What with spending over 10 hours a week travelling to work and back I don’t get much time to sit down at the computer and write about buzz bands anymore. In this time I did however discover that I could write blogs on my phone, plug it into the computer and copy and paste them across. Last weekend my phone went all ADHD on me and switched on and off and then made everything Russian. When I switched it back on my 15 or so blog posts had gone. Although this was an extremely unsettling moment it was probably also slightly for the greater good as i’ll no longer be posting what can only be described as an essay on why New Order are such a seminal band. Please bare with me whilst I build up the motivation to start blogging on regular basis again.

In the meantime here is a song by a band called Kinnie the Explorer who I’m releasing on my new record label (see below) next month. They have an eclectic mix of influences and have been described as Bombay Bicycle Club getting high, jamming with Arcade Fire being produced by Explosion’s in the Sky and they just put out this new song today.

MP3: Kinnie the Explorer - Fazell’s Garden.mp3 (via thismusicwins)

This weekend marks the third ever 1234 festival and for £12.34 of my hard earned cash i get to see the likes of Vivian Girls, Wavves, Fucked Up, Dum Dum Girls, Veronica Falls, Rolo Tomassi, We Have Band and These New Puritans. Now i don’t know about you but this is possibly the closest to getting something for nothing you will ever get. There must be some sort of catch…maybe we’re all part of some world record attempt for largest number of men in one field, wearing plaid shirts but even so it still looks to be a great day providing the rain holds off. What follows is a couple of tips for some of the lesser known acts making up the line up. 

Just like many of the bands on the bill, there is a feeling with hocus tocus that if the sun isn’t shining it just wont be the same. ‘so slow’ is a sunkissed jam that rushes along like No Age, with melodies like My Bloody  Valentine and the sheer catchiness of Al Simon.

MP3: Hocus Tocus - So Fast.mp3

As for our next tip, a bit of drizzle would probably work to enhance his set. ‘Dartmoor’ is a song about London - two of my favourite places. I don’t know what you call this kind of music but it’s that kind of laid back feel-good synth infused pop that seems to be pretty hip right now. Previously called Treasures and now called Prizes, they’re opening the main stage at 12.30.

MP3: Prizes - Dartmoor.mp3

Finally is Blood Music who claim not to be ‘just another post punk band’ luckily they’re not and sound like Joy Division playing an Irish Jig. Bet they look just like another post punk band but I’ll reserve my judgement for now.

MP3: Blood Music - Orphee.mp3

VISIT: 1234 Festival website
Hit us up on Twitter with any of your own recommendations

“Are you guys having fun….” hollers Hot Club De Paris front man Paul Rafferty during ‘Fuck You The Truth’. The recorded version contains a resounding call of boo’s and no’s and the reaction from the majority of the audience tonight may not be quite as dramatic but it’s certainly in the same vein.

Playing a smattering of material from both albums and ep’s hot club also had their banter down to a tee with jibes aimed at dave benson phillips in particular. Despite the fact its always been clear Hot Club are musically talented it was still a pleasure to see how tight they were - they’re the type of band you really want to see nail every last note.

Tonight is both a rewarding and saddening experience. It’s horrible to see a band so under appreciated but heart warming to see them enjoying it so much and just doing what they love. The latter of their 2 recent EP’s is probably the better but both are essential listening if you only every listened to their debut. Long may they prosper!

MP3: Hot Club De Paris - Free the Pterodactyl Free.mp3
BUY: THE RISE AND INEVITABLE FALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SUICIDE CLUSTER BAND 10”

If there’s one thing i really dislike, it’s what i’d call a product band. These type of bands really just seem to be marketed at a certain type of consumer and have a very defined purpose. With the band in question it seemed like they were specifically aimed at the Los Campesinos fans looking to get a little bit alt. It was this and the fact I had lumped them in with Frankie & The Heartstrings as over hyped no-bodies that made me feel so bad when I realised i was obviously wrong and that Islet are 100% alt (they have no myspace!!!).
 
Despite all the sniping, ‘Celebrate This  Place’ is definitely one of the most interesting british releases this year. The fact you never quite know what’s coming next makes it even better; and i have to wonder if Islet really know what is either. Islet sound like HEALTH leading a Brazilian carnival procession through an Egyptian market and if that hasn’t driven you to listen to ‘holly’ then i don’t know what will.

MP3: Islet - Iris.mp3
BUY: Islet - Celebrate This Place