I have set up a new indie mp3 forum which can be accessed via the menu above or here.
The new forum is intended to replace the old one which was tired and need revitalising plus the indie mp3 yahoo group. I thought it made sense to combind the two.
It is looking a bit bare at the moment so come over, sign up and join in. Guests can view the forums but cannot post etc.
The new forum is intended to replace the old one which was tired and need revitalising plus the indie mp3 yahoo group. I thought it made sense to combind the two.
It is looking a bit bare at the moment so come over, sign up and join in. Guests can view the forums but cannot post etc.
Swedish band The Electric Pop Group have posted a new song.It's their first new song since the excellent self titled début album was released in December last year. It's called My Only Inspiration and in a word it is brilliant. Imagine your favourite Sarah and Creation Records bands coming together as one and you may get an idea of how it sounds.
The Electric Pop Group - My Only Inspiration
The band play London's Luminarie tomorrow night (30th June 2007) supporting Bristol popsters Santa Dog. They also play the Indie Tracks festival on 29th July 2007.
[My Space link]
(logotype from Firestations homepage, see link below)Interview with Uwe Weigmann of the Germany recordlabel Firestation Records
1. Could you please tell us a bit about the start of the label and where you have taken it from there.
We started back in 1998. it was me, my then girlfriend Annikki and Jan. All of us worked in the musicbusiness before. I have wrote for musicmagsduring the mid 90s and organised gigs in Berlin, so I made some fine contacts to many bands during this time. When we start the label back in 1998 the first idea was to release acompilation with 80s indiepopbands from the UK, so the idea for the Sound Of Leamington Spa-serie was born. We teamed up for this with Peter Hahndorf of twee.net fame. It took a long time to collect enough material for the first part of the serie so we decided to release records by bands which we enjoyfirstly instead. Our first release was "Viele Grüße" by Bazooka Cain back in 1999. While looking back I can say honest, that this was the best thing which could happens for us and our label. We received lot's of orders for this from abroad and made contacts to shops and mailorders all around theworld. When we start the label, we originally called Firestation Tower Records. We took that name from the Close Lobsters which had a song called FirestationTowers. The Close Lobsters were always a big influence for all of us three. In 2001 we had to cut the Tower from our name, because of Tower Records which didn't seems to enjoy to find out about another label which uses the word Tower in their name. Never understand it, but after all these years, I didn't care anymore about it.
2. Personally I really like "With You" on the new Bodines re-release. In your opinion, what would be the greatest songs that Firestation have released? and what is your proudest moment with the label so far?
Glad to hear that you enjoy the song. Yeah, to release the cd by The Bodines was one of the proudest moments in the history of Firestation Records. I was a big fan of the band since I first "Hear It All" back in 1986 and I never had thought that I would have the pleasure to release some of the band's recordings. The same goes for"Yesterday Things Got Worse" by Sensation. This band blows my ears away when I first heard them in the early 90s. Their album "Burger Habbit" should have sold a million copies and it is still one of my favourite lp's ever. I'm proud of all our release but of course there are some "key-songs" in our history. My personal faves are as follows:
Bazooka Cain - Annahmeschluss
Arvidson - Wake Up
Seaside Stars - Good Timing
Goldstoned - Wherever
The Nivens - Christine Norden
If you asked me about our proudest moment, then I can say honest that it wasour 5 years anniversary-party back in 2003. Edwyn Collins came over for it and played a fantastic gig. I will never forget this night.
3. What do you think of the present pop-scene in Germany? Does independent labels get any coverage in press and such or is it kind of hard getting exposure?
To be honest, I don't care about the present pop-scene in germany that much. For sure there are some great new bands around in Germany but I don´t have the time to listen to them. I'm very much into new bands from the UK or Scandinavia, so I spend all of my free time to listen to them. Yeah, I think that German independent labels get some press in the mags. It's much more easier for an indielabel to sell their records now than it was around 15 years ago. If your label work well you can reach lot's of people. There was no chance for it back in the 80s or early 90s, when the music-scene was dominated by the major-labels.
4. I have found a lot of nice songs on the compilations The Sound of Leamington Spa. What was it like travelling around in England gathering all those songs, and how did you find out about all those bands in the first place?
Yeah, I visited some of the bands feat. on Sound Of Leamington Spa while travelling in England. It was great fun to meet them. I made most of the contacts while writing letters to the old homeaddresses which were shown onthe band's recordsleeves. Apart from that many bands contact us while finding out about the compilation-serie. These days, myspace is also a wonderful place to find out about some great obscure bands from the past. I was very glad to came across such bands as Endless Bob Brown or The Irony Board that way. Both bands will be feat. on The Sound Of Leamington Spa 7.
5. Is there any future plans made for the label that you can share with us?
Yeah, we just started a 7" singlesclub. From now on there will be a new 7"single out each month. First up there is a great new band from Birmingham called The Scarlet Harlots. Every release will be limited to 300 copies. There will be releases from berlin-based Sternbuschweg and Cloudberry Jam from Sweden coming out in June and July. Then there will be the next part in the Sound Of Leamington Spa serie. It should be ready in July. I have already start to work on part 7 ! There will be another great re-release out this month by a band called the Company Of Cowards. Please feel free to check them out via: http://www.companyofcowards.co.uk/
More re-releases will be follow until the end of the year.
