In years gone by, I’d get sent a LOT of Christmas music for the podcast – and there’d be thousands of tracks made available on podsafe music sites for podcasters to use.

In the last two years, seasonal music has been vanishing. This year there’s almost nothing – I’ve been sent ONE link to an album of Christmas tunes that I’ve already been using for the last couple of years. Podsafe music repositories have around 20 new Christmas tunes, mostly from the same artist and not of the type that I’d want to play.

It really saddens me to say that for the first time since the podcast began, there’s not enough material for a Christmas show and therefore I won’t be recording one. I’m totally gutted – it was always a time for a giggle & for some daft holiday tracks.

I’m REALLY sorry. See you in the New Year.

Just a wee note to say that there’s a brief pause in shows & the next one will be the Christmas Special. I hope to have it posted sometime between the 17th & the 20th. Start getting your mince pies & mulled wine ready!

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

Well, by the time you listen to this it’ll be 8 more working days until I’m off work on holiday until 2013 – as the title says, I’m counting down the days. It’ll also be my 3rd last day working for my current employer, exactly 20 years and 6 months since I started. How time flies! There were no such things as iPods or podcasts back then, but there was – and still is – an abundance of fine, independent music. Enjoy, then, another fine selection of the best there is.

Nine Lies – Tragedy

Russian Gun Dogs – Dresden

Argonauts – Monet / Touch Electric

The soundbed was ‘Hotel Madras (Inevitable Remix)’ by All India Radio
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Nine Lies, Russian Gun Dogs, Argonauts, All India Radio

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

Time to slow the pace down a little, and mellow down as the show goes on. Of course, this would be spoiled by my blethering, so this week is a special laid-back mixtape. Enjoy!

Bus Stop Dreams – No Summer Without You
Previously featured on TFL as one half of Strangers in Wonderland, this track comes from Lasse Thomasson’s new project with Par Beglund, Bus Stop Dreams. Their debut album, ‘Don’t Forget To Breathe’ was release on 6th Nov 2012.

These Curious Thoughts – Arctic Heart Attack
Split across two continents, song writing duo Sean Dunlop and Jamie Radford have released a new 5-track EP, ‘What Is It, And How Did It Get In There?’ under their longstanding group-name These Curious Thoughts.

The OK Club – Out Goes Love
Nick Adams, Jonnie Bell and Matt Lloyd from the small villages of Writtle and Roxwell in the UK formed The OK Club in early 2011. This track is from their new up-coming three-track EP.

The Deadly Winters – Burke & Hare
The Deadly Winters are leading us into the colder season with a brand new EP, ‘Raise the Coin’, featuring four lovingly crafted, historical-based folk-rock songs that focus on the theme of people’s inherent lust for money and the lengths to which they will go to gain it.

Arran Arctic – Headphones / Roll
Local srtict Arran’s new album ‘Like Lovers’ is officially released on 18/11/12 and will be available to download (for £2) and buy on CD (for £5) at the following url: www.arranarctic.com/buy/likelovers The release will also be accompanied by another free single, ‘Window’, which will be available from the main www.arranarctic.com page.

Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Bus Stop Dreams, These Curious Thoughts, The OK Club, The Deadly Winters, Arran Arctic

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

Time for a more eclectic selection this week, with a little Burton-esque nod to Halloween thrown in for good measure. And miracle of miracles, Jasna has admitted that she likes this week’s selection! You can’t get a better endorsement than that, can you?

Franco & The Dreadnought – Platt Fields

Rise – Pop Tart

Matthew Ebel – Carnival Of Kings

Rural Ghosts – Eyes (Manchester Version) / Sciatica

The soundbed was ‘After All And After Then’ by Pat Clemence
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Franco & The Dreadnought, Rise, Matthew Ebel, Rural Ghosts, Pat Clemence

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

It’s time for a week off work. It’s intended to be relaxing, but somehow it’s looking like it could eand up being rather busy! So much to do round the flat whilst I have the chance. However, at least I can work to the accompaniment of some great independent music. Every cloud, eh?

Hey Geronimo – Carbon Affair

The Griswolds – Heart Of A Lion

Leika – Drops / Love Love Love

The soundbed was ‘Future’s Brighter’ by Hungry Lucy
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Hey Geronimo, The Griswolds, Leika, Hungry Lucy, Three From Leith, podcast

I’m delighted and somewhat taken aback to have been nominated by a person or persons unknown for the ‘Personality’ section of the European Podcast Awards.

To whoever it was, thank you! – it’s nice to know that the work I do is appreciated and makes it all worthwhile.

If anyone would like to vote for me, please us the link below. Thanks 🙂

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

New music. New shocks. New job. Eclectic choices. It can only be a rather out-of-the-ordinary few weeks in the life of your favourite podcaster!

The Sweet Serenades – Can’t Get Enough

Mr Bennett – Alcatraz

Daystar – Mrs Joe / Sleeper

The soundbed was ‘Eyes (Manchester version)’ by Rural Ghosts
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: The Sweet Serenades, Mr Bennett, Daystar, Rural Ghosts

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

With the nights starting to draw in, but the mugginess not retreating, thoughts turn to the festive season and beyond. I’m already talking about booking a holiday to Slovenia again next year… Until then, there’s a grand selection of some of the best independent music that’s out there – even if it has taken me a loooong time to play some of it!

Burning Shapes – Someone Else’s Word

The Griswolds – Mississippi

Rose Red – Divine / Outside

Burning Shapes – Bad Karma

The soundbed was ‘Waukaringa (Unreleased Version)’ by All India Radio
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Burning Shapes, The Griswolds, Rose Red, All India Radio

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

First full show since before I went on holiday – my apologies for the delay! I forgot about the Festival being on and the fact that I had booked into a Friday show, and also how tired I’d be at the end of the working week after not having been at work for a while! Hopefully the music will make up for the gap 🙂

Amethyst – When Will You Be Around?

Theo Berndt – It’s Complicated

Eric Unseen – Missing / Hello Hello

The soundbed was ‘September (Radio Edit)’ by Trace
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
citycycling – subscribe with this feed
Made In The UK Show podcast – subscribe with this feed
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2012 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Amethyst, Theo Berndt, Eric Unseen, Trace