Another mix so soon, why yes! I'm on smoko! (This joke will become apparent once you listen)
Some top tunes:
Shannon & The Clams getting the attention they deserve with their new Dan Auerbach produced record.
After singing her last album in Welsh, Gwenno has now done an album in Cornish - check out the debut if you're unfamiliar (she used to be in The Pipettes!).
Lawrence of Belgravia is back. Plus an oldie from him.
I might have a biased interest in any song that mentions the word 'ether' (cause it's like they're calling my name youknow), but this Alela Diane one is particularly lovely. About motherhood.
Lankum - goosebumps, take me to Ireland already.
I didn't include Aldous Harding on a playlist last year, it took me a while to work out whether I liked her or not as there are some interesting vocals happening.
We'll miss you MES, see ya mate.
The Internet channeling Aaliyah in a way most people haven't been able to.
New things (to me) - Peggy Gou, Amen Dunes, Berntholer (think I heard this in a film), Lucrecia Dalt (Julia Holter recommended) and Khruangbin.
Returns from Janelle Monae, Stephen Malkmus, Parquet Courts, David Byrne, Polica, Ezra Furman, Jack White.
Other enjoyments from the last month...
Derry Girls - a great new series available to watch on All4. Finally started (& finished) season 2 of Search Party as well (also on All4).
Wild Beasts final ever show at Hammersmith Apollo. Check out their Domino Documents, Last Night All My Dreams Came True.
Rita, Sue & Bob Too at The Royal Court - after the play got cancelled, they decided to put it back on and had more talks going on so there was a Q&A afterwards with Clio Barnard (who made The Arbor about Andrea Dunbar - watch if you haven't), Adelle Stripe (wrote a book about Andrea) and the play's director Kate Wasserberg. I thought the play was brilliant, and may now seek out the film.
On another Clio Barnard tip, her new film Dark River is as we've come to expect from her: powerful, moving and brilliant work.
PANCAKE DAY PANCAKE DAY PANCAKE DAY
Watching 'I Know Where I'm Going' at the BFI, I'd not seen this Powell and Pressburger before - made me romanticize sleeper trains (again) and get excited for a trip to the Scottish highland islands next summer (yes 2019!).
Hookworms live at Rough Trade East, don't miss their London show in March - nearly sold out.
Having booked tickets in 2016, I saw Hamilton last week. A brilliant idea excellently executed but took me a little while to engage with it. Perhaps like when it takes you a little to readjust to Shakespeare speak.