The Listening Club - 17th December 2023

Hi there folks,

Well then, last #LC of '23 and feeling astonished the year is over already, where did it go.. although looking back we managed to accomplish quite a bit, although this week chez kleptone we've not accomplished much apart from recovering from the evil flu. Que sera. Looking forward to a gentle and relaxed holday period, and wishing the same for y'all wherever you are and whatever you're up to, peace be with you all.

Of course, post-holidays it will be time for the 2023 #festivevortex, so it's time for you to pluck a couple of this year's finest sounds according to your ears and throw them into the pot. We return here on Sunday 7th January for playback and new years resolutions! (Also advance notice that I'm going to be away for a whole frickin' month in Jan/Feb, so will be needing managerial help here from 21st January onwards - can you help? Let me know, please!)

Last Sunday saw @Corin_Ja in the chair, pulling out something new by someone old in the shape of Peter Gabriel's "i/o" (the dark-side mix, should you be wondering) which got the assembled bobbing on their segways for sure. Thanks to Corin for the pick and for bouncing the frisb off my shoulder across to @woj, who's here with the last pick of the year...

As is my tradition, if the frisbee flits its way to me in December or January, I like to peruse the year-end best albums lists, select a highly ranked album by someone I've never heard, and - for good or for ill - listen to it for the first time with all of you. This Sunday is no different. There were a few albums I was eyeing whose descriptions looked particularly interesting but ultimately decided to go with this one since it's from a genre I know next to nothing about and almost never listen to: reggaeton! And that is pretty much the only bit of information I have to share about this album.

Also as is my tradition, I will be driving back from the airport when the appointed time of gathering rolls around but should be back home when the album ends. So while there'll be no #DrinkingClub for me, I'll be listening along in the car though - have no fear!

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 GMT.

The Listening Club - 10th December 2023

Greetings,

Hope you're all doing good. Bit of a non-week here as the cold I picked up last week at The Prodigy gig decided to develop into a particularly unpleasant strain of Flu, which has wiped me out all week and now @nessiest too (sharing is caring, sorry my dear!). So I have nothing further to report. Bleurg.

Last Sunday @soundclamp went all west-coast klezmer on the collectively assembled's posteriors with his pick of Charming Hostess' "Eat" from 1998, which had the desired effect, at least it looked like it from here. Thanks to Dan for the pick, and for sailing the frisb across the Atlantic to @corin_ja, who's right here with tonight's intro...

"Well then. I had spent all week trying to decide between two very nostalgic albums from my early years, each of which I'd been meaning to inflict on ListeningClub for a while. I'd been pretty much decided which I was going to plump for. I even went and bought a CD as the version I had was not easily transferable to the internetz. And then two separate conversations with friends completely changed my mind about the choice for today.

Something was guiding me in a different direction.

So here instead is an album that is essentially new to me, and new to the world. The artist, I suspect, will be fairly readily identifiable by many. They are a significant figure by any standard, so it will be interesting to see what people make of it. We can go on a voyage of discovery together."

Indeedy. Download's here, and the stream's below:

See you tonight at 20:00 GMT.

The Listening Club - 3rd December 2023

Greetings folks,

Well, quite literally as I type, the first few tentative flakes of this Winter's snow are falling on Amsterdam, but as it's been raining all day, I don't see much laying just yet. Won't be going out in it either way, as, following a fine Wednesday evening catching up with old friends, drinking a few beers and watching The Prodigy, I've come down with a classic post-gig cold (ah-fuckin-choo). So no snow adventures for me for a few days...

In other news, glancing at the calendar, this year is one of those where Christmas Eve / New Years Eve falls on a Sunday, so advance notice thar we will be closed for the holidays! - Last #LC of '23 will be 17th December, then we will be back on 7th January 2024 for the customary #FestiveVortex, comprising of some of your favourite music of 2023!

Speaking of vortices, last Sunday we visualised a collectively agreed and much needed #HealingVortex, so many different kinds of healing, so little time. Thanks to all who chipped in a tune or two, and to @saucer for the fine assembly.

Which leaves us back in regularly scheduled programming land, where @soundclamp is waiting with his intro to tonight's pick...

"There’s so much weird shit going on everywhere and it’s really weighing on me, y’know? I kinda struggled to find a pick that felt good.

So… I’m doing something a little different and keeping it local this time. Let's go to West Oakland for a sweaty hoedown where bodacious babes belt the blues in Bulgarian, Ladino, and sometimes even English while an avant-rock band kicks out the jams (motherfucker) in accompaniment. They call it PUNK-KLEZMER. This is their debut album. It was released in 1998 on a small independent label and instantly made waves.

I actually saw them once at a night club in San Francisco called Slim’s (requiescat), and it was incredible. Okay, on with the show!"

Right then, download's here, stream below:

Hope to see you 20:00 GMT. 

The Listening Club - 26th November 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Another soggy week in Amsterdam, although as wind is now coming from the north, temps are finally dropping and a ton of leaves are readying themselves to fall overnight in that "suddenly it became winter" mode that the Netherlands does so well (prediction: next Thursday). Meanwhile we dodge the drops and scurry out to cheer ourselves after a thoroughly depressing Dutch election result by consuming the nearby Meredith Monk retrospective exhibition in the Oudekerk (ace), visiting the nearest toko to stock up on noodles & snacks and sinking a couple of delicious dark Autumn beers in a welcoming nearby bar. Because needs must.

Last Sunday saw @Saucer in the chair,. spooking the gathered ensemble with his pick of "Ballads Of Seduction, Fertility And Ritual Slaughter", a 2023 reworking / tribute to the soundtrack of "The Wicker Man" (the 1973 version, natch). Thanks to him for the pick, and for also picking up the #vortex reigns because...

