Catching up: part II (the music stuff)

Remember I wanted to buy some new music recently, but was lacking inspiration? That's over now.  Here are my recent finds. 

The first is Lightning Bolt by English youngster Jack Bugg. I heard his song Seen it All on the radio and liked it, and I like the album too. I suspect I might be his oldest fan, given I'm old enough to be his mother.  I do chuckle when he sings that he's seen it all at just 19, but then even at my advanced age I haven't been to a gangster party where someone got stabbed, so what do I know, eh? 

The second is Motorhead Girl from the latest album by Swiss rockabilly band Hillbilly Moon Explosion.  I had never heard of them before and found them via the "Listeners also bought" function on iTunes when I was looking to see if Imelda May had a new album out. She doesn't, but, happily, Hillybilly Moon Explosion has a back catalogue for me to explore. 

Finally, an artist I 'discovered' via a Holden ad on the telly!  It's You Rascal You by Hanni el Khatib. I love the garage-y guitars.  

This is from his first album, which I bought today. His second album, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, was released last month. It pretty much sounds like a Black Keys album, which you would expect would endear it to me - being the big BK fan that I am -  but it doesn't. I think it's a bit meh.

The Reverend

On the topic of rockabilly, Luke and I went to see legends The Reverend Horton Heat last Friday night. The Reverend looks a bit like someone's grandad, but boy, he can still play a guitar, probably in his sleep. They played for more than an hour and a half, so we certainly got our money's worth...although I admit I was really tired and my feet were sore and I wasn't sad when it finished. I'm old now. 

Melbourne act Mojo Juju was the support act and, while I enjoyed The Reverend, I loved Mojo. I wish she'd played for 90 minutes.  This is her new single, which they played last Friday. 

Spoiled for choice and off to see The Reverend

I can't believe I didn't already know you can design your own sneakers online. What rock have I been under? Nike offers the service and so does New Balance - no doubt there are plenty of other sites that do too. You pick an existing style and then choose materials and colours. You can even have a personalised logo and your choice of words on the heel. 

I mention this because I have a lot of trouble finding decent casual sneakers in colours I like. I'm quite particular. There's often too much yellow, orange and pink and pastel shades in women's ranges. Not my style. I bought a pair of men's Asics Onitsuka Tigers in purple, black and silver a few years ago because I couldn't find anything I liked in the women's range. Sadly they've just about had it and I need something more cushiony  underfoot this time. 

I think I want a pair of Nike Cortez, their original running shoe which came into the world the same year as I did. Trouble is...what colour? Maybe red or green. Or navy. Or royal blue. Too much choice now! 

I discovered on Facebook that psychobilly legend The Reverend Horton Heat is playing in Melbourne on 31 May. Mojo Juju (formerly of The Snake Oil Merchants) is one of the supporting acts. Since I started writing this post, I've bought tickets to go. Woooh!

Did I mention I'm seeing Wagons again in June? They're previewing songs from their upcoming album. Can't wait. I'm off to Sydney to see Mark Forsyth in two weeks too. Lots of exciting things to look forward too. That's the way life should be.