These days it seems like there has been a huge revival of C86, Sarah and K Records influenced bands popping up. I can’t count the times that I’ve caught myself making a Tiger Trap, Field Mice, Talulah Gosh, Beat Happening, or Veronica Lake references in the past year. While I feel that a lot of the credit has been going to all girl pop groups for revival of this sound there is something to be said for perfectly executed boy//girl vocals. And that brings me to Veronica Falls.
Veronica Falls are from Glassgow, Scottland (one of the cities were the C86 sounds originated) and consist of Roxanne (vocals, guitar), Marion (bass), Patrick (drums), James (guitar). They have released, in my opinion, a flawless single on Trouble Records in the UK and Brooklyn’s own Captured Tracks here in the states. The a-side of the single is titled “Found Love in a Graveyard,” and this original brings home the pop sounds of late 80′s UK and even sounds from the pacific north west of the same time period, but Veronica Falls have managed to intertwine a dark gothy vibe that not only come through in their imagery and lyrics, but also in their sound setting them apart from the rest. The booming drums, chanting background vocals, and Roxanne’s crystal clear voice give “Found Love in a Graveyard” the sonic qualities to send chills up your, well my, spine. Even the guitars have this hollow sound, and while the song is about finding love, even if it is with a ghost, it gives you a sense of being alone. A track that evokes emotion, and one that I keep listening to over and over. Definitely a mixtape song to be saved for that special someone.
[mp3] Veronica Falls- “Found Love in a Graveyard”
The use of the male//female vocals is done so perfectly it makes me long for an LP by this budding band. The b-side of this 7″ is an amazing rendition of Roky Erickson’s “Starry Eyes.” This cover keeps with the dark vibe that their a-side portrays, and secures this record firmly as my favorite 7″ of 2010 thus far (yeah, I said it).
Unfortunately Captured Tracks has already sold out of this release, but you can try to buy it from Insound here…get it fast because I don’t think it will be there long.
or buy the Trouble Records version, with a different b-side, here.
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If you live in the North Eastern states you have several chances to see Veronica Falls (and maybe pick up a copy of this amazing 7″ in person) over the next week. Veronica Falls is coming into the US for Elm City Pop Fest in New Haven, CT and the ever so wonderful NYC Pop Fest. They have several shows surrounding these two fests too:
- 5/14/10 New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine (Elm City Popfest)
- 5/15/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands w/ Crystal Stilts, Home Blitz
- 5/16/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls w/ German Measles & the Surprisers
- 5/17/10 Boston, MA @ Charlie’s Kitchen
- 5/20/10 New York, New York @ Cake Shop w/Sweater Girls (CA), Elephant Parade (NYC), Dream Diary (NYC), Leaving Mornington Crescent (Sweden),Horowitz (UK)
- This Cake Shop show is an official NYC Pop Fest Show.
- 5/21/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Pi Lam
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Veronica Falls’ first Brooklyn show this Saturday, tomorrow, at Glasslands, and is particularly awesome, because if features not only NYC’s own Crystal Stilts but the amazing rock and roll of New Jersey’s bad ass HOME BLITZ!
Make sure to RSVP if you plan on going…shows at Glasslands sell out…so even if you RSVP get there early (you should be there early anyways to see Home Blitz!).
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