MPFree - October 2014

Friday 31 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

We do love a slice of Welsh psychedelia on this show, and that’s why The Pale Blue Dots are our MPFree today. Because…it’s psychedelic. And from Wales. And completely excellent.

Download The Pale Blue Dots – Slow Reaction

TPBD is Super Furry Animals’ guitarist Huw ‘Bunf’ Bunford & composer Richard Chester. It’s taken from the forthcoming debut album Lots of Dots which is released this coming Monday 3rd November on Cardiff-based imprint Strangetown Records. Also, did you know that Huw apparently met Gruff Rhys on the roof of a train in 1990? And he used to be an art teacher? "I was a very bad teacher" he says. School’s out, rock ‘n roll is in! Download now

Thursday 30 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPFree is really going to wake you up…if you like sleeping in past 11:30. A duo following very closely in the footsteps of Mercury Prize, heavy-duo Royal Blood (congrats to Royal Fathers btw – did you hear them in session with us back in February?) this is a short, sharp shrift into a world of loud guitars, louder vocals, and very short running times.

Download Slaves - Hey

Slaves are drummer / vocalist Isaac Holman and guitarist / vocalist Laurie Vincent from Kent. They performed on the BBC Introducing Stage at T in the Park this year, as well as playing Reading & Leeds this summer. We liked this song so much that it’s currently sitting on our playlist, and they’re out on tour tonight, starting in Bristol with Jamie T. Dates are as follows:

• Thu 30 Oct O2 Academy Bristol
• Fri 31 Oct O2 Guildhall Southampton
• Sat 1 Nov UEA Norwich
• Mon 3 Nov O2 Academy Newcastle
• Tue 4 Nov Rock City Nottingham
• Weds 5 Nov The Hairy Dog Derby (Slaves headline show)
• Thurs 6 Nov The Crauford Arms Milton Keynes (Slaves headline show)
• Fri 7 Nov Academy Manchester
• Sat 8 Nov O2 Academy Leeds
• Sun 9 Nov Fibbers York (Slaves headline show)
• Mon 10 Nov Barrowlands Glasgow
• Tue 11 Nov Barrowlands Glasgow
• Weds 12 Nov The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool (Slaves headline show)
• Thu 13 Nov O2 Academy Birmingham
• Fri 14 Nov Alexandra Palace London
• Sun 16 Nov Slade Rooms Wolverhampton (Slaves headline show)
• Mon 17 Nov Academy Manchester
• Tue 18 Nov Liverpool University

Wednesday 29 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPfree is a bit of a goodie – as they all are of course – but this is a version of a Wings song that you won’t have heard anywhere in the world before.

Download Wings - Letting Go (Extended Mix)

Following his triumphant 6 Music Live performance with us at Maida Vale last year, we thought it only right that we’d take you to this exclusive track before anybody else. It’s an alternate version of ‘Letting Go’ that actually won’t be appearing on the Venus And Mars reissue, out on 3rd November, but is a really interesting take on a classic. Originally released in 1975 and recorded at Abbey Road, the song is about Linda – as were many tracks around this time - who also co-wrote the song. With this mix, the rock has been replaced by a more laid back disco feel, the bass pushed to the fore with the scaling back of the guitars. Nice! Download now.

Tuesday 28 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s free download comes from a very talented singer-songwriter who’s on show favourite Courtney Barnett’s Milk Records label – seriously, Courtney and Jen Cloher might change your musical life. This guy is still relatively new on the scene but, oh, what a voice. Download now!

Download Fraser A. Gorman – Book Of Love

He announced last week that his debut album will be out next year and he’ll be supporting Damon Albarn at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on 12th December. He’s also been supporting Courtney Barnett on a few dates around the big island down south as well. Certainly one to keep your eye on for next year. You heard it hear first.

Friday 27 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

Welcome to the land of free music folks. Everyday on the Lauren Laverne shoEach day of the week we play a track on the show which, as it transpires, is also available from the internet music gods for free. This band hail from Russia’s second largest city St Petersburg. Not really a place you’d go to for ethereal shoegaze, but this is a band that you simply have to keep your eye on.

Download Pinkshinyultrablast – Umi

We’ve noticed a steady trickle of great music from Russian recently. The show team was discussing the potential influence that Pussy Riot might have had on new music over there, a new-found confidence if you will. Pinkshinyultrablast are a five-piece and Umi is the first single to be taken from forthcoming debut album 'Everything Else Matters', out in January. The single is out 24th November, and available to download now. Our very own Gideon Coe was the first person to play this at the station as well don’t you know. Many reasons to tune in to ol’ 6 Music

Friday 24 October, by Ashley Team Laverne

We’re quick on the draw here at 6 Music. Killer Mike and El-P’s Run The Jewels returns for a second episode – announced this morning - and the whole album is available for free download.

