These Go to 11: interviewing Pale Spectres

More interviews! After closing April with The Treasures of Mexico, today we have the pleasure to fuel the section with more pluperfect janglepop, thanks to Thomas Guilcher from Pale Spectres (among other projects) answering our questionnaire. Enlightening pop from the 'City of Light'. Lots of familiar names on his answers. These Go to 11!

Pale Spectres, delicatessen at pop's supermarket

Thomas Guilcher, Pale Spectres
Hailing from Paris, they are Jean-François, Rafael, Stéphane and Thomas. and we met them in 2012, thanks to the song 'Better than Love', included on a compilation record from Cloudberry Records. One year later, they released debut EP 'Helen of Troy', four slices of hipnotic janglepop, via our beloved label Little Treasure Records. Now, after three years of waiting, during which Thomas got involved in several projects, like his one-man-band Tomiji, or collaborating with Blog dear friends Jeremy 'The Very Most' Jensen and Adriano 'Postal Blue' Ribeiro (wishing Les Coquelicots keep writing music together), our favourite ghosts are back with their "magic touch" intact, judging from the double A side amazing single 'Your Boyfriend's Girlfriend / Time to move on', out just now. Unmissable. Here we go! 

1.First record that you bought (be honest)
The very first record I bought might be 'Missing' by Everything But The Girl. I was probably 10 and it was a CD single. I remember cutting the cardboad cover to turn it into a sleeve for a jewel case. That was stupid, wasn't it ?

Brother in Law: La Famiglia shoegaze 

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
The first concert I attended was actually a big festival nearby my parents' called Les Terres Neuvas. It doesn't exist anymore. I mostly remember seeing a French rap band called Saian Supa Crew. The last one was Brothers In Law a few days ago in Paris. It really was a great show. They're from Italy and their music could be described as 'shoegazy pop'.

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

My latest guilty pleasure was probably Lana Del Rey. I even created my own best of compilation of her songs to listen to in the metro on my way to and back from work. I just love her music and I can't really explain why.

Gainsbourg meets Verlaine: a poets affaire

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

It probably is my Sarah Records vinyl collection. I own around 50 releases of the label and they're all very precious to me.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

To be honest, I don't pay that much -or enough- attention to lyrics. I'm more sensitive to people's vocals and the way they use them. It's music after all. However, Serge Gainsbourg's lyrics for 'Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'En Vais', for example, are excellent. They're a fantastic tribute to one of Paul Verlaine's most famous poems.

Adriano Ribeiro: glorious indiepop goes transnational

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
I would certainly love to meet Adriano from Postal Blue; not only because he's a wonderful musician but also because he's become a great friend. As he lives in Brasilia and me in Paris, we both know it would be complicated but you never know...

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
It may sound obvious but I'd say it's hard to top artworks such as Andy Warhol's banana for The Velvet Underground & Nico's self titled album or Peter Saville's waves for Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures'... They're both so beautiful and iconic.

A Belgian film! Recommendation taken

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
One of my many problems is I don't read enough. I would therefore have to say movies. If I had to recommend you one, I'd choose 'C'est Arrivé Près de Chez Vous'. The film is a Belgian masterpiece of extremely dark humor.

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
This is a trick question and proud is a big word. As far as I'm concerned, I noticed that the latest things you've created tend to be the ones you usually like the most. At the moment, my answer would then be a brand new song called 'The End' that we composed altogether from total scratch during a band practice. I really like collaborative compositions and I hope there will be more of them in Pale Spectres' future.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
I feel like indie has just become a random word for a broad kind of pop or even music. I would sadly tend to think it no longer has anything to do with independance. It now relies more on a type of aesthetics.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
I have absolutely no idea... I certainly have dreams but I'm mostly focusing on enjoying life day by day. To be honest, as I'm an optimistic person, I don't really care or think about that.    

 Zillion thanks Thomas!

These Go to 11: interviewing The Legendary House Cats

Keeping with our interviews, this time we have the pleasure to have John Girgus from the great Aberdeen, now running solo project The Legendary House Cats, answering our questionnaire! A music legend, in one of the funniest and exciting interviews we have ever featured. These Go to 11!

