Being on the internet, Shout4Music doesn’t have a back page. But if it did, it might look a bit like this.

We’ve asked a bucket full of bands and an array of artists to answer our questions on life, the universe and everything.

This time round, we chat to Monument Valley who knows who he likes (and doesn’t like) when it comes to premiershipm footballers, is not too sure about God and isn’t particularly…particular about liquid refreshment.

What are you listening to right now?

‘American Water’ by Silver Jews.

How did you get into music?

I can’t remember not being into it.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?

Joey Barton and my manager Dan’s girlfriend @rachelhowe.

What have you been reading lately?

‘The Motel Life’ by Willy Vlautin.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

It’s a three way fight to the death between my Mum, Dad and girlfriend.

Which song do you wish you had written?

Too many to mention.

Does God exist?

Probably, but I’m not sure in what form.

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?

Whatever you’re buying me.

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?

I imagine John Terry would be quite unpleasant.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A musician.

What song will you have played at your funeral?

‘The World’s Greatest’ by R Kelly.

What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?

The ‘Tongues’ EP is out now.

How can we find out more about you?

www.monumentvalley.co.uk

They say if you remember the 60s, you weren’t there. Some of us have other excuses for not being there though.

And so, to go some way towards making up for our absence from the decade where pop culture exploded, Shout4Music presents ten of our favourite songs from those ten years. And there’s not one example from the four mop tops who shook the Mersey (and beyond).

The Beach Boys – ‘Good Vibrations’

This classic pop song has been re-appraised of late with the release of ‘The Smile Sessions’. Originally scheduled to appear on Brian Wilson’s vision of a ‘teenage symphony to God’, ‘Good Vibrations’ represents much of the ambition he had for the ‘Smile’ record as a whole. Recorded and produced over a period of several months, using an endless collection of snippets of recordings, ‘Good Vibrations’ is a pop masterpiece if ever there was one. Yet, despite all the hard work, it sounds gloriously effortless. And even better it features a theramin. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

Nick Drake – ‘Fruit Tree’

Nick Drake was always a sensitive soul. That much goes without saying. In ‘Fruit Tree’ we find Drake approaching his most sensitive as he muses on the transience of fame and life itself. It’s an eloquent, simple song and utterly beautiful. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

The Mothers of Invention — ‘Absolutely Free’

Here’s a good antidote to free love and stoner narcissism. As someone pathologically unable to “appreciate” The Beatles, 60s Zappa makes me happy. Plus this is a much better pop song than ‘Doctor Robert’ or any others. (Mark Nicholls)

The Nice – ‘America’

Before there was Emerson, Lake and Palmer, there was The Nice. Keith Emerson’s pre-ELP project paved much of the way for his later success with psychedelic organ driven interpretations of classical music (Bach’s ‘Brandenburg Concerto’ for example was transformed into the highly inventive ‘Brandenburger’) and original tunes. In ‘America’, The Nice tae the most famous song from ‘West Side Story’ and subvert it into something very special indeed. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

Otis Redding – ‘Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay’

IMO, anything by Otis Redding or Al Green – or well anyone from that time, 60′s/70′s is my definate musical home – I was born a couple decades too late! But since my favourite work from Al wasn’t released til the 70′s, Otis ‘wins’ this, and it’s got to be: ‘Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay’.That was hellish hard actually, Otis is my favourite singer, ever (Well tied with Al!) but I’d like to think the song speaks for itself in why it’s ‘the best’? Get it here. (Leanne Short)

The Rolling Stones – ‘She’s A Rainbow’

Notable for its peppy piano, theatrical string arrangement and the late Brian Jones’ use of a mellotron (a then-innovative electro-mechanical keyboard), 1967’s ‘She’s A Rainbow’ was an appropriate soundtrack to the era’s hippy, trippy, ‘free love’ ethos. Honouring the full spectrum of colour, Jagger reels off the many qualities of the object of his affection: ‘Have you seen her all in gold?/Like a queen in days of old/She shoots colours all around.’ Get it here. (Sheila Ring)

