SONG OF THE DAY - INDIANA | MESS AROUND

There's something about the dark, twisted beauty of Indiana that I adore. The flip side of the hearts and flowers part of love, the complete and utter devotion - musically and lyrically - to how twisted and malevolent it can make you feel. How it can turn you to "beautiful psychosis". The unapologetic want for revenge.

Enjoy "Mess Around" and throw it at the last person who messed you up. Let them know that they owe you.

Lyrics
Do you think you own me, just because I didn't tell?
You didn't see me slowly rise again, regain my strength.
You don't know what you started, you know I'm not what you have done.
Never to be parted from my dirt; we are as one.

And I'm haunted and reckless, feeling taunted and restless.
It's a fire you started and I don't want to put it out.

Don't you wanna mess around?

I need you to notice
I need you to gaze upon my beautiful psychosis
I have found to bring you down.
While your heart's still beating, I will not stop, I will not rest.
Your suffering completes me: I'll take no more, I want no less.

And I'm haunted and reckless, feeling taunted and restless.
It's a fire you started and I don't want to put it out.

Don't you wanna mess around?

Show you all the ashes of my fire, of my fire...

Don't you wanna mess around?
Mess around...?

Song of the Day - "Medusa" by GEMS

Mixing ethereal vocals with off-beat drums and a distinctly West Coast, surfer-summer guitar riff, GEMS (otherwise known as Clifford John Usher and Lindsay Pitts) have knocked it out of the park with their latest dreamy single "Medusa"; a single which, quite frankly, feels like the audio equivalent of flying.

Forming in Washington D.C. in 2012, the duo already have 6 solid singles to their name with each offering a varying sound, making them very difficult to pigeon hole - which, in a world where we require our music to have a "label", to me seems strangely refreshing.

"Medusa" is officially released on Nov. 12th and, if you're in and around New York and fancy catching them live, will be performing at the Brooklyn Bowl on October 16th and the Mercury Lounge in New York City on October 17th.

Song Of The Day: Ben Khan - Drive (Part 1)

Ben Khan would seem to be a mysterious, enigmatic and elusive character in music - that's right. I looked up some information to give you on the new music maestro but came up with nothing, save these few facts:

     - Judging by his Tumblr URL, he was (presumably) born in 1992, making him another                    sickeningly talented youth alongside the likes of Madeon and Flume.
     - Drive (Part 1) sounds like the bastard love child of a glorious Jai Paul, Jamie Woon and            James Blake musical orgy.



(He also deserves more followers on Twitter for someone who Zane Lowe repped on Radio 1 but that really is just personal opinion).

BEBE BLACK | Deathwish

 
With high notes reminiscent of La Roux's Elly Jackson, London-based Bebe Black's "Deathwish" seems to tell the tale of the tragedy of loving someone and how destructive it can be. It's like dark, disco/dance; as enigmatic as the woman herself (and by that I mean there are few details about her knocking about online). Keep your ears open for more information and tracks and maybe follow her on Twitter and conduct some Sherlock-esque deductions of you own...

The 1975 - Chocolate

Today is one of those days. You know the one I mean, right? The air is still cold, the mist might still be hanging around but the sun's shining and there's a promise of spring palpable in everything. It's the kind of day that makes you feel like smiling for no reason other than the fact that it's no longer a hideous, rainy day in England. 

You need some music to accompany this good mood - an aural contributor to the spring in your step. I give you the latest offering from Manchester-born alt-rockers The 1975. 

After causing quite a stir with "Sex" and giving standard radio play a much needed guitar revival, this jaunty, upbeat and dare I say "funky" follow up is perfect for A Day Of Doing Things; to be driving around in the sunshine, windows down and stereo up (presumably why they've entitled their March 4th release "Music For Cars" - serving suggestion.)

Turn it up and enjoy.

