Playlist Mix Podcast - Weekly Independent Music Podcast » Ken McGuire

Welcoming Indie Switch

Ken McGuire — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:07:28 +0000

It’s a long time since October 2009, the last time a Playlist Mix podcast went to the web, and longer still going back to the 25th of March 2007 when the first podcast hit the web.

Over the two years, the podcast started, stopped, started, won awards, stopped, started and went silent. On March 25th gone, four years after the first podcast, I’m officially laying the Playlist Mix to rest and have begun the process of removing feeds, podcasts and winding the site down. Even after almost 18 months away from the podcast, the daily downloads are well in the double figures across the 59 episodes that were served up between 2007 and 2009 but it’s time to close up shop.

But, while the Playlist Mix goes to bed for an eternal snooze, the music must go on and so I introduce to you Indie Switch, the first podcast of which went live this weekend past.

There’s a few ways to pick up on the new podcast

For the moment, the podcast borrows the format of old – six acts, six tracks over the course of a half hour or so. The day is different, the approach to bands is different and give it a week or two and the whole thing will be different.

The first podcast features tunes from Gold Panda, Metropolis America, The Evidence, The Attic Ends, The Counselors and The On Fires and is available to download via IndieSwitch.com

We’ll give it a few more weeks and then PlaylistMix.com will shut up shop altogether so get thee to IndieSwitch.com for the tunes instead!

To all those who listened to the Playlist Mix over the course of its run and all the acts who’ve plugged, blogged and submitted tracks to the podcast, thanks so much. Hopefully you’ll come along for the new ride.

Irish Web Awards Live

Ken McGuire — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:11:15 +0000

Sitting here at the 2009 Irish Web Awards and The Persuaders have won this year’s Best Podcaster award, the category PLM was in the running for.

Personally, my money was on Nialler9 and Aoife for the Nialler9 podcast, another great blend of music, but The Persuaders topped the voting for 2009.

Bonus for Nialler9 who just walked off with Best Music Site ahead of last year’s winners, State Magazine.

Awards still ongoing here, you can follow the action by keeping an eye on the #iwa09 hashtag on Twitter.

Catch all y’all after the holidays…

Playlist Mix #59

Ken McGuire — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:27:48 +0000

Monday, Monday – six more tracks, on the countdown to the weekend already and it’s only the beginning of the week. This week’s mix brings a blend of rock and dance with tracks coming from

Plinth – Vascanagina
Rhino39 – Why
Atomic Hoarsebox – Calvita
Antiqcool – Girl In A Room
Evibe – Rebyrth
Sensual Harassment – Daddy Long Legs

In particular, check out the tracks from Plinth and Sensual Harassment along with the mystery-machine-esque sounds of Calvita from Atomic Hoarsebox.

Getting your tracks into the podcast is easy with submissions obviously preferred now over Soundcloud (given the ease of the service) to email, but if you want to email in anything you can drop a line to podcast [at] playlistmix.com. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter here.

Hopefully I’ll have two more podcasts squeezed out between now and friday as I’m away on holidays next weekend for a bit. For those of you in Dublin (that’s a good gathering of Irish podcasters), I’ll see you at the Irish Web Awards in the Radisson this coming Saturday night.

Until next week,

Enjoy the mix.

The Most Serene Republic – The Old Forever New Things

Ken McGuire — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:20:12 +0000

One of, I think, Canada’s finest musical exports in recent years. Can’t get enough.

Check out the video on YouTube or catch TMSR on MySpace

I Am Not Lefthanded – Everybody Sleeps

Ken McGuire — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:08:27 +0000

I Am Not Lefhanded released their video for Everybody Sleeps two weeks ago or so and having featured them on the podcast earlier in the year, Everybody Sleeps made its way onto this week’s podcast which you can download here. If you’re picking things up via RSS, check out the video here on YouTube.

Enjoy the video, and check the band out here on MySpace.

Playlist Mix 58

Ken McGuire — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:05:36 +0000

For the final podcast for September, this is the 58th Playlist Mix. It’s been a fun week so far – if you saw the post from Sunday, the nominations for the 2009 Irish Web Awards are out and the Playlist Mix has been included in the shortlist running along with the creme of Irish podcasts, music, business and otherwise.

