Primavera Sound in brief, day 3

As promised, here comes the final post on "our" Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2019, with the quick summary of what happened in Saturday's 1st, plus a comment on Sunday's 2nd. One more time, let's talk about music!

The Good

Built to Spill: Another box to be checked in this PS, we were finally able to see the Boise band lead by Doug Martsch live. And in a very special occasion, performing the flawless 'Keep It Like a Secret', in what it became an hour of getting completely lost in the sound, during which the Primavera stage transformed in the 'Center of the Universe' for a rapturous while. Not-so-secret, happily.

Best kept secret from Idaho. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Jarvis, making you dance and jump... again
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Jarv Is: It's a no-brainer. If Jarvis Cocker is in the building you go watch what he's about to offer. He's just one of a kind. On Saturday, at Ray-Ban stage he presented his new music adventure, Jarv Is, delivering a set of newbies. Obviously, that made the audience unable to connect fully, but the Sheffield's icon, in our opinion one of the best frontmans ever, can't miss a beat. Promising sounds, theatrical moves, odd, hilarious engagements with the crowd (that Italian guy, freaking out). Jarvis never disappoints.

Filthy Friends: Another mandatory gig, despite taking place on Sunday and having to suffer some trap act (beyond terrible) before two Blog superheroes, Peter Buck and Corin Tucker, took the CCCB stage, alongside the great company of an hyperactive Kurt Bloch, a shiny happy Scott McCaughey and the efficient Linda Pittmon on drums. There were some issues regarding Tucker's vocals (windy afternoon), but the energy and easygoing attitude, plus the strength of the diaphanous rock tunes contributed for a very pleasing afternoon, a nice way to end our PS with a smile.

The mighty friends. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Saturday's holes and mixtures: It was something to be expected. The PS turn towards mainstream, embracing the most commercial side of R&B, latin music, prefabricated pop, reggaeton or trap... took its toll, creating several huge gaps in our schedule during Saturday. Not much to see, if you weren't interested (at all) in the 'New Normal', a situation that is rare (and disappointing) in a Festival with such a great offer. But, in the other hand, maybe we shouldn't complain that much, because the amount of dubious acts were all programmed in Mordor, so we didn't have to visit the most exhausting area of the Festival, avoiding not only the unwanted music, but also the biggest crowds, allowing us to enjoy the ones we want to watch in a much more comfortable way instead.

The Queen
Stereolab: The most anticipated gig of the PS for us (never seen live before), but we must admit the previous excitement (another couple of Blog heroes in Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane) was mixed with some concerns, regarding the possible clash of their experimental indiepop musik with this "millennial era" of permanent distraction. But the doubts quickly vanished, replaced by a stunning perfomance, rockier than expected, dynamic and energetic, making the audience dance with their komische sounds. Playing in the milky night of Barcelona... 

At the French Disko. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Here are the links of the previous chapters! Day 1 and Day 2

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 229

A pretty full weekend… despite the rain (nice change for this city, everyday closer to the tropics). But now that we have a little break, it’s time to offer you our latest TOP TEN JUKEBOX, full of discoveries, as usual, plus a stunning cover of one Stereolab’s finest, courtesy of Seablite (can’t wait to listen their new release). There’s a wide variety of styles/genres in the music gathered, indiepop, jangle pop and arresting female singer-songwriters, a soundtrack for whatever mood suit us with this unpredictable weather. So we encourage you to delve into the tunes and enjoy the Sunday. And remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2019 Jukebox playlists

Week 214  Week 215 Week 216  Week 217 Week 218 Week 219 Week 220 Week 221 
Week 222 Week 223  Week 224  Week 225 Week 226  Week 227 Week 228

Primavera Sound 2019: my draft schedule

As the tradition obliges, here comes one of our favourite Blog posts! Because the Primavera Sound Festival timetables' were disclosed yesterday, so the time of making our own 'path' trough the line-up has already arrived. At first sight, it doesn't look as promising as previous editions (at least for us, but that's something we knew already, sign of the times and "new normalities") but we know that one of the charms of this festival is to discover new bands... just seems that in this 2019 more than ever!

