I re-installed windows yesterday after using a back-up program to copy all my important files, e-mails and account settings. Guess what? The back up copy I made was corrupt and I have lost all my data relating to this site and my other ones including e-mails, links, info supplied etc. Still is not the end of the world I suppose, just inconvenient! Still i'm off to Pow To The People today so that should cheer me up!

The Baseball Field is the project of a Swedish chap called Joakim Johnsson. Over the years he has put out a number of cdr releases including appearances of various compilations as well as some split 7" releases. I downloaded the latest two songs from the site which were released around December 2005 and both are pretty good - the Baseball Field even sound cheery on the Joy Division/New Order cover. there again that could just be me!

The Baseball Field - There Is No Such Thing As The Sun
The Baseball Field - In A Loney Place (Joy Division/New Order Cover)

There are four more tracks available on the site.

As from today indie-mp3 is not taking anymore submissions or e-mails relating to or from labels and bands pushing their (sometimes very good) wares. To be honest I just have not got the time to read or listen to everything i'm sent now as I am actively working on other interests so it's hardly fair to those sending in such material. To say I am surprised at the amount of packaging coming through my letterbox is an understatement and my postman will be a very relieved chap as and when this flow reduces.

I will try and honour outstanding reviews and when things start to clear I may review (no pun intended) the situation. I will continue to write however about bands, music, gigs etc that I come across.

Of course fellow C86 fans can feel free to e-mail me as before expecially as I am seriously considering returning indie mp3 to the site it was before the blog took over.

I took some photos of the bands playing at last night's Sound XP presents gig. It was our best night so far and the bands playing were Hot Silk Pockets, The Articles, Lucky Soul and Fonda 500. Sadly the venue (The Purple Turtle) has hiked up it's charges so we are looking for a new home. As you can see the images are not the best in the world. Can anyone suggest a budget digital camera (£200-£300) that takes good pictures in dark conditions and also maintains the image when zooming?

I have come across some more bands on My Space and Roque has also supplied me with a number as well. Thanks!

Flatmates: http://www.myspace.com/theflatmatesc86
Primitives: http://www.myspace.com/primitivesmyspace
Brilliant Corners: http://www.myspace.com/brilliantcorners
Candy Darlings: http://www.myspace.com/candydarlings
James Dean Driving Experience: http://www.myspace.com/jamesdeandrivingexperience
Biff Bang Pow: http://www.myspace.com/biffbangpow1
Hey Paulette: http://www.myspace.com/heypaulettemusic
The Mayfields: http://www.myspace.com/themayfields
Field Mice: http://www.myspace.com/thefieldmicesarah
BMX Bandits: http://www.myspace.com/bmxbanditsgroup
Hit Parade: http://www.myspace.com/thehitparade
Benny Profane: http://www.myspace.com/bennyprofaneuk
Woodentops: http://www.myspace.com/thewoodentops
Vaselines: http://www.myspace.com/vaselines
Secret Shine: http://www.myspace.com/secretshine
Hellfire Sermons: http://www.myspace.com/hellfiresermon
The Fastbacks: - http://www.myspace.com/thefastbacks
The Heartthrobs - http://www.myspace.com/cleopatragrip
Felt - http://www.myspace.com/ignitethesevencannons
The Pooh Sticks - http://www.myspace.com/thepoohsticks
The Haywains - http://www.myspace.com/haywains
Beat Happening - http://www.myspace.com/beathappening
The Fat Tulips - http://www.myspace.com/fattulips
The Morrisons - http://www.myspace.com/themorrisons

The Redskins were originally called No Swastikas and were formed by NME journalist Chris Moore and included Martin Hewes and Nick King. The band produced a string of anti Thatcher and anti Tory tracks, not surprising as they were also members of the Socialist Workers Party. They were also skinheads. As explained via Neither Washington Nor Moscow site:

Although skinheads had at that time become associated with the far right, Chris Dean recognised them as genuinely proletarian youth cult, "I don't think of it as an image, it just happened to be there. But at the same time it does have a political significance because most people probably think all skinheads are morons".

