Discoverer 144: new indie findings

Here comes another trio of new proposals in our discoverer series. Take a listen, here's indiepop fuel for your upcoming summer!

Amber Arcades. Let me introduce you to Annelotte de Graaf, a Dutch legal aide on UN war crime tribunals (recently worked helping people to leave Syria) who also happens to be a great musician. She began writing songs around 2010 while temporarily living in Philadelphia. Her initial solo, bedroom folk approach, had one release in 2013 in the form of self-titled debut EP, after coming back to the Netherlands. But Annelote wanted to move from the singer-songwriter constraints, so she flew out to New York in 2015, teaming up with producer Ben Greenberg (Beach Fossils, The Men) and a studio backing band formed by members of Real Estate, Quilt and Kevin Morby. In the meantime, she released the 'Patiently' EP that October, a collection of stripped-down versions of the forthcoming debut album plus some lo-fi recordings. But finally, here's 'Fading Lines', debut LP out just now via Heavenly Records, a stunning and diverse indiepop album, full of jangly guitars, floating melodies, dreamy ambiences and ethereal vocals. An artist to admire & follow closely.

Blue Jeans. We move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, to meet Tim Sendra (guitars, vocals) and Heather Phares (bass, vocals), formerly known as Santa Monica Swim & Dive Club. curious moniker under which they released EP 'Mild Honey' in 2009 on Little Pocket Records, and a split single on Oddbox in 2011. The indiepop pedigree goes even back in time, as Tim was part of the great but really short-lived Veronica Lake in the early '90s. Not enough? Well, here's more, as the couple has just released debut album 'Song Are Easy' via our friends at Jigsaw Records with the help from David Serra on drums, Justin Dykehouse on synths, plus Fred Thomas from Saturday Looks Good to Me on production duties (and a little bit of everything). and the masterisation of legend Archie Moore of Black Tambourine and Velocity Girl. The result is summery pop with a twist and an edge, echoing glam, garage and a 60's rock vibe that makes this collection of songs instantly addictive. Looking for a soundtrack to your summer season? Listen to the Blue Jeans!

The Crystal Furs. And we end in Fort Worth, Texas, to meet this indiepop quartet formed just this 2016 by Amanda Camille (guitar, vocals), Kevin Ross (keys, vocals), Harley Dear (bass, vocals), and Tanner Brown (drums). Although we began to know about them and their lovely music in late 2015 as Pentacon Six, first incarnation with just Amanda and Kevin, Harley and Tanner joined in 2016 as the band prepared for live performances and the recording of its first full-length album. The ensemble became such a new beginning last month decided to rename themselves as The Crystal Furs, putting online (name your price at bandcamp) 'The Pentacon Sessions', debut EP where they have gathered three singles released as Pentacon Six. Three slices of blissful indiepop, heavily based on guitars and organ sound (a farfisa too), irrepressibly melodic and immediate. Looking forward to the album!

Spanish Indie 25: suggesting the best national acts

This section has been hibernating for too long. Not anymore. Many exciting national discoveries are ready to blow your mind. Here are the first three!

Hazte Lapón. Born in Madrid en 2009, the band leaded by Manuel González Molinier and Saray Botella (that expands to a quintet-sextet live) started rolling a year later with first gigs and the recording of self-released debut EP 'Las fatigas del querer'. Single 'Romance en la oficina' and the song 'Bucles' appears in 2011, showing the initial noise sound was evolving into a much poppier sound, with another single, 'El baile de la medusa' and second EP 'Gentil colapso (broma privada)' arriving in 2012 anticipating their first album. 'Bromas privadas en lugares públicos' surfaced in late 2013, out via Discos del rollo, making a cult band of the combo, but the best was yet to come, with the magnificent EP 'El traje del emperador' released by our friends Discos de Kirlian a year later and, finally, with sophomore LP 'No son tu marido' via our beloved label El Genio Equivocado. The best national record of 2015 by far, they deliver pluperfect indiepop (noise, traditional Spanish music, electropop, post-punk, jangle), very diverse and with, arguably, the best lyrics out here in Spain, a mix between intimate confession, sardonic humour and witty social comment. Think Luke Haines meeting Manos de Topo, Raymond Carver partying with The Magnetic Fields, or Talking Heads discovering El Niño Gusano... Thinking on changing your nationality (we all know Trump, Cameron, Rajoy, long etc. embarrasses you to death)? Welcome to Laponia, the land of pop!   