Wednesday,  May 29th, 
18:00 Melenas (Primavera)
19:10 Hatchie (Primavera)

Just two names we are really interested in for the opening day (sorry, not feeling Big Red Machine that much) but attractive enough to be there for the afternoon...

Thursday, May 30th, Parc del Fòrum
17:00 Julien Baker (Auditori Rockdelux)
18:10 Soccer Mommy (Ray-Ban)
19:00 Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (Primavera)
21:50 Courtney Barnett (Pull & Bear)
23:15 Interpol (Seat) 
Pretty complete and straightforward day... that could have been wonderful without the clashes, a couple of them being simply terrible: Mr. Malkmus overlaps with half of Big Thief's gig, and Interpol with Guided by Voices. So, though questions to be resolved ahead. Mac DeMarco before Courtney? Mr. Pollard or a band that has returned with a very solid record after a couple of letdowns? Or even considering watching Pylon Reenacment society (also clashing with the aforementioned two)?)

Friday, May 31st, Parc del Fòrum
16:45 Lucy Dacus (Ray-Ban)
17:35 Snail Mail (Primavera)
18:30 Birkins feat Ken Stringfellow play Ziggy Stardust (Your Heineken Stage)
19:35 Kurt Vile & The Violators (Pull & Bear)
22:30 Suede (Ray-Ban)
23:50 Low (Primavera)
00:55 Kate Tempest (Ray-Ban)
Another pretty full day (why is Lucy Dacus starting that early?) with only a gap between Kurt Vile and Suede (right now leaning towards Liz Phair). Not bad on paper...

Saturday, June 1rst, Parc del Fòrum
19:15 Built to Spill (Primavera)
20:15 Me and the Bees play The Breeders (Your Heineken Stage)
22:55 Jarvis Cocker (Ray-Ban)
01:30 Stereolab (Ray-Ban)
If Jarvis doesn't save it (any of you has an idea of what kind of performance will offer to us?) this is a frustrating day. Almost nothing to be excited for until Built to Spill, which overlaps (hope just slightly) with our dear Me and the Bees. There, more emptiness (Drab Majesty?) until the Jarvis' enigma and waiting for Stereolab's time (one of the few must-see of this PS19 for us) with Primal Scream.

Sunday, June 2nd, 
18:20 Filthy Friends (Primavera a la ciutat -Barcelona)
23.30 The Beths (Sala Apolo)
And more frustration to end the Festival. Two big, mandatory acts for us (Peter Buck & Corin Tucker? They should be headliners... ALWAYS), separated by many hours and locations, damn it what a terrible schedule!

Stay tuned for further developments!!

Primavera Sound 2019: first impressions

We're back! Fresh from our break... and surprised with the announcement, almost out of the blue (at least for us, but we are guessing the amount and caliber of certain headliners by certain Festivals within the country might have had something to do) of the Primavera Sound's line-up 2019. So let's dive in...

Labelled as the #NewNormal and heralded as the perfect encounter between the 'state of music', parity and the trademark eclecticism of the Festival, there's a bit to be annoyed for. First, why now? Getting involved in the parity debate looks kind of  'too little, too late'. But hey, better late than never. You are welcome. The worst part, if you ask us, is that there's a feeling of a worrying marketing product created (that video doesn't help) as an excuse to justify a roster that, at first glimpse, lacks some substance and exciting names, replaced by extremely lame (being very polite) and mainstream trends that (product placement alert, product placement alert) behind cool (music genre?) terms such as Urban are eager to sell sneakers, hats, glasses or tracksuits.   

But at the same time, and despite some huge misses that we thought almost granted, like Robert Forster (new album and European tour in Spring), The Chills (one of the records of 2018) and Sharon Van Etten (although I'm very scared of the new album judging by first tunes), there's quite a lot to be excited for, in particular the amazing return of Stereolab, the unexpected gig of Filthy Friends (Primavera, if you are having Peter Buck & Corin Tucker in Barcelona why don't you ask them for more, in any of their multiple incarnations) and the chance of seeing live some of the artists responsible for the best LPs of 2018, like Lucy Dacus or Soccer Mommy.

