I have been writing a monthly musical blog for over five years but it was only when I joined Twitter last year that I started getting a lot of feedback that people were listening. I enjoyed writing it and it served as a musical diary of what I was digging at the time so I carried on.
But when @AprylRae & @penhitspaper recorded a radio show Boggs Holler Curiousity Shop - Premier from-the-holler.com which kindly mentioned my blog alongside other notable new music writers, I started to think about why I was doing it.
I’ve kept the blog format of 20 fairly new songs unchanged despite lean months or bumper crops of tunes. Occasionally it was hard to fill it, but the usual problem is what to exclude each month. I always enjoyed creating cassette mixtapes for my friends and playlists were the digital successor. Describing the music with words was a new challenge with the blog but one I enjoyed.
I always had a copy of NME or Melody Maker back in the 90’s and decorated my room with the covers and album adverts. Back then music was expensive and hard to hear so the music paper reviews were invaluable to alert me to exciting new acts and warn me what to avoid. Those 90s reviewers would influence what I bought. I didn’t always agree with them but if a reviewer panned a new album then I wouldn’t risk buying it unheard.
Today we have a different set of problems - the internet’s streaming sites have made music free, highly available and offer an unlimited choice. I saw an article that said there was something like 60,000 new songs released on Spotify every week (or possibly a day). I realised I could add value as a recommender/purveyor of fine taste in the indie music scene. As I’m already a new music junky I might as well promote the best artists and songs that I love and try and bring them to a wider audience. I want the bands to be successful and I want music lovers to discover and share my excitement for hearing a brilliant new song for the first time. I have met a like-minded community on Twitter in the #TuneArmy who share my passions I’m having a blast swapping recommendations with them and the artists.
So that’s why I’m still blogging, and if you’re as hooked as me then you’ve probably heard most of my selection but even so sometimes a song you’ve heard once sometimes needs another play before it gets under your skin. Given I still blog on a monthly basis then I need to pick just 20 songs from the hundreds I hear each month. My 2021 playlist is over 19 hours long already. So I pick some of the highlights here to promote them to anyone who will read and listen.
Well before I write an essay, I should get on with the business of the day. So what is oldindiekid pushing this month?
1) Nice Try by Jessica Luise
This song has really grown on me over the last six weeks. Nice Try is an awesome composition and a perfect example of blissful jangle pop. Jessica has an angelic voice and it’s so well produced too - a truly classic song.
2) Everybody’s Gotta Get Somewhere by My Mate John
A prolific London artist who has just released Artefact his fourth album in two years. This track sounds like The Cure if they had emerged on Sarah Records label in 1989.
3) Nufflink By Lewca
The Souf Landan Parisian Punk Rap Raver returns with his second EP. I’ve selected the 2Tone Ska style song Nufflink for this month’s playlist. It’s an autobiographical tale of crime and punishment as told by an 8 year old receiving frozen goods. Lewca is a engaging storyteller who raps and snarls through his latest batch of cathartic personal tales and unhinged bangers. Walking the Hedgehog EP is available now for purchase on his Bandcamp page ahead of other streaming sites. And a limited edition 10 track vinyl is available for pre-order at Diggers Factory
4) Sally Brown By Ollie Winder
Ollie is another singer songwriter based in Lancashire with a voice that unintentionally sounds like Ian Brown. His latest album Set The Record Straight is packed full of a cohesive collection of indie rock/pop songs influenced by the usual suspects (Oasis/Roses/La’s). However his recent Apocalypse 3 track EP has a totally different sound evoking XTRMNTR era Primal Scream so I’m not gonna assume anything from his forthcoming second album of the year.
5) Nothing To Die For by The John Mitchie Collective
This is a collective of one but again another highly prolific artist who has unleashed a load of music over the last couple of months. I’ve been enjoying his High Vibrations album (of the year) which is glued to my car stereo. John channels the essence of Spiritualized, Pink Floyd, Mercury Rev, John-Michel Jarre and The Doors often within the same song.
6) Touch of Venice by The Moon Kids
New 5 track EP Ride With The Hurricanes is a fantastic collection from the Scottish rock n rollers in the vein of the BRMC. Touch of Venice is my favourite track and I can hear the influence of the Richard Ashcroft’s swagger and the melodies of Crowded House on this great song.
