Monday 28 April 2008

Happy Birthday Indietracks!

Today we're celebrating the one-year anniversary of the first-ever Indietracks event!

On April 28 2007, indiepop kids from far-flung locations were transported back in time to the innocence of the 1950s, where trains chuff along on steam, girls dance about in flouncy swing skirts and boys grease their hair back with Brylcream. There were bands playing on the platform, discos in the train carriages, a fleet of merry mini-buses and much dithering between judiciously sipping hot chocolate and merrily glugging cider.

To mark the occasion, here's Emma from Pocketbooks looking back at where the Indietracks magic all began...

We'd known about Indietracks for months, but somehow it hadn't seemed real. A gig on the platform of a heritage railway, and an indie disco provided by Tasty Fanzine, Spiral Scratch and Offbeat DJs in the carriages of a moving 1950s steam train, in the middle of Derbyshire? Surely we dreamt that up! I certainly wasn't going to believe it until I saw it, however much I wanted it to be true.

Even our bus driver didn't believe that this gang of indie types wanted to go to the Midland Railway Centre, and tried in vain to steer us in a completely different direction as we drove through Ripley. Due to an earlier altercation between him and a Nottingham double-decker driver, plus half of the Pocketbooks clan still sitting in a restaurant at the time the bus was supposed to be leaving, we were already running late, but as we approached the Railway Centre and spotted a few familiar faces milling about, including Stuart - Mr Indietracks himself - standing in the doorway looking worried, at least we knew we were in the right place.

As we were led through the ticket office to the platform and the steam train came into view, it gradually dawned on us that it was definitely not a dream. I'm pretty sure many a Pocketbooks stomach flipped over with excitement at that moment. It was as if we'd stepped back fifty years or so. In my mind, everything went sepia.

The stage itself was in what would have been a passenger waiting area in front of an indoor buffet area that wouldn't have looked wrong with a pretty girl in a swing skirt drinking milkshake through a straw. The train comprised of two fully stocked bars and a disco carriage, where the DJs had set up. The rest of the train was seating around tables, with the music piped through each carriage.
It must have been a little surreal for Tottie at first, playing in such an unusual setting as the sun set over the platform. Add to this the model railway opening at precisely the same time as their set, and the general feeling that people wanted to GET ON THAT THERE TRAIN, and they must've had the hardest job out of all three acts, but they definitely pulled it off with a nice set of acoustic pop, even throwing in some confectionary for the crowd.

As a hundred or so indie kids scurried towards the train at departure time, I could feel the excitement like static electricity. As the train started pulling out of the station and 'Hey Lloyd…' came over the PA at the most impossibly perfect moment, a mass of heads, arms and assorted limbs were poked straight out the windows to wave to friends in other carriages, take pictures. Everywhere you looked, people were grinning from ear to ear. It was only about 8pm, and already people were dancing to the Tasty fanzine DJs in the disco carriage, drinks in hand and surrounded by disco lights.

We found out later that some of the assembled indie kids had blagged their way into the train cabin to sound the whistle – "choo choo"! I'm so jealous! Stuart had even made an 'Indietracks' sign to go on the front of the train, that's how much attention and care he'd put into everything.

The first train journey seemed way too brief. By that point it seemed like everyone there knew each other and had been friends for ages. When we got back, Slow Down Tallahassee were waiting on the platform, ready to play. Oh, the harmonies! Just the sort of perfect pop you'd want to warm people up on a slightly chilly platform now the sun had set. Some of the kids were drinking hot chocolate by this point! How often do you see lots of people dancing on a railway platform drinking hot chocolate?

After they'd finished, everyone piled back on the train, which whisked them away in a cloud of steam, smiling, waving and dancing into the sunset. It was spookily quiet as we set up our equipment. One minute the platform was full of over-excited indie kids, and the next we were all alone, save for my favourite sound guy we've ever had. There was a brief moment of panic when Ben, having dragged a heavy keyboard stand on public transport all the way from London, announced that he'd left it in the hotel. Thank goodness there was another band with keyboards on the bill! (Sorry, we would have asked to borrow it, but you were away merrily dancing on a steam train at that point!)

