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Get your tickets for the rockingest gig of new year... Saturday, 29th January The Real Losers + Black Time + The Exteriors + The Cut-Outs
+ Fortuna £5 Advance/£6 Door The
Real Losers Black Time The Exteriors The Cut-Outs |
PRIMITIVE
SHAKIN' NUTZOID ROCK AND ROLL!!!
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The Beat Hotel, the new hangout for London’s hep kids, opens for business on 15th January 2005, and you can check in on the third Saturday of every month after that. No advance reservations. No room service. Just Fortuna POP! DJs playing the coolest indiepop, 60s psyche, punk and soul. So make your new year resolution now and, hey, f*ck art, let’s dance! Saturday, 15th January 8pm – 1am If you don't have a flyer, all you need to do to make sure you get in for £3 is drop us an e-mail and we'll make sure you don't pay more than you have to. I guess we might play some stuff like this.. The Futureheads * The Seeds * The Velvelettes * The Go! Team * The Sonics * Ike and Tina * Help She Can’t Swim * Love * Nancy and Lee * The Long Blondes * The Velvet Underground * The Ronettes * Franz Ferdinand * The 13th Floor Elevators * Maxine Brown * Felt * The Kingsmen * Erma Franklin * The Go-Betweens * The Action * The Marvelettes * Belle & Sebastian * The Electric Prunes * Martha & The Vandellas * Jeffrey Lewis * The Small Faces * The White Stripes * The Creation * Heavenly * Curtis Mayfield * Orange Juice * The Buzzcocks * The Who * LCD Soundsystem * Saturday Looks Good To Me * Wire * The Sex Pistols * Count Five * Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers * Television Personalities * The Monks * Graham Coxon * Cornershop * The Standells * Bearsuit * Syd Barrett * mAKE-uP * Blondie * Pulp * Yeah Yeah Yeahs * Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels * The Aislers Set * Sugar Pie DeSanto * Pavement * Jacques Dutronc * The Saints * Pipas * Jim Carroll * The Pastels * Kraftwerk * The Monkees * The Magnetic Fields * Thee Headcoates * John’s Children * Interpol * The Shins * Bob Dylan * OutKast * Sons and Daughters * The Fall * The Beat Happening * The Kinks * The Concretes * Vic Godard & The Subway Sect * The Stooges * The Byrds * Herman Dune * Big Star * Francoise Hardy * Comet Gain * David Bowie * Clinic * The New York Dolls * British Sea Power * Chic * Bobbie Gentry * Television * Camera Obscura * West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band * Sly & The Family Stone * The Yummy Fur * The Ramones * Art Brut * The Loves * The Litter * The Moldy Peaches * MC5 * Le Tigre * The Crystals * Serge Gainsbourg * and many more… |
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The Would-Be-Goods are back with a brand new long player, 'The Morning After', their eccentric and evocative guitar pop honed by two years of live performance. Jessica Griffin, enigmatic star of eighties cult label él, is still at the helm, with her crew of elegant rascals - Peter Momtchiloff, guitarist (Talulah Gosh, Razorcuts, Heavenly, Scarlet's Well) and occasional songsmith; Debbie Green, drummer and darling of the London nineties garage scene (Thee Headcoatees); and Lupe Nunez-Fernandez, bass player and co-founder of cosmopolitan East London quietists Pipas. Since the recording of the album, Lupe has left the band, and ex-Adam and the Ant and Monochrome Set man Andy Warren has taken over bass duties. The twelve songs on 'The Morning After' show that the Would-Be-Goods have lost none of their melancholy charm and wit but have moved beyond the ornate eclecticism of their acclaimed third album 'Brief Lives'(2002) to a classic guitar pop sound ranging from new folk ('Bluebeard') through tango (the poignantly funny 'Too Old') to garage rock ('Miss La-di-dah'). Love songs to lions, frolics in the Garden of Eden, French Casanovas and personal demons await you. Let the Would-Be-Goods be your guides. The album is also being released on the American label Matinée, who have some early reviews of the record on their site... The album isn't in the shops until the 25th October, but it can be yours now for £10 (UK), £10.50 (Europe) and £11 (Rest of World). Cheques or POs payable to 'Fortuna POP!' to 4 Mayfield House, Or we now accept payment via Paypal to ministryoffinance@fortunapop.com. And to celebrate The Morning After, we're having a night before... Sunday, 24th October at 7:30 PM £5.00 Advance/£6.00 Door Slipslide Brilliantly lush pop music from Graeme Elston and his band of ex-Astronauts which melds influences such as Aztec Camera and the Go-Betweens into a melodically breezy sound that has hints of Merseybeat. Fans of classic songwriting, 12-string guitars and black turtlenecks won't go far wrong. Some say their album 'The World Can Wait' on Matinée Recordings is that label's highwater mark. Click here to visit Slipslide's website Michaelmas Back a few years in 2001 Adekola Sound were much loved by many in London for their numerous excellent support slots and their foolhardy attempts to record a 4 song cd for each month of the year (still missing February fellers). Then singer Dan moved to the states, and drummer and sometime songwriter Michael struck out on his own as Michaelmas. Now Michaelmas are a 3-piece, featuring the bassist from Adekola Sound and Dan, back from the states, on drums. As coups go, it's long-winded, but however you look at it Michaelmas will be bringing their big-hearted, big-chorused songs about love, lust and the weather to keep you warm on the way home. |
