This Saturday (March 12th) sees the launch of Saraseto Records’ debut compilation ‘Everywhere You Are’. Taking place at Glasgow’s Stereo, the launch will include performances from the likes of SAFARI, Blue Sky Archives and Little Fire who all feature on the album.
But as you sift through the tracks, it becomes evident that Saraseto Records have a real eye for talent ranging from not only Glasgow and London but to as far as Los Angeles and Toronto.
The album opens with our very own Mitchell Museum’s ‘Warning’, a lovely little track which introduces the soft rock theme of the album (not the only theme, however) which is continued by Ottawa’s Loon Choir and ‘Bricks’, a lo-fi track with some great synthy hooks. Blue Sky Archives’ ‘Crash Your Face’ offers some ace female vocals coupled with that great twinkling guitar sound that a lot of Scottish bands, in particular, seem to capture perfectly. Next is Eastern Conference Champions’ ‘Bloody Bells’ – a quirky, upbeat, feel good track, giving the record some Trans-Atlantic indie pop magic.
Bravestation, while still maintaining that indie feel, include 80s disco and even Indian elements in their track ‘Clocks & Spears’, introducing new themes of pop and dance within the album, further showing the compilation to still be quite versatile whilst featuring primarily soft rock and indie bands. SAFARI’s rather flamboyant ‘Quicksand’ is another example of this, taking influence from 80s indie pop, similar to modern bands such as Everything Everything and Two Door Cinema Club. The next track is courtesy of Glasgow’s new electro-pop superheroes Nevada Base. ‘Electric Touch’ captures the very character of the band, from their fantastic use of synth, vocals and drum machine to their unique mixing and production styles.
The energy is slowly taken down a notch or two with Callel’s ‘Best Foot On The Ground’ and then even further with Ayr’s Little Fire and their lovely acoustic and vocal track ‘Fire Me Up Now’. Wheat’s ‘Changes’ has an almost Bruce Springsteen feeling to it at times but with a little more carefree immaturity while Welcome Back Sailors balance this off with ‘Skateboard’, a really smooth ambient track and, again, unlike any of its precursors.
The Cinnamons bring back the original indie pop theme with an American twist (even though they’re from Glasgow). Think Fountains of Wayne with darker vocals and you’re almost there. London’s She Said Resist bring some Morrissey charm to the record via ‘Chasing Elliot’, a simple track with deep bass and soft pulsing synths, awakened by distorted guitar used to great effect.
Glasgow’s very own ‘Over The Wall’ close the record with a simple indie folk track, with vocals similar to Bright Eyes’ Conor Obert – besides the Glaswegian accent, of course. ‘Thurso’ includes a lot of interesting little instruments which come together to create the background upon which the vocals are given central focus. But the surprise comes when electric guitar picks up and the track bursts into a flurry of brass instruments, playing the song out to the end.
Although the main driving theme throughout the record is seemingly indie in all its various sub forms, each track really is unique in its own right yet they all seem to come together to give the album a genuine flow, whether the tone is being picked up or taken down. ‘Everywhere You Are’ is a fantastic showcase of local, national and international talent so be sure to get yourself down to Stereo this Saturday.
http://sarasetorecords.bandcamp.com/album/everywhere-you-are-ssr001
