Geiger von Müller: "Space Digger #2" video

London based acoustic slide guitarist Geiger von Müller has released a video for Space Digger #2, a track from his Slide Sonatas I album: "While most Sci-Fi inspired music goes for an all out extravagant sound Von Müller uses accessible patterns that unfold gradually. Each note has an important role as he feels his way through the tracks. He is a musician's musician, quite content to fly under the radar, while he reaches for the heavens". He used the Lego meets Sci-Fi again, just like he did for Space Digger #1.

» geigervonmuller.com

HCTF review of Slide Sonatas I.

Phish 2022 NYE run SBD + torrents: New York 2022/12/30

Official MSG 2022 NYE poster by Brandon Trammel

Phish
2022/12/30
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set 1:

1. Down with Disease >
2. The Moma Dance
3. Pebbles and Marbles
4. Theme From the Bottom >s
5. Rebas
6. The Howling >s
7. Foam >s
8. Run Like an Antelope

HCTF's best of 2022 (5-1)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: final countdown from number 5 to 1.

Please shop at your local record store. The folks who work there know their stuff. And most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net.

Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

Cover Me: Wild Horses

Watch The Sundays promo video for their version of the Rolling Stones classic Wild Horses. It can be found on their Blind album.

» The Sundays on Wikipedia

Ruben Block: tour dates

Ruben Block, singer and guitarist with Belgian power trio Triggerfinger, has announced a couple of shows to promote his solo album Looking To Glide.

Live dates:

• 01/31 Leuven, Belgium @ Het Depot
• 02/03 Deinze, Belgium @ Leietheater
• 02/04 Herenthout, Belgium @ Zaal Lux
• 02/11 Halle, Belgium @ Cultuurcentrum 't Vondel
• 02/16 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium @ De Casino
• 02/18 Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Rotondes
• 03/03 Dordrecht, Netherlands @ Bibelot
• 04/21 Leeuwarden, Netherlands @ Neushoorn

» rubenblock.net

Phish 2022 NYE run SBD + torrents: New York 2022/12/29

Official MSG 2022 NYE poster by Brandon Trammel

Phish
2022/12/29
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set 1:

1. Fluffhead[1] ->
2. Your Pet Cat >
3. Bathtub Gin >
4. Hey Stranger[2]
5. Tube >
6. Slave to the Traffic Light
7. Blaze On

HCTF's best of 2022 (10-6)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: countdown from number 10 to 6.

Please shop at your local record store. The folks who work there know their stuff. And most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net.

Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

Mint Biscuit: Clouded By Obscurity + Vested Interests

Welsh guitarist Richard Thomas wraps up 2022 with two more homegrown albums: Clouded By Obscurity and Vested Interests. He can't help himself: the ideas keep coming and he wants to share most of them with the outside world. So: one album with mostly new tunes and the other one a compilation of old ones, revisited ones, and yes, more new ones.

HCTF's best of 2022 (15-11)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: countdown from number 15 to 11.

Please shop at your local record store. The folks who work there know their stuff. And most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net.

Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

Phish 2022 NYE run SBD + torrents: New York 2022/12/28

Official MSG 2022 NYE poster by Madalyn Stefanak

Phish
2022/12/28
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set 1:

1. Buried Alive
2. Wolfman's Brother
3. Maze
4. Sigma Oasis >
5. NICU
6. Steam
7. Tela
8. Stash
9. Split Open and Melt

Robert Fripp has launched his Guitar Craft website

Robert Fripp has launched his Guitar Craft website, to tie in with The Guitar Circle book and all things guitar. Visitors won't be able to play like him, but they might understand how he does things and why.

HCTF's best of 2022 (20-16)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: countdown from number 20 to 16.

Please shop at your local record store. The folks who work there know their stuff. And most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net.

Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

Herb Deutsch: Moog pioneer

Tape Op has an in depth article about the recently deceased Moog synth pioneer Herb Deutsch. Without him electronic music would have taken way longer to catch on. He is the man behind the keyboard interface among other things that were essential for the instrument to become playable and start a sonic revolution.

