What do the Maccabees, above, think of Dragonette? You'll have to listen to find out
It's week sixteen in Music Weekly podland. Happy sweet sixteen everybody!
To celebrate this astonishing feat, Felix and Orlando of mighty massive Maccabees join us for some chin-stroking about music over several plastic cups of water. The duo were on tap to discuss the nature of Englishness (something of a motif in their music) and reveal what it's like to work with respected ex-Smiths producer Stephen Street.
Elsewhere, they helped form the pod's opinions on the latest singles from Anglo-loving Canadians Dragonette, Glaswegian quartet Travis and the band on everyone's lips right now, Foals.
Amid all this, Rosie Swash selflessly endured two days of London's messy music fest Camden Crawl and manages to regain her composure long enough to bring you the top three acts who impressed the crowds. Meanwhile, Guardian Film and Music editor Michael Hann grabbed a few minutes with his fave band, the Hold Steady, and even managed to contain his excitement long enough to ask them a few questions! (If you're a Hold Steady fan yourself you can listen to the full, unexpurgated exchange in a special Music Weekly Extra podcast.)
And guess what? Somewhere between the musings on music and a lot of talk about art, the following question arose:
· The Maccabees: English? Laddish? Posh(ish)? Are they worthy of the "Next Big Thing" tag?
· Your suggestions please for the best / worst bands with siblings amongst their number?
· What did you make of this year's Camden Crawl? Who stole the show, and who stunk the place out? Or is it just a smug London thing?
· Are the Foals the future of angular music?
· Do you know the third line to Jerusalem (Googling doesn't count)?
Next week, former Arab Strapper Malcolm Middleton's in the pod, and the Guardian's chief music writer, Alexis Petridis, will looking ahead to the essential albums and gigs coming your way in May.
Don't forget to support us in the Webbys, and thanks for listening.
Click here to listen to this week's show RIGHT NOW as an mp3.
Click here to listen to Music Weekly extra and the full interview with The Hold Steady.
