The Indie Anthology 53: essential songs

Oops! I kind of forgot this section of the Blog, but here we are, back with our Indie Anthology, paying tribute to one of our mighty indie-heroines, thanks to the documentary on Sarah Records. Of course, I'm referring to the great Amelia Fletcher. So, ready for a trip to heaven?

Song: Atta Girl
Artist: Heavenly
Year: 1993

Sure, if this section keeps going, Marine Research and the fundamental Talulah Gosh will have a spot here (most probably Tender Trap too). But the first time an Amelia Fletcher tune made the click with me was 'Atta Gil'. The breaking waves, that long, mind-blowing guitar intro, announcing the arrival of a storm that breaks before the first minute. As a matter of fact is Cathy Rogers who sings the first part of the tune, but despite hers and Amelia's voices are sweet, there's a rage and pain that can't be hided, ready to be spitted into a rapid-fire combination of vocals. An unrequited love tale that turns into something much much bitter. Punk, that is. Amelia blasts "I don’t need you or your attitude/and can’t you just forget now that you ever knew me" and one clearly sees how, while mainstream pop goes the other way around, this courageous woman has been putting substance into what looks like fun, unabashed pop during all her career.  

Discoverer 92: new indie findings

A guitar-driven Sunday today on our music proposals, hope you enjoy!

Burnt Palms. Back to Calfornia. From Seaside comes this trio, formed by Christina Riley and Clara Enkel with the help of Brian Dela Cruz, which in September of 2012 put out an extremely addictive self-titled record (distributed by Very Gun Records as a 12" or by our friends We Were Never Being Boring digitally) despite its short length (not even 20 minutes). While they announce the arrival of their sophomore album, they have just released a split tape with German punk band Gurr. A ridiculously lively collection of tunes, where pop meets punk, garage intensity coexists with shiny vocals, and grunge riffs share space with instant killer melodies. Addictive, addictive, addictive...
Ginnels. Let's move to our beloved Dublin to meet Mark Chester's (Grand Pocket Orchestra & No Monster Club guitarist/bassist) solo project, who is helped on stage by friends Paddy Hanna, Bobby Aherne, Roy Duffy and Ruan Van Vliet. In 2011 arrived their first releases with S/T LP "Ginnels" and the mini-album "Mountbatten Class" via Long Lost Records. A year later Chester recorded "Crowns", a 20-song double album, released on double cassette by Popical Island. The bold statement gave Chester a much deserved attention, fuelled in 2013 when Spanish label Tenorio Cotobade compiled "Plumes", 14 tunes from his previous 3 records plus several online exclusives on vinyl. Now Chester is back with "A Country Life", out since March. Defined as a more focused, less lo-fi, "pure-pop" LP, this is engaging music that combines jangle-pop irresistible melodies with the joyful chaos of Pavement or Elephant 6 bands. Pop jams & brightly loose indiepop.

Expert Alterations. And we end in Baltimore, Maryland, to introduce you to this exciting band formed in 2013, kind enough to approach me to show me their music (member Paul Krolian happens to be Baltimore Popfest's curator, so we love the guy already). They have a phenomenal S/T debut cassette out since February, five tunes where indiepop wonders are delivered with an immediacy & conviction you might think this is a forgotten band from the Flying Nun era. I even hear echoes of early R.E.M. so imagine how excited I am! The band is going on tour supporting The Flatmates and split releases with Wildhoney and Literature are in the works, so... this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Discoverer 84: new indie findings

Sunday means new bands for your longing ears, here's another trio of discoveries!

Potty Mouth. The info on their website is pretty clear: "we’re four ladies doing what we want to do!" Hailing from Northampton MA, the band started in the fall of 2011. They debuted with self-released tapes ”Bad Bad", in September 2011, and "Big in Brazil", in June 2012. ”Sun Damage" a 12" EP came out also that summer on Feeble Minds, Ride The Snake and Puzzle Pieces Records. Finally, in fall 2013 came “Hell Bent”, first album released on Old Flame (US) and Marshall Teller (UK). Powerful, straightforward, bold and young, the record is a stunning collection of sincere and arresting punk-pop. Girls to the front!