My favorite:
English town: Bath (for hanging out), Liverpool (for going out), Brighton(for recordshopping)
Film: Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
German band: The New Colours
Label: Creation
Book: Songs That Saved Your Life
Homepage: http://www.firestation-records.de/
I have been streaming The Loyal Trooper forthcoming 4 Quid With Flyer EP via My Space these past couple of days. Despite the daft name the band is growing on me. The Loyal Trooper is just the work of one man Andy Walker who expands the line-up for live gigs.It may sound strange but on these catchy songs I hear the fuzzy guitars of the Buzzcocks, the humour of Jilted John and strangely enough the drumming of Sultans of Ping! I guess that's down to my older ears but fans of Art Brut may well appreciate The Loyal Trooper. Dear Diary is the best song but is only available for streaming.
The Loyal Trooper - Nothing To Say
The EP is out on This Is Fake DIY on August 6th 2007.
Spiral Scratch Summer Splash: Kilburn Luminaire June 23, 2007
3 Comments Published by Nat Lady on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 18:20.
What a fantastic idea. Take seven much-loved indiepop bands, a clutch of bouncy, enthusiastic DJs and a truckload of music fans eager to shimmy away for a whole ten hours and what do you get? A rather brilliant alternative to festering in Glasto mud-sodden wellies waiting for The Who to play the hits…………Arctic who?
This was the first ever Summer Splash all-dayer event, held on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Kilburn by the lovely Spiral Scratch gang who decided to come over all Jarvis-like on us and stage their own mini-festival. The miserable weather outside mattered not a jot. Inside the aptly-named Luminaire everyone seemed in a resolutely sunny mood, not surprising given the range of treats on offer – a lovingly written fanzine, guest DJs, colourful badges…...even a raffle to win a ukulele.
At this point I have to ‘fess up and admit that I missed two of the bands. Gordon McIntyre from Ballboy performed a solo set at the beginning of the day – which I arrived too late to see – but I was soon informed that his now-legendary cover of Born in the USA was particularly ace. I also managed to miss Brighton noiseniks Shrag – I’m afraid the call of my stomach was too great and I nipped next door for an extremely tasty cottage pie - but I hear they were superb and had all the kids in thrall to their shouty punk pop sounds.
Instead, I arrived just in time to see The Cut-Outs, who are a kind of indiepop supergroup comprised of members of Airport Girl, The Fat Tulips and The Lucksmiths. They played some fab, beatsy garage rock which soon set the crowd shaking along in time to their rootsy tunes. With Spiral Scratcher (and all-round convivial Master of Ceremonies) Ian on guitar, their set was a wonderful way to help kick off festivities. Next up were my personal favourites Electrophonvintage, possibly the Frenchest band I have ever seen. They sounded like everything great all at once – Belle and Sebastian, The Go Betweens, Serge Gainsbourg – I could go on….Their gorgeous, breathy male/female harmonies were easily the most swoonsome thing to be heard on stage all day. But the ear splitting Manhattan Love Suicides weren’t about to let everyone float around in a dreamy French reverie for long – they were clearly longing to re-introduce the crowd to the concept of guitar feedback. Rocking away like My Bloody Valentine’s younger cousins, they fuzzed up hundreds of pairs of ears and proved that an indiepop all-dayer isn’t just about hairslides and sweets.
Unbelievably, I have discovered that next band Horowitz hail from my home town of Stoke-on-Trent and am still utterly, utterly gobsmacked - I never knew indiepop had stretched its glittery fingers as far afield as the Potteries. And not only are they Stokies, but they manage to avoid the distinctive Robbie-style accent and sound like Pavement - hooray! Noisy, DIY and fun, they’re a definite must-see at the Indie Tracks festival in Derbyshire in July. Also due to appear at the festival are the ever-enthusiastic Bearsuit, who rocked up in resplendent dance troupe uniforms which they unashamedly continued to wear throughout the evening. They were a manic assault on the senses, with their glittery costumes, rag-bag array of voices and instruments and stop-start Bis-style choruses. I espied muchos dancing in the DJ booth, and the fans soon followed suit – I’m only surprised there wasn’t more pilfering of Bearsuit garments. I was pretty tempted myself to try and half-inch a hat!
And so to the much-anticipated return of Ballboy, who effortlessly proved that they’re more than just a bunch of lo-fi tweesters with amusingly titled songs. Their main strength has always been in their wry lyrics, so it is to their credit that they prompted a break-out of mass jigging within about two minutes of arriving on stage. Old-time classics “Sex is Boring” and “I’ve Got Pictures of You in Your Underwear” sounded as fresh as I remember and the new material – although admittedly not hugely different - bodes well for the future too. Personally, I felt their set was perhaps just a little too long (although it could have just been the after-effects of the cottage pie), but it didn’t really seem to matter once the Spiral Scratch DJs had cranked up their sparkly gramaphone with a few Hefner records and the like. Fans, bands, the Scottish contingent and even the bar staff were happy to boogie away into the wee small hours to The Smiths, Pipettes et al – proof positive that you don’t need to travel to a muddy field in Somerset to have a good time.
I just hope the next all-dayer isn’t too far away……..although next time I’ll be taking my own snacks!
A Ballboy video and photographs from the event are now online.
This was the first ever Summer Splash all-dayer event, held on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Kilburn by the lovely Spiral Scratch gang who decided to come over all Jarvis-like on us and stage their own mini-festival. The miserable weather outside mattered not a jot. Inside the aptly-named Luminaire everyone seemed in a resolutely sunny mood, not surprising given the range of treats on offer – a lovingly written fanzine, guest DJs, colourful badges…...even a raffle to win a ukulele.
