Gossip
I never wanted to write this. I don’t suppose there are many obituaries that do want to be written. So young and still so far to go! But yes, sadly Situationists have decided to go their separate ways, playing their final gig at The Harley in Sheffield last Thursday. Perhaps this should be seen as a posthumous love letter rather than an obit though, because we’ve definitely loved this band as hard as any other over the last four years, big or small, famous or otherwise. There’s slightly embarrassing LastFM stats to prove it, if proof is what you need.
But, as upset as we are, maybe this was the way it was always meant to be. There has always been an air of melancholy piercing through even their most sprightly pop songs. Listening through their back catalogue now, it’s as if they were consciously foretelling their own demise, writing their own ending from the start - “What will we do when our luck runs out?” (“Onwards and Upwards”), “These plans are flawed” (“Somersaults”), “Please don’t put your faith in this fortune that can’t last forever” (“Comprende!”), “This is torturous, but so satisfying when it’s over” (“Bag of Nerves”). So young and yet so full of heartache! Like all the best bands, they had a startling ability to balance the romance of youth with a subtle, keening sadness. Those things always go together well, because they’re true. Just don’t call it emo, OK?! And don’t forget all of those interlocking guitars, like lines on a map spiralling off into infinity, meaning just one thing: possibility. Up and down that motorway, in that practice room, up on that festival stage, to millions on Channel 4, anything was possible.
And so it's because of this that we're deeply saddened by the fact we never got a chance to release a full-blown Situationists album. Never had a chance at presenting them to the wider world on a grander scale. Their songs deserved that platform, but more importantly, as both musicians and people, they deserved it too. But we - because we did all of this together, always - can be proud of what we did achieve: two beautifully packaged EPs of indiepop gold, two free download singles, a Japanese album and too many life-affirming gigs to recall in their entirety. And fortunately, if there’s any silver lining at all, there’s one final fanfare, one triumphant swansong that undoubtedly proves they were taken in their prime.
Recorded and produced by Nick (what a talent!) in the first few months of 2009 at their own studio, Grazie Infinite completes the triptych of EPs we had planned from the start. Unfortunately, this record won't be seeing a physical release, so we've decided to "do a Radiohead" and offer a pay-what-you-like option. Put simply, if you choose to, you can download the four-track EP for free from this very site. Alternatively, if you deem it worthy, you can also contribute a small payment by clicking on the designated button.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy the new songs and it would be fitting to send the band away with a little money for all their efforts. The artwork was once again designed by Ralph, who’s forging a real talent for design - get in contact with him through the band’s MySpace if you’d like him to do some work for you (please don't give up playing drums though, Ralph!)
Tracklisting:
So, that’s that. Thanks Dan, Nick, Ralph and Sam (and Andy) for being awesome. It was only ever the best of times all of the time. Ah, bittersweet emotion! Please start making music again, thank you (hear Nick’s new project, Screaming Maldini here: )! The final words are yours, boys, because you already said it better than I ever could: “windows down, spirits up, pollen surging through my blood, streaming tears from swollen eyes, but we’re all smiles”.
Visit the selecter and enter the code thissongisfrench for Situationists' live favourite Digital Love, a cover of Daft Punk and for a special remix of Whiskey and Water by Aspirins for my Children.
Those of you familiar with the Tough Love canon - yes, twenty six does constitute a canon - will know Empty Set from their beautiful and charming performances at our live nights, most recently seen supporting Favours for Sailors at their album launch. And they also appeared on our free Christmas album. For those not yet in the know, (for shame) here's a little context.
Forming in Coventry 2007, Empty Set comprise of songwriter Tommy Odgen and violinist Dan Simons (Honeytrap). Within a year, the band honed their songwriting and developed their live performance with invitations to support Luke Haines, Devon Sproule, Chris Garneau and Josephine Foster. Quite the kudos.
Torn from their Midlands roots by work and golden streets, the duo now share their time equally between Manchester and London. The distance has failed however to dim their creative spirits, instead giving them fresh focus and impetus. As Neat As A New Pin stands as a firm testament to that.
Recorded and produced by Jacob Maddams (Popular Workshop) in various living rooms up and down the country, As Neat As A New Pin holds tightly to the affecting live sound the band has developed. Jacob himself provides minimal percussion, but for the most part the album remains the work of musical improsario Dan and the softly voiced Tommy.
