INTRODUCING : CARNIVALS

photo: c/o gatepostmusic

SOUTH-EAST LONDON QUARTET CARNIVALS ARE PUTTING IN THEIR TWO CENTS TO THE EVER-GROWING PSYCH-POP SCENE. I CAUGHT UP WITH THE BAND - CAL, HARRY, JOE AND GEORGE - TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY DO, AND HOW THEIR FIRST VENTURE INTO MUSIC WAS SURPRISINGLY VERY FAR FROM ANYTHING YOU'D FIND IN THE 60'S/PSYCH SECTION OF YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE...

> TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHO CARNIVALS ARE. HOW DID YOU START MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER?

G - WE ARE FOUR NORMAL GUYS WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH MUSIC AND NEEDED AN OUTLET. WE ALL CAME FROM DIFFERENT ROUTES INTO MAKING MUSIC THOUGH. JOE (LEAD GUITAR) AND HARRY (DRUMS) WERE OLD SCHOOL FRIENDS WHO'D WORKED ON VARIOUS PROJECTS TOGETHER, REINVENTING THEIR FAVOURITE SOUNDS. CAL (LEAD VOCALS/GUITAR) WROTE AND PERFORMED A LOT ON HIS OWN AND WITH THE BAND HE WAS IN PRIOR TO CARNIVALS. I PLAYED WITH WHOEVER WAS AVAILABLE AROUND OUR AREA, DOING ORIGINALS, COVERS AND BLUES OPEN MIC NIGHTS. THEN I MET THE OTHERS AT A GIG WE WERE ALL BILLED ON. AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW WE GOT TOGETHER...

C - I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH JOE AND HARRY BUT IT WAS ONLY AFTER WE DISCOVERED OUR SIMILAR TASTES IN MUSIC THAT WE'D HAVE THE ODD JAM AT PARTIES, AND EVEN IN TESCO CAR PARK... THEN I JOINED THE BAND OFFICIALLY AND WE STARTED GIGGING. 

> FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T HEARD YOUR MUSIC, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?

G - OUR SOUND IS INFLUENCED BY A COMBINATION OF ERA'S AND STYLES. WE HARNESS A LOT OF INFLUENCE FROM 60'S AND 70'S POP BANDS, WHO ARE SOME OF THE BEST MUSICIANS WITH SOME OF THE MOST WELL-CRAFTED SONGS. LIKE THE DOORS, THE KINKS, THE ZOMBIES, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN...

J - YEAH ALONG WITH THE CLASSICS WE LIKE GROUPS LIKE ARCTIC MONKEYS, TAME IMPALA,  TEMPLES, THE GROWLERS, THE CORAL...

G - TO SUM UP OUR SOUND: WE MAKE INDIE ROCK WITH A TINGE OF PSYCH AND SURF RIFFS BACKED BY A DANCEABLE RHYTHM. 

C - YEAH, WE MAKE PSYCH POP, BUT WE TRY TO KEEP IT AS CATCHY AS WE CAN AND SPICE IT UP WITH TRIPPY RIFFS.

> IF YOU COULD ONLY LISTEN TO ONE ALBUM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES WHAT WOULD IT BE?

J - THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. I LOVE ARCTIC MONKEYS' HUMBUG, IT'S A REALLY UNDERRATED RECORD...BUT PROBABLY RUBBER SOUL BY THE BEATLES CAUSE IT'S A CLASSIC. 

G - LED ZEPPELIN II - LED ZEPPELIN

C - THE DOORS - THE DOORS

H - TAME IMPALA - LONERISM

> WHAT ARE YOUR EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORIES?

G - MY EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORY WAS PRETTY TRAGIC. I WAS ABOUT 7 OR 8 YEARS OLD AND I'D SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PICK UP ON THAT REALLY CHEESY R'N'B TUNE THAT GOES 'LET ME LICK YOU UP AND DOWN...' WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN DOWN TO MY OLDER SISTER'S CHOICE OF CAR MUSIC. ANYWAY I STARTED SINGING IT IN CLASS AND EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT. SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND PERFORMED 'MAMBO NUMBER 5' AT THE END OF YEAR SCHOOL DANCE...BUT FORGOT HALF THE GIRLS' NAMES IN THE SONG, CRIED ON STAGE AND NEVER MANAGED TO LIVE IT DOWN. PRETTY ROCK AND ROLL...

