Islet (band)

Last updated

Islet
Genres Experimental rock, psychedelic pop, no wave, krautrock, post-punk
Years active2009–present
LabelsShape Records
Turnstile Music
Fire Records
MembersEmma Daman Thomas
Mark Daman Thomas
John (JT) Thomas
Alex Williams
Website islet.wales

Islet are a Welsh band formed in Cardiff in 2009. [1] [2] They are known for their experimental, genre-defying sound and energetic live shows. Their music takes in elements of experimental rock, psychedelic pop, [3] no wave, [4] krautrock [5] and post-punk. [6]

Contents

They have been shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize twice: in 2012, for Illuminated People, [7] and in 2020, for Eyelet . [8] Islet have released four studio albums and four EPs.

History

Islet were formed in Cardiff in 2009 [9] [10] by brothers Mark and John Thomas with Emma Daman (formerly of The Victorian English Gentlemens Club). [1] [11] Alex Williams joined the band in late 2009. [12] After signing to Turnstile Music, the band released the EPs Celebrate this Place and Wimmy in 2010. [1] [13] Despite being an EP, Wimmy was placed at number 32 in the NME Albums and Tracks of the Year, 2010. [14] Celebrate This Place received a positive critical reception from reviewers. [6] In November 2011, the band released in Japan, Celebrate This Place With Me, a compilation of the two EPs on the Big Nothing record label. [15] Their debut album, Illuminated People, was issued in January 2012. [11] [16]

Their early live shows were known for their avant garde approach, high energy and often improvisational performances, with long percussive sections. [17] After performing at Cardiff's Sŵn Festival in 2009, NME described their set as "a shamanic percussive offensive powering the truly unique quartet through a spellbinding half hour that bleeds impassioned improv spirit". [18] One notable aspect of Islet's early live performances was their tendency to swap instruments during their sets, contributing to a dynamic and unpredictable stage presence. [19] Initially the band were known for their lack of interest in promotion - eschewing any form of web presence and choosing to communicate with their zine 'The Isness'. [20] The live shows led to the band developing a cult following. [21]

2013's album, Released by the Movement and 2016's Liquid Half Moon EP were both released on the band's own Shape Records. The music critic, Laura Snapes, noted there was more of a focus on songwriting on the EP. [22] The EP was also included in James Acaster's book, Perfect Sound Whatever , which featured the author's favourite music that was released in 2016. [22]

In 2019, the band signed to Fire Records [23] and announced their forthcoming new album, Eyelet . The album went on to win the 2020 Neutron Prize from God Is in the TV . [24] Around this time John Robb commented on the band's live shows as combining "the threads and entrails of free jazz and the boundary busting attitude of post punk and the endless adventure of world music and even the sweatshod rock n roll of the OC’s into the kind of music that makes the so called avant garde into a party and a celebration of action, time and vision". [25] After seeing the band perform at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival in 2019, Stewart Lee on his website said of Islet, "they blew my mind. It was the perfect mix of experimentation and entertainment, brain and heart engaged simultaneously". [26] On 20 June 2023, the group released a new song "Euphoria" as the lead single from their next album. [27]

Their most recent album, Soft Fascination, was released in September 2023. [28]

Discography

EPs

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manic Street Preachers</span> Welsh rock band

Manic Street Preachers, also known simply as the Manics, are a Welsh rock band formed in Blackwood, Caerphilly, in 1986. The band consists of Nicky Wire and cousins James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore. They form a key part of the 1990s Welsh Cool Cymru cultural movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soft Cell</span> English synthpop duo

Soft Cell are an English synth-pop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. The duo consists of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The band are primarily known for their 1981 hit version of "Tainted Love" and their platinum-selling debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Zinner</span> American guitarist

Nicholas Joseph Zinner is the guitarist and record producer for the New York rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Zinner is also a photographer.

The Music were an English alternative rock band, formed in Kippax, Leeds in 1999. Comprising Robert Harvey, Adam Nutter, Stuart Coleman (bass) and Phil Jordan (drums), the band came to prominence with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2002. The band released two further studio albums, Welcome to the North (2004) and Strength in Numbers (2008), before parting ways in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euros Childs</span> Musical artist

Euros Childs is a Welsh musician and songwriter, perhaps best known as the frontman for the band Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and—as of January 2019—the keyboardist for Teenage Fanclub. His sister, violinist Megan Childs, was also a member of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, and their father Lynn played on some Gorky's recordings, most notably on Barafundle. Childs was born in Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire, and was educated at the Welsh-medium school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthenshire.

