ROUGH TRADE continues to periodically release their various compilations, a source of admiration, inspiration and collection for lovers of indie pop music. ROUGH TRADE, one of the most influential labels in independent music since its very beginnings in 1976, the label of THE SMITHS, YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS, THE WOODENTOPS, THE SUNDAYS, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, THE LIBERTINES, GALAXIE 500, THE GO-BETWEENS, Sufjan Stevens, THE STROKES, TELEVISION PERSONALITIES, ARCADE FIRE, MAZZY STAR and so, so many more. ROUGH TRADE is maybe the greatest record store in the whole world. For the first time ever, they are doing a Christmas compilation called “Jangle Bells”, and for the occasion they have selected a repertoire of groups like ALLO DARLIN’, GIRL RAY, Julia Jacklin, PALE WAVES, STARS and BLACK MIDI, for starters. Elefant records has licensed “Shouldn’t Be Alone For Christmas” by THE SCHOOL, taken from the EP the Welsh band dedicated to the Christmas season. We are so proud that one of our favorite stores has included us, for the fourth time now, and one of our favorite bands, for one of their legendary compilations. What are you waiting forcategoría Go out and get it as of December 8th! It is a 1000-copy limited-edition transparent vinyl with splashes of red and green. And there’s a normal CD and a black vinyl release as well.

[ Read more ]

We were absolutely impatient. We haven’t had any news about THE SCHOOL for a long time, but now they are finally back with an EP with three Christmas songs, at exactly the right time and in the best possible way. These songs play with the forced happiness associated with these holiday dates, to give them a touch of bitterness and loneliness, and remind us why they have broken our heart so many times over the years.

But things begin with a surprise. “Happy Christmas (Don't Tell Me It's Over)” is a mid-tempo punk-pop smash, full of great melodies and vocal harmonies, with a dirty, distorted sound somewhere between THE AISLERS SET, RAMONES, ALVVAYS and THE SHOP ASSISTANTS. Making the most of the holiday wishes to anxiously hope that the feared abandonment does not happen on such important dates. Liz wrote the song in just four minutes the night before going into the studio to record the Single. The chorus, as always, is impeccable.

“Shouldn't Be Alone For Christmas” goes back to the sound of girl-groups from the sixties, with Phil Spector’s wall of sound and the best arrangements, on one of the best songs with Harri and Liz doing a vocal call and response, and the whole group enveloping us with those celestial choruses. This also happens on “It Won't Be Christmas Without You”. Evoking the best of THE SUPREMES and THE RONETTES, with that collection of absolutely delicious arrangements and s [ Read more ]

Just over a year later, we are still enjoying the fruits of THE SCHOOL’s fantastic third album. And we couldn’t stop ourselves from releasing a single with that marvelous song that is the album’s closing track, “My Arms, They Feel Like Nothing”. This coming July 8th, the digital single will be released, along with an alternate take of the very song that served as the introduction to said album, “All I Want From You Is Everything”.

Two songs that perfectly represent the band from Cardiff’s sound: sixties influences, touches of soul, luminous arrangements (those winds that close the single’s title track!) and exquisite melodies. And, with these two songs we can also enjoy a video directed by the always-fascinating and talented Duprez: the man behind LA CASA AZUL’s animated video “La Nueva Yma Sumac” and multiple album covers for our label like the compilations “Space Escapade [Aventura Espacial] Unit 1 – Destination: Pluto Sector 68”and “A Christmas Gift For You From Elefant Records”, and the latest work from MODULAR, BMX BANDITS, and THE PRIMITIVES, among many others. The result is a choral and colorful video that is fun and intimate, and in which we can see the whole group, and a little fan named “Lolita”, having fun and singing along with the song.

The cherry on the top of this delicious cake, always a pleasure to taste it again and again, an [ Read more ]

Continuing with our planned re-releases in honor of Elefant Record’s 25th anniversary, this time we have the debut album of Wales’ THE SCHOOL, whose “Loveless Unbeliever” will be re-released as a 500-copy limited-edition vinyl, changing the red color of the original for green, both for the album cover as well as the vinyl color. Another coveted out-of-print album from Elefant is coming back into circulation in limited edition.

