Electrocution - Nada Surf

Nada Surf have been around for a long time, and they have slipped into that non creative device of doing an album of covers. Normally this spells the end of most bands, but not Nada Surf. From what i can get from their cover of Bill Fox's 'Electrocution' this album is exactly what the band needed to do. In a way, as long as a band keeps their quality within a cover it is actually a great way to produce an album for fans and quickly. Anyway...enough judging an album before I have heard it, what I can say is this song is good. Enjoy.
Electrocution - Nada Surf

Thieves - She & Him

"She & Him make music for an eternal springtime, when the temperature is warm enough to go riding with the top (or at least the windows) rolled down and the radio turned up." I would say that their website biography is pretty much spot on. Now if only I lived somewhere were the temperature was warm and I could afford a drop-top or even a car. Despite being unable to enjoy She & Him's music in the suggested environment I think i could enjoy it any environment even in the perma-winter which Newcastle, UK is currently experiencing. The new album (rather appropriately named) 'Volume Two' is released on the 5th April in the UK so hopefully we will have the aforementioned "eternal springtime" by then. She & Him are kind enough to give us all a taster with the track 'Thieves' which is posted below. Enjoy.
Thieves - She & Him

Your Hands (Together) - The New Pornographers

New song from The New Pornographers. Put you hands together for...'Your Hands (Together)'. Enjoy.

Your Hands (Together) - The New Pornographers

Scissor - Liars (Music Video)

Blur - No Distance Left To Run (DVD Extras)

Just ordered my DVD. Enjoy.

Hollywood (Radioproof Remix) - Marina And The Diamonds

That's right, another remix of 'Hollywood'. This one is being given away on Marina's website if you join the mailing list, but anyone with any sense would have already done that......right? Anyway for those of us that already have here it is. Enjoy.
Hollywood (Radioproof Remix) - Marina And The Diamonds

Coldest Winter - Kanye West (Music Video)

KANYE WEST "Coldest Winter" Directed by: NABIL  "ITUNES link below" from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Marina And The Diamonds @ The Other Rooms (Photos)

I have to apologise for the fact there is only two photos worth showing, my camera battery was being tempremental.

Live: Marina And The Diamonds @ The Other Rooms, Newcastle 18.02.10

92/100      4 days before her album 'The Family Jewels' release, Marina And The Diamonds played The Other Rooms in Newcastle. The small room was packed with 'Diamonds' desperate to make it to the front and catch a glimpse of the eccentric frontwoman. Marina was supported by the atmospheric synth pop band 'Clock Opera' who, unlike most support bands really got the crowd going and left me wanting to go see what one of their own gigs would offer. Despite Clock Opera's impressive performance and the crowds obvious admiration for them, nothing could overshadow the act which we had all come to see.
The cheers rippled through the crowd as a large security man escorted a cloaked figure through the left of the crowd, dressed in a knitted gown complete with pig/sheep hood and a Planet Hollywood dress Marina Strode onto stage and kicked off with the punchy 'Girls'. The crowd were all up for the gig from the start which was mainly due to Marina's enthusiasm on stage. She managed to keep pitch perfect whilst jumping from one side of the stage to the other determined to please all sounds of the room.  She rattled through 'Seventeen' and Outsider' before taking time to thank her 'Diamonds' for their support before showing she really meant it by performing the impeccable 'I Am Not A Robot'. More of her excellent album tracks followed with 'Oh No', 'Numb','Obsessions' and 'Rootless' all making the £9.50 seem more and more worth it. She Finished her show with three songs which i think will become many fans favourites, first was the new single 'Hollywood' to which she held up a fans banner reading 'Hollywood infected our brains' (very jealous i didn't think of that). the second track is one of my favourites on the album 'Shampain', it was instantly popular with the crowd who despite the album only being streamed that morning had clearly taken time learn all the words. She finished the show with the brilliant 'Mowgli's Road' which I'm sure left all the diamonds go home with a sense of satisfaction and a serious carving to go and listen to those family jewels once again.

