The Indie Anthology 80: essential songs

Let's keep with the recovered pace, so here comes another one for the Indie Anthology! Today we move to Essex, to pay our modest tribute to a very beloved band of the Blog (that his mighty leader David Callahan took his time to answer our questionnaire is among the "achievements" I'm most proud of). One that is very well "alive and kicking", in what, in my humble opinion, easily ranks among the most exciting comebacks in music history. Jangle-noise (what?) courtesy of the pack from Romford!

Song: Magic Triggers 
Artist: The Wolfhounds 
Year: 1990

It started, of course, with me downloading (Audiogalaxy folks, pure Pleistocene era) the über recurrent C-86 compilation. A bunch of wonders (Close Lobsters, Bodines, Shop Assistants and McCarthy, to just name a few), but also quite an amount of fillers (being polite). And then, others with a big question mark on it. Discovery, promise, or just one hit wonders? 'Feeling So Strange Again' was in that category for me. But not for a long time. Not when you discover a blasting tune like 'Anti-Midas Touch', or a record like 'Unseen Ripples from a Pebble'. It was jangle-pop, sure, but there was also bite and lyrics to dig in. And the following discoveries were asking me to dig deeper, more consciously, in that rage and social commentary, while the noise and experimentation kept the group interesting. Raw indiepop. with thorns in every side. What was not to love? Like McCarthy, The Wolfhounds were a group for me. So, to choose just one tune has been excruciating. The aforementioned 'Midas', the perfect combination of grit and mellowness of 'Me', the stormy, sonicyouthesque 'Blown Away', the incarnation of The Fall's gloom in 'Another Hazy Day On The Lazy "A"', or more recently, the mesmerizing melodic urgency of 'Divide and Fall'. Any of them could have gone here. Why the choice of 'Magic Triggers' then? I guess it has to do with the "take no prisoners" upbeat start, or the pressing, contagious immediacy of the tune, or the desperate vocals delivered by David, or the manic guitar halfway of the piece, or the tension, the constant threat between melody and fury. Sums pretty well all the reasons why I love The Wolfhounds and why I think they are among the most criminally underrated bands. Period. Here I rest my case.

Discoverer 138: new indie findings

Three gigantic female musicians proposed to you in our today's discoverer series. Keep it coming!

Eskimeaux. We begin in Brooklyn, NY, to meet Gabrielle Smith and her arresting music. Founding member of The Epoch, an art and songwriting collective, around 2007 Smith began to use the Eskimeaux moniker in 2007, releasing in diverse formats experimental and noise albums through 2008 and 2010. Her music production keep increasing as well as her sound was developing over the years, like the moody and gorgeous LPs  'Two Mountains', out in 2011 (and re-released by Yellow K Records last year), and 'Eskimeaux' in 2012, where subtle and darker electronic music found her way. But the best was yet to come, arriving last year with the mind-blowing bedroom pop record 'O.K.', out via Double Double Whammy Records, a haunting collection of modern, disarming, soothing, utterly affecting folk-pop tunes. Now the expectations couldn't be higher for forthcoming album 'Year of the Rabbitt', scheduled for April and, judging for the first couple of songs available, the confirmation Gabriell Smith's music is fated to be very close to you.

Two White Cranes. Jump to Bristol, UK, in order to meet Roxy Brennan, a musician active for more than a decade now, mostly known as a member of Joanna Gruesome, Grubs and Trust Fund. But she also has another project, one that under this moniker reveals a softer but still bursting side, warm and intense, approach to folk-pop. First songs surfacing at her bandcamp in 2013, but her official debut, in the form of a self-titled album, arrived in September 2014 via Stitch-Stitch Records. In August 2015 she released sophomore LP 'Radisson Blue' through Odd Box Records to overwhelming praise. Raw, pure and honest blend of indiepop and folk, heartfelt and melancholic. A thing of beauty.  