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Monday, 27th September at 7:30 PM The Betsey Trotwood 56 Farringdon Rd, London. EC1R 3BL. Nearest Tube: Farringdon Jeffrey Greene (of beat combo The Butterflies of Love) £5 Advance/£6 Door See below for more tour dates... Jeffrey Greene Jeffrey Greene is the frontman of The Butterflies of Love, a band from New Haven, Connecticut that will already be familiar to many for their two albums (1999's 'How to Know' and 2002's 'The New Patient') of soul-searing melancholy and heart-stopping beauty. This show sees Jeff take to the stage alone, with maybe a little help from his friends in the UK, to play some of the songs from his forthcoming solo album, and perhaps a few Butterflies classics too. Three things are for sure: Jeffrey Greene is a great songwriter, he talks a lot, and a show of spine-tingling excitement and excellent entertainment is but guaranteed. The Rebel Ben R Wallers (The Rebel), is the frontman of the outlandish four piece, Country Teasers, renowned for their own brand of 'alternative country', naturally producing new music in the historical vein. As well as for sounding a bit like The Fall. The Rebel's own twisted country blues ravings reside in a world of self-indulgent cynicism with sounds produced from found objects utilised in a strange, 'electronic' way, complementing drifting guitar ballads of a 'dark' nature. He's a genius, don't miss him. Charlie Damage and The Frenchoids Charlie Damage is the alter-ego of David Feck from the ever great
Comet Gain, and with free rein from the constraints of his main
band anything is possible. The last time Charlie Damage took to
the stage saw Other reputable promoters will be presenting Jeff in the following places, including two unmissable shows with Bearsuit: Thursday 16th September Sat 18th September Mon 20th September Thursday 23rd September Friday 24th September Saturday 25th September Sunday 26th September By the way, we're still looking for shows for Jeff on the 17th, 19th, 21st and 22nd, so if you'd like to come have him play in your town, drop us a line. He's very clean, if a bit of an awkward shape. |
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It might not be much of a summer so far, but we're certain that's about to change when the Fortuna POP! summertime fun tour kicks off later this month, spreading good indiepop vibes across the land. For those of you who want to see The Frenchmen in London, please remember that The Betsey Trotwood is a very small venue and we're anticipating a sell-out show, so please book your tickets in advance via ticketweb. (Money Saving Tip - You can avoid paying postage on them by electing to collect the tickets at the venue). Wednesday 21st July The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon
Rd, London. EC1R Fortuna POP! presents The Frenchmen + Pipas + The Cut-Outs Thursday 22nd July The Red Room @ The Rescue Rooms, Masonic
Place, Friday 23rd July Classic Rock Bar, 144 Ecclesall Road,
Sheffield. S11 Saturday 24th July The Fenton, 161 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds,.LS2
3ED Sunday 25th July Blackfriars, 36 Bell Street, Glasgow G1
1LG The Wednesday 28th July The Bassment, 16 Wells Street, Chelmsford The Frenchmen The new saviours of the international pop underground hail from Sacramento, California. Feted for their 'Powdered Blue' 7" EP on Shelflife records last year which popped up on more than a few people's 'best of 2003' lists, they're about to follow it up with a full length for Clairerecords entitled 'Sorry We Ruined Your Party'. From their beginnings as a Talulah Gosh covers band (true!) they're poised to become the world’s foremost exponents of the art of buzzsaw C86 girl-boy pop punk. A must see for all fans of The Aislers Set, Dressy Bessy and Heavenly. http://www.lovethefrenchmen.com/ Pipas Pipas are Lupe Nuñez-Fernandez and Mark Powell, a boy-girl duo on Matinee Recordings (USA) and Annika (Spain). They live nearby in east London and roam the streets in search of bagels and coffee, free running farm animals and free time to continue creating newer and greater songs. Short, bittersweet, with dreamy mac beats and Spanish guitar. With three albums, a couple of singles, numerous compilation appearances and a spot of international touring in the past three years, they've set a reckless pace for themselves! They have a certain disregard for the rigours and cliches of being a band. i.e. paying your dues, practicing a lot, being "tight" and owning amplifiers. Mark is Anglo-American and Lupe is Spanish/80's American TV. They
met in the US in and around the Philadelphia area many years ago
but only started to write songs together when they both ended up
living in http://www.plumasbouncer.com/llc/index.php?band=pipas The Cut-Outs The Cut-Outs feature members of Airport Girl and The Fat Tulips
and The Liberty Ship Nottingham, England four piece The Liberty Ship have earned rave
reviews and comparisons to pop greats The Byrds, East Village, eather Velodrome 2000 Sheffield’s legendary popsters have reformed! And this is their first gig back! Expect first class indie pop tunes and utter chaos from the nearest thing that Sheffield has to The Ramones. http://www.velodrome2000.co.uk/ The Seven Inches Leeds’ saviours of shambolic indie pop! The seven inches will be dressing as characters from Herge's famous comic strip "Tintin" for this gig. |