HOUNDSds. Under this pretty curious name hides the recording project (sometimes also band) of Brooklyn's multi-instrumentalist Patrick McIntyre. Active since 2010, his first release, "The Technology of Love" EP arrived that October, with "Los Dos" EP following in April 2011. The overall praise of the first homemade works, made McIntyre go further with their following releases, releasing "Phone Thou" as a cassette on Chill Mega Chill Records in March 2012, and "Conduct", his latest EP to date (all EPs are "name your price" at his bandcamp), past November (first recorded in a studio). Evocative, gentle, dreamy and lush indie-pop, where Wild Nothing meets Real Estate, HOUNDSds tunes are a delicious intimate affair for any caring listener.
The Ian Fays. More music courtesy of our Italian friends of the We Were Never Being Boring (WWNBB) collective. Twins Lizzie and Sara Fay, helped by older sister Lena and, more recently, brother-in- law Samuele, began playing in 2003 in Arcata, Ca and debuting with LP “The Damon Lessons” in 2005, out on Homesleep. They moved to San Francisco in 2007, releasing “Dylan’s Lost Days” a year later. A lot of touring followed until 2010, when third length, “Jensen’s Camera” came out on WWNBB. Finally, in November 2013, the Fays published “The Most Spectacular Party”. Like being invited to a private party, the idiosyncratic "Fay sound" makes their fragile, whispered, adventurous, intriguing indie-folk-pop genuine. Haunting, always inviting, tunes for you to discover. Enter the Fays world.

Discoverer 72: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here you have more new indie proposals, enjoy !

San Fermin. Forget the terrible band name (I'm not Hemingway so I won't pretend I like bullfighting and getting drunk) and allow me to introduce you to Ellis Ludwig-Leone, a young songwriter from Rhode Island based in Brooklyn that after finishing his musical studies in 2011 became assistant of acclaimed arranger Nico Muhly (among other works) while prepared his own songs prior to collaborating and recording. The self-titled album is out since September via Downtown Records and is a surprising blend of chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, where the ever-recurrent topics are "characterized" and sung with several vocal contributions. You'll hear The National, Tindersticks, Sufjan Stevens, The Divine Comedy and a dozen bands more at the same time, so be prepared. San Fermin, the band, is a unique experience.

Break It Up. Short drive to Philadelphia to meet drummer Casey Bell, who in 2009 found guitarist-vocalist Jen Sperling, and after several iterations of members added guitarist-vocalist Dan Morse, initially their producer, to complete the band. In 2011, they debuted with blogosphere's hit single “Excavate” and, since June, we have their ridiculously enjoyable self-titled LP available at their bandcamp. An immediate collection of hyper-vitaminated power-pop tunes, fuzzy and noisy guitars, traces of riot girrrl enthusiasm, a knack for melodies and a genuine feeling of enjoying themselves while playing together. A MUST.

The Clothes. And we end our "trip" in Macerata, Italy, to introduce you to singer and guitarist Massimo Scoposki and drummer Laura Palmiz. It seems the idea of having a band came to Massimo during his Erasmus in Nancy. Whatever the case, the White Stripes alike duo recorded their debut songs last year, and the result, “Fairy Lights Dress” EP (a mini-album of seven songs) is available since February, and for free at their bandcamp. You should be virtually running to grab the tunes now, because The Clothes are a C-86 injection straight to your spine and brain. Punk-pop, a relentless, true live spirit packed with the most "in-your-face" version of jangle melodies. Not to miss.  

Discoverer 64: new indie findings

An announcement will arrive later today, but for now, here you have our band proposals!

Little Green Cars. A very young quintet from Dublin, formed in 2008, from the ashes of combo The Revolts. A sextet initially, they debuted that year with "Volume I" EP, followed by "Volume II" in 2009, while achieving some buzz thanks to their UK and US tours. In September 2012 "The John Wayne" single came out, with "Harper Lee" EP coming next in January 2013, anticipating their first album, "Absolute Zero", out since May. Fear not my friends, this are not another boring imitators of Mumford & Sons depressing success. Think more on Robin Pecknold high on vitamins, or Neil Young trying to go pop without losing his edge. Folk-rock with muscle, melody, impressive vocals and promise.

English Singles. Second stop in Sacramento, CA, with a combo that is some sort of a local DIY pop/punk supergroup, leaded by Scott Miller. Although Miller declares they have been a band since late 2006, English Singles got some attention last year thanks to their first 7" singles on infallible Slumberland Records, "Disaster" and "Backstreet Pages". This 2013 they are back with "Ordinary Girls" EP, out now on Slumberland. Scratchy punk-pop? Home-made power-pop? You decide how to label their music, what is clear is that this are infectious, energetic and ridiculously catchy tunes. Fun guaranteed!

