Babelgum, the free, independent Web TV platform announced the launch of its brand new Babelgum Music Video Awards, in partnership with Music Nation.

Following the success of the Babelgum Online Film Festival, which showcased the work of gifted independent filmmakers, Babelgum has now created a special contest focusing solely on music videos.

The aim is to seek out and reward talented musicians and video directors, with a focus on indie artists. Once again, the audience vote will be crucial in picking the finalists, together with the professional jury consisting of Michel Gondry, David Ford and additional celebrity judges.

Submissions close on 16th November, 2008 and prizes include a deal with Universal Music and a live performance in the UK.

Valerio Zingarelli, Babelgum’s CEO, commented: “This is a great opportunity for young musicians and video makers to expand their audience and find a new route into the industry. The Internet is an excellent place to present strong musical talent and an original vision to a vast audience and Babelgum is keen to expose new artists and help them overcome the obstacles of a system that’s still controlled by the majors”.

For details on the voting, prizes and full terms & conditions, go to:

Babelgum Official Website

Music Nation

Singles release dates and information could change! This is not a complete list – other releases could be added.

Go to the bands and artists official websites for the latest release dates, news and information.

7th January

Basshunter – Now You’re Gone
Bodyrox feat Luciana – What Planet You On?
British Sea Power – Waving Flags
Celine Dion – Eyes On Me
Clocks – All I Can / That Much Better (7″) [Limited]
Daughtry – Home
Dave Armstrong & Redroche feat H-Boogie – Love Has Gone
DJ Jeroenski – Back Once Again
Envy Corps – Story Problem
Hoosiers – Worst Case Scenario
Jamie Scott & The Town – Standing In The Rain
The Kills – U.R.A. Fever (7″)
Maccabees – Toothpaste Kisses
Matt Costa – Mr Pitiful (7″)
Parka – Disco Dancer
Ringo Starr – Liverpool 8
Robots In Disguise – We’re In The Music Biz
Turin Brakes – Something In My Eye

14th January

Annuals – Dry Clothes
Britney Spears – Piece Of Me
Cass McCombs – That’s That (7″)
Circuits – City Of Lights / Before It’s Over (7″)
Client – Lights Go Out
Courteeners – What Took You So Long?
Daniel Rachel – Let It Be Mine
Dave Gahan – Saw Something / Deeper And Deeper
David Ford – I’m Alright Now
Eastern Conference Champions – Single Sedative
Ernesto Vs Bastian – Unchained Melody (12″)
Fischerspooner – The Best Revenge (12″)
Furry Phreaks feat Terra Deva – All Over The World
The Grit – Surrender
Jack Johnson – If I Had Eyes
Jennifer Lopez – Hold It Don’t Drop It
Jody Watley – I Want Your Love
Joss Stone – Baby Baby Baby
Justice – Phantom
Kanye West feat Chris Martin – Homecoming
Lightspeed Champion – Tell Me What It’s Worth
Lupe Fiasco feat Matthew Santos – Superstar
Madness – NW5
The Mars Volta – Wax Simulacra
Noah & The Whale – 2 Bodies 1 Heart / Rocks & Daggers
Palladium – White Lady
Presets – My People (12″)
Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Robyn – Be Mine
Sons & Daughters – Darling (7″)
Stephen Fretwell – Now (7″)
Supergrass – Diamond Hoo Ha Man (7″) [Limited]
Trashcan Jack vs Billy Idol – Club Wedding
Underworld – Beautiful Burnout (12″)
Will I Am – One More Chance
Wombats – Moving To New York

21st January

Adele – Chasing Pavements
Alter Bridge – Ties That Bind
Avenged Sevenfold – Afterlife
Bullet For My Valentine – Scream Aim Fire
BWO – Sunshine In The Rain
Cass McCombs – That’s That (7″)
Colin MacIntyre – tba
Cut Off Your Hands – Oh Girl (7″)
Das Pop – Fool For Love
Jay Sean – Ride It
Kid Sister feat Kanye West – Pro Nails
The Little Ones – Ordinary Song
One Night Only – Just For Tonight
Paula De Anda feat The Dey – Walk Away
Siouxsie – About To Happen (7″)
These New Puritans – Elvis
Thom Yorke – And It Rained All Night (Burial Remix) (12″)
Tim Deluxe – You Got Tha Touch (12″)
Wu Tang Clan – The Heart Gently Weeps

