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!

Best Spanish Records of the Decade So Far

With the end of 2014, half the decade has now gone, so following the proposal of several magazines   like Pitchfork or NME, we have been thinking about our favourite records of the decade so far (2010-2014), and after a thoughtful deliberation here are the results (let's face it, we love making lists). First of all, the Best Spanish Records of the Decade So Far! 15th albums that, in our opinion, are the highlights of five years with great music in our country. Hope you like it! And stay tuned, the international list is going to appear very soon! 

15. Soundtrack for a Winter's Tale - The Bright
14. Los Últimos Bañistas - Los Últimos Bañistas
13. Reina Republicana - Reina Republicana
12. Disco de Autoayuda para Mutantes - Las Ruinas
11. Escapar con el Anticiclón - Manos de Topo
10. Nihil Obstat- Disco Las Palmeras!
9. Lost Album - Coach Station Reunion
8. Fuerteventura - Russian Red
7. A Farewell to Youth - When Nalda Became Punk
6. Técnicas Subversivas - Grushenka
5. De lo Concreto a lo General - Doble Pletina
4. Fuerza Bien - Mee and the Bees
3. Fruits del Teu Bosc - Renaldo y Clara
2. La Foto Fantasma - Cosmen Adelaida

1. El Mundo Se Va a Acabar - Pauline en la Playa

Spanish Indie 18: suggesting the best national acts

And another blog section we recover. Some of the best Spanish bands, for your ears only!

Burrito Panza. El Genio Equivocado's has started 2014 just as they ended 2013. On a roll. Hailing from Albacete, behind this peculiar name there’s Carlos Cuevas, Jose Manuel Mora and Carlos Flan from seminal bands like Surfin ‘Bichos, Mercromina, Travolta and Alienistas of Fernando Alfaro. After signing with El Genio first materialized in 2011 with digital single “Tu Lado Salvaje“, followed that same year by highly praised debut LP “Solo y Mal Acompañado“. Expanded to a quartet with the addition of Rafa Caballero, the group has just released their sophomore album, “Una Familia Desestructurada” this February. Classic pop in capital, kaleidoscopic letters (like LP's artwork), on a giant leap forward in what regards to sound, shiny and round despite a slight of darkness on the lyrics. Join the family! 

Matrimonio. Based in Barcelona, Juan Carlos Fernández (Dos Gajos, Penélope Trip) and visual artist Gloria Vilches met in Gijón on the summer of 2011. After a collaboration, love blossomed and as a consequence, also the music. First tunes appeared late 2012, with S/T 7" EP following in November 2013, courtesy of Snap! Clap! Recs. Intimate, irresistible lo-fi pop (self-defined as a devotional blues combo, aren't they lovely?) with intertwined vocals, charming melodies & bittersweet lyrics. With debut LP expected very soon, write down Matrimonio on your agendas! You'll thank me.  

Casa Celia. Discovered at Basia Bulat's latest visit to Barcelona, this restaurant named duo is formed by Rafa de los Arcos, who is the drummer at our dear Manos de Topo, and Elena González Colominas, from Portrait. Active since 2013 they don't have proper releases yet, but the songs you can hear below are so promising this spot is well deserved. Defined by themselves as "little songs", this is confessional indiepop that endures, in the vein of the The New Raemon, with a sense of humour (try to watch them live, Rafa knows how to deal with an audience) and a genuine, melodic charm. Keep an eye on them!

The Love Anniversary Playlist

Today is a very special day, me and my girlfriend are celebrating our second anniversary together. So I hope you allow us this playlist, largely discussed and analysed, that is a compendium of the 24 songs/bands (one for each month being together) that have been/are important in our relationship. Needless to say, it is a extremely personal playlist, listed in some sort of chronological order regarding our relation, with a few of my favourites, few of hers, and many others that can't only be understood for us. But anyway, is the nicest excuse to put some music on!!

