About
The Recommender is a well-respected, UK-based music blog that’s been going since March 2008. We focus on cutting-edge music from around the world and bring our selections to your desktop.
We also run regular parties in our local city of Brighton, promoting the new music that we critique. Please see our ‘Parties‘ section for updates, photos, flyers, competitions and videos regarding these events.
We have a small team of writers, from the UK and USA. Please see the below profiles for more details on each of us. You will find our initials listed at the end of any contribution.
Our ethos is simple – To provide extensive, enjoyable, quality writing and photography about great new music. All we want to do is point you in the direction of new discoveries and provide our opinions, mp3s, photos, videos and links to help our readers decide if they love it too.
Please comment, subscribe, message us, share the love – do what ever you wish with it. Feel free to ask us if you need to know any more.
MIKE
p.s. Please note – MP3s are temporarily posted on here for evaluation purposes only. They are purely to help promote the acts involved. If you like what you hear, please buy the music, support the artists, or go to the gigs! If you want anything removed, simply email us at: therecommenderblog@gmail.com and we will happily comply.
PROFILES
ROLE: Editor and founder of The Recommender.
HOMETOWN: Brighton, UK.
INFO: Created the music blog. Hosts the regular Recommender events in Brighton. Works as Assistant Promotions Manager at Brighton’s best established club, Digital. Also writes for The Brighton Source magazine.
FOUND ELSEWHERE?: Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, Souncloud.
5 FAVOURITE BANDS OF ALL TIME: LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, The Beatles, Stone Roses, Beck.
ROLE: Contributor
HOMETOWN: Austin, Texas.
INFO: Was one of the first ever contributors, so Olivia knows exactly what is required in terms of spotting the very best in new music and writing quality editorial. Being based in Austin, she’s in a fantastic position to attend and cover the enormous new music festival, SXSW.
FOUND ELSEWHERE?: Twitter, Flickr
5 FAVOURITE BANDS OF ALL TIME: Arcade Fire, The Legends, The Beatles, Ladytron, The Walkmen
ROLE: Contributor
HOMETOWN: Brighton, UK
INFO: Contributes editorial and helps organise The Recommender’s events. He is well known around our local city as a professional DJ, where, among many other appearances, he enjoys a permanent residency at our most famous club, Digital, as well as DJ’ing all The Recommender shows. As one half of the electronic music duo, Battery Powered, he’s now producing his own original tunes.
FOUND ELSEWHERE?: Battery Powered’s Twitter, Battery Powered’s Soundcloud, Battery Powered’s Myspace.
5 FAVOURITE BANDS OF ALL TIME: Maximo Park, Four Tet, Late Of The Pier, Whitest Boy Alive, Local Natives
ROLE: Photographer for The Recommender
HOMETOWN: NYC
INFO: A keen and talented photographer, who has a wealth of experience photographing bands, Natasha is on hand in New York as a photographer for The Recommender. When we interact with artists based in that city, we sometimes offer to photograph them and connect Natasha with them. She then organises and carries out the shoot. Any resulting photographs are then used on our site, loaded on our Flickrs and offered to the artist for use.
FOUND ELSEWHERE?: Twitter, NatashaRyan.com
5 FAVOURITE BANDS OF ALL TIME: Boards of Canada, The Replacements, Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, The Ink Spots
You are super-cool man! Love your blog. Keep up the great work.
Hi there,
We are a post punk/new wave band with influences such as interpol, lcd sound system and strokes.
You can download our E.P from sound cloud
http://soundcloud.com/clipstampfoldband
Hope you like!
please have a listen and let us know. We think you will like!
You can download our E.P from sound cloud
http://soundcloud.com/clipstampfoldband
Here is a review of our last performance at Old blue last:
http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4910&type=Live
please have a listen and let us know. We think you will like!
If this email is not relevant to you could you please pass it onto whoever could help!
Thank you
Sean
FREE ALBUM for all your peoples…so blog away !
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finn-From-The-Well/163485550355373
Check out By The Rivers – http://www.bytherivers.co.uk
A young roots reggae band for the new generation.
Personally asked to support The Specials on their UK Arena tour in October just gone. latest single reached No.21 iTunes Reggae Chart.
Singles, videos and albums to come next year complete with dub remixes, festivals and tours.
Like your blog! You got all the cool bands we like, Black Kids, Friendly Fires you must have been at glasto! Hey if you get a chance check out our music and tell us what you think, we would appreciate your opinion!
Cheers
SSS
This blog is alot more imaginative than most. Some great ideas here. Maybe i’ll steal them..!
I’d be a guest contributer to your blog anytime Pelski! Great blogs think alike eh…
love the blog, much more interesting than most Ive seen, or read, keep it up
cheers
ali
Very cool and a very enjoyable blog! Aweseome job!
Wise words. Great blog.
JP
lovely blog! can i post the little boots q&a through a link to your blog?