Mr. Girgus, pop at the end of world

John Girgus, The Legendary House Cats 
The story begins in Palm Desert, California, with Beth Arzy joining short-lived John's band Black Star Carnival. From the ashes of it, the then music duo and couple founded Aberdeen in 1993 (expanded to a proper band later on), and getting enrolled with the legendary label Sarah Records a year later, with whom they would record the 7" 'Byron' and the 'Fireworks' EP. But by 1995, when Sarah unfolded, and despite the remarkable success in UK, so did the band, fuelled by the breakup of the relationship, putting out another self-titled 7" after vanishing... for half a decade. Aberdeen chapter II began in 2001, now as a quartet, with the release of first and only album 'Homesick and Happy to Be Here' (most of them based on the recovered tapes recorded before they called it a day), followed by singles 'The Boy has Gone Away' and 'Florida' in 2003 and 2004. 'What Do I Wish for Now? (Singles + Extras 1994-2004)', their compilation singles album, appeared in 2006, also marking a second hiatus of five years, briefly broke in 2011 with an ephemeral return to the stage for some special concerts and another release "the vaults", 'It Was the Rain: Lost Recordings 1993-1995". But there's much more music coming from John aside Aberdeen. Like being part of the bands Languis and Non  Ultra Joy. Like his producing duties for The Luxembourg Signal and The City & Horses. Or his work as music composer in TV shows as 'True Blood' or 'Californication'. And most importantly. a solo career under since 2014 under the moniker of The Legendary House Cats, releasing, to name a few, 'First Light' EP on October that same year, stunning songs like 'King Grudge' and, more recently, 'River' and 'Falling From So High (Long Form Ambient Remix)'. A man of music, as you can see. Here we go!

And the clerk said: Bang your head!

1.First record that you bought (be honest)
I used to be a little embarrassed about this one (due to the material) and now, it's more like it's starting to show my age! I am pretty sure the first record I bought was a picture disc of Quiet Riot's 'Metal Health'. I remember having a discussion with the clerk and my mom about any possible inferiorities of this picture/audio combination, but he assured us it was fine. This would have been at The Record Alley in the former Palm Desert Town Center (now the Westfield Shopping Plaza, still open to this day. David Newton tells me he visits when in town). My dad made me turn it off when it got to the title track, repulsed by the lyric 'Bang your head, it's good for your health'. The lyric is actually 'Bang your head, metal health will drive you mad', which makes more sense.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
The first show I really saw, where I went on my own free(ish) will, and inside without parental guidance was Siouxsie and The Banshees at The Universal Amphitheater (later Gibson, now closed) for the Peek-A-Boo tour. I remember House of Freaks opened. I don't think they were received well, I remembered being pretty bummed at the crowd. For an auditorium filled with people who were supposed to be cool freaks, they were actually bunch of meat-heads. They couldn't have been more wrong though, and I became a fan. 'Tantilla' was a very important record for me, even though I didn't entirely understand it. The last show I saw was Danny Elfman's 'Nightmare Before Christmas', the live orchestra and screening thing he does at the Hollywood Bowl. You want me to be honest? I skipped the encore and heard 'Dead Man's Party' from the parking lot. Did not think that was going to happen. That hurts a little to think about.

Don't call him, please save yourself

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

My iTunes is the best place for this. That's where I buy stuff I wouldn't want to face anybody in a record store checkout counter over. I kept the free U2 record on purpose (and still listen to it), and 'Payphone' by Maroon 5, not only that but the clean version, which I was hoping didn't have the Wiz Khalifa breakdown (I am not proud of this at all).

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

I've become a pretty terrible music collector. I've sold so much over the years, but one thing I've never even tried to sell is my Subhumans vinyl. It might just be because a cat used them as a scratching post, but I probably won't ever get rid of them.

