Woog Riots have a rare London show tonight at The Bridge House II in Canning Town. Woog Riots are mainly a duo from Germany and Italy and back in December I described their sound as "charmingly lo-fi and poppy". I tried and failed to book these guys for a Lostmusic night - the schedules just wouldn't align - so I have to content myself with going to see them tonight. If they half as much fun live as on a record - it's gonna be a cracking little gig.

Also playing are Old Bambo (who from a quick listen seem like a charmingly fragile folk meets pop in the experimental shop kinda band) and Canvey Island -who seems to be a one man performer who utilises tape loops, sampling as well as the trusty acoustic guitar. Sounds like it's gonna be a fun night. And all of this for juts £4. Bargain.

Three bands who I knew nothing about and a bit of a mixed bag. First up are White Light Parade, who are about to release their second single, Turning All The Lights Down on the Split Records label. I was in a bad mood already as the change to British Summer Time had robbed me of an hours sleep and now I’ve been cheated out of another six or so minutes of my life by listening to this.

It’s not bad as such, it’s just that it sounds like it could be any one of a number of similar bands. It brings to mind The Libertines, The Pigeon Detectives and Little Man Tate. I know all of these are widely popular, but I just don’t get it myself. Actually, on a second listen, it is pretty rubbish. Anyway, if it sounds more like your cup of tea, it's out in May and you can get it here:

Myspace (Link)
or the label's Myspace (Link)

Next, something to cheer about. Victoria, from London’s Official Secrets Act. This is a punchy, new wave style pop song that sounds like it would have sat nicely on a Stiff Records compilation alongside Elvis Costello. The B-side, Sell, Sell, Sell is a real grower with some intelligent lyrics and urgent guitars.

The band are touring in April and May, including an appearance at the Camden Crawl. You can get the single through Weekender Records from 5 May.

Finally, Vatican DC with their new single Bugs, released on April 28 through The Red Flag Recording Co. They claim to be post-punk, but this has quite a nineties feel to it, reminiscent of a number of bands on the fringes of Britpop. It has touches of Eat, The Family Cat and a post-Laid James. It’s all quite melodic and pleasant enough, but it just washed over me and made me yearn for some of the real thing. They have a number of tracks at their Myspace , but I’m off to dig out my copy of Gold Mother.

Hello. As you may have gathered, this is my first post, so please be gentle with me. Anyway, down to business, and first up are The Maple State, a five piece from Manchester, who are just releasing the six track ep Say, Scientist on High Voltage Sounds.

Musically, they seem to take most of their cues from the mid nineties, US indie scene (which is rarely a bad thing), but for some reason the more I listen to it, the more the singer sounds like Robert Smith. Think Death Cab for Cutie playing the Cure and I like it a lot.

You can hear three tracks from the ep at their Myspace, and they're playing in Doncaster and Glasgow in the next couple of months. Have a listen and treat yourself.

This may be old news but I recently came across this posting from Mike at Microindie and thought I would post it here.

Hey kids, not sure how many of you already know about this but the Salteens
are back and they're giving away newly recorded songs, free downloads on
their website. The music is sounding really good and if you are a fan,
you'll love them. If not, you might love them anyway or you might be sick
from too much sugar. Either way, download them and find out. Two months
worth are available, two songs each via these links.

http://salteens.com/hallowedways/

http://salteens.com/everythingtheyknowaboutus/

I believe if they get enough downloads and interest they'd be open to
hitting the road to support the non-album, who knows, they might even press
up some copies of the whole batch of songs just to satisfy people who yearn
for the days of fresh plastic in their hands.

Keep updated on the releases via the bands website.

[My Space link]

The man behind Fire Escape Talking is heading over to Sweden to do a spot of DJing at So Tough! So Cute! . It's happening in Malmo on Saturday night! Expect a smorgasbord of girl groups, sweet soul music and jangle pop. It's sure to be a cracking little night. If only I lived in Malmo.

It's all taking place here:

Restaurang Retro
Norra Skolgatan 24, Malmö
11PM - 03AM
Free admittance
Age 20 years (18years+ are most welcome but should mail ahead to be put on a guest list)

The Simple Carnival have recently released their new EP which is called Me And My Arrow. Mighty fine it is too.

To celebrate this fact indie mp3 has a little competition for you to win not only a copy of the EP but a rather spiffing t-shirt too.