I can't remember much of our show. It's all a bit of a blur and seemed to be over in seconds. I remember it was easily the most friendly, dancing, hysterical and happy audience we'd ever played to. Everyone was clearly loved up from the uniqueness of the venue, slightly tipsy and possibly dancing around to keep warm, and we enjoyed every second. All we could see was rows of smiling faces at the front, and then people dancing at the sides of the crowd. Actual proper dancing like you'd see in a club! And there was a smoke machine! We even got away with an encore, even though it was freezing at that point. We'd have happily played all night, although by that point we'd actually played every song we know!

It's even more blurry after that point. I remember me and Natalie discovering some tinsel and started decorating people as they danced to the Spiral Scratch DJs. (And I remember the lovely railway volunteer who politely but firmly told us to put them back!) I remember people dancing and screaming along to the records on the platform outside the disco carriage. I remember hearing "Hey Lloyd..." for at least the third time round about midnight. I remember meeting loads of people I'd not seen for a while, or just knew vaguely from posting on websites. I remember seeing the organiser Stuart in a state of tired and blissful happiness, partly not quite believing that this was really happening, but also cool as anything, as if he arranges amazing events like this every day.

Thanks Emma!

Friday 25 April 2008

Indietracks interview #7: The Mai 68s

Barely a year since forming in Leicester, and already The Mai 68s have wowed crowds across the country with their pop-filled noise, stand-up-drums and sugar-coated chaos. And all this without owning a working stereo between them! We're joined by their guitarist Jon to find out about ninja hair straightening, 13th century churches and how to get a free lift to the festival...

Hiya Jon, please tell us a little bit about The Mai 68s?

We’ve only been around for about a year as a band, but so far it’s been a bit of a whirlwind one, meeting loads of really nice people/bands and working with people who have inspired us to be in a band. We are a four piece band, formed out of a shared love of the Jesus and Mary Chain, MBV, Shop Assistants, Boo Radleys, Postcard Records and similar.
The band is comprised of Julie – Vocals, Jeremy – Stand Up Drums and Ninja Hair straightening skills, Zac – Bass, and me (Jon) - Guitars. Our first single will be out shortly on Cloudberry Records called ‘Froth on the Daydream’; produced by Joe Foster of creation fame, soon to be followed by a 7” single and our album.

Two singles and an album - sounds like you're keeping yourselves pretty busy?

Yes, the next stage in our plan of world domination is to finish recording the album in Glasgow with ‘Slaughter’ Joe Foster and release it to world wide acclaim and Beatlemania style devotion….. Well that’s the plan at least…. I guess the idea is to tour, including Berlin; Norway and a gig in a 13th Century Church; so we can meet new people, so they can hear us and make up their own minds and to continue writing new material for the album.

What's going to be on your compilation tapes as you travel down to Indietracks?

Compilation tape??? That would mean we had a working stereo between us…. Usually we rely on whatever is lying around, so it varies quite considerably…. In fact thinking about it the last time we travelled to Sheffield we were listening to the Wu Tang Clan as it was the only CD my mate had that wasn’t hard house….In and ideal world it would be a combination of all our tastes, so indiepop, 60s psych/garage/pop, classic era indie (the Fanclub, MBV, early Ride) or new wave/punk like the Ramones, Suzy and Los Quattro, the Clash or the Stooges. Realistically as my mate Matt is gonna drive us down it will be wall to wall Wedding Present as he is a massive fan and has only agreed to drive us so he gets in free……

Do you have any surprises planned for the festival?

Seeing as how we are one of the newest bands on the bill and will have only released one/two singles by the time of the festival then I guess the whole set will be a surprise to the majority of people there, particularly if they have not seen us live and have only heard the mp3s. It would be nice to try and do something with some of the other bands on the bill, such as the Bobby McGees (who I have known for years) or perhaps bring along some friends to add to the sound. That said we are already incredibly noisy on stage anyway and incredibly un-organised so we’ll probably cause enough chaos on our own…

Sounds great! Thanks very much Jon.

Before the festival, you can also catch The Mai 68s playing numerous Leicester dates, including a show with Indietracks star and Youtube legend MJ Hibbett on 22 May. And in the meantime, the band have also left us with a free MP3 to download.

Free MP3 Download: The Mai 68s - I am Javanese

Next up: Indie-pop-punk with a kiss on the cheek and a kick in the shin - it's Town Bike

Tuesday 22 April 2008

Indietracks interview #6: Tortoise Shout!

