‘WE'RE NOT SOME KIND OF CUTE POP SONG GROUP'
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They’re not lazy and they insist they’re not twee. Malcolm Jack catches up with The Pastels, and finds them on the cusp of more great adventures
iven that they‘ve released just one albtnn in the
last decade. a movie soundtrack at that. The
Pastels could justifiably be accused of resting on their laurels. Perhaps doing things differently is precisely what’s kept Glasgow‘s original enigmatic indie ‘almost pop‘ outfit going for 25 years though.
'We haven't burned out like most hands because it’s never felt too much like a career.~ says frontman Stephen McRobbie. "There‘s been times where we've done it with the satne intensity as other groups do. but that‘s only ever been for. say. a six month period..
The result might not have been any particular commercial success. Their laid-back approach has. however. allowed The Pastels to make some of the most
winsomely strange. diverse and challenging music of their time. from stirring garage-pop [987 debut Up For
A Bit With The I’usic/s. to 2003‘s The Last Great Wilderness — a lavish score for David Mackenzie’s film of the same name. A new record was intended to surface last year. although it‘s currently still stuck in the works. ‘We're using an American engineer. John Mclintire from Tortoise. so it’s been sporadicf McRobbie explains. ‘Also. immediately after we did the first sessions. Teenage lianclub became really busy. and since Gerard (Love) and Norman (Blake) play in The Pastels these days. that really slowed things down. Plus it‘s taken us a while to get the music that we really like. We want to come out someplace new.‘
A phase the band are certainly determined not to revisit is that of their (‘Xh-afliliated shambling indie days. Despite having created an ethos and sound embraced today by the likes of Belle and Sebastian.
this period gave them a certain reputation they‘re still struggling to shake. ‘We‘re not some kind of cute pop song group.‘ he insists. ‘I don‘t think we ever have been. although obviously some people do. I absolutely loathe twee music. It makes me feel sick. For instance that new (‘ocorosie record is just absolutely unbearable. I like when music has got something strong about it. and darker. I'm not really interested in making daisy chains and skipping through the park.‘
Suggestions of laziness definitely pale when you consider the group‘s myriad other pursuits. including co-running record store Monorail. writing the soundtrack to stage production [)0 I Mean Anything '13) You. 02' Am I Just Passing By and starting up a film club at (iliT. They also manage their own imprint. Geographic Music. via Domino Records: releases pending include an album from (ilasgow glam-indie— pop sextet The Royal We. and a Pastels collaboration with Japanese lo-fi duo Tenniscoats (both of whom appear with the band at their Triptych shows).
"There was a period a few years back when running a label did slow up The Pastels.’ Stephen admits. ‘but now with Domino. we've got an understanding that we‘ll only release about two or three things a year. I think becatise Domino’s keen to put more Pastels records out.‘ So there might be a little something coming from them too in 2007'? ‘There will be new Pastels music released this year in some l'ormf McRobbie confirms. That‘s what we like to hear.
CCA, Glasgow, Sat 28 Apr; Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Sun 29 Apr.
THE BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ & FOLK
‘2: Maria McKee Her new album Late December has finally arrived. featuring skilfully drawn, unassuming alt.country nuggets. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Sat 28 Apr; Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Mon 30 Apr. (Rock 8. Pop)
:1 The Pastels See preview. left. CCA, Glasgow, Sat 28 Apr; Bongo Club. Edinburgh. Sun 29 Apr. (Rock & Pop)
Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators Real soul singer who's all fire and no brimstone. live and direct from NYC. See preview. page 58. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 28 Apr; Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, Sun 29 Apr. (Rock & Pop) Orkestra del Sol Combining music and theatre in a style called ‘fanfare' this ten- strong unholy brass mass launch their new EP of Balkan-meets- boot party music. The Caves. Edinburgh, Tue 3 May. (Folk)
1' Barfly Fifth Birthday Week Five years means five days of the cream of local music with Bricolage. Drive By Argument, Help She Can’t Swim and The Hussys. See 5 Reasons, page 71. Barf/y, Glasgow, Wed 2—Sun 6 May (Rock & Pop)
Boudica’s Ball A spirited showcase for new female musical talent in suitably atmospheric surrounds. Sisa, Collette McKenrick and Lou Hickey are among those lending their voices. Oran Mor. Glasgow. Sun 6 May. (Rock 8. Pop)
3 Gimme Shelter The second of these annual all-day music festival which hopes to raise awareness and money for the charity Shelter. Alisdair Roberts. Roddy Hart and The Parsonage are among the 14 acts performing. Mono, Glasgow, Sun 6 May.
(Rock & Pop)
.’t1.»\;" ‘~.l Ma. C. 7 ' THE LIST 57