Howdy y'all. As per the above announcement the process of moving this blog to WordPress is now in full swing. My first post is up at the new website so it is onwards and upwards from here on out.
This does mean I will no longer be updating this particular webpage. All of the posts will remain here however and I do hope that any of you new to this blog will still take the time to check out the amazing music contained herein. It is my intention to import the pages into the new website at some point but as this is likely to prove quite a lengthy process I don't envisage this being anytime soon.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE who stops by to check out my ramblings, thoughts, opinions and words on the music I feature. Thanks also to Blogger for providing me with the platform and resources to start this blog 18 months ago. It has spiraled and snowballed so now I am in a position to launch the new website.
So, all future blogging from Badgers HQ will now be done via http://bandofbadgerspresents.com
Thanks to you all.
Showing posts with label SONG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SONG. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Sunday, 24 March 2013
CALL THE BANNERS AND LETS SING SOME STORIES.
<Brrrrrr> Yes, I am still up here in the clouds. I made the mistake one evening last week of checking out a few videos of Sigur Ros at their recent UK shows. I did this not even for my own personal, selfish enjoyment but to find a couple to include in a blog post. Alas, I found myself unable to stop watching them. Reliving such a transcendental musical experience is not something one can just stop doing, once started. And thus any hope of me coming back down to Earth for the foreseeable future have now been torpedoed out of the ocean. There's just too much snow down there right now anyways. I am well above the snowline up here. Cold, yes but I now have a fully insulated duffle coat. As almost a whole month after that gig I still cannot shut up about the AMAZING Sigur Ros, it is only right I should share a recent Press Release (<<click there) with y'all. Yes, it is some news on their next album Kveikur - due out in June (jeez, try saying that fast after a few beers). They have also announced some more UK and European gig dates for later in the year. After this last time I think I will need to get this fix in November or else wallow in despair at the vacuousness of life without Sigur Ros live! If only I could afford to get myself to Norway for that Oslo show on 28th November. I could attempt to combine it with seeing the Northern Lights. That would be it for me. I would never get back down from that experience.
On a serious note, this snow is now beyond a joke. I'm not one for moaning about it usually. This is the UK. This is our weather. Plus, it is a natural thing. Nature does as nature wishes based on how nature is operating (although I'm a believer in climate change and the mess of crap humanity has done and is doing to the world). Science. Meteorolgy more specifically, I think. Get over it. However, I will have a little whinge today because the snow the UK had yesterday prevented me traveling to Leamington Spa to see Stornoway at The Assembly. Gutted! I have only been looking forward to this gig for like, 18 months! The snow wasn't too bad in places but some of the roads I'd need to navigate on the way were treacherous. Add to that the sub sub sub zero temperatures making it all an ice-filled death trap late at night for the return drive and I just had to choose the safe option. As boring as that is, I do value my life. Still absolutely gutted though. Less annoyed about it being the snow's fault and more so about the lack of quality live music in Northampton. I still need to look into this more so but no bands I enjoy seem to really play here. It is frustrating. Anywho, I'm hoping I can catch the Stornoway boys at one of the four festivals I'm hoping to get my ass to this summer. Unless we really are in the lands of Westeros (Game of Thrones, apologies to you non-geeks), there should be no snow then. Although, I remind myself of the country I live in and the last six wash-out summer seasons we've had. I know we will all be moaning if a full on three month Indian Summer hits but bring it on, I say. Please!
Right, enough waffleage for now. I have so much music to share with you and MUST MUST MUST crack on with blogcast #13 as well. So I'll be limiting my waffle below. Enjoy!
UNDER A BANNER TELL SOME STORIES
This wonderful local indie rock band from Wolverhampton have had their moving song about a soldier, Some Stories, chosen to be an official charity song for Help For Heroes.
It isn't released until May 4th but the video was released via YouTube a few weeks ago. Please please please view, like and share this wonderful
piece of musical film and help promote the track for the release in May. A lot of hard work went into producing this and the quality reflects this. It's such a fantastic tune as well. One of my favourites from the band's album The Ragged Rhythm of Rain. You can get a digital download of this smashing album for just £4.99 from Under A Banner's bandcamp page >>here<<.
