Munch Munch

It's not often I hear two tracks on the radio, a week or so apart and think "Wow. What the hell was that?!" and then find out they're both by the same band. Munch Munch are very much an ear grabbing, in your face band. But thankfully not in a Towers Of London way.

Munch Munch are essentially a two man with laptop project, following in the footsteps of the likes of Daniel Bedingfield and Tom Vek using a bedroom instead of studio to kickstart their music careers. Apparently, Munch Munch used to be a Lighthouse Family covers band too. When you hear them, you'll struggle to believe that. They could have at least pretended they were a Chumbawumba covers band instead. They combine the quirkyness of the Spinto Band, the experimental outrageousness of Animal Collective and the feverish enthusiasm of Hot Chip.

'Celebrity Engine' begins by nicely chugging along like a train (complete with burps and bleeps) before fading away into beats and the sound of a waterfall(?!), preceding a lovely little Mystery Jets-alike breakdown against the backdrop of some charming ukelele work. Not to mention the Fisherprice electro-prog thing they have going on as a finale. Insane in the membrane.

Munch Munch seem to like silly song titles, 'flashbangmicrowaves' being a prime example. This one is a bit like a futuristic Help She Can't Swim with a dollop of melodica. 'flashbangmicrowaves' is a bit of an effects frenzy - vocoders, organs, lightning, heavy rainfall - it's all there. The second half of the song shows a more fragile edge to the band, endearingly mellow. Maybe even a bit Lighthouse Family.

Munch Munch - Celebrity Engine (Radio 1 unsigned [link])
Munch Munch - flashbangmicrowaves

I'd love to see how their hyperactivity translates live and if you're lucky they might be popping around to town near you very soon. See their MySpace [link] for upcoming dates.

The Longcut

After mentioning experimental three piece The Longcut recently [link], I received a lovely little nugget in my inbox in the form of their new single, 'A Tried And Tested Method'.

The Longcut formed as a four piece in 2002 but with the vocalist leaving soon after, they carried on with Stuart Ogilvie attending to both drumming and vocal duties with the help of drum loops and synths. I'm not sure how this equates live exactly but rest assured it means frantic hurrying about and the band are well known for their intense live performances.

They burst onto the scene in late 2004 with their critically acclaimed 'Transition' EP out on Deltasonic, followed that up with another sold out EP before releasing their debut album 'A Call And Response' this summer. Produced by Johnny Dollar (Massive Attack cohort) and one of them out of TV On The Radio (I hope that's the guy with the amazing beard) no less. It's surprising they haven't pushed further on really.

'A Tried And Tested Method' is one of their more introverted tracks, one which shows the influence of by fellow Mancunians Joy Division, The Stone Roses and The Smiths on its sleeve. This is a melodic mish mash of jangly guitar lines and pulsating beats with an added hint of desperation. It all seems so simple yet it's deceptive - the track remains captivating and poignant after several listens. The Go! Team are on remix duty and as ever offer an animated transformation of the single! Listen to the remix on The Longcut's MySpace [link]

The Longcut - A Tried And Tested Method

The Longcut are a band who are as bewitching as they are frenzied, an essential listen. 'A Tried And Tested Method' is out on October 2nd on 7", CD and download. For a host of downloads heard to the downloads section of The Longcut website and enter the password "lonesome".

Their debut album 'A Call And Response' is available from HMV [link].

It Hugs Back

Firstly, a little round up of all things bright and beautiful - went to Los Campesinos! on Monday at The Water Rats. Very promising (DiS review - [link]) and very friendly! Read my recent interview with them [link].

Ben from other Welsh-yet-not-Welsh band Shake My Hand (formerly Yossarian) has set up his own mp3 blog called Kilroy's Chinos [link]. He's posted about Spank Rock and Pete & The Pirates/Tap Tap so far. Check it out.

Mike of Nothing But Green Lights fame rather nicely included this very blog in his splendid "Finding New British Music Online" feature [link]. Don't be fooled, I know next to nothing about electro.

And for a laugh and completely musically unrelated, go read my friend Max's seven part Rome diary at Shake Before Reading [link]. Let hilarity ensue.
-----
Tigertrap Recordings are releasing their sixth single, 'Lights In The Trees' by It Hugs Back. NME described them as potentially Kent's answer to Bright Eyes and their list of influences has a distinctly American feel ranging from the likes of Cat Power to Sonic Youth. More importantly, what hugs back exactly?

'Lights In The Trees' is endearing, if a little bit underwhelming at first. The soft, alluring vocals are reminiscent of the shoegazing era but the music comes across as a haunting, lo-fi Belle & Sebastian. Considering the mature sound of most of the track, the bonkers brassy finale is a great, but welcome surprise. It evokes memories of the glee of The Polyphonic Spree and provides the song such a vibrancy that is truly disappointing when it comes to an abrupt end.

