These Go to 11: interviewing The Hermit Crabs

Here comes another These Go to 11 interview series! This time I'm extremely honoured and happy to have the questionnaire completed by a wonderful musician, Melanie Whittle from the adorable The Hermit Crabs and Baffin Island, two personal favourites that make each of their (too few) releases an indiepop celebration. Enjoy!

Queen of the Indiepop Hermits

Melanie Whittle 
The Hermit Crabs / Baffin Island

After California Snow Story was put on hold, where she played drums, Melanie Whittle formed The Hermit Crabs in 2003. The Glaswegian band (Scottland of course, couldn't be any other way?) have released three flawless EPs to date, all available at the infallible Matinée Records; the debut "Feel Good Factor" (2006), "Correspondence Course" (2008), "Time Relentless" (2012), and one full-length; "Saw You Dancing" (2007). But Mel indiepop talents can also be found on the loveliest transcontinental collaboration ever: Baffin Island, where she joins forces with "our man", Jeremy Jensen, and Jake Hite from The Very Most. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest
Nena, "99 Red Balloons".

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

First: Madness at the age of 13. Last: Scottish proms in the park, Glasgow green

The "other" Michael

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
Oo, er….Michael Bublé!?

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Precious to me: Signed copy of Scottish band Win album. Perhaps precious to other people: Signed "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" B&S CD, promo copy of ‘Jonathan David’ by B&S.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours) You told me everything by saying nothing (Bloodbuzzed's note: maybe from Tuxedomoon's "In a Manner of Speaking"?, thanks for that Knut!!)

The real "Deal".

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too) 
I’ve met Kim Deal but would like to meet her again, the guy from Magnetic Fields (Stephen Merrit), Joey Santiago from The Pixies.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Dead Kennedys’ album, "Frankenchrist"

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
I know it’s perhaps an indie cliche but I love Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar", it’s so good on so many levels. Also Wally Lamb's "She’s come undone" and Salinger's "Franny and Zooey". Film: John Cassavettes, "A woman under the influence".

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of

"Closet Fan" from "Saw Your Dancing".

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Oh dear, I don’t know, the eternal question. Alternative, shoe-gazing.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Musically Speaking? – playing a bit of everything in a covers band – weddings, barmitzvahs etc. Hopefully playing the violin to a decent standard.

Zillion thanks Mel!

Bloodbuzzed interviews The Very Most!

Today's post is a very special one. The (very) most special of this adventure named "Bloodbuzzed". When I started this blog, interviewing musicians was just a dream, a possibility that looked as exciting as impossible. I didn't know that a musician I admire, Jeremy Jensen from The Very Most (also Baffin Island) was going to approach this humble blogger and music lover and become what I'm proud to call a virtual (hope to solve that sooner or later) friend.

So, at the beginning of the year we planned this interview. When thinking on the questions to make him, I wanted to cover as many sides as possible: the musician of course, but also the citizen and the person. Little I knew his replies were going to be so interesting and open, and that he was going to do such an effort and answer my questions with this wonderful video.

You can listen to the gorgeous "When Summer Finally Dies", TVM's song Jeremy chose below. I hope you like the interview as much as I do! Thanks Jeremy, thanks The Very Most!

Discoverer 48: new indie findings

The first trio of proposals in this 2013. Judging by this new findings, the year ahead of us looks amazing! Hope you agree with me, enjoy!

Beat Mark. They hail from Paris, but have nothing to do with French music cliches. The quartet was born in 2009, after an initial seven-track cassette, they embarked themselves on their first LP, "Howls of Joy" out, only in France, in 2011. But 2013 is going to be their year. A brand new EP, "Beat Mark... Move On" will be released on February 15th, and the aforementioned record will have a proper global release three days after. We should celebrate, because this band merges the noisy vibes of 90's American rock scene with the charms of 80's indiepop. Fuzz & melodies, intensity & vocal delights, noisy & urgent pop to cheer you up.
 
