Hats off to Jon Bounds for the find

Warning: Contains swearing.

Thanks for the h-h-hyperlinks, Uncle Campbell

Hi-ho folks,

I finally remembered my log-in so I can unburden myself of things that my brain tells me all the time… that’s what the Internet’s for, right?

Things are progressing on the album front - most if not all of the recording is done now but we might add a few more sparkles before we start final mixing with the mighty @bethmcgowan

Other musical projects are being cooked up - more on them when it’s safe to break cover, but I can say that, at some point before we die, we might actually have a… gulp…body of work. Yikes but also hoorah! Hoorikes!?

Ok, the main point of this post was to recommend the Podcast Radio Spiritworld by the brilliant Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz .

I first listened to this a few months ago so it isn’t new but if you haven’t heard it, you have to. Even more than their two hilarious series’ of Look Around You…

Ghosts

…Radio Spiritworld somehow manages to spot-on spoof something that never existed.

I won’t spoil the Radio Spiritworld fun by describing this anymore because I’m pretty sure you’ll get a real kick from how original and weirdly familiar it is (maybe it does exist after all). Apparently they are making a series for Radio 4 too - well done the BBC, you big daft twat, you did a thing right.

Having said I won’t spoil it… if you, like me, scared the living crap out of yourself as a youngster by purposely listening to shortwave radio late at night, you will either be pleased or sent wimpering in abject fear to the corner of the room, curled up in a foetal ball, by this - a link to the entire Conet Project files to download.

Indeed, I dunno, you might even be pleased that you have finally found means by which you can send yourself to the corner of the room, wimpering in abject fear, curling up in a foetal ball (different folks etc…).

Good friend of FOTS, the venerable Dubber, has written about these Number Stations before- although that was probably five or six of his different blogs back (I cannae keep up with you Andrew old chap!). They also inspired one of the remixes he did for us a couple of years ago. No one really knows, verifiably, what they were (and, I think, still are) but it seems pretty clear they were a means of transmitting code between Cold War spies?… governments?…aliens?…the dead?

By the way… while i was writing the last bit, iTunes Genius decided to play  - tcp d1 17 4 note rising scale irdial -  you scary Genius!

Anyway, after I discovered Radio Spiritworld I discovered Robert Popper’s blog - a place of daily hilarity. (my new hero) Robin Cooper’s phonecalls and podcasts are a reason enough to explore and there’s lot’s more greatness therein… he even used a recommendation of mine a few days ago and was kind enough to mention our blog, thanks Robert.

OK, see you soon for the gig in November supporting Beth Jeans Houghton (I’ll be the one in a foetal ball!)

Stay great chums and remember, if you have kids yourself, blast The Conet Project into their rooms before they go to sleep every night - it’ll be good for them.

Nighty night …

Kids need shortwave radio to prevent them becoming in anyway involved with or the slightest bit interested in X-Factor

…beep…beep.. (Greensleeves played on a Glockenspiel)…beep…beep ..ACHT… zwei… sieben sieben… ACHT… ACHT… sieben.. ACHT

Business Guys On Business Trips is a satire on the increasingly baffling/boring/stupid world of modern business. The  simple line drawings it uses reminds us of the wonderful Get You War On.

(Thanks to also-great Intercourse With Biscuits for the heads up)

IWANTMYBEARSUIT is a website collection of weird and wonderful images from the internet. I am finding it mildly, pleasantly diverting .

A couple of months later, and after my brother-in-law had declared his admiration for my new lovely vinyl storage doohickey, I happened to find another one in a different junk shop. For another bargain price I bought that one and promptly gave it to my brother-in-law, safe in the knowledge that these things were everywhere and could be purchased from junk shops at will and as easy as Mantovani LPs and Dan Brown novels.

That was 6 years ago and, of course, I’ve not seen another one since. Junks shops, charity shops, antique shops…I’ve tried them all, up and down the land and even some abroad. I can’t find another one, and I need at least another three.

I’m not going to describe the box here, or mention the name of the company emblazoned along the side, or indeed tell you anything more about it. The reason for this is that I watch eBay like a hawk, biding my time, waiting for my chance to pounce, and I’ve probably said too much already…

In the meantime, the nice folks over at Analog Apartment - a website dedicated to the pleasure of all things vinyl - have discovered a possible interim solution in the shape of Colorado Record Crates.

I’ve seen a lot of modern vinyl storage over the years and generally it ranges from expensive to ugly via impractical. These Colorado boxes on the other hand are simple, pretty affordable and - to my eyes at least - classic and classy. They are handmade in Colorado (USA), available in a choice of 3 stains, are stackable (both as top loading and side loading boxes) and available in both 7″ and 12″ versions. The boxes are priced at $20 and $30 respectively and are available from Twist and Shout Records.

One day I’ll track down those elusive, ancient bottle boxes. They can’t hide forever.

See you there. 

From the Lunar Society site….

Come November we’re back once again at The Hare And Hounds after our brief diversion in October.

This month once again we bring you 3 fine acts. Beth Jeans Haughton, Friends of The Stars and Banksa.

Beth Jeans Houghton was born in Transylvania to a pack of albino wolves who raised her on chewing tobacco and stuffed clams. Beth is also Observer Music Monthly rising star for July.

Her very limited edition first release sold out almost instantly and second release Golden has further proved her to be a talented songwriter.

She’s played alongside a diverse collection of artists including Fiona Regan, Imogen Heap, and Scott Matthews – and what more endorsement could she need than when Devendra Banhart interrupted his Greenman Festival set halfway through and invited her to play her own song.

Friends of the Stars emerged earlier this century from the fated ashes of John Peel favourites The Toques.

Principal members Anna Russell (vocals, keyboards), Craig Hamilton (vocals, guitars), Cam Docherty (guitars, vocals) and Phil Robinson (drums) hail from Birmingham, UK via Brighton, Northampton and Kilmarnock.

Friends of the Stars share out song-writing and vocal duties, with Anna’s soaring voice on its own or complimenting Craig or Cam’s more weather-beaten tones.

Banska is singer /song writer Rowena Knight. She is based in Birmingham and proves that creativity and originality are still alive in contemporary acoustic music.

This is Folk music with a unique atmospheric sound and driving rhythms with a rocky edge.

Friday 6th November
The Hare And Hounds
106 High Street
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7JZ

Doors Open 8pm
Admission £5.00