Download Run The Jewels (Ft Zack De La Rocha) - Close Your Eyes

The album Run The Jewels 2 is pretty naughty, so sensitive ears might want to give this a wide berth. Close Your Eyes features Rage Against The Machine’s Zack De La Rocha, and sees him in fine form. The album will be released properly on 3rd November, so download while you can. In other news, a fan-lead Kickstarter campaign is underway to fund Meow The Jewels - a joke set of bonus packages where El-P is to remix the album using only cat noises. They have successfully reached their target so we’re looking forward to hearing the likes of Geoff Barrow, Just Blaze, Zola Jesus, Baauer, BOOTS, Prince Paul, Dan The Automator helping with production. El-P is currently auditioning cats!

Thursday 23rd October, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPFree is from synth pop duo Blue Hawaii from that there Montreal. If icy, intricate, laid back vibes are your thing, then this is the song for you.

Download Blue Hawaii – Get Happy

Blue Hawaii is actually a side project of Raphaelle Standell and Alex “Agor” Cowan from Braids – check out last year’s Flourish // Perish. Whilst you’re there, check out Blue Hawaii’s album from last year Untogether played many times on this show — are releasing a new one-off track called ‘Get Happy’, also included in the download package is ‘Get Happier’, which is like the former…but sped up. How could that not make you happy? The band said in a statement. “As the year progressed, we found our live show intensify but still had all these softer recordings which would never be released. Hence we present ’Get Happy’ / ’Get Happier’, where we explore both sides: the original demo and a fun, double-time edit made one day in August.” Download now, it’s guaranteed to relax your mind moods.

Wednesday 22 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Paul Hartnoll joined us on the show yesterday to talk all about the demise of Orbital after 25 years together and to explain why he’s never going back. Brothers hey? But the result of that closed door, is another one opening as we welcome Paul’s solo project, 8:58.

Download 8:58 – 8:58

Paul explained how he’s always been obsessed with time, and this track – featuring the spooky opening monologue from Cillian Murphy – in fact the whole project, is certainly evident of that. He says: “I’ve always had a thing for clocks and for time as a powerful force - but also the way it oppresses you.” Paul’s also been busy working on the Peaky Blinders soundtrack, where he met one Cillian Murphy and the result is a sprawling six minute journey into the electronic netherworlds so familiar to Orbital fans. The self-titled album arrives February next year, when he’ll also be on tour, stopping off at Oxford on 18th, 19th Norwich, 20th Glasgow, 21st Manchester, 24th Bristol and 25th London. Don’t say we’re not good to you.

Tuesday 21 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Every now and then, a band just needs to change its name in order to establish its new course: The Quarrymen into The Beatles, The Rain into Oasis, Liberty into Liberty X. Joining that list is Temple Songs – played several times on this show - who’ve changed their name to Pink Teens.

Download Pink Teens - More Than I Can Bear

In celebration of this change, the will be releasing a 9-track EP “Good Luck, Pink Teens”, from which More Than I Can Bear is taken. Fans of the former will be pleased that the psyche-tinged shoe gaze remain, with lead singer Jolan Lewis just having a knack for finding great melodies amongst the wealth of sound behind him. They play Bleach in Brighton tonight. Download now, watch tonight = Tuesday.

Monday 20 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPFree is a beautiful and mellow track to soothe you into your Monday morning by L.A. based band Dive Index.

Download Dive Index - Pattern Pieces

Spearheaded by composer and producer Will Thomas, Dive Index is a collaboration of artists such as vocalists Simone White, who features on Pattern Pieces. Dive Index use a unique combination of electronic and acoustic sounds to make deeply layered music.

Pattern Pieces is partnered with the song A Person To Hide With, which features Isaiah Gage on vocals, and is also available as a free download. Will describes the two songs as “lyrically…portray[ing] an intimate, one-on-one conversation.”

Dive Index's fourth album Lost In The Pressure was released on 30th September 2014 via Neutral Music Records.

Friday 17 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPFree goes global with a stunner from African musicians Tamikrest, discovered in the same Glitterbeat Records vaults which gave us Wednesday’s ‘Robot Dub’ track (Be Ki Don by Schneider TM).

Download Tamikrest - Djanegh Etoumast

Recent winners of the ‘Best Group’ award at the Songlines Music Awards, Tamikrest are formed of artists from Mali, Niger and Algeria who aim to open up ‘new paths between desert blues and Western rock.’

As a band originating from the Sahara comparisons to fellow Saharan musicians Tinariwen are inevitable, but Tamikrest carve their own niche with funky bass riffs and bluesy rhythms.

This track ‘Djanegh Etoumast’ comes from their latest album Chatma, which was released in September. Never ones to shy away from political and social commentary, Chatma, which means ‘Sisters’ in Tamashek, is about the suffering and strength of the Tuareg women during war.

