I'm continuing my recent trend of nostalgic, luscious indie-pop with the new band of Maria Usbeck, known to me as the lead singer in previously blogged Selebrities Maria's side-project Soda Shop moves away from the synth based disco-noir and into instantly listenable, classic pop territory.
Alongside Drew Driver (of Horse Shoes a group I'm not yet familiar with) Soda Shop have a few tracks to listen to on their bandcamp / soundcloud page and following up a vinyl release in January they are soon to release their as yet unannounced debut EP.
The preview track is the perfect introduction to the duo, "Longing" is a playfully melodic, saccharine-sweet pop song that's just about as dreamy and easy going as possible. It Sparkles and shines with a beautiful bubbling guitar melody, a care-free number that'd be perfect for a little boogie on the dance-floor to. Probably with the girl you quite like but haven't had the guts to ask out, perhaps.
Previous single "Farewell" similarly pays homage to the 50's / 60's girl pop sound with gorgeous guitar melodies jangling, tambourine taps and glockenspiel twangs, effortlessly cool and delicious. 'Farewell' is available to order on 7" here.
Chances are you've already come across this stunning new talent as I'm posting some weeks after my initial discovery, it's still worth going ahead with this post though. A Google search leads me to learn that Cold Specks is Al Spx, a 23-year-old Canadian now residing in London.
She's been causing a bit of a stir through blogs the past few weeks with her debut track "Holland". Even the Guardian got hold of her off just one track and their blog post reveals a little bit more into her past projects.
One listen and it's easy to see why the hyperbole is in overdrive, her voice is extraordinary. Her soulful, smoky purr will hit you like a freight train and "Holland" uses its strength and beauty perfectly. A dark, gospel track, it starts melancholic and graceful as it develops around her voice whilst delicate guitar plucks, sweeping strings and a repetitive drum beat build up to reach an empowering finale. Haunting, spiritual, beautiful.
She's currently working on an album with PJ Harvey collaborator Rob Ellis, something to look forward to then.
Brooklyn-based trio Widowspeak returned last week with their second 7" on Captured Tracks, entitled 'Gun Shy' it's released ahead of their debut self-titled LP which follows on August 9.
"Gun Shy" continues where previous single "Harsh Realm" left off, nostalgic 60's psychedelia that's just lovely on the ears. Mellow, wistful guitar jangles meander around whilst the deliciously beautiful vocal of Molly Hamilton lulls you with effortless grace. Soft, dreamy, blissful. I said this on my last Widowspeak most but it still rings true for me, 'perfect for the hazy and sleepy summer's afternoon'.
It's backed with a cover of "Wicked Game", the song fits perfectly with their hazy, gorgeous sound. It's quite faithful rendition and the sultry drool of Hamilton is sure to win over a few Chris Isaak fans in the process. Poor a glass of malt whisky, turn up your stereo and simply enjoy some aural pleasure for four minutes
Uh-oh, here come another all-female lo-fi group... I jest of course, but here's a band that we might just need. Novella are a new(ish) London based group made up of Hollie Warren, Sophy Hollington and Suki Sou.
"The Things You Do" reminds me of two bands I wouldn't exactly say are too comparable. Canadian favourites No Joy and Smoke Fairies. The latter due to the start, with some intricate guitar-work and the former more apparent, with reverb-drenched guitar dirge noise that simmers throughout and ends with a big percussion-pummelling finale. It's pretty special.
"Oh Brian" combines an alluring cocktail of sumptuous melodic fuzz with nonchalant vocals, a gorgeous airy haze washes through and it make me go all warm inside.
"Beach Fatigue" is the most laid-back of the three track's on their soundcloud, taking its title quite literally with its chilled-out summers day vibe. Luscious, dreamy vocal harmonies and some wonderful guitar work. Quite delicious.
Novella play 1234 festival this weekend (shame I'm away as the line-up is pretty spectacular) and The Garage on 21st July, more to follow I'm sure.
Sunday starts with a bout of hay-fever affecting me, we decide to take our camping gear back to the car to leave on Sunday night (a friend lives 20 minutes away and the allure of a hot shower on Sunday night is too great after three long days) so my day starts at 1pm with Esben & The Witch at the Oxlyers in west tent.
