These Go to 11: interviewing The Persian Leaps

After recovering the section last week, here's another chapter on our interview series. This week we have to pleasure to count with Drew Forsberg from our dear The Persian Leaps and the excellent Land Ski Records label answering our questionnaire. A little bit of old-school-noise-pop in our blog today. These Go to 11! 

Ready for the jump

Drew Forsberg, The Persian Leaps 

Hailing from Saint Paul, Minnesota, this trio was formed in 2012, when Drew Forsberg decided to transform his originally solo project into a full band. A year after, they released via his own label Land Ski Records debut EP 'Praise Elephants', followed by 'Drive Drive Delay' in September 2014. Now the circle of EPs has been completed with 'High & Vibrate', out just now. Direct, shiny, infectious songs, somewhere in between noise pop and power-pop, recalling the brightest side of Sugar and our beloved Teenage Fanclub, ready for making your day immediately. Alive and kicking tunes! Here we go!

Second hand news: this record was huge

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
I believe I got several albums at once because I joined the Columbia House record club (8 records for a penny!). But I’m pretty sure that Fleetwood Mac – 'Rumours' and an ABBA greatest hits album were in there.

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

My first concert ever was Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie at the Minnesota State Fair in 1985. My first real rock and roll concert, though, was Echo & the Bunnymen and New Order in 1987. These days, I mostly go to shows by local bands. The awesome shoegaze band, Ringo Deathstarr, was the last larger show I went to.

The fast, furious & hairy 80s, MTV style

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
I have a weakness for Def Leppard, especially 'Photograph'.

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

I’m not into vinyl, and although I have stacks of CDs, I just listen to music on my phone these days. My oldest, most precious music-related item is a songbook for The Smiths – 'Meat is Murder' that I bought around 1986. I basically taught myself to play guitar using the chords in that book.

The father of lo-fi, hearing the voices...

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Just about anything by the Smiths or Guided By Voices. Morrissey and Robert Pollard are amazing lyricists, although very different. If I had to pick just one example, I’d choose 'The Headmaster Ritual' by the Smiths just because it so perfectly captures a bleak, miserable school experience.

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

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
My Bloody Valentine’s 'Loveless'.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
My favorite movie is 'The Godfather'. My favorite book is 'The Crying of Lot 49' by Thomas Pynchon.

Elephants going noise-pop

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
They’re all my children. That said, I’m still very proud of the song 'Sleeples' from Praise Elephants. It’s about my father and so far, is the only time I’ve written a song with direct, personal content.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
I’m biased and have a certain sound in mind when I hear that term (guitar-driven indie rock from the 80s and early 90s). But in general, it makes me think of musicians who are passionate enough about music to keep making it, even when they have little chance of commercial, popular success.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Still making music, with any luck, releasing the five best Persian Leaps songs we have ready every fall.

                                                                                     Zillion thanks Drew, thanks The Persian Leaps!

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!

'Beautiful Noise', shoegaze me

Beautiful Noise
Beefeater In-Edit 2014, Chapter III

The third documentary seen at this year’s Beefeater In-Edit was another easy choice. To my knowledge 'Beautiful Noise' is the first-ever documentary made on shoegaze/noise-rock of the late 80s-90s. Must-watch, again.

The merits of the film are many. Eric Green has created a relevant film from ground zero, working alongside producer Sarah Ogletree during almost a decade through their company HypFilms. Considering the DIY origins of the documentary (funded by a Kickstarter campaign), it's a great achievement they managed to arrange so many interviews with very big music names. But even more important than that, they have been capable of offering us a very solid and coherent work. It's clearly a work of passion for music.

The rise-disappearance-revival of shoegaze is well documented on the rockumentary, thanks to a straightforward chronological line but, foremost, by the huge bulk of interviews. From Cocteau Twins to Chapterhouse, it's hard for me to remember who's missing in the picture (although my dearest one, the great Rachel Goswell, is not interviewed). There are in-depth cuts with Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, The Jesus and Mary Chain's Jim Reid & Bobby Gillespie, Slowdive's Neil Halstead, Ride's Mark Gardener and Andy Bell, or My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields, among many others. But there's also space for music giants like Robert Smith, Trent Reznor and Billy Corgan. Extremely impressive. The greatest moments are reserved to Reid and his controversial relation with fame/frustration for the band's lack of sales, and the unresolved war between Alan McGee, boss of Creation Records, and Kevin Shields. They were both right.     