The band released their debut single Lev Bronstein in 1982 and followed it a year later which arguably their most recognisable single the double a-sided Lean On Me/Unionize. The band then signed to London Records and were also championed by journalist Gary Bushell, who is now a reactionary journalist for the UK's right wing media! The band played many benefit gigs for the miners who were involved in a year long dispute with the then Tory government. They also played a benefit gig for the Greater London Council in 1984 and it was during this performance that the band were attacked by neo-nazi skins whilst on stage.

The band underwent line-up changes and finally released their one and only album, the critically acclaimed Neither Washington ...Nor Moscow. in May 1986. Following one last single the band disbanded in 1987. More on the bands history can be read here.

The Redskins - Keep On Keeping On
The Redskins - The Peasant Army

You can download more tracks or stream them via My Space which is rather ironic now that Murdoch has got his hands on the site!

I have been making my way through the pages dedicated to C86 bands on My Space and compiled this podcast from some of them. This is the first of many in this 20th anniversary year.

The Brilliant Corners - Brian Rix
Felt - Penelope Tree
Hey Paulette - Erstwhile Wet Blanket
The Primitives - Laughing Up My Sleeve
The Heartthrobs - Dreamtime
The Pooh Sticks - Indie Pop Aint Noise Pollution
The Woodentops - Good Thing
The Fat Tulips - Farewell

Subscribe here or download direct (16mb)

I have also updated the SoundsXP Podcast - see here for more.

I have started to draw up a list of old, and some still going, C86 and C81 bands who now have their own pages on My Space. I'm sure there are plenty more - e-mail me and let me know and I will start compiling a definitive list.

Orange Juice - My Space Page
The Mighty Lemon Drops - My Space Page
The Dentists - My Space Page
The June Brides - My Space Page
The Wolfhounds - My Space Page
Fire Engines - My Space Page
The Wedding Present - My Space Page
Beatnik Filmstars - My Space Page
The Buzzcocks - My Space Page
The Rosehips - My Space Page
Tender Trap - My Space Page
Talulah Gosh - My Space Page
Primal Scream - My Space Page
Half Man Half Biscuit - My Space Page
Television Personalities - My Space Page
The Redskins - My Space Page
The Pastels - My Space Page
The Close Lobsters - My Space Page
We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It - My Space Page
My Bloody Valentine - My Space Page
The Raincoats - My Space Page
Virgin Prunes - My Space Page
Aztec Camera - My Space Page
Jesus And Mary Chain - My Space Page

I briefly mentioned London based (but a mix of UK & US personnel) Slowline in a recent digest and have now had a chance to listen to the two demos the band sent me.

On first listen I was a bit confused as the demos sounded like they were from two different bands with various musical styles fighting for supremacy. Ultimately the second demo, with the execption of Switch On/Switch Off from the first, found favour with it's 1990's indie rock influenced sound winning through. I heard quite a bit of Radiohead especially in singer Niall's vocals as well as the harder sound derived from shoegazing such as the likes of the Catherine Wheel used to make. They have also been described as sounding like Pavement and Television. So what of the second demo?

The Dialogue (The Spotlight) opens al la Ride and continues in the same vein. The spoken-ish vocals work well alongside a full on driving beat. Blindshots introduces more melody alonside the quietly sung vocals which glides seamlessly into Last Chance. Final track Afterglow is the best of the bunch building up into something of an epic. This demo is not the most original I have ever heard but it is one with more promise than most.

Slowline - The Dialogue (The Spotlight)
Slowline - Blind Shots

Songs from the first EP and samples of newer tracks can be found on the band's audio page. You can of course stream the tracks from My Space.

Circus Of Death are one of those bands who are influenced by the synth pop sounds of the 1980's which itself seems to be having a revival at present and no doubt took their name from the Human League track. There is also more than a big healthy dose of punk attitude thrown in as well. I suppose you can guess what their music sounds like after that descrption!

They have had one demo and have tracks available for streaming and downloading at My Space as well as supporting the likes of The Fall.