At this point I have to ‘fess up and admit that I missed two of the bands. Gordon McIntyre from Ballboy performed a solo set at the beginning of the day – which I arrived too late to see – but I was soon informed that his now-legendary cover of Born in the USA was particularly ace. I also managed to miss Brighton noiseniks Shrag – I’m afraid the call of my stomach was too great and I nipped next door for an extremely tasty cottage pie - but I hear they were superb and had all the kids in thrall to their shouty punk pop sounds.
Instead, I arrived just in time to see The Cut-Outs, who are a kind of indiepop supergroup comprised of members of Airport Girl, The Fat Tulips and The Lucksmiths. They played some fab, beatsy garage rock which soon set the crowd shaking along in time to their rootsy tunes. With Spiral Scratcher (and all-round convivial Master of Ceremonies) Ian on guitar, their set was a wonderful way to help kick off festivities. Next up were my personal favourites Electrophonvintage, possibly the Frenchest band I have ever seen. They sounded like everything great all at once – Belle and Sebastian, The Go Betweens, Serge Gainsbourg – I could go on….Their gorgeous, breathy male/female harmonies were easily the most swoonsome thing to be heard on stage all day. But the ear splitting Manhattan Love Suicides weren’t about to let everyone float around in a dreamy French reverie for long – they were clearly longing to re-introduce the crowd to the concept of guitar feedback. Rocking away like My Bloody Valentine’s younger cousins, they fuzzed up hundreds of pairs of ears and proved that an indiepop all-dayer isn’t just about hairslides and sweets.
Unbelievably, I have discovered that next band Horowitz hail from my home town of Stoke-on-Trent and am still utterly, utterly gobsmacked - I never knew indiepop had stretched its glittery fingers as far afield as the Potteries. And not only are they Stokies, but they manage to avoid the distinctive Robbie-style accent and sound like Pavement - hooray! Noisy, DIY and fun, they’re a definite must-see at the Indie Tracks festival in Derbyshire in July. Also due to appear at the festival are the ever-enthusiastic Bearsuit, who rocked up in resplendent dance troupe uniforms which they unashamedly continued to wear throughout the evening. They were a manic assault on the senses, with their glittery costumes, rag-bag array of voices and instruments and stop-start Bis-style choruses. I espied muchos dancing in the DJ booth, and the fans soon followed suit – I’m only surprised there wasn’t more pilfering of Bearsuit garments. I was pretty tempted myself to try and half-inch a hat!
And so to the much-anticipated return of Ballboy, who effortlessly proved that they’re more than just a bunch of lo-fi tweesters with amusingly titled songs. Their main strength has always been in their wry lyrics, so it is to their credit that they prompted a break-out of mass jigging within about two minutes of arriving on stage. Old-time classics “Sex is Boring” and “I’ve Got Pictures of You in Your Underwear” sounded as fresh as I remember and the new material – although admittedly not hugely different - bodes well for the future too. Personally, I felt their set was perhaps just a little too long (although it could have just been the after-effects of the cottage pie), but it didn’t really seem to matter once the Spiral Scratch DJs had cranked up their sparkly gramaphone with a few Hefner records and the like. Fans, bands, the Scottish contingent and even the bar staff were happy to boogie away into the wee small hours to The Smiths, Pipettes et al – proof positive that you don’t need to travel to a muddy field in Somerset to have a good time.
I just hope the next all-dayer isn’t too far away……..although next time I’ll be taking my own snacks!
A Ballboy video and photographs from the event are now online.
The Lodger - Kicking Sand
Taken from the new album Grown Ups out now on Angular Records or Slumberland in the US. You can download a further three mp3's from the album on the Slumberland site. Buy it here. [My Space link]
Friday Bridge - Love & Nostalgia
Taken from the new album Intricacy which is out now on But is it Art? [My Space link]
The Loyal Trooper - Nothing To Say
Taken from the EP 4 Quid With Flyer due for release on 6th August through This Is Fake DIY Records. [My Space link]
This Years Model - Ten O'Clock Murder
Taken from the album The Clock Strikes Ten out now on Marsh Marigold. [My Space link]
Taken from the new album Grown Ups out now on Angular Records or Slumberland in the US. You can download a further three mp3's from the album on the Slumberland site. Buy it here. [My Space link]
Friday Bridge - Love & Nostalgia
Taken from the new album Intricacy which is out now on But is it Art? [My Space link]
The Loyal Trooper - Nothing To Say
Taken from the EP 4 Quid With Flyer due for release on 6th August through This Is Fake DIY Records. [My Space link]
This Years Model - Ten O'Clock Murder
Taken from the album The Clock Strikes Ten out now on Marsh Marigold. [My Space link]
The Trembling Blue Stars acoustic version of the Field Mice track Missing The Moon recorded live for Sub Pop during 2001's the Alive to Every Smile tour.Trembling Blue Stars - Missing The Moon
It's has been posted via their My Space page but will be only up for a limited time.
[Band Website]
[My Space Link]
We Expected by Scotland's The Hussys was originally a track on the bands self released Tiger EP. It has now been given a fresh lick of paint for their début release proper courtesy of Weekender Records.It's a feisty indie pop effort about a former colleague being rebuked. Singer Fili's vocals, which sound like Cerys Matthews in parts, are strong enough to catch anyone's attention if the music hadn't already.
Better still however is the more jangle/indie pop inspired Please Don't Call Me At Home with Fili pleading you not to come around because her embarrassing mother and father still live in the sixties!
A little gold nugget of a single. Track it down.
We Expected is out now on Weekender Records. You can buy it here. The single can be streamed via My Space.
