— SimonWaldman.net

The latest music from a LOVEFiLM ad. A masterclass in how to do a cover version…gorgeous

You know how it is when you’re listening to your music on some random play, and then suddenly something that you’ve had on your iPod for years suddenly bursts into your ears, and you have to stop and find what it is…?

Well, that’s been happening a lot recently with John Grant. I bought Queen of Denmark ages ago, but haven’t really listened to it. Just wonderful songwriting.

via John Grant – Where Dreams Go To Die Strongroom Session – YouTube.

So, one night I was in the car listening to Jo Whiley on Radio 2. I heard a feature where someone dials in to request three tracks for them to play – called a mix-tape, and I thought: ‘Hey, I can do that!!’.

The thing is – even in this age when you can listen to any music you want at pretty much any time, there is still something inexplicably exciting about getting a request or some variation of it played on the radio.

So the next day, I e-mailed them in my three tracks, and completely forgot about it, until one day I was in the loo at the Odeon in Esher, 10 minutes late for the start of Kung Fu Panda 2 [great film, btw] with three children in various states of going to the loo/ washing their hands/ playing in the urinals, and the phone rang.

‘Hi, is that Simon.’

‘Yes…’

‘This is xxx from Radio 2…you sent us an e-mail…’

‘Oh great…fantastic to hear from you, but I’m a bit busy right now..’

Anyway, I didn’t hear anything for another week or so, and then I had another call.

‘We’d like to do your mix-tape..can you say a few things about each track…now.’

Of course, the fact that I’d forgotten what one of the tracks was didn’t really help. But with a bit of a prompt, I did it. And the result was played last night.

[If you really want to hear - the full show is here - my bit is at 41'30, with another quick mention right at the end]

The general theme was about music I do the washing up to. Which basically means – music that I like and can escape into the kitchen with, away from the world of cartoons and plastic toys, and – the latest addition to our household, non-stop pop from Capital. It is what my children call ‘daddy music’ – more out of derision than anything else. [mummy music being anything that's on Heart or Magic]

[As a side note: I have recently started complaining about the 'racket' that my daughter listens to - which finally marks my move into middle age. I am terribly pleased with this. It's just not good to like the same music as your six year old].

Anyway – here are the three songs. There is a common theme – which is basically blokes with guitars and great lyrics. But that’s about as much science as you need.

First – some Elvis Costello. I don’t want to go to Chelsea. Because despite everything he’s done since, this still sounds fantastic, fresh and slightly edgy.

Next – is the Mountain Goats, Dance Music. Which is really quite a tragic song – but all about the way you escape into music when you’re young. And to be honest, I still tend to escape into music now, when I can.

Finally, comes Frank Turner’s I still believe. Which is a brilliant, uplifting, rabble rousing homage. For a brief moment, you really believe that rock and roll really can save the world…and then you get back to your day job.

By chance – I actually heard the broadcast while I was reading a bedtime story to my daughter. She thought it was awful that I was on the radio, and she hated all the songs I chose. Which is how it should be, really,,,

You’ll love this mix by Avrosse over on Soundcloud [can be downloaded for free from there].

Avrosse – June 2011 Mix! – FREE DOWNLOAD! by Avrosse on SoundCloud - 

Oooh. File under ‘takes me back’. Leftside Wobble edit of a 90s classic.

▶ – Yothu Yindi – Treaty (Leftside Wobble Edit) – by Leftside Wobble.

From Avrosse

With a bit of Carpenters and a load of chat to start…over on Soundcloud [sorry, can't embed it here]

I don’t quite remember how I stumbled across Asa’s Beautiful Imperfection - think it just popped up on Napster when it was released – but it has become my standard ‘put it on when you can’t think what to put on’ album – especially when we’ve got people coming round.

This is the  opening track – and it’s now become as much a part of the weekend lunch routine as putting the roast potatoes on.

Easy to listen to without being boring. And just about cool enough to make me feel like I’m hanging in there. Yes, I know I should listen to Janelle Monae – but, it’s just that little bit harder work.

Saw a little mention in the Guardian’s Weekend magazine a few weeks ago about Beats In Space podcasts.

Ever since then , I’ve been on a bit of a Beats In Space binge. For the uninitiated it’s a weekly show mixed by Tim Sweeney in NYC every Tuesday night. And it’s chock full of brilliant and off-the-wall dance music.

A great show to listen to here from a couple of weeks ago, when he was joined by his old mate James Murphy [LCD Soundsystem - on the right in the pic]: BIS Radio Show #586 .

Dance music geeks will be frothing at the mouth at the thought of the new mixer that Murphy talks about building..

Sons/ daughters of your heros are always a tricky issue. If they get it right they’re carrying on the family business and taking it into new directions; if they get it wrong, well..it’s just so so wrong.

So, I’ve been resisting listening to Baxter Dury. I’ve was a massive fan of his dad, and dreaded hearing ‘Ian Dury Lite’. Anyway, I heard Steve Lamacq singing the praises of Happy Soup, so I’ve been taking a listen.

Well, it is a bit like the lighter version of his dad. But, it also has that rare blend of being both distinctive and listenable. So, I’ve liked him on facebook, and downloaded it to my phone on Napster. All very different from buying the vinyl of New Boots and Panties…