Los Bonsáis. Hailing from Asturias (Gijón and Llanes) Helena Toraño and Nel González joined forces, at first a very casual affair, on April of 2010, recording homemade demo 'La Mecedora', in just a matter of months that circulated among friends. A year later they doubled the bet with the demos EP ' Ultramar' and single 'Es Mejor/ Un instante', recorded with our friends Linda Guilala and impressing the wise people at Elefant Records who quickly signed them and released the proper debut EP 'Ultramarinos' in January 2012, collecting four of their best initial tunes and following in at the start of 2013 first LP 'Martin Pescador'. A delightful punk-pop reality, the lovely duo appeared in Family and Los Planetas' tribute records during 2014, warming-up for 2015, on which they came out wit sophomore album 'Nordeste' in February and '¡Fanzine! EP in November, on which they cover The Pastels, Black Tambourine, Television Personalities and The Vaselines. Echoing the aforementioned bands as well as Marine Girls, Talulah Gosh or Shop Assistants, Los Bonsáis are one of our best kept secrets... revealed. Instant, shaky, irresistible love.

Selvática. Manu y Paula (formerly of the band Indómitos) migrated from Galizia to Río de Janeiro, Brasil, in 2012, coming out with the idea of a new music project a couple of years later. They quickly recorded the demos of what was going to be their debut album, channelling the vibes and energy of their new home with their music indierock tastes. They returned to Spain on early 2015 to assemble a proper band (they are a cohesive quintet live) and record LP 'Un Mundo Extraño', out since November through Discos de Kirlian and Mama Vynila. A stunning collection of fuzzy indiepop tunes, with post-punk, garage rock, surf and psych-pop vibes melting with vital tribal rhythms. Welcome to their rocking jungle!

These Go to 11: interviewing Linda Guilala

Keeping the love for Galizian bands! Discovered this year, and loved them at Indietracks. So we are extremely happy to count with Linda Guilala answering our questionnaire. These Go to 11! 

Ivan Juniper, Linda Guilala 

Linda Guilala, pop in the middle
 of the storm

Hailing from Vigo and born from the ashes of Juniper Moon in 2005, Iván and Eva began their new project propelled by their love for electricity and old, bizarre Japanese sci-fi movies. A year after, the duo came out with their first self-produced demos, grabbing the attention of Spanish radios. In 2009 their debut album 'Bucles Infinitos' arrived on Elefant Records, followed in 2011 with 'Paranormal' EP. This year, and transformed into a trio, the group has released another EP, 'Xeristar', out since March. A tremendous example of noise, electric shocks, very few boundaries, shoegazing blasts, and a fond love for iconic bands like My Bloody Valentine, Black Tambourine, Pale Saints or The Jesus and Mary Chain. Storms and dreams shaped into fantastic songs. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
'In Utero' by Nirvana.

A-HA, couldn't be more 80s than them

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
Although I'm not sure 100%, I think it was Manta Ray in the 90's, at Cafe Edesa Theatre in Ponferrada. What I do remember is that it cost me 300 pesetas, a drink included. The last one is Musculo, the band that played with us in our last concert. Lately, we play a lot in Linda Guilala, so the concerts that we see are the bands playing with us.

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
My guilty pleasure is A-HA.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
This is very complicated, I value a lot my first "pressings" of The Vaselines. 

Antonio Galvañ,
love makes noise 

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
My favourite lyrics are the ones from the album of Family and Antonio Galvañ from Parade. Usually, I don't like much the typical love songs and that sort of stuff, I think they are pretty rubbish, drivel. Although I have to admit that I have some songs like these in my own repertoire.

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

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
That's indeed complicated to answer. I like a lot almost all The Stone Roses 7'', but you know, that's today and tomorrow could be another, completely different thing.

Cinemascope's sci-fi

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

'Forbidden Planet' is my all-time favourite film, and in a more experimental context, 'Pink Narcissus' from James Bidgoog.  

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
None, I never hear Linda Guilala nor any of my other groups, Because I suffer a lot hearing them, and I always find all sort of defects.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Sure it's serious for me, very serious. I'm indie, and I'm proud of it. I have no problem of saying it openly and confront whoever prostitutes the term. It's a way of doing things and a way of life. I try to get involved in as many "indie" things as possible: I schedule concerts, record and collaborate with groups and I always do it with the same spirit of independence and self-sufficiency. Above all it's about being faithful to the things I believe.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Well, I see myself doing exactly the same. Playing in some band, looking for second hand albums, strange films and B-movies, collecting Tin Toys and, above all, listening a lot of music and being happy about it.

Zillion thanks Linda Guilala!

Indietracks 2014 in brief, day 3

Final chapter of our Indietracks Festival's summary with the quick chronicle of Sunday 27th of July!

The Good

Splendid day: Saw nine complete gigs! I think we beat the Primavera Sound mark! And seven of them were excellent shows. Particularly happy with a couple of recent discoveries, The Hobbes Fanclub and The Wendy Darlings, who were terrific live. Give them a listen, you'll thank me!