In that not-so-far-away 2010, THE SCHOOL were already one of the most promising new groups. With two magnificent singles like “All I Wanna Do” and “Let It Slip” in 2008, they made fans of groups like THE PIPETTES, CAMERA OBSCURA, and LUCKY SOUL focus on them, and the arrival of their first full-length was anxiously awaited. And when the album arrived in stores, it confirmed what those singles promised: ultra-melodic songs, agile and deliciously pop arrangements, chu-chu-ruchus and para-papas, prodigious wind instruments, and heavy echoes of the girl-groups of the sixties that we love so much. With the production work of the still totally essential Ian Catt (SAINT ETIENNE, TREMBLING BLUE STARS, THE FIELD MICE, SHAMPOO, THE BOO RADLEYS…), the group from Cardiff give us songs like “Valentine”, “Is He Really Coming Homecategoría”, “I Want You Back” and “Hoping And Praying”, which we were already saying back then were unquestionably going to become an irres [ Read more ]

"Wasting Away And wondering" tour    

★ January-February-March ★ 2016  

LONDON-GLASGOW

MADRID-BADAJOZ

MURCIA-BARCELONA

ZARAGOZA-CARDIFF    

TOUR TO PRESENT THEIR NEW ALBUM

Tour dates HERE   

THE SCHOOL are back with a huge album, where their maturity and freshness combine to create an unusual formula that, based on soul, pop, and rhythm 'n blues, goes above and beyond the limits of brilliance and optimism, despite the sad title. This third album was anxiously awaited by so many of the fans the group has gathered (earned) all around the world with the success they achieved with their previous albums and their fantastic concerts.    

"Wasting Away And Wondering" in the press:

RADIO NOWHERE RadioNowhere’s Album of the Year – THE SCHOOL: Wasting Away And Wondering      

MAGIC, Revue Pop Moderne Inspirée et référencée, l'esthétique de The School ne fera peut-être pas école, mais elle nous offre aujourd'hui une oeuvre blue-eyed soul de première classe.     

SHINDIG MAGAZINE  In our time of toil and troubles, this is a nice way to waste away the day wondering where all the giddy goose-bumps and warm-hearted camaraderie went.    

SHANE MARAIS And with The School’s third album, Wasting Away & Wondering, longtime fan [ Read more ]

 This VIDEO sums up our year

Playlist "Elefant Moments 2015" on SPOTIFY

Playlist Elefant Video-Clips 2015 on Youtube    

Playlist "Elefant Moments" 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015" on YouTube    

[ Read more ]

We have finally gotten our hands on it; THE SCHOOL are back with a huge album, where their maturity and freshness combine to create an unusual formula that, based on soul, pop, and rhythm 'n blues, goes above and beyond the limits of brilliance and optimism, despite the sad title. Along with their traditional eight-musician line-up, led by Liz’s omnipresent voice, there are three more musicians with them, helping to create an album with lush instrumentation, and stunning completeness. This third album is anxiously awaited by so many of the fans the group has gathered (earned) all around the world with the success they achieved with their previous albums and their fantastic concerts.

“Every Day” is a trademark song in every way. Sixties-inspired folk-pop with precious arrangements, delicious choruses, and delicate but brilliant melodies. The first rays of sunshine are shining through. “Love Is Anywhere You Find It” picks it up a notch. It has a Motown base, a solid rhythm, a bridge that is a chorus in and of itself, and it reaches new levels, along with close cousins like “Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Keeping Nothing” by Mayer Hawthorne and “You Can't Hurry Love” by THE SUPREMES. From “All I Want From You Is Everything”, we were already talking about the advance single for this album: outbursts of ye-ye and a band that is perfectly geared up to make a wall of melody, a solid and simultan [ Read more ]

Cardiff pop band THE SCHOOL have released a free single on Elefant Records, taken from their upcoming album “Wasting Away and Wondering”, which is out on Friday 4th September 2015

The new album was recorded last summer at Giant Wafer Studios in Mid Wales by Rob Jones, who also made the much-loved Sweet Baboo LP “Ships”. 

“Do I Love Youcategoría” is an upbeat Northern Soul-inspired track, a girl's response to the famous Frank Wilson song. The video was made by Croftwerk at The Carlton Club in Manchester and was directed by Jamie Holker. The video-clip features 21 year old dancer Lauren Fitzpatrick from Warrington, who was one of Elaine Constantine's dancers in the film “Northern Soul”. This lead to her dancing for Pharrell Williams at the Brit Awards, and in Eugene McGuiness' “Crueler Kind” video. Lauren has also featured in London Graduate Fashion Week, The One Show, The Culture Show and she is currently studying at the Guildford School of Acting. 

