New Top Notch Animated Videos From UK & Irish Artists!

Le Bien -

www.myspace.com/bienmusique
www.myspace.com/lebien

I seriously don't know much about these lads. I do know that their music is fun, quirky and electro-tastic, I do know that they're based in Dublin, and that their name's are Simon and Leon.

According to thier myspace profile they sound like -

"Blindfolded runnning in a forest, rubber bands plucked near your ears at various degrees of tension, a laptop and a guitar and a synth, echoes of a lost night out, something else, living on the corner of a city crossroad juntion listening to the music of car stereos stopped in traffic into the weee hours"

Can it get any better than that?!
Yes it can...pretty Irish lads messing about with claymation bits!

Here's their debut video...

Le Bien - 'We Don't Speak French' :



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Nina Hynes -

www.myspace.com/ninahynesandthehusbands
www.ninahynes.com



A friend of mine Brendan Rice at Ireland's most comprehensive music site 'Irish Music Central' gave me my first taste of Nina Hynes a few years ago on a compilation cd...I was immediately blown away by her sweet, humble lyrics and delicate vocals. Nina is originally from Ireland but now lives in Berlin, she has started working with a new group of musicians known as 'The Husbands', and last year released a hauntingly beautiful full length entitled 'Really Really Do'.

The band are split between Ireland and Germany but Nina and her partner Fabien will be playing a handful of shows over the next few weeks in Germany opening for Glen Hansard's 'Swell Season' Project. Nina is set to drop a solo album at the end of the year...in the mean time head over to her site and pick up her latest record with the Husbands!

Nina Hynes - 'Lulu Mae' :



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Trouble Over Tokyo -

www.troubleovertokyo.com
www.myspace.com/troubleovertokyo



Not too long ago I reviewed London based Trouble over Tokyo's latest release 'Pyramids' (Klien Records, 2008), a bold collection of heartfelt, and wonderfully orchestrated Electro-pop songs. This is the video for the song 'Liar', it was directed by Mikael Arnal and features a truly endearing Robot with a super big heart.

TROUBLE OVER TOKYO - THE LIAR :



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Autamata -

www.myspace.com/autamata
www.autamatamusic.com

I've been a fan of this Wicklow, Ireland based outfit for many years. The group was founded in 2002 by muti-talented intrumentalist and visual arts wonder Ken McHugh and features a revolving door of guest vocals, and co-songwritting appearences by three fierce, and wonderfully diverse female vocalist Carol Keogh, Sarah Verdon and Cathy Davey.

Ken McHugh is an amazing producer, of the DIY generation spending the better part of a year working on material for his new album he says -

"At the beginning of a new album I think of my studio as if it were a blank canvas. I start by making beats which I see as foundation lines. Melodies and riffs I see as the landscape. I then colour it all in with sound manipulation and texture. In a way, I feel like I am painting a picture as much as making music."

But the work doesn't stop there, then comes the promotion of his finished product, McHugh creates homemade Promotional videos for his work, pop over to the bands myspace and check them out!

Their sound is electronic with a warm roots, organic edge, a sound which supports their fun, positive lyrics and upbeat vibes.

The following video 'Need You Sunshine' was created by 'Heros for Zeros' in collaboration with 'Prickly Pear Productions', the song is from the groups new record 'Colours of Sound' was released in Ireland this past March and can be shipped straight to your door by Dublin's 'Road Records' (The best Independent Music store in the city!)...Seriously, pick up this record...

Autamata - 'Need You Sunshine':