With The Swapsies, Liverpool's finest!
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Friends playing: In which universe can the stars align and allow us to watch The Swapsies, Watoo Watoo and The Very Most in less than five hours? The answer is Indietracks. First, the Liverpool band just confirmed us that if they don't put a smile in your face while hearing/watching them, you are in big trouble. They are not only a group to love, delivering a charming set where new tunes were as exciting as their classics (they are classics, at least for me), but also a bunch of the nicest people. What a pleasure to meet them! Later on, Watoo Watoo overcame some sound issues at the church stage and built a fine Stereolabsque show, with a charming cover of Young Marble Giants included. And finally, "our Boise man", Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most, and his assembled international super-band, put a slowly in crescendo concert at the outdoor stage, with lovely Vinnie Ransome in shared vocal duties and Pablo Valcárcel nailing it from his drum kit. Thank you friends!

Watoo Watoo, French's delight
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Afternoon with The Very Most
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Sweet Baboo/The Just Joans: Just a matter of taste, but after two songs at the Sweet Baboo's gig we just got bored, so we moved to the indoor stage to see what was all the fuzz about The Just Joans. At an overcrowded and loudly singing venue of the night... didn't get it. For me, very flat and unremarkable.
Headliner downer (again): 'Awoo' was a great album, but since then I lost track of The Hidden Cameras... until Indietracks. Dark disco? Tribal pop? Not my cup of tea, and a pretty weird choice to put an end to the Festival, imo.
Two painful misses: Couldn't make it into the church to see The Yearning, and Cosines clashed with The Very Most. Was so eager to see both bands. Best, and painful example of what an amazing line-up was arranged on Sunday.

The Queen

Withered Hand, with Pam Berry
on his right. I'm converted
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Withered Hand: Was really looking forward to hear Dan Willson live, as I believe their latest album, 'New Gods' is among the best of the year to date. Expectations only got higher when realised Pam Berry from mythic Black Tambourine was on stage on backing vocals duties. Soon, quite early on the set, masterpieces 'Horseshoe' and 'Black Tambourine' appeared, summoning the spirit of Alex Chilton and giving me goosebumps. Then I thought the gig could only get worse. But I was wrong. Tremendously wrong. The MOMENT, my moment at Indietracks arrived with 'Religious Songs'. First time I heard it, but what an immense, breathtaking, infinite tune and performance. A blast. A revelation.

Discoverer 93: new indie findings

Sunday means new music proposals at Bloodbuzzed, and here's a trio as diverse as exciting!

Gold-Bears. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, they formed in 2010 when Jeremy Underwood recruited a few friends to play the tunes he'd stockpiled since his former band, Plastic Mastery, called it a day, they quickly released 7" 'Tally' on Magic Marker Records. Another 7", 'Something to Think About' on Cloudberry Records followed in 2011, anticipating their addictive debut LP 'Are You Falling In Love?' on Slumberland. Now, after a split vinyl with Bracelettes on Odd Box Records in 2012 and a somewhat relaxed 2013 working on the studio, they are back with second album 'Dalliance', out this June. Noisy jangly pop with illustrious indie collaborators as Emma Kupa of Standard Fare or Black Tambourine's Pam Berry, full of stomping tunes and a sense of abrasive urgency without losing the melodic talent and catchiness. Pop anthems on the way!
Colin Clary. Known as “The Charming Smitten”, Mr. Clary comes from Burlington, Vermont, and judging by the number of bands he has played / plays with, including The Smittens and Let's Whisper, his work as producer, label and fanzine runner, we could easily say he is the perfect definition of a musicaholic. As tracing his complete discography would deserve a post on its own, I'll focus on his latest solo release, 'Twee Blues Vol.1', just out now on the adorable WeePOP! Records. One of the three final releases before the label says goodbye to all of us, Clary's LP is another immaculate example of why we are going to miss WeePOP! so much. Playful, joyful, tuneful. Beautiful pop music.

Flyying Colours. This Melbourne combo formed in 2011 and they quickly received the attention of the Australian media and audiences thanks to their explosive live shows. Then the tune 'Wavygravy' arrived in early 2013, being quite a radio hit and anticipating their self-titled debut EP, that thanks to the co-release of Club AC30 in the UK and our dear friends at Shelflife Records we can already enjoy worldwide since this March. Propulsive shoegaze and a layered, knockout psych-rock style. Five mind-blowing tunes inviting you to take a colourful, exciting ride... can't wait for their debut album. 

Discoverer 89: new indie findings

It's been an non-desired hiatus, but here we are, back with a trio of great discoveries, enjoy!

