there's Cassandra Jenkins.
Merry Christmas, fuzzy avant-garde folk infused strangeness from Japan are this week's focus and bring us delight in bucket loads. Merry Christmas bring a much needed antidote to the norm with their fun and enthusiastic songbook. Eschewing the music industry norms, their innocent but ultimately thought provoking music is a welcome break from tradition. Their debut LP The Night The Night Fell opens with glockenspiel and signature ballistic rhythm bursts before opening up to wonderfully simple melody. It's a sound both bold and gently simple and gives way to arresting synth bursts that will wake up the most disinterested of ears.
The loose concept album follows a journey quite like no other. Despite the at times gawkish tunes Merry Christmas are not without music sentimentality. The tender First Lull offers a glimpse into the more introspective side of the band. With its vocal harmonies mirroring each other perfectly and playing out of the acoustic guitar and ever present glockenspiel, this track feels like a bridge in the album. It gives way to the more upbeat Magnets before the madness of Meredith Bites The Earth unfolds and arrests listeners.
Merry Christmas offer a rare look at what is possible with a little vision and a desire to escape the all too constrictive bonds of chasing popularity and the comfort of conformity. This confident album is a treat despite its lo-fi credentials and should be in every audiophile's collection. Here at Record Box HQ we will certainly be watching the band's evolution with much interest.
JIM - we play a wistful, soft track off his 4 track EP this week. And with only 18 months of guitar playing under his belt! The sublime and delicate sound of the EP made choosing a track to play rather difficult. The titular opening track gives way throughout to gentle strings, woven around JIM's warm vocal tone. Both bowed and pizzicato the strings add dimension and tonal space to this comforting track. JIM picks up the tempo slightly on Phoenix and introduces slightly monastic sounding backing vocals for rich reward.
Moving on through the EP we drop Whisper In The Wind into the show. It's a melancholic throw back to the days of Simon & Garfunkel and CSNY. Sounds of yesteryear brought bang up to date by JIM. The final track, You Know What To Say is more gentle acoustic noodling with the simple, very honest and light introduction of synth and choral voices. It's all very stylistic and fresh sounding and indicative of the early promise from this multi-talented musician. One to watch in the future for sure.
Surfer Gorilla, hailing from Colombia, are brought to the show this week by That Jamie leaning toward sounds from his ancestral home. The opening track by Surfer Gorilla features rap artiste Diggis, whom Richard likens to an accountant from North Yorkshire. Richard does apologise for this as it does sound rather disparaging. However, Surfer Gorilla are proving to be something of a hit with the FTBOTRB crew. Both tracks today come from the 2020 LP Dimos Vueltas en el Aire! (We Circled In The Air).
The album is a fantastic mix of Latino sounding short tracks, the whole LP weighing in at only 21 minutes. That being said, it is a solid listen and will definitely transport you to distant shores. Surfer Gorilla really have created a fantastic body of work here. It's rapidly becoming our barbecue and garden party go to album. If only for the sun drenched vibes and foot tapping trappy drum beats.
Stand out track for this Record Box Recommendation would have to be You Got That Bounce. All the tracks are short on this LP, but this one has such a '70s vibe and infectious groove, it really stands out. A track to start your party and get the cocktails flowing nicely. The whole record involves aspects of politics, life, the legalisation of drugs and nature, so a pretty eclectic mix. All the tracks on the album were written and recorded in Colombia's lockdown. Prepared for the worst, hoping for the best. If you want an honest proposal, made with the heart and a lot of love and the greatest vibes in the world, then give these two gorillas a listen.
Look Mum No Computer completely rewrites the analogue modular synth rulebook with homemade modules and music, so bloody British. Making a big noise on the show this week, Look Mum No Computer proves to be a massive hit with the FTBOTRB crew. We've got two songs from them and lots of discussion about our thoughts and feelings of this unique act. Look Mum No Computer has also opened a museum showcasing some of his many creations. It is without doubt on our list of must visits when post-pandemic UK reopens. Richard returns with songwriting phenomenon Nick Noone and his prophetic and reflective song Don't Let The Papers Get You Down. Nashville musician Nick Noone has a massive back catalogue of original songwriting to his credit and it is clearly just a matter of time until he starts making big waves.
Jamie brings reggae to the show. Enough said. However, he also brings the fantastic Liverpool outfit The Marigolds and their genuine punk sound to our ears. However, the real gem in this show is brought to you by Tobin. It's a contemporary take on a classic, traditional Pakistani song. It's given a deft, artful and thoroughly beautiful reworking by Arooj Aftab. So settle down in your happy place, maybe grab a beer, and join the boys for an hour of music and conversation.
Senyawa serve up a vision of hell today in a track so divisive Tobin actually leaves the studio, declaring "The End" of the show. The song is 9 minutes of utter brilliance but not appreciated by everyone it seems. In their rich 11 year history Senyawa have managed to blend traditional Indonesian sounds with punk and avant-garde. Senyawa have done this brilliantly despite Tobin's scathing attitude toward Alkisah - today's featured track. Earlier this year the band collaborated with 44 independent labels across the globe on the release of Alkisah. The labels were able to create their own artwork for the LP along with remix and master the tracks to appeal to local tastes. Quite a revolutionary thing in the music industry.
Disco reappears on the menu too today. Tobin has resisted his primal urges for too long and has finally given way. Therefore, we bring in two disco classics from Rare Pleasure thirty years apart. Old favourites Sault provide a 90s themed club classic and Jamie mixes things up last minute with Declan O'Rourke. Join us for this week's Music Discovery, let's dive straight in.
Biosynth, self-described French synth geek, beings us closer to France with a poetic look at the city and people of Nantes. Originally scheduled to open the show, the track Nantes immediately came under fire. Tobin thought it too much for our listeners as an opener. Of course Richard disagrees and it leaves the team on the edge of war. What we do now know , however, is that this track is an official FTBOTRB banger. You can find out a little more about Biosynth later in the show notes. Secondly, Ben from Wolf City and friend of the show tries to unlock the secret of Nantes below.
Tobin is far more dependable this week and choses to stay firmly on tried and tested ground. His love affair for Harmony Byrne continues as he spins her latest track. He drops in Yves Jarvis' new LP too and urges us to delve deeper. Oh, and Jamie brings us something awful from London. Alas, if you've ever visited London you'll easily understand why this song is so awful.
Bayboards are our focus this week and our Jamie gets to chat to the up and coming Manchester home grown talent on today's show. Firstly, Bayboards give us two excellent tracks and a chat. Secondly, Richard is off the foreign shores with his first track of the show from Dr Jazz Dixieland Band. You can find out more about this fully acoustic jazz set up on the show and in the accompanying show notes below. It is a fascinating story. Furthermore, Tobin is off to Somalia for an 80's dance floor shredder of epic proportions.
Coming up later in the show we've also got Double Trouble with Romero followed by Jack Oblivian and The Sheiks. Richard is clearly indulging his love of the Memphis music scene again and he shows no signs of slowing down. We've heard rumour there is more from Memphis coming up in Season III. As a result of Richard's love of the avant grade he'll also be introducing us to Volleyball, a new psychedelic collective born out of Pandemic Britain.
Noah C Lekas steamrolls the sky this week as we spin his latest vinyl release live in the studio. It's another cracker from Blind Owl Records. You can grab your copy right here. This fantastic new production draws on Noah C Lekas' book Saturday Night Sage. Noah reads excerpts from the book to some wicked music provided by other acts from the Blind Owl stable. On this record you'll get to hear music from Howlin' Rain and Mrs Henry amongst others. It's a brilliant collaboration and of course comes fully recommended from Record Box.
Savannah Pope's new single finally walks amongst us and becomes our focus on this week's show. It's Season III of the Music Discovery podcast. The record marks a change in the wind for Savannah, slightly spooky, gothic and subdued. However, you may be forgiven to think that the Savannah we know and love is gone forever. Spiralling out of control alone in the cosmos - much like her "Creature" video. You'd be wrong. Rock goddess and visually stunning Savannah once again finishes in a spine tingling climax. No secret then that we once again see her artistic skills with the now-to-be-expected mind blowing video.
Although this season kicking off show looks at much more than Savannah Pope's new single. We have Wesley Bennett's latest release too. A tender collection of 5 introspective and intimate musings, it's what we've come to expect from him. Wesley is such an inspirational and exciting song writer who deserves a much wider audience. His first EP - Middle Man - was a fantastic listen.
Christmas Music on the show can mean only one thing, it's the end of another season of music celebration and review. We serve up another festive smorgasbord of musical crackers with all the trimmings. Join Tobin, Jamie and Richard to celebrate "Good Riddance" to an Annus Horribilis. It's been a year of unprecedented changes not only in the world of music, but in the world as a whole.
Christmas Music with a difference from the 3 boys this week. It also marks the end of Season II of the show so it is with a heavy heart that we bid you farewell as we head into our recess. Alas, the lads will be back, bigger, stronger, more opinionated and combative than ever for Season III on April 10th. So, get involved in the meantime by contacting us here. We'd love to hear from you whether you are a listener or a musician.
Ryo Kawasaki is a jazz fusion guitarist, composer and band leader from Tokyo, Japan. Kawasaki is best known as one of the first musicians to develop and popularise the fusion genre. Secondly he helped to develop the guitar synthesizer in collaboration with Roland Corporation and Korg. His album Ryo Kawasaki & the Golden Dragon Live was one of the first all digital recordings.
An extremely warm reception greeted NuNorthern Soul's debut EP of Ryo Kawasaki music. The label's Phat Phil Cooper has decided upon a follow up. Ryo Kawasaki made over 25 albums in his almost five decade long career. There's plenty of Ryo Kawasaki's music to choose from. Once again, Phil Cooper has chosen to concentrate on Kawasaki's mid 1970s to early 1980s period. It is a time which saw the guitarist living in New York. Surrounded at the time by and often playing alongside some of the finest jazz players of the era.
Therefore, it was a time of much experiment with jazz music and few things propel Ryo Kawasaki more than experimentation. His mid 1970s period saw him explore what was to become known as jazz fusion music. A sometimes heavy-sounding variation, wild with revolutionary, new electronic sounds and steeped in funk and rock influences. From that period Kawasaki lead several album projects and the band Golden Dragon. On these recordings Ryo Kawasaki's famous, personally modified guitar synthesizer really comes to the fore.
Nick Cave, a strange choice for the show, and one that by merit should never be on here, such is his greatness. But actually, that is why he ends up here, it's a paradox, and we're pretty sure Nick would love a paradox. If you have the patience dear listener, then bear with Richard's monologue about his love and admiration for Nick Cave as he introduces one of Nick Cave's best performances. All recorded and released under extenuating circumstances.
Alas, we have more than Nick Cave today as we enjoy a beautiful bookend from Tobin with Sister Sparrow. It shows how Richard's mental hard drive is becoming beyond capacity. We also have one man and a guitar, surprisingly from Tobin this week and some old, old jazz from Richard.
"That Jamie" joins us with his would-be-wife Elin Hall (oh God you are so lucky Elin) with moon music. It's actually from Iceland, despite Richard's belligerence.
Heather Trost, with her delightful new album Petrichor, is giving us two brilliant tracks this week as we showcase her talent. Quite coincidentally, it's a double edged sword victory for Heather Trost. We say that in so much that not only is the music quite sublime, but the artwork is to die for. Join us to explore her past as we explain about how speaking language transfers over to music so readily. Stick around for the closing track from Heather Trost. At nine minutes long and you may well get lost in it.
It's an all female play from Richard this week as he gets to grip with an up and coming talent from Liverpool. Helen Maw has definitely caught the ear of Richard. An acoustic track from her brilliantly exemplifying her immense talent. And there is money changing hands this week.
Rilo Kiley make a welcome return to the show and in doing so remind us of the great vocal talent that is Jenny Lewis. Which reflects really well with Death Valley Girls who fail to hit the spot with Richard. However, going back to money exchanging hands… Tobin's Japanese entry in the show proves infuriating enough to induce Richard to part with cash. Superseded by both Tobin's and Jamie's quite correct predictions of Richard's reaction.
Bomb the Bass? Really? Yes. Is it a lead balloon or a transcendental ascension? You'll have to listen and of course make your own decision.
Jennifer Propeller, 3 tracks deep and a further EP in the wings. They are the self-styled dreamy end of indie-alternative melancholia. And they are a unanimous success here. It's the combination of dreamy guitars and Dalena's voice that really make Jennifer Propeller stand out. Luckily for us, we've also managed to have a sneak preview of some of their upcoming work. We can't share that with you, our listeners, just yet, so please be patient. However, the moment that JP are ready to allow release we shall be amongst the first to broadcast this excellent new material.
Secondly, we have unreleased music from an unsigned and untitled band. Who'd have thought it? Two chaps in the gestation period of their new band have submitted some tunes. We've listened through the lot and offer our opinion on what we consider to be the best. You'd think that these two alone, nestled in the middle of Tobin's box-ticking bookend, would be more than enough. No. We are heading quickly into the final trimester of Season II and so we are cramming.
Jamie excels this week, surpassing even his own high standards. Ida Mae are Jamie's choice which sets the scene for our Listener Recommendation this week. Julian has been in touch and we get him on the line to introduce his choice. Think you can do better? OK, we're all ears - get in touch.
Godcaster, cult-like psych-rockers and firm devotees of Judson Kolk, spill out their nightmarish vision onto the unsuspecting masses. Unsurprisingly pressed to red vinyl (what else) Godcaster's debut LP has landed. Or should that be surfaced? It's likely been spawned in the fires of an underworld populated with dog-girls, doppelgängers and pious iguanas. Spewed forth in a heinous incongruence of terrestrial vomit. If this all sounds a little far fetched then join in on Judson Kolk's cult trip and you'll soon be seeing religious effigies everywhere. Along with Long Haired Locusts.
It's a nightmarish journey, spikey, narcotic music from a dimension of fear. Don't let that description put you off. This is essential listening from Philadelphia's most original band.
Godcaster have a knack of putting you at ease with their surreal world. In fact, they make you feel like you want to be part of it. If you're as lucky as Richard then you may have scooped up a copy of the booklet. It's artwork by Godcaster's front man and limited to 50 copies. This has all the makings of an enviable object of desirability in years to come. Get on board.
Tapeworms, bedroom shoegaze fused with J-pop and video games bring us a new release on Howlin' Banana Records. Straight out of France. After releasing a couple of home-recorded EPs to a modicum of critical acclaim, Tapeworms are back with debut LP. This new offering certainly extends their range of influences. We play their eponymously titled single on the show today.
Typographical errors, mythical drugs and the mastermind behind some of Elvis' best known songs. That's Tobin's contribution this week. TTRRUUCES are not only every spell-checker's worst nightmare, they are also our bookend artiste this week. Plenty of noise to twist your ears around here. Plus the Bob Ross of rock 'n' roll drops in.
Along with Tapeworms, Richard brings us new music from Leeds in the North of England. Nope, it's not Silverlode again, instead it's three piece People Soup with their current track Rosemary. And after all that, we've got two back to back anger management tracks. Both heavy contenders for belligerent track of the month award.
Silverlode, a folksome indie rock’n’ roll band from Leeds, Yorkshire, England. There is quite a lot to go at from Silverlode, and a great starting point would be their Bandcamp page. To be fair to their music, not all of it sounds like what we are playing here on the show today. Nonetheless, Silverlode make an excellent listen. Particularly the material they have managed to get recording during lockdown.
It's worth noting that a new EP from Silverlode is in the wings - Ullswater. What you get is a 5-track EP with one track of spoken word as a finale. At times an oppressive hark back to the 90's and you can feel its weight as you listen on. Pendulous clouds, biting winds and the grim vision of children lost to heavy weather. Vocals that bear down on you, aggressive probing guitar riffs, it's a wonder the Lake District is so popular. It's released in a week's time, but you can get a pre-listen here.
"That Jamie" makes an early appearance today on the show, and with universal acclaim! Ordinary Elephant are Jamie's choice this week as he returns to familiar ground with some contemporary outlaw folk. Or is it Americana? Whatever pigeon hole you wish to stick husband and wife band Ordinary Elephant in, they're excellent. Nothing short of it in fact.
Tobin gets a telling off from all the way over in Brazil. Apparently despite his love of South American beats, he's slightly missed the point previously. Well, according to one sharp eared listener anyhow. And so he brings the dark, ominous and downright terrifying Totonho to the show. Forget sun drenched feel good vibes, this track is from a completely different stable. Tobin attempts to repair the damage by bringing for sample-masters The Allergies. And the answer is "No" before you ask. Ritchie Blackmore has nothing to do with it.
Rounding off the show Richard has Ramp Local roster-buster Giant Claw back to back with Kellindo's guitar wizardry. So, you're all up to speed, all that remains is to dive right in.
Savannah Pope - Freeway, it's her new single release and could it signal a new LP from her in the making. After Atlantis it would make sense. This single release is a further nod to her past, and a glimmer of hope that new work is coming. It follows fairly standard Savannah Pope conventions by now, there's the high octane guitars, booming percussion and of course the inter-stellar vocals of the rock goddess herself. However, it's slightly more introspective than her previous titles, almost lending a certain authenticity to it. Whichever way you look at it it's certainly just another stopgap on Savannah's obvious rise to stardom.
Richard heads back to his beloved France and dishes up a Howlin' Banana sandwich. Or should that be a baguette? He brings in two French bangers by Fontanarosa and Volage respectively. In fact, Tobin is a fan. True to form Tobin dons his socialist donkey jacket with DEADLETTER and their grim social commentary. Bookending with Courtney Marie Andrews, Tobin lends a personal and intimate theme to today's show. And that's it! Oh no it's not, sorry, "That Jamie" drags Brandt Brauer Frick in.
Test Card Girl was a teenager in the 90's in Manchester and what a time that was to be alive. She soaked up a lot of the sounds of the time and you can hear that in her eclectic and brave music. From subtle folk sounding acoustic noodling to some comedy Casio synth musings, all accompanied by Catherine's beautiful voice, it's a confident start to her musical career. Already on cassette and published widely on streaming platforms there is an exciting possibility that we may see Test Card Girl on vinyl before too long. But before then, we've got two tracks from her, one of which is her current single.
Tobin brings quality rather than quantity today with two unusually musical tracks from him. Gone is the electronica and breathy vocals and in come the guitars and other real instruments. A refreshing change! "That Jamie" returns with quite possibly his best recommendation to date and Richard drops the needle on Lake Street Dive's new single release. And speaking as we did earlier of cassettes, we have the dreamy vocals of The Suncharms with their latest release. A split tape with The Mirrorlakes, order it here if you've got deep pockets.
Web bring Intimidation and Shame to the studio this week, along with a truckload of division. Richard is a fan, Tobin is still trying to work out whether he is or not. Read on, and indeed listen on, for more about Web and their dark and oppressive masterpiece that is Intimidation and Shame. It actually transpires that this is in fact Part I, as Part II to Intimidation and Shame from Web is already now released.
Along with Web, this week Tobin brings the quaintly title Tugboat Captain to the show and the kitchen sink drama that is Day To Day. That Jamie joins us and actually sticks around a little longer than usual. It comes with a caveat however. Jamie rambles on about the dullest subject on earth - video games. Yawn.
We also bring Wesley Bennett back to the show, introduce Abigail Ory and Late of the Pier are our backend artiste. But, forget all that, the highlight of the show is Tobin attempting to perfect a Mancunian accent. Something which would undoubtedly get him into trouble in Salford. Big trouble. Sounds like a film title - "Big Trouble in Little Manchester"!
Hello there! Jack Hubbel makes a return to form and a return to the show with his latest Telyscopes release. Well, we say latest, it's not even released yet so you are getting an exclusive pre-release listen. No charge. It's what we do. Also, on a general note, it's great to be back. After a 12 week hiatus we are poised to deliver music that begs to be listened to. And, as a sage friend of the show said to us only today, "the best music ever produced you'll never hear". Sage indeed.
So let's kick off the season with Jack Hubbel, Glaswegian punk, Brazilian electronica and Jamie with his crazy Japanese post punk surf rock. Yep, buckle up, we're on it this season.
Welcome to the finale of Season I of From the Bottom of the Record Box - The Music Discovery Podcast, with over 100 minutes of music and conversation. We've lined up an impressive triple bookend this week featuring Wolf City, Tenci and The Comet is Coming. Later on "That Jamie" joins us for the party as we sign off Season I in style. We also say a few "hellos" and "thank you's" to a host of musical glitterati. We'll be playing our favourite listener suggestion of Season I and once again Tobin utters his favourite two words … Harmony Byrne.
Season II begins on October 10th where we'll have new features, more excellent music, more collaborations and a multitude of other exciting "stuff". It's what makes FTBOTRB your favourite go-to Music Discovery Podcast. So, we're all ears. Why not get in touch if you are a budding musician and you want to reach a global audience?
Sammy Brue has managed to pen another belter with Crash Test Kid and we've got a track on the show. Turn it up, it's no acoustic meander. The red/yellow splatter vinyl signed by the man himself is on the way to Record Box HQ. They're all gone now but you've still got time to grab the black vinyl release.
Also coming from the US this week is Reigning Sounds' classic LP Home For Orphans. Again, we think you've missed the gorgeous blue vinyl release but you can still grab a black vinyl copy from Goner Records in Memphis.
"That Jamie" returns this week with his now hotly anticipated Track Of The Month - he's plundering the wealth of French Pop tracks this month. Richard runs this track by a real life proper Frenchman! What then transpires leaves Jamie with his tail between his legs. Poor Jamie. However, Jamie returns next week as we close off Season I in style. And there is a Spoiler Alert - next week Jamie delivers two absolute bangers.
Romero bring us this week's bookend slot in fine post-punk style. It's Tobin's bookend and the suggestion that there is a possible point-scoring scenario sends him into something of a spin. The ever-competitive Tobin showing that he constantly lives by his own catchphrase "if there's a chance to win, I'm in!"
Dullards bring a healthy amount of self-written, self-produced glam power pop to Richard's final solo bookend of Season I. George and Roger deliver funny, toe-tapping vibes with their insightful and inspiring Dullards. We play the double A-side single today and discuss the wider merits of this fantastic musical collaboration. What a way to kick off the show as we rapidly approach the end of Season I of From the Bottom of the Record Box. And Dullards are a perfect example of why we champion here at Record Box HQ as we help spread the word to the world.
And talking of aspiring artists, we welcome Wesley Bennett to the show as we play a track off of his new 4-track EP - Middle Man. Wesley was kind enough to tell us a few words about himself so read on to find out a little more about this talent young man. Alternatively, you can find him on Bandcamp where you can purchase this essential new EP.
Tobin brings back W.H. Lung and their latest single release. Does it show as much promise as their debut LP Incidental Music did last year? The lads certainly think so. And Caamp are back and Björk is back, proving that Tobin has indeed practically run out of steam. Does he listen to anyone else these days? Well, yes, he does, because he's also playing Water Liars in today's show. They prove to be a big hit with Richard. Join us next week as "That Jamie" returns for a 2 show run as we head rapidly toward the close of Season I - great listens coming very soon indeed.
Welcome to the show where we say "Hello" to Booty and The Beard and their latest release Strange Little Rocks. It's a cautionary tale of festival life. A tale of boy meets girl. Moreover a brilliant song, brilliantly crafted, from two brilliant musicians. Yeah, we think it's brilliant! And what's more, we want to share it with you, our listeners around the world. And it comes at a fitting moment as we rapidly approach the end of Season I of From the Bottom of the Record Box.
With that said, we have so much more to pack in before the season ends. Next week Richard bookends with rising new talent which answers the question we've all been asking. What happened to all the experimental melodic glam rock power pop bands? Tobin brings us One Man and a Guitar and proves he's still wrapped up with CAAMP. But more about this week…
Firstly, Tobin's bookend does little to inspire further trophy grabbing where bookend artistes are concerned. He brings Nathaniel Rateliff's new solo release to the fore and sparks furore in the camp. New Music, always a treat from Tobin yields the sexy, serious and delightfully produced tones of Sharada Shashidar. Losing himself for a moment, he wonders whether Richard's contemporary Japanese track is one of his own. Secondly, this Japanese artist spurns a bit of infighting as both Tobin and Richard scrap it out to obtain the rarest vinyl pressing of said record. Let's dive straight in and give these two idiots a listen.
Welcome to this week's show where Richard brings us The Midnight Pine and their keys heavy intro masterpiece Enough. Tobin thinks he's heard this before, alas, only a dream. We uncover some unlikely connections with other San Diego favourites Creature and the Woods. We play and listen to the sonorous vocal delivery of Shelbi Bennett. However, Enough of The Midnight Pine! Richard has the bookend this week and brings us the sadly now disbanded Broken Dog. Playing to Tobin's naturally critical streak, Broken Dog's ethereal and slightly breathy vocals prompt him to take Richard to task. It's a brilliant two-song set from Martine Roberts and Clive Painter in their previous guise of Broken Dog.
More sabre-rattling to come as Richard is perplexed by Moscow Apartment's outdated website gallery. No up to date photos? Only photos of the duet as teens? The clouds thereon parted and Richard's epiphany unfurled before his very eyes. Not one to steal Tobin's thunder he gallantly steps aside so that Tobin can reveal all. It's New Music and it's straight out of Canada this week.
Unexpectedly popular Blithe Field also make a deep impression on Richard much to Tobin's surprise. He tries to score a hat-trick with Audiodope and Absence of Gravity - does he pull it off?
As always, it's all about the music on From the Bottom of the Record Box. However, Tobin delivers some important news this week about the future of the show. And exciting news it is indeed. It seems that Tobin, Richard and Jamie are only just beginning the rise of FTBOTRB. There are bigger, better things coming signalling a very bright future ahead. And as we stated it's always about the music here, but perhaps the biggest news on today's show is that Harmony Byrne's debut LP has finally dropped. We spin yet another track from off of it. Destined to become a riotous success, we get to know Harmony before she is untouchable. So, that's it, listen on for the usual combative conversation and great music.
Any Sunday Morning, Paris-based musician Sébastien, brings his simple, well-travelled music to today's show. Richard has been listening with glee to the LP White Rainbow and picks his favourite tune off of it as we explore Any Sunday Morning. More on this French musician later. Tobin has the bookend this week and brings back I Am Kloot with two excellent tracks. Sandwiched in amongst the show as well this week is "That Jamie" and his track of the month. Jamie describes the track as "divisive" - listen the boys arguing it out. Two out of three ain't bad Jamie!
As I Am Kloot return to the show, so does the latest from Huw Costin aka Torn Sail. Following on the heels of his latest NuNorthern Soul release this reworking of A Beautiful Life is esoteric, subtle and dripping with the gloriously fluid vibes we've come to expect. Torn Sail are rapidly becoming a favourite here at Record Box HQ. They are an official FTBOTRB Recommendation and are essential listening. And staying in Nottinghamshire, UK, we bring Lawrence County to the show. Americana from deep in the UK. Who'd have thought it?
Finishing off the show this week we have Tobin's New Music Shot and his field recordings masterpiece from Eluvium. Quite why Tobin likens Dead Pony – his New Music candidate – to Eurovision failures is anyone's guess, but he apologises, before he gets lynched by the band. His temptation from Eluvium, and the promise of a seven disc set sends Richard into interstellar overdrive. Bats? Who would have thought they make such good music???
The Last Waltz, arguably the most iconic performance in the history of Rock 'n' Roll, recreated in all its glory by Mrs Henry. Forty one years later and Mrs Henry took to the stage at the Belly Up, Solana Beach, San Diego. Not alone, a plethora of friends were just about to join them. What happened next is likely an as epic and defining moment as the original. A task of immeasurable complexity, Mrs Henry pull it off with panache, soul and above all – passion. We play two tracks of the beautifully presented vinyl presentation in today's show, which will no doubt leave you craving more.
We've played Mrs Henry on the show previously and Dan Cervantes himself spoke with us about The Last Waltz. You can hear what he had to say here. We also have another live performance on the show this week as coincidence. The expertly performed Coffee from Tobin's favourites Sylvan Esso. Speaking of Tobin, he also jostles for position for the "ridiculous band name" crown with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Waxing lyrical as he does, this is his latest instalment of his never-ending love affair with Australia and her music scene. Cue endless playing of Harmony Byrne's new LP.
Tobin's New Music Shot this week expands on Richard's idea of new music that really is old music. He shines a light a new/re-release from the king of Sudanese Jazz, Sharhabil Ahmed. It is a riot of noise and a great introduction to Habibi Funk. Sticking with jazz in this week's show, Tobin also brings in a track from Chip Wickham. It's an odd and somewhat inappropriate title. Finishing off today's show is another live track pulled from The Last Waltz LP. This time featuring the quite beautiful and jealousy enduringly talented Tina White and Brittany Wallace.
Tyler Keith has a new LP floating around in the musical ether and we have managed to take a listen. And it's awesome, as is to be expected. Comes as it does from Memphis musician championing Black and Wyatt Records this new LP is something of a reminiscent revelation. One foot in the past and one foot in the future. Alongside The Toy Trucks it's up there with our favourite releases from this excellent Memphis label. Besides Tyler Keith, we have New Music from The Landing, news of Harmony Byrne's new LP and we go back to Philadelphia once again. Oh, and Tobin plays a Scottish bloke.
Sunglass Moustache have literally just released their groundbreaking debut LP. Complex yet simple listening at the same time. This band of, how can we put it, weirdos from Texas, supply the bookend this week. We say weirdos, but it is said with affection and respect for their music. It's music that goes wider than just aural appeal. It's art. Remember Alabaster Deplume? Yeah, well Peaches from Sunglass Moustache is a walk down a similar promenade. And with the accompanying short film, it's also a departure from that. Sounds like a riddle? Well that's because, ultimately, that's what Peaches from Sunglass Moustache is.
Roy Bulkin has resurfaced from his lost South African archive of the '70s. Back In My Buggy will have you reaching for your flares! It's a fun, sun soaked '70s carefree vibe from a bygone era. Capetown Sound are reviving Roy Bulkin's career here with plenty of his back catalogue. Richard is a fan, but Tobin is decidedly standoffish about this track. God rest Roy Bulkin, and let him posthumously rejoice in our appreciation.
But that's not all this week, "that Jamie" returns with his always much anticipated Track Of The Month. And this week he's on more familiar shores for us English speakers. It's a curious idea, a band put together from already existing and successful musicians to celebrate the works of a poet. Robert Burns to be precise. It's about as far away as you can get from Roy Bulkin. However, it works, musical poetry is obviously "a thing". It's always a pleasure to have Jamie on the show, and this week he delivers up a banger.
Lick The Tins provide us with a classic Elvis cover, with news of its nearly record breaking run at Number One. Unfortunately English rockers Fleetwood Mac managed to out do it, albeit at least a decade later. But it's not the only cover this week. And this gives Tobin opportunity to expand on his already unfortunate naming of featurettes. Following on from his absurd "songs from bands or others we may have listened to previously or not" whatever, comes "Richard is desperate to get The Velvet Underground on the show" feature. Never mind. It's a unique take on what is potentially their most famous song. It's such a worthy listen.
Tobin is back with his obtuse feature with his much lauded and admired SAULT. With news of a missed vinyl shipment comes another track from Vanishing Twin. There is good news, however, said vinyl shipment has finally reached Tobin. He's calmed down a bit now. We hope you enjoy this week's show. By the way, there is some very big news coming on the show in the next few weeks so keep tuned.
He Sees Me is the latest single release with accompanying video from rock powerhouse Savannah Pope. Fans of Savannah Pope more or less know what to expect from her, however, this is something of a surprise. The veil has slipped somewhat and Savannah invites us to view her inner soul. Intimate, fragile, self-effacing and tragically artsy, He Sees Me is a wondrously personal work. Savannah Pope has delivered again. Here at Record Box HQ we can see little to stop this shimmering light from going stratospheric. And rightly so.
In stark contrast to He Sees Me, we have Junior Brother providing the bookend material this week. Two excellent tracks from this rising Irish singer-songwriter from the shared EP with Powpig. Opening the show is the view ruined by swans that is The Back of Her. Another belter from Junior Brother closes today's show. Reminding Richard of many of his fondest acquaintances is the wonderful Full of Wine.
Tobin introduces an unfathomably intricately headed new feature for the show - best tracks from other people we know and have heard from before, or something like that. Anyway - it's a ridiculous title but a great listen. This week it's CAAMP.
We have the welcome return of Torn Sail this week, following on from the Joey Fitzgerald remix of Disconnected last week. This time it's an unmixed original from Nottingham-based Huw Costin - the man behind Torn Sail. Likewise as Savannah Pope, this Torn Sail track is quite intimate and personal.