Yep, end of the month already, and this time the assembled decided on a #HealingVortex, so here's the collected healing wisdom of you all, lovingly merged by that very same @Saucer:

Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 GMT tonight.

The Listening Club - 19th November 2023

Hey folks,

@kleptones back again after another action packed Le Guess Who weekend away. Still feel priviliged that one of the finest music festivals in these lands is a 30 minute train ride from chez klep, even if its popularity is now threatening to place it out of reach to folks travelling from afar due to spiralling flight & accomodation costs. Plus ca change, though...

#Vortex alert - yep, it's that time again... suggestions on the hashtag perlease!

Last Sunday @Saucer was minding things here, thanks to him for helping out, and thanks to @SimonLandmine for his pick of Temple Of The Dog's sole album from 1991, which I'm sure got the assembled crowd-surfing in a virtual manner. Thanks to Simon for the pick and for whacking the frisb straight across to the very same @saucer, who defly swaps hats and writes this by way of introduction to tonight's selection...

"Here’s a relatively recent take on a relatively distant piece of art, tinged with the more distant aesthetic of Dada. 

Looking forward to our collective glimmers of recognition as the set proceeds. (Resist the natural urge to spill & spoil!) I hope there's something here for everyone.

Snack club? Something you'd pick to munch on at the end of the world. 

Drinking club? Something you'd want to imbibe at the end of the world. 

Optimism club? Hmmmm. They say that after the end of the world there's always a new world."

Aye then. Download's here, stream's below:

Hope to see you 20:00 GMT tonight.

The Listening Club - 12th November 2023

Greetings, LC folk,

It me, @saucer, in today for @kleptones who’s away on assignment (aka at a music fest). Hope you’re all doing great!

Out here in Boulder it’s a lovely, chilly Fall day. The bears are starting to think about finding cozy places to hibernate… but for now they’re still seeking out and cramming in as many snacks as they can find (aka my typical modus operandi) to get ready for their winter sleep. 

Last Sunday in LC land, @EastVanHalen and her kitten Gracie treated the assembled to a weirdo nostalgia album as she described it, namely the lo-fi Alien Lanes by Dayton Ohio 4th-grade teacher Robert Pollard and his Guided By Voices merry makers. I’ve been a longtime fan of the band but had never heard that particular album, and very much enjoyed its waggishness along with you all.

This evening we welcome the frisbo-clutching @SimonLandmine onto the stage… Let’s hear what he has in store for us…

“As usual, I was suffering considerable indecision looking at my increasingly-misnamed shortlist, and nearly picked a completely different album (partly due to recently watching a short YouTube video about how it fitted into the band's oeuvre). That one might still show up another time. However, I then thought of this one, and on listening through, realised I was more in the mood for it. Hope that you all are, too.

“Some of you may know this one, and others might recognise the voices. This album came about because of a loss, but gave those involved a way to process their grief, and ended up becoming rather well renowned for the combination of artists - two of whom were already known for the band that they were in, although would go on to greater fame, and the rest of the lineup, with the guest vocalist, would soon become a new band in their own right, who also made quite the impact a little later with an award-winning multi-platinum album. Notably, the single from this album was the first recorded release to feature vocals by that as-yet-unknown guest vocalist.

“This one got good reviews, but failed to chart ... until a year later, when the artists involved had got considerable mainstream attention, and the record company realised what they had with this, and re-released it and pushed the single and video, since when this album has also gone platinum.

“Hope that you enjoy it - it's a favourite of mine when I'm in the right mood, although obviously not as unknown as some pickaas for LC. No bloody clue what the #DrinkingClub suggestion would be, though, but it should possibly be wrapped in a paper bag while being drunk on a bench.”

Alrighty then! Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 GMT tonight (9 pm central Europe, 3 pm Eastern, noon Pacific) and talk to you on Mastodon with the #listeningClub hashtag.

The Listening Club - 5th November 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. November already? Jeebs. Still mostly pouring down here, which, combined with some still-higher-temperatures-than-usual is making the surroundings seem pretty damn green and soggy, like overdone spinach. Still, hoping for a few gaps in the downpours to allow us to scoot dryly from venue to venue during Le Guess Who next weekend, we shall see. In my absence, it will be the right honerable @saucer who will be stepping up here and doing the do, major thanks to him for helping out!

Last Sunday, as u kno, twas vortex time, and that resulted in a #KittensForPeaceVortex aka #GivePeaceAfffnChanceVortex which certainly brought out all the appropriate moods and then some. Thanks to everyone who chipped in a tune or two, and double plus thanks to @akx for splicing and dicing the results.

Back to regular programming, it's @EastVanHalen who's got the frisbes, or is it her kitten Gracie? Let's find out...

"Seeing as how Gracie and I are co-hosting this week, and seeing as how Gracie is as hockey-obsessed as I am (kitten, television, pucks, faaaaascination), I thought I’d bookend my previous Nomeansno selection with one of their alter ego acts, The Hanson Brothers, and their 1992 hockey-themed album “Gross Misconduct.” It was not to be. Do I have a copy? I thought I did, but no. Could I get one? Maybe, if I had realized before Saturday that my copy was missing. Andt all my stalwart punk rawk download blogs came up short.

So I’ve totally pivoted, for no discernible reason, to this weirdo nostalgia album. Weirdo for me, anyhow - who the fuck would think that I’d have unreservedly loved some eight (?) track nonsense recorded in a basement by a bunch of drunken Dayton schoolteachers? But I did, and I probably still do - haven’t had it out for a spin in a few years, we’ll have to see how it fares today. They have a weirdish rep and some weird fans - “I’m not going down to the floor, it’s too…drunk bro,” insisted the nice lady I met in the record label’s box the last time I saw them play - but I thought that the people from Brazil who passed around the mixed drinks they’d smuggled in in half-flattened 2-litre soda bottles were pretty awesome, so I smuggled them into the afterparty."