As always, this is just the Blog's first impression. We are happy it seems this Primavera's edition recovers the traditional vast offer in what regards to the 'middle and small class', so we are certain we are about to 'discover' several proposals to add to 'our' Festival routes. So, all in all, let's honour the Blog’s tradition: here’s our rough paint & colour' version of 2019 line-up with the bands we are willing to see. Suggestions are welcomed and as always, a lot to listen ahead!!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS FOR PRIMAVERA SOUND 2019

27 May - 2 June

070 Shake • Agoria live • Agost • Aïsha Devi • Albany • Aldous Harding • Aleesha • Alice Phoebe Lou • Alondra Bentley • Ama Lou • Amyl and The Sniffers • Anastasia Kristensen live • Anthony Naples live • Apparat live & dj • Avalon Emerson • Bakar • Batu • Bea Pelea • Beak> • The Beths • BFlecha • Big Red Machine • Big Thief • Bliss Signal • Boy Pablo • Brat Star • Bridget St. John • Built To Spill • Carcass • Cardi B • Cariño • Carly Rae Jepsen • Cate Le Bon • Caterina Barbieri • CHAI • Channel Tres • Charli XCX • Christina Rosenvinge • Christine and The Queens • Clairo • Clara! • Dj Coco • Coucou Chloe • Courtesy • Courtney Barnett • Cuco • CupcakKe • Cupido • Cybotron • Dâm-Funk • Danny Brown • Danny L Harle live • David August • Daymé Arocena • Deerhunter • Demdike Stare • Denis Sulta • Derby Motoreta's Burrito Cachimba • Dirty Projectors • Djrum • Dr. Rubinstein • Drab Majesty • Dream Wife • Ecran Total • Efrim Manuel Menuck • Elena Setién • Empress Of • Epsilove • Erykah Badu • Fantastic Man b2b Tornado Wallace • Filthy Friends • FKA twigs • Flaca • Flohio • Forest Drive West • Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes • Frinda Di Lanco • Fucked Up • Future • Gangsta Boo • Georgia Anne Muldrow • Goa • Goth Boi Clique • Guided By Voices • Haru Nemuri • Hatchie • Helena Hauff • Hieroglyphic Being • Homeshake • Hurricane G feat Tony Touch • Ian Isiah • Iglooghost • IM • Interpol • Isa·bel • Ivy Queen • Izabel • J Balvin • James Blake • Janelle Monáe • Japanese • Jarvis Cocker introducing JARV IS • JASSS • Jawbreaker • Jayda G • Job Jobse • Jon Hassell • Joy Orbison • JPEGMAFIA • Julia Holter • Julien Baker • June of 44 • Jungle • Kali Uchis • Kate Tempest • Kelly Kapøwsky • Kodie Shane • Krystal Klear • Kurt Vile & The Violators • La Goony Chonga • La Zowi • Las Odio • Laurel Halo dj set • Lidia Damunt • Lil Moss • Linn Da Quebrada • Lisabö • Liz Phair • Lizzo • Lndfk • Lolina • Low • Loyle Carner • Lucy Dacus • Mac DeMarco • Mad Miran • Mafalda • The Mani-las • Dj Marcelle • María José Llergo • Maribou State • Marie Davidson • Mark Luva • Melenas • The Messthetics • Midori Takada • Mina • Miya Folick • Modeselektor live • Mow • Mozhgan • Mumdance • Mura Masa • Museless • Mykki Blanco • Myrkur • The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices featuring Lisa Gerrard • Nas • Nathy Peluso • The Necks • Neneh Cherry • Nilüfer Yanya • Nina Kraviz • Nitzer Ebb • Nosedrip • Object Blue • Objekt live & dj • Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew • Odina • Overmono live & dj • Pavvla • Peach • Peggy Gou • Dj Playero • Pond • Primal Scream • Princess Nokia • Pusha T • Putochinomaricón • r.e.a.l. • Retirada! • Richie Hawtin Close • Rico Nasty • Robyn • Róisín Murphy • Rosa Pistola • Rosalía • Dj Rosario & Sama Yax • Roza Terenzi • Rrucculla • Shakti Alliance (Ivy Barkakati, Modet, Vir) • Shellac • Shonen Knife • Sigrid • slowthai • Snail Mail • Soccer Mommy • Solange • Somadamantina • Sons Of Kemet XL • SOPHIE • Steffi • Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks • Stereolab • Sticky M.A. • Stiff Little Fingers • Suede • Dj Supermarkt • Suzanne Ciani • Tame Impala • Tierra Whack • Tim Hecker & Konoyo Ensemble • Tirzah • Tomberlin • Tony Touch & Friends (Don Chezina + Soni WithanEYE) • upsammy • Uzielito Mix • Veronica Vasicka live • Vicky Groovy • Voiski live • Wednesday Campanella • Xols • Yaeji • Ylia • Yung Beef dj set • Yves Tumor full band