Also please check out all the gig dates on the band's own website and get yourself along if you're local to any. It is a crime I'm still yet to get to one myself but this is purely a logistics issue or else I'd be at more than just the one. My time will come and I really can't wait for it. In fact, I'm incredibly jealous of you folk who are near these current batch of dates. Always keep up to date as more will no doubt be going up over the coming weeks and months.
One gig, in particular that will be spectacular is the one at The Victoria Inn in Derby next month. For just three little pound coins you will have a superb night of live music. Support will be in the form of alternative rock band The Standby Setting who you can sample out below. http://www.underabanner.co.uk/
Friday 19th April - The Hole in the Wall - Shrewsbury
Friday 26th April - The Victoria Inn - Derby
Sunday 5th May - Woody's Music Bar - Hednesford
Thursday 30th May - The Islington - Islington, London
Saturday 1st June - The Old Beams - Stourport on Seven
Sunday 7th July - The Robin 2 - Bilston (Supporting Quill)
Friday 2nd August -The Shakespeare Street - Stratford Upon Avon
The Standby Setting
AIDAN LOGAN STANDS NEXT TO YOU
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| Picture taken from Aidan's Facebook page. |
Another
charity single I included on the blog and in a podcast a while back is Let Them Know
from Belfast-based singersongwriter Aidan Logan. While on the subject of charity singles I thought it appropriate to mention it again here. It is heartfelt and full to bursting with emotion. Pips is a cause for suicide prevention and as with all charities, needs the kindness and generosity of folk to help it achieve its aims.
More recently, I've heard the
finished version of what will be the first single to be released from Aidan's forthcoming
debut album and it is a treat! I have to remain ssshhhh'd for the moment but the release of the single is imminent so you can share my excitement soon enough. In the meantime and to appease you why not have a listen to this free download Aidan self-produced. I've included it before but for those new readers or those who aren't reading posts in any particular order here it is again for you. https://www.facebook.com/aidanloganmusic
You can also download the song from Aidan's bandcamp page >>here<<.
fiNtastic ALBUM THAT CERTAINLY ISN'T WASTED ON THE LIVING
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| Pic from fiN Facebook page - danahawleyphoto.net |
The whole lot here is nothing short of brilliance and perfection! There are always going to be places for musicians as strong as this to go in their future development but these really do have a complete package already. From instrumental The Artisan, which borders on progressive to the heavy rock infused pop of Rapture through to the divine Eve and beyond. There really is something for everyone here. If you want to learn a bit more about the guys behind fiN and how the songs came together I highly recommend the 11 minute documentary below. It is enlightening. Then go buy the album via iTunes by clicking >>here<<.
If only their album launch gig was on Friday 5th or Sunday 7th I would have got my ass down to London so fast I would have left trail marks. I'm venturing down to see actor/singer-songwriter Iwan Rheon at Bush Hall on the Saturday night so would have made it a marvelous mega music weekend. Not to worry. My time will come soon. http://www.lifeiswastedontheliving.com/
THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON THE VARESE'S
What a fabulous tune Spotlight is. As you know I get lots of bands and artists following me on Twitter and I'm always grateful for them interacting and sending me links to their music to check out. This is precisely what Jonny Andrew from The Varese's did. Naturally, it is not possible to listen to everything as it comes through nor to feature it all. I really would if I could folks but I just don't have the time. Unless there's any music publication or radio station out there that wants to give me a job to do this all the time. I'll work 24/7 if so. Seriously! I do try my hardest to work through everything but there will most often always be some kind of delay.
Anywho, without digressing into the woes of lack of time as I always do (but cannot help it), I'll shut up and share this official music video for Spotlight from this tremendous indie rock band from Liverpool. Much more to come from these guys in the future. http://www.reverbnation.com/thevareses
LAVERS HAVE BEEN WAITING
Having featured on my podcast a couple of times already, it was only right we caught up with what's going on down under with the Lavers brothers Dom and Sebastian. My thanks to Dom for including me in the mail out alerting us to this latest new single from the band, I've Been Waiting. Recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney with producer Simon Todkill (Matt Corby, Kanye West, Catcall) it is another impressive tune from Lavers.