28th January

Atomic Kitten – Anyone Who Had A Heart
Bob Mould – The Silence Between Us (7″)
Cajun Dance Party – The Race (7″)
Cassie – Is It You
Dominatorz – Do You Love Me?
The Duke Spirit – The Step And The Walk
Elliot Minor – Still Figuring Out
Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor
Kelly Rowland – Work
Laura Marling – Ghosts
Mary J Blige – Just Fine
Matchbox Twenty – These Hard Times
Michael Jackson featuring Will.I.Am – The Girl Is Mine
Morrissey – That’s How People Grow Up
New Sins – It Doesn’t Work Like That
Primary 1 – Hold Me Down
Richard Hawley – Valentine
School Of Language – Rockist
Thom Yorke – Atoms for Peace (Four Tet Remix) (12″)
Those Dancing Days – Hitten
Tin Man – Tonight
Urbnri – Young Free & Simple
Wallis Bird – Counting To Sleep
Yves La Rock – Zookey

If you have any queries please contact manickangaroo at havenforum.co.uk

“I’m Alright Now”, the new single from David Ford, sees the songwriter at his confessional best.

Whether he is ruminating on love, politics, life or departures, David Ford invests each word with a frank, often-brutal honesty. On “I’m Alright Now” he celebrates in the face of his own folly, the loved one who stuck it out. The single is set for release on 14th January, 2008 on Independiente Records.

Amid the lyrics of ’sublime retribution’ and direction lost, Ford pens a lyric of unbridled optimism, “A lot of stories will end happy ever after, but I swear nothing quite like you and me.”

As a realisation of great song writing talent, David Ford’s sophomore album ‘Songs For The Road’ has been a tour de force. Released in October it sparked the same critical acclaim as Ford’s visceral, homespun debut ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I Have Caused’, but with a noted confidence in tone, expansion and ambition of sound, and ceaseless commitment to melody.

Building on a fan base drawn to Fords uniquely caustic songwriting, ‘Songs For The Road’ had already reached the Number One spot on the iTunes Folk Chart, and Number Four in the 7Digital album chart with all of the album’s 9 tracks in their Top Ten download, before going on general release.

Watch David Ford – “I’m Alright Now” video:

Having recently returned from his own headlining UK tour – culminating at Shepherds Bush Empire – Ford hits the road again for three shows supporting Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

December 2007 tour dates as follows:

Rodrigo Y Gabriela support dates:

December 9th – London, Hammersmith Apollo
December 11th – Glasgow, Barrowlands
December 13th – Manchester, Academy.

Meanwhile David Ford makes a solo appearance at Gloucester Guildhall on December 7th.

“He is becoming unmissible” ***** GUARDIAN

“Ford confirms his position as one of the country’s most gifted, committed and idiosyncratic songwriters….a moving, thrilling album” – THE SUNDAY TIMES

“Here is a great British talent” – WORD

“Ford sings with a drunken mans swagger, full of defiance and denial…a compelling journey to the heart of hopeful wretchedness” – THE FLY

“A stunning mix of gritty vocals, gripping lyrics and pretty tunes….fame will soon come calling” – THE TIMES

“A great album…easily a classic within weeks.” – CLASH

“I’m Alright Now” YouTube video link

David Ford Official Website
David Ford on Myspace

Independiente Records

Singles release dates and information could change! Go to the bands and artists official websites for the latest news and information.

1st October

Ali Campbell – Hold Me Tight
The Autumns – Boys (7″)
The Coral – Jacqueline
Crash My Model Car – In Dreams
Ed Harcourt – You Put A Spell On Me
Elvis Presley – King Creole
Fight Like Apes – Jake Summers (7″)
Flying Lotus – Reset (EP)
Ida Maria – Oh My God (7″)
Jackviper – Devil May Care
Jennifer Lopez – Do It Well
Junkie XL – More
Kate Nash – Mouthwash
Kate Walsh – Your Song
Kennedy – Your Mama
Lethal Bizzle – Police On My Back / Selfridges Girl Not On Myspace
Manic Street Preachers – Indian Summer
MIA – Jimmy
New Pornographers – Myriad Harbour (7″) [Limited]
Nextmen – Something Got You (12″)
Pearlfishers – The Umbrellas of Shibuya (7″) [Limited]
Phunkin DJs feat Pamela Fernandez – Kickin’ In The Beat
Republic Of Loose – Comeback Girl (7″)
Seagull Strange – Loves Sick Disease
Sex Pistols – Anarchy In The UK (7″)
Stereophonics – It Means Nothing
Sugababes – About You Now
T Rex – 20th Century Boy (7″)
Turbofunk – Gotta Move
Turisas – Rasputin
Vatican DC – Bugs (7″+12″)
Wildhearts – New Flesh
WinterKids – Wonderland (7″) [Limited]