> AND FINALLY, WHAT'S NEXT FOR CARNIVALS?

OUR SINGLE 'SHADOWS' IS OUT NEXT MONTH WHICH WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. WE RECORDED IT AT THE FAMOUS PARR STREET STUDIOS IN LIVERPOOL. THEN ONCE THE SINGLE IS OUT WE'LL BE PLAYING A FEW HEADLINE SHOWS IN LONDON AND OUT OF TOWN TOO WHICH WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO. THERE'S A VIDEO FOR 'SHADOWS'  IN THE PIPELINE TOO. OVER THE SUMMER WE'RE PLAYING AT SOME FESTIVALS WHICH WILL BE AMAZING FOR US. WE'VE ONLY BEEN TOGETHER COLLECTIVELY FOR A YEAR SO TO HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES IS REALLY COOL. 

YOU CAN CATCH CARNIVALS LIVE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

12TH MARCH @ THE WINDMILL BRIXTON (LONDON)

1ST APRIL @ THE SOCIAL (LONDON)

29TH APRIL @ AMERSHAM ARMS (LONDON)

& FIND THE BAND ON:

TWITTER

SOUNDCLOUD

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

interview : hooton tennis club

Hooton Tennis Club are fast becoming regulars to Liverpool's ever-growing music scene. Signing a deal with Heavenly, after almost a year of playing shows under that attention-grabbing moniker is no mean feat, so I wanted to find out just how they did it. 

Ryan (vocals, guitar), Callum (bass) and Harry (drums) kindly agreed to meet me for a chat on a sunny Saturday afternoon - amidst their hectic schedule of signing contracts and going to festivals. Alright for some eh?

photo: twitter

Callum: Hi, we're Hooton Tennis Club!

me: OK, that's a good place to start - tell me about the name.

Ryan: We were making music in Harry's bedroom, and we went to get some chips.. then we walked past the sign for Hooton Tennis Club. We thought "oh, that'd be a good song name!", but it stuck as a band name. And that's how interesting that story is!

Harry: Maybe we need to change it though, because no one ever gets it right. We've had Hootin, Hootun.. someone even did it with an A.

me: I'm not going to ask the typical 'who are your influences' question, so I'll ask you to describe your sound.

Callum: Describe our sound? ..rubbish.

Harry: People trying to play Pavement songs, but they're not quite good enough.

Callum: Sloppy?

Harry: Yeah, people always say 'slacker'.

me: Isn't that an insult?

Harry: A backhanded compliment..

Ryan: Someone called it 'melodic sloppiness'.. so we'll go with that as the tagline.

me: So you've just signed with Heavenly, and you're going to be recording with Bill Ryder-Jones.. is that right? Are you allowed to tell me when you'll be bringing out new stuff, or is that top secret?

Ryan: I have absolutely no idea.. January is when they're aiming for. But it's already been pushed  back twice. All I know is that it's going to be in 3D. With listening glasses.

me: What about gigs for the rest of the year? Or will you just be in the studio?

Callum: No, we're playing Dalston two weeks today, and then the Palm House in Sefton Park.

Ryan: We've got a Halloween show. 

Harry: Me and Ryan made this hidden EP when he got a synth, so we might learn some of those for then.

Ryan: It's like shouty garage, with ghostly overtones. Stories about ghosts and vampires and werewolves.

me: Are you going to dress up?

Ryan: I think we should. Get sheets and cut holes in them for eyes.

me: I've noticed that your song titles all involve names. Is that intentional?

Harry: Yeah, we get a random book and pick a random sentence. Sometimes we change the name though.

me: So they're not actually based on real people? Everyone just thinks you write about mysterious ex-girlfriends.