Their frontman Ousmane Ag Mossa recently performed alongside Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye at Burg Herzberg Festival, and the band will begin a UK tour later this month if you want to catch them live.

Thursday 16 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s MPFree is a mesmerising demo from the woman of the moment – the very cool Jessie Ware.

Download Jessie Ware - 12

South Londoner Jessie recorded the track "12" last year at the Red Bull Studio in London. Robin Hannibal, who is part of the Danish group Quadron, co-wrote and produced the song. Jessie released her second album Tough Love on 13th October. Even though "12" didn’t make it onto the new album Jessie tells us all to "play it late and go kiss someone x".

Jessie released her beautiful debut record "Devotion" in 2011 and went on to be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. She has previously worked with SBTRKT and Sampha, and started her music career as Jack Penate’s backing singer. Jessie will start her UK tour in January 2015.

Wednesday 15 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

The MPFree picks up the pace a little today with "minimalist head-smashing garage rock that's going to get you jumping up and down on your desk".

Download Bass Drum of Death – For Blood

Their self-titled second album was released last year, and received quite a level of rotation on this show – certainly one to add to your collection if it’s currently missing. Now the Oxford, Mississippi duo return with their third outing, RIP THIS. A possible commentary on the state of the industry, or just an instruction, or even sarcasm, we’re not quite sure but 'For Blood' is the first taster we’ve had. And now the free music gods have made it available for you right here. They’re also live, and some would certainly expect some loudness, in London and Manchester 13th and 14th November respectively.

Wednesday 14 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Onwards we roll to the second free download of the week, and it’s a bit of a banger this one. Nemone sits in for Lauren today, and she’s bringing her Electric Ladyland-vibes to the show with this reworking of a classic by German producer Jolie Noir.

Download Jolie Noir – White Lines

Katja aka Jolie Noir is based in Nuremberg and started DJing when she was just 18. Having grown up around 80s and early 90s hip hop, she now takes her love of the genre squarely to the dance floors with this 4/4 reworking of Grandmaster Flash’s White Lines. It’s a subtle remapping, but when the familiar elements start breaking through you know this has been made with a lot of a love. Download now.

Monday 13 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

Welcome one and all to the returning MPFree. Following last week’s triumphant 6 Music Live gigs down at that there Maida Vale, there simply wasn’t room to squeeze the free download in. But now it’s back, bigger than ever, and with an absolute wonder to wash away the blues of the rainy week ahead.

Download Tan Vampires - Paper Cranes

Tan Vampires are a sextet from Dover, New Hampshire, USA for fans of “Radiohead, Wilco, Local Natives, and Neil Young.” Personally, we see more My Morning Jacket and it’s a marching wave of brass, woodland folk and forlorn lyrics. They formed in 2008 having released two albums; 2011's For Physical Fitness, and 2013's Ephemera. The band is currently hard at work on a new album which should be out in the spring of next year. They also play a free gig in Manchester tonight if you’re from that side of the world.

Friday 3 October 2014, by Ashley Team Laverne

It’s Friday! We’re bringing your Friday 12 hours early, so it’s actually late at night now, and what we need going into the early hours is a good dose of repetitive, and damn right spooky, dance-laden music for the mind. That’s exactly what Firejosé is going to provide for us.

Download Firejosé – Windy City [this might be slightly tricky to find, but just head past the SoundCloud embded, underneath that you'll see a button called 'download']

Windy City is taken from a four-track Red Mist EP from Estonian producer Firejosé (a.k.a. Mark Stukis). This is the only track available for free download, courtesy of the Cut Label which operates on a subscription basis. On his Facebook, he has quite the introduction: “Mark Stukis pondered into the electronic music world in the 90s, moving gradually from listening to records to going to raves, falling in love with drum n bass to DJing. After years of spinning and producing solely one genre it was time to evolve...”. And evolve he has, bringing us this dark slice of late night urban Burial-esque dirge.

Thursday 2 October 2014 - by Ashley Team Laverne

Today’s free download comes from Albury, Australia from an artist who goes by the name of Lisa Mitchell…and absolutely lush it is too.

Download Lisa Mitchell – Wah Ha

This download is a “a special gift from Lisa before she records her new album”, which she’s also coproducing don’t you know. The blurb on her Soundcloud page pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the track: “Quickly scrawled on the back of a receipt during a summer break with her family, Wah Ha began as a rebellion against the pressure to always feel ‘OK’.” Lisa says of the track: “When I play Wah Ha to people, I notice a certain kind of lightness fills the room. The lyrics takes some weight off my shoulders. Even with the new album on the table I just couldn’t wait any longer to make contact again... Releasing ‘Wah Ha’ makes me feel a bit like ET reaching his finger out into the abyss, hoping to find another…”

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