The Bullfight feat. Henry Rollins: "I Know You" video

Rotterdam based folk noir band The Bullfight have posted a video for I Know You, an intense spoken performance featuring Henry Rollins. It is a track from their Some Divine Gift album, nine spoken word pieces accompanied by intricate soundscapes, rock and jazzy excursions written by the band's resident versatile composer Thomas van Vliet: "Spoken word and poetry are not necessarily easy on the ears. In most of popular music the words are an afterthought, preferably with a catchy refrain. On Some Divine Gift it is the other way round, with the music as a vessel for the thoughts and musings of the man or woman at the microphone". The clip was directed by Hugo Goudswaard.

Live dates:

• 01/08 Gorinchem, Netherlands @ Het Zevende Huis
• 01/15 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ WORM
• 01/20 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ De Nieuwe Anita

» thebullfight.nl

HCTF review of Some Divine Gift

Adrian Belew: the Prog interview

Prog Magazine has published a fun interview with guitarist Adrian Belew. On the lessons he learned from playing with Frank Zappa:

He taught me how to play in odd time signatures. He said, “I don’t hardly play in 4/4, so you’re going to have to learn how to play in odd time signatures.” The way he explained odd time signatures to me – coming from a background as a drummer – made total sense to me; it was all about accents. That was a really important thing when I got into King Crimson. I don’t think I would ever been able to write the stuff necessary had I not learned it at that point.

Popular Creeps: "Gone by 45" video

Detroit rock quartet Popular Creeps have made a B&W video for Gone By 45, a track from their All Of This Will End In Tears album: "Anyone who lost a dear friend can relate to the heartfelt rocker, a touching tribute to fellow musician Tom Payne sung by guitarist Lenny Grassa".

» Popular Creeps on Facebook

HCTF review of All Of This Will End In Tears.

HCTF on Post.

HCTF is also on Post. as of now. As Twitter is heading for the abyss this microblogging option will also serve as an outlet for regular updates about my long running music blog.

» post.news/hctfblog

Update: Post. has called it quits.

Johnny Dowd: Death Comes Calling

Johnny Dowd has released macabre Christmas song to will piss off the bigots and will be praised by the openminded folks. For Death Comes Calling he nicked the melody of Silent Night and he enlisted Mike Cook to play the Optigan to get a cheesy church organ sound going on a shoestring budget.

» johnnydowd.com

HCTF review of Sorry.

Jamie Hoover: Kim Kardashian

Singer and guitarist Jamie Hoover makes fun of the world's most famous reality star on his latest single, Kim Kardashian. It is a rollicking slice of power pop, that will be loved by fans of his band The Spongetones.

The lyrics were written by Richard Rossi, so it is all top-shelf tongue-in-cheek stuff with a bite: "I been countin' calories and goin' to the gym // Since i heard the rumor that you might be leaving him".

The Aristocrats: more shows in Asia

Jazz fusion prog rock trio The Aristocrats have added shows in Hongkong, Indonesia, India, Taiwan and Vietnam to the Asian leg of their 2023 tour.

Asian dates:

• 02/06 Osaka, Japan @ Bigcat
• 02/07 Nagoya, Japan @ The Bottom Line
• 02/09 Kawasaki, Japan @ Club Citta
• 02/11 Hong Kong, Hong Kong @ Tseun Wan Town Hall
• 02/13 Singapore, Singapore @ Gateway Theatre
• 02/15 Denpasar Bali, Indonesia @ Dharma Negara Alaya
• 02/17 Mumbai, India @ Oddball Festival
• 02/18 Bangalore, India @ Oddball Festival
• 02/19 Delhi, India @ Oddball Festival
• 02/23 Hyderabad, India @ EXT
• 02/25 Guwahati, India @ Urban Mantra
• 02/26 Kolkata, India @ Hard Rock Cafe
• 03/01 Taipei, Taiwan @ The Wall
• 03/03 Hanoi, Vietnam @ Theatre of Vietnam – National Academy of Music

Words about music (670): David Crosby

I come from a school of people, folk singers, and the tradition there is troubadours, and you're carrying a message. Now admittedly, our job is partly just to make you boogie, just make you want to dance. Part of our job is to take you on a little voyage, tell you a story.