1. Editors - Munich
2. The Strokes - Someday
3. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat
4. Franz Ferdinand - Michael
5. Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World
6. R. E. M. - You Are The Everything
7. The Divine Comedy - I Like 
If we had to choose just one band/artist as "Our" soundtrack, it would be him, so Neil, be "warned" that at the November gig in Barcelona you'll have two ardent fans on the front rows 
8. Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own 
First gig together
9.  Eels - Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) 
10. The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All
11. Beirut - Nantes
12. Arctic Monkeys - She's Thunderstorms
13. Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait
14. Russian Red - The Sun The Trees
15. The Bright - Your Private Garden 
Most followed band together, so far
16. Kings of Leon - Talihina Sky
17. Miles Kane - Come Closer
18. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
19. Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes
20. Manos de Topo - Animal de Compañía 
Like them, we have a particular sense of humour
21. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
22. Wild Flag - Romance 
23. The Walkmen - Song for Leigh
24. Cat Power - Sea of Love 
Perfect end of the playlist, don't you think?

May is the month of music!

I haven't been posting that much lately due to work and, more pleasantly... several activities, the majority of them including music. Because May is the month of the music! With the Primavera Sound Festival (a post on the dramatic timetable is imminent, once I figure out what to do with the overlaps) about the arriving in less than three weeks, Barcelona celebrates spring with several free gigs throughout the city centre.

Promo poster.
Lemons not included.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Steven Munar & The Miracle Band
Sifó Bar, Barcelona, May 10th 

Among the most remarkable parallel activities that Primavera Sound offers there's the San Miguel Primavera als Bars, basically a series of free shows, from May 8th to the 26th, at several pubs around the city centre. Basically a nice way to warm the atmosphere before PS arrives, and also an attractive way to discover new bands and new places to enjoy live music while having a drink.

Steven Munar & Band at Sigó Bar.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

In our first Primavera als Bars gig we listened Steven Munar & The Miracle Band, a local band with a curious combination of folk and pop, sometimes sounding like a less metaphoric Leonard Cohen, others like a very restful version of The Go-Betweens. They started the gig in an acoustic format, opening with a version of "Where the Wild Roses Grow" from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, another name that easily comes to mind when you hear Munar and Co.

Although pleasant, the acoustic songs started to look a bit repetitive. But luckily, Munar welcomed his full band to the pub stage and the gig evolved into something more rewarding. Echoes from a Mediterranian Dylan or The Byrds without Rickenbackers, with the very nice addition of the saxophone and some great guitar parts. Still a bit too folkie if compared with their album sound ("Break the Rules" is pretty recommendable), they aren't groundbreaking, but definitely an enjoyable band, with a solid performance live.

Manos de Topo. Festival Plaça Odissea, Barcelona, May 11th

Branca, in-between "howlings".
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And yesterday night, we headed to the Maremagnum, the Barcelona Port area, where the shopping and leisure mall celebrates the 6th edition of its free and open-air (next to the sea) music festival. An oddity in principle, if you consider the equation of good indie bands and a shopping mall, but a surprisingly positive reality.

After the dispensable The Last Dandies, a photocopy of many many photocopies pretending to sound like the The Strokes (yes, still in 2012), it was time for Manos de Topo. "If you hear this song in reverse, you'll hear instructions to drop 300 bombs into an European Central Bank meeting, but if you play then in a normal way, it is just a love song" said a more-bearded-than-ever Miguel Ángel Branca (making him look even crazier than usual). They are that sort of band: love them or hate them. We choose the first option, of course.

Because despite the sound wasn't spectacular, in particular affecting his vocal performance (too much noise) they are not only an eccentric/funny band, with a very peculiar lead voice (euphemism to define the singer)  looks and lyrics. They are an eccentric band with a very peculiar lead vocal, looks and lyrics with amazing songs, like "Mentirosa", "Tus Siete Diferencias", "Haz Tu Magia", or the immense "Es Feo". And live, the number of songs that excels increases, like "Lógico que Salga Mal" or "Tragedia en el Servicio de Señoras". That's why we love them.

