2014 - Musically, incubated bliss

The SLY and Unseen came to my attention in the spring, and listening to their Improbable cdr was a truly intense experience. All Facts Dream, the standout track, is one of those you can immerse yourself in over years. One that doesn't come around very often. I've had a pretty isolated year, all told, and, generally speaking, the more experimental, less polished acts have gotten my attention.

(Note, the freebie from Mark Fry who gave away a collection with his wonderful South Wind Clear Sky LP that contained the remarkable Aeroplanes. Undoubtedly, one of the songs of the year.)  

For Horsebeach, LP of the year. (See my gig praise in an August post on this blog.) Aficionado Recordings, who've released several winners this year, also deserve high praise for their new bag and already pencilling in some more golden cuts next year, besides affiliating themselves with the LP of the year. Bed Boxroom Rebels Records have put out a retro seven by the Watchmakers that have some spiky sixties styled moments and the mighty Winds, but Yosoy's Talk was the killer tune from them the label. It could've come straight out of Berlin with its glacial pop brilliance. Er, hold on, it did.

Menage A' Trois put out the wonderful Pride cassette that's both a knowing nod to the eighties and catchy in a nineties sense of the word, with its high ambition. Covering UB40 on their debut says it all about this band. Cassettes from Australia's Not Not Fun have been of an especially high quality. Legendary Heart's Aerial View with its beautifully spatial title track, and Delicate Features' The Passenger, whose wonderfully constructed Transparent Shadows track, has been label highlights. Only eclipsed by Eleventeen Eston's much feted Delta Horizon, which all but nails the perfect summer pop sound. A masterpiece from start to finish.

Not to be outdone, Sui Zhen's cassette action in  the form of Body Language also rocked. Obviously, the cassette of the year goes to A.r.t Wilson's Overworld. A stunning odyssey of sound, picked up by Basso and given a lovely pink wax vinyl pressing. A masterpiece in this and any year. Another great year for Laura Groves hit its ceiling with Freedom of the Floor, the standout tune from her collaboration with Bullion under the monicker Nautic. Mondo records also put out 2 well received winners this year, as did Fools and Fables, both putting the sand beneath my feet and definitely 2 labels to keep your eyes peeled for. Similarly, Wolf Muller has made some incredible music too, which luckily I don't have to mention in any more detail as it's blown up big.

Possibly the high point of my listening pleasure was unpacking and playing the Woven Entity CD. Some very sparse, organic and experimental jazz that snakes around your head for weeks. A little brittle, but no less engaging, was Risakuru by Longstone. A complex 2 part twelve that is in  part a modern ambient jazz opus and in part earth installation art-work. Again, intensity has been my buzzword. Along with a plethora of dynamite long players (see my Juno chart on previous post), these songs have supported me through a trying year. Hoping for more music of similar calibre in 2015. However, the EU changes to VAT, lead me to suspect it won't be so. Dealing with bands directly and buying physical music off them has been easy in the past, but now, encouraging them to the pressing plant is going to prove harder with costs rising. That said, I'm not turning into Farage as I expect common sense will prevail and business will resume as normal in the not too distant. Waiting is half the fun, which is why not all the music mentioned here was recorded this year. 

THE DEEP END

I SUPPOSE when nights become successful they inevitably become a little safe, formulaic and branded, so, asking myself 'who's going to put a semi-experimental night of minor risk and contrasts that could quite easily collapse into chaos or alternatively, ascend into something remarkable and truly memorable?' - the answer is, me of course. 

I have less to lose, and am still naïve enough to expect pleasant surprises from people, besides being fatalistic enough to face up to worse case scenarios. I'm even DJing myself because 2014 has spoiled me rotten and like a child, I want to play with my toys and show off my new favourites. I will try to stop for the acts.

The Sly and Unseen make intriguing music with acoustic sparsity and a plethora of exotic instrumentation which evoke the landscape of rural Halifax (their dwelling place), or to my ears the atmosphere created by Kevin Shields warmer moments, oh, and John Cameron's wonderful Kes soundtrack. Katie English and Jonathan Lees have been on the scene long enough to be uncompromising live, so, while they're more established (check their debut Improbable and half side contribution to the Rural Colours LP Summer Passes), they'll be taking to the stage first to let momentum build, so be early.

Similarly unique in sound, I think Wild Birds of Britain have the potential to be mind-blowing. With just a debut live gig under their belt, they're hanging out with the Temples in December and so I expect great things to happen on the 25th. All this, and self-explanatory visuals provided by Melt Trip, suggest to me, we're all ready for the deep end.  

Sock Free Hideaway presents The Sly And Unseen, Wild Birds Of Britain

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/1247281-sock_free_hideaway/1350323-Chart/
Shed loads of omissions from this albums round-up, including The Sly and Unseen and Woven Entity who aren't available via juno. Only allowed 30, so several great comps and late players also miss out.   

