list.co.uk/music SINGLES
Records – Singles | MUSIC
Before drawn-in days and dreams of shafts of sunlight through an iron sky gets all too much, lend an ear to Everything Everything’s track ‘No Reptiles’ (●●●●● RCA, out 20 Nov) among this issue’s stack of new releases. Despite some obscure lyrics – yes, reptiles are mentioned, as are eggs for reasons unknown – their trademark head-boppy pop will subdue the blues. Not singing about eggs, The Lovely Eggs’ single, ‘Goofin’ around (In Lancashire)’ (●●●●● Egg Records, out 13 Nov) is grungy punk with wandering, witty lyrics similar to those of Courtney Barnett’s.
The sheer ruckus of Damn Vandals’ single ‘I Hate School’ (●●●●● Sexy Beast, out 6 Nov) is enough to make you want to don full leather when you’re going down the shops. Equally gritty, Fist City’s double A-side, ‘Let’s Rip / End of the Good Times’ (●●●●● Transgressive, out 13 Nov) is unhinged and manic in the best kind of way. Now to bring the tempo down and reduce the risk of palpitations. Former
bass player of Wu Lyf, Francis Lungs’ EP, ‘Faeher’s Son’ (●●●●● Songs Records, out 20 Nov) features delicate piano and dreamy vocals and is melancholy and beautiful, while, reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, The Deadline Shakes’ double A-side, ‘Frozen Out / Sweeten the Deal’ (●●●●● Flowers in the Dustbin, out 22 Nov) is busy with some satisfying, feel-good banjo thrown in for good measure.
New kids on the block, Merakis’, single ‘Bright Lights’, (●●●●● self- released, out 10 Nov) fuses folk and soul in a rousing fashion, while Rare Monks’ self-titled EP (●●●●● B3SCI, out 20 Nov) offers some solid indie rock – the riffs on ‘Warning Pulse’ are catchy without becoming incessantly imbedded in your brain.
Looking for less indie, more synths and inter-galactic references, perhaps?
Public Service Broadcasting’s new EP, ‘Sputnik / Korolev’ (●●●●● Piccadilly, out 20 Nov) has more in their reworked material than you can shake a stick at. (Hannah Thompson)
EXPOSURE
WUH OH Wuh Oh, aka Peter Ferguson, creates catchy layered, sample-soaked tunes. We caught up with him to chat about mistakes, inspiration and living in Glasgow
On the name Wuh Oh The last track on my first EP has a sample of a wee kid saying ‘wuh oh!’ towards the end. Most of the favourite things I’ve written have been the result of a mistake, be it while playing the piano or chopping up a sample or whatever. The name ‘Wuh Oh’, to me, represents the magic that comes from the happy accidents.
On inspiration Belle & Sebastian were my first favourite band and I think they’ve massively influenced my taste in melody and harmony, along with bands like Frightened Rabbit and Neutral Milk Hotel. I also envy Ben Folds’ ability to make bum notes sound right because his piano playing is so spirited, jazzy and technically impressive otherwise. In terms of beat-making, producers like the Neptunes and Timbaland inspire me in their ability to make stuff that’s so left-field yet catchy and immediate. On living in Glasgow It still feels like this magical alternate reality for me even after five years of living here, potentially because it’s the first place I’ve lived that wasn’t my family home, so I still associate it with freedom and possibility. The experimental electronic music scene that I’ve managed to get involved in has really helped me push myself creatively as I want to impress the producers and promoters in my friend circle and make music we can party or chill out to.
On samples One of the samples I’m happiest with so far is that of the drums and voice I used in ‘Trippin’. They’re from a tutorial video by a fantastic drummer called Bernard Purdie, teaching people how to play his trademark ‘Purdie Shuffle’. He’s such a charismatic guy and I love his playing style, so it felt right that he should guide people through a song. On the future My musical partner, Arm Watches Fingers, and I are planning on putting out a split EP (half his music and half mine) in the next couple of months. Most of all I just want to expand my online catalogue to make hunting out my music as worthwhile as possible for those people who take the time to find me.
5 Nov 2015–4 Feb 2016 THE LIST 109