5.Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Sometimes I think of this one: 'I stumbled out of bed / I got ready for the struggle / I smoked a cigarette / And I tightened up my gut / I said this can't be me / Must be my double / And I can't forget, I can't forget / I can't forget but I don't remember what'  from 'I Can't Forget' - Leonard Cohen.

Sergeant & McCulloch, searching echoes

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 a few of my musical heroes (always managed to say something stupid), Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant, Leonard Cohen, all of Love and Rockets over the years. I once talked to Dave Rowntree from Blur for a half hour before I realized who he was. I met Tom Petty and most of The current Heartbreakers, talked with ODB about architecture in LA. I used to work for an ongoing live event here, the Mimosa Music Series, doing some light sound duties, so I'd have to meet every performer, some pretty class acts when it was exclusive; Rosanne Cash, Donovan, John Doe, Steve Earl, Booker T. once stopped by just to say hi... For another job I recorded an interview series with Steve Jones (once with Paul Cook), when I was lucky enough to be around he'd shoot the shit with us on pizza break, so maybe I'm all good for now. But maybe Glenn Danzig. I used to live in his neighborhood, but always missed him shopping for cat litter.

AC/DC goes New Wave... on an artwork

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
I've always liked the single for 'Getting Away With It' by Electronic. That was about when I started noticing that an album cover could be a work all its own. I'd buy records just for Peter Saville sleeves after that. Lately I've been trying to reference some more mainstream collage based designs, like some of the early Hipgnosis stuff. Their version of 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' is a fun one, because it doesn't really fit the rest of the AC/DC catalog. It looks more New Wave or something, but it's got a lot of good elements to borrow from, if you're looking to reference that era.

From 'Buffy' to 'Underworld',
tte pattern is clear, folks

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Books, I'm terrible at recommending because I'm just a lazy reader. I read articles every day, but committing to a book is too much. I'm early into 'Infinite Jest', David Foster Wallace right now, but I am not sure I'd recommend it. I'm not even sure I like it. The first two Underworld movies are on Netflix right now. You should check them out.

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Mine?! Tough question. I used to be very proud of my playing on Trembling Blue Stars 'A Statue To Wilde'. My part (Ebow guitars), the song itself, the production and the sentiment. Although that's sort of a bittersweet one now... I was very proud of the song 'First Light' about the time I was mixing it, but the versions out there are a sore spot. The Luxemburgler mix was a letdown (I asked them to use my mix or be involved, but of course, they shut me out completely). The Aberdeen version was really on its way but it remains essentially unfinished. What I finally came up with on my EP is very good for what it is, but after so much compromise, I think it just lost any magic it ever had and just didn't catch on anywhere. Maybe the song just wasn't that good. Citing my solo work is tough, it still feels so new, still a work in progress. Maybe 'King Grudge'. It was sort of a songwriting exercise, a challenge, pretty satisfying to record and mix. I didn't obsess too much, and still fun to listen to. I tend to enjoy my work more when I have a collaborator to give me something else to listen to. Chris McRitchie added some parts that do that nicely, and I stole the lyric from him!

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
At its core it's a state of willful independence. A conscious choice to forego the need for any sort of outside investment, funding or approval, and the commitment stay productive within that choice. I also like to think of its specific 90s origins like the UK press' reference 'Indie Guitar' bands, or good old American Indie Rock, or even newer uses like Indie-Disco (and of course the classic bands of Indie Pop). Most of the bands or labels who occupy those genres put out significant recorded works independently whether they became major label affiliated at some point or not. I think that's really what it means for me.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Oh god, I'm definitely not going to get the job now! I don't even want to think about it. Probably, right here, doing the same thing. . .            

 Zillion thanks John!

These Go to 11: interviewing California Snow Story

It has been a while since our last interview, but we are coming back big! Ladies and gents, it's our pleasure to have David Skirving, the man behind the great (and happily reactivated) California Snow Story answering our questionnaire. No time to waste, These Go to 11!