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 GMT tonight.

The Listening Club - 29th October 2023

Salutations, folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Still wet as balls here in Amsterdam (wettest October on record apparently, sigh), although we're not complaining too much, even though we got caught out in it last night, it was returning from a beautiful and emotional show from Brian Eno with The Baltic Sea Philharmonic which not surprisingly blew the assembled's socks off and then some, a truly amazing performance.

Last Sunday we had @FaberFedor in the chair, taking people back to two different eras simultaneously (no mean feat, that) with his pick of "Saturday Morning Cartoons Greatest Hits" as covered by a raft of American 90s indie and punksters. Thanks to FF for the pick, and for sailing the frisb across to @EastVanHalen and her new lodger Gracie, but for now...

Yea verily and a yard oif ale, it's #vortex time, and sadly current events have had their effect, so it's a #KittensForPeaceVortex aka #GivePeaceAFFFFChanceVortex. You've been busy donating tunes to @akx, who has managed to assemble almost all of them (compilers discression, hemhem) so here's the result...

Direct download's here (right-click-save-as), and the stream's below:

THE CLOCKS HAVE CHANGED - See you at 20:00 GMT - Check your zone here.

The Listening Club - 22nd October 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope all is good in your respective hoods. Pretty darn wet here in Amsterdam, just in time for the annual decent of the dance music industry for ADE, and whilst the black tee and baggy pants brigade mingle, we slip through the middle to watch Shellac (awesome as ever) and eat hand pulled noodles (also awesome)...

Also be mindful next Sunday is last of the month, so we need a #vortex theme, hem hem hem.

Speaking of which, last Sunday saw @ericwinnert dealing out their debut pick in the shape of Leaf Hound's proto-metal classic "Growers Of Mushroom", which got the assembled down and diry as you'd expect. Thanks to that Eric for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @faberfedor, who takes a little time off bagel boiling to write this by way of introduction to tonight's pick...

"For a certain demographic, this will be a blast from the past. Sorta'.

For a Few of Faber's Fabulous Foreign Friends, this will be brand new.

As for the rest of you, you should recognize at least a few of the songs. I'm sure everyone will enjoy the musicianship.

I have the perfect drink and food recommendations. I even have the perfect outfits to wear, but that would be giving too much away. ;-)"

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 15th October 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Can't pretend that Summer's still hanging on here in Amsterdam, the last fizzles of warm weather got blown away on Friday, to be replaced by something a lot wetter and colder. Ah, so it goes. As I mentioned before, time to move indoors, which next week means Negativland and Shellac, and last Friday meant Dexys, who delivered a truly cracking set. Also a little advance notice that it's nearly Le Guess Who time again, which means I'll be looking for someone to run things here around 12th November, and come to think of it, for a few weeks in Jan/Feb, as we head off for a bit of roundtheworldism in the new year, so if anyone wants to help out, let me know. Nothing like advance notice, eh?

Last Sunday we had @ogili in the chair, looking back to futuristic times with his pick of DJ Hatcha's "Dubstep Allstars Vol. 1!, which got the assembled shucking and shuffling fo sho. Thanks to Oli for the pick and for sailing the frisb over to @EricWinnert, who's right here with the intro for his debut selection...

"A trip back to 1970 with a proto-metal one-album-wonder. Loud, brash and and driving at a breakneck speed all the way. It maybe short trip but it's one hell of an action packed journey. The record sold poorly on its release but over the years it has gained considerable cult status. The band, a five piece from the UK are a small branch on a much larger Rock Family Tree but with this record they managed to turn it into a golden bough."

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1).

The Listening Club - 8th October 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all well and good. Nights are starting to draw in a bit here in Amsterdam, and although the temps are still on the warmer side, looks like our extended summer playout is finally coming to an end. Ah well. Just in time for gigging season to properly lift off... 

Last Sunday we saw @AqiDraco in the chair, providing some nautical sturm und drang in the shape of "Ayam" by Disillusion, which got the assembled bobbing along very successfully. Thanks to Aqi for the pick, and for sailing the frisb across to @ogili, who's here with the intro...

"As Britain slips further into what appears to be an Alan Moore penned dystopia. I’ve chosen this from 2004, something that could only have come from Britain’s ever mutating multicultural urban culture. Because fuck the cynical adoption of re-heated Powellism by the current government to cover up their corruption and incompetence at their recent party conference, and fuck them. Obviously.

It is an example of a 21st century genre born of the urban sprawl stretching from Peckham, or Brixton southwards to places like Croydon and Bromley.  From the time when it was just breaking out to a wider audience from a relatively small scene centered around things like a Croydon record shop, an East London club night, and pirate radio stations like Rinse FM.  Back when it felt fresh and exciting to me at least.  A genre in its experimental infancy. With melodies traversing through heavy bass like the N109 night bus’s languid passage through the rolling hills, and 1960s Brutalist tower blocks of South London. Where you can hear the musical influence of living in an area bustling with coexisting cultures, alongside the music genres that influenced, or birthed it.

The genre has since escaped the smokey torpor of South London, and became an annoyingly brash beast when it got big in the US.  But at the risk of being one of those ‘real’ musical genre bores this is better. "

Right then, download's here or if not there then here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 1st October 2023

Greetings, pinch and a punch and all that.

Soooo, a pretty untypical October 1st, sitting out on the stoop in shorts and a tee, enjoying the mid-20s sun with a beer. Global warming much sir? It's a tricky one. Yes it's very enjoyable, but is it normal? Hell no. I realise I keep going on about it as I'm a fan of the warms, but sometimes we should be careful what we wish for... *cracks open another tin, reaches for violin*

Last Sunday we got seasonally crazy with a "how did we end up here" #TapasSneakersAndGiantPuppetsVortex, which actually delivered on all fronts with an ace bag of random tunes. Thanks to everyone who scratched their heads and chipped one or two in, it was a lot of fun! Looking back we find @AqiDraco primed and ready with this week's intro...