We have the welcome return of Harmony Byrne this week, a week that should have seen her debut LP drop. Her management team have shared this LP with us, however, we aren't allowed to pre-release any of the tracks off of it. More's the pity, because it's a solid and excellent production. The LP is delayed, and likely to drop in July at the earliest. The music industry clearly visibly shaken by the international COVID19 crisis. Still, it's always good to have something to look forward to…
Torn Sail have just released a new EP on friend of the show label NuNorthernSoul and it is a banger. Featuring two original tracks from Torn Sail and 3 remixes, it's essential listening. Phat Phil Cooper (founder of NuNorthernSoul) certainly has an ear for a great tune. Nothing shows this more than this Torn Sail release. And if this already has your interest, you can join Phat Phil every morning. Live every Monday through Friday 10am BST / 11am CET. Phil broadcasts live more bangers from his catalogue and beyond to get your mornings off to a chilled and relaxed start. We revisit this excellent EP from Nottingham musician Huw Costin (Torn Sail) next week.
This week is a Colombian Special as That Jamie runs up with 4 Cabezas' band member Daniel. We learn more about this eclectic, funky, raucous jam band from South America. Jamie manages to drill down into the detail. Despite being locked down on top of a mountain and having a highly unreliable internet connection. Daniel introduces the rest of the band and gives us a brief history lesson on 4 Cabezas. We've also got two tracks from them, including their latest release.
Black Midi introduce us math rock this week as we play a track from their current and only studio to date LP Schlagenheim. With its roots in prog and indie rock, math rock certainly has its early influences in King Crimson, Steve Reich et al. Black Midi use many of its characteristic staples in the track Western such as complex and atypical rhythmic structures, counterpoint and angular melodies. Black Midi also have something of a krautrock sound about them. Further to this, we learn that Tobin had the pleasure of seeing Black Midi perform live recently as they supported Brittany Howard. Lucky him.
Kicking off the show is the fantastic cover of now legendary track Home Is Where The Hatred Is. Originally penned by the sage Gil Scott Heron way back in 1971, this cover by Esther Phillips was laid down the same year. Leaving this mortal coil at the tender age of 48, Esther Phillips' liver and kidneys finally gave up the ghost. Her life long battle with substance abuse, mainly heroin, finally caught up with her. Kids, drugs are bad. Don't do drugs! That's an official FTBOTRB order.
Sadly Esther Phillips was laid to rest in an unmarked paupers grave in Compton, LA. Fortunately, one year after her death she was reinterred at Forest Lawns Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, where a bronze statue marks her musical achievements.
Jack Hubbell joins us today all the way from Philadelphia USA as we learn about Telyscopes' new 5 track EP. Pander is due to drop next month and we play 2 tracks off of it. We catch up with Jack Hubbell to find out more about his creative process, influences and music that doesn't suck. We've had Telyscopes on the show before and Jack Hubbell now holds the title of the only artiste ever to have bookended the show more than once! And there is a reason why. Quite simply Jack Hubbell's brainchild Telyscopes is the most important music creator out there today. Well, in Richard's opinion anyhow. And here at Record Box HQ it's the only one that matters.
However, Jack Hubbell isn't the only one to drop by today. Back by popular demand we have "That Jamie". Yes, it's that time again where Jamie presents his track of the month. The perennially difficult to pronounce Bassekou Kouyate takes us closer to God with his sublime ngoni playing. Jamie's knack of finding the best music out there is enviable. And it's the reason he joined us. Originally a listener Jamie is now a much treasured piece of furniture around here. If you think you've got what Jamie has, then get in touch and tell us all about it. You never know, you may end up presenting on the show too.
Tobin brings us a New Music Shot par excellence. Glassio's newest track Nobody Stayed For The DJ airs on today's show and it's a banger. And, there's more. For only $1 per month you could have heard this track weeks ago when it was as fresh as a daisy. Become a Patron of the show now to get a jump on the hottest tracks as soon as they're released. Tobin rounds of the show today with Informer. Enough said.
Tom Greenhouse delights us with a prerelease from off of the much anticipated debut LP from The Cool Greenhouse, eponymously titled. Limited to only 150 copies initially, this has since been extended. A run of 300 with further promises of no extension on that. The transparent green vinyl ships with red OBI strip, envelope containing mystery seeds and printed insert. Yep, ours is on order so expect the vinyl to be spinning live on the show early June 2020. However, we've got more than just Tom Greenhouse this week. Tobin is bookending the show with the excellent Joy Kills Sorrow and his usual New Music Shot with Tessa Dixson.
One of Richard's old playlists entitled Cowboy Music prompts a memory from Tobin about another classic gunfighter ballad. Marty Robbins sings of his love to the musings of a Mexican guitar and evokes a real image of times gone by. Tobin tells us more about Marty so listen on. We also have the classic reggae track Fisherman from The Congos and of course that unbelievable cover of Lady Gaga's Shallow. Performed Unplugged and Outdoors in Sweden by friends of the show JP Paulsen, Annsofi and Jerry Geraldi. It's another subtle reminder of the talent of this Scandinavian/American trio from Norway.
Turnstyles' debut LP on vinyl from Black and Wyatt Records is our focus of attention this week. We declare the show a Memphis Special. The surf-psych garage punk duo from Memphis pull the rug out from under our feet. They prove that after the death of The White Stripes that there is certainly still life in the guitar and drum duo outfit. In these days of international lockdown we are certainly looking at the intended launch party for this excellent debut LP being cancelled. We are fervent supporters of independent musicians here at Record Box HQ and would urge all our listeners to go preorder the vinyl here and help support these vibrant musicians and their label.
Apart from the obvious connection to Memphis in this week's show we do have other music from Tobin, and the introduction of Brooke Bentham is a welcome surprise. Her unique vocal delivery belies her South Shields ancestry, however, she's destined for stardom were sure.
Further to Brooke Bentham and friends of the show Fingers Like Saturn, Tobin features New Music from Khruangbin and Leon Bridges which fails to delight Richard despite its credentials as important and essential listening. What is Richard's problem with this track? Listen on to find out. Tobin manages to redress the balance with Bullion and the weird soundscape from Vanishing Twin. Apparently he's willing to share his vinyl with Richard, a sentiment that is most certainly not reciprocated.
Wolf City manage to break free from the European mainland despite the current lockdown status - and we are on board. A Parisian musician par excellence. Read on to learn more about this experimental, genre-busting musical outfit from the suburbs of Paris. We cherish our relationship with all our French brothers and sisters and Wolf City are a perfect example of this. We'll be firm friends forever now and very much relish hearing what Wolf City has to offer in the future.
Tobin brings an amazing bookend artiste to the show this week in Ezra Furman. The next Justin Beiber? Hardly. Ezra shares his Lousy Connection with us as his opening gambit. It leaves us looking forward to the back of the show to hear more from him. Leaving show protocol behind Tobin plays Ezra Furman and The Golden Age of TV (New Music Shot) back to back. He scores pretty highly with Me, You and A Dog which leads nicely into an explosive set from Janus Stark and lead axeman Gizz Butt.
Richard waxes lyrical about his recent intimate gig with Janus Stark as part of their tour to promote their latest LP. Presented on flame red vinyl and signed by all four members of the band, our copy is nestled nicely in the studio crates here at Record Box HQ. To see more from this amazing performance go sign up as a Patron of the show. You'll gain exclusive access to more FTBOTRB content and footage, plus your very own New Music mini-show once a week!
Tobin passes of disco as something else, or tries to. Richard introduces us to the tragic and beautiful Vic Chesnutt. So, whilst we are globally on lock down and self-isolating take the time to catch up with the show and ready yourself for more of the same next week.
Mammoth Penguins spark a debate of prehistoric proportions this week between Richard and Tobin. They both agree that this is a killer track, however, there is some ambiguity about the meaning of the title. Closure by Mammoth Penguins is the second track to feature on today's show that has something of a nostalgic coming-of-age feel to it. Both this track and Keep On by Loose Tooth, separated by Record Box Classic, bring an erstwhile, teenage feel to the proceedings today.
It's pretty much a scoop for Tobin this week, with the disco hit from New Music trailblazers Rayowa, that is, well, erm, disco. Richard is already bowled over by Mammoth Penguins and Loose Tooth that the game is already won. But like the hamster destined to run on the wheel of eternity Tobin brings Rayowa nonetheless.
Kikagaku Moyo - try saying that after a few sherbets. Well, if you listen on you'll quickly find out that they are our bookend artiste for this week. Psychedelic Western theme music springs to mind, but it's much more than that. It's a bold choice from Tobin but reaffirms his recent run of excellent music. Tobin is certainly on a roll of late and Kikagaku Moyo certainly back up his credentials as music snout.
However, as the introduction to the show declares, Tobin is definitely only one half of the show. Richard slams us this week with one man and a guitar. And one man and a guitar. And then one man and a guitar. Save us. But it's not all that bad because one man is Smog, another man is Kristofer Astrom and finally he brings us skateboarding legend Tommy Guerrero.
Harmony Byrne returns to the show this week and once again leaves us reeling in her wake. This is our third track from this Australian musical behemoth and there is the promise of an album in the wings, with release scheduled for later in the year. Her plaintive vocal delivery on this track is enchanting and harks back to deep alt-country and Americana heritage, quite a feat for a native Aussie. We're backing Harmony Byrne to be massive news in the very near future, and remember, we did the same with Black Pumas and look at them now!
It's a Wax Time Special from Richard this week and moving away from tradition he opens and closes the show with two different artistes. Naturally, both are vintage vinyl spins live in the studio from deep in his personal vinyl collection. Secondly, Richard has a Record Box Classic of truly colossal proportions. Again, played off of the vinyl. We're beginning to wonder if Richard is going to exhaust his vinyl collection. However, we've been told it's forever growing and new additions feature on our Patreon channel, so to get involved head over there and become a patron of the show.
Austria's greatest songwriting son Tobin stumbles upon inadvertently spinning a Record Box Classic of his own. Completely unintentionally he quickly realises that anything by Falco qualifies. We discover this tragic magical talent who was taken from us way before his time. Even now Falco remains Austria's most successful singer of all time. Now there's a gauntlet to throw down…
Wrapping up today's proceedings is the Gamble Brothers Band, we play their authentic sounding time travel special Tiki Bar. It proves something of a mistake as it fills Richard's head with ideas of his attractiveness and prowess. Both ridiculous figments of his lurid imagination. Pity him and his feelings of self importance whilst enjoying an instantly likeable musical romp.
Taken by Canadians spins in the studio today from off of the vinyl. Their eloquent track Magdalene is the first of two tracks this week dedicated to women. It sparks further debate from the boys on other song dedications from over the years. And with two Cover Shots this is building up to be a great show. So that's Magdalene from Taken by Canadians and Jolene from Susanna & The Magical Orchestra. Proof that Richard has not been repressing women for centuries as he was once accused of by his youngest daughter. Ridiculous statement from someone who is old enough to know better.
New Music from Tobin this week is the strange track by Tennis. It does something that is rarely, if ever, heard today. The song sort of unwinds, that is to say it slows down. And begins deconstructing. It's a very interesting sound. So, what better reason to listen to today's show? Well, there is a better reason. Harmony Byrne.
The Telyscopes left Virginia and now sing out of Philadelphia. Not to be confused with the flavourless emulsion cheese of the UK. The Telyscopes are anything but. Flavour aplenty here. We have two tracks from Richard's favourite go-to band of the moment. Sequencer driven indie guitar thrashing track that opens up the show and their Beefheart-esque show closer. However. more than the really quite excellent The Telyscopes, Tobin brings SHY Martin to the show. This prompts Richard to reflect on his own life experiences.
Relationships are rarely smooth running but Richard is so long in the tooth that he's a pretty sage old bear these days. Drawing on personal recent experience of family breakups between two people who ought to know better, this track brings to the fore his feelings on such.
The Lathums – just a couple of lads from Wigan – are brought to the show this week by "that Jamie". Jamie calls in to the studio to discuss the merits of this fine Northern band. A meteoric rise in 2019 has seen The Lathums rise to prominence and are are sure to make 2020 all their own. We've got their release The Great Escape playing on the show today. However, as regular listeners will know, we never play just one track and today is no different. Jamie – our Content Lead – introduces his track of the month from The Lathums and we have new music from Boulevard 95 reminding us that warmer times are to come to brighten up our cold UK days.
Durand Jones and his outfit The Indications are our bookend artiste this week. A potent deep soul revival band from Indiana fronted by sax man Durand Jones achingly authentic and dripping with Mississippi heritage. Tobin has brought us a couple of bangers here. Their self-titled debut LP was recorded for just $452.11 and a case of beer. The opening track on the show shines a light through the bleak backdrop of American life, transforming it with old-soul croon made new.
Moonshake and their polar opposite Karate Boogaloo also play on the show today. Richard has been digging deep into his personal CD collection to bring us Flow by Moonshake. Also, a pre-release from Psykidelic Oven Mit which is actually now released. Testament to how untidy Richard's home studio is. This recent discovery actually landed on his desk about 12 months ago. We are glad he's had a clearcut at this track is a beauty.
Last but not least we have a play of some fine old bluegrass dedicated to NHS Ian. Ian is one of the country's finest nurses, country/folk/bluegrass aficionado and firm friend of the show. NHS Ian gave Richard a lengthy list of recommendations to get through during his short stay in hospital recently. We can't thank Ian and his team enough for the care that they gave Richard, and everyone who passes through them. Thank you NHS Ian. We'll be featuring some of your recommendations on the show in the future.
Mrs Henry from San Diego, California, bookend today's show with two real rock 'n' roll bangers. Once again brought to us by our friends Blind Owl Records, Mrs Henry are a 4-piece rock outfit with some of the finest musicians on the circuit today. Recently released is the excellent Live at The Casbah LP and you can grab yours here. We feature 2 tracks from straight off of the vinyl in the studio today. Firstly it's the fantastic Dylan cover from the Mrs Henry Vol II LP. Secondly, it's The River from the 7" single A side. It's really special music so join us to listen to what you've been missing out on.
Besides the fantastic Mrs Henry, we also end up in deep conversation about the obvious and not-so-obvious merits of today's featured Cover Shot. It seems that Richard's knowledge of '90s popular music is outrageously poor. Apparently he was too busy "listening to proper music" in the '90s. Despite his damning insight, it is a belter of a cover and one that to everyone else is instantly recognisable. Following quickly on its heels Tobin's New Music provokes yet another one of Richard's typography and lexicon rants. What's got his goat this time? Listen on to find out.
Mrs Henry finish off the show in style with The River played directly off of the 7" vinyl in the studio. However, before we get to the end of the show, Proleter and Gogo Penguin bring a fresh sound. Is it electro swing as we know it? Or some other sub-genre. We're still guessing really. It shows Tobin still has a the ability to surprise us with music of integrity and worth. There is some talk of "3 by 3" which apparently is "a thing". It seems to have passed Richard by but Tobin has all the round up on it. Turns out it's a waste of time anyhow. Enjoy this week's shenanigans with your two amiable and jovial hosts. More of the same next week.
Dude Cervantes is spinning direct from the as yet unreleased vinyl in the studio today. It's a cover of a classic and not to be missed. The cover artwork is excellent and FTBOTRB deems this an essential record to your collection. In fact, you can watch and listen to Dude Cervantes' latest release in the video that accompanies these show notes. Excellent news all round. However, that's not the only Cover Shot on today's show. Tobin brings us Saint Mesa and a cover of a now modern classic from a now legendary band. It Smells Like Teen Spirit in the studio.
Tobin also brings us the bookend artiste this week which is The Cave Singers and two brilliant tracks is what we have from them. Opening the show is Swim Club and closing the show for us is Beach House. Firm favourites here at Record Box HQ already. Big Fox are also a feature of Tobin's musical snouting this week with their luminary track All I'm Trying – listen on to find out more about this exciting band.
Firstly, Bearded magazine said of Red River Dialect "a band that can actually play" and their track Piano is no exception. As a result this track promotes something of a discussion about the classification of the piano – Richard stating it is in fact a percussion instrument thus opening the floodgates of pedantry. Please email us with your pedantic summation of this. Secondly, the man who uses samples of only records that he has bought for a dollar, it's Tim Fite. This track has certainly won over Tobin and he even states that he is Tim Fite's newest and possibly biggest fan. We have the usual music commentary and nonsensical musings to accompany the music that has caught our attention this week. Oh, and did we mention Dude Cervantes is playing on the show?
Creature and the Woods are playing from off of the vinyl this week. In fact, it's a Wax Time Special with Mario Monterosso spinning in the studio as well. We've got two tracks from Creature and the Woods, both off different albums. Firstly, we play Holy Hell off of the beautiful cyan and multicolour spatter vinyl copy of Rise, thanks to Blind Owl Records - you can get your copy here. Secondly, we finish off the show with Two Golden Coins from their J-Tree 4 track EP. It's a beautiful presentation with all 4 songs on side A, side B is completely empty and unusual for that fact.
Our second wax track this week is from old friends Black & Wyatt Records in Memphis. It's the suitably authentic Mario Monterosso with his cover of Steady Girl by The Heathens. Keen eared listeners will recall that this was possibly the first ever garage track ever recorded. Well, here's Mario's take on it, with more than just a smattering of rockabilly vibes.
Of course Jamie provides us with another class track from The Mysterines. We have a belting Listener Recommendation in the form of The Unthanks and their woeful tale of conjugal infidelity. Listener Avenda certainly has excellent taste if this is anything to go by. Tobin has New Music for y'all this week, along with a couple of other tracks from Big Thief and William Tyler. Yeah, it's all good, but it's all about Mario Monterosso and Creature and the Woods spinning on vinyl this week.
Tom Dibb, multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter of merit is bookending the show this week. Live from Grand Chapel Studios. It's a sound of alt-country or could indeed spawn a new genre of Briticana, if that makes any sense. It certainly will once you listen to this aspiring artist. Join us as we head to South East England for the sounds of Tom Dibb.
Tobin becomes tetchy this week as Richard introduces Belbury Poly to the show. Despite Tobin's love of all things literary, he denounces Chanctonbury Rings as a derisory reading of a novel to music. Phillistine that Tobinis, Richard thinks he's completely missed the point. However, to redress the balance, Tobin brings us Lord Cut Glass with his Gaelic lilted vocals and interesting musical phrasing. There is some pronunciation argument here. It's a hands down winner and a firm placement in the FTBOTRB Jukebox of Fame.
New Music Selection Tobin, as ever, painfully dedicated to New Music as he is, brings Storme's latest track to the studio. It's a stark reminder that we aren't in control of our planet as much as we think we are. Jamiroquai wrote about this nearly 30 years ago which raises the question is Storme late to the party. And will her track be anywhere near as influential?
Following on from Richard's personal vinyl party on our Patreon channel where he played the new EP from Squid, we play the excellent track The Cleaner direct from the vinyl in the studio. Become a Patron of the show to hear more from this must-hear band. Another pre-release track from Mike Pope on the show this week, just ahead of eagerly awaited LP later this month. From the impressive stable of Blind Owl Records in San Diego, it's currently our most anticipated recording of 2020.
Finally, vocal melody masterclass is conducted this week by Thao & Mirah. Featured before on the show in an entirely different guise, this track demands attention in a way that few songs have the ability to do. Join us this week as we mine our way to the bottom of the record box.
Godknows Ronnie Jr is our featured artiste this week. Soulful, Rasta vibes from this ultra-talented Zimbabwean now working and living in Cape Town. It's a cover of a classic track originally recorded by a giant. You'll get to know a little bit more about this Zimbabwean musician, comic, actor, host and performing artist later on in the show notes. For now, just listen to that voice and marvel. Bookending the show this week is the mighty Vulfpeck, drawing on such talent as Corey Wong and Blake Mills the band are a monolithic funk force to be reckoned with. They've recently successfully ended a crowd funding event with a nearly 4000% success rate. You can join in the fun and order the Live at Madison Square Garden vinyl package here. UK tour kicking off soon too.
Listener Recommendation extraordinaire We have what is quite simply one of the best Listener Recommendations to date as well on the show. The sublime vocal arresting Fight Like Apes entertain us with a vitriolic tale of a woman scorned. Sadly, Tobin has more than a tale of woe to recount about this excellent band. No longer together for all the wrong reasons, they're another victim of the music industry and its capitalist snake eating its own tale mentality. Where's Peter Grant when you need him?
Complementing the already stellar music on today's show is another cover from Australian surf layabouts Headland. It's a far departure from the original but no worse for it. Withered Hand executes some sombre acoustic wizard and Tobin introduces us to nocturnal music legend NYX Not. So, let's tread quietly, lay low and look across the prairie.
- Rango II Vulfpeck
- Remember Me Godknows Ronnie Jr
- I'm Beginning To Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 To Me Fight Like Apes
- Deaf Forever Headland
- Radio NYX NYX Not
- No Cigarettes Withered Hand
- Animal Spirits Vulfpeck
Godknows Ronnie Jr Right ho, Jamie, our Content Lead has been in touch with Cape Town Sound for more information on Godknows Ronnie Jr but maternity leave and the holiday season has scuppered most of it. So, when we receive more information we'll post it here. In the meantime here's what Cape Town Sound sent us over with the submission.
"Remember Me" - New-comer GODKNOWS RONNIE Jr. debuts with "REMEMBER ME" - a unique interpretation of Rasta legend LUCKY DUBE's mega-smash hit in South Africa. GODKNOWS RONNIE Jr. is from Zimbabwe - now living and working in Cape Town.
Nicole - Cape Town Sound
The best of 2019 round up is finally here! We here at From the Bottom of the Record Box have brought together some of our favourites from the show over the last 12 months. It is nearly an impossible task and there are many tunes that could have easily made the list but for the constraints of time.
We have tried to pick the very best of 2019 and present them to you in a complimentary way. We also announce Listener Recommendation of the Year 2019! So dear listener, get ready for some excellent music as we reveal some amazing tunes in our Best of 2019 playlist.
- Cardboard Man The Cool Greenhouse
- Laundry Room The Avett Brothers
- Major League Chemicals Unknown Mortal Orchestra
- Summer Sickness Shards
- I'm Tired of your Repeating Story Otoboke Beaver
- Hey Beau Dillon
- Simpatico People W.H. Lung
- I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet) Laura Jean Anderson
- Hunnu Guren Batzorig Vaanchig & AULI
- Got So Long Andi Hanley
- Every Loving Herd Does As It Should Mike Pope
- Good Kisser Lake Street Dive
- Roll The Bones Shakey Graves
- Velvet Underground Jonathan Richman
- Around and Down Cool Sounds
- Window Shook Twins
- Captain Remo The Toy Trucks
- Purple Hat Sofi Tukker
- Hollow Spheres Talkboy
OK so that's it for the best of 2019 as presented by From the Bottom of the Record Box. It has been a year of excellent musical discoveries, plus we made tons of new friends along the way. Thanks for all the Listener Recommendations you've all sent in and here's to another year of growth and expansion. Of course, it goes without saying that we are looking forward to another year of sharing music with the world. Happy New Year everyone.
Welcome one and all and Merry Christmas, it's our Christmas Special 2019. Tobin & Richard relax in the studio and play some alternative Christmas gems. As part of putting together this Christmas Special 2019 we have chosen to eschew the usual banal Christmas offerings. Richard and Tobin have gunned down some tunes that will not necessarily feature anywhere else this Christmas. Check out that turkey dinner playlist! There's the usual family disparity and abject dislike from The Therapy Sisters. Tobin once again proclaims that Christmas isn't Christmas without bluegrass with The Clarke Family and he finishes the Christmas Special 2019 with a more traditional feel. In between you'll meet the unlikely bedfellows of William Shatner and Iggy Pop, with some useful insight from a listener. Song introduction maestro Red Simpson is Truckin' Trees for Christmas and dressing up his truck. Yeah, right.
There's much festive music to go at in our Christmas Special 2019 Louis Armstrong offers some traditional vibes and The Waitress along with Devo give us a little alternative Christmas edge. However, without doubt, the stand out track is from Sufjan Stevens this year. So, chuck another log on the fire, wrap up in your scarf and hideous skin tight Christmas jumper and pour yourself something that you'd turn your nose up at any other time of year.
Christmas isn't Christmas without bluegrass
Tobin - From the Bottom of the Record Box
Or, if you're lucky enough to be a listener in more tropical climes, please laugh at us here in the UK who are currently suffering grey skies and wet days, a reality far from the picture postcard utopia. Nevertheless, this is our show and we're determined to enjoy it! Please join us.
- Codependent Christmas The Therapy Sisters
- Deck The Halls/We Wish You A Merry Christmas Christmas Treasures Series & The Clarke Family
- Zat You Santa Claus Louis Armstrong
- Silent Night William Shatner (Feat. Iggy Pop)
- Truckin' Trees For Christmas Red Simpson
- Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses
- Lonely Man of Winter Sufjan Stevens
- Merry Something To You Devo
- In Dulce Jublio Choir of Kings College, Cambridge
John Schooley duets with punk rock harmonica player Walter Daniels in an empty shopping mall. This is Dead Mall Blues and it's one awesome recording. Recorded back in 2014 it features John Schooley on resonator guitar and Walter Daniels on harmonica. It's an eclectic mix up of reworked classic blues tunes from way back. The cover artwork is a collection of photographs of "dead malls". It's really thought provoking and eerie to see the malls with no people milling about in them. It sort of sets the tone for the record really. The music certainly has a haunting quality and a theme of empty space runs through the recording. It was really difficult to pick just one track to feature on today's show, the LP is just brimming with belting tunes. We've been lucky enough to catch up with John Schooley, so read on to find out more about this unique recording and the man himself.
More stuff you'll learn today We're also introducing you to The Rezillos by way of a back to back Double Cover Shot. Two classics from the late '70s punk explosion, but covers of far earlier recordings from the rock 'n' roll era. The Rezillos are touring in the UK during 2020 so if this was for you then get your tickets for their brilliant live shows. Really tight band and still as good as they were back in the day.
New Music from Tobin this week is French for Rabbits which inspires Richard to imagine the day when he might mastermind a supergroup. It's material that you can subscribe to via our Patreon site for just $1 per month. Your generosity would help us continue broadcasting and expanding. Whether or not you donate we are just glad that you are here.
Bookending the show this week is SAULT and they've really got Tobin in a spin. So much so that he's gone right ahead and purchased their two studio releases on vinyl. Sadly, we're not playing off of the vinyl this week, but we will do so in the future without doubt. Toucan and Bones Shake both feature in our ongoing "Guess where the band comes from" game and Tobin fails on both accounts.
BIG NEWS - STOP PRESS We are announcing some big news for From the Bottom of the Record Box on this week's show. So, get your headphones on, ignore the outside world and come on in. Champe Tabluo by Systema Solar set the tone for the announcement, and their Colombian heritage is the perfect stage to break the news.
- Over SAULT
- Champe Tabluo Systema Solar
- Glad All Over The Rezillos
- I Like It The Rezillos
- We Fell For Miles Toucan
- Uncloudy Day John Schooley and Walter Daniels
- C'mon Get It On Bones Shake
- Middle of the House French for Rabbits
- Masterpiece SAULT
John Schooley in his own words I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, and my first musical influences were guitar-based roots music like blues and country music. I later combined this with punk rock when I finally heard it. I've been playing this sort of rock n' roll (for want of a better term) for going on 20 years. My first record was a super lo-fi 45 on Goner Records as a one man band. My first band was the Revelators who had an LP on Crypt Records. That label that put out the Back from the Grave 1960s garage reissues, and bands such as the Gories and Oblivians.
Whilst in the Revelators I was lucky enough to do some touring with R.L. Burnside and T. Model Ford. Luckily I got to play onstage backing up R.L., which was a huge thrill for me as I was (and remain) a big R.L. fan. There are some clips of me playing with R.L. here.
After the Revelators I had three LPs as a one man band on Swiss label Voodoo Rhythm, which had a similar mix of blues, country, and punk rock. There was also other weird shit as we had in the Revelators, except I played all the instruments myself. So I've always had one foot in noisy punk and garage rock, and one in roots based music. Usually, too punk for the roots rockers and too rootsy for the punks!
Europe meets John Schooley One review of my last one man band album described it as "CharliePoole meets Metal Machine Music". I thought that was great, but you can understand it probably has a limited appeal. A radio show in Canada did a whole set of my covers of blues and roots tunes, along with the originals, which I posted on my blog.
I toured a lot in Europe as a one man band as the records, being Swiss imports, were hard to find in the states. So it seems like fewer people in my own country know who I am than in Germany, Holland, or Switzerland. The Revelators actually did a reunion show in Spain two years ago. People there still remember the band. After three one man band LPs I was tired of the one man band setup and wanted to do something different. My newest LP is as Rocket 808, which I would describe as Suicide and Alan Vega solo records meets Link Wray.
Dead Mall Blues - John Schooley & Walter Daniels The Dead Mall Blues album is an acoustic record that I made with Walter Daniels. Walter is a friend I've known for years. We actually first recorded together back in the late 1990s with the Revelators. He's also done records with bands like the Oblivians, and even James Williamson of the Stooges. Walter's 1990s band Jack O' Fire was in the same ballpark as my band the Revelators. They both combined blues and punk rock, which at the time was pretty uncommon. I slept on Walter's floor the first time I came to Austin when on tour, and later ended up moving here.
So, I've been a fan of Walter for ages, and as a punk rock harmonica player, he's a pretty unique musician. Here's Jack O' Fire's version of the Blind Willie McTell tune You Got to Meet Death One Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztQjP-XcvAE Life after Dead Mall Blues After the acoustic record, we did an electric LP with the band name Meet Your Death taken from this song. In 2014 I got a new job that paid a living wage, and my landlord had yet to raise my rent, so I had enough money laying around to do some recording. Walter had never been recorded in an acoustic context, he usually plays feedback-laden electric harmonica. Walter and I were both big fans of acoustic blues and played it a lot, but had never done a record like that. Gerard Cosloy of 12XU records was willing to put it out, for which I am eternally grateful, even though his label did more post-punk stuff and wasn't exactly a blues and roots kinda outfit. I did a post on my blog talking about the records that influenced the album
Even more time had elapsed between 2014 when the Dead Mall Blues album was recorded and the 1960s, when many of the records mentioned in that blog post were made, than had elapsed between the 1960s and when the original blues records were recorded, which was interesting to me. I went with the title Dead Mall Blues because I wanted something contemporary rather than retreading the usual tired blues cliches. Using the mall photos on the cover made me think of the record as being like an acoustic vaporwave album! (Haha)
James Holt and Inez Hargaden are your spotlight artistes this week. Multi-intrumentalist James Holt transcends to Indie-pop greatness with his newest single release Little Green Light. This song has clearly everything it needs to break James Holt into the higher echelons of music makers. In quite stark contrast to James Holt's toe tapping track is the gentle sounds of Inez Hargaden. Inez's bell like clarity vocal delivery with plaintive guitar melodies is reminiscent of faraway singer/songwriter tunes. However, there's a newness and fresh breeze running right the way through her song.
Moving on through the show despite Tobin's hangover, we meet Winston Surfshirt. This causes a sense of disagreement in the studio as the two boys try to reach some common ground. Agreed the title of the band is epic, but the vocals at least cause some division. It's New Music so there's a saving grace that Richard may warm to Winston Surfshirt in future.
Dillon is our bookend artist for this week and opens with the classic tune Hey Beau. Tobin fills in the gaps about this photography student-cum-excellent musician. Furthermore, Tobin introduces us to Sleepertrain which proves so inspirational to Richard that he has gone and listened to the whole EP. In addition to listening to it, he's recommending it. So Tobin has better luck with his music choices this week after surviving a recent grudge match with Richard.
As if that lot wasn't enough to satiate even the most voracious musical appetite, we include Venezuelan legend Daniel Grau. The father of jazzanova is back after a thirty year hiatus with the epic El Magic Mundo de Daniel Grau. Our choice off of this essential recording is Andromeda. Listen to the show to find out what we think of this future classic. Plus, next week we have some very big news to announce on the show. So, settle in with this week's show before the storm arrives.
Phat Phil Cooper has the perfect antidote to the colder months with his Winter Warmers compilation from NuNorthern Soul. It releases December 6th. However, we've been luck enough to have been treated to a prerelease of it and we share a track with you today. It's Phil's edit of a classic B.J. Smith tune. Tobin describes it as "sublime" - listen on to see if you agree. There's so much more to go at in NuNorthern Soul's compilation too, so be sure to check it out fully and give it the time it deserves. It's richly rewarding. Furthermore, we've got music-as-art specialist Alabaster dePlume bookending today's show. Unique is probably the best word to describe this music. Firstly, Alabaster himself forms a new band every month. Secondly, he writes fresh compositions for said band and performs live. After that, the process repeats itself. Such a visionary way to approach music making. Alabaster dePlume is also an artist with a wide range of theatrical talents. Check out his "I was gonna fight racism but…" production below. It went viral for good reason. You can also buy a t-shirt of it it right here - what are you waiting for?
