Daniel Johnston.

Tonight I went to see Daniel Johnston at Concorde 2 in Brighton. I went purely to see Laura Marling, who I am going to controversially say, I was disappointed by, due to the fact her set was sooo short! When Daniel Johnston came on, I found it so inaccessible, due to his vocals and the fact that he was playing an instrument which produced a sound which wasn't pleasant on the ears. I went outside for a cig after the first couple of songs and really didn't want to go back in, I would have gladly gone home that night, just feeling a bit ripped off.

However, I went back in and was greeted by the noise of a tuned and soft guitar which wasn't being played by Daniel Johnston. He was purely doing the vocals. This is where it all changed. It let you just focus on what was coming out of his mouth and from his heart, instead of hearing a noise like a screaming cat dragging it's nails down a blackboard and slowly everything about him made sense.

His music can make you feel things in it's simplicity and charm in a way that I haven't felt before. Artists are meant to be these people who have seen it all done it all and you are listening to their composed lives through the lyrics, listening to Daniel Johnston is like listening to someone completely unaffected by how the outside world perceives him. It's genuinely like a big kid who is unaware and has completely poured his heart out. Seeing him live, there is a certain helplessness to him which only goes to accentuate the beauty of his songs.

Forget the melody, it's like poetry you'd write if you didn't give a fuck about metaphors, synonyms et al. He completely tells you how it is, in such an endearing way, by the end of the set you just don't really know what to say, you just turn to your friends in a sort of stunned amazement, as you aren't quite sure how he managed to have that effect on you.

Sorry.

Due to some personal reasons. I haven't been able to post for a couple of weeks now. Dirty Sexy Music should be back up and running in the next few days. Thanks for still being here!

Love Songs In Guises.

Before I start this post, has anyone realised a load of Japanese comments have been happening on this post? I went on translator to see what they were, and turned out it's Japanese porn spam. They're very persistent and I don't want to delete the post, but how do I get it to stop. It also coincides with a few people calling this site 'Dirty Sex Music'. I wouldn't want to make love whilst listening to Jack Penate covering Feist.

Anyway, y'all no I'm not about that. As most of the songs I love are about love. Aww inni sweet? It's simply the best subject matter for a song, it's a feeling which instills the most passion, hate, anger, paranoia, insecurity, happiness etc. I could go on. But basically, love songs, often come gift wrapped in the tissue of a tender young lady, crooning about the topic. In this case it's in the form of Amanda Blank and her beautiful rapping. It's a truly magnificent song about feeling regret about never feeling true love and finally wanting it. It's made even more sublime by sampling the chorus of Santigold's awesome 'I'm A Lady'.

A Love Song - Amanda Blank Ft. Santigold (mp3)

myspace.com/amandablank

Rob Cowen & The Dissidents

DSM fave, Rod Thomas (Bright Light Bright Light), sent some new music my way, in the shape of Rob Cowen & The Dissidents. They are releasing it through Self Raising Records. The single is available to listen to on their Myspace and shall be released on the 28th of September. Already receiving airplay on Radio 1 and XFM, this 5 piece look set to capitalise on the 'folked-up epic fairytales' they are making. Attached is two remixes and an acoustic version of the amazingly titled 'Alice In Sunderland' all of which are more than worth a listen.

Heartahe (Bright Light Bright Light Remix) - Rob Cowen & The Dissidents (mp3)

Heartahe (James Yuille Remix) - Rob Cowen & The Dissidents (mp3)

Alice In Sunderland (Acoustic) - Rob Cowen & The Dissidents (mp3)

Back.

300 posts in! Since the beginning of August, since I started doing this again, it's actually been better this time around. Whether it be me, being more mature about what I post, or the fact that their are so many artists out there at the moment that I'm incredibly excited by. Thank you to any readers who have been reading since last time, and all the new ones who are going to continue to see the site grow in terms of standards and readership.

The reasoning behind starting this up again was because I am working on a project to resurrect Sing Song PR and I wanted to completely immerse myself in new music again and whilst doing just that, discovered how fun it is sharing my taste with thousands of people. If there is anyone out there who needs anything promoting that may be better suited to a PR company rather than my humble blog, please do not hesitate to email me.

Also. In a couple of weeks, I shall be moving down to Brighton to start life by the seaside and am contemplating starting a Brighton based webzine. If you are based in Brighton and would be interested in contributing, be it your music or your musings, then again, email me at dirtysexymusic@gmail.com.