The Trudy's second wind continues apace with the new single 3 Minutes 4U.If you have heard the two previous "comeback" singles you know what to expect. If not then 3 Minutes 4U is an energetic power pop number that bounces you from side to side, upside down and back to front again without wiping the smile from yours and their faces. Get those party kits ready!
The flip side is previous download single Lost Summer Of Love which I previously reviewed here. That review still stands true!
The single is due for release on the 2nd July 2007 from all major download stores. You can stream the single via My Space.
The School is a band put together by Liz from The Loves.
Since I first mentioned the band they have gone from being her solo project to a full blown line up. They now have a few gigs under their belt with more lined up in the month to come.
If you imagine Camera Obscura being remixed by Phil Spector you may get some idea of what the band sound like. Words like sugar, candy and sweet have been bounded around but if John Waters ever directed a 1960's High School Prom movie then this would be the music he would have chosen to be on the soundtrack. None more so than Valentine or the lovely All I Wanna Do. The School are in the latest in the long line of indie pop acts influenced by sixties girl bands. Make no mistake this lot are top of the class. Stream their songs from My Space now!
The demo is on sale at gigs directly from the band.
Moscow Olympics hail from the Philippines and have been without a web presence until now. The band is composed of former members of Colour Contest, Soft Pillow Kisses, Candy Audioline and Dorian Of Juniper Bells.They have posted two songs for streaming on their new my space page. They only have one friend at present so get over there and stop them from being lonely and of course stream their tunes.
The two demo tracks are pretty good and show lots of promise. Both are fine examples of fine jangle pop with Still just edging it for me. Now they need just someone to release them!
Bedroom Eyes have followed up last years Embrace In Stereo EP with two new releases.The first is the single Hand-In-Hand Grenade EP which is released on Cloudberry Records. It features the track Motorcycle Daydream which was one of the highlights of the aforementioned EP.
The second release is a free download EP titled the Valentine Vacancy EP. It features the title track of the Cloudberry release as well as the third track titled (Here's One For You) Underdog which means you can assemble the Hand-In-Hand Grenade EP free of charge! However believe me you will want to get your hands on the lovely 3" CDR's put out by Cloudberry Records!
The tracks show more consistency that last years EP and the band, the project of Jonas Jonsson which expands to a seven piece for live dates, are coming along pretty nicely. This is heartfelt pop music at it's best.
Bedroom Eyes - Hand-In-Hand Grenade
Bedroom Eyes - Motorcycle Daydream
The rest of the EP plus artwork can be downloaded from the bands site.
[My Space link]
This second revisiting round up starts off in Norway:
I have not heard anything about the The April Skies recently. I thought a record was due on Plastilna Records but nothing further has been mentioned on the site. However if you go to here you can download plenty of tracks which will keep you occupied until a release shows! The site is in Norwegian - Last Ned is for downloads whilst Lytt is listen.
The April Skies - Memories Of Annabel
The April Skies - Rise and Rise Again
The bands My Space page can be found here.
One member of The April Skies is the drummer Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl who also records under the name Soda Fountain Rag. She released a single recently on the excellent Cloudberry Records label. If that wasn't enough Ragnhild has made plenty of her tracks available as free downloads. Favourites of mine include early EP tracks Don't Kill The Clowns and The Year I'm 17.
Soda Fountain Rag - Walking With My Angel
Ragnhild is very busy indeed as she is involved in another band called Herr Nilsson. They released their latest record Downhill Thrill in March on Karisma Records. You can stream/download the tracks via their My Space page or download more from here. There are a lot of various influences in their music and I have liked what I have heard so far.
Herr Nilsson - Downhill Thrill
Across the border and into Sweden:
Pet Politics is a one man band courtesy of Magnus Larsson. Following last tears release Cat Bird Records last year Larsson has been a bit quiet. Now a new song has appeared on his My Space page and it is well worth the wait!
Pet Politics - When I Get Old
Since I last mentioned the Phil Spector/1960's Girl band inspired Those Dancing Days they have now signed to the major label V2 Scandinavia no doubt on the strength of their Hitten Track. It was one of the best things I have heard this year. It's their best song but Discho' is also pretty good. Stream them both via My Space.
Everyday Sensations sound is moving in a electro pop direction and judging by the tracks from the new ES Crew EP on their My Space page that's a good choice. Luckily the best two tracks are available as downloads with Puerto Plata being the stand out track.
Everyday Sensations - Puerto Plata
Everyday Sensations - No Applause
The band released an EP last year titled Boxing Days and one of the tracks Things We Never Had was one of my favourites of last year.
I have not heard anything about the The April Skies recently. I thought a record was due on Plastilna Records but nothing further has been mentioned on the site. However if you go to here you can download plenty of tracks which will keep you occupied until a release shows! The site is in Norwegian - Last Ned is for downloads whilst Lytt is listen.The April Skies - Memories Of Annabel
The April Skies - Rise and Rise Again
The bands My Space page can be found here.
One member of The April Skies is the drummer Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl who also records under the name Soda Fountain Rag. She released a single recently on the excellent Cloudberry Records label. If that wasn't enough Ragnhild has made plenty of her tracks available as free downloads. Favourites of mine include early EP tracks Don't Kill The Clowns and The Year I'm 17.Soda Fountain Rag - Walking With My Angel
Ragnhild is very busy indeed as she is involved in another band called Herr Nilsson. They released their latest record Downhill Thrill in March on Karisma Records. You can stream/download the tracks via their My Space page or download more from here. There are a lot of various influences in their music and I have liked what I have heard so far.
