MJ Hibbett covers Allo Darlin' for Indietracks!

We hope you're enjoying the Easter break! We spent part of the weekend travelling through the countryside (via Derbyshire, but sadly not past the Midland Railway) in the sunshine listening to the fantastic new Allo Darlin' album on repeat. It really is beyond brilliant, and we really can't wait to see them at the festival in July! 

And, of course, we're equally looking forward to MJ Hibbett and the Validators returning to the festival. We think 2010 might be Mark's fifth appearance at the festival, which is impressive as this is only the fourth time we've held it! Anyone who's chatted to Mark recently (or read his blog, or stood anywhere within earshot of him at any given point over the last fortnight) will probably have heard him raving about the Allo Darlin' album too.

We jumped at the chance when Mark offered to record something special for the blog, and we're delighted to share with you his version of Allo Darlin''s (is it correct to add a possessive apostrophe to a name that already ends in an apostrophe?) new single Dreaming. Thanks very much Mark - we love this cover and we're really impressed with the seeing-double illusion in the video!




xxx

Indietracks interview #1: Cineplexx

Today we’re bringing your the first of our interviews with acts playing at this year’s festival. If you’d like to ask a question to any of the bands on the bill, please drop us a line and we’ll be happy to ask on your behalf!

Cineplexx is the unique musical creation of Sebastian Litmanovich – an Argentine graphic artist and musician, who currently calls Barcelona home. "The Velvet Underground was the first band that really blew my mind… and I've been a fan of ABBA ever since I was four," he admits.

Cineplexx was created in 1997 and the debut album ‘Posologia’ came two years later on New York indie label, Caipirinha. Ten years on, Cherry Red released a fantastic collection of old, new and rare songs, hand-picked from the six albums Cineplexx has recorded so far. 'Nuevahola' (New Hello) includes collaborations with Duglas Stewart (BMX Bandits) and Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), and lots of other friends.

Hi Sebastian, tell us a little bit about Cineplexx

Cineplexx is a one person band that is me. Back in Buenos Aires (Argentina) were I was born, I had started using this name and recording music since 1996. At that time it was Cineplex (with one 'x' only) but when Caipirinha Music (NYC) released my second album Posologia (1998) they asked me to change the name for legal reasons in the USA, so adding one 'x' was the solution. After three albums and lots of concerts I moved to Barcelona (were I live) in 2002 and continue recording and releasing albums.

Originally I wanted to create music for films, landscapes with psychedelic and oniric layers, so I was labelled immediately as an electronic musician. That was good at the time because that was supposed to be trendy! But there were always songs and pop melodies.

I had recorded seven albums, a few singles, lots of collaborations and remixes for other artists, and been part of many compilations. I also made a fake documentary about a paranormal story, which I wrote and directed under the name Cacahuetes Inc. and performed the music for it live at Sonar Festival back in 2005.

As a solo musician, I love and need to collaborate with other musicians to go far from my own musical world and be influenced by others, I was very lucky to work with some of my favourite artists like Duglas T Stewart, Lupe Nuñez (of Pipas and Amor de Dias), Ally Kerr, Norman Blake, Jad Fair, Federico Aubele, The Wellgreen, Cathy Claret and playing at Indietracks 2010 Felt Tips and Onward Chariots.

My latest album is Nuevahola (Cherry Red, 2009) and is a compilation of rare, unreleased and b-side songs from my albums with two new songs.

What music are you enjoying at the moment?

Mostly psychedelic pop beat from the 60s and Brazilian music, also lots of indie pop from 80s and 90s and 00s. Some of my favourite bands I am listening to right now are: Atlas Sound, Beach House, Beat Happening, Deerhunter, Grab Grab The Haddock, Little Wings, Panda Bear, Pipas, Rose Melberg, Stereo Total, The Clientele, The Pastels, The Rain Parade, Tom Tom Club, Yo La Tengo, J.K. & CO, The 5th Dimension, The Sunshine Company, The Aerovons, The Beatles, The Kinks, Mark Eric, The Moon, Nick Garrie, Thomas & Richard Frost, Serge Gainsbourg, The Feelies, Os Brasas, Os Mutantes, Nara Leao, Eduardo Mateo and many more.

Wow, lots of bands then! Do you have any exciting plans for the rest of the year?

Yes lots! In May Cherry Red Records is releasing a single of Tiger Trap (a lovely song co-wrote and sung by Duglas T Stewart) with two extra unreleased songs in it, and also all my albums will be released digitally on June 28th. Besides these releases, I am finishing a new album with lots of collaborations with other musicians and friends.

Do you have any particular skills, hobbies or claims to fame you wish to share?