Now after enjoying this beauty why not get along to iTunes and buy a few of their awesome EPs please? Click >>here<< and support such brilliant indie music. http://www.laversband.com/
LEW BEAR DOES CARLEKO
From the summer sun of down under all the way back to my snowed in doorstep of Northamptonshire now. Lew Bear tweeted this cover he put up on his Reverbnation page yesterday and I have fallen totally in love with it, if I'm being honest. It is a wonderful cover of Carleko's Jimmy Hammer Fist. It is breathtaking. It may well be that I am living most of my free time in George R R Martin's fictional Game of Thrones world of Westeros but listening to this song put me instantly in mind of it. I'd been there reading yes but it is as though listening to this song from Lew Bear somehow physically transports me there. I can feel the icy winter winds biting and I don't mean our own poor excuse for winter that doesn't seem to want to release its grip. It reminds me of the song played as the closing credits rolled to season 2 episode 9's Battle of Blackwater. Astounding. http://www.reverbnation.com/lewbear
REPEAT OFFENDERS BEG STEAL BORROW
I'm only a week late for this one! Still, it's now here so go get it folks and support this great local indie rock band. These guys are based around Aylesbury, Northampton and Dunstable. I would totally have gone to see them play on February 9th but I was booked up to see the marvelous Luke Jackson in Milton Keynes. My eyes are on their future gig dates though, so I will make it at some point this year. Their website describes them as The Stone Roses meets The Rolling Stones with an Oasis attitude. Check them out for yourselves and stop missing out. I'm really digging this, their official video for this latest single release. It is quality. http://www.therepeatoffenders.co.uk/
**NEW SINGLE** WHITEMOOR
ALL I'VE EVER KNOWN
THE BOXER REBELLION
KNOCK OUT ALL OPPONENTS
OMG! AMAZING band! SENSATIONAL music! I love The Boxer Rebellion like you would not believe and yet they are still relatively new to me. I have Chris from The Scholars to thank for pointing me in their direction and recommending their album Union. Featuring them here just briefly to make you aware of a FREE 6-track EP they are giving away. This in return for you joining their mailing list. Given how stunning this music is, it is the least they should be requesting from you. It could be a rouse but it is a very clever one indeed. The EP features two tracks from their three previous albums in preparation for the release of their new one later this year. By signing up to the mailing list you will be notified first of any updates from the band. Those to do with the new album, videos, gig dates and tickets for these. After seeing The Last Republic play a cover of Depeche Mode's Enjoy The Silence at Truck Festival last year it took about seven or eight months for me to remove a Depeche Mode CD from the car stereo. Hearing The Boxer Rebellion's cover of that song makes me want to return it there. http://theboxerrebellion.com//
PERRY HOOD - LOST
I had fully intended to share this particular video on the last blogcast for podcast #12 but with how everything all comes down on top of me as I hurry to get them published, I did miss it. My bad, I know. This song was on Perry's second EP up on bandcamp which you can grab FREE >>here<<. You should also grab yourself his first one, Ropes. I'm a big fan of all his music but I absolutely LOVE this particular song!
Perry played at The Bullingdon Arms in Oxford last Thursday as part of an event run by New Music Connection. I'll have more details on that and hopefully some videos that will be going up soon. Not from me however. Unfortunately due to my day job, finances and the distance I was unable to get down to Oxford for it. https://www.facebook.com/perryhoodmusic
YOU CAN'T DANCE
BUT THIS TUNE WILL MAKE YOU WANNA
Something completely different to what I usually tend to share or play. Equally magnificent though! This is another one where the band sent me a tweet to check it out. I LOVE it! It sounds so big. I love how the electronic dance sounds come together. It's akin to a quality trance track complete with breakdown, yet with better vocals. Here I sit at my laptop writing away and it has me wanting to get on up and actually dance. Without having had a alcoholic drink to boot! I'm looking forward to more from You Can't Dance and will be sharing more in due course. Now say BYE and get up and dance. Download it for FREE too.
