Los Campesinos!

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Los Campesinos!
The band performing in 2010. Left to right: Kim, Neil, Gareth and Rob (Tom, Ellen and Jason were present but not pictured)
Background information
OriginCardiff, Wales
Genres
DiscographyLos Campesinos! discography
Years active2006–present
Labels
Members
  • Gareth Paisey
  • Neil Turner
  • Tom Bromley
  • Kim Paisey
  • Rob Taylor
  • Jason Adelinia
  • Matt Fidler
Past members
  • Ellen Waddell
  • Aleksandra Berditchevskaia
  • Ollie Briggs
  • Harriet Coleman
Websiteloscampesinos.com

Los Campesinos! are a seven-piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University. The band has seen several lineup changes - Gareth Paisey (lead vocals), Neil Turner (guitar) and Tom Bromley (guitar) are the only remaining original members, now joined by Rob Taylor (guitar), Kim Paisey (keyboards, vocals), Matt Fidler (bass guitar) and Jason Adelinia (drums). All replace their surnames with "Campesinos!" as stage names.

Influenced by the twee pop movement, the band released their debut studio album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., in February 2008, and followed up with We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, in October that year.[1] Both receiving favourable reviews by critics, the former was described by Pitchfork as a "giddy, tuneful love note to individuality, pathos – and everything else indie pop built its name on".[2] Their third album, Romance Is Boring (2010), saw the band expanding their "already sizeable instrumental palette".[3] Among six studio albums, the most recent being Sick Scenes (2017), the band has also released four EPs, most recently Whole Damn Body (2021).

In 2021, Pitchfork included Los Campesinos! among the 200 most important artists from the site's first 25 years, and described the group as "the 21st century's most endearing cult band."[4]

History[edit]

Formation, signing, and debut singles (2006–2007)[edit]

The group was formed at Cardiff University in 2006, originally consisting of Neil Turner on guitar, Ellen Waddell on bass guitar, and Ollie Briggs on drums.[5] In March 2006, Tom Bromley joined the band, assuming the role of lead guitarist, later followed by Gareth Paisey – who became the band's principal lyricist – on lead vocals and glockenspiel, Harriet Coleman on violin and keyboard, and Aleksandra Berditchevskaia on vocals, keyboards and melodica.[5][6] The band's earliest compositions were influenced by post-rock, though no recordings from this era are known to circulate publicly. The word campesino in Spanish translates to "peasant" or "country person". All members of the band refer to their surnames as "Campesinos!".[7]

The band performed their first gig on 8 May 2006 at a student union club night; they went on to play a number of increasingly well-received gigs around Cardiff. An early demo was recorded featuring the songs "Death To Los Campesinos!", "It Started With A Mixx", "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks", and "You! Me! Dancing!". The songs were posted on the band's Myspace account[8] which saw their reach and reputation grow, and in August 2006 landed them a slot supporting Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene. In November 2006, the band were signed by Wichita Recordings.[9]

The band's original line-up in October 2007.
Top row: Harriet, Gareth, Neil, Tom
Bottom row: Ollie, Aleksandra, Ellen

The band's first single, a double A-side featuring songs "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives" and "Don't Tell Me To Do The Math(s)", was released on 26 February 2007. In April, the band signed to Canadian label Arts & Crafts for North American releases.[10] In June 2007, the band released "You! Me! Dancing!" on limited edition 7" coloured vinyl, which later went on to feature in an advertisement for Budweiser.[11] This release was accompanied by a handful of live performances in Bath, Newport, Cardiff and London. Around this time they were seen playing with bands like Sky Larkin and Johnny Foreigner. Both singles, produced by Dave Newfeld, were released in North America on Sticking Fingers Into Sockets, a compilation album released in July 2007.

The band embarked on their first full UK tour in October 2007, following the release of "The International Tweexcore Underground" on 15 October.[12]

Hold on Now, Youngster... and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed (2008)[edit]

Main articles: Hold on Now, Youngster... and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
A band. On the right are two male figures (Tom and Neil Campesinos!) with guitars. Central is a male figure (Gareth Campesinos!) with a microphone. To the left is a female figure (Ellen Campesinos!) with a bass guitar. In the background a drum kit can partially be seen.
From left to right: Ellen, Gareth, Neil and Tom performing

Their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., was released in the UK on 25 February 2008 and in North America on 1 April 2008.[13] They embarked on a European and North American tour in support of the album. Receiving generally positive reviews, publication NME specifically praised its musicality but criticised its cohesiveness. Other sources such as Pitchfork and Drowned in Sound, however, lauded the album.[2][14] The band made their TV debut on Tubridy Tonight in February 2008.[15]

On 1 August 2008, the band announced that a record titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed would be released before the end of the year, and the date later confirmed for this was 13 October, although that was later delayed to 27 October 2008.[16] Paisey explained the album would not be a "post-album cash in", but "ten all-new tracks". No singles were released from the record, and its distribution was limited.[17]

In October 2008, the band performed around England, headlining the Shred Yr Face tour with support from No Age and Times New Viking.[18] In April 2009, the band played in Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela, their first performances in South America.