"It has been two weeks since I knew it was my turn again for the mystery album and within a couple days, I had my ‘Eureka’ album selected. I still let it stew and even asked some of my fellow Metalhead Club friends for additional album ideas. I listened to all of the offered options and even discovered new great music for me but in the end my initial choice felt the best to share with you at Listening Club.

Here is Metal band from the Eastern part of Germany that has been creating music since 1994. This is only their 4th studio album, released in 2022. For this Metal subgenre, it is typical that it is highly conceptual and best experienced as listening to the whole album through, which I am happy to share with you.

Drink something hard, something soft, or a mix of both, just like the music you will hear."

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 24th September 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good.. Summer seems determined to hang on for a tiny bit longer here in Amsterdam, which is fine, as we can keep on finding "end of summer" shit to do.... Still not quite ready to give up the shorts just yet... as always :)

Last Sunday we saw @akx in the chair, delivering a modern classic in the shape of Daft Punk's "Discovery", which got the assembled bobbing and bopping as would be expected. Thanks to Aarni for the pick, and for not needing to throw the frisb, as it has already been pre-ordained to hit @AqiDraco next Sunday, but first...

...#vortex time. And o my brothers and sisters, I don't quite know how we got here, but here we most definitely are, combining ourselves into a (most probably a world first) #TapasSneakersAndGiantPuppetsVortex, which has brought forward one of the most varied selections, both in terms of age and style, that I can recall (I know I say that every time, but seeeeriously, you guys). As usual, some are beautifully literal, and some... well, I'm looking forward to hearing the back stories, put it that way.

Direct download is here, stream's below.

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1). Bring a strong bottle. Or several.

The Listening Club - 17th September 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're doing good - Not bad here in Amsterdam, a warm week, so we've been making the most of it in true end-of-summer get-the-most-out-of-it style, checking out an annual city sculpture fest, stopping in at the terrace bar at the Hilton for a chill drink, popping out to the westerpark for a picnic and a bit of city wildlife watching etc. Plenty fun to be had, as always.

Reminder that next thirty days hath September, which means next Sunday will be a #vortex, so we're after suggestions for a theme if you have one...

Last Sunday we zipped back to November 1967 in the company of @vinomadic for "Buffalo Springfield Again", although a first time listen for many, ho ho, and a treat for a good chunk of the assembled. Thanks extended for the pick, and for managing to achieve #LCs first ever double-throw (don't ask), to both @AqiDraco, who will be in the chair in a fortnight, but also to @akx, who's right here with tonight's intro...

"Yesterday, one thing led to another and one bar turned to four and I only got back home this morning at 4 AM, so I'm a bit out of writing juices and I'll keep this short and sweet.

This is a classic album that I suspect not everyone has heard in its entirety (well, almost entirety – I cropped the last track out because it was too long).

#drinkingclub: no thanks, not today, but if you do indulge, something French. A French 75 counts as French."

Right then. Download's here (right-click-save-as), and the stream's below...

See you 8pm BST (GMT+1)

The Listening Club - 10th September 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Hot as balls here in Amsterdam, as it is for most of this bit of the planet (I think) at the moment, which, for those of us who like nothing better than to sit around in shorts drinking beer (or another agreeable alcoholic beverage) and eating small tasty snacks, is, as you'd expect, mighty fine, notwithstanding the fact that it really, truly should be a lot cooler at this time of year, right now. Ahem. Ah well. Fuzz the Hype Cat is super happy too, as this is also his idea of bon temps, especially if there's some cool undergrowth to hide inside and watch the world go by, and he's also well into the small tasty snacks (as you'd imagine)... so it goes.

Last Sunday we saw @erimichkea making their debut pick with Narla's 2020 album "Till The Weather Changes" (ironic title given the circumstances here, innit?), which went down pretty damn well, I'd say. Thanks to Erin for the pick and for sailing the frisb over to @vinomadic (aka @zensolo), who is right here with tonight's intro...

Greetings--

I'd felt a strong itch to move on from the musical year 1967-- and an exclusivity of November releases, at that!-- upon meeting a musician staying at the Carlton Arms who generously shared links to download a couple of his albums, but... due to the usual technical difficulties, this will have to wait for a later occasion, so--

...thought at least I'd sail away from 'This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle' and further cross the North American continent all the way to the modern sprawl spread out from el pueblo de Santa María de Los Ángeles-- an arguable capital of pop music where, blandished by the promises of the business representatives, there assembled a musical band of young but experienced players in the year 1966 who indeed, as promised, quite quickly found success.

Three-fifths of the members being from Canada, the usual centrifugal forces of drugs & women were aided & abetted by issues with work & visa permits, so that this, their second album of recordings, was a diverse, fragmentary, if impressively ambitious, endeavour. It's one of the reasons I've hesitated so long to share this, as the collection walks a shaky tightrope between 'eclectic' & 'disjointed'.

The frontmen-- a partly different three-fifths of the personnel-- found even greater success in their subsequent individual-- or not-so-individual-- projects, so quite a few of the assembled music mavens may quickly divine the identity of this act. 

I trust it will still provide some reem entertainment. 

Welcome back my friends, to the show that BEGINS back in November 1967-- Enjoy!"

Right then, download's here, stream is below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 3rd September 2023

Salutations,

Hope you're doing good. More bon temps here in Amsterdam, as we enjoy a most-welcome late summer mini-heatwave. Sympathies going out to the poor folks over in the Nevada desert at Burning Man, who are dealing with some seriously squelchy weather - as a veteran of many bad-weather fests, here's hoping everyone makes it out of there without incident or injury... partying can be real hard work sometimes.

