Discoverer 155: new indie findings

Another long hiatus in our discoverer series (hard to find the time to write) that we are glad to break today, thanks to three exciting and sonically very diverse bands we haven't stopped listening this 2017 and we couldn't miss the chance to talk you about. So, back across the globe in search of great music!

The Stevens. A no-brainer, we had to begin the trip in our dear Antipodes, with this band hailing from Melbourne. Formed in 2011 as the project of guitarists Alex Macfarlane (from our beloved Twerps, as well as Tyrannamen) and New Zealander Travis MacDonald, initially joining forces with Macfarlane’s old school friends, Tam Matlakowski and Callum Foley, later on 2012 being replaced by Gus Lord (also in Twerps) on bass and Matthew Harkin on drums. The band debuted with a self-released and self-titled EP, re-issued in 2012 with the essential label Chapter Music. Two years later, in 2014, they came up with first LP 'A History Of Hygiene', that gave them the chance to tour supporting the likes of R Stevie Moore, Wire, Parquet Courts or Real Estate. Now the band is back with sophomore album 'Good', out just now. And what a return to form this is! A lot of love for the 'Flying Nun sound', shiny jangle pop, a well-rounded dose of "slacker" pop, tones of short lo-fi gems and a wonderful sense for the listener you could be listening to the record over and over and you'll find new things each time. 18 times THAT good.

Priests. Formed in 2012 in Washington D.C. this quartet of punk rock and post-punk preachers lead started to convert their fandom thanks to their live shows, lead by the fierce presence of frontwoman Katie Alice Greer as well as their collection of self-released tapes and 7-inches spreading throughout 2012 and 2013, and delivered by their label Sister Polygon Records. Then the combo started working with Don Giovanni Records, co-releasing the mini-album 'Bodies And Control And Money And Power' a year later. Now Priests are back with their debut album 'Nothing Feels Natural' out since past January. A thunderous, politically committed, smart, sonically ambitious and rich, swaggering record that channels Fugazi, Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney into Trump's era. At least something feels natural... and powerful.

Sonic Visions. And we end in Helsinki, Finland, to introduce you to this promising & young 5 piece group formed in 2015 and with their first release, the EP 'Lost in Between', out since late January via Soliti Records. An immediate burst of adrenaline , the six tunes are an intoxicating collection of shoegaze and space-rock tunes with rousing guitars and a refreshing pop twist, recalling Ride´s most exuberant moments, or my beloved Toy, unabashedly indulging themselves into the realms of pop. Or even a rockier, Jesusandmarychainesque (not bad for a word, right?) version of the Stone Roses. All in all, a very addictive way to get lost into music... 

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!

Chickfactor's 20th Anniversary, an indie pop dream

Sorry folks, I know there are many bands reuniting this year to play live: The Stone Roses, Afghan Whigs, At the Drive-In, Refused... but the most amazing announcement has arrived today. The mythic indie magazine Chickfactor (online since 2002 and happily still alive and kicking) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a very special series of shows. INCREDIBLY SPECIAL!!

Five nights of music (three in NY, two in Washington DC, places where the magazine was born) in April including Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), A Girl Called Eddy, the great Frankie Rose, among other exciting names, plus The Aislers Set (wow), the band of Chickfactor co-founder Pam Berry, BLACK TAMBOURINE (first show since 1991), and THE SOFTIES!! (first since 2000). I know, capital letters are absolutely in order! 

I would kill to watch both bands live, specially The Softies, live. More shows are in the works. Please, please, please, Primavera Sound Festival bring them to Barcelona!