The xx 'The xx'

As far as being excited for albums this year, this one ranks definitely up there. Judged from the three demos that made there way around a few months back, it was clear there was something special going on with The xx. In a year where synths and 80's throwbacks are in vogue, it's strange that a band whose sound aesthetic is so low key, could grab so much attention.

I've read various interviews with them, and it's been stated that the reason the band have this minimalist sound is because they wanted to create songs which they could always play live in exactly the same way. It seems such a simple motive, yet this sound has been so perfectly executed, anything added would not only seem pointless, but also detract from the charm of the group.

The only band I could possibly compare them to is The Kills, and not because of the male/female vocals, it's just with The Kills, a drum machine and Allison's wonderful voice were all you needed, however this appears worlds away from anything when you listen. It's not so much chemistry between the two vocalists, Oliver Sim and Romy Madley - Croft, they both appear to be singing not to each other at certain times, but from different points of view. Whether it how far they go on a first date on 'Stars' (Jamie can 'Give it all', Romy can 'draw the line') or disagreeing on whether to 'give it up' on 'Infinity', the deep cool male vocals set against female vocals which are neither feminine or intense, they just both seem to ache.

Because the construct of the songs is simple, it's easy to think that you'd find the album becomes blurred into one song, it's just the standard of songs is so high you find yourself treating each one on merit, cherishing those 3 minutes and appreciating all the subtleties that lie in the basslines and timing of each rapport. Probably the most far reached a song goes on the album is 'Islands'. A beautiful song featuring the most buoyant beat which matches the content of the song. They've both found love and they never want to leave. The rest of the album isn't so much all melancholy songs, just the content is perfectly suited to the music. 'Intro' doesn't need to bother with vocals, yet although the vocals are what sets this apart from anything at the moment, it goes to show just how musically flawless it is.

As an album, it plays through beautifully. There is no track to skip. The highlights get lost in a world of perfection, where you appreciate the sharpness and mutedness of a band that cannot fail to succeed, because they've got the perfect formula.

Stars - The xx (mp3)

Buy 'The xx' from Rough Trade

Death Metal Disco Scene.

The name put me off at first too, but this duo are my new music obsession. 2009's signature pop crossover sound is present and it's frickin' sexy. This duo have received a bit of coverage in the blogesphere for their remix of 'Daniel' but it's their single '21' that's their real stand out so far.

21 - Death Metal Disco Scene (mp3)

myspace.com/deathmetaldiscoscene

The Drums

This could be the blogesphere's next darling. I hadn't heard them until reading about them at Fact Magazine, but judged by the enthusiasm and belief they had in this band I realised I needed to listen. Similar things were said at Pitchfork and I didn't realise half the blogging world have posted about them. Well basically it's the perfect pop that's a nod back to the 50's but sounds so fresh. ARRRRR the whistles in this song.

Let's Go Surfing - The Drums (mp3)

myspace.com/thedrumsforever

Justin Vernon's Volcano Choir.

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame has been working on a side project with Collections Of Colonies Of Bees and they are releasing material under the name 'Volcano Choir'. Vernon returns with his trademark falsetto, but this time set against sounds a far cry from his lonely guitar. Their album 'Unmap' out on September 22nd and if this is anything to go by, it's going to be bloomin' brilliant.

Island IS - Volcano Choir (mp3)

Dubstep 'This Is Not The Fire'

The first ever artists to do a Q+A feature on Dirty Sexy Music have recently been going from strength to strength. Not only did I here them whilst wandering through a Topshop, but they are also featuring on the latest Pure Groove compilation, with the song that grabbed everyone's attention, 'This Is Not The Fire'. Anna from the band very kindly sent me this dubstep remix of it, which is pretty Dirrrrty. They have a new EP out in September called 'I Am The Sound'

This Is Not The Fire (Sam Wire Dubstep Remix) - My Tiger My Timing (mp3)

myspace.com/mytigermytiming

TV On The Radio Cover YYY's.

I must confess, I was searching for live versions of my favorite track off 'Fever To Tell' when I came across this rather splendid cover by TV On The Radio. Although there was never any chance of being able to top the original, mainly due to the fact Karen O's voice always suits the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lyrical content and music, but as they showed with their cover of Bowie's Heroes for the War Childs compilation, they like to add another dimension to the songs, in this case a background harmony!

Modern Romance (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover) - TV On The Radio (mp3)

Here is the first time I heard Tv On The Radio. Loved a good blading DVD back in the day!

