Wild Palms (band)

Last updated

Wild Palms
Wild Palms.jpg
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Post-punk revival
  • Alternative
Years active2010–2017
Labels One Little Indian
Members
  • Lou Hill
  • Darrell Hawkins
  • Gareth Jones
  • James Parish
Website www.wearewildpalms.com

Wild Palms was a British four-piece alternative band based in London, England, who were signed to One Little Indian Records in 2010. Formerly operating under the name Ex-Lion Tamers, [1] [2] the foursome saw their song "Helen's Exile" gain significant recognition just before the band rebranded itself as Wild Palms. In 2009 Wild Palms released their debut single "Over Time", [3] followed by "Deep Dive" in 2010. [4]

Contents

Background

Vocalist Lou Hill met bassist Gareth Jones at school while he was performing alone as a garage MC. During the same period, the two also became friends with drummer James Parish and began listening to similar styles of music before finally meeting guitarist Darrell Hawkins. By 2007 all four founding members were acquainted. [5] At this point the four band members were still pursuing different musical projects, but were slowly gravitating toward each other musically.

The quartet eventually came together in 2008, rehearsing and fashioning their style and sound, taking inspiration from other musicians such as Beefheart, Can, and the Fall. [1] [5] Burial, Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, and TV on the Radio are also considered influences by the band. [6] [7] They began playing live shows together under the name Ex-Lion Tamers; their sound during this period was described as having "angular twang and a youthful snarl". [8] Once their music established a foothold, the band retired their original moniker and re-emerged as Wild Palms.

Wild Palms

A degree of change in the band's sound accompanied the change of name. [8] Their post-Ex-Lion Tamers style has been described as "art rock", "indie-rock" and "post-punk". [2] [4] They set up their own rehearsal space in North London, in order to allow themselves to rehearse regularly and experiment with sounds, styles, and ideas, and develop what Clash called "a distinct songwriting voice." [1] A review of one of their performances from this time period called it "energetic" and indicative of "a band really getting into their stride." [4] Wild Palms recorded three singles, working with producer Gareth Jones: [4] "Over Time", described as having "heavy angular guitar stabs"; [4] "To The Lighthouse"; and "Deep Dive", described as having a pleasingly "thick, heavy sound". [7]

Until Spring

Wild Palms began work on their debut album in 2010, after signing with One Little Indian Records on a three-record deal. [7] The "run-down" space in which recording for Until Spring took place was considered a plus by the band; singer Hill called it "a major influence on the record". [6] The band rigged microphones to Biffa bins [5] as well as a water tank to create unique sounds while recording the album. There was a deliberate effort to create a different sound for the album than the band was known for from live shows, and to get away from the post-punk label. [6] The band was also motivated by a desire to create "a continuous piece of work, rather than a collection of songs". [6] They again worked with producer Gareth Jones on the album, [1] which was released on 7th March 2011. [5]

James Aparicio was Until Spring's sound engineer. [6] Graphic design and art direction for the album were the work of Aneel Kalsi, using photographs taken by Ben Westoby. [7]

Clash magazine said in its review that "Until Spring is a romantically epic album, lovingly pieced together by a compelling band." [9] Parts of the album were characterised as "murky, overcast and at times tedious" by Loud and Quiet 's review. [8] A review by musicOMH referred to lead singer "Hill's voice [a]s a continual point of interest" but also said the album "suffers from falling short in execution of [its] idea[s]." [2]

The single "Delight in Temptation" was released just after the album on 14 March 2011. [5] Fans were invited to remix the track, which Clash described as "[a]n ode to humanity's carnal nature", [1] musicOMH called "really quite pretty at times", [2] and Stereoboard characterised as "anthemic". [5]

Touring

In 2010, Wild Palms toured the UK and also performed at several festivals, including Camden Crawl, Great Escape, and Standon Calling [7] The band opened for the American indie rock group Cold War Kids during the latter's tour in 2011, in between recording Until Spring. [1] They then embarked on their own tour to promote the album after its release, at venues both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, playing songs from Until Spring as well as unreleased songs. [5]

Band members

Discography

Singles

EPs

Albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreigner (band)</span> British-American rock band

Foreigner is a British-American rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones, vocalist Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Ed Gagliardi and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, the last of whom was also a founding member of King Crimson. Foreigner is one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, with worldwide sales of more than 80 million records, including 37.5 million in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teenage Fanclub</span> Scottish alternative rock band

Teenage Fanclub are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Glasgow in 1989. The group were founded by Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerard Love, all of whom shared lead vocals and songwriting duties until Love's departure in 2018. As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of Blake, McGinley, Francis Macdonald, Dave McGowan and Euros Childs.

<i>Cut the Crap</i> 1985 studio album by the Clash

Cut the Crap is the sixth and final studio album by the English punk band the Clash, released on 4 November 1985 by CBS Records. It was recorded in early 1985 at Weryton Studios, Munich, following a turbulent period: co-founder, lead guitarist and co-principal songwriter Mick Jones and drummer Topper Headon had been dismissed by lead vocalist Joe Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon. Jones and Headon were replaced by three unknowns: guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard and drummer Pete Howard. During the tense recording sessions, Clash manager Bernie Rhodes and Strummer fought each other for control over the band's songwriting and musical direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swingin' Utters</span> American punk rock band

Swingin' Utters is a Californian punk rock band that formed in the late 1980s. After U.S. and European tours supporting the release of 2003's "Dead Flowers, Bottles, Bluegrass and Bones", some band members concentrated on raising their new families. From 2003-2010, the band played frequently, though mostly limited to the west coast of the United States and Canada, taking a break from any longer, comprehensive touring or recordings. During this time, they released the "Live in a Dive" double live album on Fat Wreck Chords (2004), and "Hatest Grits", a b-sides and rarities compilation (2008). After a seven-year gap in the release of any new, original recordings, the band released the "Brand New Lungs" 3-song 7-inch ep in 2010, followed by the "Here, Under Protest" LP (2011), and have since released four more records, and have resumed touring internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danko Jones</span> Canadian rock trio

Danko Jones is a Canadian hard rock trio from Toronto. The band consists of Danko Jones (vocals/guitar), John "JC" Calabrese (bass), and Rich Knox (drums). The band's music includes elements of hard rock and punk,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolfmother</span> Australian hard rock band

Wolfmother is an Australian hard rock band from Sydney. Formed in 2004, the group is centred around vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, who is the only constant member of the line-up. The band has been through many personnel changes since their formation. The original – and most commercially successful – line-up included bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Ross and Heskett left Wolfmother after four years in 2008.

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

Idlewild are a Scottish rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995. The band's line-up consists of Roddy Woomble, Rod Jones, Colin Newton (drums), Andrew Mitchell (bass), and Luciano Rossi (keyboards). To date, Idlewild have released nine full-length studio albums.

<i>Warnings/Promises</i> 2005 studio album by Idlewild

Warnings/Promises is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Idlewild, released on 7 March 2005 by Parlophone. Following the release of their third studio album The Remote Part (2002), Gavin Fox replaced bassist Bob Fairfoull, and touring guitarist Allan Stewart became a permanent member. They spent the majority of 2003 writing material, before traveling to Malmö, Sweden to record at Tambourine Studios with producer Dave Eringa. After finishing five tracks, they went to Los Angeles to work at Sunset Sound Recorders with producer Tony Hoffer. Due to the laidback nature of the sessions, the band had to re-record everything; recording concluded in October 2004. Described as a college rock and folk rock album, Warnings/Promises emphasized more acoustic instrumentation than its predecessor.

Stephen Pavlovic is an Australian music entrepreneur. Pavlovic began promoting music tours, events and concerts in 1990. Since then he has toured artists including Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Beck, Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, The Cure, Grace Jones, LCD Soundsystem, and more. In 1998 he founded the record label Modular Recordings home to The Avalanches, Tame Impala and Cut Copy and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow Club</span> British indie pop band

Slow Club were an English duo formed in Sheffield in 2006. The band consisted of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Lucy Taylor, with Watson contributing piano, Taylor contributing drums, and both performing guitar and vocals. The band split in 2017 following an extensive tour to support their last album, with both members moving on to solo projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutch Uncles</span> English indie pop band

Dutch Uncles are an English indie pop band from Marple, England. They are known for their use of atypical time signatures within a pop context, and the androgynous vocals of frontman Duncan Wallis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tame Impala</span> Australian psychedelic music project

Tame Impala is the psychedelic music project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In the recording studio, Parker writes, records, performs, and produces all of the project's music. As a touring act, Tame Impala consists of Parker, Dominic Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery, and Julien Barbagallo. The group has a close affiliation with fellow Australian psychedelic rock band Pond, sharing members and collaborators, including Nick Allbrook, formerly a live member of Tame Impala. Originally signed to Modular Recordings, Tame Impala is now signed to Interscope Records in the United States and Fiction Records in the United Kingdom.

<i>Romance Is Boring</i> 2010 studio album by Los Campesinos!

Romance Is Boring is the third studio album by Welsh indie pop band Los Campesinos!, released on 26 January 2010 via Wichita and Arts & Crafts. Produced by John Goodmanson, the album's maximalist production, unconventional structure and particularly demoralising themes marked a departure from the band's previous twee pop sound.

<i>One Good Thing</i> 2010 studio album by Lou Rhodes

One Good Thing it the third solo album released by English singer-songwriter Lou Rhodes. It was released in early 2010, following a reunion tour of Rhodes with her previous band Lamb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Fighters</span> British band

Crystal Fighters are an English-Spanish electronic music band, formed in 2007. Their debut album, Star of Love, was released in October 2010 in the UK and was released in the US through Atlantic Records in April 2012. Their second album, Cave Rave, was released on 27 May 2013 and their third, Everything Is My Family was released on 21 October 2016. Their fourth album titled Gaia & Friends was released on 1 March 2019. Their most recent album titled LIGHT+ was released on 3 November 2023.

<i>Up, Guards and at Em!</i> 2011 studio album by The Pigeon Detectives

Up, Guards and at 'Em! is the third studio album by Leeds-based Indie rock band The Pigeon Detectives. It was released on 4 April 2011 by Dance to the Radio, and follows the band's 2009 album Emergency

Mark W. Doyon is an American author, recording artist, and creative director. He has led the indie rock bands Arms of Kismet, Wampeters and Waterslide, and produced tribute albums to Jonathan Richman, Lou Reed and Warren Zevon. He is the founder and principal of the record label and media company Wampus Multimedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcane Roots</span> English rock band

Arcane Roots were a three-piece alternative rock band from Kingston upon Thames, England, formed in 2006. In its final incarnation, the band consisted of Andrew Groves, Adam Burton (bass), and Jack Wrench (drums).

<i>Lonerism</i> 2012 studio album by Tame Impala

Lonerism is the second studio album by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 5 October 2012 by Modular Recordings. Like the band's debut studio album, Innerspeaker (2010), Lonerism was written, recorded, performed, and produced by Kevin Parker, with live member Jay Watson contributing on two tracks. Recorded mostly in Perth, Australia, and Paris, France, Lonerism builds on the psychedelic sound of its predecessor and features fewer guitars and more synthesisers and samples. Parker attempted to incorporate his love for pop music into his songwriting for the record through catchier melodies. Many tracks feature ambient sounds recorded by Parker with a dictaphone. The album's theme of isolation is reflected in the album cover, featuring an image of a fenced-off Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.

<i>A Winged Victory for the Sullen</i> (album) 2011 studio album by A Winged Victory for the Sullen

A Winged Victory for the Sullen is the eponymous debut studio album by the ambient music duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen. It was released on 8 September 2011 on Erased Tapes Records and Kranky. Recorded over a two-year period at six studios throughout Europe, A Winged Victory for the Sullen features extensive use of natural reverb and combines classical instrumentation with soundscapes and drones. In addition to members Dustin O'Halloran and Adam Wiltzie, the album features several prominent collaborators, including Hildur Guðnadóttir and Nils Frahm.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Murray, Robin (28 January 2011). "Wild Palms Added To Cold War Kids Tour". Clash . Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Wild Palms — Until Spring". MusicOMH . 7 March 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  3. ↑ Quinn, S. (3 May 2011). "REVIEW: Wild Palms — Until Spring". Mixtape Muse. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Editorial, CMU (25 May 2010). "Live Review: Wild Palms at CAMP Basement in London on 18 May". Complete Music Update. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Stickler, Jon (13 January 2011). "The Wild Palms Announce March UK Tour & New Single & Tickets". Stereoboard. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wild Palms // The 405 Interview". The 405. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Turauskis, Maria (28 October 2010). "Wild Palms Interview". More Than the Music. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Wray, Daniel Dylan (9 March 2011). "Wild Palms — Until Spring (One Little Indian)". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  9. ↑ Freeman, John (9 March 2011). "Wild Palms — Until Spring". Clash magazine. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
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.