Herr Nilsson - Downhill Thrill
Across the border and into Sweden:
Pet Politics is a one man band courtesy of Magnus Larsson. Following last tears release Cat Bird Records last year Larsson has been a bit quiet. Now a new song has appeared on his My Space page and it is well worth the wait!Pet Politics - When I Get Old
Since I last mentioned the Phil Spector/1960's Girl band inspired Those Dancing Days they have now signed to the major label V2 Scandinavia no doubt on the strength of their Hitten Track. It was one of the best things I have heard this year. It's their best song but Discho' is also pretty good. Stream them both via My Space.
Everyday Sensations sound is moving in a electro pop direction and judging by the tracks from the new ES Crew EP on their My Space page that's a good choice. Luckily the best two tracks are available as downloads with Puerto Plata being the stand out track.Everyday Sensations - Puerto Plata
Everyday Sensations - No Applause
The band released an EP last year titled Boxing Days and one of the tracks Things We Never Had was one of my favourites of last year.
Revisiting Previously Featured Bands #1
1 Comments Published by Tom on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 18:19.
The trouble with music blogs is that you cover a number of bands you come across and then for one reason or another they slip off the radar. Therefore it's time for a revisit over the next couple of posts. First up is some Swedish bands:
The Garlands have posted a cover version of George Michael's Freedom for streaming and/or download. The bands track You Never Notice Me generated an interest amongst the indie pop blogging community. It also looks like they have signed to Fridlyst a.k.a. Open Field label so hopefully they will release something shortly.
The Garlands - Freedom
The Garlands - You Never Notice Me
Days will have a single out on Shelflife later this year. Again a lot of heads were turned when their material was posted on My Space especially the track Simple Thing. Sadly the downloads seemed to be screwed up so head over to My Space to stream the tracks.
Strawberry Fair is one Jenny Franzén and she knows how to produce a good tune. This is Phil Spector influenced pop music and it's very well done. Strawberry Fair have released a couple of CDR's but the last one was in 2003. She has some new tunes to download via My Space and some older ones on the bands site. Sadly the wonderfully named Where Is Alex Taylor Now (after The Shop Assistants and Motorcycle Boy singer) is missing but you can listen to it here as well as reading the story behind it.
Strawberry Fair - I Can't Do Anything
Strawberry Fair - Attack
A track from Liechtenstein's Stalking Skills 7" has been remixed by Compute. You can stream the remix of Cravings from here. One of the members of Liechtenstein plays with Compute. I forget which one but I think its Renée.
Compute have three tracks for downloading including 2005's excellent Dance With Me single. I prefer this one though!
Compute - I Thought One Kiss Couldn't Do Any Harm
You can download the other two tracks from here.
Compute also appear on a compilation of artists from Gothenburg on the 23 Seconds net label. It's a free album download and you can download it and other free albums from here.
Both Compute and Liechtenstein play London's Horse & Groom on the 16th August 2007. Tickets & info from here.
Finally Absolut Noise has an interview with Johan Angergård, the head honcho of Labrador Records who is also in Club 8, Acid House Kings and The Legends.
The Garlands have posted a cover version of George Michael's Freedom for streaming and/or download. The bands track You Never Notice Me generated an interest amongst the indie pop blogging community. It also looks like they have signed to Fridlyst a.k.a. Open Field label so hopefully they will release something shortly.The Garlands - Freedom
The Garlands - You Never Notice Me
Days will have a single out on Shelflife later this year. Again a lot of heads were turned when their material was posted on My Space especially the track Simple Thing. Sadly the downloads seemed to be screwed up so head over to My Space to stream the tracks.
Strawberry Fair is one Jenny Franzén and she knows how to produce a good tune. This is Phil Spector influenced pop music and it's very well done. Strawberry Fair have released a couple of CDR's but the last one was in 2003. She has some new tunes to download via My Space and some older ones on the bands site. Sadly the wonderfully named Where Is Alex Taylor Now (after The Shop Assistants and Motorcycle Boy singer) is missing but you can listen to it here as well as reading the story behind it.Strawberry Fair - I Can't Do Anything
Strawberry Fair - Attack
A track from Liechtenstein's Stalking Skills 7" has been remixed by Compute. You can stream the remix of Cravings from here. One of the members of Liechtenstein plays with Compute. I forget which one but I think its Renée.Compute have three tracks for downloading including 2005's excellent Dance With Me single. I prefer this one though!Compute - I Thought One Kiss Couldn't Do Any Harm
You can download the other two tracks from here.
Compute also appear on a compilation of artists from Gothenburg on the 23 Seconds net label. It's a free album download and you can download it and other free albums from here.
Both Compute and Liechtenstein play London's Horse & Groom on the 16th August 2007. Tickets & info from here.
Finally Absolut Noise has an interview with Johan Angergård, the head honcho of Labrador Records who is also in Club 8, Acid House Kings and The Legends.
Total Gaylord Records retrospective
0 Comments Published by Russ on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 21:53.
In which we delve into the back catalogue of the little label from Brooklyn with the best name in the world. Yes they put out a Pipettes single and a lovely seasonal compilation called Christmas Twee, but what about some of the other releases?
The Lil’ Hospital’s album Heavy Metal is of course nothing of the sort. The best thing is the title track, which twists and turns while the vocals twang out of the deep south. The album as a whole can seem a bit repetitive, but it’s something that can be filed next to Herman Dune and BMX Bandits and hold it’s head high.
Unfortunately Shumai’s Tastes Like Summer is the sort of album that gives twee a bad name. The lack of quality is particularly noticeable on The Lonely Passion Of Joey Heatherton, where the singer’s voice is really weak, although the tune is ok, and on the woefully amateurish Tijuana Picnic. If you like your bands to sound like they might be blown away by the wind, then Shumai may be your thing.