Green- Definetely seeing them. Absolute must
Orange- If there are no overlaps (in particular with the green ones), I'll be there for sure
Yellow- Curious about it/on "research mode"/nice option if there's no overlap

United We Can: A Playlist

As you might know, today is General Election Day here in Spain. A day that hopefully means the beginning of a new form of government for my country. One where corruption is not the norm and putting people (as Bernie would say, the 99%) first becomes the fundamental doctrine. One where neoliberalism is not a mantra and public service recovers its true meaning. One ruled by the unity of the people, not the will of the few powerful and rich. I'm not shy of sharing what I'm voting (I have always voted the real left) but, I'm hopeful this time we have a real chance to determine politics in Spain (as is already happening in cities like Madrid and Barcelona). So I have prepared a quick playlist with some politically charged and personally meaningful bands and songs (tried to skip the most usual political artists, like Dylan or Marley, and Sam Cooke/ Creedence have a lot to do with what my father taught me) for this long and important evening. So, if you don't share my political views, at least I hope you enjoy the music!

International Women's Day Playlist!

Today is the International Women's Day, and to celebrate this very special & important we have prepared a playlist with 41 songs created/performed by amazing female artists & female-leaded bands (all Blog favourites). Why 41? Because its the number of years the Day has been held (since 1975, when the United Nations proclaimed it). Of course, many many more superb women have been left out of the playlist. But do not worry, we have every day of any given year to celebrate, as everyday is Women's Day. Thanks for your wisdom, your talents and your songs!

Discoverer 136: new indie findings

Today we offer a discoverer series focused in the most experimental side of music. Kraut, Stereloabesque and soundtrack sounds. Do not fear and let yourself go, There's a lot to enjoy!

Cavern of Anti-Matter. Behind this sci-fi name lies the latest, Berlin-based project of (stand up please) Stereolab & McCarthy Tim Gane, alongside Joe Dilworth, also from the much revered experimental band, and German electronic master Holger Zapf. Launched in 2013, the trio came out with debut album 'Blood-Drums' that same year, followed by some very limited 7" and 12" releases within 2014 and 2015. Now they are back with sophomore record 'Void Beats / Invocation Trex', out now via Duophonic. The trio of sonic explorers, with the help of some illustrious collaborators like Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox, Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, and Mouse on Mars’ Jan St. Werner, have delivered an intoxicating collection of driving, motorik rhythms and synth drones. A familiar, yet intricate and hazy future, abstract, hypnotic and surprisingly organic. Dive into the cavern.

LNZNDRF. Pronounced Lanzerdorf, behinds this impossible name lies another experimental trio, formed by Ben Lanz of Beirut and (stand up again, please) brothers Bryan and Scott Devendorf from The National. Formed around 2011 in New Zealand (out of a need for a supporting act last minute), the project acquired full shape when they recorded the eight-track LP over two and half days in a church in Cincinnati, Ohio. The songs, edited down from expansive jams, evoke the essence of their expansive, largely improvised live shows, are now gathered in their self-titled debut album, out now via 4AD. Forged around their common love for Neu! and the Krautrock original legion and propelled by the galloping pulse of our favourite drummer, LNZNDRF tunes are energetic, relentless, widescreen, yet delicate and atmospheric. Breathtaking debut.