New Music - Talkboy Talkboy is your New Music selection this week and this track is even better than the previous track we played on the show. Hollow Spheres is a triumph and clearly marks out the path toward greatness for Talkboy. Richard proclaims that Talkboy sounds more like U2 than U2! Taken from the recently released Over and Under EP Hollow Spheres is for us the stand out track. It's surely only a matter of time until this is a single release from the EP. Wasting Time has already been released as a single and has featured on our Patreon posts earlier this month. Greatness in store for Talkboy for sure.
In addition, we've got an excellent Cover Shot of Stacy's Mom, originally penned by Fountains of Wayne. Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox gives it a fresh lick of paint and turns an already classic tune into an essential listen. Prepare yourself for the manic mini drum solo about a third of the way in.
Tyler Burns and Remember Sports round out today's show. It's the weekend so relax, grab yourself some "me" time and join us for musical discovery, discussion and commentary. Enjoy.
- Is It Enough? Alabaster dePlume
- Hollow Spheres Talkboy
- You're So Sorry (feat. Addie Pray) Remember Sports
- Way I Feel BJ Smith (Phat Phil Cooper edit)
- Stacy's Mom (feat. Casey Abrams) Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
- Western Country At Night Tyler Burns
- Be Nice To People Alabaster dePlume
Phat Phil Cooper - Winter Warmer compilation With the sweltering summer quickly fading from memory, thoughts quickly turn to frosty winter nights spent reclining by a roaring fire. Ideally with the accompaniment of suitably atmospheric and evocative music. To that end, NuNorthern Soul founder Phat Phil Cooper has trawled through the label’s archives and selected a bumper selection of “winter warmers”. They're guaranteed to provide the perfect soundtrack to snowy walks, crisp autumnal mornings and evenings spent turning the central heating up to the max.
It’s a side of the label’s output that largely gets overlooked. It's thanks to NuNorthern Soul’s association with the sunrise and sunset-ready Balearic movement. Yet as the 13-track selection proves, there’s plenty of languid, hazy and seductive fare. Within the vaults there are evoking mental images of falling autumn leaves, glistening icicles and windswept afternoons outdoors.
Beginning with the atmospheric “Aquapella mix” of Ilija Rudman’s inspired collaboration with soul man Andre Esput, “Tears To Sound”. Phat Phil Cooper gently guides us through a range of slow-motion tracks that variously touch on ambient and kosmiche. There's also slow motion soul, dubbed-out soundscapes, post dubstep beats, intoxicating Indian grooves, pitched-down nu-disco and exotic psychedelic jazz. It’s a selection guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart.
It's one helluva playlist The list of contributors and remixers is impressive. Ambient soundscape hero Jon Tye delivers the shuffling, horizontal heat of “Wind Blows” as Captain Sunshine. After reuniting with his Seahawks band on an undulating, slow burn rework of Dos Palos’s “I’ve Been Around”. Claremont 56 regular Benjamin J Smith is represented by a trio of soft focus cuts. Rich in languid acoustic guitar motifs (one of which has been remixed by Balearic legends A Man Called Adam). Jose Manuel offers up the compilation’s steamiest cut, “Mumbai”.
Elsewhere, Phat Phil Cooper has opted to shine a light on lesser-known talents from the label’s roster. With the cuts by Lowhitey, Ragz Nordset (as remixed by Ghostchant), Abimaro and the Free. Ryo Kawasaki (the off-kilter psch-jazz brilliance of LP standout “Quasar Infection”) being amongst the most potent winter warmers on show.
Want to see in the '20s with Tobin? As we mentioned on the show Tobin is performing at an event on New Years Eve to see in the return of the 20s. In his guise as Professor Gramophone he'll be spinning tracks deep into the early hours. If you want to join him and party like it's the 1920's you can get tickets here. The website has all the information you need on the event and this is what they had to say on the whole affair.
Return of the 20s is a spectacular evening of sensational music and captivating performances. From jazz bands and singers to DJs on gramophones, vintage burlesque, dancing troupes and pop up performances around the venue, there will be plenty to experience. Come dressed to dance and dazzle, mingle and meet characters. At Return of the 20s everyone is a someone, but not everyone or everything is as it seems. Immerse yourself in the unfolding experience and you may even find yourself becoming part of the action.
Elysium Experiences
Vic Mars takes us on a journey of his Inner Roads and Outer Paths this week. It's all very nostalgic and wistful. It's life viewed from a rail carriage. Think of endless summers, grass stains on your knees and collecting bugs in a jar. Now try to imagine how that might sound and you've pretty much landed in the world of Vic Mars. Tobin remarked that it was a very subtle way to open the show, and he'd be right. However, therein lies the beauty of Vic Mars' music; subtlety. Initially then, the show's bookend is all about the English countryside, however, we've much more than this. Firstly, Tobin has brought us another cracking Cover Shot that gives us the dilemma of which is better, the cover or the original. It's an epic jam that takes in more than one track and is an ambitious recording to say the least. It even sparked interest in Richard's youngest son, who went on to demonstrate his alarming dance skills. Secondly, Tobin also has a Record Box Classic with a melody line par excellence. And, that's exactly why it's a classic.
New Music Infuriatingly omitted vowels spell out the track from Illuminati Hotties today. You can join their label subscription for as little as $6 per month. You'll get instant music - over 29 tracks - and you'll be happy in the knowledge that your wonga is going to help some decent folk. Check it out here. The song itself sounds somewhat juvenile, but there's a river of benign aggression running all the way underneath it. To be honest, it's a great listen and attracts little, if any, criticism. Apart from the title of course.
- A Nest in the Warehouse Roof Vic Mars
- Harder Better Faster Stronger The Traffic
- The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
- PPL PLZR Illuminati Hotties
- Know Where Dead Sea
- Mad World Tears for Fears
- Hedgerows and Conservation Vic Mars
Vic Mars is a compelling listen - Inner Roads and Outer Paths This LP from Vic Mars is largely greater than the sum of its parts. Is it minimalist? We're not sure. Gut feeling is no. Is it great music? Yes. It's captivating on more than one level at least. The cover artwork is expansive and full of perspective. So that's the menu that has you salivating and wanting to taste the food right? It's also gorgeously presented on what Clay Pipe Records describes as "transparent blue vinyl". This description is incorrect, and incorrect in a good way. We would describe the vinyl as more dark turquoise, maybe even lapis lazuli, with a slight smokey marbling. It's truly breathtaking. Quite unlike any other coloured vinyl we've seen. When sat on the Technics it takes on a thick opaque look which is likewise beautiful.
Also, the cover is printed on uncoated board giving a very tactile feel. It's excellently printed, as is the inner sleeve which contains credits and track listing. As a bonus, we received two download vouchers in our copy! Deliciously different. In summation, a phenomenal product. But what's the music like?
The soundscape of Vic Mars If you check out the reverse of the cover of this LP you are looking through the broken glass of a church window onto the landscape peppered with the odd pebbledash bungalow. And that's how this whole LP feels, like you're peering into the world of Vic Mars from a secretive vantage point. It's easy to hear the influences of the 1980s recording equipment that was used in the production of this. Everything is so very retrospective but yet feels forward looking at the same time.
Vic Mars has conjured up a very British, nay English, scene here and has managed to monumentally express it musically. A photograph, made out of recorders, 80's keys and school glockenspiels. A remarkable achievement and one worth gracing any music aficionado's vinyl crates. But go ahead and do it soon. This pressing is limited to 700 and all are hand numbered. Ours is number 91/700.
Hackney Colliery Band kick off our show this week with a double cover shot bookend. Both songs were massive hits during the 90s, and they are performed beautifully. Hackney Colliery Band do intimate justice to a couple of 90s bangers this week - it's a mammoth task. What impresses us here at Record Box HQ about these tracks is the work that has gone into them. Yeah, get 4 guys or gals with guitars and drums and you can cover songs. It's easy enough. But for a brass band it's so much more difficult. You're all of a sudden no longer covering the song. Firstly, you're arranging the song for a brass band. Secondly, you have to think about the dynamics of the sound. It's mega really, and that's why Hackney Colliery Band are bookending today. Throat singing makes a welcome return to the show as the modern day Robert Johnson performs Cape Cod Girls. Now, that is a bold statement but just stick around and listen to Baby Gramps and you'll get it. Bashing away at his trusty National steel guitar and killing every nerve ending in his throat, its a mesmerising performance. And moreover it's Pirate Music! Zooluxx play a pre-release on the show too, a good 2 months plus before it's released. Regular listeners will have already heard Zooluxx on previous shows and will well know what to expect. Zooluxx deliver, sonic vibes and dirty vox. It's all so god darned American and Wild West Psychadelia at its best. Plus there's more choice music here, so dive right in.
Track Listing 1. Under The Bridge Hackney Colliery Band 2. Just A Little Bit Zooluxx 3. That Old Black Magic Green Book (original motion picture soundtrack) 4. No Other Like You Kate Bollinger 5. Holy Ghost Fire Paul Cauthen 6. Cape Cod Girls Baby Gramps 7. No Diggity Hackney Colliery Band
Hackney Colliery Band - in their own words... Since the release of Hackney Colliery Band’s debut album in 2011, they have blown their way into the public consciousness. Their genre-bending combination of brass, reeds and percussion established themselves as one of the most exciting bands in the UK.
Performing at numerous venues, festivals and clubs around the world, including a show at the Scala as part of the London Jazz Festival. Hackney Colliery Band have also been busy in the studio. Developing a more mature and polished sound, they are pleased to announce the release of new album ‘Collaborations: Volume One’ . It's their first new material since the critically-acclaimed ‘Sharpener’ in 2016.
It’s already been an incredible journey for this talented group of musicians. HCB have played a 45-minute set at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and sets at the MOBO, Brit and Mercury Awards. Also, live sessions on BBC Two, BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM and worldwide airplay from many more. They have collaborations with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Madness. To add, they have sold out venues across London including KOKO and The Forum, to a European tour. Hackney Colliery Band have not stopped.
It’s hard to believe that 2019 is our tenth anniversary. Now we’re ten years older it felt like the right time to get back to our jazz roots. It’s been a privilege to work with so many of our musical inspirations both old and new. And we’re super excited to be ushering in the next ten years with this new collaborative spirit.
Steve Pretty - bandleader
LISTEN TO MEMPHIS RADIO STATION WEVL NOW! JEREMY SCOTT FOREVER. Collaborations - Hackney Colliery Band Featuring collaborations with a host of key names in jazz and world music. Amongst others the father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astatke, British jazz funk legend James Taylor, trombonist Dennis Rollins, UK saxophonist Pete Wareham and Beninese singer-songwriter and Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo. Hackney Colliery Band have effortlessly transformed their explosive live energy into 11 original recordings that push the groove and form.
On ‘Collaborations: Volume One’, writers Pretty, Blackman and Christie have between them penned the outfit's most dynamic material to date. ‘Mm Mm’ (feat. Angélique Kidjo and Roundhouse Choir) merges Beninese grooves with wah pedal trumpet textures. The rousing call-and-response between Kidjo’s soaring vocal and the exhilarating choir adds a richness and depth to the composition.
Words © Hackney Colliery Band - read more
This week we plumb the depths of the family playlist and unearth two blinders. The eponymous Pool Hall Richard and Tobin respectively. Richard has been spoilt somewhat in the family playlist as there are some excellent tracks out there with Richard in the title. And Pool Hall Richard is no exception. However, Tobin finds the similarity in characters astonishing, and obnoxious. To be honest, it's an unlikely enough event to even have found a track entitled Tobin. Moreover, he actually stars twice in the family playlist, but that's for another episode of the show. It's a bit of a bloodbath this week on the show as the ever combative Richard doesn't mince his words at some of Tobin's tracks. Both Cigarettes After Sex and Party Pupils and MAX come into Richard's firing line. But that's in stark contrast to the universal appeal of Pueblo Café; dirty and often comical street music with mariachi and New Orleans jazz flavours, it's an excellent listen. Pueblo Café means that we haven't quite lost Tobin just yet to the murky depths of electronic pop epic fails. He's still a good snout.
Canadian retro rockers release new LP Mumford and Sons evil twin The Dead South have just released their new studio LP Sugar and Joy and we dive in for a listen. Richard has stolen Tobin's thunder on this quite by accident and serves up his choice, Blue Trash. It's more or less a certainty that Tobin will revisit this LP in the future after he's had adequate time to digest it. Other than that, Noah makes the cut with an unpronounceable song title (unless of course you can speak Japanese, which we cannot). Check out the playlist to test your knowledge.
Track Listing 1. Pool Hall Richard Faces 2. Todo Mi Vida Pueblo Café 3. Falling In Love Cigarettes After Sex 4. Blue Trash The Dead South 5. Love Me For The Weekend (with Ashe) Party Pupils and MAX 6. メルティン・ブルー Noah 7. Tobin Ben Nichols
Pool Hall Richard - what a track! One of The Faces' lesser known tracks, Pool Hall Richard wasn't a particularly great commercial success. Written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood in 1973, it was released as a single with Motown song I Wish It Would Rain on the B side. In fact, it even pictured a photo of Ronnie Lane on the cover despite him neither playing bass or providing backing vocals on it. He had left the band prior to this song being recorded to form The Bump Band.
It's always really good to see Rod and Ronnie playing and singing together. They have such a great rapport on stage and completely dominate the band. Fresh from The Jeff Beck Band they joined Ronnie Lane's The Small Faces and became simply The Faces. All done by 1975, the band split and Ronnie famously joined The Rolling Stones and Rod went solo. The rest is rock 'n' roll history folks.
unremarkable
Stephen Thomas Erlewine - AllMusic critic
Banal fact: Pool Hall Richard was actually covered by The Butchers on their 2000 release Familiar Faces - A Tribute To Rod Stewart and The Faces.
Further suspect analysis of Pool Hall Richard Unfortunately Tobin managed to draw much similarity between the protagonist and Richard himself. "Obnoxious" was the term of endearment he chose to employ. Pool Hall Richard with his yellow carnation and pink satin shoes is a worthy mentor for any young player we think. Described as having dirty hands but a clean scent, his reputation is massive and his demeanour slightly obscene. Richard clearly thinks these are more than attainable attributes and describes trying to hustle a friend many years ago.
There'll be more from the family playlist in the future. Tobin by Ben Nichols also features in today's show. What a shame that Ben Nichols irritates Tobin so much with his vocal style. The track should be a joyous event for Tobin but alas has become something of an albatross.
Lee Michaels is very much our concentration point this week. However, with the seasons changing its now a fitting time to play Twain. Very much autumnal in feel, the indie folk outfit are our bookending buccaneers this week. Tobin has expert pedigree in delivering New Music nuggets, so we very much look forward to Twain. Plus we'll learn more about Lee Michaels and his plagiarism battle later on.
Tobin once again plays his guessing game music shenanigans with The Marcus King Band. Such a full and mature sounding frontman it's hard to imagine. Quite obviously steeped in blues heritage Marcus King delivers by the bucket load and foxes Richard. New Music this week is curated by Richard as Tobin once again jets around Europe without such a thought for souvenirs or cheap, awful booze reminders. And as such, Richard brings us Chromatics' cover of one of Simon and Garfunkel's most well loved songs. It's eerie, it's cold, haunting and steeped in retrospective vibes.
Record Box Classic As Long As I Can See The Light is belted out by John Fogarty, one of the greatest vocalists in rock history. Arguably one of Creedence Clearwater Revival's lesser known hits it remains one of Rock and Roll's finest moments. Join us, especially younger listeners to discover a legendary recording. Rounding all of this off is the Young MC 1989 classic Principal's Office and the song that inspired the samples therein, and the legal battle that ensued. Enter Lee Michaels.
- Death (or S.F.) Twain
- Rita Is Gone The Marcus King Band
- The Sound Of Silence Chromatics
- Principal's Office Young MC
- Who Could Want More Lee Michaels
- Long As I Can See The Light Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Solar Pilgrim Twain
Lee Michaels - just keys and drums, that's all Noted for his powerful and soulful voice Lee Michaels was an unusual act. His choice of Hammond organ accompanied in the main by only a drummer it gained him some notoriety in the Californian music scene in the late 1960s. He sometimes also played piano or guitar. However, it was for his virtuosic and energetic style of Hammond organ playing that he will best be remembered for.
the ultimate power organist
Sounds Magazine
Lee Michaels began his career with The Sentinals, a surf-style band that also contained drummer Johnny Barbata. Barbata later went on to play with The Turtles and later Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. Lee Michaels also played as a session musician with Jimi Hendrix. When he left The Sentinals he joined Johny Barbata with the group The Joel Scott Hill Trio, led by guitarist Joel Scott Hill. He later moved to San Francisco and cut his first solo album in 1967 with A&M Records - Carnival of Life. A crucial turning point in this story.
His bare bones performances of just a Hammond organ and "Frosty" (Bartholomew Eugene Smith-Frost - strangely sharing the same middle name of Eugene as Lee Michaels) on drums. Frosty's bare handed technique was also unusual and proved to be an inspiration to John Bonham. After cutting his first LP with A&M Records Lee Michaels went mainly unnoticed in the music industry. That is until his fifth LP arrived - entitled 5th. Lee Michaels finally achieved commercial success and recorded another 2 LPs with A&M. Michaels moved to Columbia Records in 1973 but failed to generate a repeat of his success with A&M.
Later career By the end of the 1970s Lee Michaels had more or less retired from the music industry. However, several rights usage disputes arose in the early 1990s after A&M granted licenses to Delicious Vinyl for Young MC to use samples from several of Michaels' tracks. After regaining full rights to his music from A&M, Lee Michaels granted licenses to Rhino Records to release several of his LPs over the years. In February 2016 Manifesto Records released his entire A&M recordings on vinyl.
Toy Trucks kick of the show this week for a Wax Time Special where Richard plays 3 tracks from direct off the vinyl. Further to this, Richard has the pleasure of being in conversation with Jeremy Scott, lead singer and guitarist with The Toy Trucks. Jeremy is a likeable and laid back gent who effortlessly lets the conversation roll about the band.
Richard is also curating New Music this week, bringing back Sports Team to the show. The Jaggeresque Alex Rice reminds us why guitar bands work. Excellent music and lyrical jokers Sports Team make a welcome return to form and impress the hell out of Tobin. Speaking of whom, he brings us Meg Myers with her high-school indie rocker Lemon Eyes. It's easy to get lost in its crashing guitar sounds. And Tobin is indeed master of sounds this week. He brings us some Cool Sounds straight out of Australia.
Cool Sounds' latest LP is a massive hit with us here at Record Box HQ. Richard has been intermittently spinning this with Rockets, Bells and Poetry all week. All that's left is Tobin's Double Record Box Classic - it's his Nana exclusive 2-track playlist. It's the infectious sample-based early 90s classic by Chad Jackson and then something as suggested by his Grandmother. The Benny Goodman Orchestra featuring Peggy Lee remind us where pop music really started. Let's dive in.
Track Listing 1. Don't Be So Easy The Toy Trucks 2. Lemon Eyes Meg Myers 3. Captain Remo The Toy Trucks 4. Fishing Sports Team 5. Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked) Chad Jackson 6. Why Don't You Do It Right Benny Goodman & His Orchestra feat. Peggy Lee 7. Around And Down Cool Sounds 8. Show You Love The Toy Trucks
The Toy Trucks - as described by their label Here's what Black & Wyatt Records, Memphis-based record label has to say about The Toy Trucks:
The Toy Trucks are collectively 180+ years old. They are fueled by equal parts cheap beer, cheap thrills and Cheap Trick. Over the band’s multi-year existence, songwriter/leader Jeremy Scott has developed an “anything but another crappy love song” ethos. This has resulted in the songs on the band’s first full-length, Rockets Bells and Poetry. (“We stole the title from Mama Cass Elliott,” Scott explains.)
Over the course of said album, the band prove conversant with, among other things, Rascals-like blue-eyed grooves (Don’t Be So Easy. Along with grisly true crime balladry (57 Bayview), updated Del Shannonesque psychodrama (Hot Tears). And there's honest flat out rock and roll (I’m on the Dish But I Ain’t No Rag). This LP is both a stand-alone statement and a teaser for the band’s revved up live show. Rockets Bells and Poetry should satisfy anyone’s rock/garage/power-pop itch quite nicely.
The Toy Trucks deliver stomping pop flavours on debut platter
The Memphis Flyer
Further praise from The Memphis Flyer Jeremy Scott is familiar to any fan of Memphis music. He has played in the original Reigning Sound and groups backing Harlan T. Bobo and Dan Montgomery.
Although his ensemble playing reveals a fine sense of playing at the service of the song, it's barely offered a glimpse of his songwriting talents. For a time, he led the Wallendas, which also included longtime guitar ace Jim Duckworth, but that was ancient history in pop terms, and never resulted in a full length release.
Nonetheless, as Scott's Sunday night DJ slot on WEVL makes clear, he is steeped in the history of pop and rock, old and new, and something was bound to come of it. Now, with his band The Toy Trucks making their debut, rockets bells and poetry (Black & Wyatt), we can finally hear all that cumulative experience blossom into some fine material.
Read the full article
Memphis combo The Toy Trucks... Led by ex-Reigning Sound member Jeremy Scott, the group — which also includes guitarist Dylan Cranmer, bassist Ryno Hanson and drummer Steve Barnat — have crafted a killer full-length debut for the local Black and Wyatt label that bears the influence of everything from Del Shannon to the Rascals, from garage to punk to power pop and beyond.
Commercial Appeal
FTBOTRB review of Rockets, Bells and Poetry Visceral. Well, you have been warned in the opening track that there is a distinct possibility you may get disemboweled. It's a raucous and driven way to open this excellent LP from the Memphis circuit's cheap beer driven rockers. However, you're in for quite a ride with Rockets, Bells and Poetry, it's not all balls out rocking. There's the self-effacing heart string plucker Show You Love which plays out the show this week. The whole sound of this LP is one of transition and exploration. The quite carnival-like C D B gives way to the anthemic Hot Tears without so much as a warning.
Despite band leader Jeremy Scott professing the band is past its sell by date this recording is much more than that. Its freshness belies Jeremy's statement and one can only wonder how much that tongue in cheek comment actually influences the bands' sound. It is boyish, scruffy and offers more than an occasional sense of childlike wonderment. Much can be learnt from a few listens of this new offering from The Toy Trucks, such as punk glockenspiel. You may never have been touched by it before, but from now on you'll never be untouched. Excellent and rewarding music from past-it rockers who are only just beginning their journey. FTBOTRB official verdict: essential listening.
It's all about Zooluxx this week. Psychedelic gunslingers straight from the Los Angeles Music scene and recording on the Blind Owl Records label. Zooluxx really do take us to Different Planets. This week Richard is In Conversation with founder of the label and frontman of Mrs Henry, Dan Cervantes. We discuss the label in general and some of its roster, including Zooluxx and Mike Pope among others. Dan Cervantes is down to earth and enthusiastic. Richard and Dan also touch on Mrs Henry's rendition of The Last Waltz and the documentary it spawned.
Tobin is bookending the show this week with oddly named The Japanese House. Rarely to be outwitted, Richard delves into the research books and unearths the story behind the name. But what does Richard really think about The Japanese House? Listen on to find out more. Also in Tobin's sights this week is another of his favourite "guess where this band is from" spins. Nérija do sound cool and very sexy indeed, can Richard rise to the challenge? Tobin tops it all off with Maye and her New Music release Tú. Originally broadcast on our Patreon channel 3 weeks ago, Maye finally makes it onto the show.
Blodwyn Pig tease us with a comedic intro. Finally, Richard introduces the Family Playlist and dives right in with the classic Russian Circles track, Ethel. Good old auntie Ethel.
Track Listing 1. Face Like Thunder The Japanese House 2. Different Planets Zooluxx 3. Riverfest Nérija 4. The Change Song Blodwyn Pig 5. Ethel Russian Circles 6. Tú Maye 7. Saw You In A Dream The Japanese House
Zooluxx - two EP's coming January 2020
We call our music jazzadelic space groove, it's heavy funk.
Zooluxx frontman Troy Vincent
He's talking about Zooluxx, the psychedelic, genre-crossing band he shares with bassist Ned Casual, drummer Princess Frank, and percussionist Bertie Paradise. Formed in Los Angeles from the ashes of a locally-beloved blues outfit, Zooluxx makes raw, rhythmic music that nods to the band's influences — including 1960s rock & roll, electric blues, Parliament Funkadelic, Curtis Mayfield, and Afrobeat — while still sounding fresh and feral. It's spontaneous dance music rooted in grooves and guitars, both modern in its explosively eclectic approach and proudly old-school in its reverence for analog sound.
Appropriately, the guys sharpened the edges of their acclaimed live show with a weekly residency at Good Times at Davey Wayne's, a 1970s-themed bar in the middle of chic Hollywood. The place was an oddly fitting home for Zooluxx, whose songs mixed vintage cool with contemporary kick. Every Monday night for five years, Troy and Ned would hit the stage, piecing together their band's unique sonic stomp — as well as their ideal lineup — while members of the Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Paul McCartney and U2 circulated throughout the audience. It was a proper scene, with Zooluxx's co-founders serving as the ringleaders.
New releases for 2020 Ghetto Starship was released in June 2019, introducing Zooluxx's sound to those who had yet to catch the band in concert. Recorded to analog tape on Lynyrd Skynyrd's old API console in San Diego, the EP found the guys working with Karl Denson, a multi-instrumentalist and producer who currently tours as a member of the Rolling Stones. Arriving less than a year later, the follow-up EP Just a Little Bit shines a light on the spontaneity of a Zooluxx gig, even kicking off with an improvisational jam called Golden Gun Blues. With its mix of raw energy, sharp songcraft, and uplifting lyrics, Just a Little Bit will be released next year by Blind Owl both digitally and on vinyl on January 31st, with Ghetto Starship as the B-Side on the vinyl release.
Words courtesy of Blind Owl Records - click here for more
Slaves are our New Music shot this week whilst Tobin has been out of the UK. Be prepared for some outlandish British punk at full volume. We'll find out more about Slaves and their take on modern day punk later in the show. Of course, you could have heard this New Music weeks ago when it was released. Just become a patron of the show. Find out more here about how just $1 a month could secure you New Music every week. Plus, you get a warm feeling inside knowing that you are helping to support the show.
Along with Slaves, we've got a spectacular Beatles cover, which Richard argues is actually better than the original. Drown in Daisy DeBolt's lusciously imploring vocal lines as she weaves her way around Allan Fraser's linchpin melody. Arguably Canada's greatest band never to have made it, this track is an essential listen. Coming hot on its heels is the cracker from Dialgo. We discuss Stranger Things, coke bottle green vinyl and Richard's continued avoidance of modern TV culture. It's Jazzamatazz, it's slick and it's something you should be getting onboard with. Tom Misch watch out.
Andrew Bird brings some Father John Misty-like vibes and inspires us with the whistled melody lines. It's something of a conversation starter. We ruminate on the possibility of showcasing more tunes where whistling the melody line is of high prevalence.
Woodstock - our continuing fascination with Yasgur's farm Ten Years After, fronted by epic axe-man Alvin Lee own the stage in this weeks vinyl play. Such a staggering performance from UK-born Alvin who knows his way around Gibson's Big Red. Aside from his lightning fast fret-work, Alvin chugs away at some fat, gorgeous sounding chords. In the unlikely event that you've never heard this, please don't listen to it if you intend to drive or operate heavy machinery. It's a narcotic set. You'll be left high as a kite.
So that's it? Not really, we discuss Tobin's recent holiday, how we wasted most of the week drinking and playing board games. Chess and Settlers of Catan (Seafarers and Cities and Knights variant with Oil Springs scenario) - all very dull really. However, join us as we stumble through our weekly studio time arrangement. And get in touch, we love Listener Suggestions, or just ask us for a shout out.
(function(t,e,i,d){var o=t.getElementById(i),n=t.createElement(e);o.style.height=90;o.style.width=728;o.style.display='inline-block';n.id='ibb-widget',n.setAttribute('src',('https:'===t.location.protocol?'https://':'http://')+d),n.setAttribute('width','728'),n.setAttribute('height','90'),n.setAttribute('frameborder','0'),n.setAttribute('scrolling','no'),o.appendChild(n)})(document,'iframe','ibb-widget-root-1467341403',"banners.itunes.apple.com/banner.html?partnerId=&aId=1010lStF&bt=catalog&t=catalog_white&id=1467341403&c=gb&l=en-GB&w=728&h=90&store=appleMusic");
- Put Me Back Together Nervous Twitch
- I'm Going Home Ten Years After
- Don't Let Me Down Fraser and DeBolt
- Demerara Dialgo
- One More Day Won't Hurt Slaves
- Sisyphus Andrew Bird
- Bad Reputation Nervous Twitch
(function(t,e,i,d){var o=t.getElementById(i),n=t.createElement(e);o.style.height=90;o.style.width=728;o.style.display='inline-block';n.id='ibb-widget',n.setAttribute('src',('https:'===t.location.protocol?'https://':'http://')+d),n.setAttribute('width','728'),n.setAttribute('height','90'),n.setAttribute('frameborder','0'),n.setAttribute('scrolling','no'),o.appendChild(n)})(document,'iframe','ibb-widget-root-1316558546',"banners.itunes.apple.com/banner.html?partnerId=&aId=1010lStF&bt=catalog&t=catalog_white&id=1316558546&c=gb&l=en-GB&w=728&h=90&store=appleMusic");
Slaves - Greetings from the Velvet Ditch So Slaves are a British punk duo hailing out of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Undoubtedly the punk capitol of the UK! Musicians Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman make up Slaves since their formation in 2012. Slaves released their first single in early 2014, the wonderfully titled Where's Your Car Debbie? Firstly, it's a punk thrash affair very much in the vain of the vintage 3-chord style. Secondly, the song deconstructs half way through. The protagonist is clearly worried and just really wants Debbie to get her car!
Following the success of this they played on Jools Holland's Later… and were nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2015. Currently Slaves have 3 LP's released as well as the 4-track EP we play off today. We highly recommend the track When Will I Learn from off of that EP. It didn't make the show because of its explicit content, but it is a great listen. Go ahead and listen on Apple Music.
People being silly Slaves have continued to attract controversy with the accusation that their name is racially insensitive. Allegedly their "white background" is further proof of this. Grow up everyone. Slaves are a great band writing and recording great punk music. Their unique and colourful take on the current music scene should be relished, not discourage. Let's focus an that, the music that Slaves are creating instead of trying to find a way of being "offended". Slaves, 9 out of 10 from FTBOTRB. Well done lads, you've made people sit up and start listening again.
Our band name relates to people not being in control of their day to day lives. Slaves was our way of getting off the paths we didn’t want to walk down anymore. The music we make is motivational and aimed at people personally as well as collectively.
Laurie Vincent & Isaac Holman - Slaves
Sofi Tukker forms the back half of Tobin's excellent New Music Double Header this week. This American musical duo follows hard-to-beat tune Dennis from Liverpool's very own Pizzagirl. However, Sofi Tukker manage to pull a blinder and get straight to the back of the net with Purple Hat. Listen on for a truly epic listen. It's an official From the Bottom of The Record Box (Music Discovery Podcast) Recommendation.
Tobin also brings us a Listener Recommendation from "that" Jamie as once again Jamie unleashes his vast musical knowledge on us. In much the same vein that Spike from the Bearded Pig Forge brought us Batzorig Vaanchig, Jamie also brings us Mongolian throat singing. It's the belligerent war-like swagger of Altan Urag. A future gaming top ten hit in the making we predict.
Secondly, Richard is on all pre-release mission this week. He's got three tracks off of The Claim's new LP - The New Industrial Ballads. Two up at the top of the show, and the retro narrative classic 30 Years at the bottom of the show.
