Los Campesinos!
Encyclopedia
Los Campesinos! are a seven piece indie pop
band from Cardiff
, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University
. Although the band formed in Wales, none of its members are Welsh. They released their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster...
, in February 2008 and followed this up by releasing a record titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
, in October that year. Whilst many consider it to be an album due to its length, the band have always referred to it as a 'record' or EEP (Extended EP) due to contractual and artistic reasons. Their second official album, entitled Romance Is Boring
, was released on 1 February 2010. Their fourth full-length release, Hello Sadness
was released on 14 November 2011.
at a club. The band's earliest compositions were long pieces in the style of "post-rock
," though no recordings from this era are known to circulate publicly. The word campesino in Spanish translates to "peasant" or "country person."
The band performed their first gig on 8 May 2006 at a student union club night; they went on to play a number of increasingly well-received gigs around Cardiff
. An early demo
was recorded featuring the songs "Death To Los Campesinos!", "It Started With A Mixx", "Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks", and live favourite "You! Me! Dancing!". The songs were posted on the Internet
, bolstering the popularity established by their energetic live shows and earning them airplay on Beth & Huw's evening show on BBC Radio 1
Wales. The band's reputation continued to grow, and in August 2006 landed them a slot supporting Canadian supergroup
Broken Social Scene
In November 2006, the band were signed by Wichita Recordings
.
" and "Don't Tell Me To Do The Math(s)
". In April the band signed to Canadian label Arts & Crafts
for Canadian and North American releases. In June 2007 the band released "You! Me! Dancing!" on limited edition 7" coloured vinyl, which later went on to feature in a Budwesier commerical, accompanied by a handful of dates playing Bath, Newport
, Cardiff
and London. Both singles (produced by Broken Social Scene
collaborator Dave Newfeld) were compiled for North American release as Sticking Fingers Into Sockets
, which was released on 3 July on Arts & Crafts
. The band embarked on their first full UK tour in October, preceded by "The International Tweexcore Underground
" single (released 15 October 2007).
was released in the UK on 25 February 2008 and in the US on 1 April 2008. They also embarked on a European and North American tour in support of the album. The NME
rated the album 6/10, praising its musicality but criticising its cohesiveness, but other sources, such as Pitchfork Media
and Drowned in Sound
, lauded it. They made their TV debut on Tubridy Tonight
on 9 February 2008.
On 1 August 2008, the band announced that a record titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
would be released before the end of the year, and the date later confirmed for this was 13 October, although that was later pushed back to 27 October 2008. The band explained: "This is no post-album cash in. It's no B-Sides and rarities or 'songs that weren't good enough to be on the album cobbled together with some remixes and field recordings of Cardiff's
indie scene'; it's ten all-new tracks that none of you have ever heard before." There are no singles to be released from the record, and its distribution is limited.
The band also announced tour dates of the UK for October 2008 with support from No Age
and Times New Viking
.
In April 2009, the band played in Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela, in their first South American gig.
in Stamford, Connecticut with John Goodmanson. The album was completed in June 2009. It was recorded in multiple sessions, with the second half of their North America tour in-between.
In May 2009 it was announced on their blog that they had almost finished recording the album and that it was to be mixed in Wales in June. Two song titles were announced: "This Is a Flag. There Is No Wind" and "Straight in at 101".
On 2 June 2009 it was announced via their website that Aleks planned to leave the band and return to her studies after a US tour in August. On 24 June, they announced on their blog that the album was complete. During 2009, the band toured with Rob Taylor, a musician who performs under the name of Sparky Deathcap. Rob has since become the official eighth member of the band during live shows, performing additional guitars, keyboards, percussion, and glockenspiel where needed.
On 9 September 2009, the band released a song called "The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future" as a free download. A video was also made for the song which was directed by the band's bassist, Ellen Campesinos!.
On 21 September 2009, the band formally announced that Gareth's sister Kim would be replacing Aleks as the band's keyboardist and vocalist.
The band premiered their new single, "There Are Listed Buildings
" on their website on 30 September 2009. On 25 October, they announced the name, tracklist and release date—February 2010—for Romance Is Boring.
"There Are Listed Buildings" was voted number one by listeners of Dandelion Radio
in the 2009 Festive Fifty
.
The band's second official album, Romance is Boring was released on 1 February 2010. The title track was released as the second single from the album two weeks later to coincide with an extensive U.K. tour.