The Small Faces – ‘Happy Days Toy Town’

How can you not love a song whose opening line compares life to a bowl of All Bran (‘You wake up every morning and it’s there’)? Do not adjust your set; the video below starts with a typically bizarre word mangling monologue from Stanley Unwin. Get the song here. (Stephen Morris)

The Stooges – ‘1969’

Beatlemania, Mods and Flower Power might be the things that first come to mind when the sixties are mentioned, but eventually it all had to come to an end.  The Stooges provided the soundtrack to the decade’s close with ‘1969’, which ushered in the era of punk, declaring the titular date ‘Another year with nothing to do’. Get it here. (Alan Ashton-Smith)

Thunderclap Newman – ‘Something In The Air’ (pictured)

Surely the most perfect of all pop songs. Thunderclap Newman were a one hit wonder. But ‘Something In The Air’ was one wonderful hit. With such a blindly optimistic sentiment, it sums up not must the Summer Of Love, but any summer where the sun’s out for more than a day. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

The Walker Brothers – ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’

There’s something utterly enchanting about Scott Walker’s intoxicating baritone. Here, over the tubular bells, vocal harmonies and an array of orchestral arrangements make this cover of a Frankie Valli song a truly sumptuous treat. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

It’s When’s Day – the Day of the When. Each week Shout4Music takes you through the following seven days in musical history with the births, marriage, deaths and anything else that takes our fancy.

Not the happiest of weeks in pop, this. This week sees the anniversaries of the deaths of Gary Moore and Sid Vicious and the disappearance of Richey Edwards.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. ‘Rumours’ is released and ‘Led Zepellin II’ gets to number one in the album chart. Oh, and a young chap who Lennon would later describe as ‘not even the best drummer in The Beatles’ joins…The Beatles.

1 February

Richey Edwards of The Manic Street Preachers goes missing (1995). His car is found on the Severn Bridge, but he is never seen again. He played a pivotal role in writing early Manics songs. When Steve Lamacq challenged Edwards’ sincerity as an angst ridden champion of the disillusioned, the musician carved ‘4REAL’ into his own arm.

2 February

Graham Nash’s birthday (1942): half of Crosby and Nash, one third of Crosby, Stills and Nash, one quarter of Crosb, Stills, Nash and Young – and member of The Hollies too.

Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols dies from a drug overdose (1979).

3 February

Dave Davies of the Kinks is born (1947). Long before the Gallagher brothers’ on and off stage rivalries, Dave and brother Ray were busy setting the original template for squabbling sibblings. Never mind. The girls still loved them.

4 February

Vincent Furnier’s birthday (1948). But we all refer to him as Alice Cooper. Apparently he’s a Sunday School teacher who votes Republican.

Fleetwood Mac release their defining album, ‘Rumours’ (1977). You might just recognise the instrumental from ‘The Chain’…just possibly. (Please excuse the 80s haircuts).

5 February

Ringo Starr’s first appearance with The Beatles at The Cavern Club (1962)

6 February

The Byrds release ‘Younger Than Yesterday’ (1967).

Gary Moore dies (2011). To mark his passing, a year ago today, here’s a live performance of ‘Still Got The Blues’.

7 February – ‘Led Zeppelin II’ hits number one in the album charts (1972). It’s one of those classics that anyone with a pair of ears should own. Here’s one of the highlights from the highlight-filled album, ‘Whole Lotta Love’. Air guitars at the ready…

The UK’s most diverse and creatively delivered electronic music event, Glade returns with a bang in 2012. Having endured several well documented venue changes in 2011, the owners of Houghton Hall in Norfolk were so blown away by last year’s event they have thrown open their land and welcomed the festival back. This year Glade will be a much bigger and better event, set to take place over four beautiful days in spectacular English countryside.  With an incredible site and a stellar lineup, consisting of hundreds of DJs and live acts from around the globe, Glade 2012 is set to become the must-go-to festival for all lovers of underground electronic music.

