REMember Every Moment: the rarities playlist

Five years without these guys...

Back we're be belong. At Walter's Bar-B-Que, Athens, Ga. Photo: Laura Levine

Of course, I had to do something at the Blog, so the idea of a R.E.M.'s playlist seemed the easiest option (If I write about the band I would so emotional and most probably, couldn't finish). It will come shortly sure, but I decided to go for a different option as well. Offering you another kind of "best-of", with my favourite "rarities", plus a few Michael Stipe's collaborations (it's amazing how he can transform a pop song into something irresistibly haunting with so little (check his contribution to Patti Smith and Maria Taylor's tunes). Yes, I included the group cover of the silly yet lovely 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' and the even dumber 'Love Is All Around' because I just love Michael's yodelling and his "paa-parapapa" at the end.

I guess it's just a different way to go back and remember the times spent hunting for that hard-to-find single or that unofficial recording at the record shops of carrer Tallers (I swear there were music shops back then). Or waiting impatiently for the Fan Club Single to arrive each year. Or just getting frustrated in front of the computer for that never-ending shitty download (I'm talking about the pre-Internet and early web days, folks) of that live cover to be completed. So I guess this is not exactly a playlist about music "greatness" (although 'Photograph', 'Happiness' or their version of 'Wall of Death' are personal favourites). It's more an excuse to indulge myself into so many R.E.M. memories, which so frequently tend to be best-music-related memories... As Michael Stipe said, R.E.M. means Remember Every Moment. For so many people, luckily...

And here's the aforementioned 'Happiness', as it's not available on Spotify.

Discoverer 148: new indie findings

Last Sunday of July, we have time for another round of new proposals in our discoverer series before holiday's break! We go quite psychedelic & ethereal today, get ready for the trip!

Zen Mantra. We begin in Christchurch, NZ, to introduce you to the music of Sam Perry's solo project, that he began around 2012, when he was just 17 years old. Perry, who is also member of pop band Yumi Zouma debuted in January 2013 with album 'How Many Padmes Hum', and now has a self-titled follow-up, created and recorded mostly by himself around the world whilst on tour, out since this April via mighty Flying Nun Records. A record that sees Perry going deep into that psychedelic pop territory that no one does as New Zealanders groups but widening the sonic palette to add all forms of pop music: from shoegaze bursts to reverb attacks, from atmospheric landscapes and occasional darker tones to blissful, immediate tunes full of hooks. Oh! The "warped" pop from down under is here again to haunt you...

Eerie Wanda. And let's move to Amsterdam, The Netherlands (first time?) to meet this indie pop quartet led by Croatian/Dutch singer-songwriter Marina Tadic. While she was the guitarist of local band Earth Mk. II after graduating from art school she decided to embark herself in writing her own material, citing Beat Happening,You Marble Giants and Daniel Johnston as influences. Early circulating demos reached Jacco Gardner’s bassist Jasper Verhulst, who agreed to help her assemble a band and produce its music. Bram Vervaet on lead guitar and Nic Niggebrugge (also in Jacco Gardner) on drums joined the then duo and, in 2015, they began rehearsing and recording debut LP, 'Hum', out since this February via Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records. And what a record this is! Summery, evocative, gentle, extremely melodic, subtle yet elaborate, with Tadic's vocals recalling you the quiet powers of Angel Olsen doing joyful indiepop with hints of psych-folk. Look for Wanda at the best records of the year list! 

Manon Meurt. Very happy to feature a band from the Czech Republic at the Blog (sure it's the first time!). Hailing from Rakovnik, just outside of Prague, this quartet formed in 2010 but until 2013 they were known as Katie & The Accessories. With the adoption of their current, literary name, also came a solid status of "band to follow", playing alongside consecrated bands like The Raveonettes or the legendary My Bloody Valentine. In the fall of 2014 they self-released debut 12" mini-album, self-titled, which sold out shortly, becoming almost a collectors item. Now upstart Canadian imprint Label Obscura has reissued the vinyl this April. An unmissable chance to discover the highly melodic yet moody, sparse and dreamy sounds of the combo, clearly recalling Lush and Slowdive, combining with their full throttle shoegaze moments. Best of both worlds.