The band had to cancel their performance at the Culture Shock festival
on the campus of SUNY Purchase
and the first two dates on their 2010 US tour, as they were unable to get out of Britain due to the air travel delays
from the aftermath
of the 2010 eruptions of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull
.
On 11 May 2010, the band made their American network television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly
in which they performed "Romance is Boring
", which was pre-recorded from their show at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles
earlier that week.
On 26 June 2010, Ollie Campesinos! announced that he left the band. Four days later, the band explained that they asked him to leave in order to go on as a group, and that all summer dates would continue as scheduled. Just over two weeks after Ollie's departure, it was announced that the band would release a new EP entitled All's Well That Ends
slated to be released on 19 July 2010. This is the first release to feature Rob Campesinos! and features reworkings of four songs featured on Romance is Boring
. On 15 July 2010 the band played a show in London
for Wichita Records 10th Anniversary with new drummer Jason, who had been the band's road manager and merchandise seller since 2007. They later posted through Twitter
an image entitled 'The band Los Campesinos!' with both Rob and Jason present, suggesting both are now full time members of the band.
, Heat Rash and released a new Christmas song, "Kindle a Flame in Her Heart" as a free download through SoundCloud
.
Each Heat Rash release is to include a fanzine, a limited edition 7″ and mp3s of exclusive Los Campesinos! music that will not be available elsewhere. The first Heat Rash release included tracks "Light Leaves, Dark Sees" and "Four Seasons".
The band have also announced that they are working on their 3rd album to be recorded with 'We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed' and 'Romance is Boring' producer John Goodmanson
in Barcelona
during April 2011, with a release slated for later in the year. Gareth Campesinos! also announced that he will be working on a side-project with Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls
and Freddy Rupert of Former Ghosts
under the name of Crying. They announced at the beginning of May 2011, that the recording of the album had finished. In an interview with online music website, Skiddle.com, frontman Gareth Campesinos confirmed that the album would have a more direct and pop
orientated sound.
The track "You! Me! Dancing!
" from their 2008 debut album "Hold On Now, Youngster
" is recently been featured in the current UK, US, and Canadian (April 2011) Budweiser
commercial.
In August 2011, it was announced that Harriet, the band's violinist, would be leaving the band on amicable terms in September 2011 to continue her studies.
On 31 August 2011, the band announced their third album would be titled Hello Sadness
. The album will be released on 14 November 2011 in Europe and 15 November 2011 in the United States. The album will include ten tracks, including "The Black Bird, The Dark Slope", which has previously been preformed by the band during their live shows. The album is currently available to pre-order from the official Los Campesinos! website and blog, and exclusive to those who pre-order, comes with a t-shirt, documentary
DVD and a demo
CD. "By Your Hand", was released as a free download on the band's website on 8 September 2011.
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Title
!colspan="4" width="180"|Peak chart positions
|-
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| UK
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Heatseekers
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Independent
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Rock Albums
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|Hold on Now, Youngster...
|align="center"|72
|align="center"|45
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|-
|We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
|align="center"|112
|align="center"|43
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|-
|2010
|Romance Is Boring
|align="center"|92
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|28
|align="center"|-
|-
|2011
|Hello Sadness
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|37
|align="center"|48
|-}
!Year
!Title
|-
|2007
|Sticking Fingers into Sockets
|-
|2010
|All's Well That Ends
|}
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Title
!width="90"|Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2"|Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"| UK Singles Chart
|-
|rowspan="3"|2007
|"We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
"/
"Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s)
"
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="2"|Hold on Now, Youngster...
see also Sticking Fingers into Sockets
|-
|"You! Me! Dancing!
"
|align="center"|—
|-
|"The International Tweexcore Underground
"
|align="center"|#126
|non-album release
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|"Death to Los Campesinos!
"
|align="center"|#77
|rowspan="2"|Hold on Now, Youngster...
|-
|"My Year in Lists
"
|align="center"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|2009
|"The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future"
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="3"|Romance Is Boring
|-
|"There Are Listed Buildings
"
|align="center"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|2010
|"Romance Is Boring
"
|align="center"|—
|-
|"Kindle a Flame in Her Heart"
|align="center"|—
|non-album release
|-
|rowspan="2"|2011
|"By Your Hand"
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="2"|Hello Sadness
|-
|"Hello Sadness"
|align="center"|-
|}
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band from Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
. Although the band formed in Wales, none of its members are Welsh. They released their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster... is the debut album by Cardiff-based indie rock band Los Campesinos!, released in February 2008 on Wichita Recordings. It consists of 12 tracks, despite only 11 being listed. This is because "2007: The Year Punk Broke " appears as an unlisted track on the CD version, and as...
