So, I’m trying a new thing this week: A “daily roundup” of everything that doesn’t merit a complete post of its own. It won’t be literally every day (I do go out sometimes you know), but will be a collection of new MP3s, Videos, music etc.

It’s scary how quickly this Reading and Leeds festivals have been and (almost) gone. I’ve not really caught much coverage on the BBC of the festivals, but have checked out some of the ace videos and pictures. Particuarly loving the fact that Red Light Company are getting so much coverage from Zane Lowe, following on from my live review and initial introduction. Bloc Party look to have been amazing too - check out their live set available here for 7 days.

MP3: Red Light Company - Fascination
MP3: Red Light Company - Scheme Eugene
MP3: Red Light Company - With Lights Out

This time next week I’ll be in Scotland at Hydro Connect Festival, getting mouth wettingly-excited for the closing nights combination of Sigur Ros and Franz Ferdinand. I’ve spent much of today sorting out some pretty mundane things about the festival, like driving and what sort of coverage we’ll be having. I’ve had a look at the brilliant Winston’s Zen, who was at last weekend’s V Festival and getting a few ideas about how to live-blog the festival, amount of coverage etc. It’s gonna be hard to judge just what’s best until we get there, so don’t be suprised if you get tonnes, or next to nothing coverage wise.

One thing we’ve been having to look at is how to camp - I originally requested camping tickets, but got non-camping tickets, so have been looking at other options for us, from Tangerine Fields‘ bespoke camping options, to the goregous wendy-house style Podpads via the eco-friendly myhab’s - I’d honestly never really considered anything other than a tent, or a hotel for the posho’s.

Traditionally, August is quite a quiet time for the music industry - bands are off playing the festivals, people are on holidays, and generally the live music biz is taking a well-earned break ahead of the onslught of year-end tours. However, this week we’ve had no end of new tour announcements, with The Fratellis, Kaiser Chiefs, The Whip, Laura Marling, Joan as a Policewoman, Slipknot and Martha Wainwright all announcing stints around the UK this winter. I’m not expecting this week to have quite as many new tour announcements, but fingers crossed - this winter’s shaping up to be a great live experience.

So, I’m trying a new thing this week: A “daily roundup” of everything that doesn’t merit a complete post of its own. It won’t be literally every day (I do go out sometimes you know), but will be a collection of new MP3s, Videos, music etc.

I first got sent Dan Black’s HYPNTZ back at the end of July, and fell in love with it, however couldn’t help but feel it was a tiny weeny bit too cheesy - sounded like some schoolboy rapper from North London trying to be ghetto. Then I heard it on Zane Lowe the other night and then heard the new one, “These Things Take Time”, which sounds like it has a sample of Nelly Furtado’s Maneater in it.

Dan says:

“I knew what kind of music I wanted make, but at first I found it hard to get these conflicting desires to blend well outside of my head. I’d been making these weird remix/mashups for my occasional Djing, so I thought, I’ll take the method I’ve been using for that but use it for song writing instead. The very first thing I tried was HYPNTZ.”

Download and enjoy.

MP3: Dan Black - HYPNTZ
MP3: Dan Black - These Things Take Time

We found out earlier this week that we’re off to Hydro Connect festival in Scotland next weekend, so you can expect a lot of coverage next week from the festival. However, this weekend of course is the mighty Reading and Leeds festivals, where many of the bands I’ll be catching next weekend are playing. Friendly Fires went down a storm, and I can’t wait to see their show after only getting into their album the other week. Meanwhile Crystal Castles caused chaos - I’m not a big fan of them musically, but might have to catch them just for the entertainment factor.

The two bands however that I’m looking forward to most at Hydro Connect are Sigur Ros and Bloc Party. Sigur Ros’ new video for ‘Inní mér syngur vitleysingur’ (’Within me a lunatic sings’)is pretty bland, but my God I love that song! Next Sunday, as the sun sets around Inveraray I can see them completely capping my weekend, and providing an amazing atmposphere. Bloc Party’s album has been on repeat since I downloaded it yesterday morning at 9am - I’m yet to be as hooked as I was by “A Weekend in the City”, but it’s definately a grower (in a good way).

On a slightly different musical side of things, Dido has released a new song ahead of releasing a whole new album in early November. Needless to say, it sounds pretty much the same as her previous two albums of stuff, with a bit more musical accompaniment (is that an orchestra we hear?) Yes, some might say it’s bland and boring, but I love it.

MP3: Dido - Look No Further

Athlete have announced a quick three date tour of very intimate venues, with no tickets available online, only from the listed record shops beside each date. This is the celebrate their new album “Beyond the Neighbourhood”, which is out on Monday 3rd September.

These dates are sure to sell out quickly, so get your tickets now!

Monday 3rd September - Leeds, The Wardrobe, 6 St Peters Square (Tickets are available from Jumbo, Crash and Virgin and HMV, all in Leeds centre)
Tuesday 4th September - Liverpool, Alma De Cuba, St Peters Church, Seel Street (Tickets are available from Quirks Records, Ormskirk, Action Records Preston, Virgin and HMV Liverpool)
Thursday 6th September - Birmingham, The Factory Club, Custard Factory, Gibb Street (Tickets are available from Swordfish records, Virgin and HMV Birmingham)

Kaiser Chiefs have extended yet again their seemingly never-ending winter tour to include Glasgow, Aberdeen and Brighton Dates. The tour covers the entire length and breadth of the country it seems

The new dates are italicised below, along with the rest of their tour dates. New tour dates are on presale here, and the other dates are available from the usual sources.

Wednesday 21st November - Exeter Westpoint Arena
Thursday 22nd November - Bournemouth BIC
Saturday 24th November - Cardiff CIA
Tuesday 27th November - Birmingham NIA
Wednesday 28th November - Nottingham Arena
Friday 30th November - Manchester MEN Arena
Saturday 1st December - Manchester MEN Arena
Monday 3rd December - Sheffield Hallam FM Arena
Tuesday 4th December- Hull Arena
Thursday 6th December 2007 - Glasgow SECC
Saturday 8th December 2007 - Aberdeen AECC
Monday 10th December - Newcastle Metro Arena
Friday 14th December - London Earls Court
Saturday 15th December - London Earls Court
Sunday 16th December 2007 - Brighton Centre

Photo taken from Hi tekznologik’s flickr stream.

In these times of “nu-rave” and mass-marketed hype machines (yes, Kate Nash I’m looking at you), its nice to see a band such as The Sunshine Underground who are doing things on their own terms. Mixing styles between Klaxons, Switches and umpteen other indie/dance bands of the last five years, this band will instantly sound at home whilst distinctly fresh.

Hailing from Leeds, the band specialise in trippy tracks that are the perfect wake up to any cold winter morning - you’ll be up and out of bed quicker than you would know with them on in the background.

Their debut self titled album is one of the few albums of this year that is consistently good throughout - whilst there are stand out tracks, the whole collection is very rewarding to listen in one go.

Heralded by some bloggers as “the sound of 2007″, they’ve sold out dates in their hometown of Leeds and London, and toured with Pigeon Detectives, Happy Mondays and Idlewild.

The Sunshine Underground could be a new outlet for boisterous pop, filling the void left by the likes of 90’s stars Pulp and Blur.

Photo comes from entro_py’s flickr stream.