Discoverer 129: new indie findings

Final weeks of the year and one of the latest chapters of our discoverer series for this 2015 (we have to lock ourselves to prepare the best-of lists). But this trio had to be listened!

Detective Agency. Hailing from Seattle, WA, the band origins dates back to 2011 and, after some line-up changes, they are currently a quartet: Holmes, Marlowe, Poirot and Spade (just kidding). Three EPs, self-released and available only at their bandcamp digitally, plus some tunes (mostly covers) were their only releases... until our dear and wise friend Oscar Fernandez at Discos de Kirlian reached the band, asking them to compile part of the previous material (seven tunes) plus six new compositions recorded during past summer, to conform 'Now!' a proper debut album, out since November thanks to the Catalonian label. Bright, bouncy, joyful indiepop, full of garage & jangly guitars and vocal harmonies from vocalists Amy and Nate, summoning the spirits of Beat Happening & The Shop Assistants to make you dance and smile. The private investigators of indiepop, ready to solve any music problem you have!

Antlered Aunt Lord. Second trip of the week to most beloved Athens, Georgia, to meet Jesse Stinnard, Tunabunny's eccentric drummer, phantom screamer, compulsive reader and unique musician (the press note says his solo shows are truly legendary). Now this mad genius has decided to put some order into his several-hundred song backlog to release his debut album, 'Ostensibly Formerly Stunted (And On Fire)' out since late November through Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. It's a carnival of sorts, They Might Be Giants, early R.E.M., Pixies... I know, I know. I'm reciting some of the quintessential American alternative bands. But Stinnart seems to be the missing link between them. Fun, risky yet powerfully melodic. What an exciting chaos. Many thanks, again, Mike!

Youthmemory.  And we end in Tokyo, Japan, to meet this, of course, very young quartet, formed in February,2014 thanks to SoundCloud, the virtual vehicle through with Yuta Ozaki shared his music and met the rest of what would became the band. In February 2015 they debuted with 'Dreamin EP' out via Fastcut Records and, since July, we can also enjoy the 'Raspberry/1980's'  digital single. Six stunning tunes sung in Japanese where dreampop and shoegaze collides, offering instantly catchy melodies, the trademark melancholic vibes and distant, hazy vocals that the genre has, but also a sparkling and more intriguing use of jangling and heavily fuelled guitar riffs. Refreshing and ultra promising combo. Check them out!

These Go to 11: interviewing The Fireworks

Sometimes songs become etched in your mind for long, demanding you to sing them again & again. That's the case with The Fireworks music since we discovered them two years ago. So imagine how delighted are we to have Mattew Rimell and their eloquent answers on our second interview of 2015. These Go to 11! 

The Fireworks, indiepop pyromaniacs

Matthew Rimell, The Fireworks 
Formed in 2011, when friends finally convinced Matthew Rimell to transform the songs he was singing them over the phone into a proper band, the London-Brighton quartet, composed by Rimell, Emma Hall (Pocketbooks), Isabel Albiol (Things in Herds) and Shaun Charman (The Popguns, The Wedding Present, wow!) stole our hearts and ears with their self-titled debut EP in March 2013 via (of course) Shelflife. That first release was followed by the 7'' 'Runaround' that same year, while 2014 saw them involved in collaborations like 'Nobody's Business' and the recording of their highly anticipated first album, 'Switch Me On', finally out this month. Relentless noise-pop, instant catchy melodies and vocal harmonies infused on feedback... A flawless LP where distorsion and reverb meets melodic pop, full of hooks and punch-perfect tunes. Here we go!

Sounds like a load of hick wap, over over!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
First record bought for me by my Nan was 'My Boy Lollipop' by Millie Small when I was about four. First record I made my mum & dad buy me was 'Knock on Wood' by Amii Stewart, and first record I bought myself was The Fall's 'The Man Whose Head Expanded'.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

First gig I went was The Fall at Trinity Hall, Bristol 1983 and last gig was our own gig at Rough Trade, launching the album (can I say that?). Before that was The JMC gig doing 'Psychocandy' late last year.

