Pretty good doormat in Oslo. Photo by Claire.
We have disgraced our country, we have spat in the face of our still-prized independence and fled our homeland right when it had needed us most. No, we did not celebrate, we did not fire off the decorative explosives we love so much, we did not consume hot dogs or the coldest ones known to man or beast. In all honesty, we did nothing patriotic. Instead, we flew to England on July 3rd and arrived at Heathrow on the 4th... and for what? AND FOR WHAT?
Disclaimer: Over the past 8 years we have felt far from patriotic, but it's getting very close to a time where we can actually feel proud of being American. Barack Obama is our one true and shining hope and we fully endorse him and will cast our vote accordingly. Actually, Claire isn't a US citizen so I will be voting for Barack twice, or maybe three times.
This just in: ENGLAND NEEDS YACHT
For some time, we have had prejudices against England. Namely, we've always kinda thought that the class system and media there sets people up for failure. It's a bold statement, yes, but bureaucracy and the millions of rules plotted across the country like invisible trip wires have historically held us down on our visits. You know, stuff like, "no, I cannot give you the English breakfast without eggs and sausage, because that is not on the menu." Like I always say: I don't make the rules, I just follow them. I say this because I was born in England.
Still, we had a dream, and that dream was to bring the fey, Keynote-presenting, power-dancing, super positive project that is YACHT to a country whose music scene generally favors young lads with haircuts and guitars. Our belief, as aforementioned: England Needs YACHT. England needs to get a weirder and less organized. This is what we came to do.
This just in: ALL OF ENGLAND DARKLY GENERALIZED BY SOME BAND
As it turned out, our tour of the United Kingdom had its demoralizing parts, but it also knocked us on our butts. For every stuffy tube ride and sexist pub bloke, there was really incredible stuff, like riding a little boat and eating amazing veggie burgers at Latitude festival, and playing a show in a home-made dome at the heartwarmingly kind Truck Festival. Not to mention the very good challenge that was driving on the left side of the road! MUCH HARDER THAN IT LOOKS! We also owe the good times to our friends, much propers to Matthew Thornhill, Alex Mahan, Emma Prout, Andrew Ranville, and all of our new friends we met on this last trip, sort of including these guys.
Documentation, go!
Below: YACHT @ the O2 Wireless Festival by Lorne Thomson (found on Flickr)
Below: Claire's buggy ride through the O2 Festival grounds
Here are two reviews (WTF!? Ting Tings!?) from the amazingly beautiful Latitude Festival.
...and here are two reviews that mention our show at the Truck Festival (scroll down a bit to see 'em).
So, did we succeed? We're not sure. That's why we're going to do it again, this month. England, are you ready?
August
23rd - Leeds, UK @ The Favesham
24th - Cheshire, UK @ Creamfields Festival
26th - Sheffield, UK @ Bungalows & Bears
27th - Southsea, UK @ The Fat Fox
28th - London, UK @ ICA
29th - Manchester, UK @ Ruby Lounge
31st - Stradbally Estate @ Electric Picnic
September
2nd - Cardiff, Wales @ Shape Function @ Clwb Ifor Bach
5th - Isle of Wight, UK @ Bestival
6th - Brighton, UK @ The Arc
Lastly, here are two remixes I recently made and would like to share with you. I hope we didn't upset you, England. Please accept these as a musical apology of sorts. We just want to make you happy.
Stereolab - Self Portrait With "Electric Brain" (YACHT Remix)
(7.4 MB - 192 kbps MP3)
RATATAT - Mirando (YACHT Remix)
(4 MB - 192 kbps MP3)
If you live anywhere near the Northwest of America you need to come to this micro-festival we're putting on this Saturday, August 9th, 2008: CATCH THAT BEAT.
Do they owe us a living?
Of course they do, of course they do.
Owe us a living?
Of course they do, of course they do.
Owe us a living?
OF COURSE THEY FUCKING DO.
[Crass had a hard time with England, too]
Andrew, YES. We already have a tour totally booked for March of next year, but it has to remain a secret until October or something.
WE LOVE AUSTRALIA.
See you soon!
Unfortunately, as you say, our green and (un)pleasant land is currently dominated by same-sounding guitar kids. BUT! Do not fear! For you shall be loved in London and Cardiff (Wales, not England) - two of the most accommodating cities in the UK for real music.
See you there!
some really good pictures from catch that.
did you see them jona?
total gnar. there's this one of you with some kid looking horrified that's pretty rad.
england is indeed a strange place lacking the spontaneous touch. you keep asking for no eggs!!
sad i missed you this time, and i'll be decamped to caracas for your next time. let me know if you play latin america soon!