As per my last post on 2:54, until this week we'd had a couple of years radio silence from Echo Lake (two bands I can actually remember seeing together at The Lexington probably over three years ago now). The London based band return with a new song "This Year", part of a forthcoming compilation for Marshall Teller Records (whom the band play a showcase for this Saturday at the Shacklewell Arms - details) before hopefully treating us to details of a second album later this year.
An accompanying press release states that the track is actually an older track revisited and you can perhaps tell, a languid, haze of swirling, psychedelic pop that would fit well on their debut EP rather than the greater, more purposeful atmospherics of the full-length Wild Peace, either way, it sounds perfect listening here amongst the blue skies of North London, go bask in its glow below. Welcome back guys. Don't leave it so long next time please.
An album which has criminally managed to stay off many peoples radar this year, perhaps due to the self-released nature of the album, still with support slots alongside Field Music and Wave Machines to come next year word is slowly getting out there about this wonderful duo.
Star Map is genuinely the most beautiful album on this list, the understated ethereal grace which carries the album throughout is one to truly immerse yourself in, a real natural beauty, "Always Golden" perfectly highlights Rebecca Palin's unique, haunting vocal, it's at the forefront throughout with the shimmering electronic beats and delicate key strokes
"Crossfire" is another likely to bring goosebumps to many, for those easily turned on, Star Map should carry a warning sticker, such an effecting beauty, spread the word.
With her captivating presence and exceptional song craft, in my humble opinion, Rachel Sermanni is one of the few who stands out above the current crowd of singer/songwriters, after a couple of EP's highlighting her talent I was delighted that her debut full-length Under Mountains fulfilled all my hearts desires and more.
"Waltz" slowly introduces a full band to accompany Rachel's guitar and sweet vocal tones, the combination creates intoxicating arrangements and strong melodies that stands true for much of Under Mountains. The command and attention to detail throughout the album is exceptional, Rachel in complete control of the flowing vocals and her depth of prose belie her youth.
The dark defiance of "The Fog" and the gorgeous, soothing tones of "Sleep" are all personal favourites too, offering a dozen finely crafted tracks in which Rachel's mesmerising voice resonates above genteel instrumentation and stirring full band sections, Under Mountains is bathed in heartfelt emotion and stunning harmonies, one of the years finest, of that there is no doubt..
By now you think you know what you are getting with I Like Trains, or at least you thought you did. The Leeds based post-rock band have changed things up with their latest album The Shallows, the predominant mood of their previous releases was, shall we say, glum, slow burning, emotive soundscapes with little room for light or hope, sure there were moments in their last "He Who Saw The Deep" where all was not grey but nothing quite like moments on The Shallows...
For how do you say it, "Mnemosyne" sees I Like Trains go disco, not a word that we've come to associate with them but "Mnemosyne" is most definitely funky. Sparse synth lines combine with a bass-line Hot Space era Queen would have been proud of, don't let it scare you off, the signature I Like Trains dynamic is similarly evident, at at their brooding best on "Reykjavik" with Dave Martin's impeccable baritone vocals, shimmering guitars and Simon Fogal's commanding drums and reflective on "Water/Sand" which finds their beautifully thought-out prose at its finest.
"Beacons" is another which glistens with twinkling synths hooks and chiming guitars, it works, I never thought it would but it does, sullen post-rock with a flamboyant electro edge, I like it. The Shallows finds the new I Like Trains as absorbing as ever.
A long time coming some may say, The Staves debut album Dead & Born & Grown is a perfect summation of the girls journey so far, with older tracks "Mexico" and "Facing West" as exquisite as ever, sitting perfectly alongside tracks from the earlier Motherlode EP and newer songs too, much will be said about the sisters rich harmonies and genteel melodies (with good reason), which slowly and luxuriously linger in your brain like a Sunday afternoon with a glass of fine malt whisky.
Highlights are throughout, the a cappella "Wise and slowly" is hymnal perfection, the tender "Pay Us No Mind", like so much of the album, is just beautiful while "Tongue Behind My Teeth" sees the sister take some Americana influences with a kick-drum beat propelling jangling guitar and dusty melodies which sweep and stomp like the outlaw video that accompanies the track.
The Staves blend their heavenly harmonies together as well as any I've previously heard and Dead & Born & Grown is the perfect for the winter months, completely irresistible, don't miss out.
[Previously posted on my Tips of 2012: One Year On post]
Echo Lake have had a year of ups and downs, the tragic news of the death of their drummer Pete Hayes overshadowed everything else but the subsequent empowerment of the band, including fundraisers and emotional tributes only highlighted the togetherness and closeness of the group who earlier in the year released their delightful debut full length Wild Peace.
As beautiful a listen as any album this year, Wild Peace seamlessly fizzes with immersive, shimmering bliss.
