TARANTISM: alleged, possibly deadly envenomation, resulting in the uncontrollable urge to DANCE. I can't tell you friends, how good it feels, to have finally worked out the condition that has been plaguing me throughout my decidedly reserved British life. Part of me thought I had just been put under the Imperius curse by some trickster looking for fun, but I've now realised I must have been bitten by a wolf spider at an early age. This is the only explanation for the effect these songs have on me... Enough pabulum. (Also seriously, Julio Bashmore, got to be one of the best names of all time no?)

It's been a while. Yeah, it's always been a while. Who knew Movember was such a busy month hey?! So Frank Ocean, big name, but what a tune. More summer/autumn than winter but a tune nonetheless. Second is a classic from Lykki Li - I Follow Rivers. This remix by The Magician was in Rust and Bone (what a film) along with a number of other quirky/unexpected/fearful good tunes. That's all, songs speak for themselves..

SO has anyone seen the new Smart car advert 'fun for two'? You should - it's what life should be like and is accompanied by new favourite song, You Rascal You by Hanni El Khatib.

Second song is by someone you will have come across but not necessarily known it. French artist Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine) is a music video director/singer/songwriter/general cool kid about town. Nike are currently using this song but his influence is pretty prolific, get involved!

So first one by a band I managed to catch at Besti, Stealing Sheep - they were late and had no instruments but sang pretty well nonetheless!

Sliiight chance of pace with the second from Ye and Jay (and Big Sean). Digging it.

AND, because I saw this last night, and because they are amazing, and because this song gets me every time...

Nearly a round four months since my last post.... summer's been mental. #olympics #paralympics #TeamGB #parties #bestival #holidayinginfrance #nowunemployed #thegreatbritishsummer. In no particular order. 

Now back to the good stuff. First is Flight Facilities ft. Giselle - Crave You - such an old tune but LOVE it. Pretty much in my head constantly.

Second is (dare I say it) the new Azealia. Bit of tunage, apparently being played at all the 'trendy' fashion week events. Well good.

ODE TO LIVE MUSIC:

Nothing beats it. Alt-J killed it last night in a hot sweaty room in elephant and castle. NOTHING BEATS IT. So here's a tribute to the two best bands I've seen live. The first, relatively unknown Australian band is Tijuana Cartel - I saw them support Salmonella Dub in Melbourne and it was incredible. They're larging it on the festival scene in Aussie this year but haven't yet ventured over to our waters. I tried to convince percussionist Dan to get involved so watch this space...

Second is the now famous Foster the People - went to one of their first gigs in Hoxton and have never seen a band play with such energy. Needless to say I was hooked at first listen, and played their album relentlessly last summer.

Videos don't show the real deal but if you get a chance to see these two play then DO IT.

Total turnaround from the lack-of-festival-going blues! As good luck will have it I get to see Alt-J (∆) tonight which I am weeing myself with excitement about. Cannot wait to see Fitzpleasure live - thanks to Taz for sorting me out with a ticket to an otherwise sold out event! THEN going to field day on saturday and will be seeing SBTRKT, another fave, along with Grimes, Beirut and many many others...
(Azealia Banks is still on the list but we'll get there in time)

LIFE IS GOOD CHUMS.

Oh god... I just looked at the bestival line-up and very almost shed a tear. It's something I've avoided looking at because I know I can't go, but after ANOTHER group facebook email saying 'hey lets all go to bestival' I decided to have a sneaky peek on what I'm missing out on and it's TOO much. This has not softened the blow of returning to London. Nevertheless, onwards and upwards - these are the two songs I'm gonna be most disappointed to miss live at besti. I LOVE THEM.

Bit of a change of tempo with these two little numbers. First one I heard a while back from my 'music industry friend' aka Tazman Lynch. Best tunesayer out there. This one is by Blawan and has grown and grown on me - absolutely devo I won't be seeing this played live at Hideout in Croatia as I'll be working like a dog this summer, but someone let me know how it is yeah?

Second one is another delight featuring Nneka's soulful voice - apparently it's huge back home (playing on Radio 1) but have just heard it and am loving it. Both have long intros to get you fully in the moooood for the summer festival vibe OHHH YEAHHHH

Aight so ANOTHER aussie hip hopper as it's got to be done - 360 (one of the better known ones) with a girl who has been labelled the NBT (next big thing) in australian music, Gossling. In my opinion she makes this song - sick voice and kinda funny looking girl.

Second song at the moment is Sufjy's new one, called Too Much, not even sure what I think of it yet but worth a few listens! Got ALOT going on, but guessing the main man Stevens can handle it. Could be a new fave...

Not sure if Matt Corby (Australia's version of Will Young with a bit more edge) has made it in the UK yet but found a gem of a cover of his song Brother by this little band... Hoping to catch them this Saturday at The Beach Road in Bondi...

Second one is another aussie hip hop dude from Melbs, Seth Sentry, bit of a laid back lad. Kinda fitting for the late summer we're having here, maybe not suitable for rainy england but ya know...

I've only just heard this in the last two weeks, and I'm a HUGE Plan B fan. That shows how out of touch I've been fo reals. Big up the Lil sis for alerting me to this grimy gem. I know it's not new, but it's certainly blog-worthy, and I just can't get enough, especially of the vid. Silver lining of being home in two weeks has got to be the chance to see him this summer - appaz he's been all over the beeb chatting about this song and making noise about it, but I missed all that. Obviously.

In the twilight of my time as a "Working Holiday Visa" no-hoper in Australia, putting off real life for yet another year, I've come to the sad realisation that blogging might be the only way to keep in touch with the one thing that really matters, good old musak.

So, without further ado, whilst it may not be a new tune, I'm sharing a song that's been in my head for the last few weeks - a cracker from Australian hip-hop artist Drapht. Simple, summery joy.