SNH Advent #23 - Evans the Death

These guys know us too well. Scuzzy guitars, effortless poptastic vocals and frenetic rhythms, easily one of our finds of 2012.

What were your highlights of 2012?

We've played a few really fun shows- Indietracks, our album launch, supporting Pains of Being Pure at Heart all worth a mention. Having a proper LP out was cool. Other than that, we'll be glad to see the back of this wretched year.

What can we expect from you in 2013?

We're pretty excited about 2013. Definitely expect a new album. Hopefully some American shows, including SXSW. Loads of summer shows all over the place.

Favourite Xmas track?

Why this track?

We've been reading Ray Davies' autobiography, X-Ray. Not many people seem to know this song, and that might be because it's a bit naff. I like it though.

Go on, give our readers a track of yours!

SNH Advent #16 - GUM

We love Art is Hard records, they only put bands we love. When we came across Gum, yep, you guessed it, we were in love again. Some dreamy shoegazey times have been had with their releases in the SNH office, hence it was a pleasure to interview these guys for SNH. We caught up with Grant & Chris...

What were your highlights of 2012?

Grant: Playing ping pong

Chris : Tiny Lights agreeing to put our EP out was great, and for it get leaked inadvertently by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart was crazy. That led to praise from Yuck & Ringo Deathstarr, and now we're signed in Japan. Weird huh?

Getting to release a 7 inch on Art Is Hard was obviously amazing too!
(and ping pong obvz)

What can we expect from you in 2013?

Grant: More ping pong

Chris: Our mini album gets released in Japan in January so we're looking forward to seeing what that looks like. We're going to record and album at some point, and we hope it doesn't reek so we can do this again next Christmas.
(and playing some more ping pong)

He loved Ping Pong too

Go on, give us a Christmas track that you like please?

Why this track?

The Carpenters can make you gaze  out of a window, staring into a the distance with a tear in your eye.... even on Christmas....and I like the Carpenters.

Can our readers have a link to one of your tracks please?

SNH Advent # 14 - Fear of Men

Love these guys. Amazing fragile melodies that sooth even the hardest souls, and off the back of a great 2012, we see these guys go from strength to strength in 2013!

Photo: Jacob Lillis

What were your highlights of 2012?

Playing with some of our favourite bands- Lotus Plaza, Frankie Rose, DIIV, touring with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and playing shows like Shepherd's Bush Empire on the Best Coast tour.

Writing the songs we're really excited to record for our album and play next year.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - highlighted and a highlight from FOM's 2012

What can we expect from you in 2013?

'Early Fragments', A compilation of our UK singles is coming out in February in the U.S. on Kanine Records, and our album will be out soon after, so we'll be touring everywhere we can!

Can we have a link to a Christmas track that you like please?

Why this track?

It's a lot of people's favourite Christmas track but that's because it is a great track. My family are Irish so we always have a good dance to this.

Can our readers have a link to one of your tracks please?