Some labels are always going to find you the good stuff, and I don’t ever mind turning to Bobo Integral for that good good. The latest signing from the label is Brooklyn based Fixtures, who dropped this rad new track last Friday as we were singing off for the weekend. Immediately the song rushes in with this bounding pace and hook-laden rhythm section; the vocals carry this post-punk swaggering croon. They throw in a nice little ramshackle jam in the midst of the tune, bringing in this little stylistic flare that gives a nice little mixture of sounds to the track. You’re going to want to keep an eye on this band; their new Weak Automatic EP drops on December 3rd!
We’ve already brought you a tune or two from the forthcoming Milky Wimpshake LP, their first since 2015, but I couldn’t miss out on a chance to give you a heads up that Rachel from Flowers is also featured on a few occasions. If you’re grabbing the record, as you should, you’ll find the opener, featured below, has her voice paired perfectly with the band; the song’s full of swaggering pop rock…the infectious sort of course. I love how they mute the rock in the opening verses to let the vocal harmonies shine together, before pushing down on the pedals and letting loose. The chugga-chugga riffs of the chorus are perfect slices of rock n’ roll…I just want to play this song all the damn day long! Bobo Integral will release Confessions of an English Marxist on October 16th.
The story of Pop Filter as a band is quite long, although Banksia is their debut LP. But, that story is easy to find for those who wish, so instead, I wanted this post to reflect how the a group of friends was able to cope with tragedy by writing an album full of wonderful pop songs. We dive in a little bit to the process that went into this record, plus, Mark is so kind as to share his recipe for Chicken Fricassee with Porcini Mushrooms; you can really impress your friends with “something you just threw together.”
ATH: The band is essentially a gang of songwriters/friends working together. How does the editing process work for you all? Does is change from songwriter to songwriter, or is there a routine approachyou all use when it comes to completing a track?
Mark: It genuinely changes song to song and album to album. Sometimes things arrive pretty much done, with a lot of parts already written. Sometimes things are jammed into place. Sometimes things sort of accumulate as we record them. With Banksia, because it was all done so quickly, we basically started recording things before wed even heard the vibe of the song. Then figured it out piece by piece, adding things and trusting that Snowy would be able to mix it into a nice shape. Theres a lot on the album that is first or second take. Most of my guitar parts Im just improvising to the song. It was very loose.
ATH: There’s a huge backstory/history to Pop Filter, but does Banksia represent something new, aside from the name? Does it feel like you have to start all over? And to a certain extent, is it a relief to have it under your belt, so to speak?
Mark: It definitely doesnt feel like starting over exactly. It feels more free, in a way. Because were releasing ourselves from the expectations of what being a band means. Were going to be less interested in concrete things like whos in the band, whats the album title, whos putting it out, whats the artistic statement – and more interested in the simple act of getting together and playing music. For me, its a kind of relief to lose some of those more careerist aspects of being in a band and focus on the real reason we play together in the first place, which is because were friends. In a world where the worth of everything is determined by the clicks it garners and the money it makes, it feels like an act of rebellion to focus on togetherness and friendship as the most important thing about an artistic project – rather than focusing on making a product. I think i speak for everyone when I say that I would make these albums with these people even if no one ever heard it and we never showed any of it to anyone. That would be just as valuable to me.
ATH: Is there a story behind covering “Romance at the Petrol Station?” Any particular connection that brought that song into the album process?
Mark: Everyone in the band has always loved that song and that first Stolen Violin record was Zacs favourite album. Lach had wanted to cover it for ages so it felt like the right time to do it.
ATH: Most of this record has been promoted throughout a global pandemic. How does that affect the way you, as a band, go about promoting the album? Plans for any live streamsor that sort now that it’s out in the world?
Mark: We havent really talked about it I guess. Obviously wed be touring if we could. Most of the band is under a serious shelter in place lockdown in Melbourne while Im free and relatively easy in a totally different state so I can at least go to the pub to celebrate the release. No plans for anything yet.
ATH: I admit this is a tough one to answer, but who brought the best songs this go round?
Mark: A lot of the songs were written in the four days we were recording so not many of us were very prepared! I like them all really. They all hit different feelings and vibes for me. I love Curtiss song Visions of You, and Nicks Kit Home, Jords songs didnt have lyrics at first so I loved hearing all the mixes back months later and discovering the songs anew. Jord pushes his voice to these amazing places on his tracks which I think is super thrilling. Dunno, mate. Theyre all good. You tell me!
ATH: Is there a story to your recipe, or any personal significance, other than you just enjoy cooking it?
Mark: I cook this all the time. Its my oh, this, I just threw something together show off dish. It has bugger all ingredients but is stupidly rich and delicious. Its a Marcella Hazan recipe and its like alchemy. I serve it with a crisp lettuce salad with heaps of Olive Oil, Mustard and Lemon. And crusty bread.
Chicken and Porcini Fricassee
A whole chicken – broken down in four pieces. (Keep backbone for stock)
40g Dried Porcinia Mushrooms.
100ml ish of dry white wine. I try to use resiling because I also like to drink that.
A can of Cherry tomatoes.
Salt
Pepper
That’s literally all the ingredients. This recipe rules.
– Soak the Porcini Mushrooms in about 400ml of boiling water for about 20 minutes. Keep them hanging out in that awesome umami mushroom water! Dont throw it away.
– After youve broken down your chicken pat the skin dry and salt and pepper it liberally.
– Get a decent sized pan (I have a biggish stainless steel one) nice and hot and add a big glug of olive oil.
