paragraph i
And so the album’s recording is finished, and we find ourselves back in the UK, for the most part. Neil and Tom have stayed on in Figueres and Barcelona for a couple of days to see the sights and cleanse their minds, but the rest of us flew back from Girona, to Bristol airport this morning. A simple, successful journey, marred only by the ever dependable RyanAir charging us an extra 35 Euros for carriage of Harriet’s violin.
paragraph ii
It’s a weird thing, completing an album. I’m now back in sunny (no really, sunnier than Spain) Midsomer Norton, and led on my bed, listening to rough mixes of our new songs and trying to decide which novel to start reading next. A month ago I was in this same spot, having written barely a single lyric and feeling like the world was going to end. I find writing a very therapeutic thing. I’ve always left writing lyrics until the last minute. If I ever sit down and attempt to write a song when I don’t ‘have to’, I feel incredibly pretentious and aware of myself. I want the urge/necessity to write to control me, rather than me attempting to control it.
paragraph iii
It’s fair to say we are all proud and excited with the results of our last month’s endeavours. I can honestly say the band has never been as close knit and united as we are right now, and I have never enjoyed my band mates’ company (and John Goodmanson of course) as much as this. I think this, our fourth album, is going to display the confidence we now have, and we’re pretty much willing to take on the world.
paragraph iv
It’s an appropriate time to thank Turnstile Music and Wichita Recordings for the support they continue to show us. I think there is a misjudgment amongst a lot of music fans, perhaps a lot of you reading this, that indie label = good, major label = bad. But it’s a lot less black and white than that. These are not good labels because they’re independent, but because they are good people. Good people with integrity and who appreciate their acts, as musicians, and as friends. We go into the studio knowing they have the faith in our ability and creative vision to create something special. I’ve friends signed to indie labels who don’t have that. Who’ve been sent back to the studio to try something different, or been told their work’s not up to scratch. That’s no way to create any sort of art, and knowing that Turnstile and Wichita, Alun and Mark, are always going to be on our side, makes us a better band than we would be otherwise.
paragraph v
Inevitably, questions now start to be asked re: album release date/details/title/artwork, etc. All I can say on this is “please be patient”. We’ve still to mix the record, master it, do artwork, decide on final tracklisting (we’ve recorded more songs than we think we need). I assure you the record will be with you this year though. In the meantime, we knuckle down with Heat Rash #2. We’ve already got some great stuff sorted for it.
paragraph vi
And me, well, I feel a bit empty now I’ve got all this stuff off of my chest and onto record. I’m gonna be waiting for the u21 Championships and Copa America. I’m gonna read a million books, save some money, start rewatching the Office US from the start, kiss some girls, try to start a club night in Bath and become a tumblr sensation.
paragraph vii
I am so proud to be in a band with Tom, Neil, Ellen, Rob, Jason, Harriet and Kim. I feel ten times stronger when I’m with them. This is our best album so far, on every level. I can’t wait for you to hear it.
fin
G
Brilliant! Stalking all of you on Twitter I could tell how much of a good time you were having and you’ve confirmed something I suspected there – that LC! seem to be a closer band than ever (and that’s saying a lot considering you’re probably one of the most team-based bands around) Glad to hear the album’s going well and can’t wait to hear.
As ever looking forward to hearing the finished album
I like the way we were informed when it reached a new paragraph.
Also, please make an album purely of Gareth’s diary entries.
Thanks x
So. Totally. Excited!
If it’s half as good as your previous stuff it will be the soundtrack to my summer (or winter; ooo, mysterious!)
x
I’m so excited to hear the new album, but am happy to wait patiently for it. Thanks for keeping us updated on the process!
Los Campesinos is a very prolific band, new music out always in a fair time of wait, and always giving us cool, good and epic songs. Extremely well worked and well written. This is a real band.
Gareth, you’re the best lyricist ever I’ve heard. True lyrics of true life with no cliches.
And Tom has a pretty solid and confident work on guitar, a great key to the band.
The rest is pretty good too, Harriet on violin is no words to describe. I think I will miss Aleks (excellent pair of voice with Gareth) and Ollie (gorgoeus drums, I love My Year In Lists on drums), but with your words, I feel safe and feeling this album will be pretty rad and good.
