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09/02/09 Stereo Glasgow, Scotland
Discography
09/03/09 Brudenell Social Club Leeds 09/04/09 moseley folk fest birmingham, Midlands 09/05/09 Thekla Bristol, Southwest 09/06/09 Bush Hall London 09/07/09 Point Ephémère Paris
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Pastels/Tenniscoats – Two Sunsets
Indie pop has had its fair share of epic collaborations (Calvin Johnson and Amelia Fletcher, anyone?), but few are more unexpected and strangely fitting than the Glasgow-based Pastels and Tokyo-based Tenniscoats. Recorded in Scotland, their joint album, Two Sunsets, is a dreamy combination of both bands’ signature sounds and an intercontinental sampling of languages and aesthetics.
According to Stephen Pastel’s reflection on the album’s conception, the bands aimed to work “instinctively and quickly,” and this notion is clearly felt throughout the album’s many subtle quirks. Instrumental tracks like “Tokyo Glasgow” and “Modesty Piece” have an organic feeling to them despite being infused with soft tinges of electronica. Saya Ueno of Tenniscoats describes the collaboration as “something like Pastels underneath, sounding beautiful like a big cloud, with Tenniscoats flying over,” and the image of a cloud is fitting, as most of the songs have a crisp, almost post-rainfall feel to it.
This clean feeling of recovery reverberates in “Song For a Friend,” which has verses in both Japanese in English. Melancholy contemplations about “shadows as memories” and “places we would be” are accompanied by a simple keyboard and the occasional horn. Stephen’s baritone contrasts deeply with Saya Ueno’s tinkling voice, but somehow the delicate verses and melodies meld them together seamlessly.
The different languages make for an interesting combination in several songs, though most tracks tend to stick to only one. Despite this, both bands’ influences are clear on each track. On the English track, “Vivid Youth,” Stephen and Katrina provide breezy vocals, but the lounge-like ambiance is distinctly Tenniscoats. Similarly, on the Japanese track, “Sodane,” the upbeat keyboards and twangy guitars give off a subtle aura of Glaswegian pop. The two bands manage to strike a perfect balance of their particular sounds, and in true contradictory indie pop fashion, the end result is both sunny and gloomy – and of course, completely irresistible.
The Pastels and Tenniscoats are not two bands that immediately come to mind in terms of compatibility, but Two Sunsets is sterling proof of their chemistry and general understanding of each other’s personal motives behind making music. Quietly beautiful and subtle in all its charms, these two bands’ joint effort is quite possibly the musical equivalent to a summer rain shower: unpredictable, much-needed, and oddly refreshing.
Note: Domino Records, Two Sunsets will be available on vinyl, cd and download on September 22nd.
Indie pop has had its fair share of epic collaborations (Calvin Johnson and Amelia Fletcher, anyone?), but few are more unexpected and strangely fitting than the Glasgow-based Pastels and Tokyo-based Tenniscoats. Recorded in Scotland, their joint album, Two Sunsets, is a dreamy combination of both bands’ signature sounds and an intercontinental sampling of languages and aesthetics.
According to Stephen Pastel’s reflection on the album’s conception, the bands aimed to work “instinctively and quickly,” and this notion is clearly felt throughout the album’s many subtle quirks. Instrumental tracks like “Tokyo Glasgow” and “Modesty Piece” have an organic feeling to them despite being infused with soft tinges of electronica. Saya Ueno of Tenniscoats describes the collaboration as “something like Pastels underneath, sounding beautiful like a big cloud, with Tenniscoats flying over,” and the image of a cloud is fitting, as most of the songs have a crisp, almost post-rainfall feel to it.
This clean feeling of recovery reverberates in “Song For a Friend,” which has verses in both Japanese in English. Melancholy contemplations about “shadows as memories” and “places we would be” are accompanied by a simple keyboard and the occasional horn. Stephen’s baritone contrasts deeply with Saya Ueno’s tinkling voice, but somehow the delicate verses and melodies meld them together seamlessly.
The different languages make for an interesting combination in several songs, though most tracks tend to stick to only one. Despite this, both bands’ influences are clear on each track. On the English track, “Vivid Youth,” Stephen and Katrina provide breezy vocals, but the lounge-like ambiance is distinctly Tenniscoats. Similarly, on the Japanese track, “Sodane,” the upbeat keyboards and twangy guitars give off a subtle aura of Glaswegian pop. The two bands manage to strike a perfect balance of their particular sounds, and in true contradictory indie pop fashion, the end result is both sunny and gloomy – and of course, completely irresistible.
The Pastels and Tenniscoats are not two bands that immediately come to mind in terms of compatibility, but Two Sunsets is sterling proof of their chemistry and general understanding of each other’s personal motives behind making music. Quietly beautiful and subtle in all its charms, these two bands’ joint effort is quite possibly the musical equivalent to a summer rain shower: unpredictable, much-needed, and oddly refreshing.
Note: Domino Records, Two Sunsets will be available on vinyl, cd and download on September 22nd.
08/15/2009 23:27:16 ♥ kateg (
) ♥ tenniscoats.com/myspace.com ♥ myspace.com/thepastels
