Given recent events across the UK and particularly in London writing about independent music may be low down the list of many peoples priorities this week, but stating the obvious this is a music blog and although Beat Surrender has no 'Mission Statement ' but part of the blogs 'job' is to promote and support great music - the big players don't need assistance, but Beat Surrender can (I hope) help the independents in some small way, and right now they need some help . One of the labels affected [...]
Sweet little diddy about a racehorse from an acoustic/indie band from England. I'm not saying I am gonna rock a MSTU t shirt or anything but I dig it.
To ease in to the new week, we start with our new-ish weekly post - We (heart) album art. And to further reiterate that yes, this is a database - we've got 16 albums featured that have one common theme. For this week, it's one of mankind's top favorite things to exploit: animals . We here at The Indie Music Database, love animals (especially ones of the corgi kind) and it's no surprise that our favorite indie artists love them as well. So don't [...]
I think weeks should always start with a post of a picture of a young Christopher Walken. Just because. Also, my daily lyrics have a universal theme to them....but it's mystery. Just like the mystery that surrounds the weird feeling that you get just by looking at this picture. Go figure. Here's the weekly lyric of the day recap - "No one knows what the future holds. If we just hold on maybe life could be sweet" [...]
today, a track that is meant to showcase the softer side of the one man dailybeatz editorial team. i first heard this song a few years back when it was released but forgot all about it until recently. monkey swallows the universe is (or should i say was, as the group disbanded in 2008) from sheffield, england and to be perfectly honest, this is the only track of theirs that ive heard. "sheffield shanty" is a slow and quiet little number that i liked from the first listen. [...]
I'm not going into semantics here on what defines a geek (or geek vs. a nerd for that matter) . Everyone knows what a geek is, and frankly, geek chic is still in. Not surprising, since everyone is going techy. You have to have at least some basic technical knowledge to maneuver the ins and out of the modern society and juggle duties between email, twitter, and your many many iPhone apps. Since everyone belongs to the Geek Generation now, I dedicate my list to the continued rise of geek chic. And since every song in the world is a [...]
This week was a busy one for new music coming from Sheffield, with two excellent local singer/songwriters releasing new albums. Neil McSweeney - Shoreline For fans of Nick Drake, Elvis Perkins, Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, Doug Burr, Neil Young Neil McSweeney's been kicking around the music scene here in Sheffield for a while, releasing his debut album, [...]
I bet her ankles were cold Much like Marmite, you probably cant be too indifferent when it comes to forming an opinion on the name Monkey Swallows the Universe . You'll either love it or hate it. The band began life in University of Sheffield and lasted all of 4 years before fading away. Still, in that time they managed to knock out a couple of albums. The Bright Carvings , their first album, and the only one I've had the chance to hear, showed promise. Since the [...]
About a year ago I interviewed Monkey Swallows the Universe , a gorgeous pop band shortly to be going on "indefinite hiatus". This was a bizarre turn of events for almost every fan because their second album The Casket Letters had recently broken pretty significant ground for the band, helped particularly by a plug on Gorilla vs. Bear , according to the band. They seemed to be on the way up, their audience was rapidly expanding, and people seemed to be getting really excited about them. They seemed, in short, on the up. [...]
Alright, not really a band, as she's a person. And you might be familiar with her face and her voice, too, as she was in Monkey Swallows The Universe. Now, though, she's gone solo and releases this tomorrow. "This" being a new single, Dirty Rotten Soul - and it's very good, I think you'll agree: You can see her at the Drill Hall in London tonight, then there's these dates, too: Oct 5 The Forum, with Champion Kickboxer (solo) - Sheffield Oct 16 supporting Anni Rossi at the Shakespeare [...]
Wow, there are so many things I should have posted about, but it's the "time-thing" again... I'm working on a new Eardrums compilation, and have already received 10 very nice tracks + waiting for a lot more. Something to look forward to, I guess. It will be released in September, if everything goes as planned. Now, this I could not leave unposted. It's the new single and video from Nat Johnson , the former singer of one of my favourite bands, Monkey Swallows The Universe . She will release this single [...]
Monkey Swallows The Universe - Jimmy Down The Well mp3 (right click) Buy MSTU stuff
They may not have the frenetic craft of that other colony of primates from up Sheffield way but right now it's Monkey Swallows the Universe that I'm going bananas for. Right, that is likely to have been the lamest sentence ever uttered on these pages so if you are in need of instant therapy 'Time Will Be Last' should do the trick. Monkey Swallows the Universe are unashamedly acoustic so are
Bonk's Adventure: Sonic the Hedgehog for the thinking man. If you do not read all 12 trillion words of this over-long Top 50 list, Bonk will smack you upside the head with his club. 25. Wu-Tang Clan- 8 Diagrams [ SRC/Loud] 8 Diagrams is east coast hardcore rap that doesn't sound like it was made on the east coast. It [...]
Ah, it seems winter is finally about to settle in on Atlanta, I've got Friday afternoon off, and I'll be visiting The Pub tonight for some frosty livations, and again tomorrow morning for the big matches . Then, it's off to find a cheesy xmas sweater for a party Saturday night. So, instead of comments this week, post a pic of your favorite xmas jumper, yeah? Okay, I know nobody leaves comments here, but I thought it'd be funny. Anyhow, enjoy the music, your weekend, and the cold weather (*if you've missed it like I [...]
I've been doing annual album lists the last few years and this one has probably been the easiest to do - simply because finding 20 albums that I have no reservations about was quite simple. Leaving things out was a lot harder. But with any luck, you'll discover some of those albums off [...]
Beat Surrender
Merchants Of Rock
The Indie Music Database
dailybeatz
Kill Rock Music
Van Gogh's Ear For Music
Song, by Toad
No Rock And Roll Fun
Eardrums Music
Too Much Apple Pie
mp3hugger
The Passion of the Weiss
the finest kiss
SquirrelFood.net
Goodnight Believer
Commercial Watch: Bon Iver, Art Brut, Roxy Music, Kanye, M83 + more
New: Chelsea Burgin – Fade Into You (Mazzy Star Cover)
Spökraket; Serotonin