Track after track of intoxicating, beyond-luscious melodies in which we find Linda Jarvis' reverberating vocals floating around, highlights are aplenty, from the re-imagining of earlier single "Another Day", the only pure pop tune on display with chiming chords to the rockier "Young Silence" and swirling "In Dreams" (both again reworked from their 2011 EP appearances, starting with a soft tapestry of sounds before rising in intensity to an explosive finale while the gorgeous "Swimmers" is the hazy, dreamy come-down.
Though that's a paragraph that fails to mention the closing track "Just Kids", a seven minute course on how to generate the perfect atmospheric of slowly building wonder or the title track, equally worthy of praise.
Amongst the reasons for my support of the band over the last year is the beautiful, progressive arrangements of their tracks, "Even the Blind" is like a journey in itself, from its dreamy, luxurious outset where Linda's beautiful ethereal coo's, chiming guitars and a metronomic beat purposely lead towards its foot-stomping tempo switch, the drumbeat sees the main shift in intensity in the songs second quarter, hard-hitting and stadium sized they suddenly drop leaving the shimmering textures on a cliff-edge before the track again gathers pace and surges towards its euphoric climax.
To sum up, "Even the Blind" is basically a five minute roller-coaster that's exhilarating, soothing and absolutely wonderful, wild and peaceful, yeah I get that title.
In 2011 I had a fantastic year with a number of my "tips" producing albums which ended up amongst my favourites of the year (as well as a couple that split up and a few that were "tipped" too soon and albums that didn't materialise). I think it was safe to say I was going to struggle to match those results this time around, so now twelve months on from my picks for 2012, I'll revisit the year of my picks and find out if my Mystic Meg career has come to an end before it's even started... Below is part one, with parts two and three following over the weekend. My 13 "Tips for 2013" will start on Monday (and my favourite releases of 2012 posts the week after for any of your curious).
Battlekat, perhaps still known to a few of you as Just A Number 05272011 (the date they announced their real name), failed to immediately build on a strong EP and stunning London live debut in 2011 which led to their inclusion in my Tips post, in fact, it's been as good as silent from the Danish quartet until just a few weeks ago when a new track entitled "Rituals That Make The Rain Fall" was released...
After a 2012 spent predominately recording new material "Rituals..." hints at bigger things for Battlekat in 2013, the track, a seven minute tour-de-force of all things electronic music combining hypnotic, tribal beats with warbling synths and distorted vocal yowls. To date no future releases have been announced. So whilst 2012 hasn't exactly fulfilled any prophecies of Battlekat taking The Knife's crown, it's definitely too soon to write that of, 2013 might just be the year. What this space...
On my review/post of the Carousels EP a few weeks back I half mentioned the way this post was heading (in it's fact very similar to Battlekat above). When Carousels started they were a duo of Nick Benton and Lucy Wilson, after amassing an incredible amount of buzz in late summer 2011 with two demos "Here to Me" & "Sleep" and playing a few shows in the autumn (which combined to result in my "tipping" nod), it was a brave move to discard almost everything they'd done over their initial six months and form a 'real' band with new material.
After a six month period of recording and road testing while playing the odd gig Carousels released the exhilarating "Stay With Me" to much acclaim from shoegaze poppers around the world, I said it "instantly penetrating your brain with a huge wall of sound from swathes of droning, spiralling guitars and a punishing drum beat, which fully intoxicates when interwoven with Nick and Lucy's dual, melodic vocals", then came an autumn tour with Peace and an EP perfectly titled POP released just a couple of weeks back, highlight "Sweet Honey" the perfect juxtaposition of fuzzy carnage and dreamy, drifting vocals wrapped up within three minutes of pop bliss, Carousels have well and truly announced themselves as a band to play loud and see live. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2013 brings.
Cold Specks (aka Al Spx) debut I Predict A Graceful Expulsion came out in May via Mute and delivered on the promise of its earlier tracks and a spine-tingling Jolls Holland performance, difficult to accurately pigeon-hole, a combination of gospel, folk and 'doom-soul' combine with Al's unique vocals to deliver a powerful, thought provoking full-length that deserved the praise it received upon release (8/10 from DiS, 7.7 Pitchfork, 4 stars The Independent)
The only minor quibbles could be that it's so emotive it's hard to swallow in one go and the tracks we already knew are arguably the best on the album, previews "Holland" and "Winter Solstice" remain as powerful and poignant now as they did a year ago, the former gathers weight slowly around guitar plucks, sweeping strings and a repetitive drum beat to a raw, empowering finale while the latter "Winter Solstice" deeply haunting, spiritual and beautiful. Those endless adjectives are the least Cold Specks deserve, as atmospheric and poetic release as any this year, I'm interested to see where this project turns next.
I almost picked Daughter in my 2011 tips, I did include them in my tips for 2012 list, when in-so-fact it's going to be 2013 when Daughter becomes a household name. Sure 2012 hasn't been exactly quiet for Elena Tonra and co (they've just finished their debut US headlining tour and playing in Europe too) but with just one single to their name (the incredible "Smother", their first for new label 4AD) 2013 appears to be the year when we'll finally hear the first Daughter LP and see the trio build upon two incredible EP releases.