I've not seen Esben since last May when I saw them supporting Warpaint in London, they've released a stunning debut since then and their progression has translated well to the live stage, the dark, ominous soundscapes are intense and huge. A captivating spectacle as the songs blend together as transfixed audience looks on. Pedals, percussion and droning guitar haze washes over the dance tent, temporarily turning it into a blood curdling witches cove. A band to see live.
Next to the John Peel tent, Foster The People are the second terrible band I watch primarily to get a decent view of the next band. FTP attract a large, large crowd (mainly consisted of youthful girls) and I know I'm in trouble as soon as it starts, a combination of boy band, Cold Play and MGMT follows, I'm glad when it ends, if John Peel would have liked this drivel then I'm the next in line to the throne. It was perhaps worth putting up with to guarantee front positioning for The Joy Formidable who arrive on stage some twenty minutes late (there was a problem with the sound) meaning a song is cut from the planned set.
What we do get from TJF is simply fantastic, for fourty minutes they blow the roof of the John Peel stage. It's relentless, as ever, the energy the three piece create is second to none. Noisy, beautiful noise fills the air as the crowd lap up the six tracks played. "Cradle" goes down well but the biggest cheer is saved for the last track "Whirring" sounds like a monster as it cumulates with Ritz chucking her guitar into a gong - the only shame is length. TJF need longer.
The set finishes too late to head to the Pyramid to catch Laura Marling so I decide to go for a wander and food, a mid afternoon lull means I have a few spare hours. I head to The Crow's Nest and catch Sweet Baboo. I wait for a while out of the sun and as evening arrives Sea of Bees take to the same stage. The raw and sparse acoustic set is a perfect compliment to the days glorious sunshine.
Next it's down the hill to the main stage to see Lykke Li, I was looking forward to catching her, I'd only seen her do a small in-store gig at Rough Trade before and her show doesn't disappoint. She takes to the stage dressed in a black and with a veil covering her head. Heavy dominance on percussion, at times every band member and Lykke herself are bashing away at drums and
cymbals. It's brutal and her moody demeanour suits the theme of the tracks from 'Wounded Rhymes', the theme of the show is certainly dark, everything is black.
Through clouds of smoke machine fog Lykke asks the crowd to dance on more than three occasions, it's a bit hard to do after four days in a field with little sleep and with your feet stuck in mud but some oblige, probably not enough to please. My highlights were the more tender beautiful moments of "I Know Places" and "Sadness is a Blessing" though the more danceable "Get Some" reserved for the finale perhaps is the best received.
The heat, hay-fever and tiredness take their toll and combined with a lack of a real headliner that I want to catch we decide to call it a day and head on the long walk back to the car and then a short journey back to where I'm staying. I'm home even in time to see a bit of Beyonce. It lasts about two minutes before the red button is pressed and I watch Hurts' set, a band I would have seen if it wasn't for a clash. I feel I made the right decision coming home early as I'm lying on the comfortable sofa as midnight approaches.
So ends Glastonbury 2011, my review one week late hs given me time to contemplate the festival more. Overall it was pretty good, not as good as 2010 in my opinion but good. I'm not sure if I'll return in all honesty, the festival is now huge, too big for me and with the increasing BBC coverage it seems the organisers are more interested in putting on mainstream acts on the main stages to please TV execs. I don't really agree with that, thankfully The Park area more than makes up for it. Though I do think it's time to end the 'Special Guests', they'll never beat Radiohead and Pulp and it makes The Park area too busy and lot's of unhappy punters who get turned away. Still in summation, it was an enjoyable, tiring experience.
Saturday starts dull and overcast but thankfully not raining, the mud however is hard work in the sludge makes walking a thing not to be savoured. I start at 11am with a small crowd of other early birds to see Exlovers take to one of the dance tents, they are very enjoyable too. A set which gets better and better as more and more people manage to wake up and enter the tent. Latest single "Blowing Kisses" stand-out, their fuzzy, shoegaze charm is the perfect way to kick start the day.
Next came a bit of a gap in my schedule so I take some time out and sit towards the back of the park stage. Though, I'm soon tempted forward by the luscious sounds coming from the stage as The Balearic Folk Orchestra play some modern covers and sound utterly delightful. The problem with writing a review a week later is you forget which songs are played but a sensational rendition of one of the finest songs of the past ten years Sébastien Tellier's "La Ritournelle" was one.