Generating endless songs & flares since mid 60s

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
It took me ages to explore progressive rock. A friend literally made me listen, almost as a sort of challenge. I really like Van Der Graff Generator. They’re not the easiest band to listen to, but when you get into it, they are unbelievably clever, musically & lyrically. When I saw them live (a few times, when they reformed) you could feel the love/fondness they have for each other, really magical. Mind you, there’s prog I just can’t tolerate. Maybe, I’ll give it a go when I’m a pensioner. No way! There’s prog & there’s prog, in the same way as anything else.

To die for a Primal Scream 7''

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Well, if I didn’t have certain 7” singles I would probably lose it. I remember bringing home a hand full of Creation 7” and being completely knocked out by Primal Scream’s 'All Fall Down/It Happens'. If anything happened to that single, they might have to come and take me away. Yes, I wouldn’t be right. I feel the same way about Razorcuts' 'Sorry To Embarrase You' 12”, four tracks that completely stir and move the soul. Life isn’t the same after those songs.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
The first lyrics to truly move me and make me realise stuff, was getting into Joy Division, when I was 13. They were the first band I truly got into. I can’t listen to 'New Dawn Fades' by them too much, probably once every few years… Otherwise I’d be an emotional wreck. But yes, 'New Dawn Fades' makes me cry, almost instantly. It’s also Ian’s voice there is something otherness and fragile about it.

Lawrence, the enigmatic king of Belgravia

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Never meet your heroes, really and truly don’t. Although, I interviewed Lawrence from Felt a couple of years ago because we (Big Pink Cake) were putting on his film and he was really sweet. He was highly entertaining and just lovely to meet. I’m afraid though nerves might get the better of me in these situations… I’d much rather send a clone of myself to do it and then report back. I think that people you admire it’s the mystery and what it conjures up in your head, why burst the bubble?

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Too many to mention. Joy Division – 'Unknown Pleasures'. Beat Happening – 'Black Candy'. Siouxsie and the Banshees – 'The Scream'. The Jesus and Mary Chain – 'Psychocandy'. It really has to present something about the music, the band. Something that’s true to the bone, or why bother really? I think the look is incredibly important, especially for people who function in a more visual way and like to explore everything in time to the music and are able to lose them self.

The one & only Count Dracula

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

I love black and white stuff, film that done to maximize on expression is just so great. 'Citizen Kane', 'Mildred Pierce', 'Psycho', 'Metropolis', anything with Bela Lugosi in it. A rainy Saturday or Sunday, is there anything better than curling up to a good film? Books, stark stuff like George Orwells – 'Nineteen Eighty Four', 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K Dick, 'War of the Worlds' by H. G. Wells.

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
I have a problem with the concept of ‘pride’ I don’t get it. Pride seems a bit bloated to me… So I can think of songs that I like… I like ‘Let You Know’ from our new album, 'Switch Me On'… I think the words, sentiment, and feeling, reminds me of something honest and true, to a specific time, which I think is really important. If it doesn't involve honesty, there is no point, in my opinion.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Indie has become to mean something… But it used to mean just independent and that is exactly what it is… Standing on your own ground and creating it yourself. Indie has become a much over used label over the past twenty or more years. Being independent means doing things yourself, being involved in something that you have created and, more importantly, financed yourself… But then there are companies that are independent too, helping independent minded people further there idea. I would love to see a world where people were more independently minded, in everything that they do really. Working small scale is more personal and more relative. Billy Childish recently said ‘name me one thing that’s got bigger and better?’ Schumacher’s book ‘Small is beautiful’ has been massively influential in calling for more localised independent ways of working. Independent stuff gives me hope and in a world that seems increasingly more corporate. It’s massively important that the independent sector exists.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Wow! Who knows? Living it happily I hope. I hope I’m still doing something music related. Or semi retired, working part time, downsizing on the four letter word ‘work’ and living maybe by the sea or The West Country... And the further west you go the better it gets – in terms of scenery. Crossing things off the list, especially counties I’d like to visit and places I’d like to see.

Zillion thanks Matthew, thanks The Fireworks!