With "Smother" you realise it's just a matter of time, Elena's intimate lyrics are arguably amongst the finest of this generation and amongst swelling instrumentation her ethereal tones are as heart-felt and beautiful as anything you'll hear this year and next. Daughter's debut is definitely on the (premature) short-list for the top albums of 2013. Are you watching those on the Mercury Prize panel...
Echo Lake have had a year of ups and downs, the tragic news of the death of their drummer Pete Hayes overshadowed everything else but the subsequent empowerment of the band, including fundraisers and emotional tributes only highlighted the togetherness and closeness of the group who earlier in the year released their delightful debut full length Wild Peace.
As beautiful a listen as any album this year, Wild Peace seamlessly fizzes with immersive, shimmering bliss. Track after track of intoxicating, beyond-luscious melodies in which we find Linda Jarvis' reverberating vocals floating around, highlights are aplenty, from the re-imagining of earlier single "Another Day", the only pure pop tune on display with chiming chords to the rockier "Young Silence" and swirling "In Dreams" (both again reworked from their 2011 EP appearances. "Even the Blind" starts with a soft tapestry of sounds before rising in intensity to an explosive finale while the gorgeous "Swimmers" is the hazy, dreamy come-down.
Though that's a paragraph that fails to mention the closing track "Just Kids", a seven minute course on how to generate the perfect atmospheric of slowly building wonder or the title track, equally worthy of praise.
I had to miss the re-scheduled album launch show last month, to make amends I'll be trying my utmost to attend a Christmas Show which Echo Lake headline alongside to other acts featured here before, Novella and SPC ECO - Thursday December 20th at the Water Rats - full details.
Some incredibly sad news to start the week, Pete Hayes, drummer of one of this blogs ever present bands of the past eighteen months Echo Lake passed away last week at the age of just 25. Not a personal friend or acquaintance of mine but having seen the band seven or eight times in the same period I find the terrible news very sad and pass on my every sympathy to those who knew Pete, his friends and family.
Overshadowing the release of the bands debut album Wild Peace today, I hope Pete had chance to see the positive reception the album received before, little consolation to those he knew I know, but the music he was involved in has touched the hearts of many and will be there to remember him by.
Here's a beautiful tribute written by Thom.
R.I.P Pete Hayes 27.1.1987 - 21.06.2012
We are so sad to say that our close friend and brilliant drummer Peter Hayes passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 25.
I can't believe I'm actually typing these words, we're all completely devastated and shocked.
If you knew Pete, then you'll know what an amazing person he was. If you didn't know Pete then all I can say is that he was a total one off. Always caring, always giving, always straight up and always with such a positive outlook on life. That was the thing with Pete, he just got on with it. Even in his last few weeks he would be sitting up in his hospital bed smiling and having a laugh with me.
It was this outlook on life that made me perhaps take advantage of our time spent together. This situation never seemed possible because he never ever stopped being positive and joyful. He never moaned, or acted ill and was an incredibly hard worker. It's a really rare thing to find all of these qualities in someone and he deserved more time to live his life to the full, which he always did.
If you ever saw us play live then you'll know what a great drummer he was. I've been in 4 different bands over the past 10 years and while the line ups changed around us, me and Pete were always playing together. It was such a privilege to play music with him.
I'll always remember in our first band me, Kier and Steve lying to promoters that we were over 18 and that we were old enough to play in pubs. We were 16 and Pete was even younger than us! I remember sneaking Pete in the venue hoping nobody would ask any questions and after the gig Pete's dad Antony would pick him up and take him home because he had his year 10 GCSE exam later that week! I still can't believe we got away with it really. He was like a younger brother to us and we always had a lot of fun.
I'm really glad that the four of us moved to London, met Linda and formed Echo Lake. I know he was really excited about the album finally coming out and the possibilities that lay ahead of us. I can't believe that he won't be around anymore to see them out with us.
I could go on writing about him and the amazing memories forever, but another part of me is struggling to find the words to do him justice. So I'll just say that he put everything into Echo Lake and always played his heart and soul out. I'll always appreciate that and will always owe him so much for helping us get as far as we have in the past 2 years.
Finally, I'd just like to send all my love to Pete's family, who I am lucky to have gotten to know well over the years. When we were kids, your place was a home away from home for me (as it was for all of our friends who just loved being there so much!) And to Pete's girlfriend Caroline. I'm so glad that you guys met each other, you made him incredibly happy.
All the love Pete, we'll all miss you so much.
Rest in peace and thanks for everything man, it's been awesome!
Very glad to have one of my favourite new bands back, Echo Lake have been quiet so far in 2012 but now armed with their finished debut album 'Wild Peace', (due for release on June 25th via No Pain In Pop in the UK, a day later via Slumberland in the US with further details no doubt to follow) the London based boys and girl have released lead track "Even the Blind" for free download, you'll be wise to get it straight away...
