Françoise Hardy – Voilà

She was the chanteuse who inspired delectable, erotic fantasy’s into my early teen noggin. She became one of France’s best-loved singer-songwriters – Françoise Hardy has passed at the age of 80. She burst on to the music scene in 1962 and became a cultural icon and the first crush for a teenage art student in London – me. Hardy had a number of hits in the 60’s, her first release at age 17 was Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles, where she sang of all the boys and girls walking hand in hand, while “I walk alone through the streets, my heart aching.” It was an instant hit in France and even broke through in the UK charts. Mick Jagger once famously called her the ideal woman and Bob Dylan penned several love letters to her. The song was the inspiration for the legendary French fashion company, Commes des Garçons. Françoise Hardy’s sexy-waif-like look became de rigueur for all the art school girls I knew. She had been ill for some time before her death, revealing in 2004 that she had been diagnosed with lymphoma. In 2015, she was placed in an induced coma for weeks following a fall and in 2021, she said she had cancer in one of her ears and felt close to the end of her life. To pay tribute to the beautiful Françoise Hardy, I selected a 7” 45 from my collection – Voilà. Au revoir, Françoise.

Iceboy Violet & Nueen – Fragmentary (Eraser)

This is a collaboration between Spanish Producer Nueen and Manchester-based vocalist/rapper Iceboy Violet. Such a lot of excellent work and talent to explore here. Iceboy Violet has been involved with a number of other artists including a big LEM favorite, Loraine James. About the album, Iceboy, says, “These cuts traces the arc of a four year relationship, fondly memorializing its highs and documenting its lows, trying to process and reflect positively and then ending with the ecstatic but ominous spark of new love.” Understood.

Halima – Don’t 

Halima was raised between Lagos & London she is now based in Brooklyn and says her inspiration draws from a tri-continental background. She goes on to explain, her work embodies the intersection of self-discovery, community, & the complexity of life’s connections. The title Exu and concept come from Halima’s Nigerian heritage. Exu (Eshu) is the Yoruba deity of ‘crossroads,’ the great mediator between the forces of life and the messenger between humans and gods. “They are known for being the God of change, chaos, and unpredictability, so they are often misunderstood,” Halima explains. “But they are present in our lives to bring us to better versions of ourselves. This project is about facing Exu and resisting it. Then succumbing and realizing Exu is within you.” Top marks for this one!

Shopfires – Arsonist For Hire

I’m tempted to ignore, the self-effacing tag-line, “DIY pop recorded directly into a cheap laptop” ‘cause this album is so much more than that. Arsonist For Hire is from the album, Holding On To Let Go this is the smart work of Neil Hill out of Leicester in the UK. Please forgive me if I wander off into train-spotting territory, but Arsonist For Hire has me recalling I Melt With You from Modern English – and that, seriously is a good thing. Good work here Neil. I wonder if Mr. Hill knows Arson For Hire was a 1959 American crime drama film?  

Bex Kite – Broccoli

Ah, yes, a song called Broccoli without mentioning the word. Instead you have well-considered lyrics like, “I’m afraid to hold your hand, in case you won’t understand”…then later in the song, “let me taste all of your secrets, wanna find out all your weakness” Rebecca Kite is Bex Kite from Cheltenham (the birthplace of Rolling Stones founder, Brian Jones). Bex says she records the majority of her music from her bedroom studio and self-produced the single Broccoli. I’m fascinated by her work and you are advised to check her single Reflections. And, I have to give a big thumbs up for the sleeve artwork, an illustration of a rather scary-looking cat. Wonderful!

Ruth Radelet – Stranger (Turbotito Remix)

In volume LEM 361 we played Faded Photograph a very cool cut from Robert Ascroft featuring the vocal talent of Ruth Radelet, best know for fronting the influential group Chromatics. Ruth’s distinctive voice led to us searching out more of her work. Stranger, the Turbotito Remix is courtesy of LA-based producer, Filip Nikolich. Ms. Radelet has a number of collaborations and solo work you need to check out. Excellent!