Julien Baker. And we end in Memphis, Tennessee, to meet this very young singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born in Murfreesboro, she learned guitar and got interested in punk music, forming the alternative  rock quartet Forrister (previously The Star Killers) alongside Matthew Gilliam in 2010. While performing with Forrister, she met musician Ryan Azada, who introduced her music to 6131 Records. Later on, while Baker was in her freshman year at MSTU left the band and began writing her own songs, First songs appeared at her bandcamp in an EP form in the winter of 2014, becoming the bulk of her debut studio LP 'Sprained Ankle', out since October 2015 through 6131 Records. Heavy tunes, full of emotions delivered thanks to the spare instrumentation, yet hard-hitting, arresting vocals, plus a very rare, genuine and intimate connection with the listener. Looking forward to her gig at forthcoming Primavera Sound.

Discoverer 109: new indie findings

Here comes the first trio of discoveries of 2015! We are back in full, overpowered mode, so get ready, you have been warned!

Pinkshinyultrablast. New year, new exciting proposals from Shelflife, folks. This time coming from Saint Petersburg, Russia, here's a quintet formed in 2007, but their only release to date didn't arrive until 2009, in the form of EP 'Happy Songs For Happy Zombies', out via Odd Box Records. Luckily, the combo is alive and kicking, as the debut album 'Everything Else Matters',   available since last week through Shelflife and ClubAC30 majestically proves. Gold shoegaze for shoegazing addicts, echoing Lush, Slowdive, Sabres of Paradise but also adding hints of dream-pop, the icy, otherworldly spirit of Cocteau Twins (get haunted by Lyubov's voice) and glimpses of electronic. Indeed, an ultrablast.

Wildhoney. More lighting floating in space, now thanks to this band, another quintet, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland and formed in 2011. After first demos surfaced the blogosphere in 2012, their s/t debut EP arrived a year later, followed in 2014 by another EP, 'Seventeen Forever'. And now they are back with 'Sleep Through It', debut album out now via Deranged/Forward Records. Shoegaze with a million faces, at times raw and noisy, others poppier and gentle, here's the aggression and the caress, the urgency and the atmosphere, the haze and the light. Very hard to resist.

Viet Cong. A hype with a reason. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, this Canadian band formed in 2012 from the ashes of the troubled group Women. Bassist Matt Flegel started a new project with Scott 'Monty' Munro, live guitarist for Chad Van Gaalen, quickly expanding into a quartet with drummer Mike Wallace and guitarist Daniel Christiansen. Their debut came a year later with a self-released cassette, reissued by Mexican Summer on vinyl past summer. They signed with Jagjaguwar, who along with Flemish Eye has just released the highly anticipated s/t first album. Seven fierce, angular, gloomy and elusive tunes of post-punk. A beast that we will have the chance to see live at Primavera Sound.

Discoverer 103: new indie findings

Oh what a great weekend in our Discoverer Series! Two debut albums fated to be among the best-of-the-year lists plus a most intriguing & promising act. You're going to enjoy!

Flowers. Londoners Sam Ayres, Jordan Hockley and Rachel Kennedy got together in April 2012, thanks to Sam’s advert looking for a singer to make music like "Madonna through a broken tape machine". Astonishingly quickly, the trio moved in together and started writing songs. The feverishly recorded demos were offered online, creating an immediate buzz that made them tour Europe with The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart and Young Marble Giants. First singles "Until You're Dead" and "When You Lie" arrived in 2013 on Cloudberry and Odd Box Records, plus the great reception of their live shows rocketed their momentum. They signed with Fortuna POP! and with the help of Bernard Butler as producer, Flowers penned their debut album, "Do What You Want to Do, Is What You Should Do", out since September (by Kanine Records in the States). Restrained and minimal yet surprisingly affecting, the album is an indiepop delight, full of beauty and mystery, a collection of short songs with Rachel's haunting vocals presiding the fuzzy yet delicate music envelope. Absolute MUST.