Yakuri Cable. This Scottish (Glasgow again folks) quartet approached me on Twitter few months ago. I immediately liked the tunes, but the lack of information made me put them on a "have to check" status. Little I knew that half of its members were also part of the wonderful, and dearly beloved Baffin Island. Then it's quite easy to understand why the band tunes, just five songs available at their soundcloud at the moment, sound so delicious. Charming indiepop, with a slight synth-pop touch presiding their music, the overall feeling couldn't be so promising. Keep an eye on them this 2013.
 
Golden Grrrls. Still on Glasgow to meet this trio, which after a couple of 7"s, now is preparing themselves to assault the indiepop scene with their debut album, out on the infallible Slumberland Records and Night School records on February 25th. They have all the weapons to achieve the victory. Infectious and uplifting guitar-driven twee-pop, full of hooks, melodies, reverbs, sun-soaked vocals and armonies... Expectations couldn't be higher after what we have heard so far. Anxious to confirm the first great impressions.

Best Songs of the Year 2012: 75-51

Second chapter of the Bloodbuzzed Songs of the Year 2012, with the tunes comprised from positions 75 to 51, with the grooveshark playlist to listen them and have your say. Third part coming tomorrow, so stay tuned and enjoy the music! 

75. Nothing Means Nothing- Peter Buck
74. I Don’t Care- Summer Twins
73. Gone Tomorrow- Lambchop
72. Don’t Believe Ayn Rand- Novella
71. First of My Kind- Miles Kane
70. Found You- The Belljars
69. Sweetness In Her Spark- Lightships
68. Cherokee- Cat Power
67. Breathe Deep- Echo Lake
66. Europe – Allo Darlin’
65. Wanting More- September Girls
64. Kill My Blues- Corin Tucker Band
63. Astronomy- Nat Johnson and The Figureheads
62. We Were Meant to Meet- Baffin Island
61. All Day Today – Hospitality
60. Stop, Look and Listen- Strawberry Whiplash
59. Waiting On a Dream- Lee Ranaldo
58. This Love Will You Lead You On- ExLovers
57. Deconstruction- Fanfarlo
56. Season in Hell- Dum Dum Girls
55. Electric- TEEN
54. Magic Chords- Sharon Van Etten
53. Show Us Your Canines- Shrag
52. Painted Like A Forest- The Holiday Crowd
51. State of Grace- Beth Orton

Best EPs of the Year 2012

After the books and concerts, is time to review 2012 in music releases. It's been a year full of wonderful EPs (only EPs, no singles, 3 to 5 songs), so they deserved a list of their own. Needless to say, this is a very personal list (comments on each band clicking on their links). Hope you enjoy it!

15. The Stammer- The Stammer 
14. Shy Little Jane Presents: The Dramatic Tale of Her Animals- Jane Joyd
13. The Belljars- The Belljars 
12. Baffin Island- Baffin Island 
11. Pale Lights- Pale Lights 
10. We Hunt- All We Are 
9. The Fake Stories About You & Me- Pale Sunday 
8. StarTropics- StarTropics 
7. Pure Bathing Culture- Pure Bathing Culture 
6. Young Romance- Young Romance
5. Ununiversalizable Us- The Very Most
4. The Distractions- Rose Elinor Dougall
3. Time Relentless- The Hermit Crabs
2. No Sleep- Fountains
1. End of Daze- Dum Dum Girls
 
The "Records List" coming shortly!

"Ununiversalizable Us", under The Very Most charms

Ununiversalizable Us EP

We have had an EP from The Hermit Crabs and another one from Baffin Island this year. So there was one missing. I'm referring, of course, to a new work from our beloved friend Jeremy Jensen, leader of The Very Most. "Ununiversalizable Us", out yesterday (released on a Spanish label, Little Treasure Records, there's still hope for us!), completes that triumvirate of releases, and does it so offering some unexpected fresh, adventurous new forms. At least in half of this four songs.