For a chance to win just answer this question set by Jeff who is The Simple Carnival:


Me and My Arrow is a cover of the Harry Nilsson song taken from the film/album The Point. According to that album what is the same as no point at all?

Send your answer to NOSPAM2007@indie-mp3.co.uk removing the NOSPAM bit. Include your t-shirt size too. The competition will close on 11th April 2008 and first correct answer drawn out of the hat wins.

And now a track from the new EP:

The Simple Carnival - Caitlin's on the Beach

[MySpace link]

Right here is the full confirmed line up to the next Residency night at The Gramaphone.


April 10th - Doors 8pm - The Gramaphone, 60-62 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London, E1 6LT

Phil Wilson (June Brides)

Coming to London for a rare performance is Phil Wilson - once of C86 legends The June Brides. We're super excited that he's playing a Lostmusic night. In early 2007 Phil moved to the West Country and started recording (at home) again. He's been thrilling us with cover versions on his My Space ever since and new songs of his own are coming - with two new singles coming shortly (one released in Japan, the other in the USA on Slumberland Records). This performance will be one of the not to be missed gigs of 2008.

Pocketbooks

London's finest Indiepop band play their 2nd ever Lostmusic Presents gig and since their last Lostmusic show their line up has been fleshed out by new guitarist Ian (he of Spiral Scratch and The Cut Outs) and what a band they have become. The band were brought together through a shared love of tambourines, pianos, glockenspiels, jangly guitars and boy/girl harmonies. And as we've said on indie-mp3 many times in the past few months - they've become a stunning live band.

The Postcards

Named in honour of Postcard Records of Scotland, The Postcards are a four-piece band based in Brockley, South London. Driven by a lack of ambition, laziness and an overwhelming determination to always enjoy themselves, they make very occasional live appearances around London. Their sets are fast and fun - whizzing through short, sharp blasts of bittersweet guitar-pop, only pausing to mop their brow and say hello.

Still Corners

Another great new London pop band with chiming guitars and great female vocals. The Still Corners make a huanting indiepop sound and their debut CD EP is a thing of great beauty - with hints of Jangle pop. For fans of bands like Cranes and Mazzy Star.

Tickets are £4 in advance, £5 on the door.

“Think Biffy Clyro only without the cheese, think iLiKETRAiNS but without the holding back, think Shellac but with more effects pedals, think “this is bloody great” and then go and see them live and be blown away all over again.” GodIsInTheTVZine.co.uk

Scul Hazzards

“A three piece from Australia. Focused, raw and almost nostalgic and they could be homage freaks! (think the best of Steve Albini). Scul Hazzards are one of those edgy jagged pointy rusty-edged violently noisy, relentlessly dense, good, low end staccato bands that violently jab (and jab and jab) at you.” - The Organ

Jesus Knives

“London based feedbackprogressivepostrockaggressivehardcore alternaterocknoise. 2 Northern 1 Southern, shouting, not shouting, rhythmic, even more rhythmic, instrumental, semi-instrumental, homemade recordings. Put together from the remains of other noisy bands.” Their My Space page

UK Music Seach wrote in 2004 that New York based Phillip Eno, an offshoot of Uncletoe's Portasound deal in the kind of dreamy soundscapes that made bands like Slowdive and Ride so enticing back in the mid nineties. A trio of exquisite CDs this year are proof positive that this is a band worth falling in love and losing yourself in.

If that grabs you then read on. The band have now made all their recordings available for downloading at no cost whatsoever. If you like them you can of course donate, buy them or one of the two new albums planned for release later this year on CD.

Not only that but there are a number of other records available from their label Cactus Killer also available for downloading making 21 free albums in total!

I have not had a chance to listen to any of these yet but as it's free take a chance.

EDIT: I e-mailed the band asking them for their opinion on the best place to start. They recommended Cut which is a best of compilation of the first two years of the band. Another album they recommend is Candelaria which came out after Cut. Finally they mention Sentimental from 2003 which was by their old band Uncletoe's Portasound. I guess those albums are a good place to start as any. Downloads away!

Download from here.

Some new tunes for you to digest on this snowy bank holiday Monday.

The Electric Pop Group - I Could See The Lights

Taken from the bands forthcoming Sunrise EP on Matinee Recordings.

