When Let’s Eat Grandma first appeared on Breaking More Waves in 2015 I suggested that whilst there was an awful lot to like about Rosa and Jenny’s idiosyncratic, scrappy, kooky and eerie music, they were still very much developing as artists. Cut through to the start of 2018 and as the duo released the single Hot Pink that development was clear. I perhaps cheekily (or perhaps realistically) suggested that the rules of pop decree that as a developing artist you have to do the really weird album first. Then the underground pop one. Then for album three go for the mainstream and worldwide success whilst retaining elements of what made you special for albums one and two. Now there’s no guarantee that Let’s Eat Grandma are going to follow the rules all the way through, but certainly they’ve hit the nail smack bang on the head with the second record. It’s been met with almost universal praise (I say almost because this review (click here) described it as a mainly ‘sterile pop album’, which is frankly ridiculous – I can’t think of any word further from the truth than sterile) but elsewhere everyone from the Guardian to Pitchfork gave it the thumbs up. Of course, just because a record gets critical adoration doesn’t mean mass commercial success, and let’s face it I’m All Years is still a long way from being a mainstream pop record; but as a listening experience that’s to its advantage. From the album the band recently released I Will Be Waiting (streaming below) a slow building track that deals with opening up and clearing the inner head space. It sounds not that dissimilar to something that Chvrches might do, which is rather handy as Let’s Eat Grandma have just been announced as Chvrches support act for their European tour (which as yet still doesn’t include any UK dates). Let’s Eat Grandma also play their biggest headline show to date in London at Heaven on 27th September. Hopefully there will be a few Breaking More Waves readers at that one? See you down the front if you're one of them? Let's Eat Grandma - I Will Be Waiting
With it being the end of January it seems like a good time to draw to your attention that I run a playlist with all the tracks I’ve featured in the previous month on Breaking More Waves on Spotify, assuming of course that the songs have been uploaded to the streaming service. If you want to follow it, as some of you nice people have, you can find it by clicking this link here. I update the playlist at the end of every month, so if you go there now you’ll find everything from January (excluding songs featured in previews of festivals), including the track I’m posting today, which is the new single from Rosa and Jenny aka Let’s Eat Grandma. Let’s Eat Grandma served up one of the more off-kilter experimental pop records of 2016 as well as some of the more memorable mindf*ck gigs; there aren’t after all many bands that have a little lay down for a bit halfway through a song seemingly oblivious to the audience. Thankfully they didn't fall asleep as things could have become very awkward. Fast forward to the here and now and there’s a new song. It’s called Hot Pink. The band state the song is “About the misconceptions of femininity and masculinity and the power of embracing both of them. It’s about self-expression and appreciation for an underrated colour.” It’s also a bit of banger. OK, it’s not a banger in the same way as say someone like David Guetta or Calvin Harris might make a banger, but it’s a banger all the same. Just one with a dirty harsh metallic clanking chorus. SOPHIE was involved as producer and you can hear the influence. Hot Pink is one of those pop songs for people that don’t normally like pop music and people that want their pop music to take a step or two to the left. It’ll probably gain them some fans, but lose them some as well. “I don't think I've ever lost interest in a band so quickly. The debut album was beautiful and weird. This just sounds like Talyor Swift,” says one commentator on You Tube. He clearly hasn’t read the rules of pop Chapter 3, which clearly states do the really weird album first. Then the underground pop one. Then for album three go for the mainstream and worldwide success whilst retaining elements of what made you special for albums one and two. Maybe Let’s Eat Grandma have read the book? Time will tell… Let's Eat Grandma - Hot Pink
With pop music reaching middle age it’s probably not that surprising to find that one of its most off-kilter experimental albums of 2016 was created by two teenage girls from Norwich, UK. I, Gemini is a truly fearless record – an album that doesn’t sound in any way as if it’s been designed by a record label committee, but by two unique and individual minds. I, Gemini won’t be to everyone’s taste – but if you like the idea of a musical equivalent of a peculiar and unsettling Grimm’s fairytale then dive in. Even just a glance of the song titles here – Chocolate Sludge Cake, Chimpanzees In Canopies, Eat Shiitake Mushrooms - will tell you that this duo are not operating in the same world as Little Mix. In fact they’re not operating in the same world as anyone else. Yes, there are moments when I, Gemini is far from an easy listen, but that’s all part of their warped charm. Let's Eat Grandma - Rapunzel