Featuring the best electronic talent around, the cross-genre Glade Stage is headlined by German techno-legend Sven Vath. Having enjoyed a hugely successful worldwide career spanning over 30 years, Sven is one of the founders of German techno and a driving force behind electronic dance music with his infamous Cocoon label, parties and nightclub.  Famous for his marathon club-sets at Berlin’s notorious Dorian Grey to weekly parties in Ibiza to a non-stop global tour schedule, we are very pleased to welcome Sven to Glade.

Joint headlining is Drum & Bass hero Andy C who presents his jaw-dropping Alive stage show. Having spear-headed the scene since the early 90’s, Andy and his Ram Records label have been at the forefront of this UK dance explosion. His Alive show will see a unique audio / visual extravaganza closing the festival on Sunday. Joining these two prolific artists and rounding off our headliners is French techno don Vitalic, a man who has been decimating dance floors across the globe since the late 90s with his unique brand of electronic funk on labels such as International DJ Gigalo and PIAS.

Elsewhere on the line up we see a quality mixture of proper electronic music taking in the progressive from the sublime Robert Babicz, techno from German scene-leaders Marc Romboy and Extrawelt. Drum n Bass is represented by UK duo Drumsound and Bassline Smith whilst Rusko brings the Dubstep and Radio 1 DJ and Sheffield’s pin up Toddla T (above) joins Don Letts for a dub, reggae and beyond set on Sunday. Listen to Todda T’s collaboration with Roots Manuva last year:

The Glade Stage also represents live music with US sensation Pretty Lights performing alongside festival stalwarts The Dub Pistols and British hip-hop, grime and dubstep super group Foreign Beggars. Listen to Foreign Beggars track ‘Slime Sword’ below:

With plenty more talent performing and another exclusive headliner yet to be announced, expect nothing but the best, whatever the genre – all weekend.

Ticket Info:

• Weekend Tickets: £135 + BF
• Camper Van Passes: £50
• Deposit Scheme Tickets: £50 + BF

Tickets available from: http://www2.seetickets.com/gladefestival/price.asp?code=570563&filler1=id1gladefestival&filler2=multiid1gladefestival&filler3=

Cut Yourself In Half – ‘Say Goodbye To The World’

‘Say Goodbye To The World’ is a resounding and thunderous track that proves there is always room to squeeze in an extra 70s inspired heavy rock band.

The two-track release of ‘Say Goodbye To The World’ and ‘Psycho Human Disaster’ is an introduction from the Bradford quartet and both tracks offer a mix of thunderous riffs and rhythm changes, with groves that take in assimilation of post-hardcore, doom, acid-rock. Ultimately Cut Yourself In Half have knocked up a debut release that will appeal beyond those who love to head bang. 6/10

Baddies – ‘Bronto’

‘Bronto’ is the first single to be taken from Baddies’ forthcoming second album ‘Build’ which is due out in March. After the independent success of ‘Do The Job’ much is expected from this second album from the Essex outfit.

‘Bronto’ kicks off with a ravenous intro, with stop start riffs that are as sharp as the repetitive bite chant in the opening vocals.  The hypnotizing synth usage in the intro casts out a big hook too and from there the track develops into a punchy indie-rock showcase that leaves a big impact. 7/10

Dead End Liars – ‘Tongues, Tongues, Tongues’

Our second indie-rock offering from the county of Essex comes from Dead End Liars, a two-piece outfit who promise distorted bass, pounding drums and melodic vocals. They’ve taken all these promises and blended it into a real stompy and rather impressive debut offering.

‘Tongues, Tongues, Tongues’ opens with distorted bass laden riffs that bubble along into a fuzzy opening verse, the lack of guitar is not missed in this effective opening. And the no guitar continues throughout the track, after all Dead End Liars consists of just bass and drums, yet the track is intelligent enough and still rhytmn heavy which is the real winning feature of this track. Worth a listen for anyone who likes the sounds of Death From Above 1979 or Queens Of The Stone Age, ‘Tongues, Tongues, Tongues’ is a very promising debut, full of a dark indie rock sound that snags our interest ahead of forthcoming full EP release. 6/10

Bleeding Knees Club – ‘Nothing To Do’ (IAMSound)

‘Nothing To Do’ is the title track from debut album from Aussie garage-pop outfit Bleeding Knees Club and is our single of the week based primarily on its catchy enjoyable nature that makes it an instantly lovable track.

