More on our new studio recording, interviews and other adventures here.

Things have moved pretty fast for us since the new year. I spent a day recording vocals for a collaboration track with Tiger Mendoza. Tiger’s been mixing the track over the last few days and it’s sounding great. Looking forward to hearing the finished song. It’s got an awesome title.

We also have our excellent video of Gasoline, which has been drawing a lot of attention. So much so, that some other Oxford bands offered to remix it, then some more, and now we have so many that we’re releasing a whole remix album, for free, on 17 March. That’ll be with the ace Listing Ships and Cellar Family at the Oxford Cellar.

We’ve been asked for some interviews and radio appearances, so listen out for those coming soon. Finally, in two weeks we start recording some new tracks in Reading with Trojan Horse Recordings. Listen out for brand new songs, which we’ve been working on in rehearsals throughout January.

Phew. That’s it – for now.

Back soon,

-Michael

The BBC filmed this cool video for our song Gasoline, and the track featured on Keep Pop Loud Records’ first new band compilation. Check here for their interview with us. Thanks also to KPL and Nightshift for voting material from Optimists as among their top tracks of the year. We finished off the year with a lovely intimate gig at the Phoenix Picturehouse in Jericho.

As many of you will know, I also joined the Winchell Riots for the summer to play at Reading and Leeds festivals, so check that out on the BBC.

So, what’s up in 2012? Well, first up, we now have a youtube channel which gathers together our official videos with live footage and interviews. Also, only yesterday I was in the studio of Gert Lassitude recording vocals for our collaboration track with DJ Shadow favourites Tiger Mendoza. We’re also planning a new release for around March, with a release gig for that.

It’s all go here. But, more about that in due course. Like you, we’ll be on holiday until 2012, so we’ll see you on the other side.

-Michael

Also, read how our intimate wintertime Phoenix Picturehouse show went here.

Also playing were Gert Lassitude and Phil McMinn. Thanks to mr g for supplying the PA, lights and all his engineering skills. Phil was of course the singer in the Winchell Riots until they recently parted ways, but we were pleased to hear that he’s got a whole clutch of new material already and it sounded great. The venue was really nice and had a great sound, which was a bonus. Thanks also to Chinita of Sweet ‘n’ Sour Swing for having us and for all the free stuff!

The free night was such a success that we’ll almost certainly do another there, although we’re not sure when that’ll be yet. There’ll be plenty of pictures and other stuff to follow.

We’ve also got several bits of exciting news coming up soon, so look out for that.

-Michael

We’d heard that a lot of advance tickets had been sold, but couldn’t have hoped for a better (or bigger) audience. Deer Chicago and the Graceful Slicks were really great, and it was a pleasure to hang out with them all before the show.

Judging by what was said by the people I spoke to after the show, everyone had a wonderful time. Thanks to Daisy Rodgers for arranging such a wonderful evening, and to Andy Nichol for making us sound amazing as always. Thanks also to Nightshift, Music in Oxford and BBC Introducing for promoting the gig.

We gave away a free, numbered, handmade CD to everyone who bought an advance ticket. It took us ages to make them with crayons and scissors, but it was certainly worth the effort. The CD features the following tracks:

1. Gasoline (from the Optimists EP)
2. When The Rain Stops (original acoustic version; free download of the Tiger Mendoza orchestral remix here)
3. Stay Under The Radar (live at the BBC; listen here)
4. We’ll Sleep Again (from Spires compilation, free here)

Stay Under The Radar features a rare performance of me playing the lap steel slide guitar.

People I spoke to were filled with questions about the new EP and the new video. We’ll be promoting the Machine Triumphant EP over the coming weeks, so look out for that. As for the video, that deserves a blog post of its own, so that’ll be with you soon.

We ended up in Freud drinking vodka martinis until they closed, then stumbled off to Cowley Road’s famous HiLo for late night Red Stripes. An awesome night.

Our new record. So proud. Listen and download here. Designed by Nineteenpoint.

-Michael

Also, see here for our recent feature on Music in Oxford, and here for the details of our new record, the Machine Triumphant EP.