Premiere: 'Mirrorball', with The Catenary Wires at an 80s disco

It's a real honor. And a very special occasion. This humble Blog is among the few ones selected to unveil today the flamboyant new single from The Catenary Wires, one of the latest music endeavours (not forgetting the promising Swansea Sound) from indiepop legends Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey (Marine Research, Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, Tender Trap, can't believe I'm writing this, beat that!!). It's called Mirrorball, and is a wonderful slice of charming, classy and wise indiepop. 3.40 minutes of pure joy & romance under the crystal ball of an 80s disco. Take a listen below!

 

SKEP WAX · Mirrorball

Rob & Amelia started The Catenary Wires as a duo in 2014, but is now a full band with the contributions on keyboards from Fay Hallam, Ian Button on drums, and Andy Lewis on bass. Mirrorball is the a-side of forthcoming 7", backed with Wish You Were Here in the physical release (a digital version will be also available) to be released on April 16th on our beloved Shelflife Records (US), and their own label Skep Wax (UK & rest of the world). The single anticipates the arrival of their third album Birling Gap, scheduled for May. Expectations couldn't be higher for Spring!

Thanks Amelia, Rob and the rest of the 'Wires'. And thanks a million, Mike.

Discoverer 169: new indie findings

A veteran with a flamboyant comeback and two most promising newcomers are our latest proposals in our discoverer series, all coming from the States, where there's still a lot to love despite the dark times they are (we are) facing. As a wise man used to sing, "music will provide the light you cannot resist"... Enjoy!

Papercuts. We begin our music trip in Los Angeles to meet Jason Quever and his long-standing project. Based in San Francisco until very recently, Papercuts began as a solo endeavour, debuting with album 'Rejoicing Songs', followed by 'Mockingbird' in 2004. But it was their next stride of releases, 'Can't Go Back' in 2007, 'You Can Have What You Want' in 2009, both via Gnomonsong Records, and 'Fading Parade' in 2011, out via the mighty Sub Pop, who certified Quever's talent as a songwriter... as well as a producer, something his ever-growing resumé, including names such as Luna-Dean Wareham, Cass McCombs, The Mantles or Beach House, proves. That studio work became has been his major focus during this decade, with just another Papercuts album, 'Life Among the Savages', out in 2014, breaking that sort of hiatus. Luckily, that standstill is over, as since this October we can enjoy 'Parallel Universe Blues', out via Slumberland Records. A striking combination of melodies and atmospherics, Quever's tunes are the perfect marriage of shoegaze's distant spaces and feedback, the dreamier, moodier side of folk, and an irresistible "Velvetian scent". A soundtrack for the Fall, and a record fated to top the best-of-the lists year.    

Blades of Joy. And without leaving California, we remain in the Bay to meet this exciting new combo, formed around 2015 by members of local bands Swanox and Dissolve. There's not a lot of info about the quartet, so we'll happily stick with the music, as their debut, self-titled mini-album out now now via Melters speaks for itself. Seven killer tunes naturally pairing the electricity with the dusk, the jangle with the haze, the spectral with the rockier. Like the Rain Parade under the Kevin Shields "treatment", there hasn't been a more apt name to define a sound in recent times than Blades of Joy. Not to be missed!

Carbon Poppies. And we end in Lafayette, Louisiana (finally this Blog travels to the Deep South musically), in order to introduce you to this trio responsible of what it looks, smells and, most importantly, sounds like one of the EPs of 2018. Members of other music acts such as Brass Bed, Lost Bayou Ramblers or Kind Cousin, Allison Bohl DeHart, Jonny Campos and Peter DeHart formed Carbon Poppies around 2011, debuting with self-released  6-song, 12” vinyl EP 'And Don’t the Kids Just Love It' in 2012. Since then, not much info available... until now, as the always worth checking Elefant Records has just released their selt-titled sophomore EP under its 'New Adventures in Pop' collection. Four slices of top-notch, hyper-addictive indiepop, with an arresting version of 'Rain On My Face' by the 60s lost band Shape & Sizes, nods to our dear The School as well as to power-pop humming choruses or the slightly psychdelic pop vibes from the golden era of the West Coast pop. A knockout pop gem.   