David Crosby

Yori Swart: Dutch club tour

Dutch singer-songwriter Yori Swart will hit the road in April next year, playing shows at the prime rock clubs. Expect lots of new songs.

Live dates:

• 04/08 Simplon, Groningen
• 04/13 Hedon, Zwolle
• 04/14 Paradiso, Amsterdam
• 04/15 Vorstin, Hilversum
• 04/21 Victorie, Alkmaar

» yoriswart.com

Cover Me: Perfect Day

Watch the Duran Duran promo video for their version of the Lou Reed classic Perfect Day. It can be found on their covers album Thank You.

» duranduran.com

William William Rodgers: Skate On

English folk singer-songwriter William William Rodgers has released a Christmas single that does not suck. With Skate On he seems to offer an open invitation to get away from it all, before making it clear that it is not him with his loved one twirling around on the frozen waters. He is happy for her, kind of.

Phish: webcasts of New Year's Run @ Madison Square Garden, NYC

The four Phish shows at New York City's Madison Square Garden (December 28-31) are offered as pay-per-view webcasts, in HD or UltraHD 4K.

» livephish.com

Ward White: "Mezcal Moth" video

Watch the new Ward White video for Mezcal Moth, a track from his Ice Cream Chords album: "a worthy successor to an album that put him on the map after years of hard work. Sonically it is a treasure trove of smart hooks and intricate rhythm shifts. It might well be considered in years to come as part of the "Twin Peaks" in his discography". The clip was made by Heidi Adams.

Record Store Day 2023: April 22

Record Store Day will be celebrating its 16th anniversary on April 22. Mark your calendars and start saving for the interesting stuff, not the major label reissues of albums that can be found without too much trouble on the secondary market. O, and picture discs tend to sound like shit. Frame them, don't play them.

» recordstoreday.com

Real Ones: "Breathe" video

Norwegian folk quintet Real Ones have unveiled a video for their latest single, Breathe: "an acoustic song about the ecological crisis, wherein nature is coming up for air againt all odds. It is not too late to make a change, but time is of the essence. Good to hear a nylon guitar smack in the middle of the mix and hearing spot-on three-part harmonies as an added bonus". The clip was filmed and edited by Christer Fasmer.

Big Harp George: That Grinch Is Me

photo: Peggy DeRose

George Bisharat who goes by the stage name Big Harp George, is offering an old school blues song for the Holiday Season as a free download. That Grinch Is Me was in early 2020, together with Bad Santa. With Derrick Martin (drums), Chris Burns (keyboards), and Kid Andersen (guitar) having his back, he got a big band vibe going that worked out really well. He has finished recording the 13 tracks for his upcoming fifth studio album and is already working on the next one.

» bigharpgeorge.com

Supersonic Love Witch: "The Cat's Guide To Nuclear Armageddon" video for "Black Snow"

Irish collective Supersonic Love Witch created a rather special video for the latest single, Black Snow. In The Cat's Guide To Nuclear Armageddon felines get some tongue-in-cheek advice on how to survive without humanity being around to feed and spoil them. The track has a "retro-Sci-Fi vibe, complete with stuttering synth sounds and scary spoken word snippets from war movies as the world goes up in flames. Not exactly party music, but a dire warning that shit could blow up at any time, killing a hundred-thousands of people with a single blast".

» Supersonic Love Witch on Facebook

HCTF review of Black Snow.

