iTest, June 27th

Here's the track listing for tonight's show. If you catch this in time pop along to the Roisin Dubh tonight, it's their 6th birthday so Happy Birthday to them. Loads of DJ's, Disconnect 4, Lost Chord and Cartoon Thieves, barbeque, all that kind of thing!

Also, in other Galway entertainment news, I heard there might be a few tickets left for the Gigantic boat party next Saturday. Tickets are €20 and the party rocks on into the Blue Note after!

So back to the show, it kicked off with some Kinks as a wee tribute to Pete Quaife who died earlier in the week.

The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
Monster Rally - Honey Moon
Wavves - Post Acid
Janelle Monae - Faster Alt
Sean Carey - In The Dirt
Black Lips - Before You Judge Me
Dinosaur Bones - Ice Hotels
Kanye West - The Power
Ugly Casanova - Lay Me Down
Oberhofer - oooOOOoooOOOooo
Tennis - Marathon
ADULTROCK - Hermione
The Roots - Radio Dazer
Stars - Dead Hearts
Reflectional Eternal - Back Again
Chemical Brothers - Horse Power
Les Mange Tout - Weak Week
Gotan Project - Panamericana
El P - Meanstreak In Three Parts
Jamie Lidell - The Ring
Passion Pit - Dreams
Harper Simon - Wishes And Stars
Kissed Her Little Sister - Cocaine
Dead Prez - Fear Not The Revolution
Wolf Parade - Palm Road
Tender Trap - Do You Want A Boyfriend
Aeroplane - We Can't Fly
The Roots - Right On
Kormac - Showtime
The Herbaliser - Starlight ft. Roots Manuva (from Herbal Tonic: Best Of)
Ugly Casanova - Here's To Now
Dinosaur Bones - Royalty
Villa Nah - Running On
Japandroids - To Hell With Good Intentions
School Of Seven Bells - Windstorm
LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted A Hit (Soulwax Remix)
Pogo - Upular
Enemies - Piano
Mark Ronson - Bang Bang Bang
Kissed Her Little Sister - I Am Ben Franklin
Land Of Bingo - Company Hymn
Battles - The Line
!!! - AM/FM
R.S.A.G - Be It Right Or Wrong
The Vinny Club - It's Not You (It's OF)
Wolf Parade - Pobody's Nerfect
The Smith Westerns - The Glam Godess
Villagers - The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)
Ghostkeeper - Metis Running
Broken Social Scene - Chase Scene
Dead Prez - Soul Power Alt
LaFaro - Penny Nudger
Aloe Blacc - Femme Fatale
Of Montreal - Croquet Croquette Alt

Villagers - Ship Of Promises Video

Second single from Villagers debut Becoming A Jackal. Great tune, but aren't they all? It's actually one of the tracks I like less on the album but if you dip back a few weeks on the blog you'll notice how much I like the album, so that's not saying much.



Becoming A Jackal is out now on Domino Records.

N-E-W: The Roots, Kissed Her Little Sister & Herbaliser (cept that's not new, it's a best of thing)

Short couple of tunes!

First off Kissed Her Little Sister who I've been listening to the past few days have released their album for free through their bandcampp, here's a wee sample, but go download the album and enjoy the shit out of it.

Kissed Her Little Sister - Cocaine Alt

The Herbaliser is a new one for me. Legendary jazzy hip-hop as far as I know but I picked up their greatest hits (Herbal Tonic 1995-2010) today (cos it's out today). I did a fairly old school thing in that I heard this tune on in the music shop, asked what it was and bought the album. Out on Ninja Tune label, which I'm finding is a breeding ground for some of my favourite music I've heard recently (Been listening to Mr. Scruff and Amon Tobin recently, both wonderful)

The Herbaliser - Gadget Funk Alt

And I can officially declare that the new Roots album is flipping brilliant. It's called How I Got Over and it's finally out. Listen to this track, if you like it, buy it ffs!

The Roots - Right On ft. Joanna Newsome, STS Alt

N-E-W: Disconnect 4, ADULTROCK, Javelin (cept that one's not new)

Keeping it local with Disconnect 4! These Galway boys and girl were the first of the current wave of Galway bands to get up and get noticed. They, in fact, were the first band I ever interviewed. I recently found the recordings, a fairly gutting listen truth be told!

This, their first release since their well received Modern Love E.P is one that has been a solid live tune for a while. Sweet melancholic guitar lines, thick synths and pounding bass and drum combo, it's well and truly on. Steve Lamaq, Jim Carroll and Dan Hegarty have gotten their back, well worth a listen!

Turn Off The Lights by disconnect4

Here's a demo from Adultrock, a solo project from Gav from Super Extra Bonus Party, it's gonna be on an E.P that'll be out in a while ....that's really all I got. But I like it! I'll post more once I find more out or hear more ...I'm on it, I swear!