Last Sunday chez #LC saw the assembled tackle one of the hot topics (sorry) of the aforementioned climate issues with a #firevortex, which saw @saucer gather and assemble a fine mix of times from y'all. Thanks to everyone that participated! Looking back we find @erimichkea holding the frisb with this to say by way of introduction to their debut selection...

"Thank you to the Listening Club for the warm welcome and for sending this week’s album selection over to me for the first time.  Because it’s my debut here, I picked the debut album from this artist.  Hope you enjoy!"

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 27th August 2023

Salutations all,

Hope you're doing good. Summer seems to be hanging in there here in Amsterdam, which is all well and good, as we've got pretty adept in wringing out whatever we can from it this year. Looking forward to an early start to the autumn gigging season too on Monday, when the Yeah Yeah Yeahs stop by at the Paradiso on their way back from headlining some other festivals, which should be jolly nice...

Last Sunday saw @iamwahl in the chair, shaking it soulfully with the help of "I Learned the Hard Way" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings from 2010, which hit the spot for most of the assembled. Thanks to Wahl for the pick and for sailing the frisb across to @erimichkea, who has an extra week to ponder their pick, because..

Yep, end of the month means #vortex time, and this time a topical #firevortex has been proposed, although it remains to be seen how it's been interpreted by the contributrors... Thanks in advance to @saucer for gathering the tunes and assembling the mix...

...which you can download here, and stream below:

Hope to see you at 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight!

The Listening Club - 20th August 2023

Salutations,

Hope you're all doing good, whatever you're up to. Very bon temps here in Amsterdam (finally) as the temperature and atmosphere balance out agreeably. Been a splendid week for sure, doubly so as we've been entertaining a house guest, which is always a fine excuse to go and do some of the stuff in the vicinity that you never got around to (e.g. the Van Gogh Museum & Den Haag's Escher House). A def win-win week, fo sho.

Also of note, we're heading for the end of the month, so considerations for a #vortex theme next week are very welcome...

Last Sunday saw @holette emerge from their summer peak season madness to deliver H. Hawkline's "Milk for Flowers", which resonated well with a good proportion of the assembled. Thanks to Sarah for the pick, and for sailing the frisb to @iamwahl, who stands here ready to declaim...

"I only came to being attentive to this artist's work in the last few years, and have been kicking myself for not tuning in when friends first named them as notable. For this week's instalment I was initially thinking I'd drop their last recording (the first I acquired in their oeuvre) but, after reconsidering their other offerings in my collection, I decided to go back to something smack-dab in the middle of their discography, released immediately prior to their Grammy nominated work. I was surprised (while also being relieved) to discover that not one of their albums have previously been offered as a main #ListeningClub selection. Although I expect there will be some of you who recognize this album/artist from the sound of the voice or the singles released (if not simply being familiar with the full recording), I hope these songs will still be a welcome listening experience.

So, please sit back and enjoy some of the delicious, sultry grooves herein contained. For those who may be inclined towards dancing, expect it to be relaxed and artful more than high octane — flowing garments may be the most fun/apt attire for this party. As for #DrinkingClub, I suggest choosing something refreshing, smooth, and satisfying (you won't go wrong with Prosecco), which should nicely match the vibe provided by this soundtrack for a lazy Sunday afternoon/evening…"

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 13th August 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Weather seems to have picked up a bit here in Amsterdam, at least insofar as it's stopped raining so much. Hopefully a few dry warm days to come, if we're lucky. Always more than willing to trade some weather off with one of you if you have too much on your side of the world, just box it up and ship it over, ok?

Last Sunday @nessiest was in the chair, laying out Fever Ray's "Radical Romantics" to some funky responses from the assembled. Thanks to Ness for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @Holette, who's here with tonight's intro...

"This artist's fifth album sees them producing their most powerful work yet in my opinion. The opening upbeat songs and pop hooks  disguise the sense of deep personal loss which underlie the record. By the close, the surreal visual imagery and more complex sounds lead the mood into quite a different place. For me there's echoes of Gram Parsons amongst others. The artist and collaborator who produced the record will be well known to some of you. Their distinctive, light touch perfectly enhances the delicate emotional texture. It will be interested to see what you all make of it."

Okidoke. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 6th August 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope all is going good for you all. Yet another grey and wet week here, as hopes of a decent summer fade into the distance, but stuff goes on despite, hence we find ourselves recovering following a soggy but boptastic day at Dekmantel (highlights being live sets from Mu-ziq and Shackleton and an all-smiles back-to-back set from Anz & Special Request to finish the day). Still chuckling at the young chap who came up to us during Mu-ziq to proclaim delight that we were still "doing this at our age"!?!?! Apart from the fact that we're not that f*ckin' old (yet!), I didn't have the heart to tell him that the gentleman banging out the intense grooves on stage was of the same vintage. So it goes... 

Last Sunday saw @akx in gathering and assembing mode to present the #VacationVortex, which saw a fine selection of awaydays as selected by yourselves. Thanks to all who chipped in tracks, and the aforementioned @akx natch. Looking back, we find @nessiest clutching the frisb with this to say by way of introduction to tonight's pick...

"We saw this live earlier in the summer, in a mesmerising performance verging on cabaret. I’m still mulling on its layers of meaning a couple of months on and to be honest I haven’t listened to this album a lot since, so it’s still fresh to my ears. As always I am interested in what you lovely lot think so I won’t wiffle on here, instead let’s listen together."

Right then - download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 30th July 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Another patchy week here in Amsterdam, plenty of grey and wet, which is rather impinging on seasonal outdoor pursuits, it must be said. Hoping it will clear up before next weekend, as here it's both Pride, and also Dekmantel festival, both of which means much outdoor dancing and joy, and they both deserve sunny days, for sure...