Next in the indiepop veteran line-up is Tortoise Shout!, who are named after a DH Lawrence poem. They began life in the eighties. playing melancholic, moody and melodic sounds mixed with an upbeat girl-pop style. They built up a devoted following, but university education led to a split which lasted until 2006, when their unfulfilled desire to show off and downright refusal to grow up led to a reformation.

Determined to reclaim their past glories, original members singer/songwriter Dawn, Wendy and Chris dug out their guitars and trombone and found a new drummer, Rob. Citing their influences as, ‘The Smiths, Strongbow and Butlins,’ they have recently put together a new EP and are looking forward to a clutch of live appearnces over the summer.
Hello Tortoise Shout, tell us a little litle bit about yourselves.

We are an intriguing female fronted indie 3 piece with a sound all of our own. Our songs are a blend of melodic and haunting tunes and witty and bitter lyrics that will strike a chord with indie popsters of all ages. We girls spend a considerable amount of what should be rehearsal time coordinating dresses and shoes. Rob the drummer refuses to engage in this activity, so apologies in advance if his t shirt clashes with our frocks.

Have you played any unusual places in the past?

We have played at a swimming pool. Not in it - that would have resulted in legendary, very rock'n'roll deaths by electrocution and, what's more, would have wreaked havoc with our complex hairdos. Instead we performed on a platform above the pool. The acoustics were other-worldly and we felt like mermaids, enchanting our captive audience who splashed around joyfully in the turquoise water below. We later found out that the vocals had been played through the pool pa system into the changing rooms. No instruments, just vocals. Lots of lost property and slipping over that day with people hurrying off in a fluster without drying themselves properly.

Do any of your band member have interesting hobbies or claims to fame?

Dawn is a yogi guru who can put both legs behind her neck and still manage to dance on her bum cheeks to 'What Difference.... ?' without so much as a wobble. Wendy has touched Bobby Gillespie's bum on more than one occasion. It is quite bony.

I see! Erm...who are you most looking forward to seeing at Indietracks?

Well, obviously the Wedding Present. We saw them for the first time at the ICA in 1986 (one of the NME's C86 gigs) with Primal Scream - we were blown away. Those were the days when we could wear flowery dresses and DM's and look cute. If we tried it now we would be sectioned and ridiculed. Girls with asymetric haircuts wearing our mum's worst cocktail dresses would faint with the shame of it... Dave Gedge wore a Hawaiian shirt and growled at the audience, it was sublime. We even followed them through their Ukrainian period which just shows how love knows no bounds. To share a bill with them is an honour.

Free MP3 download: Tortoise Shout! - Shanti

Next up: The Mai 68s tell us about their plans for world domination and touring 13th century churches!

Wednesday 16 April 2008

Sam from A Layer of Chips talks to us about indiepop...

Sam Metcalf, writer of Nottingham-based fanzine A Layer Of Chips and lifelong indiepopper, gives us his thoughts on indiepop and the recent explosion of new bands:

One of the greatest things about the new indiepop explosion is hearing a new record or song for the first time. I write this is as the amazing debut release from Northern Portrait plays in the background. It's been a few years since I felt as excited about music as I am right now.

Living in the provinces of England, it's never been easy to find indiepop gigs or records, despite the best efforts of a small band or artisans in Stoke, Sheffield, Leeds and Nottingham. But, after simmering for a couple of years, I think our new 'scene' (and I use that word because I'm lazy) all kicked off when a then unknown person (to me, I mean) sent me a copy of the Horowitz album.

Suddenly a whole new world of music opened up, both locally, and from all over the globe. In the Midlands,The Deirdres appeared out of nowhere to steal our hearts, Lardpony became the band they always promised to be, and bands like Mascot Fight and Mexican Kids at Home all charmed us at one time or another. Jyoti Mishra must be a very proud man sat there in Derby. Down in London, Spiral Scratch and Lost Music emerged around the same time, and started putting on great shows with alarming regularity and apparent ease. The Autumn Store people in Birmingham have managed to poke their heads above the city's stagnant pool of creative indolence, and Stoke is now, wonderfully, home to a regular series of pop gigs.

What's so special – to me at least – about the new indiepop revolution is that it's ours. It's not populated by fashionistas, or sponsored by the NME. Or a mobile phone company. Turn up to an indiepop gig and you'll just find warm, enthusiastic, friendly people for whom a day job is something that must be endured in order to go out and stand with 20 other people to see a support act on a Tuesday night. Oh, and the bands are pretty ace, too.

