What's that sound?

It's the sound of the Silver Lining "holidays are coming"-style train, not far off in the distance. Which is to say, we shall be returning to your YouPods very soon. In the meantime, come and say hello and hear us play at the Green Note in Camden on the 15th December. Much love for now.

TSL

We played a lovely gig last week at the Source Below.

At one point, though, someone accused us of falling prey to a "Twitter rumour" regarding Back to the Future. Even if we were wrong about Marty's presence, I would just like to reiterate that in NO WAY was our cultural misreferencing informed by Twitter. Because, and you'll know because you've listened to the podcast, it makes us furious. And look! Here's a short story about WHY:
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2010/7/13miller.html

sorryforlaffing.blogspot.com

Our friend writes some beautiful things here. Maybe you should take a look. (i.e. you should take a look)

Mx

all gone a bit quiet...

...but fear ye not, podsters. We've been busy. Tim's at Glyndebourne wearing a wig, Jonny's studying Hungarian still and I've made a Bakewell tart. Pretty good.

There'll be news soon on the TSL nights. Promise.

In the meantime - I'm in the mood for making mix tapes. So expect presents, people.

this is just a message to chris to say

thank you for your email.

Mx

Breathe Owl Breathe

Breathe Owl Breathe are my new favourite band. In this picture, you can see how perfect they are. I need to start knitting Tim and Jonny sweaters and ask them to be more resolute in their beard growing. And I need to start carrying a chicken.

Further Revision on the Topic of Pastry

Last night, I discovered this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rhbcv/Storyville_20092010_Kings_of_Pastry/
The totally bonkers world of patissierology. I watched, I learnt. Then I fell asleep for a bit. (But don't let that put you off, I'd had a long day.) These guys take pastry tres tres au serieux. It's put me in mind to bake a cake tomorrow. It will, after all, be Treat Day.

favourite lyric of the day so far

"I regret how I said to you, 'Honey, just open your heart,' when I've got trouble even opening a honey jar"
- Joanna Newsom, "Good Intentions Paving Company"

http://gramotunes.com/Good_Intentions.mp3

FIGHT FOR 6MUSIC

srconsultation@bbc.co.uk

This is the email address where you can rant and rave (coherently, eloquently, passionately) about the loss incurred by the prospective closure of the radio station which really exemplifies so much of what the BBC should stand for - distinctive, intelligent, high-quality programming, made by people who know what they're talking about.

Then email Ben Bradshaw, Culture Secretary, and tell him the same thing:

bradshawb@parliament.uk

This is the period of the public consultation which could change the minds of those who decide. BE PART OF THE PUBLIC THEY CONSULT.

More info here: https://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-strategy-review/consultation/consult_view

this is well good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w&feature=player_embedded

Episode Six. Episodio Seis. Episodin Kuusi. Epizoda Šest. Episodul Şase. 插曲六. etc.

Dear Friends, Romans etc.,

The Silver Lining Podcast, episode six, is now ready and waiting. It features music from Whole Schebang, Maria Byrne, Molly Jones, We Aeronauts, Hugo Left Hand, Boy and Bear and Lanterns on the Lake.

We are now six episodes into our first season, and next month is the last one in the series, so, if there is anyone or anything you'd like us to feature, just let us know.

Things to watch and watch out for will be up here anon (aka soon). In the meanwhile, enjoy the toons.

TSLx

mmm Cumbria

We're back now, for those of you who've missed us. It was WELL GOOD. If you've missed us that much though, you've got every excuse to come and see us play at the Notting Hill Blag Club this Friday. Music from 8ish, with the assurance of new songs and good people. Come and we'll show you some excellent photos of us and the Scafell Massif. And then sing for you. Pretty good, no?

See you there then.

we're going on holiday tomorrow

it simply couldn't come a moment too soon.

Episode Five

It's February. That can only mean one thing.
Pancakes!
No.
Rejection!
No...
Silver Lining ROCKcast!
Correct.
It's out now, hot as a liars pants. Or those of the Human Torch. Anyone on fire, really.

Featuring:
Draw Me Stories - The You & Me Theatre http://www.myspace.com/drawmestories
My Tiger My Timing - I Am the Sound http://www.myspace.com/mytigermytiming
Hoodoo Scoundrels - The Witch Song http://www.myspace.com/hoodooscoundrels
Harrison Hope - Mr. Fall From the Sky http://www.myspace.com/harrisonhope
Enamel - Eaglewings http://www.myspace.com/enamel1
The Brian Jacket Letdown - Pirates http://www.thebrianjacketletdown.com
Radiohead - These Are My Twisted Words http://www.radiohead.com

Wow!

My Tiger My Timing...

are great, and they play Amersham Arms this Thursday 28th January. That's tomorrow. You should go. Also, check Anna and Seb from the band chatting to Tom Robinson on last Monday's BBC Introducing programme. Don't they sound lovely? Yes. Wouldn't you like an almost-Friday dance? Yes, of course you would. So go to their gig. As the French say, simple.

www.myspace.com/mytigermytiming

in a way...

"We’re all actors in a way. Sometimes you have to act as if you like someone’s blouse or something." - Matt Dillon

Please people, keep buying the Mail - so it can keep subsidising the Metro, and its quality journalism.

Kate McGarrigle

I grew up listening to Kate & Anna McGarrigle, on scratchy vinyl, and copying in crayon the cover of "Dancer with Bruised Knees" in an effort to convince myself I could draw. I couldn't. I've just dug out this album this week, after hearing the sad news about Kate's death on Monday. In all the tributes, different songs emerge as favourites - aged 8, the title track off this album was mine:

When I first knew her she was a dancer
She'd leap (confidently)
Knowing that should she fall
It would be into the arms of her partner
She never failed to get a curtain call

For years we had been one with the stars
A Pas de Deux of reknown
I'd leap and he'd catch me on the fly
But once I came crashing down

Now I'm a weaver
Wall-hangings if you please
In everyone I feature
A dancer with bruised knees

You can read tributes to this astonishingly talented woman here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/jan/20/kate-mcgarrigle

i have just listened to this song 9 times in a row

http://www.matadorrecords.com/mpeg/shearwater/leviathan_bound.mp3

wow.

Brilliant - an even later Best Of list than mine

http://thetorturegarden.blogspot.com/2010/01/songs-of-2008.html

You can stream tracks from here and from www.saidthegramophone.blogspot.com and they're both really really lovely places to listen to new things. That's what I'm doing now, while tracing down obscure broadcasts from years ago on Radio 3.

(NB Thanks Rob for showing me these first - I am in no way claiming them as my own discoveries)

Tim at the Roundhouse!

Yeh so a few days ago *this* was one of my top things to do this month:

25th - Beggar's Opera: Reborn at the Roundhouse
http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/charles-hazlewood-s-4107
As part of the Reverb series - this is Charles Hazlewood's rethunk version of the Beggar's Opera - an all-star gig including those delicious Unthank girls and Adrian Utley. It will "reclaim our musical heritage for now"- so we should probably be there to witness it. Reverb runs from the 23rd and this ain't the only good fing in it.


Well, apart from sounding pretty good in and of itself - it's only gone and got a whole heap better. Because now, added to that all-star list is one TIM DICKINSON. That's right, our Tim Dickinson. Playing Macheath, no less. So go buy your tickets and see you there.