Podcast 20

Welcome good people to this week's podcast. New music awaits...

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Sleephouse Radio - Podcast 20 by sleephouseradio

Tracklisting:
1. Felt Letters - '600,000 Bands'
2. Chain And The Gang - 'Interview With Chain Gang'
3. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - 'Evolution's A Lie'
4. The War On Drugs - 'Taking The Farm'
5. Art Museums - 'S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G'
6. Prins Thomas - 'Wendy Not Walter'
7. Anthony 'Shake' Shakir - 'Assimilated'
8. Richard McGraw - 'Asheville'
9. Clogs - 'Last Song' (Featuring Matt Berninger)

1. Felt Letters - '600,000 Bands'
2. Chain And The Gang - 'Interview With Chain Gang'


The damn near inscrutable Ian Svenonious does it again. A deft puncturing of ego-inflated balloons on both sides of the artist / critic divide here. The first from Felt Letters is out on 7 inch right now and the second comes from last year's Chain And The Gang LP. Chain And The Gang are touring right now too. Check the MySpace for details.

Felt Letters MySpace

Chain And The Gang


3. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - 'Evolution's A Lie'


There's been a massive amount of focus on Ariel Pink's forthcoming album and quite rightly so - the current vogue for chillwave, hypnogogic pop and tape hiss (and hipness) certainly wouldn't have happened without him.

I'm disappointed in the new teaser track though - 'Round and Round' showcases Ariel's 80s FM Radio fascination, while I prefer the flipside hazy experimental Ariel Pink. I was hoping with the help of a full band and proper studio he'd go in the direction suggested by this awesome krautrocking, Darwin-baiting B-side from last year's 'I Can't Hear My Eyes' single.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti MySpace


4. The War On Drugs - 'Taking The Farm'


I've been digging Kurt Vile for a good while now - but I've had this MP3 unlistened on my computer for much longer than that. Random rediscovery threw it up again and I'll be damned if I haven't fallen in love.

If you love Vile and you haven't checked out The War On Drugs - the band of his like-minded best friend Adam Granduciel - then you're missing out.

From the 2008 album 'Wagonwheel Blues'.

The War On Drugs MySpace


5. Art Museums - 'S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G'


More melodious goodness from Woodsist records - this time it's Guided By Voices as re-imagined by the house band in a John Hughes movie. Or something. Excellent stuff once again.

Art Museums MySpace


6. Prins Thomas - 'Wendy Not Walter'


I have a love/hate thing going with the Norwegian Space Disco scene. I want to love them but some of their smoother tones keep pushing me away.

Not this track though. Could this be the start of something beautiful? From Prins Thomas' hotly-anticipated "nye plate" (that's "new record" in Norwegian, folks).

More info at Prins Thomas' Full Pupp Record Label MySpace


7. Anthony 'Shake' Shakir - 'Assimilated'


If you think inspirational music journalism is dead then you really should read Dusted Magazine's review of Anthony 'Shake' Shakir's retrospective anthology Frictionalism 1994-2009

Journalist Ben Tausig does everything right and there's samples of the music too. It got me so excited that I had to check this record out and I'm sure glad I did.

Frictionalism is a fantastic record of Anthony Skakir's radiant brilliance and it's all brand new to me. Three CDs worth of wonder await. Thank you Mr Skakir and Mr Tausig.

8. Richard McGraw - 'Asheville'


Illustration by Kevin Sprouls

Flat out "fucking" flawless songwriting from a fella I'd never previously heard of. I can't remember how I found out about him either.

Then again, all you need to know is that he's a fantastic songwriter, has a cracking new album out and spending sometime with his music would be a damn good investment.

Also, it's the modern age people - visit his MySpace below and do your own damn homework. Lots more music and videos await you.

Richard McGraw MySpace


9. Clogs - 'Last Song' (Featuring Matt Berninger)


The National are on their way back as we speak - and I personally can't wait to have another one of their excellently crafted records to cherish.