More music tonight!

Dum Dum Girls in Barcelona: sound matters

Dum Dum Girls (+ Arponera). La [2] de Apolo, Barcelona, April 5th
 

Dum Dum's style. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

I was really looking forward to see the Dum Dum Girls for the first time live. Their music is highly addictive and the chance of seeing them very close, as La [2] de Apolo is a small place, was also appealing. Pretty soon the venue revealed their pros and cons.

Before Dum Dum Girls took the stage, the support act Arponera tried to warm up the (pretty cold) night. But they couldn't. I'm pretty sorry to say it, but what was that? Someone should change that tendency of Spanish indie of lyrics that for the sake of being supposedly funny or odd makes the group relevant. There's only one Manos de Topo, and besides unusual lyrics and an eccentric lead singer, they have some (quite a lot, as a matter of fact) talent and tunes. Arponera doesn't have any of these two qualities yet, so their set was quite annoying.

Dee Dee in action
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Time for the Dum Dum Girls, finally. Yes, the first impression can't be better. Four attractive women playing guitars (and drums), all dressed for the occasion, with drinks and bottles strategically located. Pure rock'n'roll style, despite the bassist looking a bit lost (something that would continue during the whole gig). Guitars kicked in... but not the voice. Again, the "curse" of La [2] de Apolo, swallowing Dee Dee's voice. Once more on the first row. Once more incapable of hearing the lead singer. The first part of the gig, with "He Gets Me High", "Catholicked", "I Will Be", "Wasting Away" ruined by the sound. I don't know if this fact is the decision of the bands that play here or just a matter of a bad performance from sound engineers, but I have been at this venue dozens of times, have enjoyed fantastic concerts, but suffered as well some disappointing ones. 

More Dee Dee in BCN
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

With that femme fatale attitude there was little interaction with the audience, so the fear of being a wasted occasion was present. Luckily, things started to improve, after "Rest of Our Lives" and the lovely "Bedroom Eyes". Dee Dee, who turned to be a relentless frontwoman, battling against the (excessive) noise, was able to show, slowly, her vocal range. Hits "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout" and "Jail La La" preceded the super-catchy "Always Looking". And the best was yet to come.

Gig's setlist.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Because finally, sound "became" decent. It was Dee who asked the engineers to low down her guitar before starting a couple of songs, but the final tunes of the setlist sounded superb, showing the amazing mixture of these sharp guitars and noise backgrounds with their trademark effervescent pop melodies. "Heartbeat", "Hold Your Hand", before newbies "I Got Nothing" and "Lavender Haze", both excellent (next release sounds really promising with tunes like that), raised the level of the gig. "Sight of You", their Pale Saints' cover followed in a stunning performance. Afterwards, they left the stage for a very short while, returning with "Coming Down", Mazzy Star's close sister, and one of their best songs to date.

With that fantastic end, I left the venue with mixed emotions, half-frustrated, half-satisfied. This band rocks, we were able to hear it for a while, so this concert could (should) have been spectacular.  

Best Songs of the Year 2011: 50-26

Hope you enjoyed the previous two chapters of the first Bloodbuzzed Songs of the Year. As promised on Monday, now we arrive to the tunes ranked between positions 50 to 26, with the mandatory grooveshark playlist to listen them included. The final part, with the top 25 songs of the 2011 will arrive on Sunday. Hope you like it! 

