The Indie Anthology 77: essential songs

For the next chapter of our revamped Anthology we haven't moved very long. From Dunedin to Adelaide (I have the feeling I could made all music Blog sections with music from the Antipodes), to introduce you to one of the greatest pop songwriters of Australia (which, in my book, means being one of the world's best), never praised enough and, sadly not known enough outside his country. Let's go South!

Song: Before Too Long
Artist: Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls
Year: 1986

My beloved Neil Finn is, of course, the one who "blame". I got so obsessed with his music (solo, Crowded House, with his brother Tim, with Splitz Enz that makes me remember he might have another well-deserved spot in this section) that it was "mandatory" for me to seek for likewise artists/bands. It wouldn't take too long (sorry about that) for Paul's tunes to conquer me... I mean, how many songs as instantly addictive as 'Before Too Long' or 'Leaps and Bounds' (choruses, choruses, choruses!) can you resist before converting yourself into a devoted fan. The surprise (same as what happened with Crowded House, and sadly very similar with all the stunning music coming from the Antipodes) was discovering Kelly was pretty huge in Australia while he was mostly unknown here. So there was plenty to hunt back and got in love with. 'Careless', 'Dumb Things', 'To Her Door', 'Deeper Water'. Besides, Paul is also a great storyteller (please listen to 'Bradman'!)... for God's sake, he even wrote a tune, 'Everything's Turning Into White', and named an entire album, 'So Much Water Close to Home', based on Raymond Carver stories, beat that! I could go on for days as, like Neil, Paul Kelly is simply one of pop finest craftsmen. So when the two gathered in 2012-2013 for that 'Goin' Your Way' tour/album together it was a true feast... and a natural "match", made in music heavens (and I'll blame myself forever for not living there, what a magic bunch of concerts must had been). A maestro "found" thanks to another maestro.

The Indie Anthology 76: essential songs

Been meaning to update the Anthology section for such a long time.. it's been ages! But finally, here we are, ready for the next chapter that, surprise surprise, bring us back (always good to be back) to my beloved Antipodes, specifically to the city of indiepop, Dunedin, in order to meet one of those Flying Nun bands that were (at least here) placed criminally "under the radar", despite their graceful and ethereal tunes. So, no time to waste, let's return to the magic island...

Song: As Does the Sun
Artist: Look Blue Go Purple
Year: 1985
Once started, I couldn't help but keep the "hunting" among the music treasures awaiting me from the Antipodes. Can't remember exactly where or how (I'm pretty sure some lost text within the Internet) that was defining Look Blue Go Purple (LBGP) as the 'female Bats'. Of course, had to check them immediately. And yes, I did understand the comparison. But no, they deserved attention on their own, not because gender issues or a similitude to amazing bands. 'Bewitched', there has never been an EP name more appropriate to reflect its content. There's something chilling, mysterious (can I say otherworldly?) yet instantly melodic and catchy in the quintet's indiepop approach (hints of baroque pop as well as folk), a pretty short career with so many stunning pieces (at least, check their 'Compilation' album folks, you won't regret it). It's been a very close fight between 'As Does the Sun' versus 'Circumspect Penelope', with 'I Don't Want You Anyway' and 'Cactus Cat' ranking closely behind, but Norma O'Malley's flute makes the difference here, adding a sylphlike, intangible quality to a tune that flourishes thanks to their trademark Byrdesque guitar lines and the captivating echo that propels the vocal harmonies. I always think LBGP tunes would fit majestically in an adventure movie or book, when the hidden treasure is discovered, revealing itself as something antique and for sure, unique, but what's even more important, everlasting... like their music.

Spanish Indie 31: suggesting the best national acts

Jangle-pop, jangle-pop, jangle-pop all over! Our national discoveries section returns to action with three wonderful bands who have mastered the art of delivering eternal guitar-driven pop gems. You're going to love them!

Juvenilia. Can't believe I didn't write about one of my biggest crushes of past year... but better late than ever! A quintet formed in Madrid around 2014 by members of bands like Disciplina Atlántico, Image Makers and Juanita y los Feos, who started to make (jangly, celestial) noise to our ears in June of 2015 with debut 7" single 'Solaris/ Fiesta Secreta', out via High Five Discos. But the breakthrough release came in September of 2016 with first, self-titled LP, published by our dear Pretty Olivia Records. Bringing my beloved Antipodes to Spain (beat that band name!), here you'll find ten glistening, shimmering, sparkling indiepop gems, full of haunting melodies, chiming guitar lines and hummable choruses. A real pop treasure.

Dois. Going north to meet this trio from Vigo (Galizia is a neverending music goldmine, must be the water), who surfaced in 2014 with first demos and a self-titled EP that came out that December. After touring the country polishing their sound, they headed to the studio during early 2016 in order to create their debut album, 'Está bien', out since this January thanks a co-release by Orphan Recs and our friends Discos de Kirlian. Refreshing lo-fi jangle-pop with a quirky, slightly psychedelic and volatile personality. Endurable melodies and inviting surprises for one of the most exciting records of this beginning of 2017. Keep an eye on Dois.

Río Arga. And we end in Pamplona with this quartet composed by members of local bands like Exnovios, Almanaque Zaragozano, Los Jambos, Panty Pantera. Not much info available aside of that from them, so let's their only release to date, a self-titled EP available at 'pay-what-you-want' at their bandcamp since past October do all the talking. Dreamy, emotional, evocative, hazy, intimate, gentle, melancholic, jangly and uniquely uplifting indiepop. Six tunes that find you with your guard low, grabbing you by surprise, to embrace and never let you go.  "The river to the ocean goes / A fortune for the undertow..." Can't wait for their next release...