Until then - and not counting the mp3 leaks that have already begun - there's a brand new Clogs record out. It's called 'The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton' and this time it not only features National guitarist Bryce Dessner but also lead singer Matt Berninger, guesting on this epic piece of late night stillness.

Clogs MySpace

The Sleephouse Radio Mixtape - Number One

Thought I'd try something a little different this week and roll all the songs into one coherent and calming whole. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the very first Sleephouse Radio mixtape...



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Sleephouse Radio - Mixtape One by sleephouseradio


Tracklisting:

1. Brain Machine – Pulsations
(taken from Thisisnotanexit Manifesto One CD)

2. Nest - 'Amroth'
(taken from the album 'Retold')

3. Sun Araw - 'Bump Up (High Step)
(taken from the 7" 'Sun Ark')

4. Liars - 'No Barrier Fun'
(taken from the album 'Sisterworld')

5. Inch-time - 'Icicles & Snowflakes'

6. Lemonade - 'Bliss Out (Gold Panda remix)'
(taken from Ewan Pearson's excellent 'We Are Proud Of Our Choices' compilation CD)

7. A Ldric - 'Birds On Tree'
(taken from Ewan Pearson's excellent 'We Are Proud Of Our Choices' compilation CD)

8. Mokira - 'Storspov / Fjäderreverb'
(taken from Various Artists – Ström - Pausfågeln Remixad - More info here)

9. Stimming - 'Song For Isabelle'
(taken from the album 'Reflections')

10. Fieldhead - 'Of October'

11. Paul Simon - 'Can't Run But'
(taken from the album 'The Rhythm Of The Saints')

12. Lucky Dragons - 'Take Turns'
(taken from the album 'Rara Speaks')

13. Cults - 'Go Outside'

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Podcast 16

Yet more Sleephouse Radio... this is becoming somewhat of a habit.

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Tracklisting:

1. Beak> - 'Iron Acton'
2. Caribou - 'Odessa'
3. Memory Tapes - 'Green Knight'
4. The Sundays - 'Can't Be Sure'
5. Laura Veirs - 'July Flame'
6. Jarvis Cocker - 'You're In My Eyes' (Discosong) Pilooski Remix
7. Pilooski - 'AAA'
8. Flying Lotus - 'Quakes'
9. Pangaea - 'Because Of You'

Read on for further complications...

1. Beak> - 'Iron Acton'


A cracking piece of motorik krautrocking from a Bristol based band comprising of members of Fuzz Against Junk and Team Brick, not to mention Geoff Barrow from Portishead. Listen to the whole album and buy it at Beak>'s Bandcamp site.

Beak> MySpace


2. Caribou - 'Odessa'


Brand new stuff from the ever dependable Dan Snaith. Heading into hyponogic waters with this new free download (available now at his website) from his forthcoming longplayer 'Swim'.

Caribou MySpace


3. Memory Tapes - 'Green Knight'


I don't believe you really need a reason to play one of the best songs from last year. Other than I thought it would go really great with the Caribou track. If you haven't already got acquainted with Memory Tapes or you've been holding off...

Memory Tapes MySpace


4. The Sundays - 'Can't Be Sure'


Hard to believe that this music is now over 20 years old. It was brought back into my mind this week by a cracking article that celebrates their classic album 'Reading, Writing And Arithmetic' on "quality music website' The Quietus.

Read the article here


5. Laura Veirs - 'July Flame'


Laura Veirs just seems to release album after album of flawless music. The songwriting cannot be faulted while the production subtly draws upon genres of music as wide-ranging as contemporary classical, mathrock, ambient and electronica. It just doesn't shout about it - that's all. The new album 'July Flame', like all those preceding it, is highly recommended.

