mp3: Summersetsun

website: http://www.suicidalbirds.com

When The Suicidal Birds first signed to Transformed Dreams the hype just never really worked on me. I guess I just wasn’t impressed by the audio samples on their website at the time, which in terms of compression and technology (flash), just ruined it for me. But I’m not so stubborn that I can’t go back and change my opinions – unless it’s a band like Belle and Sebastian where I’ve said too much to ever try take it back.

Anyway, after seeing The Suicidal Birds play at Noorderslag in January, everything clicked into its beautiful place. Performing as a duo with a drum machine, there was just so much intensity and passion coming from them. Harking back to the violence and angst of riot-grrrl, but mainly screwing with all your preconceptions of garage rock, messy lo-fi blues and punk - with little shards of PJ Harvey and Breeders at times - all their edges are as rough, distorted and shaky as can be. But see them play and just do what they do, it becomes blatantly apparent that songwriter Jessie is a bloody good frontwoman.

Her ability to scream and still convey a tune is supreme. As is the ability to repeat one line over and over and have the song finish still sounding fresh. Scout Niblett can do that, but it’s a rare talent. And I know from experience that almost anyone can collect four overdriven chords and turn it into a song, but what’s so hard is creating something special, that through its performance makes you feel alive. The Suicidal Birds have that bit of magic, and kudos to Marcel at Transformed Dreams for recognising that and signing them.

I regret taking so long to realise how good they are, but I’m just one person and the band don’t need me. They’ve already been doing fairly well in Britain, doing shows and radio sessions. Dutch bands making it big abroad are quite a rare thing, but with the right support these weird Frisians could do it. And despite an international music scene clogged up with blues, garage and punk bands, I think they’d easily deserve it.

I should also state that the linked mp3 is part of Transformed Dreams’ free compilation from last year. I always meant to link at the time, but never did. Most people will have it anyway, but if not, here it is.