News

Here's a preview from ALPACA SPORTS's Mini-Lp "When You Need Me The Most”, to be released 02-10-2015. PRE-ORDERS already available on our website!!! Click HERE 

It is an absolute pleasure for us to release ALPACA SPORTS’ new songs. These are songs that take you around the world. These are songs that make you happy. Since they got started in the winter of 2011, everything has been big news about ALPACA SPORTS. Their indie pop has reached the ears of fans all over the world, from the United States to Japan to Peru, not to mention Spain, England, their native Sweden, and a dozen other countries.

And now for the big news – Elefant Records is releasing “When You Need Me The Most”, the group’s new songs on a blue, 10”, 1000-copy, numbered-limited-edition. Six songs that are another great display of their immediacy, their contagious choruses, and their love for bands like THE SMITHS, ANOTHER SUNNY DAY and BELLE AND SEBASTIAN.

[ Read more ]

ORDERS here!

Elefant Records, in its constant search for new ideas and projects, is beginning a new collection of limited-edition Singles called “Reworked By Series”. The main idea is that groups on the Elefant label appropriate, play with, and remix each others’ songs. It’s an explosive mix that can create (and has, in fact, already created) really exciting cocktails. We’ve already got our hands on the first two releases from this collection, Guille Milkyway and LA CASA AZUL’s remake of ATTIC LIGHTS, and THE PRIMITIVES songs that MODULAR “perpetrated”. The Argentinian group MODULAR has once again created a cosmic, spacey world based on Paul Court’s guitars and Tracy Tracy’s vocals, making “Purifying Tone” and “Lose The Reason” theirs. And Guille does his thing, making a few new Eurodisco hits from “Future Bound” and “War Years”, two songs from the Scottish band fronted by Kevin Sherry.

Could you say the re-mixers have made their own songscategoría Almost, but also not at all. Those riffs, the vocals, the arrangements, and the melodies that belong to the original versions are special raw material, practically unprecedented, for the “re-constructors”, creating an alloy that is unprecedented, surprising, different, and most important of all, highly enjoyable. The Singles from this new adventure will be released in 500-copy limited-editions o [ Read more ]

Our beloved Giorgio Tuma, while his putting the final touches on his amazing new album, is still working on what is looking to be a juicy collection of Singles that includes collaborations with notable international independent music stars. We have already been able to enjoy the incredible releases with Laetitia Sadier and Lena Karlsson. Now it’s the Californian Malik 'theFreq' Moore’s turn. He is a member of THE LIONS, one of the most important soul-based reggae bands on the Stones Throw label (J Dilla,Madlib,Aloe Blacc,Mayer Hawthorne…), and also of THE BULLETS, a project he shares with Roger Rivas (THE AGGROLITES). He is a singer who has collaborated with such important people from the reggae rocksteady scene as Leroy Sibbles,Pat Kelly,Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan and Dennis Al Capone.

The Italian composer’s proven passion for reggae makes for magic, once again. “My Lively Youth” contains those rays of sunshine that each and every one of Giorgio Tuma’s arrangements has, plus Malik 'theFreq' Moore’strembling and innocent voice. It is an exercise that goes above and beyond style, and that makes it ever clearer that Giorgio Tuma’s universe is infinite and fascinating.

This collaboration, just like with the two previous ones, will be part of an exclusive, limited-edition 7”, that will also have a B-side remix, in the dub tradition, by Sean O'Hagan of THE HIGH LLAMAS. Psychedelic, [ Read more ]

Barcelona pop band COLA JE SET have released a free Digital Single, taken from their upcoming album “El Fin Del Mundo”, which is out on Friday 6th November 2015.

It has been a while since we heard any news from them, but they are finally back. They are returning with a few changes in the line-up, and more importantly with a new collection of great pop songs. These are timeless, catchy songs, full of exciting stories and eternal melodies.

All this time, on top of very carefully and lovingly preparing this new album, they have been busy with so many other professional and personal things – especially Felipe, who has been touring non-stop around Spain and Mexico with the triumphant return of LOS FRESONES REBELDES. They began recording the album in 2013 and in this period of time, Ana, Cristina and Joan Pernil have left the group, and other musicians have temporarily formed part of it, like Estel and Anna. But now Felipe is back, and this time Alícia is in charge of the lead vocals, so the current COLA JET SET line-up is Alícia on vocals and guitar, Dani on bass, Felipe on solo guitar and 12-string, Manel on keyboards, Matt on guitar, Ruth on backing vocals and percussion, Toni on drums and Gerard Civat participating as a producer and on backing keyboards.