Circus Of Death - Happy Ever After

Dave Newton, one time member of The Mighty Lemon Drops, Fonda and The Wild Flowers amongst others, writes:

Well, following my stand-in slot for Kevin Bronson last week, the folks at www.littleradio.com have (against their better judgement) opted to give me a regular Wednesday 4pm - 6pm radio show, beginning this Wednesday April 12th (before Bronson's "Buzz Bands" show & Larry / Club Undergrounds extravaganza!). I will probably be giving the show a name....

To hear the show, go to www.littleradio.com , & click on "Tune In".

He also adds if you are in the UK, it is on from midnight - 2am, Wednesday night / Thursday morning! Hopefully he will spin a C86 track or two!

Reggae has never featured on indie-mp3 before and I doubt it will again but I have been on a Slits trip since catching them on the Camden Crawl the other night - see yesterdays post. I have dug out some mp3's from my collection and they are a Slits single from 1980 and a single from Ari Up in 2004 according to the tag. I will try and post some of punkish stuff later this weekend.

The Slits - Man Next Door
The Slits - Man Next Door (Version)
Ari Up - True Warrior
Ari Up - I'm Allergic

The Slits on Women Of Punk
The Slits Typical Girls Unofficial Site
The Slits on Punk 77
Ari Up Official Site

Tags: Music Punk Reggae The Slits Ari Up

I went on the Camden Crawl last night. There were 12 venues participating with over 50 bands playing. The origins of the crawl date back to the late 1980's and was revived last year with a pretty strong line-up. Sadly last nights line-up didn't quite match this but there were some treats along the way. We made our way to several venues (in brackets) and here follows a summary.

First off we caught the New Rhodes (Colour) who failed to impress, sounding too much like a third rate Strokes for my liking. Next up, in another venue, we caught The Holloways (NW1) who are another one of these raggle taggle bands that seem to be the rage these days alongside the likes of The Ludes and the incredibly over-hyped and over-rated Larrikin Love. Four songs was enough for me to confirm that I wasn't missing anything. We couldn't get into The Dublin Castle to see The Delilahs so I have to wait to another time until I can see this Swiss three piece.

The first treat was the Fields (Lock 17) who played a mix of indie & folk with some electronica thrown in. They only have one self released 7" to their name. Sadly they didn't introduce any of their songs, or if they did it was barely a whisper, but I enjoyed the three or four songs I caught of their set.

We stayed in the venue to catch the very young and very entertaining The Maccabees. Mind you their fans were even younger and joined the band on stage more than once. The band, who hail from South London (or is it Brighton?) have released a single about their nearby leisure centre titled Latchmere. They have a very North East England sound and are obviously influenced by the likes of The Futureheads and Maximo Park. I also liked the singers Ian Curtis style moves as well.

Next we headed off to see The Cazals (Barfly), complete with backing from XFM's John Kennedy. Incredibly dull and unispiring with an equally irritating front man who must have been gutted when C&A folded. This meant an early exit from the venue, none more so when they started to cover Spandau Ballet's Cut A Long Story Short. We certainly did. We set off for the longest walk of the night to catch The Slits (Oh Bar). And after a 20 minute wait we got in although sadly we had to listen to the Paddingtons playing whilst we were outside.

What can I say about the Slits? Formed in 1977 with the 14 year old Ari Up on vocals they made the legendary punkish album Cut and recorded two stunning Peel Sessions before heading off to reggae territory. They have now reformed with I'm not to sure how many original members (2 or 3?) and are now joined by (possibly) Ari Up's daughter, who is erm, absolutely stunning and also Paul Cook's (Sex Pistols) daughter on joint vocals duties. The band didn't play too many songs as they rarely rehearse due to all living in different countries these days (Jamaica, Russia, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Brazil) which meant not too much of the punk and a healthy dose of Reggae instead. Ari Up was off her head on the highs of playing again getting the audience to make bird noises alongside her constant native American yells. She possess incredible charisma alonside a full tank of humour! And as for her watering her "poom-poom" and changing her skirt, the young guitarists face said it all.

Shame to say that as soon as the first reggae bar kicked in, younger members of the audience who were in the venue for the Paddingtons, began to leave and missed a treat. I ask you! They played New Town for starters and one of the new songs Grown Ups with it's fusion of punk & reggae was the best song I heard all night. Twice! And there is a new EP in the offering.