4. NIGHT CANOEING RIDE 

By findanothername 

for Sock Free Hideaway

MANY THANKS to Panagiotis for this exceptional linear musical journey. His dedicated and open ears and commitment to the sound cause make him one of the heroes who look beyond labelling. Always singular in style, his mixes always bring some fresh sounds to the table, and this is no exception. His radio show eClectic bLends is going from strength to strength and I'm grateful that he's taken time to take us to special places. Enjoy the ride. 

Night canoeing ride mix by FINDANOTHERNAME

About :

Panagiotis Gazis aka ‘findanothername’ started off DJ’ing at a very early age back in 1986 in his hometown, Lefkada Island, a beautiful island located in the west part of Greece, on the Ionian Sea.

During 1986 through to 1989, ‘findanothername’ played at local discos, while a year later he moved to the Greek capital of Athens which offered more choices for the young DJ’s.

In Athens, ‘findanothername’ played at numerous discos and clubs, among while he continued to visit and work for his hometown clubs during all these summers.

Through his love for music, he became a self-taught DJ and quickly discovered that this was something that was going to take over all his life. ‘findanothername’ constantly aims to build an audience that will appreciate music regardless of genre. This is one of the many things that distinguishes ‘findanothername’ and his need to embrace new music, technology and styles to push the envelope further and shake any kind of crowd that is listening to his music.

'findanothername' studied music for 13 years which earned him 3 musical degrees in lyric writing, harmony and keyboards, and also attended a Radio Production College.

Since February 2010, ‘findanothername’ has hosted ”eClectic bLends”, a monthly show on Oasis Radio, Japan as well as regularly appearing on SSRadio Lounge & Chill with ”downtown dreams” radio file until July 2013.

Also he had made a guest mix for Innervisions Radio , BeatLounge Radio , Ionz.fm  and Balearic Social Radio 

KONTIKI SUITE @ SOCK FREE HIDEAWAY 

(14TH SEPTEMBER 2014) IN PICTURES

pics c/o Robert B Parkinson & KS 

SEMINAL GIG ALERT

JASON BOARDMAN deserves big cheers for managing Horsebeach. In this here today, gone tomorrow culture, young bands need to be shrewder than their years and after watching them headline Soup Kitchen's basement, I'm pretty sure Ryan Kennedy is. 

The LP dropped just prior to this night and my sole complaint was that it felt like a suite. I would've preferred Kevin's Box Bedroom Rebels Horsebeach tracks to have not been re-recorded. However, truly mesmerizing chord play that never fails to perch itself onto a catchy hook-line or sunny head nod. And a dead beat delivery, reflecting lyrical inertia, thus transcending standard pastiche by finding its own beauty and wonder, must surely make this the debut of the decade. I'm still in love with Even and on Friday night, it marked the point where this gig became something truly memorable, with light swaying and talk of jingle-jangle giving way to full body shuffling and talk of Manchester legends. 

To write such glorious material, I knew Ryan was mightily gifted, but for the band to play so tight and confidently illustrated to me that this was a fully committed four piece. Drummer Matt Booth was especially focal and not afraid to deviate from the recorded work by putting his kit through some paces. Herein lies the rub. They are undoubtedly the best new band to surface in fucking aeons, but are nonetheless going to be branded a Manc four piece, evoking classic bands of the music press era, and this is unfair. 

I much preferred the naturalistic 'thank you very much' that followed the rapturous applause after every song, and the crafty stoop down to take a swig of canned lager, whilst really adjusting the guitar phasers, than punk era posture that just felt more like pastiche through the generations. Liam might shout 'fuck' a lot at his paying audience, but I doubt he does to his favourite tailor.

The youngsters I spoke with (me being one of too many old farts), were wizened about universal pop, even  placing their new favourite band into historical context, which made a massive change from the mouth foamers who reminisce about Manchester music through forty something rose-tinted specs, but I was appalled at the number of top shirt buttons fastened. To their credit, Horsebeach didn't have theirs fastened, but, as with all the best bands, I guess the snazzy wardrobe will be the last thing to arrive. They need to look better than us, but if anyone knows this, it's Jason. 

It was fitting that he got a deserved 'thank you' as his belief has opened up distribution stateside, which is where this band's natural heart lies. I think they could fly over to Brooklyn right now and play that gig and receive a similar reception. London and the remixers await and I expect a lot more folk saying 'wow' in the not too distant. June and Faded Eyes are on a tee for Almunia remixes, incidentally, but I would say that.      

