The Beths - Happy Unhappy

1.    Who are The Beths?

The Beths are an alternative pop band from Auckland, New Zealand, who bring together influences from 90’s guitar music, 2000’s pop punk and mix it together with 60’s pop harmonies. Happy Unhappy (June'18) is the third single from their debut album Future Me Hates Me (Aug'18).


2. What kind of tune is Happy Unhappy? 

An irrepressibly bright and bubbly alternative pop song led by a captivating vocal soaring lightly above bittersweet lyrics and with delicious phrasing. A little guitar noise, especially in the coda, keeps the song grounded and juxtaposes well with the cute harmonies. A great mood maker.


3. Who do The Beths sound like?

Sixpence None The Richer, Alvvays, and Loose Tooth. 


4. What have the press said about Happy Unhappy?

“The Beth’s ‘Happy Unhappy’ is the song of summer” – Rolling Stone. 

“It’s really good” – Noisey Vice.

“Brilliant slice of sunshine filled alternative pop” – It’s Too Loud. 

5. Which bands have influenced The Beths? 

A few of their influences are Death Cab For Cutie, Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays, The Cars, Weezer, The Modern Lovers, and Cole Porter. 


6. Why should I listen to Happy Unhappy? 

For the phrasing in the verses and the wry lyrics. 


7. Do The Beths have any other good tunes? 

Whatever brings a harder alternative rock sound to play. 


8. Any more words? 

All four band members studied jazz at university. 

Alvvays are an indie pop band from Toronto, Canada. They started playing together in 2011 and have recorded two albums. Alvvays sound similar to The Primitives, Best Coast, and Camera Obscura. They are influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Magnetic Fields, and The Smiths. Plimsol Punks (Aug'17) is the third single from their second album Anitsocialites (Sept'17). River Front Times thought Plimsol Punks is, “irresistibly catchy with a sugar filled chorus.” It's also a song, that is, as the title suggests, about pretentious cunts.

Lisbon - Shark

1.    Who are these men of music?

Lisbon are an alternative pop band from Newcastle, England. Playing together since 2012 these troopers have an EP and a handful of singles on their roll of honor. Shark (April'16) is a stand alone single as yet.


2. What have they got?

A sense of urgency and a big serve for the music industry. Shark comes on strong with guitars at full roar and then settles into full throttle pop rock. Full tit to the end and sound as a pound.


3. Who do Lisbon sound like?

Shark is similar to songs by Kassassin Street, Shields and High Tyde. Never Enough Notes compared Shark to The Xcerts.


4. What have the cut and paste bandits said about Shark?

“Thunderous percussion and crunching guitars” – Euphoriazine.

“Exhibits a heavier side of Lisbon” – Indie Is Not A Genre.

“It’s as explosive as they come” – Rock Revolver.

5. Which bands have put the bang in Lisbon’s buck?

Some of the bands that Lisbon like are Foals, Little Comets, Michael Jackson, Tame Impala and Wolf alice.


6. Why should I give Shark a lash?

Shark is the sound of frustration, a full-fledged vent, both lyrically and musically, that is elevated by it's angry immediacy.


7. Do Lisbon have any more boilers?

Vice is funky, slinky, infectious pop.
 

8. Any more words?

Frontman for Lisbon, Matthew Varty, said, “Shark depicts the struggle young bands have nowadays to make a name for themselves in the music industry.”

Shark was produced by Dan Austin who has been on the job for Twin Atlantic, The Pixies, Stornoway and Surfer Blood amongst others.

“The sharks can smell our fear”

 

 

 

Surfer Blood are an indie rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida. Making tunes since 2009 they have three albums in the vault. Demon Dance is track one off the second album Pythons (2013). Pythons was recorded by Pixies producer Gil Norton with equipment lent by Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago. Surfer Blood have been described by Rolling Stone as “indie meets grunge” and compared to Weezer and Pavement by Pitchfork. 

“I can suck the venom from your bones”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shields - Masters Of The Universe

1.    Who are they?

Shields are an alternative pop band from the mean streets of Newcastle, England. They have one long player How Do We Fix This? (Feb'16) on their resume and Masters Of The Universe is the B-side of the album single Alive (Jan'16).


