Day 100: The Babysitters Circus - Everythings's Gonna Be Allright

And we're at number 100. We did it. In less than a year we posted 100 songs on 365 singles. But that doesn't mean that we're ready, that we will stop. We will continue; the day after tomorrow song 101 will follow, and after that 102, 103, 104 etc..

On the other hand, soon, within the next two months, we will present you with with some changes to our site: a refreshed style, a new address, another name, a new... who knows. Because we think that we certainly need to upgrade our blog to make sure that it represents the vision and mision we have with our blog. Soon more on this..

But first, let's celebrate day 100, with a happy song, a song that make me feel great and immediately brings up all kind of springlike summery feelings inside my head. And I think it will certainly become one of the summer-songs for 2012.

The Babysitters Circus (TBC) is a four piece New Zealand Electronica/Bass and Funk/Groove freak show that was born when the quartet began throwing sounds and ideas together while babysitting for a friend. They came up with some great creative stuff and thought that it would be a waste if they would not share their creative, shaky tracks with the world. And they did.

The four members of TBC are not new to the music industry; no they all have quite some experience in areas ranging from hiphop to musicals combinded with entertaining expertise. This means that they will not only make great music, they will also put on a great show; so hopefully we will get the chance to see them live this year. And celebrate 100 days of 365singles with them.

(Ps.. Have a look at the video, a lot of fun... ;-)

Day 99: Jason Mraz - The Woman I Love

Jason Mraz has his new album out and I am glad about that. I’m always glad to hear his songs. After having heard the two preview songs I Won’t Give Up and The World As I See It, which was my favorite, I was curious to hearing the full album Love Is A Four Letter Word. It sounds different than its predecessor, but holds again a collection of songs which are all very well crafted. The overall pace seems to be a little slower and Mraz doesn’t show so much of his speech skills (think of The Dynamo Of Volition). Still he definitely knows how to deliver a fine (soft) pop song. Outstanding is always the tight production and his beautifully clear voice. The songs are calm, but without being too laidback or vague.

Here’s a live performance of The Woman I Love. He traded nylon strings for western ones. The song might not be very special, but I love the chords as well as the subtle details on different guitars. And, while not as present as on the album version, those soft organ tones always carry me away.

Day 98: Marlon Roudette - New Age (live at Giel Ochtendshow)

On Friday I always have make a choice. I will either write about a nice, touchy, one that moves me song or one with a beat, to celebrate the start of the weekend. It depends on the mood I'm in and the plans I have for the weekend. This weekend will be relaxt, with some nice stuff to do (drinking a couple of beers, a nice meeting with friends tomorrow) but also some studying on Sunday.

And because I also feel quite relaxt at the moment it's time for a beautiful, relaxing song. It's from Marlon Roudette, a 29 year old singer songwriter from London, who is a former member of the 'one hit wonder' band Matafix. This song has already been a # 1 hit in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Especially the piano loops are one thing that make this song special. Add to that the lyrics and the sweet, soulful voice of Roudette, which even come better to the fore in other songs of his debut album, and a great song is born.

This version is recorded in the morning show of dutch DJ Giel Beelen and I wanted to share this version today as this one is even better than the original.

Have a nice and relaxing weekend...

Artist: Marlon Roudet
From: London, UK
Album: Matter Fixed (2011)
Single: New Age (2011)

Day 97: Team Me - Show Me

This Norwegian band makes happy indie pop from an addictive kind. They are a band that was accidentally formed when frontman Marius Hagen entered a band context and when he was released into the finals had to form band. Their music is fresh and really energetic and I personaly find this really attractive.

In the Netherlands they did already did a great performance on Eurosonic/ Noorderslag in January, they have been support act of the Wombats and now they are ready to conquer Europe. I am really glad that they are coming to London Calling festival in Paradiso (18/19 May, Paradiso, Amsterdam), which we as 365 singles authors will visit.

Show me is the first single from their debut album "To the Treetops", which in Norway has been mentioned as one of the best debut albums ever. According to skopemag.com it is "A playfully experimental album full of depth and warmth, with each track bound together by rich musicality". Enjoy your weekend with this song and album.

Day 96: Daniël Lohues - Van Vinden & Zuuken

Today is about one of my favourite singer/songwriters. Considering the fact that I'm a fan of many artists, singers, songwriters or both, this might sound open-ended. Therefore I will state that I love his work so much, Daniël Lohues is in the top 3, amongst John Mayer and the Rolling Stones. Why is that? Lohues combines sincerity with a great musical talent and therefore writes songs that are moving, straight to the heart (or mind) and here and there entertaining. The instrumentation of his songs vary from a sole guitar or piano to a 3- or 4-piece band, but is always supportive to the message and structure of these songs. Lohues can be seen as a storyteller, who knows how to bring forward his miniatures or opinions dressed in superbly musical form. Having a childhood background as the organ player in his local church, Lohues not rarely makes use of semi-classical elements and church scales. Add up the sort of songwriting that resembles a lot to that The Beatles too used and be pleased with a whole collection songs that are accessible and at the same musically very interesting.

Good musicians not only play very well themselves, but also know to pick fellow artists to play with or form a band with. In brief, after having stopped to play with his pop/rock band Skik about a decade ago, Lohues pursued his wish to play blues music with American blues musicians. He sought and found in Southern US and locally recorded two albums. After, he started on a project of solo albums (appropriately titled, freely translated 'Alone'), that spawned four albums, each in the theme of a season, containing songs of Lohues on solely piano, acoustic guitar and mouth organ. After that, he again teamed up with some musicians to play songs that are musically, but not lyrically, a bit more comprehensive. I forgot to mention before that, except for just one Skik-album, he writes and sings in Dutch dialect language, which make his tone even more distinct. It is notable that, despite singing in a small dialect, he has listeners and fans throughout all of the country, showing his music must bring forward some kind of universal emotion and message all the same.

Here's one song of his latest release and second album with his two fellow musicians. I like the bright and ringing tone of the twelve-string guitar he his using here, accompanied by the growling sound of a double bass. The music should speak for itself, when not listening to the lyrics (if it is only for not understanding the language). There happens a lot and the song only takes barely two and a half minutes.

Artist: Daniël Lohues

Song: Van Vinden & Zuuken ('On Finding & Seeking)

Album: Gunder ('Yonder', 2012)

Genre: Folk

Listen also to: Allennig (1 up to 4), Hout Moet

March Spotify Playlist now available

March has ended, April has started and we are celebrating spring. The closing of the month also means that we can close off our 365 singles spotify playlist March 2012 month and that we can start creating a new playlist for April. The March list contains all tracks that have been posted in the last month + some additional tracks that have been released in or are significant for March, as we discovered them in March.

Tracklist:

Moss - What you want
Alex Winston - Choice Notes
King Charles - Love Lust
King Jack - Take me Home
Team Me - Show Me
Lola Kite - Tokyo Love
New Build - Do you not feel loved
Keane - Silenced by the night
Of monsters and men - Little Talks
Iron & Wine - Godless brother in love
We have band - Where are your people ?
Case Mayfield - The Title
Lola Kite - Energy Could be Our closed friend

Please see the link below for the link to the spotify playlist, enjoy:

http://open.spotify.com/user/just_loon/playlist/0QZcFsl93YSQyWMnlHUrJX