David Maybury | Blog

Winding down for the weekend – here’s Star Trek mashups to get you started:

Don’t Stop Believing (Star Trek XI, Kirk and Spock) from arefadedaway on Vimeo.

Could you spend 10 years filming the career of a musician? Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara have managed it – creating a documentary spanning 10 years… Ten years of Stephin Merritt, the Magnetic Fields mastermind.

Have a look at the trailer – featuring Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket who plays as part of the Magnetic Fields) and Neil Gaiman.

Froody.

In honour of the new release from Disney (Princess and the Frog) Dublin City Libraries are hosting Jazz Workshops over the next few weekends. Think you know your alto-sax from your trombone? Or your Davis from your Mingus?

Head along and see how you do – plenty of goodies to be won and it sounds like a whole lot of fun!

Is that children’s writer Larry O’Loughlin appearing at the Button Factory in Dublin with The Last Waltz tribute band The Group?

I think it is, despite vicious rumours that it could have been Charlie Daniels. I think Charlie is a better dancer

Remember the eighties?

Ricky Gervais wishes he didn’t…

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With the best name in music The Ravonettes, a duo of Danish early-rock revivalists, have released their third album, Lust, Lust, Lust. Listening to all three in succession may not be the best way to hear any band but it does The Ravonette’s no harm.

There is a darker substance to the new album that was lacking in the first two. Focusing on the sex of sex, drugs and rock and roll, along with the trademark tracks played fast and loud. The first few songs are more lucid than the rest of the album but there is something in each one to catch you all the way to the end. A worthy alternative to REM’s Accelerate (on the playlist for next week).

Songs of the album – Aly Walk with Me, Dead Sound.

I spent today on Merrion Square in Dublin being spun left and right, upside down and right side up again. First they do it slowly. Then fast. Then really really fast. Until suddenly you’re remembering, 78 feet above the ground, that you haven’t posted on your website since Thursday.

No Music Monday 101 this week, I’m still dizzy.

Sinéad has found something interesting in New Zealand group The Ruby Suns, go have a listen. (Sorry for stealing Sinéad!!)

A copy of Colm Ó Snodaigh’s album Giving fell into my lap on Friday. I’ve only managed to listen to it once (and a half) so this might not be the fairest judgement delivered on the album. First impressions are worth something though.

Giving is an eclectic mix – it was hard to find a definite thread that runs through all of the tracks apart from Ó Snodaigh’s own vocals which sometimes exude confidence, while at others shy away. The confidence on the album overall is a mixed bag – the songs jump from weakly written, Adieu, to impressive, subtle and haunting tracks like Lechaileach Arís and Is tú mo Ghrá.

The album is far removed from the usual sounds that Kila deliver – which is an interesting move for Ó Snodaigh. It does focus heavily his voice, which comes into it’s own in some of the tracks. Good for a Monday night in with a book and a glass of whatever you’re having yourself.

Everything is running a bit slow after the blog awards. Here’s todays 101 – just a little later than usual.

I’ve had the Delorento’s living in my ear all this week – discovering them nearly three years since they were the ‘next-big-thing in the making’ (according to Mr Sheridan). There is something very calmative in the songs on their album in love with detail. The confident vocals supported by the lyrics, repetitive without becoming irritating, are what stand out for me. The percussion and bass create a great, and subtle enough, atmosphere for each song that makes listening to the whole thing a real pleasure.

The band sound familiar, even on first hearing, which really can’t be a bad thing for a first album. Overall the Delorento’s have mightily impressed me – so much so that I have just booked myself two tickets to see them in the Olympia in April.

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For those that don’t know (I didn’t until yesterday) Adrian Crowley has become a resident of Whelans. Well, he is every Wednesday throughout March at least. Wednesday night will see him alongside Mumblin’ Deaf Ro and Boa Morte. Aoife has an interview with Ro (as the Mammy calls him).

Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions – Goon Moon and Guggenheim Grotto are on the playlist in the next few weeks.

Right-so, all this week I’ve been listening to Joanna Newsom. (Newsom was a complete discovery for me. I picked up two of her albums last week and she has been plucking away in my ears ever since.)

At first her voice is a bit startling – especially mixed with the lightening speed and amazing sound that comes from her harp. But after a week of jumping between her albums (Milk Eyed Mender and Ys) I have come under her spell completely. The story like songs are vividly written and have a completely unexpected use of language. Brilliant!

Of the two – Ys is fast becoming my favourite. Anyway, no point harping on about her here - go and have a listen.

Back in Dublin for a few days over Easter, blogging will be even lighter (if possible).  Before I go I wanted to link to a new blog: Bassline. There is an interesting argument about Urban Music wanting to change its' name to Black Music – personally I think it is a bad idea, financially for the industry and simply put, just bad for the art itself. 

Support the new blog and throw your oar into the conversation – the debate is just getting started.