Live: Hot Chip @ 02 Academy Newcastle 18.02.10

With the release of their new album, ‘One Life Stand, indie synth kings Hot Chip are once again touring the UK, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a few much clamoured after tickets to see them in the fair city of Newcastle earlier this week. Having been a massive fan of hot chip for a few years now (to such an extent that I actually improvised a dance to ‘over and over’; tragic I know) I was buzzing with anticipation to see whether my favourite electroers would live up to the pressure of live performance. There were many burning questions, including ‘will Alex Taylor’s slinky vocals be pitch perfect or a bit off key?!’ and ‘Can a synthesizer carry a live track?!’ and I am pleased to say that the answer to my fears was a resounding affirmative.
Kicking off with some newbies from the recently released album, the band cut a slick and very together performance, and the fan’s dedication was shown by the fact that the dancing was as energetic during the new tracks as in those which have come to be regarded by many as indie dancefloor classics, the category of which includes the ever popular ‘over and over’ and the more recent hit ‘ready for the floor’.
The only flaw of the gig as far as I could see was a slightly awkward bit of recurring feedback in the middle few tracks, and the disgustingly mushy couple getting off next to us. But hey, the band could hardly help that.
After driving the crowd crazy with a sharply executed set of numbers they culminated (after an extremely loud encore) with a stomping guitar infused version of ‘ready for the floor’, which was a very nice way to end things indeed.
All in all a very successful gig which not only lived up to my high expectations, but succeeded them.

Written and photographed by Poppy Gardner

Giving Up The Gun - Vampire Weekend (Music Video) feat. Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil' Jon and RZA

Opposite Of Adults (Video) + Gorillaz 'stylo' Remix - Chiddy Bang

The new video for 'Opposite Of Adults' from Chiddy Bang is finally here and not only that there is also a 'making of' video.....they're always fun aren't they. The video itself has a pretty simple theme, basically Xaphoon Jones and Chiddy have big heads, and there big heads get put on people that can do cool stuff. Its simple but effective. The making of video is below along with Chiddy Bang's remix of the new Gorillaz song 'Stylo'. Enjoy

       Stylo (Chiddy Bang Remix) - Gorillaz




Behind the Scenes: Opposite of Adults from LOOSEWORLD on Vimeo.

I Just Love You More - Kate Nash

Who are you and what have you done with Kate Nash?..........'Foundations' to this is a bit of a leap lets be honest, she had built herself up as a bitter pop princess rather than the angry, off the wall and downright brilliant punk artist that this song showcases. Her similarities to Karen-O/Elastica are undeniable but she still brings something new to this track which is what makes me think she isn't jumping on the girl-punk band wagon, and instead has re-invented her sound rather well. Enjoy.

I Just Love You More - Kate Nash

St. Vincent - Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood

Brilliant new video from St. Vincent for 'Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood'. Funny little intro too. Enjoy.

'Hard To Love' @ WHQ

 89/100 Hard To Love @ WHQ 10.02.10
My first experience of the fantastical world headquarters, Newcastle. As soon as I walked in and saw the comfy sofa's and the indie rabble I knew I was right at home. The relaxed atmosphere and great music put 'Hard To Love' straight to the top of the best club nights in Newcastle. All indie bases were covered from David Bowie to Modest Mouse. The dance floor was packed but with people who enjoyed the music and atmosphere that WHQ offered rather than the usual Wednesday night crowd. There was also no one in 'hen night' level 
fancy dress either. big plus.


And here's a picture of my legs (far right) that the photographer for Hard To Love took.

Marina And The Diamonds, In The Spotlight (BBC Video)

Chiddy Bang '10 video preview

Unfinished Business - Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are one of those bands that can get away with covering a song quite easily, they have such a distinctive sound which allows them to make any song sound new and different to the original. Despite this the original in this case is a killer track from White Lies called "Unfinished Business" which couldn't really be improved upon in my opinion....But Mumford and his sons had to go and prove me wrong, what a track this is! Listen after the beep.

Ruby Soho (Rancid Cover) - Vampire Weekend

That's something I never thought I would post, Vampire Weekend cover Rancid! At first I was sceptical, very sceptical. However my doubts were unfounded, Vampire Weekend's style of playing actually complements the punk side of the song very well. I think this is because the fast riffs vampire weekend can play keep the pace whilst Ezra Koenig's voice adds a little more subtlety to the lyrics than his punk counterpart. MP3 is below. Enjoy.

Ruby Soho (Rancid Cover) - Vampire Weekend

King Of Spain - The Tallest Man On Earth

Brilliant fast-paced folk is TTMOE's style and Kristian Mattson's new song is no exception. It is the sort of music someone would take a road trip too, maybe to Spain..... His unique voice really sets him apart from other folk musicians and gives his music a heavier sound and his ability with a guitar is there for all to see.