Happy New Year! Sorry for the dearth of news lately…it’s a classic case of life getting in the way of work but rest assured
we’ve been working behind the scenes to bring you the freshest pop happening today.
First off is news of a brand new release from Sportique! Entitled “Modern Museums”, it’s a nine-track album that
perfectly captures the thrill of Sportique’s live outings. Available on CD and limited edition blue 10″ vinyl (in conjunction with
London’s Where It’s At Records), this new album finds Sportique ransacking the post-punk stylistic cabinet of Alternative TV,
Magazine, and Wire while retaining the charm of previous lives spent as Razorcuts, TV Personalities, and Marine Researchers
(among other things). Although not officially released until January 28th, we have copies of both formats (matlp015/matcd015)
available now from the Matinée online shop – which now accepts credit card payments via PayPal! To celebrate our alliance
with PayPal, we are offering 10 percent off all online orders from now
through the end of January, so take this opportunity to stock up on recent releases or back catalog items you’ve always
wanted. PayPal orders generally ship in 24 – 48 hours, so we won’t make you wait for your latest pop fix.
Also released on the 28th is the debut 7″ from London duo Pipas called the “Troublesome EP” (matinée 035). There
is quite a buzz about this band already, thanks to their “Chunnel Autumnal” 10″ mini-lp released last year on Long Lost Cousin. The duo has been favorably compared to the best
moments of Club 8, Broadcast, the Aisler’s Set and La Buena Vida…which is to say not bad company at all! The 7″ includes
new tracks “A Short Film About Sleeping,” “Troublesome” and “Fingerprints” and they’re all so magnificent it’s difficult to
choose one as the a-side so we’ve confused everybody by selecting one of the b-sides as the title of the EP. The sleeve
features lovely paintings by Pipas chanteuse Lupe on a matte cardboard jacket and the music inside is the perfect thing to
warm you up on a cold January day. We may have copies sooner than the 28th for exclusive sales so get in touch if you’re
anxious.
Halfway finished but still held up in licensing is the debut 7″ from The Snowdrops (matinée 029). You’ve heard all this
before…Keith Girdler and Pam Berry and Dick Preece…blah, blah, blah…cover of Tears for Fears “Mad World”…blah, blah,
blah. This release is quite (American quite, that is) cool, and hopefully will be ready for public consumption soon if the stars
align just right. Note to self: Stop approving cover versions of hard-to-license tracks. We’ll keep you posted…
Also nearing completion is the debut album from Australian prodigy Simpático… one of several current bands
involving former Sweet William vocalist and guitarist Jason Sweeney. The album features 12 new songs achieving the perfect
balance of guitars and electronica…it’s called “The Difference Between Alone and Lonely” (matcd016) and is a stunning piece
of work from the guy behind Matinée’s first ever release back in 1997. Reviews of Simpático’s “Postal Museum” EP last year
drew comparisons to indie legends the Field Mice, New Order, and the Smiths and anticipated the debut full length with
optimism. The wait is nearly over…look for the new CD in February in conjunction with Gifted Records of Australia.
Just back from the pressing plant but on hold for a March 25th release is the new album from London’s brilliant
Would-Be-Goods. Following their well-received “Emmanuelle Béart” EP last year on Matinée and the “Sugar
Mummy” 7″ on Fortuna Pop!, “Brief Lives” is the band’s third album and features 16 continental pop classics. A showcase
for Jessica Griffin’s enchantingly beautiful voice, the CD mixes guitar pop with piano, harpsichord, vibraphone, violin and
mandolin for a truly urbane affair.
We’re working on several other new releases, which shall remain enigmas until next time aside from their unequivocal
appearance on the following list:
|
matinée 036 matinée 037 matinée 038 matcd 010 matcd 012 matlp 018 matcd 019 |
LIBERTY SHIP – I Guess You Didn’t See Her 7″ AIRPORT GIRL – Do You Dream In Colour? CDEP THE WINDMILLS – What Was It For? CDEP VARIOUS – France On A Bicycle CD RAZORCUTS – R Is For Razorcuts CD LOVEJOY – Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 10″ THE LUCKSMITHS – Where Were We? CD |
…followed by new releases from The Fairways, Kosmonaut, The Pines, Melodie Group and more. Check back next
month (really!) for news on forthcoming releases plus upcoming Matinée shows on both sides of the Atlantic.
Autumn 2001 releases from Harper Lee, Would-Be-Goods, The Windmills, Lovejoy, Slipslide and Melodie Group (see
new release page for details) are all faring well in the music press…see for yourself by visiting
some of our recommended online sites: IndiePages, Pennyblack, Tangents,
In Love With These Times,
and Splendid.
Finally, we ask you the following question: What do The Strokes, baklava, Hood, Tailwagger magazine, Aztec Camera,
flotation tanks, England 5 Germany 1, Ghostworld and smoked gouda have in common? They’re all something that made at
least one of the Matinée artists smile in 2001. Find out who liked what by clicking here (and use
the information to chat up said artist next time they’re in shouting distance). Bet you didn’t know we doubled as a dating
service, did you?
Until next time, enjoy the new year and take care. Jimmy xx