Renown for their reckless live sets, their first single ‘Have Fun’ caught our attention last summer for being exactly that, a fun song. Beyond being super catchy Bleeding Knees Club (main picture) have managed to mastered a surf-punk sound that has our tongues waggling for their debut album release in March. Listen to ‘Nothing To Do’ and try not to get whisked away by its ramshackle qualities. Single of the Week – 8/10

Fair Ohs – ‘Salt Flats’ (X-Ray Recordings)

Following an abundance of highly commended East African-inspired Garage Punk 7″ singles, splits, cassettes and compilation’s under their collective belts, Fair Ohs finally released their debut album ‘Everything Is Dancing’ last year. The album was full of sounds that voyage into the worlds of West African funk, 60s psychedelic rock, Eritrean Guayla music. Now Fair Ohs are releasing the awesome ‘Salt Flats’ as a single. With a M83-like opening formation the track soon develops into a succinct track of esoteric punk joyfulness. 8/10

We’re feeling a bit sensitive here at Shout4Music this week. So the downloads are suitably downbeat with the likes of Johan Reinhold,  Young Astronaut and Sweet Billy Pilgrim leading the melancholic way. But don’t worry, if you’re feeling down with the miserablists, there’s always a bit of heavy metal, courtesy of Italy’s Holy to brighten your day.

Good Dangers – ‘Abigail’

An indie-poppy beat driven track that’s just a little bit uplifting. It’s all about giving love a chance. And what with Valentine’s Day coming up, that’s not such a bad philosophy to adopt. Download here.

Picture Book – ‘Sunshine’

Like Ellie Goulding? Try this Picture Book track for size. Guest vocalist, Greta Svabo Bech sings with the slight kookiness of Goulding over a similar electronic back to that of the creator of ‘Lights’. Not bad. Not bad at all. Download here.

Holy – ‘Monday’

Time for some thrashy heavy metal, we think. Don’t ask what the lyrics are. All you need to know is ‘Monday’ (it’s quite possible, like the Boomtown Rats, Holy don’t approve) is scorching hot. Clench your hands into fists, rasie your index and little fingers, and ROCK!!!  Download here.

Johan Reinhold – ‘Shoot Me Down’

The artwork supplied with ‘Shoot Me Down’ is a picture of a bird lying on its back – lifeless. Nice. Fortunately John Reinholt’s song has a bit more vitality to it. It’s a plaintive song, asking some tormentor why ‘you pick me up and spin me round’. And with its searing guitar solo, it may well have a hint of 80s stadium rock pretentions. Download here.

Young Astronaut – ‘Shadows’

Young Astronaut don’t just have one song available for download. Oh, no sirree, Bob; they have a whole album for your delectation and delight – all free, gratis and, indeed, for nothing. It’s called ‘Fawn’ and one of its highlights is ‘Shadows’, a sensitive indie ballad: ‘our only shadows are you’. Download here.

Doe Paoro – ‘Born Whole’

Doe Paoro possesses a gorgeous, smooth and soulful voice which  she uses to great effect over a minimal piano and trip-hop backing in a song which recalls everything from the American roots of chain gangs onwards. Rather wonderful. Download here.

Carnivals – ‘Absences’

A jarring, haunted track with echoing vocals and shuffling electronica. One for night-time listening with chilled out, chilling vibes. Download here.

David’s Lyre – ‘English Roses’

Last week we brought you ‘This Time’ by David’s Lyre; this week it’s ‘English Roses’. No, not a plural version of a Jam song, but a steadily building, rousing tune filled with Biblical allusions: ‘Don’t look back for fear that we’ll turn to salt.’ Download here.

