Sam Amidon – As I Roved Out [Official Video] / New Album ‘Bright Sunny South’ (2013/05/14)

:: Incredibly in love with this record…

As I Roved Out is one of my favourite tracks off the new record and the new single by Vermont-born and London-based folk musician Sam Amidon. The thirty-one year-old husband of British singer and songwriter Beth Orton is already releasing his fourth full-length studio offering, being the first on his new label Nonesuch Records. The album entitled ‘Bright Sunny South’ was released worldwide on May 14, 2013 via Nonesuch. The official video for As I Roved Out premiered on NPR.org a couple of days ago. It’s directed by John Hardwick, read more about it here. Sam Amidon is currently touring the UK and will head over for the US afterwards. Check out the complete touring schedule below, and listen to My Old Friend, the first single off the album.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Bright Sunny South
02. I Wish I Wish
03. Short Life
04. My Old Friend
05. He’s Taken My Feet
06. Pharaoh
07. As I Roved Out
08. Shake It Off
09. Groundhog
10. Streets of Derry
11. Weeping Mary

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Thu 23 May 2013 // London, UK // Bush Hall
Fri 24 May 2013 // Bristol, UK // Grain Barge
Sat 25 May 2013 // Guildford, UK // Holy Trinity Church
Sun 26 May 2013 // Bury, UK // The Met
Mon 03 Jun 2013 // Seattle, US // Sunset Tavern
Tue 04 Jun 2013 // Portland, US // The Holocene
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Sam Amidon’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.samamidon.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SamAmidonMusic
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/samamidon
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/sam-amidon
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/samamidon

Read more:
The Quietus − Reviews: Sam Amidon – Bright Sunny South

Leagues – Lost It All / Debut Album ‘You Belong Here’ (2013/01/29) [Full Album Stream]

:: This record’s something like a celebration – pure joy!

Lost It All is my favourite track taken from the debut album by Leagues. The Nashville-based ethereal pop three-piece is comprised of Thad Cockrell [vocals], Tyler Burkum [guitars] and Jeremy Lutito [drums]. Leagues are aiming at nothing less than”bringing explosions of joy to the world through music“. If you wanna know more about the guys and the coming into being of their band, you should check out the about section of their homepage. It’s a really rewarding read. The band’s debut album ‘You Belong Here’ was released worldwide on January 29, 2013 via the band’s own Bufalotone Records. The album is streaming in its entirety over at MTV Hive. I suggest you head over and take a listen, you won’t regret it!

Watch below the official music video for Spotlight, the first single off the record, is directed by Allister Ann. The song is available for free download via the band’s homepage. Enter your email and enjoy. Leagues will be touring the US in June, check out the complete schedule below.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Spotlight
02. You Belong Here
03. Haunted
04. Walking Backwards
05. Lost It All
06. One Hand
07. Magic
08. Mind Games
09. Pass My Way
10. Friendly Fire

Upcoming US Tour Dates:
Sat 08 June 2013 // Orlando, FL // The Beacham
Sun 09 June 2013 // St Petersburg, FL // State Theatre
Mon 10 June 2013 // Jacksonville, FL // Freebrid Live
Wed 12 June 2013 // Cleveland, OH // House of Blues
Thu 13 June 2013 // Louisville, KY // Headliners
Fri 14 June 2013 // Indianapolis, IN // The Vogue
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Leagues’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.leaguesmusic.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/leagues1
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/leaguesmusic
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/weareleagues
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/weareleagues

Read more:
Sputnik Music − Leagues – You Belong Here

New Single: MONEY – Bluebell Fields [Official Video]

:: Incredible stuff. Really looking forward to more…

MONEY – that’s the name of a Manchester-based ethereal pop four-piece comprised of Jamie Lee [vocals], Charlie Cocksedge, Billy Byron and Scott Beaman. The guys created quite a fuzz last year when they sold out a series of local shows before they’d even had release one single. Followed by the successful release of two very limited 7″ vinyl singles (listen below to Solong (Godisdead)), this ultimately caused Simon Raymonde of Bella Union to track them down, resulting in the band’s signing to the famous British indie label. MONEY are currently finishing off their debut album which is due for release in late summer. Bluebell Fields is the first single off the debut and an amazing first taste of what’s to come. The dreamy, audio-visual official video is created by young director and animator Dan W. Jacobs, watch it above. MONEY are touring the UK in June, check out the upcoming concerts below.