Was the crawl worth it? Not with such a weak line-up and some awful scheduling of bands. Some of the venues were pretty small and far to rammed for my liking (old git alert). However discovering the Fields was a big plus and I have said enough about The Slits. I might struggle to go again next year though. 6/10

Fields - Song For The Fields
The Maccabees - Lego
The Holloways - Great Britain
The Cazals - Poor Innocent Boys
The Slits on Women Of Punk
The Slits Typical Girls Unofficial Site
The Slits on Punk 77
Ari Up Official Site


Tags: Music Camden Crawl Punk Reggae The Slits Ari Up

There is not too much information available about Matt and Kim on their website suffice to say they have put out their own EP and are currently recording an album which is due for release this coming summer. They have also been touring a fair bit the past couple of months. As the name suggests they are a duo as well as a couple. I'm getting into gossip magazine territory here! As for the music they make it's very keyboard driven as well as being original, well as far as their influences allow, with it. Top stuff and one to look out as and when new material emerges.

Matt and Kim - Silver Tiles
Matt and Kim - Verbs Before Nouns

Or stream tracks via My Space

This is a post I originally posted on Take Your Medicine whilst "blog sitting" recently and which generated a few e-mails back in my direction so I thought I would post it here too especially as a second volume will soon be in the offering via this blog.

If you are interested I also wrote two other posts for TYM. One was called Sweden - It's The New Black! whilst the other post covered mainly US indie pop bands. The former will be used as a basis for a Brazilian Radio broadcast and I will post more details about this as and when I receive them.
_____

If you, liked many others, picked up the Rough Trade indie-pop 1 compilation a couple of years back you would be forgiven to think that indie-pop was just a UK and US phenomenon. Apart from an act each from Spain & Sweden there were no other clues to how global indie pop is. I have put together a compilation with indie-pop artists from Asia to South America and back again. Oh and Sweden! Enjoy.
__________

Annemarie - Living Model (Indonesia)
The San Marinos - We're Beautiful (Sweden)
Pocketbooks - Every Next day Is A New Advenure (England)
Spring Boutique - So Twee (The Phillipines)
Spaghetti Vabune - Chocolate Song (Japan)
Solina - A La Cama (Spain)
Mates Of State - Fraud in The 80's (USA)
Apple Orchard - A Hiding Smile (The Phillipines)
Postal Blue - The World Doesn't Need You (Brazil)
The April Skies - Rise and Rise Again (Norway)
Magneto - Let It Go (Australia)
Ultrasport - The Boy That Never Lied (Finland)
Tales Of Jenny - Eye For Ivy (England)
La Costa Brava - Adoro a las Pijas de mi Ciudad (Spain)
Celestial - Nothing Happens Twice (Sweden)
__________

Blogs Covering Worldwide indie-pop!

Fuck Me I'm Twee
Under Blue Skies
Mira El Pendulo
Dance To The Sun
Post Tremolina
__________

Of course this is not a definitive guide by any stretch of the imagination so feel free to e-mail me some suggestions for a second volume (or even a third volume)

Tags: Music C86 indie-pop

I am off to rural Wales for the Easter break so this will be my last post until Wednesday 19th April 2006 - I must get a mobile data card for my laptop! Anyway until then here is the latest mp3 digest.

Lost Music Recordings are back online. I know their bandwidth was getting hammered so it seems they have got a new deal. Which is lucky for you as you can the excellent EP's by Celestial, Trip and The Crack Babies. Head here to download these musical treats which I have covered previously.

Angular Records have posted two new remixes via their download blog. These are the Sexamatronic" remix of The Long Blondes track 'Seperated By Motorways' by Sheffield electro-wizards the International House Of Pancakes and the To My Boy's exclusive "Marintetti's Nightmare" mix of 'Gravity's Rainbow' by Klaxons. Download from here.

Television Personalities have released their first album for 11 years titled My Dark Places. And to celebrate this fact their label has made available four tracks from the album and suffice to say they are pretty good.