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If, as was murmured a few years back, quiet is indeed the new loud, then Sodastream positively shout from the rooftops with their third and latest album, "A Minor Revival", to be released on Fortuna POP! on the 14th of June. While carefully crafted pop melodies, thoughtful lyrics and skilful arrangements all play significant parts in "A Minor Revival", the album stands as Sodastream's affirmation of unaffected musical contentment. Thirteen beautiful tracks ebb and flow with the ease and clarity of a running brook. Karl Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Pete Cohen (double bass) are Sodastream. Originally hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Sodastream relocated to Melbourne in late 1998, enjoying international acclaim and a strong live following from the outset. The release of their first EP "Enjoy" saw the band win the affections of legendary BBC Radio DJ John Peel, culminating in a Peel Session in 2000. The 1999 EP "Practical Footwear" was picked (perhaps surprisingly) by vegan space cake Moby as his Single Of The Week for the (now sadly defunct) indie rock bible Melody Maker. Since then Sodastream have enjoyed releases on a plethora of esteemed international indies, including the likes of Tugboat/Rough Trade (UK), Rough Trade/Sanctuary (US), Drive-In Records (US) and Acuarela Records (Spain). Extensive touring of Europe has ensued, including UK supports for the likes of Low at the Union Chapel and an appearance at the legendary Bowlie Weekender Festival organised by Belle and Sebastian. The band's first two albums, "Looks Like A Russian" and "The Hill For Company", blended sparse instrumentation coloured with musical interjections from guest musicians. "A Minor Revival" sees piano featuring on many tracks alongside the band's plunging double bass/acoustic guitar/vocal combo, both as a melodic (see "Horses") and percussive instrument (see "Nervous"). Significantly, "A Minor Revival" features contributions from Machine Translations' J. Walker and Marty Brown from Art of Fighting. Both bring a new set of instrumentation (J. Walker: viola, slide guitar, keyboards; Marty Brown: drums and percussion) and production values to the band's sound. The resulting album is as joyous and sad as sunshine through a cobweb on a clear winter's day. While wistful and winning with apparent ease, each track is set on solid foundations of fine song writing and perfect delivery. Tracks such as the skittish country-esque of "Undone" border on positively infectious. Other, more reflective tracks such as "Chorus Line" and "Constant Ships" bob, haunt and swell with melancholy, but never with pity or self-indulgence. "A Minor Revival" is an album independent in outlook and universal in appeal. It is being released on six independent labels in six territories around the globe. This album consolidates Sodastream as a band to be held close to your heart. Overlook this at your peril. 'Sodastream have been making their distinctive, timeless but modern folk music beautifully for years' - **** Rolling Stone, September 2003 Americana
UK review For the cost of £10 inc p+p you can order your copy of 'A Minor Revival' from: Fortuna POP! Cheques/Postal Orders made payable to 'Fortuna POP!' please. |
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Friday, 18th June at 7:30 PM
Karl Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Pete Cohen (double bass) are Sodastream. Originally hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Sodastream relocated to Melbourne in late 1998, enjoying international acclaim and a strong live following from the outset. The release of their first EP "Enjoy" saw the band win the affections of legendary BBC Radio DJ John Peel, culminating in a Peel Session in 2000. The 1999 EP "Practical Footwear" was picked (perhaps surprisingly) by vegan space cake Moby as his Single Of The Week for the (now sadly defunct) indie rock bible Melody Maker.
Since then Sodastream have enjoyed releases on a plethora of esteemed international indies, including the likes of Tugboat/Rough Trade (UK), Rough Trade/Sanctuary (US), Drive-In Records (US) and Acuarela Records (Spain). Extensive touring of Europe has ensued, including UK supports for the likes of Low at the Union Chapel and an appearance at the legendary Bowlie Weekender Festival organised by Belle and Sebastian.
The band's first two albums, "Looks Like A Russian" and "The Hill For Company", blended sparse instrumentation coloured with musical interjections from guest musicians. A new album "A Minor Revival" is released through Fortuna POP! on June 14th and brings a new set of instrumentation to the band's sound, with piano featuring on many tracks alongside the band's plunging double bass/acoustic guitar/vocal combo, and contributions from guest musicians on guitar, viola, trumpet, keyboards and drums.
As the lead singer and songwriter in the critically lauded and much-loved Hefner Darren Hayman's songs drew comparison to the idiosyncratic songwriting talents of Billy Bragg and Jarvis Cocker, not least due to a knack of penning mini-anthems for a disaffected youth. Currently ploughing a new furrow with The French, this is a rare opportunity to see Hayman solo and stripped-down, playing a mixture of old favourites and newer tunes from across the breadth of his abundant songbook.