, in February 2008 and followed this up by releasing a record titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is the second full-length record from Cardiff-based seven-piece Los Campesinos!. It was released in the UK on 27 October 2008 on Wichita Recordings. The band does not consider We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed to be their second album, instead considering it a...
, in October that year. Whilst many consider it to be an album due to its length, the band have always referred to it as a 'record' or EEP (Extended EP) due to contractual and artistic reasons. Their second official album, entitled Romance Is Boring
Romance Is Boring
-Release history:-Album Sound & Influences:The album generally stays true to the band's original indie pop genre. However, they were also applauded for greatly expanding their sound...
, was released on 1 February 2010. Their fourth full-length release, Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness is the fourth studio album by British indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It is the band's first release to feature the band's new drummer, Jason and the first full length release to feature new members Rob and Kim, who had previously first appeared on the All's Well That Ends EP in 2010...
was released on 14 November 2011.
Formation and signing to Wichita: 2006
The group came together at Cardiff University in 2006, originally consisting of Neil on guitar, Ellen on bass guitar, and Ollie on drums. In March 2006, Tom joined the band, assuming the role of lead guitarist, later followed by Gareth - who became the band's principal lyricist - on lead vocals and glockenspiel, Harriet on violin and keyboard, and finally Aleksandra on vocals, keyboards, and melody horn. According to Tom, he met Neil after overhearing him discussing Sufjan StevensSufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
at a club. The band's earliest compositions were long pieces in the style of "post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
," though no recordings from this era are known to circulate publicly. The word campesino in Spanish translates to "peasant" or "country person."
The band performed their first gig on 8 May 2006 at a student union club night; they went on to play a number of increasingly well-received gigs around Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. An early demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
was recorded featuring the songs "Death To Los Campesinos!", "It Started With A Mixx", "Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks", and live favourite "You! Me! Dancing!". The songs were posted on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, bolstering the popularity established by their energetic live shows and earning them airplay on Beth & Huw's evening show on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Wales. The band's reputation continued to grow, and in August 2006 landed them a slot supporting Canadian supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
In November 2006, the band were signed by Wichita Recordings
Wichita Recordings
Wichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
.
Debut singles and Sticking Fingers Into Sockets: 2007
Wichita put out their first single on 26 February 2007, a double A-side featuring new songs "We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesWe Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
" and "Don't Tell Me To Do The Math(s)
Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s)
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
". In April the band signed to Canadian label Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts (record label)
Arts & Crafts Productions is a Toronto-based independent artist services company, offering expertise as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser and music publisher both in Canada and internationally...
for Canadian and North American releases. In June 2007 the band released "You! Me! Dancing!" on limited edition 7" coloured vinyl, which later went on to feature in a Budwesier commerical, accompanied by a handful of dates playing Bath, Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and London. Both singles (produced by Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
collaborator Dave Newfeld) were compiled for North American release as Sticking Fingers Into Sockets
Sticking Fingers into Sockets
-Release history:-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums...
, which was released on 3 July on Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts (record label)
Arts & Crafts Productions is a Toronto-based independent artist services company, offering expertise as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser and music publisher both in Canada and internationally...
. The band embarked on their first full UK tour in October, preceded by "The International Tweexcore Underground
The International Tweexcore Underground
"The International Tweexcore Underground" is a song by UK indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It was released on 15 October 2007 on iTunes, and was released physically on 22 October 2007 on Wichita....
" single (released 15 October 2007).
Hold on Now, Youngster... and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed: 2008
Their debut album, titled Hold on Now, Youngster...Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster... is the debut album by Cardiff-based indie rock band Los Campesinos!, released in February 2008 on Wichita Recordings. It consists of 12 tracks, despite only 11 being listed. This is because "2007: The Year Punk Broke " appears as an unlisted track on the CD version, and as...
was released in the UK on 25 February 2008 and in the US on 1 April 2008. They also embarked on a European and North American tour in support of the album. The NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
rated the album 6/10, praising its musicality but criticising its cohesiveness, but other sources, such as Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
and Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
, lauded it. They made their TV debut on Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight is an Irish chat show hosted by Ryan Tubridy that aired for five series on RTÉ One between 2004 and 2009. The programme featured guest interviews , audience participation and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
on 9 February 2008.
