The Sticks and Finally Punk played a killer show at the deaf institute the other week

and then got facemasks.

Then it was one of our birthdays and Lucy made an exquisite macadamia and caramel cheescake. 

We watched the film 'Ladies and Gentleman: Mr. Leonard Cohen' that Lucy andNick delivered. The Canadian Film Board basically followed him (Mr. Cohen) around Montreal for a few days in 1964 and filmed him variously smoking, 

writing,  

giving readings 

and generally being Leonard Cohen. A special film and a great gift.

More  amazing Canadian-government-subsidised  Art was proffered birthday-wards  in the shape of the latest and most-deluxe graphic novel by Seth (the coffee-table opus 'Vernacular' is maybe equal in terms of book design, paper stock and printing and even contains more pages and but is a collection of sketches assembled into a book). We highly recommend you check it(and all of his other work) out. Beautifully designed and structured and also really human and emotionally warm and involving. 

Which could also be said about the new and thoroughly comprehensive Mike Mills book 'Graphics Films'   from alleged press documenting his era-defining sleeve-art for Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys to the meditative and beautiful 'Humans' and 'Fireworks' nieves books and the films 'Thumbsucker' and 'Does Your Soul Have a Cold?'. Wow!

Also, last night we saw, and clandestinely photographed, the Young@Heart chorus at RNCM. It was the first night of their new Manchester International Festival commissioned show 'End of the Road' and it was one of the most uplifting and heartwarming events we've ever borne witness too. Inexplicably, there are still tickets remaining here. 

Next week we are going to see Laurie Anderson, 

who is one of our heroes. Since becoming a pop star with the 8-minute long smash 'O Superman' she's developed pioneering electronic instuments, made a bunch of films, been NASA artist-in-residence and read the audiobook of Don De Lillo's 'the Body Artist' as well as loads of other stuff. Her husband, who apparently used to be in a band or something is also playing.

Also, a reminder that if you BUY AN ADVANCE TICKET for Friday 24th July's NISENNENMONDAI,MARNIE STERN, VERONICA FALLS, MAZES, TARTUFI summer party it will be CHEAPER than if you just show up

LUCY JONES has made a very special poster for 50th show anniversary PARTY!

which is co-hosted by LAMB AND WOLF. This is a scan of one of them. The originals feature 5 layers of printing and two different printing methods. They are truly amazing and beautiful and we are grateful indeed.

Here is the most recent video we could find of NISENNENMONDAI, who are one of the most amazing bands we've ever seen

& one from the show at the Deaf Institute last year. It's the first song of the set and  kind of only begins  about two minutes into the video so maybe skip it on a bit.

We've somehow managed to never see Marnie Stern before (we were dj-ing in an adjoining room when she played at futuresonic) and we are so excited to see her this time around as you should be too. Here's her new video:

Both Marnie Stern and Nisennenmondai have raised the bar for virtuoso everywhere by proving that you can show your skills in an envelope-pushing, jaw-dropping way without compromising POP sensibilities or Danceability; That you can make ENJOYABLE music that is also serious and rewarding and visceral.

 We are also beyond excited to announce the first ever Veronica Falls show in Manchester too!  You can download or listen to  'Found Love In A Graveyard' HERE.

 And see a triptych photograph of them right here. 

As well as these three, Mazes and Tartufi are also playing and there will be dj's and Barbecue and it only costs £8 HERE

We urge you to buy tickets in advance as capacity is limited and it will cost more on the night

Simon Joyner has made some of our

very favourite records of all time. They don't come out too often so when they do it's quite a big deal. He has a new one out on Team Love in September. It is called 'Out Into The Snow' and you can listen to one jam called 'Roll On' here.

This is what the front cover will look like. 

NEWS

Above  is a photograoh of the flyer for T.I.T.S, LA LA VASQUEZ, HOTPANTS ROMANCE and A WAKE/a GNOD jam band show which takes place this coming Monday at Trof on Thomas Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. We are beyond excited. 

Here is a video of T.I.T.S:

Here is a video of Hotpants Romance:

Couldn't find a video of LA LA VASQUEZ but you can read an interview HERE and the GNOD/A WAKE collabo is a one-off or at least a first time thing so no such thing exists yet. We are treading new ground, join us!

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This photo of SERFS was taken at the DEAF INSTITUTE last week when they brought out the acoueys* for a rare and vintage treat:

These guys ^ have a new tape out on RAYON called 'Mexican Divorce' which contains sweet solo jams on each side. Buy one quick!

We are sooooo much part of the demographic for this book it makes us sick (in a good way):

Chris Johanson cover! Miranda July blurb! From the writer of Old Joy:

*funny

DIANE CLUCK:

-made these images for the June 2009 issue of the trof times.

-makes our favourite music in the world (listen here).

-is performing live at THE DEAF INSTITUTE tomorrow, MONDAY 8th JUNE 2009th Y.o.o.L with MARY HAMPTON and SERFS.

Here are some videos of all the amazing people we have coming to play in June

CRYPTACIZE

DIANE CLUCK

T.I.T.S

FINALLY PUNK

THE STICKS

Is it really obvious we just finally now learned to embed youtube videos onto the blog? Hope so. We've got the skills that don't pay the bills..

Seriously though, the forthcoming month promises much excitement and super-diversity, it's like the past 5 years in microcosm.

You're all more than invited, YOU are beyond welcome, we URGE you to come and check out some of the music we CARE about.

To hear more from each band click on their name above the video. To buy tickets click the show listing in the North-East of the screen or go to piccadilly records

Wednesday 27th May 2009

at the mint lounge, oldham st. 

Manchester.

Pretty much the only good thing to come out of occidental cultural imperialism is the knee-jerk reaction against it

which makes us (consumers) seek out something other than what we are proscribed. Some of the very best 'seekers' 

are the sublime frequencies cats who, along with Qu Junktions and Faktion mcr, are responsible for bringing us these guys.

This will be amazing; the music equivalent of the Champions League final which, the CL final, also takes place tomorrow night.