Introducing Blind Owl Records Richard is also playing tracks off his current favourite spin The Ripening by Mike Pope. Mike is a stalwart of the San Diego music scene and has an album in the wings. Scheduled for release in early 2020, The Ripening is coming out of the Blind Owl Records stable. Formed in 2012 by Mrs Henry frontman and all-round rock 'n' roll nice guy Dan Cervantes, Blind Owl Records is a community driven label. Blind Owl also puts out film and literature as well as music. Mrs Henry are undoubtedly best known for their rockumentary on their performance of the whole The Last Waltz gig by The Band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPXTKhGuR2I Track Listing 1. Johnny Kidd's Right Hand Man/Under Canvas The Claim 2. Every Loving Herd Does As It Should Mike Pope 3. Dennis Pizzagirl 4. Purple Hat Sofi Tukker 5. Mother Mongolia Altan Urag 6. 30 Years The Claim 7. Homonculus/Ain't It Strange Mike Pope
Sofi Tukker at One Colorado Old Pasadena - Photo © Justin Higuchi Sofi Tukker at One Colorado Old Pasadena - Photo © Justin Higuchi
What do we know about Sofi Tukker? Not to be confused with Sophie Tucker - Last of the Red Hot Mamas - Sofi Tukker is an American musical duo. Based in New York the band consists of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. Perhaps best known for the song Best Friend (which Apple used during their unveiling of iPhone X) Sofi Tukker have delivered again here. Hawley-Weld, a native Canadian, schooled in Europe at the United Word College of the Adriatic whilst her counterpart is a Boxing Day baby from Massachusetts.
They first met at an art gallery where Sophie was performing. Tucker approached her and a song writing partnership ensued. Sofi Tukker released their first EP only 3 years ago, its title drawing on inspiration from the poet Mary Oliver. "You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves" gives Sofi Tukker the EP title Soft Animals. Their single release from that EP, Drinkee is again poet inspired. The Brazilian poet Chacal is indeed the source of this and was nominated for a 2017 Grammy for Best Dance Recording.
It seems that poets and Apple are recurrent themes in Sofi Tukker's timeline. The clean version of their track Batshit (entitled That's It [I'm Crazy]) was used by Apple for their iPhone 8 TV advertising.
Treehouse Treehouse is their only studio LP to date, released a little over a year ago, on April 13th 2018. Paste Magazine described the LP as "an insatiable dance collection of jungle-pop songs with many well-executed nods towards Brazilian instruments, poets and to the national language, Portuguese".
The songs on Sofi Tukker's Treehouse are alternately playful and sincere, intimate and global. Though Sofi Tukker's mélange of disparate sounds and influences - bossa-nova rhythms, cowbells, castanets, and spaghetti-western guitars - lends Treehouse an air of worldly sophistication, Hawley-Weld and Halpern never take themselves or their music too seriously. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.
Slant Magazine
Welcome to the show this week where we introduce you to Tina-Marie. Her music is low-key, it's funky, smooth, sexy and very cool. We're lucky enough to be able to share this with our listenership around the globe and we hope you enjoy her slick and enticing groove. But it's not all about Tina-Marie in the show, Tobin has a choral delight that is sure to blow off your socks. OK, we get it, you're turned off by the word choral right? Well don't be - this is modern, engaging vocal work by Shards. It's a world away from the dusty halls of any long since forgotten congregation and eschews children with bowl cuts in matching cassocks. It's eerily cold, spacious and at the same time joyous to listen to. From the cool grooves of Tina-Marie we move seamlessly to the dark, Americana, alt country sounds of Brown Bird. Sadly Brown Bird are no more as founder David Lamb passed away in 2014 from leukaemia. However, his wife Morgan Eve Swain carried on the legacy and formed her new band, The Huntress and Holder of Hands. Coincidentally, speaking of David Lamb's passing, we learnt at the time of recording of the death of Daniel Johnston. Daniel was a monolith in modern music, had a family connection with us and delighted more people on earth than he would ever know. We've played him on the show before and you can hear him here and on a Wax Time Special here.
Tina-Marie - Capetown, Wintergreen - Manchester Wintergreen, a couple of more than decent Manchester lads bring us the notion of clockwork mice. Oscillators, sequencers and laptops feel in stark contrast to the summery vibes that Capetown has delivered today. However, Wintergreen have a timeless feel that will probably happen to Tina-Marie as well. Listen to Gravi-T in 15 years and we're certain that it will have lost none of it's appeal. In fact, on the contrary. Tina-Marie's track is likely to become a staple listen. We can only look forward to her next release with much relish.
Did we mention New Music? No? OK, so Pip Blom are featured in Tobin's New Music Shot this week, although you could have had it here 3 weeks ago when it was über-fresh. Firmly off the leash, Tobin also sees fit to bring us another track from one of his favourite genres - electro swing!
- Summer Sickness Shards
- Bilgewater Brown Bird
- Freckles Pip Blom
- Gravi-T Tina-Marie
- Fel Del Av Garden Movits!
- Clockwork Mice Wintergreen
- Find Sound Shards
What Capetown Sound has to say about Tina-Marie Our friends over at Capetown Sound introduced Tina-Marie to the show. She was a big hit here at Record Box HQ and easily made the cut for the show. We didn't have much information on Tina-Marie so Nicole at Capetown Sound sent us the following information. It's short but sweet, as sweet as Tina-Marie's voice.
Born and bred in Cape Town, Tina-Marie has been singing and composing since a very young age. She has worked with Nic Hazell, Patric van Blerk and Paul Petersen. Tina has performed with Zolani from Freshlyground years ago, singing Paradise Road. Influenced greatly by Sade, Meschell n D'Degeo Cello, Café Del Mar, Soul Candi and other lounge artists. Finds herself working closely with Wendy Oldfield as producer and Paola de Vito as manager.
Want to get social with Tina-Marie?
Become a Patron of the show https://youtu.be/rwvUjAv6pxg Become a patron of the show for as little as $1 a month
Tinariwen are today's Triple Bookend! Tuareg musicians par excellence - they take us on a transcendental trip deep into the Western Saharan desert night. And what a trip it is. With guesting musicians from the annals of rock history and traditional Mauritanian folk masters. This double LP release that is only a couple of weeks old is a must-have for any record collector. Richard presents 3 tracks of his choice from that release, Amadjar. Released on double 180g premium vinyl in a gatefold sleeve with additional 28pp road trip booklet AND digital download, order here.
As if the sonic landscape created by Tinariwen was not enough Tobin brings us a 52 year old Record Box Classic. Despite the difficulties recording this in the studio it's a cracking listen. In fact, it acts beautifully as a Record Box Classic. In so much that you've not heard it for ages but it sounds brilliant. Go right on ahead and listen, you'll understand what we are saying.
In addition to this, we have New Music from Ayelle where we all get a bit confused about what she is actually singing about. Crabs? Cycle paths? Eh? Yeah, it's a real fun listen and you could have heard it 3 weeks ago if you were a patron of the show. Want to get involved? Get some deep personal enlightenment right here. Furthermore Tobin lifts the lid on Caamp's new LP and Richard adds some cautionary listening advice. It's a great new release but comes with a caveat.
- Zawal Tinariwen
- After The Rain Kyson
- Tramp Carla Thomas & Otis Redding
- Kel Tinawen Tinariwen
- Psychopaths Ayelle
- Penny, Heads Up Caamp
- Madjam Mahilkamen Tinariwen
A very British problem This is a bit embarrassing, and we don't like to ask. However, we've had to renew our music licence this week and it has more than doubled in price! That means that it is going to cost us twice as much to broadcast for the coming 12 months. It'd be great to feel your support dear listener, for only $1 a month you could help us cover this increase. If only a small fraction of our listeners could get to a $1 a month pledge we'd be more than buoyant. Please help us continue broadcasting. In return, we will email you a New Music Shot mini show every week where Tobin offers you his musical selection for the week. It's exclusive and only for people like you who contribute to our success.
Go ahead, click below to help us out Tinariwen - true rock 'n' roll rebels Well right off the bat, friend of the show Will has been in touch with us to tell us his best mate used to work at a record label and worked with Tinariwen at said label! There you are, a personal Listener Recommendation if ever there was one. But there's more…
Tinariwen (meaning "deserts") were founded in 1979 in Algeria by Ibrahim Ag Alhabib who aged 4 witnessed the execution of his father. His father was a Tuareg rebel and was killed in a 1963 uprising in Mali. Tinariwen returned to Mali in the 1990s after a ceasefire. Ibrahim Ag Alhabib was influenced by a movie he saw as a young child which featured a cowboy playing a guitar.
Ag Alhabib built his own guitar out of a plastic water can, a stick and some fishing wire
Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni
In the late 70's Ag Alhabib joined with other members of the rebel Tuareg community. The band began to explore Morroccan folk music and Algerian pop music. They began to fuse this with more western sounds like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana et al. The music collective used to play at weddings and other social gatherings, and whilst not having an official name people came to know them Kel Tinariwen. This translates in the local Tamashek language as "People of the Desert" or "The Desert Boys".
The 1980s ushered in a new era for Tinariwen In 1980 Libyan leader Colonel Gadaffi issued a cry to Tuareg people living illegally in Libya to receive nine months military training. His idea was to have an elite fighting force honed from the tough Tuareg people to patrol Western Sahara and assist in his campaigns in Chad and Niger. Ag Alhabib and other band members heeded the call. They did so with a similar call in 1985, this time by Tuareg rebel leaders in Libya. This is where many of the musicians met and formed Tinariwen. The idea was to create songs about the struggles Tuareg people faced.
They built a makeshift studio and vowed to record music for free for anyone who supplied a blank audio cassette. The resulting cassettes were traded widely throughout the region of the Sahara. In 1989 the band left Libya, returning to Mali. Ag Alhabib returned to his home village for the first time in 26 years.
Rock 'n' roll rebels whose rebellion, for once, wasn't just metaphorical
Slate magazine
In 1990 the Tuareg people revolted against the government. Members of Tinariwen acted as rebel fighters and soon a peace treaty was forced in the January of 1991. It was finally time for Tinariwen to leave military service and start focussing on music full time. Since 2001 new Tuareg musicians have joined Tinariwen who did not live through the military conflicts contributing to the bands multi-generational evolution.
Lake Street Dive bookend the show today and prove to be a big hit here at Record Box HQ. Tobin floated the band and their kick-off-the-show tune Good Kisser is a great introduction to the Boston five piece. More on Lake Street Dive later. Personal friend and country songstress Andrea Glass features at long last. Well overdue is a play from her. We have a track from her debut LP, North Wind. More used to being played alongside other Country/Americana greats on shows like the legendary Bob Harris' we hope she feels equally at home here.
Bobby Womack ends his track so abruptly it causes some hilarity in the studio. However, we delve into his colourful private life and the legacy he, and his brother Cecil left. Cecil forming Womack and Womack with Sam Cooke's daughter, Bobby's step-daughter with whom he'd had an affair. All very risqué and exciting. We've also got New Music in the form of the decisive Husbands track Mexico. You can get early access to New Music from Record Box HQ here.
Wax time and a pre-release Richard spins up more legendary tracks from deep in his personal crates with the sublime Urban Species feat. MC Solaar track Listen. French rap never sounded so good. Couple that with a pre-release from Goner Records, Aquarian Blood send us a teaser from their forthcoming LP. Couple that with a Record Box Classic and you're in for a musical ride without comparison. Sit down, buckle up, get them head phones on and let's give the proverbial musical bird to the outside world and enjoy each other's company for about an hour. Just a little less actually, but it's time well spent.
- Good Kisser Lake Street Dive
- North Wind Andrea Glass
- Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) Bobby Womack
- Mexico Husbands
- Listen Urban Species feat MC Solaar
- A Song For You Donny Hathaway
- There's A World Aquarian Blood
- Rich Girl Lake Street Dive
Lake Street Dive - tell us more Named after a street in Minneapolis that contains many dive bars (disreputable drinking establishment) Lake Street Dive formed in 2004. You're hearing lead singer Rachael Price here telling us all about how good she is at kissing. Backing her mighty claim is Mike Olson, Bridget Kearney, Mike Calabrese and Akie Bermiss. Respectively they play trumpet and guitar, upright bass, drums and finally keys. Keyboardist Akie Bermiss joined the band on tour in 2017 and plays on this LP.
Lake Street Dive was brought into existence by a shared love to create free country music. Yes, really that. Just country music played for free. However, as Mike "McDuck" Olson states,
The concept was abandoned for something that actually sounded good.
Mike Olson
Most members were already playing instruments at a young age and some even had classical training. However, their influences came mainly from the music they heard at home. Mainly jazz, soul and '60s rock. Lake Street Dive also all individually cite the entire Beatles discography as hugely influential. In fact Kearney wrote Hello? Goodbye! and Don't Make Me Hold Your Hand as a direct result of her love of The Beatles.
Further influences on Lake Street Dive In addition to The Beatles, LSD cite Hall and Oates (heard here on the track Rich Girl), The Jackson 5, The Mamas and the Papas, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA and The Drifters. They also annually release a Halloween cover/video. You can go check out their Fun Machine EP which contains some of these covers. With this in mind, it's quite obvious Lake Street Dive don't take themselves too seriously at all. They're a fun band knocking out slick grooves and having a whole lot of fun along the way. In fact, they claim to draw on the energy of their audience and are able to pump that energy back at them and mould the atmosphere in the room
We want it to sound like the Beatles and Motown had a party together
Mike Calabrese
Andrea Glass roll call Richard mentioned on today's show that Andrea Glass had an incredible roll call of musicians on this recording. Well, here's some further information to fill in the gaps. The LP from which Northwind comes is Stood Under Stars, recorded, mixed and engineered at 16 Ton Studios in Nashville, Tennessee in 2007. Mastered at Yes Master, again in Nashville. Featured musicians are as follows:
- Acoustic Guitar - Andrea Glass, Shawn Byrne
- Bass - Danny White
- Drum - Paul Griffith
- Electric Guitar - Shawn Byrne
- Hammond Organ - Mike Webb
- Piano - John Hobbs, Steve Knight
- Steel Guitar (lap & pedal), Resonator Guitar, Banjo - Al Perkins
- Vocals - Andrea Glass, Kevin Montgomery, Ashley Monroe, Andrea Zonn
Batzorig Vaanchig throat sings his way into the show with Latvian bagpipers. Interested? We thought you would be! Spike from The Bearded Pig Forge recommended this one and what an excellent and rewarding listen it is. Mongolian throat singing with Latvian bagpipes. As Tobin says, please don't hit the off-switch, this is good. Real good. The Lovemongers give us an epic cover of a Led Zeppelin classic. In stark contrast to Batzorig Vaanchig, it is no less vocally splendid. Obviously it's completely different and more recognisable, but a fantastic vocal celebration nonetheless. As ever we've got New Music and much more besides. Secondly, Richard introduces us to his virtual friend and artist extraordinaire Carly Strauss. It's a full show so let's dive straight in.
- Where They Do Not Know My Name Bad Livers
- Swimming Pools Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down
- Hunnu Guren Batzorig Vaanchig & AULI
- You Decided Mia Berg
- Battle of Evermore The Lovemongers
- He Don't Love Me Winona Oak
- Shot at a Bird, Hit Me a Stump Bad Livers
Batzorig Vaanchig and AULI hook up Despite starring on the soundtrack to Netflix's landmark series Marco Polo, Batzorig Vaanchig also found time to collaborate with AULI. AULI are the Latvian bagpipe and drum outfit featured on Hunnu Guren. AULI had undertaken research into ancient singing techniques and this brought Batzorig Vaanchig firmly onto their radar. Just two members of AULI travelled to Mongolia in 2018 to meet Batzorig. They recorded three songs featuring Batzorig Vaanchig on the stringed instrument Morin Khuur whilst they were there. The tracks were further adjusted to suit the sound of the bagpipes and AULI further worked upon this on their return to Latvia. In March 2018 the whole band traveled to Mongolia to record the video for Hunnu Guren. The destination was the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.
Meet Carly Strauss We've all done it. We've followed back an account on Facebook or Instagram and after time that follow back proves to be a very interesting ride indeed. Well Richard's new virtual friend is Carly Strauss, amazing artist, teacher, apparel designer and consistent Instagrammer. Add her cameo appearance on Savannah Pope's excellent Rock 'n' Roll No More music video and her educational merits and you've got a gorgeous human being on your hands.
Carly's artwork is really a firm favourite here at Record Box HQ. Carly's artwork is also for sale - check it out here. We're still deciding here which to go for. It's one of Carly's pieces that is the featured image for this post. However, not all her work is of the same vein. In fact, her work is incredibly diverse. Shame she's not a musician. Well she's not admitted to being one anyhow. Carly very generously offered us an invite to her recent exhibition in Los Angeles but being UK based we couldn't make it unfortunately. More's the pity, we are massive fans of her work and relished the opportunity, however difficult it was. Thanks Carly.
**From the Bottom of the Record Box** has a dedicated and passionate listenership globally and has outstripped our wildest expectations but we need to commit more time and energy to keep up with demand. This is far from a full-time occupation for either of us, we have jobs and families and bills the same as anyone and what started as a hobby now costs time and money we can no longer afford on our own. The podcast will always remain free of charge but for less than the cost of a cup of coffee each month your help as a patron can help us deliver extra content and keep the quality and integrity of the podcast long into the future.
We are looking for your patronage to help maintain our fantastic show and ensure we can grow this podcast for all unsung artists and passionate music lovers.
Because we decide what goes on the show we are in a unique position to offer any patron a bespoke way of saying 'thank you'. We'd love to have you onboard with either a mention or even live in the studio talking about your own love for music. From the Bottom of the Record Box belongs to all music lovers, after all and we couldn't do this without you!
Of course, following the sad news of David Berman's untimely demise recently we thought it fitting to play Silver Jews. David Berman was a wonderful man and his music reflects this. More on David Berman later on, because we have much more besides. SALES bookend the show with flavours of Joy Division and Suzanne Vega. There is some promise as we expect a Chinese takeaway delivery only to be reminded it's New Year and no such delicious meal is in sight. We discover that making music purely for your own enjoyment is a thing. Sir Woman was doing just this, much like Keaton Henson whom has graced the show previously. But Sir Woman isn't the only one and we have more secretive music makers being showcased on the show in coming weeks.
Over nineties music making sensation Barbara Dane sings of the binds of conjugal felicity in her wonderful Single Girl. You think you know about protest singers? Woody, Bob and Pete? Be prepared to relearn what you think you know as Barbara Dane towers above them all.
Is there anything else? There sure is. Flogging Molly mix never ending Irish reels with rock and roll and send us heading for the dance floor. And finally, before the close of the show we introduce you to The Local Honeys. Straight out of Kentucky these two ladies are the real deal. Banjo player Montana Hobbs and guitarist Linda Jean Stokley manage to blend bluegrass foot stompers with sweet Appalachian mountain harmonies. Able to drive hard fiddle based tunes, sing the high lonesome sound and tell a damn good story these girls are destined for great things. You can even hire them out for your own events via their website!
- Chinese New Year SALES
- Random Rules Silver Jews
- Making Love Sir Woman
- Single Girl Barbara Dane
- Devil's Dance Floor Flogging Molly
- The Junkman The Local Honeys
- Renee SALES
David Berman - the legacy of beautiful music remains The first time I met David Berman was at a backyard party at Grimey’s Records in Nashville. One of the fun ideas Grimey’s cooked up that day was to have a “Meet and Greet The Nashville Indie Rockers” table, and at this table was David Berman, Kurt from Lambchop, and me. I found David Berman funny, avuncular, and sweet. Not many people came up to talk to us - most of the people at the party already knew us, and we probably all felt a little silly and embarrassed sitting there.
It felt a little like that scene in Spinal Tap when no one shows up for the autograph signing at the record store. Kurt killed time by drawing ‘blind caricatures’ of us by placing a blindfold on his face and drawing our portraits from memory. I still have mine. David had with him two old Silver Jews 7” singles he was trying to sell. A young woman eventually came up and asked about them.
“They’re $3 each,” David told her.
“I only have $5,” said the girl.
“That’s OK, take them,” said David, handing her the records. “I’m not here today to make money. I’m here to make friends.”
2008 low point In 2008 I was at a very low point in my life. I was in the midst of what is often euphemistically known as a “messy divorce” and was about to be dropped from my label. Also being informed, while on tour, that the record store I managed back home was to close, leaving me unemployed. I had been abandoned by both my band and my then-wife in the middle of a grueling five-week tour across the US. The final two weeks of this tour were dates opening for Silver Jews. By this point on the tour I was traveling alone. I was already friends with guitarist William Tyler and bassist Cassie Berman. The latter of whom played bass in a short-lived band I was in at the time called HP Witchcraft. I didn’t really know the rest of the band very well.
Word spreads quickly in our small circle of indie rockers. By the time I met up with the Silver Jews crew in New Orleans, everyone had already heard about my recent run of hard luck. The entire band and crew made me feel very welcome at a time when I really needed it. It felt good to be among friends. They were sympathetic but not pitying or meddlesome.Each of them made an effort, despite their demanding schedules, to hang out with me and make sure I was OK. A few of them even offered to travel with me and keep me company on the road. David Berman in particular was a good friend to me during this time despite people constantly seeking his attention and tugging on his sleeve.
David Berman to the rescue On the last night of the tour, at the Echoplex in LA, I was asked to join the band onstage for the last song of their set, “Punks in the Beerlight.” Cassie and guitarist Peyton Pinkerton quickly ran through the chords of the song with me backstage. Cassie told me she’d cue me when it was time to join the band onstage.
David Berman was blind as a bat. He also didn’t like to wear his glasses onstage. When it came time for me to accompany the band on “Punks In The Beerlight,” David saw me approach, but didn’t recognize me at first, only seeing the shape and shadow of a big guy hopping up onstage and fiddling with an amplifier.
Oh, well, I guess they’re pulling the plug on us, sorry. The crowd booed.
David Berman
Myopic misunderstanding In his blindness, David, having momentarily forgot about the plan for me to sit in with the band. He thought I was a security guard cutting the power and coming to tell him the show was past curfew and they had to stop.
“No, David, that’s James!” explained Cassie.
Everyone laughed. It was a memorable moment and I still smile when I think about it.
The last time I spoke to David he suggested I call my new band “Orangutan Menopause.” Then he apologized for not being more present during the tour years earlier when he knew I was going through so much gnarly shit. I told him truthfully that I never felt that he was anything but present. Those last shows of the tour with Silver Jews might have saved my life. At the very least, if he and his band hadn’t been as generous, sweet, and hospitable to me as they were, I almost definitely would have bailed on the remainder of the tour and God only knows what else.
David is still there for me, as he is for so many of you, when I listen to his songs. Though it will be a while before I am able to listen to them again, I expect that they will remain just as beautiful as before, if a lot sadder. To the max.
Written by James Jackson Toth and published on Aquarium Drunkard
Further reading - The David Berman interview
The Toy Trucks have a new LP out next week. We've been lucky enough to have been granted access to a track or two before its release on September 6th. It's Jeremy Scott's brainchild and these ageing rockers are stirring up Memphis in the US. The Mama Cass inspired LP title is a precursor to a much awaited release. However, The Toy Trucks is not our only pre-release this week. Secondly to their track we have a bookend (and pre-release) from Vivian Girls. Join your resident hosts, Tobin and Richard, and The Toy Trucks, and Vivian Girls and other great artistes.
Shovels and Rope bring us round to Birmingham. Tobin discusses his recent work in The Bearded Pig forge where he discussed with ironmonger Spike the respective talents of Shovels and Rope, The Devil Makes Three, Caamp et al. Importantly, Spike has a cracking Listener Suggestion for us in a fortnight's time so listen out for that. Talkboy is Wasting Time and results in some discussion about movies Richard hasn't seen. Coincidentally, so does our double and final Woodstock homage this week.
Slaves make a return to the show with track 1 off side 2 of the famously limited edition 4-track EP. We don't play it from the vinyl, however, as Richard is coveting the unopened vinyl package with fervent determination. It's a strange old affair this track in comparison to the punk rock thrasher we had last week. We think you'll be surprised, nay, amazed. Weird Milk is our New Music Shot on today's show. You could have heard direct upon its release a few weeks ago here.
Woodstock - the final journey This week, our final nod to the legendary Woodstock festival, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, we pull up two tracks. Firstly, the enigmatic Sha Na Na both parody and yet resurrect interest in the 1950s music scene. Secondly, '60s icon and all-round gentle human being John B. Sebastian seems to eloquently add the closing notes to the decade. Sha Na Na were the penultimate performance at Woodstock, playing early on the Monday morning, August 18th. A short 30 minute set from 7:30am to 8:00am that ushered in the now legendary performance from Jimi Hendrix. Less than a year later Jimi was dead and his death signalled an end to the euphoria and hope of a generation and a close on the '60s.
- Dance (If You Wanna) Vivian Girls
- At The Hop Sha Na Na
- Wasting Time Talkboy
- The Velvet Ditch Slaves
- Honey I'm Around Weird Milk
- I'm On The Dish But I ain't No Rag The Toy Trucks
- Rainbows All Over Your Blues John B. Sebastian
- Sick Vivian Girls
The Toy Trucks - the lowdown The Toy Trucks are collectively 180+ years old and are fueled by equal parts cheap beer, cheap thrills and Cheap Trick. Over the band’s multi-year existence, songwriter/leader Jeremy Scott (ex-Reigning Sound) has developed an “anything but another crappy love song” ethos which has resulted in the songs on the band’s first full-length, Rockets Bells and Poetry. Over the course of said album, the band (Scott, guitarist Dylan Cranmer, bassist Ryno Hanson and drummer Steve Barnat) prove conversant with, among other things, Rascals-like blue-eyed grooves (Don’t Be So Easy), grisly true crime balladry (57 Bayview), updated Del Shannonesque psychodrama (Hot Tears) and honest flat out rock and roll (I’m on the Dish But I Ain’t No Rag). As both a stand-alone statement and a teaser for the band’s revved up live show, Rockets Bells and Poetry should satisfy anyone’s rock/garage/power-pop itch quite nicely.
We stole the title from Mama Cass Elliott
Jeremy Scott
What does FTBOTRB think of The Toy Trucks? Here at Record Box HQ we've been eagerly awaiting this release to arrive and there is only a week left now. We've been treated to this pre-release and have consumed it with gusto. The band's enthusiasm shines through on the track I'm On The Dish But I Ain't No Rag. It's far from contrived and over-produced, displaying the trademark Black & Wyatt touch of honesty and purity that seems to accompany every new release from the label.
The guitar has a definite nod to the great Wilko Johnson but the song has an overall American feel. Scott's vocals cut straight through the noise and this track is in fifth gear right off the bat. It's a brilliant introduction to what is sure to be a must-have full length LP. You can go pre-order the record here and you'll be treated to a few more songs off the LP early - like right now! What are you waiting for?
Love music? Well, so do we! From the Bottom of the Record Box is the music podcast dedicated to celebrating the overlooked, forgotten and underrepresented artists making great music and not getting the platform they deserve. That is, not getting the platform they deserved until we came along!
We listen to thousands of tracks in making this show to really give you the best in undiscovered music and showcase artists you're going to love & want to show off yourself. We also play a few Record Box Classics along the way, tunes that you've not heard for a while and need reminding of how great they are!
What do we do? It's a true labor of love and creating this podcast takes time and dedication, so much goes into each episode before we can even start to record and that is before we think about editing, website management, comms, marketing etc. We take inordinate pride in polishing and finishing each episode to the highest standard as it's what all undiscovered artists and each and every one of our listeners deserve.
From the Bottom of the Record Box has a dedicated and passionate listenership globally and has outstripped our wildest expectations but we need to commit more time and energy to keep up with demand. This is far from a full-time occupation for either of us, we have jobs and families and bills the same as anyone and what started as a hobby now costs time and money we can no longer afford on our own. The podcast will always remain free of charge but for less than the cost of a cup of coffee each month your help as a patron can help us deliver extra content and keep the quality and integrity of the podcast long into the future.
How you can help We are looking for your patronage to help maintain our fantastic show and ensure we can grow this podcast for all unsung artists and passionate music lovers.
Because we decide what goes on the show we are in a unique position to offer any patron a bespoke way of saying 'thank you'. We'd love to have you onboard with either a mention or even live in the studio talking about your own love for music. From the Bottom of the Record Box belongs to all music lovers, after all and we couldn't do this without you!
Don't want to become a patron? You can give a one-off donation if you like
Welcome to another ear-bursting show bookended this week by the mighty Good Foxy, a likeable bunch of Northern lads. Their music has notable influences from the almanac of the greats, psychedelia, prog-rock and much more besides. We've been recording in Richard's home studio this week and play Good Foxy direct from the limited edition 1st pressing CD, hand numbered number 035. The CD jacket is signed by the lads of Good Foxy and the whole package is an utter delight. So, we've got 2 tracks from Good Foxy this week.
Richard brings us New Music this week as Tobin was out of the UK and needed a replacement. Richard brings us not only New Music but a remix to boot - it's the Sun Glitters production of Baby by Primitive Heart. Faux vinyl crackles and all. The track is another offering from Brighton-based Shore Dive Records, the label that brought us Superego last week. Also showcasing this week, Super 8 reminds us of the greats of rock and roll over the years name checking some of the greatest. The track Sing Along entices you to do just that. Joni Mitch … Ray Davies and Johnny Lydon.
Instrumental metal is the genre we are still trying to unfathom, God is an Astronaut bring us Loss, the spatial cosmic sounding instrumental anthem. Tobin recently went to a God is an Astronaut gig, so if you like this, head over to our Patreon page for some exclusive video footage. We've also got Paralyzed Waltz by Sarah Bethe Nelson breezing into the show and she gives us some gorgeous vibes.
Woodstock take three
Finally, it's our third instalment of our month-long theme showcasing some of the artists who performed at the now legendary festival. This week it's Crosby, Stills and Nash's turn to take to the stage. It's the quite breathtaking Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. If you've never heard this (as per Tobin) then put your feet up and relax. It's a beautiful tune and delivered expertly by the obviously nervous trio.
Welcome to the show notes for our 1 year anniversary, it's nothing special, no celebration of that here. However, we are celebrating Woodstock, and particularly Richie Havens' epic performance on the inaugural day. Quite what Richie Havens was thinking as he walked onto that stage to see all those people in front of him is any one's guess. But we've got much, much more than Richie Havens today. Our bookend artiste this week is another one off Tobin's Australian roster. He must have some serious contact there. Mallrat brings us the belting opener Groceries and follow up at the bottom of the show, where all good Mallrats should be we guess, with Nobody's Home. Shame there was nobody home when Ed Rooney visited the Bueller home and suffered a serious beating from Ferris' sister! Further to all that noise, we've got a banger from Shoredive Records' Indonesian shoegaze outfit Superego, the track Float, Lost leaves us feeling just that. Shoredive Records have an exciting and different catalogue of artists and we recommend you get off that beaten track you've been treading for so long. Don't look down at your feet in the musical mud, but look towards the heavens and dream of new shoes. Wait… there's more New Music Shot since old Tobers has been away - we had Horse Jumper of Love in the wings but due to technical difficulties couldn't get this up on our Patreon page. So, Richard jumped in with a Sunglitters remix of Baby by Primitive Heart, but you're going to have to jump on our Patreon channel to hear that. It's $1 a month for extra show, exclusive content. What are you waiting for? And lastly, but by no means least, we've got a double Cover Shot, M. Ward and the track that confused Richard, Let's Dance, and the instantly recognisable New Morning performed by James Corder. Join us, it's a lot of fun.
Laura Jean Anderson returns to the show and blows us away with her soulful, bluesy, gospel-inspired White Stripes cover and finally wins over Richard. Her track is tantamount proof that she is an incredible vocal talent and her new EP Live From Studio Hotel Earth is bursting with more vocal prowess. The initial track off of the EP Lonesome No More is dripping with jazzy vox chops from yesteryear. There's more, there's a live one-woman-and-a-guitar rendition of Thinkin' 'Bout You which featured previously on the show. Go explore that EP, it's an official FTBOTRB Recommendation. We've got more than just Laura Jean Anderson however. Firstly we have a beautiful bookend from elfish songstress Rachel Ries, two eloquent and tender recordings showcase this poetic, compassionate songwriter at her best. Secondly, we have a Krautrock classic from Michael Bundt; insidious synth futurism that's a great introduction to this genre if you're new to it. Tobin is a massive fan! Wait... there's more New Music from Kalaido transports us eastwards to the lush tropics of Vietnam, via Portland, Oregon, USA. Motorbikes in Sapa is a wonderful foray into the world of Eastern musical instruments and delights with every note. Furthermore, we play the Jack Bruce classic Theme For An Imaginary Western as performed by Mountain. Straight from the vinyl. It's the first instalment of our monthlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock. We play tracks from the world's most famous music festival throughout August. Talking Heads are our Record Box Classic this week and we top everything else off with Royal Jelly Jive and the track Pteryophora. Join us for an eclectic show full of music that requires much further investigation! And last but not least, welcome aboard Young Chris, keep listening, especially when you shouldn't be. Rock 'n' Roll Chris, pure Rock 'n' Roll.