Wait 3-4 year for a new album of same or lame songs? No way with Los Campesinos!
I hope now with this album you can reach more people (don’t know how you are sou underrated yet) and come here to Brazil, who knows to my countryside city (dream). Don’t you wanna see the real and good footbal as a big fan you are(dont forget to visit Morumbi)? haha
I’ve been supporting you since sticking fingers and you never disappointed me.
You are the last band that I know all the words of the lyrics.
I don’t know what music I like more than Los Campesinos, maybe just a few…
Congratulations
Waiting for the new album
Waiting for a gig here
Guilherme
*Squeaks like a 7 year old who’s just come downstairs on Christmas morning and seen the piles of presents but knows he can’t open them because it’s 6 in the morning and everyone else is still somehow asleep*
Can’t bloody wait
I can assure you everything’s in good hands, Guilherme. Tom wrote the drumbeat for MYIL (and all our previous songs), and Jason is an insane drummer. Thanks for your kind words, G
Hurry up and tour. At least play Glasgow soon before i die from a lack of LC.
Looking forward to it massively! I can’t wait
You better play in Birmingham though, otherwise I might just cry :’(
I’m so exited! I can’t wait to hear all your new songs. I loved all your previous records, so if you think this one is your best, then it has to be absolutely amazing. Since you like football so much, you should come to Argentina and watch the Copa América
Anyway, take care, and The Office US = Best Comedy Ever.
Please start a club night in Bath, would be great for when I come down to uni in the Autumn. Can’t wait for this record and for you to tour again
And just in case I wasn’t dying of excitement before, I am now. Y’alls prolificacy is possibly one of my favorite things. Aside from, y’know, the whole music thing that you do. Thanks for the update!
You guys are a really special band, and I’m glad my friend introduced me to you. Every new song I hear I love more than the last, and through slightly different lineups, your music never fails to amaze and inspire me.
I’m so happy that you make albums so frequently! Not only that, but they’re always very good quality, both the music and lyrics.
Hopefully Heat Rash will arrive today (I ordered it a bit late)!
All the best,
Kara
PS: When you tour, make sure to come to Massachusetts, or anywhere in New England, really!
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for always keeping us updated. Much appreciated. I’m sure Heat Rash #2 will be just as wonderful! :]]
If this is better than Romance is Boring, then my brain will explode. RIB was so excellent all around.
This is great news. I look forward to playing your new vinyl on my turntable. Thanks for taking the time to update people who care. Look forward to your next visit to Montreal. Ciao.
LC! make my heart sing!
I haven’t been this excited in ages. You know that feeling when your stomach fills up with butterflies and your heart flies out of your chest? Yes. I am that excited.
You all are beautiful people who come together and make beautiful noise. I love love love you all
Super-duper excited! I can’t think of another current band who put so much passion, thought and care into every release.
Gareth, suggested reading for the meantime: have you heard about Jonathan Wilson’s new quarterly football magazine? http://www.theblizzard.co.uk/about-us
You should read “The Gone Away World” if you haven’t. I believe you’d like it as it is epic and fun and chock-full of words.
I really like this open dialogue thats been going on of late.
My thoughts echo Daniel’s. RIB was absolutely amazing, I can’t wait for the new LP.
Looking forward to more lyrics about football!
Please keep us updated with your reading habits Gareth. It’s thanks to you that I gave discovered B. S. Johnson. I enjoyed Haweswater as well.
Consequently, and I am sure I speak for all LC! fans, I would be obliged if you could post at least two-hundred and fifty-thousand of the million titles that you are planning to read. I think this is a perfectly reasonable demand.
those were some nice words. really excited for new los campesinos, gareth!
I’m surprissed to read you will be watching the Copa America, and I must ask: which country are you supporting? Or you don’t know yet and will decide once the competition has started?
Also, great news about the new album, can’t wait to hear the new songs. Hugs
Pablo
I fully expect a concept album about Parks and Recreation. Maybe just about Tom Haverford. Maybe just about Tom Haverford’s names for foods.