Nothing But Green Lights

• 2010-05-23

  AFTERWORD

  Nothing But Green Lights ceased publication over a year ago, but an afterword is necessary before it self-destructs.

  In its time NBGL received praise from Q magazine as “Britain’s best mp3 blog” and was nominated for an NME award. It’s the best thing I have ever done. Sharing and writing about music was an unending pleasure until the day it ended.

  Right now I live in Copenhagen, work as an associate editor at Change.org, and  help The Morning News as an assistant editor, writing the Surveys column. I am happy, well fed, and my captors are not mistreating me. I hope you are well too.

  All the best,

  Mike Deri Smith

  mikederismith.co.uk

• 2009-04-04

  

  MP3: Marina and the Diamonds - Mowgli

  A new Queen has risen! Born alongside Micachu*, Marina was fed golden grubs, taught tiger stalking, and learnt to control the rainforest. With roars that ride the canopies, she chases the outsiders out. A big shanty is sung on the rainforest’s tall-ship. All turns cuckoo!

• 2009-04-01

  

  MP3: Bark Cat Bark - Iceland

  Iceland slides from its continental shelf and looks for a place to sleep undisturbed, leaving a plateau centimeters below sea level. They didn’t get very far with the little coal they had left. Having waltzed 400 miles south it was slightly warmer, warmer in the Bay of Biscay. Stars of The Lid are for galaxical measurement and minute concentration but Bark Cat Bark’s (mp3) tidal breath & lunar tricks are more real, arcing across the night sky.

• 2009-01-11

  

  MP3: Ghost Hunter — In The Early Months of the Emergency

  I’ve been playing with a Buddha Machine all day—the little battery powered box that drones at you. Afterwards, Ghost Hunter sounds fantastic. It’s minimal, human, and hidden away in that cave; every sound outside hums of progress, a planet breathing. Wind & rain fresh beats pump life, noises that interest, and enthrall like every story should, sharpening the senses.

• 2008-12-12

  

  MP3: Meursault — Salt Part 1

  Salt Part 1 is arms stretched to 20 feet up, or two leagues below, reaching for bright and promising new worlds, More parts Beirut than Kraftwerk–Highland genesis, French dreams, European oils.

• 2008-11-05

  

  MP3: People of Water - Vale of Aching Hearts

  People Of Water have forced Afrobeat to go all desert-storm, with instrumental precision. An assault of funk and drum, buzzing lo-fi twirls, and a hi-quality power. “Vale of Aching Hearts” is luxurious. The sandstorm churned up behind it betrays kilowatts of energy and a solar rhythm that leaves me gasping for water.

• 2008-06-08

  

  MP3: Arch M - Cat Grave

  Is this what dubstep did to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys’ legacy? Dragged the summer out so that it lasts seven seasons? All the plants will die! Lofi-pop from that seventh season.

• 2008-01-02

  

  MP3: The Matinee Orchestra — Hide and Seek

  Forget the showers! Don’t cower! The spring is coming. Expect it! “Hide and Seek” delivers big sounds and samples through a soaking shower of lost, organic and journeying flightless birds.