Lögnhalsmottagningen - Va e Poängen?
Lögnhalsmottagningen - Svenssonliv

Lögnhalsmottagningen are Stewart Anderson(Boyracer) and Martin Cannert (The Faintest Ideas) and they make incredibly short punk songs. The new Öron Näsa EP features seven songs clocking in at eight minutes in total. It's a split release between four labels too. 555 (USA), Promenade (Swe), Slumberland (USA) and Yellow Mica (Swe)

Northern Portrait - Crazy

Taken from the bands forthcoming debut release for Matinee Recordings titled The Fallen Aristocracy EP.

I have just noticed that Fireflies have a free download EP available at Music Is My Girlfriend and Lavender Recorings. It's called the Strange EP and features three tracks. You can download the whole EP here.

Also at Music is my Girlfriend are two tracks from the latest Stars in Coma album called You’re Still Frozen In Time which has just been released.

Stars in Coma - Invisibility Trick
Stars in Coma - People Put Up With A Lot Of Shit

Also recently released is the new Gentle Touch album In Memory of Savannah. It's out on Songs I Wish I Had Written.

Gentle Touch - Once You Used To

Finally This Years Model released a track for Easter. It's taken from the recent sessions for the bands second album that is currently being recorded.

This Years Model - No More Easter

On new single, and taster for the new album Life Is Sweet, The Lodger prove that their quintessentially English take on indie pop was no flash in the pan with last years Grown Ups album.

The Gold Old Days is oh so good. Really it is. I can't describe how it's infectiousness makes me feel or how those jangling, pulsating sounds from the lap steel guitar just make me want to get up and dance at the home, in the street or at the popshow! The lyrics are simple but impressive none the less and the song could easily be The Lodgers "Girl Afraid".

It's backed with a remix by The Slips which still manages to get the feet tapping despite the energy of the originals jangle pop beat going missing. But to be honest with you it is the a-side we are interested in and the remix becomes swiftly irrelevant.

The Good Old Days is out on Bad Sneakers on 5th May 2008 on 7" and digital formats. It''s followed by the album Life Is Sweet on 19th May 2008.

You can stream the single via My Space.

[My Space link]

The Waking Up EP is Pocketbooks second physical release, this time on the fledgling make do and mend label. It's the first recordings with their new solid sounding line up which has performed so brilliantly at recent dates across London Town.

The confidence of the live appearances have now spread to the records and the band now sounds bigger and brighter than ever matching those live experiences in turn on the new shiny silver disc.

It would be churlish to call Pocketbooks twee but they do lean to the gentler side of indie pop rather than the jangle pop of some of their contemporaries. This is demonstrated on the title track with it's melodies courtesy of the electric piano and keyboards. Emma's vocals stand out whilst she sings Andy Pocketbooks cleverly written words.

The live favourite Falling Leaves is next with the harmonious girl/boy vocals with Andy & Emma trading verses and much more! The highlight of the EP for me is Love Is The Stick You Throw with it's arrangement reminding me of girl groups of years gone by. The EP finishes with Don't Stop with brings yet more melodies and girl/boy vocals. Like the rest of the EP the song is about life, love, regrets and the pitfalls it all brings. That may all sound pretty melancholic and yes in the past Pocketbooks have made me place my head in my hands and scream. Now with this EP they have me clapping my hands with joy!

Pocketbooks - Don't Stop

Listen to whole EP at Last FM

The EP is out now and can be ordered directly from make do and mend.

[My Space link]

Herzoga go for the unsafe option of noisey pop rather than the safe and now predictable route of becoming a sub Libertines or Futureheads clone.

Where The Futureheads once hinted briefly at becoming a great post-punk revivalist band before becoming the radio friendly band they are now Herzoga head straight into the territory of bands such as Big Flame, Gang Of Four, Wire, Magazine and Pavement taking no prisoners on the way.

All the tracks on their second release can be clearly identified by the spunky jagged guitar, blistering bass, furious drumming and the post punk vocal narrative style. The tunes find their way into your head and conciousness with ease despite the layers of sound and noise.

This sort of music seems to having some sort of a revival at present but it would be wrong to group Herzoga with those fashionable chancers The Foals or Those New Puritans whose style over substance efforts seemed to have found favour with the likes of The Observer and Guardian. Give me raw, powerful tunes over audio fashion statements any day. Play loud!

Nice Car/Blood School is out now on Welikedanger.

[My Space link]

Arthur and Martha are Adam Cresswell and Alice Hubley. The former was in Saloon whilst the latter was in The Duloks. Using their moogs, casios and drum machine they prove that the links between indie and electro pop are not as far apart as they may seem on first glance on this, their debut single release.