Subtely combining violin with viola, loops and synthesisers over sparse, folk instrumentation, these are delicate songs crafted to dynamic soundscapes. As Neat As A New Pin is a heart-tugging affair, recalling the humanity and pithy humour of such luminaries as Magnetic Fields, Jens Lekman and Final Fantasy. It's an indiepop dream, but thankfully free of the orthodoxy that hampers the genre. That's why we're releasing it.
Cricket enthusiast Benjamin Dorning illustrated the album, which comes packaged as a digifile CD that looks good enough to eat. But it's probably more advisable to stick it in your ears rather than mouth.
The album's not out in shops for several months, but we're sending out copies now and for a very reasonable £6 too. But it's got nothing to do with the credit crunch. We're ignoring that away with beautiful music like this.
It's a well-established fact that Christmas is the most depressing time of the year. To help alleviate the loneliness, solitude and despair of this most trite of traditions, we asked several of the Tough Love bands to write a Christmas-themed song, which we've compiled into the free donwload mini-album Listen, The Snow Is Failing. It can't be coincidence that nearly all of them gravitated towards said feelings of loneliness, solitude and despair. Happy bloody holidays!
Rather more promisingly, the more astute of you will notice some unfamiliar names in the list of contributors, but this wont be the case for long as we're planning to releases records by both The Empty Set and Favours For Sailors early 2009. The Fake Passport Office is Neil ex Dead! Dead! Dead! We take it as given that you're all familiar with the greatness of both Situationists and Honeytrap.
Available for free on our Selecter download system you can hear the fruits of their labour by entering the code 'WarmHandsColdHeart'.
Tracklisting:
Further thanks to Ralph Situationists who provided the download artwork.
"Happy birthday Jesus, thanks for nothing."
Following their now sold-out debut, Situationists release the Onwards and Upwards EP on Monday 10th November as a 10" and CD set. Recorded in the band's self-built studio during late summer they once again display their effortless ability to craft the quintessential indiepop song, while also showing their love for the odd Kinsella brother time signature. The record is limited to 500 copies and contains four brand new (not Brand New) songs:
The artwork was produced through the combined magisterial powers of regular Tough Love contributors Chris Clarke (TLV 016) and Alex Ostrowski (TLV 014). As with the last EP, there's a concept too, with each band member contributing a day-in-the-life type photographic account of a 24 hour period of their life. It looks rather swish. There's more on the pair here www.c--o.co.uk.
When pre-ordering the EP through this very site you'll also get immediate access to the songs as MP3s, so you can listen to them while you wait for the record to arrive. Go to the product page to make the most of this generous offer.
There are two launch parties organised to mark the release, but they're currently being kept secret while the details are finalised. Check back soon for more information.
Although a little prematurely, we're celebarting the release of William's debut long player, Self In Fiction with a launch party this coming Friday on 20th June. The debauchery begins at 8:30 and takes place at their local haunt, The Fox in Lewisham. William, along with stable mates and friends Popular Workshop and Honeytrap, and a band we know little about The Kill Raimis will all be playing. It's going to be quite a racket.
If Facebook is to be trusted, then we're expecting a full house, so arrive early or be prepared to queue. Entry is ã4, with DJs Simon No 9 and Catholic Girls on hand to respectfully decline all your requests. I'm bringing my American Heartbeat CD just in case...
Proving that we've not abandoned the format entirely, Monday 9th June marked the release of our latest 7", from Nuneaton show-offs Mirror! Mirror! Somewhat unexpected, we were approached by the band after the label originally scheduled to release it, On Dry Land had their money seized when the manufacturers they were using were closed-down as a result of DVD piracy issues. Quite a drama. We felt like superheroes. But it was an easy decision. We were more than willing to take on the project, given song titles such as "Aladdins Rave" and, a personal favourite "My Brain Is Jassive". I've tried 'jassive' on Scrabulous. Apparently, it's not a word. I wouldn't fancy telling the lead singer that. Pure torso and a tongue like Mark E. Smith. You can hear that same rapier wit on the single; all healthy-living tips and sex education. It's a public service broadcast as imagined by a drunk weightlifting idiot savant kitted out in Crass dogma. If that doesn't make you want to listen, you're an idiot sans savant.
Thanks must also go to Holy Roar Records, who've helped the band immensely with the digital side of the release.
Along with a joint Scottish tour with Dananananykroyd in July, Mirror! Mirror! play Be There, Be Square on Saturday 28th June at Taylor John's, Coventry. It's an all ages show and Tough Love DJs will be on hand to hand out music lessons and Panda Pop. We even promise not to be patronising.
William will be familiar to all those who have followed Tough Love from the start. Having issued two 7"s through us in the last few years, they've finally got round to recording their debut album, Self In Fiction with Magoo legend and table tennis champion, Owen Turner.
