Dead Can Dance — Amnesia (2012)

I've been expecting this new album by Dead Can Dance for some time. I think every album Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry have made together are just perfect. Well here is a sneak peak of what is to come! The album will be titled Anastasis and this new song is called Amnesia. I hope you have as much fun as I had discovering this. You can listen to the full album and preorder it on Dead Can Dance's webpage.

The Daughters of Bristol — Velvet Curtains (2005)

I'm not perfect, I have my flaws. One of them is enjoying clone bands of The Sisters of Mercy. I just can't help it. I have listened to too much music by the Sisters and need something new (but not different). The Daughters of Bristol may not win originality contests but they certainly do a great impersonation of Mr Eldritch. Ok, I admit... maybe too much at times. But I just can't help it, I love this song. For more visit their bandcamp.

Pieter Wisse — I Believe in 88

I am a long time reader of the excellent 500 photographers blog. I have to give some credit to Pieter Wisse, photograph, who is also the writer of this blog. He specializes in portraits and journalism photography and he recently published a book called I Believe in 88. The book is a documentary about the time he spent with neo-nazis in Wismar (East Germany).

Project statement: "After a violent encounter with a group of neo-nazis at the age of 14 where Pieter Wisse was stabbed in the stomach, he decided to take a closer look at the daily life of the people who call themselves neo-nazis in former East Germany, a group of people at the edge of our society."

Here is Pieter Wisse's conclusion to the book: ... I personally did not encounter any evil animals. The people I documented deeply believe in their extreme rightwing ideas. Violence is part of their lives and critical to acquiring status in the group. This puts them on the edge of society. Characteristic are equally their pride and loyalty towards comrades and family.Vanity and the craving for attention gave me the freedom to register the fineline between hate and love.

The Portico Quartet — Line (2009)

I had a recent obsession with the sound of the hang drum, (see article on the subject here). I have been looking for interesting records featuring this musical instrument.

I just discovered the Portico Quartet. A London jazz group making minimalist music featuring a hang drum. The instrument is really well integrated and doesn't sound like a gadget or something added on top of the music. Their music is repetitive, minimal, sometimes reminiscent of the sounds of Philip Glass and Steve Reich. It is accessible jazz that will probably please amateurs of minimalist music.

The Portico Quartet
Line

Album: Isla (2009)

Jon Lezinsky — Illustrator

Illustrations: Jon Lezinsky

The Chameleons Vox — In Shreds (Live on KEXP radio)

Recent recording of In Shreds, probably my favorite song by The Chameleons Vox (aka The Chameleons UK). This song is featured on the excellent The Fan and the Bellows compilation (1986).