would you like me to state the obvious?

it's farking cold. 2 weeks into winter and i'm already feeling the icy bite on my fingers as i struggle to make my knuckles and fingertips and wrists work in harmony.

also speaking of slack fingers, did you miss me while i was gone? i went to paris. it was beautiful. too beautiful. why aren't i still there? oh! because i wanted to make you a mix-tape of all the songs that are currently warming up my chilly limbs now that i'm back in the real world. one day i am going to be rich enough to afford really, really warm gloves. xx

on fire - sebadoh

you know how when you're absolutely bursting to go to the bathroom, people tell you to envision yourself trapped in a hot burning desert, with not a drop of water in your body to spare? they are way nicer than the people who make references to falling rain and gushing waterfalls.

burning - whitest boy alive

whitest boy alive base themselves out of berlin. do you know what's happening in berlin right now? summer. clever devils.

keep me warm - ida maria

you know i really shouldn't complain SO much about winter, because the best part about being cold is finding a way to warm up, and this usually involves snuggling. or whisky.

(love is like a) heat wave - the supremes

ahh, this brings back wonderfully warming memories of performing musical theatre in high school. do you know once we actually did a combo of sister act 1 & 2? righteous on brother.

drop it like it's hot - snoop dogg feat. pharrell williams

this song is great for distracting yourself against the cold while you try and get pharrell's tongue clicking down pat. i might think about trading the sparkly gems for a cardigan though.

bonfire blondes - beck

bonfires are pretty much made for crystal clear, inky black, winter night skies. just make sure you've got a sleeping bag, body heat, a hip flask and an unobstructed view of the stars.

eternal flame - joan as policewoman

the video clip to this song is really adorable, and just think, once winter is over we can do rhythmic gymnastics on the beach too!

keep yourself warm - frightened rabbit

when you don't have someone else to keep you warm, best to invest in one of nanna's knitted blankets, a flannelette nightie and some football socks. and you wonder why you've got no-one around to do the warming for you...

set yourself on fire - stars

i think i might be starting to take this whole using my mind's energy to warm up a bit too seriously. i've burnt myself three times in the past week. this best was this morning, i burnt my index finger on a crumpet.

fever - neko case

if any of you lovely ones feel like you're coming down with a cold, i've got a hot (ha) tip. have a shower with the water as hot as you can possibly stand it, then once you're all wrinkly, wrap yourself in a terry towelling robe. you'll probs start sweating, but that's the whole point, to get rid of the nasties. also hot toddies work a treat xx

hots for scots

so the other day i heard my hands down favourite song of the entire month. it happens to be by a scottish band, big country, and i love it so much, i'm kind of feeling sad for the twenty six years that i have been alive and not been listening to it, since it was released the same year i was born.

then i started going through my music collection, and i realised i've actually got a bit of a thing for scottish bands. then i started feeling guilty as i realised i've been the worst blogger ever and i've not tantalised your ears with mix for approximately a fortnight. now i give you a mixtape of ridiculously good songs by scots.

big country - a big country

i honestly can't believe i've never heard this song before, it's truly epic to my ears. anthemic and uplifting with just the right amount of electro-bagpipe.

life without buildings - the leanover

this song is very much one of those time and place tracks for me. once upon a time i lived in a tall concrete building in florence and one of my flatmates was scottish. she introduced me to the now defunct band life without buildings. actually we used to dj in a bar called pop cafe, and this song reminds me of mojito fuelled nights filled with music and misfits.

arab strap - the shy retirer

aidan moffat and malcolm middleton doing their sweet scottish thing together. i just love the name of the album this comes from, their 2003 offering, monday at the hug and pint. win.

belle and sebastian - step into my office baby

this song was the first belle and seb track i ever heard, and i immediately loved their eccentric and melodious way of telling stories. this song also has a wack film clip full of weird phallic references, and the most unlikely couple to ever do it in the office.

franz ferdinand - wine in the afternoon

firstly, i love the idea of wine in the afternoon. any afternoon. all afternoon. secondly... oh. i forget what my next point was going to be. where's my wine?

mogwai - stanley kubrik

mid mixtape wind down as i get all instrumental on you. this is an amazing track from mogwai, very internal organ grabbing and heartbeat quickening. one of those songs you don't want to end because you just love being wrapped up in it. like a blanket.

frightened rabbit - keep yourself warm

i saw these dudes at peat's ridge festival over new year's 09. i was so excited about seeing them, but a crazy leprechaun slipped me some fairy dust before i got there and all i really remember are lots of bright, streaky lights. according to my happy snaps though, i had a great time.

aberfeldy - summer's gone

maybe for you northern hemispherions, but our summer is just around the corner. have you been experiencing the amazing sydney weather lately? if i stick my tongue out far enough, i can practically lick summer on the face. it tastes good.

dogs die in hot cars - apples & oranges

for some reason when i think of this band, i can't help but chant "who let the dogs out...who who" in my head. which is weird, right? these scots are nothing like that song. they are my favourite brand of good time happy pop. bloody word association.

lord cut glass - look after your wife

this is a new gem i've just stumbled upon. the clip is super cute and lord cut glass is the new project from alun woodward, who you may know as a member of the delgados. i love how when alun sings, there is zero percent doubt of his nationality. that is what i'm talking about when i refer to hot scots.

wet wet wet - love is all around

and wrapping up the show today, i'm getting wet wet and wetter. i haven't heard this corny sparkler for ages. i had to get one syrupy effort in here, and i think i've already used up the proclaimers in a previous post. i'll be back sooner rather than later next time lads and lassies. stay scottish x