Also a special mention for Devious Theatre who have been included in the shortlist – their production of The War Of The Worlds, available as a podcast download from DeviousTheatre.com, is in the running this Friday night for a PPI Radio Award for Best Drama, so fingers crossed for them on that front.

On to the tracks for this week, another six acts with some new music for you from

Cary Kanno – Make It Through
I Am Three – Nostalgia
Omega Vague – Wonder
Uber Glitterati – Little Chances
Leaving Richmond – And Now We Stand Up
I Am Not Left Handed – Everybody Sleeps

Later in the year PLM will be hooking up with a new music resource called Rewind for an extension to the podcast (a couple of bonus podcasts each month), more on that in October. If you want to get a track submitted to the podcast don’t forget that you can use the dropbox to submit an MP3, drop an email to podcast AT playlistmix DOT com or find us here on Facebook and Twitter.

Shortlisted For 2009 Irish Web Awards

Ken McGuire — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:19:27 +0000

The shortlists for the 2009 Realex Payments Irish Web Awards came out before the weekend and the Playlist Mix has found its way onto the shortlist, with judging currently underway of all entries. I’m delighted to see the podcast there again this year as we get back in the swing of things following the summer break (as every other year).

This year has been a year of change for the podcast, certainly bringing in a lot more Irish music, launching a new version of the site, delivering the podcasts via Blubrry, working around a legal hurdle or two, exploring options on syndication and a lot more besides.

Moving into the end of 2009 there’s a few more changes and developments to come the way of the Playlist Mix so if you’re not already subscribed to the podcast, now is the perfect opportunity to do so! PLM took home the award for Best Podcast last year so to be included in the running again is a great boost. The category itself is sponsored by 3 Ireland and joining the Playlist Mix on the shortlist are RTE Podcasts, Nialler9, The Persuaders, Michael Hanley, The Comic Cast, Hostelworld Podcasts, Chopshop FM, Devious Theatre, Mixtape.ie, Panic Dots and View From The Quad.

Playlist Mix #57

Ken McGuire — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:51:27 +0000

It’s a cold Monday night in Kilkenny as the 57th Playlist Mix hits the web. There’s a guest in the studio too, staying quiet for the moment; there’s music from Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, the US… and for us it’s three-in-a-row for the start of the Autumn season.

Of course, it is Monday, that note highlighted thanks to the return the NFL. We (we as in Ken) got away with it last year but with the season returning, there’s a new blog on the horizon in the form of FirstDown.ie (check First Down on Twitter). So with Sunday night action taking centre stage for the month, we’re on a Monday night buzz for September. But that’s the joy of the web, yes?

On to the music, this week’s tracks include

Olafur Arnalds – Fok
Saving J – Everybody
Clive Barnes – Shotgun Grin
Herring Bones – Box Shaped Heart
Spank The Chemical Christians – A Plague Of Swine
Kwest feat. Anna – Graber (Radio Edit)

If you want to get in touch, find us on Twitter, drop us an email, or post a track in the drop box at Soundcloud.com.

That’s it for 57, back next weekend for 58.

We’re On Monday’s Now, Did You Notice?

Ken McGuire — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:54:31 +0000

Have you noticed, we’re on Mondays? At least for this month anyway. The past two weeks shows have slipped online on Mondays and today shouldn’t really be any different as we move through September. You can thank the NFL for that as well. For the month of September we’re covering all of the NFL action (American Football that is) on Sundays from early in the morning through to last thing at night so we’ll be bringing you the Playlist Mix on Mondays for a few weeks.

Tonight’s playlist has been picked, yet again helped by the Soundcloud additions – if you’ve got a track you want to submit to the podcast, don’t hesitate to use the drop box to leave us an MP3.

Sanzkrit – Futilia

Ken McGuire — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:18:59 +0000

Taken from their new album After The Wedding, Sanzkrit have just released this video for new single Futilia. The first of their launch gigs for the album takes place tonight before making their way to Whelan’s in Dublin on Sunday night with support from The Ambience Affair and Fiach.

Check ‘em out on MySpace and grab this weekend’s Playlist Mix for some Sanzkrit sounds.