MONEY:

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sun 09 Jun 2013 // Birmingham, UK // Hare & Hounds
Mon 10 Jun 2013 // Glasgow, UK // King Tuts
Tue 11 Jun 2013 // Liverpool, UK // Leaf
Thu 13 Jun 2013 // London, UK // The Waiting Room
Fri 14 Jun 2013 // Hebden Bridge, UK // Trades Club
Fri 12 Jul 2013 // Manchester, UK // Festival Square & Pavilion Theatre
Sat 13 Jul 2013 // Manchester, UK // Festival Square & Pavilion Theatre

Follow ‘MONEY’ on:
Official homepage at: http://lonelysexydeath.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/lonelysexydeath
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/lonelysexydeath

Read more:
Bella Union − Money reveal video to Bluebell Fields

David Jonathan – Go Baby Go [Official Video] / Debut EP ‘Catskill’ (2013/04/12) [Full Stream]

:: Incredible live band…

Go Baby Go is the powerful lead track off the new EP by the band of Berlin’s indie pop/rock singer and songwriter David Jonathan. The four-piece is indeed named after its lead singer, but is comprised of four old friends whose own dynamics make up the band’s creative potential. Their debut four-track EP is entitled ‘Catskills’ and was out in Germany on April 12, 2013 via Nordpol Records. It’s streaming entirely over at Noisey, so head over and have a listen. David Jonathan are currently on the road in Germany, check out the upcoming concert and festival date below.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Go Baby Go
02. Volunteer
03. I’m Sorry
04. Mackerel

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri 24 May 2013 // Freyburg, Germany // Dionysos Calling Fesrival
Sat 25 May 2013 // Neustrelitz, Germany // Stadtfest
Fri 31 May 2013 // Neustrelitz, Germany // Immergut Festival
Fri 19 Jul 2013 // Hauptmannsgrun, Germany // L’Abore Festival

Follow ‘David Jonathan’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.davidjonathanmusic.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/davidjonathanartist
Twitter at: http://www.davidjonathanmusic.com/
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/davidjonathan
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/davidjonathanband

Solange – Locked In Closets [Official Video]

:: Hit play!

.
.Solange Knowles

Upcoming Tour Dates: 
May 24 // Barcelona, ES // Primavera Sound
May 24-27 // George, WA // Sasquatch! Music Festival
May 25 // London, UK // Field Day
June 01 // Philadelphia, PA // Roots Picnic
June 21 // HVAR, HR // For
June 22 // London, UK // Night + Day

Follow ‘Solange Knowles’ on: 
Homepage at: http://www.solangemusic.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/solange
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/solangeknowles

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More ‘Solange’ on Music Pickings:
Nov 13, 2012 - Losing You / New EP ‘True’ (2012/11/27)

John Murry – California [Official Video] / Debut Solo Album ‘The Graceless Age’ (2013/05/06) [Full Album Stream]

:: Sounds like something totally new. Every time I’m playing this terrific record. Still. It’s the growing kind…

California is the second single taken from the debut solo album by Mississippi-raised Americana singer, songwriter and guitarist John Murry. The record is entitled ‘The Graceless Age’ and it already was released in Australia and New Zealand last September via Spunk Records. Being a relative of Mississippi’s famous literary son William Faulkner, Murry comes out as classical songwriter in both music and lyrics. ‘The Graceless Age’ officially dropped in North America on April 02, 2013 via Evangeline Recording Co. UK and European release followed on May 06 via Rubyworks Ltd. The record is produced and recorded by John Murry and Tim Mooney in San Francisco. Additional production and recording was done by Kevin Cubbins in Memphis, Tennessee. All songs are streaming below via Murry’s Bandcamp.

The official video for California is directed by Jesse Brodkey and produced by Temerity Films (temerityfilms.com), a group of videographers who have collaborated with directors such as Wes Anderson and Tim Burton before (The Life Aquatic, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline). It’s the first music video for John Murry, as it is the first take on music video production for Temerity Films. California was filmed in San Francisco, “using super hi-def Canon C300 cameras at fast speeds and John was filmed walking and lip-syncing at one-quarter the speed of the song, and at two-point-five times faster, to create the ghostly and slightly disjointed effect.” [from the release note]

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. The Ballad of the Pyjama Kid
02. California
03. Little Coloured Balloons
04. Photograph
05. Theings We Lost In the Fire
06. No Te Ganas De Reit, Senor Malverde?
07. Southern Sky
08. If I’m To Blame
09. Penny Nails
10. Thorn Tree In the Garden
11. California (Alternative Version) [Bonus Track Version]
12. I Need You [Bonus Track Version]
13. It Ain’t Alright [Bonus Track Version]
14. Porch Light [Bonus Track Version]
15. Weighted Down [Bonus Track Version]
16. Yr Lil Sister [Bonus Track Version]