"Ununiversalizable Us", the song that also gives the title to the EP, is a very ambitious tune. Initially built on relentless synths that creates a mysterious melody and a simple but insidious percussion, then flourishes into an elaborated composition where guitars offer a radical departure from the way the song begun. There are cymbals and bells chiming, colliding in an explosive chorus where sweet female vocals appear. And sorry, but I have to write it down in capital letters, a MIND-BLOWING FLUTE! Not enough? There's more: a darker side, an edge that you can grasp in the lyrics, which makes the song even more haunting. You don't have to believe my words, just the check the beautiful and very blue new website of TVM and illustrate yourself. All in all, an outstanding song, from now on one of my favourites from the band.

"There's Nothing Missing" is a far more recognisable TVM tune, but I'm afraid it suffers from being next to such a fantastic previous tune, full of novelties. The slowest number on the EP, it is mellow and atmospheric. It's easy to imagine yourself on a quiet and crystalline beach as the sunset falls, warm and welcoming. The Boise, Idaho band has that trademark talent to capture a melody and provide an envelope of lushness and closeness to the listener, but the song doesn't arrive much further from that comfort zone.    

"Changed Me", despite being slightly more upbeat, seems to follow close in terms of atmosphere and sounding. But this time it is hard not to fall in front of its many charms. A graceful female-male duet, smooths, oceanic notes that seem to vanish slowly, carrying us to that unexpected inner burst that ends in a smooth but heavenly epic jam.

And finally, we have "Let Her Dance" a cover from Bobby Fuller that sounds cheerful and vibrant, a rush of vitality were intertwined male-female vocals shine again. The straightest tune of the lot, sure, but by the time the guitar solo appears... you know it's going to be in your head. For a long time. That's, at the end, the major strength of (good) pop music. Great tunes remain with you, grow on you, stuck on you. To find that sort of tunes is hard. Thankfully, we have bands like The Very Most. They have plenty of them. Like these new, very strong, ones. In all modesty, I won't give up in my attempt of "universalizing" their music as much as I can. They deserve it.

SCORE: 7,5/10

Baffin Island EP, near perfect indie pop equation

Baffin Island EP

Let's talk about maths today. Here's a very special equation for your indiepop brains: Half The Hermit Crabs + Half The Very Most= Baffin Island. 

I don't know what this equation equals in maths, but in music means gorgeous indie pop. Two of the most beloved bands of this blog joining forces again in another EP (remember that great debut on EardrumsPop?), out now in WeePOP!     

"Sorry For Myself" opens the EP with sweetness. It has the joyful music DNA of The Very Most, and despite Melanie Whittle's vocals are probably a bit hidden within the -delicious, shiny- mix, by the time the backing vocals appear, you already have fallen in love with the tune. Granted and certified by the combination of two bands that really now about pop.

"This Year" follows in a breezy, moody way, a perfect song for a grey day outside, or for last, crucial dance of the night party. Reminds me to Camera Obscura's slower tracks, even in Mel's vocals... but why it didn't last longer? It's a cruelty to end such a beautiful song that soon.

"That Summer Feeling" is a Jonathan Richman cover, something that I suppose has a lot to do with Jeremy Jensen's personal tastes. It's a fine tune, that fits really nice with Mel's vocals, but in my opinion is the less remarkable tune of the lot, as it gets a bit repetitive in its tone, probably because that plaintive beat, almost like a programmed pulse, over which the line "that summer feeling is going to haunt you the rest of your life" like a mantra.

But we quickly reach the final song, "We Were Meant to Meet", a more upbeat number that sounds closer to The Hermit Crabs to me, and its probably the stand-out of this EP. The drums rattling on the chorus, the magic interlude, the lush and bright crescendo near the end... All in all, a pure pop gem.

Aww, if all mathematics were as wonderful as this (music) equation!

SCORE: 7/10

Quick round of new & unmissable music!

A quick post on some of the most exciting comebacks/ music news happening right now. Hope you enjoy!

