Tracks Played from 24th December - The Christmas Show

Here are the tracks that were played 24th December and over Christmas.

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
David Mead - The Smile of Rachael Ray
Martin Newell - Christmas In Suburbia
25th of Last December - Roberta Flack
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis - Tom Waits
A Snowflake Fell and it Felt Like a Kiss - Glasvegas
Walk Out To Winter - Aztec Camera
All We Want for Christmas is to Be Famous - Pierce Turner
Getting Ready for Christmas Day - Paul Simon
Winter Forever - Zervas & Pepper
Christmas Is Coming Soon - Blitzen Trapper
Merry We Will Be - Angelo Branduardi

I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you a very happy 2013!

The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law

The Joy Formidable, a band from Mold in Flintshire, have been around a while now.   This track Wolf's Law http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_Y9nEPttcJ4  is the title track from their forthcoming album, due for release on 21st January 2013. 

Their critically acclaimed 2011 debut album, The Big Roar, saw the band gather a frenzied and loyal fan base, mainly due to their almost constant touring and supporting slots for bands like The Manic Street Preachers, Muse and The Foo Fighters.  And despite lead singer Ritzy Bryan's short stature, she is a confident and powerful presence and has no problem filling the largest of venues with her powerful vocals and strong musicianship.

The Joy Formidable's roots began back in 2007 after the demise of Sidecar Kisses.  Their debut single, Austere, was released in 2008,  followed in the summer by another single, Cradle, and then an 8 track ep, A Balloon Called Moaning came out in 2009.  By the time The Big Roar was released, The US had taken the band to their hearts in a big way.  They were signed by major label, Universal, which meant they were able to base themselves over in America and tour in much larger venues than in the UK.  They also recently played on the David Letterman show.

Rocksound recently said of Wolf's Law "Bold, beguiling and frequently brilliant. This is an album of myriad charms"   If you can't wait until the end of January, you can find a few track videos and teasers on both YouTube and on the band's website.




http://www.thejoyformidable.com/

Tracks Played Week 5 - 17th December 2012

Here are the tracks that were played w/c 17 December 2012:

Alabama Shakes - Hold On
Donald Fagen - Weather In My Head
Deacon Blue - The Hipsters
Tears for Fears - The Working Hour
Wild Swans - Bible Dreams
Dave O'Grady - Bones
Gary Edward Jones - Friends of Mine
Isaac Birchall - Take It All
The Bees - Go Where You Wanna Go
The Beach Boys - From There To Back Again/Pacific Coast Highway/Summer's Gone

If you are a new band or musician and you would like to be featured in The Music Truffler show, please get in touch with me via this blog or through the Radio Clwyd website, Facebook or Twitter page.

Dave O'Grady - Bones

As I said in a recent post, I am trying to catch up with all the artists I missed writing about when not having the time to post on here.  Here is another one now.

Dave O'Grady is from Dublin is currently based in Liverpool.  Although young, he's been around a bit.  For example, he played his first show at 13, was personally selected to support Rich Robinson (Black Crowes) on his European tour, has played alongside Bon Jovi, Ringo Starr, Russell Watson, The Beautiful South and Seal, is a mentor at LIPA and, according to his website, makes the women swoon and the men jealous with gritty acoustic blues and the voice of a darkened angel. 

Bones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er7ki6hJ4CA from his ep Dirty Little Secret is a great example of this man's talent, although to be honest, I was spoilt for choice when it came to choosing a song to showcase here.  There are plenty to choose from on YouTube so if you have some time, take a look for yourself.

I've seen Dave play live and can recommend him although If you want to see him this year, I'm afraid you've missed your chance.  There was a show at the Shakespeare in Southport due on Saturday night, however the news on his Facebook page reveals it's been cancelled because the management are more interested in karaoke.   Tragic sign of the times.

The good news is he will be touring again in the new year.




http://www.daveogrady.com

Tracks Played Week 4 - From 10th December 2012

Here are the tracks that were played w/c 10 December 2012:

Seasick Steve - Back In The Doghouse
Folks - Say Something
Houndmouth - Penitentiary
Vintage Trouble - Blues Hand Me Down
Fitz & The Tantrums - Breakin' the Chains of Love
Xander & The Peace Pirates - I'm No Good
Isaac Birchall - Empty Generation
Mono - Life In Mono
The Stepkids - Shadows on Behalf
Willy Mason - Restless Fugitive
Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait

If you are a new band or musician and you would like to be featured in The Music Truffler show, please get in touch with me via this blog or through the Radio Clwyd website or Facebook page.

John Grant - Pale Green Ghosts

Now I'm really excited.  There I was, scrolling distractedly though my Facebook newsfeed the other day and suddenly this catches my eye... "John Grant returns with second album Pale Green Ghosts". 

Released Monday 11th March on the Bella Union label, this album has been a long time coming for his devoted fans.  Thankfully, John has allowed us to take a peek at the video for the title track, Pale Green Ghosts http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ux1fglC0aT0  and I am pleased to report this is something really special. 

