Some are suggestive, most are daft. Enjoy.

10. ‘Please please me/Like I please you‘-  The Beatles

The implicit meaning of aformentioned lyric

on a superficial listen ‘Please Please Me’ boasts a nice little word play in the chorus; a catchy use of the semantic differences of the word ‘please’. On an uncalled for analytical level, the lyric becomes a depraved beg for the reciprocation of a certain sexual act that I will not sully the good nature of this website my mentioning. To be honest, I just wanted a lyric that I could use in context with the above picture, because it’s hilarious.

9. ‘Lucky that my breasts are small and humble/So you don’t confuse them with mountains’ – Shakira

Mountains, not to be confused with Sharkira's boobs

Have you ever sat in with the other half on a friday night; the curry half n’half and a bottle of Paul Mason have went down well, you and your partner both laugh at the wacky friend in the latest Sandra Bullock movie – and then it happens. Your eyes meet, you lock lips, things get passionate. Your hand slides up her poncho to get a grip of her… hard rocky terrain? ‘IT’S NOT MY LOVER’S BREAST’ you scream, ‘IT’S A MOUNTAIN!’  You open your eyes and you’re kissing a tuft of moss on the side of the Black Mountain. Happens all the time.

8. ‘Lucky I have strong legs like my mother/To run for cover when i need it‘ – Shakira, again.

Shakira and her ma, legs like lamb shanks.

This lyric is disconcerting to thine ear, no? It suggests to me that, like her mother, Shakira gravitates towards violent men. Which is a pity for us limp-wristed dandies, because she is a lovely. A big lovely.
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Artwork by Will McConnell.

With the recent release of the documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story I was tempted to write something about Bill for Bandwidth.  I was hesitant though, thinking I may not be worthy, and also concerned that there just might not be anything left to say about him.  Then Will went to see the movie too and, being a big fan himself, suggested I write something.  And who am I to argue with the boss?  At worst this will be a long winded movie recommended.  At best, I might introduce you to not only one of the funniest stand up comics ever, but one of the best thinkers of our time.

[Editor’s Note: Derisive scoff.]

[Bill Hicks’s spirit: Shut the fuck up!]
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Bandwidth had a hand in a unique exhibition based in Belfast Oh Yeah Centre. The project was called True Confessions and the idea was to record the musical memories of Northern Ireland’s gig going population for future posterity. Steven Rainey was dutifully dispatched to share his own.

Illustration by Stephen Graham.
Photos by Liz Wade.

I was sitting in a shed, lit by candles. The walls were decorated with clippings from the music press from the last ten years or so. A curtain was pulled back, and a cardboard cut-out of Fergal Sharkey’s face appeared.

The former Undertone’s voice crackled through a tiny amplifier, and I was instructed to reveal my musical “guilty secret”, the one band that is indefensible in my musical collection.

Stumbling over my words, I cast my mind through the hundreds of records I’ve owned over the years, struggling to recall the most horrifically embarrassing choice. Images of Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr wearing a white trenchcoat with the sleeves rolled up, releasing a white dove of peace into the sky, flashed before my eyes. Paddy MacAloon, the bard of the bedsit, singing the lines, “Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque”. Bob Dylan, struggling to cope with the stylistic changes of the 80s, wearing a grey suit jacket, looking lost, whilst mumbling, “Wiggle wiggle, like a can of soup.”

I’ve owned them all, and – in their own way – I love them.

Without thinking, I blurted out my answer:

“Yes!”
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Cara Cowan is one one of the very first artists ever filmed by Bandwidth. Even back then we had nice things to say about her. Like this wee quote:

“An artist with true character, captivating creativty and enough imagnation to run for years and years. This is just the beginning.”

One year on and its just getting better and better. Cara has a full band behind her now and is developing a unique and magical voice of her very own. So it’s with great pleasure we present this In Stores gig with Cara and her new band.

It took place on April saturday, a busy shopping day in Belfast. Wehre else to start but in cococouture, a luxury chocolate shop in Donegal Square?

Download ‘Surprise Surprise’ for iPod (46.7 MB)

Full credit to Joe Laverty for spotting this one. We were on our way to the next location when he pointed out this place. Sliiiiiiide as it’s so affectionately known in Belfast is.. well, its not the kind of place I’d be caught dead in, unless its from an ecstasy overdose or something. But damn it if they don’t have a pretty bar and a great looking 30s-speakeasy-type-dancefloor. Cue Cara.

Download ‘Names’ for iPod (45.3 MB)

And finally thanks to all the staff at Best Vintage for providing this video with some well deserved classy nudes, and Cat Power laying in the background on vinyl (vinyl!!). A very classy conclusion to the most enjoyable session Bandwidth has done in months!

Download ‘Go Quietly’ for iPod (45 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, April 2010
Sound recorded/ Mixed by Joe Laverty

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Welcome to the Bandwidth New Music Podcast – a free mp3 podcast of our favourite new unsigned music from Ireland North and South. Unlike many other new music podcasts, Bandwidth brings you the whole unadulterated mp3 track as the artist intended, with no extended intros or talky bits.

There’ll be an update every monday for the whole of June and then we’ll launch them as we get ‘em, so it’s over to you now.

If you’d like Bandwidth to feature your music on the podcast, email us an mp3, complete with artwork attached to: sendyourmp3s@bandwidthfilms.com

>> To subscribe to the podcast feed click here

>> Or to subscribe on iTunes click here

Before Machines launched two new tracks on their bandcamp page last week – this track and another Hearts. Check it out here: http://beforemachines.bandcamp.com/

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Its great to see new material from the fabulous Patiosounds. This is a free sample from their new EP Walking For Days which you can buy for a very reasonable 2 pounds here http://patiosounds.bandcamp.com/

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An amazing band from Coleraine called The Good Fight launch their latest single Hats On Sticks for download Monday 14th June. Heres the B-Side – Hospitals. Visit: http://thegoodfight.bandcamp.com/

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