Paolo Spaccamonti. Hailing from Torino, Italy, comes this experimental composer and guitarist, who debuted in 2009 with album 'Undici Pezzi Facili', that made him being celebrated as one of the most promising acts of the Italian experimental scene. Sophomore LP 'Buone Notizie' arrived in 2011, being followed a year later with Spaccamombu, his collaboration with the Rome-based band Mombu, starting a series of exciting parallel projects for an incredibly active and adventurous musician. To name just a few, in February 2013 he took part at the first edition of the Musica 90 Sessions, along with Julia Kent, Ivan Bert and Paolo Dellapiana (Larsen). He has played live with Damo Suzuki of legendary Can, Nick Cave, St. Vincent, Ana Calvi, Xiu Xiu and, more recently, provided a live accompaniment to the documentary 'Drifters' alongside Ben Chasny of Six Organs Of Admittance for Turin's Museo del Cinema. Near the end of 2015 he released his latest solo effort to date, the LP 'Rumors', out via Escape from Today & Santeria Records. A slowly-burned craftsmanship affair of shocking intensity and über appealing cinematic quality, Spaccamonti's music sounds like the perfect soundtrack for these dreamy, mysterious and haunting nights where the darkness seems to know all your secrets.

The Indie Anthology 41: essential songs

Yes, I'm getting a little more "political" lately (my personal situation and several last reads for Indienauta are probably responsible of that), so I guess the next chapter of the Anthology couldn't be devoted to any other band: the best overtly political jangle pop group, in my opinion...

Song: Keep and Open Mind or Else!
Artist: McCarthy
Year: 1989

Lyrics matter a lot to me. I'm not saying every single tune has to be about politics or show social commitment, but lyrics should have some substance, meaning, charm or interest (even if it's about some cheesy love affair). And without losing the point of creating the best songs one can. The Essex band, leaded by Malcolm Eden and Tim Gane (who would later form my beloved Stereolab along with Laetitia Sadier) penned a bunch of personal favourite lyrics, not shy of showing heart will always beat on the left, and wrapped in, arguably, some of the best jangle pop (masterful Gane's 12-string Rickenbacker) tunes ever. Like this "Keep and Open Mind or Else!", where the bouncy, engaging drums and the sweet melodic style is combined with killer verses like You should always try to see / Another person's point of view /You should never, oh never/ Think that you know everything or the An open mind / Oh why don't you keep? / It's the true side / Of the civilized. Defending the right to disagree and think by yourself in a 3:30 minutes pop gem. Meaningful lyrics, amazing tune. McCarthy, one of the most underrated groups in music history...

These Go to 11: interviewing Watoo Watoo

Oh! What a great band (well, half of it) is answering our questionnaire today. It took me a while to discover them, but thanks to their fantastic latest album (look for it at the blog Best Records of the Year list, and yes, I'm aware we are just ending March), now I'm a converted to the Watoo Watoo "cult". Would you like to join me? I'm pretty sure you will fall for them too. These Go to 11!

Michaël Korchia, Watoo Watoo

The Korchias, indiepop alchimistes

Hailing from Bordeaux, France, Pascale & Michaël Korchia have a extensive career on their backs as their first release, the EP Un Peu de Moi" from 1997, proves. Since then, the couple have released three albums, "Le Fumalin" & "Curiosites?" in 2001, and "Le Fuite" in 2007, plus two  EPs, "Picture of a Lost Friend" in 1999 & "Le Tourbillon" in 2011, that came out on Dufflecoat Records. This year they have returned to action with the release of their 4th album, the mind-blowing "Une Si Longue Attente", via Jigsaw Records since January. Pluperfect indiepop, sophisticated, rich (try to listen it with the lights out, with good headphones), like gathering their beloved Stereolab, Young Marble Giants or Gainsbourg on a private party, just to come out, like pop alchimistes, with something no one, NO ONE, should miss. Here we go!

Mr Gardner, pop-looking

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

I used to love tapes, so I didn’t buy a vinyl until I was 16 or so. Probably an obscure punk band. First CDs were a Russian new wave band called Kino (not very good) & Lou Reed’s "Rock & Roll Animal".