From Nottingham, England and encompassing in their sound elements of The Tindersticks, Pulp, prog-rock, krautrock and disco, The Chemistry Experiment are a unique proposition. Following several well-received singles and a cd compilation of early material, the band are shortly to release their debut album proper "The Melancholy Death of The Chemistry Experiment". |
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We have just taken delivery of the hugely anticipated debut album from Peel faves Bearsuit . Entitled 'Cat Spectacular!', it's one long rush of truly inspired stop-start boy-girl twee-rock cutie-killer action. It won't be in the shops for a couple of months yet, but it can be ordered now from... Fortuna POP! ...for the cost of £10 inc p+p. Cheques/Postal Orders made payable to 'Fortuna POP!' please. Bearsuit topped off 2003 with album taster Itsuko Got Married scooping the number five spot in in Peel's Festive 50, beating established acts including Radiohead, The White Stripes and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And its not the first time they've done it - in 2001 they charged in at number 4 with their debut single Hey Charlie, Hey Chuck. Four singles, an EP, three Radio 1 sessions and a slot at One Live in Nottingham later, and the band finally look set to hit the big time with 'Cat Spectacular!'. From the album's gloriously cinematic opener - Welcome Bearsuit Spacehotel - through the clap-along scream-along Cookie Oh Jesus to the electro beat dancing feet of Rodent Disco, this is an album which will give all the New York band-wagon jumping The Something-Or-Others a smack in the face - yeah, real hard. If that isn't refreshing enough, take a sip of the fizz-pop taste sensation that is Cherryade or the J-pop electro of TSTM. Oh and did we mention the chop-change catchy, so very catchy, Going Steady - with its ready-brek energy? And the aggressive stabs of guitar screech and keyboard discord that make up Kiki Keep Me Company? Add to all of this Melt Banana's razor edged squeals, The Super Furry Animals' pop sensibilities, Belle and Sebastian's orchestral arrangements, Beach Boys' harmonies and the screaming of banshees and you might almost be able to imagine 'Cat Spectacular!'. With a kung fu kick, a wink and a smile. It has always been Bearsuit. "In an era when almost everything is quite like something else, Bearsuit are not quite like anything." (John Peel) "The Bearsuit 6 as they will be known when the blasphemy witch hunt begins, have that distinct ability to really appal you, but also envelope you with love all at once.... They might well be preparing an acid bath but with their bear heads on and bear hugs all round, you'll be more than happy to dip your toes." (Vanity Project) "A delightfully preposterous troupe of fluffy, cutesy-but-spiky-when-they-wannabee-mmkay lo-fidelity pin-ups... All pop-stars should be this cool and pretty" (Drowned in Sound) "Taking their cues from Huggy Bear, Melt Banana and Bis, these Norfolk bears create a chaotic wall of noise with a whirlwind of fuzzy lo-fi guitars, random electronics and bouncy beats.... it's just as contagious as any modern-day chart topping pop." (Do Something Pretty) "Bearsuit can't lose - when they're shambolic it's endearing, and when they're on form, they're a revelation. And that's the REAL reason they have such a cult following - because they're bloody great" (The Fly) |
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Sunday 29th February If you were lucky enough to catch any of The Lucksmiths European dates last autumn you may well have noticed an addition to their ranks, keeping firmly in the background but playing a mean guitar nevertheless. Indeed you may even have purchased a cdr from this mysterious character, a roughly printed production bearing the legend '19 Favourites from The Mosquitoes'. Now though, this enigmatic fourth Lucksmith is ready to step into the limelight and take centre stage in his own right. Born and raised on the mean streets of Detroit, main-Mosquito Drew Cramer now resides in San Francisco's Mission District where he happily equates himself more with the strolling mariachi street singers than with any of the rock poseurs swanning about town these days. Through this genuine mystique, The Mosquitoes line-ups seem to come and go without too much fanfare, ensuring each tour and each show is unique. With a hefty backlog of self-released tapes and CDRs and a general disinterest in the music "industry", The Mosquitoes could be mistaken for some kind of punk rock refugees. More than this, their music combines all the elements of classic pop (paying respect to British bands of the 60s, a nod here and there to the folks at the Brill Building), but in condensed form to keep one's ears wanting and heart beating. The Mosquitoes shows are often concise, but exquisitely so. More a one-man melody magnet than a band, The Mosquitoes are making their way back home to San Francisco from Australia, after 6 months away, and are kind enough to call in on us in London. Anyone with a taste for The Ramones, Television Personalities, The Who, or The Kinks, will find something special in the music of The Mosquitoes. Likewise, if you're confused as to why the Modern Lovers were never huge in their early days, don't miss these shows and kick yourself five years down the track when your little sister introduces you to something you should've been wise to! Matinée recording artistes Pipas are Lupe Nuñez-Fernandez and Mark Powell. They live nearby in east London and roam the streets in search of bagels and coffee, free running farm animals and free time to continue creating newer and greater songs. Short, bittersweet... With three albums, a couple of singles, numerous compilation appearances and a spot of international touring in the past three years, they've set a reckless pace for themselves! They have a certain disregard for the rigours and cliches of being a band. i.e. paying your dues, practicing a lot, being "tight" and owning amplifiers. The Cut-Outs play garage rock for pop kids with short, daft guitar solos and an unerring ear for a tune, often their own. With an Actionette on drums there's always at least one band member on the beat. Join us to celebrate this cosmic date... your last chance for 4 years to see a gig on the 29th February. |