Picking my favourite release on the label is like deciding between children, but if pushed, I'd be happy to claim this our finest. They recall plenty of bands that I, and pretty much anyone else with ears and a brain, love - Van Pelt, Dinosaur Jr, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Sonic Youth circa 1991, early-period REM, Life Without Buildings - but I don't think they actually sound like any one of them in particular. Perhaps that seems a little lazy in its description. Perhaps you're better making your own mind up. Either way, it's a fantastic record and the way Gavin tears at his guitar on the closing track is pure voltage written in sound. If there's a more feral, raw, energetic debut record released this year, do let me know. I'll want to buy it.
As always, we've capped the price at a reasonable £8. We're like Tescos, but less monolithic. As you can see from the tracklisting below, there's an even selection of newly recorded older songs and brand new tracks. If you let it play after "zHero", you may even be greeted with an unexpected surprise. Well, it's not that unexpected now, but...
Both the William album and the Mirror! Mirror! 7" are available to order from the product section of the site.
We're still reeling slightly from the news that HEALTH want to work with us, so it's with great excitement that we can announce the release of a limited edition 12" from the LA-based four piece. Featuring "Triceratops" and "Lost Time" from last years self-titled DiS Top Ten album of the year, it also compiles together a number of remixes from their DISCO pseudonym. They're pretty much the best remixes we've heard in the three years the label has been in operation. Thanks must go to Alex Ostrowski for helping out with the artwork.
In case you've been walking around with your eyes closed, HEALTH have been getting props pretty much everywhere, from Pitchfork to VICE to Plan B. Just look at their number of plays on MySpace. Always an indication of brilliance, possibly... So good are they in fact that their forthcoming May/June UK tour is being sponsored by the ever-on-the-ball Drowned In Sound. They're also playing Primavera for any of you heading out there in late May. We hope to see you at one of the dates:
10th May - Captian's Rest, Glasgow
11th May - End Bar, Newcastle
12th May - Freebutt, Brighton
9th June - The Joiners, Southampton
11th June - Liverpool, Korova
From the very first Tough Love live show back in the summer of '05 when they were known as Mawda and listened to the Lion King on repeat for months at a time, the prospect of a full album from those same four slightly off-kilter oddballs, now under the Honeytrap moniker, has always been rather exciting. Recorded in both an old coal vault and a bathroom, Follies In Great Cities delivers on that early promise and with great aplomb. Featuring ten tracks, including re-recorded versions of both "Mussolini's Son" and "Death Before the Silver Screen", it's a wildly ambitious tour de force. The violins and horns leave me a little breathless I have to say...
Artwork comes from the wonderfully talented Rose Blake and we can excitedly confirm that T-Shirts based on the design are in the pipeline. Thank you so much Rose for all your hard work. You all really should investigate her other work.
To celebrate the release we've organised a launch party at Taylor John's House on the 6th June, featuring not only Honeytrap but the new band from ex-Dead! Dead! Dead! members and some close friends from Norway. Keep your diary free or join the Facebook Event.
Following two hugely successful launch parties in Sheffield and London and having been played on Radio 1, Situationists' This City Holds Us All EP is on track to be our fastest selling record to date.
The debut release for the band, it's also a first for Tough Love in that the EP comes as a gatefold 10" and CD set. It's a quadruple A side, which may be another first, and probably for good reason. The tracklisting is as follows:
A. This City Holds Us All
AA. Comprede!
AAA. We Are Weightless
AAAA. Whiskey and Water
It's received some well-deserved critical praise, including an actually right on the mark DiS review. Should have got a 10 though, but "true perfection has to be imperfect", according to that idiot savant Noel Gallagher. He knows what he's talking about, he wrote Be Here Now...
Remember, there's also a concept attached to the artwork, as devised by the offensively talented Nous Vous Collective. The following instructions are printed on the inner sleeve of the record:
A. Remove the vinyl from the white inner sleeve
AA. Take the inner sleeve out with you
AAA. Use the sleeve to frame an image; something that makes you want to live where you live, or be where you are.
AAAA. Take a photograph of your sleeve framing your chosen subject.
AAAAA. Email your image and name to nousvouscollective@hotmail.com to be placed on a dedicated website.
Keeping in the spirit of the record, we've included our contribution above. We do so knowing you guys will come up with much better photo's. But, for one we live in Coventry (Worst. Architecture. Ever.) and two, we're Luddites and struggle to press buttons on digital cameras...
