“Funerals” by Airiel // Kid Games (2012)
Airiel first formed all the way back in 1997 and yet their output hasn’t been as much as you’d expect from a band that’s been around for 15 years. Several EPs, a handful of one-off compilation appearances and one full length are pretty much all that’s found it’s way to release. Luckily for fans of the band and for diehard shoegaze fans, they’re back with a stellar new EP that is loaded to the brim with gorgeous swooning guitars and reverbed atmospherics. Lead off track, “Funerals” sounds like “Disintegration“-era The Cure jamming with Ride. It’s a gorgeous, widescreen shoegazer that makes me want to dig out all of the old greats and get lost all over again. Highest recommendation for fans of Ride, Cocteau Twins, and Pale Saints.
(stream) The entire “Kid Games EP” by Airiel (via Soundcloud)
In 1997, Jeremy Wrenn formed a two-man shoegaze project called Airiel. Fast forward to 2012 and the band is four members strong, has toured nationally and internationally, released two singles, five EP’s (including a box set), one full length album and tracks for multiple compilations.
Recorded and produced by the band itself, Airiel has just finished Kid Games, a brand new four track EP for Shelflife. Bringing in many of the elements that formed Airiel’s foundation, Andrew Marrah and Chase Johnson’s drum machines and synths make a larger presence. This produced a new sound that keeps the elements that make Airiel great; catchy melodies, lush guitars, danceable rhythms and lasting dreaminess. “Kid Games” also marks the return of guest vocalist Stella Tran, who’s first appearance was on “Firefly” from the Melted EP of the Winks & Kisses box set.
Kid Games is released May 1st on limited edition 12” vinyl and digital formats.
ORDER: http://shelflife.com/catalogue/LIFE083.html
Jennifer from Colour Me Pop https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colour-Me-Pop/105506049482133 shot this great video of us finishing our set at London Popfest with Outside Myself. 25th Feb 2012 at 100 Club, Oxford Street.
Download The Proctors new two track digital single “I Need To Tell You” for free!
Burning Hearts - Modern Times
Burning Hearts’ second full-length “Extinctions” is a treat. Delving into description disguised as heavy-handed metaphor would be a disservice to such a carefully crafted, thoughtful album, so I’ll simple start with a hearty “wow.” (It’s worth noting the decision to forgo poetics was made after several spins marked by hand flailing and randomly squealed superlatives)
Local band “The Holiday Crowd” had their cd release at Oz Studios.
Burning Hearts out of Turku (or Åbo in swedish), originally from Vaasa (or Vasa in swedish) and Pietarsaari (or Jakobstad in Swedish) in Ostrobothnia (Again! That place seems like some kind of indie heaven!), seems to have hit the jackpot with their second full length album Extinctions.
The reviews are in and so far they’ve been great. The singles so far, Into The Wilderness and Burn Burn Burn (featured above) have confirmed this. I really look forward to listening to the whole deal when I get my hands on it.
And then some facts on the band.
Burning Hearts is a duo with members Jessika Rapo (she’s the one from Vaasa) and Henry Ojala (yes, from Pietarsaari). Both have credible indie band history, Jessika is the former vocalist of Le Futur Pompiste and Henry has played drums in Cats on Fire and bass in Magenta Skycode.
Burning Hearts debut album Aboa Sleeping was released in 2009.
The nine songs on the new album were all written and recorded in the ostrobothnian countryside. Many of the stories on the album are tragic and quite a few songs are dedicated to people or creatures that no longer exist. This might sound a bit depressing but fact is that most songs sound pretty hopeful.
Same goes for Burn Burn Burn, try it!