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Come walk in the winter wonderland of... THE FORTUNA POP! CHRISTMAS PARTY featuring... ** SPEARMINT ** ...Christmas-loving Northern Soul tinged popsters ** THE SEVEN INCHES ** ...a glorious pop racket from Leeds bearing comparison to Hefner and Belle and Sebastian ** THE CUT-OUTS ** ...indie-pop retro delights with members of Airport Girl and The Fat Tulips... no, really! PLUS! very special guests... ** THE ACTIONETTES ** ...glittery and synchronised dancing to 60s girl group pop PLUS! mystery indie supergroop Charlie Damage and the Frenchoids featuring (allegedly) members of Comet Gain, Blood Sausage, Gallon Drunk, The Projects and, er, Ryan Adams. PLUS! your compere for the evening... SANTAMASTER PLANTPOT!! Christmas thrills aplenty, party poppers, fairy lights and snow! Dancing until 1am!! And a free mince pie for everyone!!! The Bull and Gate Friday 12th December 7:30pm prompt £5 advance (We Got Tickets) / £6 door |
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It's that time again, when Australia's finest indiepop outfit The Lucksmiths pop by our part of the world to bring a little sunshine and good vibes into our lives. We've got a fantastic tour arranged, with a cast of thousands including the Aislers Set and Airport Girl, and this time the Lucksmiths are bringing their friend and Candle Records labelmate Anthony Atkinson along to join in the fun too. October Wed 15th Chelmsford, The Bassment Thu 16th London, The Quad, LSE Fri 17th Glasgow, The Woodside Social Club Sat 18th Edinburgh, Caledonian Backpackers Thu 23rd Barcelona - Sidecar
Factory Fri 24th Madrid, Club Barbarella Mon 27th Leeds, The Royal Park Tue 28th Newcastle, The Dog and Parrot Wed 29th Manchester , The Star and Garter Thu 30th Bath, Downstairs in The Porter Fri 31st London, The Metro
Club November Sat 1st Nottingham, The Rescue
Rooms Sun 2nd Sheffield,The Grapes Mon 3rd Leicester, The Lamplighters Tue 4th Oxford, The Cellar Bar |
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Hey everyone, big news, Airport Girl have finally made another record. It's a four song cd affair called the 'Do You Dream In Colour EP' released on the wonderful Matinee Recordings label in the United States and available in the UK and other countries on import. It's a diverse and satisfying collection of songs, almost like a mini-album in the way it veers from the violin-led melancholy of the title track, through trumpet-fuelled pop, upbeat acoustic sing-a-long and sad country lament. Well worth getting hold of a copy in our humble opinion. If you want to read more about the new ep visit the matinee site at: http://www.indiepages.com/matinee/catalog/037.html Airport Girl have also contributed a track to the Matinee 50 album, a 20 track cd album of Matinee artists covering songs previously released by other artists on Matinee. (Stay with me, it's not that complicated). Airport Girl contribute a cover of The Windmills classic 80s single '360 degrees'. They were also extremely proud, if not flabbergasted, to have two bands choose an Airport Girl song, The Guild League covering 'Between Delta and Delaware' and The Windmills returning the compliment with 'Striking Out On Your Own'. There's a host of other great stuff on this album including Gregory Webster covering the Lucksmiths' 'Untidy Towns', Melodie Group covering The Would-Be-Goods' 'Emmanuelle Béart', The Lucksmiths covering the Siddeleys, and a beautiful cover of The Lucksmiths' 'Southernmost' by the Would-Be-Goods. Still confused? Go here: http://www.indiepages.com/matinee/catalog/050.html Back earlier in the year Airport Girl also recorded another cover version, this time for the Italian label Homesleep's Pavement tribute album. So if you want to hear Rob Price attempt the 'whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo-whoo's' in 'Cut Your Hair', or if you want to hear any of the other 35 great bands on here, including our friends in Spearmint, Comet Gain, Saloon and Kicker, then check out the homesleep website: http://www.homesleep.it/english/index.shtml If you want to buy any of the above records and can't find them in your local record shop (cos it's not there anymore and has been replaced by a giant Starbucks. Think on that kids), then you could try the excellent internet mail order shops: Norman Records or Pennyblack Music Failing that Fortuna POP! have a limited number of the 'Do You Dream In Colour EP' cds for a bargain price of £3 inc p+p direct from Fortuna POP!, 4 Mayfield House, Rushcroft Road, Brixton. SW2 1LD. Cheques or POs made payable to 'Fortuna POP' please. Now Airport Girl are back in the groove on the record releasing front you can expect others to arrive fast and furiously in the manner favoured by London buses. The next release, due in November, will be a 7" single on Where It's At Is Where You Are records called 'Salinger Wrote'. Look out for it. It's definitely one for fans of the noisier side of Airport Girl. Look out too for a new album early in 2004, and also a cover of the O'Jays' Lipstick Traces' recorded for the forthcoming Fortuna POP! Northern Soul covers ep. In the meantime though, Airport Girl are heading out on tour with those Australian indiepop heroes The Lucksmiths in the month of October. Look out for them in your town. |