Romance Is Boring (2009–2010)[edit]

Main article: Romance Is Boring

On 2 June 2009, it was announced via the band's blog that lead female vocalist Aleksandra planned to leave the band and return to her studies following a US tour in August.[19][20] Rob Taylor, whom had opened frequently for the band in a solo capacity as Sparky Deathcap, became an official member, performing guitars, keyboards, percussion and glockenspiel.[21][22]

The band's third studio album, Romance Is Boring, was released on 26 January 2010. It was preceded by the single "The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future", a free download released in September 2009, which was described by Vulture as a classic of the emo genre, "even if no one really knew what to call it" at the time.[23] "There Are Listed Buildings" was released as the second single in November, coming with the announcement Gareth's sister, Kim Paisey, would join the band as keyboardist and vocalist.[24]

The band made their American network television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly, in which they performed "Romance Is Boring", pre-recorded from their show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles in May 2010.[25]

In June, drummer Ollie Briggs announced that he had left the band.[26]

All's Well That Ends, the band's second EP, was released on 19 July 2010 – the first to release Rob Taylor, featuring alternative versions of four songs from Romance Is Boring.[27] Jason Adelinia, who had been the band's road manager since 2007 and previously a member of The Ghost Frequency and The Pipettes' backing group, The Cassettes, joined Los Campesinos! not long after.

Heat Rash and Hello Sadness (2010–2012)[edit]

Main article: Hello Sadness

On 9 December 2010, the band announced the launch of a quarterly magazine, Heat Rash,[28] and released a new Christmas song, "Kindle a Flame in Her Heart" as a free download through SoundCloud. Each Heat Rash release included a magazine, a limited edition 7" vinyl record, and downloads of new music. The first Heat Rash release included tracks "Light Leaves, Dark Sees" and "Four Seasons".[29]

The band's fourth studio album, Hello Sadness, was released on 14 November 2011.[30] Described by Gareth as having a more pop-oriented sound,[31] it was preceded by "By Your Hand", released as a free download in September, and title track "Hello Sadness" in October.[32] To promote the album the band played several tour dates across the UK, the US and Japan. In 2012, the band performed "By Your Hand" on the Late Show with David Letterman.[33]

In an interview with the NME, frontman Gareth also confirmed that they would begin work on their fifth album in early 2013.[34]

A Good Night for a Fistfight and No Blues (2013–2015)[edit]

Main article: No Blues

On 7 December 2012, founding member Ellen Waddell announced she would be leaving the band to "try something new" following their show of 15 December at London's Islington Assembly Hall.[35] Her final show also featured former member Aleksandra providing guest vocals during the encore. The show was recorded, and later released the band's first live album, A Good Night for a Fistfight.[36]

In August 2013, the band released a teaser trailer for their fifth album, No Blues.[37] Lead single "What Death Leaves Behind" was released as a free download through SoundCloud. This was followed by a second single, "Avocado, Baby", released in October, accompanying a music video directed by Craig Roberts. No Blues was released on 29 October 2013.[38]

The band released a six-song Christmas EP, A Los Campesinos! Christmas, on 8 December 2014.[39]

Sick Scenes (2016–2022)[edit]

Main article: Sick Scenes

Matt Fidler was announced as the band's seventh member in June 2016.[40]

On 24 February 2017, the band released their sixth studio album Sick Scenes.[41] It was preceded by singles "I Broke Up in Amarante" and "5 Flucloxacillin" and was accompanied by the announcement of the band's first North American tour in four years.