Last Sunday it was @saucer in the chair, hitting quite the curve ball with his pick of "Together" by Jackpine Savage (aka Bruce Haack & Miss Nelson) from 1971, which got the assembled scratching their heads and psychedelicizing in equal measures, which is most probably the desired effect. Thanks to Mr. S for the pick, and for sailing the frisb back here to @nessiest, who has an extra week to ponder because...

Yep, we're all going on a #vacationvortex - a sweet selection of your snappy holiday tunes, cheerfully gathered and assembled by @akx - thanks to him for the effort!

Download here: google or direct, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) for playback.

The Listening Club - 23rd July 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Soggy week here in Amsterdam and another forecasted for next week, seems like this part of Europe has got all the rain that the southern countries are lacking right now, which is a shame on both sides - a little more heat and a little less moisture would be welcome here, but the weather gods never listen. Still, as long as there's the occasional stooping moment, all is not bereft, at least inbetween continuing to kick my old server around (some success now thanks to Ubuntu, as all flavours of Windows have refused it, since you ask). 

Also, don't forget it's #vortex time next week, so get ready to pitch your theme ideas tonight, we need 'em!

Last Sunday, hey, it was me, @kleptones, getting you all to have a seasonal bop with my pick of Underground System's 2018 debut album "What Are You", which got the assembled grooving in a satisfactory way, as far as I could see. Thanks also to @saucer for grabbing the frisb, here he is with tonight's intro...

"Tonight it's a short album, and appropriately so given its original target audience. You'll figure that out in the first few seconds.

Was a bit unusual the way this treasure came in over the transom. A while ago, while scouring all sources for songs to submit to some vortex or another, I stumbled on a quirky EP of moralistic children's hymns from 1720, set to original music. Great EP, but nothing from it has made its way to LC yet, and tonight's pick is not it.  

But... alongside the super dark half-originals on that EP was one cover song that very much intrigued me. Tonight's pick is the (short) album that contains the original of that cover. 

All clear?

So, last week when @kleptones tossed the frisbee to Colorado, @iamwhal suggested I "dig deep" for my pick. I hope tonight's selection fulfills the wish!

Snacking club suggestion: Matcha tea white chocolate covered almonds."

Right then, download's here, and stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 16th July 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. A peaceful week here in Amsterdam, weather is a bit hit or miss, so, apart from a little obligatory stoop sitting, the order of the day has been kicking around an old media server to see if it will come back to life and service the current needs of the household, or if it's going to be left outside for the magpies of the parish. We shall see, dear readers, we shall see...

Lasy Sunday in #LC land, we saw @soundclamp hitting hard with his selection of Už Jsme Doma's 1993 LP  “Hollywood”, which went down pretty dang good it seemed. Thanks to him for the pick and for sailing the frisb across to, hey!, it me! @kleptones, so... *dons fake moustache*

"Hola, mes amigos! 

*fake moustache falls off* 

Ah well, never mind. Still not quite sure how this album fell into my orbit, but at first listening, it did seem like it was custom made to accomodate quite a few of my current tastes. A little bit of this style, a little bit of that style, some very shimmy-able grooves, enough variety and strong arrangements to stop it getting boring, a characteristic vocalist and some cheeky lyrics here and there. Quite impressive, tbh.

Not much to go on there for you lot, though, I admit, but I will say that they're from New York, which once you've heard it, makes total sense. And apparently they're excellent live (ditto). Unfortunately, although this album is from 2018, they've yet to deliver a follow up, which, for whatever reason, is a damn shame, as this really is a great starting point for some major bops. Well, I would say that, wouldn't I?

So, just imagine you're bumbling around at a festival after a few quality ciders, and you happen to chance upon these folks coming on stage. Hope you stay for their whole set, enjoy and have a dance!

#DrinkingClub - A strong yet summery cocktail, or another one of those aforementioned festival ciders, obvs"

Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight!

The Listening Club - 9th July 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope all is going good for you all. Hot dry week here in Amsterdam, at least until about an hour ago when the thunder started and the place got an overdue soaking, always lovely to see a midsummer storm (from a safe distance, natch), even if the cat doesn't quite agree...

Last Sunday @EastVanHalen was in the chair, blasting out any in-ear cobwebs with her pick of NoMeansNo's "Wrong" from 1989, which seemed to go down splendidly, which in itself was equally splendid. Also splendid was the frisb toss over to @soundclamp, who's here with tonight's intro...

"Get in fanatics, we're heading to the Czech Republic today! This LP is one of many treasures in my collection falling under the loose category of "it came from aQuarius RecOrds". Thanks, Windy!

Founded in 1985 during the Communist era, they weren't legally permitted to perform publicly or make records then, but that never stopped them. Thanks to wily schemes, an intense work ethic, and sheer willpower, they managed to get shows in clubs across Europe and eventually North America and Japan.

Their music defies description. I've heard it called, "Wagnerian ska", which is kinda true? It is wild in a punk way. Urgent, yet the composition is complex and elaborate with timeless lyrics. Their trademark is an incredible tempo and high energy punctuated with trumpet sound."

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

see you 20:00 BST (GMT+1)

The Listening Club - 2nd July 2023

Greetings,

Hope you're all doing good. Yeah, @kleptones back again from the Somerset fields, mostly in one piece, and with a multitude of experiences to add to the "did we really?" bank. The Big G's not for everyone, but for me, as u kno, the combination of music, art, booze, food, mates and loons is the best in the world. So feeling decidedly over-fortified, on y va we go...

Last Sunday, whilst we were pondering the age old question, "Elton John or Queens Of The Stone Age, or maybe neither?", y'all were festivising on your own, in the shape of the traditional #SummerVortex, bringing together some fine live performaces. Many thanks to @saucer for gathering and assembling, @JimMcCauley for doing the do, and everyone who chipped in a tune or two. Sounded like a fine selection to these ears.