On 1 August 2008, the band announced that a record titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is the second full-length record from Cardiff-based seven-piece Los Campesinos!. It was released in the UK on 27 October 2008 on Wichita Recordings. The band does not consider We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed to be their second album, instead considering it a...
would be released before the end of the year, and the date later confirmed for this was 13 October, although that was later pushed back to 27 October 2008. The band explained: "This is no post-album cash in. It's no B-Sides and rarities or 'songs that weren't good enough to be on the album cobbled together with some remixes and field recordings of Cardiff's
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
indie scene'; it's ten all-new tracks that none of you have ever heard before." There are no singles to be released from the record, and its distribution is limited.
The band also announced tour dates of the UK for October 2008 with support from No Age
No Age
No Age is a two-person American indie rock group consisting of guitarist Randy Randall and drummer/vocalist Dean Allen Spunt. The band is based in Los Angeles and is currently signed to Sub Pop records...
and Times New Viking
Times New Viking
Times New Viking is a lo-fi indie rock band from Columbus, Ohio. The lineup consists of guitarist Jared Phillips, drummer Adam Elliott, and Beth Murphy on keyboards. Murphy and Elliott share vocal duties....
.
In April 2009, the band played in Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela, in their first South American gig.
Romance Is Boring: 2009–2010
Los Campesinos! recorded second official album Romance Is BoringRomance Is Boring
-Release history:-Album Sound & Influences:The album generally stays true to the band's original indie pop genre. However, they were also applauded for greatly expanding their sound...
in Stamford, Connecticut with John Goodmanson. The album was completed in June 2009. It was recorded in multiple sessions, with the second half of their North America tour in-between.
In May 2009 it was announced on their blog that they had almost finished recording the album and that it was to be mixed in Wales in June. Two song titles were announced: "This Is a Flag. There Is No Wind" and "Straight in at 101".
On 2 June 2009 it was announced via their website that Aleks planned to leave the band and return to her studies after a US tour in August. On 24 June, they announced on their blog that the album was complete. During 2009, the band toured with Rob Taylor, a musician who performs under the name of Sparky Deathcap. Rob has since become the official eighth member of the band during live shows, performing additional guitars, keyboards, percussion, and glockenspiel where needed.
On 9 September 2009, the band released a song called "The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future" as a free download. A video was also made for the song which was directed by the band's bassist, Ellen Campesinos!.
On 21 September 2009, the band formally announced that Gareth's sister Kim would be replacing Aleks as the band's keyboardist and vocalist.
The band premiered their new single, "There Are Listed Buildings
There Are Listed Buildings
"There Are Listed Buildings" is a song by Los Campesinos! and the first single from their 2010 album Romance is Boring, released November 2, 2009. It was announced through the band's blog and was originally distributed on heavy-weight 7" by the band themselves on their 2009 October U.K. tour before...
" on their website on 30 September 2009. On 25 October, they announced the name, tracklist and release date—February 2010—for Romance Is Boring.
"There Are Listed Buildings" was voted number one by listeners of Dandelion Radio
Dandelion Radio
Dandelion Radio is an internet radio station founded in June 2006 with the aim of pursuing the musical legacy of the popular and influential BBC Radio 1 disk jockey John Peel...
in the 2009 Festive Fifty
Festive Fifty
The Festive Fifty was originally an annual list of the year's fifty best songs compiled at the end of the year and voted for by listeners to John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show...
.
The band's second official album, Romance is Boring was released on 1 February 2010. The title track was released as the second single from the album two weeks later to coincide with an extensive U.K. tour.
