This is a stunning début release. Great voice, clever lyrics.
Calling it Alt/Folk would do it a disservice.
A great way to start spring time.

She gave away a free gig ticket in each limited release of this album.
Which is a neat idea.

Laura Marling - ‘My Manic And I’ from the album ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’

Laura Marling - ‘New Romantic’ on Later With Jools Holland

www.lauramarling.com

MySpace

Wiki

Click here to buy Alas I Cannot Swim at Amazon.co.uk

A few posts ask for it, so it will happen.

I am not sure a Forum is the best way to go, but I will respond to your lovely input.

This is a bit of a timeless release from 2005. Quite dark and solemn, but thoroughly enjoyable. Sort of blues mixed in with early PJ Harvey and Beth Orton.
Her only solo release so far, which is a shame.

The CD seems to be out of print, but you can pick up MP3’s via her website.

Petra Jean Phillipson - ‘One Day’ from the album ‘Notes On Love’

http://www.petrajean.com/

MySpace

Click here to buy Notes on Love at Amazon.co.uk

No reason at all for doing a second post on Poe.
Do I need a reason for such a great artist?
Anyway, I was sent links to these two videos, so up they go.

Still no word from Poe on any new work, but it seems her 7 year gagging contract with Atlantic Records is now over.

She sings/co-wrote three tracks on the 2005 album by ‘Conjure One’ which is well worth checking out.

Poe - ‘Trigger Happy Jack (Drive By A Go-go)’ from the album ‘Hello’

Poe - ‘Angry Jonny’ from the album ‘Hello’

www.repoezessed.com/

Wiki

Click here to buy Hello at Amazon.co.uk

The cool ones over at Groenland Records have put together a radio widget that you can embed.

Cool.

And it is autoplay OFF! Hurrah!

They look after Petra Jean Phillipson, Sol Seppy, Emily Haines and lots more…

http://www.groenland.com

The forth album from Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory is a much quieter affair than their previous releases. Much more commercial I would say.
Hopefully this will mean they are touring again, and if you haven’t seen them live, you really should. Excellent.

Goldfrapp - ‘A&E‘ from the album ‘Seventh Tree‘

Goldfrapp - ‘Twist‘ from the album ‘Black Cherry‘

Goldfrapp - ‘Utopia‘ (live) from the album ‘Felt Mountain‘

http://www.goldfrapp.co.uk/

Wiki

Now this girl can really sing!

A lovely and blues/jazzy debut album.

Melody Gardot - ‘Worrisome Heart’ from the album ‘Worrisome Heart’

http://www.melodygardot.com/

Wiki

With the up and coming release of the new Portishead album I though I’d dust off this much over looked release from 2001 by Beth and Paul Webb (ex Talk Talk).
It’s a lovely chilled atmospheric set of tracks.

If you need a fix of Beth’s honey coated voice and can’t wait until the Portishead album is out, this will fill in fine.

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - ‘Mysteries’ from the album ‘Out of Season’

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - ‘Funny Time of Year’ from the album ‘Out of Season’

www.myspace.com/bethgibbonsoutofseason

A fabulously non folksy folk album this.
Her voice is sublime and I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of her this year with the release of her second disc.
Pay her website a visit and support this stunning singer by grabbing a CD.

She also has a 10″out ‘Songs Whistled Through White Teeth’ via Rough Trade.

Alela Diane - ‘The Rifle’ from the album ‘The Pirate’s Gospel’

Alela Diane - ‘Pieces of String’ from the album ‘The Pirate’s Gospel’

www.aleladiane.com

www.holocenemusic.com

Wiki

Well, the domain was not taken, so what the hell.
Hopefully there will no glitches, but if you find something not working just let me know.
Also, seeing we have a shiny new server, feel free to suggest any enhancements.

Update your bookmarks to: www.notpop.co.uk

Regards,
Sean.

So who didn’t tell me about Ani? Shame on you all!
Thanks to K for suggesting that I check her out.

The double CD Canon is a compilation of her work and a great introduction.

She also does official bootlegs of her live stuff.
I wish more artists would do that.

Ani rocks!

Ani DiFranco - ‘Shy’

You gotta love a girl that has her own label…
www.righteousbabe.com

Wiki

Just a quick post to spread the word on a great blog written buy a lucky infotaupe that lives close to the Towers in Philadelphia

Go check out the Blog here

I like that it is titled “Just Stuff”. That fits in fine with NotPoP. Short and sweet.

A solid album from ex Delgados front women.
Not ground breaking, but thoroughly enjoyable.

Emma Pollack - ‘Acid Test’ from the album ‘Watch the Fireworks’

Emma Pollack - ‘Adrenaline’ from the album ‘Watch the Fireworks’

www.emmapollock.com

The cover to this album is not a bad visual representation of what awaits sonically. It really does feel like a casual walk though a summer scene. But with something sinister hiding in the bushes.

Danielle Stech-Homsy delivers calm vocals over ukulele, samples and a few wind up toys courtesy of her mate Sierra Casady of CocoRosie.
It’s a future classic of nu-folk.
Lovely.

Some great video clips over here at La Blogothèque.

Check out her label Gnomonsong

Yukimi Nagano fronts this minimalistic yet upbeat at times debut release.

Kinda quiet early Moloko.

Little Dragon - ‘Twice’ from the album ‘Little Dragon’

www.little-dragon.se

MySpace