Band of the Week: Los Campesinos!

[January 7-13]
Los Campesinos!
Sounds Like: Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: Architecture In Helsinki, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Islands
Synopsis: To quote the title of their song: "You! Me! Dancing!"
Makes You Want To...: Dance!; go crazy; read fiction.
[Myspace]
[Los Campesinos! (dot) com]




One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Los Campesinos!


First band of the new year! As usual, New Years night was a party to be reckoned with. But it doesn't have to end there. I suppose you'd call this starting off with a bang, but may I introduce, Los Campesinos!

Los Campesinos! is only two years old, and formed from the collective of crazy college kids out in Wales. Inspired by all sorts of music, everything from Yo La Tengo and Pavement, heyday, 90s indie, wild thrashing punk, and... Amelia Fletcher?, Los Campesinos! rips away with an absolutely amazing style of party-rock, glazed in several layers of booze, loud violin-ing, and witty lyrics.

I have posted a few upbeat, "party" bands in my time with the Band of the Week, but Los Campesinos! is probably the pinnacle of any sort of party band. Every song is catchy and danceable, every single one forces your nerves to try and sing along, and every song is gold. And as mentioned, these blokes are witty! One of their latest singles is "It Started With A Mixx," which is all about them, and I quote, "trying to find the perfect match between pretentious and pop." Listening to only a couple songs will give you the understanding that Los Campesinos! (which translates literally to The Peasants!) are here to have fun.

They came together in 2006, and have been trailing after Broken Social Scene. They were even signed to Arts & Crafts, and have been/will be touring Europe frequently. No word for us stateside residents, but that's what Los Campesinos!'s albums are for. Presently, they have released their International Tweexcore Underground EP, as well as Sticking Fingers Into Sockets on Arts & Crafts, both of which are on iTunes as well. This year will be bringing more delightful tunes on their latest work, Hold On Now, Youngster... Til then, check out their wicked website, not to mention their awesome Myspace, both which contain a plethora of Los Campesinos! music videos. Here's a treat! Have a great week everyone.