This is the single which says to all those closet OMD, Jean Michel Jarre and Pet Shop Boys fans out there to head to autobahn and join the ride. You know the type - the ones who turn their Last FM scrobblers off whilst playing their secret tracks in case it ruins their obscure indie pop playlists and credibility!

Autovia sounds like Kraftwerk listening to the Rough Trade indie pop compilation whilst speeding down the motorway. It's pulasting driving stuff suiting it's auto-mobile inspired named. Flip side Japanese Kiss is poppier and is similar Pet Shop Boys finest moments. Cresswell's vocals are very Neil Tennant like meaning such comparisons are inevitable. It just shouts POP at you!

The download version of the single includes two extra tracks including the superb Squarewave To Heaven which is moog paradise and would no doubt would get the thumbs up from Delia Derbyshire at the pearly gates discotheque. The other track Autovia 2 is a more robotic, darker version of the original which still has it's merits.

Recommended for both analogue and digital heads.

Both versions of the single will be out on April 7th on Happy Robots. Tracks from the release can be streamed at the bands My Space page.

[My Space link]

Strawberry Whiplash feature members of Bubblegum Lemonade. Where as the latter take most of their cues from the 1960's Strawberry Whiplash take theirs straight from the sounds of 1980's indie-pendent Scotland!

Who's In Your Dreams has echoes of the fuzzed up bands of Scotland's past such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Meat Whiplash and The Shop Assistants. The bands influences from the C86 era reign supreme throughout the EP. The jangle pop chords of Jesse Garon are evident on It Rains On Other Planets. On the EP's other two tracks you can clearly hear elements of girl fronted jangle pop bands of the era and on the twee-ish Factory Girl singer Sandra sounds uncannily like The Shoppies Alex Taylor.

This is an EP which wears it's influences on it's sleeve as well as being coming from the heart. Fuzzin' well buy it!

The Who’s In Your Dreams? CDEP is out now on Matinee Recordings. It can also be found on i-tunes.

[My Space link]

liquid mercury, you where made for me
mine, mine alone
i am not made of stone

WILD SWANS "Liquid Mercury"
listen at Myspace

The Cuties are an all female four piece band from The Netherlands. Ah-Ah-Aah is their debut album which has been out in their home country for a couple of months now (via Living Room Records) and is now available in the UK via Rough Trade.

I have seen references that compares The Cuties to the likes of All Girl Summer Fun Band, The Shaggs, Pony Up!, Tiger Trap and The Breeders. To be fair they do sound American with bits of those bands mentioned thrown all together. I for one am not complaining about any of those comparisons. You wouldn't want them to sound like any of the unimaginative bands that frequent the London circuit now would you?

Anyway back to the album. Ah-Ah-Aah is full of short, smart, melodic and catchy indie pop songs with only a couple clocking over three minutes. The topics range from clothes, party poopers, boys, summer, friends and learning to play instruments. My favourite track Piece Of Cake sums the album and The Cuties up in one. We get punk attitude, creaking guitar, lot's of smiles and most importantly fun fun fun! Oh - don't forget being cute either.

The Cuties - Ugly Boy

You can buy the album from Rough Trade in the UK.

[My Space link]

Australian band Summer Cats will be releasing the third 7" on Cloudberry Records and they have posted the single itself for streaming on their My Space page.

It's called Lonely Planet and it's great! Don't take my word for it go and have a listen for yourself. Single of the year so far for me. If you have heard a better one let me know if the comments!

Oh! I last wrote about Summer Cats here.

[My Space link]

(Photo by Anders Kylberg, Bon Magazone 2008)

Hesperian Puisto

Labrador claims their new signings The Sound of Arrows will lead Swedish pop into the next decade. They will be releasing a new nine track EP for the label in May called Danger.

The band comprise of Oskar Gullstrand and Stefan Storm. The latter had previously been making house music whilst the former was once in an orchestra.

Unsurprisingly you can hear both these elements in their brand of indie pop. You can also hear hints of Tough Alliance, Saint Etienne, Club 8 amongst others.

The Sounds Of Arrows - Danger!

[My Space link]

indie mp3 gets a large number of promos from various labels including many that don't fit the indie pop remit. These are mainly indie rock from UK based bands.

I still think many the remit missing ones should be reviewed but it's finding the time especially as we cover so much else. So we are looking for another writer. If there is anyone in the UK who would like a regular supply of music in return for some reviews for this site then please contact me at XXXXXX removing the NOSPAM bit.