Video note: Official Video for Futila by Irish rock band Sanzkrit. Music written and performed by Sanzkrit (marron / clarke / markey / duffy) Video directed by Gary Farrell and written by Dave Marron. Starring the very talented Aoife, Oran, Tristan and the two Cians. (YouTube)

New Single, Tour for Julie Feeney

Ken McGuire — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:04:28 +0000

I got to listening to Julie Feeney ahead of her appearance at the Kilkenny Arts Festival this past August. I was well aware of 13 songs and her Choice Music Prize award but the years inbeetween his first and current album, pages, seemed to pass me by.

On October 2nd (12th in the UK), the Galwegian releases Impossibly Beautiful, from pages, on single, accompanied by a brand new video as well shot by director Vittoria Colonna.

She’s also announced a few dates for late September / October in support of the release of the single.

Thursday 24 September, Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Thursday 15 October, The Sugar Club, Dublin
Friday 16 October, The Dock, Carrick on Shannon
Saturday 17 October, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Sunday 18 October, Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast
Thursday 22 October, Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Saturday 24 October, Glor, Ennis Co. Clare
Friday 30 October, The Pavilion, Cork

Playlist Mix #56

Ken McGuire — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:45:04 +0000

Show 56 rolls around in a timely Monday fashion. Timely in the sense that it matches up with last Monday’s podcast release, albeit a day off the calendar. If you missed it during the week as well the podcast release schedule for the remainder of 2009 has been posted, at long last.

We’re still on the look out to get 100 fans via Facebook – think you can help? Pop along to the Playlist Mix Podcast Facebook page and help us on our way to 100. When we get there we’re gonna give away a couple of the albums that have been stacking up on the desk over the summer months (including a huge box of discs from Irish and UK acts).

If you want to make a submission for the 57th podcast, you’ve got until midnight this coming Thursday night to do so. You can submit your tracks via email to podcast [at] playlistmix [dot] com, or use the Soundcloud Dropbox to send us on a track. If you’re emailing in, don’t forget to include your MySpace / Bebo / Facebook / iTunes URL (whatever you’ve got), a brief biography and of course your music in MP3 format (WMA’s won’t be accepted, sorry Windows Media lovers).

On with the mix for this week…

835 – Shame It
Loomis & The Lust – Bright Red Chords
Heritage Centre – Your Leaders Are Dead
ABCQ – He’s A Dog
Finn Riggins – Wake (Keep This Town Alive) [Buy at Tender Loving Empire]
Maido Project – Discovery Soundtrack

Don’t forget too that for updates during the week you can keep your eyes on the Playlist Mix on Twitter.

The Coronas – Listen Dear

Ken McGuire — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:01:52 +0000

This one is a recent one from The Coronas, hitting the web last week. The video is for their forthcoming single Listen Dear which drops on September 11th (this music be one of the busiest weekends for music I’ve seen in a long time), followed up two weeks later by the release of their Tony Was An Ex-Con album.

The video was shot on location in Dublin at the beginning of August. Check out The Coronas on MySpace.

Saving J Launch New Album Next Weekend

Ken McGuire — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:19:53 +0000

Saving J, featured on the latest Playlist Mix with current single ABC are set to launch their debut album offering This City Street in Whelan’s in Dublin on Saturday September 12th, the CD itself available from the Friday. Support on the night will come from Rekoj and doors open at 8pm with tickets €10 available from the venue.

The album has been a long time in the making with the band already having released five singles – Bus Stop, Valentine, Kick Off, Indication Street and ABC – in advance of the album, with all singles included. Their next single, Everybody, is set for release shortly with artwork previews available on the band’s MySpace page.

I’ve had a copy of the album here for a few weeks and it’s nice to see how the band’s sound has shaped and evolved over the past two years. For an independent band, they’re certainly not afraid to get out, do the work, clock up the mileage in the tour van and make an investment in their musical careers. Hopefully the album, when it drops, will bring them some more deserved attention.

Playlist Mix #55

Ken McGuire — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:04:29 +0000

Can you believe it’s actually here? Show 55 has been sitting on the desk for ages. Then of course, you realise that the news is irrelevant, the gigs have already happened and while the music should get a play, I’m looking for something a little current.

