Three months or so ago when I mentioned Las Kellies seductive late-night dreaminess of "Golden Love" I talked about an impending European tour and forthcoming album, now just in time to make your weekend here are the finalised details (and with the bonus of a new track "Melting Ice" too)...
Hitting the UK during the second week of August (full dates at their label Fire Records site) the Argentinian trio are sure to bring their infectious ramshackle rhythms and summer party-grooves to anyone fortunate to see them, the album Total Exposure, their fourth, follows on September 16th with fifteen new tracks (track-listing etc here).
New preview "Melting Ice" continues to highlight a fully-realised sound for the trio, combining a rich and luxurious slow-motion groove with smooth bass-lines, twinkling synths and heart-melting vocal harmonies - it's got me itching for more (and for those live dates to hurry up) - download "Melting Ice" now in time for your weekend BBQ playlist.
I've posted about my introduction and initial love affair with Las Kellies a couple of times here already so I'll save you that again and head straight for the new, the Argentine trio last week shared the first track from their forthcoming fourth album "Golden Love", which merges elements of dub, psych, reggae, disco and more with their distinct raw, eclectic garage-pop rhythms.
In fact "Golden Love" is more slow motion dub than anything heard from Las Kellies before, the fleetingly short track instantly sounds like it would fit right into a late-night, 3am come down mix tape with an accompanying video which only adds to the trippy vibes. Sure the throbbing bass rhythms which make up so much of the intensity of their live show are still apparent but the lackadaisical beats and soft, dreamy vocals which float above the track sound more beautiful and immersive than anything heard from the band before, instantly sexy and intoxicating, it's fair to say I'm still smitten.
European dates are promised very soon and are very much dates to look out for.
Last June I went to see Argentinian trio Las Kellies on whim, I'd heard a track before and it sounded just my thing so I went along to their show at Madame Jo Jo's and it ended up being one of the most fun, engaging shows I saw all year, a whirlwind of short, sharp energetic tunes that left you short of breathe and happy and if that's not the point of live music, then I don't know what is.
The good news (and reason for this post) is the girls are back, Las Kellies play throughout Europe over the summer with a confirmed show in London on July 18th at Brixton Windmill (tickets). The full June / July tour dates can be found via the bands facebook here. The line-up will be 1/3 different this time around with bassist Betty having left the group to pursue a solo career and being replaced by Adri, I'm sure I'll warm to her just as immediately.
If you're new to Las Kellies I've included a few samplers below, their version of ESG's "Erase You" spells out what they are about, raw and catchy, with throbbing bass grooves, slap hazard drums and shimmering guitar while the live video for "Perro Rompebolas" hints at their explosive show. Las Kellies don't really fit in any genre, there elements of post-punk, dub, funk, pop, reggae and more, don't worry about pigeon-holing them, just enjoy...
Hot on the heels of seeing Costa Rican garage-rock band Las Robertas I went to see Argentina's Las Kellies (they seem to have added the 'Las' recently, their older branding simply Kellies) playing at White Heat last Tuesday. Las Kellies, just like Las Robertas the night before surfed up a wonderful blend of indie-reggae-punk-garage rock & roll, combining three way vocal interchanges in both English and Spanish during a compulsive, charming and highly energetic show.
In fact their setlist showed they scuttled through twenty-six tracks in their forty-five minute set-time, quite an incredible feat. I doubt anybody in attendance would deny the show was funky, fun and completely engaging. The energy generated by the girls was incredible, the prominent bass-lines were a definite highlight for me, all three girls were brilliant, clearly having a great time and at the end of the show I walked away happy and wishing they were playing London again soon. Unfortunately they are not, their brief UK tour is now over and the girls have moved on to France, hopefully they'll be back soon.
I only had enough cash with me to purchase one of their albums, I went with their most recent album, their third, 'Kellies' (released via Fire Records) and it's great (although I do slightly regret that now as I've not managed to track down a hard copy of their other releases online). I feel behind the times not picking up on Las Kellies sooner but I think outside of their native country the girls haven't really taken off (in fact I couldn't name a single other Argentinian band), well, perhaps until their recent signing with Fire and the released of 'Kellies' which has picked up some great reviews from both The 405 and Drowned in Sound.
When they both give and album 8/10, there is no point in me reviewing it in a far more amateur fashion, so I'll leave this rambling post with the promise that if you are looking for some good times, modern rock & roll pick yourself up a copy of 'Kellies' and listen to "Erase You", "Perro Rompebolas" or "Bling Bling". I promise you'll feel better for it.