50. Elijah- Alela Diane
49. Black Night- The Dodos
48. The Dreamer- The Tallest Man on Earth
47. Clang of the Concrete Swans- Comet Gain
46. Forget that You're Young- The Raveonettes
45. If I Had a Gun- Noel Gallagher
44. Tus Siete Diferencias- Manos de Topo
43. In the Dark Places- PJ Harvey
42. One Moment- Motorama
41. Lemonade- Braids
40. Royal Blue- Cold War Kids
39. Funeral Song- Minks
38. El Gran Apagón- Los Últimos Bañistas
37. Gun Shy- Widowspeak
36. The Fountain- Veronica Falls
35. It's Hard to Get Around the Wind- Alex Turner
34. Think You Can Wait- The National
33. Down By the Water- The Decemberists
32. Oh My Heart- R.E.M.
31. Go Betweens- Mazes
30. Take Me Somewhere- Tennis
29. Right Side of My Brain- Veronica Falls
28. Heart in Your Heartbreak- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
27. The Last Living Rose- PJ Harvey
26. Helplessness Blues- Fleet Foxes

Best Songs of the Year 2011: 75-51

As promised on Friday, here's the second chapter of the first Bloodbuzzed Songs of the Year, for tunes comprised from positions 75 to 51, with the grooveshark playlist to listen them and have your say. The third part will arrive on Thursday. Enjoy the music! 

75. For Jacob with Malaria- Boca Chica
74. Cuando Nadie Pone un Disco- Odio París
73. Promises, Promises- Pocketbooks
72. Bedroom Eyes- Dum Dum Girls
71. Gravestone Metaphor- Babette Hayward
70. World Around You- Rubik
69. I Don’t Believe in Love- We Are Trees
68. Will Do- TV On the Radio
67. Evil Seeds- The Raveonettes
66. Mentirosa- Manos de Topo
65. Endless Summer- Still Corners
64. Better Off Without You- Summer Camp
63. Chair- Big Deal
62. I Heard You Say- Vivian Girls
61. Rose Mary Stretch- Pepper Rabbit
60. She's Thunderstoms- Arctic Monkeys
59. If You Wanna- The Vaccines
58. Tree by the River- Iron and Wine
57. Summer Hits or J Plus J Don’t Like- Mazes
56. The Sun The Trees- Russian Red
55. Mission Bells- Armistice
54. Florence- Be Forest
53. Abducted- Cults
52. Bitter Branches- PJ Harvey
51. A Sail- Lisa Hannigan

Spanish Indie 5: suggesting the best national acts

And another section that needed new proposals. Here it goes!

Manos de Topo. With the November release of "Escapar con el Anticiclón", I have the perfect excuse to introduce you one of the most singular and indispensable Spanish bands. What began in Barcelona in 2003 as an entertainment now, after three records, is a solid career of incredibly funny but at the same time atrociously compelling music. With the whining and painful voice of Miguel Ángel Blanca (take it or leave it) moaning about romantic disasters, presiding indie-pop tunes embellished by keyboards and atmospheric sounds, and with the production of The New Raemon, "Escapar" is their best. Like The Cure dreamy music pouring hilarious (but recognisable) bile from the mouth. Unique.


fIRA fEM. This experimental four-piece from Madrid was one of the best gigs I saw at the Primavera Club. Formed in 2009, their music is a suggestive combination of sounds: psychedelic folk, post-rock, ambient,  electronic, shoegaze, mostly instrumental. But what makes them special is that these multiplicity of styles converge in real, powerful songs. Their tunes, to date the EPs "Mascot Human Disco" and "Old Man Jacket", are alive, dynamic, a fact that acquires an epic dimension live. Signed by Aloud Music, their album is expected for early 2012. Keep an eye on them and, if you have the chance, go watch them play!

Grushenka. Formed in 2010, this very young band from Barcelona, has debuted with "Grushenka EP", one of the most addictive national releases of the year, on the exciting label El Genio Equivocado (who already hit the target with Odio París). After a couple of demos, and with just five songs, the group offers an engaging dose of noise-pop, with instantly catchy melodies ("Feliz"), distortion and vital voices ("La Magnitud de la Tragedia"). Impossible not to associate their music to early Los Planetas or Ride, great references for a debut that generates great expectations for Grushenka's next step.
Grushenka - Grushenka EP by El Genio Equivocado