Benjamin Folke Thomas

Originally from Gothenburg, Sweden but now based in London, Benjamin Folke Thomas is an interesting proposition. Still in his early twenties, he has the world and whisky-weary voice of someone twice his age: a cross between a heartbroken Irish folk wastrel and The Boss. You can download his new single ‘Thoroughly alone’ here. He plays The Lexington on January 31st, followed by ‘Betsey’s Winterlude’ at the Conway Hall, Holborn, February 19th.

Benjamin Folke Thomas – Thoroughly Alone by snipelondon

Breton

Breton have been causing mass pant-wetting amongst certain sections of the music press for several months now. It’s easy to see why as these South-East Londoners artfully blend rock, hip-hop and electronica into something completely their own, whilst still finding the time to fit in a bit of remix action for the likes of Local Natives and Tricky. RDI is taken from December’s ‘Counter Balance’ EP, available via Hemlock Recordings. Catch them February 9th at XOYO in Shoreditch.

Breton – RDI by snipelondon

Former Hefner Darren Hayman is recording a song a day, every day

Former Hefner mastermind Darren Hayman is currently halfway through his ‘January Songs’ project, an ambitious plan to record, write and release a new song everyday throughout January A man of lesser talents may have found such an undertaking daunting, not so our Darren, who, along with an array of collaborators has so far managed to be both prolific and imaginative. Each song is briefly available as a free download, before going on sale via Bandcamp. Check out Hayman’s video diary on the January Songs blog. Indie national treasure status awaits.

Darren Hayman – My Bedroom by snipelondon

Datahowler

We at Snipe like it when someone shows a bit of initiative. Datahowler, a.k.a. Ross Edman from Dallas, Texas, got in touch to tell us how much he loved Snipe and would we like to feature his new single ‘Prophet’ in our MPFree section? Suitably buttered up, we had a listen and it’s pretty darn good: all squelchy synth and laid-back drums, with more than a hint of DJ Shadow.

According to the press release, Ross makes ‘spaced-out instrumental music for androids and humanoids to groove to’. He’s currently trying to raise funds for his debut album, ‘Slowdrifter’: those people kind enough to donate via his Kickstarter page will receive a free EP download for their trouble. Download ‘Prophet’, for free, here.

Datahowler – Prophet by snipelondon

Einar Stray

This 20-year-old Norwegian releases his debut album ‘Chiaroscuro’ on February 7th, through Spoon Train Audio. The title track is an epic, eight-minute mini symphony; the soundtrack to an imaginary train journey through imposingScandinavian landscapes and a showcase for Stray’s intricate piano work (he also plays with fellow Norwegian, Moddi). Download it for free here.

Einar Stray – Chiaroscuro by snipelondon

Museum of Bellas Arts

A tip courtesy of the excellent Amanda’s Music Selection blog, Museum of Bellas Artes are a girl/boy/girl, teen trio from Stockholm. They make sweet electronic pop
music in the vein of St Etienne/Cut Copy and aren’t afraid to use the odd panpipe
– which is to be applauded. Influences include New Order, Four Tet and Cocteau
Twins and it’s worth checking out their recent ‘Days Ahead’ EP, released on Swedish
label Force-Majeure. Download the title track for free, here.

Museum of Bellas Artes – Days Ahead by snipelondon

Shimmering Stars

Riding the crest of the surf-pop wave (sorry), Vancouver’s Shimmering Stars write delicate, two-minute songs about love and social anxiety. Beach Boys/Everley Brothers harmonies, sparse production and surf guitars provide a perfect backdrop for Rory McClure’s brutally honest, morose lyrics – “walking down the street and I want to kill everyone I see, how come I don’t like anyone I meet?”

The band is planning an album release in 2011 and will hopefully be embarking on a European tour. In the meantime, here are two tracks from their recent limited edition 7”, released on Almost Musique, available via their MySpace or digitally via
Bandcamp.

I’m Gonna Try

East Van Girls

Zach Hill's Memo to the Man [MPFree]

Zach Hill’s music is insane. I mean really insane. Some of you may remember the made-up band from ‘Brass-eye’s’ 2001 Paedophile special, ‘Smash my brother’s face in’. Imagine that mixed with elements of dubstep, indecipherable lyrics and a cacophony of weird and wonderful sounds and your halfway there. I know I’m not really selling it but it’s the kind of music you’re either going to love or hate.

Hill’s a drummer by trade, plying his wares with Marni Stern and Hella and his
second album, ‘Face Tat’ (Sargent House), features collaborations with No Age and
Devendra Banhart. It’s understandably garnered some mixed reviews, but there’s no
one out there making music quite like this. Today’s MPFree, ‘Memo to the man’, is
the opening track from the album.

Zach Hill – Memo to the Man by snipelondon

Tearist [MPFree]

LA noise-goths Tearist have just released a new EP on PPM, “S/T” and today’s mpfree, ‘Headless’, is easily the most accessible of a highly experimental six-song set. Channelling Siouxsie Soux and late 70s/early 80s electro, Yasmine – who’s previously worked with Former Ghosts – and Will make the sort of music Crystal Castles would make if they existed solely on a diet of Ketamine and Fanta Orange.
Live shows involve Yasmine writhing around on the floor like a disorientated crab.
They should be huge.

Kitsune 'Happy 2011' EP [MPFree]

Kitsune kick off the new year in style with their ‘Happy 2011 EP’, available as a free download and featuring, amongst others, Digitalism, May 68 and Black Strobe. Re-mixing duties fall to the likes of Villa and Tomb Crew and the EP is available in full from Kitsune’s website.

In February the uber-hip French label release the long awaited ‘Kitsune Parisien’, a compilation of new Parisian music so effing cool, there’s likely to be a pleb screening process even when buying online.