POSTS TAGGED : Seazoo

10 Years of BarryGruff: Gruffalo Soldiers Zine

10 years, eh? How did that happen? I don’t really know where to begin. It feels both like yesterday and an absolute age since I began this blog.

There was no great plan starting out. It was an opportunity to regularly write and share music I found interesting, and something to keep me sane in the unemployment ridden world of post-banking collapse Ireland.

While a lot has changed over the 10 years, I have tried to keep the focus on music that I like and find exciting. There is a special feeling when you find something new that knocks you for six, I’d get that feeling blog or no blog, but it is nice to be able to share with other people.

In the spirit of keeping the focus on the music, to mark the 10 year milestone I decided to put together a Zine with a focus on some of my favourite artists from the past decade. There are interviews with Cian Ciaran from Super Furry Animals, Jinx Lennon, Elsa Lester, Peaness, Seazoo, Anderson, Martha Ffion & Lauran Hibberd, along with superb articles from Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight.

It has taken a bit of time to pull it all together and not without its hiccups along the way so I’m delighted it came to fruition in the end. It is/was an attempt to re-create an old fashioned Zine, whether that has been achieved or not, I hope you enjoy reading it.

I’d like to thank Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight for their articles, Peter Lane for use of his photos and artwork, Johnny Feeney for his IT acumen and support, all the artists who kindly took the time to be interviewed. Thanks to Stevie and Caroline for their assistance in getting this over the line and lastly, thank you all for indulging me with your time – it is greatly appreciated.

Barry

Seazoo – ‘Dig’

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It’s been said many, many times on here but Welsh five-piece Seazoo are an absolute treasure.

As one of the finest purveyors of indie-pop on the planet, they have consistently conjuring up majestic slices of smile inducing indie-pop bursting with exuberance, fizzing with energy.

The North Walian outfit are seeing out 2017 with ‘Dig’, the third single lifted from their forthcoming debut album, confirmed for release on January 26 2018. The new one is another effervescent piece of perfectly primed pop perfection, emblazoned with their signature and unrivalled fizzy, smile inducing and quirky tendencies with driving guitars, splashes of synth and infectious vocals. Quirky, catchy, infectious and undeniably brilliant, in four minutes flat ‘Dig’ displays the many delightful attributes that have marked them out as something so special from day one. Try get through to end of this catchy, upbeat beaut without bopping your head or smiling; impossible.

You can listen to ‘Dig’ below – along with a wee demo of said gem that Seazoo kindly provided for the GruffWuff compilation. 

Seazoo – ‘Shoreline’

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Welsh five-piece Seazoo have released their latest single ‘Shoreline’, the second track lifted from their forthcoming debut album out in November.

Having tracked and praised the North Walian outfit at every opportunity thus far, what more can said about Seazoo? They are one of the finest purveyors of indie-pop on the planet, consistently conjuring up majestic slices of indie-pop bursting with exuberance, fizzing with energy and undeniably brilliant! Latest cut ‘Shoreline’ exudes these many qualities and more. Quirky, catchy, with great vocal delivery, infectious guitar work and synth-skills. Try get through to end of this catchy, upbeat and happy-go-lucky beaut without bopping your head or smiling; impossible. Recorded between a decommissioned nuclear bunker and their home in Wrexham, North Wales, their long-awaited debut LP is out in November, which can’t come quick enough.

For now, treat you ears to ‘Shoreline’ below, and if that is too your liking? Why not sink your teeth into their previous work here.

Seazoo Announce Debut Album & Share ‘Roy’s World’

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Welsh indie pop maestros Seazoo have announced the release of a brand new single ‘Roy’s World’, taken from their debut album out summer 2017.

For a number of years now, the North Walian five-piece have utterly charmed us with their signature brand of effervescent, sprightly indie-pop tunes. Setting the standard for what will no doubt be a sparkling debut debut LP, Seazoo have shared ‘Roy’s World,’ the first track from the forthcoming record. ‘Roy’s World’ is both scuzzy and sweet, as it whizzes and fizzes through a blend of guitars, organs, synths and smiley melodies for an infectious, sun-kissed sound dripping with overwhelming sense of nostalgia. A sparkling, charming and irresistible piece of effervescent indie-pop, ‘Roy’s World’ should be a summer favourite.

‘Roy’s World’ is out now. Catch the Seazoo bug below:

Seazoo Return With 7″ of Sparkling, Catchy, Effervescent pop; ‘Teeth/Skulls’

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Over the past few years or so, Seazoo have been a dependable source for some of the most lovable, charming and sprightly indie-pop tunes this side of heaven,

The North Walian five-piece have returned with a new 7″, Teeth/Skulls to be released by Too Pure Singles Club on July 29th. The new tracks do nothing to dispel this notion, in fact, it just compounds this growing as one of the finest purveyors of pitch-perfect, indie-pop perfection! ‘Teeth’ is a sparkling, catchy, piece of effervescent pop, it whizzes and fizzes along and wrapped up with a shiny happiness, smiley melodies, scuzzy guitars, organ and synth. While ‘Skulls’ sees their recognisable jangle-pop-bounce joined by a touch more muscular aggression as rumbling, meaty basslines, fuzzy tones, driven guitars spacey synths, big beats, and crystal-clear vocals combine in magical and addicting perfect pop-craft harmony. Two fabulous cuts of irresistible, smile inducing skuzzed, fuzzed, indie-pop brilliance.