Sure Ciaoski, but where will you be publishing it? I’ve no problem, so long as you credit the blog and link to it. Where are you from?
Greetings Mike, lovely blog Sir.
Thanks for saying hello, lets keep in touch.
Have a great remainder of Easter and take good care
Go Bang Brighton
Brilliantly written and one of the most informative blogs in the UK!
Rumors are bouncing around Brighton…We heard that you may evolve the blog to also turn it into an upcoming regular event called The Recommender Promotions, showcasing new bands!?!?
Is this true?
WTF! How do people find these things out so fast!?
All I can say is watch this space…
Thanks
Mike
thanks for your feedback! am based in London.. how’d you find us??? tagging?? are you heading to any festivals this year?
Going to Isle of Wight what do you think of the line up? Hmmmmm…
Becki x
ps good empire of the sun remix!!
lol i feel the same way re: isle of wight but have to go with work next week.. well i guess will see!! already done a bestival blog – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kE50zzxy2o
can’t wait for this year but really want to check out secret garden party..
Hello
Sorry forgot to email you earlier – we had a fantastic time at Ash last week, although I am still covered in bruises from the mosh pit!
Thank you!
jodi and jody xxxx
Glad you enjoyed it. (For info, Jodi won our Ash competition)
There’s sure to be more competitions running in the future so look out in upcoming Recommenders…
Mike
Hi there, how are you today? My name is Rodrigo Moratto, I’m a singer-songwriter from Brazil…was kinda raised between Brazil and the USA…I am about to release my 1st English Language single in the UK this coming summer. We have just started club promotion and are about to start radio and Tv promotion quite soon. My publishers are P&P Songs and distribution is RTD/UNiversal Music, its indie, its pop. I Co-wrote, helped producing and was the executive producer of the album, site, myspace and video. We’ve been having good feedback from club promotion inthe UK, Ireland and some European resort areas….in various parts of the continent. My single comes out in the 1st week of august…. please check out my myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/rodrigomoratto
as well as my newly built community on facebook (link below). On my space you can also watch the video I produced and edited myself…”Whatever, Whatever”, directed by Ching Wang, featuring Miss Brazil 2008 Natalia Anderle and choreographed by Sheryl Murakami and KT B who have recently worked with artists such as Beyoncé and Lady gaga. I would love to have my 1st single “Whatever, Whatever” as well as my second Single “What are you gonna do ? (Before the world is gone)” and my album featured on ur blog.
Hope u like it…., hope to hear from you soon all l the best to u.
Cheers
Rodrigo
Facebook community link below
http://www.facebook.com/weareEQ#/pages/RODRIGO-MORATTO/88235428335?ref=ts
Nice music. Keep it alive!
your site. i come here at least once a week. the music you introduce, i just. <3 SO MUCH. NO WORDS, ONLY RESPECT!!!!!!
Hi,
I want to recommend a new Brighton band but can’t find your contact link!
This is the link to the band’s new video “Be Beautiful” by Mule Thomas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5skaIA3Ec
Hope it’s OK to post and please let me know if you have a contact.
Thanks!
Contact link is above, but here it is again…
therecommenderblog@gmail.com
Thanks
Mike
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the comments and blog love. Added you guys to my blogroll. Great blog you got going there!
Thanks.
Hey everyone, head over to the meandallmyfriends blog (http://meandallmyfriends.wordpress.com/)
It’s totally fantastic and packed with many new musical gems. Particularly good for Australian stuff too, as I think that’s where they’re based.
Mike
Hey Mike,
Yeah, we’re based in Melbourne, Australia.
Thanks again for the awesome words. Too kind!
hi guys and gals
is there a simple gig list as i cant find it!…i’ve just moved up (down and over a bit) from cardiff and am looking for somewhere to check out some live bands tom. (sat).
i’m a full time drummer who’s maybe looking for work so i need to ‘check out the scene baby’ etc.
many thanks all, si
Simon – We’ve sent you a helpful email.
following your blog writer contact protocol, we thought we’d take a chance and leave you a comment – we agree it’s good to talk…
We were hoping it wouldn’t be impolite to inform as many folk as possible about our debut showcase of limited edition prints… If Great Escapees wanted to rest their ears for a moment and enjoy a refreshing yet potent cocktail, they should head along to the bar of Brighton’s favourite rock’n'roll hotel (where some of the GE acts are staying!!) and swing a butcher’s hook at our cute and quirky critters. Oh wait that didn’t sound quite how it ought to!
If you guys wanted to review and recommend, we’d be extremely grateful.
Thanks for reading, keep up your good work…
respectful regards
Petting Zoo Prints & Collectables.
Mike,
sterling work! As your instructions on getting in touch with the elusive blogger clearly states; It’s good to talk and I have a demo I’d particularly like to talk to you about, when you have a moment or two to spare.
I came to see Plugs at one of your nights some time ago but only met you briefly.
Hopefully speak to you soon and just out of interest, are you gonna put on Parlovr in Brighton? I’m mad up for that!
