Islet (band)

Islet
GenresExperimental rock, psychedelic pop, no wave, krautrock, post-punk
Years active2009–present
LabelsShape Records
Turnstile Music
Fire Records
MembersEmma Daman Thomas
Mark Daman Thomas
John (JT) Thomas
Alex Williams
Websiteislet.wales

Islet are a Welsh band formed in Cardiff in 2009.[1][2] They are known for their experimental, genre-defying sound and energetic live shows. Their music takes in elements of experimental rock, psychedelic pop,[3] no wave,[4] krautrock[5] and post-punk.[6]

They have been shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize twice: in 2012, for Illuminated People,[7] and in 2020, for Eyelet.[8] Islet have released four studio albums and four EPs.

History

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Islet were formed in Cardiff in 2009[9][10] by brothers Mark and John Thomas with Emma Daman (formerly of The Victorian English Gentlemens Club).[1][11] Alex Williams joined the band in late 2009.[12] After signing to Turnstile Music, the band released the EPs Celebrate this Place and Wimmy in 2010.[1][13] Despite being an EP, Wimmy was placed at number 32 in the NME Albums and Tracks of the Year, 2010.[14] Celebrate This Place received a positive critical reception from reviewers.[6] In November 2011, the band released in Japan, Celebrate This Place With Me, a compilation of the two EPs on the Big Nothing record label.[15] Their debut album, Illuminated People, was issued in January 2012.[11][16]

Their early live shows were known for their avant garde approach, high energy and often improvisational performances, with long percussive sections.[17] After performing at Cardiff's Sŵn Festival in 2009, NME described their set as "a shamanic percussive offensive powering the truly unique quartet through a spellbinding half hour that bleeds impassioned improv spirit".[18] One notable aspect of Islet's early live performances was their tendency to swap instruments during their sets, contributing to a dynamic and unpredictable stage presence.[19] Initially the band were known for their lack of interest in promotion - eschewing any form of web presence and choosing to communicate with their zine 'The Isness'.[20] The live shows led to the band developing a cult following.[21]

2013's album, Released by the Movement and 2016's Liquid Half Moon EP were both released on the band's own Shape Records. The music critic, Laura Snapes, noted there was more of a focus on songwriting on the EP.[22] The EP was also included in James Acaster's book, Perfect Sound Whatever, which featured the author's favourite music that was released in 2016.[22]

In 2019, the band signed to Fire Records[23] and announced their forthcoming new album, Eyelet. The album went on to win the 2020 Neutron Prize from God Is in the TV.[24] Around this time John Robb commented on the band's live shows as combining "the threads and entrails of free jazz and the boundary busting attitude of post punk and the endless adventure of world music and even the sweatshod rock n roll of the OC’s into the kind of music that makes the so called avant garde into a party and a celebration of action, time and vision".[25] After seeing the band perform at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival in 2019, Stewart Lee on his website said of Islet, "they blew my mind. It was the perfect mix of experimentation and entertainment, brain and heart engaged simultaneously".[26] On 20 June 2023, the group released a new song "Euphoria" as the lead single from their next album.[27]

Their most recent album, Soft Fascination, was released in September 2023.[28]

Discography

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EPs

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  • Celebrate This Place (Shape/Turnstile, 2010)[1]
  • Wimmy (Shape/Turnstile, 2010)[1]
  • Liquid Half Moon EP (Shape 2016)[1]
  • Golden Top (2020)[29]

Studio albums

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  • Illuminated People (Shape/Turnstile, 2012)[1]
  • Released by the Movement (Shape, 2013)[1]
  • Eyelet (Fire Records, 2020)[1]
  • Soft Fascination (Fire Records, 2023)[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Phares, Heather. "Islet biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Islet - 'Illuminated People'". Nme.com. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  3. ^ Kent, Gareth (9 April 2020). "Eyelet by the Psychedelic Pop Trio Islet". Walesartsreview.org. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ^ Hodgson, Jaimie (1 October 2009). "New Music: Islet - Web-Snubbing DIY Welsh No-Wave". Nme.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ^ Cummings, Bill (28 June 2023). "NEWS: Islet Return With 'Euphoria' Video And Upcoming 'Soft Fascination' Album And Tour - God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Islet – Celebrate This Place". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Welsh Music Prize shortlist announced". Complete Music Update. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  8. ^ Weinrichter Roncero, Lucia (30 October 2020). "Islet have been shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize with 'Eyelet'". Fire Records. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  9. ^ Cottingham, Christian (24 January 2012). "Islet – Illuminated People". Thelineofbestfit.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  10. ^ Hewitt, Ben (20 January 2012). "Islet Illuminated People Review". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  11. ^ a b Garner, Noel (20 January 2012). "Islet - 'Illuminated People'". Nme.com. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  12. ^ "Islet". Firerecords.com. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  13. ^ McCarron, Toby (8 January 2012). "Islet – Illuminated People (Turnstile)". Addictmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  14. ^ "NME's best albums and tracks of 2010". Nme.com. 10 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Islet". Bignothing.blog88.fc2.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  16. ^ Monroe, Jazz (16 January 2012). "Islet - Illuminated People". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Review: How The Light Gets In festival, Hay on Wye". Bbc.co.uk. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Live Review: SWN Featival [sic]". Nme.com. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  19. ^ "Islet, Café Oto, London". Diymag.com. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  20. ^ Owens, David (18 August 2010). "Islet to bring their DIY approach to Green Man Festival". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  21. ^ Murray, Robin (4 May 2012). "Dot To Dot Preview: Islet". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Islet Build "Utopian Gnome Sanctuaries" With Jagged, Mystic Post-Punk". Daily.bandcamp.com. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Islet's third outing is full of reflective, explorative psych wonderment". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  24. ^ Cummings, Bill (30 September 2020). "NEWS: Islet Win The Neutron Prize 2020! - God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Islet: Focus Wales Festival, Wrexham - live review". Louderthanwar.com. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  26. ^ Lee, Stewart. "FROM THE METRO-LIB-ELITE DESK OF Stewart Lee FEB / March 2020 : Stewart Lee - 41st Best Standup Ever!". Stewartlee.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  27. ^ Murray, Robin (20 June 2023). "Islet Launch New Album 'Soft Fascination' | News". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Soft Fascination - Islet | Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  29. ^ "Golden Top EP, by Islet". Islet.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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