So, the story of late century 'wall of sound' and musicians looking to their sneakers is the tale of a bunch of musicians who tried to subvert rock traditions without leaving guitars, looking for new sounds, atmospheres and introduce melody within the noise trying. Experiment and feel. They were ahead of their time, but they didn't find the success they were hoping for (Ride were the closest ones to achieve commercial support), so the pretty spontaneous movement faded away... until the digital era rescued them. 

Unfortunately, 'Beautiful Noise', except some situations like the ones referred before, lacks poignancy, debate, insight. Bands are utterly praised then simply glorified (can't put all bands in the same bag), and so is the revival (same applies). Besides, the film has too many minutes of empty visual fillers. We get it, it sort of connects with the ethereal, elusive music, but it's kind of lame. The overall feeling is that we are watching a formal, very correct but a bit monotonous documentary. The movie does makes a beautiful noise, but it's subdued.

SCORE: 6,25/10

Spanish Indie 20: suggesting the best national acts

Our section devoted to national discoveries gets fuelled by guitars with this trio of bands. Not to miss!

Univers. I knew I was going to write about this band again. Coming from Barcelona, the quartet formed in 2011 and in January 2012 they came out with their first digital single, 'Paral·lel', but the first turning point arrived with EP ‘La Pedregada’, released that December on Famèlic. The 7" single ‘Cavall Daurat’, followed in October 2013 and finally, since past March we can enjoy their debut full length, 'L'Estat Natural'. Dreamy shoegaze and dark pop, on a band where noise sounds embraceable and lyrics hidden, infectious music without evidences. This universe awaits you with their unique & irresistible dance...

Linda Guilala. Born from the ashes of Juniper Moon in 2005, Iván y Eva began their new adventure with electricity and their freaky love for Japanese sci-fi movies from the 60-70s (Guilala is a giant odd bird arriving to the Earth from Mars in the film 'The X from Outer Space') as mandatory references. In 2006, band comes out with first self-produced demos and the buzz on Spanish radios begins. In 2009 arrived their debut album 'Bucles Infinitos' on Elefant Records, followed in 2011 with EP 'Paranormal', again with movies as motivation. Transformed into a trio, the group is now back with another EP, 'Xeristar', out since March. 6 tunes where the noisy, no-boundaries, shoegazing formula, is perfected to a mind-blowing extreme. Los Planetas, My Bloody Valentine, Pale Saints, the Reid Brothers... you can add your favourite names to the list... Linda Guilala soon will be among them.  
Boutade. Friends even before music's devil poisoned their bloods, Charlie, Aitor and Uri, have a shared path of glory roads & dusty, lonely avenues. The three musicians from Barcelona have been involved in local bands like Stormyclouds, The Rabo, Sexy Remake, Deus le Volt, Perennial Coventry... since 2003, but in the meantime, Charlie slowly shaped his own collection of songs, creating an album awaiting to be recorded. Finally, all the experiences along the way crystallised in 2011, with the trio reuniting again. Boutade was born, and the pieces Charlie penned finally saw the light of day through 2013. Still unsigned, we now have 'The Best Hunter', conceptual debut LP full of bursting alternative rock where passion roars in deep, introspective vocals, while demons are summoned into swirling guitars. Get ready. The haunt is about to begin.

Spanish Indie 16: suggesting the best national acts

Here's a new dose of the best national discoveries, beware, your ears are going to be seriously amazed!

Mequetrefe. This blog section wouldn't be the same without El Genio Equivocado. Here they are again, before the year fades out. This four-piece project began in 2007 in Santiago de Compostela, a year later recording two demos for Alg-a netlabel and reaching the semifinals of the FIB Festival Demo contest. In May 2010 they released their first EP “Play Of”, receiving excellent reviews in and out of Spain. The next step would arrive with the digital single "Kill All Indies" in 2012, after which they signed with our favourite national label, publishing the EP “A Serious Band”, the single "Orange", and finally, their second album “Gobi”, out now. Defining Mequetrefe's sound is almost impossible. Madchester, Chicago, Detroit, My Bloody Valentine, The Beta Band, The Sabres of Paradise. Electronic shoegaze? Guitar dub? Whatever. The only important is that Mequetrefe's music will take you places. Don't be scared. Enjoy the ride.

