Sometimes I like to state what I believe in:

VICE interviewed Noam Chomsky:

watch the full episode here - http://www.vbs.tv/watch/vbs-meets/vbs-meets-noam-chomsky--2#

Although we may not be American, I'm hell-sure that you're aware of the uneasy feeling that's floating about, tainting and painting our breath.

Noam Chomsky's a wise man, albeit a tad croaky, so to whatever extent your political apathy may be, have a watch and take a heed.

I'm not saying you should go join your local political activist group, just don't let yourself be blind to what you're being fed, it may be a slow-working poison.

p.s. there are some amusing scenes within the video itself of right-wing American lunacy.

.x.

joshing.

...

Josh has done a cover of The Animals/Bob Dylan's House of the Rising Sun :

and although he'll protest it needs tweaking, I love it.

Here's the original as well:

.x.

we've left it too long to re-paint it in ever-green.

...

Esben & The Witch

This Brighton trio are named after a Danish fairytale, where the runt of a family becomes the hero in the end, so it's basically a Joseph tale, without an amazing technicolour dreamcoat. The band themself, however, sound more like if Florence Welch from Florence & The Machine fronted The xx; It's minimal scrumptiousness with haunting vocals.

Esben & The Witch - Marching Song

You can catch them live at an Eat Your Own Ears event at Hobby Horse, Kingsland Road, London, 4th February OR 11th February, Manchester, The Deaf Institute OR The Jericho, Oxford, 13th February. Expect to see a porcelain owl with them.

.x.

p.s. Here's the latest WHAT DO YOU DANCE? BIGTIME. which includes a song by Esben & The Witch.

a gentle whirr of my words feeds a gasp to the sky, full of joy.

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Blogging's quite a discipline, I tell ya. I had exams, please excuse.

Although knocking about and knocking on the pop sensibilites of some for a good four years, FM Belfast are only just creeping over. It's so poppy, I almost cringe, but then I remember that it's alright to like Pop - what is Pop apart from the most popular of music, and there's a reason why it's popular: because it works. AND THIS WORKS. It's the most amorous of electropop. popple-di-popple-di-pop. FM Belfast are Icelandic (I really wanted to say Icelandish, but that's my word, you can't have it.), including one member of mum, but they are quite elastic on their line-up, so here's to yet more Nordic music!

FM Belfast - I Can Feel Love

Album comes out 22nd Jan-Jan.

(props to www.audiodrums.com)

.x.

when winter’s gone, can we still be friends?

...

Gaoler's Daughter.

The first song I heard instantly warmed the front of my body, reminding me of irretrievable days; the bandying teenage years of first-times, which were sound-tracked by Babyshambles, Maccabees, Mystery Jets, The Holloways, and 'etc' can be applied. Gaoler's Daughter, pronounced "jailer's", grab my reminiscence and stroke it, very gently, especially considering they're comprised of former members of Larrikin Love and Littl'ans. The foursome are named after the character in The Wind in the Willows that helps Mr Toad escape = 'a reference for escapism' and their EP is also called 'The Only Way to Travel', from which my token comes from; their aim is to have every one of their EPs named after a quote from the book!

Gaoler's Daughter - Sister on the Stairs [y.s.i.]

plus a bonus : Gaoler's Daughter - 9 Pieces of Silk [y.s.i.]

about apathy with age. The first song I heard.

Lyrics from their song From Russia With Love:

Death-spray chokes my lungs

Locks up my tongue

Can’t cage the secrets sung

With chemicals I can barely pronounce

I’m ready to announce

The truth is ready to pounce

.x.