B-side 'Soft Spot' is a fragile, happy-go-lucky number and could quite easily be one of those huddled-around-a-campfire-at-midnight singalongs. An offering as charming as The Boy Least Likely To but more mellowed.

It Hugs Back - Lights In The Trees
It Hugs Back - Soft Spot (Clip)

Although perhaps not as stompingly good as some of the previous Tigertrap releases (read my review of the last release [link]), it is nonetheless solid and promising for a debut release. Expect to hear great things about It Hugs Back in the not too distant future.

'Light In The Trees' is released on 2nd October on ltd 7"/download and can be preordered on the Tigertrap MySpace [link].

Free is a magic number

I've plucked this track by The Jane Bradfords straight off the BBC Radio 1 unsigned site [link], which is usually on the money about new artists. The Jane Bradfords are in fact one lad (Deci Gallen) and a laptop, with a band joining him for live performances. It's all sounding a bit Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly isn't it? Never fear, this is unashamedly bright pop countered by gravelly vocals. It's lovely and the intro even reminds me of The B52's or something.

The Jane Bradfords - Hide From The Cold
-----
Jamie T, the West London scamp signed to V2 records is spoiling us once again by offering up a new track of his for free. 'Oh My Girl' is up for download on his website [link]. New single 'If You've Got The Money' is out on 16th October.
-----
Manchester madmen The Longcut ("frontman-is-drummer-say-what?") have made a download of 'Spires' available on the XFM website [link]. New single 'A Tried And Tested Method' is out on September 21st and includes a remix by The Go! Team, sounds exciting.
-----
Finally, Mystery Jets-alike quirky popsters GoodBooks (not to be confused with Good Shoes) released a download only single ages back but here it is anyway. Artwork and lyrics and stuff can be found on their website [link].

GoodBooks - Turn It Back

I Was A Cub Scout

Nottingham's I Was A Cub Scout are a rare breed. A band with an ace name. I may be biased because I actually was a cub scout - I still have my green jumper with all those kerrrazy and completely useless badges on - but I maintain its brilliance. I read about this lot recently in Loud And Quiet mag under some new bands feature and turns out they were bang on the money. The teenage two piece deliver melody laden, keyboard driven pop, in the mould of The Research...if they were obsessed with Gameboys and techno.

'Part II' comes from their current 7" single 'We Were Made To Love', out now on Fear And Records (who also have Emmy The Great on their books). Like Guillemots meets Hot Chip, it has all the loving charm, genre blending and quirkyness displayed by the two Mercury Music Prize nominated bands. Considering the success of those bands, this track should really have a mass appeal. And rightfully so, it's a slice of hypnotic synthdancepop. Did I mention it has handclaps AND xylophones? No. Well, it does and sounds bloody great. Xylophonic breakdowns will be all the rage in the future, hear it happen here first.

I Was A Cub Scout - Part II

'I Was A Crate' is a different kettle of fish, less of the "if Belle & Sebastian dabbled with electronica" and more a drumnbass frenzy you heard at uber famous dance club Fabric. It opens peculiarly, almost a bit techno with breakneck drumming. A moodier, more hectic offering than the above track, it's compelling listening. Even with the last minute or so of the track going a bit Daft Punk, I Was A Cub Scout manage to keep the intensity throughout the five minutes. God knows quite what's going on here though. Download it from Black Country Grammar [link].



I Was A Cub Scout are playing all over Britain soon, including the fantastic Smalltown America alldayer in London, which features the likes of Frank Turner, 65Daysofstatic and DARTZ! See their MySpace (click on the crazy banner above) for dates and details on how to order the 7".

Cajun Dance Party

Let me introduce you to the charming Cajun Dance Party. One of London's most exciting new bands, they are about to be showcased on Steve Lamacq's esteemed Radio 1 show tonight, Lamacq Live.

"Floating around last summer (2005), Robbie, an acomplished international violinist decided to create a band in which he would strum a guitar and Daniel would sing. Max, a great lead guitarist was called upon to literally and physically evolve, like a pokemon, into a bassist and be in the band. Two drummers later, Will joined the band offering gifts of homemade crumpets and fruit cake. Vicky made the sound complete wih her fat Roland keyboard. Cajun Dance Party is our third and final band name after The New English Quintet and Colourful Life got scrapped simultaneously."

These 16 year olds (they only got their GCSE results the other week!) have been causing an A&R clamour as of late and understandably so, their blissfully crafted, joyous indie pop has shades of The Arcade Fire and The Strokes to mention but two. Influences range from Aphex Twin(?!) to The Mars Volta so perhaps expect some more eccentric anthems as the band develops.

