Episode 7: Kate Nash just wants your kiss

Hello, Nate Lanxon here once again with our big, fat weekly music rundown.

First up we have a video from one of 2007's biggest success stories, Kate Nash, who I personally would like to lay down and cover in treacle. She's rounding off a momentous year with the release of her latest video, 'Pumpkin Soup'.

The video sees the indie-pop songstress in playful, pre-school form, with giant sweets, soft toys and massive cats all adding to the fluffy (yet slightly disturbing) feel of the video. 

'Pumpkin Soup' is the third song to be taken from her album Made of Bricks, which saw the 19-year old Londoner reach levels of fame usually reserved for royalty and serial killers. It's released on December 17th.

Out the same day is the latest offering from Detroit blues-hounds The White Stripes, who bring us the Latin flavour of their new video, 'Conquest'.

In keeping with the mariachi style of the track, the video sees main man Jack White in full matador attire, facing up to a rather large bull while his ex-wife Meg looks on from the stands, a little bit bored.

Whether she's bored because she's once again been shunted off into the background while big show-off Jack takes centre-stage can only be speculated. Make sure you tune in to Encoded's Albums of the Year show later in the month to see if their latest long-player Icky Thump makes the cut.

We all know that the true meaning of Christmas is giving. Testament to this are Super Furry Animals and Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, who have both decided to give away a lovely free download as a seasonal gift. Bleep-maker Dan and his bearded, rapping friend Pip are making their Radiohead-sampling 'Letter from God (To Man)' available for free via their MySpace from Christmas Eve.

The following day, log on to www.superfurry.com/gift to get hold of the Super Furries' merry freebie.

'The Gift That Keeps On Giving' will come backed with a brand new, as yet unannounced B-side, as well as exclusive artwork by Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami, the man responsible for the cover of their latest album Hey Venus.

Some festival news now, and it's just been announced that a limited number of pre-sale tickets have been made for next year's Latitude Festival, which will take place somewhere in Suffolk on 17th to 20th July. What you have to do is head over to www.latitudefestival.com/register, enter a few basic details, and you'll be sent a secret code which will let you get tickets at the 2007 price of £122.

The last couple of years have seen Latitude Festival firmly establish itself as one of the big hitters on the circuit, with the likes of Arcade Fire, Bat For Lashes, CSS and Cate Le Bon just a small example of the amazing acts to have appeared.

Looking a bit closer to the present on our soon-to-be-defunct calendars, sees Future of the Left end a long year of touring with their final show of 2007 at Bristol's Academy 2 on December 12th.

The band, made up of former members of cult-rockers McClusky and math-pop pioneers Jarcrew, have had a busy year, taking in most of Europe, the UK and the States as they toured their critically acclaimed debut album Curses, which was released in September this year.

An Artrocker cover and blanket praise from the likes of Drowned in Sound and Pitchfork has seen Future of the Left become the discerning rock fan's vitriol-spitting band of choice, so catch them while you can. Check the related links for tickets.

A pair of new releases to look out for now, and moody electronic duo Crystal Castles have announced that their debut album will be available through Last Gang Records on February 19th in the US, with a UK and Europe release expected around the same time.

Having recorded a Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens earlier this year, big things are expected of this boy/girl combo in 2008. Just don't expect to see them smile.

One band who you could never accuse of not smiling are Kotki Dwa, whose latest single, 'Robin’s Clogs', is released this week. The video for which is one of the most colourful thing I have ever seen.

As experimental and indie as they come, Kotki Dwa, which by the way means two cats in Polish, have built up a massive underground fanbase with their self-released albums over the last couple of years.

We've got ten tickets to give away for the band's single launch party at the White Eagle Polish Club in Balham on 15th December. If you want to be in with a chance of winning one just tell us how many members are in Kotki Dwa – email the answer to encoded@cnettv.co.uk.

Well that's all for this time, remember to check out the related links and enter our Kotki Dwa competition, and I'll see you next week.