Television Personalities - All The Young Children On Smack, All The Young Children On Crack
Television Personalities - She Can Stop Traffic
Television Personalities - Ex-Girlfriends Club
Television Personalities - I Hope You're Happy Now

Butterfly Explosion are an indie rock band from Dublin and they have made available for downloading last years Vision EP on their website. Stream tracks, including non EP ones, via My Space. The songs are fine with Sophia (not on the EP) being the best track I listened too. It's mellow and very 4AD like.

Butterfly Explosion - Sophia

Existensminium, who are Swedish, have a free mp3 download single available at present. It's called Changing Lines. It's a fine slab of indie electro pop and it's different to the indie-pop I generally write about. A grower!

Existensminium - Changing Lines

You can buy high quality mp3's of the Running Down Everyone EP here.

More from Sweden in the shape of Black Belt and there is still no sign of any indie-pop with the new single Hold On. This is a slab of blues tinged rock although I did have flashes of Roses Of Avalanche at some stages which surprised me (and no doubt anyone reading this!).

Black Belt - Hold On

Buy it in high quality mp3 from here.

Cobson, who I have covered previously, have a My Space page with some new songs for streaming and downloading. They claim influences from The Pixes, Teenage Fan Club, Blonde Redhead and many others yet still somehow manage to sound unique which is partly down to vocalist Anna's voice. Again different from the c86 jangle pop scene but it's best not to get pigeonholed!

Cobson - Tears & TV

The Left Outsides, who I reviewed here, have two new songs on their site to run alongside the three that are available from their debut EP. The band play London's Filthy McNasty's tonight and I would get there for about 9pm as we went later than this (10pm) for their last appearance there and walked in just as the band were finishing!

The Left Outsides - Neon Rainbow
The Left Outsides - Dog Leap Stairs

Hopefully that is enough for you and I will get back to posting some classic C86 tracks next week as I notice I have somewhat dilvulged from that path in recent weeks.

My last post on Take Your Medicine unless Mike ask's me back!

Umlaut were a short lived band from Sheffield who split after their only single Winter Coat was released last year. This was a shame as 1) I have only come across the band - boo! 2) The single and the band got some pretty good coverage and 3) they have a lot of elements that would of excited the jangle and indie-pop crowd. But it wasn't to be. However that does not mean the tracks are not worth investigating.

Umlaut - Winter Coat
Umlaut - Professionals

More tracks to download and stream here and here. You can buy higher quality digital versions of the single from Karama Download. The record has sold out via the usual outlets but there a few still available on e-bay.

I'm not sure why the band split but as a result two bands have emerged from Umlaut's ashes and by the different brands of music they play I think I can guess that there were differences or two! One is Johnny Rocket & The Bang Bangs whilst the other are Situationists. Of the two the latter may well be of interest as they stick closer to the Umlaut sound. Yes there is a bit of the trade mark sound of their city mates Artic Monkeys but like another Sheffield band Balor Knights the band also manage to fuse sparkling indie pop to their music which sounds so much better and fresher for it. Enjoyable and one to keep your eye on for the future. The former's only track available is a bit more in your face garage.

Situationists - Under The Pavement
Johnny Rocket & The Bang Bangs - Be My Cartoon

More Situationist tracks available to download and stream from their My Space Page.

Tags: Umlaut Sheffield Music C86

The Bridge Gang released their debut 7" Pangs of Guilt recently on Brille Records. They have now announced details of the follow-up which will again be another limited 7" pressing. Titled London Sky Tonight, complete with a mystery b-side, it will be available from May 1st on the RST Company label.

Stream The Bridge Gang via My Space.

Tags: The Bridge Gang Music MP3

Mocking Music have posted their article about the b-side of the C86 tape. You can read it here.

Previous Articles

NME C86 - Side A
MNE C86 - Genre, Movement Or Nonsense

Tags: C86 NME

It seems that 4AD, one of the finest label's known to mankind, has hit onto the idea of using bloggers as a promotional tool. I have received my first e-mail from the label advising of a forthcoming release by a band called The Late Cord.

The Late Cord are John Mark Lapham and Micah P. Hinson who hail from Texas. They have a mini - album (extended EP?) coming out later this month and the mp3 is a taster for that release.

