Emerging Fervour

How do you make a traditional blackmail letter? Right, you cut several characters from different magazines, put them together again and create a new meaning. HUDSON MOHAWKES‘ debut “butter” is like a musical blackmail. And believe me, even if you’ll pay the ransom, he won’t release you.

The fact that WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS is a psychotherapist from Illinois who makes depressing folk music about love and loss, shouldn’t keep you from buying his records. Far from it. His music is veritable, profound and beautiful. On top of this, he is one of the funniest and most honest people I’ve ever seen live.

I’m still trying to handle the fact that JOSE JAMES debut “The Dreamer” was a like a miracle for contemporary jazz. From the first to the last note an absolute pleasure to listen to. So, knowing that he will launch his second album “Blackmagic” in February 2010 gives me a sleep disorder. And if you listen to the new songs on myspace, you’ll know what I mean. Enter at your own risk…

I dare say BEN HOWARD is the most impressive folk musician these days. This 22 year old guy has got a remarkable voice, a pretty unique way to play his guitar and writes outrageously beautiful songs. I’m almost scared, what he might be capable of doing in a few years. He will hopefully launch his album in 2010, so until then: buy his EP “These Waters” and watch him live (he’s playing on the 8th of December at the Underbelly), it’s both worth it.

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The best thing about EBONY BONES!‘ debut album “Bone of my bones“, is the fact, that all music critics will rack their brains to describe her style. At the end it will be something like “electronic punk-funk-rock”. I recommend these people should face the truth: she gives a damn about genres. And the way she does that, sounds and looks pretty good.

If ALEXANDER WOLFE wouldn’t have sold a Rembrandt Lithograph print, left to him by his grandfather in his will, to record his debut album “Morning brings a flood“, we would definitely miss eleven shatteringly soulful folk pieces. Selling art to create art is sometimes necessary.

The sun is shining brighter, the people are happier and the grass is greener on the side where JONATHAN JEREMIAH songs are played. He’s the misbegotten child of Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers. Pick some flowers, hug someone you don’t know and watch out for his debut album “Fool in Love”. Until then buy a little happiness!
See him live at the Cat and Mutton in December (7/14/21)

Be quiet as a mouse, otherwise you might scare RAZ OHARA AND THE ODD ORCHESTRAS‘ second album (II) off. The finely wrought sound image made of acoustic pop elements, harmonic distortions, strings and loops must be treated gently. But if you do, it will unfold its full dramaturgical beauty.

Cheers! THE NEW WINE is from the same growing area as “The Whitest Boy Alive”, slightly less complexity and character, but a bit more tangy. Without a doubt a good vintage and THE NEW WINE will improve with age.

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The BEACONS are like Noah’s Ark for weird instruments. Refreshingly folk-pop with a hawaiian touch in combination with harp sounds, xylophone, something like a triola and a strange voodoo puppet flute. Ship ahoy!

See them live: 11th of December at the “Apple Tree”

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A soundtrack is made as a musical background to a movie. Listening to OLAFUR ARNALDS, I wish someone would make a movie as a visual background to his music. It would be a depressing and sad love story, taking place in a cold snow-covered scenery and someone has to die in the end. But it would be a must-see, a critics’ darling and a classic.

Last but not least I have to ask a really essential question: what happened to REMY SHAND?
This guy has been torturing me for seven years. Shortly after he released his debut album “The way I feel” in 2002, he disappeared from the face of the planet. Where? Why? How? Anyway, I hope he’s currently preparing new songs and not burgers at McDonald’s.