The French is a synth duo formed by Darren Hayman and John Morrison, both formerly of Hefner. The French developed the more electronic sound present on Hefner's last album: Dead Media. They have released one full length album called Local Information, an EP called Dagenham and a double a-side single called Gabriel In the Airport/Porn Shoes in the years 2003-2004.
Belle and Sebastian is a band from Glasgow. Led by guitarist/vocalist Stuart Murdoch, the seven-piece band has an intimate, majestic sound that is equal parts folk-rock and '60s pop. Murdoch has a gift not only for whimsy and surrealism, but also for odd, unsettling lyrical detail which keeps the songs grounded in a tangible reality. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Belle and Sebastian released their first two albums in 1996: Tigermilk, recorded over three days, and If You're Feeling Sinister, recorded in a week, at the peak of the chamber pop movement.
Slow Club are Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor from Sheffield, United Kingdom. They sing using quirky lyrics, a variety of percussion instruments and great vocal interplay. They are currently releasing singles on Moshi Moshi Records and have been on nationwide tours with bands such as Fionn Regan, Noisettes, Hot Club de Paris, Tilly and the Wall, Jamie T and Jeremy Warmsley. The pair have released a series of EPs: Because We're Dead, Me And You, Let's Fall Back in Love, Christmas TV and It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful. Their debut album, Yeah So, was released on 7 July 2009.
What has become The Finishing School today began as a humble acoustic trio in 2001, under the guise of EmcTrio. This soon grew to include a cello and drum kit. Armed with this array of strings and percussion the EmCQuintet began to flirt with audiences all over Adelaide. As the seasons passed things changed, as they do. An electric bass was found, and then later a cello was lost, and various musicians found their way in or out of the band.
Rainbow Chan is a young Sydney musician with a love for story-telling. Whether she is chasing romantic adventures, stitching together childhood dreams or rummaging through antique fairs, Rainbow is constantly collecting bits and pieces for her music. The result: sweet acoustic folk-pop with electronic hues. With a sugary voice and an array of instruments in her picnic basket including guitar, piano, music-boxes, saxophone, glockenspiel, loop pedal and toy-pianos, Rainbow likes to create the sound of carousels and helium balloons.
The Morrisons are from Torquay in Devon and were originally formed in 1986 by Phil and Ian who were both originally inspired to play guitar by the arrival of punk in the mid 70’s and both shared a love of 60’s music and decent tunes. Most of the original members of the band had previously played together in a band called Chapter 29 and other various locals bands. In 1987 John Peel played their debut flexi single Listen To Your Heart several times on his show.
The Cannanes have been described as 'the world's most indie band.' Despite never having a manager, agent or signing a record deal they have toured the world, produced numerous recordings, and been recognised internationally as one of Australia's best known bands. Even Kurt Cobain listed the Cannanes as a band he liked in his journals. Since the Cannanes' first release 'Bored Angry and Jealous' was named Single of the Year by UK music magazine NME in late 1986, the band has attracted an ever expanding international following.
The Triangles are a five piece band from Melbourne, Australia, who started playing together in 2003. Their style is informed by many types of music including psychedelic pop, guitar based indie rock and 1970s folk. The Triangles independently released two albums of folky experimental pop in 2003 and 2004 before their first major release ‘Magic Johnson’ came out on the independent Australian label Half A Cow in 2005.