A dedicated (i.e mental) fanbase has been built who witness their entertaining live performances, being particularly enamoured with frontman Danny, who seems to exhibit faux hyperactivity but manages to deliver his crisp vocals perfectly. They also won the same school Battle Of The Bands that Les Incompétents originally finished second in, then were victorious the year after (Fear Of Flying lost out that time around). Considering I helped set up the inaugural one, I'm pretty chuffed at the standard of talent that has come through.

I've only uploaded the one track today but either listen out on the Radio 1 website around right about now or check Cajun Dance Party's MySpace [link] to download more material. 'Colourful Life' is a dreamy, infectious pop ditty with a spellbinding little chorus - "So pick up the pace and enjoy the race, 'cos nothingness is nice. And feel the dance, and feel the mood. While you're munching on that slice." Like a less twee Belle & Sebastian, simply glorious. I'm pretty sure it's going to be released as a single on Way Out West records in the near future so look out for it.

Cajun Dance Party - Colourful Life

They're quite clearly having a ball, why don't we join them? Cajun Dance Party - too cool for school.

Tigertrap split 7"

Like Young & Lost, Tigertrap Records are a independent London label with a knack for discovering rather splendid new talent to show off to all the world through the medium of 7" vinyl. Tigertrap, whose first release was the fantastic 'We Got Bored' by 586, release a split 7" featuring The Far Cries and Popular Workshop on September 4th.

The origins of The Far Cries are quite intriguing - "Liz Holdforth, an aspiring ballerina spent weekends at her grandfather's sweetshop in Peckham, South London, before she was seduced by London's art and music scene. Martin Bjorck arrived to the city after a stint as a hotel pianist in Prague, with a suitcase full of lyrics and a head full of songs. The two of them met in a café, where they instantly clicked." Their setup as a two piece has led to comparisons to The Kills, but 'When Your Heart Spills' reminds me of a less abrasive yet equally feverish Help She Can't Swim. A pounding intro leads us into 2 and half a minutes of mutated indie pop complete with obligatory catchy, melodic chorus. Listen out for it at an indie clubnight near you.

I vaguely remember seeing Popular Workshop support jazz-prog-somethings Acoustic Ladyland along with talented young scamps Kill Kenada a while back. They have a similar vibe to KK, noisy Sonic-Youth-alike mentalists. They may have less romantic beginnings than their vinyl mates (forming via the Drownedinsound.com message boards in January 2005) but their offering, 'Sean' is compellingly intense. A melée of guitars open the track before an incisive guitar line takes over and the edgy vocals of Gypsy enter the fray. His passionate cry of "Sean, I don't want your love!" strikes an immediate chord before being itself outdone by the somewhat disturbing repetition of the song title. Definately one of the most absorbing tracks I've heard all year.

The Far Cries - When Your Heart Spills

Unfortunately, due to the internet hating me I couldn't upload 'Sean' but it's available for a short time on Upside Down, Stupid Hat [link]

However, thanks to a recent Artrocker compilation:
Popular Workshop - Son Of A Dog

You can buy this impressive ltd edition 7" (1000 vinyls) direct from Tigertrap Records on their MySpace [link].

Late Of The Pier

Once in a while, a band appears that you just have to sit up and pay attention to. Because they seem quite insane. Nottingham's Late Of The Pier make eccentric music which is akin to Daft Punk and The Flaming Lips sitting together and watching the Sci-Fi channel in a mental asylum.

First came across these young lads at a Transparent [link] night on a stellar bill headlined by Les Incompétents. Very entertaining. The synth (or whatever it is) player was amazingly funny with his onstage dance moves, worth seeing this band for that alone. But the music stands up too, so much so that Diesel U-Music - famed for its unsigned awards, propelling the likes of Tom Vek and We Are Scientists into the mainstream - invited the band to play on their Finalists Tour in July.

'Very Wav Wet Wipes' starts off surprisingly calmly yet considerably trippy before evolving into a bit of a floorfiller. Out of nowhere comes a hip hop stylee breakdown and in turn, the tempo is brought down and eventually ends up sounding like a bit of an electro Strokes. No bad thing in my book. 'Broken' is more of a straight forward dancey number but has a bit of a haunting ending. Late Of The Pier's music is quite schizophrenic really but the idea of not knowing what will come next adds to the intrigue. Not to mention I have no clue what they're on about lyrically.

Late Of The Pier - Very Wav Wet Wipes
Late Of The Pier - Broken

Late Of The Pier play a handful of dates over the next few weeks, including tonight at the legendary Way Out West clubnight. See their MySpace for dates and other downloads [link].