These Go to 11: interviewing Me and the Bees

Next band answering our questionnaire is... Me and the Bees! You know when a band is more than just their tunes, more than how they sing & play their instruments, more than how they hide & show their influences, more than what they say in the lyrics, more than the sum of their members... When a group, just HAS it. That something, that special, genuine, something that makes you go back to their tunes. Once and again... Does it makes sense? Love them. These Go to 11!

Me and the Bees

The Bees conquering SXSW

A band named after a The Softies' song surely was going to catch my attention. Friends Esther Margarit and Eli Molina began this story by middle 2000s around their personal adventures and day-to-day life. The amateurish, unpretentious affair kept evolving until 2008, when two videos uploaded on MySpace got the attention of Hans Krüger (Montreal Studios), immediately asking them to record some tunes. Next turn of events came that same year when Artur Estrada (Nueva Vulcano, Aina) convinced them to play at a show at Sant Adrià. Demos were recorded, and the increasing gigs demanded a more stable line-up, so Verónica Alonso and Carlos Leoz (Half Foot Outside) completed the band. The quartet signed with La Castanya in 2009 and, in a meteoric jump, only a year after arrived debut LP "Fuerza Bien", with gigs, critic praise and single "Cleopatra" following. Think on K and Sarah Records, Guided by Voices, Pavement, vital, carefree, golden lo-fi indiepop. Although Eli left the band to focus on her also exciting project Fighter Pillow, the now trio of Bees are back in this 2014 with sophomore album "Mundo Fatal" scheduled for this May. Needless to say, dying to hear it. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Carlos Leoz: "Master of Puppets", Metallica.
Esther Margarit: Honestly, I'm incapable of remembering the first record I bought, but for sure one of the first was the Vértigo compilation, the original.
Verónica Alonso: Michael Jackson's "Dangerous". I had to order it by catalogue. No record shops in my hometown...

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

C: First concert...don’t remember, probably Jugos Lixiaviados. Last concert was Red Kross.
E: Jajaja! Can't remember first concert either, but I do remember the 98' Dr. Music Festival where I got blown out with Beastie Boys, Pulp, Bod Dylan... among many others. Last one was just a couple of days ago, Furguson and Traams at Sidecar.

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

V: First one was...Celtas Cortos, and last one has been, thank god!, Dead Meadow

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
C: Army of Lovers “We Stand United”
E: Wouldn't know where to begin...
V: Linkin´ Park....I am sorry

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

C: Spectrum's ”Soul Kiss (Glide Divine)”, transparent gateofold edition with green liquid.
E: Have a special fondness for a Triffids singles compilation (early singles) that was a gift a friend gave me years ago.
V: My L supraphonic snare drum!

Las Ruinas, heavy-pop & killer lyrics

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

C: Las Ruinas lyrics.
E: I'm more of devastating verses, but if I had to choose one of my favourite bands because of their lyrics i would be Las Ruinas without a doubt.
V: “Going Blind” but if Melvins are performing it much better

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)

C: Thurston Moore.
E: Jad Fair, Kim deal, Robert Pollard, Kim Gordon, Calvin Johnson, Georgia Hubley, Beyonce, etc..
V: Neil Young, Steve Albini and PJ Harvey

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)

C: Arthur Lyman “Yellow Bird” album.
E: I'll tell you just the one that comes to my mind right now: "Beat Happening", from Beat Happening.
V: The Make-up, "In Mass Mind".

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)

C: Movie: Marco Ferreri’s “La Grande Bouffe”
E: Fanzine: "Chilena Comando".
V: Both! Last book I read was John Waters, "Role Models!", and film...maybe the one I am never tired of "The Great Gatsby" (but the old one!!! no remakes could be better )

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of

C: "Fun in summertime (the Watterparties)"
E: "Spiderman (Silly Walk)"
V: Maybe..."Love and Fun", new one in the new record

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)

C: Indie=not mainstream music.
E: The one that wants to be a cowboy but prefers dancing (literally "El que quiere ser cowboy pero prefiere bailar", the blogger is completely speechless after this answer).
V: It means an independent way of expression in all types of art.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

C: No need to know...
E: I'll have a puppy.
V: I will be 43 so I guess doing the same but having ten years more of experience : )

Zillion thanks Bees!