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FORTUNA POP! PRESENTS MILKY WIMPSHAKE 'There's really no need for the Buzzcocks to reform while we have Milky Wimpshake' - In Love With These Times Ace buzzing pop songs fronted by Pete Dale of Slampt Records. THE A-LINES 'Thrilling, visceral, somewhat demented garage rock' - Purr. Featuring members of Thee Headcoatees, Mambo Taxi, Baby Birkin and The Stuck-Ups THE SPEED OF SOUND TV themes from a strangely skewed universe. Vignettes of English eccentricity offset by echoes of spaghetti western, continental loungebeat, and garage abrasion. Members of Baby Birkin, the Headcoatees, and Marine Research pump out a triple-voiced brew laced with Hammond swirl and guitar twang. THE CUT-OUTS 'From a Vaselines/Pastels/Beat Happening world... slo-mo rumble-pop monkees c86 land pop with mr and mrs/ his n hers 2 couples playing indie-pop retro delights' - Artrocker SPINMASTER PLANTPOT "Plantpot fucks shit up. this is the new punk. Karen O can go screw." - Borax fanzine. A cross between Prince, Billy Bragg and a care-in-the-community patient. FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST |
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One fifth of the show business phenomenon "The Butterflies of Love," Jeffrey Greene takes the stage alone for the first time since his childhood, when his renditions of popular songs of the time concluded every airing of the smash children's television program "Romper Room" back in the States. Practice and meditation will surely be the keys to the intricate and dramatic performance Jeffrey hopes to perform. "A can't miss, really spine-tingling performance", will certainly be the raves from the audience upon exiting his can't miss, really spine-tingling performances. Fun for all. July 23 London Arts Cafe August 1 Nottingham The Rescue Room (midnight)
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Fortuna POP! are very pleased to announce the return to UK of The Butterflies of Love for a brief tour, on which they will be supported by Fortuna POP!'s latest signing's Finlay (see other news below for reviews of finlay's new single). The Butterflies of Love hail from New Haven, Connecticut, and have made two albums (1999's 'How to Know' and 2002's 'The New Patient') of soul-searing melancholy and heart-stopping beauty. They rock too. They've had Single of the Week in the NME and glowing reviews in the NME, Careless Talk Costs Lives, Mojo, Uncut, The Times, The Guardian and many more, been compared to the likes of Galaxie 500, Pavement, the Velvets, REM and The Go-Betweens, and inspired John Peel to applaud on air. Their shows are wonderful, shimmering, intimate affairs and are not to be missed. This will be the Butterflies only UK visit this year, as they will spend the remainder of the year in the states working on their new album. Wednesday 16th July Thursday 17th July Friday 18th July Saturday 19th July The Butterflies of Love "Yearning melodies and softly-softly harmonies (think the Go-Betweens), a back-porch swing (Lambchop, maybe), tentative yet high-tensile guitar work (Velvet Underground, Pavement)...whatever sorry state you may be in at the time, you must haul your arse to one of these shows." - Timeout "Dark, intoxicating music which joins the dots between early R.E.M., the Velvets and Phil Spector." - Mojo
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Friday 18th July, The Garage, Highbury and Islington, London Fortuna POP! are very pleased to announce the return to the UK of The Butterflies of Love for an exclusive London show, where they will be supported by Fortuna POP!'s latest signing Finlay. To add to the proceedings we'll also have as very special guests Truck Records' pioneers of messy pop-brilliance Fonda 500. The Butterflies of Love hail from New Haven, Connecticut, and have made two albums (1999's 'How to Know' and 2002's 'The New Patient') of soul-searing melancholy and heart-stopping beauty. They rock too. They've had Single of the Week in the NME and glowing reviews in the NME, Careless Talk Costs Lives, Mojo, Uncut, The Times, The Guardian and many more, been compared to the likes of Galaxie 500, Pavement, the Velvets, REM and The Go-Betweens, and inspired John Peel to applaud on air. Their shows are wonderful, shimmering, intimate affairs and are not to be missed. This will be the Butterflies only UK visit this year, as they will spend the remainder of the year in the states working on their new album. Tickets can be purchased for £7 in advance from www.ticketweb.co.uk but as an added incentive to buy early Fortuna POP! have a number of tickets for sale at a bargain price of just £6. Just send a cheque to the new Fortuna POP! HQ address of 4 Mayfield House, Rushcroft Road, Brixton, London. SW2 1LD. Make your cheque payable to 'Fortuna POP!' and don't forget to include your address. "Yearning melodies and softly-softly harmonies (think the Go-Betweens), a back-porch swing (Lambchop, maybe), tentative yet high-tensile guitar work (Velvet Underground, Pavement)...whatever sorry state you may be in at the time, you must haul your arse to one of these shows." - Timeout "Dark, intoxicating music which joins the dots between early R.E.M., the Velvets and Phil Spector." - Mojo
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Things have been pretty busy in the world of Fortuna POP! recently, what with the relocation of the presidential palace and all, but we've still managed to drag three new 7"s kicking and screaming into the world. And we think you should know about them. The latest of these hit the shops this Monday, when Fortuna POP!'s latest signing Finlay released their first single for the label in the shape of 'Home', a 3 minute alt-rock pop song that owes a debt to holy triumvirate of Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement, with maybe a nod to Blur's brief dalliance with american lo-fi. From the moment Finlay's lead singer Adam Straw breathes 'uh-uh-uh-uh' and some VERY LOUD guitars kick in you know you are in the presence of greatness. As well as the 7" there are also a limited number of cd single versions of this. A couple of months back we had the pleasure to release a 4-track ep from those John Peel faves and pioneers of orchestral lo-fi brilliance Bearsuit. Mr Peel