More Primavera Sound als Bars with Partido!

Few days before the Primavera Sound Festival begins! Here's another taste of some the previous gigs coming next week!

Partido. Absenta Bar, Barcelona, May 22nd

Partido at Absenta Bar.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Among the names listed for the Primavera als Bars, a great parallel activity prior to the start of the Festival, I was looking forward to this gig, as the impression they gave me live at Festival Plaça Odissea last year was terrific. Then I checked what was available in their web and confirmed the feeling of having discovered a "real band", with a solid music proposal in their hands/mind. On Tuesday, Víctor Partido and company reinforced that impression.

Close-up of Victor Partido.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Absenta Bar, a very tiny venue for the amount of crowd gathered for the gig (can't imagine the level of discomfort and sweat of the people in the corridor) become something comparable to a sauna. But Partido were capable of making us focus just in the music. Sure, their proposal is not going to shake the foundations of music in terms of originality, but their folk-rock, deeply rooted into the Americana style, is not that frequent in Spain, and most importantly, it is played with an honesty and passion that makes the band stand out from the majority of their peers.

Another pic of the gig.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The most rewarding for me was realising how much care and work there's on the songs. In particular on melodies, which their new album, "Leaving All Behind", just out now, is plenty. Thanks to that, tunes like "Jesus" or "Not Full of Anger" or the great "Carnival", can mute, evolve, go in many directions, amplifying their folk-rock ground. Traces of Wilco, The Jayhawks, Neil Young, but also from Big Star ("Happy Birthday" is a colossal song) or Mojave3. Great referral names, I know. But the comparisons are deserved. Partido is an excellent band. Go check "Leaving All Behind" as soon as you can. And watch them live if you have the chance. You'll thank me.

Spanish Indie 4: suggesting the best national acts

It was a too long impasse, but I'm back with the national indie proposals. Hope you like it!  

Los Últimos Bañistas. Some reviews are easy. Take the homonym debut LP from this young band from Cartagena, Murcia, and click play. First track "Nadia", will grab you. Next one, the brilliant "El Gran Apagón" will blow you out. And then, the hypnotic "El Centro" will do the rest. Insert your own adjectives for the rest of the album, 'cause there's no filler here. Only excellent guitar-driven indie-pop, full of energy, melodies and a rare ability to connect with the listener. Their short story (a demo, a self-released EP and the LP out since June on Ernie Records) only adds merits to this stunning collection of tunes.

Partido. Discovered at Festival Plaça Odissea in April. Went there for Mojave 3, but got haunted by their excellent gig. After checking their web and "The Lost Sessions (1999/2003)" released last year, a compilation of the band's first incarnation, my impression is now confirmed. Tragedy broke that original lineup, but now, refunded with members of La Habitación Roja, Pumuky, Maria Rodés or Xoel López, and leaded by Víctor Partido, they have embraced americana and folk-rock sounds to build their passionate, intense and utterly honest music. Eagerly awaiting for "Leaving It All Behind", their official comeback. 

Sexy Remake. Active since 2008, they come from Barcelona, under the leadership of Said Darbas. After previous lineups, he found stability with a 4-piece-format, adding Charlie and Aitor, from the ashes of the long yearned Stormyclouds. Inventive, surreal lyrics, sung by Said, with a voice that recalls to Ivan Ferreiro and Los Piratas, mixed with Charlie's burning, fearless indie-rock riffs and Aitor and Microciervo's solid rhythm section, they create a refreshing and addictive cocktail. With a self-released EP, "Dolly Depresiva/ Dolly Negativa" and a LP on the works, expectations couldn't be higher. Don't forget their name.