Looking further back, in matters of regularly scheduled programming, we see @EastVanHalen clutching the frisb with this to say by way of introduction to tonight's pick...

“So, what was punk like in Vancouver?”

Found myself feeling weirdly stumped by that question when I was sojourning Chez Kleptones this past spring, trying to think of Vancouver bands that had made it across the pond that someone around my age might remember. My very first LC selection Pointed Sticks (maybe not exactly a punk band, depending on where you land in the running “pop-punk: pop, or punk?” debate) signed to Stiff Records, suffered a disastrous studio escapade with Police producer Nigel Gray, came home and broke up. D.O.A., which arguably originated the “hardcore” subgenre, has been active since the 1970s and still tours with original singer Joe Keithley. Vancouver Subhumans and UK Subhumans are still the topic of an occasional friendly “our Subhumans were better, fuck you” pissing match. 

But ultimately the local-ish punk band that made the biggest impact in the UK and Europe isn’t from Vancouver: they came from just across the Georgia Strait, in BC’s capital city of Victoria. Formed initially by two brothers as a duo on drums and bass, they released an EP, added a guitar player, and turned into a funk-punk-thrash powerhouse. They played Vancouver all the time - I saw them as a two-piece, a three-piece, and a four-piece (including a surprisingly successful gig with two drummers). They were here so often that “oh, [Mystery Artist] again” was a running joke in the early-80s punk scene - and the last time I saw them, not long before they finally packed it in in 2016, a bunch of us remembered that joke and laughed about what self-satisfied dumbasses we’d been.

This is their fourth album, recorded as a three-piece; on guitars is current Amsterdam resident Andy Kerr. A lot of people think it’s their best. My two favourite tracks are 9 and 10. 

This is louuuuuuud, but the singing isn’t shouty, so everyone who wasn’t huge on Fucked Up might still be down with this. For #drinkingclub, a PunkRauch beer (if you don’t already know who the mystery artist is and you look that up, it’ll give it away). And if anyone comes to visit BC, we should go on a field trip to the Wildwood in Powell River (ditto).

Enjoy!

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 25th June 2023

Hey there, listening chums! It's me, @JimMcCauley, doing hosting duties again because @kleptones is down the road from here at some pop festival or whatever; nice weather for it. I'm making the most of a quiet-ish weekend, as it's only a couple of weeks until I start rehearsing another show, and then that's likely me mostly out of #ListeningClub until January.

Last week @faberfedor stepped up with his choice of 'The History of The JAMs A.K.A. The Timelords', or as it's known over here, disc one of 'Shag Times' with added Gary Glitter. Naturally it went down a treat, and it leaves us, I think, with just two legit KLF albums unpicked. So big ups to Faber for the pick and for flipping the frisbaton at @eastvanhalen who, of course, has an extra week to come up with her choice.

Because, yes, it's the more-or-less-annual #ListeningClub #LiveVortex (and, come to think of it, the 10th anniversary edition). A number of live tracks chosen by you and lovingly assembled by @saucer; what more do you need?

Download it here or stream below.

Catch you later! (8PM BST, obvs.)

The Listening Club - 18th June 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope all is going good, whatever you're up to. Still dry and hot here in Amsterdam, although some stormy bits and pieces are floating about, maybe we'll get hit, maybe not, it'd be nice to damp the dust down a bit to be honest. Looks like more of the same for us next week at Glastonbury, with a dust-dampening shower forecast for early Tuesday morning, then dry and not-too-hot for the duration of the festival, which, to be honest, is most regular glasto-goers dream forecast. Me? I'm always happy to be leaving the boots and waterproofs at home, especially when long distances have to be traversed... So on y va we go...

Not that it got mentioned last week (oops), but next week, as any fule kno, is Vortex week, and I'm away, so @JimMcCauley (blessim) will be running things here, and someone (@akx or @saucer? I forget, soz) will be compiling our customary mid-year #livevortex, so from you we require one or two fine examples of live musical performance, all the better to celebrate the solstice - dropbox details will follow I am sure.

Last Sunday @EmmaPrice was in the chair, sharing some super-boisterous festival-packing soundtrack in the shape of Call Me Malcolm's "Me, Myself And Something Else", which got the assembled pogoing as one for sure. Thanks to Emma for the pick and for ensuring safe transfer of the frisb across to @FaberFedor, who's here with tonight's intro...

"I stumbled across this blast-from-the-past while looking for something  to play in the club and thought Why not? 

These guys didn't chart over here IIRC but they were big, or at least pretty influential, Over There. I know at least one of these songs charted in the UK, not sure about any of the others. This particular album was a US-only release but still, I'm sure several of you will know these(?) guys from the outset. For those that don't, well, it's time for you to get edumacated [sic].

See y'all tonight!"

Okaydokay. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1)

The Listening Club - 11th June 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good and dealing with whatever climate-related issues your part of the globe is faced with right now. FWIW, Amsterdam has moved rather speedily from nicely-summery into crikey-its-boiling territory quite quickly. Not complaining much for now though, although the prolonged dry spell both here and back in Somerset has got me a little concerned for the upcoming festival, as always, it's in the hands of the gods, so I'd better go find my sacrificial dagger then, eh?

Last Sunday it was the @woj that was in the chair, hitting the assembled hard with their pick of TEKE::TEKE's "Shirushi", which got the assembled cheerfully grooving and debating in equal measures. Many thanks extended to the W for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @EmmaPrice, who reaches up from her festival packing and deftly catches it, then proclaims this by way of introduction to tonight's pick...

"Greetings all.