Sweet Billy Pilgrim – ‘Brugada’ (pictured)

Remember the ‘IT Crowd’ episode where Jen falls in love with the particular uncommunicative keyboardist from a band? This is that band. ‘Brugada’ is a hushed affair, but it doesn’t shirk from imaginative harmonies, rhythms and meandering instrumentals. A treat. Fans of Ben and Jason and Jonathan Powell will heartily approve. Download here.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – ‘Pictures’ (GZUS Remix)

A super chilled mix of ‘Pictures’, a song full to over flowing of advice: ‘If you are afraid, don’t be’. Need a night of pampering in a candle-lit bath? This could be the ultimate soundtrack.* Download here.

*Boys may like this too.

Being on the internet, Shout4Music doesn’t have a back page. But if it did, it might look a bit like this.

We’ve asked a bucket full of bands and an array of artists to answer our questions on life, the universe and everything.

This time it’s the turn of the fine chaps from Oberhofer to answer our questions. They recently featured in our Top 10 Free Downloads: the Soundcloud link is below. Read on to find out more about Doctor Doctor jokes, rapping and lashings and lashings of ginger ale.

What are you listening to right now?  

I’ve been listening to Tchaikovsky’s Sixth symphony lately.

How did you get into music?

I started freestyle rapping around age twelve and from there started making beats.

Tell us a joke.

A guy goes to the doctor’s office to have some medical tests run.  The doctor comes out and says to the guy, “You’ve got a terrible case of onomatopoeia. ”

The guy asks, “Doctor, what is that?”

The doctor replies, “It’s just what it sounds like”.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?

No one!!!

What have you been reading lately?

‘Infinite Jest’ by David Foster Wallace.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

There are two of them: Mom, and Dad.  The human brain is a sponge.

Which song do you wish you had written?

None!

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?

Ginger Ale!!!

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?

I Dunno. Kim Jong Il? [answer supplied before his death].

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A scuba diver called “Max”.

What song will you have played at your funeral?

Some song that makes everyone happy.

What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?

We have a 7″ coming out in January called “Gotta Go”, We’re mixing our first LP right now and we’re going to be playing everywhere in 2012.

How can we find out more about you?

We have a facebook page (facebook.com/OberhoferJamz) and a twitter page (@OBERHOFERMUSIC)!!! You can also use Google!!!

Being on the internet, Shout4Music doesn’t have a back page. But if it did, it might look a bit like this.

We’ve asked a bucket full of bands and an array of artists to answer our questions on life, the universe and everything.

Today’s the turn of Bernard Thresher from The Lancashire Hotpots. Read on to discover more about butchers with a sideline in mixtapes, God’s twitter account and Bernard’s love of all things alcoholic. And when you’ve done, check out Alan Ashton-Smith’s review of the band’s album, ‘Achtung Gravy‘.

What are you listening to right now?

Well, whilst I am composing my answers to this exam, I am listening to a mix CD made by my butcher. It’s a real mixed bag of spicy hits and cold cuts.

How did you get into music?

You don’t get into music, music gets into you, like a splinter but with less chance of infection. Music is the key to eternal happiness, especially when combined with seven cans and some kebab meat.

Tell us a joke.

Hang on, you’ve obviously not seen the act. Funny we ain’t.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?

God.

What have you been reading lately?

God’s Twitter.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

At the moment I would say it would have to be my parole officer.

Which song do you wish you had written?

To be serious for a moment… that’s enough of that. I wish I had written anything that had a minor level of chart success in the mainland UK and Europe so I can pay off the loan I took out to buy a porch, that’s right I said porch, not Porsche.

Does God exist?

If his Twitter is anything to go by, then yes. He regularly updates and he is a kind God. He will retweet summat if you ask him nicely.

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?

It would be quicker to tell you what I’m not drinking. Get me anything that tops out at 6% ABV, is brown/black in colour and isn’t served in anything less than pint or pint bottle form.

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?

Stacey Solomon, Kerry Katona, Katie Price, Ms Dynamite, Davina McCall or that scouse woman off ‘Shameless’. You wanna know why? You already know why, I don’t need to say it out loud/write it down.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Drunk and I’ve done a ruddy good job so far.

