Last year I started to write a short novel for NaNoWriMo but eventually decided it was a fairly mediocre piece of writing and abandoned it to the dustbowl of half finished projects in my bedroom.

Since then I’ve envisaged it as a shakily recorded film, made on handicams with an infeasibly low budget and starring an underpaid cast in a bid to create the whimsical sentiment of Forrest Gump with the neon mysticism of Lost In Translation while somehow conveying a dark Northern Irish humour without the use of Jimmy Nesbitt. None of this is probably remotely possible but to get the ball rolling, here’s the soundtrack.

Writer’s Block Party – B-Movies
Frogger! The Frogger Musical – Paul & Storm
Police Car – Eliza Doolittle
Bad Kids – Black Lips
Stupid Kid – Alkaline Trio
Get Over It – OK GO
Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone…) – The Buzzcocks
Church On Sunday – Green Day
Heartbeat Song – The Futureheads
Chillout Tent – The Hold Steady
No Fit Girls In NYC – Beans On Toast
Tree Hugger – Kimya Dawson & Antsy Pants
Is This It – The Strokes
I Remembered What I Was Going To Say – Nada Surf
God Takes Care Of The Little Things – The Boy Least Likely To

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Ten Gallon Hat & The Big Salute (to give them their full title) have been kicking around the Belfast Scene for a couple of years now and have developed a huge following in that short time having played the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Open House Festival, UTV Countryfest and a whole host of other gigs around the city and further afield.

The sound is laced with blues and rock giving it more of a swagger than straight up country. I shot this video from the back of a fairly packed bar where there was a whole lotta toe tapping and a bit of crazy dancing going on for most of the set.

Video from OUTLAW:LIVE hosted by deadonmusic on 28th May 2010. Music by Ten Gallon Hat & The Big Salute

The evacuation of Dunkirk happened a staggering 70 years ago this week as allied troops were rescued from French shores by a fleet of ships, boats and other makeshift seaworthy craft which epitomised what has since become known as Dunkirk Spirit.

It was an event which stood out in a war that called for people to make the most of what they had and what the British had was music, a sense of humour and an influx of American GI’s with rock and roll, jazz and ragtime records. It wasn’t exactly a period of intricate tuneage or lyrics but some of the songs from the thirties and forties still stand the test of time and are instantly recognisable all these years later. Could anyone say the same of today’s plastic pop?

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Judy Collins
In The Mood – Glenn Miller
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – The Andrews Sisters
I’m Going To Get Lit Up – Carol Gibbons
Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line – Flanagan and Allen
Long Way To Tipperary – Frank Hutchinson
I’ve Got Sixpence – Alan Kane
Elmer’s Tune – Peggy Lee
Rosie The Riveter – Suzy Bogguss
Run Rabbit Run – Falanagan and Allen
Pack Up Your Troubles – Murray Johnson
It’s Been A Long Long Time – Peggy Lee
The White Cliffs Of Dover – Vera Lynn
Au Revoir (J’attendrai) – Richard Tauber
We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn

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The other day I read a post over on For Folks Sake which vaguely mentioned Loudon Wainwright namechecking Bob Dylan in “My Biggest Fan”, then on random shuffle this morning Snow Patrol’s “Hand’s Open” came on my generic MP3 playing device and got me wondering to just how many songs dropped name’s of heroes and enemies alike. Sadly the classic “I’d Love To Kiss The Bangles” by The Saw Doctors isn’t available on Spotify but I’m sure you’ll enjoy this special double edition of Monday Mixtapery!

The Beatles – Devendra Banhart
Be My Yoko Ono – Barenaked Ladies
Walking In Memphis – Marc Cohn
Chelsea Hotel #2 – Leonard Cohen
Just Like Anyone – Aimee Mann
Friend Of A Friend – Foo Fighters
The Ballad Of Tom Jones – Space & Cerys Matthews
You’re So Vain – Carly Simon
Let Robeson Sing – Manic Street Preachers
Beatles and the Stones The House Of Love
Talking New Bob Dylan – Loudon Wainwright III
The Night Hank Williams Came To Town – Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash – Alabama 3
If You Don’t Like Hank Williams – Kris Kristofferson
Bowie – Flight Of The Conchords
Song For Bob Dylan – David Bowie
Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
I Am Damo Suzuki – The Fall
Frank Sinatra – Cake
Cool As Kim Deal – Dandy Warhols
Journey To The End Of The East Bay – Rancid
Alex Chilton – The Replacements
Buddy Holly – Weezer
Political Song For Michael Jackson To Sing – Minutemen
Hands Open – Snow Patrol
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House – LCD Soundsystem
Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above – CSS
Geno – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Sweet Soul Music – Arthur Conley
Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile) – Van Morrisson

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I’m heading off to Glasgow for the weekend and leaving you in the capable hands of my autopublishing system. Here’s a great video I first saw the other day and have watched every day since. For a music fan and an old school geek there is probably nothing else quite so sublime on the internet. Or if there is, then one of you need to point me in that direction quickly.