In 2018, the band announced that their first two albums would be remastered and reissued on vinyl on 12 October, with an additional EP featuring unreleased tracks.[42] The band also announced that they would perform a concert in commemoration of both albums' tenth anniversary show on 13 October at the London Forum.[43] Romance Is Boring also received a limited edition remaster and a zine documenting its creation was released.[44] In February 2020, the band performed the album's full track listing at two sold-out shows at Islington Assembly Hall.[45]

The 2021 animated film The Mitchells vs. the Machines incorporates two songs by the band, both from Hold on Now, Youngster....[46]

On 7 May 2021, the band released Whole Damn Body, an EP of remastered tracks from the Hello Sadness era, via Bandcamp.[47]

Seventh studio album (2023–present)[edit]

In an interview with The Big Issue in December 2023, Rob Taylor said Los Campesinos! were working on their seventh studio album.[48] At the band's show at the Troxy in February 2024, Gareth said the album was complete, set to release that summer. They also performed their first new original song since 2017, titled "A Psychic Wound".[49]

Band sound and influences[edit]

When the band first emerged on the indie pop scene, they were pigeonholed with the 'twee pop' movement, as a result of their lively, joyous music. The band have worked hard since their 2008 debut, Hold On Now, Youngster, to shake this image.[50] With their second recording, We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, critics generally applauded the band for adopting a new, darker guise.[citation needed] This continued through their following two albums, though whilst expanding the band's instrumental sounds. In an interview with Noisey in 2017, Gareth recalled that the band was labeled as a twee band early in their career, and they initially embraced the tag because they were happy to have people sharing their opinion on their music.[51] Gareth said, "We did invite the 'twee' label upon ourselves. I'm not sure if it's ever really accurate but it was a useful pigeonhole for us and, well, fair enough."[51] Reflecting their movement away from their early sound, Gareth said, "Some people would use it to reference our most recent records and for me, then, that's just inaccurate. You may as well be calling us trance."[51]

As a band, they have before claimed to be heavily influenced by Pavement, Modest Mouse, Guided By Voices, Blur,[52] The Beautiful South, Xiu Xiu, Broken Social Scene, Built To Spill,[52] Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth, Pulp, Belle & Sebastian, The Magnetic Fields, Joy Division and The Smiths, amongst others. They also cite the literature of B. S. Johnson, obsessions with death, and football as their non-musical influences.[53]

Gareth has cited Paul Heaton, the frontman of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, as his biggest influence as a songwriter. He told Stereogum, "It's safe to say, if it were not for Paul Heaton, I would never have wanted to write lyrics."[54]

Gareth's lyrics regularly feature references and allusions to football; Jeff Rueter of The Athletic wrote, "Few bands incorporate football parlance into their lyrics quite like Los Campesinos! — it's become a sort of Easter egg hunt for their fans written by [Gareth] David. 'Béla Guttmann of love. Curse all my exes to a life of celibacy,' he sings on 'Let It Spill.' 'Dreamt I'm anchoring that midfield, like the anchor in my midriff,' he offers on 'I Broke Up in Amarante.'"[55] As of 2020, Gareth is the vice-chairperson of Welton Rovers F.C., a Western Football League club based in Midsomer Norton.[55]

Members[edit]

Though the band formed in Wales, none of the members are Welsh.

  • Gareth Paisey – vocals, glockenspiel (2006–present)
  • Neil Beale – guitars (2006–present)
  • Tom Bromley – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, string arrangements (2006–present)
  • Kim Paisey – keyboard, flute, vocals (2009–present)
  • Rob Taylor – keyboards, additional guitars, percussion, backing vocals (2010–present; touring musician 2009–2010)
  • Jason Adelinia – drums, percussion, programming (2010–present)
  • Matt Fidler – bass, backing vocals (2014–present; touring musician 2014–2016)

Former members[edit]

  • Aleksandra Berditchevskaia – keyboards, melodica, vocals (2006–2009; 2012 (one show))
  • Ollie Briggs – drums (2006–2010)
  • Harriet Coleman – violin, keyboards, string arrangements, backing vocals (2006–2011)
  • Ellen Waddell – bass, backing vocals (2006–2012)

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Main article: Los Campesinos! discography