If you have an example of previous reviews then please enclose them but to be honest that's not essential so long as you are enthusiastic and can contribute between five and 10 reviews a month based on promos received. These will be mainly singles but albums will also feature.

EDIT: A big thanks to all those who responded and as they say the position has been filled! We now have a couple of new writers!

After hearing last years Roadside Attraction EP and being sufficiently intrigued by this Newcastle trio I decided to investigate their debut album, out now on Exlibris Records. Where the EP sounded all over the place, the album is even more so and sounds all the better for it.

It kicks off with the off-kilter Pavement style pop of Dress Up before launching headlong into the sleazy rock beast that is Foreign Cars. Following that you get the disjointed lo-fi of Safari Of Sorts and the Fall-ish in title and sound Pre-Slaughter Trial/Corporate Androgyny. Brutalised By Song is another stomping beast, The Queens Complaint is ramshackle early Blur and Hollywood Listen! is back to Pavement, but with a tinge of country.

The disparity of sounds can prove a little annoying as you try to keep up with the band, but it pays to stick with them in the end.

The first of Lostmusic Presents new residency (every 2nd Thursday of the month) nights at The Gramaphone took place last Thursday. We had three great bands playing - The Nightjars, The Argonauts and The Lodger.

All three played cracking sets and we were delighted that The Lodger played a host of songs from their forthcoming LP 'Life Is Sweet'. They were great and I eagerly await this new LP. Tom wrote about this forth coming release a few weeks ago - here.

The Argonauts thrilled us with their 60s inspired pop and they're certainly a band to watch over the coming months and their debut LP 'Sixes and Sevens' is one of those breezy pop records that you can't help falling for.

Kicking the whole thing off were The Nightjars (pictured) - who were the loudest and most intense band of the night - I was delighted when they played 'MDMA' and 'You Set Me Reeling' from their debut mini LP 'Towards Light' they're two songs that have refused to leave my playlists these past few months and the band have kindly donated the aforementioned 'You Set Me Reeling' as a download from this site. Go and take a listen - they're a mighty fine band and one worthy of some of your downloading attention.

The Nightjars - You Set Me Reeling

And if that wasn't enough we are just finalising the line up for the next Residency night at The Gramaphone - this will feature Pocketbooks, The Postcards and a couple more to be announced shorltly - keep your eyes peeled for further announcements in the next few days. This is, again, taking place at The Gramaphone - this time on Thursday April 10th and we have guest DJ Jean-Michel from Pop 'n Cherries over from Brussels for the guest DJ slot.

Tellus about the Moon are a new band on me - they come from Gothenburg in Sweden and feature a member of The Electric Pop Group - that being Jimmi on bass. There are four other members that make up the band and they have four songs for streaming (two of which can be downloaded!) over on My Space. Tellus about the Moon are a must listen for fans of jangle pop - not disimilar to The Electric Pop Group in some respects - but a lot poppier and less shoegazey than their fellow countrymen. The singer has one of those rich indiepop voices and it's the sort of vocal style that reminds me a little of Mattias Björkas (Cats on Fire) - which is a mighty nice thing. Go and give them a listen.

As I wrote here Labrador have re-released the first four albums Club 8 produced for the label complete with extra tracks.

You can win a copy of 2001's self titled album which sees extra remixes by Les Espions. For a chance to win just answer the question below.

Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård were in another band prior to Club 8 forming in 1995. What was that bands name?

Send your answer to NOSPAM2007@indie-mp3.co.uk removing the NOSPAM bit! The first name drawn out of the hat wins the album. The competition closes Friday 28th March 2008.

Out now on Squirrel Records is the latest 4 track EP from The Manhattan Love Suicides. With the radio friendly title of the 'Clusterfuck' EP. I got my copy of the single yesterday and pretty much like every Manhattan Love Suicides release so far it's been an instant hit here.

The recent UK live shows unveiled the new five piece line up of the band. Caroline, Adam and Darren are now joined by extra guitarist (Rob) and a new drummer (Rachel). This is a treat to see in action and the band have some East coast US dates coming up at the end of March. If you are stateside and get the chance to go along to their shows - you should take the opportunity - as this band are getting better and better and one day soon they're going to do the perfect 20 minute set.