Welcome to the show which today is brought to you by bedroom lo-fi furry little critters Opossums. We've got a double spin in the studio from these Memphis-based, garage-pop, post-punk, stripped back recording genii. You're in for a real treat as we lift the lid on the new LP from Opossums, direct from the ever-growing catalogue from Black and Wyatt Records. We play one track from the new release and one track from a previous recording. Also in the show today is the return of the mighty Andi Hanley and his reworking of NuNorthern Soul classics. The whole LP is a testament to Andi's talent and comes as a FTBOTRB Recommendation. Find out more about Andi later in today's show notes. Following on from that, we received a pre-release copy of Normil Hawaiian's classic 1984 LP What's Going On? This release from Upset the Rhythm label sees the original LP remastered including 7 bonus tracks. It is presented on heavyweight vinyl, limited to 500 copies and includes copious amounts of sleeve notes and photographs. It also includes hand numbered Louise Michel poster, glossy gatefold cover, inner lyric sleeve and booklet. Tobin brings us New Music with the childlike enthusiasm of Beef Gordon, tastes as good as it sounds apparently. You could have listened to this 3 weeks ago on it's release for less than the price of a cup of coffee right here. In stark contrast to the loose, thrash beats of Opossums comes the musically tight funk and soul of Mali's finest export Songhoy Blues. Bamako is a banger of a track from these very talented funk-meisters. We certainly want to hear more from Songhoy Blues. Oh, sorry, did anyone mention Black Pumas? We've got a bookend from Eric and Adrian of Black Pumas fame!
Welcome to the show today where we have an exclusive pre-release from percussionist Sarathy Korwar. The top track and FTBOTRB Recommendation features signature Indian-influenced beats with Londonesque vocals over the top by Zia Ahmed. It's a banger of a track so let's spin up the show and get cracking. You'll learn more about Sarathy Korwar later on. If you, like us, hate commercial music then you are in the right place. We've got musical conversation and also New Music from Tobin as usual, which is more than likely divisive. This week's New Music is certainly a nod back to 80's cinematography and gets us remembering back to some high fashion. The Shiftless Rounders provide the bookend this week with beautiful mountain harmonies, exquisite resonator guitar work and a clarinet! An unusual pairing for sure but listen on to hear how good a pairing it really is. The bookend at the bottom of the show is also a live performance from The Shiftless Rounders (unusual name there) which showcases brilliantly their guitar mastery. Following their slightly jazzy, rag-time sound comes Jolie Holland with a similarly old-fashioned song dripping with nostalgia. Tobin reacquaints himself with his own prophecy that the US doesn't do indie very well and finds that he may actually be wrong. Lord Huron are the ones doing the damage to Tobin as he reevaluates his position on US indie. And last but far from least is Ivy-Jane Browne bringing up the rear. Let's dive straight in.
Metronomy are back in a welcome return to form. They've given us a banger of a track in the unlikely combination of Salted Caramel Ice Cream. It's a teaser track off of the forthcoming album which is due out in September 2019. If the teaser is anything to go by, the LP is likely to be be up there with the 2011 LP The English Riviera in its greatness. Metronomy have appeared before on FTBOTRB - go take a listen. As usual the menu extends further than just ice cream this week, with a Listener Recommendation inspired bookend from Lissie Trullie. Get your headphones on and dive straight in. To compliment Salted Caramel Ice Cream the guitar excellence of Randy Lorenzo gives some sumptuous summery vibes as he guides us around the lush tropical paradise of Hawaii. Hello to all our listeners in Hawaii. Tobin brings Soft Walls back into the studio for a play of what is possibly their standout track from the LP No Time. The whole album constitutes a Record Box Recommendation in fact - it's essential listening. Finally, we're treating you to a Double Record Box Classic this week. We discuss what must arguably one of the greatest LP cover artworks of all time. Tobin admits that he has never been voted one of the world's most beautiful people by People magazine and ends up slating the track. We play 2 great tracks from Thin Lizzy and Fine Young Cannibals. Of course Tobin is wrong about the quite wonderful Roland Gift but we'll let you make up your own minds. Table of ContentsSTOP PRESS - next weekTrack ListingMetronomy - new singleMonth-long Woodstock vinyl celebrationNew LP from the Caamp boys STOP PRESS - next week Just a heads up to our loyal listeners that we have an exclusive pre-release play of Sarathy Korwar's new LP full of expressive sub-continent percussive vibes. The track features Zia Ahmed and is a clever and thought provoking dig at colonialism and its wider reach. Join us as we broadcast at 23:00GMT July 20th.
Welcome to the show which today is being broadcast from deep space. Twink is most definitely at the flight desk and is taking us into unknown realms of the cosmos. We'll encounter moonbeams and sunbeams on the first leg of our interstellar journey but soon leave them behind. As our course deepens we'll encounter the insidious and relentless follower Bluebeard and finally send off our love letter to the gigantically faraway Sara from the Sahara. It's one hell of a trip, so get on board as we explode into deep space and burn out far away in the unknown depths of the universe. Eventually we return to earth and have other business to contend with, for example Tobin's New Music Shot - HÅN. She's bringing the track Gymnasion to us. Listen on to find out what we think of it. More excellent dark vibes from Beak> and Tobin being vexed by perm lotion and Keith West. Epic percussionist Georgia fills our ears with cock on drum beats and introduces us to Sheila the Dealer - bottom line is Richard loses himself in the ambience. Tobin discusses his gig at Retrofest this year and picks out his favourite act from the weekend. If you want to catch his next set there then tickets are available here for Retrofest in August 2019. Bringing up the rear is another of Tobin's recent fetishes, Toots & The Maytals. Is there some sort of secret code in this song title or are we going too deep? Table of ContentsTrack ListingTwink - How does his latest recording stack up here at Record Box HQ?Beak> Track Listing Sunbeams and Moonbeams and Silver Stars TwinkMove Systems GeorgiaGymnasion HÅNWe Can Go Beak>Bluebeard Twink54–46 Was My Number Toots & The MaytalsSara From The Sahara Twink Twink - How does his latest recording stack up here at Record Box HQ? OK - so what's our initial take on Twink Think Pink IV Return to Deep Space? Well, officially Tobin is looking forward to listening to the whole vinyl LP as he didn't catch the whole record that was kindly sent to us on pre-release. That was entirely my own pleasure. And what a journey. I am already a big Twink fan, particularly his work with The Pink Fairies but I don't believe that tainted my view of this. OK, so yeah I chose perhaps 3 of the more cosmic feeling tracks off of the LP but I don't have time to play 'em all! There is also a different feel to a few of the tracks. This difference in texture is also I guess down to the involvement of Moths & Locusts, something we didn't really delve into in the show. This whole aural soundscape is one of wonderment, isolation, cold, endless drifting and joyous exploratory navigation. The concept works really well and delivers on its title promise. Again,
Otoboke Beaver hold us to account with some Godzilla-sized punk noise this week - twice. We spin these lunatic Japanese punkettes and realise that the world will never be the same again. Quite how we segue from hardcore Jap-punk to a reggae Cover Shot is anyone's guess. But we do. Organica Orquesta provide what is arguably one of the most covered tracks of all time, and it may surprise you that it isn't originally a Simon and Garfunkel original. Tobin ushers in a New Music Double Header with the inimitable Sorcha Richardson with her repetitive musings on love Don't Talk About It. First up is Honeymoan and Low Blow, with its distinct three flavours of guitar. Richard's summation of all of this is merely "pleasant". We have more musical homage from Sweet Baboo with his take on Jonathan Richman. Soft Walls fill in the gaps with the brilliant LP No Time, which is exactly what we have had to listen to this! Table of ContentsTrack ListingOtoboke Beaver - tell me moreSo is Otoboke Beaver a FTBOTRB Recommendation?Get in touch with your recommendations Track Listing I'm Tired of Your Repeating Story Otoboke BeaverEl Condor Pasa Organica OrquestaLow Blow HoneymoanDon't Talk About It Sorcha RichardsonJonathan Richman Sweet BabooGuided Through Soft WallsIntroduce Me to Your Family Otoboke Beaver GET SOME EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FROM US Otoboke Beaver - tell me more So these four maverick kick-ass bad girls from Kyoto first formed this frenetic band 10 years ago. They met whilst at at University attending a music club. Otoboke Beaver then came into existence gaining its name from a local love hotel in Osaka. It took the band 2 years to lay anything down. This came in the form of a demo CD of three tracks, one of which was later re-recorded and distributed to fans who helped raise the funds to send Otoboke Beaver to the United States. A mini-album soon followed with remarkable cover artwork by artist Yukari Matsuoka. A year later the band released their first live album, followed a year later by a limited-edition single featuring 3 tracks. That same year (2013) they put out another mini-album Love Me Sign. Shortly after its release bassist Nishikawachi left the band only to be released by a fan who emailed the band asking if she could join the band. Otoboke Beaver began touring internationally in 2016 and in fact racked up over 24,000 miles in one week with two sets at Coachella Festival and a three-date fixture in the UK. So is Otoboke Beaver a FTBOTRB Recommendation? Yeah, of course. We love their energy and drive and the way their music just leaves you gasping for breath. It's an aural assault and one which leaves you wanting more. And we have it.
Welcome to our Wax Time Special where we play all vinyl today, and all at 45rpm - that is except for Tobin's new music shot. We've got some cracking vinyl to play you today, and it was a difficult decision to make. We listened to countless vinyl records in preparation for this show, and many were left out of the final cut. However, it's not all bad news. Firstly, we saved some of the vinyl that didn't cut it and we produced some exclusive content featuring a few of those. Read on to find out more. Secondly, we enjoyed making the premium content so much, and we have tons more vinyl that was left out, we're probably going to do another, if not more, highlighting those. Everything here is from the late '80s onward, so we haven't even really plumbed the depths of the vinyl heyday. Because of this, we've got stacks more vinyl in the can. So there's more to come. As Tobin hinted at in the show, he's got mountains of 78s in his collection. In fact, we believe Tobin is the only serious shellac collector in London. He curates an enormous collection. As a result of this, it's looking like a Shellac Time Special is on its way. Track Listing Nothing Is W.H. LungFind Time To Be Yourself SExpressHey! I Don't Want That Anyway AKA LuiHeroin The Velvet UndergroundCuddly Toy (Extended Play) RoachfordSpeeding Motorcycle Daniel Johnston & Yo La Tengo 45 Also Rans - from the cutting room floorHey! Thanks for listening, we had a lot of fun putting this episode together and there's more. There's no way you can put together a show like this without ending up with some "also rans". And we did have some contenders that didn't make the cut for the main show. You can find out what these were in this exclusive mini-show hosted by Richard.TAKE ME TO THIS EXCLUSIVE SHOW Vinyl. Why? That's a great question - and one that deserves an answer. We like to use the analogy of cinema and TV. Whilst it's great to watch a movie on TV it doesn't measure up to a cinematic experience. And so it os the same with vinyl. Listening to or streaming MP3 is great, and the sound quality is excellent but it doesn't have the theatre of pulling a record out of the sleeve and playing it on your trusty turntable. Add to that the record artwork, coloured vinyl if your lucky and the warm tones and surface noise that accompanies it and you've got yourself a fantastic experience. Nothing gives us more pleasure here than having a dig about in the crates and pulling out a long lost nugget and giving it a spin. Add a nice bottle of Cahors into the mix and you're nearing nirvana. We love to play vinyl on the show, so if you're new to us, why not take a listen at another vinyl episode here.
US citizen Russian/Japanese descendant Miya Folick surprises the hell out of us by actually being more English than us! Her track Thingamajig prompts debate about how quintessentially English it is. Furthermore, we try to decide between ourselves what her next single should be entitled. Join us to find out more. However, Miya Folick's magic is not all we have today. You'll learn that Tobin is secretly trying to paint a picture of Richard by following up his How To Socialise and Make Friends LP single track a couple of weeks back by introducing Drinker to the show. Ha! Tobin has been rumbled. Secondly, he follows that up with a classic punk track by The Freeze from only this year proving the genre is far from dead. In fact, Tobin introduces more skull cracking punk in a few weeks time so stay tuned. In addition to this already appalling racket, Richard spins up a Record Box Classic from deep within his own personal collection, the heavily E-tuned strings of Kim Thayil's guitar wizardry. Soundgarden pump out from the exquisite translucent yellow vinyl straight into your ears. Revel in it's glory. We then have a cautionary tale of colonialism, sexism, racism and brutality from the past with the musical juggernaut Black Myself. It's a track full of hope and resilience actually and isn't afraid to confront some pretty ugly issues. Oh, no pun intended, brother and sister duo The Oh Hellos bookend the show nicely for us. Let's crack on. Table of Contents[hide]Track ListingTwink: Think Pink IV - Return to Deep SpaceMiya Folick gives us her Thingamajig, closely followed by Whoopsadaisy. Possibly.What happened next to Miya Folick?Songs of Our Native Daughters - very different to Miya FolickGo listen to the whole LP here… Track Listing Eat You Alive The Oh HellosCalifornia DrinkerWorld I Know The FreezeMind Riot Soundgarden (from the 1991 coloured vinyl)Thingamajig Miya FolickBlack Myself Our Native DaughtersBitter Water The Oh Hellos Twink: Think Pink IV - Return to Deep Space On July 5th 2019 Twink releases his seminal LP Return to Deep Space. We have been listening to this here at Record Box HQ for a few weeks already now and cannot wait to share it with our listeners. It's a dreamy, intergalactic, diverse journey of a listen and one which does in fact transport the listener through the cosmos. From the opening track through to the finale it's music to be consumed whilst sat in a cloud of smoke from a thousand joss sticks. Twink has moved right on along with technology but still has that magic spark that allows him to retain his original sound from all those years ago. Twink is the genuine article and a bona fide psychedelic rock god.
Honeyblood feature in this show with their new LP release In Plain Sight on gorgeous opaque drab green vinyl. We were lucky enough to be invited to a live performance by lead singer and songstress Stina Tweedale. Stina played tracks off of the latest release and took a couple of requests too. We managed to get a quick chat with her after the show as well and got our copy of Honeyblood's latest release signed! Also in the show Wild Belle are our bookend artist, with some heavy rocksteady vibes. Tobin brings us New Music from Beak> and a disco classic from Chic feat. Nile Rodgers. The whole show is full of coincidences this week, purely by chance. GG Allin gets a cursory mention after a conversation about Honeyblood and Savannah Pope and their collective stage antics. Finally, husband and wife duo Shovels and Rope bring us some much loved Cowboy Music to keep us firmly on the rails. Join your usual hosts and dive straight on in. Table of Contents[hide]Track ListingHoneyblood excite and thrill with new LP releaseStill listening? Track Listing Mocking Bird Wild BelleGlimmer HoneybloodLife Goes On Beak> I'll Be There ChicThe Bear John MayallMexico Shovels and RopeRocksteady Wild Belle Watch the exclusive video of Honeyblood performing Glimmer in our local record store - X-Records Honeyblood excite and thrill with new LP release In Plain Sight is the latest release from all-girl rockers Honeyblood. It's a real fresh sounding, confident recording. The presentation is spectacular, with gorgeous cover artwork and stunning green vinyl. A real peculiar shade of green it is too. So, what should you expect from Honeyblood? The LP opens with the driven She's A Nightmare which has smatterings of pizzicato strings which lighten the whole track actually. It then takes quite a turn in sound, and immediately refreshes your senses with The Third Degree. There's a definite Phil Spector sound going on here. Having said that, Honeyblood pull it off convincingly enough and for us it's one of the highlights of the album. Stina Tweedale's vocal talents are really showcased by this track, soaring wildly over hysterical backing yelps and shouts. Still listening? The guitar-driven sound continues throughout the album with the gothic sounding The Tarantella. Although, there are hints of electronica throughout the whole record (You're A Trick and A Kiss From The Devil) but without threatening to shift this into a different genre. Honeyblood are creating music here that puts them out in front of their peers. Finally, your trip through the angry and often belligerent maelstrom brings us into the light with the wistful musing on loneliness in the ultimate track Harmless.
Today's show is all about Black Pumas and their upcoming eponymously titled debut LP. Richard plays a pre-release track on today's show with the bold claim that he thinks they are the next Alabama Shakes. The next St. Paul and The Broken Bones. However, does Tobin agree? We'll find out later in the show. Whatever Tobin thinks, Black Pumas are an essential listen. Plus, STOP PRESS… Black Puma's debut LP pressed on gorgeous cream vinyl with red and black pastel-like streaks is heading for Record Box HQ's vinyl collection. We've got it on order and will be playing it on the show as soon as it arrives. But before Black Pumas we've got more noisy trio music from Camp Cope. Tobin brings these Antipodean snarlers to the show. Incredible vocals pasted over the top of some knife-edge guitar work and you've got a future Record Box Classic in the making. Keeping it real and to the very ethos that is FTBOTRB Robert Wyatt provides us with some genuine avant garde psychedelia. Utilising that popular song writing technique of seeing the world from the perspective of a rasher of bacon we explore the tragic use of said rasher in a pan of soup. Essential listening. Robert bookends the show for us actually, giving us some off-the-grid jazz at the close of the show. What else do you get? We've got some entrancing flute licks from Max Cilla, all emanating from his homemade wooden flute. This particular track is a richly rewarding listen and proves to us that the drum solo needn't be a gag inducing afterthought. We've got a double Record Box Classic as well. Firstly, The Sugarcubes give us the weird insight into Motorcrash. Secondly, Neneh Cherry splits the studio right down the middle and forces Richard to adopt the position of official FTBOTRB Fun Prevention Officer. Tobin leaves the studio with his childhood memories crushed. Poor lad. Table of Contents[hide]What else do you get? Track Listing Soup Song Robert WyattThe Opener Camp CopeLa Flûte des Mornes Max Cilla Motorcrash The SugarcubesBuffalo Stance Neneh CherryColors Black PumasSonia Robert Wyatt Black Pumas - Colors OK, so we introduced Black Pumas as potentially the next Alabama Shakes and we meant it. Black Pumas LP is due out in a couple of weeks and we've got it on pre-order, on vinyl. Yes! Black Pumas currently have 3 tracks out on release: Black Moon RisingColorsFire We played the track Colors and we absolutely love it. Black Pumas have that authentic heavy soul feel from the late '60s but with the contemporary edge that makes it such essential listening. It's very much the sound of today with more than a helpfu...
Firstly, turn up the volume. Secondly, strap yourself in because there's a Hurricane coming. The Bad Day Blues Band are our New Music this week with their latest track released within the last 24 hours. We've got the Press Release and a review from here at Record Box HQ. Hot blues rock being served freshly on the show! However, that's all to come, before then Tobin has the bookend with the excellent Honey Moon, despite them causing an argument on air about where they sit sound-wise in the decades gone by. Richard introduces Tobin to the tragic, fragile and often lost voice of Karen Dalton and plays a surprise track live in the studio to further showcase her brilliance. Furthermore, apropos of vocal clarity and brilliance, we play and discuss Suzanne Vega and the importance of her legacy on MP3 technology. In stark contrast to this we funk up the show with Richard's embarrassing dancing to The Meters. Get some exclusive content from us! Table of ContentsTrack ListingWhat did FTBOTRB think of Bad Day Blues Band?The Bad Day Blues Band press release - HurricaneKaren Dalton - fragile, mysterious, tragic and ultimately beautifulShout out to Norman Walsh Footwear Track Listing If I Could Only Dream Honey MoonHow Sweet It Is Karen DaltonKatie Cruel Karen Dalton Hurricane The Bad Day Blues BandTom's Diner Suzanne VegaJust Kissed My Baby The MetersCall Me St. Paul and The Broken Bones(Why Do You Think You're So) Special? Honey Moon What did FTBOTRB think of Bad Day Blues Band? First of all I want to thank Adam from Bad Day Blues Band for sending in the pre-release of Hurricane. Right off the bat this tune is on its way to be a genuine stadium rocker - and probably right on time as the band is playing the Isle of Wight Festival this year. As we mentioned in the show this track has the raw aggression and wicked harp chops reminiscent of Dr Feelgood. It's easy to get harp-drunk with this song. The liquidity and ebb and flow of the harp licks is infectious. But there's much more to fall in love with here. For instance, half way through the whole song deconstructs giving the vocals some space to show some subtlety prior to the band coming back with a crashing return to blues/rock excellence as the lead guitar soars upward and delivers a searingly hot solo. It's easy to imagine from the delivery of this track how good Bad Day Blues Band are live. There's no doubt that when they climb on to the stage at IOW this year, they're gonna own it. With so much material in the can, we can expect great things from these boys.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Do U Wanna Dance?WindowTexan Love SongLondonBank Gun JailCigarillo 1Over & OutVote now! TweetPinShare Lost Weekend, the new LP from Memphis garage-punk legend Jack Oblivian is the focus of our show today. We play 2 tracks straight off the vinyl and discuss the LP as a whole. Read on for our official FTBOTRB review of this unique piece of work. In fact it's an all vinyl play from Richard in this episode of the show. Firstly Elton John provides us with some wholesome patriotic US of A vibes. Secondly, it's Richard's back to back spin of two of Jack Oblivian's tracks. Tobin bookends the show with Australian outfit Sparrows - two belting tunes certainly. breathe. provide us with plenty to argue about and split the studio in two. This track causes combative conversation between us. Furthermore we have our first spin from Shook Twins. Identical twin sisters play a plethora of musical instruments including a giant golden egg and telephone microphone. We also find time to discuss the vagaries of cheap black vinyl. Become a Patron! Table of ContentsTrack ListingWhat does FTBOTRB think of new release from Jack OblivianJack Oblivian talks about his new LP Lost WeekendNarrowing down the materialMore from Black & Wyatt RecordsBetter Days on Reform RadioDaniel by Elton John - ending the mystery Track Listing Do You Wanna Dance? SparrowsWindow Shook TwinsTexan Love Song Elton John from the original 1973 vinyl London breathe.Bank Gun Jail Jack Oblivian from the original 2019 vinylCigarillo 1 Jack Oblivian from the original 2019 vinylOver & Out Sparrows What does FTBOTRB think of new release from Jack Oblivian Straight off the bat this LP hits you with some Wilko Johnson-like choppy guitar, which is quickly enveloped by swirling psychedelic style guitar vibes. Jack Oblivian is certainly master of his own soundscape here. Jumping into track 2 we have quite a different sound, with Jack snarling into the microphone with cocky swagger. It's clear this is going to be a bumpy ride. Lost Weekend is a collection of recordings made in Jack's apartment studio and as such there is no coherent theme here. The LP weaves its way through anthemic film-noire instrumental to raging garage-punk growlers. Further into the chaos there is some distinctly bedroom-project sounding minimalism. In fact, if there ever was a theme to this collection of material it is just that: stripped back home recordings. Don't expect studio-level production mastery here, it has no place in this recording. Instead this is an intimate look into the mind of Jack Oblivian himself, almost like a personal diary of thoughts and ideas that would eventually take shape into something else and appear on stage in many of his ...
Join us this week for a foray into the mind of Eugene Chadbourne and his LSD C&W world. We've got two "cuts" from the good Doctor Chad bookending the show. Both tracks play off of the vinyl live in the studio. We've also got more vinyl as Richard declares the show a Wax Time Special. Seventh Heaven is born as Richard plays all seven inch wax today. Tobin drops in some vinyl too with a Record Box Classic from Supertramp. Other vinyl includes Mungo Jerry from 1970 (and it's a scratchy old thing) and Roy C from way back in '65. For those living in sunnier climates then dust off your dancing shoes for some samba from Brazil. And last but not least, bubblegum punk pop trio Bee Bee Sea rock us out with Be Bop Palooza. However, it really is Eugene Chadbourne who is the star of the show. If you want to contact us at Record Box HQ please do so here. Table of ContentsTrack ListingFTBOTRB is launching some exclusive new content!Eugene Chadbourne - highly eclectic and unconventional What other people say about Mungo Jerry Track Listing I Cut The Wrong Man Eugene Chadbourne from the original 1992 vinylBe Bop Palooza Bee Bee SeaBagaço da Laranja (Live) Zeca Pagodinho & Jovelina Perola Negra Shotgun Wedding Roy C from the original 1965 vinylDust Pneumonia Blues Mungo Jerry from the original 1970 vinylLogical Song Supertramp from the original 1979 vinylThey Cut Off Mama's Arm Eugene Chadbournefrom the original 1992 vinyl FTBOTRB is launching some exclusive new content! We are launching some exclusive, new, exciting and original content very soon indeed. This content is only available to our mailing list subscribers so to get the content simply go join the list.GET EXCLUSIVE CONENT Eugene Chadbourne - highly eclectic and unconventional Originally beginning to play the guitar at 11 years old as a means to attract girls, Eugene Chadbourne soon learnt he wasn't the fifth Beatle. Covering songs by Jimi Hendrix and the like he soon found psychedelic rock music too conventional for his tastes. He soon gravitated the avant grade world of jazz performer Anthony Braxton. Indeed it was Braxton who dissuaded Chadbourne from entering into a career in journalism. Secondly, he pushed Eugene Chadbourne into the world of music. There are no bridges in folk songs because the peasants died building them.Eugene Chadbourne He played in New York in the 1970's with John Zorn and other free improvisation legend Henry Kaiser. After this, he formed the band Shockabilly with Mark Kramer and David Licht. He also duetted for many years with Jimmy Carl Black (lo...
The Cool Greenhouse is very much our enigmatic bedroom project this week. It's a double dose of obtuse lyrics and minimalism. Listen on to the delightful repetition and simplicity. It's a heady mix and one that is infectious and rewarding, you'll never be quite the same again. We've got political and social commentary with the beautiful alteration of Joe Purdy's emotive and reflective Cairo Walls. Our Listener Recommendation this week comes from a gentleman who has already aired on the show. Yes, it's Fraser from Bolton again with more social commentary from The Humdrum Express. Guru provides us with an opportunity to spin some vinyl in the studio this week. Tobin hits us with the dance classic by Suzy Q and of course our bookend artist this week. Emma Elisabeth opens and closes the show for us. Table of ContentsTrack ListingThings to do this week - your FTBOTRB check listThe Cool GreenhouseYou can get a listen at Chris E here too...The Humdrum ExpressJoe Purdy - Cairo WallsCairo's walls of graffiti trace history of a colourful revolution Track Listing What A Waste Emma ElisabethLeopard Print Onesie The Humdrum ExpressGet On Up And Do It Again Suzy QNever No Time To Play Guru - played off the vinylCairo Walls Joe PurdyCardboard Man The Cool GreenhousePilot Emma Elisabeth Things to do this week - your FTBOTRB check list Check out Better Days on Reform RadioJoin our mailing list for exclusive FTBOTRB content not available to non-subcribersConsider supporting our work to help us bring more exciting music and discussion to youVote in our show notes poll above for your favourite track from this week's showFollow our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramSubscribe to the show, share us with your friends, review the show The Cool Greenhouse Unusual bedroom recording music from Tom Greenhouse, The Cool Greenhouse's Cardboard Man comes off of the Crap Cardboard Pet EP. Firstly, the electronic simplicity and repetition threatens to ditch listeners with a short attention span within seconds. But wait… there's more here than that. With tons of miniature soundbites all craving your attention day after day I can see why people would leave this. However, when repetition and irony are this good then we can take it for hours. It's all getting withered down to cope with our lack of attention. For instance, Tobin revealed recently on the show that music is no being structured for Instagram listeners. Songs are now being crammed into only sixty seconds. Secondly, Tom's obvious adoration of Mark E Smith shines through here.
We've been waiting for the Savannah Pope debut LP for quite some time here at Record Box HQ and it has finally arrived. Savannah Pope at her seemingly best this LP combines art, humour, tragedy, provocation, angst and musicality to create a soundscape on an unearthly level. Read on for the official press release from Los Angeles. More importantly, read on to discover how this record has affected us at Record Box HQ. Moreover we have new, short, Instagram destined musical snapshot from Frankie Cosmos. Brutus get on board with a blistering assault on your ears with War. Car Seat Headrest provide some epic intelligent indie along with New Music Golden Daze. After much hiatus in the run up too W. H. Lung's debut LP we play another track, Simpatico People. And before you ask, "Yes" we do have a 1st pressing of this LP on vinyl in the crates. Actually, we have two copies! Track Listing Ms Moreau Savannah PopeDancing Frankie CosmosWar BrutusSober to Death Car Seat HeadrestTook A Fall Golden DazeSimpatico People W. H. LungAtlantis Savannah Pope Savannah Pope debut LP is here and it rocks FTBOTRB review of Atlantis So Tobin has already described the title track of Savannah Pope’s debut LP as “her magnus opus”. I want to go deeper with this album. We all already know Savannah for her thrash-fuelled, gut wrenching rock and roll, however, she opens up her witty, comical and feminine personality here with magical effect. It’s an intense and personal listen. Even from the first track Just My Luck in which the very first seams of light begin to break through the explosive sound to hint at things to come. Daddy Issues and Creature have both featured on the show before and are Savannah’s standard rock meat grinder tracks. She attempts to reorder the molecules of your entire body with her blistering vocal delivery. Successfully. And then the clouds part, the sun creeps in and Ms Moreau arrives. Its abject beauty and mesmerising clarity mean suddenly you’re receptive to “vivisection porn” such is the hypnotic allure of Savannah’s intimacy. Yes, she’s singing only for you. The theatrical rock opera of Rock ’n’ Roll No More is part homage and part comedy. Savannah pays her dues to the history that she evidently embraces and forms much of her sound and character. And maybe she’s quite right. Maybe this is the phoenix of a once great genre reappearing from the ashes of industrialised band creation for nothing other than creating talentless celebrities. The fact that I caught myself unawares whistling the melody line of Atlantis as I nonchalantly scraped my way through the streets of the North of England...