And even though that and so many other things hav [ 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 ]

Nick Garrie is still slowly working his way through writing new songs and recording them all over the planet, with the help of the friends and fans that he is collecting in every corner of the globe. Just a few months ago we were talking about his precious song recorded with PIGMY, and now we are talking about the work he is developing in New York, at the Malborough Farms Studios of Gary Olson (LADYBUG TRANSISTOR), where he is taking over to record this precious “Lone Ranger In The Sky”, the title-track of the new single by the Scottish composer. This song was originally composed in 1977, the day that Elvis died. It tells the story of two young friends from Norwich (the city that is, by the way, also the home of almost all the songs on “The Nightmare Of JB Stanislas”, Garrie’s most legendary work), who at some point in their lives must separate. One of them dies suddenly, shortly after, and his friend, despite the time and the distance, remembers him with this song. The cover art, by Laura Krapacher, of the Guggenheim Museum, shows those two friends smoking on the edge of the pool.

The song is touching and inspired, but also brilliant and colorful, with an unforgettable chorus. We are continually surprised by the vault of incredible songs that Nick Garrie has stored up, and that he is sharing with us like gifts, one by one. And, this time, he has the high-profile collaboration of Kyle Forester of CRYSTAL STILTS on the keyboard; H [ 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!

A few days ago, we told you about Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey’s new project, THE CATENARY WIRES, whose name refers to the pattern made by the curves of the overhead cables that are suspended from pylons or above electric trains. This project is a development of the sadder, more melancholic songs of their career; it is elegant and serene without letting go of the pop melodies. Amelia and Rob have been behind some of the best indie-pop songs of the past 30 years, whether it was from their time with TALULAH GOSH, HEAVENLY, MARINE RESEARCH, or TENDER TRAP. THE CATENARY WIRES started when the twoleft London and found themselves in the middle of the countryside, with no clubs, no record stores or guitar shops, and no indie scene. They had disbanded TENDER TRAP, and they started writing songs with only a child’s acoustic guitar, just for their own entertainment. Everything changed when they were invited to play at the Arnolfini Art Gallery in Bristol, at an event celebrating their old label, Sarah Records. They played a few HEAVENLY songs, but also took the opportunity to try out some new material. The result was so exciting that it has brought us to this point, and this mini album, “Red Red Skies”, which will be released on June 1st, on clear 10” vinyl, on CD, and in digital format.

There are eight delicious songs, starting with “Intravenous”, which we already heard as the advance single. [ Read more ]

“Throw Another Love Song On The Fire” gives us brilliant lyrics, telling the story of heartbreak, but it is also a satire of songs about heartbreak. Superb, with the depth of Rob’s voice evoking Johnny Cash, while he sings “thanks for making me unhappy” and invokes Stephin Merritt. 

[ Read more ]

It is getting close to time for one of the most important festivals in our country – maybe even one of the most important festivals internationally – Primavera Sound. And so we want to remember the performances there that have touched us the most. In 2012, Nick Garrie went onstage at the Forum Auditorium, with a chamber music band, to recover and interpret the songs from his legendary “The Nightmare Of JB Stanislas”, as well as some of his more recent compositions.

That’s why we are giving you this Digital Single, with a song recorded in that concert, for free. The chosen song is “Evening”, which was the closing track on “The Nightmare Of JB Stanislas”. The album was cursed for many years to only be found on the shelves of a few chosen album collectors. But its incredible poetic quality and strength led to a few record labels specialized in musical archeology hunting it down and bringing this composer’s songs to light. This process culminated with Elefant Records releasing an album of new material, “49 Arlington Gardens”, which included the collaboration of big names in the Scottish Indie scene like Ally Kerr, Norman Blake (TEENAGE FANCLUB), Francis McDonald (NICE MAN, TEENAGE FANCLUB, BMX BANDITS), Duglas T. Stewart (BMX BANDITS). It also led to the luxury re-release of the already mentioned “The Nightmare Of JB Stanislas”. And of course the cherry on top [ Read more ]

Available for ORDER on our website!

A few months ago, we talked effusively about NELEONARD’s songs, the glory of which was captured on that marvelous 10” Mini-LP called “Agosto”. This 2015 they are already confirmed at festivals like Primavera Sound or Contempopránea, and we’re celebrating a fruitful year with a new single from Nele and friends. These two new songs confirm that NELEONARD is one of the most biggest promises in Spanish pop, with music that is sober, fresh, but also has so much to say, and a tremendously rich lyrical and musical discourse. 

 “Casi Cuela” begins brightly, with wind instruments pushing the levels of optimism through the roof. Chamber pop, with an exciting dynamic, combining the emotional lyricism of LA BUENA VIDA and LE MANS first steps with the melodic force of BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, Sondre Lerche, and Jens Lekman. “Buscaremos Los Nombres” is a B-side in every way. It’s the complete opposite of the A-side, with a more serious, solemn tone, and influences from popular folklore and experimental folk groups. Turbulent and turbid, stormy and watery. Impressive.