David Skirving, California Snow Story

Finally, we're heading back to California

Hailing from Glasgow, David Skirving formed California Snow Story after leaving our beloved Camera Obscura in 2001. Heavily influenced by Sarah Records (just check his answers below) the first release of his new, dreamy indie pop project, was the EP 'One Good Summer', out in 2002 by Shelflife, a year later appearing on the unmissable label's compilation 'You're Still Young At Heart'. On 2006, after a hiatus of three years, Skirving returned to action with a full band including Sandra Belda Martínez (Superété) on vocals, Madoka Fukushima on keyboards and Alan Skirving on drums. During a year the group worked on their first length, 'Close to the Ocean' released by Letterbox Records in 2007. The band vanished again, but out of the blue, David announced last year on social networks a new album was on the works (with exciting collaborators as my dear Mel Whittle from Hermit Crabs or Lupe from Amor de Días). Now we know the LP it's called 'Some other places' that will be out this May via Rallye Label and Shelflife and, judging by its first tune available, the gorgeous 'Motorway' the wait was worth it. But in the meantime, here we go!

The synth ballad of the 80s

1.First record that you bought (be honest)

Ultravox's 'Vienna' and Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap You Face'. Can’t remember which was first but they are both classics.

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

New Order ('Technique' era), Roddy Frame (playing 'High Land Hard Rain'). Honestly!

Simple Minds, did you forget about them?

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

Simple Minds.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

Maybe some Sarah Records 7” singles like 'Crush the Flowers' by The Wake and 'Paris'/'Last September’s Farewell Kiss' by Northern Picture Library.

5.Favorite lyrics (not yours)
I was listening to Prefab Sprout last week and I’ve always liked 'Life’s not complete till your heart’s missed a beat' combined with the missed beat in the music. Clever!

Bobby Wratten, our hiding hero

6.Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Not sure I want to meet any more musicians but I’ve been lucky to talk online to three different artists from Sarah Records (Bobby Wratten, Caesar and Mary Wyer). They were very friendly and unassuming people and I’m sure I would enjoy meeting them. That label seemed to attract nice people – musicians and fans.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
When I was young I loved the 'Psychocandy' cover by The Jesus and Mary Chain. It seemed really strange when I first saw it and I didn’t understand it but it was striking and fitted the music. I saw where they nicked it from later but that’s art!

'Kokoro',  solitude's standing

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Books. I’d recommend ‘Kokoro’ by Natsume Soseki.

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Maybe ‘You’ll Go Places’ and ‘Outliers’ from the new album.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
That things don’t have to be crap and that you don’t have to go along with what’s in fashion. When I first heard ‘indie’ music it seemed like a door to a secret world where things were better.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Ready to release the third album (it usually takes a while).
                                                                     

 Zillion thanks David!

Spanish Indie 26: suggesting the best national acts

Told you this section was going to be revitalised. These are two artists and a young band responsible of my favourite national releases of the year so far. Sure you'll enjoy!

Nacho Vegas. I could summarise this brief on the artist/band in just a solemn sentence: one of our most important artists of the last 20 years. But he deserves a longer account for such a strong career. Hailing from Xixón, Asturas, Vegas began playing at Eliminator Jr. a local noise band before founding the much revered post-rock combo Manta Ray, an adventure that lasted from 1994 to 1999, when he opted to began a solo career. Since then, he has released four albums and several singles, EPs and collaborative works alongside well-known musicians like Christina Rosenvinge or Bunbury, as well as lesser popular like the EP with Irene Tremblay (Aroah), or participating in soundtracks, setting music to the poems of Ramón Lluis Bande for the project Diariu, being part of Lucas 15, band that revisits the Asturian folklore. But that wasn't enough for him, so in 2010 he founded Marxophone, his own label/a musicians cooperative for self-releasing projects. Plus he also became part of Fundación Robo, collaborative platform where political activism and popular music join forces (yes, it can happen, luckily). His latest record to date 'Resituación' was released in Spring of 2014, but this January, Vegas came out with its companion, an immense EP entitled 'Canciones populistas'. Shifting gracefully between folk and rock, between humour and dark realism, between autobiography and post-modern references, always social and politically committed. One of our wittiest commentators. Our Phil Ochs. Our Ken Loach picking a guitar. Not just a celebrated songwriter or a big artist. Also a much needed one.

