Stewart Anderson fundraiser retrospective compilation

Most of you will know Stewart Anderson from Boyracer, but he's been in a million other bands as well. For example, a while back I interviewed him as a member of the lovely Cheap Red.

I'll quote Stewart:

"As many of you know our daughter Tallulah, now nearly 5, is non-verbal autistic and also has the immune disorder Eosinophilic Esophagitis, (unable to eat, tube fed). We are trying to raise money to buy an autism service dog to help with her safety and transitions. I have compiled a fundraiser "Best Of Stewart" compilation CD, with 32 bands I have been involved with over the past 23 years."

Read more about this fundraiser and the compilation here, and make your donations here.

Order 'Candy Twist #1' now!

In the last month I've been working on a printed fanzine, Candy Twist, and today it's all done and ready to be sent out.

Issue #1 is 76 pages and includes interviews with:
Cassolette
Knickers
Trixie's Big Red Motorbike
Catnaps
Joyride!
CUFFS
Dear Marje
Kids On A Crime Spree
Colour Me Wednesday

and articles written by various lovely people, and me.

Order your copy here (use the PayPal button).

Thank you!

Sarah Goes Shopping

What do you get when you mix two of the most obscure bands of the 1980s?

Mark of Trixie's Big Red Motorbike joined forces with Twa Toots, and they called themselves Sarah Goes Shopping. I posted about both TBRM and Twa Toots in 2008, and in the comments of those posts the various band members replied and there was also a mention of Sarah Goes Shopping. Both TBRM and Twa Toots made very exciting music, so I was curious. Until recently though, I couldn't find any real proof that this band had actually left behind any music. But here it is!

Sarah Goes Shopping recorded only one 7" EP: Money Speaks Louder Than Words
A1: Money speaks louder than words
A2: Yet another song about 'love and peace'
B1: Living a life of misery
B2: Once I've seen him (Trixie's Big Red Motorbike cover)

Don't expect great sound quality in the songs below; this is as good as I got it.

Since 2008 some more information and music about both bands involved has popped up on the internet. Search for it, it's worth it! TBRM have a new retrospective album out, 'All Day Long in Bliss' which you can buy here.

Download (mediafire)
1. Once I've seen him
2. Yet another song about 'love and peace'

Hello?

It's been some time, eh?

I like this blog. I like music. I like you. So I don't want to give up on this thingy right here just yet. We'll see what 2012 brings.

What it brings today is a new song by The Shins. Which one can hardly call indiepop anymore, but then again who ever claimed that this was an indiepop blog? Other exciting news in sound today comes from Frankie Rose, over at Slumberland where you can listen to the new single. And there's more excitement over at Slumberland, because Neverever also release a new EP, which you can order here.

Update: The Middle Ones & Best Friends Forever in A'dam

The location and time for this are now known: Wednesday August 3, 8 PM at Studio K in Amsterdam East (Timorplein 62).

Tickets are € 6,-.

See for more details the Studio K website.

July 11: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart in Amsterdam (again)

Next week The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart will play at Trouw in Amsterdam. We're being spoiled! Is indiepop finally having a breakthrough of sorts in the Netherlands? Allo Darlin', Best Friends Forever, The Middle Ones and The POBPAH all in one year! We'll see but hope for more.

Not that The POBPAH would still be considered indiepop by many. Still, it's lovely music, isn't it?

More info (in Dutch) here.

Best Friends Forever & The Middle Ones to play in Amsterdam

Good news (well, it's a month old) from The Middle Ones' tumblr website: The Middle Ones and Best Friends Forever are planning to tour Europe and there'll be a stop in Amsterdam on August 3. Keep an eye on The Middle Ones' facebook or Best Friend Forever's twitter for upcoming details. The Middle Ones are (originally) from Norwich (UK), Best Friends Forever are from Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA).

The Middle Ones call themselves lo-fi ramshackle indie pop/post folk/punk. Best Friends Forever call themselves dance-pop-punk / INDY-PUNK / 1960's pop punk / pop music... and who am I to argue? Let's go see on August 3.

The Middle Ones bandcamp
Best Friends Forever myspace

Almost home

Quiet here, isn't it?

Not at all like busy New York City, where I've been hiding the past few weeks. Again, unlucky timing from my side has me going home to the Netherlands just a few days before the NYC Popfest kicks off. Ah well. I hope it's going to be fantastic for those who can be there.

Hopefully I'll get around to more exciting updates soon... I'll see you from the other side of the Atlantic in a few days.