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 156: new indie findings

August is a month of recoveries, so today is the turn of our discoverer series. And we do so with three stunning proposals (look for some of them at the end of the year lists) with some of the latest bands that have gotten us excited. Indiepop all over!

Eyelids. Supergroup alert, supergroup alert! This collective (the regular cast is a quintet) hails from Portland, Oregon and includes current and former members of (take a deep breath, this is ridiculously stunning) Robert Pollard's bands as well as Guided By Voices, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, The Decemberists, Elliott Smith, Sam Coomes of Quasi, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Loch Lomond, Damien Jurado and even Peter Buck solo adventures! Main songwriters John Moen and Chris Slusarenko started "making waves" in 2014, but the first, proper release of the combo arrived in 2016 with the 7" 'Seagulls Into Submission'. It was followed by the debut album '854' a month later, plus the 'Eyelids' 12"EP. And now, after another EP, it's time to celebrate the arrival of sophomore LP 'or'. What can I say? You hear Flying Nun, Paisley Underground, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, an Athens band that might be familiar to you (guess who produces the record)... If you are a little familiar with this Blog you should know this is not just another discovery. THIS IS A MUST!!!

Hideout. Based in Manhattan, NY, singer-songwriter Gabriel Rodriguez, alongside drummer Cory Stier, who is based in San Diego, began his recording & just for fun project on the road, as the two longtime friends are part of Cults (happily back after what can qualify as a hiatus, by the way) live band, tracking the tracks that would become debut album 'Rookie', out via Thrill Me Records in November 2014, there and there, as the tour kept going. Now, in this 2017, Rodriguez has come out with his sophomore release, mostly cooked at home and again with the help of Stier, 'So Many Hoops/So Little Time' is due out February 3rd 2017 via Small Plates Records. A rich second take of unabashed, very diverse (from jangle-pop to glam-rock) and emotionally charged (heavy stuff inside, dealing with a tough loss) indiepop tunes. It might have been hiding, but we have found a pop master craftsman here...  

Rat Fancy. And we end in Los Angeles, CA, to meet this trio of effervescent twee punk. Formed just a year ago when Diana Barraza (a former Sweater Girls) and Gregory Johnson recorded some tracks in their bedroom. The duo quickly recruited friend Gavin Glidewell and the completed band was ready to debut live at at 2017´s SXSW. Songs have been surfacing online during the year, but since late May the group has its proper debut release, the EP 'Suck a Lemon', out via our dear friends at Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. A small yet very promising collection of six indiepop tunes, with enough sugar and catchiness to knock you out immediately, but also an edge, a sharpness, and a sourness (very apt title) that endures and demands for more soon. Check them out! 

The Indie Anthology 78: essential songs

More immortal music coming in our Anthology section! From the Antipodes to the other kingdom of indiepop, Scotland, in order to get disarmed by one of the finest albums of the 90s, from a shamefully underrated band (happily reactivated by the way). It's all jangle over here!

Song: Obscurity Knocks
Artist: The Trash Can Sinatras
Year: 1990
First, the mandatory question. It's The Trash Can Sinatras or the plain & shorter Trashcan Sinatras? I discovered them as the first option, so that's why I'm sticking with it. When Internet & mp3 weren't so all over the place, and discovering music was quite a bit harder (but much more exciting), there were those sort of compilations folders in the computers made after too many hours of song-hunting. I had one (no kidding) named Scotland unknowns (work in progress) and my two standouts there were 'Obscurity Knocks' and 'Maybe I Should Drive' (I just tossed a coin to choose between the two!). It took me a while to properly listen to 'Cake', the majestic album that included the two gems. What a glorious record, still sounding as emotional and fresh as the first day I listened. Of course, there's the guitar lines, inviting and gently at first, more upbeat and anthemic as the chorus arrives, preparing the listener for the whole burst of pop adrenaline (the harmonies before the final rush, gosh!) arriving in its mesmerizing last minute. But there were also the lyrics, which I guess helped  A LOT to make the difference back then... You know when you discover a song at the right age and seems is talking about you? That's 'Obscurity Knocks' for me, with the killer line "looking at my watch and i’m half-past caring". The bites behind the beauty, the knocks of light beneath the darkness or viceversa.. What a song, what a band!