3. SOCK FREE 

By Izabel Caligiore 

for Sock Free Hideaway

VERY HONOURED to share this with you. Izabel of Lullabies For Insomniacs fame has hosted some fine, fine mixes and works slavishly to share her love of ethereal and quite wonderful music and this mix is no exception as it's truly mesmerizing. Thank you. Upon first listen, doing the ironing, it didn't just blow my socks off but sent me hurling down a sand dune. However, after emptying sand from my socks and lying down for a second listen, I merely cascaded down, which is an altogether better experience. Take my advice, put one hour and fifteen minutes out of every day for a fortnight, and lie back listening to this and nothing will be the same again. The perfect prescription.  

sock free mix by Izabel Caligiore (Lullabies For Insomniacs)

In Izabel's words:

I recorded this mix on a cold winters night in Melbourne, I had just received some horrible news from a dear friend in London that saw my mood matching the weather, dark and sombre.

Alas I grabbed a stack of records and let the music transport me to a ‘sock free hideaway’.

The mix travels through many times and places starting with Pharaoh Saunders tribute to Coltrane and finishing with Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac.

I started Lullabies for Insomniacs | Mixcloud March this year, it is a fortnightly radio show broadcasted on PBS 106.7fm.

I came up with the name Lullabies for Insomniacs not only as it is an apt name for a graveyard shift (2am-6am) but also because it can be interpreted in different ways. The beauty about the guest mixes for each week is how each artist interprets the title.My last show is this week as I am moving overseas to study although will be launching a website shortly that will feature a fortnightly podcast as well as guest mixes.

Hope you enjoy.

KONTIKI SUITE

MUCH APPRECIATED but too proudly insular to breakthrough big, Kontiki Suite's effortlessly catchy harmony and crystallized strumming make them reminiscent of 68' era Byrds to some journo's, which is a shame coz I hear maturity beyond that and their new material (what I've heard so far), compacts their sound further. I expect it to be showcased on the 14th of September, ahead of their 2nd album. 

Live, they're hard to catch as they venture out quite rarely, so, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of the most exciting propositions in the intimate surrounding of the upstairs of Dulcimer bar. Debut album Sunset Lake is awash with beautiful tunes that evoke late summer evenings outside the caravan, and, I'm sure, their rendition of Magic Carpet Ride will mutate into something quite special on the 14th.

Steph Grant will be supporting with her fragile tunes of wonder, with moi and Cotton Controller playing the type of records that come alive inside your head. Pleased to shout 'Get Yer Socks off!'

Sock Free Hideaway presents KONTIKI SUITE

(support the night by sharing, inviting, ignoring or better still, putting it in your diary. Another intimate night of musical celebration guaranteed.)

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/1247281-sock_free_hideaway/962635-Chart/

Another chart from the sound supermarket. Doubt i'll play any of these on the night, but they're worth a listen. Thinking, wind rustling the sand for the night. The slight smell of distant barbecue, the faint reggae keyboard and a stretched smile. Whatever...

"Use what talents you possess : the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best."   Henry Van Dyke 

FIRST THINGS first; the creative process was inexplicably blocked, so the 28th was unfortunately aborted. The final straw was Colorama booking the same night. Apologies to Robert Glover, Gullivers, Ryan Kennedy, Nick Cubley, and, especially, Jeff O'Toole. I'm sorry I couldn't pull things together, and thanks for supporting my idea. A chief worry has been building momentum and providing that DJ finale, Almunia brilliantly provided, but I gave up, and then, trying to rejig a night for the 21st I fell for the charm of Dulcimer and the side of the metro line I had shut out of my mind, upon embarking on this adventure. 

the night that never was

3:20 Steph Grant at Shambala by Mike Archer 29 views 

Kontiki Suite are amazing and I know we're in for a treat on September 14th. Their friend Steph Grant has kindly agreed to support and her singular style, and whacky forays into sound mean we should expect the unexpected. More to follow...

2. HYACINTH SUNDOWN

By Krossfingers 

for Sock Free Hideaway

MASSIV THANKS to Artem and Sasha ( KROSSFINGERS ) for responding to my call for help after realizing (unless massive compromises were made), the next night wasn't coming together and creating this delightful mix for me. Their Facebook selections and KROSSFINGERS | Mixcloud are always a pleasurable listen  and this mix is unsurprisingly super special, evoking the free of sock, which is the most anyone can ask. Expertly interviewing and sketching the crème de la crème at an alarming rate which belie their years, cements them as rising stars and magically the next sock free is now confirmed for May 28th. Super indeed, more to follow.

hyacinth-sundown

 In their own words:

 "We founded Krossfingers in May 2013 as a small blog for friends. 

Our motto is "Analogue Passion And Timeless Music Themes". It was about shots from our ultra cheap analogue cameras and some tracks we found and wanted to share. Our first post was Gigi Masin's beauty "Stella Maris", and nobody knew about the upcoming release on Music From Memory at that time) Other bigger ideas came to us later. We got in touch with very interesting people and we wanted to share their stories, musical thoughts. Almost all our interviews are exclusive, Sasha's doing painting covers for it. Actually we just wanted to make a blog in which it’ll be interesting, pleasant and comfortable to stay for ourselves. We are always in search and want to make the blog more transformable, to seek new forms of expression, but still maintain the principles and heat."