I don't think any of who go to the gigs, buy the music, put the gigs on, and write the fanzines and blogs think this is going to last forever – but that doesn't matter. Indiepop right now has brought together a group of like-minded people who just might be friends for life. You might see some of them at this year's Indietracks.

So, from A Smile and a Ribbon in Sweden, to Pocketbooks in London, over to The Besties in the US, pop music right now has rarely been better. Enjoy it whilst it burns brightest.

Thanks Sam! Copies of the special Indietracks issue of A Layer Of Chips will be available at the festival, but in the meantime, you can obtain the latest issue by emailing: alayerofchips@gmail.com

Next up: Tortoise Shout let us in on the secrets of stylish dressing, playing at swimming pools and touching Bobby Gillespie's bum - magic!

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Indietracks interview #5: Strawberry Story

Now, Indietracks may well be chocca full of young pop whippersnappers eager to show off their latest pop melodies, but don't forget that there's also going to be a whole bunch of indiepop veterans to show them how it's done. Forged in the late eighties in the North East of England, Strawberry Story play a delicious, heady mix of fuzzed out guitars, dense bass lines and joyously girly singing. They were loved by John Peel and - for the Pop Fact collectors among you - they were even pronounced 'Single of the Week' by NME for "The Man with the Stereo Hands." Reformed for a charity gig in July 2007, they have been wowing indiepop crowds across the country for the last year and have even put together a limited edition CD of new material for gig attendees only. Over at Indietracks Towers we just can't wait to see what magic they've got lined up for the festival...

Hello there Strawberry Story, you don't really need much introduction, but tell us a little bit about yourselves anyway...

Well, there are four and a half band members - Hayley, the fairy princess, Rex, the hairdresser on fire, James, a saggy old cloth cat, a bit loose at the seams but Emily loves him, Paul the baldest one and that arrogant twat the drum machine.

Nice to meet you! So, how do you feel about music at the moment and the new crop of indiepop bands?

Everyone is far too good at writing songs and performing, and it's all a bit more difficult since the early days of the 90s. I suppose that's a good thing though, really!

Tell us about an unusual place where you've played a gig in the past.

The band played a pub in north Yorkshire where the locals were expecting something like a Status Quo covers band. We did our best, but left early after repeating "Rocking All Over the World" three times. We're quite selective now in the locations we play!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Indietracks?

The Weddos! We've seen them before, back in the 90s, and we hope they are going to be as fast as they were then. Paul is looking forward to Ballboy. We're just so pleased that we don't have to pay to get in!

Free MP3 download: Strawberry Story – Rainbow

Next up: Sam from A Layer of Chips fanzine gives us his thoughts on indiepop!

Friday 11 April 2008

Indietracks interview #4: The Middle Ones

Next up in our whistlestop chatathon with the faces of Indietracks 2008, are Anna and Grace, frequently known as The Middle Ones. This girl duo have been spending their days in Norwich gathering up enthusiastic friends, strange instruments, dance trios and themed costumes, all in the name of super-harmonised folky-pop. If you're very quick, you may even be in time to join the vote on their Myspace to help decide their future costume choices!

Anna writes the songs, sings and plays guitar, while Grace harmonises, re-arranges and plays melodica, glock’n’roll and musical eggs. The band are playing a string of dates in April and May, from Leeds to London and Manchester to York. They'll also appear at the Holmfirth Folk Festival, before heading to the Midland Railway for everyone's highlight of the summer. (Indietracks).

Hi Anna and Grace, tell us a little bit about yourselves...

We never know how to answer this but we have been described by various audience members as:

1. 'musical genius and profuse cuteness all in the one go. like pavarotti holding a puppy.'
2. 'hopeless romantics. but with hope.'
3. 'serious music that doesn't take itself seriously'
4. 'lo-fi ramshackle pop'
5. 'a latter-day Sonny and Cher'

Have you played any weird or unusual gigs in the past?

We once played on a train from Norwich to Huddersfield. We were mostly playing for our own enjoyment but the ticket inspectors had a few sneaky peeks. We later found out this was technically illegal. We felt quite empowered.

What's going to be on your compilation tapes as you travel down to Indietracks?

Jeffrey Lewis, Mat Riviere, Cheese on Bread, The Andrew Sisters, Belle and Sebastian, The Felt Tips, Pat Benatar, The Lisps, Diane Cluck...

Do you have any surprises planned for the Indietracks festival?

