It's been a little while (not much time for updates), but our discoverer seriesis back with an incredible trio of guitar-driven pop bands!No fillers, just killers!
Real Numbers. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, this now quartet, started to show around 2008 as a trio, releasing several singles, an EP, two 12" via Three Dimensional Records, and some appearances on cassettes from Forged Artifacts and No Problem (best way to check their exciting earlier stuff is to search for the 'What Was & What Is' compilation album) until 2015. But now the band lead by Eli Hansen returns with their first proper full length 'Wordless Wonder', out now through the infallible Slumberland Records. And what a release this is!Instantly addictive, channeling the spirit of C86, summoning Television Personalities as well as garage-pop from 50-60s, but with a fuller sound where guitars are chiming all over. Not even 25 minutes of pure, upbeat, straightforward indie-punk-pop joy. A killer!
Young Scum. We move to Richmond, VA, to meet Chris Smith and his bedroom pop project that, luckily, evolved into a proper and irresistible indiepop band with the help of local musicians Taylor Haag, Ben Medcalf, and Brian Dove. Since 2014 they have released the EP 'Autumn August' and two split EPs with bands Shrunk and Reporters, the latest released by our friends at Dufflecoat. And since July of 2016 we can enjoy 'Zona', a five-song EP that, let me get this straight, contains some of the best indiepop tunes of the year. Out on tape via Citrus City Records and our beloved Pretty Olivia Records on vinyl through their amazing 12" Club, this is summery, melancholic, bouncy and dreamy jangle-pop, filled with a tone of hooks and honey-drenched vocals (thanks to Ali Mislowsky's backing vocals). Look for Young Scum among the best EPs (very high) on the end-of-year-lists of this humble Blog.
Hoops. And we end in Bloomington, Indiana, with another solo project, the one lead by frontman Drew Auscherman, that developed into a full quartet in 2014, although their first tunes didn't surface until recently, with Tapes #1-3 coming out at their bandcamp from late 2015 to early summer of 2016. Now they have their first official release in the form of self-titled EP out since late August via the mighty Fat Possum Records. anticipating a debut album currently in the works. It's a great taster of what's to be expected with such a promising band. Recalling the moodier moments of DIIV and ambiences of Wild Nothing while adding a notch of "that English melancholy", Hoops' guitars seem to be drowning on deep waters, yet at the same time the sun seems able to light up, elegantly and quietly, any room. A band to get excited with...
And here's another strong trio of discoveries for your listening pleasure!
Milky Wimpshake. If my memory serves me well, this is the most veteran band featured at the Discoveries section of the Blog, but better late than never! Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Milky Wimpshake formed in 1993, being Pete Dale's main music vehicle and an intrinsec part of the Slampt Underground Organisation, more than a label, and arts & activism scene and centre. Since 1994, when 'Songs Of Zoom And Buzz' their first release appeared to 'Encore, un effort!', out since this Spring via Fortuna POP! seven albums and six EPs/7" have forged a solid career as twee punkers, indiepop punchers, making jangle-pop bite and protest, and punk sing about love. C86, Comet Gain and Billy Bragg in tunes full of melody and meaning. In 'Encore, un effort!', Dale duets by Sophie Evans (gorgeous voice) from Life Model in more than half the record, adding a special vibe to a record that goes straight to your head & mouth. Another pop is (still) possible!
Life Model. From Newcastle to Glasgow to meet this quintet formed in 2012. They debuted with a self-titled EP in early 2013 which was praised by NME or BBC Radio. The single 'Come Round', also on tape, arrived in January 2014 and, since February 2015 we can enjoy their latest single to date, 'Lilt', out on Strong Island Records. Eight tunes of efervescent shoegaze and dreampop crowned by the melancholic and hypnotic vocals of Sophie Evans (yes, same Ms. Evans from Milky Wimpshake). There's energy and mystery here, the kind of soundtrack NASA's New Horizons spacecraft should be listening while capturing Pluto.
The Muscadettes. Change of continent to meet twin sisters Chantal and Kathleen Ambridge, hailing originally from Silicon Valley, CA, but raised in Montreal. After a night out they recruited Joe Gagné (Les Breastfeeders) on lead guitar, followed by Thomas Augustin (Malajube) on keys. As a full band, they released a self-titled EP in late 2012, making some exciting buzz on local media and setting them to tour around Canada. Now, since April we can enjoy 'Side A' EP, five delicious tunes of 60s surf-pop, a lot of beachy vibes & a garage-punk attitude that's hard to resist. Sugar and spice, the knack for melody and vocal harmonies with the crunchy energy of grungy guitars. Right in time for your summer!
Real Numbers. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, this now quartet, started to show around 2008 as a trio, releasing several singles, an EP, two 12" via Three Dimensional Records, and some appearances on cassettes from Forged Artifacts and No Problem (best way to check their exciting earlier stuff is to search for the 'What Was & What Is' compilation album) until 2015. But now the band lead by Eli Hansen returns with their first proper full length 'Wordless Wonder', out now through the infallible Slumberland Records. And what a release this is! Instantly addictive, channeling the spirit of C86, summoning Television Personalities as well as garage-pop from 50-60s, but with a fuller sound where guitars are chiming all over. Not even 25 minutes of pure, upbeat, straightforward indie-punk-pop joy. A killer! 
Hoops. And we end in Bloomington, Indiana, with another solo project, the one lead by frontman Drew Auscherman, that developed into a full quartet in 2014, although their first tunes didn't surface until recently, with Tapes #1-3 coming out at their bandcamp from late 2015 to early summer of 2016. Now they have their first official release in the form of self-titled EP out since late August via the mighty Fat Possum Records. anticipating a debut album currently in the works. It's a great taster of what's to be expected with such a promising band. Recalling the moodier moments of DIIV and ambiences of Wild Nothing while adding a notch of "that English melancholy", Hoops' guitars seem to be drowning on deep waters, yet at the same time the sun seems able to light up, elegantly and quietly, any room. A band to get excited with...