The Understudies. Coming from London, the band formed in 2008, debuting with EP "Wanting vs Getting" in 2010 on Odd Box Records. The double-sided 7" single "Everyone Deserves at Least One Summer of Love" followed in 2011, and finally, since a couple of weeks ago, we can enjoy their debut album "Let Desire Guide Your Hand" released by Firestation Records. Classic heartwarming indiepop, utterly romantic, clearly reminiscent of The Beautiful South (boy-girl vocals passionately dealing with all our mundane miseries) and Morrissey, nicely invigorated & embellished by the arrangements of A Little Orchestra. Soul music, sweet British guitar pop full of soul. 

Withered Hand. Behind the enigmatic nickmane hides Dan Wilson, a Scottish musician based in Edinburgh, who played in several bands until he began a solo musical career at age 30, after one of his close friends died and he became father. That period of his life heavily determined his hugely praised debut "Good News" in 2009 (re-released in 2011 on Absolutely Kosher Records in the States). Now he's back with sophomore album "New Gods", out since February via Fortuna Pop (UK) & Slumberland Records (USA). Featuring stellar appearances from Pam Berry (Black Tambourine), Eugene Kelly (The Vaselines), members of Belle & Sebastian & Frightened Rabbit, the album is a mind-blowing example of a musician with a unique gift to pen perfect indiepop tunes. Unmissable.  
School. This Swedish quartet formed by quite famous musicians from different Gothenburg bands singing in English for the first time, just gathered last year, offering three wonderful singles to date: debut "So Long" in late 2013, followed by "Clouds Aside" and now "Head Over Here", all of which through Luxury. Timeless indiepop pieces, showing a style that fits comfortably in an addictive place between jangle and dream-pop, with the bursting vocals of Alice B completing the arresting, immediately catchy trio of extremely promising tunes. Eagerly awaiting for more! 

The Indie Anthology 38: essential songs

Journalists, critics or humble music writers tend to use words like "essential" or "seminal" quite often (probably too often). But our next "Anthology" song is an undeniably "essential" one, coming from a "seminal" band. A truly indiepop classic. Sometimes you need to get to the source to get some strength...

Song: Throw Aggi Off the Bridge
Artist: Black Tambourine
Year: 1992

Black Tambourine= noisy pop legend. Sweet pop vocals, instant killer melodies and behind a wall of noise. Mix the 90s shoegaze sounds with the humming classic pop of the 60s. Still there's a mystery on it, something genuine that escapes words. Oh, what a tune! I jumped on their bandwagon very late (I live in Spain, I'm sorry) looking for a version of Jesus & Mary Chain with a gentle, nicer voice until I found Pam Berry. But after a decade "Throw Aggi..." remains a timeless gem of a song for me. And a bit more than that. It's a song that, can't really say why, uplifts me, invigorates me, brings me renewed energy. A song that I keep going back anytime I need it.    

Playlisting: cover suggestions for The Very Most

Our dear friends from The Very Most were asking for song proposals to cover in their facebook on Tuesday. It took me a little while, 'cause I can imagine many tunes Jeremy and Co. could do wonders with, but here's a little playlist with my ideas. The band has already decided for a song from The Feelings (good choice as always) but anyway, is a good excuse for hearing great music!

1. Throw Aggi Off the Bride- Black Tambourine
2. Times Table- The Hi-Life Companion (wouldn't be great a cover between blog favourites?)
3. Suspended From Class- Camera Obscura
4. Me and the Farmer- The Housemartins
5. My Wandering Days Are Over- Belle and Sebastian
6. Catapult- R.E.M. (would die to hear TVM doing an early R.E.M. song, hard to choose one)
7. Ain't That Enough- Teenage Fanclub (or "Sparky's Dream", or "I Need Direction")
8. Black Cab- Jens Lekman
9. Let Mother Nature Be Your Guide- BMX Bandits
10. Sing Me Spanish Techno- The New Pornographers
11. If It's Not You- Language of Flowers
12. Some Kind of Angel- Mojave 3

Chickfactor's 20th Anniversary, an indie pop dream

Sorry folks, I know there are many bands reuniting this year to play live: The Stone Roses, Afghan Whigs, At the Drive-In, Refused... but the most amazing announcement has arrived today. The mythic indie magazine Chickfactor (online since 2002 and happily still alive and kicking) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a very special series of shows. INCREDIBLY SPECIAL!!

Five nights of music (three in NY, two in Washington DC, places where the magazine was born) in April including Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), A Girl Called Eddy, the great Frankie Rose, among other exciting names, plus The Aislers Set (wow), the band of Chickfactor co-founder Pam Berry, BLACK TAMBOURINE (first show since 1991), and THE SOFTIES!! (first since 2000). I know, capital letters are absolutely in order! 

I would kill to watch both bands live, specially The Softies, live. More shows are in the works. Please, please, please, Primavera Sound Festival bring them to Barcelona!