– Place the chicken pieces skin side down in the pan and reduce heat a bit to medium-low. Leave them on that side for like 15 minutes until theyre really brown and crisp. Then flip em and give them another 5 mins.
– Chuck the wine in and let it bubble for a bit until it doesnt smell quite so boozey. About 3 mins.
– Pour in the mushrooms and the amazing juice theyve been soaking in, along with the can of cherry tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
– Turn heat down to low and half cover the pan. Cook for about half an hour. Turning the chicken every so often.
– When the chicken is definitely cooked through but not horrid and dry take it out and set aside for a bit.
– Then you want to reduce the sauce down so its barely watery at all, its just super charged mushroomy, tomatoey slightly wet mush. It will look brown and gross, do not worry. It is meant to look like that.
– When the sauce is thick and mega rich (prob 7ish mins), salt it to your liking and return the chicken to warm through.
– Serve it in a bowl with salad and bread. You can squeeze a lemon over it if this is your thing. You can also garnish with parsley if thats the vibe.
– Impress your friends with something you just threw together
This Friday we’ll all be able to take on the joy of the debut LP from Pop Filter, but before we get there, the band dropped one more tune to tease the release. In my mind, this is exactly what I expected when I first heard about this band forming; a steadying blend of the best in casual pop listening. It’s charming in its unassuming nature, careful to never step too far into world, yet happily bubbling along with these delightful melodies. The group joining in unison just after the 2 minute mark is just one such treat…a little pop nugget you can put in your pocket on your way out the door. Banksia is out Friday!
One of the album’s that’s high upon my personal radar is the debut from Australia’s Pop Filter, a band that features various players in the scene we’ve grown to love. One of the perks of this band is that they’ve always worked as this collection of great songwriters, with Mark Rogers taking the main role here to revisit a song he begun back in 2014. I love the inviting aura of the song, lightly strummed guitar with Rogers’ sublime melody rising on the crest as a distant guitar cries somewhere out in space. But, just as you hit the 3 minute mark, you get a treat, as the whole band joins in stomping their way to a catchy closing with a reminder that “its better than giving in.” Pop Filter will release Banskia on August 21st via Osborne Again/Bobo Integral.
Oh Milky Wimpshake, how I missed thee! The long running act has been mostly quiet since 2015, but they return (real soon) with a new LP titled Confessions of an English Marxist! Our first listen has the group hanging in the territory where they last left us, bringing about jangling pseudo-punk in a nice bubblegum wrapper. My favorite part are those soft edges hanging about aside the sharp chords; you can hear just the faintest twinkle of a melody, and its every so charming. This new LP is being handled by Bobo Integral, who always release fine pop bits; it drops on October 16th.
Two things I love, Spanish indie labels, and a really great cause. Over in Spain, a bunch of the independent labels (like Bobo Integral and Meritorio) got together and gathered some rare and new tunes, put them all together, and are now releasing it under the title Music For Gloves. Each label has offered up some rarities in an attempt to raise funds to buy gloves for the hospitals on the frontline of this pandemic. I know we’ve got friends all over the world, so if this is of interest, this a great place to listen to new music and help raise funds. Here’s a new demo from my favorites, El Palacio de Linares.
When I found out that Paul Erlichman was the man behind the songs of Elrichman, I had expectations, as he’s one of the members of the most excellent Ducks Unlimited. “Cop on a Horse,” the first single, was beautiful, but a little more akin to folky indierock. That said, this new single is precisely what I was expecting, or rather hoping, to hear from Elrichman. It’s energetic, and reeks of Edwyn Collins/Paddy McAloon vocal references. I do like how Paul ties into the earlier single with this orchestral closing moment (its also in the song’s middle), which is important when one considers the album as a singular entity. A fun ditty, most assuredly. Heaven’s Mayor is out April 24th via Bobo Integral.
Admittedly, I probably wouldn’t have stumbled upon Elrichman had he not been a core member of Ducks Unlimited (who put out one of my favorite EPs). But, those familiar with that band will be careful to rush to the expectation of jangles, as the vibe here’s entirely different. The song begins rather artfully, almost as if there were notes taken from the likes of Dirty Projectors. But, there’s this huge swell of emotive pop that comes crashing down during the chorus that really changes the song’s infectiousness. Those courses get followed by these minor little pop excursions that sound super familiar (does it sound like the Zombies to anyone else?), so be sure to listen to the track as it twist and turns the pop knife into your ears. Heaven’s Mayor will be out on April 24th via Bobo Integral.
Let me just say this…if you’re writing guitar pop music at this very instant, please make it sound like Dropkick. The Scottish outfit have been around for a bit, but the forthcoming album, The Scenic Route, just seems to get better with each single used for promotion. Listening below, you’ll hear that ringing semi-jangle, encouraging a slight toe tap and head bob; it’s subtle, as are the band’s many charms. Sure, the vocals could be described as warm or gentle, but I think of them more as pleasant…something I’d sit and listen to with my mom on her back porch. It’s short, it’s catchy and makes you feel good about the world (for once), so be sure to pick it up from Bobo Integral; it drops on February 7th.
We’ve already brought you a tune or two from the forthcoming 
This Friday we’ll all be able to take on the joy of the debut LP from 
Two things I love, Spanish indie labels, and a really great cause. Over in Spain, a bunch of the independent labels (like Bobo Integral and Meritorio) got together and gathered some rare and new tunes, put them all together, and are now releasing it under the title 
When I found out that Paul Erlichman was the man behind the songs of 
Let me just say this…if you’re writing guitar pop music at this very instant, please make it sound like