Free Tracks From Navigator/Reveal Records!

Our friend Tom Rose from Navigator and Reveal Records have compiled a 30-track mix “tape” of some of their favourite artists, including Jon Redfern, Bellowhead, Chris Wood, Kris Drever, Madam, Alyth, Mawkin:Causley, Lau, Boo Hewerdine and many others.

The songs are all available for download as well as streaming and you can find them on the Independent website.  The music is available for 4 weeks only (ie. until Friday 11th December 2009) so make sure you get over there and download the lot for free!

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Wanna Win Some Free CDs?

A box o' CDs

Hello!  I’ve got a box of CDs next to me that need to be won, pictured.  Please note though that i’m not giving away my keyboard and mouse, as otherwise i won’t be able to use my computer, hence won’t be able to run any more competitions.

The reason we have these to give away is because they are the sole survivors of a massive clear-out of our promo rack we had a couple of weeks ago.

So to enter our competition, all you have to do is answer this question:

 

Live Review! Bellowhead

This review comes from Colin Coates, who didn’t have to pay to get into this gig in exchange for some flyering, as he is a member of our street team.

Bellowhead – Norwich Waterfront – Tue 20/10/09

Another wonderful evening in the company of Bellowhead, and again thanks to Andy and Jon at Properganda for getting my mate and I on the guest list.

Belshazzar's Feast

The support were Belshazzar’s Feast (one of Paul Sartin from Bellowhead’s other projects), clever, musically astounding, and very smutty at times!  (An example of this was how in the past the letter “f” was used instead of “s”, so Paul said they would “suck it and see” how a tune would work out.)  I bought their album Frost Bites as a result, and highly recommend it.

Bellowhead themselves were on for 90 minutes or so with two encores; the set was mainly from Matachin, with the arrangements looser giving the band a chance to show off their musical skills.  Highlights for me were Fakenham Fair (it had to be, me being from Norfolk), Kafoozalum, and Whiskey Is The Life Of Man, the number they started with, Jon toasting us with apple juice!

Bellowhead

A few new numbers, the best being the ‘begging song’, and old faves like Haul Away, Rigs Of The Time, The Rochdale Coconut Dance but sadly no Jordan.
As ever great to watch, the “posing”, the “dance”(!) routines and how they seem to be having as much fun as the audience is.

A GREAT evening, and look forward to the next time they play Norwich, one of the best gigs this year.

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Live Review! Portico Quartet

Portico Quartet – Rough Trade East, London – Wed 21/10/09

Click to enlarge (Photo: Dom Jones)

It’s always a pleasure to visit either Rough Trade store, one of the last bastions of successful independent record dealership in London.  The delight is somewhat amplified when a great band is playing there, such was the case last night.  Having had prior arrangements every time Portico Quartet have played near me since i first heard of them, this show was much anticipated given that i was actually available to watch them.

 

New Properganda! Issue 14

Many of our readers will be familiar with our magazine, Properganda.  In fact, visitors to this blog may not know that it was from our magazine that this blog was spawned.  For the benefit of the latter, you can read more about it on our Properganda Magazine page.

Properganda 14 - Nov/Dec '09

 

Download Offers!

Those of you who have signed up to the weekly Properganda newsletter (what do you mean you haven’t signed up?  Do it now!) will be aware that we’ve been increasingly talking about the downloads we offer.  That’s because apparently people like downloading things these days, using their com-poo-tars (sorry, i can’t read the hand-writing on this press release).

Parma Ham (imported from Italy, therefore it is international)

So, a couple of our download selling chums have some special offers for you today (Sun 18th Oct).  Dub-fuelled ska/rocksteady/reggae bunch Pama International are one such band; today, for one week only, you can get their single I Still Love You More from iTunes.  But make haste, as it will be unavailable in a week!

They also have gigs coming up in the last three months of this year.

 

Live Review! Baddies

Baddies – Borderline, Tottenham Court Road, London – Mon 12th Oct ‘09

[This review today comes from Jonathan D Anger]

Photos by www.taylorassignments.com

Having found refuge from the cold October air in the pub before the much-anticipated Baddies gig at The Borderline, I saw a face I recognised. It was Michael Webster, front man and all round good bloke from the band, who was himself seeking refuge before the gig. After the initial greetings, I found myself confused and in an awkward situation. I didn’t actually know whom I was talking to. You see, Michael’s identical (I mean really identical) twin brother Jim also plays drums for the band and I couldn’t be sure. I bit the bullet to save myself further embarrassment and said, “I’m sorry, I literally have no idea who you are.”

 

New Releases! Monday 28/09/09

A host of awesome releases are unleashed this day, including:

Sharon Shannon - Saints & Scoundrels

 

Win Baddies Gig Tickets!

Photo: Steve Baker

Essex-based post-pop-punk band Baddies are once again busying themselves with playing loads of gigs.  But for now they are, unusually for them, sticking to within the British Isles for their October leg.

The nice folks over at 7Digital are running a competition so that you can win tickets to any of their upcoming shows.  You will find their Baddies competition page by clicking the link.

You can also, until Monday 5th October (2009) download their entire album Do The Job for only £5!  Our rumour mill also has heard whispers of a free track download for a limited time, commencing Friday 25th Sep.  Stay tuned for more details.

Or, you can wait until Monday 28th September and buy the CD.

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Amy LaVere Back In The UK! Nov ‘09

Country-rock double bass starlet Amy LaVere once again returns to the shores of Blighty to entertain, wow and otherwise impress an unsuspecting crowd.

As with last time she will be a guest of Seasick Steve, although this time Steve’s band will be the backing band for her. Also playing will be London-based experimental acoustic blokey Wishful Thinking.

Have a look at these dates and if you like the look of them, buy a ticket and go to the show!