Invisible Harvey. Hiding behind this curious name borrowed from the classic movie starred by James Stewart and his giant bunny lies Barcelonian Dimas Rodríguez Gallego, screenwriter, film director and guitarist in La Banda Municipal del Polo Norte. But he didn't have enough, so a few years ago started a solo music project. One that, appeared from out of the blue on late December 2015 with digital single 'La Puerta Giratoria', and now has a flamboyant debut album, of the same title, thanks to our beloved El Genio Equivocado. Recorded last year, Dimas blends charming indiepop with skilled songwriting, with a heavy presence of lush and unique instrumentation, including his inseparable string duet (Joan Gerard Torredeflot "Joange" and Núria Maynou). Surreal (check his lyrics), romantic and dreamy. A haunting record honoring the tradition of El Niño Gusano. Pop in Wonderland.

VLIVM. Hailing from Tortosa, Tarragona, the band (that you can pronounce as Valium) is the project of two brothers, Nacho and Estebi Romero, who started playing during the summer of 2014 and put a couple of demos at their bandcamp. But at the beginning of 2015 things got more serious, with bros getting into the studio to record their debut album and, once finished, recruit friends Aleix and Blai to become a real band and be able to play gigs and properly defend the songs of 'Sailing Forever', out now via the much needed Discos de Kirlian. Between jangle-pop and dreampop, there are familiar places (the Sarah Records vibe, the lo-fi spirit, the magnetic use of the twelve string guitar) but a genuine, honest essence completely of their own. One to watch closely.

These Go to 11: interviewing Out Of Map Records

After interviewing The Birkins, we are decided to enhance the Blog's section again so here's a new and exciting one. This time we move to France (sadly just virtually) to meet a young label with a bright future ahead, run by lovely people, Out of Map Records. These Go to 11!

Muskeeters of indie...

Marie-Agnès Hallé & Rodolphe Binot, Out Of Map
Out of Map Records was created by Marie-Agnès Hallé with the help of Rodolphe Binot and Quentin Leclere, both from the promising band Nevski around 2010. It's the result of a brave but logical movement of Marie-Agnès after a long career in music industry during the last 15 years: cultural writer at her city's official website, Rouen (Normandy, France), runner of her own indie-pop radio show, quintessential part of a label run by a colleague.. Thanks to that intense task, she has met a lot of artists and musicians internationally, because she has had time also for being a touring manager. I Impressive, right? So after caring so much about music it was just natural for her to make the jump and run her own label. Like Nevski's debut EP, label's first release, exciting music awaits us, folks. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Getting righteous!

Marie-Agnès: I grew up with many records around me at home, my dad was a teacher and an artist, drawing and a great guitarist. I could listen thanks to him many good vinyls. He loved Bernstein, Django Reinhardt, Simon & Garfunkel, The Bee Gees, The Beatles etc. I knew by heart West Side Story about 5 years old! I am born in 1973. As I had two older brothers who bought audio tapes, vinyls, then cds, I didn’t feel the need to buy records early.. I just had to pick one in the discography in the room next door ;) as far as I remember… I think that the first stuff I really bought on my own was in USA, where I travelled when I was 16 years and it was a tape of The Righteous Brothers. I realize now that I had in my childhood an extremely kitschy taste!
Rodolphe: A second hand copy of ‘In Utero’ by Nirvana, when I was 10 or 11. Fascinating.

80s Lolita asking for a cab ...

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

MA:The first concert was when I was very young. It was Mozart’s 'Die Zauberflöte' opera. My grand-ma was violinist and brought me the love of classical music. The first really ‘pop’ concert was in Normandy where I am from, on holidays in Deauville in 1988, it was a Vanessa Paradis gig. I couldn’t tell you honestly if I enjoyed it because during the first song ‘Joe le taxi’, I collapsed. All I remember of this gig is receiving a big slap in the face from a volunteer firefighters to wake me up.
R: The first show I attended was the Pixies when they reunited in 2004. It was in a big arena, didn't see anything but it blew me away. The last one was a Nevski show three days ago, we played with 4 other bands. Nothing to be remembered.

