Brought To You By The Letter W

Don some safety goggles viewers and take a white coat from the rack, today we take a trip into the laboratory - feel free to have a look around as you please, but don't handle any funny coloured liquids, it wont end well! This is the place where the three W's of the 'F.O.C Experimental Electronica Guild' spend their hours massaging molecules in the name of artistic alchemy. Let us observe them at work:

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At workbench one we find WONDER BEAR who are busy testing their hypothesis that stripping away excess materials will not impact on the strength and beauty of the base element. In order to do this they've enlisted the help of Dr Bon Iver and his revered 'Skinny Love' paper. There certainly seems to be merit in their observations don't you agree?


Skinny Love (Bon Iver Cover) by Wonder Bear

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Now we must be respectful and try not to disturb him, but if you look over in the far corner you will see Mr WASKERLEY WAY hard at work. He continues to dedicate his time to surveying the impact of distortion on melodic sustainability and his most recent findings can be examined over at his Bandcamp page (here). In our opinion, his salient discovery is that which he refers to as 'Greem'

06 Greem by Waskerley Way

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As fortune would have it you've actually picked a very exciting day for this field visit, it's a momentous occasion for the third member of our triumvirate. After a study spanning over a year WISHING WARS this morning published his keynote work. The thesis is titled 'Phases' and is divided into ten enlightening chapters. To view the document in it's entirety you'll need to pay a visit to the I.Tunes Library (here) but below is a snippet of his conclusions.

Phases by Foundofconfusion

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I think it's best that we leave them with peace now to continue with their processes. Thank you for your visit and please pick up something from the gift shop on the way out and sign the visitors book.

foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk





Found - Little Scout

Dyb Dyb Dyb! Being a big Scout is great; stripes adorn the sleeves, Swiss Army Knives become de-rigueur, and on tap there's a steady flow of impressionable Cubs who dutifully believe it's their job to put up the tent while their seniors do a spot of sunbathing. Being a little Scout...not so fun! Fatty's in sleeping bags crush you, knots are practiced on your hands and feet, and we wont even mention what is done with the woggles! The quickest way to rise through the ranks of respect is to get a string of badges running up your arm; down in Australia one shrewd LITTLE SCOUT has cottoned on to this fast track system and is taking aim at the king of all badges, 'Musician' - on the strength of their debut long player the Brisbane quartet would probably be wise to go and invest in a sewing kit.

'Take Your Light' was released in August and is a record that excels with it's blend of compsure, sentiment and diaphaneity. Whether it's the measured emotion of the Bat For Lashes styled intro 'In The Air', the grandeur of 'We Are Walking Out's closing moments, or the way the title track slow dances it's way across the room, this is an album that carries itself demurely; the atmospheric arrangements shaping a pocket into which Melissa Tickle's exquisite vocal can slip. A supporting slot for Camera Obscura last year provides a pointer to Little Scout's modus operandi, but for the Glaswegians merriment they've substituted modesty, outright celebration is replaced with cautious optimism. Later in the piece there's a touch of Rose Elinor Dougall in some of the compositions, while 'Right Now We Are Here' sounds like the type of material Tennis could start to produce once they've satisfied their wander lust and moored the sailing boat at the jetty. Any proper Scout will make a promise to always do their best, this little one has kept its word.

DEAD LOSS by LittleScout

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Let's have your thoughts on Little Scout please. Leave a comment below, e-mail foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk or spell out your point using Alphabetti Spaghetti on toast.

Sunday Sounds

Morning Confusionists! Are you well?

Do you like my new logo? I invested a whole two minutes of my time in to creating that! Not totally sure I like it... but it's certainly better than my frightening face peering out the screen at you! To commemorate what is a ridiculously minor rebranding (and my 50th post), I thought we really could do with some new tunes to enjoy...and what do you know, as ever, our reliable Founders were more than happy to oblige!

