Dry Cleaning (band)

Last updated

Dry Cleaning
Origin South London, United Kingdom
Genres Post-punk
Years active2017–present
Labels
Members
  • Florence Shaw
  • Lewis Maynard
  • Tom Dowse
  • Nick Buxton
Website drycleaningband.com

Dry Cleaning are an English post-punk band who formed in South London in 2017. [3] The band is composed of vocalist Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, bassist Lewis Maynard and drummer Nick Buxton. They are noted for their use of spoken word primarily in lieu of sung vocals, as well as their unconventional lyrics. Their musical style has been compared to Wire, Magazine and Joy Division. [4] They have been described as "Annette Peacock fronting the Fall or PiL or Siouxsie and the Banshees". [5]

Contents

The band's debut album, New Long Leg , was released in April 2021 to widespread critical acclaim, with its follow-up, Stumpwork , released in October 2022 to further accolades.

History

Formation

When Lewis Maynard, Tom Dowse and Nick Buxton – old friends whose previous bands had crossed paths in London - united to start a new band together in 2017, they did so with the intention of doing so for fun. Rehearsing from the garage at Maynard's mothers house, the trio spent the next few months writing the songs that would ultimately become Dry Cleaning.

Vocalist Florence Shaw had met Tom Dowse around 2010 at the Royal College of Art where they both were students, and quickly became friends.

Convincing Shaw to join the band took months. The rest of the band members invited her to one of their rehearsals. Drummer Nick Buxton told Shaw she could just talk instead of sing and gave her a playlist that included Grace Jones' cover of "Private Life" and other similar tracks. She finally accepted and went into rehearsal with "writing from my old drawings, stuff I’d written on my phone, diaries, things I’d seen in adverts and thought were funny" — and read aloud as the other three played their instruments around her. She recalls this moment “like when you see those cheesy films about bands, and they’re writing the hit, and there’s a magic moment.” [6] [7]

"Magic of Meghan", EPs and New Long Leg

The band released their debut single, "Magic of Meghan" in 2019. Shaw wrote the song after going through a break-up and moving out of her former partner's apartment the same day that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they were engaged. [8] This was followed by the release of two EPs that year: Sweet Princess in August and Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks in October. The band were included as part of the NME 100 of 2020, [9] as well as DIY magazine's Class of 2020. [10]

The band signed to 4AD in late 2020 and shared a new single, "Scratchcard Lanyard". [11] In February 2021, the band shared details of their debut studio album, New Long Leg . They also shared the single "Strong Feelings". [12] The album, which was produced by John Parish, was released on 2 April 2021. [13]

Stumpwork

In June 2022, the band announced a new single, "Don't Press Me", which premiered on BBC Radio 6 Music on 14 June. That same day they announced their second album Stumpwork , which was released on 21 October 2022. [14] [15] As with their debut, the album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, and produced by John Parish. [16]

Members

Discography

Dry Cleaning at the Meltdown Festival in 2022 Dry Cleaning (52144611651).jpg
Dry Cleaning at the Meltdown Festival in 2022
Dry Cleaning discography
Studio albums2
Compilation albums1
EPs3
Singles10

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, showing other relevant details
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[17]
UK
Indie

[18]
AUS
[19]
BEL
(FL)

[20]
IRE
[21]
POR
[22]
SCO
[23]
US
Sales

[24]
US
Heat

[25]
New Long Leg 4167452646016
Stumpwork
  • Released: 21 October 2022
  • Label: 4AD
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download, streaming
114773093413

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions, showing other relevant details
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
Indie

[26]
UK
Phys.

[27]
Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks/Sweet Princess
  • Released: 25 October 2019
  • Label: It's OK
  • Formats: LP
3691

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
DL

[28]
Sweet Princess
  • Released: 24 September 2018
  • Label: It's OK
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, cassette
Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks
  • Released: 25 October 2019
  • Label: It's OK
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Tascam Sessions
  • Released: 16 November 2021
  • Label: 4AD
  • Formats: 12-inch vinyl
Swampy
  • Released: 1 March 2023
  • Label: 4AD
  • Formats: Digital download, cassette
51

Singles

List of extended plays with relevant details
TitleYearAlbums
"Magic of Meghan" [29] 2019Sweet Princess
"Goodnight" [30]
"Sit Down Meal" [31] Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks
"Viking Hair" [32]
"Scratchcard Lanyard" [33] 2020New Long Leg
"Strong Feelings" [34] 2021
"Unsmart Lady"
"Oblivion"Non-album singles
"Bug Eggs" / "Tony Speaks!"
"Don't Press Me" [16] 2022Stumpwork
"Anna Calls from the Arctic"
"Gary Ashby"
"No Decent Shoes For Rain"

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated WorkResultRef
2021 AIM Independent Music Awards Best Independent AlbumNew Long LegNominated [35]
2022 Libera Awards Record of the Year Nominated [36]
Best Alternative Rock RecordNominated
2023Record of the YearStumpworkPending [37]
Best Alternative Rock RecordPending
2024 Grammy Awards Best Recording Package Won [38]

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References

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  2. "It's OK (2) Label - Releases". Discogs. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
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  9. Smith, Thomas (3 January 2020). "The NME 100: Essential new artists for 2020". NME. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
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  13. "Dry Cleaning: New Long Leg review - terrific post-punk poets of the everyday". the Guardian. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  14. "Dry Cleaning Announce New Album Stumpwork, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. 14 June 2022.
  15. "Dry Cleaning – "Don't Press Me"". Stereogum. 14 June 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Dry Cleaning : Announce New Album 'Stumpwork' & New Single 'Don't Press Me'". 4AD. 14 June 2022.
  17. "Dry Cleaning | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  18. Peak positions
  19. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 31 October 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1704. Australian Recording Industry Association. 31 October 2022. p. 6.
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  22. "Portuguesecharts.com – Dry Cleaning – New Long Leg". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  23. Peak positions on the Scottish Albums Chart:
  24. Peak positions
  25. Peak positions
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  27. "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  28. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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