The band, if you're not aware, have a very distorted and feedback driven sound. Their noise pop has always been aligned to super hummable tunes and this EP is no different - although this is by far and away the 'heaviest' I have heard the band. 'Clusterfuck' the song kicks off the EP and it is a song I recognise from seeing the band a few times over the past year. The melody is strong - but the ferocity of the guitar and drums is stronger. This is up there with the best songs they've released to date. Elsewhere we get 'Detriot Diesel' which is probably the meanest, baddest song they've committed to vinyl - reminding me in places of My Bloody Valentine circa 'Feed Me With Your Kiss'.

On the flip side we are treated to 'Burning Wire' which is probably the poppiest song on the EP - it still fuzzes in all the right places - but the bass doesn't churn the way it does elsewhere on the record. If the proceeding song lacks the churning bass - the final song on the EP - 'Heat and Panic' has churning bass with added churning bass (this one is available to stream on the bands My Space page). A truly grinding pop song. This is where the band show their punk rock roots. This is still pop music - but it is pop music that dares to rock. That dares to make your ears bleed. The louder you play this EP - the better it sounds (although I'd guess my neighbours may not agree!). And guess what - I fucking love it.

It’s been a fantastic past 12 months for acoustic singer-songwriter Pete Green, formerly of The Regulars and now oft-spotted at indiepopshows across the land sporting a floppy fringe and “fragile”-stickered acoustic guitar. He released fantabulous single Everything I Do is Gonna Be Sparkly on Atomic Beat Records early last year, somehow managed to get away with playing two sets at last summer’s Indietracks festival, embarked on a ukelele mini-tour with fellow troubadour MJ Hibbett and – if that was not enough – also found time to play a whole host of other fun popshows in exotic places like Stoke! And Nottingham! Woo! Clearly he’s a very busy chap, so we were dead chuffed when he allowed Indie Mp3 access to his Sheffield hideaway (gmail inbox) to find out his plans for 2008…..

Hi Pete. I hear you’re playing at the Pop Art Bargelife event on Battersea Barge on Easter Sunday, where all the bands playing have been asked to incorporate a Britpop cover into their set. Any clues on what you might play? And were you a Britpop fan at the time?

People keep saying to me: "Go on - do a Menswear song! I dare you!" Hmm, but Britpop was all a bit grim really, I thought at the time. Listening to it now, I can enjoy a bit of Elastica and whatnot but I'm quite happy to leave most of it on the shelf. Too many of those bands seemed to be trying too hard. And it was very London-centric and self-referential. (Indie MP3 gently reminds Pete of all the awful grunge around at the time) Although, to be fair, in the context of grunge, certainly it was refreshing. And the whole Blur/Oasis on the Six O'Clock News thing was a giggle. It was kind of fun. I hardly listen to any of it now. But I do wish I hadn't spurned the chance to see Blur on Cleethorpes Pier. I was even living there that summer. Not actually on the pier, but in Cleethorpes.

Britpop was obviously a scene, do you feel part of a “scene” yourself nowadays? And will you always remain solo or do you think you might get a band together again?

Yes, I do feel part of a scene! And it's nice. I've become quite a bit busier since the new indiepop circuit started offering me gigs and I haven't had to play acoustic nights any more! My first solo gig was at the end of 2002, a month or two after The Regulars split up. It wasn't great; I was probably just trying to make a point and I didn't play live again for about 18 months. It's only since I moved to Sheffield that the solo thing has taken off. I only ever intended playing solo to be a stopgap until I got a new band together. But the solo thing sort of took off a little bit - people kept giving me gigs - and here I am five years later, still sidetracked with it! In terms of being on stage, and the thrill you get from that, playing solo is nothing like as hot as being in a band. I'm about to start practising with a rhythm section, as it goes. I've no idea at all how it will go. I've tried about four times to get a new band together since The Regulars split up, and it's failed abjectly every time. But this time it's kind of a backing band for my solo stuff, rather than a totally separate 'project'. If this doesn't work, nothing will, and I'll be doomed to solodom forever!

You mentioned the constriction of initially only being able to play acoustic nights- do you think "acoustic singer-songwriter" has still got negative connotations? I like to think the likes of yourself and MJ Hibbett are here to save the genre! And you’re both very much in the Billy Bragg vein….