Amongst the reasons for my support of the band over the last year is the beautiful, progressive arrangements of their tracks, "Even the Blind" is like a journey in itself, from its dreamy, luxurious outset where Linda's beautiful ethereal coo's, chiming guitars and a metronomic beat purposely lead towards its foot-stomping tempo switch, the drumbeat sees the main shift in intensity in the songs second quarter, hard-hitting and stadium sized they suddenly drop leaving the shimmering textures on a cliff-edge before the track again gathers pace and surges towards its euphoric climax.
To sum up, "Even the Blind" is basically a five minute rollercoaster that's exhilarating, soothing and absolutely wonderful, wild and peaceful, yeah I get that title - roll on the full album!
12. Zola Jesus - Vessel Posted 29th June: "Vessel" is a stunning return for Nika Roza Danilova, harsh metallic beats and Nika's colossal voice create an immediate, menacing atmosphere that's dramatic and chilly."
11. Dum Dum Girls - Coming Down Posted 20th July: "Coming Down" is a real heart on sleeve lament. Dee Dee's smoky vocals recall more Hope Sandoval than the lo-fi fuzzed-out Shangri-La's of the debut. Languid, echoey guitars shimmer with emotion and longing, complementing the woozy and wistful lyrics perfectly, everything about this track is mellow, luscious, amazing. For those late night, alcohol soaked melancholic moments. Undeniably vulnerable and beautiful, if the album hits me like this track then it's going to be something special."
10. Echo Lake - Sunday Evening
Posted 3rd January and June 15th: "...Their sound highlighted perfectly on the shimmering beauty that is "Sunday Evening", with its hypnotising intensity, chiming guitars and foot-stomping progressive beat..."
9. Daughter - Love Posted 10th November: "Elena's voice remains pure and beautiful throughout, it's probably one of the most emotionally affecting, gorgeous voices I've heard recently, listening to the opening verse of the heartbreaking "Love" with its wounded, confessional lyrics is a provides a genuine goosebumps moment. If you aren't amongst those 6000 followers perhaps now is the time to stand up and pay attention, I'm sure dozens of A&R guys already have."
8. The Great Wilderness - Dark Horse
Posted 22nd September: "Their most recent (and best) release is the spellbinding "Dark Horse", a sprawling nine minute epic, seamlessly flowing from luscious, dreamy melodies, shimmering guitar rhythms sewn together by vocalist Paola's haunting voice to a shattering cataclysm of pummelling drums and frenetic guitar riffs played with such searing intensity you'll be left gob smacked, then you'll want to press repeat, again and again."
7. The Joy Formidable - Spectrum Posted 6th February: "Their sound is individual and unique, but recognisable and accessible. Whilst managing to simultaneously sound like and unlike every guitar band you ever heard, The Joy Formidable are a truly astonishing and daunting prospect but fortunately they are blessed with enough style and charisma to create the perfect package".
6. Braids - Lemonade Posted 6th January: "Lemonade" is the stand-out, a seven minute masterpiece which pushes the boundaries of mainstream psych-pop, swirling, tropical soundscapes and bubbling ambient electronics give the perfect platform for Raphaelle's delicately soft vocals (which hide somewhat of a dirty mouth)."
5. I Break Horses - Hearts Posted 10th May: "Hearts", for me at least, is the signature I Break Horses track, perhaps because it's what hooked me first, it's simply heavenly. Frozen beats sparkle while pulsating rhythms add a slightly sinister tone (my initial reaction was The Terminator theme) all softly woven amongst echoey drums and the hushed yet, ethereal coos of Maria Lindén. Her voice, as beautiful as it is, acts as another layer of the instrumentation where the lyrical content matters little."
4. Austra - The Beat and The Pulse Posted 24th January: Austra are Domino's latest signing, the work of Katie Stelmanis whose debut release "Beat & The Pulse" is dominated by a powerful, pounding dance-floor filling dark electro beat"
3. Lanterns on The Lake - I Love You, Sleepyhead Posted 29th November : "...windswept instrumentation sweeps and swoons while heartbroken melodies tug at your heart strings, the updated version of "I Love You, Sleepyhead" the perfection summation, genuinely gorgeous..."
2. EMA - California Posted 1st April: "California" is beautifully stark, through grinding, droning walls of feedback, the opening line of "Fuck California, you made me boring" sums up Erika's defiance in one line and it's repeated refrain "I’m just 22 / I don’t mind dying" is almost triumphant."
1. Josh T. Pearson - Honeymoon's Great! Wish You Were Her Posted 29th November : "The most stunning most though is on the devastating centrepiece "Honeymoon's Great! Wish You Were Her", the longest track in an album of lengthy numbers, at thirteen minutes it's raw, emotional and regretful "I’m in love with another woman, please don’t tell the wife / I cannot seem to stop it and it’s fuckin’ up my fucked up life" (in fact just read the whole lyrics here), a poetic lament to unrequited love and being stuck between two women. I'll repeat myself, an album of such heartbreaking fragility and beauty that I can't say any more than just listen to it."