Harry: Well Jennifer was because we were obsessed with Supergrass when we were like 16, and their band before was called The Jennifers.

Ryan: Some of the girls were real! Camilla was one I met in Copenhagen.

Callum: And she actually drew 14 dots on her knee.

Ryan: *demonstrates the method* 'there were no windows in the little hospital'. 

me: So that's the next single?

Harry: Add a girls name in.

Ryan: Done.

me: Liverpool's music scene is really thriving at the moment - who are you rating?

Callum: Well obviously that's because of us.

Harry: ..or in spite of us. I like Strange Collective. *all agree* Really loud garagey psych. The OC's kind of thing.

Ryan: We listen to Stealing Sheep. *to Callum* I like that thing you say about Liverpool.

Callum: Well, I don't think there is a scene. There's not a sound. There's loads of good bands doing really different things. It's very varied in Liverpool. But at the same time, somehow, it's a scene.

Harry: Liverpool has always been a melting pot of things.

Ryan: I think it's because it's a port. We're lucky to have things like Sound City, Music Week.. that festival thing in Sefton Park. There's always something going on in Liverpool.

Callum: And there are loads of great people working in the music industry here. The press are good guys, and we've got some great promoters too.

me: I feel like Liverpool bands aren't weighed down by a certain 'thing'. Because the Beatles are so big, nobody's going to try and match that.

Callum: Yeah, and they're not just Liverpool's band, they're everybody's band. 

me: And finally, if you could only listen to one band for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Callum: Us.

me: You can't pick yourselves..

Ryan: I'm going to go with Animal Collective. They've got so much music and it's really varied. I'd never get bored.

Harry: I'm going to cheat and say Motown. Rather than one artist, like a 'Best of..' album.

Callum, (after much deliberation):  Beach Fossils.

Ryan: No! Where's the longevity in that?

Callum: Whenever I dont have anything to listen to, I always go back to that first album of theirs.

Ryan: Who would James pick? (the 4th member of Hooton Tennis Club)

Harry: Bullet for my Valentine. But don't put that one in. 

See below for a list of the band's upcoming shows:

introducing : horsebeach

photo: bandcamp

Horsebeach is the creation of Manchester-born-and-bred Ryan Kennedy. Recording in his flat and self-releasing the debut album earlier this year, his aim was not to sell thousands of records but to put out something he was proud of, for the world to hear - and proud he should be. The album is dream-filled and dazzling, whilst remaining dappled with Manchester's never-shifting drizzle. It's perfect for fans of anything released on Captured Tracks. 

I caught up with Ryan himself to find out more about this still largely secretive project of his, which - just to warn you - won't be a secret for much longer once people catch a glimpse of the album's sheer beauty from start to finish.

I've got to ask you about the name.. Your music definitely falls into in the same bracket as that of Beach Fossils / Real Estate / Wild Nothing who all have a 'beachy' vibe. So did your sound play a part in choosing an appropriate name for the band?

I think our sound at the beginning definitely influenced the name... right at the start I wanted to have a more surfy sound but yes, we also listened to Beach Fossils, Beach House..that sort of thing, so it seemed right to have 'beach' in the name. The 'horse' part just came out of nowhere, but I guess if you say a band name enough it starts to sound right no matter what it is. Horsebeach just stuck.

Rather than me continuing to speculate about influences, how would you describe your sound?

It's difficult for me to describe my own sound without explaining the influence behind it but I'll have a go. It's a distorted reflection of all the American, sunny-guitar/dream-pop, but instead of chiming through the streets of Brooklyn it echoes through the rainy, red-bricked alleyways of Manchester, which brings a slight morbidness.  

What inspired you to start the band, or to start making music in the first place?