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Gareth Campesinos of Los Campesinos!". The A.V. Club. 9 December 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Los Campesinos!: Hold on Now, Youngster..." Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Los Campesinos!: Romance Is Boring". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ^ "The 200 Most Important Artists of the Last 25 Years". Pitchfork. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b Bennett, Nichole (17 January 2009). "The Awkward Off Vs. Los Campesinos!". The Awkward Off. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
  6. ^ "BBC Wales: Los Campesinos! biography". 21 June 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  7. ^ Kot, Greg (23 May 2008). "Los Campesinos! not a flamenco band, sorry". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ "Los Campesinos! Look Back On 10 Years Of Indie Culture, Social Media, And Making Music". Stereogum. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Los Campesinos! sign to Wichita". Drowned in Sound. 23 November 2006. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  10. ^ "Arts&Crafts Sign Los Campesinos!". Spacelab Music News. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  11. ^ Cooper, Leonie (12 January 2012). "Los Campesinos! admit to 'selling out' over Budweiser advert". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  12. ^ Campesinos, Gareth (9 November 2007). "Los Campesinos! on tour Oct '07: Gareth's diary". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Pitchfork: Los Campesinos! Reveal Album Tracklist, Release Date". Archived from the original on 24 December 2007.
  14. ^ "Album Review: Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  15. ^ Fletcher, Alex (14 March 2008). "Louis Walsh praises Welsh indie band". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Los Campesinos!: We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  17. ^ Los Campesinos Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine on Wichita Recordings website
  18. ^ "Shred Yr Face: in pictures". The Guardian. 30 October 2008. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Nota bene". Los Campesinos!. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  20. ^ "The Quietus | News | Los Campesinos! Girl Nicks Off". The Quietus. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Los Campesinos! » Blog Archive » UK TOUR IS NIGH: SPARKY AND THE DEATHCAPS". Archived from the original on 5 January 2010.
  22. ^ "Don't tell Los Campesinos! that the glockenspiel isn't fierce". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  23. ^ Ian Cohen; David Anthony; Nina Corcoran; Emma Garland; Brad Nelson (13 February 2020). "The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time". Vulture.com. Vox Media. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  24. ^ "KIM CAMPESINOS! AND 'THERE ARE LISTED BUILDINGS' « LC!". 26 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  25. ^ "Watch This Adorable Los Campesinos Feature and Performance from Last Call With Carson Daly – The L Magazine". The L Magazine. 12 May 2010.
  26. ^ Fullerton, Jamie (28 June 2010). "Los Campesinos! drummer quits the band". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Los Campesinos!: All's Well That Ends EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Los Campesinos! Unveil Heat Rash 'Zine". DIY. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Los Campesinos! get Heat Rash, engage in some cryptic promotion". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  30. ^ Goodwyn, Tom (31 August 2011). "Los Campesinos! to release new album 'Hello Sadness' on November 14". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Los Campesinos! Interview: 'We didn't even think we would gig outside of Wales'". Skiddle.com. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  32. ^ "Los Campesinos!: Hello Sadness". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  33. ^ The 405 (21 January 2012). "Los Campesinos! perform 'By Your Hand' on Letterman Show". The 405. Retrieved 6 November 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ NME.COM (30 May 2012). "Los Campesinos!: 'There's no point in bands like us releasing singles'". NME.COM.
  35. ^ "Ellen: It's Been an Awfully Big Adventure". Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  36. ^ "Pitchfork: Los Campesinos! Announce New Live Album". Pitchfork. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  37. ^ "Los Campesinos! Announce New Album No Blues, Share Song "What Death Leaves Behind"". Pitchfork. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  38. ^ "Los Campesinos!: No Blues". The A.V. Club. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  39. ^ "Los Campesinos! on Twitter". Twitter.
  40. ^ Connick, Tom (16 June 2016). "What's going on with... Los Campesinos!?". DIY Mag. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  41. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (10 November 2016). "Los Campesinos! Announce New Album Sick Scenes, Share New Track: Listen | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  42. ^ Kim, Michelle (12 April 2018). "Los Campesinos! Reissuing First 2 Albums | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  43. ^ "Los Campesinos! take things back to 2008 but swerve pure nostalgia at stunning London show". DIY. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  44. ^ "'ROMANCE IS BORING' 10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS". Los Campesinos!. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  45. ^ Gwee, Karen (26 September 2019). "Los Campesinos! to mark 'Romance Is Boring' 10th anniversary with reissue and London shows". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  46. ^ Hough, Q.V. (30 April 2021). "The Mitchells vs. The Machines Soundtrack Guide: Every Song". ScreenRant. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Los Campesinos! surprise release new EP Whole Damn Body: Stream". Consequence. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  48. ^ Levine, Nick (2 December 2023). "Sparky Deathcap on September, TikTok and Los Campesinos!". The Big Issue. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  49. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 February 2024). "Los Campesinos! tease seventh studio album and debut new song in London". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  50. ^ "On Hello Sadness, Los Campesinos! shed their 'twee'". National Post. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  51. ^ a b c Garland, Emma (9 March 2017). "Los Campesinos! Rank Their First Five – Yes, There Were Five – Records". Noisey. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  52. ^ a b Rich Hughes. "Los Campesinos! :: The 12 Records that Influenced Romance Is Boring". The Line of Best Fit.
  53. ^ "Los Campesinos!". Myspace. 24 February 2017.
  54. ^ "Los Campesinos! – "I Love You (But You're Boring)" (The Beautiful South Cover)". Stereogum. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  55. ^ a b Rueter, Jeff. "Los Campesinos!'s Gareth David: From football lyrics to running a non-league club". The Athletic. Retrieved 2 September 2022.

External links[edit]

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