An easy choice and one who I almost had in my tips for 2011, Elena Tonra's Daughter has had an exceptional 2011 with two stunning EP releases gaining her a increasing stream of press hyperbole and a live show which highlights her intimate song-writing talent, equal parts despairing and heart-warming and a spine-tingling voice seemingly from the heavens.
Now backed by a full band who add textured drums, shimmering guitars and a pulsating heartbeat to the tracks on her latest release 'The Wild Youth', most evident on the spellbinding "Medicine" where electronic programming create this hazy, smoke filled ambient air while gentle piano strokes and a bewitching vocal add to one of the most gorgeous, spectral tracks of the year.
Elena's haunting voice, pure and beautiful, is arguably one of the most emotionally affecting voices I've heard recently, listening to the opening verse of the heartbreaking "Love" with its wounded, confessional lyrics is a provides a genuine goosebumps moment. 2012 I am sure will bring many, many more. I can't wait for what Daughter releases next. A sign of which might be told on April 12th with Elena's largest gig to date at Islington Assembly Hall - tickets.
Another easy choice for me, a band I've seen live six times in 2011 (with an seventh to follow this week) Echo Lake released my favourite EP of the year way back in January (the now sold out 'Young Silence' available digitally here), their sound highlighted perfectly on the shimmering beauty that is "Sunday Evening", with its hypnotising intensity, chiming guitars and foot-stomping progressive beat.
Similarly perfect is the swirling, psychedelic pop infusion of "In Dreams, "Young Silence" with rattling percussion and layer upon layer of hazy, frenzied guitars and the tranquil, fuzzed-up dream pop gem that is "Buried at Sea", blissful, kaleidoscopic soundscapes of the highest order.
My introductory paragraph mentioned how many times I've seen them live, enough in itself to show how good I think they are and with their debut album due next year (no details to share yet) Echo Lake are certainly one of the acts I'm expecting to feature a lot (more) here over the next twelve months.
I'm taking a chance with Embers, there is every chance when I come to review these tips in 2012 I'll be saying 2013 will be there year but this new Manchester band released three of the best 'rough demos' of the year and if they have written more exceptional material and manage to find the right resources to put an album out next year then the crown of Manchester's best new band could easily be theirs...
From the epic, sweeping orchestrations of the stark "Days Turn Into Weeks" to "Tunnel Vision", a darker, colossal monster and "Without Fear or Favour", dramatic, cinematic, brilliant these four northern boys are three tracks from three and yet without news of a proper release or even a live show to announce I think that in this time of people craving instant fulfilment (partly caused by blog craze I bit like this I guess) we could just be awaiting the most powerful, gloomy and damn right exciting release of 2012. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.
A new feature that may last or it may not, a weekly / bi-weekly round-up of things that I've possibly already mentioned or artists that I've previously featured that I think need a quick re-visit for various reasons, such as a new video to a song I've posted or a new show / record release impending etc. Without further wittering on any longer:
Echo Lake's 'Another Day' 7" single was released part way through last month and a couple of weeks ago they shared a psychedelic 3am club video and free downloadable stream of b-side "Breathe Deep", a languid and hazy track which more suits the come down than the ecstasy induced intensity seen in the video. Get the vinyl at Rough Trade now. One of my favourite UK bands, can't wait to see where they go next.
I reviewed Gazelle Twin's sensational debut 'The Entire City' last month here, I won't repeat that, this update is to simply let you know that you can now order it on CD and Vinyl by going here or at Rough Trade if you so prefer. Do so, if you are lucky enough to be in Berlin, you can see Gazelle Twin supporting Planningtorock on 13th October, further dates here. There is an album launch show this Thursday at London's Electrowerkz (details).
We've been spoilt by two albums within just eight months by Pendu recording artist Chelsea Wolfe, the second 'Ἀποκάλυψις' / 'Apokalypsis' came out last week and is breathtaking, compelling thunderous rhythms and beautifully sinister sounds. Check out one of the stand-out's "Mer" below, with its hypnotic, percussive beat and creepy guitar lines it (like much of the album) is unnerving yet retains a dreamy softness that soothes and howl in equal measures. I cannot recommend this album (and Chelsea's debut) enough. UK shows are demanded. Order.
Another album update, Tasseomancy release their debut full length 'Ulalume' next week via a rather unique method - a candle and matchbook package with digital download - you can purchase one here. To celebrate there are a whole host of offerings. Firstly an album release show at Camp Basement on Tuesday, 30th August - full details can be found here. We've also been treated to a beautiful spectral video that's a perfect companion for the otherworldly dark-folk produced by the Lightman twins for the gorgeous single "Soft Feet" and you can also help yourself to a free download from the band of album track "Healthy Hands" below.
If you prefer the more convention media of CD or LP, Out of this Spark release the album in the US on the 30th - order.