I love to cook vegetarian dishes, bread and watch lots of films.

Do you have any surprises planned for the Indietracks festival?

Yes! I will have Miguel of Felt Tips playing guitar in my set, and I will sing one song with Onward Chariots since we composed this one together for a compilation out on Eardrums. My set will be a solo acoustic set with versions of songs from all my albums.

Thanks Sebastian - see you at the festival!
xxx

Indietracks podcast with Au Revoir Simone

Okaaaay, so you've hopefully seen that we've announced lots of the bands and the early bird tickets for this year's festival. That means it's also now time to bring the Indietracks blog out of its winter hibernation! Between now and the festival in July we'll be posting up news, interviews, the occasional quiz and other random gossip and silliness that vaguely relates to the festival.

Today, we're pleased to bring you the first of a series of free podcasts, which include interviews and music from last year's festival. They've been put together by Josh Morris from Xpress Radio at Cardiff University. If you were at the festival last year you may well have been interviewed by Josh or wondered who the guy with the microphone talking to bands in the signal box was!

The first podcast has an interview with last year's Friday headliners Au Revoir Simone, as well as Downdime, Loyal Trooper and some happy campers. Also, spookily (as this was recorded last year), the podcast also features an interview and music from Be Like Pablo, who are appearing at the festival this year. You can download it free from: http://www.mediafire.com/?zvqgo3vmcja

We'd love it if you'd like to send us any features to put on the blog. Perhaps you've come along to (or played in a band at) a previous Indietracks and would like to send us your memories or share a video? Or you may want to write a festival survival guide, an interview with one of the bands, a quiz or competition, or a picture bingo game (we're not really sure what this is, but think it means things to spot at Indietracks, with points allocated on a scale depending on likelihood of seeing them). Also, any funny pictures of llamas or other animals from the farm on the festival site are always appreciated!

If you'd like to send us anything, please email indietrackspress@gmail.com

xxx

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart to headline Indietracks 2010

We're thrilled to say that the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart will headline this year’s Indietracks Festival. The festival will take place on 23-25 July 2010 at the Midland Railway in Butterley, Derbyshire, and tickets are onsale from today.

We're so excited that The Pains of Being Pure At Heart have agreed to come and play at Indietracks this year. The New York band are the most talked about indiepop bands in years, playing brilliantly-executed pop gems that blend the rush of youthful enthusiasm with buckets of guitar noise. We can't wait to see them at the festival!

They'll be joined by John Peel favourites Ballboy, UK chart-toppers White Town, and this year’s two new indiepop sensations Standard Fare and Allo Darlin’. Over 40 bands have already been confirmed for the festival, and more will be added shortly. The full list is available at http://www.indietracks.co.uk/

Weekend tickets are now available at an early bird discount price of £55, and day tickets are available for £30. This price is available until Friday 7 May. After this date, weekend tickets will be £60 and day tickets £32.50. Tickets are available from www.indietracks.co.uk/tickets.html

Hope to see you in July!

Exciting announcement coming soon!

We’ll be making a very exciting ticket and headliner announcement about this year’s Indietracks next week on Tuesday March 23, so make sure you keep checking the official website for more information!

Alternatively, you can sign up to our mailing list to receive all the latest information by clicking the “sign me up” button on our website! Or follow us on Twitter. You can also check out which bands have already been announced here too, including Ballboy, Allo Darlin’ and Standard Fare.

First few bands announced!

Hello everyone! We've just about recovered from the wonderful weekend that was London Popfest, and seeing all those brilliant bands has made us even more excited about this year's Indietracks! We can now announce the first few bands to be added to the line-up.

They are: Allo Darlin', Ballboy, Boy Genius, Cineplexx, Foxes!, The Just Joans, The Loves, MJ Hibbett & the Validators, Sarandon, Shrag, The Smittens, Standard Fare, The Sunny Street and White Town. Woo! You can read more about the bands on the Indietracks artist page.

Of course, we've still got tons more bands to announce, so do look out for announcements on here, as well as on our website, Facebook page, MySpace and Twitter. And don't forget, you can also join our mailing list.

Tickets will be on sale shortly, and we hope to be able to announce more details very soon!

Become an Indietracks volunteer!

Photo by Andrew Bulhak

As the festival grows in size we have decided to expand our team, and this year we are looking for volunteers for two positions - stewards and stage assistants.

Stewards
All stewards will work shifts and, where required, will be directing festival goers to the site, assisting with ticketing and wristbanding and stewarding the site. Some festival experience is an asset but not necessary.