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
I saw “Le grand orchestre du Splendid” when I was 12. A mix of salsa, ska, jazz, French chanson & lots of humor. Last gig was 5 days ago, Jacco Gardner (excellent)

Ok, that's shocking

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

I like a lot the 1st Depeche Mode album a lot (I find this quite embarrassing) & also a couple of Black Sabbath albums!

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
My 1973 Fender Jazz Bass – best bass in the world!

Gainsbourg, a French legend

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Probably from Gainsbourg – maybe the album «L’homme à la tête de chou».

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Dead: Gainsbourg, without a doubt. Preferably in the early 70s. I would love to meet Lawrence from Felt but I’m afraid I could be deceived… Or Iggy Pop, he’s fantastic & I know I would have fun with him!

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
I love Blue Notes records from the 50s/60s. Also some punk covers, such as "Never Mind the Bollocks", or also the first Stooges album: impressive photo & great band logo. The first Velvet album is also very striking.

Les 400 Coups

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
All the movies by François Truffaut, particularly the ones with Antoine Doinel: the "400 blows" & the others after. Unfortunatly I gave up reading books long years ago –music & photography take me too much time, & in my job (professor/researcher) I have lots of things to read (& I don’t, because I don’t have the time).

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
“Perdu”, maybe. It’s fast yet very melodic –some people think it sounds like Stereolab but I don’t think so. I still don’t know which is my favorite band in our new album, though.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Most of the time, It only means that big record companies just don’t want your band.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In front of my computer, like always!

Zillion thanks Michaël!

Discoverer 85: new indie findings

Looking for new music? Here's a trio of amazing discoveries, enjoy!

Watoo Watoo. Fated to love this band. Hailing from Bordeaux, Pascale & Michaël Korchia began offering their majestic indiepop in 1997, with first EP "Un Peu de Moi". Since then, the duo have released 3 albums, "Le Fumalin" & "Curiosites?" in 2001, latest being a covers record, and "Le Fuite" in 2007, plus 2 more EPs, "Picture of a Lost Friend" in 1999 & "Le Tourbillon" in 2011, released on Dufflecoat Records. Luckily, this 2014 is going to be a Watoo Watoo year with the release of 4th album "Une Si Longue Attente", out now in Jigsaw Records. A delight from start to finish, their music is lush, warmly textured, a reincarnation of Stereolab willing to pen the perfect pop song... once and again!
Major Leagues. Back to Australia to meet this Brisbane quartet, formed in 2012, offering wonderful tastes of their pop talent in digital format since that September, until past December arrived their debut EP "Weird Season". Five tunes infused by the sun, armed with an arsenal of irresistible hooks and bigger-than-life melodies, fuelled by fuzzed-out guitar and a carefree, youth spirit. Best Coast, the poppier side of Bleached, I'll let the comparisons to you. Me, I prefer to focus just on the immediate joy and promise of this first batch of tunes. More soon, please!

Caténine. Another one thanks to the great February Records, folks. Caténine is the Massachusetts-based recording project of Dylan Connor, who began his career with a self titled (and self-released) EP in December 2012. Live shows (where he expands the project into a quartet) and a split release with Funeral Advantage on Disposable America Records followed in September 2013. And with the mind-blowing (oh, these guitar lines!) single "In Your Ruin" surfacing now courtesy of February Records we can certify Connor is an artist to follow closely. Classy jangle pop meeting hazy dreampop, with slight touches of synths and icy 80's post-punk. A mixture of wonders.

Discoverer 78: new indie findings

More fantastic new indie discoveries selected for your listening pleasure, enjoy!

