“A Hard Old Station: Christmas with the Popical Island Showband” will be released on free download on Monday, 13th December. This release features the rousing singalong chorus of “The High Line”, the galloping alco-indie-pop Christmas tale “Blotto” and seasonal tracks by members of the Popical Island Collective.
As with all the best ideas for Christmas records, this one sparked in mid June. At the launch of this year’s Popical Island #1 compilation, a Phil Spector-esque Wall of Sound was dreamed up. By mid-November, the Popical Island Showband had convened in a cold North Dublin basement to record two tracks in a day of no musical overdubs, significant hand clapping, sleigh bells and exceptionally good value Chinese food. At least five golden guitarists plucked their way through the tunes, more than fourteen calling Islanders provided backing vocals, three non-French brass players stirred with the strings in another room while two little drummer boys kept it tight in the hallway. One producer kept everyone in check shirts.
Popical Island press in 2010:
“An adorable cottage industry” NME
“Flipping marvelous” Phil Udell, State Magazine
“A treasure chest of indie-pop and folk songs” Leagues O’Toole, Irish Times