What song will you have played at your funeral?

‘You’ by VAST. That’s not even a joke. Check it out, you’ll weep like a unwatered spider plant on a hot kitchen windowsill in a council flat.
What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?

Our gigs, our songs and our albums. All of ‘em. Search The Lancashire Hotpots online, I haven’t got time to write it all in here. Oh and check out Titor’s Insignia. A hot young talent from Thatto Heath, these guys don’t mess about I can tell you.

How can we find out more about you?

Google, Wikipedia or come to a gig and ask us a question. To try and answer a few FAQ’s though here are some answers:

YES

Four times a week, five if I get a lie in.

I do.

Dickie ticker on the toilet.

We knew nothing about it.

Shopmobility Scooter, and finally;

As long as people are coming to shows and buying records, we’ll keep being idiots.

Ta ra!

Put another shrimp on the barbie, ya flamin’ gallah! 26 January is Australia Day! And what finer way to celebrate than to get a bunch of whining bloody pommes to list their favourite bands and artists from Down Under.

In case you thought Australian music was all about failed pop stars straining for one last pop at dignity before an endless tour of the UK’s pantomime circuit, think again. Australia has a magnificent music scene. And here to prove it, is a list of some of the country’s finest.

Think we’ve missed out on an Antipodean masterpiece? Go down under the article to the comments box to leave you suggestions.

ACDC – ‘Highway To Hell’

OK, so Brian Johnson, the band’s vocalist since 1980, isn’t Australian, but with the other 80% in posession of Aussie passports , they still qualify, very much, as an Australian band. Once of the original metal acts, ACDC are famed for high octane tunes, screeching vocals and, of course, Angus Young’s schoolboy uniform. (Stephen Morris)

The Avalanches – ‘Frontier Psychiatrist’

Back at the turn of the millenium, The Avalanches released a mindbendingly awesome album by the name of ‘Since I Left You’. It was made up entirely of samples – some miniscule in length – resulting in brand new songs that sounded completely weird and just a little bit wonderful. And ‘Frontier Psychiatrist’ is one of the album’s highlights. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

Emily Barker – ‘Pause’

We’ve featured a couple of Emily Barker And The Red Clay Halo’s songs on our free downloads pages of late (‘Fields Of June’ with Frank Turner being one of them). Emily Barker’s is a familiar voice to anyone who likes gritty crime drama on the beeb. Her songs have featured on the opening credits to the English verison of ‘Wallender’ and ‘The Shadow Line’.

There’s something enigmatic and enchanting about the gentle delivery from Emily Barker, originally from Western Australia. Absolutely spell binding. Get ‘Pause’, as used on ‘The Shadow Line’ here. (Stephen Morris)

Cloud Control – ‘Gold Canary’

Cloud Control come from the gorgeous Blue Mountains just outside Sydney. And there’s something of the verdant landscape that seeps through their music, none more so than in this single from 2011. Get ‘Gold Canary’ here. (Stephen Morris)

Rowland S. Howard — ‘Dead Radio’

Rowland S. Howard, sometimes known as Roland Howard, made an explosive solo album (now out of print) called Teenage Snuff Film. The music is more tense, murderous and evil than Nick Cave’s southern gothic noodlings. The opening song is a chilling wonder. Get it here. (Mark Nicholls)

The Jezebels – ‘Try Colour’

The Jezebels have been all over Shout4Music of late, what with free downloads and a recent Back Page interview with Sam Lockwood from the band. We make no apology for this. They are, after all, very good. If you haven’te taken advantage of the free download of this Stevie Nicks-ish track yet, here’s another chance. (Get it here)

Sanctify by TROUMACA

Seeker Lover Keeper – ‘Light All My Lights’

Seeker Lover Keeper, formed in 2011, combines the talents of Aussie singer-songwriters Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. Tinged with romantic idealism, hope and mellifluous vocal harmonies, ‘Light All My Lights’ speaks of how the unity of two people is more powerful than facing the world separately and alone. ‘We can be higher than our heights/I’ll be a fighter by your side/And we’ll all be so strong.’ (Sheila Ring)

