The Mancunian Candidate – Web Design, Development and Digital Product Strategist

Another Very Short Music post – Stephen Fretwell, Magpie

I’ve not listened to this album for at least a year, and even before that plays of it came randomly and realtively far apart.

That’s a shame really, because every time I hear it I wish I played it more often. I really like this album. I like Fretwell’s outwardly northern vocals. I like his similarly bleak northern lyrics and songwriting ability and I like his voice.

Brief Comment on a New Band on My Radar – Get Back Guinozzo

I actually can’t recall where the recommendation to check this lot out originated from, but so far I’m kind of glad I did.

It’s far from the best album I’ve ever heard, and probably will not even make it through to the hallowed position of a band or album I listen to regularly. But, seeing as though I’ve not heard anything noteworthy from the fellow countrymen and fellow purveyors of relaxed and leftfield electro that is Air for a while, “Get Back Guinozzo” are a worthy substitute.

A Shameless Plug for a Friend’s Band – Mazes

So, the other week me and t’other half nipped over to the Lock Tavern in Camden for a nice Sunday lunch and a couple of beers, when randomly an old friend from Manchester walked up to the bar. Not only was it quite strange to bump into someone I’ve not seen for a while, it was all the more unusual as he lives in Manchester but he was down here.

Another Short Post – Revisiting Nathan Barley

So, I’ve just spent a couple of days working freelance on-site for a “trendy” London (Shoreditch) design agency and for some reason I was reminded of the brief glimmer of brilliance that was the TV series Nathan Barley.

Ian Brown – Stellify EP and Video

I’ve not got much time to properly review this today, so I’ll expand on it later. But Ian Brown’s new EP Stellify is well worth buying for both time-served King Monkey fans and new-comers.

What Do People Talk To Me About?

As a web-type-person, I often find myself in conversations with friends or new acquaintances who either:

1. Have the bestest idea ever, ever, ever for a website that they want to make.

2. Are curious about what stimulates my technological erogenous zones.

3. Think I’m a gamer who can recommend the best video game to buy at any moment in time.

An Oft Overlooked Hip Hop Gem – Atmosphere

Now like many others I like a bit of the old hippety hop every now and again, especially anything with an “old-skool” taste to it, none of this autotune R&B nonsense.

Whilst randomly browsing the A’s in my iTunes I rediscovered the Atmosphere album “When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold”.

Refer Me For Contract Web Design or Development and Bag Yourself a Free iPod Nano

If you’ve got a friend, colleague or a business of your own that requires a dose of my expertise then pass my details on to them and if it turns into an open project I will immediately send you a brand new iPod nano, free of charge in your choice of colours.

Manchester Calling – Musically At Least

Perhaps subconsciously I’m a little homesick but whilst I’m sat here working away in Camden I can’t stop myself listening to some good old Manc classics.

It all started this morning when one of my all time favourite records came through via an iTunes set to random. The unmistakable rhythm guitar from the classic “Let’s Take a Trip” by Northside gripped me immediately and sent me in a spin back to a little Manchester-in-my-head.

Essential Addition to Your Summer Playlist – Discovery

If summer ever comes that is; I thought it was meant to be always sunny and warm down here – or so my cockernee friends always told me.

Anyway, Jon Hicks yesterday posted a brief intro to the new band Discovery (he discovered it perhaps?). Discovery are a side project 50% from Vampire Weekend and 50% from Ra Ra Riot and it’s a blend that works for me at least.