was so impressed he even played one of the tracks "The Weight" twice in a row! Each track is different in it's own way and a testimony to Bearsuit's imagination and their genius way in making innovative lo-fi pop music with great tunes. There's also a very special unlisted bonus track (making five tracks in total) that's worth the price of the ep in itself. And finally, back in the mists of time of March, we released a beautiful 5-track 7" ep from Homescience, a band from Edinburgh via Leeds. It's all here in abundance, from the title track's fragile but profoundly beautiful hymn to homemade music, to the electronic twang of 'Silver State', with influences that range from the Flaming Lips and Grandaddy to the Beach Boys and the Elephant 6 collective. We're very proud of all these records and think each one is a classic in it's own right, but you don't have to take our word for it. Read some of the reviews below. All of these 7"s (and the Finlay cd single) are available directly from Fortuna POP!, 4 Mayfield House, Rushcroft Road, London. SW2 1LD for the low low price of £2 (inc p+p), or as a special offer, you can buy all three records for £5. Cheques/POs should be made payable to 'Fortuna POP!' finlay 'home' (7" and cd single) "Starts off like Kings of Leon, stomps through Country Sad-era Blur, vaults over Pixies' mansion walls and dashes off in a trace of illicit sex and huge glam guitars. Gracious." (Teletext) "A pure punk delight: three adrenalin-fuelled minutes of full-on, attitude laden rock that will make anyone jump up and down on first listen. Easily the best song Finlay have produced, it's overenergetic, blistering musical lucozade." (Strange Fruit) "It's been a fair old while since we've sampled the tasty morsels dropped from the feasting table of the Fortuna Pop label. Finlay are FP's latest acquisitions, and judging by the evidence of this neat twin slice of hook laden friction pop they'll soon be blazing from every household radio in the land. 'Home' is the bands second single following their self released debut 'Little Dancing Solos' which sadly passed us by, a wild, anthemic and unstoppably hum able burst of effervescent three chord angular tuneage. As potent as Blur's 'Song 2' but drilled with the same kind of mental melodic majesty that graces Supergrass' brief explosive outings and possessing the more wired and edgy elements of the underrated Cardiacs, stupendous stuff. Flip over for a tasting of discordant maudlin trippyness as the band gear up for a spot of the Palace Brothers doing Godspeed, bizarrely cute even if it is wilfully skewed. Expect the debut full length 'I dreams and visions' any day soon." (Losing Today) "Very much to my taste, wild and sunny with an obvious debt to The Pixies and a guitar sound that makes me want to march into the studio and change the batteries in their fuzz pedals for them." (Dorset Echo) "In the field of alterna-pop anything goes, and in Finlay's hands everything goes. Part '13'-era Blur, part scuzz pop (think the late, lamented Vegastones), it's the sound of five kids twatting around, having a good time and stumbling over the holy grail. Buy now and thank me later." (Logo) the bearsuit 'jesus will spear you through the heart' e.p. (7" vinyl only) "Something of a cult among holier-than-thou indie kids and the pigtailed student union bourgeoise, Bearsuit actually live up to the hype, rattling through this like the moment Belle and Sebastian finally found some bollocks. Everything's cute with a sting in the tail - the placid pop of 'Tiny Barnes' flails into a yelling chorus, while 'The Weight' is a glorified flute solo with pained screams in between - but it's the orchestrated waltz of 'Disembowel the Demonkind' and cheeky angular pop of 'Return to Rotor' that bring Bearsuit's talent to the fore. This EP also contains a hidden track - the much requested Finnish version of their first single, 'Hey Charlie, Hey Chuck', a quaint melodic romp with an absolute bastard of a chorus. Bearsuit can't lose - when they're shambolic it's endearing, and when they're on form, they're revelation. And that's the REAL reason they have such a cult following - because they're bloody great" (The Fly) "first, a quirk out from east anglian audio-ruffians bearsuit, who reached our ears with "silent night" on the last fortuna pop! xmas compilation... bearsuit play scratchy indie pop decorated by random shouting and school-orchestra instrumentation, and for that alone we should be grateful - either they have been listening to lots of mid-period beatnik filmstars, or they should, 'cos they'd really like them. they are also very fond of that kind of keyboard sound where you use pitch bend to create a "someone tuning the radio in the background" sound, which we first remember on "slanted and enchanted" but which presumably like most other pavement trademarks actually dates back to the fall. from the shambly but very singalongable trumpet-enhanced pop of "tiny barnes", most of the songs have a real feel of those way-underrated guided missile artists like the wondrous donkey, only "disembowel the demonkind" really allowing a folk-tinged respite (replete with baffling lyrics...) although they also manage to include as an uncredited final track the perfect pop song "hey jaska, hey jaskaleinan" - presumably about jussi jaskelaainen, thereby earning him his second mention in these pages in a matter of months. one of the least self-regarding, most naturally enjoyable records we've had to listen to in a while." (In Love With These Times In Spite Of These Times) "Bearsuit are one of those bands that are virtually impossible to describe. Mr John Peel recently said, "In an era when almost everything is quite like something else, Bearsuit are not quite like anything" which is about as an eloquent explanation I have heard so far. Taking their cues from Huggy Bear, Melt Banana and Bis, these Norfolk bears create a chaotic wall of noise with a whirlwind of fuzzy lo-fi guitars, random electronics