Daily MPfree: Murder
Four years ago, Danish duo Murder were an unlikely pop hit in their home country – their entrancing debut single “When The Bees Are Sleeping” was a number one single on the Elektriske Barometer, the national radio chart voted for by listeners. They’ve recently returned with some new songs, starting with “Providence”; hear both strands of their darkly beautiful folk below. The new album, “Gospel of Man”, is out in Denmark on October 11th via Good Tape, and will be available for UK residents to buy online.
Murder – Providence by snipelondon
Murder – When The Bees Are Sleeping (Good Tape Records) by brainlove
22 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: Active Child
Active Child is Pat Grossi, who describes himself as a “choirboy turned indie-pop musician”. His music is a swirl of electronic and acoustic sounds, laced through with 80s pop drums and polished, warm melodies. He’s an endearing chap onstage too, red-cheeked and humble. His Curtis Lane EP is out now on Merok, and he’ll be playing at The Lexington on July 26th before embarking on an epic US tour.
21 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: Sam Amidon vs R Kelly
Whilst browsing the credits of Sam Amidon‘s sublime album-of-the-year contender I See The Sign, a couple of curious songwriting credits leapt out. Firstly, the songs are all arrangements of traditional folk songs with unattributed authors, explaining the timeless feel of the tunes and the antiquated phrasing in the lyrics.
But more surprising is the credit on the albums penultimate track “Relief” – a certain R Kelly. And sure enough, a quick Google search reveals the original. Amidon has removed a few of the more cheesy “man on high” references and such, but his arrangement of the song sounds as timeless and beautiful as anything else on the album.
The unexpected choice of cover feels like a masterstroke – there’s probably a musicology thesis about R&B being the new folk music in here somewhere. But Amidon injects some overtly absent gravitas into the (pretty awful) original version.
Amidon plays London’s CAMP next month, then Green Man Festival, before hitting the Barbican on Sept 27th for Bedroom Community’s rescheduled Whale Watching date.
Follow Snipe’s Daily Mpfrees at Hype Machine.
20 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: Surfer Blood
This awesome band (seemingly made up of a bunch of kids skipping school from the picture above) sound a bit like The Jesus & Mary Chain playing the songs of the Beach Boys, with the obligatory bit of afro-beat influence thrown in. Almost painfully on-trend, then, but their eponymous debut album is a scrawling, summery blast undeserving of such a cynical ear. It’s a tuneful, imaginative, wonderfully produced album full of great moments – the most apt summer record of 2010. Catch them at the Lexington on August 25th.
19 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: School Of Seven Bells
Dreamy shoegaze textures from acclaimed trio The School Of Seven Bells. Catch them live at the Scala next Tuesday, and learn more about them in our August issue.
16 Jul 2010
Snipe Likes: The Walkmen
While we’re going all NYC on you, here’s a veteran Manhattan band making a return. The Walkmen are back, with a new album “Lisbon” coming out in the UK on October 11th, via Bella Union. I can’t decide if this song’s brass arrangement reminds me of Christmas, or Mexico. Maybe both. What do you reckon? Download below, then let’s have a “Christmas or Mexico” vote in the comments section…
15 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: The Hundred In The Hands
Here’s a nice Snipe exclusive for you. Warp Records have given us an unreleased track by NYC upstarts The Hundred In The Hands, entitled “Gigantic Tom Tom”; a more sparkly, poppy take on “Tom Tom” from their ace Desert EP. They play The Old Blue Last tonight at the Vice magazine issue launch party. Plenty of scene points for that, but they’re actually good too. Trust.
15 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: Pacific!
Pretty, blissed-out electronic Krautrock from the Swedish duo Pacific!. Apparently conceived as the soundtrack to a ballet (trailer below) their new album, Narcissus, is out September 13th on Vulture.
14 Jul 2010
Daily MPfree: The Sword
To offset the twee-core factor of liking Retro Stefson today, our Daily MPfree comes courtesy of balls-out rifflords The Sword. Their new album Warp Riders is out August 24th. You have to trade an email address for your MPfree today, so if you’d like to know whet you’re getting yourself into first, have a listen on MySpace.
13 Jul 2010
Snipe Likes: Retro Stefson
Young Icelandic collective Retro Stefson embody the playful spirit, creativity and musical ability of many bands on the Reykjavik scene. A regular fixture at the Airwaves Festival, they put their stuff out on the more than ace Kimi label. Tzjek ‘it out.
13 Jul 2010
Snipe Highlights
Some popular articles from past years
- Punk brewery just as sexist and homophobic as the industry they rail against
- Hope and despair in Woolwich town centre
- London has chosen its mayor, but why can’t it choose its own media?
- Nice Interactive timeline lets you follow Londoners' historic fight against racism
- The five best places in London to have an epiphany
- Number of people using Thames cable car plunges
- Random Interview: Eileen Conn, co-ordinator of Peckham Vision
- 9 poems about London: one for each of your moods
- The best church names in London, and where they come from
- Nice map of London's fruit trees shows you where to pick free food
© 2009-2026 Snipe London.