ADULTROCK - Hermione (demo) Alt

No Mas by Javelin is one of my favourite albums of the past while, but I'd never heard any more of their stuff til today. This educational song about STD's is lovely. Just gutted I can't play it on the radio, cos it's a bit filthy. Have a listen!

Javelin - STD Fury Alt

N-E-W: Les Mange-Tout, School Of Seven Bells, Tender Trap

Les Mange-Tout make colourful twee indie pop. On top of this, they're name is one of my favourite foods. I do love Mangetout, tis well tasty. And while this kind of music usually lacks enough substance to keep me interested for too long, this band, I feel, may keep me on side for a while. Suffice to say I doubt it'll be the last time I discuss them, the boy-girl melodies and fun little guitar lines embody all the innocent fun of the best childrens birthday party ever ...now there's an idea! Seriously, I'm just thinking aloud (and typing), that might be lots of fun, a clown, bouncing castle, barbecue, facepaints and loads of good bands and DJ's in someone's garden ...well this is going to be great altogether, who's in!?

Oh yes, back to Les Mange-Tout, have a listen and enjoy:

Les Mange-Tout - Weak Week Alt

Bit late to this party but here's the new School Of Seven Bells tune. But do you think the opening wind sound sounds a little like "Smash The Mirror" by The Who?



Perhaps it's just me. Well this is a single released ahead of the July 13th date for the unleashing of their second album Disconnect From Desire. While it could be described as shoegazey it also has an uplifting feel to it that I don't get from a lot of traditional shoegaze. You could say it makes me want to look up from my shoes and see what kind of fun could be had.

School Of Seven Bells - Windstorm Alt

I'm confused, there was an Irish band called The Tender Trap, they've since changed their name in light of The Temper Trap getting so big. Just bad luck I guess. But now another Tender Trap, well new to me at least. I love these guys though. Bop around scuzzed out twee fun from three girls that sure as fuck know how to write a lovely pop song. I'll have some of this please. Dansette Dansette is out today.

Tender Trap - Do You Want A Boyfriend Alt

iTest, June 20th

Few tunes from the show this evening, technology was against me so this is just the list, not an idea of what time what went on and only the songs that I added in this week. Fun show though, despite the fact that I was indoors on such a lovely day, beach tomorrow anyone?

Dum Dum Girls – Oh Me Mein
Pogo – Upular
Japandroids – To Hell With Good Intentions
Yes Cadets – Lies
Rarely Seen Above Ground – The Roamer
Enemies – Fierce Pit Bosses
65 Days Of Static – Go Complex
Wavves – Post Acid
!!! – Am/Fm
Squarehead – Fake Blood
Not Squares – Release The Bees
Kormac – Big Bad Trumpet Player
Stars - Dead Hearts Alt
The Roots – Walk Alone
Devo – Please Baby Please
Mountain Man – Dog Song
Monster Rally - Honey Moon Alt
The Melvins – Electric Flower
Jogging – Bruises Like Bowties
LaFaro – The Ballad Of Burnt Dave
Nas & Damian Marley – Nah Mean
Rarely Seen Above Ground – Hotwire The Heart
Devo – March On
Arcade Fire – Ready To Start
Breakbot – Baby, I’m Yours (Aeroplane Remix)
Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly
Japandroids – Younger Us
Best Coast – This Is Real
Land Of Bingo – Company Hymn
Crystal Fighters – In The Summer
The Roots – Fire ft. John Legend
65 Days Of Static - Mountainhead
Sean Carey – In The Dirt
Low Sea – Never Yours
Magic Kids – Summer
Tennis – Marathon
Black Lips – Before You Judge Me
Enemies - Piano
Pogo – Alice
The Melvins – Inhumanity And Death

N-E-W: Land Of Bingo, The Roots and Sean Carey

Quick question for all of y'all? Does anyone like any of the new M.I.A tunes apart from Born Free? I heard another one today with loads of autotune and powertools and I thought, shit, what a load of absolute bollocks! Really like, pure and utter shite!

Onward now however to music that's actually good:

I am getting more and more into Australian producer Pogo, who samples well known movies and makes crackingly catchy chilled out-yet banging tunes like this:

p.s, if anyone knows a way to contain Toy Story III related excitement let me know, it's getting silly at this stage



Land Of Bingo are a new one for me, they've an E.P coming out in October, and according to their myspace are from Wales, Berlin and Stockholm. Great places by all accounts

Land Of Bingo - Company Hymn Alt

Sean Carey plays with Bon Iver. That's about as much as I know about him. But go to his myspace and read his account of being in one of the towers on 9/11. Then listen to a few of his songs. Piano based, beautiful, beautiful music.

Sean Carey - In The Dirt Alt

The Roots new album, or as much as I've been able to get my hands on is magic. Though never a John Legend fan, bit slick for my liking, is the perfect level of smooth to counteract the gritty Roots flow. I can see this being one of my albums of the year. How I Got Over is out Tuesday.

