The Braincast is not so called because it unusually filled with penetrative insights, but because if you listen to it this weekend it will be while I am down at the Brainlove Festival either listening to bands, DJing or sneaking off to watch the Champions League final at the nearest pub.

This week is another relatively haircut-friendly playlist actually, with words like ‘remix’ to be found and some fashionably hazy production and everything.  In fact I may have to do another ‘tedious old shite’ podcast soon, just to make up for it.

Anyhow, next week looks like being the Scottish Enlightenment Toad Session, which is coming along nicely.  I just need the photos and to complete the constantly challenging ten minute main video, which always takes quite a long while.  I will listen to the podcast on the train down to London and figure out which bits I think should go in the video.  In the meantime, enjoy…

Direct download: Toadcast #176 – The Braincast

01. FOUND – Anti-climb Paint (00.22)
02. Silverbacks – Atta Boyz (07.32)
03. Phil & the Osophers – Ink on the Page (13.02)
04. Slim Twig – Priscilla (18.57)
05. Yuppies – For the Future’s Sake (21.41)
06. Lau vs Adem – Imporsa (Silver Columns Remix) (24.11)
07. Dirty Beaches – Coast to Coast (Remastered) (35.06)
08. Tasseomancy – Soft Feet (44.37)
09. Sonny & the Sunsets – I Wanna Do It (52.11)
10. Youth Lagoon – Cannons (54.54)
11. Psychedelic Horseshit – Laced (60.40)

I have never quite understood how record labels based in the same town would end up as ‘sisters’ rather than either part of the same label or just separate entities, but new Brighton label Palmist describe themselves as a sister label of the highly reputable Fatcat, so I won’t quibble.

Whoever they’re related to, it looks like they might be bloody brilliant, however.  The label describes themselves as simultaneously embracing DIY culture and the production of high quality physical artifacts.  That can seem a little contradictory, and I suppose in a way it is, but it is nevertheless an aesthetic I personally love; just because something is DIY doesn’t mean it has to be careless or shit.

They also specifically reject the idea of “music existing only as computer files or internet streams”, which is something I am very much onside with.  Don’t get me wrong, I love digital music for very many reasons, but if it remains only digital then you miss out on so many of the pleasures of collecting and enjoying music.

Palmist are kicking things off with two excellent split 12″s, one including a band I’ve featured before actually – Toronto’s Slim Twig – with the others involved being BITCHES, Yuppies and U.S. Girls.  There are previews available for both on the website, and both sound like they are going to be really good.

The records themselves can be purchased here, and if you have a wee listen below I am sure you will do the right thing.

From the Slim Twig/U.S. Girls split 12″:

Slim Twig – Priscilla

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U.S. Girls – If These Walls Could Talk

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From the BITCHES/Yuppies spit 12″:

BITCHES – Wallet

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Yuppies – For the Future’s Sake

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As you might expect from the title, this is one ungodly clusterfuck of a podcast.  It was recorded well into the early hours of the morning with Dylan, Neil and DC who were all in the house by virtue of Homegame being imminent (happening already by the time you hear this) and the Meursault EP being in the final stages of completion.  DC stopped by the house on his way to Fife, Neil was around to put CDs into card envelopes and Dylan, er, just likes beer I think.

There’s was also some heinous Norweigan anus cheese being eaten as well.  Toffee-flavoured cheese.  Fucking toffee-flavoured fucking cheese.  Honestly, it is the most disgusting substance known to man and looks just a little bit like brown plasticine.

Anyway, please don’t expect anything coherent or, frankly, even anything listenable.  Four of us sat around and bellowed incoherently into a microphone for a couple of hours, and frankly that’s exactly what it sounds like.  There are some good songs, though, and some really good new music but, erm, honestly you might want to skip the talky bits.  Actually, you know the first time anyone talks any sense whatsoever on this podcast?  The last link.  Really.  We get drunker and drunker and more incoherent, and then right at the end there’s an utterly shocking outbreak of common sense.

Toadcast #65 – The Clustercast

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01. Eels – Fresh Blood (02.27)
02. Jeffrey Lewis – Don’t Be Upset (10.10)
03. Slim Twig – Young Hussies (17.07)
04. Queens of the Stone Age – No One Knows (21.04)
05. Dame Satan – Suffering Daughter (33.03)
06. Eagle Winged Palace – Hand of Doom (36.21)
07. Arab Strap – Fucking Little Bastards (43.49)
08. Graffiti Island – Wolfguy (53.47)
09. Graham Coxon – In the Morning (66.12)