SW/MM/NG. Formed in 2011 and hailing from Fayetteville, Arkansas, they originally called Swimming but slashes seemed an easy solution when a cease-and-desist order from a U.K. group of the same name arrived. The quintet started to make some noise locally with a digital, S/T EP in July 2011. After signing with Old Flame Records, their debut album, "Feel Not Bad" came out this August. Jangly indiepop blurred in haze, ethereal and sun-soaked. Real Estate floating guitars packed with that 80s English melancholy, with Brian Kupillas’ vocals about to break within the melodic feast. For those still looking for the sun, here's a perfect companion.

Black Honey. Hard to believe a band can remain unknown on these "Celebgate" days (sic) but this Brighton, UK, based act is still hidden, so we'll gladly let the music do all the talking. Three songs have surfaced already online from them, "Sleep Forever" towards the end of June, "Teenager" in August, and most recently "The Taste". Three wonderfully catchy tunes, cinematic, woozy and brooding. Jangling guitars, fuzz, atmospheric mood, and a challenging yet inviting female vocals. Sweet and obscure, like their appropriate band name. Here's promise, promise, promise.

Discoverer 97: new indie findings

Last weekend before flying to Indietracks Festival, so it was kind of mandatory to select our trio of discoveries accordingly. Three bands recently "found" we won't miss at the Railway!

The Hobbes Fanclub. Hailing from Bradford, Northern England, it all began as the solo project of singer/guitarist Leon Carroll, with the transatlantic help (never met in person) of Brazilian Fabiana Karpinski. They managed to came out with a couple of split CD-R with Young Michelin and Leach Me Lemonade in 2010 and 2011 on Cloudberry and Dufflecoat Records. But soon after Fabiana left the project, Leon built a proper band with Louise Phelan (bass) and Adam Theakston (drums) joining forces and putting out their "official" debut 7" 'Your Doubting Heart' on Shelflife in August 2012. Now the circle is completed with the release of first album 'Up At Lagrange' on August 19th. Like The Pains going shoegaze or Boyracer, this is a burst of in-your-face pop enveloped in fuzzy feedback, irresistible boy/girl vocal melodies wrapped in haze and distortion. Mark the date in your calendars. This is a must-have record.

The Yearning. Founded by songwriter/producer Joe Moore in 2010, he slowly crafted and produced their debut EP, 'Jukebox Romance' which, as the promo info evokes, was written in a cupboard under the stairs(!) at his home in Faringdon, UK, over the next two years before the band was signed by Elefant Records in 2012. Although in this first release Justyna Halas and Maddie Dobie shared lead vocal duties, the latest is since then the singer of The Yearning, helped on studio by a bunch of good friends. A couple of digital singles preceded their 2013 mini-lp 'Still in Love'. Finally, after the heartbreaking single 'If I Can't Have You' at the beginning of this summer, we can now celebrate the arrival of 'Dreamboats & Lemonade', first full-length. Vintage warm & delicate pop, delicious from start to finish, carefully arranged and passionately sung in a recognizable girl groups style. Not just a record, it's a pastel tone gift.

The Wendy Darlings. Coming from Clermont-Ferrand, France and formed in 2006, the trio of Suzy (vocals, guitar), Sylvain (vocals, bass), and Baptiste (drums, backing vocals) that sometimes expands into a quartet or even a quintet, debuted in 2008 with EP 'We Come with Friendly Purposes' released on Lostmusic Records, which made some buzz thanks to the single ‘Enormous Pop’. That same year arrived self-released EP 'Sucking Lollipops in Hell', followed by another EP, 'Not a Match Made in Heaven' and 7" 'Girls in Japan' out in 2010 and 2011 respectively in Marineville Records. After a technical 'hiatus' that put their record on hold in 2013, now they are back in full form with the release of their first LP, ‘The Insufferable Fatigues of Idleness’, out since April on Odd Box records. Straightforward punk-pop, careless and free, mixing the sixties, the DIY aesthetics, a dose of noise and 80s Scottish pop bands, there's a lot to love here. Have fun with The Wendy Darlings!