OK I’m going to say it now, 2016 hasn’t been the best year for ground breaking new music, particularly from new artists. So much of it, be it pop, hip-hop or even so called ‘alternative’ indie hasn’t sparkled, but merely glowed with a dull pleasantness. A few years ago I wrote a lot about how contemporary pop music (and I use the term pop in the widest sense) had reached middle age and there certainly seem a lot of artists out there who are in that rut; not just musically, but lyrically to – with words seemingly bashed out in just a few minutes and so many of them being very inward looking. At the risk of sounding like one of those grumpy old men who sit in the pub shouting that things were better in their days, where are the future Morrisseys or future Nicky Wires or future Kate Bushes taking references from literature, politics and art, having something to say, and turning those big thoughts into songs? I know I go on a lot about this but the next time I hear someone singing about being IN DA CLUB or how YOU'VE JUST GOT TO BE YOURSELF I will not be held responsible for my actions. OK, moan over. Before you all shout back in disagreement telling me I’m looking and listening in the wrong places, let’s be clear that there are still interesting, idiosyncratic and eccentric artists out there. They’re probably just not sitting in a London record company office being told by well-meaning but ultimately self-serving people what they should and shouldn’t do to be ‘succesful’. Take a look to Norwich for example. Let’s Eat Grandma’s album certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of musical tea, but that’s the point. It might not be perfect (it isn’t) but those flaws give it far more character and personality – it provokes a reaction. The new video for album track Sax In The City, which features some warped ungainly music and imagery of Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth dressed as babies crawling through the streets, certainly does that. It might leave you shaking your head in despair, giggling uncontrollably, feeling slightly uncomfortable or thoughtful and considering if there’s some deep artistic message behind the whole thing, but it will make you feel something – and for that alone, it should be applauded. Let's Eat Grandma - Sax In The City (Video)
Just a really short post to bring you the video from one of my highlights of this year’s Great Escape Festival – Let’s Eat Grandma. It was my second time seeing the band live and they were just as spellbinding as the first. I’ve already written plenty of words about Eat Shiitake Mushrooms on a previous post (here), but make sure you give the video a play even if you've heard the track plenty of times - it takes you further into their world. Eat Shiitake Mushrooms is what I imagine Studio Ghibli and Dario Argento would come up with if they ever made a pop record. Disturbing, menacing but curiously uplifting, this is a record that puts a big ‘must trying harder’ comment down on the music school reports of not only 90% of vacuous mainstream pop music but so called ‘alternative’ acts who are just rehashing what has gone before. Different? Very much so. Thank god for Let’s Eat Grandma. Let's Eat Grandma - Eat Shiitake Mushrooms (Video)
‘Festival season’ in the UK doesn’t really exist now – with the exception of Christmas week it’s possible to go to a music festival, be it in a field camping in the summer or a multi-venue event in a city centres or holiday camp, all year round. It seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry is organising a music festival. Hell, in the last year even I’ve been part of a small team that has organised two of the things - Dials, a multi-venue event in Portsmouth replacing Southsea Fest whilst it took a year out and the follow up Dials Days, a two room-one venue bargain bucket festival which charged just £10 to see the likes of Fear Of Men, Champs, Femme, Avec Sans, Estrons and about ten more. However, probably the most established and popular of the multi-venue festivals is Brighton’s Great Escape. Why? Because, whilst many festivals fill their bills with new music, Great Escape does it on a colossal scale. Over 3 days around 30 venues in Brighton pay host to 450 emerging artists from all over the world. On top of that there’s the Alt. Escape, the festival’s sister event which puts on many more showcases, free to Great Escape wristband