The summer break is over, the autumn is in and the podcast returns, the 55th release in the series, one which should hopefully see us reach for number seventy by the year’s end.

There’s the new facelift, some changes on Facebook, a new drop box for MP3s, Twitter is still there and the show returns with six acts and six tracks, as if we’d have it any other way.

Music this week comes from

Jester – Crying
New Nobility Band – Galactic Love
Saving J – ABC
Jennifer Logue – Sigh
theendisthebeginning – Adrift (Lessons In Time)
Von Bizmark – London

The schedule for September through December will be published shortly so if you want to get your tracks in, now’s a fine time to do it. Drop an MP3 in our drop box here or email podcast at playlistmix dot com.

Submit Your Tracks Using SoundCloud

Ken McGuire — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:56:38 +0000

You can now submit your tracks to the Playlist Mix using SoundCloud.com and their dropbox feature. To upload a track, simply click on the dropbox button on the right of page, or use this link here.

Tip: When uploading an MP3, please name the track in the format of ARTIST NAME – TRACK NAME.mp3 e.g. Coldplay – Clocks.mp3.

Submissions for tracks are stacked up of May / June / July thanks to the break for touring and theatre and while you can still submit tracks via email we thought it nice to offer you the possibility of uploading tracks through the site. Plus we get to hold them all in the one spot online.

While SoundCloud.com will support a number of formats (AIFF / WAVE / FLAC / AAC / OGG / MP3), it’s only MP3 we’re looking for with a minimum quality of 128kpbs stereo. Uploading the track doesn’t guarantee that it will get played on the podcast but we can say that if and when the track does get an airing, you’ll be the first to know.

Have you been keeping up to date?

Ken McGuire — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:37:35 +0000

Have you been keeping up to date? If you’ve been following the Twitter stream you’ll have picked up (recently) that we’re in the throws of returning with the podcast following a prolonged summer break. Four months is a long time.

Taking time to arrange some licensing and syndication matters (as well as build up a wealth of new music), the PLM is set to return, next week, for the run to the end of the year.

I’ve been looking forward to this for too long…

Where Are We Now?

Ken McGuire — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:08:58 +0000

Fear no, oh Playlist Mix listener, we’ve not gone away, merely having an extended afternoon nap. Truth is, we’ve been up the walls here since last night with a new project – My Music – that’s slowly but surely taking off. We’ve just finished working one tour, have two more lined up for the summer for artists that you would have heard on previous podcasts (like Jeff Lang, Clive Barnes, South, The Lions Mane, Empire Social etc.).

Normal programming will resume in June when the wheels on the bus slow down enough for us to catch up.

In the mean time, don’t forget you can still access any and all previous shows from this year right here on PlaylistMix.com and via iTunes.

Monday Release For PLM55

Ken McGuire — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:54:00 +0000

It’s a Monday release for PLM55. After a weekend away in Belfast, there’s a lot to do yet in the studio so it’ll be tomorrow before you get to sample PLM55.

If you’ve never been to Belfast before, give it a shot. Had a great weekend up there and would most definitely go back again.

Playlist Mix #54

Ken McGuire — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:01:23 +0000

Sundays come around too regularly at this stage of the proceedings. We’re just off two back-to-back short weeks, or at least I think they were back-to-back short weeks anyway as the days appear to be flying. We hit the 19th of April for 2009 and the 54th Playlist Mix podcast. While next week’s show is going to feature a selection (says he in hope) of Northern Irish acts, this week sees a blend of tracks from Ireland with some of the featured acts for the month along with talent from both sides of the water.

Valentine Black – A Song From The Underground
Dogs Bollocks – Rebel Reload
The Free Design – Bubbles (Buy at Amazon MP3)
Beirut – My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille (Buy at Rhapsody)
Ebo – Paper Planes
Diarmuid Comerford – Skit Show

While I’m here, I should also plug a competition I’m involved in running, Busker 2009. One of my other hats with Kilkenny Music sees the promoting of a lot of music, at every level, including street-level. Busker 2009 kicked off yesterday with acts competing for a prize each da of 200 Euro. From tomorrow onwards, we’re looking for people to vote for their favourite act out of three from yesterday, the voting available here at KilkennyMusic.com.