You can order the EP from us now for £5 + P&P, or alternatively, download from iTunes.
Thanks to all those who made it down to the launches and made them such a special occassions.
Reviews for the Death of Style:
“The Sequins dazzle with their brilliant debut.”
Subba Cultcha
"This really is a superb, spiky, joyful record."
Song, By Toad
"they have the same nervous, skittery intensity as Radiohead – it’s just cheaper, simpler, more lovable"
33third blog
"Like the Wedding Present and Hefner, this is indie for the thinking man or woman"
SoundsXP
"Well worth eight quid of anyone's money if you ask me."
Indie MP3
Puregroove Record of the Week
And here’s a video from the launch night...
Let’s not be shy about this. For all you that need a little further encouragement to part with your money, we’ve just issued a free download from The Sequins album The Death of Style. “Everyone Loves The Sequins” is available only through the Selecter by entering the pass-code "19thNOV2007". Don’t say we never give you anything.
Although the album is yet to be officially released, a number of complimentary reviews have started featuring on blogs. Below is the pick of them. Mr Toad is a true gent:
http://songbytoad.com/2007/10/05/the-sequins-the-death-of-style/
Now, if you would be so inclined, click on that “Buy Now” button on your right.
Popular Workshop are to release their debut Tough Love single on Monday 22nd October. Entitled "William, It Was Really Something", it's a rather fitting tribute to another Tough Love band. No prizes for guessing who…"Radical" is on the flipside (enigmatically, also listed as "A") and the band have made a rather great video for it, which you can view here:
The band shall also be touring the single release, dates of which can be found on their MySpace page (along with some other great songs). There will be a single launch party at the newly renamed Kasbah (formely the Colosseum), Coventry on Saturday 13th October, with We Start Fires no less.
You can pre-order the single from the product section of this site now. Early signs suggest this one won't be around for long.
Cue fanfare, it is amongst us. The Sequins first long player is in our grubby mitts and it can be in yours too. The Death of Style is available for pre-order on this site now and comes with immediate MP3 access to all the songs. The physical copies will be available from the 19th November from all good record stores, but if you order through us you'll receive them a lot earlier than that.
On Monday 15th October a free download only single, "Everyone Loves the Sequins" will be available from the Selecter. Just enter "19thNOV2007" - now where have you heard that date mentioned before?
A date for your diaries:
Friday 16th November @ Taylor John's House, Coventry
The Death of Style album launch
The Sequins
Honeytrap
Situationists
And one more TBC
Tickets available from thetinangeltickets.co.uk
Your favourite Coventry-based record label (who else is there?) turns toddler sized on Saturday 28th July and to celebrate, we're hosting an all day event at Taylor John's House on said day. There's an amazing array of bands confirmed to play and we'll also be providing a free BBQ from 3:30-4:30, as part of the admission cost. So, THE line up:
Souvaris-the best postrock band in the land and now more dancey than ever
www.myspace.com/souvaris
Honeytrap- David Bowie's new favourite band, reportedly performing the newly penned "Tough Love: The Musical"
www.myspace.com/honeytraponmyspace
Jonquil-Beirut esque folk troupe with Arcade Fire style bombast, signed to Youth Movies label, Try Harder
www.myspace.com/jonquiluk
The Sequins-the band that started it all build up to their September album release. Owners of a lovely 9/10 DiS review too!
www.myspace.com/thesequinsspace
Johnny Foreigner-a time machine back to when lo-fi meant fuzzy and angry, but removed of all that horrible nostalgia!
www.myspace.com/johnnyforeigner
Safetyword-fiddly, jazzy and comic, like Battles with Devendra Banhart telling a complicated joke in a simple way
www.myspace.com/safetywordmusic
Lone Lady-Like an inverted White Stripes, but with more sass. You've got to sass it!
www.myspace.com/hiholonelady
And and and...
The Empty Set-gentle acoustic genius about science and love and taking crack at Alton Towers.
www.myspace.com/theemptyset
Doors: 3:30pm-2am
Entry: £5, inc. free BBQ
DJs until late
www.tinangeltickets.co.uk
How does that all sound?