Swedish craftsmanships Turn Off Your Television are back with "Blanket of Shame", first single in anticipation of their forthcoming album, "Humble Waves", out in October 8th, and again available for download freely. They seem to openly embrace indiepop territory in the song, which fits the band extremely well. They have been gifted with a talent for melody and warmth, amplified to masterly levels here. What a terrific advance of the album, can't wait for it!

Without moving from the gorgeous Sweden we meet again Kristian Matsson, famously known as The Tallest Man on Earth. "There's No Leaving Now" is his new record, out since June, on which you can find folk gems like this "Revelation Blues", here on a quite special performance (courtesy of City of Music).


Another ace tune from my beloved Paolo and Claire, aka Young Romance. "Lines" tries a bit to take off, resembling too much to a Tennis song (which is not bad per se, but not very original). But the spark, that fire the couple have injected to all their songs to date, arrives, and when it does, its unstoppable. Their music enlightens any room, shimmers. Oops, they did it again!
Lines by Young Romance

And finally, the great Amelia Fletcher has returned. The new Tender Trap album, "Ten Songs About Girls", out on Fortuna Pop! " is full of amazing tunes (as expected). Just hear the upbeat, lush and effervescent opener "King's Cross Station" and tell me you don't like it (if so, sorry, but you are probably deaf then).
Tender Trap-Train from King's Cross station

Many more (a Baffin Island EP, Beth Orton, Seapony, Parlours) coming very soon!

"Time Relentless EP", pop feast with The Hermit Crabs

Time Relentless EP
Each time there's an email from Matinée Recordings reaching my inbox I smile. I assume, and it's almost infallible, their music proposal is going to be great. But this time the announcement was the long awaited comeback from beloved Glaswegian band The Hermit Crabs, so I yelled (I was at work at the office, luckily quite alone, as my colleagues are still on holidays). A yelling of happiness an excitement, that is.

It had been a long time indeed, although Melanie Whittle offered a dose of her talents thanks to Baffin Island, joining forces with members of another favourite band on this site, The Very Most. But three years had passed since the glorious "Correspondence Course EP" without new songs from The Hermits, so there were questions about how the band will sound after these hiatus.

But they quickly showed there was no reason to panic. This band has always showed their cards from the very beginning, without chances for "second thoughts". With them, beauty comes straightforwardly to the ears of the listener. And their new work is no different. "On the Spectrum" is a stunning opener, a strong statement saying the world "we are back", with a mesmerizing GUITAR work (written on capital letters because they deserve it, it's that big) and a killer chorus. Mel might be talking about the blues, but the feeling the song produces are the very opposite. A jangle-pop feast. 

"Time Relentless" slows the tempo with the band's trademark orchestrations and the addition of subtle keyboards. The visual lyrics are taken from a poem, suiting the contemplative mood of the piece. All seems to flow towards the wonderful chorus were Mel's adorable voice shines, acquiring an epic nuance while guitars arise in the mix, providing the tune a fantastic climax.

"Stop This Now" is a much more joyous affair in terms of melody, upbeat and contagious. Drums splashes and guitars flourishes, sparking the tune. After the instrumental section, vocal harmonies appear and you are expecting a longer-than-life finale. But it ends abruptly, leaving you wonder for me. A perfect pop pill of two minutes!

And finally "So Blue" concludes the EP with a mid-tempo that recalls their previous releases and their similarities with Camera Obscura (will you return soon too, Tracyanne?). Fortunately, the instrumentation steps up, helping the song to grow and closing the release on a high note.

If you didn't know The Hermit Crabs (very soon we'll have a band's retrospective on the blog), this EP is a great introduction into their music. And for us, fans, is a wonderful return to form. Jangle-pop, twee-pop and indiepop lovers, we are in luck. Welcome back Hermits!

SCORE: 8/10

Music to look forward to in 2012

Now that holidays are officially over, it's time to look ahead into 2012. This is a small summary of the music releases/events I'm looking forward to for this year. A brief shortlist of the gifts I ordered for the Three Kings Day. 