Full Album Stream:

Follow ‘John Murry’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.johnmurry.com
Bandcamp at: http://johnmurry.bandcamp.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/johnmurryofficial
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/johnmurry
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/john-murry
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/johnmurryofficial

Read more:
American Songwriter − John Murry: The Graceless Age

New Single: Fenech-Soler – Magnetic [Official Video] (2013/07/01)

:: Really love what these guys are doing!

Magnetic is the first official single to be taken from the upcoming sophomore album by Kings Cliffe’s electro-pop quartet Fenech-Soler. It follows two digital teaser singles, last year’s All I Know and the epic Maiyu released in March. Magnetic will be released as single on July 01. The new record is entitled ‘Rituals’ and will drop on September 02, 2013 via Warner Bros Records. The official video for Magnetic is directed by Luke Bellis. It lets vocalist Ben Duffy have a dreamlike trip through a surreal world, with time running backwards and being followed by a mysterious, Donnie Darko like rabbit man. Watch the vid above.

Cover Art:

Follow ‘Fenech-Soler’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.fenechsoler.co.uk
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/fenechsoler
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/FENECHSOLER
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/fenech-soler
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/fenechvideo

Read more:
The Guardian − Fenech-Soler – Magnetic: New Music

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More ‘Fenech-Soler’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Mar 28 − New Song: Maiyu [Free Download]
2011, Oct 23 − The Great Unknown

Reptile Youth – Fear [Official Video]

:: Still in love with Reptile Youth!

.

I really like the way Ellen and Thorbjörn have interpreted the song. It’s an epic video that lifts up the song just like that. Makes it big. Maybe more pure as well. The lyrics of the song are rooted in nature and the video obviously builds on that. Somehow it’s a very clean interpretation of the song. Meant in the very best way. - Mads Damsgaard Kristiansen

Damsgaard Kristiansen and Esben Valløe aka Reptile Youth

Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 16 //Electronic Beats Festival // Cologne, Germany
May 18 // Marvin Festival // Mexiko City, Mexiko
May 21 // TBA // Mexiko City, Mexiko
May 31 // Maifeld Derby // Mannheim, Germany
June 01 // Modular Festival // Augsburg, Germany
June 06 //  Skive Festival // Denmark
June 06 // E Werk // Erlangen, Germany
>> The full touring schedule is available  here

Follow ‘Reptile Youth’ on:
Official Homepage: http://www.reptileyouth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reptileyouth

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More ‘Reptile Youth’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Sep 16 - Debut Album: Reptile Youth / Debut Single: Speeddance [Official Video]

Rhye – 3 Days

:: Perfect, just perfect!

.

Cover Art:

Artist: Rhye
Title of EP: Open
Release Date: February 07, 2012
Label: Innovative Leisure

Tracklist:
1. Open
2. Hunger
3. 3 Days
4. Open (Instrumental Version)
5. Hunger (Instrumental Version)
6. 3 Days (Instrumental Version)

Follow ‘Rhye’ on:
Official Homepage: http://www.rhyemusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhye
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhyemusic
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/rhyemusic

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More ‘Rhye’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Feb 27 – Debut Album: Woman (13/03/04) [Full Album Stream]
2012, Sep 29 – New EP: The Fall (12/10/09)
2012, Jul 13 – Open [Official Video] / EP ‘Open’

Civil Twilight – River [Official Video] / New Album ‘Holy Weather’ (2013/04/26)

:: Well, the record’s not exactly new. But as Europe had to wait for its release till last week, it at least is to me…

 

Civil Twilight is an indie/synth-rock outfit from Cape Town in South Africa. The band currently based in Nashville, Tennessee is composed of brothers Andrew [guitar] and Steven McKellar [vocals/bass/keys], Richard Wouters [drums/percussion] and Kevin Dailey [keys/vocals]. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2009, after the band already had brought it out independently the year before.