Released to coincide with Dead!Dead!Dead! heading out on tour with Mumm-ra, Monday 30th April sees the launch of our series of free music giveaways; the first a download only single featuring the songs ‘A List of Things To Not Forget’ and ‘Vaudeville’. In order to download the songs, a special code is required to access our Selecter system. The code will be printed on the back of Dead! Dead! Dead! postcards available at all of the following gigs:
30 Apr 2007 Academy 3 - Manchester, Northwest
1 May 2007 The Leadmill - Sheffield, Northeast
2 May 2007 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut - Glasgow, Scotland
3 May 2007 The Tunnels - Aberdeen, Scotland
4 May 2007 The Cockpit - Leeds
6 May 2007 53 Degrees - Preston, Northwest
7 May 2007 Barfly - Birmingham, Midlands
8 May 2007 Thekla - Bristol, Southwest
So inspired were we by Alex Kotki Dwa�s sleeve design for the recent Disco Drive 7�, we�ve commissioned him to produce a series of strictly limited T-Shirts. First in the series is Danza; a Disco Drive T made to accompany the band on their forthcoming UK dates. In true popart style, we�ve even attributed it a catalogue number. It�s now available for pre-order in the product section and we only have 50 prints. Available in a range of sizes for both men and women, in white only and printed on super great American Apparel Classic T�s, at �10 (plus P&P) it�s a steal.
William�s second single �Playground� is now available to pre-order from product. Following extensive airplay, a scheduled Xfm session and some great tour dates, we�re expecting this one to go the same way as the Disco Drive 7� and sell out really quickly. For tedious press reasons, the official release of the single isn�t until Monday 4th June, but there�s a launch party at FoxFest in Lewisham on Saturday 5th May. We�ll also be posting out pre-orders a few weeks earlier too.
For those willing to travel to Coventry this Wednesday, William will be playing at Taylor John�s House with Souvaris and new Anticon signees, Thee More Shallows. William will be taking to the stage early as they all have work in the morning, so if you arrive before 8:30pm and advise the door staff that you�re there to see William, you�ll get in for the princely half price sum of �3. Tough Love DJs will also be on hand to bring the noise.
We like to think of ourselves as a generous bunch here at Tough Love. It’s not as if we’re in this for the money! That would be silly. As we’ve got a few spare copies of the compilation lying around, we’ve basically decided to start giving it away. Basically, all you have to do is buy any two singles (bar the Disco Drive 7”) and you get the compilation album “What will survive of us…” completely free. In case you didn’t know, the compilation features Popular Workshop, Setanta’s newest signings The Tacticians, Souvaris and Fat Cat’s The Twilight Sad, among 19 acts. Drowned in Sound said this. On hearing of the good news, Gwen Stefani was recorded as saying: “What you waiting, what you waiting for?” Well, what ARE you waiting for?
Released 26th February through all good retailers
Available through iTunes and eMusic
Monday 26th February stands as a landmark date in our brief and messy history, as it sees the first release of a non-UK based act on Tough Love Records. And what a debut it is. Italian Lotharios Disco Drive bring the noise in the form of their splendidly decorated AA 7” single, featuring the insistent groove of “All About This” and the angular and jagged “A Factory of Minds”. Thanks must go to Alex Ostrowski for his amazing artwork. Contact him through his MySpace (link: www.myspace.com/kotkidwa) to show your appreciation. As almost always, the record is limited to 500, hand-numbered copies and can be purchased direct from our online shop. Check out the video for “All About This” here. It has funny dancing, which we’re not sure is intentional. God bless them!
Who is Disco Drive you may ask? Well, you can discover everything you need to know about their double drum, cowbell infused party spirit yourself by attending one of the dates on their fantastically trendy UK tour. Trendy? Tough Love? Whatever next…
20 Feb- Artrocker Club, London
21 Feb- The Wheatsheaf, Oxford
22 Feb- Another Music = Another Kitchen, London
23 Feb- Don't Go Home…, Taylor John’s House, Coventry
24 Feb- Korova, Liverpool
25 Feb- The Fly, London
26 Feb-Nambucca, London
27 Feb- Lamp, Hull
28 Feb- I Fly Spitfires!, Edinburgh
1 March- Club NME, Middlesbrough
2 March- Wolfgang Bopp (early), London
2 March- Open Source (late), London
3 March- Liars Club, Nottingham
4 March- Bring On The Dancing Horses, Manchester
6 March- White Heat, London
The observant few among you may notice the Coventry date on Friday 23rd February. This is the official single release party and we’d be honoured if you could attend. Support comes from the incredibly bilious Untitled Musical Project, the wonderfully dishevelled The Sequins and Coventrys freshest lunatics, Shakes and Shivers. Doors open at 8:00 and entry is £4. Arrive early so not to miss S&S…
We’re pleased to announce Italy’s own Disco Drive as the 9th release on Tough Love Records. The double A side 7” single will be released on 26th February.