8th October

Ali Love – Late Night Session
Alison Moyet – One More Time
Aly & AJ – Potential Breakup Song
The Beach & Tia – Suntan
Biffy Clyro – Machines
Black Ghosts – Some Way Through This
The Changes – When I Wake (7″)
Chico – Curvy Cola Bottle Body
Datarock – Fa Fa Fa
Dave Gahan – Kingdom
David Ford – Decimate (7″)
Elvis Presley – A Big Hunk O’Love
Envy Corps – Rhinemaidens
Fatboy Slim – Radioactivity (7″)
Hives – Tick Tick Boom
Hoosiers – Goodbye Mr A
Indelicates – Sixteen
Indigo Moss – Nature Of This Town (7″)
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong – Lucio Starts Fires (7″)[Limited]
Land Of Talk – Young Bridge
Laura Marling – My Manic & I (EP)(7″)
Maps – To The Sky
Martijn Ten Velden – I Wish You Would
Matchbox Twenty – How Far We’ve Come
Mother & The Addicts – Attraction / So Tough
Natasha Bedingfield feat Adam Levine – Say It Again
Oysterband – Here Comes The Flood
Patrick Watson – The Great Escape (7″)
Pete & The Pirates – Knots (7″)
Pinstripe – Did I Say
Roisin Murphy – Let Me Know
Samanda – Barbie Girl
Satin Peaches – Well Well Well Well (7″)
Sennen – Blackout
Sex Pistols – God Save The Queen (7″)
Sonny J – Can’t Stop Moving
T Empo – Saturday Night Sunday Morning 2007 (12″)
Those Dancing Days – Those Dancing Days / 1000 Words (7″)
Trembling Blue Stars – Exploring The Shadows
Trash Fashion – Mom & Daddy
Underworld – Crocodile
Young Punx – Your Music Is Killing Me
Yung Joc – Coffee Shop

15th October

4 Hero – Morning Child
4 Or 5 Magicians – Forever On The Edge
Alter Bridge – Rise Today
Amy MacDonald – L.A.
Annuals – Dry Clothes
Asobi Seksu – Strawberries
Avenged Sevenfold – Almost Easy
Bishops – Higher Now
Cerys Matthews – Awyren = Aeroplane (EP) [AVAILABLE FROM SEBON.CO.UK]
The Cloud Room – Hey Now Now (7″)[Limited]
Common feat Lily Allen – Drivin’ Me Wild
Concretes – Keep Yours
The Delta Fiasco – Paperhouse (7″)
Elvis Presley – Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
Emigrate – New York City / My World
Fink – Little Blue Mailbox (7″)
Gallon Drunk – Grand Union Canal
Hardrox – Feel The Hardrock (Up To No Good)
Jack Rokka vs Betty Boo – Take Off
Joan As Police Woman feat Antony – I Defy
Josh Ritter – Right Moves
Journey South – That’s What I Love About Home [Only available from Woolworths]
Kingsize – The Daze
Lightspeed Champion – Midnight Surprise (10″)
Lilac Time – Driving Somewhere
Los Campesinos! – International Tweexcore Underground
Mark Ronson – Valerie
Mika – Happy Ending
Mitchell Brothers – Michael Jackson
N-Dubz – You Better Not Waste My Time
Ne-Yo – Can We Chill
Nine Black Alps – Bitter End
Orson – Ain’t No Party
Ra Ra Riot – Dying Is Fine (7″) [Limited]
Recoup – Remind You (Remix)
Richard Hawley – Serious
Robots in Disguise – The Sex Has Made Me Stupid
Serj Tankian – Empty Walls
Sex Pistols – Pretty Vacant (7″)
Shapeshifters – New Day
Shocking Pinks – End Of The World
Skindred – Ratrace
Sky Larkin – Molten (7″)
Tabby Callaghan – King Of The Town
These New Puritans – Colours / Numbers
Timbaland & OneRepublic – Apologize
Tunng – Bullets
Velvet Revolver – The Last Fight
Von Sudenfed – The Rhinohead / Slow Down Ronnie (12″)
Wallis Bird – Blossoms In The Street
Wombats – Lets Dance To Joy Division