Seazoo just keep getting better and better with each release, and this is their best work to date. Needless to say, I can’t wait to hear what is next! For now, check out ‘Teeth/Skulls’ below. Out on July 29th.

Iechyd Da – A Tribute to Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci

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10 years on from Welsh psych-pop phenomenons Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci going their separate ways, Recordiau Prin‘s head honcho, Ash Cooke has curated Iechyd Da – The Music of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci; a 32-track celebration of the band, featuring covers from Gulp, Gorwel Owen Seazoo, Sweet Benfica, Stuart Kidd, Helicopter Spies, Baby Brave and many more.

Gorky’s are regarded as one of the most original and unique bands in the history of Welsh music. Formed in Carmarthen, west Wales in 1991, they drew from a diverse & eclectic range of musical influences, sang in both Welsh & English, released a string of excellent albums and thus, their cult status was cemented. Personally, it is a retrospective appreciation of their music. Lets just say, there weren’t many record shops in Kildare stocking Gorky’s stuff but their impact and influence has been a lasting one. Iechyd Da is a wonderful collection, crafted with obvious affection and respect it’s not only a tribute to Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, but a thank you from all those involved who loved the band’s music over the years. New to Gorky’s or a seasoned fan? There is something here for everyone.

There are a number of choice cuts from Stuart Kidd, Seazoo and Helicopter Spies for your perusal below. To seal the deal, Iechyd Da is out now and available for FREE from here.

 

Millions Like Us – Episode 10

 

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us podcast with you all. It’s great to back with the latest in a series of music podcasts hosted by Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

On a bi-weekly basis we aim to please, providing  some lively and entertaining chat and eclectic selection of fabulous music from metro Vancouver and elsewhere. There’s plenty in there, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

2016 has been good to us so far, so thanks for all the support thus far and once again, thanks for listening! And last but not least, thanks to Caroline for the image (and pancakes).

Episode #10 Track list:

BarryGruff January 2016 Playlist

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Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

January was a busy month, especially for new record announcements and whatnot. We had tunes from The Coral, Yuck, Sea Pinks, Steve Mason, exmagician, Ulrika Spacek, Coves and The Last Shadow Puppets, from their respective, new and forthcoming albums. We had introductions to Bousada, ACCU and Honey Moon, while there were excellent new singles/EPs from Seazoo, Allure, Applescal, Marta Ffion, Courtney Barnett, Shit Robot and Golden Fable. Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s January 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

 

Seazoo – ‘Telephone Jones’

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‘Telephone Jones’ is the new single by North Wales’ SEAZOO, and out on February 22nd.

Over the past few years we become accustomed to Seazoo serving up some of the most fabulous, charming and sprightly indie-pop on the planet, and the North Walian five-piece’s return, marks no deviation from this rich vein of form. A three-and-a-half minute pop nugget, ‘Telephone Jones’ whizzes and fizzes by with skuzzed guitars, delightful fuzz, smiley melodies and charming. Infectious doesn’t even cover the half of it; this is sparkling indie-pop perfection. A band to be treasured and enjoyed, no doubt about it.

New single ‘Telephone Jones’ is released on February 22nd via Bandcamp and is taken from a so-far-unnamed forthcoming EP, which shall be with us in late March. Till then? well, there’s ‘Telephone Jones’ of course. Check it out below now.

2015 According to Seazoo

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One of my proudest achievements on the blog this year, or any year for that matter, is the release of GruffWuff; a 19 track compilation of new, previously unreleased and exclusive recordings from some of my very favourite acts over the past 5 years of blogging.

It was a truly fantastic way to mark 5 years of BarryGruff and I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved and the overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response. As 2015 draws to a close, I have enlisted help from people who made the compilation what it was, to chat about their favourite moments and sounds from year, and up next is Seazoo.

In their relatively short life as a band – since April 2013 – North Walian five-piece Seazoo have impressed at every turn with their multifarious concoction of charming, sprightly indie-pop. Their music is a colourful, curious and smile inducing mix of guitar and keyboard noise, delightful fuzz and smiley melodies, filled with booning vitality; infectious doesn’t even cover the half of it. A band to be treasured and enjoyed.

Before we take a look at his 2015 sound selections, you should check out Seazoo’s sublime 2015 EP Car Deborah, and their GruffWuff inclusion, ‘Dig (Demo Version)’ – of which you can download here for FREE.

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