Blame it on the MTV

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

MA: Goodness Raül ! it is not embarrassing at all! I love this question! I have many many many answers and it will be a heartbreak feeling to pick one … If only i could make you a list! The Milli Vanilli and The Shaggs, worse music either but they bring me happiness (I cannot stop laughing listening to them.)
R: ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie. I don't know if it's embarrassing but I feel guilty for that anyway.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

MA:There are two objects I cherish: a flexible disc of the Speech made by General Charles de Gaulle in september 1962. I really take care of this jewel. The second music item that I adore because it contains many symbols too is a vinyl of West Side Story from the sixties.

R: I’m not a collector but I like my classical music records, because they sound and look good. I also like my old and cheap guitar strap.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

MA: Here comes again my kitschy side: I love the 'Trololo Song'. The amazing russian man, Eduard Khil, managed to sing with only some onomatopoeia lyrics 'yeyeyeye ho ho ho dadada ho heeeee' with his baritone voice. Gorgeous! This song stuck in my head, can drive me crazy for days, in singing the trololo song everywhere all day long. Originally, the lyrics, too hard for the soviet government were like that 'I'm riding my stallion on a prairie, so-and-so mustang, and my beloved Mary is thousand miles away knitting a stocking for me'.
R: ‘Desolation Row’ by Bob Dylan, the whole thing is amazing. I'd also mention the line ‘I hate people when they're not polite’ in Talking Heads' ‘Psycho Killer’.

The real rose of the 2nd Stones...

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
MA: So those I would have dream to meet: Serge Gainsbourg, Lou Reed, Kevin Ayers, John Lennon and Claudine Longet (to ask her if she had really shooted Spider, her lover, in Aspen 1976.). These last years, I was wondering what kind of persons are Stuart Murdoch, Johnny Marr and Neil Hannon.

R: I'd drink some wine in the South of France with Kevin Ayers and John Squire. He’s the best pop guitarist I can think of.

In the head of Syd...

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)

MA: My favorite artwork is the cover of 'This is Beaumont'. The picture, the name, the colours, all the elements fit in perfection with the music. When you read the songs titles on the back cover, 'Bacharach', 'Girls and Maths', 'Love is 1968', 'Hey Barbara', 'His London' etc... you yell ‘of course!’. The girlie-sixties picture on the album is elegant and charming, like the Blueboys Keith Girdler and Paul Stuart awesome compositions. The spirit of Sarah Records is in this artwork. 

R: ‘The Madcap Laughs’ by Syd Barrett, the cover perfectly reflects the mood of the album. And it looks good.

Let's dance with Liza!

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

MA: I read a lot, more than I listen to music… so it’s a hard job to pick one book. I’ll pick two in suffering: William Styron, ‘Sophie's Choice’ and Michel Houellebecq, ‘Les Particules élémentaires'. I choose them because I have read everything from the both writers. They deeply touch me. I don’t have any hesitation for the movie: 'West Side Story' in DVD! after that, a piece of french films from Godard, Truffaut, Audiard. Oh oui, and I have plan to watch 'Cabaret' with Liza Minelli these next days.
R: ‘Uranus’ by Marcel Aymé and Louis Aragon’s poetry.

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

MA: The Nevski EP we signed on Out of Map!!! Of course! The label was created five years ago and during all these years, I wanted this EP but I had to wait this long time after the musicians, studying all other the world. When they get finally in the studio, rehearsing and recording, it was in August but for me it was Christmas ! Now, the first album is already on its way, and Santa Claus is back!