The Roots - The Fire ft. John Legend Alt

N-E-W (Irish and Live): Nouveaunoise, Jogging and LaFaro

Quick one.

First off, gig tonight in Roisin Dubh, Galway from two bands with two of the Irish albums of the year (in my opinion).

Nouveanoise: (new album Paraphrase Acolade out now)



And Jogging (whose album, Minutes, is out now on Richter Collective and is streamed below and available for €5)



And finally, I said I'd post about this tune yesterday. So here it is. A jump around baesht of a tune from LaFaro!

07 The Ballad Of Burnt Dave by Josh Clarke

N-E-W: Sex Church, Japstars and Black Lips ...oh that sweet sweet scuzz

Holler! A lively jaunt around some fun new releases for today.

First off, a band that are new to me, the delightfully monikered Sex Church! I've been using "scuzzy" to describe a lot of music I've been listening to recently, so I may have to either find a new adjective or stop listening to scuzzy music. It'll have to do for the moment, but yes, Sex Church are scuzzy but wonderfully uplifting, oh so very simple, yet oh so effective in having me bop, nod and bounce. A winner on all fronts. It's a nice little taster for their forthcoming debut E.P.

Single Serving: Sex Church – “Ghost” « Musical Pairings @ Eating/SF

I'm quite the fan of Japanese Popstars. I'm proud that they're from the same Island as I (from Derry in the North), and make some cracking dance music. While heavy electro isn't usually my bag they generally hit the nail on the head and guess what? They've done it again. But before we get to the new tune do note that they are cracking live and are well worth going to see. This is my favourite of their tunes, from the Rodney Trotter E.P, along with some live clips:



Awesome eh? Now, Destroy is their new single, it'll be on the Destroy E.P which is due out July 1st and features Jon Spencer from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

The Japanese Popstars - Destroy (Radio Edit) by Gung-HoRecordings

Finally, one of my favourite bands, well ever probably, and yet again, you guessed it: they're scuzzy! Flower pop punk lo fi lunacy or whatever they're describing themselves as these days, Black Lips never fail to make me fall in love with their tunes. This jaunty bluesy ride is part of the Adult Swim singles program, joining the likes of Madvillain and Matt Sweeney ft. Bonnie Prince Billy in giving away a free track. There will be eight in total and this is the fifth. New Black Lips is always a treat, enjoy.

Black Lips - Before You Judge Me Alt

...I just got an e-mail with a tune from a band called LaFaro, check back tomorrow, I'll be posting it, it's a fucking whopper!

N-E-W: Japandroids, Dum Dum Girls, Tennis!

North Korea eh?! Serious determination! Fair play to them on a fine performance against Brazil, losing 2-1 is not half bad for them. World Cup fever has arrived with the sunshine, and despite the crushing fact that Ireland aren't taking part we're still getting in on the excitement! And the soundtrack to this festival of football ...

Yes, yes it is a rather e-mo'ey! But y'know I like it, it's fun and ballsey, and it's a newly released 7" single from the wonderful Japandroids!

Japandroids - Younger Us Alt

Well this is a tasty bit of something. Husband and wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore spent eight months sailing and exploring the North Atlantic coast and wrote songs about their adventures under the name Tennis. This is gorgeous.

Tennis - Marathon Alt

And Dum Dum Girls. You can't go wrong with a bit of scuzzy, lo-fi, 50's pop, pogo music. As a rule. It's adorable. Well this is anyway.

Dum Dum Girls - Oh Mein Me Alt

...I love that when Googl'ing Kim Jong Il, Kim Kardashian No Clothes comes up first in the suggested options! ...I wonder who'd be more dangerous with nuclear capabilities!

A little story 'bout my trip to Dublin

I'm back from my holidays and a trip to Dublin, and what a trip it was! Music aside I think I may have fallen in love with Dublin a little bit, though still terrified of the zombie junkies, expensive drinks and lack of dancing amoung the cool kids I've shed many a prejudice against the capital. We acted like tourists, going to the Guinness Storehouse (learning what Hops were), taking the DART (Dublin train) and considering going to Dollymount Strand (a famous Dublin beach):



...and then deciding as places to go for a swim or lie in the sun go it's a pretty crap beach.

So I arrived on Thursday and went to Whelan's to see The Tallest Man On Earth play his last show on his current tour. He arrived out, and despite a few initial technical problems he grabbed and held the audience in the palm of his hand dipping between songs from his first and second albums and playing a beautiful version of Paul Simon's Graceland.