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! 

Discoverer 51: new indie findings

Sunday again, time for new music discoveries, enjoy!

Savages. Checking the Primavera Sound 2013 line-up I discovered this all-female band from London. Despite formed in October 2011 and just active live since January 2012 they are already quite a hype, with NME saluting them as the "next big thing", so question marks quickly raised. But after checking their June 2012 first release, the double A-side "Flying To Berlin" and "Husbands", doubts vanished. Post-punk that breathes and beats, menacing, angular, challenging, anthemic, fire powered by singer Jehnny Beth (Ian Curtis meeting Siouxsie Sioux). A live EP, "I Am Here", followed past autumn, adding more munition for a band that sounds fated for very big things. What a wild ride is expecting us!  

The Rosie Taylor Project. Change of style, on a discovery made after checking the line-up of the Madrid PopFest.  Coming from Leeds but now based in London, the sextet origins' date back from 2007, when, after signing with Bad Sneakers Records (label now defuncted) they released a first single, followed by their debut min-album, "This City Draws Maps" a year later. Many shows followed until their sophomore release "Twin Beds" on Oddbox Recordings appeared in February 2012. Sophisticated and mature chamber pop with different sides and high caliber gems, a band not to miss.

Weird. And with our third proposal we return to more obscure sounds. A trio born in Rome in the second half of 2011, they spent 2012 in the studio, which resulted in the band’s first album “Desert Love For Lonely Graves” out since January 15 (that you can download for free here). Seven gloomy tracks, between dreampop and experimental rock, singular, moody and strangely fascinating. Music with a cinematic quality, that evokes impossible landscapes and unravels buried emotions on each song. Slow-burning tunes that sounds ridiculously cohesive for such a young band. Hear & have on eye on them.

EardrumsPop & Young Romance= glorious indie-pop

ePop022- Young Romance

Any indie-pop lover knows that each time EardrumsPop announces a new release, it's time to go to their website and let your ears celebrate their (nearly immaculate) taste. But in this occasion, there was even more anticipation than usual, as the band featured in their ePop022 is Young Romance, a band already discovered on this blog, and one that got me completely haunted with just a bunch of songs. I was anxiously looking for their next step, and here it is, in the form of an  EardrumsPop EP. What a wonderful combination!

Previous tunes like "Swollen Hearts, Bitter Tongues" or "She, Me, Him and You" proved this London duo had a very special talent to inject a burst of real emotion and passion to their sweetest, utterly romantic indie-pop tunes. It seemed impossible to achieve, but with this EP they have reached a new level, Paolo and Claire have penned a couple of perfect songs.  

"Follow on Your Own" is sublime: slow burning verses, killer chorus where Claire's voice is disarming, a background of layers and fuzziness. Definitely one to rank among the best-songs-of-the-year list. And is followed closely by "Break My Heart By Morning". Listening Young Romance's tunes one has to believe Paolo's words (you can read them on the digital booklet also included on the EP) of "wanting their songs to capture the rush of feeling something for the very first time". Indeed.

Unfortunately, "Rose Tint", the song Young Romance chose to cover (the tradition of the EardrumsPop EPs is to cover a song the featured group considers it deserves more attention), from the group Lulu and the Lampshades (now just Landshapes), passes almost unnoticed. An ok song nevertheless, but pales by comparison with the couple of terrific songs. Oh! And if I may add another little complaint: unfortunately, the artwork doesn't do any justice to the beauty of this EP. Being completely honest, it is very close to be on the next Stop Awful Covers post. 

But let's concentrate on the positive. EardrumsPop did it again. A stunning free!!!! EP from Young Romance, a lovely duo that makes gorgeous indie-pop. Run (virtually) and grab it (Odd box Records will release a physical, limited edition of the single, cheers for that too!).

SCORE: 7,5/10

Listen them!!

Young Romance by Young Romance