Last but by no means least, the debut release of one of the UK's most exciting new bandsFear of Men is tomorrow, 'Ritual Confession' comes out via limited 7" via Italian Beach Babes - order - 'Proper' indie pop guitar based music, with gorgeous swirling guitar melodies and attractive vocal harmonies, utterly luscious. Only 300 of these pressed, future collector's item.
Watch the new video, an edited version of the lead track below:
Yesterday I mentioned that Echo Lake are playing a single launch show at White Heat on July 19th (tickets through http://www.whiteheatmayfair.com/ - the website doesn't currently list them as playing but the flyer does) and that I didn't know what the single was, well, today I do...
The good news is that it's for a brand spanking new release and the great news is that the a-side (I've not heard the b-side yet) is bloody excellent. 'Another Day' will be released through No Pain In Pop on 18th July, the best word I can think of to describe the song (and the London quintet) is luscious.
Linda's fragile vocals are perhaps higher in the mix and less distorted than on the 'Young Silence EP', I like it. "Another Day" is a perfect track for those hazy, hot summers days we're yet to have this summer (maybe the track should have been released in April when we seemed to have had our 'summer'!) with glistening guitars that gradually build up in intensity to a crashing crescendo of beautiful shoegaze-pop noise.
Until Monday if I were to have been asked to name a band from Costa Rica my face would have gone blank, however I can now name one, and a very good one at that, Las Robertas hail from the Central American Country and I saw them play their debut UK show at probably my favourite London venue, The Lexington. I found myself there not to see Las Robertas (I'd not heard of them until that day) but Echo Lake.
My fourth time since February, the London group have really put together a perfect half hour slot, an exceptional introduction in "Sunday Evening" with it's droning hypnotising intensity and foot-stomping progressive beat. "Young Silence" is transformed with rattling percussion and layer upon layer of hazy, frenzied guitar and is utterly wonderful. A new stage set-up sees the focal point move onto guitarist Thom and his energetic and vastly competent display is certainly worth the admission alone. See them next 19th July playing White Heat for their single launch (not actually sure what the single is yet but that's what the poster said!).
Las Robertas could easily hail from Brooklyn or Los Angeles for it's easy to compare them to Vivian Girls or a heavy, scuzzier Best Coast with their garage-rock influences as they work through their songs at blistering pace, fuzzed up guitar riffs buzz off the walls backed by a crashing drum beat and wonderful vocal harmonies, their hazy sun drenched vibe and youthful exuberance warms up an increasingly busy Monday night crowd.
There are some early 90's grunge sounds too, gritty noise-pop numbers such as "V For You" and "The Curse" match scuzzy, shoegaze guitar soundscapes with some incredible drumming (full credit goes to the drummer Franco, his shirt might look horrendous but he's pretty spectacular behind his kit).
Las Robertas were simply wonderful, overwhelming charming in their humourous, if a little awkward stage presence (wouldn't you on stage in a Country for the first time) and I was happy to part with £10 for their CD after the show, they forgot the T-Shirts or I might have one of them too.
You can order that CD, their album 'Cry Out Loud' here - do it, and if you are at a loose end in London on Friday (or Brighton tomorrow) go and see them live at The Shacklewell Arms, who knows when they'll next return (though you can safely say I'll be there when they do).
The Great Escape 2011, my fourth and a few minor squibbles aside the best by far, three days of beer, music and more beer. The weather did us proud, it was a comfortably warm temperature which certainly helped with mobility around the lovely seaside city.
Thursday started with news of The Joy Formidable playing a short acoustic set at HMV, Brighton. So upon arrival it was pretty obvious that I'd be heading straight to that, I'd seen TJF do an acoustic set before at Puregroove a couple of years ago but this was the a lot more professional than that, plugged in, though over tight security measures and a rather English crowd meant an awkward introduction, but for the three songs (The Greatest Light / Austere / Whirring) TJF were putty in our hands, all this at 1pm too though I'm not quite sure we needed the ten or so security guards and barriers. For a band who've built up an incredible reputation around a blistering live set it's a total testament to the quality of the band just how great they sound acoustically. The band left to get Ice Creams and so do I...
Afterwards, I head to Above Audio and caught Dry The River, who've received plenty of positive reviews and to their credit they play to the packed crowd with enthusiasm and in an engaging manner that has a vast proportion hanging over their every word, but they weren't really to my tastes, though, the German lager was. I saw another band at the Festival Hub but the less said about that the better...
Food, drinks and a nap follow before the start of the evening shift, a trip to Audio to see The Soft Moon. Bathed in dark noise, with a frenetic industrial pulse the set was short and intense, Luis Vasquez certainly deserved a later, longer set - this music in a similar setting to audio's dark, grimy club merk at 2am would have been pretty special. I'll certainly be adding The Soft Moon to my 'live bands to follow' list.