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Salad DaysThe FearBack to GeorgiaGoin' Where The Monon Crosses The Yellow DogSunday CandyJaguar and the ThunderbirdNobodyVote now! Welcome to the show notes. We will discover two tracks from Canadian muso Mac DeMarco (actual birth name Vernor Winfield MacBriare Smith IV). It's a Wax Time Special from Richard where he has dug deep into his own personal vinyl collection. Richard has come up with 3 belters, or 2 belters and µ-Ziq depending on your opinion. We've got a brilliant Listener Suggestion from Fraser in Bolton, UK. Word on the street is that Fraser's going to be featured on the show again in a couple of weeks. This is as a result of the quality of the suggestions he made. He also added a short summation to each track. Thanks Fraser, it's loyalty to the show like yours that keeps us going back into the studio for more. To be quite frank there's a distinct lack of double bass and banjo in today's musical landscapeFraser, Bolton, UK Track Listing Salad Days Mac DeMarcoThe Fear µ-Ziq played direct from the 1999 vinylBack To Georgia The Outlaw OrchestraGoin' Where the Monon Crosses the Yellow Dog Scrapper Blackwell played direct from the 1962 vinylSunday Candy Donnie Trumpet and The Social ExperimentJaguar and Thunderbird Thee Milkshakes played direct from the 1984 vinylNobody Mac DeMarco Mac DeMarco - singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Meet Mac Demarco. Canadian born musical one man recording phenomenon. He has released three full length LPs and two mini-eps all at the tender age of 28. Yep, we're jealous. His musical style has been often described both as "blue wave" and "slacker rock". Also more eloquently by himself as "jizz jazz". Mac DeMarco was a member of several indie-rock/ post-punk musical outfits during his school years namely The Meat Cleavers, TheSound of Love and Outdoor Miners. After graduating from High School Mac DeMarco became a backing musician and moved to Vancouver. Heat Wave - Mac DeMarco's first solo album 2009 Heat Wave is a self-produced garage-noise/punk rock solo LP recorded in 2009. It sold out of its 500 unit run. After the success of this DeMarco toured with Japandroids then left Vancouver for Montreal to continue work as a solo artist. Times where tough for him. Unable to find work as a musician he participated in medical experiments for money. He also worked for a road paving crew. In 2012 his luck changed and he was signed to Captured Tracks. Shortly after he released mini-LP Rock and Roll Night Club. This well received EP convinced Captured Tracks to release a full length debut LP. Consequently, 2 was released. After that, DeMarco's second full length LP was released - Salad Days. Following on from that,
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?You Found MeDon't Marry Too SoonThe Thing About ThingsSecond Death of My FaceI Am Not AfraidThem ChangesHummingbirdVote now! TweetPinShare WH Lung bring us some cracking slightly retro but forward looking dynamic synth-pop. Visionary in itself, the track Second Death of My Face is a truly beautiful piece of music. And there's more. A double LP has just been released on vinyl and you can get it here. We've got plenty more besides too, Willy Tea Taylor leaves his impressions upon first time listener Tobin. Listen on the get his full reaction. Hey, and while you're here we'd like to tell you about some exclusive content we've got coming up. To get to this extra bonus content you need to be on our mailing list otherwise it won't get to you. Show your loyalty to the show by signing up and you'll receive this exclusive show content not available anywhere else. Oh, and you'll receive a discount code too that you can use in our merchandise store! If you have anymore free time left please consider supporting our work. Track Listing You Found Me Willy Tea TaylorDon't Marry Too Soon Little Miss CornshucksThe Thing About Things Amanda PalmerSecond Death of My Face WH LungI Am Not Afraid Charley CrockettThem Changes ThundercatHummingbird Willy Tea Taylor WH Lung's debut LP Incidental Music is out now. WH Lung and the debut LP Humming synth-pop meets insistent, driving rhythms from this "little known about" Manchester trio. Debut album is out now and what a journey it has been to get there. WH Lung's rise to fame can only be described as unconventional. They decided early on that they were not a live act, instead preferring a studio-based project. However, after the release of their debut 10" release in 2017 the tis offers started to flood in despite them not even being able to fill a 30 minute set. When we recorded ‘Inspiration!’ none of us had a clue about synths or drum machines Band member Tom S recalls "When we confirmed these performances we didn’t even have enough songs to fill a half an hour set. The transition was exciting because we had to start from scratch. We had to write the songs, find people to play in the live band and put a decent set together in about three months." Despite these sporadic pin-sharp live performances WH Lung have stayed remarkably true to their initial concept. They are still mainly studio-based, enjoying a couple of live acts here and there. They have allowed a good 2 years since the initial buzz for this LP to gestate. Resisting the temptation to knee jerk a release was well thought out. Incidental Music is a crisp and considered production as a result. I thought it was funny juxtaposing those kind of austere associations with W. H. Auden and other initialed poets, writers, artists, etc. with the fact that it’s really just a Chinese supermarket.Band member Tom P Record Store Day 2019
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Walk On ByGod Bless the Ottoman EmpireBodyFilm SoundtrackHey LucianiDub Be Good To MeSailVote now! Welcome to the show with ex-Peel Session stars The Suncharms. Luckily for us the band has reformed following their split up in the '90s and are currently recording new material. There is an LP in the wings from The Suncharms. The band has been in touch and we are certainly looking forward to their upcoming release. Read on to discover more about the band and what to expect from them in the future. Also in the show we have Richard's father drop in on the studio and he stays for the entire show! Such is Old Man's musical taste that he offers a few nuggets of wisdom on the tracks in today's show. However, it's not all beer and skittles. After playing the Eastern European classic from A Hawk and A Hacksaw, he cites it obvious middle Eastern influences and then rambles on about Kashmir for a bit. Did you listen in Geography lessons all those years ago? And you always said my geography knowledge is appalling! We are always on the lookout for suggestions from you, our listeners. So, if you've got a track you'd like to hear on the show please do get in touch. Track Listing Walk On By NoosaGod Bless the Ottoman Empire played from the vinyl A Hawk and A HacksawBody SydFilm Soundtrack The SuncharmsHey Luciani played from the vinyl The FallDub Be Good To Me Beats InternationalSail Noosa [wpcd_coupon id=6553] Old Man Ian recommends... The Suncharms - straight out of Sheffield FTBOTRB's impression of The Suncharms Thanks to Marcus of the band for getting in touch with us here at Record Box HQ. We loved The Suncharms here, their musical innocence and melodies hark back to an era when flares were back in fashion. And people wore elephant leg jeans - remember those? A time when we all had floppy bangs of hair and wore long sleeve tee's printed all over with flowers. We all shopped at Affleck's Palace and spent embarrassing amounts of time in Vinyl Exchange. Janglie indie pop at its best describes The Suncharms brilliantly. It's an authentic sound and one we are hoping they are going to be able to replicate on their upcoming debut album release. As told by Slumberland Records Sheffield's The Suncharms formed in 1989, inspired by the flourishing indiepop scene. Also by the sonic experimentation welling-up around them that would soon come to be known as shoegaze. Following initial garage rehearsals the band soon found themselves supporting indiepop legends such as The Brilliant Corners, St Christopher, The Orchids and The Television Personalities. By 1990 the first Suncharms demo tape had secured support slots with emerging Shoegaze bands such as Cranes, Catherine Wheel and Curve which brought the attention of Wilde Club records and by June 1991 the first EP was released to favorable reviews, reaching a fairly respectable No.23 in the UK indie charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZXXSksKG8A&feature=youtu.be In November 1991 the excellent second EP Tranquil Day was released, which led to a Peel session in April 1992. The Slumberland Records crew LOVED those two EPs. They had all the guitar overload we craved, but wrapped around some unusually crafty pop tunes. Less ethereal or abstract than a lot of shoegaze, accurate reference points might include early Ride or The Boo Radleys. We first approached the band about the possibility of releasing something way back in 1992. Sadly the familiar scenario of band members lives going in different directions began to hamper progress so a release never materialised. In April 1993 The Suncharms played the last gig of their initial phase. Life after the split Over the intervening years The Suncharms name was kept alive by a small group of indie enthusiasts, websites, online radio stations and bloggers. In 2014 Richard met Roque Ruiz of Cloudberry Rec...
So, Richard's father stops by the studio this week and stays for the duration of the show (the wine must have been good). We are bookended this week with Noosa, an enchanting songstress of the highest order. Her sweet vocals mesmerise us and we all get carried away to a distant soundscape for a while. Such is the gravitas of her music, or should that be Noosic? We've also got a play from Sheffield's finest The Suncharms with their shoegaze masterpiece Film Soundtrack.
Having 2 vinyl plays this show marks out this episode from the rest. Tobin and Old Man get a bit confused with geography with the play direct from the white vinyl of God Bless the Ottoman Empire.
Record Box Classic and second vinyl play of the show is the mastermind of Mark E Smith, his effervescent band The Fall. Syd the Kid and Beats International (the second Record Box Classic of the show) round everything out and fill in the cracks. Thanks for joining us. Until next week, keep smiling.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?If I'm UnworthyPrincess DiamondThe Monolith of PhobosHard Man Fe DeadThis is the Age(If I Can't Get No) SatisfactionSevenVote now! Tom Grennan is our Listener Recommendation on today's show and introduced by our listener Jamie. Jamie recommended this track and as a result is now firmly friend of the show. If you think you've got taste as good as Jamie's then you can place your Listener Recommendation right here - go right on ahead. So what did we learn today? Blake Mills has a producing pedigree second to none and he has played with some of the greats.Despite Sean Lennon's musical heritage Tobin thinks he is "contrived".Prince Buster has been a massive influence, and in fact even gave Madness their name.Devo are better than The Stones. Track Listing If I'm Unworthy Blake MillsPrincess Diamond (feat. Kelsey Bulkin & MADE IN HEIGHTS) Kero UnoThe Monolith of Phobos The Claypool Lennon DeliriumHard Man Fe Dead Prince BusterThis is the Age Tom Grennan(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction DevoSeven Blake Mills [wpcd_coupon id=6553] Tom Grennan's new LP - Lighting Matches Born in 1995 to father (builder) and mother (teacher), Tom Grennan was an aspiring footballer as a youngster and played for Luton Town and tried out for Aston Villa and Northampton Town. Obscure musical beginnings for Tom Grennan Apparently, and according to himself, Tom's musical beginnings are hazy. He remembers singing a Kooks track at a party and was encouraged by his friends to take up music. Playing accompanied by his acoustic guitar in pubs around London for three years, Tom was eventually picked up by an Insanity Records rep. After a debut EP, and as listener Jamie so rightfully said, Tom was featured on a Chase and Status track and was voted Hottest Record on Annie Mac's Radio 1 show. A big break for Tom. As a result of this, he has been featured on Radio 1's Live Lounge and BBC2's Later with Jools Holland. Buy Tom Grennan's new LP on super-delicious red vinyl here. With a cocksure swagger, Grennan's assured debut makes Bedford sound like HollywoodNME Magazine With an admirable 4 out of 5 stars rating from NME, Tom's debut LP Lighting Matches is set to put him on the right path. Whether or not this is enough to get him there is yet to be seen. It certainly lights the touch paper. The strength of his cross-generational and genre-hopping appeal has helped him sell out venues such as the Brixton Academy even before the wax was released. This debut isn't perfect, but it at least marks out his territory and sets the stage for things to come. We feel Tom Grennan knows exactly what he's doing. However, he may have the voice but he has yet to find the magic to set himself apart from the other chart wallers. Good luck Tom, we'll watch your career with gusto. What do we do here? And where do you fit in? Here at Record Box HQ we undertake the quite frankly exhausting task of producing a music podcast that is listened to around the globe. Firstly, we have to research the music we are going to play and then come together in the studio to record the show. Secondly, we then have to edit and produce the show and get it all onto our media servers so our listeners can, well, listen. All of this takes a great effort and a dedication of time and resources by everyone involved. That's why we are asking you to consider a donation to help us continue our work. We appreciate you listening so much so please continue with our mantra: SubscribeShareReview Really, those reviews via any of the major podcast directories where we are listed is really important to us. So please go ahead, subscribe to the show, share the show with your friends, review the show and leave us some comments. Thanks for listening. From the Bottom of the Record Box is nothing without you.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Edge of TownSeasonsBurning Down the HouseFireflies1922 BluesWatussiLost FriendsVote now! Laura Rain and The Caesars mean business and remind us that Detroit can still rock your socks off. Their gritty, determined, funk-soul-blues is delivered with the power of a juggernaut. Listen on to join the bus. Also coming up on the show we have a bookend from Middle Kids - more about whom Tobin will share with us. A musical surprise is sprung on Tobin and we find out that he's already a fan. Talking Heads make their second appearance on the show and we have some good old Kraut-Rock from Harmonia. From the Bottom of the Record Box is also introducing you to John Grant. If you're not already familiar, this is the track Fireflies off of his Queen of Denmark LP. Come on in, it's a belter this week. Guaranteed - to our listeners around the globe. Track Listing Edge of Town Middle KidsSeasons Laura Rain & The CaesarsBurning Down the House Talking HeadsFireflies John Grant1922 Blues Charlie ParrWatussi HarmoniaLost Friends Middle Kids Detroit's Laura Rain & The Caesars BRING THEIR FUNKY SOUL TO TOWN A tough, hard-working American city is reinventing itself as a vibrant incubator of ideas and creation. Back from decades of neglect, Detroit has returned to the forefront on the world stage. Adventurers, investors, artists, and young entrepreneurs are flocking to the Motor City, bringing with them energy, creativity and innovation. The city and its people are inspired again. Outstanding Blues Songwriters Laura Rain is a product of her environment, a hard driving soul singer who uses the power and finesse of her own voice to inspire and electrify your spirit. Born and raised in Detroit, where her father engineered conveyer systems for the auto plants, she delivers her original songs with fearless emotion and excitement. Backed by her band The Caesars, she delivers a unique blend of modern funky soul and blues worthy of Detroit’s rich history of creative innovators. [wpcd_coupon id=6553] More about Laura Rain It is the Motor City where Aretha Franklin, Parliament-Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye all lived and created. A town where singers are continually influencing and defining the world around themselves. Laura Rain creates her own environment of expression through her music. Having released four albums of all original music since 2013, the band blends their favourite elements of funky ‘60s organ jazz, lowdown blues, dance music, old-school R&B, and soul. Laura and producer-songwriter George Friend have created a unique style, winning a prestigious Detroit Music Award for “Outstanding Blues Songwriters” and touring the U.S. Canada and Europe. Laura Rain’s voice soars as she weaves her own path through a classic, but thoroughly modern, funky sound, reinventing the gospel, blues, and soul that the city made famous. For 2019, in promotion of the latest full-length album Walk with Me and the single Pleasure Zone, Laura Rain and the Caesars continue touring with visits to the South and East Coast, bringing with them their own brand of Motor City music – soulful ambassadors of the dedication, drive, and spirit of an American underdog city. Detroit has returned: strong, creative, inspiring and always funky. Get social with Laura Rain FacebookInstagramTwitterYou TubeSpotifyOr visit her website here for more information Subscribe for exclusive news about the show More about Middle Kids Middle Kids are an alternative indie rock trio out of Sydney, Australia. The band comprises of married couple Tim Fritz and his wife Hannah Joy (vocal/guitarist). Harry Day on drums rounds things out. The band has been recording since 2015 and have one self-titled studio EP and the recently released LP Lost Friends.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?The King of Carrot Flowers Parts I, II & IIIParisBlue Skies in Your EyesCuddly ToyBallerinaMy LoveGhost / UntitledVote now! Mercy, I've been waiting so long to unleash In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel upon Tobin. Also you, our dear listeners. If you're not familiar with Neutral Milk Hotel then we hope that you will go away from the show and give the whole album a listen. It really is a masterpiece. More on Jeff Mangum and Neutral Milk Hotel later... Track Listing The King of Carrot Flowers Parts I, II & III from the vinyl Neutral Milk HotelParis MXMSBlue Skies in Your Eyes LemongrassCuddly Toy from the vinyl RoachfordBallerina from the vinyl Van MorrisonMy Love Until The Ribbon BreaksGhost / Untitled from the vinylNeutral Milk Hotel Subscribe for exclusive news about the show Neutral Milk Hotel born out of The Elephant 6 Recording Company Jeff Mangum formed The Elephant 6 Recording Company with his childhood friends Robert Schneider, Bill Doss and Will Cullen Hart. They all shared music cassettes in their younger days and made music together. Jim McIntyre and Hilarie Sydney of Apples in Stereo made up the final tally. They all started several pet projects which ended up under the umbrella of Elephant 6. Doss and Hart with The Olivia Tremor Control, Mangum with Neutral Milk Hotel and Schneider with Apples in Stereo. Collectively they held admiration for music from the 1960s. In particular The Beach Boys, often stating the then unfinished Smile as "The Holy Grail". Mangum disbanded Neutral Milk Hotel after an extensive European tour in 1998 cited ill health as one of the reasons. His bandmates were keen to capitalise on the albums success. However, Mangum was tired of performing and explaining his lyrics. Because of this Mangum turned down an opportunity to open for R.E.M. Mangum suffered a nervous breakdown at the time. Interviewed in 2002 he stated that it was unlikely that he would record as Neutral Milk Hotel in the future. I just feel like these windows open up for something to be honest, and they don't stay open for very long. I guess my path feels sort of different nowJeff Mangum speaking to Pitchfork in February 2002 In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - sophomore album from Neutral Milk Hotel Whilst working on the album Avery Island he read The Diary of a Young Girl. The diary written by Anne Frank whilst in hiding from the Nazi occupation. The diary was famously and posthumously published to great acclaim. Mangum was deeply affected by the diary, he spent "about three days crying" after reading it. He also dreamed of travelling back in time to save her. The track Ghost played here was a reference to Frank and to a ghost Mangum believed lived in his house. He believed the ghost kept waking him in the night. Oh Comely (8+ minutes) was recorded in one take. At the end of the track you can hear an astonished bandmate cry "Holy shit" in amazement. On the final track, Two Headed Boy Part II, Mangum can be heard setting down his guitar and walking away. At the end of Aeroplane's final song, you can hear Jeff Mangum [...] set down his guitar and walk off, and [...] that's exactly what Mangum did in real lifeSlate Other avenues to explore Get brilliant music/TV/film based t-shirts hereCheck out where our Listeners are around the globe hereTake a look at what our Listeners are saying hereSupport our work hereGet social on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Stop and GoStorms On The OceanOrdinary PleasureSteady GirlSex On FireTom's Gone To HiloOrange Claw HammerIn TransitVote now! Hello and welcome to the show notes for another episode of the show, brought to you by From the Bottom of the Record Box. Firstly, we are thrilled to be bringing you a true exclusive. The Heathens are spinning in the show. Secondly it is actually on the date that the record is officially released by Black & Wyatt Records. Read on to learn more about this fascinating track. If this takes your fancy, why not take a listen to Black & Wyatt's other recent release Fingers Like Saturn. What else will you learn in this episode? Albert Hammond Jr. is in fact Albert Hammond IIIThat the Appalachian Dulcimer is also known as The Hog FiddleChillwave is a thingDon Van Vliet - aka Captain Beefheart is the greatest musician ever to have livedRichard has invented the musical genre Pirate Music Please help us continue broadcasting £ Donation Amount: It's all I can afford, but you've got all my loveI've got a slightly deeper pocket, keep going guysYep, sure as hell got a spring in my step today - You're awesomeI am the King over all I survey - big me up on the showDang it, I'm so rich I won't even miss this amount - Good Luck!Hang on, I want to give an amount that suits me betterDonate Now Select Payment Method PayPal Personal Info First Name * Last Name Company Name Email Address * Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Donation Total: £10.00 Track Listing Stop and Go Albert Hammond Jr.Storms On The Ocean Robert Force & Albert d'OsschéOrdinary Pleasure Toro y MoiSteady Girl The HeathensSex on Fire Black SheikhsTom's Gone To Hilo Gavin Friday & Shannon McNallyOrange Claw Hammer (1975 Radio) Captain BeefheartIn Transit Albert Hammond Jr. Subscribe for exclusive news about the show. First Name Last Name Email Address Leave this field empty if you're human: The Heathens - Steady Girl - as written by Kaye Garren-Heath-Payne Saturday, December 8th, 1956: Four days after Elvis, Carl, Johnny, and Jerry Lee recorded the ‘Million Dollar Quartet Session’, five East High School students known as The Heathens (named after 15 year-old lead singer Colin Heath) entered Sun Studio to record a song he had written with a female classmate (and rhythm guitar player) Kaye Garren called Steady Girl. Classmen Roger Fakes played lead guitar and Joe Bauer (later of The Youngbloods) played drums. David Gibson played piano on one of two takes. Sam Phillips was probably not there that day, so it is likely that Jack Clement or Marion Keisker produced the session, but there’s no way to ever know for certain. Both takes were cut straight to a 78 rpm acetate disc (live with no overdubs and no mixing) as these teenagers banged away inside Sun Studio on that weekend afternoon. When the smoke cleared, both takes of Steady Girl were too raw even by Sun Records standards, so The Heathens were never called back and the lacquer master remained unheard. Sixty-three years later,
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Candy's DeadThe Frog PrincessGod Knows I've TriedMary You Were WrongLaundry RoomI KnowGlam LiesVote now! Firstly Fingers Like Saturn are our point of interest in this show. It is a remarkable story. Rob and Dennis (Black and Wyatt Records) have played a massive part in this. We are delighted to be intertwined in this story from afar. Besides Fingers Like Saturn, Tobin brings us The Frog Princess, a cautionary tale by The Divine Comedy. Secondly, later on in the show we introduce Sammy Brue and his wonderfully rich voice. Further to that, we have a video from his recent gig in London where he and his guitarist KJ Ward were supporting Caamp. The impromptu trio of Sammy Brue, Taylor Meier and Matt Vinson covered The Avett Brothers classic Laundry Room and the video of that performance is right here in the show notes. Consequently we spin the original on the show as well. Sign up for more from Record Box HQ Track Listing Candy's Dead Fingers Like SaturnThe Frog Princess The Divine ComedyGod Knows I've Tried Kelsey KarterMary You Were Wrong Mary LattimoreLaundry Room The Avett BrothersI Know Sammy BrueGlam Lies Fingers Like Saturn Fingers Like Saturn - 10 years in the making What Robert at Black and Wyatt Records has to say: Many Memphis rock musicians have great material in the can that has never been put on vinyl. Robert Wyatt - Black & Wyatt Records We are starting by producing 500 to 1000 records for each band. We are about to release a single what could be the earliest garage rock band record. In 1956 five high school kids who went into Sun Studio, two days after the million dollar quartet session, to record their original song Steady Girl. The 14 year old drummer, Joe Bauer, later became the drummer for the Youngbloods. The remarkable thing about Fingers Like Saturn is the cast of musicians in the group. Mike McCarthy, a well known Memphis filmmaker, has written all the songs on this LP. Mike grew up in rural northeast Mississippi in a town close to Tupelo and the songs reflect that heritage. Satnin is about Elvis' mother Gladys and his stillborn twin. Satnin is a Presley family term of endearment. It is what Elvis called Priscilla. The term is also used for others such as Gladys (and in the song Jesse). Cori Dials Mattice, the vocalist, starred in McCarthy's film, Cigarette Girl. Steve Selvidge, the drummer, has become one of the most highly regarded Memphis guitar players (Hold Steady). Jonathan Kirkscey, cello, recently put together the soundtrack for the documentary about Mr. Rogers. Our webpage should be updated soon with material on the Heathen's Steady Girl, but it does have stories, photos and links for Fingers Like Saturn - www.blackandwyattrecords.com. Memphis Flyer article: October 25th 2018 Why would two doctors want to start a record label?Chris McCoy Ask Dennis Black and Robert Wyatt of Black & Wyatt Records, and they'll tell you it's because they love Memphis music. Black is a pediatric gastroenterologist, and Wyatt is a pediatric nephrologist. They met through their work at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and bonded over their love of music, particularly Memphis rock-and-roll. Wyatt says even though he's lived and practiced medicine in Memphis since the 1980s, for many years he was unaware of the city's fertile underground music scene. "When I had a division to run, a research lab, and a family to raise, I missed out. My lab techs were going to the Antenna Club, but I never did." Robert Wyatt and Dennis Black of Black & Wyatt Records - friends of the show The Harbert Avenue Porch Show Black grew up in Covington and worked at the town's radio station, WKBL, in high school, then for Memphis State's WTGR. "Music has kind of been my hobby all along," he says. "Unfortunately, I can't really play.
Please help us continue broadcasting £ Donation Amount: It's all I can afford, but you've got all my loveI've got a slightly deeper pocket, keep going guysYep, sure as hell got a spring in my step today - You're awesomeI am the King over all I survey - big me up on the showDang it, I'm so rich I won't even miss this amount - Good Luck!Hang on, I want to give an amount that suits me betterDonate Now Select Payment Method PayPal Personal Info First Name * Last Name Company Name Email Address * Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Donation Total: £10.00 Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Nobody's Dirty BusinessTo My Dearest WifeLet It RockNo More TearsSilence KidSpinning Round the SunNative SonVote now! Gavin Clark reminds us of our own futility with his statement "We're all just spinning round the sun". However, we've more besides. Firstly, Tobin has the bookend for the show with The Devil Makes Three. Secondly, we have a well-worn original 1959 vinyl spin live in the studio from Chuck Berry. It's a brilliant song. Finally, we try to silence Tobin's statement: the US doesn't really do Indie very well Shutting this down completely will happen in a few weeks time when I unleash a MONSTER on Tobin. Stay tuned to find out what is my all time favourite US Indie record. I am going to bookend the show with 4, yes 4, tracks from the LP. All played on vinyl live in the studio. Can't wait! Let us know what your favourite song of all time is here and we'll do our best to play it. Track Listing Nobody's Dirty Business The Devil Makes ThreeTo My Dearest Wife LuceroLet It Rock Chuck Berry (Original 1959 vinyl played in the studio)No More Tears Barbra Streisand and Donna SummerSilence Kid PavementSpinning Round the Sun Gavin ClarkNative Son The Devil Makes Three So what did we learn today? My wife has come out better after 60 years than my Chuck Berry vinyl 45rpm 7"Pavement have gone a long way to silence Tobin's argument (no pun intended)The Devil Makes Three absolutely rockWe miss Gavin Clark Gavin Clark - an obituary We have left the final words about this wonderful man to John Niven. John wrote this obituary for the Daily Record in 2015. We think it's perfectly fitting for Gavin. This is an obituary for a man many of you will never have heard of - I just wish you had A singer who sold just a handful of records in his lifetime and who was never much on the radio or TV died last week. Aged just 46. Please bear with me while I write an obituary for a man many of you will never have heard of. How we met Gavin Clark was a member of Sunhouse. A band I worked with back in the late 90s in my previous life as a record company A&R man. His voice was a beautiful thing, fragile and careworn – an angel drunk on whisky. His lyrics were full of despair and hope and love and fear and death. The album I worked with him on way back when was called Crazy on the Weekend. We released it in 1998. It was in the wake of things such as Be Here Now by Oasis and Urban Hymns by The Verve. It was the apogee of Britpop, just as the bubble was bursting. Right away it got a five-star review in Uncut. It, where it was exalted as one of the records of the decade. Gavin’s songwriting was compared to Elvis Costello and Gram Parsons. I remember dancing around my office, feeling like we’d shot the moon.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?April the 14th (Part I)Love Has All Been Done BeforePull It TogetherBitter EndHandmade CardYou Keep It All InBilly (Live)Vote now! Yeah! Get on. You arrived at another episode of the show. Thanks, your continued slavish devotion to the show that champions the undiscovered and under represented musicians of the planet known as earth is admirable, and appreciated. Jade Bird brings us a reason to rethink our idea of modern music, with the wonderful Love Has All Been Done Before. Our usual bookend is taken care of by Gillian Welch and Tobin gives us a double New Music Header by Someone and Young & Sick. A Record Box Classic from The Beautiful South rounds it all out. Friend of the show Jerry G blows his harp and our minds Thank you so much to the guys over at Musicians in the Mountains. Jerry wrote this impromptu harp piece for the show. What a harp player Jerry really is - we are truly thankful for this amazing piece of music. Thanks guys. Go check out Jerry and JP's amazing project here. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6nNChCArf/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Track Listing April the 14th Part I Gillian WelchLove Has All Been Done Before Jade BirdPull It Together SomeoneBitter End Young & SickHandmade Card Nina NastasiaYou Keep It All In The Beautiful SouthBilly (Live) Gillian Welch Jade Bird - 21 year old talent making the rest of us sick with envy Firstly, we are delighted that Tobin introduced us to the very talented Jade Bird. Secondly, this was a really good track. We'll be interested to see how she does in the poll. Jade Bird released her debut EP Something American in July 2017 to critical acclaim. Rolling Stone described her vocals as: raw and robust The legendary Tony Visconti was also recorded as commenting: she sings so adroitly, she's very intelligent as a singer and there's nothing she can't do Jade Bird began playing piano at a young age - 8 years old - and consequently moved on to guitar and song writing at 12 years old. Initially living in South Wales with her grandmother and mother, later she moved to London at 16 years of age and started attending BRIT School in Croydon. Whilst at BRIT School Jade would perform several gigs a week. Secondly, in 2017 Jade Bird began touring the US and as Tobin stated on the show, opened for Son Little amongst others. Young & Sick - a personal note from their publicist We received this post from Young & Sick's publicist quite coincidentally the week we decided to introduce Young & Sick to the show: Today, musician and visual artist known as Young & Sick (real name Nick van Hofwegen) has released brand new single No Good,the 2nd track to see a release from his forthcoming new EP scheduled for a spring 2019 release via Neon Gold Records / B3SCI Records. Stream No Good everywhere now here. A slow-burn of a track oscillating between dark pop vibes and deep house grooves, Nick describes, No Good is a confession of my many mistakes. My inability to keep from going absolutely insane. And my failure in stopping my self-destruction. It also happens to be a killer hit at kid’s birthdays, office parties and water-balloon fights."Today also marks the beginning of Young & Sick's N. American tour with The Knocksas direct support. The tour kicks off today in Vancouver and will traverse 19 cities. Tickets on sale now here. Bitter End No Good comes on the heels of previous single Bitter End which saw a release earlier this month to widespread critical love and a Spotify 'New Music Friday' add. Stream the track now here. Young & Sick is coming off a whirlwind 2018 that started with the January release of comeback EP, Ojai, which you can purchase on limited edition 7" vinyl here. His first body of work since his 2014 debut album, the EP was a reintroduction to Young & Sick's music and visual artistry,
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?Song For WinnersEver Fallen In LoveJohnny Boy's BonesA Little RespectSpirits AbandonedVelvet UndergroundTracyVote now! Welcome to the show! Thanks for dropping by the website to catch up on more information about this episode. Don't forget our other content on Instagram and Facebook. Today we have a fantastic cover by Nouvelle Vague, a Classic Vinyl play from Erasure and an excellent Listener Recommendation from Pete in Harpenden. Thanks Pete. We have Jonathan Richman and The Velvet Underground song that'll really put a smile on your face, as does all of Jonathan's amazing catalogue. Furthermore, listen on to hear Tobin's apocalyptic review of Six Organs of Admittance... Track Listing Song For Winners Nick WaterhouseEver Fallen In Love Nouvelle VagueJohnny Boy's Bones (feat. The Dead South) Colter WallA Little Respect Erasure (played direct from the vinyl)Spirits Abandoned Six Organs of AdmittanceVelvet Underground Jonathan RichmanTracy Nick Waterhouse Colter Wall rides into town... Colter Wall is our Listener Recommendation today from Pete in Harpenden. Pete has introduced us to this remarkable young man's music for which we are very grateful. Colter was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He is actually the son of the 14th Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Whilst growing up Colter was already listening to a lot of country music including Johnny Cash. As a result of this, you can hear these influences in this track. At the age of 13 Colter began playing guitar covering songs by bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. When he was 15 years old Colter heard Bob Dylan's track Don't Think Twice, It's All Right. As a consequence of that he started writing songs as opposed to just playing guitar. He describes his music as a mix of blues, folk and Americana. In this track we play here Colter is joined by The Dead South. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l4gdhPqh3E Jonathan Richman and The Velvet Underground Jonathan began writing his own songs in the mid-1960s and quickly became infatuated with The Velvet Underground. Consequently, Jonathan moved from Boston to New York City in 1969. He lived on the sofa of The Velvet Underground's manager Steve Sesnick and tried desperately to break into the professional music scene. Failing to do so, Jonathan moved back to Boston. It did get better for him though. I don't write really, I just make up songs. Jonathan soon formed the photo-punk band The Modern Lovers. They quickly became influential. Recording in 1972 under the tutelage of John Cale, The Modern Lovers recorded a number of demos. Out of this came the seminal Pablo Picasso and Roadrunner (a two chord homage to The Velvet's Sister Ray) which went onto to influence, among others, The Sex Pistols. Because of this Jonathan became known as The Godfather of Punk in the 1970s UK Punk Explosion. Post-breakup of the band he released the album The Modern Lovers (1976) which contained both Pablo Picasso and Roadrunner which at the time was a strange album indeed sitting in the charts where prog-rock and glam were the norm. Jonathan still performs his whimsical, wide-eyed, child-like music to this day. However, he only plays acoustically, apparently to protect his hearing.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?All the Debts I OweGetting To MeYou Make Me FeelNobodySeqinitta QinngorpaatitNeed a Little TimeJumping At Shadows26Send the FishermanVote now! Firstly, Indigo Morgan is our surprise catch on the show today. She currently has 3 albums out, the latest released as recently as this month. You can check her out on Spotify. Secondly, we also have newish music from the likes of Caroline Rose, Mitski and Courtney Barnett. Welcome to the show, let's dive straight in. First up it's Caamp... Track Listing All the Debts I Owe CaampGetting To Me Caroline RoseYou Make Me Feel Indigo MorganNobody MitskiSeqinitta Qinngorpaatit NanookNeed A Little Time Courtney BarnettJumping At Shadows Duster Bennett (original 1969 vinyl play)26 CaampSend the Fisherman Caamp Indigo Morgan - the three LP wonder The intriguing and wonderfully mystic Indigo Morgan is our under-represented artist in this episode of the show. She has three LP's currently available. The first two are self-published, however, she appears to have a record deal for the third. The track we played on today's show - You Make Me Feel - comes from off of the A Song for Bowie album. Here's a catalogue of her work, we heartily recommend checking out her work. She's different, interesting and engaging. A Song For Bowie (2009)Left But Not Forgotten (2011)New Growth (2019) Indigo also has significant work published on YouTube. Here's a link to her channel. As a result of searching for Lou Reed's This Magic Moment, we found a new favourite. Therefore, Indigo has achieved a place in our From the Bottom of the Record Box catalogue. Nanook - Our Sun is Shining on You When Christian K. Elsner was small and living in Nanortalik in southern Greenland he once encountered a dog named Nanook because of his white coat. Nanook is a legendary polar bear. When the Elsner brothers started a band later in life, it got the name Nanook - the biggest bear. They also chose the name because they were inspired by the polar bear, which survives extreme conditions, but which is also endangered. By calling themselves Nanook, the band hoped to be able to educate the world about the polar bear's critical situation. When the band released their debut album Seqinitta Qinngorpaatit ("Our Sun is Shining on You") in 2009, they quickly became one of the most famous bands in Greenland. Despite the lyrics being in Greenlandic , which only just over 50,000 people speak, their album Ai Ai ("Lucky Song") from 2011, soon sold 10,000 albums. You can learn more about this fascinating band from their Facebook page. Duster Bennett - harp virtuoso The untimely death in 1976 of 29 year-old Duster Bennett was a sad loss to the music world. After playing a set with Memphis Slim on 26 March 1976 Duster was travelling home in a Ford Transit van and apparently fell asleep at the wheel. The van collided with a truck and consequently Duster was killed immediately. Duster emerged out of the late '60s art school music scene in Kingston-upon-Thames and Guildford. His virtuosic combination of drums, guitar (a 1952 Les Paul Goldtop gifted to him by Peter Green) and harmonica soon attracted wide recognition. He was often played on John Peel's Top Gear show between 1968 and 1970. He embarked on a US tour in 1970 with blues legend John Mayall both as a member of the Bluesbreakers and as a solo act. The track we play here, Jumping At Shadows was subsequently covered by Fleetwood Mac and Gary Moore.