I started messing about with making music when I was around 14. Me and a few school mates got together, wrote some songs and played them to our friends for a while. We had a few gigs, nothing big, but it was fun. I didn't write anything for a long time after that. I carried on playing my guitar and joining bands but didn't really take it seriously. As time went on I started getting interested in recording music and the whole recording process, so I ended up building up a little system using a cassette recorder where I could layer up the guitar and create repetitive loops. The point where I decided to start writing Horsebeach material was when I stumbled across Ducktails' album 'S/T' and thought "wow, this is great, and this guy is just doing it on a small four track or something, so maybe I should try that". As I was writing the songs I would send them over to Matt, who wasn't the drummer at this point, and he would let me know what he thought of them. Matt suggested I try doing it live, so that's how we ended up forming the band. Matt recruited his brother Dan for guitar and I enlisted our school friend Tom to play bass. I showed everybody which parts they needed to play, and Horsebeach finally materialised.

Releasing your debut LP earlier this summer was a pretty brave move for a band that are still very much 'under-the-radar', but what made you do it?

I've always enjoyed the whole do-it-yourself ethos, and from the beginning I kept myself as independent as I could. I think being a part of an album from writing the songs, to the cover design, allows you to stay 100% genuine. I was just writing stuff and releasing it off my own back. We had two singles to start out with; the first one sold out straight away, and the second started to gather some interest, so I just decided I would get an album out before the year was over. I was doing this all for personal reasons anyway, I didn't think about whether there was enough promo, or whether it was the right time, I just wanted to capture this particular moment of my songwriting. So I re-recorded it all properly in my flat and got it pressed. I was happy just selling records in Manchester and never expected it to get very far, so it's great that people have started to pick up on it, and word seems to be spreading. I'm so happy with the reception it's had and people's feedback so far!

Whilst the majority of your material sounds as though it's been created in the (sunnier) States, there are definitely elements of your music that could only come from a band out of Manchester. Do you think location plays a part on the way a band sounds? 

I guess it does, yes. The sunny side comes from listening to all the American guitar bands, but I never intended on giving the music a Manchester tinge, it seems to have crept in there on it's own. Maybe it's a combination of the weather, the people and the heritage. I did grow up listening to The Smiths after all.

And finally, what's next for Horsebeach?

We've got a few shows coming up to finish the year with; we're supporting Lust For Youth on 27th September at Soup Kitchen (Manchester) and we're playing Primavera Club in Barcelona on 2nd November, which I'm excited about. As far as releases go, I'm already working on new stuff for the next album and I'm looking at getting a new single out at the beginning of next year.


Horsebeach's self-titled debut album is out now. 
Visit their bandcamp page to download it. 

introducing : public access tv

photo : facebook

Public Access TV are probably the first band from NYC that are eager to shake the inevitable Strokes comparisons, and it's for a good reason too. They are making infectiously catchy - but substantial - guitar music in their own right, which is more comparable with early 2000s British indie-rock than anything from their home turf. 

The band surfaced online earlier this year with 'Monaco', which is one of the 5 tracks featured on their upcoming debut EP, and they have since been picked up by the likes of NME and Q magazines.

One of the most appealing things about Public Access TV (aside from their ability to make great music) is that they're not concerned about aesthetics; it's all about the music for these guys. 'Rebounder' is their first video release, to accompany the EP of the same title, and captures their 'no frills' approach perfectly. DIY clips of the band out and about in the city are combined with them practising, and playing live. No chance of chiaroscuro shots of models here anytime soon.

To find out a bit more, I asked lead singer John a couple of questions:

You guys seemed to appear almost out of nowhere online with 'Monaco', but how long have you been making music? 
I've been making music my whole life. This particular project I started about 9 months ago though with songs that I was writing the year before. 

What do you think you'd be doing if you weren't in a band? 

Music is literally the only thing I can do. I'd be in laying in the gutter somewhere...or a brain surgeon. 

You've had a good amount of coverage so far from UK press - such as NME, Q and The Guardian - and the British journalists always seem keen to be the first to discover emerging talent. How has your band's reception differed over here from the reception in the US? Are they equally as interested and excited about Public Access TV? 

It's different because America is so much bigger geographically. It takes a little longer for word to travel. Everything has been great so far though. We're really excited to tour and play for more people. 

And finally, how would you describe your sound? 

Rock and Roll. 

