Tamaryn #2 - Heavenly Bodies

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With just a couple to go until I finally get to see Tamaryn perform live (at the Lexington on October 15th - full tour dates here) the second preview from their forthcoming LP Tender New Signs (due October 15th via Mexican Summer) continues to tease body and mind, wrapped in the San Fran duo's (although they now reside in California) signature haze of dark, reverberating maelstroms of noise, "Heavenly Bodies" is equal parts intoxicating, spaced-out guitar soundscapes and beautifully hushed vocals. Heavenly indeed.

The vinyl full length is available to pre-order now, I'm hoping they've got some at the show, £20 for a single slab of wax (it does come with a CD version to be fair) is over priced in my opinion and at least, if you buy direct from the band, you can hope the money is going towards paying for touring costs... Either way Tender New Signs is one of the essential releases still to come in 2012.

The Joy Fomidable #16 - This Ladder is Ours

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It's fair to say that since The Joy Formidable returned to the UK at the end of August to play the Reading and Leeds festivals and a small Lexington show that they've been spoiling us. After treating us to the incredible slow-burn piano led "Wolf's Law" my favourite rock trio followed with "Cholla", an altogether meatier beast with punishing beats and distorted guitars, it exemplified the stratospheric arena-filling noise that has defined the bands rise, and now for the third time in a month they return with a new track, "This Ladder is Ours". Similarly rip-roaring it combines Ritzy's identifiable vocals with skyscraping guitars and frenetic drums, The Joy Formidable are soon to be as massive as the sound they produce, just as the recently announced tour dates supporting Muse on a handful of UK dates at the end of October suggests.

You're a better person that I if you can work out any of the forthcoming releasing riddle though, I've read both news of a Cholla EP (originally thought to be released October 14th) and a Wolf's Law album (which I've seen slated for January 22nd in the US), perhaps "This Ladder Is Ours" serves nothing more than to leave you wanting more and that, it certainly does.

Still Corners #7 - Fireflies

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Here's something that I wasn't expecting just yet, the return of Still Corners, who today announced their new single "Fireflies", released as a tour-only 7" with limited copies available via their Big Cartel store 'soon'.

The follow up to last years gorgeous Creatures of an Hour, "Fireflies" retains the emotional, cinematic approach that has been a signature of the band right since their debut Remember Pepper EP, it's wonderfully atmospheric with Tessa Murray's alluring backing coo's and soft, dreamy vocals but the slow-motion shimmering synth pulses and pitter-patter beats which dowse you in a heavenly haze more Drive soundtrack than film-noir, fear not though guitar lovers, if recent shows at End of the Road and Scala are replicated with further new material, I'll be a very happy boy.

Speaking of shows, the aforementioned tour begins at the end of October and hits London's Lexington on November 12th - full dates. See you there.

Woodpecker Wooliams #2 - Live at The Gallery Cafe

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I hope you don't mind a plug post, it involves great music so you shouldn't. Beautiful Strange returns from a little two month break next Tuesday October 2nd to present the spectacular Woodpecker Wooliams at The Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green. EDIT: Unfortunately this show has been cancelled due to an injury to WW. Further details on tumblr. Still read this post, the rest of it still stands.

A couple of recent live videos will highlight just how much of a treat the audience will be in for, from her recent album the incredible The Bird School Of Being Human, "Dove" (recorded at a recent bandstand busking session) is spine-tingling, the very definition of beauty. Clean harp plucks provide a delicate meandering base for Gemma's heartfelt outpouring of emotions while "Magpie" (recorded at the Brighton album launch show) sees a lone acoustic take the place of harp with eerie strings adding a haunting ambience, mysterious and beguiling Gemma's pure voice and unconventional renditions of songs weave a unique and compelling spell.

That's without even mentioning the sensational hysteria of "Sparrow", Woodpecker Wooliams promises to be a show not to be missed.

Alice Jemima #8 - By Your Side / EP Release

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In a couple of my previous Alice Jemima posts I've mentioned my desire to have some of Alice's music as a physical product to play to my hearts content. Soundcloud / youtube are great but you can't play them in the car / train / anywhere without 3G... thankfully that wait is now over. Though not quite a slab of gorgeous wax (to follow please!) Alice has self-released her debut EP All The Boyfriends as a limited CD which you can buy now via Big Cartel (for just £3.00).

To make that purchase go from must-have to essential Alice has treated us to a stream of one of the new tracks "By Your Side", with the addition of programmed beats, heavenly backing coo's and ambient, slow-motion guitar "By Your Side" melts your heart just as quickly as anything I've heard from Alice before. Her gorgeous, delicate vocals and the seemingly effortless way she keeps producing these understated, melodious beauties within the four walls of her home (the EP was written, produced and recorded at home) really must be turning a few big-wigs heads by now, Alice though, to date has controlled her material and decisions impeccably and long may that continue. Equal parts charm, talent and beauty, Alice Jemima is most definitely one of 2012's shining lights.

Go buy the EP and tell your friends.

Shrag #2 - Devastating Bones / Unseasonal Thoughts

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A double-whammy of Shrag news/music in one post, I can't think of a much better way to improve a rather grey and wet start to the week. Firstly, an overdue catch up with the latest single to be taken from on of my contender's for LP of the year Canines, "Devastating Bones" is out now on limited 7" (order from Norman Records) and to put it succinctly, is all kinds of awesome, with swaggering bass and a stomping drum beat the track is easily the best biology lesson you'll ever have, raw and exuberant "Devastating Bones", much like the album it is taken from, sizzles with melodious delight from start to finish.



Not content with one album in 2012, Shrag have contributed three exclusive tracks to their co-labels wiaiwya 7777777 singles club. A rather intriguing club with seven releases over 2012 including one by Standard Fare and later this year with Allo' Darlin',as well as a few new bands to me that instantly tick my boxes, namely The Werewandas and Eux Autres. Subscriptions come in at just £4 per 7" including postage and should definitely appeal to indie-pop collectors - or you can order individually too.

Shrag's 7" is available on the 7th October and you can stream the lead track "Unseasonal Thoughts" below, from the scuzzy basslines and skittling drums to the call and response boy/girl vocals and shimmering keys the track is every bit as good anything from Canines, though perhaps not quite the dance-floor filler of some of the bands earlier singles, the luscious layers of glossy synths makes for a mystical and wonderful single all them same. You can pre-order the 7" or digital single, and you'll want to do that, now via bandcamp.

Shrag play a handful of shows in early November, including a trip to London's Buffalo Bar on the 10th, you should go - dates.