Victoria Ford. This quartet hail from Alcalá de Guadaíra, Seville, and formed in 2007. Many local gigs followed, as well as recognition in the form of the 12doce award and being listed as one of the emerging national bands in 2010. The next year, after playing at the Monkey Week Festival, they entered the studio, and the first results are here, in the form of their S/T debut EP. Alternative rock with pulse and punch, head and heart, that clicks ignition to then turn mournful and elegiac the next second, where guitars play hide and seek and synthesizers appearing from nowhere ready to swallow you. I hear the biting lyrics and the emotional depth of The New Raemon, the irresistible driving force of Wiggum, and a glimpse of The National's mystery. You know I can't use these two words in vain, so you should check them out immediately.

Seven Tin Stars. There are bands that really knock you out, leaving you longing for more when you find them for the first time. This quartet hails from Asturias and Castilla, and they formed in 2012 when their members, initially a trio with quite an extended career in other projects, gather together to create the first songs of this exciting combo. Expanded to a quartet, "Songs My Mother Never Sang to Me", their first EP is ready to come out now at Diente de León Records, and its a debut so precious you will keep it as your most beloved treasure. Balancing gracefully between shoegaze and dreampop, strumming guitars and fragile, distant vocals, colliding in three tunes where melancholy and promise burst directly into your ear, and then into your heart. Want more? Check this Luna cover and fall in love.

Discoverer 75: new indie findings

The first Sunday of November arrives with three great new indie proposals, enjoy !

Minor Alps. A new collaborative project with an undeniable indie rock pedigree. Bostonian Juliana Hatfield (Blake Babies, The Juliana Hatfield Three, Some Girls, and solo) and Newyorker Nada Surf frontman Matthew Caws met in early 90s at a Nada Surf show). They forged a friendship that has been flirting with the idea of working together (aside some contributing vocals on each other's songs) until the timing fitted this year, and the result is "Get There", out since past week. A couple of stunning rockier numbers recalling their solid individual careers along with moody and experimental tracks on a mature, intense, rich and inviting record where lead vocals, writing credit and emotional weight are equally shared. 

Post Modern Team. Found thanks to the unmissable reference that is Indie Pop Saved My Life, I believe this is the first time we feature a band from Osaka, Japan, on this series. With little info available out there, all we know is that the group was formed in 2012, and they have released two EPs, "Never Let You Down", and "By the Sea", including some covers of The Go-Betweens, My Bloody Valentine and The Smiths last year, before Ano(t)raks compiled their tunes on a self-titled debut album, out right now. Extremely catchy and urgent music, between jangle and dream pop, a delicious, stirring discovery from the land of the rising sun.
 
Shady Elders. Back to the US with this Denver quartet. Although initially a duo in 2011, soon they became a full band that is also something of a local supergroup with members of former groups like Spires, Tulip Wars and Don'ts and Be Carefuls. Their only release to date arrived in April of 2013 with "No Favors" EP (name your price at their bandcamp), five tunes where everything fits: dream pop, shoegaze, vintage doo-wop, some darker vibes, crisply guitars and the sounding vocals of Britt Rodemich. What a surprising, peculiar, exciting band.

Discoverer 57: new indie findings

New wonderful discoveries this Sunday. Great indiepop groups on infallible labels, enjoy!

The Fireworks. How many times have I referred to a Shelflife Records' release? Here's another one! Coming from London-Brighton, initially this was just Matthew introducing some of his songs to his closest friends over the phone. Luckily Emma (from the lovely Pocketbooks) Isabel and Carys (later replaced by Shaun) were convinced enough to form a proper band by 2011. Gigs, including Indietracks, and a session for Dandelion Radio followed, hitting the studio on 2012 to record their self-titled first EP, out since March. Instant pop melodies infused on feedback, soaked in reverb. Vocal harmonies assaulting walls of noise. The Pastels backed up by My Bloody Valentine. A noisy indiepop feast.

