BBC Radio 1 wishes it was me
Welcome to the Tech Element Radio Hour, where I talk about music that I like with the intention of
getting you to listen to it. For each, there's a link to the album on Bandcamp
(where possible), or Spotify otherwise.
Check back here periodically for more music!
Through the Pale Door
Faith and the Muse
WHO: Faith and the Muse, from the 1999 album Evidence of Heaven
WHAT: Mostly synth-heavy darkwave
WHY: My favourite song off one of my favourite albums. I'm nothing if not a sucker for songs in 3 time
Dandelion King
The March Violets
WHO: The March Violets, from the 2013 album Made Glorious
WHAT: The band's first full album, after a series of EPs, singles, and compilations released mostly in the 1980s. Typically very drum-machine gothic-rock sound.
WHY: Disregard what I just said about drum machines. Dandelion King is something that sounds like
nothing else the March Violets have made. I love the beat and the echoing vocals
Disappear
Midcard
WHO: Midcard, from the album Oh Great Annihilator
WHAT: Emo, but think more midwest emo than something like My Chemical Romance
WHY: My emotional support Texas music maker with lyrics that make me want to lie on the floor
Leaving Early
Scars of Juliet
WHO: Scars of Juliet, from the 2020 album Liminal Space
WHAT: I can only assume this came about from a group of mates who looked at each other one day like "yeah, we should make that band!".
That sounds derogatory it isn't! I really like Scars of Juliet, I like their sound, I own this album on CD, but also they're the kind who
seem to struggle to carry a tune in a bucket.
WHY: have you ever been at a party that you kinda really want to have a good time at but also you hate
every moment of it and know on a fundamental level that this is not your crowd? Yeah.
Self Portrait
LIFE
WHO: LIFE, off their 2022 album North East Coastal Town
WHAT: Alternative. I'd hesitate to call them purely punk on account of I don't really know my punk, but definitely punk-adjacent
WHY: If you've never experienced the catharsis of shouting along to "my imperfect body houses my imperfect mind!"
then I don't know what I can say to you
Rose Red
The Mechanisms
WHO: The Mechanisms, from the album of their final concert, Death to the Mechanisms
WHAT: A steampunk cabaret band who take classic fairytales and myths, set them in space, and make songs about them
WHY: This is the only proper album (ie, not just a Youtube video) of a live performance, and I love the energy
and how you can hear the audience singing along