Laura Veirs Website


6. Jarvis Cocker - 'You're In My Eyes' (Discosong) Pilooski Remix


Jarvis is now broadcasting live to the UK and confirming his national treasure status with aplomb. His 6music show is well worth a listen of a Sunday afternoon. As is this pretty damn dirty remix from French Edit Maestro Pilooski, which rescues a frankly forgettable song from Jarvis' last album 'Further Complications'. Download it below:




7. Pilooski - 'AAA'


More way-out and lost-in-the-jungle genius from Pilooski. A real treat that I can't even begin to classify. It's damn hard to get hold of too. I think Rough Trade still have some copies, so click here and get this tasty vinyl now.

Pilooski MySpace


8. Flying Lotus - 'Quakes'


Living up to its name, this latest offering from Flying Lotus is earthshakingly bass heavy. It's not on the forthcoming album - entitled 'Cosmogramma', out in May and featuring Thom Yorke's vocal chords - but you can find it on this nice and fresh 2010 Warp Records sampler.

Flying Lotus MySpace


9. Pangaea - 'Because Of You'


Really excellent cut (as I believe the kids call it) from London's Pangaea. You can find this dark, brooding little beauty on recently released Pangaea EP and buy it right here.

Pangaea MySpace

Issue 12: Vic Chesnutt Tribute

This issue of Sleephouse celebrates the life and work of Vic Chesnutt. A wonderful songwriter who died on Christmas Day just gone.

Click here to listen now!

Tracklisting:
1. 'Speed Racer'
2. 'Dying Young'
3. 'Guilty By Association'
4. 'Degenerate'
5. 'Bernadette & Her Crowd'
6. 'Like A Monkey In A Zoo'
7. 'Splendid'
8. 'And How'
9. 'Flirted With You All My Life'


Click here to contribute a donation to help Vic's family pay his medical debts.

Click below for the full versions of the interviews which feature in this show.

Vic's final radio interview on NPR: Songs Of Survival And Reflection: 'At The Cut' (Listen here)

Issue 9

Oh god... not more music from Sleephouse Radio....

Click the image to download, or listen using the player to the right. This show can also be subscribed to as a podcast by copying the address of the RSS link in the sidebar into the podcast receiver of your choice. It's all so simple


(40MB, 44 mins. MP3 file)


1. Units - 'High Pressure Days'



Simply stunning - and almost unbelievable - electro punk from 1979. I'd never heard Units until this week when their retrospective album caught my eye while I looking for vinyl finds at my favourite online record shop.

Coincidentally, one of my favourite online magazines ran a great interview with the lead singer the very next day. I could tell you about the hitherto unknown history of the early days of synth punk in San Francisco - but you'd be far better off getting it from the horse's mouth by reading John Doran's excellent interview here.

Units MySpace


2. Major Lazer - 'Hold The Line'


2009 listmania has everyone foaming at the mouth right now. And to be honest, I'm wondering whether it's worth adding my voice to the hue and cry - but I will use the occasion to play what is, hands down, my favourite pop single of the year.

I so wanted 'Hold The Line' to be an authentic exotic artefact, but now I'm quite happy knowing that it's the hyperactive product of arguably the world's best production team (Diplo and Switch), a Jamaican Dancehall legend (Mr Lexx) and a fairly atypical US pop star (Santogold).

I'm making no claims to its intellectual worth - all I know is that it makes me smile, dance and, most importantly, get damn excited about how even the craziest of sounds can be sculpted into something as additively listenable as this.

Major Lazor MySpace


3. Early B - 'Deaf Ears'


While we're making lists and handing out accolades - Simon Reynolds is by far the best music in the world ever. The contest is over, people. I've recently been reading his 'Bring The Noise' compilation and the chapter on Dancehall got me so excited that I had to check out this completely unfamiliar genre.

This, in turn, lead me to Soul Jazz's The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall compilation from last year and this excellent track here from the now sadly deceased Early B.

There's something so refreshing about discovering a genre of music so alien and I'm still a bit lost in the rush and haze of discovery to have anything meaningful to say.

