Black Cab Sessions

In an earlier post I spoke about La Blogotheque and how it is one of the best resources when trying to navigate the indie music scene throughout the globe. Another great resourse is the Black Cab Sessions. Exactly as it sounds, it started with the great people of BCS catching bands after performances, getting them to hop in a London black cab, and play a song for film. Now the video blog has a huge repetoire of big names, from Brian Wilson to Peter Bjorn and John, and has recieved a great deal of attention from both the public, the media, and musicians alike. I suggest you take a look for yourself. You'll be busy for days...

Black Cab Sessions

Here is the first ever session and one my personal favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7-e9DFQb6M

Noah and the Whale

I've been mildly obsessed with this band for some time. The UK-based new-folk group is well known for their musical collaborations with Laura Marling and are doing brilliantly in their home country. Here in North America, I'm not so sure...but I have this feeling that they're going to have a major breakthrough here soon. And if their forthcoming album is any indication, I have no doubt. The First Days of Spring is due out on August 31st and I will admit I have heard the album and it is flippin' brilliant. The lyrics and tone are fairly melancholy...to a point that its a bit spooky...but it has great effect. Definitely something I recommend listening to through your headphones...start to finish.

Below is the trailer, accompanied by their first single Blue Skies, to a short film the group made to accompany the album. I highly recommend checking it out and picking up their album on the 31st...you will not regret it.

Noah and the Whale MySpace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj7o45lmZWI

La Blogotheque

If you haven't heard of La Blogotheque, I suggest you check it out for yourself. Best known for their Take Away Shows (Concert a Emporter) filmed by Vincent Moon, where a band plays a song or two in different locations around Paris, the library is a gateway to the global indie music scene and if you do one thing today, I suggest it be visiting La Blogotheque. Below are a few of my favorite take away shows. You'll be hooked, I promise.

La Blogotheque

La Blogotheque youtube channel

#41 - Arcade Fire - Neon Bible & Wake Up
by lablogotheque

#95.1 Man Man - Warmup 1 - The Boombox
by lablogotheque

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Paloma Faith

So we have all noticed an influx of new soul artists coming out of the UK, with musicians like Amy Winehouse and Duffy finding global success and recognition. Paloma Faith is next in line. With creativity that reminds me of fellow UK musical acts Florence and the Machine and Bat for Lashes, Paloma Faith has a wicked voice and promising career ahead. Her debut album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful will be released on September 28 and you can pre-order it here.

Paloma Faith MySpace

Paloma Faith - Live At Standon Calling Festival from rich on Vimeo.

Wild Beasts and Blue Roses

About 6 months ago I was introduced to Wild Beasts and I was immediately intrigued. I find it a real treat when I hear something I haven't heard before, and these guys definitely fall into that category. I would spend time describing, but better you just listen I think.

Free Download

Wild Beasts MySpace

A while back I fell upon a music video-blog of sorts call Welcome To Our TV Show where a bunch of friends,

including Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, and Emmy the Great convened in a living room and played some songs over

a series of episodes. From this I found Laura Groves. Her voice is enthralling. Blue Roses is her latest project and I

encourage you to take a listen.

Blue Roses MySpace

January 2008 (Laura Groves complete performance)

First Post - Said the Whale

Do you listen to your classical records any more?
Or do you let them sleep in their sleeves, where they be?
Do you suffer through those records that you turned around?
Or do you make them sleep in their sleeves where they weep?

I know tears

I had a line but I don't remember
I had a time but I don't remember
I had a line but I don't remember
anything

Department of Eagles - Classical Records

Yet another music blog. In all honesty, there can never be enough for me. And this one is born purely out of a need to release overflowing enthusiasm, excitement, obsession for music, new and old. If I can't introduce you to unfamiliar creations, at the very least I hope to re-kindle past flings.

Let the festivities begin!

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I can't even begin to stress the importance of local music. I currently write reviews for Ronatron Music Reviews and through this I have had the privilege of experiencing a lot of what the Vancouver and Victoria music scenes have to offer. In the spirit of supporting local music I will post one of my favorites from Vancouver's Said the Whale.

Formed in 2006 by Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft, the band is undoubtedly a gem of the Vancouver music scene. With storytelling lyrics that never fail to make me smile, Said the Whale is a diverse musical act that has a mighty future ahead of them.

Said the Whale MySpace