The Tuts. And more punk-pop to end our weekly proposals, this time with a female trio -Nadia, Beverly and Amy, from Hayes, West London. Co-founded by Nadia and Beverly on high school, they were joined in 2011 by Harriet Doveton (now replaced by Amy) of Colour Me Wednesday, releasing their S/T debut EP a year later, a collection of their earlier tracks. The single "Tut Tut Tut" came out this 2013, a release which has given them the chance of supporting Kate Nash on her UK tour, and play this year's Indietracks. Urgent, chaotic and vital pop tunes infused on punk attitude. Want more!

Spanish Indie 8: suggesting the best national acts

Stunning new proposals of Spanish alternative bands for you! Hope you like them!

Pegasvs. One of the best records I have heard this year so far comes from Barcelona. Their authors are Sergio Pérez and Luciana della Villa, veterans of the Spanish alternative/underground, that finally have the attention of the (indie) media as a duo with this homonym debut. And with a reason. Motorik rhythms and hyperbolic, cascading melodies, between Neu! and Stereolab, this is addictive krautrock with pop ambitions, propelling the listener to a unique place. A spot among the national best albums at the end of 2012 lists is granted.
Pegasvs by Pegasvs

Jane Joyd. I warned you. Hailing from A Coruña, Elba Fernández, aka Ms. Jane Joyd, was fated for great things. She only needed an EP on 2010 to become a must-see promise. Then she won the Proyecto Demo 2011, having the chance of showing her talents at festivals like Benicàssim (where I discovered her). Now she presents "Shy Little Jane Presents: The Dramatic Tale of Her Animals", second EP and the debut at Origami Records. Long title for an immense, hazy, rich and rewarding work. Folk, jazz, a haunting voice... and the confirmation that here's a talent that MUST be followed.

Juanita y Los Feos. Shall we (indie) dance? I have found the perfect soundtrack for it. A killing cocktail of punk-pop, new wave, garage, synths, bursts of guitars, surreal lyrics and an immediate feeling of fun. All comprised in 12 doses of 2:30 minutes' tunes, the perfect recipe to keep you moving. Hailing from Madrid, and with a quite a long history behind their backs, the band formed in 2004, published several EPs until "Juanita y Los Feos", their first LP in 2007. More EPs followed before "Pesadilla adulta", at the end of 2011. A second album that you should listen... and dance!

Discoverer 18: new indie findings

Introducing you this week's three proposals! Enjoy!

Brilliant Colors. Punk-pop, C-86 style, to blow your mind at first listen. That's what this trio from San Francisco offers in their stunning sophomore album "Again And Again", out now on the great Slumberland Records. Infectious tunes, mixing uplifting melodies and sweet vocals with vital riffs. Hearing the impossibly catchy "Value Lines" and "Hitting Traffic", or gems like "Cult Face" and "How Much Younger" makes further writing a bit pointless, because this is a surefire contender for the best-of-2011 albums lists.

Brilliant Colors by brilliantcolorsinfo

Pepper Rabbit. Still in California (L.A.), we change the style with Xander Singh and Luc Laurent and their slightly experimental-psychedelic and utterly addictive indie-pop. After a praised debut "Beauregard" last year, they recently released "Red Velvet Snow Ball", where the formula gets perfected and more immediate. Lush, engaging and peculiar is the universe this duo creates, one that can attract thanks to the atmospheres and richness of their sound, as well as for the talent to build a gorgeous pop melody, like the charming single “Rose Mary Stretch”. A name to follow closely.
Red Velvet Snow Ball Sampler by Pepper Rabbit

Babette Hayward. Sometimes a voice catch your attention, and in a matter of seconds, haunts you completely. That's the case of this young (21 years) singer/songwriter from New Brunswick, Canada, with her debut album "You Might Be Somebody" (she has a previous EP worth to check). Categorized along the folk revivalists, and compared to Gillian Christie, Laura Marling or even Cat Power, Hayward's talents are above references. She displays a bewitchingly poignant and honest indie folk-pop that escapes repetition, sounding diverse and rich despite its simplicity. Captivating.

 "You Might Be Somebody" by babettehayward