Aw, bless ya! I think the antifolk thing went a long way towards that as well but Kieran from In Love With These Times In Spite Of These Times wrote that 99 out of 100 acoustic singer-songwriters should be culled, and I tend to agree. There are some fantastic ones, of course, but for every Nat Johnson there are 99 James Blunts. Yes, I was influenced by Billy Bragg when I started writing songs in 1863. But this was musically as much as lyrically. I bought a Billy Bragg songbook from a guitar shop when I was 16 and in my first band, and it had a flexidisc in it with Billy telling you how to play his songs! This was kind of a godsend for someone who'd barely picked up a guitar in his life, and was too intimidated by Johnny Marr's genius to even try playing along with Smiths records.

But if you have an acoustic guitar, does it mean that you are a protest singer?!

In a way it does! Because there's less going on musically, you've got to give people something to listen to, so you have to make more effort with your lyrics. I'm wary of the whole messianic Bono 'I have a message, I've come to save you' thing, but I do have a lot of opinions about all kinds of things, so it's only natural that some of them should find their way into the music.

Soooo, Best British Band Supported by Shockwaves, your new song about the NME awards....was there a particular trigger that you led you to write it, or had it been building up inside you for a while?

I hadn't really thought about writing a song on that subject, but when I came across that web page with all the NME award nominations in all the different categories, and every category had its own corporate sponsor, something just exploded in me. It's so, so sad, when you think about the amazing music writers who've come through the NME down the years, to see what that publication has come to today. Of course Conor McNicholas might say, well, if the NME hadn't taken this direction, we'd have gone the same way as Melody Maker and all the others, and just folded. But the NME just ending would have been better for music than it carrying on in this perverted form.

Do you think indiepop is reclaiming proper use of the DIY culture from those bands who claim MySpace catapulted them to stardom, when they're clearly just Keith Allen's daughter, for example?

Ah, Myspace. Didn't it turn out that the Arctic Monkeys had been carefully plugged all the way along? Indiepop has always been the direct descendant of punk in terms of the DIY thing. It kills me when you hear these eejits accuse indiepop of being 'middle class' because it's the most democratic and non-elitist genre of pop music there is. There's barely any boundary at all between musicians and non-musicians. Indiepop fans can start a band and then learn how to play, and even then, as long as they're doing it for the right reasons, they can get by with three chords - at least as much as any green mohican wearer of 30 years ago.

I guess you still won't be needing that MySpace account then! Do you have a favourite out of your own songs? And also, we hear news of a Lost Music single – gossip please!

I think my favourite me song is 'Tonight It's True'. I just really like the words. I look at them and it's as if they were written for me by somebody better - "did I really do that?" I don't play it live as often as I should because it's quite hard - it's finger-picky, and my hands sometimes shake too much on stage to be able to do finger-picky. Similarly, I like 'Let it go by' a lot. But I've forgotten how to play it well live. It's like it's too easy or something. But that's another song that says a lot about what I think and the way I try to approach life. Each moment in isolation from the past and the future. In terms of the single, Trev asked me to do a single for Lost Music after I played the Betsey Trotwood the other week on the Atomic Beat roadshow. What a night! It feels important that he actually approached me rather than the other way round. This is always quite a big deal to me. I like to just wait for the right thing to happen rather than run about like a blue-arsed fly trying to chase stuff - not just in music but in everything. So yeah, I'm delighted to be doing a record for Lost. But I don't know which songs will be on it yet. I think I'm waiting until I wake up with the right answer! With any luck it'll be this side of 2014.

The Indietracks festival – last year you played two sets. Are you playing this year at all?

No, I won't be playing this time, but there's talk of impromptu acoustic gubbins alongside the scheduled bands so we’ll have to see. This year I'll just be glad to enjoy all the ace bands who are playing without having to worry about whether I left my guitar underneath a reconditioned 1962 diesel when I was drunk.

Your single was played on the Radio 1 Rob Da Bank show recently – did this fulfil an ambition of yours? Do you even have any particular ambitions in regard to your music?

Yes, I always had a big ambition to send Radio 1 engineers running round in panic as the meters run into the red and the sound distorts like hell! It was a nice thing though, actually, and dead unexpected. My mum's really proud. But you won't be surprised to learn that I grew out of ambition long ago. I went to see a friend’s band last week and they were supporting some dreadful industry group who clearly had, you know, “ambition”. We were talking as we watched them, about ambition and the Industry and all of that. And I said to him: "I'll never make any money out of music. You'll never make any money out of music. And this lot will never make any money out of music. But the difference is, me and you will keep our dignity. And more importantly than that, we'll have a lot more fun."

Ha! Any quick, final message for Indie MP3 readers Pete? I know you have a daily haiku blog, so maybe a haiku for the site?

