LISTEN: The Big Beat 'cast 41

18 artists debut on this week’s show including BRETON, BEAR DRIVER, BLEECH, BLEACHED (it’s a good week for the letter B), LADYHAWKE, DEVIN, EXITMUSIC, PORCELAIN RAFT, DE STAAT, DU NORD, POLIḈA, and CHARLOTTE & MAGON.  Veterans FIELD MUSIC, THE MAGNETIC FIELDS, and SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS are back with new music, along with the first new song from SAINT ETIENNE in 7 years.  My Wild Card Pick this week might surprise you - the artist has a connection to the guy in the picture.  Press play to listen and find out.  

DIY Radio: The Big Beat (31st January 2012) by Diy on Mixcloud

SWISS LIPS "U Got The Power" (self-released), single

BOS ANGELES "Wild Things I Did Before" (Melodic), from Hearing Aid Vol. 2 (free download)

DEVIN "You’re Mine" (Frenchkiss), from You're Mine EP

DISCLOSURE "Tenderly" (Make Mine), from "Tenderly" / "Flow" single

SAINT ETIENNE "Tonight" (self-released), (stream)

DJANGO DJANGO "Default" (Because), from Django Django

DE STAAT "Ah, I See" (Mascot), from Machinery

BEAR DRIVER "Never Never" (Adventure Club), from "Never Never" / "Let The Club" single

PLAITUM "Late Night TV" (self-released), free download (TBB coverage)

POLIḈA "Lay Your Cards Out" (Totally Gross National Product), from Give You The Ghost

BLEACHED "You Take Time" (Art Fag), from Carter 7"

BLEECH "Mondays" (n/a), video

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS "Andrew In Drag" (Merge), from Love at the Bottom of the Sea

FRIENDS "Friends Crush" (Lucky Number), single (video)

PORCELAIN RAFT "Unless You Speak From Your Heart" (Secretly Canadian), from Strange Weekend

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS "Lafaye" (Vagrant), from Ghostory

SHEARWATER "Breaking The Yearlings" (Sub Pop), from Animal Joy

DU NORD "The Sunset" (self-released), free download

CHARLOTTE & MAGON "The Mining" (n/a), from Life Factory (video)

FIELD MUSIC "A New Town" (Memphis Industries), from Plumb

BLONDES "Wine" (RVNG Intl.), from Blondes

FIRST AID KIT "Emmylou" (Wichita), from The Lion's Roar

-> Mike's Wild Card Pick of the Week <-

BRETON "The Commission" (FatCat), from Other People's Problems (video)

EXITMUSIC "The Modern Age" (Secretly Canadian), from From Silence EP

LADYHAWKE "Black White & Blue" (Modular), from Anxiety

LIGHTOUTS "The Official Ironmen Rally Song" (self-released), from The Cure For Shyness EP

MAX & GABRIELLE "Lights" (self-released), free download


Music via: Brooklyn Vegan, Musigh, Listen Before You Buy, Rollo & Grady, Chromewaves, Largehearted Boy, Tell All Your Friends, La Nueva Escuela,      

TODAY! The Big Beat on DIY Radio

It's Tuesday, so that must mean another two hours of quality new music from yours truly on DIY Radio starting at 4pm Eastern, 3p Central & 2100 GMT.  As ever, I'm excited to spin you a bunch of tunes that I think you need to check out.   

18 more artists debut on this week’s show including BRETON, BEAR DRIVER, BLEECH, BLEACHED (it’s a good week for the letter B), LADYHAWKE, DEVIN, EXITMUSIC, PORCELAIN RAFT, DE STAAT, DU NORD, POLIḈA, and CHARLOTTE & MAGON.  Veterans FIELD MUSIC, THE MAGNETIC FIELDS, and SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS are back with new music, along with the first new song from SAINT ETIENNE in 7 years.  I'll describe how they owe me a concert!  And, my Wild Card pick this week is so off the chart, it's from an artist that’s probably never been heard on DIY Radio before.  I hope you'll listen and find out who it is.