The Indie Anthology 76: essential songs

Been meaning to update the Anthology section for such a long time.. it's been ages! But finally, here we are, ready for the next chapter that, surprise surprise, bring us back (always good to be back) to my beloved Antipodes, specifically to the city of indiepop, Dunedin, in order to meet one of those Flying Nun bands that were (at least here) placed criminally "under the radar", despite their graceful and ethereal tunes. So, no time to waste, let's return to the magic island...

Song: As Does the Sun
Artist: Look Blue Go Purple
Year: 1985
Once started, I couldn't help but keep the "hunting" among the music treasures awaiting me from the Antipodes. Can't remember exactly where or how (I'm pretty sure some lost text within the Internet) that was defining Look Blue Go Purple (LBGP) as the 'female Bats'. Of course, had to check them immediately. And yes, I did understand the comparison. But no, they deserved attention on their own, not because gender issues or a similitude to amazing bands. 'Bewitched', there has never been an EP name more appropriate to reflect its content. There's something chilling, mysterious (can I say otherworldly?) yet instantly melodic and catchy in the quintet's indiepop approach (hints of baroque pop as well as folk), a pretty short career with so many stunning pieces (at least, check their 'Compilation' album folks, you won't regret it). It's been a very close fight between 'As Does the Sun' versus 'Circumspect Penelope', with 'I Don't Want You Anyway' and 'Cactus Cat' ranking closely behind, but Norma O'Malley's flute makes the difference here, adding a sylphlike, intangible quality to a tune that flourishes thanks to their trademark Byrdesque guitar lines and the captivating echo that propels the vocal harmonies. I always think LBGP tunes would fit majestically in an adventure movie or book, when the hidden treasure is discovered, revealing itself as something antique and for sure, unique, but what's even more important, everlasting... like their music.

The Indie Anthology 72: essential songs

I was looking for a Spanish band/artist for the next chapter of our Anthology, and considering the choking, shameful shift towards "neocon" and extreme right policies & attitudes (Latin America, Trump, Hungary, Poland, UK, Turkey, Spain... and the list keeps growing) we are suffering (and/or we are about to suffer) I really need a truly gorgeous song to counter it, to get shelter from the despicable "outside", at least for a while, thanks to music. And there's no better band to do so than Pauline en la Playa.

Song: Cabezas Locas
Artist: Pauline en la Playa
Year: 2001

I would live, happily ever after, inside the songs of Mar & Alicia Álvarez. Pauline en la Playa have created a genuine pop universe, completely of their own. Full of fables, poetry, violins, delicate, sometimes subtle, others rich and lush, instrumental details, sweet vocal harmonies and eternal melodies. I discovered them during my last university years (Radio 3 again) with 'Tormenta de ranas' and the majestic single 'Cabezas Locas' (it has been a very close call between this song, 'Titubeas' and 'Relevé', please check their complete discography, you'll thank me, granted). A tune with one of the most mind blowing beginnings ever and the perfect soundtrack for those sunny afternoon walks from the train to home. The dusk setting in slowly, while the tune embraces you, warm, uplifting, joyous (my apologies because the sound is pretty low in the video below, couldn't find a better option). Pauline en la Playa, main originators of Stendhal Syndrome in Spanish indiepop since 1997.

The Indie Anthology 71: essential songs

Back with our Anthology and more than ready to write down our humble tribute to one hell of a band, with a long and superb career that, inexplicably, has always been ranked as a "second-class" act. Sit down, get your headphones on and waltz around with one of the greatest pop groups. Here's James calling!

Song: Runaground
Artist: James
Year: 1998

A tone of anthemic tunes, a zillion of immediate, contagious pop hooks, a killer live show (please come back to Barcelona soon!), a superb frontman with an incredible voice in the charismatic Tim Booth (from the sweetest melancholy to the most exhilarating joy in a matter of seconds). I will never understand why James has never made it into these ubiquitious "best-of-lists" (not even close of the top positions and, I'm afraid, a rather-to-vastly unknown band outside UK). They have everything and proved it on a very constant basis for many many years. I discovered them by the time 'The best of...' came out, with my brother and I getting so impressed with tunes like 'She's a star' or 'Runaground' we recorded them in as many "Compilation Music Clips" (those were the VHS times, kids) as we could. I'm choosing 'Runaground' it partly because it was the first one that got me completely, and partly because I simply cannot choose in which James' tune is my favourite. That guitar line, the growing tension, the way Booth sings, and how it explodes... Here was a band in which you could (can) hear hints of R.E.M.'s, U2, Pulp, The Smiths, Housemartins, the Britpop's efervescence, Madchester... altogether without being exactly any of them. They were and still are (which is amazing) exciting. And I'm sure they will as long as they want. Long live James!