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
MA: Well, oui, let’s be serious Raül. Indie means ‘independant’ for me and a spirit for the fans of indie, a beautiful club full of great strange people, like a family. An indie band or indie musician is the opposite of the product: they are able to decide, to say ‘no’ to a label and the music industry when they try to drive with only profit on mind. Indie bands don’t lose their pants. Indie fans share this way of thinking, like this air of freedom and help each other to form a Resistance.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

MA: Where I am now, no matter the country, the city... I will surely be with the people I love, reading, painting, listening music, helping musicians who deserve attention. Somewhere on a sofa, (a bigger one in 10 years because after books and music, my third passion is chocolate) living the same ‘indie’ life.
R: Growing potatoes in Scotland.

                                                               Zillion thanks Marie-Agnès & Rodolphe, thanks Out Of Map!

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.  

“My Secret World”, one hundred Sarah Records

My Secret World. The Story of Sarah Records
Beefeater In-Edit 2014, Chapter II

Our second choice at this year’s Beefeater In-Edit was a no-brainer, a must-watch. I mean, a movie about the story of Sarah Records? On the first row without a doubt.

Why? Because every truly single indie-pop heart needs to know about the Sarah Records story, the referential label based in Bristol with an adamantium spirit of independence founded by Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes. They created an immaculate, DIY label (oh my God, the story about the letters!), that overpassed it’s eight years of existence (1987-1995) to become a myth.

Director Lucy Dawkins chooses the most straightforward and didactic approach. She gathers with Clare and Matt and in a very logical order. The origins, the fanzines, the idiosyncrasy and attitude of the label... and every band that published with them in chronological order, covering the 100 7” limited releases Sarah put before going out with a bang. That choice proves to be a very coherent one, making “My Secret World” a very consistent documentary and a pleasant experience for fans, but also an excessively linear and, sorry to say, a bit boring film too, in particular for newcomers into the label’s world or for the ones that are not familiar with the bands.

What this rockumentary shows is that Sarah Records’ was a very small world. A relevant world full of indie-pop pleasures, but also shoegaze and punk flirts, twee music (funny how the interviewed bands refuse the adjective). A world with clear goals and a distinct way of understanding music. A world with a will to fight against the silly criticism (what a piece of shite were the music tabloids, I refuse to say magazines), sexism and misogyny, in my opinion the most interesting moment on the movie, would have loved that bit lasted much longer. But still a small world.

If you are a fan, you’re going to love seeing Blueboy, The Wake, Another Sunny Day, The Orchids, The Field Mice, Heavenly (awww Amelia Fletcher, why not a documentary about her), or “special” fans like music journalist Everett True or Jacob from The Drums, evoking their Sarah Records related memories, or just praising the label’s evolution. Not everything is wines and roses, but Dawkins is not interested on digging deeper on some of the “issues”. Something you have to respect seeing the direction of the movie. But if you’re not a fan, or if you’re not a die-hard fan, “My Secret World” can be just tiring. Whatever the case, a film that needed to exist. Plus a great excuse to listen several unmissable bands. At the end, that’s what makes a label memorable.

SCORE: 6/10

These Go to 11: interviewing Shelflife Records

Back to our regular posts after the Indietracks experience, and our next guests to answer our questionnaire we have a very special couple. What would have been of this Blog without them? Matthew Bice & Ed Mazzuco, the Shelflife Records' bosses, one of our favourite independent labels. Mankind needs them. These Go to 11!

Ed Mazzuco & Matthew Bice, Shelflife Records

Ed & Matthew, making your ears
happy since 1995

Shelflife Records began in 1995, when Ed Mazzuco, a fan of 80's English pop and with mythic labels as Factory and Sarah Records as reference, launched the label in a southern California suburb bedroom, in conjunction with a mail order and distribution service. The goal: introducing foreign indie pop groups to the US. Shelflife's first release arrived in August 1996, the compilation 'Whirl-Wheels' which included tracks by Club 8, Boyracer, La Buena Vida, and Ed’s own band The Autocollants. A year later, Ed & the label moved to New York, and although the mail order and distribution service were discontinued, the artist roster continued to grow: Shelflife was a hobby no more. Recognition keep increasing, and the label's scope expanded, hosting the annual showcase The September Set, and in 2007, with Ed and Matthew Bice relaunching Shelflife blending art with music. To put it simply: one of the best indie labels out there, almost infallible. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Ed: I think it was OMD's 'Crush'. Or maybe LL Cool J 'Bigger and Deffer'
Matthew: 'Me and You and a Dog Named Boo' by Lobo

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

Ed: First concert was New Order in 1988. The last, Toy
Matthew: The first was Chet Atkins. The last, Primavera Sound 2014

Motown in the 90s? Ummm....

