Do you ever think about things in life which are but aren’t? Things which people tell you exist but simply don’t. Like the Government’s ethical foreign policy. Big Brother’s prime concern being the housemates’ wellbeing. And Radio 1’s commitment to new music.
See, Radio 1 has a massively broad idea of what constitutes ‘new’ music. It’s actually ‘anything we haven’t played before’. Hence the Foo Fighters new single gets playlisted. Now, it’s a great tune, but you can’t help thinking they might be all right without being A-listed here. Couldn’t that slot go to someone who needs it more?
Introducing Mindset and their new 4EP.
Glasgow, for years and years and years, did two types of music; big massive Oasis rip-offs and twee Belle and Sebastian rip-offs. Both types could be grouped under the umbrella term ‘demoralisingly unambitious’ and chances are, if you saw a local band supporting someone good, you’ve witnessed at least one from each camp. And you would have stood there thinking ‘what’s the point?’
But things have started to change these last few years, with Glasgow’s scene mutating into something far more interesting. Oh, there are still trad things out there, but a band like Mindset owe more to Stephen Malkmus than Stuart Murdoch and look as though they haven’t even heard Definitely Maybe (they will have; it’s a Scottish by-law.)
According to their PR their songs ‘centre on themes of alienation, loss, struggle as well as social issues’ which, while maybe not being the cheeriest introduction, pretty much sum it up and, frankly, that’s nothing which can’t be leavened with a cover of ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.’ What is important is that they are ambitious and they are good. And one day, one day the people who run a publically-funded music station with the remit of giving bands like Mindset a chance might go mental and start giving bands like Mindset a chance rather than simply making rich people slightly richer. Until then, we can only do our bit in hopefully bringing them a few new friends. Enjoy.
4EP is out now. Check them out here.
Filed under: General Stuff | Tagged: 4ep, Alternative, mindset, pavement
