Adventures In Stereo

This year I have mostly been listening to....

2010-12-30T21:33:00.001Z

Martan - Favourite Tracks of 2010 by Martan

My Summation of 2010

2010-12-30T21:24:00.003Z

Cloud Busting

2010-11-29T17:04:00.003Z

I wanted to experiment with SoundCloud so I created the mix linked. I miss the radio show I did and wanted to get a 2 hour set together as that was the most fun in doing the show. All the mixing and matching of tunes was for me the best part of the process. Enjoy!

Hand Dryers

2010-09-17T10:37:00.005+01:00

My son has a fear of hand dryer. It's the noise of them that is the real problem. They roar and are too noisy he tells me. I find hand dryers to be a nifty invention and as for the new Dyson Airblade (pic) I find it even more so. But I was using one yesterday and thought of their use in films. I could think of three scenes in films where hand dryers played a pivotal role Reservoir Dogs, Desperately Seeking Susan and Casino Royale (2006). We need more Hand Dryer scenes in films I think or maybe I should be thinking or more weighter matters in life!

Prefab Sprout - Swoon

2010-09-16T14:33:00.004+01:00

This is one album I return to yearly, for the simple reason it's like a comfort blanket or an oasis of refuge. I would have first heard this album when released in March 1984 and still remember how I had to search record stores for it in Dublin. Even asking for it by name gave quizzical looks from most music store shop assistants. But on a wet Wednesday afternoon I found a copy and so began what has been a very long term relationship. I had initially heard the track 'Cruel' and was smitten by their sound. But the album really has its charms which I know the lead singer and writer of the songs Paddy McAloon has dismissed as a folly of youth.

This was also the year that Prefab Sprout played Dublin and being underage I wasn't allowed to go to the gig. Something that still smarts to this day... I should get over that I know!

I find it hard to believe how easy it is now to acquire/access music, when 20 years ago it took serious commitment to find albums on independent labels such as Kitchenware, who released this album. When reading NME or Sounds the music bibles of the time, lists would be made of albums that sounded interesting from the reviews alone. As there was little chance of hearing them on Irish radio and tuning into John Peel was a hit and miss affair on most radio's (I got the best reception for BBC Radio One in my Dad's car). So you can imagine a teenager sitting in a car to listen to radio on a cold and wet evening just on the off chance some music would be played that would illuminate his life, and it usually did.

Where Breathing Starts

2010-08-27T18:42:00.004+01:00

Roll the Dice - Charles Bukowski

If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs. And maybe your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift.
All the others are a test of your endurance. Of how much you really want to do it. And you'll do it, despite rejection in the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods. And the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.

Making Music 800% Slower

2010-08-17T11:31:00.004+01:00

My kids listen to Justin Beiber a lot and though he has a pure pop sound, it's not to my tastes. This is, but I'm not sure if my kids will approve....

J. BIEBZ - U SMILE 800% SLOWER by Shamantis

Wednesday Comics

2009-11-02T11:12:00.004Z

I may never have mentioned I'm a big comics fan. Wednesday Comics a DC imprint that had a 12 week run over the summer was a delight to read, I collected all 12 and then read back to back. Each issue has a 1 shot page of 15 DC characters in there roaster.

The standout reads for me were the Deadman, Kamandi, Metamorpho, Strange Adventures and Hawkman stories. A lot of it is real giddy fun that didn't take itself to seriously the exceptions as ever being Batman and Superman. Overall it was a great idea that was well executed and I hope DC do another run in 2010.

Next to be read is The Beasts of Burden...

Small Metal Gods

2009-08-15T19:23:00.006+01:00

As every with the interweb I fell across this new track from David Sylvian. The video is by Hiraki Sawa and is quite wonderful. Seems to be that Sylvian has found his edge again. In my music lexicon Sylvian has been around since the late 70's with Japan to his solo career going for over 25 years now. With this track he bring me back to past tracks that are etched upon my memory, I feel this track will have relevence for me in 20 years time as 'Upon this Earth' which I heard 20 years ago still has for me today.

Bye Willy

2009-08-09T20:10:00.004+01:00

This really slipped under the radar. Willy DeVille passed away. This track is a person favourite from his solo career after Mink DeVille. What a great voice he had.

Neglected...

2009-07-26T12:48:00.002+01:00

Sorry blog but this may make amends

Score

2009-02-23T19:18:00.004Z

Two songs that really capture the essence of the films they tail end.

Thanks Lux

2009-02-05T18:52:00.003Z

For opening up a world of possibilities

Balloon Solo

2008-09-18T15:38:00.004+01:00

This I like

Pascal Comelade - I Can't Control Myself

Today was brought to you by the number?

