The Listening Club - 27th April 2025

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing okay. It's the day after Kings Day here in the Netherlands, therefore as usual I have a high-grade hangover and a variety of aches across my body. Worth it though. So let's get on with this before my remaining energy expires, eh?

Last Sunday we had @nessiest in the chair, delivering a fine slice of kiwi vibes in the form of "Blame It On The Weather" by Mā, which went doen pretty damn well, I'd say. Thanks to Ness for the pick, and for sailing the frisb across to @EastVanHalen who has an extra week to ponder because...

... Yes indeed, end-of-month means #vortex, and this time an #ForeignLandsVortex has been decided, showcasing otherworldy songs and sounds in unfamiliar languages. @akx has gathered up your selections and the resulting mix can be downloaded here, or streamed below:

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

The Listening Club - 20th April 2025

Salutations folks,

Hope you're all doing good. Amsterdam's keeping on with the dry and sunny although personally, I could do with a few extra degrees warms, which I'm sure I say every year around this time. Looking good for Kings Day, too, even though the coats will be staying on, I think. Ah well. Plenty of home entertainment to be had also, flipping between live feeds of moose migration in Sweden and Semana Santa processions in Seville. Slow TV FTW, for sure.

Next Sunday is last-of-the-month, so, as is customary, we're looking for #vortex themes, so we're looking for suggestions - dig 'em out and flip 'em up later for discussion, ok?

Last Sunday saw @room2skank, (via @EmmaPrice) in the chair, dealing out Pom Poko's 2019 debut album "Birthday", which went down pretty damn well, I'd say. Thanks to Emma & Si for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @nessiest, who's here with tonight's intro...

"My initial pick for tonight was excellent shitkicking punk from my home country but unrelentingly heavy. Let me spare your collective eardrums, it didn't fit this weekend. After rummaging in my list of possibles, changing my mind again last minute for reasons, I remembered this artist. I’ve been following their career for a while, this album is new. I have not listened to it yet. Track two I know, plus a live cover of another artist who guests on this. I’ll be stunned if any of you know this. Taking a risk but delighted to find out what it’s like with all of you."

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

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

The Listening Club - 13th April 2025

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing okay. Spring is bouncing around Amsterdam quite happily now, leading to some decent "no jacket required" weather (finally) on Saturday and even a spot of al fresco dining, hoorah. The flowers around the house haven't seemed too bothered by the cool temps, and have been racing each other to bloom, so everything looks lovely, must say - hope it holds out for Kings Day!

Last Sunday saw @zbender deliver a smooth and soulful selection in the shape of Hollie Smith's 2007 album "Long Player", which hit the spot for many folks. Thanks to Ben for the pick, and for leaving it up to me to fling the frisb, which landed at @EmmaPrice's feet...

"Greetings my fellow Listening Clubbers. I hope the sun is shining on your corner of the world. Here, I'm in the midst of festival season planning and lineup playthroughs (yes there's a colour coded Glastonbury spreadsheet) My partner Si and I have somewhat differing music backgrounds and there's a whole wave of bands & genres that are fundamental to his love of music that are all new to me. Which is ace and kinda part of the ethos of Listening Club. So I dropped the frisbaton into his willing lap and here he is with the intro.

Over to you Si:

Sometimes these algorithms that seemingly funnel media to us comes up with a winner.  And that is what happened to me with this band.  Conveying a feeling of being hit in the head with a mallet dipped in candyfloss, it grabbed me from the first track and it's stayed a favourite album ever since.  A wonderful, vivid wild ride of an album.

BTW Si's shiny new Mastodon account is https://mastodon.social/@room2skank"

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

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

The Listening Club - 6th April 2025

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing okay. Cool and dry here in Amsterdam, with plenty of sun, which is nice, but also an icy cold northerly wind, which is not. Still, the plants are happy, looking like we'll be having an early crop of wisteria flowers this year, hoping that there's some left by Kings Day, hem.

Big thanks to @saucer last week for not only helming the #ChangingTimesVortex but also for taking care of admin here whilst I was away. Looking back we find @zbender in the chair, with this to say by way of intro to today's pick...

"It’s refreshing to relax, and it’s relaxing to be refreshed.

I came back to this recording recently, when I realised *waves hands* all this *keeps waving hands* was getting me down. Quite down.

And I remembered that when I luxuriated with music, I feel better. But there’s no time to just luxuriate.

Or is there? There is. During #ListeningClub, we can float away.

You may, or may not, or may a little, or shall not, or whatever, this album. But it’s olde-time crafted, in a yesteryear style, by talented people, from a little while back.

I would recommend a bittersweet beverage, and a small platter of cheese and crackers. That’s just for your soul. For you, as a person, I would suggest the most relaxing drink you can find, with the most time-consuming snack you can find."

Right then. Download's here in mp3 or flac, stream's below:

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