LIVE DATES: 

Sat 11th July – INDIEFJORD FESTIVAL, Norway http://www.indiefjord.com/tickets

Fri 24th July – INDIETRACKS FESTIVAL Midlands Railway Centre http://www.indietracks.co.uk/tickets

Sat 15th Aug – LONDON The Lexington http://www.wegottickets.com/event/315046

Sun 16th Aug – MANCHESTER POPFEST Islington Mill, Salford http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Islington-Mill/Manchester-Popf [ Read more ]

Available for ORDER on our website!

We finally have news about one of our favorite bands!!!! THE SCHOOL are back with a numbered, limited-edition, white 7”, that’s coming out as an advance of their upcoming album, which we’ll have more news about soon. Their luminous melodies and magical arrangements are back, and so is Liz with her sweet voice, with those wonderfully exciting songs that contain the best pop traditions of recent decades, with a special focus, of course, on the sixties and girl groups.

To start with, the EP’s title track (which will also be on the album), is definitely one of the most solid hits the group from Cardiff have written to date. The chorus goes straight to the heart; it’s one of those choruses that make you see the world through new eyes, with sublime arrangements and a rhythm that has the purity and naturalness of teenage love carved into every beat. To play on repeat for hours. “Baby Don’t Hold Your Breath For Me” is one of the EP’s exclusive songs; a cover of KNICKERS, it moves between the best northern soul and the most playful jazz-swing, with Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach watching from the wings. We go to the other side and we find another song that will be on the album, “I Will See You Soon”, which is another totally solid pop anthem, somewhere between Sarah Records-style guitar pop, and the craziest ye-ye. At the end of the album, a little sadness and grief enter [ Read more ]

It has been a while since we heard news about our beloved THE SCHOOL (though soon we will be telling you about their next album, which they are already in the process of recording), but we have news for their fans. The British label WIAIWYA run by our friend John Jervis is back this year with their 7777777 Singles Club and they are releasing a 7” Picture-Disc collection on the 7th of every month from April to December, including releases from bands like MY FAVOURITE, THE LEAF LIBRARY, and TRICKY MAMMOTH. This collection includes a release from Liz’s band for this coming August 7th.

Two marvelous, previously unreleased songs which will be released in digital format by Elefant Records. The title track, “When I Fall In Love”, is especially worth pointing out; it’s full of a special energy, halfway between new-wave and the Motown spirit. It is an immediate hit with an unforgettable chorus that gives the finishing touches to that tropical-flavored bridge, led by a simple yet delicious guitar arrangement. And it will definitely have a leading role in the group’s repertoire in their upcoming concerts. On the B-side, “Just Let Me Be” is a fun, playful rock ‘n roll, sweet and timid, endearing and addictive, with echoes of BELLE & SEBASTIAN thanks to that precious trumpet solo, which is clearly their trademark style.

After having creating incredible hits with their first two albums, having appeared in more than 70 [ Read more ]

Welsh band THE SCHOOL bring their fizzy orchestral pop to the USA for the first time this summer, playing NYC Popfest on 30th May followed by 9 shows in June.

Part of the legendary Elefant Records family, their debut album 'Loveless Unbeliever' appeared in over 70 'best of 2010' lists.

Second album 'Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything' was released last year which includes the single 'Never Thought I'd See The Day'. Produced by David Wrench

(Bat For Lashes, Caribou, Herman Dune, Euros Childs) it's a 12-track 29-minute record crammed with classic pop songs about love and loss. Exploring a wider range of influences, you'll hear THE RONETTES then THE RAMONES, FRANCOISE HARDY then a hint of MADNESS and a nod to THE SUPREMES – but always with The School's modern twist and sugar sweet vocals.

Following the US tour, the band will return to the studio to record their third LP for Elefant Records, to be released in early 2014.

TOUR DATES:Thurs 30th May – NYC POPFEST, Cake ShopFri 31st May – NYC POPFEST DJ SET – LoftTues 4th June – CLEVELAND, OH – Beachland BallroomWed 5th June – CHICAGO, IL – The BurlingtonThurs 6th June – ST LOUIS, MO – Off BroadwayFri 7th June – NASHVILLE, TN – The EndSat 8th June – ATHENS, GA – The Caledonia LoungeMon 10th June – WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Krankie's Coffee & BarTues 11th June – ROANOKE, VA & [ Read more ]

Release Date: **CD Digipak and **Digital Album [10 December]  // ** LP White Colour Vinyl [Numbered Limited Edition of 1000 copies] [20 December] • The vinyl format includes a free digital MP3 download [320 kbps]