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Kicking off the party are DISCOPOLIS, who have decided to try their hand at a spot of remixing. First up they turned their attention to Paper Crows, putting a fresh sheen on 'When Friends Survive':

Paper Crows - When Friends Survive (Discopolis Remix) by discopolismusic

Before then tackling the task of proving that it is actually possible to make The Wombats sound decent - and they've manged it too!

The Wombats - 1996 (Discopolis Remix) by discopolismusic

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Phew, there's nearly ten minutes worth of dancing there and I'm getting on a bit, can we calm it down a little please!! Get stuck into Channel Swimmer and his lovely remix of MAUSI's Sol, while I try and get my breath back *collapses*

Mausi - Sol (Channel Swimmer Mix) by Channel Swimmer

No it's no good, I'm still shattered - you know what would have been perfect to follow that tune with though, a new track from SUMMER HEART, if only there was such a thing....hold on what do I spy over here...oh I'm such a tease! Enjoy My Forever Smile.

My Forever Smile by SUMMER HEART

After that I don't think we need a party, lets just kick back on the settee and relax!

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Don't forget they'll be more new music coming your way on Thursday, but before I go I must mention the most important thing about today - it's Manchester derby day - COME ON CITY!!!

foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk

Found - Big Wave Riders

Making the most of having our furry winter coat out of the wardrobe, and knowing the trouble mum went to knitting these fetching pink mittens, the Found Of Confusion has decided to extend our stay on the northern patch of the globe. After last weeks stopover in the centre of Scandinavia, we're fanning out a touch this time to visit a nearby Nordic nation - namely Finland - a country famous for....I don't know what it's famous for actually.. Nokia phones perhaps? Sorry Finnish friends, I'm sure you have much more going for you than that, take BIG WAVE RIDERS for a start!
 
Modern music may have scant regard for international boundaries, but Helsinki would probably still come fairly low on the list of places you'd go to unearth a band well versed in the finer points of Anglo American indie rock. Big Wave Riders however are clearly aficionados when it comes to what either side of the Atlantic has to offer, and they've brought these influences together in a very enjoyable debut EP that has synth, surf and jangle pop at it's core. The ace in the pack is 'Behind These Walls', which for two and half minutes rubs shoulders with Stellastarr* and Deastro in the sing along stakes, only to then be gatecrashed by the type of squealing guitar finale that John Squire once adored. Elsewhere 'Republic Of The Average' arrives dressed in flares and a bucket hat, 'Skate or Die' shuns it's pop punk title in favour of getting strung out with The Verve and 'Pictures Of Lifestyle and Friends' encourages The Drums and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart to come together for a spot of inter group bonding. Big wave; Big songs; Big result!

Big Wave Riders - Republic of the average

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Want to educate me on the merits of Finland? Simply wish to praise the band? Leave a comment below, spend months randomly searching for me on social networks, or go with good old e-mail: foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk

Found - Summer Heart

For a movement founded on innovative approaches to production, Chillwave has floundered a little of late. While the unquestionable talents that are Memory Tapes and Washed Out continue to dazzle, a swathe of bedsit copycats have followed in their wake, each appearing all too happy to take an unimaginative beat and then dip it in a bucket of reverb in the hope of hiding from the world their severe vocal limitations. Amongst all the dross however, it's still possible for something special to emerge, and that's exactly what Sweden's SUMMER HEART is starting to do.

The man behind the moniker is Malmo producer David Alexander, and the music he's making is every bit as blissful as his adopted stage name would imply - though his work ethic is anything but indolent. The last six months have spawned two multi song singles, the seven track 'Never Let Me Go' EP, a further stand alone release, 'Come With Me', and to top it all off he's still found time to fit in a remix of 'Rad Racer' for Work Drugs. What makes Alexander's work stand out above his contemporaries is it's warmth and evocative nature. The aforementioned 'Come With Me' shimmers seductively and 'I Miss You',with it's elongated echoes, feels as sincere as it's possible for a song to be. A French house influence permeates 'Simple Minds' recalling Air or Keep Shelley In Athens, and when the angels get to spend their day off trampolining round the clouds, they'll surely have 'Broken Hearts' being strummed on their giant harp. It's a beautiful noise that Summer Heart has stumbled upon, so next time you're sat watching the sun dip, have him as your soundtrack - trust me the world will be a better place.