River is the current single taken from their sophomore offering. The record is entitled ‘Holy Weather’ and was released in South Africa and North America and the UK on March 26, 2012 via Wind-Up Records. The major rest of Europe had to wait quite a while till the record finally saw its local release on April 26, 2013. (Over a year’s waiting time is a shame for label and distributor in my opinion…) The band claims artists such as James Blake, Burial and The National as major influences on Holy Weather. The album was produced by John Congleton (Modest Mouse, Bono, The Roots) und Dan Carey (Franz Ferdinand, M.I.A.). The official video for River is themed on the band’s life on the road as the release of both records was followed by extensive touring. The high-speed film lets us look on the daily touring business as well as some side-trip distractions of the band, watch it above. The brilliant title track, my album favourite, can be checked out below.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. River
02. Holy Weather
03. Fire Escape
04. Move / Stay
05. Every Walk That I’ve Ever taken Has Been In Your …
06. Highway of Fallen Kings
07. It’s Over
08. Shape of a Sound
09. Sweet Resistance
10. Please Don’t Find Me
11. Doorway

Follow ‘Civil Twilight’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.civiltwilightband.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CivilTwilight
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/civiltwilight
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/civiltwilight
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/civiltwilightband

Read more:
Guitar World − Interview: Civil Twilight Guitarist Andrew McKellar Discusses Gear and ‘Holy Weather’

New Single: The Lake Poets – April [Official Video] / With Me [Free Download] (2013/04/29)

:: So beautiful. Beautifully sad….

April is the title of the new (third) single by Sunderland’s Martin Longstaff, the indie-folk singer and songwriter who’s making honest acoustic music – sometimes with his friends – under the moniker The Lake Poets. The new single was released on April 29, 2013 via Tiny Lights Recordings on CD, 7″ vinyl and digital download. The release is available at The Lake Poets’ Bandcamp as well as on iTunes, Amazon and more. It includes the beautiful b-side With Me. Listen to the song below, and download it for free via The Lake Poets’ Soundcloud. The official video for April is directed by Gavin Randall of Melting Point Media, watch it above.

April was recorded at Newcastle’s Blast Studios in January 2013. It’s written by Martin Longstaff and produced by Mick Ross & James Mottershead. The strings are composed and arranged by Longstaff & Ross. With Me was recorded in one take at The Tower Studio in January 2013. It’s also written and fully performed by Longstaff (acoustic and electric guitar, vocals & screwdriver), James Mottershead produced and engineered the song.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. April
02. With Me

 

Follow ‘The Lake Poets’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.thelakepoets.com/
Bandcamp at: http://thelakepoets.bandcamp.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/thelakepoets
Twitter at: http://twitter.com/TheLakePoets
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/thelakepoets
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/thelakepoetsvideo

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More ‘The Lake Poets’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Dec 22 − New Single: Rain [Official Video]

New Single: Chasing Kurt – From The Inside [Official Video] (2013/04/19)

:: Absolutely lovin’ this one! Can picture people dancing in the sun when I’m listening…

Chasing Kurt are Pascal Blanché, Wojtek Kutschke and Lukas Poloczek [vocals]. The electro-pop trio – two thirds being Polish and one third German – is based in the small town of Giessen. The guys found together when Kutschke overheard Poloczek’s singing in a bar and invited him to feature on tracks he were producing with Blanché. Chasing Kurt have released five EP’s to date, and the new single From The Inside finally is the first taste of the band’s upcoming same-titled debut full-length. While the record will drop in June, the single already was released with the ‘From The Inside’ EP on April 19, 2013 via Suol Music. It includes two remixes of the song, one of them can be checked out below. The visually incredible music video is directed by the Berlin-based creative design and film company Wolf & Lamm. I’d describe it as minimalistic retro-style, but you can make up your own mind by watching the vid above.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. From The Inside (Original)
02. From The Inside (Daniel Bortz Remix)
03. From The Inside (Till von Sein & Tigerskin Remix)

Follow ‘Chasing Kurt’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.chasing-kurt.de/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ChasingKurt
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ChasingKurt
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/chasing-kurt
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/chasingkurt

Roo Panes – Know Me Well [Burberry Acoustic] / ‘Weight of Your World’ EP (2012/12/17)

:: Literally stumbled upon this EP a couple of days ago. Better late than never…

Roo Panes is a Dorset-born singer, songwriter and troubadour who calls his own music classical folk pop. After he started gigging in London, he soon moved there in 2011 – two guitars, a mandolin and a bag of clothes had to be carried each time from his Dorset home. Roo wrote to Burberry, and became not only the UK face of the fashion brand, but also composed the music for their autumn/winter campaign. This brought him to expand his composition and arrangement with the addition of strings, harmoniums and other acoustic instruments. The result was officially as the five-track EP ‘Weight of Your World’ on December 17, 2012 via CRC Music.