Aboard A Spaceship Of The Imagination by The Specific Heats is probably the best of the three. It kicks off with Take The Wheel, which is a short, sharp tuneful number from the days of C86. Further in we see the darker heart of the band on Dependable Ninety-Two, Are You For Real Mehgan O’Neill that is reminiscent of the more tuneful side of the Jesus and Mary Chain and almost wrapping things up is Carl Sagan, some unassuming shuffle pop that sparks a grand shimmering wall of guitars ending.
There’s certainly enough on this showing to make you want to poke around further in the world of Total Gaylord.
Fire Escape is the third single from the London based Fanfarlo and it raises the standard of their releases to date just that bit higher.Both Fire Escape and it's flip side We Live By The Lake are beautiful in their splendour with delicate and luscious melodies. Simon's excellent vocals and the lovely sounds emitting from the trumpet are also thrown into the indie pop cauldron entrancing the listener to a greater effect than any witches spell could ever hope to do.
Possibly the single of the year so far.
Fire Escape is out now on White Heat Records.
The single can be streamed via My Space.
Sofia Talvik is a Swedish singer songwriter who has made a couple of releases available as free downloads. She played a London date recently for Anglo-Svensk but sadly I was at another gig that night.The first is a summer single titled Blåa linjen Hem which as you may guess from the title is sung in her native language. Language difficulties aside it is a pretty wonderful song so much so I brought a higher quality version from Klick Track. Praise indeed!
Sofia Talvik - Blåa linjen Hem
Digging around her site I found that there is a free remix album of her Street Of Dreams album. Titled Street Of Dreamix you can download it from here in exchange for your e-mail address. I have not listened to it yet as the single is on repeat play. But I will do soon!
[My Space link]
Twee As Fuck is a new indie pop night based in London which Larryhag mentioned it here first. They describe themselves as:a new night in London that believes in fun. And indiepop and dancing till you're dizzy and snowball fights and early Creations Records and Sarah's Records and cardigans and picnics and coach parties and Polaroids and janglecore and Molly's Lips and C86. But most importantly fun.
Their first night will be on July 13th 2007 and it kicks off with a great line up of The Hermit Crabs and Strange Idols at London's Buffalo Bar. Tickets for the night can be purchased from here.
Which does sound fun indeed despite the word Twee eliminating over half of the C86 angle!
Stars in Coma released a new EP last week. It's titled the Moonshine Heights EP and it has been released jointly by Molokini Records and the Music is My Girlfriend label.It's a download release only. You can buy it from the Music Is My Girlfriends download store.
Stars In Coma - Spring Rain Song
[My Space link]
Power popsters Tesco Chainstore Mascara will be releasing their debut single Writer's Block on the 17th August 2007. It will be released on Simplistic Cow Records.Additionally the band will also be releasing a couple of tracks on compilations put together for the Ascom label.
Writers Block can be streamed via My Space where there are also three other tracks to download the best being Sun's Shinin For You.
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Bubblegum Lemonade have a new track called 10 Years Younger which features backing vocals from Sandra who is in Strawberry Whiplash.The song is available for streaming via My Space where you will also find some other nuggets from this Byrds/Mary Chain inspired band. Check out Unsafe At Any Speed and the Tomorrow People whilst you are there.
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Following on from the mention of Strawberry Whiplash they have two new songs available for streaming alongside two older tracks for downloading on you know where.The new songs Summershine and Who's In Your Dreams are perfect examples of the simple effective pop tune and you can hear jangle pop influences all the way through. Both would make ideal 7" singles but sadly the band remain unsigned. Surely that state cannot remain for long!
One benefit of the net is not only can you discover new music you can also come across music that you have missed. Not good for anyone's bank balance as I am sure that you will agree!One such band I have come across (and I cannot remember why or where!) is Hot Pursuit. They formed in 1997 when Evelyn Hurley (ex Blast Off Country Style) and Margaret McCartney (ex Tuscadero) joined forces. They were later joined by a drummer called Ginger Crockett.
Their only album The Thrill Department was released in 2000 on Teenbeat Records. If I have read this right Hurley founded the label which was set up to release music from the Washington DC area. The label is one of those DIY efforts I love so much releasing music in a loud trashy punk style.
I cannot find that much else on the band although the album mentioned is available on e-music which is another excuse I need to rejoin that service again! If anyone knows anything about the band etc etc then please drop us a line.
Hot Pursuit - No 1
You can download another track titled Lucky Seven from here.
Bit of a bonus mp3!
Blast Off Country Style - Hey Hey I Love You Bitch
There are according to their My Space page currently 10 members of New Jersey's Hide & Seek. They have numerous influences including many from the jangle/twee pop arena. However there is more to the bands sound than that as the violin and cello testifies. The band have two songs available for streaming on their My Space page which also doubles as the bands main website. They have a track which has one of the best titles I have heard for a while in the shape of A Revolution Without Dancing Is A Revolution but it is on As I Sat Watching TV that the band excels with the two female vocalists bringing both harmonies and melodies to the indie pop party.
There is nowt much about the band on My Space or the net so if anyone knows anything about them, including if there are any releases available etc, please drop us a line.
Fresh from supporting the Wellerless Jam the Karnos Army (awful name that) have self released their début The Sunshine Kids EP. Whilst none of the songs reach out and grab you by the throat the bands cheerful & optimistic guitar pop will get your feet tapping. Rather than coming from Bristol the Karnos Army sound like they come from Liverpool - think The Wombats mixed with Tha La's for starters. It's promising stuff and further investigation will be required in due course.The Sunshine Kids EP is out now (limited run of 300). You can order it direct from the band's My Space page where you can stream the EP in it's entirety.