I'll post the Listen Again archive of the show and tracklisting tomorrow, and the download of the show within a few days.

LISTEN: My Amazing Radio Debut (27 January)

If you missed my first show on Amazing Radio yesterday, fear not. Here's the archived audio and tracklisting of the show. I'm unsure how long this'll remain online but I'll find out and post the info.

For my debut I pulled a ton of great tracks, all from the Amazing Tunes site, stuff I've not played on TBB for DIY Radio: ERRORS, 2:54, BRETON, ZULU WINTER, MILK MAID.  Plus, as a way of introducing myself to the Amazing audience, I spun a handful of favorites from the last few years just to give 'em an idea of what this new, funny soundin' guy was like. Hear it live on Amazing Thursdays from 10p GMT, 5p ET, 4p CT & 2p PT.

DJANGO DJANGO "Default" (Because), from Django Django

ERRORS "Pleasure Palaces" (Rock Action), from Have Some Faith In Magic (video)

FRIENDS "Friends Crush" (Lucky Number), single (video)
WILD FLAG "Romance" (Merge), from Wild Flag
FANTASY RAINBOW "Cool Ridge" (Tiny Lights), from Teens EP (video)
ZULU WINTER "We Should Be Swimming" (PIAS), single (stream)
SHEARWATER "Breaking The Yearlings" (Sub Pop), from Animal Joy
MAX & GABRIELLE "Lights" (self-released), free download
I BREAK HORSES "Winter Beats" (Bella Union), from Hearts
ALT-J "Fitzpleasure" (self-released), download
BRETON "The Commission" (FatCat), from Other People's Problems (video)
SKY LARKIN "Molten" (Wichita), from The Golden Spike (video)

WE HAVE BAND "Watertight" (Naive), from Ternion

BLONDES "Wine" (RVNG Intl.), from Blondes
PLAITUM "Temptress" (self-released), free download (TBB coverage)
POOR MOON "People In Her Mind" (Sub Pop), from Illusion EP
CLOUD NOTHINGS "Hey Cool Kid" (Carpark), from Turning On
THOSE DANCING DAYS "Those Dancing Days" (Wichita), from In Our Space Hero Suits (video)
TEAM ME "With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared To Have a Look At You Now" (Propeller), from To The Treetops
AIR CASTLES "Falling To Pieces" (Winter Hymns), single (stream)
WORK DRUGS "Swimmer Girl" (self-released), from Aurora Lies (video)
SPOTLIGHT KID "Plan Comes Apart" (Tri-Tone), from Disaster Tourist (video)
MILK MAID "Not Me" (FatCat), from Yucca (video)
MILAGRES "Glowing Mouth" (Kill Rock Stars), from Glowing Mouth
2:54 "Scarlet" (Fiction). from Scarlet EP (video)

STILL CORNERS "Endless Summer" (Sub Pop), from Creatures Of An Hour

YOUTH LAGOON "Cannons" (Fat Possum), from The Year of Hibernation
DUM DUM GIRLS "Bedroom Eyes" (Sub Pop), from Only In Dreams

Tracks via: Pitchfork, Epitonic

DOWNLOAD The Big Beat 'cast 40

Here's this week's show, available as a download for a limited time only. Access the stream and view the tracklisting here. Those of you scoring home may have noticed that the download for TBB 39 hasn't been posted yet. I'm planning to retool the production of that one, and will get it up as soon as possible.

You Heard It Here First: Mike Taylor joins Amazing Radio

It's with great pride to announce that your Humble Curator will be hosting a weekly show on Amazing Radio. The two-hour program airs Thursdays from 10p GMT, 5p ET & 4p CT starting tomorrow.  This won't interfere with my work for KUT and DIY Radio so if you like hearing me and the music I play, well, there's just more to love.