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

Ed: 'Send The Pain Below' by Chevelle
Matthew: 'Motownphilly', Boyz II Men

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Ed: Hard one… maybe Buba and the Shop Assistants 7"
Matthew: Signed copy of 'Blue Monday' 7”

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

Ed: Sometimes these words just don't have to be said
I know how you both feel the heart can rule the head
Jealousy is an essential part of love
The hurting here below and the emptiness above- The Wedding Present, 'My Favourite Dress'
Matthew: I think, yes. I’m doing a fine job Cocteau Twins, 'Summer Blink'

They want you (but don't dress like them)

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Ed: All of the Shelflife bands I have never met
Matthew: ABBA

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Ed: OMD, 'Dazzle Ships'
Matthew: 'Satan is Real' by The Louvin Brothers

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Ed: Movie, 'Ski School'
Matthew: Movie, 'Toto the Hero'

Days 'Downhill'

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Ed: Days, 'Downhill' 7”
Matthew: Days,'Downhill' 7”

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Ed: Doing it your own way and not falling into industry traps
Matthew: Not letting “that’s not how you do it” get in your way

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ed: Living where I can work less and enjoy life more
Matthew: Under a tree, petting my sheepdog

Zillion thanks Ed and Matthew!

The Indie Anthology 40: essential songs

Next chapter in our Anthology is another Sarah Records classic, a gem of a song on an album full of jangle-pop delicious pieces... chosen because of its lyric... One of these days when you want to shout out loud the world to go fuck up itself (sorry for the expletive language). Dedicated to all the scum out there.. Yours truly... with indiepop love.

Song: You Should All Be Murdered
Artist: Another Sunny Day
Year: 1992

"London Weekend"... what a great record! "I'm In Love With A Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist", "Anorak City", "Can't You Tell It's True?", "The Centre of My Little World"... Harvey Williams... what a truly underrated genius. But if I have to choose only one tune (at least today) it has to be "You Should All Be Murdered". Guitars full of sonic gentleness and an upbeat melody hiding (for all non-English speakers) a lyric full of bite and frustration with a world so full of people eager to let you down. Verses like "The people who have left me down without reserve / The people who talk too much/ The people who don't care", or my painfully favourite "The people who broke my heart so bad it never mends / The people who wrecked my life & all my so-called friends", before Williams let the guitars (one of the most beautiful ends I ever heard) do the rest of the talking. Unfortunately, now the lines ring so true. So does this amazing song.

The Indie Anthology 39: essential songs

What can I say? This is simply one of THE SONGS, sooner or later it was going to be featured in the Anthology, and after hearing a nice live version on Saturday (at the strangest party/gig I ever been....) this was a very nice occasion... An indiepop myth, Sarah 12. One of the greatest pop songs ever written.

Song: Emma's House
Artist: The Field Mice
Year: 1988

13 seconds and you already know you are listening to a very special tune. 45 seconds, when the guitars burn, to be absolutely taken away. Hear it a zillion times, and still feel disarmed by the magic of the music and the mystery of lyrics. In my opinion writer Alistair Fitchett is not making Bobby Wratten sing just about a girl that moved away. On an unmatched combination of fragility and intensity, the song's house is not only a physical place, but life's account of missed chances. The lines "You have nothing to live up to / You have nothing to live down" are devastating. The Field Mice weren't mourning about an impossible love, but putting words & feelings to the instant when you admit your defeat. While the band does so, they are rippling along your spin. Now tell me pop can't take you places. Deep inside yourself.