Dutch Barn. Our beloved EardrumsPop again folks. They not only come out with another fantastic (and FREE!) release, the ePop 036, but they also remind me there was a band waiting to be listened. This five piece from East London were formed from the embers of folk group Little Ray in 2011, debuting with album “Lighter Later“ in April 2013. The record and the EPop single are delightful trips to guitar-driven indie-rock tunes. Open spaces, sparse, folky roots, heavenly coexisting with reverb and upbeat melodies. They've been defined as a cross between Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr and Stereolab. The comparison is accurate in terms of sound, but also in terms of potential.
Upset. Careful, super-indie band here. This L.A. trio, formed in 2013, is leaded by Ali Koehler, former drummer of Vivian Girls and then Best Coast, alongside ex-Hole drummer Patty Schemel.(looks like they met over Twitter) and guitarist Jenn Prince from La Sera. Upset's debut, "She's Gone", is out since October 29 through punk label Don Giovanni. Any hint of what could the record sound like? Right, pop-punk infected with hooks, channeling '90s indie-rock spirit and so ready to grab you from the ear you will think this record has been on your shelf since 20 years ago. Not to miss. 

Old Lacy Bed. Back to Japan to meet this young girls-band from Nagoya formed in 2012. As always happens (unfortunately) with Asian bands, there's not a lot of info out there, so we'll stick with what we know. Although there are some more tunes at the soundcloud, what it seems a split release with band The Moments and song "Coastlands" included on the Ano(t)raks "Soon V.A." compilation from September 2012, their first proper debut might be this lovely, immediately addictive 7" single "Little Girl" on Dufflecoat Records, available since June. Somewhere in the middle of the sweetest shoegaze and the fuzzier twee-pop this three songs are just wonderful. We want more! 

Discoverer 68: new indie findings

Back with another round of great new discoveries before hitting the road again, enjoy!

Radiation City. Despite their gig at Phono del Sol was disappointing (barely three songs due to technical issues) here's a band you shouldn't miss. Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2009, initially as a duo, but quickly expanding themselves to a quintet, debuting in February 2011 with LP "The Hands That Take You", with US tours and EP "Cool Nightmare" following that same year. Finally, sophomore release "Animals in the Median", just out now, is here to confirm here's a unique group. Blending lush instrumentation with northern soul, subtle electronic layers and pop harmonies, Radiation City sound like no other, like Stereolab and Astrud Gilberto kidnapped by Brian Wilson. Very special.

Skittle Alley. Among the indiepop goldmine that is Dufflecoat Records today I want to highlight the music of musician Fanou, hailing from Limoges, France. This one man band debuted in 2004 with several releases in wonderful labels like Anorak, Jigsaw, Indonesian Hey Ho or the aforementioned Dufflecoat to date (can't recommend you enough to check them out now). His latest release, out just now, is a delicious EP entitled "The Memory of a Smile", a gentle, intimate affair in the vein of The Field Mice or Another Sunny Day. Little gem.
Franny & Zooey. With that name it was a matter of time they will get my attention. But there's much more than just an unmissable Salinger reference here. Close friends Juan Julio Peña and Victoria Linares hail from Dominican Republic and a year ago decided to form a band. With Brian Senior completing the trio they put out debut song “Remember (Being Fake)” past summer, and now they return with debut EP "Bananafish". A lot of twee and irresistibly catchy indiepop mixed with surf hints and a laid back vibe, there's a lot to love & expect next from this promising literate combo.

Spanish Indie 12: suggesting the best national acts

More Spanish "alternative sounds" for your listening pleasure!

The Birkins. Can you mix British pop with French chanson, Americana and some experimentation and not being indigestible? Can you recall bands like The Beautiful South and Stereolab at the same time? This impressive quartet hailing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can, gracefully. Formed in 2008, after winning, in 2009, the nationwide Heineken Greenspace contest, they signed with our recurrent friends from El Genio Equivocado and released their S/T debut album in 2011. Now they are back with their sophomore release, "Châteaux en Espagne", out since Feburary. Classy and diverse indiepop. One final advice: don't miss the chance of seeing them live if you can.

Niño y Pistola. Veteran band from Baiona, Galizia, for our second proposal. After two demos (2003 & 2004) they released "Como un Maldito Guisante" in 2006, recorded fully live. Hailed by critics as the "Galizian from Liverpool", they returned with "Culebra" in 2008. Then came their band reinvention, releasing under a new alter ego "Niño y Pistola as Arthur & The Writers" in 2010. And out now we have "There's a Man With a Gun Over There" as Niño y Pistola again. A conceptual album that is a superb homage to all the American music heroes: Neil Young, The Band, Dylan, Byrds, Buffalo Springfield... FOLK-ROCK in big capital letters.

