ABOUT
The Recommender is an established UK-based music blog that’s been going since March 2008. We focus on locating emerging music from around the world and bring our selections to your desktop.
The ethos of our blog is simple – To be an essential part of your music discovery. We provide extensive, enjoyable, quality writing, about truly exceptional new music. Our job is to wave cutting-edge music under your nose and to provide our opinions, mp3s, photos, videos and links to help our readers decide if they love it too.
We also run a showcase party in our local city of Brighton every year, at the annual Great Escape Festival, promoting the new music that we critique. Additionally, we are the Community Manager for Music Robot, a new site that charts music on UK blogs.
Please comment, subscribe, message us, share the love – do what ever you wish with The Recommender, we just hope you discover lots of awesome music.
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 and organises any Recommender events. 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 our 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 has now simply become our on-the-ground reporter for the enormous new music festival, SXSW, each March.
FOUND ELSEWHERE?: Twitter, Flickr
5 FAVOURITE BANDS OF ALL TIME: Arcade Fire, The Legends, The Beatles, Ladytron, The Walkmen
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.
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FREE ALBUM for all your peoples…so blog away !
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finn-From-The-Well/163485550355373
Check out By The Rivers –
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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
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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
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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…
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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 …
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[...] 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
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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?
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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).
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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.
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TheRecommenderBlog@Gmail.com
The Recommender!
I do PR for the indie/pop/alt rock band…
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Maybe you should turn on comment moderation so you can get some control over the junk on your blog?
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Dear Recommender – it would be sexy if you would take a look at our sweet and small music blog from Switzerland – no mainstream guaranteed
best regards and have a nice week-end,
Mautz & Tastaton
Hi Mike
Hope alls well. Great website! Was wondering if its possible to place a posting on your site. I work with Illuminate Productions who produce Merge festival. A yearly arts, music and performance festival set in Bankside, Borough. We also select the live music at Tate Modern once a month called IMMERGE! The next event is on Friday 5th April at 7.30pm with James Mcarthur who will deliver a startlingly accomplished brace of songs in his unique style of hazy folk. His sound, lovingly honed on the incubative London circuit, echoes the likes Nick Drake and Iron and Wine from a perspective that’s all his own, one that’s at once grounded and fleeting, yet always profound.
To finish the night will be Chris Coco, tastemaker, DJ, broadcaster, producer, music curator, musician and journalist. Coco has dj’d in stadiums and festivals around the world and had show on BBC Radio one with Rob Da Bank, he also runs a label releasing beautiful modern music that grew out of the radio show of the same name – Melodica Recordings.
Please go to http://mergefestival.co.uk/artists/live-music-nights-at-tate-modern-cafe.html
for more info.
Hope to hear from you.
Angie