7) The Mushroom Song by Felix & The Sunsets
Blues swamp rock tune breaking on through to the other side after a shroom brew.
8) Twisting The Knife Away by Enola Fall
Australian band with an amazing tune that puts the listener on edge as the pounding percussion, War On Drugs style guitars and synths swirl around and within your mind. You think the songs is ending but it’s a short lull as the pressure builds again until a sudden stop. When it ends you can feel the pressure lift and notice your heartbeats racing. This ain’t background music - this truly effects! Available on Bandcamp.com
9) Supermarket Sweep by Uncle Kid
Mesmerizing stream of consciousness lyrics spoken by a talented new artist from Scotland. The music is unnerving soundscapes with trip hop beats. Tricky is an obvious reference point but also The Arab Strap and Underworld. This is taken from his recent Indistinct Chatter EP.
10) Mothers Against Christian Rock by Fire Up The Sun
Another fine example of Scotland’s talent or as they describe themselves “two schemies“. This track is a constructive critique of the Christian Rock genre. A very dry sense of humour is displayed on the eight tracks available on the TAR & Unmasked EPs. Indulge yourself.
11) Dirty Gonzo by Psyence
An infectious foot tapping monster of a tune with propulsive rhythm and heavy psychedelic guitars swirling around. Psyence have supported local favourites of mine - the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and the two bands are well paired.
12) Psycho Killer by The Lottery Winners
I love a good cover and The Lottery Winners take on this classic from Talking Heads is up with the best of them.
13) Shame On You by Revivalry
It has been a pleasure to watch this young band develop over the last year and Shame On You is another huge progression for the Teenage sensations. It's a blast from start to finish The vocals, guitars and drums are all excellent and this is their best song yet. I also hear their new video will be out on Sunday 14th March - keep an eye out for that.
14) Birthing Bell by Lines of Flight
Debut single from this Leeds duo who plan to release a song each month. Electronic ethereal waves of sound lap at your ears. Let this wash over you and bathe in it’s shoe gaze charms. Follow up Moth-Eaten Heart is expected at the start of April.
15) Blind by Lyon Tide
It creeps in like an understated early 80s new romantic song and breaks into a catchy chorus with a tale of regret and lost love but sprinkled with hope.
16) The Boy In The Doorway by Hightown Pirates
Second release of the year penned by Pirate Captain Simon Mason. A harrowing emotionally charged song on the subject of homelessness and addiction. Simon is reaching out to those who have replaced him on the streets. The orchestration here is amazing. The Hightown Pirates are taking vinyl pre-orders for their second album over on Bandcamp and will be playing gigs later in the year.
17) Found Ourselves by Joe Adhemar
Rebellion boils under the surface on this unsettling composition. I don't want to give you my interpretation of the lyrics as I'm sure its probably wrong and you need to do some of the work here! Taken from the excellent album of the same name. "We might have lost the summer, at least we found ourselves".
18) Drop Your Arms by Senses
Huge indie rock tune from the boys from Coventry. I can see this band threatening the mainstream. Don’t forget us when you’re Stadium Rockers on World Tours! Is this the best dream you’ve ever had?
19) It's Alright by Paul Nixon
Wonderful song from Warrington's Paul Nixon. It starts like the Velvet Underground's Heroine but with happier lyrics. It has a Verve vibe and builds to an almost Polyphonic Spree level hypnotic chant. You''ll be swaying lighters aloft to this tune one day. I must listen to more from Paul.
20) Feel My Love by The Shed Project
Roy’s hitting the high notes on the latest and greatest song emanating out of the Bolton Shed. It’s a beauty of a song and I know it well loved by the Twitter musical community. Feel My Love received the most votes of any of the 32 songs entered in the #Indie100Cup. Really looking forward to hearing the next release - the long awaited One Shot Remix with MC Tunes. Bring it on!
I recently presented my first radio show in 25 years - The DAFT POM Show is now available as a podcast.
There is a great weekend of music coming up on Inyourearsmusic.com on 13-14 March. We are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support with an acoustic festival with sets from all the best independent bands on the scene. I have a show Sunday 10am (UK time) but I will try and listen to as much as I can this weekend. It will be an Acoustic Live Aid - so tune in and cough up!