Les Atxes. Discovered at the Minifestival de Música Independent, this band from Barcelona was born in 2008, first as the shared project of guitarists and singers Marc A. and Marc M., and then as a powerful full group after recruiting three more members. After many gigs and rehearsing, in 2011 they came out with a self-titled mini-album, when they combine their passion for the 70s' NYC scene with the more primitive elements of garage, as well of little hints of post-punk and traces of Spanish folk-rock. An eclectic combination that turns out to be incredibly fun, particularly live.

The Indie Anthology 20: essential songs

After some hiatus, here's the next tune of our very personal Anthology. A song too infuse you some energy, some hope, some courage, some comfort (I believe) as you will realise there's still people willing to fight. This is also a modest homage to them.

Song: French Disko
Artist: Stereolab
Year: 1993

These are confusing, frustrating and exhausting times. Times when you think, in many occasions on a single day, "I want to quit", "I want to give up". When I discovered this (for me) Stereolab's timeless classic I was a Political Science university student seeing how President Bush II decided to go to war on Iraq being followed by our equally repulsive president Aznar, seeking for his 15 minutes of fame. "French Disko", with its vibrant structure, its inner tension, and Laetitia Sadier's lyrics (below the video, please read them) calling to arms on that unforgettable chorus "La Resistance!", was the perfect (personal) soundtrack for those days of protest and (modest) rebellion. Ironically, almost a decade after, the song is still perfectly suitable considering how the world is completely insane today. But now it has another, unexpected lecture, personally. Its a song of hope, one to stick with on days/periods like the ones many are living right now, in which we would like to hide/disappear/give up. Don't do it. Keep fighting.

Though this world's essentially an absurd place to be living in
It doesn't call for total withdrawal

I've been told it's a fact of life
Men have to kill one another
Well I say there are still things worth fighting for

La Resistance!

Though this world's essentially an absurd place to be living in
It doesn't call for (bubble withdrawal)

It said human existence is pointless
As acts of rebellious solidarity
Can bring sense in this world

La Resistance!

Discoverer 41: new indie findings

Here we go! New band proposals for your listening pleasure!

The Soft Pack. Formed in San Diego in 2007 but based in L.A., they began as a duo, becoming the current quartet a year after. Initially named The Muslims, their debut EP arrived in 2009, but due to "being disgusted and exhausted by the ignorant, often racist, bullshit that came out of people's mouths" they changed their name, releasing another EP and self-titled debut album in 2010. A lot of touring and studio work followed, with the result being "Strapped", second LP out in two weeks on Mexican Summer. Without leaving their indie rock's fuzz, with a garage and vital spirit, music has now evolved into a more richer and diverse territory. Looking forward to The Soft Pack comeback!
The Soft Pack - Saratoga 
Arc in Round. We move to Philadelphia to meet Jeff Ziegler, producer of The War on Drugs or Kurt Vile, and leader of this very particular combo. Formerly known as shoegazers Relay (2005-2010), Arc in Round became alive in 2010, when they released their EP "Diagonal Fields", followed past year with "II". Now the transition is completed with their self-titled album, out now on La Société Expéditionnaire. A sound as hard to describe as not falling for, think on Joy Division meeting Stereolab (hear singer Mikele Edwards amidst loops and effects), or Sonic Youth experimenting with dreampop. Music as vibrant as haunting.

StarTropics. And we finally end in Chicago with a band discovered thanks to the indie wisdom of skatterbrain's website. Not much information to explain about this unsigned foursome, so I'll focus on the music, so far just a four tune collection you can grab freely, which seems to aim for capturing the essences of post-punk gloom and blend it with the twee-pop warmness of Sarah Records. From the jangling delicacy and sweetness of “Into The Night” (these whispering boy/girl voices) to the 80's sounding bleakness of "Chapel Hill", there's a lot of promise in this band. Hoping for more very soon!
spring 2012 demo by StarTropics