Clor was a short-lived five-piece band from Brixton, England, formed by Barry Dobbin and Luke Smith in 2003 and which signed to the Parlophone record label after only six gigs. The band released a self-titled first album, in 2005 to critical acclaim. The album was selected by NME journalist Krissi Murison for the list of "The 100 Greatest Albums You've Never Heard" published by the NME in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demob Happy</span> English alternative rock band

Demob Happy are an English alternative rock band, formed in 2008 in Newcastle upon Tyne and now based in Brighton. The band is composed of singer-bassist Matthew Marcantonio, drummer Thomas Armstrong and guitarist Adam Godfrey.

Wat Tyler were an English punk/novelty band of the late 1980s and 1990s, fronted by Sean Forbes alongside Simon Tucker and Smithy. The band were known for their eclectic style, political commentary, surreal humour, and inside jokes, and produced a number of EPs and albums on different labels, including their own Rugger Bugger imprint and Lookout! Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cate Le Bon</span> Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer

Cate Le Bon is a Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer. She sings in both English and Welsh. She has released six solo studio albums, to date, and is one half of the experimental music duo DRINKS with her partner Tim Presley. Her stage name is a tribute to English musician Simon Le Bon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds</span> British alternative rock band

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are an English rock band formed in 2010 as the solo moniker of Oasis songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Noel Gallagher. The touring band consists of former Oasis members Gem Archer (guitar), Mike Rowe (piano), and Chris Sharrock (drums), as well as former Zutons bassist Russell Pritchard. The band has also had a variety of guests contribute to albums such as the Crouch End Festival Chorus, Amorphous Androgynous, Johnny Marr, and Paul Weller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spector (band)</span> British music band

Spector are a British indie rock band from London, composed of Frederick Macpherson, Jed Cullen (guitar), Nicolas Py (drums) and Danny Blandy. They've released three albums and one compilation. The band's debut album Enjoy It While It Lasts reached number 12 in the UK Albums Chart and went to number one on the Official Record Store Chart on the week of its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Staves</span> English indie folk band

The Staves are an English indie folk duo of sisters Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor from Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Formerly their third sister Emily was also part of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basement (band)</span> English rock band

Basement are an English rock band formed in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2009. Their debut studio album, I Wish I Could Stay Here, was released in 2011. The next year, Colourmeinkindness was released, charting on the US Billboard Top 200. After touring in support of Colourmeinkindness, the band went on hiatus in 2012. In 2014, they reunited to release the EP Further Sky. The next album, Promise Everything, charted in 2016 in Australia, the UK and the US. The band's fourth album, Beside Myself, was released in October 2018.

Stephen Black, also known by his stage name Sweet Baboo, is a Welsh musician. Before becoming a solo artist, he played with the band JT MOuse. Alongside his solo work, he has also played with many other artists, including Gruff Rhys, Cate Le Bon, Euros Childs, Piney Gir and Slow Club. He is bilingual in Welsh and English but usually sings in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wytches</span> English rock band

The Wytches are an English rock band formed in 2011 in Peterborough. Following their formation, the band were based in Brighton. The band currently consists of singer-songwriter Kristian Bell, bassist Daniel Rumsey, keyboardist/guitarist Mark Breed and drummer Demelza Mather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turnstile (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

Turnstile is an American hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2010. They have released five EPs and three studio albums. The band's third album Glow On was released in 2021 to critical and commercial success; the songs "Holiday" and "Blackout" earned the band three nominations at the 65th Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soft Play</span> English punk rock band

Soft Play are an English punk rock duo formed by Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent in Royal Tunbridge Wells in 2012. They were known as Slaves until 2022, when they changed their name due to their original name's unwanted connotations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superheaven</span> American alternative rock band

Superheaven, formerly known as Daylight, is an American alternative rock band formed in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in 2008. Their music has been described as reminiscent of 1990s grunge and shoegaze.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaffa Tape Sandy</span> English garage rock band

Gaffa Tape Sandy are an English garage rock band, formed in 2015 in Bury St Edmunds and now based in Brighton, England. The band is composed of singer-guitarist Kim Jarvis, singer-bassist Catherine Neilson and drummer Robin Francis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Wrench (music producer)</span> Welsh musician, songwriter and producer

David Wrench is a Welsh musician, songwriter, producer and mixer based in London. His work has been nominated for Grammys, Brit Awards and shortlisted for numerous Mercury Prize nominations including the 2017 winning album Process by Sampha. and Arlo Parks 2021 'Collapsed in Sunbeams’. Wrench has been the recipient of the BBC Radio Cymru C2 Producer of the Year award five times in six years between 2007 and 2012 and has received Music Producer Guild Awards (MPGs) including Mix Engineer of the Year 2016 and 2019. Credits include, David Byrne, Frank Ocean, The Pretenders, Blur, Caribou, Goldfrapp, Erasure, The xx, Sampha, Jamie xx, Jungle, FKA Twigs, Glass Animals, Florence and the Machine, Arlo Parks, Alma, Hot Chip, Marika Hackman, Honne, Jack Garratt, Manic Street Preachers, Villagers, Courtney Barnett, Austra, Tourist, Richard Russell, Let's Eat Grandma, Young Fathers, Georgia, Bat For Lashes and Race Horses.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Phares, Heather. "Islet biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "Islet - 'Illuminated People'". Nme.com. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  3. ↑ Kent, Gareth (9 April 2020). "Eyelet by the Psychedelic Pop Trio Islet". Walesartsreview.org. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Hodgson, Jaimie (1 October 2009). "New Music: Islet - Web-Snubbing DIY Welsh No-Wave". Nme.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Cummings, Bill (28 June 2023). "NEWS: Islet Return With 'Euphoria' Video And Upcoming 'Soft Fascination' Album And Tour - God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Islet – Celebrate This Place". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Welsh Music Prize shortlist announced". Complete Music Update . 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  8. ↑ Weinrichter Roncero, Lucia (30 October 2020). "Islet have been shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize with 'Eyelet'". Fire Records . Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  9. ↑ Cottingham, Christian (24 January 2012). "Islet – Illuminated People". Thelineofbestfit.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Hewitt, Ben (20 January 2012). "Islet Illuminated People Review". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  11. 1 2 Garner, Noel (20 January 2012). "Islet - 'Illuminated People'". Nme.com. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Islet". Firerecords.com. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  13. ↑ McCarron, Toby (8 January 2012). "Islet – Illuminated People (Turnstile)". Addictmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  14. ↑ "NME's best albums and tracks of 2010". Nme.com . 10 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Islet". Bignothing.blog88.fc2.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  16. ↑ Monroe, Jazz (16 January 2012). "Islet - Illuminated People". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  17. ↑ "Review: How The Light Gets In festival, Hay on Wye". Bbc.co.uk. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  18. ↑ "Live Review: SWN Featival[sic]". Nme.com. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "Islet, Café Oto, London". Diymag.com. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  20. ↑ Owens, David (18 August 2010). "Islet to bring their DIY approach to Green Man Festival". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  21. ↑ Murray, Robin (4 May 2012). "Dot To Dot Preview: Islet". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Islet Build "Utopian Gnome Sanctuaries" With Jagged, Mystic Post-Punk". Daily.bandcamp.com. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  23. ↑ "Islet's third outing is full of reflective, explorative psych wonderment". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  24. ↑ Cummings, Bill (30 September 2020). "NEWS: Islet Win The Neutron Prize 2020! - God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  25. ↑ "Islet: Focus Wales Festival, Wrexham - live review". Louderthanwar.com. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  26. ↑ Lee, Stewart. "FROM THE METRO-LIB-ELITE DESK OF Stewart Lee FEB / March 2020 : Stewart Lee - 41st Best Standup Ever!". Stewartlee.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  27. ↑ Murray, Robin (20 June 2023). "Islet Launch New Album 'Soft Fascination' | News". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Soft Fascination - Islet | Releases". AllMusic . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Golden Top EP, by Islet". Islet.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.