1. The year is starting with a very special, highly anticipated album. Of course I'm referring to "I'm Across, I'm Ashore", our beloved Nat Johnson and the Figureheads arrive in few weeks! Don't you think the artwork is lovely! Counting down the days!
2. There's one release I'm really excited after hearing its first available tune,"Serpents" (click on the title to hear/download). Sharon Van Etten will release "Tramp", her third album, in February, with stunning collaborations like the Dessner brothers' from The National or Matt Barrick from The Walkmen. Great expectations with this.
3. "Young and Old" Tennis sophomore album, also for February.
4. The Shins are finally back!. James Mercer has "Port of Morrow" scheduled for March. Yes!! What about coming to Barcelona (Primavera Sound maybe)?
5. Two sure-fire for spring-summer: Beach House and The Walkmen.
6. My second Primavera Sound Festival, of course
7. The long-play debut that confirms the greatness of this young band: Let's buy Happiness.
8. Phoenix, Basia Bulat and Cat Power should be releasing new works this year.
9. Indie-pop heavens: Baffin Island, The Hi-Life Companion, The Hermit Crabs, The School will be back ... and Camera Obscura?
10. And finally, 2012 has to be, finally, the year of Beth Orton's comeback. Please, please, please.

Sure, there are many more out there. Will The National complete a new album before the year ends (the couple of songs premiered a few weeks ago sound great, so there's hope) And U2? And a personal favourite,  The Mynabirds? 2012 is going to be an excellent year for music.

Primavera Sound Festival 2012: my wish list

Three days ago, I made my 20 bands' sweepstake for Primavera Sound Festival 2012. Now I'm back with another category: the petitions. Hoping the line-up will shape into something similar to this (a mix of the two posts), the majority of the 20 bands listed could be "possible" (meaning releasing new music and/or touring in 2012) but a few are personal favourites that will be really hard to "recruit" for Barcelona. Still, dreaming is free...

Be Like Pablo. Among the most exciting bands I discovered this year, they would offer an amazing gig for sure.
Beth Orton. Don't know if she's planning her (real) comeback finally next year. But it has been so long. The world (and myself) needs Beth's voice!
Cat Power. Performing "You Are Free"- Not a real fan of her, except this superb album.
Decemberists, The. What can I say? They would me an absolute must-see for me. I got very disappointed this year as they didn't toured Spain. Hope they do. 
Doves, The. Know they're on hiatus, but is one of the bands I must see before it's too late.
Eels. I'm getting more and more addicted to Mr. E's music recently. The time has come for me to see such a unique artist.
Electrelane. Played some summer festivals this year, so it is too much to ask for more?
Hermit Crabs, The. 4 years have passed since they released the adorable "Saw you Dancing". That's not in order. I need more songs. If not possible, Baffin Island (as The Very Most should be in Barcelona too) would be a wonderful option too.
Hi-Life Companion, The. I wroted this before. "Say Yes", their only album, is outstanding, so I would love to see it played live. Plus, if you check their news, they are back in studio, so if they have more songs to show...
Innocence Mission, The. I must hear Karen Peris live at least once before dying.
Lambchop. Same case as Eels, I would love to see Kurt Wagner live. Full band please.
Motorama. Among the so-called post-punk revivalists the Russians are the best.
Mynabirds, The. Auditorium + Laura Burnheim + her gorgeous music= perfect mix!
Nat Johnson and the Figureheads. They just announced the name of their new album, "I'm Across, I'm Ashore" that will be out on February 2012. There's no excuse for one of the greatest indie-pop talents to finally land in Barcelona.
Phoenix. Skipped Barcelona with the "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" tour, which was a shame. Expecting new music next year, and a headlining presence at PS too.
School, The. They toured Spain but not Barcelona! An injustice to be solved in 2012.
Summer Fiction. Can you imagine Bill Ricchini and co. playing at one of the PS stages located in front of the sea? I do, and would be amazing.
Trespassers William. They should play right before or after Mazzy Star (I bet they will be at Primavera Sound). What a dreamy night would be!
Vaccines, The. They felt from the line-up last year, but seems they will have new music for 2012 (Strokes producing?). Besides, I'll go with someone that would love their gig.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Like Colin Meloy's band, this is a pending and unmissable concert.