Broken Dolls are signed to Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried label and, judging by what I have read, have gained a five album deal on the back of finishing second in Radio One's best new band competition. Losers eh? How us Brits love and reward them.Try as they might the band just don't excite on their single Stronger. It's pretty simple, repetitive and formulaic fare. Just like their contemporaries Mumm-Ra, Broken Dolls use points/references from successful "alternative" acts from the past decade and a half to produce a pretty dull product. They will be massive.
Stronger is out on 9th July 2007. Stream the single via My Space.
Swedish band Penny Century have four self released EP's behind them and release their fifth, the Between A Hundred Lies EP on the UK's Letterbox Records.The EP is essentially indie pop with influences ranging from folk, alt-Americana and the poppier end of the 1960's strewn throughout the songs. Julia Hanberg's vocals deserve a mention for crafting the songs in a unique way rather than just your usual the run of the mill efforts. The EP gives a very summery impression and I for one can imagine sitting in a meadow with a nice pint of cider listening to this one!
Stream via My Space. The EP will be released in August 2007.
Little My hail from Cardiff, Wales. The band are made up of "an assortment of 8 to 15 peeps stolen from various cardiff & bristol bands who are forced to play 1 - 2 minute songs whilst wearing animal ears in public." Which means they're definetely on the twee-est side of indiepop.
The Official website - which seems to be a flash driven thing. I don't like flash but it's worth the effort as there are some cracking little songs to download. Here's one:
Little My - Cute Guts
As well as their own website - they have a MySpace. Where you can stream 4 songs as well.
I am off to Germany for a few days so here is a condensed look at some of the bands I have come across recently:
Je Suis Animal are Norwegians who claim to take influences from The Shop Assistants, Pastels, Joy Division, Talulah Gosh, The Sugarcubes and my Bloody Valentine to name but a few. They have three songs for streaming/download on My Space, two of which are pretty good. These are former single Fortune Map and a track called Labyrinth Game which sounds like Manhattan Love Suicides going up against Liechtenstein. Both these tracks were released in 2005 so I am not sure what they sound like now. If it's like the messy third track available Sparkle Spit let's find a time machine quick!
Je Suis Animal - Fortune Map
Je Suis Animal - Labyrinth Game
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The Triangles are an indie band from down under whose latest album Seventy Five Year Plan was released earlier this year. The band have made three tracks from the album available as mp3 downloads and pretty good they are too. Like most indie pop bands around there are plenty of folkish references amongst these songs and if you like Aberfeldy, Camera Obscura or The Hermit Crabs then this band are for you. [My Space link]
The Triangles - Meat Blanket
The Triangles - Will It Float
There's load more to download from previous releases at the bands site.
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Keeping with the folky theme Kris Ellestad is from Alberta, Canada and has an album called Third Person available. It's released under the Creative Commons license and whilst I have not heard it all the tracks I have heard are pleasant enough. The album can be found here
- Scabs
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Have I ever written about two Norwegian bands in the same post before? I don't think I have so here is a first. Jeremy hail from Stavanger and have just released their single called Make Love Not War. It has taken a couple of listens for me to get into it but it reminds me of Irene going up against The Tacticians which means thumbs up all round from the pop jury. The single can be streamed via My Space alongside two other tracks which are just as good. I had better put some pennies away for this one.
Jeremy - Miss You
Jeremy - You're Alright
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Now time for a bit of shoegazing. Tears Run Rings have just released an EP which is a split release on Sweden's Lavender Recordings and the US label Disaster Club. It's called A Question and an Answer EP and the title track is available for streaming on My Space. Also on My Space are two demo recordings of new tracks which demonstrates the band certainly going in the right direction.
Tears Run Rings - A Question and an Answer
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It's last orders!
Here are some others I have come across recently and who are worth a listen or two:
Mono Taxi When a band gets praise from the likes of the NME, Playlouder and Drowned In Sound I tend to ignore them. For once those three may have a point.
Your Light Now Swedish band with one eye on 1980's New Wave and the sounds of today. [My Space link]
La Famille Catastrophe I have written about this lot before. Tracks have been alternating so check them out.
The Voices - Welsh shoegazers who I must check out further. [My Space link]
Lilak - Heartfelt Swedish indie folk. Go forth & stream these lovely tunes.
Hong Kong In The 60s - London based indie popsters who have some melodic pop songs.
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Je Suis Animal are Norwegians who claim to take influences from The Shop Assistants, Pastels, Joy Division, Talulah Gosh, The Sugarcubes and my Bloody Valentine to name but a few. They have three songs for streaming/download on My Space, two of which are pretty good. These are former single Fortune Map and a track called Labyrinth Game which sounds like Manhattan Love Suicides going up against Liechtenstein. Both these tracks were released in 2005 so I am not sure what they sound like now. If it's like the messy third track available Sparkle Spit let's find a time machine quick!Je Suis Animal - Fortune Map
Je Suis Animal - Labyrinth Game
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The Triangles are an indie band from down under whose latest album Seventy Five Year Plan was released earlier this year. The band have made three tracks from the album available as mp3 downloads and pretty good they are too. Like most indie pop bands around there are plenty of folkish references amongst these songs and if you like Aberfeldy, Camera Obscura or The Hermit Crabs then this band are for you. [My Space link]
The Triangles - Meat Blanket
The Triangles - Will It Float
There's load more to download from previous releases at the bands site.
