Archive for the ‘Pillows & Knives’ Category

Posted on September 1, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Stars in Coma and the Clouds

First time I heard about Stars in Coma was in a room of a girl (“Hic!”). She told me with starry eyes on her vault about this boy from Sweden sharing his fantastic and artistic view of the World through his music from a lonely room. I was deep in my Cloudberry period, and I didn’t take much to appreciate the music from Andrè Brorsson thanks their nice release and the “official collection” “You’re Still Frozen in Time” by Plastilina Records. (more…)

Posted on July 26, 2010 - by Dave Cruttenden

Fran Healy – Buttercups

Here is the first solo single from Fran Healy from Travis, taken from his debut solo album Wreckorder, to be released this October.  It’s a very excellent debut single, and fans of Travis should also love this.  It is bound to attract the usual criticism of a lead singer of a band starting a solo career, but this is not the end of Travis, Fran is just on holiday from the band.  It should even maybe open them up to an even greater audience, as it’s a fine piece of work. (more…)

Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Give yourself another fountain rag

“Do you feel far too old and far too sad, and you feel it should be over by now?”

Having Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl willing to carry on and writing songs, is like being sure to holding on to something really solid and safe while tracking your years as indie fan. First time I even heard mentioning her name was during one of the first gigs of the Italian indie band “Le Man Avec Les Lunettes“.  (more…)

Posted on June 7, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

You All Every Turtles

Why are we living on this sad land wasting our time for nothing? But because of indie music of course, and bringing back to light good bands that deserve to be heard. That’s because nowadays me don’t make it for money, we don’t make it for being immortal, but just to get noticed, share the fun and possibly give ourselves the chance to enlight our days with some positive vibes. That’s why it’s a pleasure for me inviting you to listen to the fine werk of “Research Turtles”, with the eponymous début album. (more…)

Posted on May 3, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Mark Zonda is now Fan of… The Fans!

1978 was a great year to be in Bristol. The first sparks of punk rock music hardly managed to spoil the class that always defined the sound of the city from The Chesterfields to Santa Dog. It was inevitable for a band like The Fans to gather and refine the rage of those days into the finest UK indie pop. Now. What I’m about to tell you it’s not even the story of a band. It’s pure science fiction. (more…)

Posted on April 27, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Watashi Wa The Message In A Bottle

They had their time between 1978 and 1984. Police arrived just in time. They heard the call, they already knew they wouldn’t miss their target. The band was born with punk rock, when zillion of youngers tried to rush their way to success with a primitive and abrasive sound, sarcastic and blaspheme lyrics, a dirty and spooky look. Clean and blonde: that what you got from Sting band. (more…)

Posted on April 25, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Now something rare: Nick Lowe Labout of lust

Right here right now, on this time of my life, I’m listening a lot of Nick Lowe. I mean… A LOT! I’m quite addicted actually. Blame on me for never having cared about this magnificent and talented artist being the quintessence of the gist of classical Brit-Pop with a good vitaminic sprout of good ol’ rock’n'roll reminding me so much of best George Harrison classics and a bit of The Attractions for the jazzy sound of so many tracks and of course for being the producer of some of the finest Costello works (that’s right, “”(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” was written by Nick). (more…)

Posted on April 20, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

The Quite Life of Sad Lovers and Giants

“They seem tough / but it’s just a bluff” ~ from Cowboys

There’s something haunting in the music of Sad Lovers and Giants. There’s absolutely no groove on the perfect  metronomic 3/4 drumming of Nigel Pollard. On twelve albums Tony McGuinness never has a variation on his chours effected arpeggios, always perfectly balanced with Ian Gibson bass lines, spinning on perfect layers Grace is always so thifty to visit with his voice. (more…)

Posted on April 18, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Catching Tigers: Tiger Trap Supercrush EP

Is it possible for a band being called a cult after having seed more EP, splits and 7 inches than albums in one year only? Yay if the name of the band is “Tiger Trap” and you’re considered to be one of the main founders of the American response to Twee Pop. This band always fascinated me, especially for the genuine nature of their music (two school friends deciding to form a band) and the decadent elegance of its works. Then again: how could I be indifferent to an indie band picking their name after a Calvin & Hobbes cartoon? (more…)

Posted on April 13, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Slide Over Kiara

I like the way Vandal Records works. Having a nice logo it’s not enough (but it’s a really good and smart square one). You have support the band you believe in showing blood and being enough professional to avoid the evidence of any pulpy situation providing a good p.r. working and a fine detailed planning and organization. (more…)