Discoverer 117: new indie findings

A trio of pretty intimate affairs today in our discoveries' series. Slow wonders ahead!

The Catenary Wires. Tricky one I know. Does Amelia Fletcher needs any presentation? Of course not. She's one of the genuine indiepop heroines. Alongside Rob Pursey they have written some of the most unforgettable indiepop history of the past 30 years: Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, Marine Research, Tender Trap... Now they have a new project together, born after the two left London to live in the countryside, with Tender Trap disbanded. Not a lot to do except start penning songs on acoustic guitar for their own entertainment until they were invited to play at the Arnolfini Art Gallery in Bristol, at an event celebrating another myth, Sarah Records. The set mixed Heavenly tunes with some new material, with such promising results the duo has transformed the homemade songs into a mini album, “Red Red Skies”, out since June on Elefant Records. Eight back-to-basics magic songs. A moment of serene, stark, pensive and melancholic beauty, where melodies, intertwined vocals and words weight a ton. So good to have Amelia & Rob back in our lives!

Shana Cleveland & The Sandcastles. Let me introduce you Shana Cleveland, a multi-talented (musician, writer, painted, graphic designer) artist living in Seattle. Our hyperactive woman leads two bands, the garage combo La Luz and this folky-tinged affair on which she's been performing with a rotating cast of musicians tagged as The Sandcastles. Although this music project started six years ago, the bulk of 'Oh Man, Cover The Ground', her debut album, out right now on Suicide Squeeze Records, was recorded in 2011 in Shana’s basement. Breezy and heavily melodic, Shana and Co are able to summon the spirits of fingerpicking masters like John Fahey or Robbie Basho and channel them into pop casual, laid-back, gorgeous pills. The most beautiful soundtrack of the summer ahead.

Morels. And we end in Baltimore, Maryland, to meet this new dreampop/shoegaze quintet, active since early 2014 comprising current and former members of The Warlocks, Bad Liquor Pond and The Flying Eyes. After the exciting 'Raygun', first single appearing past February, now they present "Lemonseeds EP", available digitally, anticipating forthcoming debut album. Waves crashing into the rocks, icy, ethereal landscapes, instants captured into blissful noises. Sepia prints invoking moments now long gone. Slowdive meeting Real Estate. Add Morels to your "bands to follow list". They are fated to take you on an unforgettable music trip.

Discoverer 114: new indie findings

Two fantastic, very personal projects, plus a band making gorgeous classic indiepop on our discoveries' trio of the weekend! Enjoy!

Nadine Shah. Born in Whitburn, South Tyneside, to Pakistani-Norwegian parents, this British musician started making a big buzz with two EPs, debut 'Aching Bones' in November 2012, and 'Dreary Town' in April 2013. First album, 'Love Your Dum and Mad' appeared that July, confirming the arrival of an artist to be closely followed. Now she returns with 'Fast Food', out now, a powerful & flawless collection  of tunes that fosters the path of the dark, alternative rock, that channels the spirit of PJ Harvey and Nick Cave, but with an idiosyncrasy (very personal lyrics too) completely of their own. Rising star.

Slow Decades. Hailing from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, this yet unsigned band (labels, what are you waiting for?) has been around for a few years now, playing gigs mainly in the north east of England, while they fnished their debut album. After two years in the making, 'The Frost & The Concrete' saw the light of day at the end of 2014, and this indiepop wonder can't pass unnoticed. Heartfelt, delicate, enduring, with all the 80s lo-fi charms, the quintet leaded by Ben Lowes-Smith knows how to put together everlasting melodies, lush instrumental details, melancholic lyrics and warm vocals. A truly gorgeous LP demanding your attention.