Moses x
Hola colas!
I’m the singer for the Shears ( http://www.theshearsmusic.com ) and i wanted to see if y’all could check out our music! We’re brand-baby-butt-spankin-new with lots of fun ‘tude’. And we like cookies, glitter, and puppies. I dunno how that has anything to do with anything but our new REMIX will make you dance and or cream your undies. That’s if you’re wearing any. I’m not. Bwaha!
Hi!
My name is Elaine and I work at Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith. We do a live music show hosted by Curt Smith (Tears For Fears). ( Think – Old Grey Whistle Stop/ Midnight Special). Saw your blog and thought you might want to check us out. Here is a link to our first 2 shows. Sept 8th we will welcome Chris Pierce and Sept 15th- Peter Himmelman. http://strippeddownlive.com
Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith airs live from The Streamin’ Garage on Wednesdays at 8pm PT/ 11pm ET
Host: Curt Smith (TFF)
Exec Produscer : Mike Rotman (Kevin Pollaks Chat Show, Stupid For Movies, Politically Incorrect)
Producer: Arlene Wszalek (The US vs John Lennon, The Night James Brown Saved Boston)
Check us out and if you have an questions, feel free to email me! We’d love to be featured on your blog!
Regards,
Elaine Ewing
Stripped Down Live Social Media
Hey Mike,
Have a listen to Coralie’s tracks (http://www.coralie.co.uk), she’s a young performer with some good tracks, that are top ten material. (don’t you always hear that?! I’m a fan though and think she deserves some recognition.) her lyrics are clever and she writes her stuff. ‘Lazy days’ and ‘Person Before me’ are my favourites the rest are a bit pop orientated. I also like the pendulum sounding ‘Getting Bashy’ check out her music http://www.coralie.co.uk
You won’t be disappointed. New music…
[...] About [...]
hey I had an idea, what if you guys had a music player that as you guys add songs onto the website you also put them on there or have it play songs from the site randomlly…it might be too anoying to do but it would be helpfull for people looking to hear some random awesome music!!!
That’s a decent idea. I’ll happily look into it. In the mean time you can always go to shuffler.fm and select our blog. It plays tracks from all of our posts and you can select by genre.
There’s a button at the top of our page, or go here >> http://bit.ly/fbGdBJ
Clever eh!
Thanks
Mike
[...] About [...]
Big fan of your site from Romania. Would like to recommend a song also – if you want please have a look – listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zozkj5HyuQ
Hey, how bout a recommender who likes r&b, nu-jazz, nu-soul, etc?
[...] About [...]
From one Mike to another…
Very good stuff here, always checking in.
@Ria, i’ll be that recommender for you.
http://www.facebook.com/tarapriyamusic
just read about her on Mixed Tapes
a great uk band you might want to check out Thee Deadtime Philharmonic. http://www.myspace.com/deadtimeman
Hello,
This is a great blog, so i would value your opinions on my new album, you can listen to it all at http://www.el-roy.com/ And have a look at the video my friend Luca made. All comments welcome.
Kind regards,
Piers
Great blog! please check out our sounds if you get a chance
Splendid Blog…Bravo!!!
I would love it if you would listen to my new album! If you find a spare moment, please give it a spin .
Thanks much,Jim
http://soundcloud.com/jim-pullman/sets/jackals-and-wolves
Hi – THIS WICKED TONGUE will be appearing at the Grande Finale Festival, at The Concorde 2, Madeira Droive Brighton on 24th September -please check them out -
“An Amazing, amazing sensation” – Andrew Marston, presenter, BBC Introducing 25th March 2011.
… have to follow …
How does one become an honoree of the BlogRoll?
Oh not much, just try and be an exceptionally-great, world-class blog that we visit on a regular basis is all.
: )
Hello my name is Charlie Elise Meals (Lady Multi) of The Weekend Hustler. We are composed of MC’s Multi-ID (of Dallas, TX) and Lady Multi (of London, England).
I want to share with you our 3-song debut EP entitled “SEXYCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOPENESS” (Produced by Will Hunt of The Burning Hotels and Evanescence) as well as the music video for our lead single. Below is a link to our website where you can hear/download our music for free, as well as the direct link to our music video:
http://www.theweekendhustler.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/theweekendhustlermusic
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvQpRy55akQ&feature=channel_video_title
Hey guys, here’s the second Stray Dogs EP. It’s due for digital release Monday 19th December, via Amazon & iTunes. It will be available early at the Tom Williams & The Boat Christmas show at Tunbridge Wells Forum on Friday 16th December 2011.
Feel free to put any of the tracks up from the release to stream, but I’d like to ask that none of them are made available to download until after the release date.
Would be good to hear any opinions you have of the tracks.
Tim Hinson
Artist Manager – Stray Dogs
http://www.facebook.com/straydogs123
If you could email me I will send you the EP, just can’t find an email contact address so thought this would be the best way to contact