Banco de Gaia – My Little Country

Banco de Gaia, a name that has appeared on so many of my playlists over the years. Toby Marks is Banco de Gaia, he was drawn to music from an early age and formed his first band as a drummer, aged 14. He went on to sing and play guitar in a variety of styles, exploring rock, folk, jazz and world music, before discovering electronic dance music via the late ‘80s Acid House scene. Toby formed Banco de Gaia in 1989 focussing on world music-infused dance and ambient/chill-out styles. Since then he has recorded a huge catalogue of work. In the narration for My Little Country is by Neil Sleat you’ll hear about the Principality of Sealand, which in turn you might be curious to learn more about. This is a micronation on HM Fort Roughs (Also known as Roughs Tower), an offshore platform in the North Sea approximately 6 miles off the coast of Suffolk, England. Roughs Tower was built as a defence fort by the British in international waters during World War 11. Since 1967, the decommissioned Roughs Tower has been occupied and claimed as a sovereign state by the family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates. For more details about this curious oddity, go here. Take note of the arresting artwork for the Trauma album, it features a close up of a dead bee!

Raw Powa Studio – Underwater (ft. Flora)

Out of France a sublime venture in dub from Raw Powa Studio with the Random Voltage EP. The fellow behind this excellent collection says, “I wanted to break away from the codes of conventional dub to create something more personal and authentic. Random Voltage is a reflection of this exploration, with its textures, its saturations and its analog synths, while trying to retain the warrior energy of dub that I love so much. I would also like to give a special thanks to my sister Flora, whose magnificent voice accompanies the first track Underwater. A family project that is particularly close to my heart”. 

Nilufer Yanya – Method Actor

“I was researching method acting – and from what I read, it’s based on finding this one memory in your life, a life-altering, life-changing memory.” Says Nilufer, she continues, “It’s a bit like being a musician. When you’re performing, you’re still trying to invoke the energy and emotion of when you first wrote it, in that moment. It definitely feels like you’re having to recreate or step into that headspace.” My Method Actor is Nilufer Yanya’s 3rd album on the always stellar Ninja Tune imprint.

Leaving Lost – Thunder Rumbles Across Distant Valleys

Jaq Dunham out of Fitchburg, Mass is Leaving Lost who says the following about their interesting music, “diy pop, post-rock, and general weirdness from central Massachusetts. queerness, feelings, and guitar pedals” Jaq adds, “meditations on depression, winter, loss, recurring dreams, and the inevitable return of spring.” Leaving Lost’s Escape From The Darkest Place EP will hopefully prompt you to check out more from this artist.

Amy Rigby – Dylan In Dubuque

I could go at length about how lovely a person Amy is. I have enjoyed her company on a many occasions and recognize that is an honor. Yet, I must make clear that Amy’s considerable talent as a musician and writer should be my focus here. Hang In There With Me is the latest solo album from Amy available on Tapete Records. The co-production, engineering and all-round collaboration is courtesy of another friend and lovely chap, Amy Rigby’s husband Eric Goulden AKA Wreckless Eric. With Hang In There With Me and especially, Dylan In Dubuque Amy proves that not only is she a crusader for rock ’n’ roll, she jolly well knows how to deliver it. This is an honest album without compromise, stepped in experience and keen observation of this funny old world. While some rock legends are still prancing around, regurgitating moves that looked out-o-date at least two decades ago, Amy, along with Eric masterfully capture an audience with downright authentic rock music. Treasure this new one from Amy Rigby, make sure it’s in your collection and if you get a chance go see her perform live. Genuine and important!

Caoilfhionn Rose – Fall Into Place

How wonderful to have discovered this gifted singer, songwriter and producer. Caoilfhionn is based in Manchester, her family roots are in Northern Ireland and Yorkshire which could explain why her music evokes for me glorious vistas of rugged landscapes. I can imagine, Fall Into Place as the soundtrack to a meandering walk across the Dales. For her Constellation album, Caoilfhionn has gathered together impressive contributors. She says, “The record’s a collage, knitting together all these influences, sounds and players, and just really going for it with the experimentation in the production.” Gorgeous artwork, too. Do not overlook this one!

Artwork, a screen grab from a circa 1965 film of Françoise Hardy. Original source unknown.