Spearmint - Holland Park

WEATHERBOX

£10.94

Cat. no: HITBACK57CD
Format: CD
Barcode: 5038622141127
Release Date: 17 Sep 2021
Genre: Indie

London-based Spearmint return this year with the follow-up their acclaimed 2019 album ‘Are You From The Future?’, the ambitious, uplifting new album ‘Holland Park’.

Often referred to as ‘Britain’s best kept secret’, Spearmint have been making great records for a couple of decades now: this will be their ninth album proper. Still the same line-up: Shirley Lee (singing, guitar), Simon Calnan (singing, keyboards), James Parsons (guitar, bass) and Ronan Larvor (drums). This album will be the 57th release on their own hitBACK label.

‘Holland Park’ explores what it’s like to be in a band, what it’s like to have walked away from being in a band, what music means to all of us, and how it feels to lose your heroes. The spirit of Bowie hangs over the album. Singer Shirley says “What would the other members of the Spiders From Mars say now about their lives if we tracked them down? I don’t mean Bowie’s band, I mean Ziggy’s band.” Re-united with producer Rhodri Marsden (Scritti Politti), and with contributions from Rhodri and Andy Lewis (Paul Weller), the band feel that this record is their best yet.

Based around the epic 12 minute title track, the album tells the story of Shirley’s father’s prog band in the early 70s: “They never made it, and there’s nothing online about them, so it’s down to us to tell the story.”

It will be preceded by three 7” singles with accompanying videos: ‘Walk Away From Hollywood’ - 2nd July - an upbeat anthem about walking away from your dreams. ‘Bundunyabba Blue’ - 6th August - disco identity theft in the Australian outback. ‘Since Bowie Died’ - 3rd September - “... everything
changed”

On 5th November, a final single will be released from the album, a double A side also featuring a brand-new Christmas song - more news on this to follow! Spearmint plan to premiere the album live in London in November, followed by shows in Brighton and Bristol, with further gigs throughout 2022.

Here’s what the press said about Spearmint’s last album:

“Contender for the end of the year best-of lists. I could pick every single track here as a highlight. This guy could sing the phone book.” - Louder Than War

“It’s one of the best albums of the year.” - God is in the TV

“Could well be their finest work yet. Spearmint craft and create moments of wonder, delight and joy on every song and leave you gasping.” - Mild Mannered Army

“Sweeping, swooping strings, swooning, mooning wordsmithery, the right side of twee and never dull nor dumb, cleverly literate with literal endeavours. What more could you ask for?” ***** Music News

“Spearmint’s ‘Future’ vision fizzes with energy and charm vibrantly alive in the here and now.” **** Record Collector

“One of the great unsung indie-pop bands of the last 20 years.” - Arts Agenda

“Clever pop, big tunes - this band is a hidden gem.” - Vanguard Online

“Every song on ‘Are You from The Future?’ is a melodious delight: wry observations on politics, love, longing and loss. Spearmint are a revelation and an institution.” - Back Seat Mafia

“Spray your listening space in an adorable sunny feel good radiance. Resistance as they say, is useless.” - The Sunday Experience

“The world would clearly be a better place if more people knew about Spearmint.” - Sonic Breakfast

“Grab this album, crank up the volume and dance barefoot round the kitchen... Go buy!” - Penny Black Music

Tracks: They Call Us Stupid / Bundunyabba Blue / Walk Away From Hollywood / Since Bowie Died / Rock’n’roll! Never Was / The World’s On Fire / Lazy Susan / The Streets Of Harlesden / Holland Park / Black Vinyl / Mole / I Won’t Try To Fix You / She Says She Wants To Save The Pigs / Albion