Coming from the rural steel works town of Stocksbridge, brother and sister duo James and Eva Spence are a true product of their environment. Specialising in heavy-clanking industrial rhythms, grinding and sickly guitars – with moments of pastoral beauty that blend violently into bloodshed – their band, Rolo Tomassi, perfectly embodies the clash between nature and machine. Of their home town, James says: “There is quite a lot of contrast between industrial buildings and sheep and cows openly grazing and stuff. It’s not the nicest place in the world but it is pleasant enough. I’m not ashamed to call it home.”
Friendly Fires / Paris
This is currently on constant rotation on my iPod. I love the original version of the song and this remix is a fantastic re-interpretation of it. I saw these guys at Leeds Festival earlier this year and when they played this song, the sense of euphoria was incredible. The thing I like best about the original is how huge the chorus sounds. Somehow Aeroplane have made it even bigger.
Jay Reatard /Always Wanting More
I was disappointed to miss Jay Reatard when he toured the UK recently. I’ve only heard a handful of his songs, but what I have heard is fantastic. This song, in particular, is a great example of his fuzzy catchy garage punk.
M83 / Farewell Goodbye
Anthony Gonzalez is my keyboard idol. The arrangement and instrumentation of his music blows my mind. This song is from my favorite album of his, Before The Dawn Heals Us. It’s so dreamy and ethereal sounding, but still retains complete pop sensibilities. The lyrics sound like they’re taken from the script to a Studio Ghibli film. It probably shouldn’t work, but it completely does! *Read M83s Secret Playlist*
Xiu Xiu / Boy Soprano
This song was put on a mix for me recently and was a total standout on it. The thing I like best about Xiu Xiu is how painfully awkward the vocals are. It’s clear he can definitely sing, but the way he arranges the vocal melodies and the lyrics are really haunting. It sounds almost operatic. The backing is pretty erratic, too. Lots of keyboards and guitar with a balanced amalgamation of dissonance and harmony.
Food For Animals / Bulk Gummies
Food For Animals are a hip-hop band that use really interesting ideas to traditional hip-hop. They have this glitchy backing that goes through loads of static and white noise. It takes a while to get used to, but once you get past the fact that it’s a little abstract, you find the melody and find yourself singing the words back at your headphones or stereo.
Dillinger Escape Plan / 82588
This band is obviously one of our biggest influences, especially with their earlier material. I haven’t been too fussed with their recent records, but on giving the newest one a chance, I found it was a total grower. This song in particular is Dillinger at their best: a one and a half minute furious outburst of raging technical music with the utmost precision that you could expect from them.
Data Select Party / The Woot The Hot The Hotness
We toured with Data Select Party earlier this year and they’re easily amongst my favorite UK bands. I was given a copy of their new EP last week and this track, a re-recording of a demo, is still my favorite song by these guys. They write really smart and catchy indie music with a kind of sound like Minus The Bear. Heavily recommended.
Deerhunter / Hazel St
I’ve yet to hear their new album properly, but this song, taken from Cryptograms, is fantastic. It reminds me of Sonic Youth and Drums Not Dead era Liars. Really airy sounding alt-rock.
Rolo Tomassi’s album, Hysterics, is out now on Pod through Inertia.
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