22nd October

12 Stone Toddler – Candles On The Cake
Abdominal – Abdominal Workout (12″)
Adele – Hometown Glory (7″) [Limited]
Amerie – Crush
Angels & Airwaves – Everything’s Magic
Backstreet Boys – Inconsolable
Battles – Tonto
Beck – Timebomb (12″)
Black Affair – Tak! Attack!
Blood Red Shoes – I Wish I Was Someone Better
Bombay Bicycle Club – How We Are (EP)
Bumblebeez – Dr Love
Carl Kennedy vs The M.Y.N.C Project feat Roachford – Ride The Storm
Charlotte Hatherley – Again
Cold War Kids – We Used To Vacation
Courteeners – Acrylic
David Jordan – Place In My Heart
The Duke Spirit – Ex Voto (EP)
Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream
Freemasons feat Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited
Harrisons – Monday’s Arms
Jimmy Eat World – Big Casino
Kelly Rowland – Work
King Creosote – Home In A Sentence
Kings Of Leon – Charmer
Ladytron – Destroy Everything You Touch
LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great
Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love
Louie Austen – Summer Love
Maccabees – Toothpaste Kisses
Matinee Club – Discotheque Francais
McFly – The Heart Never Lies
Melanie C – This Time
Mutya Buena – Just A Little Bit
Newton Faulkner – All I Got
Paul McCartney – Ever Past Present
Proclaimers – Whole Wide World
Seth Lakeman – Poor Man’s Heaven (EP)
Sex Pistols – Holidays In The Sun (7″)
Super Furry Animals – Run Away
Take That – Rule The World
Teenagers – Starlett Johansson (7″)
Todd Terry Allstars – Get Down
Tracey Thorn – Grand Canyon (12″)
UNKLE – Hold My Hand
Unklejam – Stereo
Vampire Weekend – Mansard Roof
We Start Fires – Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty (7″)
Wiley – No Qualms / Baby Girl
Wills & The Willing – Skin
Willy Mason – Gotta Keep Walkin’
Wyclef Jean feat Akon – Sweetest Girl
Yoav – Beautiful Lie
Youssou N’Dour feat Neneh Cherry – Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling)

29th October

Boy Kill Boy – No Conversations
Celine Dion – Taking Chances
Charlatans – You Cross My Path
Chris Brown – Kiss Kiss
Cliff Richard – When I Need You
Cribs – Don’t You Wanna Be Relevant? / Our Bovine Public
Daughtry – Home
Dizzee Rascal – Flex
Dude N Nem – Watch My Feet
Elliot Minor – The White One Is Evil
Elvis Presley – Viva Las Vegas
Eugene McGuinness – Bold Street (7″)
Gym Class Heroes – The Queen and I
Hard-Fi – Can’t Get Along (Without You)
Johnny Panic – Dislocation
Kanye West feat T-Pain – Good Life
Keane – The Night Sky
Kelly Clarkson – Don’t Waste Your Time
Koopa – The Crash
Mexicolas – Come Clean
New Young Pony Club – Get Lucky
Nicole Scherzinger – Baby Love
One Night Only – You And Me
Phuture – Rise From Your Grave (Tiefschwarz Remix)
Remi Nicole – Rock N Roll
Riot in Belgium – La Musique
Robyn – Handle Me
Rufus Wainwright – Tiergarten
Samim – Heater
Simply Red – The World And You Tonight
Siouxsie – Here Comes That Day
Slow Club – Me And You
Sons & Daughters – Gilt Complex (7″)
Spice Girls – W.O.M.A.N.
Splittr – All Alone
Stateless – Bloodstream
The Thirst – Ready To Move
Thrills – Midnight Choir
Tom Baxter – Better
Westlife – Home
You Say Party We Say Die – Like I Give A Care (7″)
Young Knives – Terra Firma (7″)

If you have any queries please contact manickangaroo at havenforum.co.uk

The buoyant Motown vibe of Smokey Robinson, and the vibrant strings of a beaten up “Moondance” contrast the lyrical themes of souls in need of salvation. Mixed by Ben Allen (Gnarls Barkley) for it’s single release, “Decimate” epitomises the confident production and defiant wisdom of Ford’s engaging new album. The b-side “Boy Most Likely To” is a heartfelt acoustic ballad showcasing Ford’s innate songwriting gift. The digital bundle will also include a bonus demo version of the a-side.

