I remember liking Sleigh Bells' music so much that my flat mate almost in an irritated tone shrieked "Again?!", when ever I had their tunes maxed up in our living room on constant repeat. But as usual I get bored as easily as I fall with something. This was the beginning of 2011 when the Brooklyn indie noise rockers were soon to release their debut Treats.
Fast forward to the whole year of 2012 and Reign of Terror, the duo's sophomore, and you don't really get anything new style-wise, which isn't always a bad thing. Yeah you got the irresistible hooks, but guess what? This time they last longer on your play lists and you keep finding something new from the average 3 min songs. Though most importantly they've got me back to listening to the older songs and have the same bliss all over again.
I guess Sleigh Bell's music is best when you're all pumped up to succeed in something. Let it be sports or exams, the music energizes you like a healthy energy drink. The mix of hard-hitting drums, guitar shredding and sweet girl pop voice is a mixture you either are 0 or 100% in with. Having a glass half-full doesn't work with these guys.
Last year in February I attended an indoor festival called Cross-Linx in The Netherlands just to see The National. But anyways the evening was filled with other bands too and of course I wanted as much as I can get for the price I paid, so I started listening to the rest without hearing of them before.
One of the bands were New York- based Buke and Gase (formerly Gass, and pronounce Buke as byook almost like a British would pronounce Björk). I was already convinced by a two-minute video of theirs I watched and insisted we'd go see them, even if it sadly meant missing Owen Pallett. The place where the gigs took place was in a beautiful building in Rotterdam, in which I guess classical concerts are rather held. Although the duo performed in an area, which I could imagine been used for a bunch of people selling useless items seen on shopping channels. However as soon as they started playing it felt like the whole huge sterilized-ish area became more intimate and warm like a family room on Christmas.
It's safe to say that there's been some sort a debate of what genre(s) Buke and Gase represent. Very recently they've been quoted as "fiery metal-infused indie rock" and "avant-folk". Well avant-indie for sure! Besides that it's quite hard to say. All I know is that the instruments they've crafted themselves and after which the band is actually named, create a unique sound. Plus the singing blends in so perfectly.
What is the first thing you think of when talking about French films? For me, it is the eternal question of why the French have to include so many erotic scenes in their movies, that it could be classified as soft porn. While I’m figuring out an answer to that, I could also think about ‘French Films’, as in the indie band from Finland.
Formed in 2010, French Films consist of five members coming from cities called Järvenpää and Espoo aka The Ass of Helsinki. When I listen to their music, for sure they’ve been influenced by post-punk acts such as Joy Division and The Cure. However, it is officially stated that dreaming, cold and dark winter and being alive are what is driving them musically forward.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the climate is one reason for the depressing and melancholic music the Finns/Nordic people are known for. This comes clear in the song ‘Living Fortress’ with lyrics;
Oh winter. You're looking kind of mean now. You take away a lifetime. And never pay it back.
Although, the upbeat melodies and photos of the band posing by the water and sun shining on their faces; I can’t help dreaming of a summer spent on the road in a hot car with the cooling wind blowing from the windows, giving me and my friends exactly what we need. So, here’s another thought when discussing about French Films; SHOT GUN!
When the band’s first single ‘Golden Sea’ was released in 2010, it was well-received on blogs, which made singer-guitarist Johannes go ‘shit, we gotta top that…’. I guess great makes fantastic, as French Films’ debut album ‘Imaginary Future’, released the following year, is full of gems. My personal favorite is ‘The Great Wave Of Light’, which I could say to be the ‘happiest’ track of the album. I play the air guitar to it, and the lyrics are simply brilliant;
So I wanted to live in the clouds or the cartoons or the clouds in the cartoons.
But it goes like this every time we wake up in the afternoon.
It just puts a smile on my face, as does the whole album.
It was the first time I brought my longboard to work, since we agreed to go longboarding in the Tower Bridge area with Linda. We were super excited about that, but then we realized that iremembertapes. were performing in London that evening.
We got even more excited!
A 20-minute show the previous Thursday left us craving for more from the lovely band. This time they were doing a Club Fandango, which "presents the best in alternative indie music with regular nights across London and the UK". This fandango was at Bull&Gate up north.
There were 4 bands playing, and iremembertapes. started the evening. I'm glad they played 'First Light' this time. It's probably my favorite song of the debut album.
I also met the girl, who was in the 'Gossip' video. She looks completely different; 1. taller 2. Linda suspected the nose ring to be fake, but no it was real, someone just had punched it off 3. it's amazing what lipstick and hair spray can do to you.
The second act was White Arrows, straight from America, and it was their first time to play outside their country! I guessed they were coming from San Francisco, because of how they dressed up, but the right answer was LA, still pretty close! And they sounded like Swedish Miike Snow. We talked with the singer Mickey after the show, and it was nice of him to show his playlist on his phone, which had a lot of good songs, like Lykke Li. And he started to talk about The Doors documentary, when he saw my shirt, so cool. Also, apparently their manager used to manage Linkin Park or something?
The next to go on stage was Call The Doctor. I just loved the singer's attitude! She had a bit of a punk thing going on. Going to the audience and grabbing everyone. And we got their old EP for a pound. Now that was us being ripped off. Music should be free. Just kidding of course. People please support the artist.
video made from about 2000 still photos shot in a single afternoon on an apple iPhone
The last to play was Retraplayer. They have a song called 'Drinks in Helsinki', which obviously made us go *o/*
it's the first time i saw this video, and i thought they were joking when they said they tried to make it look like helsinki
Apparently they had been working with The Animal Farm before, then we figured maybe that was the reason for the song's name. But no, it was just a random pick.
photos by l.lundberg
All of the people we got to speak to were really sweet. Maybe I should be visiting more indie nights. Still when the bands have time to speak to their fans. And show were they spend their nights.
