IM // UR | The Pains Of Being Saint Etienne

To say that Local Natives are this year's Fleet Foxes isn't wrong, but not that right either. Local Natives are softer, brighter and lighter than their widely critiqued sort-of-counterparts. Gorilla Manor is a delicious debut that should be listened and loved for its own merits and there are 12 of them here; from the beautiful single 'Airplanes' to the epic journey of 'Stranger Things'. For fans of harmonic vocals, delicate guitars and gorgeous layers (and I bet there'll be a lot of you).

WE // R \\ WEARING

You know about FAJ right? That's Fanny and Jessy as they are also known, and this duo have one of the coolest young labels coming straight out of London. They debuted their first range last year entitled 'I Hope You Die Soon' and they're also responsible for the infamous tee of the same name (and it's sibling, 'Suck It You Fuck') which I actually often find gets quite a warm reaction despite it's sentiment. This month they're showing their hotly anticipated sophomore collection for AW 2010 which no doubt will be full of their trademark wicked humor and edge. Definitely ones to watch.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Honestly, who isn’t? The sixth and final season of Lost, one of the best series ever created, just started and we are sure spending more time talking, reading and thinking about it than watching it. Well, from what we read some mysteries won’t be answered (the real meaning of the numbers, anyone?), but if there's something we've learned from accompanying Locke’s island friends (and enemies) is that the travel is always more enjoyable than the actual place it’s taking you to. Well, not if the smoke monster is trying to kill you.

WE // R \\ GOING

The latest station on the Drunky Town train line is in Sydney, Australia at a little club in the Spanish Quarter (actually it's just two Spanish shops next to each other on the same street or something like that in the CBD) called GoodGod, which plays host to soirée of the moment, Slow Blow. Word has it that in January, Karen O crashed Sydney's current cool kids party, but to be honest by that time everyone was too busy dancing and cutting loose in D-Town to care. And that's the true mark of a good time - when you find yourself twirling about without a care in the world. Or it could just mean you're trashed. Heh.

WE // R \\ READING

You know those films where there are all these supposedly 'intertwined' stories and lives? Quite a cliché concept for both books and movies I suppose, but rarely does it really resonate in either medium. David Mitchell though (not the Peep Show one) manages to spin tales into tightly woven rugs that are quite fantastical yet believable, moving without being overly sentimental, eclectic and incredibly entertaining. He also writes straight narratives too, with just as much panache and verve. I just (re)read Number9Dream though any and all of David Mitchell's books are highly recommended...and he's got a newie coming out this year. EXCITEMENT.

The Pains Of Being Saint Etienne

Thursday // November 19, 2009 at 15:49 // filed under Music

Kip and Peggy in London

all photographs by Liz Clough from our interview with the band

One of the greatest discoveries of 2009, the adorably noisy rockers of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, are releasing a new EP to promote the new single, the hazy 'Higher Than The Stars'.

Kip

The song, that isn't featured on their debut album, is a gorgeously layered ballad that follows theat early 90's sound we all loved (or at least learned to love once again); and that's not the only great song on the EP - in fact I would say that I like it better than the album itself...

Peggy

If you are one of those that can't appreciate the sea of guitars that surrounds the beautiful music of The Pains, you might want to try this remix by Saint Etienne in which the extension of the song matches the huge name (almost 7 minutes of Saint Etienne Visiting Lord Spank, in fact). An atmospheric, minimal song that reinforces the velvet twee-ness of the vocals. More than beautiful.

Flash Content

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Higher Than the Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Mix) [mp3]

POSTED BY RAPHAEL CAFFARENA

TAGS: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Saint Ettiene // LINKS: Saint Ettiene, he Pains Of Being Pure At Heart