Ian M.Hale 'Loss'

His Myspace

She & Him " In The Sun" ft Tilly & The Wall

Perfect timing for She & Him to release their second album 'Voume 2'
Just like the weather, it's light, fun, filled with the musical equivalent of tea party dresses

what? you don't know what that means...come on take a look:



She is Zooey Deschanel, indie actress and allround entertainer. Him is singer-songwriter M.Ward ( who is also in Monsters Of Folk)
Their first album ( Volume one, aren't they clever?) has barely left my stereo since last year. I've listend to the new album, which is poppier than its' predecessor..and I think I need a few more listens to be fully convinced. Anyhow it's still pure fresh and cute pop music, perfect for this time of year!

Enjoy the sun!

Blanche "What This Town Needs"

Let's stay with mr Jack White a little longer.
Blanche is quintet from Detroit and they mix country with a bit of garage, folk and more...with both female and male vocals.

Their banjo player "little" Jack lawrence also play with White in Raconteurs and also in Dead Weathers.

They have released quite a few EPs but their only album to date ( as far as I know) is Little Amber Bottles that was released 2 years ago through V2.

I saw them live without knowing anything about their music and I really enjoyed it. Since then I got the album and enjoy a bit of Blanche now and again. I hope you like them too

Karen Elson 'The Ghost Who Walks'

OK, I'll admit it, when I heard that Jack Wite was producing his wife Karen Elson's first album, I rolled my eyes in disbelief...Surely he was smart enough to know better. It appears he does know better. One song doesn't represent everything but this sweet track has enough in it to whet appetites and to delay cries of nepotism



The Ghost WHo Walks is also the title of Elson album to be released later in 2010.

Cat Power ' Troubled Waters'

Last night I needed to wind down after an exhausting day,so I took a bath and played The Cover Record by Cat Power. It never ceases to amaze me by its sheer beauty, simplicity, rawness and delicacy.

My favourite track of that album is 'Troubed Waters'



Afterwards, we got talking about Cat Power on Twitter with @kattebel, @janosizoltan and @Kmeron.
Chan Marshall has released many a great album under the Cat Power moniker since she embarked on a solo career in 1995:

* Dear Sir (1995)
* Myra Lee (1996)
* What Would the Community Think (1996)
* Moon Pix (1998)
* The Covers Record (2000)
* You Are Free (2003)
* The Greatest (2006)
* Jukebox (2008)
* Dark End of the Street (2008)

Over the years I have seen her play live many many times, and it was never a stroll in the park until she became sober and was able to sing for a whole show...and just loose me in the process. Made me want to share this old story with you. The first time I saw her play in the inimate Rotonde @ Botanique was just as she released What Would The Community Think in 96. Chan was so awkward on stage, hiding behind her bangs and generally being close to tears in front of the 50-odd people who had come to see her. After a few tracks, her ex came into the room (an artist, he had a press day in Bxl on the same date.) Everybody could see how excruciating it was for her to see him there and she suddenly stopped playing, addressing the audiance thus "I can't play the guitar anymore, is there anybody here who knows the chords to my tracks" A young lad answerd affirmatively and hopped on stage to play with Cat Power, who then finished the gig staring at the wall.

At that time her voice was so strong and in stark contrast to her frail persona, everybody in that venue probably remembers the show to this date, we could all feel her pain. It is one of the few gigs I recall most vividly.

On the other hand, the last time I saw her, I hated the show ( even though she was accompanied by 2 of my favourite musicians Jim White and Judah Bauer) her voice was gone, and yes, she was much more professional but the magic had disappeared.

Still, the albums are amazing to listen to and that will never go away. Here's probably my favorite ever Cat Power songs 'Nude As The News' from 96

Peggy Sue 'Watchman'

Peggy Sue is a indie folk trio from Brighton. After a few name changes Rosa Rex, Katy Klaw and Olly Joyce have setteled for Peggy Sue just in time to release a first album on Witchita! [Their first outputs were released under the name Peggy Sue & The Pirates]

Fossils & Other Phantoms is a lovely collection of charming DIY songs, masterly crafted and full of original talent.

Watchman from Peggy Sue on Vimeo.

The full album is on streaming thanks to ClashMusic: to listen, just follow the LINK

They're embarking on a long European tour that will stop in Brugge on May 5th @ Cactus

More info HERE

MLCD 'What Are You Waiting For?"

Let's be patriotic for once, MLCD are releasing a fine album! They come from Liege, Belgium and they have BIG dreams and BIG ambitions. Clearly they also have the talent and creativity to match.

The Tragic Tale of a Genius in an opera-pop of sorts that depicts the life of an artist. The First single sees Redboy, totured singer of the band, exchange vocal duties with Jonathan Donahue, of Mercury Rev fame. And it sounds like this:

MLCD - [My Little Cheap Dictaphone] - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR from bubbleduchesse on Vimeo.

If you're in BXL on May 8th, be sure to check them out at the amazing Cirque Royal venue, this should be a treat, as the show has been choreographed and includes visuals and many other surprises.

for more info and music, there is Myspace

The Black Keys 'Tighten Up'

There are few bands that have been consistently as good as The Black Keys over the past few years. With each album they've honed their craft and gone up a notch in pop whilst keeping their rootsy credentials.
It's simple bluesy music at its best.

Their new album Brothers will be out on May 18th and already sounds like a corker:



It will be their 8th album since 2002 ( Auerback also released a solo album on top of that + their foray into Hip Hop with their Blakroc project) and it sees Dan Auerback & Patrick Carney team up with Danger Mouse once again.

• The Big Come Up (2002)
• Thickfreakness (2003)
• The Moan (2004)
• Rubber Factory (2004)
• Chulahoma (2006)
• Magic Potion (2006)
• Attack & Release (2008)
• Brothers (2010)