Tape Op "DISCussion" Episode 28: Julien Baker

Tape Op has posted a new episode of their DISCussion podcast series. They get on the phone with an artist or producer to discuss an album they love. In episode 28 Julien Baker talks about the The Japanese House album Good at Falling.

» tapeop.com

The Chewers: Don't Dance

Nashville based avant-garde garage noise duo The Chewers go low-down dirty and funky on their new Don't Dance EP: five songs for people who are not likely to throw out a dance move, but can appreciate a tugging backbeat and swinging bass. They sing about pills, alcohol and other means to shut out the outside world. Travis Caffrey and Michael Sadler know how to lock into a groove, only to break it down to fuck with their audience.

They are the perennial outsiders, snarling at the straights when they a chance, but lo and behold: they also can show compassion with a drunk dad trying to make amends with his kid in Cope Son. They can the piss at self-proclaimed superiority in O Self Absorbed, with a surprise cello part courtesy of Austin Hoke. All key elements of their signature sound can be found on the EP's final track. Another Place is a jagged piece, with spoken word (including a guest appearance by singer Ziona Riley, jangling guitar with lots of echo, and mangled percussion. The Chewers have managed to provide the soundtrack for a gathering of people who hate parties.

Ted Russell Kamp: European tour dates

Americana artist Ted Russell Kamp brings his old school country rock to Europe next year, promoting his latest album Solitaire. He will do 18 live shows in 6 different countries.

Live dates:

• 02/02 Göteborg, Sweden @ KomBar
• 02/03 Albertslund, Denmark @ Garage Rock'n'Roots
• 02/04 Hoganas, Sweden @ The Garage
• 02/05 Udevalla, Sweden @ Venue TBA
• 02/06 Malmo, Sweden @ Medley
• 02/08 Fürth, Germany @ Kofferfabrik
• 02/09 Groningen, The Netherlands @ Cabin
• 02/10 Wilhelmshaven, Germany @ July's
• 02/11 Edam, The Netherlands @ De Harmonie
• 02/12 Helmond, The Netherlands @ Lokaal 42
• 02/15 Geldrop, The Netherlands @ Roots In Het Groen
• 02/16 Halen, Belgium @ Bed´n Blues Living Room
• 02/17 Herent, Belgium @ De Wildeman
• 02/18 Tampere, Finland @ Bistro Vilja
• 02/19 Roihuvuori, Finland @ Sunday Night Music club at Hard Rock House
• 02/20 Helsinki, Finland @ Juttutuppa
• 02/22 Vantaa, Finland @ Rekolan Kino

» tedrussellkamp.com

Autogramm: "Too Loud" video

Synth post-punk trio Autogramm have made a video for Too Loud, a track from their No Rules album. It is mini-mockumentary of the band memert trying to make it in time for an appointment with Richard Branson, who threatens to drop them from his label. The clip was inspried by a skit that was aired on the comedy program SCTV. A nice send up of the yacht rock scene.

» Autogramm on Facebook

HCTF review of No Rules.

Mike Gordon: Festival dates

Mike Gordon and his band will play at three major US outdoor festivals next year. More dates TBA.

• 06/17 Northlands Music & Arts Festival in Swanzey, NH
• 06/22"Blue Ox Music Festival at The Pines Music Park, Eau Claire, WI
• 06/29 Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA

» mike-gordon.com

Words about music (669): Frank Zappa

Let’s be realistic about this, the guitar can be the single most blasphemous device on the face of the earth. That’s why I like it . . . The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar: now that’s my idea of a good time.

Frank Zappa

Cover Me: I Wanna Be Your Dog

Watch Sonic Youth tear through The Stooges classic I Wanna Be Your Dog on US tv show Night Music in 1989. They are joined on stage by the program's host, sax player David Sanborn, The Indigo Girls, the Night Music band, and Daniel Lanois (who is struggling to make himself heard on recorder).

