This time around the clip from the podcast was guessed almost immediately. It was an easy song indeed, The Fat Tulips’ “So Unbelievable”. So next time around I’ll make it a bit harder, though I don’t know if people will guess it as they couldn’t with My Favorite’s “Le Monster” from the January podcast.

Speaking of that song by The Fat Tulips I’ve always wondered how it ended up being played in the Nickelodeon show “The Adventures of Pete & Pete”. How did they end up in the ears of those responsible for choosing the songs? It’s true that they played other indiepop bands in the show like Racecar or some of the Stephen Merritt projects, but a UK band is a bit rare don’t you think? Though it’s true that Sheggi moved to America and all. Maybe someone knows? And perhaps if someone knows if there are any other series that have used indiepop songs in it? It’s an interesting topic I think.

You know, indiepop people are usually working in creative fields, so it would be normal for the music to appear more in commercials and TV. But it really doesn’t. Are we shy about what we listen? Or the world is not yet ready for our melodies? What do you think? Or perhaps I’m just idealizing popkids and it’s just a very few that actually work in creative fields?

I personally don’t know many people working in TV or the film industry. I do know many working in creative agencies though. I’m a bit clueless in this, maybe the people who chose the songs have very specific job position? Perhaps they studied something very specific as well? Something like “music chooser”? Or like “licensing expert”? How does that work? Who are these people that in the shadows are picking some songs, and why are they not picking more songs from the vast pool of indiepop?

And I ask it because this would also help the economy of indiepop, these licenses would definitely contribute bands and labels in a shrinking indie and diy industry. Perhaps it would have saved many labels that have been calling it a day during the past two years. Kids in the industry perhaps should try to get our songs out there? Would be a great way to keep our industry healthy.

This is just an idea of course, as I said I don’t know how the whole process works. It may be more difficult than just pitching the songs at a meeting. But I do think that considering that our licenses will definitely be cheaper than many of the famous artists and perhaps from other genres, it’s not a farfetched idea. Don’t you think?

I’m just throwing this idea, perhaps it’s something we should all look together, for different opportunities out there? What about someone representing a bunch of labels and artists from indiepop and pitching our songs and getting us new chances to get our songs out there? A model like that could work? Have this been explored before?

So many questions. What do you think about this? Could we make a splash in the media in a total different way?

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A kite is an aircraft consisting of one or more wings tethered to an anchor system.. Kites were invented in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line; and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework.

Today I got a message from Howard who runs the Facebook and Twitter page Indiepop Saved My Life. He asked me if I have ever heard or blogged about a band called The Kites. He attached a Youtube link for a song called “Larry’s Back“. I  have never heard this. Who are The Kites?

I have no clue at all. They are very jangly. Very classy. Elegant. Chiming. A lot early 90s indiepop. The first clue I find is on the description on “Larry’s Back”. This was the first song on the flexi included with the August ’94 issue of Waste Management Today. Waste Management Today?

Was it a fanzine? I googled it. No luck. A magazine? I would say the first option sounds more reasonable. Strange name though for a fanzine, but I guess I’ve seen stranger.

The band was around the early 90s. Sound-wise it makes a lot of sense. I look for information on this flexi and I can’t find any. I do know though that there was another song included and it’s “Rachel Head“. I can’t find any Rachel Head that they could have dedicated the song to. It’s a common name. But no famous person that I can think has that name. Perhaps it was a tribute to a friend of theirs? This song is also a cracker, brilliantly delivered.

The same user that uploaded these songs, a Mick Chuzzard, has uploaded a third song, “Faster“. This song is said to have been the single from a record released in 1994 on Happy Accident Records. I’m guessing there was a B side at least. But I can’t find anything about this record or the label. Would it be a safe bet to guess that Mick was part of the band? Could be, The Kites seem very obscure. At least he must be someone close to the band.

That’s all I could find. Definitely this is a mystery I’d love to be solved. Where can I find this single and the flexi? Are there more songs recorded? Actually, where are they from? the UK? the US? So many questions but three very solid guitar pop songs that everyone will enjoy a lot!

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Listen
The Kites – Larry’s Back