Monday, February 22, 2021

New Music From the Catenary Wires

If there is anything positive that can be taken from lockdown, it's that Rob Pursey and Amelia Fletcher, indie-pop's answer to Nancy & Lee, haven't rested on their laurels... and they certainly could have, couldn't they? After all, the duo has kept our heads bobbing since Talulah Gosh nearly 35 years ago.

In the last year, Rob and Amelia have had stints in new bands European Sun and Swansea Sound. If that hasn't been enough to keep us sated in these troubling times, don't forget that tremendous singles collection from their years in Heavenly. Oh, and there have been online DJ sets, an appearance at the Wedding Present's At the Edge of the Sofa virtual festival and on and on. Thank you, Rob and Amelia, for making the last year tolerable. Whippersnappers of the indie world should be taking notes on these two.

Now comes the best news of all with the triumphant return of the Catenary Wires. The duo has made an abrupt turn since the melancholic bedsit tunes of mini-album 'Red Red Skies' in 2015. Since 'Til the Morning' in 2019 there is a full band that now includes Fay Hallam on keyboard, Ian Button on drums and Andy Lewis on bass. Upcoming album 'Birling Gap' should hit the shelves in May.

Today, it is my distinct pleasure to join several other like-minded indie-pop fans in posting a listen to the first single from 'Birling Gap.' "Mirrorball" will be released as a 7" (and digitally) on Shelflife in America and on the band's own new label Skep Wax in the UK and elsewhere. The sound will take you back to the golden age of indie, and the gorgeous back-and-forth vocals of Rob and Amelia are sure to make you smile. Mark your calendars. The single comes out April 16th. In the meantime, let's go to the '80s disco for a listen to that A-side. Can love really be found under the mirrorball?

5 comments:

Dan Destiny’s Silver Dawn said...

“I drowned in bad production” - love it!

More importantly, is that THE Fay Hallam? As in singer, songwriter, keyboard goddess from Makin Time? As in the Fay Hallam responsible for one of my favourite LPs of the last decade (Lost In Sound)? If so, that’s quite a potent combination!

Brian said...

Hey, DDSD. Hope all is well in New Zealand. I'm sure I have read somewhere Fay lives down the street from Rob and Amelia. Talented neighborhood, eh? Check her out on Til the Morning too. Plenty of organ on that one.

Rob Pursey said...

it's true! When we moved to this tiny village in Kent, we had no idea Fay lived just down the road. Lucky us. Her keyboard (and vocals) are a really big part of the Catenary Wires sound now...

The Swede said...

Very groovy!

C said...

Oh, this is lovely. Just the right kind of sweetness I have a real soft spot for.