Category Archives: Snippets

A short post of a quick snippet, like a link

Bands New To Me, Snippets, Video

Three new bands (New to me) in 2020: (3) The Big Moon

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That went quickly, the third and final entry of this short series is already here. After The Mysterines, Dream Wife we last but by no means least come to The Big Moon (Wikipedia entry) from London. Of these three bands I believe they’ve been around the longest, so I’m rather late to the party. They certainly make brilliant videos. Let’s start with one where they play every single role, Sucker:

The Big Moon – Sucker

They get rather colourful in Cupid, must have been fun making that, despite the mess:

The Big Moon – Cupid

Silent Movie Susie is a beautiful stop motion video with dolls taking on all roles. There’s also a cameo of the band, both as dolls and real people. Can you spot the previous video they are quoting?

The Big Moon – Silent Movie Susie

From their second album is Your Light. With lots of cycling. And puppets. What more could you want?

The Big Moon – Your Light

To close a cover version. I discovered The Regrettes via their appearance on The A.V. Club, interesting to see that The Big Moon also played a cover at The A.V. Club, Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler from 1983:

The Big Moon serves up a stellar rendition of “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”

I hope you enjoyed this little series and maybe even found a band or two you’ll like. Maybe let me know via the comments?

Bands New To Me, Snippets, Video

Three new bands (New to me) in 2020: (2) Dream Wife

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Having started this introduction of bands I discovered for me this year with The Mysterines I’m now moving on to the second band I found: Dream Wife (Wikipedia entry). Formed while at university in Brighton they have since moved to London. Let’s start with Hey Heartbreaker from their debut album:

Dream Wife – Hey Heartbreaker

Also from their debut album is Somebody (with a very memorable chorus line):

Dream Wife – Somebody

Moving on to their second album, released in 2020, with Hasta La Vista:

Dream Wife – Hasta La Vista

Another one from the second album is So When You Gonna…. with a quite interesting video:

Dream Wife – So When You Gonna…

To close a live performance mixed with an interview on KEXP:

Dream Wife – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

Again I hope you enjoyed the music, I love the variety in Rakel’s singing and Alice’s guitar play, brilliantly supported by Bella’s bass. The third and last band in this series to follow tomorrow.

Bands New To Me, Snippets, Video

Three new bands (New to me) in 2020: (1) The Mysterines

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Over the last two years the two main new bands I listen to were (and still are) The Regrettes and Skating Polly. In addition to them I also discovered Jade Bird. A few weeks ago I decided to go on a hunt for a few new bands (new to me, not necessarily new to the scene) I might like. That hunt turned out very successful as I’ve found three bands (all British) that have been on heavy rotation since and I expect will remain for some time. So I thought I share some of their music, starting with The Mysterines from Liverpool (introduction in the NME), opening with Take Control:

The Mysterines – Take Control

Moving on to Love’s Not Enough:

The Mysterines – Love’s Not Enough

A quite fast version of Gasoline:

The Mysterines – Gasoline

To close just Lia Metcalfe on her own with an acoustic guitar (incl a much slower version of Gasoline):

Lia Metcalfe (The Mysterines) – NME Home Sessions

I hope you enjoyed the music, more in the second part to follow tomorrow.

Pictures, Snippets, Thoughts

Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

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As promised yesterday, today I made the third batch/version of muffins. After the Cherries & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins and the Dark Chocolate & Almond Muffins it was time for Blueberries and Dark Chocolate Chips today.

Picture of Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (before baking)
Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (before)

The ingredients were essentially the same as for the Cherries & Dark Chocolate ones, replacing the cherries with blueberries:

  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 150g fresh blueberries, washed
  • 200g dark (70%) chocolate chips
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 150ml pot natural yoghurt
  • 100g butter, melted

Making them was also very similar:

  • Preheat oven to fan assisted 180°C, (200°C, gas 6)
  • paper cases in 12 hole muffin tin
  • sift flour and bicarbonate of soda into large bowl, stir in chocolate and sugar
  • beat eggs, add yoghurt, then molten butter. Add this mixture to the flour etc
  • add in the washed blueberries
  • stir to combine, but do not “overmix” (it’s fine if it’s a bit lumpy. Apparently if you “overmix” the muffins will turn out tough)
  • fill the mixture into the papercases and then bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden brown

Same as before the whole process took just over an hour. Again some will go into the freezer, some will be eaten over the next few days. And one I’ve eaten just now while writing this. Tasted very nice.

Picture of Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (after baking)
Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (after)

I’ll take a break from them now, I’ve got enough in the freezer for a while. But I’m sure I’ll be making some again. For now I’ve got two breads in the oven, baking away.

Pictures, Snippets, Thoughts

Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins

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Following on from the Cherry and Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins from last weekend I decided to bake some more. This time I decided to improvise a bit to make some Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins. I actually made them on Thursday, but only get round to write it up today.

Picture of Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins in a muffin tray
Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins (1)

Still based on the other recipe I replaced several of the ingredients, here’s what I used:

  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 150g chopped almonds
  • 150g dark (70%) chocolate chips
  • 50g fine dark cocoa powder (100% cocoa solids)
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • approx 17ml Moroccan Almond Extract
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 150ml pot natural yoghurt
  • 100g butter, melted

And making them followed pretty much the same process again:

  • Preheat oven to fan assisted 180°C, (200°C, gas 6)
  • paper cases in 12 hole muffin tin
  • sift flour and bicarbonate of soda into large bowl, stir in almonds, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and sugar
  • beat eggs, add yoghurt, then molten butter and almond extract. Add this mixture to the flour etc
  • stir to combine, but do not “overmix” (it’s fine if it’s a bit lumpy. Apparently if you “overmix” the muffins will turn out tough)
  • fill the mixture into the papercases and then bake for 20-25 minutes until risen

Same as before, took just over half an hour to make. I think they turned out very nice, although I have to say they are quite heavy. The chocolate and almonds are a nice combination I think, really like it.

Picture of Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins on a rack
Dark Chocolate and Almond Muffins (2)

Some I put into the freezer for later, some I took into the office for Friday afternoon refreshments, some I’m eating this weekend. And if everything goes to plan I’ll make some Blueberry and Dark Chocolate Chips muffins on Sunday.