After some lunch (noodles seems to be this years staple diet) Those Dancing Days come on stage around two o'clock and are utterly superb. I spend half the equally wondering why I'd not listened to them before and falling in love with each and every one of the girls. It's only normal to come back from a festival and purchase a few CD's (sorry not yours Beyonce) and TDD's both got ordered on Tuesday. The most glorious thing? The Scandinavians' even manage to bring the sun out, the sun! Wonderful.
It was almost three o'clock and I hadn't made a trip to The Crow's Nest, that's corrected in order to catch Guillemots. Their acoustic set is incredible. From a piano rendition of "Made Up Love Song #43" and "We're Here" to a wonderful "Trains to Brazil" which sees one of the groups old saxophonist joining the band impromptu - well I'm not sure it was to be honest, he did lug his saxophone up the great big hill and on Saturday getting up the hill was hard, very hard! I feel great respect for those who did it, let alone with an instrument (one of Stornoway got a cello up it!). The show is breathless, energetic and fun, definitely one of the entire highlights on the weekend. It's a shame I never saw them again over the weekend but this half hour set was brilliant.
Next come a trek, one hell of a trek (it what was now glorious sunshine). From one corner of the site to the other to see Emily and the Woods play the acoustic stage. I miss perhaps the first ten minutes but am entranced. There is a quite large audience and Emily is simply delightful. She plays tracks off both her EP's and with the success of another folkstress Laura Marling (who'll play The Pyramid stage the next day) I'm hoping Emily will follow her into the hearts of many household up and down the country. Her voice is gorgeous and she appears a natural on stage with no real sign of the nerves she talks of.
On my return to The Park I can see it's getting busy already, the not-so-secret 'Special Guests' mean the area fills up very quickly meaning I take place near the front to make sure I've a decent view. First though are Tame Impala who are frankly, absolutely awful. Their psychedelic 60's rock perhaps would sound alright played by some technically gifted musicians. Tame Impala are not, they play slow, badly and the whole crowd is bored, bored rigid. Almost as bored as the lead singer looks. The sound is muddy and it ends, thankfully, finally it ends. We await the 'Special Guest's or Pulp as we'd rather know them, here is the crowd shortly before they take stage.
Pulp of course were the polar opposite. They are unbelievable. A level above everything else over the weekend. Jarvis seems so sure on stage now, his banter less awkward and now hilarious and precise, delivering exactly the message he wants to put across. Then comes the songs which completely blows you away. The band may now bare resemblance to music teachers on tour but they are amazing. They play four or five different tracks than Primavera which pleases the fan-boy in me. "Mis-Shapes" fits the stage perfectly and getting some more tracks off 'His & Hers' is great "Joy Riders", "Acrylic Afternoons" are stunning.
Then of course there is the moment that everyone in the crowd has been waiting for, predictably they end with "Common People" and the entire park stage goes mental, it was a real 'I was there' moment. Jarvis does a quick quip to say that'd he'd like to make it five Glastonbury's, five is a nice round number. 2013 head-liners? They should be. I've now seen Jarvis and co twice since the end of their hiatus and they're easily the best two gigs I've been to so far this year, I'm seeing them again at Wireless this weekend and they might just top it. Cannot wait.
After the euphoria of Pulp it's going to be hard for anything to compare. A couple of quick Brothers Cider's later and I'm ready to see my head-liner, Caitlin Rose. The other 50 or so people who chose to do the same will all say exactly the same. Fuck Cold Play, The Crow's Nest is where you should have been on Saturday night. A more intimate setting than the day before see's Caitlin feel more at home, smiling and joking with the audience and band-mates, it suits her down to the ground. The short set is charming, natural and utterly wonderful. After her own set Caitlin's friend Jonny Corndog plays a few of his own songs and Caitlin joins in on co-vocals, I remind myself to check out his music when I get home. After a slow descent down the hill as night takes over I watch Wild Beasts but they pass over me somewhat and I'm happy to end the second day of Glastonbury 2011, the highs make today perhaps even better than Friday.