Would you please help us improve the show by voting for your favourite track from this episode?2 Song SetPlastic WrapLemonadeMellotronStewballSpace CowboyThe Acid SongVote now! Welcome to the best undiscovered music podcast available! Thanks for listening with us to Loudon Wainwright III. Loudon has had such a prolific output of acerbic, funny, heart-wrenching and cleverly written songs that choosing just 3 tracks of his was a difficult choice. Because of this, we would urge you to investigate his catalogue yourselves to find your favourites. You can visit his official website here. Track Listing 2 Song Set (feat. Slow Train) Loudon Wainwright IIIPlastic Wrap Joy DownerLemonade CocoRosieMellotron StereolabStewball Loudon Wainwright IIISpace Cowboy Kacey MusgravesThe Acid Song Loudon Wainwright III Loudon is the best undiscovered music Why do we say this? Loudon Wainwright III is hugely well known and a man of prolific output. Because of this, as a young lad every time I watched the Old Grey Whistle Test he seemed to be on it! He's produced dozens of albums and has been in the news for more than just his music. Loudon has produced 3 offspring that have gone on to be well known musicians in their own rights. However, with younger listeners he will be less well known and may come as something of a revelation to them. As a result of this, we hope you agree that he is outside of modern and commercial music enough to classed as the "best undiscovered music". Mr. Wainwright has proved to be far and away the most candid diarist among the singer-songwriters who...brought confessional poetry into popular song.... Mr. Wainwright wrings more human truth out of his contradiction than any other songwriter of his generation – New York Times, Stephen Holden More of the best undiscovered music Often regarded as one of the most influential bands of the '90s, Stereolab gave us a mellotron masterclass in this episode. They formed in London in 1990 and classed themselves as an English/French avant-pop band. Often incorporating a motorik beat they heavily relied on vintage keyboard instruments such as the mellotron. Because of this, Stereolab after had a strong Germanic sound to their music. Playing live on stage, however, the band were more guitar-driven. Stereolab found success in the underground music scene and proved influential, for instance, they sparked a renewed interest in vintage analogue instruments. In 2009 Stereolab announced they were to be on indefinite hiatus. However, they are due to reunite for a live performance later this year. doryfour [CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Listen now! New website feature We have made it even easier to listen to your favourite episode of the show right from our website. Simply click here and you'll be whisked off to our listening page where in an uncluttered environment you'll be able to play away to your heart's content. Enjoy.
Dear listener, we'd really appreciate your help in getting the show absolutely perfect. What do you think of the length of the show?It's too darn short - add some more musicIt's too darn short - talk some moreIt's pretty well balanced - about rightIt's too long - lose a trackIt's too long - don't talk so muchVote now! Welcome to another show of exceptional high brow musical integrity. The Libertines give us two pearlers today and, as a consequence, have both of us shoop da langa-langing in the studio! Gil Scott-Heron drops by with his wonderful apartheid tale of startling depth and beauty. Our Listener Suggestion this week is of such staggering brilliance that it, therefore, produces a surprise at the very end of the show, just as we thought we were wrapping up. Join us for a very different cover version of what turns out was a cover version to start with. If that doesn't make any sense, listen on and it will. Finally, music from up north from the magical The Oriellesturns your grey, humdrum day into something interstellar and cosmic! Let us join you and take you on a wonderful 45 minutes-ish journey. Track Listing What Katie Did The LibertinesJohannesberg Gil Scott-Heron and Brian JacksonIf You're Never Gonna Move Jessie WarePapa Was a Roling Stone Hot 8 Brass BandSunshine River MatthewsBobbi's Second World The OriellesMusic When the Lights Go Out The Libertines The Libertines - what did we learn? So after eschewing The Libertines during their heyday because of the Pete Doherty circus, involving among others, Kate Moss, we listened to their music on the show. After that, we decided that they were, in fact, great. As a consequence of coming to them later, it was easier to recognise their brilliance. It turns out that Pete is something of a sage too. Despite being smashed most of the time he has come out with some excellent quotes over the years. Here's just a few: One minute I'm waiting for Kate to arrive to join me in the Jacuzzi for a romantic evening. The next thing I can remember is doing cold turkey in a vomit-filled cell. I've got a fierce passion for politics but I can't stand the smarmy, hypocritical upper-middle-class dictator nation that prevails and has always prevailed in this country. I'm up for petrol bombers, mate, and fighting in the streets. Broken glass. It's just like glitter, isn't it? I'm 300 grand in debt. Why do you think I'm going out with Kate Moss? The Libertines in 2016 playing Festival des Vieilles Charrues The Hot 8 Brass Band So as mentioned in the show, these guys celebrated their twentieth anniversary in 2015. The band was formed after the amalgamation of two different brass bands. The Looney Tunes Brass Band and The High Steppers Brass Band joined forces. As a result of this, The Hot 8 Brass Band was born. In their twenty-plus year career they have toured the globe with their rambunctious style of music, blending jazz, hip hop and funk. However, it hasn't all been beer and skittles. There have been three members lost to gun crime along the way, all between the ages of 17 and 25. Jacob Johnson, the 17-year-old trumpet player was found dead at home, the victim of an execution-style killing (1996).Joseph "Shotgun Joe" Williams was shot dead by police in controversial circumstances. According to New Orleans Police Department the 22-year-old trombone player had been stopped for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle when he suddenly reversed toward a police car and officer. The Police then opened fire killing Williams (2004). Several eyewitnesses claim the police shot Williams when he was unarmed and hand his hands in the air.Drummer Dinerral "Dick" Shavers was killed by a shot to the back of his head whilst driving with his family (2006). Apparently the bullet was intended for his 15-year-old stepson. Shavers continued driving after the shot but was later found lying in the road next to the car.
Welcome to the show! We have a real mixed bag for you this week. Saint Motel are our bookend artists for this show. In addition we have the privilege of showcasing JP Paulsen, Annsofi and Jerry Geraldi. They also have an interesting sideline project called Musicians in the Mountains. Read on to find out more. Secondly, we offer you music from The Shacks and the wonderful Afro-beat set up KOKOROKO. If this wasn't enough, we revisit St. Paul and The Broken Bones with their recent release Young Sick Camelia. What are you waiting for? Hit that play button below and let's dive straight in. Track Listing Move Saint MotelI'm Not in Love Fun Lovin' CriminalsThis Strange Effect The ShacksAbusey Junction KOKOROKOSt. Mary JP Paulsen, Annsofi and Jerry GeraldiGotItBad St. Paul and The Broken BonesHappy Accidents Saint Motel JP Paulsen and Jerry Geraldi are Musicians in the Mountains For the last 3 years, JP Paulsen, a well established musician and school teacher from Arendal, Norway and Jerry Geraldi, a lifelong outdoorsman and harmonica player from Queens, New York have developed a concept called, Musicians in the Mountains which combines their love of both music and the outdoors. The two musicians needed a break from the concerts, organizers and in general the music scene. Consequently they have since found solace playing for an audience of mountains, ocean and the occasional reindeer in what could only be described as barren landscapes. With camping gear, climbing gear or kayaks they travel with their instruments strapped to their backs and head off into the nature that they both love and respect. Consequently they set up camp, cook, have funny and strange conversations and most importantly play their music for the environment. From the top of Gaustatoppen in -25c to sitting in their kayaks while playing music. Their goal is performing and entertaining under sometimes extreme weather conditions. Because of this, they are recorded for the entertainment of others to enjoy. Their instagram channel is truly remarkable, check it out here. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBBnSii7bB/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqk6dgXCq1-/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjx5ehgASoS/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Apocalypse Man Check out Jerry's solo project here...
Welcome to the first show of 2019! Happy New Year to all our listeners. We have some fantastic music and review for you this week. Tremendous Taste Dave from Preston, UK sends us his Listener Recommendation - The Decemberists with Carolina Low. Listen on to hear what we think of this. We also have another Listener Suggestion from Jamie - the quite unique one man band Shakey Graves with the track Roll the Bones. Unknown Mortal Orchestra from New Zealand give us quite a diverse bookend for the show. In addition, we have a Record Box Classic from Art of Noise and more from the truly wonderful Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley fame). Let's bring in 2019 together. Track Listing Major League Chemicals Unknown Mortal OrchestraTry to Change Mother MotherCarolina Low The DecemberistsRoll the Bones (Audiotree Live Version) Shakey GravesClose (to the Edit) Art of NoiseAcid Tongue Jenny LewisHunnybee Unknown Mortal Orchestra More about Shakey Graves... Shakey Graves (Alejandro Rose-Garcia) is a very interesting character and musician hailing from Austin, Texas. We discussed in the show how Shakey Graves came about his performing name. In 2007 at the Old Settlers Music Festival in Texas, he and friends gave each other Indian guide names whilst sat around a campfire. As a result of a memorable evening performing music he decided to keep his. Unfortunately, we don't know what any of the other names were. He became increasingly known for his one man band set up, and played mainly solo on his self-released debut album (Roll the Bones). He was becoming increasingly frustrated at having to borrow high hats and kick drums to perform. Consequently, a close friend devised the solution of a modified suitcase that acts as a kick drum and tambourine stand. Shakey Graves Day He won Best Emerging Artist award at the 2105 Americana Music Awards. However, previous to this Mayor of Austin, Lee Leffingwell proclaimed Shakey Graves Day. Every year on September 9th through 11th Shakey offers his recordings, including unreleased albums, for pay-what-you-want prices on Bandcamp. Remembering Manchester's most famous busking son After listening to Shakey Graves we had a flashback of listening to Little Big Band in Manchester in the 1980's. Because of this, we decided to look up Little Big Band (Rob Gray) and were delighted to find he is still knocking out his amazing music. Firstly, Rob performs in more towns than just Manchester now. Secondly, his music is still as fresh and driven sounding as I remember it. I used to travel into Manchester as a 13 year old boy just to stare up at Rob on the steps of the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester. Consequently, I learnt to play harmonica. Thanks for being such an inspiration Rob. Here are a couple of my favourite performances from you. Happy New Year to our listeners around the globe Yes! A Happy New Year to you all. Thank you for staying with us throughout the year. We really appreciate you being there. Remember - keep those listener suggestions coming in. So where are your listeners based? It's a question we get asked a lot. At the time of January 2019, here's a list of countries that are listeners to From the Bottom of the Record Box. AustraliaBelgiumBrazilCanadaColombiaCosta RicaCzech RepublicFranceGeorgiaGermanyGreeceHondurasHong KongIndiaIrelandItalyJapanKorea, Republic ofLebanonMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandRussian FederationSierra LeoneSingaporeSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTunisiaTurkeyUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States The Decemberists' Colin Meloy
Thanks for listening throughout 2018. Welcome to our New Year's Eve playlist. We really value your continued support. This is our "Best of the Best" 2018. We had such a wealth of great music that it was very hard to decide which tracks to include within our usual format of around 45 minutes - or there about. We just couldn't include everybody. However, you all did get airplay in 2018 and will continue to do so throughout 2019. Say "Hello"... Please do get in touch, you can contact us here or via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Welcome to the magic. Experience the masterful songwriting and musical genius that is Cat Power (Charlyn Marie "Chan" Marshall). With 10 studio albums to her name, she's a musical force to be reckoned with. As a result of Karl Lagerfeld seeing her smoking a cigarette outside the Mercer Hotel in New York she became the spokesperson for a line of Chanel jewellery. In addition, Cat Power has been featured in commercials for Cingular and De Beers. Her version of Space Oddity by David Bowie was used in a commercial for a Lincoln car and she was involved in advertising for GAP. Apple used her version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in their 2013 Christmas commercial campaign. Furthermore, she has had numerous film roles. Chan also narrated the film Janis: Little Girl Blue which premiered at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. Track Listing The ex-love of my life - Cat Power Marshall has also had tragedy galore in her life. Before coming to prominence whilst working as a waitress in Atlanta her boyfriend died. Also at the time her best friend died of AIDS. This coupled with the abject use of heroin amongst her social circle led her to move to New York. She soon found a new boyfriend whom helped her to get a job as a waitress. Subsequently she discovered he was having an affair with the owner of the diner. A short relationship with model Daniel Currie ended in 2003 at a time when she was drinking heavily and abusing other substances. Three years later she started a relationship with actor Giovanni Ribisi. Consequently, she lived with him and his daughter in Los Angeles. They broke up in 2012. This break up coincided with the release of her ninth studio album Sun. In 2015 Cat Power gave birth to her first child but did not reveal the identity of the father. I cut my hair off three days [after the breakup], got on a plane to France, and finished the shit. Listener Suggestion of the Year - 2018 Loads of Listener Recommendations have come in throughout 2018 but one track stood out in particular. We wanted to recognise this and so have declared it our Listener Suggestion of the Year. Our New Year Special playlist contains our official Listener Suggestion of 2018 - Vagabond by Caamp - suggested by listener and man of significant musical taste, Duncan. Thanks for this wonderful suggestion Duncan, enjoy the distinguished award of being our Listener Suggestion of the Year! The playlist is broadcasting on 31/12/2018 at 09:00GMT. Keep 'em coming listeners! Listener Suggestions... We brought two incredible listener suggestions to you today. Jamie recommended Joe Purdy - Outlaws and Maddie came in with Viola Beach - Swings and Waterslides. Many thanks to those two for reaching out to us, we thrive on listener interaction. If you think you've got a track that would light up the show then please do get in touch. Joe Purdy - Kristine Joe Purdy is an American singer/songwriter who has recorded and released 14 albums over the last 15 years. Thanks to Jamie for recommending the track Outlaws. Record Box HQ has been exploring further songs of Joe Purdy's and has discovered this nugget - Kristine. In difference to Outlaws where Joe play the piano, this features him playing guitar. Joe plays both piano and guitar, along with harmonica, mandolin and banjo. If you too find Joe's subtle melodies and Americana themes alluring then you can find out much more about the man here. We are certainly looking forward to Joe touring the UK, although in all honesty we don't think he has any plans to do so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZHoitCyaRk
Merry Christmas one and all. Welcome music lovers to our yuletide look at festive musical treats. No overt analysis or opinion this week. Join your hosts, Richard and Tobin, as we chat through our Christmas thoughts and wishes. It's a great chance to get to know us a little better. Firstly, we have some great alternative music choices for your Christmas listening pleasure. Secondly, we're just having a chat in the studio over a glass of wine. Consequently, you'll feel like you're right in there with us, in the thick of the conversation. For instance, did you know there is an annual black pudding throwing World Championship in a small Northern town in England? Track Listing Dirt Sledding The KillersChristmas Shine Christmas Treasures Series and The Clarke FamilyRiver Joni MitchellDo You Hear What I Hear? Bob DylanLittle Drummer Boy Joan Jett and The BlackheartsThe Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot Nat King ColeSilent Night, Holy Night John FaheyA Junky's Christmas William S. Burroughs Christmas Music Special Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our faithful listeners around the globe. You all make us what we are with your dedication to searching out new music you drive us. We have had a fantastic year bringing music and chat to you and we are certainly looking forward to more discoveries in the new year that we can share with you. We hope you enjoy our selection of festive music this year. Keep on listening! Thanks. If you'd like to give us a little encouragement then suggest a track for the show here. The Catankard
Let us introduce you to CAAMP - or rather, let Duncan introduce you to CAAMP. Firstly, friend of the show Duncan calls into the studio and recommends Vagabond by CAAMP. Duncan then goes on a good old ramble about camping and watching caveman TV. Secondly, Richard and Tobin give their thoughts on Vagabond and a new friendship is forged. Intrigued? Then listen on! Furthermore, we have a second Listener Recommendation from Carter in New York City, USA. Stay tuned and you will hear two Record Box Classics, one from Lisa Loeb and one from The Rolling Stones. In addition, Magic Bronson and Russian Red complete today's line up. Track Listing Evil Plans Magic BronsonCigarettes Russian RedVagabond CaampSeasons (Waiting On You) Future IslandsStay (I Missed You) Lisa LoebCrazy Mama The Rolling StonesNervous Magic Bronson CAAMP is a folk trio from Ohio, making beautiful noise Duncan called into the show to introduce his Listener Recommendation. If you'd like to do the same you can recommend your favourite tracks here. Their website describes them as: Started by boyhood friends Evan Westfall and Taylor Meier, CAAMP came to life in Athens, Ohio. Taylor began penning and playing original songs at coffee shops around Athens in 2013. Evan moved down a couple of years later and together in a hazy attic, enjoying light beers. They would find the heartfelt sound that became CAAMP. Since independently releasing their self-titled first record in 2016, they have climbed Spotify charts, headlined the US, purchased denim jackets and added a bass-playing buddy, Matt Vinson. He also enjoys light beers and denim. With the recent release of their sophomore album, the Ohioan trio has high hopes and no reservations. The Band is currently on tour and are playing in London, UK on February 6th 2019 at Oslo. From the Bottom of the Record Box has generously been supplied tickets for this event. We are hopeful to gain access to the boys backstage. We can't thank Duncan enough for his exuberant, honest and passionate conversation with us. And for recommending such a great track. Because of this, CAAMP have become firm favourites here at Record Box HQ. Magic Bronson We couldn't find out too much about Magic Bronson so we headed by their website and this is what it said… Times are tough, and Magic Bronson is nervous. The Los Angeles-born-and-based duo has spent its six years together soaking up what’s going on in the world, and they’re profoundly uneasy. Their response to most situations is to write a song, which is how the 2017 track “Nervous” sprang into life. If you’re new to Magic Bronson, “Nervous” is a good place to start. The itchy lyric – “All the things that make you nervous/ Crooked cops and guilty verdicts/ Fires, floods, parking permits” – is countered by an absolute swirling corker of a synthpop melody. It's earworm properties are pretty spectacular. Most Magic Bronson songs nail that same combination – stone-cold melody-making paired with lyrics that are provocative and sometimes trippy. What makes it special is that the duo - Matt Lieberman (bass, synths, most lyrics) and Michael Nicastro (vocals, synths, drum programming, production). It is constitutionally unable to write the same song twice. How they met... Nicastro, from Thousand Oaks, has been Lieberman’s musical other half since they ran into each other at a neighborhood dive bar in 2012. They knew each other by sight. Matt, raised in Agoura Hills, had been playing in a hip hop band, and Michael, a drummer by trade, was in another local group. “We were both looking for something new to do, and his dad is a musician and had a home studio, so we decided to get together and use his dad’s jam room,” Lieberman says. Together, they turned out to be greater than the sum of their parts. A classic pairing of opposites, they’re a match made in music heaven. Nicastro is the eternal optimist, and bubbling over with ideas; Lieberman is “grumpy and sensitive”...
Finally Rilo Kiley smash two belters into the show! Tobin has been snouting around for some New Music again and has offerings from Vök and Filous - we'll find out more about these two artists later in the show. After that, we have a Vinyl Spin live in the studio of a classic from Ellis, Beggs & Howard. Furthermore, Alex Newell fills out the show with a disco spine-tingler with the help of Nile Rodgers. Do you have a Listener Suggestion that you'd like us to play on the show? Well how do you make that happen? Firstly, go register on our website. Secondly, recommend your track. Also, check out our social channels for what's going on here at the studio. It's by far the easiest way to get the latest news and insights to Record Box HQ. You can connect via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Track Listing Portions for Foxes Rilo KileyBaby I'm Yours BreakbotNight & Day VökBicycle (feat. Klei) FilousBig Bubbles No Troubles Ellis, Beggs and HowardKill the Lights (with Nile Rodgers) Alex Newell and DJ CassidyDoes He Love You? Rilo Kiley Rilo Kiley - is he dead? In 2010 band member Jason Boesel remarked in an interview that the band was taking break from recording, although they were still working on publishing some unreleased material. Further to this, Boesel also stated they were no further plans to release another album. The following year, Blake Sennett (driving force behind the band along with Jenny Lewis) said in an interview, "I would say that if Rilo Kiley were ... hmmm ... a human being ... hmmm ... he's probably laying on his back in a morgue with a tag on his toe. Now, I see movies where the dead get up and walk. And when they do that, rarely do good things happen." A couple of months after this colourful description of the "corpse" of Rilo Kiley, Sennett was asked if his reference to Rilo Kiley as a "corpse" referred to the fact that Rilo Kiley was now dead. He replied, "I never say never. I loved Rilo Kiley - I loved writing with Jenny. I think she's a great artist and great to write with. I think we're not there yet. Maybe one day we'll dust it off and give it a go; I'd be open to it. I think it was fun - for all of the pitfalls, it was great. I had a great time in Rilo Kiley. I always did." I would say that if Rilo Kiley were ... hmmm ... a human being ... hmmm ... he's probably laying on his back in a morgue with a tag on his toe. Now, I see movies where the dead get up and walk. And when they do that, rarely do good things happen. 2014 - Rilo is dead In an interview with the National Post, Jenny Lewis officially announces that the band has broken up. Alex Newell - one of the first transgender characters on television After applying to be in the cast of The Glee Project with over 34,000 other applicants, Alex became the show's first runner up. Alex's self-taped audition had over 1 million MySpace views. Consequently, the panel was so impressed they invited Alex onto two episodes of the show. Alex first appeared as the teenage male-to-female transgender Wade "Unique" Adams. Wade, an outcast and nervous teenager escaped as her brash and much braver alter ego Unique. As a result of her popularity Alex was promoted to main cast in the fifth series and continued to make cameo appearances throughout the history of the show. remarkable restraint and powerful vocals
Savannah Pope New Release - STOP PRESS We had a last-minute inclusion to the show this week. Friend of the show Savannah Pope has a new release just yesterday (30th November 2018). Because of this, Savannah's publicist Lesley Zimmerman reached out to us to give us the heads up on the new release. It meant some dashing to the studio to do an out of hours edit, but to us, and hopefully our listeners, it was worth it. The rest of the show has new music from The Lone Bellow among other delights. In addition, we welcome Jordan to the show to introduce his Listener Recommendation by Tom Misch. In addition, Tobin hits us with new music from Big Wild and I get all retrospect with my vinyl spin of Rodney O and Joe Cooley. Furthermore, Sigur Rós bookend the show. Firstly though, before we get cracking please take a moment to drop by Facebook and give us a like. Secondly, try out our Instagram channel too. Our social media is the place to keep up with day-to-day happenings here at Record Box HQ. Track Listing Glósóli Sigur RósYou Don't Know How Lucky You Are Keaton HensonMaker Big WildWake Up This Day (featuring Jordan Rakei) Tom MischYou Can Be All Kinds of Emotional The Lone BellowSay It Loud Rodney O & Joe CooleyDaddy Issues Savannah Pope LAST MINUTE PRE RELEASE ADDITIONStarálfur Sigur Rós Savannah Pope Official Press Release ROCK SINGER-SONGWRITER SAVANNAH POPE TO RELEASE “DADDY ISSUES” ON NOVEMBER 30; IT'S THE SECOND SINGLE FROM HER UPCOMING FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, DUE OUT IN EARLY 2019 Los Angeles, CA: Rock singer-songwriter Savannah Pope, formerly the lead vocalist of SpaceCream, is proud to announce the release of her new single, “Daddy Issues,” on November 30 2018. This is the second single to be released from her upcoming full-length album, due out in early 2019. "Daddy Issues" rocks hard, and the song highlights Savannah’s powerful, soaring vocal range. It follows a man and a woman, both of whom are very damaged. Through two separate perspectives, “Daddy Issues” explores the ways in which father figures affect the emotional and romantic lives of their children, and how difficult such generational cycles are to break. Check out "Daddy Issues" HERE According to Savannah, “'Daddy Issues' is largely about toxic masculinity. Let me be clear: by ‘toxic masculinity,’ I don't mean to say that men are inherently, or as a whole, pernicious. On the contrary, the song is about the fallout of defining masculinity by a limited palette of self-expression. Traditionally, men have been taught to be emotionally cut-off. They’ve been taught that anger is the only acceptable form of acting out. At the same time, being a man comes with certain societal advantages. In my opinion, this strange cocktail of constraint and privilege does a lot of damage that gets passed down generation to generation.” More about Savannah... Savannah makes incendiary, soulful rock music, and her songs boast stunning lyricism and vocal power. Her stage presence is larger than life, and should be experienced firsthand by any music lover. Influenced by such luminaries as David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Lou Reed, Queen, Joni Mitchell, Gossip, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Heart, Savannah’s music blends classic rock elements with a unique modern sensibility. Savannah has been named by the LA Weekly as one of the top artists to see in Los Angeles. Until one year ago, she was the vocalist and leader of glam rock band SpaceCream, which won the Battle for Vans Warped Tour in 2014 and released the acclaimed album Pterodactyl Sky in 2016. Savannah has performed at LA Fashion Week and opened for international artists like Starcrawler. The release of her last single and music video saw glowing press response and social media endorsement by public figures like director Edgar Wright ("Baby Driver") and Lyndsey Parker (Yahoo! Music Editor and Sirius XM host). Perhaps the best way to immerse oneself in Savannah’s world is to see her bring her music ...
We have 2 aspiring new musicians on today's show, Minerva and the theatrically bizarre Savannah Pope. Musically diverse as they are, both tracks showcase some fantastic talent. Sadly, from what Abril says Minerva don't have anything in the pipeline. On the other hand, Savannah Pope has intimated that she might be coming to the UK to perform. Yeah, of course, we'll be there. Let's hope that Savannah, a friend of the show, gives us an exclusive interview backstage. Track Listing Casino (Bad Things) HoundmouthShoot You Down The Stone Roses15 Rilo KileyI'm Free MinervaCreature Savannah PopeThis Woman's Work Kate BushFor No One Houndmouth Let's hook up Abril and Savannah Pope both reached out to us via our Instagram page. If you are a recording artist just like these two, we'd love to hear from you. Tag us #fromthebottomoftherecordbox and we'll get in touch. We love to play fresh, new music and support the music community. Please rate the show, we love a bit of a slap in the face! We here at Record Box HQ are merely curators, you are the creators Aspiring artists in today's show Minerva About saying something to introduce the track, well, it depends on how much you want me to say. I can tell you a bit about its story. Sound-wise, we wanted to do a delicate jazzy song without much artifice The song was co-written between the guitarist of the band (Lluís Rodriguez) and myself (Abril Gabriele) and it's about Lluís' grandmother's Alzheimer's Disease and those final days where she was fading away. Sound-wise, we wanted to do a delicate jazzy song without much artifice. With Minerva, we edited the Album "M" whilst we weren't signed. I now live in London, therefore, we don't have any plans on recording anything in the near future. Firstly, if people want to hear us they can find us on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Secondly, if you want you can visit the website for more information. Best wishes, Abril. Savannah Pope Savannah Pope to ground control! Some new info I'm currently working on a new album - my first full solo album - which is set for release early 2019!Featured in this post is my most recent music video. I created it frame by frame using original footage, graphics, and animation techniques. Subsequently, I put it out a few weeks ago and am proud to say the song and video have gotten some recognition from outlets such as LA Weekly and Digital Tourbus. After that artists/public figures like British film director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs the World) have recognised it. The song has also gotten a lot of play on Spotify, as a result of being scouted by playlists such as Hits Daily Double. Bio I make incendiary, soulful rock music. My songs boast stunning lyricism and vocal power. My stage presence is larger than life and should be experienced firsthand by any music lover. Influenced by such luminaries as David Bowie; Amy Winehouse; Lou Reed; Queen; Joni Mitchell; Gossip; Rocky Horror Picture Show; and Heart. My music blends classic rock elements with a uniquely modern sensibility. Critics have deemed my vocal chops stunning and unique. I have been a fixture in the Los Angeles music scene for over five years. Until one year ago, I was the vocalist and leader of glam rock band SpaceCream, which released the acclaimed album Pterodactyl Sky in 2016. I have played LA Fashion Week and opened for national artists such as Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal), Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age), and VOLTO (Danny Carey of Tool). Early Life Born in LA, my background story is undeniably different from the average bear’s. I was an angsty, precocious kid who wound up at a boarding school for wayward teens when I was 14 years old. It was there that a friend taught me some chords on the guitar, which prompted me to start writing songs. After high school, I travelled extensively, painting and learning my way across several continents.
window.onload = function(){ jQuery("#nivoslider-0STro-5326").nivoSlider({ effect:"sliceUpDownLeft", slices:15, boxCols:8, boxRows:4, animSpeed:500, pauseTime:3000, startSlide:0, directionNav:true, controlNav:false, controlNavThumbs:false, pauseOnHover:true, manualAdvance:false }); };
Welcome to the show. In this episode, we have the quite magical Imogen Heap (more on her later), New Music from Loyal Lobos and Sea Girls. In addition, we have James Brown vinyl spinning live on the show and a Pulp classic. The show is bookended by Camera Obscura and The White Stripes give us our Cover Shot.
From the Bottom of the Record Box is a mixed jamboree of musical treats from past and present. Every week we invite you to join us, your hosts, Richard and Tobin for a relaxed listen to what is hopefully something new. Furthermore, we also spin a few Record Box Classics from deep in the vinyl crates. We aim to inspire you to widen your own musical appreciation and knowledge and as a consequence, we widen ours. If you like what you hear then please subscribe, or recommend a track for us to listen to on the show.
Track Listing
Do It Again Camera ObscuraJolene The White StripesSwim Loyal LobosAll I Want to Hear You Say Sea GirlsFunky President James BrownBabies PulpHide and Seek Imogen HeapI Need All of the Friends I Can Get Camera Obscura
Imogen Heap - an exceptional talent
Say "hello" to Imogen Heap – singer, songwriter, music producer, audio engineer, classically trained pianist, cellist and clarinettist. Moreover, guitarist, multi-percussionist and player and advocate of both the array mbira and the hang. To clarify, yeah, go follow those links because we had no idea what they were either!
Imogen attended a private school in Saffron Walden and did not get along at all well with her music teacher despite her obvious talent. Having been classically trained in both clarinet, cello and piano Imogen taught herself guitar and drums. Clearly not enough, she went on to learn to music production, sampling, sequencing and production on Atari computers. Subsequently, you can hear echoes of all of those facets in her music.
At age 18 she signed with independent label Almo Sounds after recording four demos with Nik Kershaw. After that Imogen then began collaborating with experimental pop band Acacia. Her debut album iMegaphone followed but Imogen was dropped by Almo Sounds when funding dried up. Without a label, Imogen continued her prolific output. She then formed the short-lived duet Frou Frou with longtime collaborator Guy Sigsworth. In 2002 they released their only album Details to critical acclaim.
Things you may not know...
Jarvis Cocker, the effortlessly cool bespectacled frontman of Pulp when asked about listening to his own work remarked:
I’d rather suck off a dog’s knob than listen to one of my own records
Tobin mentioned on the show today that there was a rumour that Jack and Meg White were brother and sister. He buried that myth with the news that they were, in fact, man and wife. Actually, Meg was always a White and Jack Gillis took her surname in marriage.
James Brown was sent to live with his aunt Honey Washington at the age of 6. Honey ran a brothel and sold moonshine for a living. The Godfather of Soul died on Christmas Day 2006. Subsequently, he was laid to rest in a 24-karat-gold coffin.