New Jamie T Video - Chaka Demus

The video for Jamie T's latest single 'Chaka Demus' has been unveiled. Unfortunately they are not allowing embedding so you'll have to click here to go to the muzu website and watch it. I'm dead 'cited about his new album. 'Kings & Queens' shall be released on the 7th of September and on the basis of the first two singles, if anything, it's going to outdo 'Panic Prevention'. + if you havn't checked out the latest I-D magazine, you will fall in love with Lily Allen.

Image Courtesy Of I-D Magazine

Rawhide - Jamie T Feat. Lily Allen (mp3)

jamiet.com

The Antichrist

You will have to forgive me if I don't sound like myself for the next few days, for I was taken along to see 'The Antichrist' last night and still feel violated. There was people walking out, I basically didn't watch the last forty minutes, instead choosing to focus all my attention on rolling cigarettes in preparation for those beautiful credits to come along. FUCKING RANCID are the only two words that can come close to what I witnessed.



On a lighter note, I only just got round to listening to Emmy The Great's album and I have to say I'm a little disappointed even though I havn't read the best reviews. You can't feel her pain and happiness through the delivery, which I think is the most essential quality if you are a minimalist folk artist. + everyone's voice is shit this year after hearing Florence and Natasha's.

We Almost Had A Baby (Demo) - Emmy The Great (mp3)

Glass - Bat For Lashes (mp3)

myspace.com/emmythegreat

Instrumental Sleepyhead

This week Run Toto Run received an email saying that their cover of Sleepyhead had inspired this! This video is actually pretty immense. You can listen to the Run Toto Run version HERE.

myspace.com/runtotomusic

FOLK OFF TO THE PARK. THIS SATURDAY.

Chris T-T is one of the most forthright, exciting and challenging artists around at the moment, and he is bringing his talents to the Park Hotel in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, this Saturday the 15th of August. His Q&A on DSM last week was enthralling, and his live show is in a similar vein – passion, intelligence and hugely enjoyment. The gig is part of an all day folk extravaganza, which proves to be a wonderful intimate mini-festival. Chris will be playing an extended solo set, in this small and personal venue, so tickets are limited. Also on the bill there’s the delicious talents of acts such as Deferred Success, Underground, Something Beginning With L, Dale May, Charlotte Rosen and Tom Stallard. Along with all these amazing acts, there will be buskers all over the place, market stalls and all sorts of excitement going on all round. If you’re in the area it’s well worth checking it out, tickets are available to buy online here: www.wegottickets.com/event/50008.
See you there!

The event takes place this Saturday, tickets are going to be cheaper if you buy them now, rather than on the door.

The event is taking place at the Park Hotel
4 CHANDOS PLACE
BLETCHLEY
MILTON KEYNES
MK2 2SN

New Material From Roses Kings Castles.

You may remember here at Dirty Sexy Music I did a feature on Adam Ficek aka Roses Kings Castles. Adam started this project as a creative outlet whilst not drumming in Babyshambles. A far cry from Babyshambles' heavy moments, Roses Kings Castles is folk pop. The sounds showcase him as a talented multi-instrumentalist, because alongside the strumming of a guitar, other instruments, be it a piano or some brass, are used to create a sound which manages to create folk which always seems to remain upbeat no matter what the lyric content. The two tracks which I am posting, are off Roses Kings Castles latest EP 'Apples & Engines' which you can buy from roseskingscastles.com. If you are interested in hearing more of Roses Kings Castles then the self titled debut album is out now and is also available to purchase and also to stream on Spotify. Adam is currently mixing his second album, and it's being scheduled for a 'late 2009' release.

Where's Your Life Gone - Roses Kings Castles (mp3)

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid - Roses Kings Castles (mp3)

roseskingscastles.com
myspace.com/roseskingscastles

Jack Penate Covers Feist.

Found this hanging around on YouTube and thought it was a beautiful little guilty pleasure to own, so converted it to mp3 for you all to sing while no-ones looking.

1234 (Feist Cover) - Jack Penate (mp3)

The xx Stream Album.

Yes, I have banged on about The xx at length in the past few days but the wait is finally over. The band are streaming their debut album on we7.com. Unfortunately for all you listeners outside the UK you can only listen to 30 second previews.

The widjet that is available to share the album on blogs is really slow and shit so you're best off going to the direct page here.


IT'S FUCKING BRILLIANT.