holders and most of which admit the general public for free or a small fee. Great Escape is the must go to event of the year for new music fans; I usually manage to see somewhere between 35 and 40 full performances over 3 full days. Also for those who are interested or part of the music industry side of things there’s a very full conference for which you can buy a delegate ticket, but frankly I’d rather get into the thick of the action and just gulp down as much live music as I possibly can. Over the years at Great Escape I’ve seen the likes of Adele, Mumford & Sons, Foals, Haim, Chvrches and London Grammar taking their first baby footsteps into the world of popular music, playing sets to small intimate crowds before they became household names. Of course the festival still markets itself partly on ‘discovery’ but with the advent of streaming and playlists (the Great Escape has its own comprehensive playlist on Spotify ) the idea of ‘discovery’ has changed from hearing a band for the first time, to discovering if the artist can actually cut it live. However, in case you’re going and haven’t had the time to run through all the bands playing, I’ve done the job for you, and so over the course of the next 3 blog posts I’m going to be recommending five acts from the official bill (and a link to 1 bonus act from the Alt Escape) that are, if nothing else, on my list of ‘possibles’ to see. Let’s start with Thursday: Vallis Alps (Komedia 12:15) (Also playing at Brighthelm 22:30) The Komedia is the place to be get your Great Escape off to a fantastic start. A showcase of varied high quality Australian artists kicks off with an act that I first introduced to the blog in January 2015. Parissa Tossif and David Ansari are Vallis Alps and will appeal to those who want to be slowly teased into the weekend with a drowsy blend of pop that tugs on the heartstrings.
Northeast Party House (Komedia 15:35) (Also playing Coalition 00:15 Saturday) At the other end of the showcase that Vallis Alps open are Northeast Party House. Remember Friendly Fires? Well Northeast Party House bring that same level energy in their songs. This is four-to-the-floor hands in the air celebration music but with a rougher rockier edge. Like Foals going dancing.
Let’s Eat Grandma (The Haunt 20:30) (Also playing Latest Music Bar 01:00-01:45 Saturday) Already well covered on Breaking More Waves since summer last year, Let’s Eat Grandma are two teenage girls who produce music and a live show that’s like experimental jazz in a scrappy multi-instrumental pop format. Not everything they do works, but even when it doesn’t it’s more than intriguing.
Jones (Paganini Ballroom 22:15) (Also playing Wagner Hall 16.30 and 21:00) Another act that I first featured some time ago (September 2014). At the time I described Jones' music as ‘breezy electronic soul pop’. Since that time she’s appeared on Later with Jools and has wowed many with her song Hoops.
Anteros (Paganini Ballroom 23:15) Anteros have at least 2 killer songs in their bag. The first is recent single Breakfast which has a really fun video (including a pop star in the bath moment for all pop star in the bath followers) of fashion), the other is the song from which their name also derives. Already touted as Ones to Watch for 2016 by plenty of tastemakers, Great Escape will be many people's first opportunity to witness what else they have to offer. Here's hoping the rest isn't filler.
Here’s a picture of Let’s Eat Grandma laying down. An obvious thing to say perhaps, but I've often wondered why music bloggers don’t comment on musicians’ promo pictures very often. For example, take the growing fashion for sitting in the bath, sometimes naked, sometimes clothed (just Google Pop Stars In The Bath if you don't believe me). This to me seems a pretty bonkers / strange thing to do and yet whilst many bloggers write beautiful wordy dig-out-the-thesaurus pieces about the music, they fail to comment on the absurdity of the thing that’s staring them right in the face when they post the bath pic. Surely it's worth mentioning? Now laying down may not seem that odd. But that’s my point. Let’s Eat Grandma are a pretty bonkers band. The sort of group you’d really expect to see doing an in the bath promo pic. Maybe that will come with the album promotion. I imagine them sitting in a bath of glitter paint, dressed in robes, maybe with some pot plants around them as well. The album incidentally is called I, Gemini and will be released on the 17th June via Transgressive Records. So back to that picture. It seems that Let’s Eat Grandma are pretty fond of a lay down. I recently caught their debut headline London gig, which found them playing a multitude of instruments including keyboard, xylophone, recorder, guitar, drums, saxophone and ukulele in one of the most off-kilter pop shows I’ve