Anomie. Under this moniker hides Philadelphia, PA-based Rachel Browne, vocalist/guitarist of the also interesting dream pop band Field Mouse. After a couple of tunes that surfaced previously on the Internet, the alternative pop songstress has delivered her first, self-titled EP, on February 2015 through Father/Daughter Records. Four tunes written in California and recorded with the help of Andrew Futral on bass and Erick Slick on drums, where Browne, as the artwork rightly states, shows her teeth: urgency, guitars, intensity, and achingly straightforward emotions. Meet Rachel!

Discoverer 113: new indie findings

A very eclectic trio of proposals in our discoveries' series this weekend! Sure you'll find something to love!

The Go! Team. Call it prejudice, I won't argue, there's too much music out there to reach everything, so I never got into this six-piece band from Brighton, UK, conceived by Ian Parton in 2000s as a project to mix all sorts of music styles, from Sonic Youth to Bollywood soundtracks, from hip hop to electro. The ambitious ideas crystallised in three LP so far, 'Thunder, Lightning, Strike' (2004), 'Proof of Youth' (2007) and 'The Rolling Blackouts' (2011); and five EPs, debut 'Get It Together' (2000), 'Are You Ready for More?' (2005), 'Audio Assault Course' (2006) and two live recordings. But the real reason The Go! Team are included here is because of 'The Scene Between' their latest album, out since this March via Memphis Industries and, easily, one of the best of the year so far. Without losing any of their trademark's effervescence and kaleidoscopic way of understanding pop, here's a collection of stunning, bright, cheery, jumpy and joyous indiepop tunes. Dance, smile, enjoy, go!

Death and the Maiden. When you receive an email from Fishrider's boss Ian Henderson you are going to hear something worth listening, so it's time to go back to Dunedin, NZ, folks. Inspired by an Edward Munch engraving, vocalist and bassist Lucinda King returned to New Zealand from Berlin in 2012 to make music with synth and drum programming Danny Brady. It seems Chromatics was a major influence but, luckily (not a fan of italo-pop for blatantly empty movies) the duo found there was something more authentic, menacing, darker here, flirting with post-punk as well as with hypnosis, and adding a wider sonic palette to their sound with the addition of guitarist and drummer Hope Robertson. Now that their self-titled debut LP is out via Fishrider we invite you to introduce yourself into the gloomy but starkly beautiful world of Death and the Maiden, seven haunting pieces set on a parallel universe of telluric shadows, icy machines and ethereal vocals. The distant war dances of the heart...

Etti/Etta. We end our round of proposals with Raffaella and Marcus, a duo coming from Campora, Italy, and Toronto, Canada, active since 2014 and with a stunning debut EP, named 'No? Yes', self-made, handmade, totally DIY-casette-made, out since past September, with another tune available at their bandcamp (all-pay-what-you-want) since this February and the promise of more to come very soon. Six tunes so far and a lot to admire: somewhere in between post-punk and noise pop, here's the unadulterated lo-fi attitude, the howl, the roar, the edge, the stomping feeling packed with the ominous, the mystery, the haze. Rough dreams. A personal favourite of the year so far...

Discoverer 107: new indie findings

Our Discoverer Series adopts a dreamy and evokative style for this rainy weekend, enjoy!

Lily and Madeleine. Let me introduce you to the Jurkiewicz sisters. Hailing from Indianapolis, USA, their natural and graceful talents started to buzz around the Internet in early 2012, when they uploaded some tunes as well as cover songs to YouTube, just for fun. Among the ones watching was producer Paul Mahern who, with the help of songwriter Kenny Childers. teamed up with the sisters to release debut EP 'The Weight of the Globe' in January 2013. Single 'In The Middle' again hit heavy YouTube and Reddit, grabbing the attention of Asthmatic Kitty Records. The label quickly signed them & issued the EP on 10'' in June while the duo re-entered the studio to record their self-titled debut, out that October. Prolific & hard-working, now Lily & Madeleine are back with sophomore album, 'Fumes', released a month ago. Surprisingly confident and mature despite their young ages, their songs, just have that rare, perfect combination of sweetness, fuelled by the mind-blowing blending of their voices, with a haunting hint of mystery and darkness. It's all quiet and harmonic on the surface, but the clouds are about to come... Affecting and immediate lovable music.