Northern Spies. Speaking of recurrent labels, this blog & the world would look like a musically miserable place without our beloved EardrumsPop friends and their wonderful free singles. On their EPOP30 they introduce us to the world of Astrid Wiezell Howell, young musician from gorgeous Stockholm, who just started to sing under this nickname after the summer of 2012. With witty but lovable lyrics, she makes the blend of acoustic songwriting and indiepop charm so natural & disarming I'm sure her tunes will become your homespun treasure. Plus the EP comes with some delightful bonuses, so what are you waiting for?

The Smittens. Aww, the music connections! Thanks to Northern Spies I found out about this much veteran combo from Burlington, Vermont. Formed at a party in 2002, since then the quintet has released fourth studio albums, a remix ep, a handful of singles and compilation appearances. Their latest LP,  "Believe Me", arrived past summer thanks to another always reliable label, Fika Recordings. They make expansive, in-your-face, joyful indiepop. Believe me, just try one tune, and if doesn't bring you a smile to your face, a ridiculous desire to do some hand clapping or start shaking yourself, I'll stop writing from this moment on.

Discoverer 45: new indie findings

A rainy Sunday deserves great new indie proposals, so here you have, enjoy!

The Spook School. The image on your left completely caught my eye. Is the cover of 7" "Here We Go/Cameraman", the latest release (out now in Cloudberry) from this DIY four-piece band from Edinburgh (Scotland again). Active since 2011, they released their lovely (check it out!) first single "History/Hallam" in March, followed by a homemade EP of demos entitled "Are You Who You Think You Are?" A small collection of gorgeous indiepop lo-fi tunes, delicate, sweet, vocally irresistible (hear "Cameraman and fall in love). See? Artwork matters. Thanks to it, I found The Spook School.     
Boarders. It's kind of frustrating the little amount of information I have found on this six-piece group from Melbourne. Because judging from their amazing music the Australians deserve a longer account of their short history. A first EP "Flower Drum" in 2010, a couple of songs this year and a compilation entitled "Vintage 2011" just out now at their bandcamp. So I will have to focus on the music. Which is outstanding. Jangle pop made in heaven, with stunning dreamy guitars and vocal harmonies. If you love The Pains of Being Pure at Heart this band is for you. Or if you just love the best indepop, go check them quickly!
 
The Bilinda Butchers. Michael and Adam are "the butchers" a duo from San Francisco who obviously love My Bloody Valentine, and in particular her vocalist, Bilinda Butcher. Formed in 2010, two EPs, "Regret, Love, Guilt, Dreams" in June of 2011 and "Goodbyes", in August of 2012, is the melancholic, sophisticated, moody and haunting repertoire they have so far. Atmospheric dream-pop with a lightweight electronic pulse and droned-out vocals. Check them out now. You can download their songs naming your price at their bandcamp.

Discoverer 39: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here are the new band recommendations. Warning: it's a psychedelic week!

Toy. Like past week, another deserved hype coming from London. Formed in 2010 by singer/guitarist Tom Dougall (who is the younger brother of my beloved Rose Elinor Dougall), the quintet, with three former members of the band Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong quickly become "one to watch" at Festivals and as supporting slot for The Horrors on 2011, with whom they share friendship and musical style. Two celebrated singles, the debut "Left Myself Behind" and "Motoring", preceding their self-titled album, out next week on Heavenly Recordings. Post-punk, psychedelia, Toy are an exciting indie-rock sonic adventure full of promise...