» sonicyouth.com

Baby Scream: Castell de Pop

Argentinian power pop musician Juan Pablo Mazzola had no intention to actually release the mostly acoustic tracks that make up Castell de Pop, the new album by his Baby Scream project, but lo and behold: the folks at Spanish niche label Exile Records convinced him to let them put it out on vinyl.

After trying to break out as an artist for many years on end, he was ready to pack it in. Critical acclaim did not translate to bigger sales. But still he continued to write and record, because being creative is an itch that needs to be scratched. Since the material was never intended to be heard by anyone except a close circle of friends, the songs sound relaxed and spontaneous. He did not polish things up much, but let his fingers do the talking. It is a collection of intimate songs by a man whose knack for conjuring power pop melodies with a hint of glam is in full force, even at a more subdued level. This release has made him write some more, so fingers crossed that those songs will see the light of day as well in the near future.

The Aristocrats: European tour dates (second leg)

Jazz fusion prog rock trio The Aristocrats have announced the dates for the second leg of their European tour, which kicks off on October 5 in Esch-sur-Alzette. Note: De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, one of the band's favourite venues, gets another 2-night stand (October 7-8), their first since January 18-19, 2020.

Supersonic Love Witch: Black Snow

Irish collective Supersonic Love Witch take a look at high-tech weapons specifically designed to wipe out humankind on their new single Black Snow. It has a retro-Sci-Fi vibe, complete with stuttering synth sounds and scary spoken word snippets from war movies as the world goes up in flames. Not exactly party music, but a dire warning that shit could blow up at any time, killing a hundred-thousands of people with a single blast.

Porcupine Tree: Hellfest Open Air added to Summer 2023 festival appearances

photo: Joe del Tufo

Revived prog legends Porcupine Tree will play @ Hellfest Open Air Festival on June 17.

Live dates:

• 06/17 Clisson, France @ Hellfest Open Air Festival
• 06/20 Bonn, Germany @ Kunst!Rasen
• 06/22 Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Sommerfestival
• 06/29 Manchester, United Kingdom @ Castlefield Bowl
• 07/08 Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop
• 07/29 Sibiu, Rumania @ ARTmania
• 08/05 Schwetzingen, Germany @ Schlossgarten Schwetzingen

» porcupinetree.com

Nausicaa: Night Vision

Australian dreampop duo Nausicaa go slow on their debut single, Night Vision, with a gentle acoustic guitar providing the backbone for the shimmering vocals. Naming the works of Federico Garcia Lorca and Rainer Maria Rilke as sources for inspiration they would have been a perfect fit for the 4AD roster in the late '80s.

The night always seems to offer more possibilities and dreams might become real. Singer Kristen Hodgson and guitarist Dave Haack have captured that mood rather well. They filmed the promo video during a foggy evening in their hometown Melbourne, a spot of luck to have Mother Nature taking care of most of the lightning design.

Steve Winwood: "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" live video

Watch Steve Winwood perform The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys on his grand piano @ Wincraft Studios in Hazleton Glos. It is the title track from Traffic's fifth studio album. It was just reissued in Dolby ATMOS.

» stevewinwood.com

Jaws The Shark: "Didn't Even Know What I Was Looking For" video

London based musician Olly Bailey has unveiled a video for Didn't Even Know What I Was Looking For, a track from the new EP by his one-man project Jaws The Shark: "The overall mood is pretty intense and in-your-face. Bailey isn't afraid that share his uncertainties with the world. All people who are claiming that guitars are on the way out (again) are proven wrong by this small but fierce collection of psych-tinged songs with infectious and snarling vocals". The clip was made by Rob Crawford.

» Jaws The Shark on Facebook

HCTF review of Jaws The Shark.

Remy van Kesteren: "Nowhere" live video

Watch Dutch harpist Remy van Kesteren perform Nowhere with the Analogue Robot Orchestra @ November Music in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on November 11, 2023. It is a track from his Places I may have visited, people I may have met Pt. 3 EP. The clip was filmed by Jasper Mol (Bordoo Creations).