and bouncy beats. Bearsuit are too noisy to be accurately labelled a pop band, but they hold the sunny laid-back aspect of pop in high regard. For instance, take the fairytale-like 'Tiny Barnes' or 'Disembowel The Demonkind' which even though abrasive, has a sweet tang underneath, meaning it's just as contagious as any modern-day chart topping pop. In fact, lock the Cheeky Girls and Busted in room together and the results may well sound like Bearsuit. Or not." (Do Something Pretty) "Bearsuit are a band that define English Indie pop. They give us quirky lyrics with a pop twist. Fans of Television Personalities, Heavenly, and Ooberman will enjoy these tunes." (Oil Productions) "Nuovo EP per il gruppo più orsacchiottoso d'Inghilterra, e lasciatemi dire che è un'autentica meraviglia: le loro canzoncine punk con le ginocchia sbucciate sono quanto di più irresistibilmente futile si produca al di là della manica dai tempi dei Pooh Sticks, e non fanno eccezione queste quattro (cinque) gemme di pop lo-fi con voci urlanti e tenere. "Tiny Barnes" è un delizioso pop-punk ornato da chitarrine impertinenti e tastiere giocattolo, "Disembowel the demonkind" una versione circense dei Delgados di Hate, per fortuna senza orchestre impazzite sullo sfondo, "The weight of it" evolve da un grezzo tessuto post-punk urlato in una breve magia di fiati, "return of rotor" avanza e rotola a scatti e c'è pure (ci credete?) una candida bonus track, che si infiamma improvvisamente di riff allucinati. Come i Comet Gain in una scatola di fiammiferi. Sarò melodrammatico, ma ho l'impressione che ci sarà sempre speranza per l'indiepop finché esisteranno gruppi così." (www.indiepop.it) homescience 'small music' e.p. (7" vinyl only) "Homescience? A beautiful and well-kept secret. From 'Small Music's cute lollop and the lazy handclaps of 'September' through the Flaming Lips-esque 'Midnight in the Store' and homely pianos and brushed drums of 'Movin Up and Out', the 'Small Music EP' is the lo-fi heaven for which seven-inch vinyl was made. You need Homescience? Yes, like you need oxygen" (The Fly) "Every so often you stumble across a delightfully simple, plaintive record, full of sweetly caressing melodies and songs to die for, that brings a smile to your face and reminds you how good straightforward beautiful music can be. Homescience's Small Music EP is one of those records. A seven-inch containing five songs (that plays at 33 rpm, natch), it's quietly inspired and perfectly endearing. Starting with title track 'Small Music', the scene is set for a slo-fi, harmonised series of tunes. 'Small Music' wanders along dreamily, in a manner reminiscent of the Essex Green or Of Montreal, with a real Kindercore edge to the proceedings. 'September' is soft, almost ethereal in tone, and sounds almost as if it's being played on toy instruments, with the childlike vocal adding an even greater feeling of Wonderland gone awry. 'Midnight At The Store' sounds like the cast of Bagpuss doing Grandaddy covers. It's one of the best tracks here, a guitar heavy, xylophone-friendly track that is reminiscent of the likes of Santa Sprees in its delightfully off-kilter feel. 'Silver State' carries on the Grandaddy vibe, with squelchy keyboards oozing over a deliciously lo-fi sound. Someone said to me that Homescience were a 'small sound with a big heart', and I think that's the best description to apply here. This is a charming, unassuming little record, and without a doubt is a gem." (Strange Fruit) "Why Scotland has produced such a vast number of malcontents who can so skilfully harness the beauty and gentility of 60s psychedelic pop is frankly a mystery. But while Stephen Pastel, Eugene Kelly and Stuart Murdoch can look down on everything they have helped mistakenly inspire, we can marvel at the results. Meet the delightful Homescience. Plinky pianos, rattling guitars, squeaky yank accents and (hark!) is that a xylophone and a kazoo I can hear? So twee they should be shitting fuzzy felts, Homescience have a ruddy charm about them that forgives the fact you might have heard many of these precocious melodies before. Now if only it was summer outside..." (The List) "recorded around the same time as the wonderful songs for sick days album [see albums reviews], the four tracks on small music are sepia tinged, lo-fi, slacker americana nuggets. the title track itself - acoustic strumming, electric note picking, descending bass line - sounds like a companion to that album's excellent volcanoes. quirky sounds, sad melodies, good tunes. what more do you want? 7" vinyl only." (SoundsXP) "Also just fine is another slab of 7" vinyl, this time emanating from the tasty Fortuna Pop stable. Small Music is a five tracker from Homescience, a gaggle of Edinburgh / Leeds youth who conspire to make the tremulous blend of noise you would expect from anyone in love with the treasures of the likes of the Beach Boys, Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, toy instruments and the marvellously pure simplicity of home recording. All of which means that Homescience are a gloriously ramshackle proposition guaranteed to leave you all of a tremble, and thank goodness for that." (Tangents) "perfectly suited to the 7" ep format, edinburgh's homescience do what you'd expect with this 5 tracker on fortuna pop! shot through with homespun, homecooked, faintly classic melodic frailties - nervous, not drawing attention to itself. us being us we go fully for the lo-fi element, but don't "get" the sixties-inspired stuff - still, the title track is a perfect example of how they combine both, crafting harmonies in bas-relief to achieve their stated aim to "make small music / so it fits within the walls of the room". "movin' up and out" is a fine folk grunge amalgam of national heroes and screen prints as a drowning falsetto gamely attempts to react to haltingly-mixed acoustic guitar." (In Love With These Times In Spite Of These Times)
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