As the indie pop revival gathers pace here in London I have noticed over the past year that a number of labels have been formed in order to promote the cause. These include Weepop Records, Atomic Beat Records, How Does It feel and our own Lost Music Records. Another label has now emerged courtesy of PopArt. Their entertaining blurb follows:Having pushed the boundaries of "indie club nights" as far as they can go, PopArt are proud the announce the launch of "PopArt Records".
The mainstream music industry these days is possibly too big and clever to release anything generally fresh and exciting ever again. The days of a glorious hit single emerging as if from nowhere and spreading it's infectious heart-breaking and / or joy-making magic over a nation have been replaced by an era of demographically targeted overly polished mediocrity performed by bland "yes-men" rock stars who cant see beyond shifting enough units to pay off the record company's advertising expenses.
Despite being fans of downloads and MP3 libraries on hard drive, PopArt feels that having a record collection has become a little un-personal and disposable. Music needs to become something that once again can be held, loved and treasured.
In order to help combat these two problems PopArt Records will release hot tunes on sexy coloured 7inch vinyl by artists who make music to be enjoyed by people who actually dance / cry / live their life through their records.
The first release on "PopArt Records" will be a limited edition split 7inch featuring
Side "A?" - And What Will Be Left Of Them? "Come With Me" and " Look In Your Eye "
Side "BC" - Brontosaurus Chorus "Myth Of Love", "Distortion Pop" and "Kirsten."
The record will be released on October 13th and will be promoted with a PopArt Records launch party at The Metro on October 13th 2007 featuring live sets from And What Will Be Left Of Them? and Brontosaurus Chorus.
Hailing from Worcester, "And What Will Be Left Of Them?" are one of the hottest live acts in the UK. Their own unique marriage of blistering punk energy, unstoppable dance floor rhythms and pure pop sensibilities has secured them a devoted fanbase (TheM People) who turn the bands already incendiary live shows into near riotous celebrations bellowing "awwwwwww-BLOT!" between the songs .
The band has spent the summer touring the UK and have played alongside acts such as Misty's Big Adventure, ¡Forward Russia!, Art Brut, iDou, The Hot Puppies, The Loves and Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! Armed with a little charm, a lot of shambolic style and "performing as a band on the brink of greatness" (Rhythm & Booze)
And What Will Be Left of Them? have stolen the show at several PopArt events and we are extremely proud to have the pulsating live favourite "Come With Me" on our first single.
In the space of just 12 months, the London based indiepop band Brontosaurus Chorus has evolved from a two piece sowing the seeds of a musical dream into a 7-piece tour de force. Brontosaurus Chorus spent the Summer winning fans over at a variety of landmark gigs including slots supporting Cats On Fire at their "How Does It Feel Presents..." Brixton show and an even more wow-some slot at Dublin's "Electric Picnic Festival".
Merging bittersweet melodic summery girl/boy guitar pop with epic bass lines and orchestral layers, Brontosaurus Chorus take some of the best parts of indiepop history ("His & Hers" era Pulp synth majesty, the dewy loveliness of early B&S, Joy Division / The Cure styled bass & guitar lines) and manage to turn it into a sound that is both familiar and entirely new.
This will be Brontosaurus Chorus' first release and with the rapid progression of their career to date, I'd recommend buying it purely as an investment however all three songs on the "BC" side of the vinyl are just too damn playable to be left in mint condition.
PopArt hopes that this split 7inch will be the start of a long legacy of exciting and effervescent pop music that will soundtrack the misadventures of smart kids for years to come.
Keep a little PopArt in your heart.
Buy the single here.
There used to be a Greek indiepop label (well the Greek indiepop label, basically) in the mid 90s called Pop Art, too.