Best of 2009: locals (with added bonus)

I hope you have been thrilled by yuletide loveliness; however whether yea or nay I personally am misty eyed with seasonal joy, but can just about find my way to the keyboard to assemble another little end-of-year combo of favourite things. Here are some UK-based points of interest from the last 12 months, most of whom have been mentioned here before.

There are many more UK acts I would like to add, but haven't spotted new films for - ready when you are, Go Away Birds, Fourtet, Blue Roses, Polar Bear/ Acoustic Ladyland, Beth Jeans Hou

Micachu & The Shapes
There was uniform internet-wide adulation for the album when it came out in the spring, and with good reason, as a witty, experimental and individual sonic approach is rare indeed. Nice people too, no bullshit there despite the hype.


The Leisure Society
With an endless supply of elegant tunes, the strongest of the Wilkommen acts have used their folk-infused pop for the forces of good on several occasions. Slightly reworked version of an album tune, from the EP to accompany the latest re-re-launch:


Magic Arm
Film here is for Outdoor Games, which although not a new song - I have had the track since mid-2007 - was on this year's Make Lists, Do Something album. Marc Rigelsford has a great ear for a tune, and a highly pleasing electro-folk way about him; his talents have lately been called on as support to both Grizzly Bear and Camera Obscura. Top man (in a non-retail sense).


Smoke Fairies
Dark-tinged folky tunes with great hooks, the film is from their recent tour as support for Richard Hawley.


and happily my very Favourite Musical Moment Of The Whole Year was captured by Crazybobbles, at the Union Chapel in September. Wildbirds & Peacedrums are well known to be Swedish but as we are all in the EU now, they qualify as honorary cockernees.