Discoverer 11: new indie findings

Round 11, here we go!

The Lollipops. Quality guitar driven indie-rock from Poland is what this young band offers us with their debut album "Hold!", just released. Sometimes recalling Ms. PJ Harvey, here you'll find garage rock, punk-pop ("Let's Go Baby") traces and some quiet, dream-pop passages (great "Girls Night Out"), always with the addictive and hazy voice of Kasia Staszko presiding the music. Below you can listen the whole record. Do it!
the Search Amazon.com for the lollipops holdlollipops HOLD!

The Very Most. Third time an EardrumsPop EP makes it on Discoverer series (Boca Chica and Baffin Island), but the reason is very simple: if you love indie-pop, you will love EardrumsPop. The Very Most (already mentioned on the Baffin Island post) are from Boise, Idaho, USA, and they are stunning craftsmanships of pop gems. They've been active since 2002, so there's plenty to discover. I strongly recommend you to start with the joyful "Alien Girl", standout track of this EP, and once you are converted, go for their third full-length, "A Year With The Very Most". You won't regret it.
The Very Most - ePop017 - digital single by EardrumsPop

The Ruling Class. Remember Madchester? The Stone Roses? Ok, let's admit it, "Umbrella Folds" seems like a less-danceable ripoff of "Waterfall"...but to heck with it. The music of this Swedish-British band, included on the "Tour de Force" Ep, released by the great Shelflife Records (another label to look closely) is so fun and exciting you shouldn't care that much about the revivalism thing. Listen to songs like "Marian Shrine" or "Sleeping Beauty" and you won't be able to do anything else than dancing and "tripping" (umm...be careful about that part).

Discoverer 9: new indie findings

Next round of indie proposals!

The Loom. This six-piece group from Brooklyn is among the most exciting discoveries I made recently. They debuted with “At Last Light Ep” in 2008, and after touring the US/Canada, they have completed their first album, "Teeth" (immediate release). Gorgeous instrumentation (horns, trumpets, banjos, ukeleles, keys, hand-clapping, besides guitars and percussion) and an intriguing combination of male/female vocals. Folk, glimpses of americana, indiepop, some electricity...A collection of epic tunes, beautifully crafted that recall so many bands (from Great Lake Swimmers to The National) and force you to count The Loom among the "bands to follow" closely this 2011.

Baffin Island. On Discoverer 7, I presented you the wonderful label EardrumsPop and its series of special, free EPs. After Boca Chica single, today I recommend Baffin Island, the collaboration between Melanie Whittle (from my beloved The Hermit Crabs), with Jeremy Jensen and Jake Hite (The Very Most). "Credentials" that announce what you'll find here: a taste of finest, sweet, delicate and charming indiepop. If you don't think "You Invited Me" is perfect, you don't have ears. And if you don't find "You Make Two Weeks Two Days" and "Darling Please Come Home" (Math and Physics Club cover) gorgeous, you don't have a heart.

Overlord. More Brooklynites and stunning indiepop you shouldn't miss. This is the project of George Pasles, who recorded the first Overlord albums on his own, with the help from members of A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Longwave, and Ui for live shows. But with "In Soviet Russia, My Heart Breaks You" (released on April), Overlord has become a real (and impressive) band, with Sarah Brockett (from the great Palomar), Tris McCall (My Teenage Stride), and Matt Houser (The Human Hearts), they have created a masterful album, where The Beatles meet The New Pornographers and 80s new wave meet The Byrds.
01 - overlord - What Do You Want Me For?
04 - overlord - I Don't Either