It was then to Hector's House (now called something else rather forgettable) to make sure I am in the same building as The Joy Formidable were playing which means I have to miss Emika's set (the first sacrifice of many in a festival jam packed with quality acts), first on were PS, I Love You, I was actually pretty impressed by them, reminiscent of Japandriods the larger than life front-man was pretty talented on the guitar and also taking responsibility of a bass floor-pedal. The show was thirty minutes of ripping garage-rock full of intense guitarwork and grizzly, growling vocals; I enjoyed them a lot more than I was expecting.
Next up were Dutch Uncles, they've been getting hordes of admirers, I was not one. Hector's House was by this time completely rammed, I mean completely, people were packed like cattle throughout with no room to move hands or bodies or make their way to the bar. It had to have been way over capacity (which was strange as every other venue I thought was very conservative with capacity levels), it was a little annoying but I wasn't going to let it get in the way of the main event...
Pretty much on cue at 22.30 The Joy Formidable were ready to start, opening with Greyhounds they proceeded to raise the roof with a stereotypically fierce performance where as ever all three of them put every ounce of their blood, sweat and tears into the show. They seemed to really enjoy playing the tiny venue, Rhydian's pounding bass was causing vibrations on the floor below me as Matt beat the living daylights out of his drumkit, the repeated intensity of his performances is as ever one of the highlights. Ritzy knocked over her mic-stand twice on the small stage as she waltzed around during her extended riff-tastic grunge guitar solos - the 45 minute set encapsulated the word epic. The only problem being the close proximity of other eager punters meaning lack of mobility for a proper mosh that usually comes hand-in-hand with tonight's set closure, Whirring.
The Joy Formidable are back touring in the UK in October, it will certainly be at venue's larger than this.
After leaving Hector's I was faced with a three way clash, I originally went to the Corn Exchange to see what the Warpaint queue was like. It was incredible, literally hundreds upon hundreds of people waiting outside, so I decided on a trek to Green Door Store to catch Echo Lake, a band I've seen a couple of times in the last months.
After a long delay getting served a pint in the adjacent room I finally got to see the five piece in another thoroughly enjoyable set, their gorgeous, echoey noise fills the room as the band quickly rip through their set highlighting much of the groups brilliant debut EP. With droning distortion (sometimes perhaps too much) and reverb-heavy guitars crashing off the walls whilst Linda's nonchalant, dreamy vocals seduce the crowd I'm sure Echo Lake picked up a few new fans.
It was the sort of performance that led to staying for a beer afterwards, so that's just what I do before calling it a night on a rather lovely start to The Great Escape.
If you missed Part One it's here. This is the second part of bands that I think are well worth your time seeing at The Great Escape 2011, after the last part being non US acts, these are all UK based, Rule Britannia and all that (or am I a bit late for the flag waving now 'The Wedding' is over?!) ...
Can we have weather like in the picture please, running between venues in the rain isn't that much fun. In alphabetical order:
Audio (Alternative Escape), Friday 13th May 23:00 The Loft, Saturday 14th May 23:30
Here's a band I'm looking forward to seeing for the first time, London based duo Alpines whose self-penned genre 'Night Pop' has been rapidly gaining them more followers (and a record deal), with tracks such as the glacial "Ice & Arrows" and "Empire" where brooding, ambient and enormous synth beats sweep away with infinite ease and beauty it's really easy to see why. Three Edited - Two chances to see them which always helps with the clashes too.
For fans of Portishead / Massive Attack / Bat For Lashes
Latest Music Bar (Alternative Escape), Friday 13th May 21:00 The Fishbowl, Saturday 14th May 14:30 Life, Saturday 14th May 20:45
Daughter first caught my eye in November last year with a stunning four track demo EP, one of its highlights "Run" went on to sweep the internet and enlist an army of fans and industry praise alike, since she's released a new EP 'His Young Heart' and gained even more. See "Landfill" for a perfect example of her hauntingly soft voice and emotionally bare song-craft. Daughter is a folk artist in a time when there are a mass of folk musicians but Elena manages to stand above most of the thanks to her incredible lyrically honesty, which are equally despairing and heart-warming. Make sure you catch her in Brighton.
For fans of Laura Marling / Emmy The Great / Alessi's Ark
Green Door Store, Thursday 12th May 23:30 Horatios, Friday 13th May 21:15
I've seen London shoegaze group Echo Lake a couple of times now and they were really quite exceptional on both occasions, dense and dynamic with layers of shimmering noise, chiming guitars and a hazy (sometimes indistinguishable) vocal. Since I first posted the band in January they've released (and sold-out of the physical version) a superb EP 'Young Silence', one of the highlights is the opener "Sunday Evening", absolutely lush, hypnotic, stunning. If you are yet to see Echo Lake live and decide to take a chance then you'll be richly rewarded.
For fans of My Bloody Valentine / Cocteau Twins / Warpaint
Shipwrights Yard, Saturday 14th May 12:15 Green Door Store, Saturday 14th May 19:10
It'd be wrong not to see at least a few Brighton based bands at a Brighton based music festival and first up we have newly formed indie fuzz-pop band Fear of Men, I described the four-piece at the end of March as 'Shimmery and jangly guitar riffs combining blissfully with catchy melodies and beautiful, ethereal vocals' - sounds perfect for a Saturday lunch-time outside gig at Shipwright Yard then, with the sun out of course, see you there.