2008-07-14T19:28:00.003+01:00

Summer Rain

2008-07-13T12:18:00.007+01:00

With it now unofficially Monsoon Season I have updated my Muxtape with some tunes that may brighten the damp days of summer.

RIP Esbjorn Svensson

2008-06-17T09:12:00.003+01:00

Sad News about one of the great modern Jazz men.

This track shows his brilliance and that of the Trio's I can't embed this link but check out a fantastic track from their last studio album

Wonderous

2008-05-24T12:31:00.015+01:00

May Daze

2008-05-09T10:43:00.010+01:00

Here is a Muxtape for May. Created in the dying days of April and due to be posted earlier this month but the damn fine weather has kept me outdoors (raining today). Read 'Things the Grandchildren Should Know' in the early days of this month and can highly recommend even without being a fan of the music. But if you are your in for a treat. The pic above is from the visually stunning movie 'Sunshine' that's the best review I can give it...

Music, Music, Music at last....

2008-03-29T12:27:00.006Z

With a advent of a new PC and the loss of the serial numbers for my mp3 making app, I've been at a loss to upload a set of songs. Then I came across muxtape thanks to Graham Linehan's blog. So were back on track. The link below leads to some of the songs that have been on heavy rotation... Martan's Muxtape

Been a while….

2008-02-19T20:55:00.010Z

So much for a New Year's resolution! But two months since my last entry, I just gotta blog.
I'm hoping to have a new set up in the next week, just need to configure some bits and bobs on my new PC. So dear reader I just want to draw your attention to the following that has brightened my nights and days over the past 60 or so days.

Really like the sounds of Los Campesinos

One part Zooey Deschanel and one part M. Ward makes She and Him

What is the joy of cinema? 7:35 in the morning

If you like radio this site is worth a visit.

Dark days can be found here

If you like the music check out the book

Enough already!

It's that time again!

2007-12-19T08:18:00.000Z

Here's this year's selection of Christmas songs. Some firm favourites and some new gems. So sit back, light the log fire, open your favourite bottle and enjoy.

Sleigh Ride - Zigo feat. Joan Rochette

Joy To The World - Lalo Schifrin
Frosty the Snowman - Esquivel

Jingle Bells - Sufjan Stevens
It's Clichéd To Be Cynical At Christmas - Half Man Half Biscuit

Merry Christmas Elvis - Michele Cody

Child's Christmas In Wales - John Cale

Christmas on the Moon - Troy Hess

Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis - Tom Waits

Christmas Day - Jim White

Christmas Letter Home (Peel Session) - Laura Cantrell

Just Like Christmas - Dudley Corporation

Another Lonely Christmas - Prince

O' Holy Night - Sufjan Stevens

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Daniel Johnston

Xmas Rhapsody - Pledge Drive
A Junkie's Christmas - William S. Burroughs

Hark the Herald Angel Sings - The Fall

All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit - Half Man Half Biscuit

Candy Cane Girl - The White Stripes

Santa Claus - The Sonics

Rock 'n' Roll Santa - Yo La Tengo

Angels We Have Heard On High - Sufjan Stevens

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Beatbox Sabatures

Silent Night - Dirk Keysser
The Chipmunk Song - Alvin & the Chipmumks

The Chipmunk Song - Patton Oswalt
Karen's Tangerine - John Shuttleworth

T'was the Night Before Christmas - Henry Rollins

Ding! Dong! - Sufjan Stevens

Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Little Drummer Boy - Low

Have a Merry Little Christmas - Tori Amos

Snake River Canyon Was Nothing

2007-12-04T08:51:00.000Z

As a kid Evel Knievel was my hero a daredevil that gave his name to one of the best toys ever created The Stunt Cycle. The greatest stunt Evel ever did was the jump off a folded Monopoly board raised by Beano Annuals down a flight of stairs to land safely in our hall way back in the mid 70's. It was his greatest unrecorded stunt. I was saddened to hear of his passing and it sent me on a hunt to track down this The Original Stuntmaster. I guess we won't see his like again.

