Tag Archives: Help Stamp Out Loneliness

Indietracks highlights: Hidden Cameras save the day

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I guess it would come as no surprise that this was the talk of the festival. The Hidden Cameras were one of the headliners – a band I have long (and unfairly) put off listening to properly. I’ve heard the singles, thought they were pretty good.. and then decided to devote my pre-Indietracks listening to Herman Dune, Crystal Stilts and Edwyn Collins. A shame, because out of all of them, Hidden Cameras have ended up becoming my favourite (well.. maybe Crystal Stilts).

On the Saturday, Hidden Cameras had been given the sub-headlining slot, just before Edwyn Collins. A source from Team Indietracks revealed to me that this was due to time constrictions – ideally they would have headlined different days. Help Stamp Out Loneliness had some technical issues, with the lead guitar stuttering halfway through the set. Then, suddenly, during Record Shop (one of their best songs!), all power suddenly cut to the main stage. No lights, no amps, nothing.

Help Stamp Out LonelinessThankfully they managed to get the main stage up and running again, for the rest of their set. Afterwards, Hidden Cameras were due to play. A large crowd gathered on the hill ready for them to play, but worse things were to come. They slipped past their due time, ten minutes, then twenty, then more. Eventually, Andy from Pocketbooks announced (without a microphone) that the main stage generator malfunctioned, and that there would be a change of schedule – everyone being moved inside. Massive confusion and disappointment in the crowd. At least everyone would be playing, but the inside stage isn’t as good for large amounts of people, and we’d have to wait til 11pm for Hidden Cameras. Rubbish.

Then, out of the goodness of their hearts, The Hidden Cameras said (I’m paraphrasing) – fuck it, we’ll play anyway.

Hidden CamerasWith their powerful vocals and their orchestral instruments, they did what few bands could, and played to hundreds acoustically. They didn’t have to do that. At Indietracks, nobody blamed the band, or the organisers, they had a plan and nobody would be let down. Still, they delivered a stunning impromptu mini-set in addition to their full set later. The crowd became silent in appreciation, at their dogged refusal to let circumstances ruin the evening. It’s a true testament to their showmanship – I think they just love playing live, and played just because they could. Only at Indietracks, eh?

Indietracks 2011: Who I’m looking forward to (part 1)

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Outdoor stage

Indietracks, as well as being the best place to see indiepop in the world, is also a personal highlight of the year. With only a week to go, I thought I’d give a run down of some of the artists I enjoy that are playing. Huge disclaimer, though: the joy of Indietracks is discovering something new. I haven’t heard of a lot of the bands on the list! There will be lots of new discoveries and crazy adventures, as there have been every year. Last year, someone from The Chemistry Experiment overheard a poor joke I made, and offered me a beer they had. We waited with Be Like Pablo in the queue for White Town, before they dragged us off to see Ballboy, with occasional chants of “Baaaaaallboy!” in thick Scottish accents. A crazy woman made me  feed a button to a fabric hedgehog, and then sang a beautiful song (that would have been a lot better if I wasn’t on my way to the toilet).

On with the bands. I think I’m going to do it in a few parts to stop myself getting exhausted.

Help Stamp Out Loneliness – Outdoor Stage, Saturday

A rare treat. Originally caught them at Indietracks 2009, and despite being underwhelmed at their appearance, by the time they started playing, they humbled me. A mix of deep female vocals, sparkling guitars, deep bass, and haunting synth, with heartfelt lyrics. The vocals are really the standout part: Lucille D Campbell’s voice is an extraordinary beast, sounding like a hash between Nico and a female Morrissey, especially given the deeply emotional lyrics. They describe themselves as indiepop / krautrock, but I’d venture there are influences from all over – resulting in a unique sound.

