2009 starts with a great release on the label: The Understudies / Very Truly Yours split 3″ CD! This is the first reference on the 800 series, a 120 copies limited-run split singles where 2 different bands, from 2 different countries, will contribute with 2 songs. The artwork is a lovely photo by my friend Emma of Swedish ducks in her little town of Rättvik. Lucky her, she lives next to the lake.

I’m listening right now to The Understudies early recordings, some very lo-fi ones done at Brian’s living room. Flicknives and Chip Pan Glam early 2008 versions, on a burned cd in a lovely hand made sleeve that I received from Brian many moons ago. They are so charming. But it wasn’t till I listened to the re-recorded versions that I knew the band had that ’something’, that edge, that makes them different from the average band. It even made me think to release a #101 on Cloudberry. Most importantly, it made me believe (again) that I had to continue supporting the music I loved.

Flicknives by The Understudies opens the CD. It’s magical. It brings memories to the Butcher Boy’s brilliant and timeless debut. It traces their links to Glasgow. But it also goes all the way towards London and back to Edinburgh. Their englishness, their  class, impregnated on such a bright song. Brian sings and everything deliciously crackles. He has his own special timbre, like Lawrence of Felt but not quite. It’s disquieting, it’s haunting. A top tune, with some lush guitars that hammer into you. What a way to start! Then Bree takes the vocal duties bringing Chip Pan Glam to me. Is there some glam influence here? Maybe! perhaps on some on the guitars? Could be. What a lovely track. It’s their sweetest, the one that reminds you of the preciousness of The School or Camera Obscura but without that twee-girl naiveté. The Understudies should be one band to keep an eye (and two ears) this year.

Then like a storm comes the Chicago band Very Truly Yours. I’m not that fond of American bands as they overdose me with that twee-cutesy-gumdrop-ukulele that I can’t take anymore! But Very Truly Yours are special. They do continue the tradition of bands as The Softies or Go Sailor, and that’s fine with me. That’s actually good! Why bands don’t do that instead of that folk-pop nonsense? Follow Very Truly Yours love for POP! is my advice. Why? because they add a layered instrumentation, some 60s ambiance, and they grow up bigger than the aforementioned bands. 1, 2, 3, 4 …. and there they go, winning the race, taking you faster than Mr. Bolt into P!O!P! land. Kristine swoons. Lisle jangles. Dan is pounding the bass. Andy keeping up with the drums. Because they cite Heavenly and The Aislers Set as an influence. That’s the bands you secretly want them to wear on their sleeves.

My friend Jennifer, in her last visit to Miami, made me listen them with attention one afternoon. It makes sense, she is a proud Chicagoan and runs a pop club there. Why wouldn’t she be proud of having such a great local band. I wish there was something like Very Truly Yours in Miami, but there isn’t. I did know Lisle from his fragile sounding Fireflies that recorded a pretty album for Lavender/Music is My Girlfriend and a 7″ for Colm’s Papillons Noirs label. I already knew that he was talented. So take my tip and check his new band with Teresa (ex-The Haircuts) called Two If By Sea. And if you are wondering, Very Truly Yours is no exception for his fine guitar playing.  So I told Jennifer, “I’ll get in touch, we’ll make this split happen”. A couple of days later we were working on it. Two weeks later the CDs were done. Music like The Understudies or Very Truly Yours can’t wait to be listened, they have that sense of urgency that good indiepop bands have. For this CD, the Very Truly Yours songs are new recordings of their the songs that sound much better than the myspace counterparts.

And that’s how such a powerful and strong track as Popsong ‘91 closes the CD. Honestly, I can’t wait to play this song at a dance party, at high volume, it’s catchiness, and the jangly guitars over distorted guitars under the sweet dreamy vocals would be a total floorfiller! Maybe sometime during the summer in Sweden?

This is my press sheet. Take down those corporate templates.

The 3″ CD is out now, you can order directly from the label page.

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Listen
The Understudies – Flicknives
Very Truly Yours – Popsong ‘91