Amazing Radio is based in Gateshead, England, and available throughout the UK on DAB (digital) and online worldwide. Amazing is the only national UK radio station dedicated exclusively to playing new and emerging music and my friends, that is no joke.

Amazing Radio is affiliated with Amazing Tunes, where music lovers can stream songs uploaded to the site, create playlists, buy music and grab free downloads.  Artists can upload their music and keep 100% of all sales profits.  Registration is super easy.  It'll take just a second, so go there right now and do it. 

Each of my shows will not only be archived but you can listen to the station on a time-shifted basis from each US time zone. I'll embed each show's archive here on the blog shortly after they're available, or you can visit my page on the Amazing site and stream it from there.  Believe me when I say there's a lot to like and I know you will. 

As with KUT & DIY, I'm honored be joining a lineup full of fantastic music radio people, all known for their keen ear for discovering and presenting new, exciting sounds.  I hope you'll listen.

LISTEN: The Big Beat 'cast 40

I've made it to 40 Beat'casts with this week's show. That's worthy of a celebratory drink, wouldn't you say? Have to admit, back in the day me and the boys used to play quarters with oh-so-deadly Olde English 800. Charcoal Filtered, yo! But it was either that or Mickey's Big Mouths, Robin Hood Cream Ale or other fine swill we youngins could pick up. Needless to say, I practiced getting good at sinking that quarter. Anyways...cheers.

This week, I’m spinning 10 artists for the first time including MIND SPIDERS, TINY VICTORIES, BLONDES, POOR MOON, & SANTIGOLD (U.S.A.); BUILDINGS, SWISS LIPS, and VIRALS (U.K.); FIRST AID KIT (Sweden), and ALPINE (Australia). I’ll give spins to the latest from GRIMES, HOWLER, ALT-J, NICOLAS JAAR, SIMIAN GHOST, LOWER DENS and AIR. Plus, new music from (putting it politely) veterans THE FALL and MAGAZINE, their first release in 30 years!

And don’t miss my Wild Card Pick of the Week, where I’ll dip into my personal collection to play something a little out of the norm. This time, it's the debut single from one of my very favorite bands, released 35 years ago this March. Think you know it? I hope you'll listen and find out. Bottoms up!

DIY Radio: The Big Beat (24th January 2012) by Diy on Mixcloud

WORK DRUGS "Swimmer Girl" (self-released), from Aurora Lies (video)
SIMIAN GHOST "Wolf Girl" (Heist Or Hit), from Youth (video)
GRIMES "Genesis" (4AD), from Visions
MIND SPIDERS "Wait For Us" (Dirtnap), from Meltdown
-> Mike's Wild Card Pick of the Week <-
HOWLER "Back of Your Neck" (Rough Trade), from America Give Up
FIRST AID KIT "Emmylou" (Wichita), from The Lion's Roar
FANTASY RAINBOW "Cool Ridge" (Tiny Lights), from Teens EP (video)
SANTIGOLD "Big Mouth" (Downtown/Atlantic), from Master Of My Make-Believe
SWISS LIPS "U Got The Power" (self-released), single
POOR MOON "People In Her Mind" (Sub Pop), from Illusions EP
YOUTH LAGOON "Cannons" (Fat Possum), from The Year of Hibernation
BUILDINGS "Eyes On Sunrise" (Tall Story), single
ALT-J "Fitzpleasure" (self-released), download
LOWER DENS "Brains" (Ribbon), from Nootropics
VIRALS "Magic Happens" (Sexbeat), single (free download)
FRIENDS "Friends Crush" (Lucky Number), single (video)
TINY VICTORIES "Lost Weekend" (self-released), from Those of Us Still Alive
TEAM ME "With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared To Have a Look At You Now" (Propeller), from To The Treetops
WE HAVE BAND "Where Are Your People?" (Naive), from Ternion (free album sampler)
MAGAZINE "Do The Meaning" (Wire-Sound), from No Thyself
THE FALL "Taking Off" (Cherry Red), from Ersatz G.B.
SHARON VAN ETTEN "Serpents" (Jagjaguwar), from Tramp
BLONDES "Business" (RVNG), from Blondes
AIR (feat. Victoria Legrande) "Seven Stars" (Astralwerks), from Le Voyage Dans La Luna
ALPINE "Hands" (Ivy League), single (video)
NICOLAS JAAR (feat. Scout Larue) "With Just One Glance You" (self-released), free download


