Tracks Of The Week, 31.05.14

I’m not quite sure how a group of teachers have time to be in a band, but Be Like Pablo seem to manage it just fine. And the proof lies in new double A-side release, ‘The Post It Song/Julianne’. With a kind of Weezer meets Belle And Sebastian vibe, the songs are filled with twinkly electro melodies, charming harmonies and jubilant, geek-rock riffs.

Whilst ‘Julianne’ is a teenage love song that could quite easily take you back to the unrequited loves and lusts of high school, ‘The Post It Song’ is apparently about feeling awkward – another sentiment that takes me back to my school days… Be Like Pablo are therefore either very empathetic teachers, singing about the feelings they see reflected in their students, or are simply harking back to their own teenage years. Either way, the result is a wonderfully upbeat, synth-filled slice of irresistible, sugar-coated geek rock.


The perfect soundtrack to the summer, Be Like Pablo’s debut album ‘The New Adventures’ is out now, with ‘The Post It Song/Julianne’ released as a single on 15th June via Stray Cat Records. And, if you fancy attending one of their cheery lessons (gigs) live, they are about to embark on a UK tour:

21/06 – Belfast (Club Sub, Queen’s ) with The Wonder Villains

14/07 – Forres (The Mosset Tavern) Home town tour launch

15/07 – Aviemore (MacKenzies)

18/07 – Glasgow (Broadcast) with The Wonder Villains and Farewell Singapore

19/07 – Edinburgh (Electric Circus) with The Wonder Villains and Golden Arm

21/07 – London (The Dublin Castle, Camden)

22/07 – London (The Windmill, Brixton)

24/07 – Oxford with Dallas Don’t

 

Having first been introduced to Charlotte Carpenter this week, thanks to the lovely Lauren Laverne, I was instantly a fan. Latest single, ‘Siren Song’, was featured as an MPfree and immediately caught my attention as a compelling slice of folk that I need to hear more of.

Leicester based singer-songwriter, Carpenter, exudes charming melodies and smooth vocals that will lull you into a wonderful sense of calm and leave you ready to float away on the next passing cloud. Reminiscent of the folk sounds of Laura Marling or First Aid Kit, Charlotte Carpenter stands out in the current crowd of female singer-songwriters with her pristine melodies and talent for captivating story telling.

Carpenter’s latest EP, ‘Whole’, came out in April and reached Number 10 in the iTunes chart – definitely one worth taking the time to listen to! And, if you like what you hear, Charlotte will be touring the UK next month:

3rd June – Castle Hotel, Manchester

15th June – The Yardbird, Birmingham

20th-22nd June – Lainfest, Atherstone

 

And if it’s a refreshing slice of Ska-Punk that you’re after, then you’re in luck: The Talks  may be just what you need. The Hull four piece return new single, ‘Radio’, and have recently been making waves across Europe with their enthused and buoyant live sets supporting the likes of legends such as The Specials, Rancid and Madness.

Not to be confused with The Selecter’s ‘On My Radio’, the latest single from The Talks has all you could ask for from a song of its kind. Oozing that classic Ska sound, ‘Radio’ is filled with bouncing beats, blasts of brass refrains and catchy choruses. A truly uplifting track, taking me back to my teenage days of skanking across club floors to the likes of The Toasters and [spunge], that will undoubtedly brighten your day as we endure the long wait for the summer…


With a number of festival dates for The Talks coming up – including Rebellion, Galtres and Mighty Sounds – I can only hope I get see them live soon and witness their vigorous, blistering energy  in the flesh.

‘Radio’ will be out 30th June via All Our Own Records.

 

Argentina isn’t perhaps the first place that would come to mind when thinking of rock ‘n’ roll… But The Otherness are here to prove you wrong. With new single, ‘Now On And So On’, these Argentine lads exude mod-ish ‘60s vibes with hints of the likes of The Jam and The Beatles, with all the uptempo beats and catchy melodies you could hope for.


Having already toured Europe and with an EP – ‘Come On’ – out now, the future is looking bright for Gonzalo, Pablo, Martin and Agustin.

 

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.