Sodastream + Monkey Swallows The Universe + Airport Girl

Event information

SODASTREAM
From Perth in Australia, Sodastream are Karl Smith (vocals, guitar) and Pete Cohen (double bass and deeply baritone backing vocals). Their debut single was plucked from the slush pile by John Peel and not long after they were awarded single of the week in Melody Maker by Moby. Since then they’ve released four albums on some of the most renowned indie labels around the world including Tugboat, Rough Trade, Drive-in Records and Acuarela Discos, and earned comparison to the likes of Low, Nick Drake and Will Oldham. On their latest album "Reservations" they jump effortlessly from acoustic introspection and instrumentals to raucous singalong shanties without any hint of affectation. Even with the additions of horns, harmonicas, and the drums on their studio albums, the core of their sound remains the same as it is live — Smith’s acoustic guitar, Pete’s driving double bass and some of the best, most beautiful songwriting to come out of Australia in years.
"One of Australia’s best kept secrets, they are up there with the Lucksmiths as one of the country’s finest contemporary exports, and I guess it’s no surprise that there is something of the spirit of the Go-Betweens intrinsic in their sound." (Tangents)
www.sodastream.net.au
www.myspace.com/sodastream

MONKEY SWALLOWS THE UNIVERSE
Monkey Swallows the Universe are an acoustic indiepop band from Sheffield, centred around the original founding duo of Nat Johnson & Kevin Gori, who formed the band in 2004. The band expanded in 2005 to include Catherine Tully on violin, Andy George on cello & Rob Dean on drums. In February 2006 the band released their debut album 'The Bright Carvings', on the independent record label Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation and released a single with Thee SPC in July 2006. The band have supported Mercury-nominated Richard Hawley and Camera Obscura on tour. They have performed sessions on both BBC Radio 6 and XFM. They have been variously described as "something special" (Stylus Magazine), "big big news" (Rough Trade) and "boss" (Richard Hawley.).
www.mstu.co.uk
www.myspace.com/mstu

AIRPORT GIRL
Formed in 1997 in the East Midlands by singer-songwriter Rob Price, Airport Girl’s influences range from the Scottish pop sounds of The Pastels and Belle and Sebastian to the American flavours of The Modern Lovers and Pavement. As well as a number of singles and compilation tracks on various independent labels they have made one album 'Honey, I'm An Artist' in 2001, released on Fortuna POP! in the UK and Matinee in the US, where it topped the Parasol distribution charts. A new album “Slow Light” is set for release later in 2006 and demonstrates a shift towards a more downbeat country pop sound, inspired by The Silver Jews and “16 Lover Lane”-era Go-Betweens.
“Have Airport Girl yet to release a less than spectacular record? If they have I'm yet to hear it.” - Tasty
www.airportgirl.com
www.myspace.com/shamboliclofiindiepop