Four years on from their formation and South London quartet Blueprint Blue are set to soundtrack the summer with their sunshine jams.
Today (Friday) the band release their debut record Tourist, a record of dreamy harmonies and hazy pop rock.
Although sonically out of time, the album is nevertheless immersed in contemporary concerns with lead single An-D exploring notions of love in the era of AI and dating apps.
Here the members of Blueprint Blue share some of their favourite tunes offering a glimpse of what makes them tick, and it’s as eclectic a mix as you might expect. Dig in…
Huw Webb (bass):
Wings – Letting Go
I saw Paul McCartney play this track at the O2 back in December. I had never heard it before and once I had discovered it was a Wings track from Venus and Mars the album has been on repeat ever since!
Greg Phillinganes – Lazy Nina
I loved this song when I first heard it and when Elliot told me that Donald Fagen wrote the song it made it love it even more!
Elliot Hayward (guitar/vocals):
The Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand
So sexy! Also for some reason, it sounds like it’s about middle aged people which is less trodden ground and that’s good.
Quincy Jones – Love And Peace
I’d like this played at my funeral. It’s melancholy yet hopeful, which is exactly the vibe I expect at my final send off.
David Lindley & El Rayo X – Never Knew Her
David Lindley was the music of car journeys with my Dad when I was young. He's best known for playing lapsteel with Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder but I also really like him in is own right. I emailed him recently to tell him how much I like him – he didn't reply.
Rhys Timson (guitar):
Younghusband – Translation
This is the single just released by Younghusband. Euan Hinshelwood is our producer at Vacant TV studios and is really important to our sound. The chorus is genius and the harmonies make me feel great. It's a poignant description of how we all feel once in a while living at the pace of the city. It's similar to the feeling I get when listening to anything off of The Amps record, Pacer, especially Bragging Party.
Ofege – It's Not Easy
This is the only track I've heard from Nigerian band Ofege, I recently found it on a complication album. I'm a sucker for simple three chord tracks that go round and round. Perfect on a sunny day, in my car in not so perfect traffic.
Melissa Rigby (drums/vocals):
Bill Withers – Kissing My Love
Listen to this while walking down the street and I guarantee that you will not be walking like you usually do. You will have a fantastic little bop on.
Felt – Magellan
I'm not a huge fan of a lot of this album [Bubblegum Perfume] but it has some really great instrumental tracks on it, written by Martin Duffy. I think this one in particular is played so beautifully and it's always a nice surprise when a B-side is this good!
Bonnie Raitt – Thank You
I don't feel like my words will do it justice – good on you, Bonnie.
Today (Friday) the band release their debut record Tourist, a record of dreamy harmonies and hazy pop rock.
Although sonically out of time, the album is nevertheless immersed in contemporary concerns with lead single An-D exploring notions of love in the era of AI and dating apps.
Here the members of Blueprint Blue share some of their favourite tunes offering a glimpse of what makes them tick, and it’s as eclectic a mix as you might expect. Dig in…
Huw Webb (bass):
Wings – Letting Go
I saw Paul McCartney play this track at the O2 back in December. I had never heard it before and once I had discovered it was a Wings track from Venus and Mars the album has been on repeat ever since!
Greg Phillinganes – Lazy Nina
I loved this song when I first heard it and when Elliot told me that Donald Fagen wrote the song it made it love it even more!
Elliot Hayward (guitar/vocals):
The Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand
So sexy! Also for some reason, it sounds like it’s about middle aged people which is less trodden ground and that’s good.
Quincy Jones – Love And Peace
I’d like this played at my funeral. It’s melancholy yet hopeful, which is exactly the vibe I expect at my final send off.
David Lindley & El Rayo X – Never Knew Her
David Lindley was the music of car journeys with my Dad when I was young. He's best known for playing lapsteel with Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder but I also really like him in is own right. I emailed him recently to tell him how much I like him – he didn't reply.
Rhys Timson (guitar):
Younghusband – Translation
This is the single just released by Younghusband. Euan Hinshelwood is our producer at Vacant TV studios and is really important to our sound. The chorus is genius and the harmonies make me feel great. It's a poignant description of how we all feel once in a while living at the pace of the city. It's similar to the feeling I get when listening to anything off of The Amps record, Pacer, especially Bragging Party.
Ofege – It's Not Easy
This is the only track I've heard from Nigerian band Ofege, I recently found it on a complication album. I'm a sucker for simple three chord tracks that go round and round. Perfect on a sunny day, in my car in not so perfect traffic.
Melissa Rigby (drums/vocals):
Bill Withers – Kissing My Love
Listen to this while walking down the street and I guarantee that you will not be walking like you usually do. You will have a fantastic little bop on.
Felt – Magellan
I'm not a huge fan of a lot of this album [Bubblegum Perfume] but it has some really great instrumental tracks on it, written by Martin Duffy. I think this one in particular is played so beautifully and it's always a nice surprise when a B-side is this good!
Bonnie Raitt – Thank You
I don't feel like my words will do it justice – good on you, Bonnie.