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Keeping with the folky theme Kris Ellestad is from Alberta, Canada and has an album called Third Person available. It's released under the Creative Commons license and whilst I have not heard it all the tracks I have heard are pleasant enough. The album can be found here
- Scabs
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Have I ever written about two Norwegian bands in the same post before? I don't think I have so here is a first. Jeremy hail from Stavanger and have just released their single called Make Love Not War. It has taken a couple of listens for me to get into it but it reminds me of Irene going up against The Tacticians which means thumbs up all round from the pop jury. The single can be streamed via My Space alongside two other tracks which are just as good. I had better put some pennies away for this one.Jeremy - Miss You
Jeremy - You're Alright
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Now time for a bit of shoegazing. Tears Run Rings have just released an EP which is a split release on Sweden's Lavender Recordings and the US label Disaster Club. It's called A Question and an Answer EP and the title track is available for streaming on My Space. Also on My Space are two demo recordings of new tracks which demonstrates the band certainly going in the right direction.Tears Run Rings - A Question and an Answer
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It's last orders!
Here are some others I have come across recently and who are worth a listen or two:
Mono Taxi When a band gets praise from the likes of the NME, Playlouder and Drowned In Sound I tend to ignore them. For once those three may have a point.
Your Light Now Swedish band with one eye on 1980's New Wave and the sounds of today. [My Space link]
La Famille Catastrophe I have written about this lot before. Tracks have been alternating so check them out.
The Voices - Welsh shoegazers who I must check out further. [My Space link]
Lilak - Heartfelt Swedish indie folk. Go forth & stream these lovely tunes.
Hong Kong In The 60s - London based indie popsters who have some melodic pop songs.
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Live: THE TOUGH ALLIANCE + THE HONEYDRIPSThe Social, 5 Little Portland Street, London, W1
Deejays: Itsatrap
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: £ 6.00 adv.
Closest Tube: Oxford Circus
Tack!Tack!Tack! is London’s only truly international club night promoting and playing exclusively Swedish artists and music.
The Tough Alliance
Fans destroyed the stage at TTA’s Stockholm show three weeks ago. The TTA experience is unforgettable.
In hometown Gothenburg the police have since served injunctions against planned TTA shows – hence they are taking refuge in W1 at T!T!T! (tell who you want, just not the Swedish ‘Polis’!) You see TTA might be tough but they still like the sound of Dolphins.
Their latest long player is entitled “A New Chance”, a veritable mix of new rave and brilliant Balearic sun-kissed production – they are 808 State meets Todd Terry of 2007.
The Honeydrips
Ace newcomers who incorporate all of the best elements in pop music - blissed out twee indie pop, vocals drenched in reverb and shoe-gaze droning.
If you want comparisons think Saint Etienne, My Bloody Valentine and Felt.
Cat5 minx Hanna guests on the track “(Lack OF Love) Will Tear Us Apart”.
Taking their name from a Roald Dahl novel Esiotrot, which is also Tortoise spelt backwards, have been around for a couple of years now. They were blogged quite a bit last year and I have finally got around to listening to their music which is a blend of indie pop with folkish undertones.There are four songs available for streaming via their My Space page and they are pretty, inoffensive songs. My favourite track is Emily Scott, taken from the The Dirtiest Birthday Present EP which slowly draws you in then doesn't let go.
They play a free gig at the Cafe 1001 on June 19th 2007 in the heart of London's Bangla Town although it is not listed on the Cafe 1001 website.
Esiotrot - Sally Like The Beach Boys
The bands album Schmesiotrot can be purchased here whilst the recent EP can be picked up from the Unpopular Record label.
Electrophönvintage are a French band based in London. They make short songs influenced by the likes of Sarah Records, Belle & Sebastian, Go-Betweens and classic girl band or French pop.The band have had two releases two date but cannot be described as prolific. A 7" single was released in 2000 followed by and album five years later. However up on their My Space page are two new songs from a release titled Play Harp In Yr Hair including a lovely song entitled Sig for streaming.
Electrophönvintage - Where You're Not
The band will playing at the Spiral Scratch All Dayer at London's Luminaire on the 23rd June 2007.
The late 70's to mid 80's UK independent music scene was covered by a series of CD's simply called the Indie Scene followed by the year. I have come across a blog called Not Rock On and found that they currently have the whole series from 1977 to 1986 to download. You can find them at:
1977 to 1978
1979 to 1980
1981 to 1986
And if you look carefully under the previous posts you will come across other excellent compilations including two from Sarah Records.
1977 to 1978
1979 to 1980
1981 to 1986
And if you look carefully under the previous posts you will come across other excellent compilations including two from Sarah Records.
The ever wonderful Fanfarlo have just released their latest single Fire Escape b/w We Live By The Lake on White Heat Records. I have yet to review the single but one of my colleagues at Sounds XP has already done so and I can't disagree! You can stream both sides of the single, as well as the bands two previous a-sides, via the band's My Space page.
If there is currently a better male indie pop vocalist than Fanfarlo's Simon then let me know your nominations.
You can buy the single direct from the label's shop.
The Hardy Boys are the latest 1980's outfit to hit the comeback trail albeit for a limited time only.The Scottish indie popsters are getting ready to release a compilation entitled The Hardy Boys Play Songs From The Lenin and McCarthy Songbook later this year.
The band will also be reforming for 3 shows in Glasgow in September to promote the album's release. It remains to be seen whether they stick around longer than that.
Stream three tracks via My Space.