Dianas. Another duo, this time based in Perth, Australia. Singers-guitarists Nathalie Pavlovic & Caitlin Moloney, helped by Ashley Ramsey on drums, joined forces in late 2012, after several adventures in another combos. They quickly came out with debut EP '#01' that November, followed by single 'Cruelty/Origami', out in Hot Violet in August 2013. This year, they released another EP, '#02', in February, and just now, the digital single '1.000 Years', that seems to be anticipating a full album on the final stages. Expansive & free indie-pop, Dianas have a quite unique sound combining dreamy atmospheres, swelling guitars and whispered, ultra-soft vocals. Intriguing and addictive music to follow closely.

Parrot Dream. And we end with a Chilean-North American quartet based in New Yok. Formed a year ago, since August we can enjoy their first release to date, 'Set Sail Someday' an EP made of six tunes, out on Beast Discos, that you can freely grab at their website. Something you should do as fast as you read this words, because the foursome has all the charms and tunes to knock you out. Warm and lush dreampop, subtly wrapped in synths and layers were guitar lines and the lovely vocals of Christina Appel just melt naturally like the sea and the horizon. Here comes the most gentle autumn. Embrace the dreamy sundown.

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!

The Indie Anthology 47: essential songs

For the next round of our Indie Anthology I propose you one of my favourite tunes from an indiepop (and very often neglected) genius...

Song: I Don't Believe You
Artist: The Magnetic Fields
Year: 2004

Jumped quite late on The Magnetic Fields' bandwagon. Some friend recommended me, telling me that being such a huge The Divine Comedy's fan I would love '69 Love Songs'. But I do admit that when I got the album in my hands I thought, a triple record? And so the moment passed... but barely for a couple of years, when 'I' was released and I got haunted by 'I Don't Believe You', its instant melody and magic cello. Then quickly came 'All My Little Words', 'The Book of Love', 'I Don't Believe in the Sun', '1.000 Fireflies' or personal favourite 'Nothing Matters when we're Dancing'. Stephen Merritt, the impossible crossover between Stuart Murdoch, Neil Hannon and Calvin Johnson. Pure genius.

Discoverer 94: new indie findings

It's been a short while, but with recharged batteries and many exciting bands to unveil for you, here's our new music proposals series' comeback, enjoy!

Martha. Formed in 2011 in a suburban area of Durham, UK, named Pity Me, this quartet is a pop blast. Not much info on the band origins, though it seems the band's name comes from the fact the very last passenger pigeon (now extincted) was called Martha, they are vegan, straight-edge and DIY group. Recorded in Leeds, since late May the promise of the first tunes has been confirmed on 'Courting Strong', debut album out in Fortuna POP! and Salinas Records. Fun, infectious pop with traces of punk, energetic and impassioned, with intertwined "in your face" vocals (it's a record to shout and sing-along out loud) and a devastating legion of hooks. Knock-out.

The Casket Girls. Coming from Savannah, GA, this is a three-piece with a curious origin. Electronic sound shaper Ryan Graveface found sisters Phaedra and Elsa Greene under a tree in one playing Autoharp and singing bizarre songs. Collaboration began, with Ryan in charge of song structures and instruments while newcomers Elsa & Phaedra were responsible of lyrics & vocals. As a result 'Sleepwalking' arrived on November 2012 on Graveface Records, creating a noteworthy cult status among fans and critics. A self-titled EP followed in September 2013, and since this February (again after a very peculiar recording process, psychedelia meets poetry) we can enjoy their sophomore album, 'True Love Kills the Fairy Tale'. Dreamy, spooky, ethereal and extremely intriguing, this is twisted pop, or psych-rock with a knack for melody among the haze and foggy layers. Prepare yourself to get haunted. Pop witchery...

Gingerlys. Hailing from Long Island, this very young band formed in 2012 around the demos of guitarist Matt Richards, fitting the pieces together in his New York basement and later on studio, with tunes blossoming and a proper band taking shape from a trio to a quartet, finally adopting its current quintet format. First songs started appearing digitally in the summer of 2013 and early 2014, and now the infallible Shelflife Records is going to publish their debut EP 'Jumprope' on early July. Urgent, dreamy and immediately catchy indiepop with the suggestive voice of Maria Garnica reigning four explosive tunes. Sky is the limit with Gingerlys.