Features
Feature: Chris Trout – tales from the outer edges of pop
So we did this thing, on Instagram and Tumblr and Spotify, where some of us made sort of an ongoing, hopefully continuing mock John Peel programme. Or at least we wanted it to be records and memories and memorabilia (posters / fanzines / tickets / magazine clippings) and photos of bands and scenes and fans …
Feature: 2019 Favourites
The following are lists of my favourite releases of 2019. This is not a definitive list of the best of 2019: I would not be so presumptuous to think I have listened to every single release nor the objective ability to state what is best. This is essentially stuff I have listed to and liked …
Feature: Merge Records celebrate 30 years – Interview and exclusive playlist
If you follow the brilliant Merge label, you’ll have had some insight into this. They’ve been releasing various limited edtion vinyl to celebrate it, but they’ve been going for thirty years. Started by Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance of Superchunk to release some of their own music (the first album on the label was Superchunk’s …
Feature: Backseat Mafia Guide to Eurovision 2019
Ever since Bucks Fizz ripped off their skirts in the service of a grateful nation, I’ve been a massive Eurovision fan. This is honestly one of the best contest we’ve had in years. Here’s the Backseat Mafia guide to this years runners and riders in the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. This is all the …
Feature: Paul White gives us a track by track low down on new album Rejuvenate
With his new album Rejuvenate out today via R & S records, London producer Paul White has given us a low down on each track from the album, which features guests such as Denai Moore, Shungudzo and Sarah Williams White. Better known for his work with Jamie Woon and Danny Brown, and as one half …
Interview: Tangents plus track and playlist
The new track from Sydney-based band Tangents, ‘Terracotta’ is as hypnotic and mesmerising as their earlier EP ‘Stents and Arteries’ that I reviewed recently. I’m not sure if it’s electronica/dance music for the jazz generation or jazz for the electronica dance generation but somewhere in there there is a kernel of joy for all music …
Feature: Vinyl Reissue vs streaming
With the vinyl re-issue of Annie Lennox’s Diva, me and Spouse decided to put vinyl versus streaming to the test. I’m a simple soul who likes good music well played, but Spouse is an actual musician and former science teacher, with a fairly extensive vintage vinyl back catalogue. He has VIEWS on music quality. We …
Say Psych: Recommendations Record Store Day 2017
The 10th Annual Record Store Day is nearly here and vinyl lovers country wide are chomping at the bit to get their hands on those special releases. The full list of over 500 releases can be found here, Say Psych has chosen our top five recommendations for those of a psych persuasion… The Black Angels …
Say Psych: 25 Essential Psych Albums 2016
This is the third year that I have done a list of ‘Essential Psych Albums’ (2014 here/ 2015 here), which has proved to be the most popular thing that I post here on Backseat Mafia. I love end of year lists because they give me a great chance to catch up on things I might …
Say Psych: Best Live Albums of 2016
OK here’s the thing. I’ve never been a massive fan of live albums. I love going to gigs and I love listening to records, but records of gigs have never particularly been my bag. Until this year that is, because there have been a series of live releases this year that have just blown me …