We normally just play as a duo but for indie tracks we're making a 'big band' with lots of our friends. Hopefully it will involve a kazoo orchestra, ukulele strum-off and comedy props. It's going to be lovely! Also we're planning to dress as a train. That won't be that much of a suprise now...

Actually, it still might.Thanks Anna and Grace! And they've kindly left us with a free MP3 to download.

Free MP3 download: The Middle Ones - Fall In

Next up: Strawberry Story talk about hairdressers on fire and avoiding gigs with Status Quo covers!

Tuesday 8 April 2008

Exciting Kabeedies news and competition!

Hey indiepop poppers, would you believe it - rising Indietracks stars The Kabeedies have only gone and become bloomin' hot contenders for this year's Road to V competition - wow!

Now, ordinarily, we'd be cocking a snook at the festival with scary watchtowers, but we do love The Kabeedies and we wish them all the best of luck, not that they need it of course. They're fiery, fun and fantabulous and you should all vote for them now. We know for a FACT that you love to vote for all things Indietracks-related, so get clicking!

And, as if this wasn't enough activity, the band will also be playing Marc Riley's Brain Surgery radio show on 6Music on Wednesday 9 April from 7pm until 9.30pm - so go check them out!

Win a Kabeedies EP!

Fancy an even bigger slice of the Kabeedies musical pie? We have now got five copies of their wonderful Woman EP to give away to anyone who can answer the following question: "What is the name of the indie record label which The Kabeedies are on?"

Answers should be sent to indietrackspress@gmail.com by midnight on 25 April and all winners will be notified by e-mail. Good luck!

Friday 4 April 2008

Indietracks interview #3: Slow Down Tallahassee

Having wowed the crowds with sassy summer pop songs and drum machine beats at the first Indietracks event in April 2007, Slow Down Tallahassee will be making a welcome return for the festival this July.

They met behind the bar of a seedy nightclub, serving endless drinks as Motown hits and disco classics stopped their hearts from giving in. Taking their inspiration from the paintings of Henry Darger, the writings of Dorothy Parker and Pablo Neruda, girl groups, playground gangs, paperback romances, tear-jerking pop and the burning ambition to write an album full of the greatest, most thoughtful pop hits that this country has ever seen, they formed a band and the fun began.You'll probably already know them from their single ‘So Much For Love’, which appeared on vinyl on Thee SPC, as well on the legendary Cloudberry Records. We're delighted to have Nicola from the band joining us for a quick interview:
Hi Nicola, it seems like an exciting time for pop at the moment. How do you feel about music at the moment and the new crop of indiepop bands?

It’s great that small indie labels like Cloudberry and Thee SPC are still giving bands the chance to stay totally independent, and holding their own as a genuine alternative to the big labels. We admire any band, label or promoter that has the balls to go it alone, indie, pop or otherwise. We are glad to be an underground band, the mainstream music scene being as boring as ever. We want to be remembered as the greatest underground pop band ever.

What's going to be on your compilation tapes as you travel down to Indietracks?

Broadcast, Pulp, The Legend!, Brenda Lee, Joy Zipper and The Immaculate Collection.

What attracted you to play the Indietracks festival?

The smell of steam makes us weak at the knees. Most festivals are corporate, vast and totally uninviting, but Indietracks is like a legendary party for people who have no intention of crawling through sponsored mud.

And finally, do any band members have any particular skills, hobbies or claims to fame you wish to share?

Claire has got a keyhole-shaped pupil in her eye, through which she has X ray vision. Nicola has one blue eye and one green. Rich is quite possibly a distant descendant of Alice Nutter, one of the Pendle Witches. Together we’re a formidable force.

Ah, for a minute there I thought Rich was a descendant of the singer and percussionist from Chumbawumba. Scary stuff, either way. Thanks very much Nicola! We'll leave you with a free MP3 from the band.


Next up: Breaking the law! Kazoo orchestras! That'll be The Middle Ones then...!

Results of Anorak vote announced!

Hello everyone,Just a note to let you know that the results of the Anorak forum vote for the final two additions to the Indietracks line-up have now been announced. And the winners are.......(dramatic drum roll)......

A Classic Education are an enigmatic Italian trio who describe themselves as producing music which is "a dense orchestral liberation of their souls", whilst loveable Liverpudlians Town Bike say their one rule for life is to "have fun and to make stuff which makes people sing and dance" - sounds great!