The band had to cancel their performance at the Culture Shock festival
Culture Shock festival
The Culture Shock festival is held annually at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY. The outdoor festival usually takes place in mid-April and consistently hosts a vast array of musical artists from many different genres, as well as carnival rides and food vendors in a county fair-type setting...
on the campus of SUNY Purchase
State University of New York at Purchase
Purchase College, State University of New York, is a public four-year college located in Purchase, New York, United States. It is one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York system...
and the first two dates on their 2010 US tour, as they were unable to get out of Britain due to the air travel delays
Air travel disruption after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption
In response to concerns that volcanic ash ejected during the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland would damage aircraft engines, the controlled airspace of many European countries was closed to instrument flight rules traffic, resulting in the largest air-traffic shut-down since World War II...
from the aftermath
Aftermath of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption
The eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano on 14 April 2010 affected the economic, political and cultural activities in Europe and across the world....
of the 2010 eruptions of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull
2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull
The 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull were volcanic events at Eyjafjöll in Iceland which, although relatively small for volcanic eruptions, caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over an initial period of six days in April 2010. Additional localised disruption...
.
On 11 May 2010, the band made their American network television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m....
in which they performed "Romance is Boring
Romance Is Boring (song)
-Personnel:* Ellen – bass guitar* Gareth – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet – violin, keyboard* Neil – guitar* Ollie – drums* Tom – lead guitar* Aleksandra – keyboard, vocals* Kim - flute on "Too Many Flesh Suppers"* Jherek Bischoff - Brass* John Goodmanson -...
", which was pre-recorded from their show at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
earlier that week.
On 26 June 2010, Ollie Campesinos! announced that he left the band. Four days later, the band explained that they asked him to leave in order to go on as a group, and that all summer dates would continue as scheduled. Just over two weeks after Ollie's departure, it was announced that the band would release a new EP entitled All's Well That Ends
All's Well That Ends
All's Well That Ends is the name of the second EP released by Welsh eight piece band Los Campesinos!. It was recorded in June 2010 and features reworkings of four songs from the band's third album Romance is Boring. It was released on limited edition 10" vinyl on July 19, 2010, was made available...
slated to be released on 19 July 2010. This is the first release to feature Rob Campesinos! and features reworkings of four songs featured on Romance is Boring
Romance Is Boring
-Release history:-Album Sound & Influences:The album generally stays true to the band's original indie pop genre. However, they were also applauded for greatly expanding their sound...
. On 15 July 2010 the band played a show in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for Wichita Records 10th Anniversary with new drummer Jason, who had been the band's road manager and merchandise seller since 2007. They later posted through Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
an image entitled 'The band Los Campesinos!' with both Rob and Jason present, suggesting both are now full time members of the band.
Heat Rash and Hello Sadness: 2010–present
On 9 December 2010, the band announced the launch of their quarterly fanzineFanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
, Heat Rash and released a new Christmas song, "Kindle a Flame in Her Heart" as a free download through SoundCloud
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
.
Each Heat Rash release is to include a fanzine, a limited edition 7″ and mp3s of exclusive Los Campesinos! music that will not be available elsewhere. The first Heat Rash release included tracks "Light Leaves, Dark Sees" and "Four Seasons".
The band have also announced that they are working on their 3rd album to be recorded with 'We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed' and 'Romance is Boring' producer John Goodmanson
John Goodmanson
John Goodmanson is an American recording engineer and indie rock record producer.-Selected discography:*Aiden "Conviction " *Simple Plan "Crash and Burn"...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
during April 2011, with a release slated for later in the year. Gareth Campesinos! also announced that he will be working on a side-project with Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls
Parenthetical Girls
Parenthetical Girls is an experimental pop band formed in Everett, Washington, and based currently in Portland, Oregon...
and Freddy Rupert of Former Ghosts
Former Ghosts
Former Ghosts consists of former This Song Is a Mess But So Am I member Freddy Ruppert with collaborations from Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart, Zola Jesus originator Nika Roza Danilova, and Yasmine Kittles of TEARIST. Ruppert is the lead songwriter on this brutally gloomy, Joy Division-esque project...
under the name of Crying. They announced at the beginning of May 2011, that the recording of the album had finished. In an interview with online music website, Skiddle.com, frontman Gareth Campesinos confirmed that the album would have a more direct and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
orientated sound.
The track "You! Me! Dancing!
You! Me! Dancing!
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
" from their 2008 debut album "Hold On Now, Youngster
Hold on Now, Youngster
Hold on Now, Youngster is a demo by Cardiff, Wales-based indie pop band Los Campesinos! which the band recorded in mid-2006. The four tracks were eventually rerecorded, all bar "It Started With A Mixx" appearing on Hold on Now, Youngster......