Broken Hearts

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Find Him In These Places:

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I realise you're probably now too chilled out to move, but when you feel like getting active why not start the process by leaving a comment below or e-mailing foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk with your thoughts - you know you want to!

Up On The Clouds

Would you look at what a quick Sunday stroll through Soundcloud turned up! Some of our former friends have been sharing their new music with the world, and it's only right that we should listen don't you think? So go and plug those earphones into your workstation and banish the Monday morning blues with the help of these fine recordings.

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Our first port of call is with the crafty members of the SLEEPY PANDA CLUB. Don't think I've not noticed Panda's, that you new single 'Ghost In The Mirror' just happens to have arrived in close proximity to a little thing called Halloween - I'm on to you and your money making ways! To be fair to them, if that's their trick, then this song can definitely qualify as a treat, one which you can enjoy right now.

Ghost in the Mirror by Sleepy Panda Club

Ah DIMBLEBY AND CAPPER, how I love thee so *picks petals*. Oh yes reader, my new favourite female is back again with a gift for adoring fans like moi. She's giving away the studio version of 'Educated' (it of the great live rendition featured here) for absolutely free. This track is a precursor to her upcoming single, and if she's feeling comfortable enough to let a song this good go for nothing, it surely bodes well for the music that's to come.

Educated by Dimbleby & Capper

Talking of talented ladies, they don't come much more skilled than the little Miss that they like to call  DAUGHTER. As previously mentioned she's releasing a new EP in November, and following on from the stunning 'Love' (Get it free here) she's now previewed a second song 'Home' - honestly, I don't know how she does it, but this one is just as good.

Daughter - 'Home' (Taken from 'The Wild Youth' EP)

Now wait till you hear this, if you thought Sleepy Panda Club were sneaky then you wont believe what DISCOPOLIS have done! The cheeky scamps have only gone and released an album in Japan this week - and without even asking me! 'Cold Summers' is a collection of the ten tracks that they host on their Soundcloud page, however notably, it does contain a re-recorded version of their first ever song, 'Timber Merchants'. I really like what they've done with it, and you can see what you think by listening below.

  Discopolis - Timber Merchants by discopolismusic

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Hope that will do for you today, but pop back in on Thursday to meet the next member of the Found Family. Be good now.

Found - Space Fight

'I'm gonna send him to outerspace / find another race / and if there's a guitarist in that place / could he bring him back post haste / Much obliged.

At least that's how Max Romeo's 'I Chase The Devil' might sound if SPACE FIGHT ever get their hands on it. The London based trio have been working their way through guitar players at an admirable rate over the past year (four last count), but with the revolving door for axemen seemingly wedged still - sorry Reuters reporting they're now a duo!.. ah wait, they're back up to three again - the band can put this yo-yo existence to bed and crack on with the task of writing fresh material to augment the three tracks they debuted on their self- titled introductory EP of earlier this year.

That March release came loaded with melodies and a group tightness that made a mockery of the line ups fluctuating fortunes. Opener '22', with it's rickety drums and pop perfect backing harmonies, had the air of The Mystery Jets best work, though singer Spencer Miles soft New Jersey brogue could make comparisons with The Virgins just as apt. Indeed on 'Control' it seems Space Fight have another New York alumni in their sights; its choppy reggae verses and fret flailing outro guaranteeing it could quite happily slot in to The Strokes back catalogue without raising so much as an inquisitive glance. As good as those appetisers were the best of the bunch is saved for last in the shape of 'Into The Blind'; three and half minutes of sumptuous indie rock that shines effortlessly. Make no bones about it Space Fight have set the bar high for themselves, but while other bands might crash to earth this lot should be up amongst the stars in no time at all.

  Control by Space Fight

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You're fast running out of opportunities to have your opinions heard readers! Why not post a comment, e-mail me at foundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk or best of all leave me a drunken rambling voicemail, I like those.