The Late Cord - My most meaningful relationships are with dead people

Tags: Music 4AD Late Cord

The Rosehips are now the latest band from years gone by who have now got a page on My Space. At the moment there are some old classics plus the later single Bloodstained Fur.

The Rosehips - Room In Your Heart

The Rosehips, believe it or not, also have their own tribute band called The F*cking Rosehips. They have only played a couple of gigs in the Sheffield area. It would be good to see them play again as I only saw the originals once. Keeping C86 alive indeed!

This is an interview of the tribute band by the original Rosehips.

Tags: The Rosehips Music C86 indie-pop

Stars In Coma have released their latest EP as a free download on the net label Molokini Records. Titled The Velvet Mountain EP is features five tracks and it is the follow up to My Sunshine Years.

Stars In Coma - The Sun Shines Crimson Bright

You can download the rest of the EP from here. The first Stars In Coma EP on Molokini Records is still available as a free download and can be downloaded from here.

Long ago on Factory Records there used to be a band called The Wendys who once released a glorious pop tune called Pulling My Fingers Off. Jonathan Renton and Ian White from the band have now resurfaced as Art Plastic and have posted their demo on My Space.

It consists of 3 songs each with characteristics of their own as well as drawing on influences mainly from the past. Of course there is more than a hint of Factory records running through the songs veins.

This is an excellent demo and you can either download or stream the tracks of which Help Me is my favourite.

Art Plastic - Help Me

I have written a lengthy post on some of the Swedish indie pop scene as part of my guest blogging for Take Your Medicine. My ramblings can be found here.

Whilst stocking up on my 7" vinyl in Rough Trade the other day I noticed that Domino Records have released the John Peel session versions of Candyskin and Discord by The Fire Engines. The original versions were released in 1981 and I have posted them previously. Well worth picking up and as I have previously mentioned you can hear where Franz Ferdinand have picked up some of their tricks. You can buy it from here. The band will also be playing the Triptych Festival later this month.

A must have download is an issue of State Of Play which covers the band in far greater depth then I could ever wish to do. It's a 3mb downlaod but well worth it. Download it from here.

The Fire Engines - Get Up And Use Me (Video)

Martin Gilks, ex drummer with the Wonder Stuff and briefly with the Mighty Lemon Drops has died following a Motorcycle accident:

More from the BBC and No Rock&Roll Fun.

indie-mp3 sends it's condolences to his family.

The Melody Maker Gimme Shelter Video has been posted here.

Plenty for C86 fans as the video contained apperances by The Mighty Lemon Drops, 14 Iced Bears, The Wedding Present, The Shop Assistants and many more.

It seems that Stereo Test Kit Records are going to have a busy few months ahead.

The Boy Omega album The Black Tango will be released on April 17th 2006. They will also be playing a short UK tour culmainating in a free show at Rota@ Notting Hill Arts Club on April 29th. There is also a free EP available to download and varies slightly from the last time I posted about the band with the first two tracks taken from the album.

Boy Omega - By Midnight We'll Give It A Go
Boy Omega - If Only
Boy Omega - From Us To Eternity
EP Artwork (pdf)

Other new albums in the pipline is the debut from Audrey and the latest from Musika 77. The Audrey album is titled Visible Forms and if their debut EP was anything to go by it should be a cracker. Brave You Free May is the title of the Musika 77 album which is due for release in July. Good times ahead indeed!

Audrey - Box, And Fights
Musika 77 - Llanvair Llew

I'm guest posting on Take Your Medicine today.

The Belle De Jour EP is the latest release from Bristol's Santa Dog and follows the Delicate and Chemical EP's.

The band have obviously gained confidence, none more so than from the blogging community from which they have slowly built their fan base and this is apparent throughout the self titled lead track. "Oh my god, your skin is so soft..to the touch" sings Rowena as her vocals ooze sexuality as they pierce through the melodic but electrical charged forays ripping through the track. It's simply sublime and could possibly well be their finest moment so far.

Rosa is intelligent and thought provoking with some darker elements coming into play. There is no let up on Pop Coloured and 100 Cranes as both are excellent examples of how challenging pop music should and can be regardless of pace or tempo. Again the song writing and arrangements are second to none and the EP is accompanied by yet another stunningly designed cover.