" is recently been featured in the current UK, US, and Canadian (April 2011) Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
commercial.
In August 2011, it was announced that Harriet, the band's violinist, would be leaving the band on amicable terms in September 2011 to continue her studies.
On 31 August 2011, the band announced their third album would be titled Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness is the fourth studio album by British indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It is the band's first release to feature the band's new drummer, Jason and the first full length release to feature new members Rob and Kim, who had previously first appeared on the All's Well That Ends EP in 2010...
. The album will be released on 14 November 2011 in Europe and 15 November 2011 in the United States. The album will include ten tracks, including "The Black Bird, The Dark Slope", which has previously been preformed by the band during their live shows. The album is currently available to pre-order from the official Los Campesinos! website and blog, and exclusive to those who pre-order, comes with a t-shirt, documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
DVD and a demo
Demo
Demo may refer to:*DEMOs, a business process design methodology by Jan Dietz*Demo , a comic book series by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan*Demo , a non-interactive multimedia presentation...
CD. "By Your Hand", was released as a free download on the band's website on 8 September 2011.
Albums
{| class="wikitable"!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Title
!colspan="4" width="180"|Peak chart positions
|-
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| UK
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Independent
!style="width:10em;font-size:75%"| US
Top Rock Albums
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster... is the debut album by Cardiff-based indie rock band Los Campesinos!, released in February 2008 on Wichita Recordings. It consists of 12 tracks, despite only 11 being listed. This is because "2007: The Year Punk Broke " appears as an unlisted track on the CD version, and as...
- Released: 22 February 2008
- Label: Wichita RecordingsWichita RecordingsWichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
|align="center"|72
|align="center"|45
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|-
|We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is the second full-length record from Cardiff-based seven-piece Los Campesinos!. It was released in the UK on 27 October 2008 on Wichita Recordings. The band does not consider We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed to be their second album, instead considering it a...
- Released (UK): 27 October 2008
- Released (US, CA): 25 November 2008
- Label: Wichita RecordingsWichita RecordingsWichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
|align="center"|112
|align="center"|43
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|-
|2010
|Romance Is Boring
Romance Is Boring
-Release history:-Album Sound & Influences:The album generally stays true to the band's original indie pop genre. However, they were also applauded for greatly expanding their sound...
- Released (US, CA): 26 January 2010
- Released (UK): 1 February 2010
- Label: Wichita RecordingsWichita RecordingsWichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
|align="center"|92
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|28
|align="center"|-
|-
|2011
|Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness is the fourth studio album by British indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It is the band's first release to feature the band's new drummer, Jason and the first full length release to feature new members Rob and Kim, who had previously first appeared on the All's Well That Ends EP in 2010...
- Released (UK): 14 November 2011
- Released (US, CA): 15 November 2011
- Label: Wichita RecordingsWichita RecordingsWichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|37
|align="center"|48
|-}
- Although having a full album length, We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is considered by the band to be an EEP.
EPs
{| class="wikitable"!Year
!Title
|-
|2007
|Sticking Fingers into Sockets
Sticking Fingers into Sockets
-Release history:-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums...
- Released: 3 July 2007
- Label: Arts & CraftsArts & Crafts (record label)Arts & Crafts Productions is a Toronto-based independent artist services company, offering expertise as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser and music publisher both in Canada and internationally...
|-
|2010
|All's Well That Ends
All's Well That Ends
All's Well That Ends is the name of the second EP released by Welsh eight piece band Los Campesinos!. It was recorded in June 2010 and features reworkings of four songs from the band's third album Romance is Boring. It was released on limited edition 10" vinyl on July 19, 2010, was made available...
- Released 19 July 2010
- Label: Wichita RecordingsWichita RecordingsWichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
|}
Singles
{| class="wikitable"!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Title
!width="90"|Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2"|Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"| UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
|-
|rowspan="3"|2007
|"We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
"/
"Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s)
Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s)
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
"
- Released: 26 February 2007
- Formats: 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="2"|Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster... is the debut album by Cardiff-based indie rock band Los Campesinos!, released in February 2008 on Wichita Recordings. It consists of 12 tracks, despite only 11 being listed. This is because "2007: The Year Punk Broke " appears as an unlisted track on the CD version, and as...
see also Sticking Fingers into Sockets
Sticking Fingers into Sockets
-Release history:-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums...
|-
|"You! Me! Dancing!