Listen above the stunning live performance of Know Me Well, my favourite of the five songs. It was filmed exclusively for Burberry Acoustic on a London rooftop close to St.Paul’s during sunset. (It’s truly amazing how the mood of pictures matches the sound so perfectly.) You can check out the original version of the song below if you’re curious. Roo also has a new video out for Open Road. Released a couple of days ago via Youtube, the beautiful video footage lets you travel the world right from where you are. Watch it below.

 

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Know Me Well
02. Open Road
03. Indigo Home
04. Weight of Your World
05. Sing for the Wind

Follow ‘Roo Panes’ on:
Bandcamp at: http://roopanes.bandcamp.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/roopanes
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/RooPanes
Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/roo-panes
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/roopanes

Read more
For Folk’s −EP ⎢Roo Panes – Weight of Your World

New Single: London Grammar – Wasting My Young Years [Official Video] (2013/06/16)

:: Nothing but gorgeous!

Hannah, Daniel and Dot of London Grammar continue to release breathtakingl indie-pop songs. The newest is entitled Wasting My Young Years and will be released on June 16, 2013 via Metal & Dust Recordings. It’s the third single in a row, and we still don’t know anything about an upcoming EP or album release. But if it goes like last time, we can confidently wait for another track to come soon completing the second double a-side single by London Grammar. We’ll keep you posted…

Update: Today, the band released an official video for Wasting My Young Years. The perfectly fitting, visual-heavy clip is directed by Bison, watch it above. (2013/05/15)

London Grammar:

Tracklist:
01. Wasting My Young Years

Follow ‘London Grammar’ on:
Official homepage at: http://londongrammar.com/
Bandcamp at: http://londongrammar.bandcamp.com
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/londongrammar
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/londongrammar
Soundcloud at: http://soundcloud.com/londongrammar
Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/londongrammar

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More ‘London Grammar’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Feb 16 − New Single: Metal & Dust (2013/02/25)
2012, Dec 20 - Debut Single: Hey Now

David Lemaître – Megalomania [Official Video] / Debut Album ‘Latitude’ (2013/04/19)

:: Not at all a simple pop record…

Megalomania is the first single taken from the upcoming debut full-length by Bolivian-born electronic pop singer/songwriter David Lemaître. His studies took him to Europe where he was exposed to many different cultural and musical influences. Lemaître, now Berlin-based – released his debut EP ‘Valediction’ in 2010 and has been working on his full-length offering in the past year. The record entitled ‘Latitude’ is officially released  tomorrow (April 19, 2013 ) via PIAS Recordings (in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Belgium). The record will drop in France on June 03. David is currently touring in Europe, supporting Agnes Obel on her Belgium tour and playing his own solo shows thereafter. Check out the complete schedule below, and listen to the beautiful album track Six Years which can also be downloaded for free via the PIAS Soundcloud page.

Update: David Lemaître has released an official video for Megalomania. It’s directed by Philipp Kaessbohrer and his team at Bildundtonfabrik Cologne (Germany). “Starring Mia Maria Wissmann & Lisa Klein, the clip tells the story of two sisters leaving the city for a weekend at the countryside, when things take a sinister turn. If reflects the mood of the song, critical of society, a feeling of distress in the lyrics, dressed up in a rather uplifting popsong.” [from the release note] (2013/05/15)

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Megalomania
02. Spirals
03. Magnolia (Girl With Camera)
04. The Incredible Airplane Party
05. Olivia
06. Pandora Express
07. Jacques Cousteau
08. Six Years
09. The Doctor’s Wife
10. Valediction
11. River Man
12. It’s Easy I Guess [Bonus Track]
13. In Your Own Sweet Way [Bonus Track]

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri 26 Apr 2013 // Paris, France // PIAS Nite at La Fleche D’Or ^
Mon 13 May 2013 // Leuven, Belgium // Leuven Stadsshouwburg *
Tue 14 May 2013 // Roeselare, Belgium // De Spil *
Wed 15 May 2013 // Charleroi, Belgium // Palais des Beaux-Arts *
Thu 16 May 2013 // Turnhout, Belgium // De Warande *
Mon 20 May 2013 // Kuringen, Belgium // CC Hasselt *
^ (w/ Valerie June & Ghoestpoet) // * w/ Agnes Obel
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘David Lemaître’ on:
Official homepage at: http://www.david-lemaitre.com/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLemaitreMusic
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/DLemaitreMusic