2. What kind of wonderful is Masters Of The Universe?

Guitars blaze, giant post-punk bass bubbles incessantly, pop harmonies elevate the bridge and it all coalesces in an explosive, sweet sour chorus; pop rarely dabbles so widely and successfully. Masters Of The Universe is a pop stomper that lives up to the title. Killer.


3. Who are Shields similar to?

Those bastions of all thats proper, The Guardian, are on the ball, comparing Shields to Maximo Park and The Futureheads. Vulturehound were feeling Franz Ferdinand.

 
4. No one is listening to Masters Of The Universe so what have the press said about the album?

“Shields rescue indie on debut” – Subba Cultcha.

“Murderously infectious, polished pop” – The Guardian.

“A cocktail of the most joyous celebration imaginable” – God Is In The TVzine.
 

 

5. Which bands have inspired this glorious melange?

Some of the bands influences are Everything Everything, Arcade Fire, Battles, Led Zeppelin and The Beach Boys.


6. Why should I press play on Masters Of The Universe?

Bands often put a tune they love, but aren't sure will get a popular reception, as a B-side. Masters Of The Universe is Shields flexing hidden muscles. Brilliant.


7. Do Shields have any more bangers?

Surely. Alive is an indie pop beast about following your dream and Mezzanine is the hit and absolutely delicious.


8. Any more words bubs?

How Do We Fix This? was produced by Adrian Bushby who has punched in for Muse, The Foo Fighters, Feeder, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Subways and more.

In 2015 Shields fluffed for Everything Everything and Placebo.

Masters Of The Universe was featured by Jonathan Hunt's Indie Rock Playlist (March'16).

 

“I’m watching you, you little creep”

 

 

 

Bad Books are an indie folk rock band from Atlanta and Brooklyn. Members of Machester Orchestra have teamed up with Kevin Devine in this side-project since 2010. The band have two long players to their name and Forest Whitaker was the lead single to ramble off the second II (2012). More rock than folk, Forest Whitaker is pretty catchy and amusing.

 

“You started a band,

that was cool for awhile then it turned pretty bland

 

Lisbon - Vice

 

 

1.    Who are these whippersnappers?

Lisbon are an alternative pop band from Newcastle, England. Playing together since 2012. Lisbon have a short player in the bank and a handful of singles. Vice (Feb’16) is a stand alone single.


2. What's on offer? 

Vice is a slinky, funky, big pop number sure to shake arses and with bright lashes of noodling lead guitar.


3. Who do Lisbon sound like?

The 1975 and White.


4. What do the bandits in the press have to say about Vice?

“Upbeat indie pop, a proper bouncy gem” – It’s All Indie.

“Staggeringly catchy” – Wonky Sensitive.

“Follows the same anthemic path” – We Are Going Solo.

 

5. Which bands have put the sparkle into Lisbon’s pop?

Lisbon have big upped bands like Foals, Little Comets, Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Snake Hips, FKJ, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, Tame Impala, Bombay Bicycle Club and Wolf Alice.

 
6. Why should I give Vice a taste?

The lead guitar kicks off Vice and the melody has more hook and addiction than a Thai fishing trawler. Vice is addictive indie pop with funky spangles.


7. Do Lisbon have any more bangers?

Vice is the one that crushes it.


8. More words?

Lisbon said that, “‘Vice’ is about being young, drunk, in love, troubled, and crazy all at the same time. Lyrically I wanted the song to sound like a diary entry, like some sort of confession. When you’re under pressure and you start juggling all these vices, it makes a recipe for an incredibly fun disaster.”

Vice is produced by Dan Austin who has done nine to five for Doves, The Pixies and The Enemy.

Lisbon have been on the road in 2015 fluffing for Little Comets and Eliza and the Bear.

“You got me drinking ‘till I’m sober”

Cheers Elephant are a now defunct indie pop rock band from Philadephia who fought out of Southern California and played together from 2007 to 2016. Cheers Elephant have three magnum opuses. Airliner (2015) was a stand alone single and Indie Shuffle called it, “tight, clean, feel-good indie rock.” Pop Rock Record were sure it should be Cheers Elephant’s “break through single.” Airliner is an indie anthem.

“I’ve got no silver in my silver lining”