Live dates:

• 02/08 CC De Adelberg, Lommel, Belgium
• 03/04 Cultuurcentrum de Werft, Geel, Belgium
• 04/15 De Velinx, Tongeren, Belgium
• 04/16 Muziekcentrum Track Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
• 04/21 't Ankerpunt, Wichelen, Belgium
• 05/12 Cultuurcentrum Mechelen, Mechelen, Belgium
• 05/13 Werf 44, Schilde, Belgium

» remyvankesteren.com

HCTF review of Places I may have visited, people I may have met Pt. 3.

Porcupine Tree: "Deadwing" deluxe edition in March 2023

Porcupine Tree will give their Deadwing album the deluxe treatment with a 3CD/Blu-Ray deluxe hardback book edition:

The CDs include a 2018 remaster of the album by Steven Wilson, b-sides, additional tracks, and over 70 minutes of Deadwing demos (offering a rare insight into the creative process for the album).

The blu-ray features a new 'making of' documentary (Never Stop the Car On A Drive in the Dark), the ‘Lazarus’ promo video, Deadwing remastered in 96/24 LPCM stereo, B-sides in 96/24 LPCM stereo, Deadwing album with 4 bonus tracks in 5.1 surround sound mix by Elliot Scheiner and Steven Wilson, and 77 minute Rockpalast, Germany broadcast from 2005.

The 108-page book contains an in-depth history of the band by Stephen Humphries plus rare photographs taken from Lasse Hoile and the band's personal archives.

Real Ones: Breathe

The musicians of Norwegian quintet Real Ones mix folk with latin on their new single Breathe, an acoustic song about the ecological crisis, wherein nature is coming up for air againt all odds. It is not too late to make a change, but time is of the essence. Good to hear a nylon guitar smack in the middle of the mix and hearing spot-on three-part harmonies as an added bonus.

Popular Creeps: All Of This Will End In Tears

Detroit quartet Popular Creeps offer a dish of classic rock with a seasoning of glam and punk on their new album All Of This Will End In Tears. Using tried-and-true subjects as love, anger, grief and death, it is an album that can offer a welcome diversion of the listener's own issues. With the two guitars playing catch and a tight but loose rhythm section they have polished up the signature grit of Motor City just a bit, even making inroads into a country vibe with Wait Forever.

They feel more comfortable with the needles hovering in the red - the upbeat Wait & See and the slow menace in Flamethrower. Anyone who lost a dear friend can relate to the heartfelt rocker Gone By 45, a touching tribute to fellow musiciasn Tom Payne sung by guitarist Lenny Grassa. All Of This Will End In Tears tries to convert bad things into something good. Finding closure is still a long way to go, but it will help them to move on.

Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls: tour dates

English old school vaudeville blues trio Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls will be on tour in the UK, Belgium and Germany to promote their latest album I'll Put My Voodoo On You: "a collection of good-natured songs about death, drugs and the devil, topped off with plenty of sexual innuendo. They sound tight but loose, laying down captivating grooves on top of a walking bass".

Stephen Chopek: "Don't Go Stay Home" video

Stephen Chopek has posted a no-frills lyrics video for his Don't Go Stay Home single: "Pushed forward by a mix of guitars and synths [the song] only needs a little of two-and-a-half minutes to gets its message across. Note the choice sound effects in the coda, wherein the music is shivering to channel the cold that is outside".

» stephenchopek.com

HCTF review of Don't Go Stay Home

Words about music (668): Aldous Huxley

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

Aldous Huxley

Jaws The Shark: Jaws The Shark

photo: Rob Crawford

London based musician Olly Bailey collected his three singles by his is one-man project Jaws The Shark - Destroy The World, That Feeling, and Reno - and added the rocking love song Didn't Even Know What I Was Looking For to create his second EP.

The overall mood is pretty intense and in-your-face. Bailey isn't afraid that share his uncertainties with the world. All people who are claiming that guitars are on the way out (again) are proven wrong by this small but fierce collection of psych-tinged songs with infectious and snarling vocals.