The Soul Jazz compilation is well worth your time though, especially as it comes as the partner to a book of pictures from the period taken by Beth Lesser. Peep some right here.

Buy At Soul Jazz Records


4. Small Black - 'Despicable Dogs'


Pleasingly distorted keyboards and synths seem to be one of the things we'll remember about 2009 - I know they've called it hypnagogic pop - and I'm certain that Small Black will be included together with the breaking Chillwave.

I'm sure you've heard them all talking about it - and I'm sure it's pretty unfair on Small Black to mention in conjunction with them. Bands have feelings too, you know?

This is simply a good song, like they used to make with guitars before all these kids muscled out the grandpas and took over.

Small Black MySpace


5. Apollo Ghosts - 'Dobermanns'


Vancouver is always a good stop-off if you’re looking for a decent band. Apollo Ghosts are just another great hidden gem from a city that really has a lot to recommend it.

Local radio station CiTR is always worth a listen and be sure to check out Apollo Ghosts and buy all their lovely records.

Apollo Ghosts MySpace


6. Real Estate – 'Suburban Dogs'


There’s been something in the water of the garden state of New Jersey this year – something psychedelic from the sound of the great musical output that’s been flowing from the place in recent months.

Real Estate are certainly the best of the bunch in my estimation and they totally sound like a band that’s going places with their music… they’re just going quite slowly that’s all. No need to rush. No need at all. Beautiful relaxed stuff.

Real Estate MySpace


7. Ducktails – 'Parasailing'


Matt Mondale is Ducktails. He’s also a member of Real Estate. And his releases have been yet another reason why this small nexus of bands and musicians have been getting wider attention.

Pleasingly knockabout punkish-prog ambience from a fella who clearly knows where it’s at.

Ducktails MySpace


8. Bjørn Torske - 'Møljekalas'


I recently set up a new home in the socialist winter paradise of Norway and I've been doing my bit to learn the lingo and get with the local colour, habits, and lifestyle.

I'm a big fan of most stuff here, but the music scene still eludes my grasp somewhat. This is the first in what will probably prove to be a casual series charting my exploration of Norwegian music over the last few years.

I'm reliably informed that Bjørn Torske's 'Feil Knapp' is one of the finest examples of the cosmic disco that's been beaming live out of Oslo's Smalltown Supersound scene in recent years. Damn good it is too.

Plus, it seems to be named after a Christmas food, so it's also kinda topical.

Bjørn Torske MySpace


9. Beach House - 'Norway'


I'm still not entirely sure about the woozy keyboard pitch shifting - and I'm even less sure about it's connection to my new home of Norway - but if you needed proof that sometimes the majority does get it right - then look no further than this song.

Massively popular over the last few weeks, this new nugget from Beach House has set expectation ablaze for their forthcoming album 'Teen Dream'. And, indeed, only a true cynic would deny them or the greatness of this song.

Beach House MySpace

Issue 8

Hey there folks! Remember me? Your favourite neighbourhood purveyor of musical nuggets?

I do hope so because I've got some more cracking gems for you in this return issue. Afterall, what's four years wait among friends?

To listen, click the book image below or use the flash player in the sidebar.

This show can also be subscribed to as a podcast by copying the address of the RSS link in the sidebar into the podcast receiver of your choice. It's all so simple


(60MB, 63 mins. MP3 file)

1. The Dirty Projectors - 'My Offwhite Flag'


As it's pretty much certain that Dirty Projectors will quite rightly claim the top spot in most end of year polls, I couldn't think of a better way of begin Sleephouse again after a long hiatus than with this roughly-hewn gem.

Despite the relentless progress this band have made throughout the latter half of the decade, for me it's the first song that I ever heard from Dave Longstreth that remains my own personal favourite.

"It's been a while since I played the game..."

Dirty Projectors MySpace


2. Tune-Yards - 'Hatari'





This song - the product of one woman, a ukulele, drums and a loop pedal - snuck up on me one day while listening to Marc Riley's 6music show.