John's album from 2010, Queen of Denmark, was a work of such exquisite beauty that I must admit I was a little nervous as I clicked on the video to take my first listen.  How could John ever come close to that first album (you can find me waxing lyrical about it in one of the very first Music Truffler posts if you're interested).  But thankfully, he has returned with something a little different but still outstanding.  This track has a wonderful throbbing electro sound to it - menacing and yet beautiful at the same time (how could it not be with John's melting baritone over the top?)

Recorded in Iceland, the album includes Sinead O'Connor on guest vocals.   A quick glance through his Facebook page reveals that his fans are more than thrilled with this song.  There is mention of a March tour, but I can't find anything about it yet except one gig in London on 17 March.  Never mind London... come up north... AND SOON!!! 

http://johngrantmusic.com/

Houndmouth - Penitentiary

I'm still trying to catch up on here with all the bands and musicians I was enjoying when I was unable to post on Truffler.  Here is one of those now.

Houndmouth is a folk/rock (as opposed to folk rock) band from the lowland plains and farmland of Indiana and Kentucky.  Like many of the new bands that find their way onto my turntable or ipod nowadays, they seem to take their inspiration from The Band.  More unusually, these guys have signed to the Rough Trade label.  Penitentiary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hws_N4St0BU from their self-titled ep is a fine song.  And although the other tracks don't quite hit the spot in the same way, this is their first release and it will be worth watching to see whether they mature and maybe even find their own identity.  This would be the best thing for them in the long run as they do run the risk of disappearing amongst similar sounding bands, many of whom are stronger musically and, quite frankly, better.  But it's early days.

Asked where they got the name Houndmouth from, singer Matt Myers stated: “We record at nighttime to get rid of all the noise during the day like sirens and car honks, but there are always these two dogs that the neighbours have that bark all night. We recorded a bunch of tracks and finally get one that we liked, but when we played it back Shane said, “It’s not gonna work, there’s too much houndmouth on this!” He was clearly drunk because no one would say “houndmouth.” Ever.  

The name stuck.  


http://houndmouth.com/

Willy Mason - Restless Fugitive

Restless Fugitive http://vimeo.com/54027727  is a track Willy Mason is giving away to celebrate the completion of his third studio album, Carry On.  It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece that's perfect for chilling to on a Friday (as I am and as it is right now).  In fact by the end of the  6:18min playing time, you may not want to do anything else at all - except chill some more.  Which is fine of course. 

So what can I tell you about Willy Mason?  He was born in New York and his parents are both folk singers.  This album heralds a return to the music business after a break of five years and has been produced by Dan Carey (Hot Chip, MIA).  Having been likened to Bob Dylan when he first emerged on the music scene, Mason admits that he likes the idea of being an old guy with stories to tell and claims his 5 years away have been spent hunting down stories.  Earlier this year he supported Ben Howard and says he enjoys the UK and promises to return around March 2013.


http://www.willymason.net

Folks - Say Something

I was sent a track by Folks the other day... it was good, but this isn't it.  I found this little ditty when I decided to explore further and I'm glad I did, because what we have here in Say Something  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mkw_3QUSrcg is a perfect slice of northern pop. 

Folks have been around a few years, although I See Cathedrals, released 28 September 2012 is their debut album.  Having just listened to snippets, I can hear bits of The Feeling crossed with The Black Crows, a bit of The Beatles at their most poppy and Noel Gallagher.  Noel is a fan incidentally, and Folks supported his band, The High Flying Birds, last year. 

Currently supporting Band of Skulls, they are at Nottingham tonight and have still to play at Manchester (their home town), Birmingham, London, Northampton and Southampton.  It should be a good show. 

You can get two or three free tracks if you visit their website and Facebook pages, which is a shame in a way, because it could deter the lazy from buying the whole album.  But then again, if it gets them heard and played, that can't be a bad thing.  I look forward to hearing more from these guys in the future. 


http://www.wearefolks.com/about/

Tracks Played Week 3 - from 30th November 2012

Here's a list of the tracks played in the 3rd Music Truffler Show.  Due to the slightly longer show length, the final two tracks weren't announced - sorry!  This show aired on 30th November and is repeated this week (from 3rd December):

1.  ELO - Standin' In The Rain
2.  ELO - Big Wheels
3.  Reverend & The Makers - The Wrestler
4.  The Family Rain - Trust Me... I'm A Genius
5.  Foxygen - Shuggie
6.  Audiobloom - Only You
7.  Lol Creme & Kevin Godley - 5 O'Clock In The Morning
8.  Steely Dan - Dirty Work
9.  Villagers - Becoming A Jackal
10.  Beirut - A Candle's Fire
11.  Mariachi El Bronx - 48 Roses
12.  Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Patio Song
13.  The Midnight Ramble- Stronger
14.  The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey

If you are a new band or musician and you would like to be featured in The Music Truffler show, please get in touch with me via this blog or through the Radio Clwyd website or Facebook page.