Stealing Sheep. From London to Liverpool, with a female trio formed in 2010. They debuted with "What If the Lights Went Out" EP that year, followed by two singles in 2011 and "Noah & The Paper Moon" EP in 2012, before their debut album, "Into the Diamond Sun", arrived last week (Heavenly again). Defined as "whimsical pagan pop", if you allow me a more down-to-earth interpretation they sound like Warpaint embracing psych-folk territory, understanding folk as an enormous landscape where almost everything fits, always with their shining harmonies and intriguing melodies, full of little secrets, on top. Haunting.
Stealing Sheep

Whirr. Our third proposal comes from an Oakland, California, sextet. Active since 2010, they debuted with "Distressor" EP in June of 2011, quickly followed by the 7""June". After a slight change of name (from Whirl to Whirr), on spring of 2012, they released "Pipe Dreams" first album on Tee Pee Records. Whatever you choice, their EP's rougher side, or their poppier, more diverse and polished album, you'll find a band on absolute command of a cohesive, hypnotic shoegaze/dreampop. Yeah, you can bring the "untouchable" names to the table (Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive) for comparisons. They are that good. Ladies and gentlemen, let's float in space with Whirr for a while.
  Whirr - Home is where my head is Whirr - "Junebouvier"

Discoverer 20: new indie findings

As I told you on Friday, I had wonderful music discoveries this week. Let's unveil some!

I Break Horses. Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck come from gorgeous Stockholm, and their debut album, "Hearts", out now, is making some well deserved noise at the blogosphere. Because the duo has created something, that despite aligning with the sonic landscapes of My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive, sounds strangely unique, alive, delicate. Dream-pop/shoegaze meticulously crafted (36 months of work), where Lindén subtle vocals are the needed counterpart to icy cold sounds, with a slight electronic tinge. A work of special sensitivity. An experience for the listener. A revelation.
I Break Horses- Hearts

Pocketbooks. Better late than never. This band from London has been on my radar since 2009, when their debut album "Flight Paths" saw the light, but I never had the occasion of listening them (too much music), until this week, where I got completely abducted by "Promises, Promises" the advanced single from their second LP, "Carousel", released in September. Checked everything available online, so now I can say the band has the amazing talent of offering you bright, engaging or/and delicate indie-pop gems with unforgettable melodies and boy/girl harmonies. Eagerly awaiting the "Carousel"!
Promises, Promises by pocketbooks
Footsteps by pocketbooks
Fleeting Moments by pocketbooks

Very Truly Yours. And another late indie-pop discovery, this time thanks to the beloved Eardrums Music blog, that posted their first video, the lovely "Girls Tell You Secrets" a few days ago. Shocked by the tune, I virtually ran to search more about the band, that hails from Chicago, and has been active since 2008. Their discography, a couple of EP and one album from 2010, "Things You Used to Say", is a charming collection of the sweetest twee-pop, reminiscent of bands like Camera Obscura, Heavenly or Belle and Sebastian. Addictive.

Discoverer 10: new indie findings

Next round of weekly proposals!

The Sand Band. "All Through the Night", debut album (released in January) from this Liverpudlian (great word) band leaded by David McDonnell has been praised all over the blogosphere. And with a reason. A rare honesty and an uncanny talent for melodies permeates the whole record, in which their folk-rock arises into something suggestively different, melancholic, atmospheric and strikingly beautiful. While McDonnell has been recruited by Noel Gallagher's for his new music adventure, I'm pretty sure this album will be among every Best of the year lists. Don't miss The Sand Band.

Austra. Pretty radical drift in style for the blog (not very fond of electropop or goth synth-pop), the recommendation of this Toronto trio has a reason: Katie Stelmanis unforgettable voice. Multi-instrumentalist Katie pursued a career in opera until she decided she wanted to “make classical music with really fucked up, distorted crazy shit on there.” "Feel It Break" first album (out May 17th) as Austra, enters dance territory but has more in common with bands like Zola Jesus or Fever Ray. Add the new wave feel and Stelmanis voice for a simple equation: Austra is going to be huge. Listen to "Lose It" and get mesmerized. AUSTRA Lose It

Austra - Beat and the Pulse

Tamaryn. And for the third proposal, we move to shoegazing territory with this duo (vocalist Tamaryn and multi-instrumentalist Rex John Shelverton) from San Francisco. Two EPs and a first album "The Waves", from 2010, for a band capable of condensing a cinematic, dense and atmospheric sound, with guitars that will draw comparisons with a more melodic version of My Bloody Valentine, with a female's voice that evokes a noisier Beach House, an experimental version of The Raveonettes, or even Mazzy Star. Big references for a record that you should check immediately. Judge yourself!!
Tamaryn - The Waves

Dawning -Tamaryn by absentminded