RIP Bonnie Tyler

The Welsh singer songwriter, born Gaynor Hopkins, we found out this morning, has passed away at seventy five. She seemed like a sweetheart, really funny and vivacious, like your favourite auntie. Here’s her first hit single, ‘Lost In France’, recorded before the operation on her throat that left her with that trademark raspy voice. SheContinue reading “RIP Bonnie Tyler”

Lost In Music: Fini Tribe*

If Pet Shop Boys are perceived as the pop Gilbert and George, then Edinburgh’s Fini Tribe (sometimes written as finitribe) were DADA. Formed in 1982, there were originally six members: Phillip Pinsky, Chris Connelly, Davie Miller ,John Vick, Andy McGregor and Simon McGlynn. Together, they fused post-punk radicalism with strong visual art, samples and beats,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Fini Tribe*”

Favourite Cover Versions:Guitar Wolf- Summertime Blues

That there Adam Buxton is a cheeky boy and no mistake. There are some questionable choices in this video, but I like this cover version of the classic rock ‘n’ roll song made famous by Eddie Cochrane. It’s perfect for the late June heatwave.

Sunday Hymn

How’s this for a Sunday banger? I’m not crazy about the whole album ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’ from which this song came. But this is one of the few tracks I really like. It’s classic Sparks. Who else but the Mael brothers could craft a song about a newborn baby, sensing life’sContinue reading “Sunday Hymn”

They’re Back! Sniffany and the Nits Return

Rejoice, fans of snotty punky eccentricity, for the mighty Sniffany & The Nits are back. Forget Charli XCX, it’s gonna be a punky brat summer. I love the galloping tempo and snarky vocals. It’s a bit old school, a bit forward-facing, and altogether wonderful. It’s always exciting to see what they do. https://sniffanyandthenits.bandcamp.com

New Release: Ibeyi- Aset

Ibeyi are back with a beautiful new single. It’s hypnotic, haunting and sensual, everything they do so well, really leaning into the traditional Latin music they grew up with, but with a contemporary twist. A forthcoming album titled Offering follows. Suddenly all is right with the world again. It’s been too long since we heardContinue reading “New Release: Ibeyi- Aset”

Five Of The Best: Tirzah

There aren’t many artists around right now like the mighty Essex -born artist Tirzah. Her music is beautiful, with her soulful vocals wrapped around murky bedroom pop. She’s engaged yet laconic, accessible but enigmatic, hot and also chilled. These paradoxes are what make her so fascinating. Her collaborators speak to her exquisite taste too. She’sContinue reading “Five Of The Best: Tirzah”

Goths v. Thomas The Tank Engine

An evergreen clip of some cyber goths rocking out to the ‘Thomas The Tank Engine ‘ theme tune is all I need today. They put the Choo Choo in tune. May your weekend be as frenetic and fun as this… Come on baby, do the gothomotion.