I've been trying to not write about this/these band/s for a few months now. Who knows why. Maybe I was hoping their cd/s would magically fall into my lap somehow, and then I would have something more concrete to say about them. I guess I still am.
Googling them is harder than you'd think, try google searching The Speakers. Damnit, I just did, and contradicted myself before I even finished my point. Well, the real point is, you definitely don't get to their myspace. Instead, you have to search 'The Lightning Bug Situation' - if that isn't a mouthful, enough. Not even Amazon (UK) have heard of them. There you have it, the ultimate in unheard of, but multiple-release, bands. Basically, there're two guys, two bands, and they've been playing together on and off since they were 12 years old. The Speakers last album, Yeats is Greats, is a collection of songs using words by one W. B. Yeats, not surprisingly. Brian Miller, the half behind the solo project The Lightning Bug Situation plays a sparser and more delicate sound than that with partner, Peter Musselman, in The Speakers, though in saying that I mean no implication to any lack of delicacy to the latter band.
Either way, I'm not entirely sure who I like more. It's beautiful folk/electronic/classical-influenced music (depending on who you're listening to), the kind which makes you wish it could loop and loop for days, because you just don't tire of it.

Best news ever? Yes. If you're me. Courtesy of my favourite record label Drag City, not only are Silver Jews releasing another record this year, but so is (long, long awaited, for those who have been waiting) Jim O'Rourke. O'Rourke, famous for playing with Sonic Youth during a significant period for the band, has been busy producing other people's albums, one to mention, Joanna Newsom's Ys, which is a feat of an album.
These two artists happen to be two of the most poetically inspiring musicians, and this is a pleasure I can't consider holding my breath for.
Better yet though, Silver Jews will be touring Europe in May in support of the release of the new album 'Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea'. Apart from playing venues in and around the UK, they're on the bill for All Tomorrow's Parties 2008 in May, the festival which last year marked the beginning of my 2007 festival indulgence, and superceded the others in terms of band quality, and festival-goer-quality attendance.This years ATP is curated by Explosions In The Sky, and with other bands like Iron 'n Wine, Eluvium, Sunset Rubdown and Battles in the line up, we won't be dancing to the off-beat this year either.
So, thanks Drag City. Because you exist. Thanks David Berman. Because my life with your poetry and your music in it is a better place. Thanks Jim O'Rourke. Because you have contributed more to music than I will ever know about, and you don't cease to be amazing in your own sweeet production.

My new favourite thing is: bands on myspace that make their tracks available for download. Let’s be honest if you can get it for free, why not listen to it before you decide whether or not to clog up your hard drive. Yes, now we’re listening again.And if it’s good, all the better for the artists. I mean. Who are these people friend requesting us anymore anyway. I’d all but deleted my own account (for good old-fashioned email), until I had to keep logging in when a band I looked up and liked had made their tracks downloadable (I knew one day there would be a purpose for the ol’ download link). I’d say I’ve spent the beginning of this year trying to find something that inspired me enough to want to let others know about it, and without question this is it. And, how can you argue with it, it is goodness wrapped up in melody with a slice of something free inbetween. Now if only the big cheeses would get off their high horses.
A particular little treasure, generously offering up her recordings, is one Naomi Hates Humans, even her version of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is charming and appealing, and I’m definitely not fond of Christmas and the songs that go with it, it’s just the way the christmas candle burns. My favourite, though, is Naomi Hates Humans cover of The Boss. Major kudos to the bands offering up their free recordings.

Before the year is over, I need to get this one out – while everyone’s doing their round up of their all time favourite albums of 2007, I’m going to avoid making a list, and say that despite all the men I’ve loved this year, my top three places go to the ladies…and I have surely loved the men.
In a ratio that probably stands at about 12:1, men:women, the fair damsels still scooped numeros 1,2 and 3.

Cut to the chase. Christmas is over, new years is rolling in, quick.
Not everyone has time to pour over opinions right now, but if you could squeeze it in before next year, there’d still be time to say you listened to three of the best albums of 2007.

Shannon Wright – Let In The Light

PJ Harvey - White Challk

Jana Hunter - There's No Home

At this point I’d like to not give too much away, because, truth is, we all like to feel, when we hear something new, like we discovered this person for ourselves.

So, I could be middle management while you explore Sibylle Baier for yourselves because it is by chance we stumble, clumsily, upon these beautiful artists, old and new.

One solitary album would not seem enough, but her one could quite easily surpass other artist's (no names implied) five. So, should you feel inspired to leave a comment on her music, you would not be the first grateful listener.

Not nearly.

Recently I found myself in a nightclub in Berlin on a  Saturday night, in the venue for the ‘Light Heavyweight Worldchampionship Chessboxing’ match. Yes folks, the ‘World Championship Chess Boxing’ match. Where German policeman, ‘Anti-Terror’ Frank Stoldt, after a tough battle, took the title in the 7th round against American David ‘Double D’ Depto, by checkmate.
A grilling match, a packed venue, enthralled spectators.
Chess boxing?
After I recovered from falling off my chair laughing in not-quite-certain confusion, I realised it was possibly, no, definitely, brilliant, and could be the most entertaining of any kind of sport viewing, this..err…2007.
Brains, braun, the whole friggin package.
And for those of you enticed enough to enlist, they’re always looking for new recruits.
Chess boxers wanted.

Venice Biennale - one complaint, two words- Video Installation. Too many home videos, not enough concept, no cinematography. Okay, I get it: an artist is neither a director nor a cinematographer. But that should not mean that his “work” should not be either beautiful, conceptual/inspiring/thought provoking/ challenging, or all of the above.
An excessive amount of video art, more specifically, an excessive amount born from an uninspired womb, left me thinking I had seen commercials more Art than some of the installations screened at the Biennale. I found it difficult engaging in a 20-30 minute video installation when you were running on a (limited) 8 hour day, and two full days’ pavilions. I felt I was continuously scratching the surface of a film clip I did not have the immediate leisure to watch.
Bearing all this critique in mind, “Seven Intellectuals In Bamboo Forest”, by Yang Fudong, was a beautifully shot biopic, of 7 Japanese students set in five different parts. Silently enchanting, it still proved itself too long to watch the full-length clips - which I intend to seek out post Biennale. Ciao, Arrribaderchii Venice.