Led Zeppelin: "Celebration Day (Live at The O2 Arena)" 15th anniversary stream on YouTube

15 years ago Led Zeppelin took the stage at the 02 Arena in London as the headliners for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. With Jason Bonham filling the shoes of his father John Bonham, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones tore through their classics, even throwing in the first ever live performance of For Your Life.

The show was released in 2012 in various formats. It will be streamed on YouTube today at 8pm UK / 3pm ET / 12pm PT.

Cover Me: (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66

Watch English pub rock band Dr Feelgood barrel through (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 at the Kursaal in Southend in 1975. Written by Bobby Troup it became a classic that has been by tons of artist, most notably Nat Kind Cole and the Rolling Stones.

» drfeelgood.org

The Ocean Beneath: Fluorescent Light (ft. Jessica Blaise Ward)

Leeds one-man synth band The Ocean Beneath has teamed up with singer Jessica Blaise Ward for a trip down memory on his the Fluorescent Light single. It is as if the '80s never ended, with all the trappings in place, even getting that old school backbeat sound down to a tee.

Ward is a Senior Lecturer of songwriting for BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University. She practices what she preaches on this upbeat track with a positive outlook on life. Sometimes a bit of naivety that works will work out fine is just what the doctor ordered to feel better in a world that is in tatters.

Philip Selway: "Check For Signs Of Life" video

Philip Selway, the drummer of Radiohead, has unveiled a video for Check For Signs Of Life, the lead single for his third solo album Strange Dance, out on February 24 via Bella Union (vinyl, CD, digital). It is soft-spoken song about an imagined conversation of people talking to their future selves.

Porcupine Tree: Bospop & ARTmania added to Summer 2023 festival appearances

photo: Joe del Tufo

Revived prog legends Porcupine Tree have added the Dutch festival Bospop and ARTmania in Rumania to their Summer 2023 itinerary. Tickets go on sale on December 10.

Live dates:

• 06/20 Bonn, Germany @ Kunst!Rasen
• 06/22 Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Sommerfestival
• 06/29 Manchester, United Kingdom @ Castlefield Bowl
• 07/08 Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop
• 07/29 Sibiu, Rumania @ ARTmania
• 08/05 Schwetzingen, Germany @ Schlossgarten Schwetzingen

» porcupinetree.com

Necessary Animals: Unkempt Magic - Dark Jazz 2

English avant-garde psych supergroup Necessary Animals has a rotating roster of contributors, finding common ground in an anything goes approach to create albums where ambient, downtempo, Krautrock, modern classical, post-rock and jazz find a safe haven and are allowed to interact. Unkempt Magic: Dark Jazz 2 is dominated by veteran sound artist and former Lethal Poor band member Steve North who contributed three tracks: the noise rock meets jazz meets spoken Plaguey Island Waltz and its stripped down sibling Plaguey Island Waltz Dubspace, and the freak funk excursion What a Smile.

Holly Finch's singsong track who is she covers the no man's land between Siouxsie and PJ Harvey, with some backwards masking to make it weird and captivating. Eugene Kalamar's Dengemarsh is a study in less-is-more, with his piano providing the backbone for bass, guitar, more piano, and slightly unhinged vocalizing. The pulsating instrumental version of Weaver of the Wind, with its Sci-Fi effects and Tex Mex horns, was recorded during the Playboy of the Western Word sessions, a James Joyce tribute album to celebrate 100 years of Ulysses.

Tom Lee-Richards: Spinning for Shape

photo: Flávio Charcha

New Zealand alt-folk musician Tom Lee-Richards is an introspective mood on his new Spinning for Shape EP. He is not quite sure where he fits in, or what other people think of him. The urge to create music keeps him afloat as he spends his time between living in New Zealand and Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The four tracks were recorded by producer Leonardo Marques who steered him and his musicians through the process in order to create a gently swinging backing for Lee-Richards soul-searching. Fabio Ogata's French horn is allowed to come up front in Human and Felipe D'Angelo comforting keyboards give the tracks an early '70s jazzy texture.