In the Chinese horoscope 2006 is the year of the dog. With this superior example of guitar pop, which should be a template for others to follow, the year of the santa dog may well ring true.

Santa Dog - Rosa
Santa Dog - Chemical (New Version)
Santa Dog - BBC Bristol Sessions

Pants Yell release their Recent Drama album on April 7th 2006. The Boston based band have previously been compared with the likes of The Clean, Aislers Set and Orange Juice.

Apart from the excellent single '83 in '05 I have heard nothing else from the band - until now. The two tracks available are a prefect example of lo-fi indie-pop with the sharp & clever lyrics, tight vocals complete with a catchy, poppy sound.

Pants Yell - Kids Are The Same
Pants Yell - Your Feelings Don't Show

Download more tracks from here and you can download tracks from their previous releases on the bands discography page.

The album is released jointly by Asaurus Records and The Paper Cities. You can order it here.

Julio and César present the "La Isla de Encanta" radio program for Círculo Madrid 100.4 FM, in Spain. They have put together a special show celebrating the 20th anniversary of C86. The track listing is:

PRIMAL SCREAM "Velocity girl" [NME C-86]
THE SHOP ASSISTANTS "All day long" [Will anything happen]
McCARTHY "The well of loneliness" [The Best]
THE SOUP DRAGONS "Pleasantly surprised" [Hang ten!]
CLOSE LOBSTERS "In spite of these times" [Foxheads stark this land]
THE PASTELS "Up for a bit" [Up for a bit]
THE WEDDING PRESENT "A million miles" [George Best]

More details (in Spanish) can be found here. Alternatively download the show (39mb) direct.

Other Spanish indie sites:

Fuck Me I'm Twee
20 AÑOS DE (NME) C-86
Mira El Pendulo

The Wedding Present recorded a session for KEXP in March 2006 and the results are now online. Sadly the tracks are in wma or real audio only but are worth a download or two!

The Wedding Present - Crushed (wma)

The remaining session tracks can be downloaded from here.

The band are touring extensively throughout Europe during May and June 2006. The tour dates can be found here. I will be at the Koko gig on June 8th 2006 so if anyone is going let me know!

Well i'm back and refreshed from our trip to Canada (Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Niagra and Toronoto) although I am posting again earlier than expected as our trip to Wales will now take place at Easter. I also got married before departing for Canada!

Anyway both my inbox and mailbox were full of music related posts/goodies so I hearby present the latest indie mp3 digest to round the relevant e-mails up - i'm still not sure why I am sent details about funk, jazz or hip hop artists!

Le Sport have made a video to go alongside their latest single It's Not The end Of The World which you can download from here. The debut album from the band Euro Dance Party is out now on Songs I Wish I Had Written.

Catlow also wrote to me but as Take Your Medicine has already written about them whilst I was away I will point you over there or you can head over to the Vancover based rockers My Space page instead.

Mocking Music have written a couple of C86 based posts in the past couple of weeks. First up is NME C86: Genre, Movement, or Nonsense? whilst they have also written a page on the tapes a-side in some detail.

Another interesting C86 related post is the development of indiepedia which looks like a wikipedia for all things indie. I hope to contribute at some point in the future.

The Ideal Free Distribution have an album due for release in "the fall" of 2006. They make a lovely dreamy pop sound inspired by the heady heights of 1960's psychedelia. They have two older songs on their site for downloading as well as previews of two new tracks that may well appear on the aforementioned album. I hope to cover them in more detail for a future post but in the meantime head for their site.

Good Shoes have a new single out. Titled We Are Not The Same you can preview it on the bands My Space page. Sounds XP were not impressed though and I have to agree it's not as good their previous single, Small Town Girl.

Voxtrot have released their new single titled Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives . I think this band are pretty special and I wrote about them here previously. You can stream tracks from their My Space page.

Tracks Worth A Listen!

People in Planes – Light for the Deadvine (i-tunes link)
Mutt Ramon - Derek Jarmon's Garden (New album due soon)
Field Music - You Can Decide