I have no message. I hate messages. I just have songs! But here's a haiku for you:

Questions and answers
pass across the worldwide web:
nothing's decided

Thank you Pete!

Slumberland Records will release Sarandon's provocatively titled (particularly given the label's reputation!) "Kill Twee Pop!" on April 22, 2008.

The label say that the record is ostentatious, witty, and spastic, packed with wit and ideas while still remaining as catchy (catchier, actually) as much of the twee pop it means to destroy. They've also made a fab MP3 available to download:

Sarandon - "Mike's Dollar"

A full review of the LP will follow in due course and if the sneak preview I have heard is anything to go on this is set to be one of the LPs of the year.

I have been listening to Sunny Day Sets Fire a lot over the past couple of days on their My Space page. And I will be sure to buy some of their stuff as soon as pay day comes around. I digress - to quote from the bands page - "Sunny Day Sets Fire have five members, hailing from four countries with three singles under their belt in the past two years". So a pretty diverse bunch, it seems.

The songs I have been streaming have a strong sense of 'pop' about them. They fall somewhere between a sunshine 60s sound and 80s pop (think XTC) - the closest modern band I can hear is The Superimposers - but Sunny Day Sets Fire seem a little free-er with their pop sounds. Either way this is a rather wonderful sound and they're a band I want to hear much more from. I guess I'll just have to wait until pay day.

And here is a video for their earlier single 'Wilderness'

A few weeks ago I raved about this great three piece and I duly bought the LP. It's now arrived and has become something of an instant favourite around these parts. Hotpants Romance are simply wonderful. The twelve songs that make up 'It's A Heatwave' clock in at just over 17 minutes it doesn't out stay it's welcome. Choruses crash in and out before you have a chance to draw breath. The essence of punk and indiepop collide to make this a great little LP. And that essence is fun, catchy songs and a wee dash of shouting. I really can't think of anything better.

Title song 'Heatwave' is thankfully not a cover of the Northern Soul original - this is more about suntan lotions and three girls losing their heads in the heat - clocking in at 55 seconds - it doesn't mess around and it still manages to get me all excited. Songs like 'Effin & Jeffin' and 'Shake' kick in with the old school rock'n'roll punk vibe.

It might be blowing a gale outside but with Hotpants Romance it's time for a Heatwave. Come get burnt.

Jenny Franzén who records as Strawberry Fair has released her new EP titled I Can't Do Anything. The title track is available as a free download from My Space and boy what a track. It's very 1960's girl group inspired and even sounds like Steptoe and Son for the first few bars. You can imagine her singing this in black and white live on Ready Steady Go! Another one for the indie pop dancefloor.

Strawberry Fair - I Can't Do Anything

Two other non EP tracks can be downloaded from Last FM.

You can buy the EP from here.

[My Space link]

This coming Thursday sees the first night of Lostmusic's new residency at The Gramaphone which is a great little venue on Commercial Street. It's just down the road from where the Spitz used to be and within easy walking distance of Liverpool Street or Brick Lane if you want to grab a pre or post pop show curry, London style!

When: 13th March (Thursday)
Where: The Gramaphone, 60 - 62 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London, E1 6LT
Cover: £5 in advance and £6 on the door
Time: 8pm

The Lodger (Leeds)

"a fierce talent for dropping smart words onto agile, sticky tunes" - Whisperin' and Hollerin'

The Argonauts (London)

"Shimmering indie pop gems with a rustic tangent" - TIME OUT

The Nightjars (Manchester)

"In the lineage of Aztec Camera, Blur or even Peter Bjorn and John, The Nightjars really are restless craftsmen of art-pop - an audible cut above" - NME

Guest DJ - Marianthi (Spiral Scratch/Atomic Beat Records)

Just a little reminder that tickets for the wonderful Indietracks festival are now on sale. The festival, held on July 26 and 27 at the Midland Railway in Ripley, Derbyshire, is being headlined by The Wedding Present and Darren Hayman. More than 30 bands have already been announced including The Kabeedies, The Just Joans, Kategoes, Milky Wimpshake and Strawberry Story. Tickets are available online, or by contacting the railway direct on 01773 747674, open 7 days per week from 9am until 5pm.

Over at Indie Mp3 we're already over-excited about the festival and have got our tents, cagoules, sunglasses and wellies at the ready! We can't recommend this festival highly enough -read the reviews and see the photographs from last year's festival to find out why....

Saturday
Sunday
The Weekend
Photographs