The Who: 2023 European tour

The Who have announced their first European shows in seven years, playing three shows with an orchestra in June 2023. Fingers crossed for more dates.

Live dates:

• 06/14 Barcelona, Spain @ Palau Sant Jordi
• 06/20 Berlin, Germany @ Waldbühne
• 06/23 Paris, France @ La Défense Arena

Tickets go on-sale Wednesday 14 december at 11:00am CET.

» thewho.com

Stephen Chopek: Don't Go Stay Home

photo: Aleks Antonio

Now that winter is coming Stephen Chopek makes a plea to stay home and get comfortable. Pushed forward by a mix of guitars and synths Don't Go Stay Home only needs a little of two-and-a-half minutes to gets its message across. Note the choice sound effects in the coda, wherein the music is shivering to channel the cold that is outside.

Takuro Okada: The Lagniappe Sessions @ Aquarium Drunkard

Japanese experimental guitarist Takuro Okada recorded two covers for Aquarium Drunkard's The Lagniappe Sessions: Don Cherry's Brown Rice (MP3) and Haruomi Hosono's Kadoma (MP3). He played prepared guitar and synths, and was accompanied by Junya Ohkubo (alto sax), Shun Ishiwaka (drums), and Kazuhiko Masumura (percussion). About the importance of Don Cherry:

You can feel the beat of the African drums, hear the oriental scales and moods of Southeast Asia, and the original ensemble is very American jazz-like, so many musical contexts can be heard in this piece. Putting that aside, despite the experimental nature of the piece, the magic melody is somehow familiar.

» Takuro Okada on Instagram

The Bye Bye Blackbirds: The Girls Walk b​/​w Fold Up Your Maps

Californian indie rock band The Bye Bye Blackbirds have a double whammy with their latest single The Girls Walk b/w Fold Up Your Maps, two high energy songs that pack a punch with an infectious melody that keeps lingering long after the tracks have finished. It is their first new material since the release of their August Lightning Complex that come out in March this year and being able to play together again has reinvogareted their sound quite a bit. Bonus points for using the Penguin Books house style for the cover art.

HCTF premiere - Custard Flux: "Station" video

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Gregory Curvey put in a lot hours grappling with the software to make an animated video for Station Phosphorus, a track from Phosphorus, the new double album by his Custard Flux project: "Besides his knack for serving up richly decorated psychedelic rock anthems, jazz rock has found a way in, courtesy of Mars Williams's array of saxophones. Like the element the record was named after, the songs sparkle and glow, being pushed forward by a gentle tug of war between acoustic and electric guitars".

Dennis de Rochemont: By The Orchard

Dennis de Rochemont makes a living writing music for films and commercial. He felt the need to break out of his comfort zone and go for longer pieces, uninhibited by the demands of a third party. On his debut album By The Orchard he lets the music flow, moving from one piece to the next in a continuous stream of conscience. He laid the groundwork for the nine instrumentals by recording his piano in his bedroom before setting up shop in producer Simon Akkermans' Epic Rainbow Unicorn Studios in Rotterdam to add acoustic guitar parts and a sprinkling of analogue synths.

De Rochemont's gentle touch and good ear for inserting small motifs put By The Orchard on the brink of the mainstream: neo-classical musings with a hint of jazz and ambient that get the listener on the wrong foot, but in a good way. Naming Chopin, Bill Evans, Radiohead, and Ravel as sources of inspiration, he makes complicated music sound easy and accessible, but there is always an edge. He uses it as an alternative way to communicate, when words failed him. There is a sadness bubbling under the surface in tracks like Futile Fairytales and Querencia. Mental issues are covered in the closing track Manic, a beautiful conversation between guitar and piano.