I guess what I really loved when I heard this was how it isn't like the run of the mill stuff that is out there in this genre already. That is the most important thing and should help these guys distinguish themselves from the rest. https://www.facebook.com/youcantdancemusic
COMO BROTHERS ENTER STILL WATERS
Sorry, I'm a little late sharing this one too. I did play Parachute on podcast #13, which although I'm still yet to get the blogcast up online at least the podcast is available. I'm working as fast as I can but in the meantime I just had to share these fantastic songs from The Como Brothers Band's recently released EP Still Waters. This is quality music of the highest calibre. It is all very much self-produced and independent to the core as well. Their achievements are astounding quite frankly.
While relaxing and enjoying these top tunes please please please lend your support and vote for these guys to play the Warped Tour. You can do this by visiting this BATTLE OF THE BANDS page >>here<< and following the instructions. The members of the band will be hugely grateful to you. As with almost ALL the artists I feature, they rely on your kind support to get them further and further with their music and they don't forget this. It is what makes them different and better than many of the 'top' bands who are signed to big labels.
Back to their astounding achievements thus far. There's more to come as their music is about to feature on the premiere of MTV's Real World Portland - March 27th. http://www.comobrothersband.com/
A LITTLE BIT OF MICROLOVE - SUMMA
More on this band another time as this post is turning into a longer one than the blogcasts. Typical me isn't it? A few things to share becomes a mountain of things to share. After hearing this only today I just have to include it though because it is lashings more of the beautiful Q-word - QUALITY! A stunning and breathtaking song. This bodes extremely well for Summa's future. http://summamusic.com/
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
To bring things to a close I've opted to share an episode of a Vlog I've recently started following. Or should that be vlogisode rather than episode? Mere details.....Daniel Kai is an all-round entertainer who also happens to be a part of a new musical project called Waiting For Hollywood. More on the band side of things another time as I should be able to bring you an EXCLUSIVE live acoustic performance.
This vlogisode is of the utmost importance to EVERYONE in the WHOLE world so please make sure you watch it, take down the crucial zombie survival tips and then share it on.
I too, happen to be a huge geek for The Walking Dead. I think it is the utter grimness I seem to love so much. And of course watching people get eaten to death alive. I don't quite know what that says about me but there it is. Kai's take on it here is hilarious and the characters he slots in throughout demonstrate how talented he is at this entertainment business.
Don't forget - take down these tips! Geeks like us know what we're talking about when it comes to this. When it comes to Z-Day (Zombie Apocalypse (and you know it is a when, not an if)) we will no longer be laughed at. We will be the ones who survive the longest. Hopefully. Maybe.....Erm..... Whatever happens, you're more likely to survive after watching this awesome video than if you don't watch it. Do the sensible thing and hit subscribe to Its Daniel Kai when you've watched and shared it.
One thing that sticks with me - NEVER LISTEN TO MICHAEL JACKSON's THRILLER!! Musical dancing zombies are even more freaky!
Until next time folks, blogcast #13 - ciao. Unless of course Z-Day arrives. *shudders*
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Sunday, 19 August 2012
KARINE POLWART LEAVES A TRANCE LIKE TRACE
ARTIST: KARINE POLWART
ALBUM: TRACES
LABEL: HEGRI MUSIC
TRACKS: 10
WEBSITE: http://www.karinepolwart.com
RELEASED: 13th AUGUST 2012Just hearing opening track Cover Your Eyes, Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart had me strapped down tight before sending me off on a jaunty and thrilling ride of pure melodious splendour. The ebb and flow of the tides, the tremendous crashing of twenty foot high waves down to the calm ripples upon the shores through a gentle foam breeze of dense ocean spray. The simple yet ethereal element to the melody is stunning. Traces is so aptly named as it takes you through all manner of weathers and sea conditions leaving behind a lingering trace of the sheer richness of her musical poetry.
