TeenCanteen at Broadcast

Playing a gig on a Sunday isn't always a good idea, playing a gig on an Old Firm Sunday really isn't a good idea; however TeenCanteen were invited to play Broadcast as part of Independent Venue Week and decided to go for it.

The bands lovely friendly and informative e-newsletter was sent through the week and fans were told that TeenCanteen will be focusing on recording an album through 2015, breaking cover for the odd sporadic gig and this was the only one currently in the diary.

 TeenCanteen had a productive 2014 that saw them play festivals, earn some great support slots, play 6music and BBC Scotland sessions and gather excellent reviews and a word of mouth fanbase through the release of their second single and aforementioned gigs.

The basement of Broadcast was certainly quieter than the last time TeenCanteen played and packed it out, but the band immediately out everyone at ease and made everyone step forward when they introduced themselves and went into Friends - a song that has been a set closer in the past.

A pulsating synth bass builds into a beautiful noise and Carla stood on her toes to deliver everything she could vocally, backed up on 3-part harmonies at times by Amanda and Sita with Debbie playing a blinder on the drums.

It is a genuinely brilliant song, packed with emotion and beautifully arranged. I look forward to hearing this one recorded for the album.

The 2 singles to date; Honey and You're Still Mine were played in the first half of the set, Honey had a delicious new rawness to it and the closing instrumental of You're Still Mine was gloriously New Order-esque with a Belle and Sebastian tinge.

Roses (Coming Up) had a real Motown punk feel to it and the band blitzed through it with style and pace. This was swiftly followed by new song Sirens (these are the first 2 songs that TeenCanteen have recorded for the album).

Sirens is incredible - it really blew me away; building, swooping and just sounding like the band have found their direction.

The girls closed with the gorgeous Vagabond. For proof of how gorgeous a song this is then check the video below.

I look forward to TeenCanteen completing an album but I also look forward to them breaking cover for a few shows through the course of the year.

TeenCanteen at Broadcast

TeenCanteen brought their blend of melodies, harmonies and catchy choruses to Broadcast in Glasgow last night. A summer single that featured regularly on 6music (championed by Marc Riley) and festival appearances at T in the Park, Wickerman and Indie Tracks has led to a real buzz about the band.

They played a brilliant set, starting with glorious 3-part harmonies that led into Analogue. A modern day love song that led straight into the brilliant pop of How We Met (Cherry Pie).

Debut single Honey was a delight, highlighting the sense of melody and the song structures that allow   lead and backing vocals to combine so beautifully. The band were looking and sounding good.

pic by Hannah MacMillan

Friends is one of their best songs, the combined synth and bass riff at the start has a sense of power and drama, the heartfelt vocals tell of love that is coming to an end. The closing section is tremendous, the drum rolls are pure Spector-esque. I can't wait to hear this recorded.

This is how it starts

The beginning of the end

This is the part when you say 

You just want to be my friend

Vagabond is the b-side of TeenCanteen's current single and it is absolutely gorgeous. Amanda and Sita dropped their guitar and bass and sung their hearts out along with Carla on stunning 3-part harmonies. This is a real heartburner of a song.

You're Still Mine is the a-side and it brought a huge cheer. The New Order-esque bass line got people dancing down the front and the band jammed along at the end.

The band made reference to the forthcoming referendum when introducing Coming Up Roses as the punchy chorus references YES several times. It's driving Motown beat made and the chorus made it a stand out.

It's A-L-W-A-Y YES

I'll always love you

A-L-W-A-Y YES

I'll aways be true

TeenCanteen are planning to record an album over the next few months and had the confidence to end  the set with a brand new song called Sirens. It was brilliant, another song I can't wait to hear recorded.

You're Still Mine by TeenCanteen

Ah summer pop perfection.

TeenCanteen is my sister Carla's band so hands up I have a vested interest in the band, however if she keeps producing pop gems like this then I'll keep blogging about them. This is a beauty.

You're Still Mine is the forthcoming second single from the young Scottish girl quartet, coming out as a self release on 7-inch glitter vinyl and iTunes on 16th June, produce by Lomond Campbell from Scottish arts collective FOUND.

Spector/Wilson-esque lyrics come in over a pulsing synth introducing us to the song, acoustic guitar, high-hats and bass tease and hint at what may come.

I'm not asking you to love me

I'm asking you to tell me why you don't

And I'm not saying honey hold me

I'm saying 'honey tell me why you won't'

It all kicks in gloriously just after a minute for the third verse. The synths soar and the beat kicks in, the 'tearing up your letters, tearing up my eyes' section is clever.

I'm not tearing up your letters

But I'm tearing up my eyes

i'm not making any promise

When I'm breaking through these lies

Sometimes like lately

It feels like you're trying to break me

I need you to save me

Is this what it takes to make you mine

Then comes the beautiful breakdown with finger snaps;

Your hold on me is pulling me down

But I won't give up if this is love

Your grip on me is as cold as steel

But I've never felt anything this real 

repeat once

Handclaps and the Hookiest New Order bassline in years lead a glorious extended outro.

Indie pop song of the year to date. Beautifully written and constructed a-la a Brill Building classic.