TRACKLIST: 01 Why Should Christmas Be So Hardcategoría (Attic Lights) 02 Holding Hands Around The World (Guille Milkyway And The Jelly Jamm Sound Orchestra) 03 Christmas Lights (The Magic Theatre) 04 La Luz Del Mundo (Single) 05 El Viaje Mágico De Santa Claus (Modular) 06 X-mas Song (Edine Avec Lisle Mitnik Et Son Orchestre) 07 I Just Wanna Hold Your Hand (On Christmas Day) (The Yearning)08 Let Me Be The Fairy On Your Christmas Tree Tonight (The School) 09 Los Anillos De Alcyone (21-12-2012) (La Casa Azul) 10 You Trashed My Christmas (The Primitives) 11 Te Espero En Navidad (Axolotes Mexicanos) 12 Bells To Ring And Jingle (YouDoMeToo) 13 Donde Todo Sigue Igual (Band À Part) 14 You're Coming Home Tonight (The School) 15 Let's Make Christmas Love (BMX Bandits) 16 Su Šventom Kalėdom (Fitness Forever)

Here at Elefant, we have always been huge fans of Christmas albums, so we finally decided to get our act together, and we’ve put a lot of energy and excitement into our first Christmas album. “A Christmas Gift For You From Elefant Records” is full of previously unreleased songs that look toward that luminous side of life, a fantastic excuse to feel optimistic, colorful, and, why not, irony a [ Read more ]

COMPETITION CLOSED: The Winner is Isabel Albiol [UK]

Prize: A pack of albums including the Japanese edition of their latest album and the Korean release of their first album To participate: What do you have to docategoría In the video, some of their album covers of THE SCHOOL’s favorite records appear in the video; you have to find at least two album covers, tell us the title of the album and the group it belongs to. 

Send your answer to: Lista@elefant.com    Subject: The School vs Album covers There will be a lottery drawing between all correct entries [There will only be one winner] Contest open until Friday, November 23rd Go Play!!! Good luck!!!  

Video Clip:

Picture: The Japanese edition of their latest album and the Korean release of their first album

HINT picture: [26-11-2012] 

[ Read more ]

It seemed like it would be impossible to improve on “Loveless Unbeliever”, but they did it. The album went halfway around the world, showed up on hundreds of “best of” lists of the year, was mentioned by and included in some of the most prestigious press about music and culture in general. Up to four singles came out of their compositions. They toured all around the planet and were a hit wherever they went. And now their new album is here and they have left us totally speechless. “Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything” is a better version of THE SCHOOL. The arrangements are, if it’s even possible, even more delicate, more elegant; the emotions make your hair stand smoothly on end and the vitality and freshness are just as strong as they were on their first single.

Because Liz and her crew are capable of writing songs like “Where Does Your Heart Belong”, which would stand out on its own strength on a compilation of the best songs by THE RONETTES or THE SUPREMES. The album opens with a song like “What’s Just Begun”, which Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach would unanimously applaud. Stuart Murdochis thinking that he has to go back to doing songs “It’s Not The Same” and “Never Thought I’d See The Day”. The RAMONES can’t stop dancing to the rhythm of “Why Do You Have To Break My Heart Again”. Jack Nietzche [ Read more ]

SINGLE 7" [White Colour Vinyl] [Limited Edition 700 Copies]Includes a free digital MP3 download [320 kbps] 

TRACKLIST: 01. Never Thought I'd See The Day 02. When He Kisses Me 03. Where Does Your Heart Belongcategoría 04. I Wouldn't Know What To Do  

Yes, they’re back. Liz and her bandmates from Cardiff are back, after “Loveless Unebeliever” was released in dozens of countries all over the world, and was a huge success with both the critics and the public. A little while ago, even Molly Ringwald, the actress from movies like “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink”, declared herself to be a fan of the group.

And, for opening our mouths, we get this marvelous single as a preview for their imminent album, “Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything”. And this return is marked by a collection of songs even more impeccable than their acclaimed debut. The production is even more careful, the palette of emotions opens like a rainbow through a window wet with raindrops. The elegance, the melancholy and their oh-so-personal joie de vivre all shine with unusual brightness.  As an example of all this, we have the two A sides that make up this first pre-release, and which will be included on the album. 

“Never Thought I'd See The Day” creates that Scottish sound that is so full of energy and vitality, with echoes of the best BELLE & SEBASTIAN, with their usual lyri [ Read more ]