here come the drums.

went to see The Drums last night for their first UK show. it was epically awesome. lots of London's music industry twitter kids were out in force. as was Boy George and a man dressed head to toe in sequins. special times.



you can't deny how good this is. check them out if you haven't already.

competition 001!

do you like Joakim? do you live in London? do you like answering silly questions? if you answered yes to all 3 then hurrah!

to win 2 tickets to Cargo this Saturday (19th September) for the Joakim album launch, plus a copy of said album, 'Milky Ways,' just send me a hilaaaaaarious caption for this photo (i'm easily amused by the way):


send all answers on a postcard to: yorkiethegreatest@gmail.com by FOUR PM (BST) tomorrow (18th September) with subject reading "Joakim! Cargo!"

Joakim - Spiders (Metronomy Remix)

here's the flyer & details for the event:


if you don't win, don't worry! it's free before 11pm so get down there early doors.
big love to Cargo.

friend.

with summer coming to a close, i'm sure most of us would do just about anything to hold onto those rays of warm sunshine, the pink skies at night and the carefree feeling these last few months have brought into our lives.
listening to Friend is like listening to a slice of all that joy. with a heavy oriental vibe, comparisons to the fantastic Radiant Dragon are all too easy to make, but there's something more mellow about this project. plus there's steel pans. what's not to love?

FRIEND - DOKI from FRIEND on Vimeo.

Memory Cassette - Last One Awake (Friend Version)

die slow.

HEALTH "DIE SLOW" from Lovepump United on Vimeo.

HEALTH are incredibleeeeeeeee. this video is exactly what it feels like listening to their new album. just brilliant. if i gush anymore you guys might drown so i'll stop.

mice & men.

at the beginning of the year i blogged a brilliant cover of Danimal Kingdom by a young Scot going under the alias of Cracked Hands.

she has now returned, featuring on a track by duo Hot Pink Casuals (who happen to be called Shertbethead and Perry Wimbleton). i'm not sure they are taking this srsly, but they've still been able to come up with a melodic slice pop that taps into Cracked Hands' delicate vocals and brings the sound of the sun. hot stuff.

Hot Pink Casuals (Feat. Cracked Hands) - Best Plans

sea serpents.

with everybody well and truly preparing for another round of folk-pop loveliness (i've been hearing amazing things about the N&TW album), i should probably introduce Babe Shadow.
they make summery, folk-tinged pop songs about being in love, and manage to combine that with a slight sea-shanty feel. winning formula no doubt. they're really really great and i really really like them.

Babe Shadow - Sea Serpents

they have been and are continuing to gig like crazy in London so catch them while you can!

we wear masks.

the other day i came across an incredibly new and mysterious outfit named MASKS. they're from the south of England and have impeccable musical tastes ranging from HEALTH to Ultravox to Gang Gang Dance.
they have the intensity and rawness of an old school industrial rock band (think Killing Joke), whilst combining elements of newer more experimental noise bands like some of their influences.
there's a whole heap of potential floating around these guys so keep your eyes and ears alert.

MASKS - Tribal Fangs

future days.

getting hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

SOCIETY - Future Days ('Getting High') Directed By Pierre Debusschere from SOCIETY on Vimeo.

love this.
Society on myspace.

tell it in my ear.

Fergus & Geronimo aren't actually called Fergus & Geronimo but that doesn't matter because they make wonderful fuzzy, summery pop songs that can warm even the coldest of hearts. if your teenage years were similar to those of Danny Zuko & Sandy Olsson's, then listening to this track will be like being whisked down memory lane. but of course your teenage years weren't like that because they were fictional characters, however i'm sure you get the idea.

Fergus & Geronimo - Tell It (In My Ear)

the boys at the ever impeccable Transparent are releasing this track on their own label. you can pre-order the Pure Groove exclusive right here.

vibes.

exclooooosive up in here.

i wrote about Hereford darlings Apples a little while ago now, and since then they've managed to charm the pants off just about everyone who has been lucky enough to hear them.
if you thought the tropical sounds of debut single 'Reason 45' were catchy, you're in for a real treat with this track because Apples have really outdone themselves. there are flickers of Talking Heads hidden beneath crisp vocals, 'ohh's and the caresses of a featherlight synth. the urge to dance and sing along is beyond irresistible. check it out, only here.

Apples - Monty [alt. link]

you can still get 'Reason 45' from here so do it.