Steph's xmas mix 2010

One of my favourite things about making an annual mix cd, is looking through and working out where I found out about all the songs. Previous years can be found here and here. You can find a spotify copy of the mix here (there’s a few missing cos they’re not on spotify)

Matt & Kim – Lessons Learned

Bizarrely this band were introduced to me by ending up on a friend’s “Best of 2009” list. I went to visit my friend John in Bath, and he played me a couple of their songs (and showed me the awesome video. Toe tapping, catchy and fun.

The Black Keys – Everlasting Light

A bit of an “I’m not sure” about how I found this one. I’m pretty sure that someone put The Black Keys on at a party I was at. But I didn’t remember much about it. Bored one day, I stuck in into Spotify, and got hooked, especially to this song.

The Tallest Man On Earth – The Gardner

This was an introduction from my friend Jo that led to obsessive listening of his first album, which was soon joined by obsessive listening of his second. I saw half of his set at Green Man (clashing with another band) and was so blown away that I travelled to London to see him again (well worth the trip). I *love* his voice, although it turns out that he’s actually pretty short...

The Avett Brothers – Paranoia in B-Flat Major

I discovered The Avett Brothers from an interview with one of the guys from Mumford and Sons. The first album I discovered was The Second Gleam, which is a beautiful and mellow album. Then my friend Jon suggested I listened to Emotionalism, which is more upbeat, but equally great. I love this song – makes me smile every time I listen to it.

Fanfarlo – The Walls Are Coming Down

Another one that I have no idea how I discovered it. If you’re responsible, then thanks, and give yourself a pat on the back from me! This song is very me – I mean, it’s got a banjo in it! Lovely and catchy.

Peggy Sue – Yo Mama

I discovered Peggy Sue through the Laura Marling/Mumford and Sons/Johnny Flynn London group of artists. This is the first one of their songs I heard (they had an EP before releasing their album this year), and remains my favourite.

Matthew and the Atlas – I Will Remain

I knew the name, but I’d never heard the music til I caught them supporting Mumford and Sons in October. Instantly grabbed by his soulful and unusual voice I bought the EP that was on sale that evening. Which was followed the next day by their first EP. It’s very predictably my kind of music – folky with a banjo and accordion – but they do it so well.

Cherbourg – Never Love Again

Another one I read about in the Mumford and Sons interview. In typical style, I discovered them after they’d split up, but nevermind. Probably never would have really listened to them without Spotify, but now they’re on my regular listening list...

Bowerbirds – House of Diamonds

The third (and final) discovery from the Mumford and Sons interview. Again, another great band and awesome song. Not much else to say really.

Boy and Bear – Mexican Mavis

I saw Boy and Bear supporting Laura Marling earlier this year. It’s not often that I see a support act that I really like, but these guys were great. They’ve just released an EP, but at the time I made a mix, it wasn’t yet released and this was the only song I could get hold of. Lovely though.

Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life

I’ve had Bright Eyes on my mp3 player for a few years. I’m not sure who first told me to give him a listen, but I’d not got round to listening to any of his music until this year. A bit overwhelmed by the number of albums that he made, I simply picked one and listened to it. And it was great – especially this song.

JayMay – Gray or Blue

A couple of my friends run a mix cd swapping night every couple of months (you should go, it’s great). At one of these, my friend Shonette gave me an extra copy of a cd she had, made from sessions from Daytrotter. One artist stood out to me, and this is her. Whenever I listen to her album, this is the song that gets under my skin.

Angus & Julia Stone – Just A Boy

This was an introduction from my friend Jonathon at CAT. But he told me about them about 8 months ago and I only got round to listening to them recently. Whoops. But they were worth the wait. Their songs are a mixture of both of their vocals, and some lovely harmonies. Gentle but beautiful.

Joanna Newsom – ‘81

I was convinced I hated Joanna Newsom. I tried several times to get into her music but failed. And then I went to Green Man festival, where she was playing, and didn’t go and see her. This caused outcry amongst many of my friends, leading to a discussion with my friends Mima and Mike one evening. This discussion ended with Mike insisting that I go home, go on youtube and watch her performing ’81 on Jools Holland. I did, and something happened. I no longer hated Joanna Newsom. Persevering with the listening, something even stranger happened. I actually started to quite like her music. And then like turned to really like. So here she is. This isn’t my favourite song of hers, but it’s the one that started it all.

Baba Yaga’s Consort- The Knight

I first saw this Bristol based band at Folk Tales, and they blew me away – three female vocalists (and a bassist) with weaving interlinking vocals. I’ve seen them a few times since, and they’re always great. They’ve just released an EP and it’s lovely.

Blue Roses – I Am Leaving

No idea where this one came from. Someone possibly told me about them at some point. So thank you whoever you area. Lovely and slightly ethereal vocals, this is definitely the stand out song from the album.

Dry The River – Shaker Hymns

These guys were supporting Johnny Flynn on the Thekla earlier this year. I’d been up at CAT for two weeks back to back, and was completely knackered. The prospect of going straight to a gig and standing up for 3 hours didn’t really appeal. But Dry The River came on and I just got really into it – the lead singer has a really unusual voice, but they’re really great live. Not to mention being a nice bunch – I went to buy a cd afterwards, and was persuaded to buy this one because they had to sit in a pond to take the photo for the front cover.

Erland And The Carnival – Trouble In Mind

A discovery from The Black Cab Sessions, which is one of my favourite websites. Basically they bundle a band into the back of a random black cab and film them singing a song. Simple but awesome. These guys were particularly awesome, especially since they managed to cram so many band members into the cab...

The Correspondents – I Wanna Be Like You

Friday night at Green Man. Mud was abundant, wellies were firmly attached to my feet. I’d taken shelter in Chai Wallah. And then The Correspondents came on. For the next hour, I danced like a crazy fool with a couple of friends and marvelled at the band that had burst into my musical existence. They’re an unusual pair. Mr Chuckles is a quiet looking guy with a beard. Mr Bruce is the opposite – extravagantly dressed in lycra, possibly with a ruff or two attached. And while Mr Chuckles stands quietly by his decks, Mr Bruce dances around the stage (possibly with a treadmill for added fun) with incredible bottomless energy. This song made me instantly love them – but for the full effect you really need to see them live.

Caravan Palace – Dragons

I don’t even know the name of the person who told me about Caravan Palace. I was talking to a friend of a friend’s girlfriend at a house party, and we were discussing gigs. I told her I’d just discovered the Correspondents, to which she replied that a few months ago, someone had told her to listen to the Correspondents and Caravan Palace, but she hadn’t got round to it yet. Dutifully I wrote it in my phone, and stumbled across the note a few days later.