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The Sound of London

For those of you tune into my radio show (Pet Sounds, Tuesday 2-4pm GMT on Pulse), you will be familiar with my "Sound of London" feature, where I profile a new(ish) band from London. Despite the musical cornucopia on offer here in London town, it's not always easy to find something that I like and is radio-friendly. Having said that, over the past few weeks, I've come across some amazing people, and I thought I would share them with you here.

James Yuill
So I'm massively late coming to the party with James Yuill - I first heard about him over a year ago, but dismissed him out of hand as not really worth my time. Wow, I was wrong. I found This Sweet Love while perusing one of the many best-of lists of last year, and if I had made one, I probably would have made it. Gorgeous, relaxed, Yuill was described in the Guardian as "Nick Drake given a machine pulse by New Order". This Sweet Love is heavy on the Nick Drake - perhaps why I love it so.

Bullion
There's a lot been written about the new 'chillwave' scene, including bands like Neon Indian, Washed Out and Memory Tapes, and primarily focused on the West Coast of the States. Well, Bullion is giving it a London flavour. He first came to attention because of his mash-up/mixtape of, called Pet Sounds in the Key of Dee, where he broke apart and put together in a fresh way the whole of Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys in homage to J Dilla, resulting in a beautiful yet also slightly disquieting experience. But his new single, Say Goodbye to What, takes that deconstructionist approach and gives it something of an edge - you can dance to this shit!

Starsmith
Starsmith's name is being touted about a lot these days as the man behind Ellie Goulding, winner of the BBC Sound of 2010 award, and thus officially crowned as The Next Big Thing. He's also done a series of high profile remixes for Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. I have to be honest, I'm still a little on the fence about Starsmith and his oeuvre. Having said that, his remix of Sleepyhead with Ellie Goulding providing haunting vocals is outstanding - yet I'm wondering if that his due to Passion Pit's genius rather than Starsmith? Regardless, now Ellie's album is just about finished, he's set to work on his own stuff, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is massive/awesome.

Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world

Ok, so it is more than likely that this post will destroy any credibility that this blog had as a source for decent music, but I think I'm willing to take the risk. Monday saw the UK premiere of new TV show Glee, and I have to say, I am hooked. There was an excellent article in the Guardian last Saturday which explains why it's ok to watch a programme about a high school show choir, but, while it is well-written quality television, I like it because it allows me to reminisce about my school days as a musical geek, where I could genuinely believe that On my Own from Les Mis was the pinacle of creative genius. Ah, simpler days... In that spirit, here is an excerpt from the first episode of Glee, featuring a cover of the Journey classic, Don't Stop Believin'. This song has been reclaimed from the cheese annuals in an ironic way, but the nice thing about this clip is that they play it straight - it is 100% without irony, which is kind of the whole point of the show.

And I need you more than want you

You know when you get a tune stuck in your head that you simply cannot shift... but you can't quite remember it? There's just a half-hummable fraction of it echoing over and over again, just out of your grasp. Well, I've had Witchita Lineman by Glen Campbell in my head for about a year or so - the mystery was finally solved when I heard it on Lauren Laverne's excellent BBC 6 Music radio show. And now I can fully enjoy it. Pure, simple, from the heart, yet understated, this song harks from a diferent time. It's not about being knowing or ironic or cool, just expressing emotions in a direct, honest yet beautiful way. Or something like that.

{photo courtesy of SP8254}

WHITE OUT

As you may have heard, wintry weather has been in abundance here in England - and we are set for more. As such, I thought I'd kick off my New Year's Resolution by posting a refined version of my winter playlist...

Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (Dan's Magic Wand Remix)
- don't the bells sound just like icicles? Just me then...

Jens Lekman - The Cold Swedish Winter
- because I'm sure the Swedes are used to this weather, but also because snuggling up with someone is the best way to spend a cold night

Elbow - Weather to Fly
- beautiful song, perfectly captures that frosty morning feeling

Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds
- bet Mumford & Sons are pleased they chose to release this single now! "Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?" When temperatures are this cold, sometimes it's hard to tell...

Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
- the archtypical winter's song, trust the Canadians to know how to do it.

The Pipettes - A Winter’s Sky
- romance isn't just for the Summer you know...

Grand Archives - Sleepdriving
- snow = treacherous driving. This song is that sleepy fed-up feeling when you know you've still got a long way to go

Laura Marling - Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)
- is there a more appropriate song right now? I think not.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank
- because every winter playlist must include a Bon Iver song (it does mean "good winter" in French after all), but the lyrics of this one are particularly poignant.

Zipbedeedoodah.

{photo courtesy of voithite on flickr}

New Years Resolution No. 2...

...to write more often!!

Happy New Year!

The Walkmen - In The New Year