With each new NELEONARD release we hear, we reaffirm that we are looking at one of the most satisfying groups in Spanish pop in the coming years. You can hear it yourselves now.

[ Read more ]

Available for ORDER on our website!

EL AVIADOR DRO Y SUS OBREROS ESPECIALIZADOS “Otros Mundos, Otras Estrellas [1979-1982]”

AVIADOR DRO, the group conceived by Servando Carballar and Arturo Lanz, is without a doubt one of this country’s most important groups, and they are true electronic music pioneers, under the influence of bands like DEVO and KRAFTWERK. That’s why it is an incredible honor for Elefant Records to be able to release, as a part of our “Recuerdos Que Olvidé” collection, this double album that includes demos, previously unreleased versions, rarities, and big hits from the period before the release of their second album, “Síntesis: La Producción Al Poder”, in 1983. What’s more, many of the songs included on this album have never been released on vinyl before.

We can find a few songs from their first album, “Alas Sobre El Mundo”, two songs from the Maxi-Single “Programa En Espiral”, and one song from the Single “Nuclear Si”, which was the first release on DRO (Discos Radioactivos Organizados, the label AVIADOR DRO created to release their albums after their brief period with the Movieplay label). All of these releases are practically impossible to find nowadays in their original format, and they are real collectors’ items. “El Nacimiento De La Industria” comes from the DRO compilation “Navidades R [ Read more ]

Available for ORDER on our website!

We have been talking for months about the musical romance that Giorgio Tuma and Laetitia Sadier have been living, which has given us marvelous songs written by Giorgio that have been released under the names of both artists. It was only a matter of time before they released something together, just like Giorgio Tuma did with Lena Karlsson (KOMEDA), and this is an homage the Italian musician pays to another of his musical muses, the ex-singer of STEREOLAB, one of the groups that most inspired Giorgio to begin writing his own songs.

We told you just a few months ago how Giorgio Tuma was preparing a different and surprising reggae song for Laetitia Sadier’s album, when she caught them recording “Release From The Center Of Your Heart,” and wound up taking the song for herself. Precisely that Jamaican-descendant song “Through Your Hands Love Can Shine” is the one that opens this numbered limited-edition single, and it will be included on their upcoming, marvelous album. It’s a gem that is marked by its originality, the dreamy, fantastic arrangements, and the instrumental composition that could be a Monet painting. The B-side has a song we already know, “Anna, My Dear”, but that is finally here being released in physical format. It’s an exciting, elegant, nocturnal, delicious, dreamlike landscape, cradled by majestic, beyond perfect string instruments. There is only one t [ Read more ]

Available for ORDER on our website!

The moment has finally arrived and we couldn’t be happier or more satisfied – we have LIGHTNING IN A TWILIGHT HOUR’s first album in our hands. LIGHTNING IN A TWILIGHT HOUR is Bobby Wratten’s new project, which we were talking about recently because of the introductory Mini-LP “Slow Changes”. And there is not a doubt in our minds that Bobby Wratten’s fans are going to feel tremendous happiness when they listen to the songs that make up this first LP, “Fragments Of A Former Moon”.

It’s an album that shows off the two most remarkable facets of the songwriter: pop melodies that intertwine melancholic and evocative shades with an ambiance of experimentation in which the music becomes a bucolic, intoxicating landscape. In this first section we definitely include the album’s opening song, “The Memory Museum”, which carries the songwriter’s unmistakable mark, and which reminds us of other songs from the TREMBLING BLUE STARS period. “The Pattern Room” has a touch of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop about it and sees the band with Trish Keenan of BROADCAST very much in their thoughts on this “Die Brücke” inspired song. “The Passerby” delves into the melancholy of Mark Hollis’s more introspective albums, with certain baroque touches, while “Fever Dreams Of Emilia” and “Taking The Figure Out Of T [ Read more ]

"UHF" will be available in specialized shops on Record Store Day [April 18]. You can also make your order from April 19 on our Online Store

Álex Diez has always been a fan of all things vinyl, and the latest proof of this is from just a few weeks ago, with his latest Mini-LP, “UHF”, which was released on 12” format and CD. The release proved that our beloved mod icon has not lost even a drop of inspiration and good taste, which the wonderful, lively songs like “Entre Girasoles” and “Ideal” make perfectly clear. The fans’ answer was, once again, immediate, selling out the 750 copies in that first print in just a few days. That’s why, here at Elefant Records, we are going to make a special edition of the album for Record Store Day: 500 new purple-vinyl copies to celebrate a day that all music fans should celebrate effusively, and which Elefant is collaborating on with this small contribution.

In the meantime, Álex continues making his way across the Spanish map, thanks to this new handful of marvelous songs, which he is alternating between his successful night-time shows and “La Gira Del Aperitivo”, which has brought him to new venues and new audiences during the daylight hours. Who can resist COOPER’s songscategoría [ Read more ]