I saw Guillemots about six times on their first album 'Through The Windowpane', it was a stunning debut. The follow up 'Red' had it's moments notably "Kriss Kross" and "Falling Out of Reach" but was perhaps a little bit too experimental and eccentric for its own good, after a short break for Fyfe to release a solo album the band are back with their third album 'Walk The River' which for me is a real return to form. More sparse than 'Red' and captivating for it, it twinkles and shines which melodic grace, an expansive beauty and I'm looking forward to seeing the band live again for the first time since 2008.
For fans of Guillemots (as one of the biggest bands on the billing I don't think I need to compare them).
This will be my hat-trick of seeing The Joy Formidable at The Great Escape (I've seen them a few times in-between) and probably the last ever time they play such a small show, Hectors' House is friggin' tiny so be warned, if you want to see this show as much as I do, get there early or you will miss it. I don't need to ramble on about TJF much, if you've read this blog for any length of time you'll already know my thoughts, the band are recently back from an extensive eight week US tour - let's show them we missed them. Can't wait.
For fans of The Joy Formidable (surely they are big enough to avoid comparison by know - I do keep reading Pixies although I'm not sure I see much there myself).
Queens Hotel, Saturday 14th May 15.15 Komedia (upstairs), Saturday 14th May 20.15
I've still only seen Lanterns on the Lake once, and I missed the opening couple of tracks even then, that was at the Slaughtered Lamb last September or so, what I heard was more than enough to wet my appetite and I've been religiously on the hunt for new information since (although not much has been made public since they signed to Bella Union late last year). The band have been tucked away putting the finishing touches to their debut album which is due later this year, if it's anything like their EP's expect some of the most spellbinding and dreamy music you'll hear this year. Lush instrumentations alongside Hazel's delicate, beautiful voice. There's an added intensity to that live show, looking forward to seeing them again.
Prince Albert, Friday 13th May 21.15 Queens Hotel, Saturday 14th May 14.30
Another one of my hopes for 2011, Let's Buy Happiness are a band I first saw at 2010's Great Escape and have been mentioned here numerous times since, not unsurprisingly given the quality of their music. From their debut EP 'Not Hot Ashes' through to their two singles 'Six Wolves' and 'Fast Fast' the Newcastle group have been quite to set a blueprint for their sound, glacial indie-pop with tight percussion, shimmering textural guitars and above all the distinctive ethereal (and totally bloody gorgeous) vocal of Sarah Hall. I last saw them in London a few months ago and they had some brilliant new songs too, can't wait to hear them again.
For fans of The Shins / That National / Death Cab for Cutie
Green Door Store, Friday 13th May 13:45 Prince Albert, Friday 13th May 20:30
Scotland's finest folk young singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni has about five times the number of fans on facebook than when I featured her in March, a sign of the impending rise on the folk scene, it's not dfficult to see where when you listen to her songs either. "Eggshells" and "Song For a Fox" are both beautiful tracks, Rachel has a slightly kooky voice and her graceful, mature writing ability belie her young age.
Fitzherberts, Saturday 14th May 12:30 The Loft, Saturday 14th May 23:30
My second home-town group are Ramona who were picking up quite a lot of press towards the bag end of last year thanks to a sparkling double A-Side single 'How Long / Steve McQueen', it went quiet at the start of 2011 as the group recorded some new material in New York but now slowly but surely the PR machine is starting up again with a new version of potential smash hit "Tell That Girl" and even an acoustic cover of David Bowie, Ramona blend indie-pop with a spark of punk spirit, "Steve McQueen" an anthem in waiting.
For fans of Blondie / Pretenders / Texas (well they are managed by Sharleen Spiteri)
Still Corners have been quietly getting signed (to Sub Pop no less) and recording the follow-up to the lush psychedelic dream-pop of "Don't Fall In Love" and shimmering gorgeousness of "I Wish". I tend to draw similarities between Still Corners and Lanterns on the Lake and that's the case with their live show as well, I've seen SC's three times now and they've not failed to impress me, Tessa's dreamy, ethereal vocals are beautiful but the star for me is Leon, he's one brilliant guitar player and the live arena gives him chance to expand on his sound somewhat, they are playing a Drowned in Sound night, it's going to be busy, get there early.
I've seen 2:54 three times now and they are getting better and better as a live act, they've been picking up some considerable press along the way including the nme (whose stage they play on at TGE), the dirty, grungy sounds of the moody single "On a Wire" sum up what you can expect from them, distorted, ominous and hypnotic guitars with Colette's seductive vocal. Romy xx is a big fan and it's not diffficult to see why.
For fans of Mudhoney / Blood Red Shoes
Now there's about twenty acts (a few more) that I recommend seeing at The Great Escape, wish me luck in seeing as many of them as I can, I might need a few day off afterwards!
