Alan MX

Alan MX successfully enters the realm of skittish electronica with his experimental use of electro beats and pop vocals, combining Thom Yorke's melodic sensibilities with some thumping Peaches-style breaks.

On his debut album 'Warpsichord', the aptly-named title track samples jittering strings, beats and lyrics that play on the subtle nuances of love and relationships in the 21st century, whilst 'The Captain America Video' delivers light-hearted pop with an almost pounding disco beat. The rest of the album continues to combine elements of electronica, dance and pop; remaining unique, lively yet dark.

For those of you who are partial to a bit of Bjork, PJ Harvey or Beck - and I don't know many who aren't - Alan MX's debut is out now on Small Town America, and you can catch some of this on his MySpace too.

www.myspace.com/alanmx

I went looking for yoo-ooo-oooo...

So, I went to Patti's Serpentine Session last night, second time I've seen her this year, wowzers. It almost feels not real watching her live, very surreal, she is just so effin cool and charmingly funny - (ok I know I sound like a sycophant, but I promise you I'm really not, not like the rest of the crowd who insisted on shouting out 'I love you Patti', cringe). Anyway, I digress. She pretty much did a 'greatest hits' set (which was totally fine by me), including a cover of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day', and dedicated 'Pissing In A River' to the Gulf Of Mexico...

X

dry the river

Today's CMU Approved...

I've been meaning to mention these guys ever since I saw them a few weeks back supporting Johnny Flynn at the Electric Ballroom. I wasn't paying much attention when they first arrived on stage, me and my brother were putting most of our energy into finding a good spot to watch JF.

But once they started playing, their music - full of sweet lyrics and even sweeter melodies - made me stop and listen. Counting Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Paul Simon as influences, the melodies are fattened out with a build up of harmonies and delivered conspicuously by frontman Peter Liddle. I remember particularly liking his hand movemements...

The London alt-country quintet have only been together since last year and have already supported Port O'Brien, as well as Johnny Flynn, and released two EPs - 'The Chambers & The Valves' and 'Bible Belt' - both self-released and available to buy via the band's MySpace page. They've got plenty of upcoming gigs over the summer including festival appearances at Standon Calling and Big Chill, so there are lots of chances to check them out.

www.myspace.com/drytherivermusic

Just Because...

Dallas day

Ages ago (last week) my wishes came true and Dallas Green played London. Despite not getting to stalk him afterwards and getting him to sign my ticket and Soph getting an actual real hug,... it was incredible. His voice is so sincere and gentle yet powerful and I love it. The crowd, however, I didn't love, they were so chatty and loud, and younger than me. And, it would have been awesome if he had played a bit of Alexisonfire, Boiled Frogs, but he didn't. It was still rather great though, especially this on the encore...

Flaws

Villagers - Becoming A Jackal

I like the lovely lovely Villagers even more now after reading this...

Q1 How did you start out making music?
My mother took me to the cinema when I was four years old. 'An American Tale' was the name of the film. I'll never forget it. I sang the music from it for at least two years afterwards. "Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight, someone is thinking of you and loving you tonight..." I've been trying to reach this level on enchantment ever since. But things keep getting in the way. So I focus my attention on these 'things' instead.

Villagers' CMU SSQ