Welcome to C11.
Forget the surf pop and dreary shoegaze bands that BBC6 Music has been trying to push on you all year, the best thing to happen in 2010 has been the rediscovery of poppy, happy, '90s-style indie pop in all its unadulterated, knitwear-wearing glory.
Not only did you have The Vaselines and Pavement reunite this year, London has also been witness to a whole slew of bands like Veronica Falls, Cold Pumas and Yuck, who‘ve been reminding everyone that all you need is a jangly guitar and a cute song title and you’re made. Mazes, however, go one better by basically sounding like the whole C86 compilation distilled into one neat, easily digestible package. Recently signed to Fat Cat records, they’ve brought a smile to our faces with their happy-clappy indie pop that manages to balance poppy hooks and garage rock gnarliness in a way that hasn’t been seen since the Pastells last walked the earth.
Going completely on the strength of the songs they released this year, their album is already looking to be a must have.
Mazes - Go-Betweens by snipelondon
I heard you guys have just moved from Manchester to London – how’s that working out?
Jack: Well, I have but I was the only person who lived in Manchester anyway, although Neil who plays drums still lives there. Jarin and Conan have always lived down here, so yeah people say ‘yeah, Mazes, Manchester band’, but it was only ever me really.
Is it hard to keep a band going over such long distances?
Not really; in many ways it’s quite good. When you live near each other you can practice a lot and play plenty of shows, but that means things can end up going quite stale. Living as far away from each other as we did was good for us when we started. It was never too intense, and we’ve still got this ramshackleness live that I’d kind of like to keep. I think when you rehearse too much it sort of takes away from the excitement of playing live.
What do you miss most about Manchester?
I still work for this really good venue up there in called the Deaf Institute and it seems like every good show that happens in Manchester happens there. In London though, things happen all over the place. You might see the best band in the world is playing in Brixton, but then you think about the distance from Brixton to Dalston and you think ‘can’t be bothered’ and end up not going. I kind of miss the tight-knitness of Manchester a bit.
Right, quick-fire round. Top 3 indie bands of all time?
Errr, you can’t do that – I’m not very good at being quick-fire. The Beatles, I don’t why really, they’re just the best band ever. Silver Jews... I’m kind of obsessed with Silver Jews. I can’t really think of anymore, I’d be better at my favourite albums ever as I’ve given that some thought.
OK then, top 3 albums of all time?
Well, I’ve got a poster above me of ‘John the Wolfking of LA’ by John Phillips that has to be one of the best albums ever. ‘Wowee Zowie’ by Pavement and 'Abbey Road' by the Beatles. It changes, but that’s what I reckon right now
2010 has been a big year for you guys, you’ve literally played with everyone. What’s been your favourite?
Well Conan has only been with us for six months, but already the shows have been a lot better. Probably the best gig we’ve had this year has been at Cargo, of all places, supporting Wild Nothings. It was really good fun and it finally felt like we were getting our shit together.
We also did one after 1234 at the Stag’s Head. Jared was away at the time, so it was just me and Neil which was really good fun. Although I’d been drinking most of the day so even if I’d just stood there shouting stuff it would have been a good show. Me and Neil ended up doing quite a few shows as a two-piece actually, and while they weren’t anywhere near as good, they were pretty exciting as neither of us had any real idea of what we were doing.
Any predictions for 2011?
As far as bands?
Yeah...
There’s a couple of things on my label that I kind of like. This band called Milk Maid from Manchester, and Brown Brogues. Colleen Green who’s from San Diego. Oh, and Spectrals obviously.
Mazes will be hitting the road early next year. Keep an eye on their Myspace.
http://mazesmazesmazes.com/.
Click here for more London Live Music
Click here for all London Indie Music
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...