The Indie Anthology 50: essential songs

Back blogging with a great tune for our Indie Anthology. If the last one was about Lambchop, this time I to pay tribute to a very close band to them, one I've been reading about for Indienauta recently. A seminal but always underrated trio!

Song: Tom Courtenay
Artist: Yo La Tengo
Year: 1995

Never been a Yo La Tengo fan, one of the most perfect examples of a "band of songs", not albums, for me. But hey, when the amount of tunes reaches what it could make a lovely and diverse double/triple record, that's not exactly what you would call a bad thing, right? 'Tom Courtenay' might be one of their most straightforward, catchier songs, and the first that made "click" with me. Love the contrast between its sound exuberance, an unbeatable piece of indie rock without reservations (who can't deny the attraction power of the simple “ba-ba-ba” backing vocals), with the nostalgic lyrics of Ira Kaplan, full of childhood pop culture memories. Honestly, they are ages away from mine, but you can't help, just fall disarmed by the joy the tune transmits.

The Indie Anthology 49: essential songs

And quickly following the latest one, another tune for our Indie Anthology. This time thanks to my bosses at Indienauta and a recent music read, who made me think, then go back listening, them. Welcome back my dear Nashville underdogs!

Song: Up With People
Artist: Lambchop
Year: 2000

"Countrypolitan" was the extreme weird definition some critics coined for Lambchop's music when their fifth album 'Nixon' surprisingly got praised everywhere in 2000 (if I'm not mistaken, it was proclaimed album of the year here and there). Luckily for me, I jumped on the band's bandwagon with this record, so I didn't know a thing about the alternative country / Americana debate surrounding them. No, to me, they were soul, pure and opulent soul blending with chamber pop, baroque arrangements and retro vibes. Lush, witty and in a singular way, uplifting. All fuelled by 'Up With People' and its eternal charms, which became one of my staple songs at university. The handclaps, the irrepressible backbeat, the relentless Motown bassline, the gospel surrounding Kurt Wagner's dry and deliberate monologue... “Come on, progeny” the songs unfolds in all its glory before slowly fading... and you can't help but keep smiling and whistling the melody. Yes, its a song about ordinary, failing acts & people “We’ll most certainly leave the doing, the doing undone”. But is more a comforting lesson: just laugh at it and keep doing while you try to enjoy the ride. A wonderful advice in less than five glorious minutes.

The Indie Anthology 43: essential songs

The next episode on the Anthology was an easy one. I finally was able to publish the report on the new Dunedin scene for Indienauta, thanks to the patience and support of Fishrider Records and an ace trio of bands part of its hyper-addictive roster. Of course, being New Zealand, and specifically these city, the Flying Nun reference was mandatory. So back to listen all those memorable bands... This little tribute was bound to happen. Sure you'll enjoy...

Song: North by North
Artist: The Bats
Year: 1987 

'Daddy's Highway' is a majestic album, one that will never feel outdated and probably my favourite Flying Nun release. It's pure jangle pop, straight to the heart, with absolutely no filler (they even left out of the album the glorious tune 'Calm Before the Storm'), all pop gems. So why I have chosen 'North by North'? Might be the vocals from the distance. Might the slight touch of darkness in the lyrics. Pretty sure the cascade of shimmering guitars have something to say too. And what about Alastair Galbraith's dancing violin? Oh, that solo is a killer. The whole song has a unstoppable nerve, an irresistible edge, an infinite energy.

Bloodbuzzed at Indietracks 2014!

Not exactly a post, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer: Bloodbuzzed will be covering Indietracks 2014 for Indienauta and this humble blog! The indie press from Barcelona is going to the railroad, so excited!

What an amazing line-up already!!
Gruff Rhys │ Allo Darlin’ │ The Hidden Cameras │ Dean Wareham │ Joanna Gruesome │ Withered Hand │ The Popguns │ Rocketship │ Sweet Baboo │ Spearmint │  Thee AHs │ Axolotes Mexicanos │ Big Joanie │ The Blue Minkies │ Cosines │ Elopes │ Franny & Zooey │ The Just Joans │ Let’s Wrestle│ Laura J Martin │ Linda Guilala │ Los Cripis │ Lost Tapes │ MJ Hibbett and the Validators │ Night Flowers │ONSIND │ Slum of Legs │ The Spook School │ TeenCanteen │ The Very Most │ The Yawns │ The Wellgreen

PD: Any suggestion regarding flights, accommodation, distances is more than welcomed, thanks in advance!

Bloodbuzzed joins Indienauta!

Great news today! Bloodbuzzed has now the pleasure to announce I have started a collaboration with one of the best Spanish indie websites: Indienauta. I'll be writing (in Spanish) regularly on everything indie there too. You can already check my first article here, on the promising Minifestival de Música Independent de Barcelona. Very exciting times!

There's only one possible song to celebrate this announcement. We're out looking for Indienauts, looking for Indienauts....