We stuck around Whelan's for the night dancing to the most bored DJ playing the most bored selection of predictable indie hits for the night, helped only by the shots of Jagermeister purchased after Michelle found €20 in the ladies toilet. I guess as a DJ who'd only love to play to an audience with, I assume, relatively decent taste in music, to see some guy sitting at a desk, doing what an itunes crossfader could do, to a selection of Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Interpol on repeat bugs the be-jaysus out of me. It's a fun job, stand up, dance, celebrate (it's not 9-5). Also, I'm not demanding an eclectic mix of B-Sides from bands you've never heard of, just something a little more interesting, chosen with a bit of care. I just felt a little cheapened by the assumption that I'd dance to anything NME approved. But to my detriment I did. And fuck it, we had fun. We kinda had to, we were on holiday!

Back to Whelan's the next night again, this time to Enemies album launch, supported by the wonderful Super Extra Bonus Party. It was uplifting to see a heaving room of avid fans for the launch of a band's debut album. So fair play to Enemies and Richter Collective.



But our night wasn't over, oh no! Though the DJ might have been wonderful we weren't to take that risk and off we went to Twisted Pepper for a bitta DJ YODA!!!

We got in for a good chunk of DJ Kormac's support slot and my god, that guy is absolutely flawless! I also found myself wondering what one particular song was as it was being mixed it, to quickly realise it was one of Kormac's own from his excellent debut album Word Play out now on Scribble Records.



To try and rethink what Yoda dropped would be foolish ...suffice to say it was awesome. Maybe a little too much dubstep for my liking but Max Romeo's Chase the Devil into Prodigy's Out Of Space? Wonderful stuff!

Then on to Saturday. Lot's of chilling out, and pestering our friend Sarah to come from Galway after work, which worked, followed by drinks at a salsa dancing bar and then onwards to see Not Squares in Twisted Pepper. And I finally got to hear Release The Bees live. Great show, good fun, then silly dancing and neon halo wearing upstairs to a DJ who stopped Groove Armada's Superstylin' during the intro to roar "yis better fucking dance or I'm not playin' it!" ...good stuff.

So Dublin, I like you now. I still have some reservations but I think someday I may live in you for a while. Not for the moment but hey, you're alright.

I'll be back later with some mp3's from tunes I'm digging at the moment ...

iTest, June 6th (kinda)

Won't have time to run through all of the songs from the radio show this evening as I've got to run off and DJ once I get home. In saying that I didn't come across much this week!

Also, I probably won't be posting for a few days as I'm off on my holidays for the next few days, and the internet don't exist in mobile homes on the beach in Kerry.

So here are a few songs I was delighted to play this evening:

(From The Bride Screamed Murder, out now)

The Melvins - Waterglass Alt

(The mix that won him Annie Mac's Mini Mix of the year, also, he's playing this Friday in Twisted Pepper in Dublin and this Saturday in Cuba, Galway)

DJ Yoda - Annie Mac Mini Mix Alt

(From Hippies, which is out now)

Harlem - Be Your Baby Alt

Birthday Shuffle

It's my birthday today, I'm 22. I can't get away with the same shit I got away with a few hours ago. 21 seems to be a license to act the bollocks and sit around scratchin' yer arse. Excuse all the swearing. I'm a grumpy old geezer now you see. Must I get a job? Nah, leave that til I'm 23.

So since I'm being birthday lazy I'm gonna turn on the shuffle button and pick out three of the first few that I like. First though, a song I've posted before from Toots And The Maytals. I watched a brilliant film called This Is England. I'm no film critic so I'll say it's interesting (about skinheads, racism, bullying, the late 70's and early 80's), funny, charming and at times rather sad. Here's the intro with 54-46 Was My Number by Toots And The Maytals as the music. Oh and the music is great in it too.



So here goes, three of the best from the shuffle button:

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Beggin' Alt

Civil Civic - Less Unless Alt

Nobunny - Chuck Berry Holiday Alt

Renato Carisone - Tu Va L'Americano

I posted a song by Yolanda Be Cool ft. DCUP called We No Speak Americano, and it got a nice bit of a reaction! So here's the song the sample is taken from. My ladyfriend pointed it out cos some of the cast sing a version of it in The Talented Mr. Ripley, which is hear is a pretty good flick. Excelsior!



Lou Bega also does a version but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone.

Hugo covers Jay-Z

I like this a lot. I reckon I'll be posting more from this guy.

99 Problems by HugoOfficial

Bits and pieces!

Post on the run, all very straight forward! I'll be DJing in Roisin Dubh tonight in Galway, do pop in if you're about from 11:30...

Music wise here are a few tunes that are getting me going:

This tune I first heard on DJ Yoda's Fabric Live album (number 39). Delighted that Yoda is playing Cuba Galway on June 12th, he's also playing the night before in Twisted Pepper, Dublin

Skibadee - Tika Toc Alt

And Faithless's new album is banging! Here's my favourite track from it. It's called The Dance and is out now.

Faithless - Feel Me Alt

There ya go.