This week’s playlist comes fresh from label of the moment, South London’s Speedy Wunderground.
Founded four years ago by producer Dan Carey (Kate Tempest, Goat Girl, Bat for Lashes), and run with engineer Alexis Smith and A&R Pierre Hall the label specialises in 7” singles recorded at Dan's Streatham Studio.
Their releases have included tracks from Tempest, Melt Yourself Down, Warmduscher, Flamingods and current buzzy bands black midi, Squid and Black Country New Road.
Next Tuesday Speedy Wunderground will find out if their nomination for Best Small Label at the AIM Awards will materialise into a win, but ahead of the ceremony Pierre guides us through some of his favourite tracks from the label and beyond…
Florist – Celebration
I knew nothing about her but just saw the artwork and name in passing and loved them both so checked it out based on that. I fell in love immediately, it’s so intimate and simple. Already a contender for my album of the year.
Squid – Rodeo
Cheating – as this isn’t out yet – but we’re releasing it digitally via Speedy Wunderground on the 6th Sept. It’s the final track of their Town Centre EP – our very first non-single/compilation release.
Squid are such a special band and this showcases a completely different side of them. It reminds me of the more tender moments of Blur – The Universal or No Distance Left To Run. They started with it at Green Man, it was pissing down with rain. It was perfect.
Dion – Only You Know
My favourite song of all time is Runaround Sue by Dion & The Belmonts, which eventually leads you to this. It’s from his what was his ‘lost’ album Born To Be With You, produced by Phil Spector. It’s now become a cult classic with everyone referencing it from Jason Pierce to Jarvis Cocker. Alex Turner covered it. This song is so good – the lyrics, the production, the drums. The drums.
Badly Drawn Boy – The Shining
I’ve been revisiting this album recently and had forgotten what an incredible piece of work it is. The album is so great and varied – it really came from nowhere at the time. I think this is one of my favourite openings to a record ever. When it switches from the instrumental to the voice and guitar, it gets me every time.
Life Without Buildings – Sorrow
Such a unique band and such a unique voice. I think they’re due a serious reappraisal. We just put out a single by this amazing Irish poet/musician called Sinead O’Brien and I told her she kind of reminded me of them. The whole album Any Other City is so singular. This song, the final track, is kinda the only one she sings straight and it is utterly beautiful. It reminds me of Femme Fatale, very Velvets. That line ‘eyes like lotus leaves’ is one of my favourite images, ever.
Modern Nature – Nature
I’ve known Jack (Cooper) for years now. We started playing off gigs together in Manchester and I have been a huge fan of his songwriting and all his different projects. I work with Bella Union in my day job so have been helping run this album campaign and I think it’s his best thing yet. Jazzy, krauty and really captures that dichotomy of city life living alongside nature. A gem.
JW Ridley – Everything (Deathless)
My favourite ever Speedy release. I love everything about this song, his voice, Dan’s (Carey’s) production. It’s so Cure-y. Like all my favourite bands wrapped into one. And Dan’s synths at the end are just untouchable. I still hear new bits now.
Janet Kay – Silly Games
One of my mum’s favourite songs, and subsequently one of my mine. There is no better music than that which evokes a feeling. And put simply, it reminds me of her.
Founded four years ago by producer Dan Carey (Kate Tempest, Goat Girl, Bat for Lashes), and run with engineer Alexis Smith and A&R Pierre Hall the label specialises in 7” singles recorded at Dan's Streatham Studio.
Their releases have included tracks from Tempest, Melt Yourself Down, Warmduscher, Flamingods and current buzzy bands black midi, Squid and Black Country New Road.
Next Tuesday Speedy Wunderground will find out if their nomination for Best Small Label at the AIM Awards will materialise into a win, but ahead of the ceremony Pierre guides us through some of his favourite tracks from the label and beyond…
Florist – Celebration
I knew nothing about her but just saw the artwork and name in passing and loved them both so checked it out based on that. I fell in love immediately, it’s so intimate and simple. Already a contender for my album of the year.
Squid – Rodeo
Cheating – as this isn’t out yet – but we’re releasing it digitally via Speedy Wunderground on the 6th Sept. It’s the final track of their Town Centre EP – our very first non-single/compilation release.
Squid are such a special band and this showcases a completely different side of them. It reminds me of the more tender moments of Blur – The Universal or No Distance Left To Run. They started with it at Green Man, it was pissing down with rain. It was perfect.
Dion – Only You Know
My favourite song of all time is Runaround Sue by Dion & The Belmonts, which eventually leads you to this. It’s from his what was his ‘lost’ album Born To Be With You, produced by Phil Spector. It’s now become a cult classic with everyone referencing it from Jason Pierce to Jarvis Cocker. Alex Turner covered it. This song is so good – the lyrics, the production, the drums. The drums.
Badly Drawn Boy – The Shining
I’ve been revisiting this album recently and had forgotten what an incredible piece of work it is. The album is so great and varied – it really came from nowhere at the time. I think this is one of my favourite openings to a record ever. When it switches from the instrumental to the voice and guitar, it gets me every time.
Life Without Buildings – Sorrow
Such a unique band and such a unique voice. I think they’re due a serious reappraisal. We just put out a single by this amazing Irish poet/musician called Sinead O’Brien and I told her she kind of reminded me of them. The whole album Any Other City is so singular. This song, the final track, is kinda the only one she sings straight and it is utterly beautiful. It reminds me of Femme Fatale, very Velvets. That line ‘eyes like lotus leaves’ is one of my favourite images, ever.
Modern Nature – Nature
I’ve known Jack (Cooper) for years now. We started playing off gigs together in Manchester and I have been a huge fan of his songwriting and all his different projects. I work with Bella Union in my day job so have been helping run this album campaign and I think it’s his best thing yet. Jazzy, krauty and really captures that dichotomy of city life living alongside nature. A gem.
JW Ridley – Everything (Deathless)
My favourite ever Speedy release. I love everything about this song, his voice, Dan’s (Carey’s) production. It’s so Cure-y. Like all my favourite bands wrapped into one. And Dan’s synths at the end are just untouchable. I still hear new bits now.
Janet Kay – Silly Games
One of my mum’s favourite songs, and subsequently one of my mine. There is no better music than that which evokes a feeling. And put simply, it reminds me of her.