King of Birds continues the journey, managing to waft you up with the power of a jet stream while the words hold you tightly in place. Then with a change of key in the melody you soar higher before your wings spread wide to glide back down. Swimming through the lightest clouds on a bright summer’s day, the beauty of nature rolls out below. After playing these opening two tracks for the first time I needed to get a flight back home in order to hear the remainder. They blew me that far away! It is rare but always wonderful when an album from someone previously unknown to me achieves such a thing. Traces induces a euphoric listening experience that becomes personal. Through both the lyrics and music, you are pulled deep into the soul of what each song is about.
The narratives are sweeping and
yet they remain just on the right side of overwhelming. Each is an intricately
told story, delicately woven into its own pattern. Karine’s vocals are always astounding,
fitting flawlessly with the well-crafted musical arrangements. The end result is
a rich multilayered buffet of all the tastiest delicacies you could possibly
want. There is an overarching theme of darker more depressing lyrics but I
reiterate what is fast becoming my mantra. These are the kinds of songs that
move us. They are the stories that need putting to music and the ones which
serve to create the most atmospheric and memorable records.
Another thing I love about the album
is the diversity of the subject matter. From the subtle political motives of Close
Your Eyes (protesting against the Trump Foundation’s butchery of the
landscape for the golf complex) and King of Birds (a nod to the Occupy
movement, particularly in London), even these run far deeper than that thanks
to the writing being so personal. Tinsel Show takes what may be
considered the raw grotesqueness of industry, power stations and the like,
turning it on its head. Teasing out the magical and fantastical stories such
places hold for children it builds up into a crescendo before coming to a rest
with a gentle swaying of harmonious ‘ahs’. Then there’s the heart wrenching
sorrow poured out via We’re All Leaving, Strange News and Half
A Mile. I issue a warning for you to prepare to be deeply moved but
only because of how involved you will become in these, real-life, tales.
It is impossible to pick out any
tracks as the stand outs because each and every one deserves to be labelled as
such. This will always be one of those albums you’ll listen to from start to
finish because to not do so would be a crime. More or less all songs are
stories but some musicians and songwriters produce works of art so accomplished
if they were paintings or sculptures they’d be exhibited in the finest museums.
This album is one such piece of art and Karine is an artist worthy of such
renown.
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Wednesday, 4 July 2012
LET YOUR DREAMS INSPIRE.
ARTIST: THE DREAMING
ALBUM: BROTHERS IN BROOKLYN
LABEL: CLUBHOUSE
RECORDS UK
TRACKS: 11
WEBSITE: http://www.thedreamingspires.com
RELEASED: 11TH JUNE
2012
All good things come to those who
wait and Brothers in Brooklyn has been a while in the making. This shows
in how accomplished and seamless the record sounds considering it is only a
debut. After playing previously with not one but two influential bands – Goldrush
and Danny
& the Champions of the World - brothers Robin and Joe Bennett have cut their own teeth
producing this set of spectacular tracks steeped in the Americana tradition.
Opening track Singing Sin City charts the
genesis of the album as the brothers trekked their way across the US in
a beat up Chevy van named Darla listening to The Byrds and Teenage
Fanclub. While the influences of these bands, amongst others, are clear
enough throughout, they are not merely imitated. In fact it is a rarity for
bands these days to embrace their influences such as The Dreaming Spires have
managed to do here and produce something so individual.
The first single to be released
least year, Everything All the Time, provided ample warning of the artistic
prowess this duo had percolating and ready to unleash. The song jumps down your
throat, grabs a hold of your larynx encouraging a good old sing along with a
sneaky little leg jig to boot.
There is such a wonderful mix of
songs. It’s like a tasty casserole from the kitchen of some heavenly dimension
where every mouthful offers a kaleidoscopic frenzy for the taste buds. Where
every day is festival day and the beer runs free. From recently released Not
Every Song From the Sixties is a Classic explaining how for every smash
hit tune from that time there were mountains of trash. Or how even overplaying
what may be deemed a classic can strip it of everything that made it so.