Public Access TV's 'Rebounder' EP is out in the UK on 24th August. 
 Pre-order it now on iTunes to receive a download of 'Middle Child' instantly.

The band will join Circa Waves on tour in the UK this autumn. For a full list of dates, click here.

review : alt-j // hunger of the pine

I have to admit, I was a little bit worried when I heard that Alt-J were releasing a new track. Not because I doubted their ability to create an equally mesmerising impact with album number two now that bassist Gwil Sainsbury has left, but because of the hideous images conjured up in my mind upon discovering that the track featured a sample of a Miley Cyrus song. Using music made by the most controversial figure in 2014′s ever-worsening world of pop was a huge risk to take and could of gone horribly wrong, but it didn’t. After hearing ‘Hunger Of The Pine‘ I have fully realised the extent of Alt-J’s musical ability – and that proves exactly why they won the 2012 Mercury Prize with their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' – because they are undeniably a very talented bunch.

‘Hunger Of The Pine‘ opens with nothing but a steady triplet rhythm and Joe Newman’s soothing vocals. Gradually, in true Alt-J fashion, more orchestral instruments are introduced. This build up leads to a sudden but typical Alt-J infectious beat kicking in, with the vocals subsiding to make way for a distant calling of “I’m a female rebel” by none other than..Miley Cyrus. The use of the vocal sample is far more subtle than I’d expected -thankfully - proving furthermore that Alt-J really do know what they’re doing.

It would seem that the band are going to continue following their original, extraordinary sound and let it evolve naturally; rightly so too because it’s very different to anything else out there. But ‘Hunger Of The Pine‘ has shown that they are equally as keen to incorporate a more current 'pop' element, perhaps to appeal to a wider audience. But if these guys can find a place for Miley Cyrus in their music, then who knows what their next move will be. I’ve got every faith in them.

Written for Post Music Depression

review : by the sea // i see a crystal sky

By The Sea are the quite possibly the most underrated band out there at the moment, or as Bill Ryder-Jones once put it: “the kind of band that in ten years everyone will pretend they loved in the early days”. Very true.

Their self-titled debut album was released back in 2012, and provided us with nine tracks of the most heavenly surf-rock/dream-pop goodness. But this summer brings album number two - Endless Days, Crystal Sky - and the band have given us a preview with 'I See A Crystal Sky'.

Unlike some bands who take a different route with every album and completely re-invent themselves, it would seem that By The Sea are simply letting their sound evolve naturally, which is how it should be done. On 'I See A Crystal Sky' any remnants of surf-rock from their debut have been washed over; the jangly guitars have been smoothed out to the point of being unrecognisable. Synths are brought to the forefront – being the overriding element on this track – and the vocals are far more prominent, having previously been merely a distant echo. The synth-led sound will hopefully gain them some well-deserved recognition, potentially appealing to the hoards of Horrors/Toy fans out there.

Whilst it’s quite an obvious transition sonically, it still works because these guys have the knack for making great music, the sort of music that would soundtrack your dreams, and that’s pretty hard to come by. Endless Days, Crystal Sky is set for release on August 18th.

Written for Post Music Depression

coming soon : 2014 releases

Drowners - Drowners

The band's debut album.
If you've been asleep for the past 6 months, you may not be aware that I am very excited about this.
Out January 27th via Frenchkiss Records.

Bombay Bicycle Club  - So Long, See You Tomorrow

It would seem the band are taking a more 'electronic' approach with their 4th album, 

and I've got a feeling they've nailed it.

Out 3rd February via Island Records.

Temples - Sun Structures

Finally, the album we have (well, I certainly have) been waiting for!
Out February 10th via Heavenly Recordings.

Skaters - Manhattan
The debut album from New York boys, Skaters.
Out February 24th via Warner Bros. Records.

Metronomy - Love Letters

3 years ago they gave us 'The English Rivera'.

 I'm really looking forward to this - lets hope it's just as good, if not better.

Out March 10th via Because Music.

I've also heard a few rumours about what may/may not be coming our way this year.. 

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

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