 

 

Math and Physics Club – Indoor Stage, Saturday

M&PC are appearing on at the same time as Help Stamp Out Loneliness, which I’m very conflicted about. I’m probably verging on seeing M&PC – not because they’re better, but because they’re from the USA and don’t play over here much (in fact, according to their website it’s the first time ever!). Math and Physics Club play indiepop in the finest tradition: every song is a heartbreak in twangy guitars and desperate lyrics, recalling both elements of The Smiths in their music, and Belle & Sebastian style vocals. Both of their albums are amazing, making it easy for them to play a set full of hits. They’re playing a special pre-Indietracks London show, which I am not going to miss for anything.

 

 

Pocketbooks – Outdoor Stage, Friday

Pocketbooks @ Indietracks 09The Friday is a very special evening, as for some it’ll be their very first taste of Indietracks. There’s only one stage, meaning everyone is together, and there’s no rushing around between bands. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. The opening band has a very special duty to fulfil, and I cannot think of anyone else better than Pocketbooks. They’re about the easiest band in the world to enjoy. I’m really looking forward to drinking a beer out on the hill, not a care in the world, watching the sunset behind the main stage, listening to some comforting and familiar tunes.

 

 

Chicos Malos

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How long has it been since I’ve updated?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is “too long”. A further dedication to work (that means less nights out boozing, gigging, etc) means my exposure to new music has been sadly lacking. I don’t think I’ve bought into any new bands in the past month, which is a frankly depressing state of affairs. The only time I’ve been out is one AMS meeting and Baby Honey (the newest Twee as Fuck iteration, a delicious friday night slice of twee/indie-pop). Oh shit, and there was Guided Missile’s 10th anniversary too.
But yeah, three nights, one of which wasn’t even a gig? I’m ashamed in myself. The Durutti Column played live last night, but Sunday nights I always feel very stressed out, due to work the next day, and it wasn’t a luxury I could afford (timewise, at least. Money, with a salary, has become a non-issue).
When I turned up at the AMS night last Thursday I noticed that I hadn’t done a mix CD for this year. I could just burn my 2009 mix, but that feels lazy, plus I made that over THREE (!) months ago. CRAZY! Like I listen to the same stuff I did three months ago!
The songs I’ve picked so far are..

La Casa Azul – Chicos Malos (imagine if Abba were Spanish and tripping balls)

Heavenly – Sort of Mine (do I have a crush on Amelia Fletcher? WHO DOESN’T?)

Bad Dream Fancy Dress – Rave-up (RAVE UP! WE JUST WANNA RAVE UP! WE JUST WANNA STAY UP!)

Cicada – The Things You Say [dirty south remix] (who says I don’t do heavy trance? This is some of the best shit around)

Ferry Corsten – We Belong (this is the kind of populist electro the AMS usually overlook, but it’s a fucking great track)

Eggstone – April and May (I don’t know much about Eggstone, but this is lovely laid back, strumtastic European indiepop)

James Dean Driving Experience – Sean Connery (that fucking riff man, how can anyone not compare this to the among the best the Smiths ever did?)

DJ Format [featuring Akil and Chali 2na] – We Know Something You Don’t Know (DJ format is awesome, Akil and Chali 2na are from Jurassic 5, my favourite rap group ever. There is little that can go wrong here)

The Magnetic Fields – The Saddest Story Ever Told (The Magnetic Fields have just released their latest album, so here is a good opportunity to think: hey, aren’t they one of the greatest bands ever?)

The Attery Squash – Charlie Brooker is Right About Everything (well, he is)

The Fall – The Classical (one of the best songs by one of the best bands ever. Absolutely classic track)

Help Stamp Out Loneliness – Record Shop (the most beautifully emotional song I’ve heard in a LONG TIME)

Roadside Poppies – Just Another Love Song (you already know my feelings about the Roadside Poppies. Beautiful, twee, sparkling and always upbeat, they have an honesty that makes my heart aflutter)

Okkervil River – Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe (why don’t more people rave on about Okkervil River? Their contemporaries have become international superstars, but they outshine all of them. There’s emotion contained here with such a genuine approach it seems criminal to overlook them)