Future plans are in retreat

My body clock is playing funny tricks on me today.

I think it's gotten all confused because of the clocks springing forward.

So if it's not bad enough that I carelessly 'lost' an hour somewhere during the night (probably down the side of the bed), I awoke far too early this morning at half 7. Or should that be half 8. I'm not sure. That'll teach me to change some of the clocks in the flat and not others. Anyway, I find myself wide awake, sat at my computer, wandering aimlessly around the far corners of the interweb. And in a moment of skewed, sleep deprived clarity, I decided that as spring has sprung, I should maybe take this opportunity to spring clean my email inbox. Of course, that grand plan soon turned to immense boredom as my index finger threatened to develop some kind of repetitive strain injury through the continual and prolonged clicking of the mouse on the delete button. Who knew I received so much crap in my inbox. I think my brain and eyes have hatched some evil plan to filter it from my sight without actually filtering it from my inbox. Anyway, in amongst the various requests for financial aid from Malayan princesses, offers to enlarge my member and all the other usual spam that makes it's way into my inbox, I came across a few bands that for reasons too varied to go into, I either overlooked, ignored, forgot about or paid no attention to.

First up we have Vanilla Swingers, a duo who make a kind downbeat electro music. For the life of me I can't think why I never posted about them because frankly they sound great. As it's Sunday, I'll be lazy and say they remind me of a mix of Dubstar, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Black Box Recorder. There is however something distinctly 80's about their sound. Not in a boring retro way, but more in the way the songs seem soaked in orchestral synths that remind me of that decade. The icily detached vocals are a curious mix of seduction, mystery, disappointment, and cynicism. Great stuff. You can hear more here.

Next up is Robert Church And The Holy Community, a band from Sweden who are so indie it hurts. Twee, bookish types who sound like they'd blow over if the wind blew in their direction. It's the kind of music that just brings a smile to your face. If you like thick rimmed spectacles, cardigans, reading books in the park and songs that make you want to skip, you'll love them. Hear more here.

And finally, the aptly titled Springfactory. Now, it may just be coincidence or there may be something more sinister at play here, but Springfactory also hail from Sweden. I don't know if they put something in the water over there but they too make jaunty indie music that just makes you want to get up and dance. This track features the kind of manic bass line The Pixies used to employ so well. Driven along by an acoustic guitar that's dashing for the finish line, it's got the kind of indie girl vocal that you just know is gonna break a bunch of hearts. Hear more here.

Vanilla Swingers - danger in the night

Robert Church And The Holy Community - Sunday love

Springfactory - get out of bed

mp3 / music / vanilla swingers / robert church and the holy community / springfactory