Then there’s the very Dylan-esque, Look at the Stars. Full of lyrical wonderment and with a musical arrangement that really anchors into the ears refusing to let go. This followed by slower number, Laughing and Dancing featuring a stunning vocal harmony from Cat Martino while revealing how elegant and graceful Robin’s vocals can be. Woman That You Are amplifies this even further while showcasing high calibre song writing talent with lyrics like, ‘lives roll on an endless reel, hard to keep up when you’re spinning on the wheel’.
While each song is a gem, the
penultimate Strength of Strings really does rise up high above everything else
and yet its ethereal inception prevents it from eradicating the quality of
those it follows. The concluding track, The Dream Inspires may well be brief
but the depth of meaning underlying the gentle grand piano and superlative
words inflate it so it becomes no less noticeable.
These meticulously crafted
traditional compositions thrust themselves out from the speakers accompanied by
fresh and highly perceptive lyrics enticing the mind to stop and listen closer.
There’s a distinct feeling of being pulled into a wondrous musical nexus these
Brothers in Brooklyn have created.
While a transatlantic ambience makes it an ideal soundtrack while reading
something like a Kerouac novel, it goes further than this by inducing a longing
for a life on the road. Don’t be too surprised if you start mulling over how to
sell up, jet off to the US and
live out your days travelling Route 66 in an RV.
This is an album with a powerful soul and it will instil a sense of wonder in you that modern everyday life continually threatens to extinguish.
This is an album with a powerful soul and it will instil a sense of wonder in you that modern everyday life continually threatens to extinguish.
Tracklisting:
- Everything All The Time
- Not Every Song From The Sixties Is A Classic
- Look At The Stars (They’re Really Out Tonight)
- Laughing & Dancing
- Cathie (Carry On)
- Brothers In
- Woman That You Are
- Just Can’t Keep This Feeling In
- Strength Of Strings
- The Dream Inspires
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Thursday, 5 April 2012
Band of Badgers Presents...#1 The Pilot
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 1 TO YOUR COMPUTER.
EPISODE 1: THE PILOT
Well. After much ado and not even a little bit of nothing my first podcast episode is now published and available on the interweb. It is actually scary. What if it's crap? What if no one checks it out or listens? By crap I mean my own bits and bobs, certainly not the amazing musical talent it is showcasing!
Ah, well it was a lot of fun to do and as I've mentioned previously all the support and encouragement I've received from the bands and artists on the playlist has been fantastic. I only hope I can repay this and gather up a decent sized audience for it whereby people who may not have come across their music in any other way will do so thanks to Band of Badgers Presents. I tend to go out there looking for new music but am always grateful when people suggest new bands or artists to me or if I suddenly start being followed by them on Twitter. I hope this podcast will serve for those who may look for such content with a playlist they can listen to for sampling and then take something (if not everything) from it.
Given individual preferences this may not happen for all artists featured on the playlist but then that's not the aim, just to put a good selection of music crossing genres (particularly but by no means exclusively, rock, alternative, soft rock, folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter, nu-folk) out there for people to sample and enjoy. Although I will tend to focus on the genres above, these are not in any way exclusively what I'll be sticking to. If I come across something I really do like and it does not fit into these then it will still likely find itself on a future playlist.
For me, it is about my own preferences but these are often so varied (as you will no doubt be able to gather from this first episode) I will never exclude anything that perhaps doesn't fit into any specific category. In fact I only use categories and tags for searching and clarification purposes. I've read many an interview from artists I respect who often despair at being pigeon-holed into such categories. Nevertheless categories is kind of how it rolls, I guess so I'm afraid I can't escape them on that level.
I will however include the tracklist so you can click on website links if you'd like to and check out other fantastic tunes from these great bands and artists:
- Alone in Berlin by One Cure For Man
- Inseparable by Under a Banner
- Reaction by Whitestar
- Love is a Burning by The Survival Code
- Infidelity by Mutineers
- Open the Door by Andrew Page
- Break Me by The Walla Recovery
- Can We Keep This by Angel Kelly
- White Lies by Luke Jackson
- C.C.T.V by The Last Republic
- But Without Light by One Cure For Man
Thanks to Mark Blasco at http://www.podcastthemes.com/ for the theme tune. Please check out the website and also make sure you check out Mark's own site for his own music.