Listen to our vinyl 45rpm of James Brown's Funky President here
Mumford and Sons provide a brilliant and musically diverse bookend in today's show. We have a wonderful vinyl play live in the studio, New Music with Lala Lala and Tom McGuire and the Brassholes, an unusual cover track and some good ol' USA Indie with Modest Mouse. We'd also appreciate some feedback so please rate the show and hit us up on Instagram. Track Listing Devil's Spoke / Sneh Ko Marg Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Dharohar ProjectBizarre Love Triangle Frente!Whiter Shade of Pale King CurtisHistory Sticks to Your Feet Modest MouseDove Lala LalaRic Flair Tom McGuire and the BrassholesNot with Haste Mumford & Sons Enter The Black Scorpion Oh boy did we enjoy Tobin's surprise track by Tom McGuire and the Brassholes. Such a rowdy stomper of a tune, dripping with style, glam and pomp. And with good reason, it's namesake, the inimitable Ric Flair. Certainly, Ric himself would undoubtedly approve of this tune. Ric Flair is an ex-wrestler with a high degree of ring presence and, forgive the pun, flair. Known increasingly for his in-ring antics, most notably his dirty tactics and rulebreaking. Consequently, this earned him the title of Dirtiest Player in the Game. Flair's persona became increasingly lavish as time progressed. He is known for wearing overly ornate outfits. Fur-lined robes often decorated with feathers, sequins and other decadent accoutrements. Similarly, his strutting and signature "Woooooooo" yell have become trademarks of his performance. As a result, fans still bellow this yell if any wrestler performs one of Flair's signature moves such as the knife-edge drop. For instance, you can certainly hear the "Woooooooo" yell in the song! Furthermore, his entrance to the ring was often heralded by the playing of Also Sprach Zarathustra by Strauss. Made famous by the Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey, it is also referenced in the track. limousine-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', son-of-a-gun (who kissed all the girls worldwide and made 'em cry) Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons and Dharahar Project What a track! A brilliant cover of Laura Marling's Devil's Spoke from her excellent I Speak Because I Can LP. Listen to the original here. But we're here for Dharohar Project, aren't we? A collection of Rajasthani musicians based in Delhi. They have collaborated on a number of occasions. The band still performs and tours regularly. Mumford and Sons took a leaf out of George Harrison's book, recording in India. The EP from which today's show opener comes from was recorded in a makeshift studio in Delhi. Subsequently, the EP contains four tracks and comes highly recommended by Record Box HQ. Dharohar Project also performed with this line up at the 2009 iTunes Festival. They really drive this track along with Laura Marling and Mumford and Sons gradually falling by the wayside. Wailing vocals and polyrhythmic percussion turn an unassuming acoustic track into a real foot stomper. Our rating? Top marks, get it in your collection. Join us! We have added a new feature to the website. You can now create your own account with us. Simply register here. As a result, you will be eligible for bonus material and further content. It's our reward to you for being a loyal listener. We intend to roll out bonus material for members in January 2019. Welcome aboard. By Editor5807 [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
Thanks to Jack from London for the Listener Recommendation in today's show - did we like it? Listen on to find out. But more importantly, do you like it? And if you do, or don't, then why not suggest an alternative to Khruangbin for the show. Get in touch with your Listener Recommendation and maybe you'll hear it on a future episode of From the Bottom of the Record Box. Love the show? Then why not give us some encouragement and rate the show? By the way, does anyone know how to pronounce Khruangbin? Track Listing Thinkin' Bout You Laura Jean AndersonNovember Rain Steve 'n' SeagullsSome Kinda Wonderful Q-TipsEvan Finds the Third Room KhruangbinGirl I've Got a Date Alton Ellis & The FlamesDo This For Me Lily MooreSilence Won't Help Me Now Laura Jean Anderson So, is it a cover? The quite brilliant Some Kinda Wonderful aired on today's show. Tobin remarked how familiar it sounded and asked whether it was a cover. As a result, we did some thorough research for at least 3 minutes. The short answer is that we have been unable to find out either way. If you know, email us here. However, we do have further information on the band. Q-Tips started life as Streetband and produced 2 studio albums with little recognition. Most noteworthy of these was a B-Side novelty song Toast. Finally, the band was at least recognised for this song due to repeatedly heavy airplay by Kenney Everett (Capitol Radio). Transition to Q-Tips Due to poor recognition for their first two albums both the drummer and one guitarist left the band. This left a trio of Paul Young as vocalist, with bassist and guitarist Mick Pearl and John Gifford respectively. In contrast to the band's previous line up, they adventurously added a four-piece horn section. Their first gig was in November 1979 at a pub in Harrow. Due to constant live performances and regular touring by 1981 they had a strong fan base. The professionalism of the band led to interest from record labels. Most famously, Mickie Most (RAK Records) stated on Radio 1 that Q-Tips... ...are easily the best live band working at the moment In time guitarist John Gifford was replaced by Garth Watt-Roy, brother of now legendary Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy. Among others, Q-Tips supported The Who, Thin Lizzy, The Knack, Bob Marley and Average White Band. Furthermore, they appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981. Sadly the band broke up in 1982 and Paul Young signed a solo deal with Sony/CBS. However, despite the short lifespan of the band, they did reform for a brief reunion in 1993. Still, they are responsible for this fantastically cheesy album artwork! Khruangbin. Aeroplane apparently, or flying engine Another band from Texas, but Houston instead of Austin this time around. We have had a few bands from Austin on the show before now, notably White Denim and Daniel Johnston. Apparently influenced by Thai music from the 1960s - who knew there was such a thing? Khruangbin makes a great deal of noise for a three-piece band. Laura Lee (vocalist & bassist) was learning to speak Thai at the time of their first gig. As a result, she decided they should use her favourite Thai word "khruangbin" to name the band. The word means "flying engine" or "aeroplane". Finally, guitarist Mark Speer ruminates that could he predict the band's success, they may not have chosen a name that was so difficult to pronounce. Despite being notoriously challenging to pronounce, Khruangbin symbolises the international influences that helped shape the band's sound. But enough of that ... Hula! Yeah,
We have long wanted to showcase the epic Alabama Shakes in our weekly music podcast and here they are! A brilliant choice from Tobin to open the show, let You Ain't Alone blow you into the cosmos with its sublime vocals and musical artistry. Brittany will then bring you back to earth and leave you with tears streaming down your face with the achingly beautiful Joe, live from Austin City Limits. Similarly to our suggestion from Dennis we have a brilliant Listener Suggestion from yesteryear sent in by Eelong. French electro swing gets some well-deserved airplay in this episode as well. Welcome to this episode of the From the Bottom of the Record Box music podcast! Track Listing You Ain't Alone Alabama ShakesGolden Gaze Ian BrownThe Sun is Shining Fleetwood MacNow or Never Now MetricLone Digger Caravan PalaceCrow Black Chicken Bad LiversJoe Alabama Shakes Bad Livers vs. Alabama Shakes This week's Vinyl Selection is from the debut album from Texas bluegrass kings Bad Livers. You can listen to the track taken straight from the vinyl in the track link above. Bad livers came kickin', pluckin' and screamin' into the world in 1990 in Austin Texas, when guitar and banjo virtuoso Danny Barnes came up with this idea that it would be great to have a small-format acoustic band that could play different kinds of music [at a] virtuoso level, where they could play any kind of music. They played regularly in Austin and garnered quite a following, playing weekly at the Saxon Pub. They continued to define their own sound and categorically stated they were not a bluegrass outfit. At this time Barnes remarked about their live sets at the time: We were doing Mississippi John Hurt, gospel tunes, Captain Beefheart—anything, really, but it was Motörhead or the Misfits that caught on. The mid 90's saw them spending most of their time touring and working on side projects including looking for a new record label to record with. As a result, they finally plumped for Sugar Hill Records signing a three record deal. Their later albums, especially Blood and Mood (their final album), failed to engage with their listenership. Sadly by the time the year 2000 rolled in it appeared that Bad Livers were over for good. Such a shame as they were so different and musically gifted to a virtuosic level. This isn't bluegrass and it isn't this or that. It's Bad Liver music. We end up making our own thing That there, that heading is the title of the third studio album from Caravan Palace. I described it on the show as unpronounceable, just a bunch of punctuation. As a result of that, I am determined to discover the meaning of it. Turns out that it is meant to read Robot Face. It does make sense once you know. Interestingly the initial band was founded as a three-piece but further members were needed for live performances. Interestingly these were found via the MySpace website. Continuing to use the internet as a tool the band gained popularity by releasing a number of demos and promo singles online. They enjoyed success on their first tour, in their native France, in 2006/2007. They appeared with this track on Jools Holland's 2016/17 Hootenanny, also performing a cover of Black Betty. However, more famously this track features in one of the live sets performed by Professor Gramophone!
The show is bookended by the epic White Denim, with a cover from the enigmatic The B-52's, new(ish) music from Freya Ridings and we get assaulted by The Kings of Leon. Subscribe to the show for new content weekly. Track Listing It Might Get Dark White DenimMoments darkDARKDowntown The B-52'sLay Down Son LittleTrani The Kings of LeonLost Without You Freya Ridings - new musicDouble Death White Denim Cindy & Ricky - certainly not new music The B-52's were formed in 1976 with brother and sister Cindy (vocalist) and Ricky Wilson (guitarist). They joined forces with Kate Pierson (keyboards & vocals) and percussionist Keith Strickland. The band was named after the outrageous beehive hairstyles sported by Pierson and Wilson. Strickland also suggests the band's name came to him in a dream of the band performing in a hotel lobby. Their first single Rock Lobster was an underground success selling over 2000 copies. The song later became synonymous with the band. This cover track is from their first album, self-titled, which was a world-acclaimed release. The album sold particularly well in Australia. Rock Lobster acclaimed certified platinum status by the RIAA. In 1980 shortly before his death, John Lennon cited The B-52's as his favourite band and instrumental in his comeback with Double Fantasy. Ricky and I used to write the music together, but now I write the individual instrument parts and arrange the instrumental compositions myself. I'm trying to convey a feeling when I compose. I think of my instrumentals as soundscapes - the chord progressions, rhythms, harmonics and musical direction are used to evoke various sonic atmospheres or moods. Keith Strickland
Daniel Johnston bookends today's show with in-between bits courtesy of Benjamin Clementine, Trampled by Turtles and even Slash among others. Plus we uncover the sampled track featured in a stadium-filling indie classic, by accident. Track Listing True Love Will Find You In the End Daniel JohnstonLondon Benjamin ClementineAlone Trampled by TurtlesIn The Meantime SpacehogTelephone and Rubber Band Penguin Café OrchestraProof I am KlootStarlight Slash and Myles KennedySpace Ducks Theme Song Daniel Johnston Hi, How Are You? Daniel Johnston bookends our show today. A singer-songwriter widely regarded as a significant figure in alternative music scenes. Much of Daniel Johnston's catalogue is home recorded and often cited as being "childlike". In the show, Richard talks of his personal experiences with family members and Daniel but sadly this episode in his life has long since been over. We discussed in the show that Kurt Cobain wore a t-shirt with artwork from Daniel's Yip/Jump Music album. This is actually incorrect. Kurt wore a t-shirt depicting artwork from Johnston's Hi, How Are You? LP but cited Yip/Jump Music as one of his favourite records of 1993. This proved to be a hell of a recommendation. Hence there ensued a bidding war between record labels to sign him. Despite Daniel being resident in a mental hospital at that time. Plagued by mental health issues He has suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder all his life. Daniel had a psychotic episode after appearing at a music festival in 1990 whilst being flown back to West Virginia by his father Bill (a former USAF pilot) in his 2 seater plane. He believed he was Casper the Friendly Ghost and removed the keys from the plane's ignition and threw them outside. Miraculously Bill managed to crash land the plane in a densely wooded area. Both sustained only minor injuries. The incident completely destroyed the plane. Daniel Johnston was involuntarily admitted to mental hospital again after the incident. Further, in his career, Daniel was the subject of a Sundance Film Festival Director's Award winning film (2005) The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The highly praised film collates much of Daniel's vast output. It proved to inspire more interest in Daniel's work. In 2012 he published his comic book Space Ducks - An Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness which apparently has a linked iOs app which we have been spectacularly unable to find. Daniel retired from performing live in 2017. Apple used his song The Story of an Artist in a TV commercial in 2018. Benjamin Sainte-Clémentine What a rich story for such a young man. As Tobin mentioned in the show, Benjamin was homeless in Paris by the time he was leaving his teens. As a result of performing music on the streets he became something of a cult figure in the Parisian music scene. He composed and wrote during the day and performed in the evening. Because of this, he managed to stay out of trouble. He was eventually spotted by an agent and a meeting was set up for the following day. Before signing a major deal, Clementine was working with a French tour agent and the independent label set up through Lionel Bensemoun (a French business mogul) which enabled Clementine to record his music. He was booked for some major festivals, the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Eurosonic Festival, the latter of which he was billed as one of the highlights. As a result of these performances, Clementine was billed for the 2013 North Sea Jazz Festival but failed to turn up. He was thrown off a train for failing to have a valid ticket, something he attributed to not being paid by his agent. Penniless he began the 45km walk to Rotterdam to perform, which eventually took him 10 hours, thus missing his stage appearance. He arrived at his destination with bare feet and bleeding toes. Regardless of this setback, he received an invite to play at the festival in 2015.
We remember The Bandit, the silver screen legend, with a couple of songs featured in the movies of Burt Reynolds and we have the brilliant Black Honey bookending the show for us. If you'd like to suggest a track for us to play on the show, or you are an aspiring musician who'd like us to showcase your work then get in touch. Track Listing Spinning Wheel Black HoneyDuelling Banjos Eric Weissberg & Steve MandellAt Seventeen Janis IanWhen I Get Home Bernard ButlerHotel Delmano MUNYAThe Bandit Jerry ReedCorrinne Black Honey Debut album now released Black Honey was born in 2014 in Brighton. Izzy B. Phillips, lead singer and guitarist fronts the band, whose fashion taste is other wordly. She recently attended London Fashion Week in a McDonalds inspired outfit and in our eyes looked fantastic, her outfit practically sneering at the global fashion houses. She is joined by the equally well turned out guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor, and drummer Tom Dewhurst, all of whom hold down day jobs as the band is still technically unsigned – everything they have put out is under their own label, FoxFive. The band have been creating a buzz ever since 2015 and are very generous – you can listen to (and download) a bonus track below, courtesy of the band. <a href="http://blackhoneyuk.bandcamp.com/track/bloodlust-demo-free-download">Bloodlust Demo (Free Download) by Black Honey</a> Their upcoming debut album is scheduled to be released on 21 September 2018. 🍔Not fitting in at @TOLFW like... 🍔#mcfashion #londonfashionweek pic.twitter.com/2dy8sGeebr— 👄BLACK HONEY👄 (@BLACKHONEYUK) September 16, 2018 What did we learn this week? Black Honey has released their long-awaited debut LPChas Hodges passed away this weekBernard Butler is indeed a whizz on acoustic guitarThe Beatles' White album is being re-released this November to mark its 50th anniversaryJanis Ian is a staunch critic of the RIAA An interesting character - Janis Ian In the track At Seventeen, Janis Ian provided a look back at her school days. This single (taken from the 1975 album Between the Lines) reached number 1 on the Billboard chart. Three years later, Ian went on to marry Portuguese film director Tino Sargo in 1978. The marriage lasted only 5 years. Later she would write of the physical and emotional abuse she suffered in her 2008 book Society's Child: My Autobiography. Ian is also a science fiction author (still occasionally attending science fiction conventions). She is a regular columnist for the LGBT news Magazine The Advocate. As a result of the break up of her marriage to Sargo she moved to Nashville where she met Patricia Snyder in 1989. She then came out as a lesbian in 1993 with the worldwide release of her album Breaking Silence. Ian is also an outspoken critic of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) which she sees as acting against the interests of musicians and consumers. In that regard, she offers FREE downloads of her material on her website and believes that in doing so she actually enjoys higher sales of hard copies which is in complete opposition of the RIAA's stance on the subject. Janis Ian - Later career In 2011 she appeared on the BBC Four series Songwriters' Circle (Series 2 Episode 4). Also appearing was tough kiwi Neil Finn and alt-country poster boy Ryan Adams. The night resulted in controversy, ending with an awkward exchange between the performers. There was seemingly confusion between the songwriters about who was to perform and join in on each other's songs. No one was happy at that moment. There wasn't much else to do but go on with the show, so Neil sang his song again, I did my harmony, and Ryan packed up. When it was time to take bows, Ryan already had the guitar case on his back and was headed offstage. Janis Ian (her own fan forum - thread now removed)
The Cure remind us how beautiful the 80s were. We open and close with the wonderful Metronomy, and we have a classic cover from Seal. Go ahead and subscribe to the show here - thanks. Track Listing The Look MetronomyCrazy Mama JJ CaleClose to Me The CureCome On! Feel the Illinoise! Sufjan StevensLife on Mars SealI Wish I Was the Moon Neko CaseHeartbreaker Metronomy How an Apple G3 computer changed both our lives "Hi Joseph", goes the imagined dialogue in my head. "What colour G3 did you have, because I had them all, including the original grey box geeky outsider office desktop alienator." Ha! I'm sure we'll never meet Joseph Mount whose brainchild is Metronomy but if we did this is my ice breaker for sure. I've got a few years on our Joseph but the Macintosh G3 that his father gave him (or sold him, accounts of this particular exchange differ in urban myth) and introduced him to certainly changed his direction in life… Then I got an old computer off my dad I and started messing around when I was about sixteen or seventeen. I was already an Apple user by then, as a book illustrator and then later page layout for publishing houses across the globe and finally as a designer and production manager with my own printing business. However, my first machine was a IIci. But it seems we both took a leap forward with the G3. It was at this time that Joseph learnt he knew more about melody than he thought and Metronomy was born. An interesting name based quite obviously on the metronome. They have since toured the UK and Europe and supported acts such as Coldplay. We like Metronomy and look forward to further additions to the show as we barrel along the musical highway of life. JJ & Eric As we discussed on the show, JJ Cale was certainly a musician's musician. Countless top class musos covered his work, and this 2006 collaboration with Eric Clapton is no exception. Go take a listen to see how Oklahoma born songster was revered by Clapton, amongst others. Looks like JJ's time in the US military paid off, using the electronics skills he learnt there to build his home recording studio. Although he shunned the limelight in his lifetime, he has certainly contributed greatly to music history. So what did we learn this show? Tobin didn't initially like the Neko Case track, but on further listen his brain kicked in to realise how wonderful her music is!We miss Seal, his take on Life on Mars is a treat.Close to Me by The Cure is still relevant. Check out the bizarre video in this post. Sufjan's the Fifty States gimmick and The Cure riff The title of the album is Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, a play on words of Slade's Cum On Feel the Noize from 1973, and a series of musical journeys based around the US state of Illinois. Clearly, Sufjan has failed in his dream of recording an album for every state in the US, but his two offerings are well worth a listen. However, we did like his reference to the riff from The Cure song that preceded it. It shows The Cure are still relevant today. His first recording in this failed project/publicity stunt is also a rewarding and satisfying listen, and for ease, From the Bottom of the Record Box has added a link right here! BOOM. I have no qualms about admitting it was a promotional gimmick.
Join us as the Rock 'n' Roll Doctor is in the house! Radiohead, Joni Mitchell and Marian Hill all spin today along with New Music from MEGA. Track Listing Rock 'n' Roll Doctor Little FeatCalifornia Joni MitchellDown Marian HillBlack Satin Miles DavisJust RadioheadChariot MegaThe Lucky One Alison Krauss & Union StationWillin' Little Feat Sweet Joni from from Saskatoon. There's a ring for your finger, it looks like the sun but it feels like the moon. Sweet Joni from Saskatoon … Don't go, don't go too soon Neil Young's unreleased love letter to Joni Mitchell, sentiments that we here at From the Bottom of the Record Box certainly feel. Joni Mitchell has been a constant in every music lovers life and right now in her failing health, we can only repay her with our love and gratitude for touching us so deeply with her beauty. There, I said it. Just not as cleverly as Uncle Neil. You too, Neil, are loved greatly by all of us. Thanks for sharing California of the seminal Blue by Joni Mitchell with us Tobin, but listeners, do yourselves a favour and listen to the whole captivating album here. It sounds merely as if the band had selected a chord and decided to worry the hell out of it for three-quarters of an hour In stark contrast to Joni Mitchell, On the Corner was the larger body of work that we selected Black Satin from, largely because it is the most "radio-friendly" track on the album. Largely panned on its release it has since gained popularity and proved to be largely influential on the coming genres of rap, hip hop, post-punk, electronica and funk. It was Miles' worst selling album, an attempt to regain young black Americans already lost to Rock 'n' Roll. We are no Miles Davis experts here at Record Box HQ, we'll leave it for John Szwed to have the final say on this excellent recording… Jazz musicians hated it, critics bemoaned Miles's fall from grace, and since Columbia failed to market it as a pop record, it died in the racks. Even now, when Davis's jazz-rock recordings are being reissued to great acclaim, On the Corner remains lost in time. Still, this record might well be the most radical break with the past of all of Davis's many breaks. Dense with rhythm and conceptually enriched with noises, his trumpet's role mixed down to that of a journeyman, the melody reduced to recycled Minimalist patterns, Davis broke every rule enforced by the jazz police. Yet today ... we hear that Davis was laying the foundations for drum 'n' bass, trip hop, Jungle, and all the other musics of repetition to come. Szwed, John F. (September 1998). "100 Records That Set the World on Fire (While No One Was Listening) — Miles Davis On the Corner (Columbia 1972)". The Wire. No. 175. London. p. 28 – via Exact Editions. Art-rock adventure As we discussed on the show, The Bends is a masterpiece, but one shadowed by this! Nearly not recorded at all due to writer's block and endless creative stalling, the final cut is daring and confident. And, it inspired Amanda Palmer's wand of thunder. Despite being 23 years old now, the whole cut still deserves a place in anyone's record box. Dumb fact Marian Hill is an American songwriting duo from Philadelphia consisting of production artist Jeremy Lloyd and vocalist Samantha Gongol. Their name comes from two characters, Marian Paroo and Harold Hill, from the musical The Music Man. From the Mothers of Invention to soul stomping funk masters As we mentioned in the show there are several recordings of Willin', the song that Frank Zappa heard and convinced Lowell George to go start his own band, out there. If you like this track then check out the 1972 Sailin' Shoes cut here.
Ween plays Buckingham Green in episode 4 of From the Bottom of the Record Box plays The Moody Blues as recommended by Dennis from Bolton and relives a 40-year-old classic cover song from Talking Heads. Do as Dennis has done and suggest your favourite forgotten song here. Track Listing In Hell I'll Be in Good Company The Dead South Gorecki Lamb Buckingham Green Ween Take Me to the River Talking Heads Lovely To See You The Moody Blues God Knows Night Flight The Recap The Dead South Becoming an out of control drug addict and alcoholic is my own fault and I take responsibility for it. I HAD to leave the Ween organization to stay sober. - Gene Ween Ween Meeting for the first time in 1984, Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo later became Gene & Dean Ween (a portmanteau word bringing together wuss and penis) and produced a plethora of "obnoxious" music with a far-reaching musical approach covering almost every conceivable genre of music with often comical lyrics and in-jokes. Ween claims to be "sprouted from the demon-god Boognish". In other words the nightmarish image that has become something of a logo for the band. In conclusion, Ween has released 9 studio albums over a 17 year period and continue to tour to the present day. What the sound man gets pic.twitter.com/b2luKmkVXg — Aaron Freeman (@GeneWeen) October 7, 2015 Thanks to Dennis in Bolton Our listener selection for this week came from Dennis way up North in Bolton, thanks for connecting with us Dennis. You too can do the same by reaching out at hello@fromthebottomoftherecordbox.com with your suggestion for the show. This track has its roots firmly in the psychedelic movement of 1969. In addition, Lovely to See You was also the first song to be played at the launch of the Bournemouth radio station 2CR. After that, it has also become a staple of the Moody Blues' live sets, often opening with this track even to this day. Mumford & Sons' Evil Twin Ha! The Dead South bookended the show for us today with 2 choices from their second studio album (2014) Good Company. Often likened to Mumford & Sons, they have taken the bluegrass genre and firmly brought it into the here and now. However, MusicCrowns.org's reviewer James Cooke arguing that the traditional definition of the genre has become blurred. gritty vocals, aggressive guitar strumming, mandolin chops, banjo licks and a steady kick drum to fuse it all together - James Cooke Similarly, we have some interesting Mumford & Sons tracks coming up in future shows. We have a sublime bookend from the boys. In addition, we also have some music coming up from the band that inspired The Dead South, so subscribe to the feed to get every episode delivered straight to your inbox.
The Staves surprise Richard in the show today, and Tobin is disappointed with today's cover shot. To cheer himself up, he bookends the show with St Paul & The Broken Bones. Why not subscribe to our show today? You can easily do this here. Track Listing I'm Torn Up St. Paul & The Broken Bones Facing West The Staves Sweet Home Alabama Rocking Free Yes McAlmont & Butler Resurrection Terence Trent D'Arby Rhythm & Blues Alibi Gomez Is It Me St. Paul & The Broken Bones Music from 4 decades peppers this show, including a brilliant cover of Sweet Home Alabama which seems to have passed Tobin by. Poor lad just doesn't like the song at all, although he could definitely admire the virtuosity of the guitar playing. At one point there are 4 guitars all going at the tune. Personally, I think this is as good as the original song. I was surprised by a track that wasn't planned in the pre-production notes of the show. It certainly is very different to the St Paul & The Broken Bones track that preceded it. Facing West by The Staves. However, it is quite delightful. Sweet vocal harmonies skip lightly over a subtle and tuneful acoustic backdrop. This is all brought together in their home of Nebraska … sorry, I meant Watford! It certainly belies its birth town and takes the listener on a musical adventure far from home. Because of their talent we'll showcase some more from The Staves in future episodes. The Transfiguration of Terence Trent D'Arby Terence Trent D'Arby enjoyed success as a boxer before finding fame as a musician, in fact winning the Florida Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship in 1980. He later turned down a place at a US Boxing School and joined the US Army. He was later ultimately formerly court-martialed and dishonourably discharged after going AWOL whilst serving in Germany. TTD then released his first studio album in 1987, Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby. He held a very high opinion of this recording, indeed citing it as the most important album since the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper. Terence Trent D'Arby changed his name in 1995 to Sananda Maitreya, which relates to a series of dreams he had in 1995. The name means ‘rebirth’ in Sanskrit, though he asserts it does not have any religious affiliations. Six years later he completed his full transfiguration by legally changing his name. After this Sananda Maitreya explained "Terence Trent D'Arby was dead ... he watched his suffering as he died a noble death. After intense pain, I meditated for a new spirit, a new will, a new identity." the most important album since the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper A conceptual masterpiece, superbly arranged and thrillingly executed McAlmont & Butler provided the track Yes for this episode and as Tobin eluded to, both David McAlmont and Bernard Butler have indeed tasted success in their own right. David McAlmont was one-half of the duo Thieves with Saul Freeman and Butler as the guitarist with indie rockers Suede. The British Hit Singles and Albums described Yes as "a conceptual masterpiece, superbly arranged and thrillingly executed". I also eloquently summarised Yes as "alright". In 2014 Butler organised a show at London's infamous Unity Chapel which sold out in minutes prompting him to quickly organise a second show just down the road at Islington's Assembly Hall which sold out equally as fast. What a shame I didn't manage to get tickets! In a future episode, we have an awesome cover by Butler. St Paul & The Broken Bones
Welcome to another episode with 2 new music tracks from The Wedding Present and Black Belt Eagle Scout and the quiet beautiful Antony and The Johnsons. Like what you hear? Why not suggest some of your favourite music for us to play on the show here? Track Listing Kennedy The Wedding Present Ghosts Made in Heights Margate Sports Team Soft Stud Black Belt Eagle Scout Fistful of Love Antony & The Johnsons Hannah Ray La Montagne Brassneck The Wedding Present The Wedding Present – Bizarro Another great bookend from way in the North with anger management candidates The Wedding Present, fronted by mathematician David Gedge. I've long been a fan of the album Bizarro from my younger days, and I think it still sounds fresh today. Above all, it won Tobin's approval. Gedge has been prolific in output since the band's first LP, George Best. His solo works, instrumental material and the quite frankly weird Ukrainski Vistupi V Johna Peel. This was a mix of Peel Sessions and Ukrainian folk tunes inspired by the guitarist's Ukrainian father. The "Weddoes" latest release (at time or writing) is the 2017 Home Internationals EP. The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock n Roll era. You may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong – John Peel Fistful of Love from Antony & The Johnsons was very well received on the show. Front of the stage is Anohni, formerly Antony Hegarty, hailing from England but now firmly resident in the US after moving to the US (San Francisco Bay Area) with her parents at the age of 10 years old. What happened next to Anohni? Nine years later she relocated to the other side of the US and enrolled in the Experimental Theater Wing of the New York University. After forming Antony and The Johnsons with a mixed bag of musicians they went on to gain success with the Mercury Music Prize winning album I Am a Bird Now in 2005 as Tobin mentioned in the show. This is actually my favourite track in this episode of the show. There can't be many music fans who haven't heard Ray LaMontagne's Trouble album, it's a treasure, along with a lot of his wider body of work. Sadly, I believe he has either already or will shortly be touring for the last time in the UK. I stand to be corrected on this. From the Bottom of the Record Box recommendation: load up some of Ray's albums on your iPhone, purchase a decent bottle of bourbon and enjoy a lost weekend. New Music Selection Released only this month Sports Team's humorous and punchy single Margate hooked us from the start. The slight Jagger-esque vocals and mannerisms on the accompanying video are both comedic and authentic. There are echoes of The Velvet Underground in here, along with Psychedelic Furs and Television as we eluded to on the show. For me, this track was reminiscent of Television's 1977 track Venus, albeit more aggressive and arresting. One thing's for sure, it sums up British seaside resorts, and Margate is no different. We will definitely be keeping an eye on Sports Team for further releases.
Welcome to another episode of From the Bottom of the Record Box. This week we have a bookend from Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, a great cover song and a surprise new music track. If you would like to hear some of your favourite music played on the show then get in touch. Track Listing Intro Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats The Last Pale Light in the West Ben Nichols Teenage Kicks Nouvelle Vague Jack of Hands Amanda Palmer & Edward Ka-Spel One Night Deidre and the Dark S.O.B. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats … We've all had 'em OK, so we kicked off Episode 1 by bookending Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. They are a band that Tobin introduced me to a couple of months ago and as a result, I really enjoy the man's work. Soulful rock music not really made for these times. You can listen to the whole album from which Intro is taken here. Released in March of 2018 it is their second studio album. For instance, I personally recommend the title track Tearing at the Seams, it's definitely my favourite from the album. Consequently, I've worn a deep groove in the vinyl at that point! So - what's next? So if you hadn't already fallen for Nathaniel and his heavy soul backers then S.O.B. came back and ripped at your soul with his tortured lyrics and preacher-like delivery. Taken from their self-titled first album released in August 2015 it acted as a springboard for a full global tour. Whilst on tour they also recorded the quite wonderful eight-track EP A Little Something More From. This is a personal favourite of mine and will be featuring in future episodes of From the Bottom of the Record Box. Joeseph Pope, his wonderful mom, Nathaniel Rateliff & Chris Tetzeli made my day swinging by to drop of their GOLD certified eponymous album. CO is proud of you @NRateliff pic.twitter.com/ICzYebzUmv — John Hickenlooper (@hickforco) August 29, 2018 The rest of the show captures the diversity of music from one man and a guitar to the lavish arrangement of the cover by Nouvelle Vague. Ben Nichols is the frontman for the band Lucero, an Americana/Country Rock band hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. Nichols released his seven-track solo effort The Last Pale Light in the West in January 2009. It forms an interesting combination of guitar, piano, accordion & pedal steel. mystically bizarre and ambiguous, and incorporate recurrent themes from his own personal mythos Amanda Palmer is best known for fronting the dark cabaret band Dresden Dolls. She fronted with Brian Viglione. She has since had more success with her solo career. Palmer often collaborates with other artists, including her father! The mechanical, almost clockwork feel to the track only adds to its sinister intonation. It finally reaches into the fears we all had as children of dark entities coming to us in our sleep. Mystical collaborations Palmer collaborates on this track with the authentically strange English musician Edward Ka-Spel (The Legendary Pink Dots). Ka-Spel's lyrics have been described as "mystically bizarre and ambiguous, and incorporate recurrent themes from his own personal mythos". The whole album I Can Spin a Rainbow smacks of Ka-Spel's love of electronica and mysticism. We recommend consuming the whole album in one sitting rather than piecemeal. "So why did you play only one track?" I hear the listeners scream in unison. To whet your appetite for more of course! The Cover Nouvelle Vague is the brainchild of French music producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux. The two brought together a mixed bag of Brazilian and French vocalists. The chosen vocalists were unfamiliar with the covers they were going to record. This ensured a real fresh, new and imaginative take on some New Wave (in French Nouvelle Vague) post-punk classics. The covers were mainly arranged in the Bossa Nova style. Besides the wonderful arrangements on every Nouvelle Vague album, the cover artwork on each one is exceptional IMHO...