I’m taking a break from rating and slating musical offerings today to have a considered look at Wenlock and Mandeville who are the new mascots for the 2012 Olympics. They have their own website however I discovered them on the BBC News site where the good folk of our nation have been less than kind.

Of course, when I use the term “our nation” I refer to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for I, as a resident of Belfast feel no allegiance to London, to Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff or anywhere else which is where my main gripe with the negative opinions expressed by the population stems from.

Firstly as a designer myself I am hugely impressed with the loveable little monsters. Names aside (which sound typically English middle class) I think they are identifiable, unique, eye-catching and of the moment, which to me is what a mascot should be.

If I read one more comment along the lines of “why can’t they use a bulldog?” “why can’t it be a lion?” or why not something more London-based I may actually implode. Sure, London is the epicentre of these games but they are UK based so for every comment along the lines of those above we should equally be saying can we not have a dragon or a bloody big furry haggis!

In this current day and age is there anything that is so stereotypically British that it’s worth promoting? The use of the Union Flag in a logo will alienate it to the Northern Irish, Welsh and Scottish and likewise with ubiquitous references to WWII, Dunkirk Spirit, 1966, Three bloody Lions and all the rest.

If we want a forward-looking fresh design that will easily translate to web graphics, iPhone avatars, CGI animations for TV and can be replicated across sports and nations without fear of offence or alienation then I say go with it. If we want something which beautifully portrays the UK with it’s belligerent harking back to ‘good old days’, casual racism, jolly hockeysticks, cups of tea, Pimms, joblessness, stress and fat arses inches away from heart attacks then why not have Ricky Tomlinson or Rab C. Nesbitt?

People of the nation. Embrace the future.

I’ve just been sent a very exciting email with some lineup additions to the Pagoda Stage at this year’s Secret Garden Party which now features DJ sets from Alex Metric, Filthy Dukes and Adam Freeland.

If like me you’re bored with the standard indie-piss-fest that constitutes a Summer festival then SGP is a refreshing alternative. Set in acres of land in the middle of the English Countryside from 22nd – 25th July, there’s no sponsorship, no commercial interest, no bullshit, just a huge community of music loving people and some of the best tunes you’ll hear this Summer.

We’re into a little bit of everything here so we’ve selected a few highlights in the lineup below with our “don’t miss” recommendations.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

FULL LINEUP FOR 2010

Gorillaz Sound System (DVJ) / Mercury Rev / Marina & The Diamonds / Horace Andy & Dub Asante / Skatalites / Caravan Palace / Dreadzone / David Rodigan /Animal Kingdom / Delays / The Jolly Boys ft Albert Minott / The Whip / Kate Walsh / Alex Metric (DJ Set) / Sarah Blasko / Fionn Regan / Eliza Doolittle / Goldheart Assembly / James Hunter / Kitty Daisy & Lewis / Son of Dave / Pete Molinari / The Heavy / Naive New Beaters / Hoodlums / Summer Camp / Darwin Deez / Hybrid / The Jessie Rose Trip / Fenech Soler / Freestylers Sound System with Tenor Fly + MC Sir Real / Example / Killa Kela / Losers / Doorly / Jakwob / Eddy Temple Morris + MC Sir Real and MC Manners / Zero 7 (DJ) / Adam Freeland (DJ) / Filthy Dukes (DJ) / Belleruche / Golden Filter / Apples / Kid Bombardos / Charli XCX/ Death Metal Disco Scene / Pearl and The Puppets / The Crookes / Panda Su / Mano De Dios / Samuel Chase / Will and The People / Sunday Girl /Lissie / Cloud Control / I Am Arrows / The Loose Cannons / High Rankin / Burn The Negative / Tommy Sparks / Killaflaw / Run Toto Run /Anna Calvi / King Cannibal / Goldierocks / Black Daniel / Marques Toliver / Beans on Toast / Trevor Moss and Hannah Lou / Ralfe Band / Nive Nielson / The Boy Who Trapped the Sun / Ed Sheeran / Adelaide’s Cape / Ethan Ash / Big Hand / Tayo (DJ) / Rodeo Massacre / The Killermetres / The Baker Brothers / Stopmakingme (DJ) / Nockall (DJ) / Matt Gresham / Ryan Keen / Dave Peers / Ivan Campo / Joe Echo / Paul Liddell / Matthew P / Charlene Soraia / Jodie May Seymour / UTE / Michael Kiwanuka / Firas (NME Radio) / Big Joe Louis / King Salami & The Cumberland 3 / Kirsty Almeida / Rachel Barton (DJ) / Jay Karim (DJ) / Alvin C (DJ) / Dollar Bill / Ben Prestage / Fabulous Penetrators / Little Barrie / Jack Rabbit Slim / Daniel Jeanrenaud/ Ian Siegal / The Guilty Ones / Stac / Big 10 / Wellsley / Jay Leighton / Passenger / Jon Bilbrough Alexander Wolfe / Ben Howard / Chris Bob / Park Bench Poet / Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer / Trio Manouche / Dekker & Johan / Hitchcock / SI Begg / Stereo:Type / Othello Woolfe / Mr Fogg / Nick Luscombe / Pixelfist / Subsource / Kids On Bridges / Mat Horne Monkeysuit DJs / Envy / SkisM / Ed Cosens / 2 Bit Thugs / Mister Sushi AV set / Sunta Templeton / Nursery Of Naughtiness / Echaskech / Firas / G.e.R.M. / Rock Da World / The Violet May / Clare Sturgess / 10 Rapid / Cakeboy & Doublethink / Type Two Error / Sounds Familiar Soundsystem + MC Quizzical / Johnny Pluse / Murkage Cartel / The Slips / Idiotech / Udy (Kiss My Bass Recordings) / Eskimo Twins / Dan O’Connell / Ela Caspian / Shoplifters / Helmholtz / Resonators / Rubicks / Christian Nash / Humanizer / Max Touhy / DotJr / James Yuill

ALL PROCEEDS FROM SALE OF THIS SINGLE WILL BE DONATED TO THE BRIAN KERR WISH FUND.

Full information on the Brian Kerr Wish Fund and details on how to download the track are available on Captain Kennedy’s Bandcamp site.

captainkennedy.bandcamp.com

I like a bit of a challenge when it comes to music. Sometimes it’s the challenge of getting punters to come and see unknown acts, sometimes it’s finding a new band to get excited about, sometimes it’s just understanding what other people’s hype is about but recently I’ve been challenging myself with playlists for the OUTLAW club nights where we like to play a little bit of old country and rock and roll but mash it up a little to keep dancing people quite literally on their toes. Mixing in a few dance beats or a bit of hip-hop… Sounds like an aural car crash, right? Think again…

I Get A Kick Out Of You (Cinematic Orchestra Remix) – Ella Fitzgerald
Cowboy – Kid Carpet
I Believe In Symmetry – Bright Eyes
All The Records On The Radio Are Shite – Ballboy
Hello I’m Johnny Cash – Alabama 3
Goodbye Blues – The Ironweed Project
Country Boys – Motova8
Rock Around The Clock (Swing Cats Remix) – Bill Haley
Baby Let’s Play House (13 Cats Remix) – Elvis Presley
Hey Porter (Mocean Worker Remix) – Johnny Cash
Monkey See Monkey Do – 13 Cats
I walk The Line – Snoop Dogg feat Johnny Cash
Dear God (Sincerely MOF) – Monsters Of Folk
Blue Skies (Yacht Remix) Noah and the Whale
A Shot In The Arm (Remix Version) – Wilco

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Tonight Lisburn based Silhouette will play McHugh’s Basement supporting the lovely Hannah Peel who’s travelled over from Manchester for a one-off Northern Irish show.

Silhouette feature the multi-instrumentalist songwriter Shauna Tohill with accompaniment from Peter McAuley, Zarah Mascara and Orla Rice. Their debut single ‘Volume Destroyed’ is released on 24th May this year and is one of the catchiest tunes I’ve heard so far in 2010 on the local scene.

“Superb, stunning and shocking, one to watch…” Donna Legge, BBC Radio Ulster, 2010