No Talking Just Listening

2007-11-21T21:02:00.000Z

I've neglected you blog yet again so to say sorry... Martan 5.0

Trax
Pump Up The Volume - Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated
Fuck Nicole - The Teenagers
I've Had It With Blondes – Cud - When in Rome, Kill Me
Rise Above - Black Flag - Damaged
Rise Above - The Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Fri/end - Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
A Beautiful War - Robert Wyatt - Comicopera
Soup – Tunng - Good Arrows
Guitar Minaiture - North Sea Radio Orchestra - Folk Off-New Folk And Psychedelia From The British Isles And North America Compiled By Rob Da Bank
Vampire State Building - Julian Cope - You Gotta Problem With Me
I Do Have Weapons – Mogwai - Zidane-A 21st Century Portrait
After Hours – Caribou - Andorra
C + F - Sam Prekop - Who's Your New Professor
A Heavy Sigh - Edwyn Collins - Home Again
Glorious Chorus - Go-Kart Mozart - Tearing Up The Album Charts
I Had A Little Boat - Ivor Cutler - Ludo
Métro, Boulot, Hippo - Tim Gane & Sean O'Hagan - La Vie d'Artiste
Oho My Eyes - Ivor Cutler - Velvet Donkey
The Dance Of The Hours - The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
Girl's Song in Winter - Vashti Bunyan - Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind
Rain - Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - Boat To Bolivia
Waitin' around to die - Townes Van Zandt - Texas Troubadour
Crash Into The Sun - Jim White - Transnormal Skiperoo
Bottom Line Man - Giant Sand - Chore Of Enchantment
Seeds of Night - The Cave Singers - Invitation Songs
Hard Days - Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir
Your Arms Around Me - Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Asthmatic – Windmill - Puddle City Racing Lights
Good Morning Cockerel - Underworld - Oblivion With Bells
Seoul – Amiina - Kurr
Dream (1948) - John Cage - In A Landscape
From Here We Go Sublime - The Field - From Here We Go To Sublime

Feeling Neglected....

2007-09-18T08:53:00.001+01:00

Time flies, where did the last two months or so go since my last blog entry?

Put it down to my laziness, lots of interesting bits and bobs going on since last I wrote. Really!

Can't recommend highly enough Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One) best film I have seen in a long time.

Lisa Hannigan's set at the Electric Picnic was a revelation and her solo album cannot be released soon enough.

The return of Edwyn Collins brightens anyday.

I knew, Jim Carroll has a great ear for music and Windmill must be checked out, cracking album.

More updates soon!

In the time of your life

2007-07-16T10:36:00.000+01:00

This says all that needs to be said.
Wise words from William Saroyan interpreted by Fog & MF Doom.

Turn the Podcast on...

2007-07-06T10:31:00.000+01:00

It just doesn't have the same ring as "Turn the Radio on" line as sung by Jonathan Richman on Roadrunner. But I'm back on xfmdublin.com doing the show after a too long hiatus. So sit back and listen keenly after you download a brand new musical biscuit. Adventres in Stereo

Have a great weekend

2007-06-15T10:16:00.000+01:00

This track encapsulates what a good weekend could/should be. Bobby who has written one of the great anthem's of his generation with 'never get a head', excels on this track. Telling of his weekend exploits and how he hides his real life once Monday morning arrives. He's 'King for a day'.

I Love Animals......

2007-05-30T18:47:00.000+01:00

Take me to the River

2007-05-28T20:40:00.000+01:00

It's 10 years since the death of Jeff Buckley, I was reminded today. Where does the time go? Who knows what music he would have created in those 10 years to match 'Grace'. There have been many inferior releases since his passing, but this live recording from l'Olympia in Paris just shows the wonderful artist he was. Just give it a listen. That's all I ask.

Bedtime Story

2007-05-20T19:37:00.000+01:00

This book was sitting on my shelf gathering dust for to long. Then I heard the Coen Brothers were making a film of it. Nothing can destroy a good novel better than a bad movie adaptation, especially on the Coen Brother recent output. The novel is chilling, meditative and a damn fine read. The film has just premiered at Cannes to rave reviews.

Hey Don't Falter!

2007-05-20T11:01:00.000+01:00

Even in the depths of winter; this track can bring a little sunshine into your life. In the summertime Mint Royale's - Don't Falter makes the day even brighter. The optimism from this song is infectious and it lasts longer then the four minutes or so the track plays. It also features the delicious voice of Lauren Laverne.

Smash and Grab

2007-05-14T12:17:00.000+01:00

Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band

Y's is a fantastic album, but the tracks lose there lustre on listening to the complete album repeatedly. There are so many elongated song, that I lose track of which song is which. But all is not lost, Ms. Newsom has brought out an EP with this gem of a track 'Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie'

Looks like she's going back to smash and grab again.

Songs can be written about anything!

2007-05-13T10:52:00.000+01:00

Eric Matthews is one of those musician/songwriters who never gets the acclaim he deserves. He writes wonderful pop songs and this one about changing hair colour is a peach and all of two minutes.

Eric Matthews - Black to Light Brown