Just Handshakes We're British – Say It

admin — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:13:46 +0000

Released May 20th on Bleeding Gold Records

Back in what now seems like the very dim and distant past (2009) I came across the name of a new Leeds based band – Just Handshakes We’re British. The moniker made me smile, and I investigated. Just as twee and homely as their name, the band play sweet and syrupy pop, full of succinct and crisp choruses and disjointed yet harmonious melodies. Capturing the obscurities and complexities of life via a summer tinged paint box they have an unabashedly vintage vibe going on, all C86 and cassettes. They are back, and have grown up slightly, not losing their youthful exuberance but packaging it in a slightly more sophisticated way. New album Say It has been the focus of more production time and technology than before, but rather than becoming too slick and manufactured, the result is a more compounded blend of shimmering, bittersweet dream-pop that indicates a maturity in the band and musical direction, whilst retaining their early honesty and quirkiness. The band will be announcing a mini tour later this year following its release, and will be playing in Brighton, Sheffield, London and Newcastle in the coming months.

Tapes & tapes & tapes

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:08:29 +0000

As all music fans know, it’s not just the song that matters, but the whole package. The magical quality that we attribute to the medium, whether analogue or digital, in our heads can enhance the sound and quality of songwriting If you believe everything that you read, the audio experience is about to go, if not full circle, at least back in time, with the humble cassette tapes making a comeback. More and more artists are putting albums out on tape – Sky Larkin have been producing hand drawn artwork for theirs since their incarnation. Label Tapeworm, does exactly what it says on the tin, with cassette only releases, limited to a press of 250.
A little perspective though. When we say ‘comeback’ or ‘resurgence’ you expect a return to the good old days. In 1989 there were 83 million tapes sold in Britain, but 20 years on, that number is not even one ten thousandth, at only 8443 (British Phonographic Institute). Hardly a return to its prime.
It may be that it is just part of the circle of life,. Old things acquire a certain appeal and quality that their newest counterparts just can’t match. Vinyl never really came back, it just became old enough to be retro and cool. Now its the turn of the tape. Across the UK there is a widespread nostalgia trip taking place – knitting, baking, DIY – initially instigated by the recession, and it may be that once we are seeing better days, the humble cassette will once again be relegated to the car boot sale pile.
Either way, it’s unlikely that any boost in sales can be solely attributed to The Mirror’s insightful explanation of the trend: „Cassette tapes are back because old folk prefer them to CDs.
As all music fans know, it’s not just the song that matters, but the whole package. The magical quality that we attribute to the medium, whether analogue or digital, in our heads can enhance the sound and quality of songwriting.

tapes – and so she thinks

Just Handshakes We're British – Say It

Released May 20th on Bleeding Gold Records

Tapes & tapes & tapes