The first half of the 80s. This is perhaps not yet indiepop. Possibly indiepop is going to be born with the C86 tape. For other fans indiepop already exists, there’s Orange Juice, The Pastels, the Television Personalities. It depends how you understand indiepop.
For me, there are indiepop bands already in 1983-1984. But there are others that are quite indiepop but not completely. It is hard to explain. In previous posts I’ve called them proto-indiepop, like they seem to have the sound that will become indiepop but there are other influences at play at the same time.
For me Tralala is one of these bands. They are pop and have great songs.
They released three singles, three 7″s. I have the last one, “Always Close at Hand”, the only one that came with a sleeve. But there were two earlier ones, a bit more rare, worth tracking down.
Nowadays I buy very few records, so not sure when I’ll catch up with you all, great record collectors. But if anyone has extra copies do let me know.
The band’s first 7″ came out in 1983 and didn’t have a label behind it. It did have a catalog number though, YUN 02, which is a bit strange. No label but yes to catalog number?
The record was a double A sided single, with “Impeccable” on the A side and “What’s the Matter” on the AA side.
This record has a few little details. We know that the producer and engineer was Keith Nichol, who worked from Impulse Studios in Newcastle, England. We also learn that the songs were written by Kevin Ridley and Paul Laing. Ridley was from the Newcastle area, and was in bands like Forgodsake, Screen Idols, Skyclad and Theigns & Thralls. Eventually he would move to Madrid where he lives now.
Kevin Ridley has a website, but strange enough there is no mention of Tralala. I tried to track down Paul Laing, but no luck.
The band’s second single came out in 1984. This time there was a label name, Floating World, and a catalog number, FLOAT 01. Not sure who were behind this label. Perhaps it was the Impulse Studios’ people?
The single had two songs, “Room to Be Cruel” on the A side and “Overjoyed” in the B side.
That same year the band releases their last single, “Always Close at Hand” (FLOAT 02)”. The title song is on the A side and on the B side we find the track “Don’t Take to Love”.
Sadly there is no information online about the band. I am of course hoping this will change. Hopefully some of you remember them and can share some details about Tralala!
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