Music via: The Last Python, Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good, mu-sique, Amazing Tunes, We All Want Someone To Shout For, This Is Fake DIY,

LISTEN: The Big Beat 'cast 39

There's 29 tunes stuffed into this week’s show and yet, I still found time to talk a bit.  I’m playing 14 artists for the first time including THE 2 BEARS, HOWLER, ALT-J, NICOLAS JAAR, BEAR IN HEAVEN, GRACE WOODROOFE, PLANNINGTOROCK, PHLO FINISTER, THE BIG SLEEP, DEATH RATTLE, THE COUCH and AZEALIA BANKS, who finally released a tune clean enough for me to play.  Hear the return of THE SHINS and A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS; plus I’ll revisit records by GIRL IN A COMA, ST. LUCIA, FLORENCE + THE MACHINE and ALABAMA SHAKES.  My Wild Card Pick this week is from a band that, seemingly, drew up the blueprint for HOWLER.  At least I think so.  Think you know ‘em?  Press play to listen and find out.

DIY Radio: The Big Beat (17th January 2012) by Diy on Mixcloud

THE 2 BEARS "Work" (DFA), from Be Strong (video)

PHLO FINISTER "Bang Bang" (Yolo), from Crown Gold EP (free download)

THE SHINS "Simple Song" (Columbia), from Port of Marrow

FRACTURES "Nicotine" (self-released), free download

WE HAVE BAND "Watertight" (Naive), from Ternion

NICOLAS JAAR "With Just One Glance You" (self-released), free download

ALT-J "Tessellate" (self-released), free download

GIRL IN A COMA "Adjust" (Blackheart), from Exits & All The Rest

BEAR IN HEAVEN "The Reflection of You" (Dead Oceans/Hometapes), from I Love You, It's Cool

PLAITUM "Temptress" (self-released), free download (TBB coverage)

ST. LUCIA "We Got It Wrong" (HeavyRoc), from single

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS "So Far Away" (Dead Oceans), from Onwards To The Wall EP 

OF MONTREAL "Dour Percentage" (Polyvinyl), from Paralytic Stalks

GRACE WOODROOFE "Transformer" (Modular/Fontana), from Always Want

GUIDED BY VOICES "Spiderfighter" (GBV, Inc.), from Let's Go Eat The Factory

PLANNINGTOROCK "My Valuable Hunting Knife" (DFA), from DFA Holiday 2011 Compilation

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE "Lover To Lover" (Universal Republic), from Ceremonials

THE BIG SLEEP "Ace" (Frenchkiss), from Nature Experiments

-> Mike's Wild Card Pick of the Week <-

HOWLER "Back To The Grave" (Rough Trade), from Give Up America

LANA DEL REY "National Anthem" (Interscope), from Born To Die

VICTORIES AT SEA "Future Gold" (self-released), single (video)

THE COUCH "The Way You Came" (self-released), from Old & Touchin' Blue

ARTHUR BEATRICE "What We Hoped To Achieve" (self-released), n/a (TBB coverage)

SIMIAN GHOST "Wolf Girl" (Heist Or Hit), from Youth (video)

ALABAMA SHAKES "You Ain't Alone" (self-released), from Alabama Shakes EP

DJANGO DJANGO "Default" (Because), from Django Django

AZEALIA BANKS "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)" (self-released), free download

DEATH RATTLE "The Dig" (self-released), free download (video) 

Music via: Pick Up The Headphones, Pitchfork, ACE, GIMME TINNITUS, Fluxblog, The Last Python