Stuart Mackay, Indietracks organiser, has announced that both bands have now been confirmed for the festival, and also has this message for everyone who voted.

"For slot one, A Classic Education were the clear leader with Le Man Avec Les Lunettes a close second. For the second slot, about two thirds of the bands got mentioned, which is pretty good. There were three clear favourites - Town Bike, followed by The Seven Inches and My Sad Captains.

"Thanks for eveyone's comments, it has been really helpful and it also means that I have got names to work with now to finalise the full line-up."

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Indietracks interview #2: Brontosaurus Chorus

How can we follow up our crazy interview with the simply fantastic Bobby McGees? With a chat to the bloomin' marvellous Brontosaurus Chorus - that's how! The 'Brontos (what we're calling them round these parts) are a charmingly shambolic lot, an eight piece indiepop combo made up of boys and girls from London who describe themselves as "sonically close as you can get to an actual choir of made-up dinosaurs", woo! Their first single, The Myth of Love, was released in October last year on highly covetable pink 7'' vinyl and band member Dom Green is also lead troublemaker and general gee-upper with the loveable PopArt gang.

Fresh from the retro success that was PopArt's Bargelife Britpop event aboard Battersea barge, Dom speaks to the Indietracks blog about t'Brontos' plans for the next few months.....

Hiya Dom, nice of you to join us! You're clearly a young, music-loving type - how do you feel about music at the moment and the new crop of indiepop bands?

Well, it's a mixed bag really. On the one hand, the NME and the like are mostly championing terrible haircut indie - completely style over substance. I wont go on, as I'm sure everyone reading this already agrees, but I'll refer you to the Pete Green (no relation, sadly) song Best British Band Supported By Shockwaves. The success of genuine, inventive bands such as Black Kids and Los Campeninos, however, bodes well for the future. There are some wonderful clubs/promoters such as How Does It Feel To Be Loved?, Lostmusic and PopArt (lovely boys, them, and good-looking too! ) in London, not to mention Loose, Purr and The Winchester Club etc, and they are all championing some very wonderful and honest pop bands. Apart from the acts playing Indietracks (more of which later), I'm going to use this space to big up the Bicycle Thieves (who boast the best song writer in Britian today in JS Rafaeli, but for God's sake don't tell him I said that), And What Will Be Left Of Them? (a live act so good it is impossible not to smile when they play), Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring (proper slick, Spector-esque pop orchestra), Pocus Whiteface (imagine Sonic Youth covering The Fall) , Subliminal Girls, The Indelicates... I could go on. Music is alive and healthy and bubbling under the surface. But then you all knew that already.

You're about to play in the grounds of a steam railway - tell us about another unusual place you've played a gig in the past!

Last summer, we played a private gig in a remote Home Counties woodland organised by our friends in the Laurel Collective. They built the stage and the PA themselves. I wore a dress. At the end of their set, myself and the 'comedian' Dave Rees instigated a stage invasion and before long the whole crowd was on the stage jamming. Then there was a bonfire. It was a lovely evening.

Exciting! But what do your plans for the rest of the year look like?

We're playing the Pennfest Weekend in early April with the Validators, then we're off to Berlin with And What Will Be Left Of Them?, both of which promise to be a very messy 48 hours. Then we'll be hibernating until July, doing some recording whilst a couple of us get married. We'll be surfacing for the odd gig though before returning with a vengance for Indietracks! After that, well... all offers considered.

You do seem to like your new bands. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at the Indietracks festival, and why?

I am VERY excited about MJ Hibbett's My Exciting Life In Rock show on the Friday night. I've been following the column since day one (unsurprising really, given that it's part of the PopArt Digest blog which I edit!). If the show is half as funny and/or accurate as Mark's writing then, it has the potential to be the British Spinal Tap! Aside from that, Dirty Fingernails, Pocketbooks, The Deirdres, Comet Gain... (brief moment of realisation) bloody hell, it's a great line-up! I'm going to try and catch as many acts as I can... and I might even wear a dress.

Now that we'll definitely be looking forward to....thanks Dom!

T' Brontos (d'you reckon it will catch on?) have also very kindly shared with us an exclusive track called Kirsten, taken from their first single. Enjoy!

Free MP3 download: Brontosaurus Chorus - Kirsten

Next up: Slow Down Tallahassee chat about weirdly formed eyeballs, musical inspirations and their penchant for the smell of steam!