Merrill Garbus - for that is her name - turned in a stunning live version of 'Hatari' that night and I've been trying in vain to track down an mp3 of the performance ever since.

This album version nearly captures the magic I heard on the radio, but it seems she's getting better the more she tours and plays - comparing the album recordings with this great 4AD live session bears this assessment out and makes me expectant of future releases.

Tune-Yards MySpace


3. Cold Cave - 'Life Magazine'


Their name is tripping off all the right tongues at the moment but I'm yet to be fully convinced by them for an entire album's duration but they come close. I'll just never be that drawn to the dark side.

That said, this track is a sure fire winner - all buzzing synths and vocals that echo in your head way after the song's finished.

Cold Cave MySpace


4. Gentle Friendly - 'RIP Static'


Something stirs in South London and it's very probably shaking the grime from the buildings there with what looks like a ferocious live equipment set-up. I mean, jesus - look at that all those control panels and mixings desks.

Accordingly, Gentle Friendly set controls for the heart of the sun, and navigate their psychedelic voyage with no mean amount of radio-friendly skill. their freshly released debut album 'Ride Slow' is a real grower, buzzing with exuberance and shot through with a shitload of fuzzy ideas.

Gentle Friendly MySpace


5. Kurt Vile - 'Freak Train'


The word on the street has been feverish for Kurt Vile all-year-long. Three massive releases had already bubbled under before he dropped his "major indie label" debut with 'Childish Prodigy' on Matador last month.

'Freak Train' is taken from that Matador release and I don't really wanna say anything other than recommending it as a damn good listen.

Kurt Vile MySpace


6. Kurt Vile - 'Best Love'

The previous song showcases Kurt Vile's ability to mash together accepted rock cliches and come out with something fresh and exciting - that's no mean feat considering we're some 40-odd years from 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'.

This song flips to the otherside of the coin: with Kurt casting himself as the bedroom recording ambient mystic. It's equally as essential and I can highly recommend the purchase of any of his releases over the past year or so.

'Best Love' is taken from 'Constant Hitmaker' but 'God Is Saying This To You' and 'The Hunchback' EP are just as winning.

Kurt Vile MySpace


7. Harmonia & Eno 76 - 'Sometimes In Autumn' (Shackleton Remix)


A wetdream inside the malfunctioning brain of a HAL 9000 - this remix ticks just about every box a geek could ever hope for.

Legendary 70s ambient masterpiece- check! Present-day minimal-tech refit - check! Available on 12" vinyl with an Appleblim remix on the b-side - check, mate! Direct your hard-earned dollars earnt while programming C++ in the direction of Norman Records or some such reputable outlet.

Amazing Records Website


8. Yoko Ono + John Lennon - 'Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him'


Reunions are never what you expect them to be - this year I've had the pleasure of a reunion with my vinyl record collection after a decade of separation (It was stored in my parent's garage - fact fans)

For some reason 'Double Fantasy' has been a sticker on my turntable ever since, and has resonated through my house since January.

While listening, it's really struck me how much I must have grown since I last heard the record. I still love John's songs but now it's Yoko's stuff that has caught my presumably more mature attention.

The Beatles-loving teenager had invariably skipped these songs but now I'm really loving them. It's weird how an album that I thought of as so familiar has proved to be so alien and exciting. And it's all thanks to Yoko and the impatient teenager I used to be. Thanks be to both.


9. Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band - 'Mind Train'

The second train song this week, the second Yoko Ono song too and my second explanation of why I'm showcasing her stuff. From the 1971 album 'Fly'

I'm happy to see that a critical acceptance of her and her multifarious talents has been growing in the public mind over recent years. I fully support this and to advance her standing further in the eyes of any dinosaur-minded doubters that still remain I offer up this unsteady load of fatback groove to career us all out of the show this week. Enjoy the ride and I'll see you next week.