What do you do when you're tired of singing Bob Dylan covers? Why you write some songs of your own. It just so happens that Blitzen Trapper forgot to change anything when they wrote Furr. They sound like Bob, but you know what, good on them, because they are making me tap my feet, and that's all that matters. After several years of self releases they have been snapped up by indie supremos Sub Pop Records, who no doubt are pleased as punch with the acclaim the 2008 release 'Furr' has recieved. Keep your eye on these Portland boys, they've already hit the 'top 100' lists, let's see if they can cut it with the big boys...

It's been two years since Lowly Knights began. What started as a one off gig is still going strong, and by strong, I mean twelve members chirping their little hearts out all over the country. The story goes, that a friend was looking for someone to play some guitar at a party, after two agreed, someone else offered drums, another cello, the girls some vocals, and as they would like to say, "the rest is history", but alas they're not quite there yet. History is yet to be made by these folksters, but they are beginning to set things in motion.

Popularity has soared for this Northern Irish based dozen over the last few months. Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody, was seen bopping along at a gig in Belfast, and not only that, but he got things a moving with a plug on his blog.

For me though, the above video is what the Lowly Knights are all about. A countryside festival, Forfey, great craic, no amps or mics. Just twelve friends singing. I hope you haven't ruined things Gary, go back to chasing cars, these cool cats need nothing but wide open spaces.

I have been championing Now, Now Every Children for quite some time. They are great. Please, just trust me. They got signed, hooray, and have just released their first full length 'Cars' - so if you are a hipster and only listen to bands that aren't big yet these guys are perfect for you.

They are kids at heart, but well capable of making songs that I am likely to be still singing when i'm twice their age. Minneapolis based and now signed with Afternoon Records they are destined for greatness, give them a whirl while your hipster image allows it.

In 1995 a music video was made. A music video that will forever be remembered. Not for the song, not even for the direction. The video will always be remembered because it cost $7,000,000 to make. Who could spend such an unearthly amount on just four minutes of footage and make it look like a kid's TV show? Michael Jackson of course. The video in question is Scream.

Ben Gibbard has, over the years, proved himself to be one of the greatest musicians of our generation. His work with Death Cab for Cutie, as well as The Postal Service will forever be classed, in my humble opinion as worthly of appearing on anyones Desert Island Discs.....Why am I talking about Jacko and Gibbard in the same blog post? Well Ben and Michael have something in common. A passion for music videos. While Michael was thrilling us, and moon walking on pavement Ben has developed his love by letting others create short movies over his tracks. Directions was released in 2006 and comprised of eleven short films created by different directors, all of which accompanied their album, Plans. It was a collection of strange and often heartfelt videos, a collection which you should try and get your hands on.

Ben has worked on a solo project All Time Quarterback for many years, and it is here where we see more of his love of the musical video. Big budgets? No. Are you listening Michael? The video for 'Plans get Complex' cost $6 to make, and, now that I have watched both it and Scream I know which one i'm posting here for you all to enjoy.

Got a second? A minute? All day? Head on over to Domotic's layer of darkness here.

I know very little to nothing about these french boys, but I do know that they deserve a Wikipedia page at the very least. What I love is their christmas tune "Christmas for Berry" but, as awkward as can be, they have hidden it inside their website, so go a looking. I'll give you a hint. It's one of the cassette tapes.

How great are youtube comments. Always hateful, never logical and more then likely full of information you never knew about said video. In this case I see that "I Hate you Forever" has been adopted by those who have had their hearts broken. 

Apparently Pinkyskys has been having a rough time... "This goes out to my lieing cheating husband who played up behind my back with a slut called Jane." Well Pinkyskys we trust you are feeling better now you've told the world about it via a youtube comment. 

Strangely I don't think Domotic ever intended such angst to be set alongside this tune, they seem like such a cheery bunch.

Oh how the lowly have blossomed. With nearly 20 years of music making
behind them The Notwist are old timers in this young bloods game.
Their secret to success, in my eyes, has been their ability to morph,
change and alter their entire genre. It not only keeps the record
company guessing, but when 1980's Grunge metal decides to go all 90's
electornica you know it's going to sound different.

And different is good? Right?
 
With six albums under their Bravarian belts and the most recent
recieving critical acclaim it's time that the lowly tag was peeled
off and quickly replaced. Their new album, The Devil, You + Me, which
was released in the summer is well worth a listen, with tracks such as
Gone Gone Gone standing out. Today however we go back a few years, to
not only my favourite Notwist song, but one of my all time favourite
videos. One with the freaks. Released under Domino Records and directed by
the quite magnificent Keith Schofield it's a tale of a jelly fish lost so far from
home. Try not to cry.