release date - the Orchids

the Orchids formed in Glasgow in 1985, releasing their first flexi, on the Sha La La label in 1987

"I've Got A Habit" came in 1988 - it was the second single release on the legendary Sarah Records

Their fourth single, "An Ill Wind That Blows" was released on Caff, the label run by Bob Stanley (of the band Saint Etienne) - the label also released 7"es by Pulp and the Manic Street Preachers

In 1989 the Orchids released Lyceum, the first long player on Sarah Records (described by Melody Maker as "Another fountainhead of unqualified greatness")

This was followed by Unholy Soul (1991 - "A beautiful album – timeless melodies for sure."), Epicurean (a compilation) and Striving For the Lazy Perfection (1994 - "Encompassing everything from dream pop to trip-hop, it's certainly a product of its time and place, yet it also possesses a certain timeless quality")

All three albums were produced by Ian Carmichael, a member of One Dove

In 1995 the Orchids played at the Sarah Records farewell party on board the Thekla in Bristol

The band then when quiet for just over a decade before releasing their fourth album proper in 2007 - Good To Be A Stranger - "it doesn’t matter if this is just a one-off because the Orchids have added another classic album to their already impressive back catalogue"

Fans just had a three year wait for The Lost Star, and their sixth album, Beatitude#9 came out in 2014

I Never Learn / Echos (Have Hope) is their 10th single, and is released by wiaiwya on 7th August 2018

Catenary Wires video

 

77 days is too long - the Catenary Wires

yep - just 77 days until the release of the third single from the final year of the wiaiwya-7777777 singles club... and it's by the Catenary Wires!


(subscribers will of course get their copies, but there are 77 available for non subscribers too)

as I mentioned before, this year I have asked bands and artists I have been a fan of for 20 years or more for a single, and of course Amelia and Rob were right up at the top of that list... here's a song my first girlfriend put on a mix tape for me:


here's a song I was lucky enough to have joint released with K records

and finally - here's a video I was in!

77 days is too long - the Human Hearts (feat Franklin Bruno and Jenny Toomey)

The penultimate single of wiaiwya-7777777 of 2014 (released November 7th) is by the Human Hearts - the latest band fronted by Franklin Bruno (the chap from Nothing Painted Blue, and author of the 33 1/3 book on Elvis Costello's Armed Forces) with guest vocals from Geek, Tsunami, Grenadine and Liquorice front woman Jenny Toomey. As you know Jenny also co-founded the Simple Machines label.

Not only were Simple Machines (along with Grand Royal and Sarah) one of the main reasons for starting a label, but their Working Holiday 1993 singles club (along with the Wedding Present's Hit Parade and OddBox's 100 club) was a huge inspiration for doing wiaiwya-7777777.

Releasing a record with both the incredible songwriting talents of Franklin Bruno, and Jenny Toomey's gorgeous vocals has been one of my ambitions for wiaiwya - thank you Franklin for making it happen!

so, without further ado - you can pre-order Franklin's first recordings since 2012's Flag Pin, and Jenny's first recordings since 2002's Tempting (an album of Franklin Bruno covers) here, and I URGE you to do so!: