When Catenary Wires Away, Amelia and Rob Play

While many of us have have had our heads resting in our hands during the pandemic, indie-pop royals Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey have made lemonade out of lemons by adding two more names to their impressive and ever-growing list of bands you need to hear. I think it's fair to say when you're talented, adored and have lots of like-minded musical pals, opportunity will continue to knock. First up is European Sun, fronted by singer-songwriter Steve Miles of the Short Stories. Behind the kind of pleasant understated jangle we love in these parts lies important points to ponder in this mixed-up world. These messages are delivered by Miles and Fletcher, and the way their voices sound together is, ahem, heavenly. The band's self-titled debut, out last week on the always dependable WIAIWYA label, is essential listening. Let's hope European Sun is much more than a one-off respite.

Switching gears, in the late '80s and early '90s, Fletcher popped up on many works of the Pooh Sticks, including albums 'Orgasm,' 'The Great White Wonder' and 'Million Seller,' to name a few. Must have been some unfinished business there because she has reunited with Hue Williams to form Swansea Sound, along with mates Pursey (on guitars) and Ian Button (drums) from the Catenary Wires. Like with European Sun, the band has a message or two, and the "oppressive dead hand of the corporate music sector," as their press release states, will surely have you nodding in agreement.

Everything about Swansea Sound rails against the machine, and that goes from debut single, "Corporate Indie Band"/"Angry Girl," down to the format used for release. This one comes out, ahem, on tape (sorry, again!) Oct. 17 as part of Cassette Week. This one is via obscure format label Lavender Sweep (from Swansea, of course), and future songs will come out on handpicked indies with similar ideals. If cassette is not your thing, you will be able to download from Bandcamp. Spotify, Apple Music or other corporate providers? Forget about it. That's right. Stick it to the man!



Fletcher and Pursey are the couple that keeps on giving. There is another impending release I'm excited about, but we'll save that for a little later.