We never did read the NME with any regularity, preferring Melody Maker’s more hands-on approach to music back in the day (in this case, that day being circa 1996). But today we’ve been catching up with its latest Manchester-centric coverage.

First up, there was an opinion piece a month ago about how ‘Manchester’s Music Scene Is Dying‘ – sparking much debate both on NME.com and elsewhere. Turns out the writer, Alistair Beech, is very much pro-Manchester and intended the piece as a sort of rallying call rather than an obituary-in-waiting. Looks like it was a case of heavy-handed/over-worked sub-editors and people reading headlines and jumping to conclusions, but there’s some interesting reading in there nonetheless.

Then even more recently, the same author compiled a roundup of the best bands coming out of Manchester right now. Dutch Uncles, Airship, May68, Lost Knives, Modernaire and Hey! Manchester alumni Run Toto Run all feature. Read more here – if your eye sight is up to it.

Hey! Manchester first met Duncan Sime upstairs at Fuel in Withington. We’re guessing it was one of the earliest Red Deer Club nights, and we were very impressed by the quality of music on offer for free within crawling distance of our home. Since then, Dunk’s become pretty much integral to music – and particularly folk – in Manchester, running regular nights, one-off gigs and a record label. We thought we’d distract him from doing something productive with a series of vague questions.

When and why did you first arrive Manchester, and how did you get actively involved in music here?

I arrived in Manchester eight years ago now, way back in 2001. I was offered a room in a house and came here with no job and no idea what I was doing.

I suppose a draw to this fair city was its music, maybe not the roots of it all as I missed out on that, but the vibrancy it had/has. I first started out Djing, but nobody would book me so I started a night with Ric Davies (Contort Yourself). It was a charity night for MAG, which include Mr Scruff, Fingathing and many more of that DJ genre. It was good while it lasted. Ric went travelling in Australia and I messed up what we had established – the night was called Royal Jelly, it only lasted a couple of years!

And why the Red Deer Club name?

The name came from Mojo magazine; I was reading it on the toilet, as you do! It was an article about the Cure. I’m not a fan, but the name Red Deer Club jumped out at me, it was where the band first played in Oxford. I just stole it. Like all good things in music, they are just recycled bits that people have forgotten about. It’s all plagiarism.

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We like local folkies Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam, despite their silly name. In fact, they don’t know it yet but we’re going to ask them to support Múm for us on 16 August. But before then, they’ve pulled together a great-looking bill at the Deaf Institute tonight:

One of the most exciting line-ups of Manchester artists in a long while. Celebrating the launch of Tim and the Sam Band’s single launch on Static Caravan, a very cool band… and a very cool label.

Opening the night is the jaw-dropping talent of Denis Jones, then there’s Liz Green, Humble Soul veteran and writer for some of the loveliest folk songs to come out of Manchester.

Spokes are the main support and having been working on material for their debut long player on Counter Records they promise to show what an exciting prospect they are too.

Doors open at 7pm, with Denis on at 8pm. It’s £7 in and there’s promise of a raffle, cakes and a DJ set by Pull Yourself Together.

The 2009 shortlist for the now-annual Best of Manchester Awards was announced earlier this week, and makes for music category makes for interesting reading:

Jayne Compton has been shortlisted for a diverse portfolio that includes long-running experimental club night, Club Brenda, ‘a genuinely uncompromising underground art happening’, according to Compton that blends live music, art and performance. Compton has also been shortlisted for her Switchflicker Records label (which launched the Ting Tings with That’s Not My Name) and an upcoming Arts Council book, Strange Trees.

Natalie Curtis was shortlisted for a photography portfolio that includes portraits of bands such as Doves, the Paris Riots and Silversun Pickups. Her quiet documentary style has lead to a series of startlingly warm and intimate shots – and was singled out by the judges for its freshness and direct approach.

Max Moran has been shortlisted for a portfolio that includes the video-based music blog, ThisTownSounds.com. Running since 2007, the blog has premiered White Lies’ first ever filmed interview, as well as early performances from the likes of Florence & The Machine. Moran has also been recognised for his sell-out club night, Hot Club, its laid back sister session, Hat Club and, more recently, Moran’s burgeoning record label, Hit Club.

The music judges also awarded special commendations to Paddy Steer, an ‘unsung hero’ according to one of our panel, for his contribution to the Manchester music scene over the past 25 years; and to classical composer Joe Duddell who has curated (and conducts) the Elbow and Hallé Orchestra performances that form the centrepiece of this year’s Manchester International Festival.

Hey! Manchester is well aware of Jayne and Paddy’s work (check out this excellent video from his recent album launch), but ThisTownSounds.com in particular is a great new discovery for us – check it out.

It looks like this city is going playlist-crazy. The latest we’ve spotted is something of a public service by fellow music blogger Folly of Youth: a 59-minute compilation of bands playing in Manchester this month. Here’s what’s included:

Malcolm Middleton Red Travellin’ Socks (29 June Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
We Were Promised Jet Packs Quiet Little Voices (16 June Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
King Creosote Nothing Rings True (9 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Broken Records Nearly Home (17 June Roadhouse BUY TICKETS)
Wavves Beach Demon (24 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Teeth Mountain Ghost Science (10 June Star & Garter BUY TICKETS)
Jonquil Whistle Low (11 June Kro Bar BUY TICKETS)
The Wave Pictures Strawberry Cables (19 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
A Hawk and a Hacksaw Kertesz (22 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Dan Deacon Padding Ghost (2 June Club Academy BUY TICKETS)
Deerhoof Milk Man (29 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
The Joy Formidable Whirring (5 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
The Horrors Sea Within A Sea (1 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
M Ward Shangri-La (29 June Club Academy BUY TICKETS)

With us now being half way through the month of June, we’ve missed half of the gigs mentioned – but at least we’ll be ready come July!