You! Me! Dancing!
-Personnel:* Aleksandra Campesinos! – vocals, keyboard* Ellen Campesinos! – bass guitar* Gareth Campesinos! – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet Campesinos! – violin, keyboard* Neil Campesinos! – guitar* Ollie Campesinos! – drums* Tom Campesinos! – lead guitar...
"
- Released: 4 June 2007
- Formats: 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|-
|"The International Tweexcore Underground
The International Tweexcore Underground
"The International Tweexcore Underground" is a song by UK indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It was released on 15 October 2007 on iTunes, and was released physically on 22 October 2007 on Wichita....
"
- Released (download): 15 October 2007
- Released (CD, 7"): 22 October 2007
- Formats: CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|#126
|non-album release
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|"Death to Los Campesinos!
Death to Los Campesinos!
"Death to Los Campesinos!" is a song by UK indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It was released on 18 February 2008 on Wichita. It is on the band's debut album Hold on Now, Youngster..., which was released seven days later...
"
- Released: 18 February 2008
- Formats: CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|#77
|rowspan="2"|Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster...
Hold on Now, Youngster... is the debut album by Cardiff-based indie rock band Los Campesinos!, released in February 2008 on Wichita Recordings. It consists of 12 tracks, despite only 11 being listed. This is because "2007: The Year Punk Broke " appears as an unlisted track on the CD version, and as...
|-
|"My Year in Lists
My Year in Lists
"My Year in Lists" is a song by Welsh Indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It was released on 12 May 2008 on Wichita. It is featured on the band's debut album Hold On Now, Youngster..., which preceded this single as it was released on 25 February 2008. This is their fifth single to date...
"
- Released: 12 May 2008
- Formats: CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|2009
|"The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future"
- Released: 2 September 2009
- Formats: digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="3"|Romance Is Boring
Romance Is Boring
-Release history:-Album Sound & Influences:The album generally stays true to the band's original indie pop genre. However, they were also applauded for greatly expanding their sound...
|-
|"There Are Listed Buildings
There Are Listed Buildings
"There Are Listed Buildings" is a song by Los Campesinos! and the first single from their 2010 album Romance is Boring, released November 2, 2009. It was announced through the band's blog and was originally distributed on heavy-weight 7" by the band themselves on their 2009 October U.K. tour before...
"
- Released: 2 November 2009
- Formats: 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|2010
|"Romance Is Boring
Romance Is Boring (song)
-Personnel:* Ellen – bass guitar* Gareth – vocals, glockenspiel* Harriet – violin, keyboard* Neil – guitar* Ollie – drums* Tom – lead guitar* Aleksandra – keyboard, vocals* Kim - flute on "Too Many Flesh Suppers"* Jherek Bischoff - Brass* John Goodmanson -...
"
- Released: 15 February 2010
- Formats: 7"Gramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|-
|"Kindle a Flame in Her Heart"
- Released: 9 December 2010
- Formats: digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|non-album release
|-
|rowspan="2"|2011
|"By Your Hand"
- Released: 8 September 2011
- Formats: digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|—
|rowspan="2"|Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness
Hello Sadness is the fourth studio album by British indie pop band Los Campesinos!. It is the band's first release to feature the band's new drummer, Jason and the first full length release to feature new members Rob and Kim, who had previously first appeared on the All's Well That Ends EP in 2010...
|-
|"Hello Sadness"
- Released: 12 October 2011
- Formats: digital downloadDigital distributionOnline distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
|align="center"|-
|}
Remixes
- Tokyo Police ClubTokyo Police ClubTokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
- Tessellate (credited as Tom Campesinos!) - Johnny ForeignerJohnny ForeignerJohnny Foreigner are an indie rock trio from Birmingham, England, consisting of guitarist/lead vocalist Alexei Berrow, drummer Junior Elvis Washington Laidley and bassist Kelly Southern...
- Criminals (credited as Tom Campesinos!) - White Ring - Suffocation
- You Say Party! We Say Die!You Say Party! We Say Die!You Say Party was a Canadian five piece dance-punk band from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Their album Hit the Floor! was released in September 2005, and the band recently completed their second Canadian tour, an appearance at South by Southwest and a tour of the United States, before touring the...
- Laura Palmer's Prom