Angus and Julia Stone – ‘Love Will Take You’ (pictured)

Chugging along like an olden-day train, Sydney’s Angus and Julia Stone’s inoffensive ‘Love Will Take You’ ruminates on love’s uplifting emotional journey that can enrich people’s lives and lead to a sense of belonging in the world. Amidst a flurry of sumptuous string instrumentation, the brother-sister duo sing, ‘If we hadn’t had the heart/We wouldn’t have this home’ and ‘In my arms let’s share the cold.’ Get it here. (Sheila Ring)

Megan Washington – ‘I Believe You Liar’

Megan Washington is a huge hit in Australia. And with her fantastic voice and great song writing, it’s both a shock and a shame she’s not more well known in the UK. her songs range from kooky playfulness to searching and sorrowful ballads. Get it here. (Stephen Morris)

Math rock outfit Tubelord went through a host of changes prior to the production of last year’s second album, ‘Romance’.  Now currently in the midst of a massive UK tour, the band took time out from their rota of taking their brand of R.O.M.A.N.C.E to every part of the UK to discuss the album, line-up changes and the state of guitar music with Shout4Music.

For anyone new to Tubelord how would you describe the band?

Yourcodenameis:Milo playing Scrabble with Phil Collins

You’ve been on tour, how’s it going?

It’s pretty standard, already quite a high-level of obnoxious in-jokes and banter,

The Cambridge gig is the start of a packed week of live dates, how does playing live rate on the things you enjoy most about being in a band? And how important is it to you?

“tonight when I was playing, like…that was it, I had a really fun time tonight” -Dave

‘Romance’ came out last year, what did you make to the reaction it got?

I can’t recall any really nasty reviews except maybe one, from speaking to people who have listened, very few seem to have got ‘it’, using the word ‘it’ as if I honestly know what ‘it’ is. But I think we’re getting there, this is it…almost.

How was the writing and producing process for ‘Romance’ when compared to your debut ‘Our First American Friends’? 

Completely different, not only did we have an additional member in comparison to recording ‘Our First American Friends’, but the production process was more of a hands-on process for all involved which definitely helped all four of us to be more considerate with our own parts, thus helping the song breathe and take shape.

So, you had some line-up changes in 2010, did (and if so how) the new faces affect the writing of ‘Romance’?

James was an old friend we had recorded with before on early 7″ releases and CD EPs, but he only ever begun to get involved with the songwriting/structuring process on the ‘Tezcatlipoca’ EP released at some point back then, in the past. With his new face officially a part of Tubelord post ‘Tezcatlipoca’, his input into the writing process was to be heavily ingrained not just within the structuring of the songs but also in developing the textures and sounds of the synthesisers into something more pleasing on the ear than my bedroom demos I was sending around to James, Dave and Tom.

You play guitar, where do you stand on the current guitar debate and the feeling that 2011 wasn’t a great year for guitar bands?

I had no idea there was a feeling of 2011 not being a great year for guitar bands? I listened to quite a lot of fantastic guitar-driven music in 2011, whether it was understated pop music or rap or rock or whatever you like.

If a decrease in the popularity of ‘guitar’ music as you see it is true, it is surely for a reason, and that reason being could perhaps be because the quality songwriting is not happening within the ‘guitar’ realm as you see it, and if that is the case, I can only see the decline in its popularity as a good thing. Consider the form and it’s relevance, if it is meaning less to people then lets get rid of what we once knew and advance, sowing seeds for the future of music to bloom into a sound and a form relevant to now, if this is without guitars then so be it, be done with them.

What do you make to the Lostprophets comment about the world needing them as there is no good guitar music in the charts?

I have no desire to spend time debating insecurity problems of the self-indulgent, privileged minority of pop music musicians making a living from exploiting the insecurity problems of the self-indulgent, unprivileged majority.

2012 has just started what are Tubelord’s aims and aspirations for the year ahead?

To learn how to fly.