MOPP - Dream About You (Song of the Day)

SONG OF THE DAY

DREAM ABOUT YOU - MOPP

I will concede that this song has been out for about a year now but it's an absolute beauty. MOPP are a Scottish electronic, pop-rock group who have been pootling along for a while now, releasing Dream About You in October of last year. They recently got onto the BBC Radio 1 'Introducing' list at the start of the year and had their track 'A Day Needs More Love' played out on the station, as well as having the opportunity to play at this year's Big Weekend in Carlisle on the Outdoor Stage. With this boost from the BBC, who are often brilliant at giving a stepping stone to newer artists, these talented Scots will go far. If not, it'll be an absolute shame.

Lonsdale Boys Club - Light Me Up (Song of the Day)

Looking for an upbeat, feel-good, pop rock, 80s synth-ed tune that has an air of the Hard-Fi of 2005 and Calvin Harris (I'll admit that is something of a obscure and very precise brief but go with me here)? Well the Lonsdale Boys Club might have just answered this call with their brilliant track 'Light Me Up'.


The three piece hailing from Lonsdale Road in London have also remixed for the likes of The Wombats, Gorillaz and Phoenix, which should give you more of an idea of their sound.

"Light Me Up" is released on May 15th so look out for it and download it. Then play it very loudly in your car as you drive around in the sunshine. It's perfect for that sort of carry on! 
For more information, head to their WEBSITE where there's also a link to some free downloads.

Let's take a moment to appreciate young, British talent...

I very nearly jumped out of my seat and squealed with unadulterated joy when I saw Ed Sheeran on Later Live... With Jools Holland last night. Three years ago I'm sure the man himself never thought he'd be sharing a time slot on BBC television with the likes of PJ Harvey but share it he did and he definitely held his own.


The 20-year-old singer/songwriter and general musical bod hailing from Halifax has quietly been doing his own thing since 2005 and by 2008 had already released 3 EPs. Already connected to some pretty big names in the industry (Jamie Foxx, Wiley, Tinchy Stryder and Example to name but a few) this young man is by no means untalented. Sheeran manages to create spectacular music simply by recording all the vocal samples, beats and guitar loops onto effects peddles, making his live performances intensive and engaging - all eyes on him.


He's releasing his first mainstream album '+' on Atlantic Records later in the year but if you can't wait til then, you can join his mailing list and download his free EP 'The One Take' from his website and keep up to date on a more regular/stalkerish way on his Twitter. You can also check out his popular single 'The A Team' which even made Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in The World last night on Radio 1. (The video cost £20 to make!)

Keep an eye out for this young man. Definitely one to watch.

SONG OF THE DAY (27th April, '11)

TOM VEK - A CHORE
I might be slightly addicted to Tom Vek's latest offering. Give it a listen and judge for yourselves.
Available for download HERE, if you're partial to a bit of catchy, indie goodness.
If you really like what Mr. Vek does, you can keep up to date with gigs and appearances on his website - just hit up http://tomvek.tv.

A Superb Example of a Great New Track

When you think of Example, what comes to mind? Chart-friendly hits like 'Won't Go Quietly' or 'Kick Starts'? Or have you been following him since the days of the thought provoking 'What We Made'? 


Whatever has come before doesn't really have a patch on what's about to come, in my humble opinion.


 I absolutely LOVED the free single he released with Skream 'Shot Yourself In The Foot Again' - I thought the sound was different to the singles we've all been exposed to in the past so when I heard 'Changed The Way You Kiss Me' I got incredibly excited and insisted on playing it full volume on my massive headphones repeatedly. The drop is insane and the beat will ensure this is a 'floorfiller' (or whatever you kids are calling it these days). Don't believe me? Give it a listen (official video due for release soon. You'll know when it has. I won't be able to contain my excitement) -

Looks like Example is going to be a busy boy over the next few months, too. With his third album entitled 'Playing In The Shadows' due for release later this year (September, fingers crossed!), he's going to be beavering away in the studio getting that as tight as he can as well as performing at some of the summers biggest festivals. Check his website http://www.trythisforexample.com for more information and a list of festivals to best plan your stalking*.




(*Stalking is, of course, illegal and not something we should condone as a society)