Stick to singing

It's been ten podcasts since I wrote about the Contrast Podcast here, and I'm only back now to share a video with you! This week's episode is all about songs with spoken bits in them and I chose a version of 'Are you Lonesome Tonight' where Elvis cracks up when he changes the words to something about 'bald heads'.

He really wasn't funny and I think this video proves it:



Now listen to this week's Contrast Podcast.

A century of contrasts

After almost two years of collaborative musical joy, The Contrast Podcast has merrily skipped into triple figures with it's 100th episode. As the ringleader of the band of reprobates who put together the weekly dose of tunes and introductions I feel rightfully justified in being just a little bit proud that we've made it this far! However, the real credit for keeping the cast going must go to the contributors who happily ignore my whims and silliness to produce such lovely episodes that are full of entertainment, wisdom, excentricities and downright excellent musical taste.

Thank you all very very much.

Contrast Podcast 100 - One hundred

my wife went skiing and all I did was this

During my lovely Christmas holiday I got a day to myself and spent it with my guitar and songs. My efforts almost add up to an acoustic EP that I'd like to share with you:

01 Grey star
02 Surface noise
03 Heartache maker
04 Who's you father?
05 Ours us ours
06 My bones

Please let me know what you think.

Festive fiftyness

It's almost the end of 2007 and time to enjoy everyone's end of year lists, including the one produced by the listeners and contributors of the Contrast Podcast. It was inspired by John Peel's Festive Fifty, but actually has 54 songs because I wasn't going to leave out my favourite song of the year!

The Contrast Podcast Festive 50

Just in case you are curious and you haven't gone straight over to the CP site to listen to the podcast (why???) my favourite track of 2007 is 'Suddenly Everything Happens' by California Snow Story. You can download it for free here: Letterbox Records. It has been on my playlist since the start of the year and I'm still not bored of it. Maybe it's the cynical lyrics. Maybe it's the boy/girl vocals. I don't know, but it makes me smile. I hope you like it too.

vote vote vote vote vote

This week the contrast podcast has gone all random. We are also asking for your votes for our first ever festive fifty countdown ... just like the ones jolly old peel himself used to do. Gawd bless 'im!

To take part you need to follow these steps:

1. Decide on your 5 favourite tracks of 2007 and put them in order from 1 (your favourite) to 5 (your fifth favourite).
2. Send this list to me at tim.young@rhul.ac.uk with ‘Contrast Podcast Festive 50’ in the message title by the 27th November.
3. This is open to all contributors and listeners to the podcast .. so spread the word. The more votes we get the better it will work.
4. Three lucky list-makers (pulled out of the hat randomly) will win a copy of the ‘The Trucks – Titties ep’ including my remix!!
5. I will then put the lists together to make a chart and invite contributors to introduce songs that they have liked.
6. The podcast will go out from 18th December to 1st January with a countdown of the top 50 .. hopefully!

Get thinking and sending!

give me a plastic bear head now!

What could be more pleasing than to play music with a plastic bear head on? This week's Contrast Podcast might come close. Enjoy.

big screens and limericks

This week's Contrast Podcast has two pure ingredients, limericks and excellent music, mixed into a heady blend of poeticical loveliness. It really shouldn't be missed so get listening now:

contrast podcast 82 - limerick intros

On an equally joyful note the video to Gotta Go by Victor Scott has won the best music video prize at the Canadian International Film Festival. If you live in Vancouver you would be foolish to miss it on the big screen this Sunday along with all the other prize winning movies. I've heard whispers that Victor will be there and might be handing out copies of his new album 'Good Times' to anyone who might like one. Wow ... I feel so far away! The details of the screening can be found at: www.canadafilmfestival.com