Having garnered critical acclaim both in the UK and in the US for his vitriolic home studio debut ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I Have Caused’, David Ford’s ‘Songs For The Road’, his second album, is released on Independiente on October 15th. Currently available as a download only release it has already built remarkable ‘word of mouth’ support. It currently occupies the Number One spot on the iTunes Folk Chart, and is at Number Four in the 7Digital album chart with all of the album’s 9 tracks in their Top Ten downloads.

David Ford embarks on a nationwide tour next month, culminating in a headline show at The Shepherds Bush Empire on October 27th.

David Ford upcoming 2007 UK Live Dates:

October 8th – Leeds, Brudenell Social (0870 400 0688 / www.livenation.co.uk);
October 9th – Birmingham, Glee Club (0870 400 0688 / www.livenation.co.uk);
October 10th – Northhampton, Soundhaus (01604 604 020 / 0115 912 9000 (24 hr) / www.seetickets.com);
October 11th – Stockton, Georgian Theatre (01642 606 525 / www.georgiantheatre.co.uk);
October 12th – Stoke, Sugarmill (01782 206 000 / www.thesugarmill.co.uk);
October 25th – Glasgow, King Tuts (0870 169 0100 / www.gigsinscotland.com);
October 26th – Manchester, Academy 3 (0870 400 0688 / www.livenation.co.uk);
October 27th – London, Shepherds Bush Empire (0870 400 0688 / www.livenation.co.uk)

“You decimate my inhibitions, I can’t be saved. Let’s take a walk out on the broken glass.”

David Ford YouTube Channel
David Ford Official Website
David Ford on Myspace

If his critically acclaimed debut was born of reflection in his basement bound home studio, the triumphant swell of ‘Songs For The Road’ is cut from the breadth of his encounters on the subsequent tour.

Hung around the heartfelt embrace of the title track sat at the apex of the album, David Ford moves on from the self-recrimination of his debut, into the narrative and characterisation of a year on the road. Railing against a deep south fanatic on “St Peter”, adopting the affable yet doomed persona of a bar pushing drunk on “Nobody Tells Me What To Do” and at the album’s close, a troubadour’s message of troubled understanding to a friend who chose to end it all “…And So You Fell”.

As before David Ford never dodges his own bullets; opener “Go To Hell” is a crushing opus that would be spiteful if directed at anyone but himself, and while “Requiem” has our protagonist at his most politically disaffected, its conscience is willing to share the blame.

Amid these compromised characters and bouts of self-flagellation is new warmth to Ford’s music. On the Motown romp of “Decimate”, slow burner “I’m Alright Now” and amongst the album’s sweeping strings, is a greater confidence and appeal.

Ford initially worked alone – as he had on his debut – but sensing some tracks needed more than his DIY magic he brought in James Brown (Nine Inch Nails, The Killers, Ash) to co-produce five of the tracks alongside him. After James went back to the States, the production team of Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby (Plan B, Get Cape, Ian Brown) were recruited to bring their mixing skills to the final four tracks.

“My first album was basically bedroom demos with ideas way above their station,” Ford says. “This one sounds more like a record.”

Following the acclaimed release of ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I Have Caused’ in the UK, David Ford spent much of 2005 in the U.S where his debut album – released on Columbia – met with an equally warm reception. Stunning reviews ran in the New York Times, Rolling Stone and Variety and Ford found himself championed by NBC’s Carson Daly on whose show he appeared three times. Support slots with Richard Ashcroft, Ray Lamontagne and Aimee Mann followed, with Ford now counting Neil Young and Springsteen amongst his fans.

David Ford supported Duke Spirit at the ICA on July 29th 2007 as part of the iTunes festival ahead of two headlining shows at THE SOHO REVUE BAR on 1st and 8th AUGUST 2007.

Listen to David Ford – “Go To Hell” MP3

Praise for David Ford’s debut, ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I’ve Caused’:

“Simultaneously lacerating and tender… not for the emotionally fragile” **** Q

“One foot in David Gray’s camp and one in Curt Cobain’s… in between is a life lived.” – WORD

“Continues to show how this “sensitive singer songwriter” should really be done” - SUNDAY TIMES

“as full of romantic doom as anything you’ll hear this year. One to watch.” – UNCUT

“This is brilliant – for people who actually give a s***” – **** THE FLY

“a sublime listening experience” – CLASH

David Ford Official Website
David Ford on Myspace