Stage Assistants
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with some experience of stage management, either at festival or gig level. This would be an ideal position for an events management student looking for some work experience, or someone with experience who wants to assist in the running of the festival. Each volunteer will work in pairs, managing each stage. This will involve meeting the bands from arrival to the site, helping them find their way around, making sure the bands are ready on time, and collecting their PRS forms.

For both positions:
You must be able to arrive on site by midday Friday 23rd July for induction and site preparation and be available to work throughout the days on 24th and 25th July.

Ideally we are looking for people who would be prepared to work from 12pm to 10pm each day (with breaks), although we may split shifts. We would also appreciate volunteers who are able take a flexible approach to the role. You will be expected to work for one full day and have one day off (although you’re welcome to work both!)

In return you get:
*The chance to get involved with a unique festival with a growing reputation
*Experience of working at a festival for your CV
*Free entry into the festival
*Free camping if required
*Food and drink vouchers (only for use in the railway buffet)

Please note you will have to make your own way to and from the festival site.

Volunteers application form:

Please download an application form here and, once you've completed it, send it to indietracksvolunteers@gmail.com If you would like to apply to work with a friend, mention this in the comments and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
If you have any questions, also e-mail us at this address and we’ll do our best to answer them.

Fancy running an activity at Indietracks?

(Photo: Fabric Nation)

Hello everyone, can you believe it's 2010 already? We've only just packed up our Christmas trees and finished off all our remaining mince pies, and it's already time to start planning this year's Indietracks! We know you all need something to look forward to during these cold and freezing winter nights, so we thought we'd ask you to help us to organise some Indietracks-related fun now! This year's festival will take place on 23-25 July 2010, and we’ll hopefully have some exciting news about tickets very shortly!

One of the most brilliant things about last year's festival was the workshops, which included a range of brilliant activities from Tatty Devine's glam jewellery-making workshop, to Sean Fortuna Pop's masterclass in How to Run a Record Label. We're really keen to run these again, so please do get in touch if you're interested in getting involved.

We’ll find you a suitable area – maybe even a section of steam train – and, of course, you will have a free ticket to the festival.

If you would like to submit an application please read the small print below and send an email to indietracksalice@gmail.com containing the following information:

* Who you are - and website if applicable

* Have you run a workshop before?

* What your workshop will be about

* Will you charge for your workshop?

* Have you been to Indietracks before? Any interesting stories to divulge?
_____________________________________________________
Small print

*You must provide all materials to run the workshop with, Indietracks have nothing!

*You can charge for people to do the workshop but it must be cheap (less than £5) and the money should only be used to cover materials and not be your beer money!

*You will receive two festival passes per workshop.

*You will be able to sell your stuff on a stall at the festival over the weekend. We charge a standard merchant fee for a stall - details on costs and the application process are available on request.

*In 2009 the workshops attracted a large number of children, and we are keen to keep the workshops child friendly. We are open to suggestions for workshops specifically aimed at children too.

*The application submission deadline is 1st March 2010, and we will let the lucky applicants know within the month.

______________________________________________________

NB!! Last year Tatty Devine designed a special range of Indietracks-themed jewellery, which is now heavily discounted in their New Year sale. To take a look, visit their website.

Indietracks nominated in the European Festival Awards!

Thanks again to everyone who voted for us in the recent UK Festival Awards, and a big congratulations to La Casa Azul again for winning the Critics' Choice award for his magnificent headline set!

If that wasn't exciting enouugh, we have now been nominated for Best Small Festival in the European Festival Awards. To vote for us, visit the awards website, scroll down and click on the "Best Small Festival" category, entering your details. Voting closes on December 16.

Everyone who takes part in voting is eligible for the draw to win two VIP tickets to every winning festival from the awards!

After voting closes, the final shortlists will be announced and people can vote again to decide the overall winners in each category. The final winners will then be announced at a ceremony in Groningen, in the Netherlands in January - exciting!

Thanks again for all your support!

La Casa Azul win UK Festival Award!

(La Casa Azul on the outdoor stage at Indietracks 2009. Photo: _light )

Last night La Casa Azul won the Virtual Festivals Critics Choice award at the UK Festival Awards for their performance at this year's Indietracks festival!!

The Critics Choice nominees were initially selected by Virtual Festivals and then voted on by the public, so thank you very, very much to everyone that voted for La Casa Azul. Other nominees in La Casa Azul's category included The Specials, Pet Shop Boys, ZZ Top and The Prodigy, so many congratulations to Guille Milkyway and Elefant Records!

Next year's Indietracks festival will take place on the weekend of 23 to 25 July, and we really hope you will all be able to come along.

In the meantime, to bring back some 2009 memories, here's a clip from La Casa Azul's award-winning (!) Indietracks performance: