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It was Mugison's wife that first grabbed my attention. That Icelandic female voice on Mugison's "Salt" track more specifically (hear it below)... it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. So I set about finding out more about this entity Mugison, a home-grown Icelandic star, who hasn't ventured far beyonds the shores of that very special island. Mugison's output has been prolific, with the most recent release entitled "Mugimama Is This Monkey Music", the stand-out track of which is "Murr Murr". I caught him in concert in Reykjavik in '06 alongside Bjork, Sigur Ros and Damon Albarn (so he shoots big back home), where he dabbles on occasion in reggae with local act Hjálmar. Check him out.
Fionn Regan will stand alongside our featured act of the month, Messiah J and the Expert, at the upcoming SXSW in Texas, but what a different proposition he is. Introspective beauty, the 26-year-old Dubliner has created something very very special with his "The End of History" release. Songs like "Noah (Ghost In A Sheet)" just take you away to another place. His upcoming single release "Be Good Or Be Gone" comes equipped with one of the most endearing music videos I've seen, with the tune completely rerecorded and shot in 22 different locations in a mere 3-and-a-half-minutes. See it here.
For those of you back in darling Dublin, while I languish in the music wasteland that is Barcelona, take note there's a ten-day-period in April, which deserves a big red circle on the calendar: Peter, Bjorn & John in Tripod on April 14th, Fionn Regan in Whelans on April 19th and Cold War Kids on April 24th. Speaking of Peter, Bjorn & John, take the time to investigate the back catalogue, there are two particular gems on "Falling Out" called "Does It Matter Now!" and "All Those Expectations". Special.
I came across a video recently, and I've linked to it below - it's a piece shot backstage and is a stunning snapshot of the musical skill evident in M.Ward's live performances, it's a medley of a few of his tunes, all the more enjoyable if you are familiar with those being played. Truly excellent.
Finally: the Cale Parks track below, entitled "Wet Paint" is particularly good, do check it out.
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GUEST SPOT: PAUL PAGE of WHIPPING BOY
Q: What’s your most-tipped band of the moment?
A: Dry County is about the best young band I have come across in the last couple of years – it is refreshing to hear an Irish band that are not slavishly tied to the guitars, bass and drums format. They seem to be attempting to make music that appeals to them, as opposed to following current music trends or trying to land a big record deal. They have an album due out soon, and if it is as good as their "Nothing Stays In Place" EP, it could be something special.
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"Messiah J of MJEX here. Hope you’re all magmorious and the first signs of spring are turning you on. Messiah J & the Expert are off to South by Southwest in Texas in just a couple of weeks. SXSW is to be part of our first sojourn out of the hemeroid isle and we are buzzing. But before that happens we stop off in New York to play a festival called The Craicfest on March 9th (Biggie and Bukowski RIP). This is an affair where a load of Irish bands showcase. The night we play Laura Izibor, Mundy and Propoganda Anonymous will be playing too. The venue is Sin E in Manhattan.
On another note, The Expert is trickling piddle at the prospect of going digging in NYC. He is finally popping his US cherry and for a Hip Hop producer this is no small feat. I think he may already have planned a top secret mission to hit every 50c bargain bin in the five boroughs and the piggy bank he has kept since his ninth birthday for an occasion like this will finally be prised open. Roll on the next LP!
We fly to Texas to play South by Southwest on Paddy’s Night. Austin, where SXSW is on, is apparently the city in the US with the highest levels of obesity... therefore the fattest place on earth! This means guilt free gorging for me and The Twiddler! I remember being told by Sage Francis back when I stalked him that Austin is his favourite place to play in the US. The lineup is ace aswell (Moz, Sage Francis, Brother Ali, Busdriver, Buzzcocks, Chromeo, Kings Of Leon I particularly want to see) so we can check out all the other acts while we’re there. Again we are playing with Irish bands including the fantastic Jape and The Immediate. We are trying to organise a show on a skate ramp which would be a crackers thing to do. I have no idea how our first trip to America is going to be but I cannot wait to get there. Thanks for reading darlings!"
Exclusive to Issue001 MJEX tune: "Superfamous Supertune".
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