Currently sitting amid a pile of sequins and sparkles as I pack for the wonder that is the Glastonbury festival. I shall be spending 8 glorious days in my spiritual home among friends old and new and hopefully making some new musical discoveries to share. This time I've gone with a band who I discovered about a year ago in a small venue near me, I've since seen them live a bunch of times and they're incredible fun as a live act who certainly know how to get the crowd moving. I'm also big fan of their messaging which I'll talk about during the playback.

Hurrah for live music and new discoveries so raise a glass of your finest festival beverage of choice and come have a dance with me."

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1)

The Listening Club - 4th June 2023

Greetings folks,

Yep, @kleptones back again, after a sweet soujourn down to Paris, to eat, drink and swelter in unexpected high 20s heat. A little early in the year for a heatwave, but they do it differently down there, so it seems... 

Thanks to @JimMcCauley for minding the shop last week, and assembling a mighty fine #WorkingVortex whilst he was there. An impressive spread of tunes indeed, thanks to everyone who chipped in. Looking back, we find @woj with the fris, so over to them for tonight's intro...

"Today's selection comes from a band I only found out about in the past few weeks. Came across a song of theirs and the combination of instruments and styles and energy caused my head to explode and made them a slam dunk candidate for my next #ListeningClub pick. Unfortunately, that song turned out to be from a yet-to-be-released album. Fortunately, they released their debut album in 2021 and it's just as good as the song I did hear so that is what we are listening to today. Even more fortunately, the sophomore album arrives this coming Friday so if you dig this and want more, you won't have to wait long! Enjoy!"

Right then, download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 28th May 2023

Hey there, listening chums! @kleptones is en vacances this weekend so it's me, @JimMcCauley, doing the do for the first time in quite a while. Unfortunately I won't be joining you this evening as I'm assisting at an audition (having actually auditioned for the same play last weekend), but maybe I'll be back in time for the last few minutes. Who knows?

Okay, so last week it was @simonlandmine at the decks with his pick of the soundtrack LP from the famous 1993 film, 'Judgment Night', a very-much-of-its-time blend of raps and loud guitars that I'd never heard of, despite it being right up 1993 me's alley. Needless to say it hit the spot, so thanks to Simon for the pick and for flicking the frisbaton at @woj...

Who, of course, has an extra week to think about a pick. You know the procedure as well as I do; it's vortex time! I've been spending the morning assembling the #WorkingVortex, shepherding, cajoling and occasionally strong-arming 27 tracks into more or less the right order. Thanks to everyone who lobbed in a tune or two!

Download it here, or stream it below.

Enjoy! 8PM BST and all that, maybe catch you later on. Cheerio!

The Listening Club - 21st May 2023

Greetings,

Hope you're all doing good. Nearly-summery here in Amsterdam, as it stays bright and dry, but there's one hell of a cool breeze harshing the warm mellow, and restricting the early wearing of shorts, which is a shame. Still, forecast is looking good for next weekend, which is fortunate, as I'm off for a long weekend trip down to the land of cheese and wine (and baguettes)...

...and it'll be #vortex week also, so all hail @JimMcCauley, who will be tending to things #LC related in my absence. And get your thinking caps on for #vortex ideas too...

Last Sunday we had @AqiDraco in the chair, who, despite not quite ending up with the album they'd intended, still managed to charm the assembled with the one delivered, "A Greater Good (History 1998–2008)" by Neuroticfish. Thanks to Aqi for the pick and for sailing the frisb across to @SimonLandmine, who's here with tonight's intro...

"This album is now about thirty years old, and likely seems like old hat now, but at the time, the concept was somewhat groundbreaking.

I've owned it since it came out, and it's been on my increasingly-misnamed 'shortlist' for quite some time, but a conversation a while back pushed it up several notches. I know that it's familiar to a couple of you, and there were a few singles that came from that got some club play in a few venues (and that I still play for folk occasionally), but hopefully Listening Club will appreciate hearing the whole thing this time.

Parental advisory: This album had that logo/sticker on the front cover that indicated that the lyrics included a few swears - some tracks more than others.

DrinkingClub: Pick something from the early 90s, possibly something that combines two unexpected ingredients and might be drunk in a borrowed Winnebago. Or maybe just gin and juice."

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.

The Listening Club - 14th May 2023

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Sunny and warm here in Amsterdam, with yesterday definitely winning the award for "Start of the summer" as it was nicely simmering. Kinda odd as we've had a very late spring (the wisteria is finally out and looking lovely, a good few weeks later than usual), but not complaining, afternoons spent lazing around in parks on picnic blankets drinking beer and watching the herons nesting high above us is, well, always time well spent in my opinion...

Worth a note that I'll be away in a couple of weeks time (weekend of 28th May) which will also be a vortex, so reaching out in the customary channels for assistance. Will also be away end of June also, as it's that Pilton party again, so there's a very advance heads up. Nice to be on top of one's diary for once.

Last Sunday I was off getting my ears smashed in in the best possible way watching Gnod, whilst the #LC assembled had @faberfedor laying Bruce Springsteen's legendary lo-fi bonanza "Nebraska" at their feet. Much boss conversation was had, so thanks to Mr. F for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @aqidraco, who has this to say by way of introduction to tonight's selection:

"I had my audio file all ready and uploaded online on Wednesday. It did not quite feel right. It was more a selection of availability rather than choice. I had all these criteria, one specifically, of wanting to share something German which that first one was. I listened to more German options throughout the week but none really quite felt like the “one”. Then today, Saturday, I nixed it and uploaded the album I really wanted to share and listen with you together on Sunday. You probably know a number of their more famous songs. This album is more, well, experimental. It is an album I discovered through Mastodon only a few months ago. I keep coming back to it.

As choice of beverage, I dare you to try something new, something experimental, outside of your usual choice of beverages and invite you to join me on this soundscape escape.

Happy Mother’s Day, please thank your mother for listening to that same chord / music over and over and over again."

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) tonight.