seen for a long time. But most importantly, during the gig, in the middle of a song, they laid down and had a nap on stage. Oh, I almost forgot to comment on the new song. That’s what I’m meant to do isn’t it, as a *serious* music blogger? It’s called Eat Shiitake Mushrooms, which is certainly a better title than One Dance, Work or Love Yourself (feel free to add your own Top 40 single title here xxxxxxxxxxx – most of them are incredibly bland). It’s over six minutes long, and includes a near 3-minute instrumental intro, some rapping, some singing and a weird keyboard groove. Yet despite its d-i-y experimental oddness, it works. There’s no doubt the album is going to be one of the more out-there pop releases of 2016. Phew, after that I need a lay down myself. Let's Eat Grandma - Eat Shiitake Mushrooms
As a father of two teenage girls I can fully appreciate the term ‘wasted youth’. What worries me is that my own wasted youth (listening to far too much pop music, gorging on movies and sampling the delights of alcohol with friends) seems to have drifted into adulthood without much change. If my daughters follow suit then expect conversations with their future partners to mainly revolve around cute cats and dogs they’ve seen on Instagram and The Hunger Games. Thankfully it seems that not every teenage girl spends her life clicking ‘favourite’ on Jifpom videos. For example take Rosa and Jenny from Norwich, aged 16 and 17 respectively. They’ve spent the last few years occupying a very different world that they call Let’s Eat Grandma. You might remember that I introduced the duo back in August last year, describing their music as ‘idiosyncratic, scrappy, kooky, eerie yet charming out there multi-instrumental pop music with a sense of its own identity and originality.’ Let's Eat Grandma have until today seemed like a special left of centre secret that just music obsessives like me have known about. Now that’s all changed, with news that the band signed to Transgressive Records and have released their debut video proper for the song Deep Six Textbook (streaming below). It’s available on iTunes and will be released on limited edition coloured 7” vinyl on March 18th (pre-order it here). Also, quite bizarrely and brilliantly, the band’s name started trending on Twitter this afternoon, albeit half the tweets seemed to be simply asking ‘why are the words Let’s Eat Grandma trending?’ Hopefully, some of those asking the question went on to find out why and discovered the band for the first time. What they will have heard is a heavily downbeat pop song, cast from the shadows of both the schoolyard playground and the haunt filled spaces between this world and the next. For those who want their pop music instant and throwaway, this won’t be your thing. However, for those who are prepared to let things sink in a little, prepared to get addicted. Let’s Eat Grandma’s debut album will be released this summer. Let's Eat Grandma - Deep Six Textbook (Video)
Doing this new music blog thing means that sometimes a band or artist crops up on our radar a number of times, but for one reason or another we never really get round to properly checking them out. Let’s Eat Grandma are a classic example. We first saw their name when Adam from Alphabet Bands blog posted about them last year. In the same way that Breaking More Waves sometimes brings the best of our area (UK, South Coast) to the internet before management, labels and the like get involved (for example acts like Laurel, Kassassin Street, Jerry Williams and Eloise Keating are recent examples) Alphabet Bands delivers when it comes to its own local scene in and around Norwich. Soon after that we saw journalist John Robb getting very excited about them on Louder Than War; “Too much talent at their fingertips,” was just one of the superlatives he threw at them. Then we actually caught sight of Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth , the two members of this intriguing duo, as they provided some guest vocals during Harry Edwards set on the BBC Introducing Stage at Radio 1s Big Weekend, the first of a number of festivals that they’re playing this year, including Camp Bestival, Latitude and Festival Number 6. Now they are firmly on our radar and if you haven’t heard of them yet, it’s time to put them on yours. If you like idiosyncratic, scrappy, kooky, eerie yet charming out there multi-instrumental pop music with a sense of its own identity and originality, something that certainly doesn’t come from the mainstream, Let’s Eat Grandma will be right up your wonky street. At just sixteen years old they’re still developing as artists, but from the handful of live videos of their on You Tube there’s enough to suggest that they could be capable of refreshing the parts that other bands can’t reach. Let's Eat Grandma - Live at Latitude 2015