It should also soon be available via iTunes and on Soundcloud but I will add these links once this is sorted.
To the Future
In future episodes I'll hopefully be able to include interviews and rare samples of new tunes, perhaps even demos that artists may wish to try out. This all depends on potential playlists of course but in putting together one for episode 2 I've received the same kind of amazing support from bands and artists as I did for this one.
I will also be including more songs from the artists featured above. There'll likely be at least one from above featuring in episode 2 but others will return as and when.
Hopefully I'll be sorting out a better microphone for recording them now I'm intending to do this on a semi-regular basis. It's the intention to record a new episode once every two weeks but this may be more or less often depending on other commitments. I will maintain a regular momentum though.
With the 2012 festival season fast approaching I'm considering doing a festival special although I'm not quite sure what this will entail just yet. Keep your eyes peeled (such a macabre saying) or rather your ears open! Maybe I can get hold of some live recordings to play for a start?
Coming up in Episode 2 so far will be:
Thanks for listening.
Contact: bandofbadgers@hotmail.co.uk
Books:
I recently finished That Bear Ate My Pants by Tony James Slater. What are you waiting for? Buy it, click for it like your life depends on it because you'll regret missing out on a fantastic read if you don't. It's so genuinely laugh out loud the situations Tony wound up in as a volunteer at an animal rescue centre (well it was an outdoor centre up a mountain actually) in Ecuador. Chasing a bear up a tree is just one of very many of these. I'll be writing a review ASAP but until then just take my word for it and buy it! 
I then started reading Joe Vampire by Steven Luna while waiting for my first train back from a few days away. There I was sitting in Brighton train station glued to my Kindle. There I was sitting on the train from Brighton to London Victoria still glued to my Kindle. Then again sitting around at London Euston I resisted what is usually a very strong urge to people watch (although I had loaded myself up on this particular activity while sitting in a Costa Coffee shop for the majority of the previous afternoon) by remaining glued to my Kindle. For the final leg of the journey home from London to Northampton you guessed it, I was again glued to my Kindle. I do so love having this time available to read in this way. For the most part it's uninterrupted bliss. This is always a complete and utter joy when the book turns out to be such a fantastic read.
I know I've not yet finished it but Joe Vampire is a refreshing tale of an ordinary dude who is reluctantly turned into a vampire. Steven demonstrates a masterful skill in making this such an interesting unputdownable (this really should be a word by now) story considering vampires feature so heavily in the current market. I believe this is very much one that breaks the mould and treats the subject in such a way that instantly connects the reader so much more closely to main character Joe. It's great news the author has recently been generating ideas for a follow up. Already, I can't wait to see what surprises lie in store for Joe and Co.
A link to the blog can be found by clicking here.
I've been truly blessed with the last few books I've read all being online e-book purchases for my new Kindle from authors who work hard to help promote their hard work via Twitter and Facebook. I've been blessed even further (so many blessings I'm now an honorary blesser of sorts (I don't know what this means in the slightest, stay with me, it sounded funny in my head....please note my use of the word soundED)) by being able to interact and chat with these authors while hopefully helping to promote them a little myself as well. Their thanks for my support is humbling but I thank them for writing such interestingly, different books that have kept me fully entertained.
I've written very well deserved Five Star reviews for The Squirrel That Dream of Madness and Life Knocks both by Craig Stone and as mentioned above I'll be writing a review of Tony's book, That Bear Ate My Pants over the next few days. It goes without saying (and I'm not saying, I'm typing) that once finished I'll also write one for Steven's Joe Vampire.
Come on folks. Get reading!
Movies:
I went to see The Hunger Games on Monday and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable film. I'll only review it if I get chance which given my current commitments is not likely to be any time soon. I'd certainly recommend it as being worth a watch though!
Preliminary score: 3/5
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