We’ve had a few cancellations over the winter months, leaving gaps in our schedule for releases. While I'd love to be recording all the time, it gives us the opportunity to cast our minds back and remember the tracks that informed the formative years (months) of Contact Buzz - but with a lovely new sheen.

Here’s Electro-pop outfit, Dunce, fronted by Aly, previously of Strangemen and Public House - what a throwback! Aly was one of my flatmates back in the first year of uni. I even wanted to manage Public House as part of a uni project, but they broke up before I got the chance. Dunce is much different from her previous projects though, one main characteristic of this one is the huge influence on sound her partner, Gene (Formerly of Kiosk), has.

This was the first time we changed from the scenes of the rehearsal spaces and set up camp in a house; and what better house than the lovely home of Gene and Aly. Not only that, but it was the first time I used the Sony Camcorder. A bit of a staple now i reckon. I think Elise and/or Fin stayed over in their spare room to be up bright and early for our recording. Aly works at a plant shop, so you best believe their living room is filled with leafy greenery and being an artist, lots of trinkets. Just a very homely home.

Anyway, THE MUSIC!

The first time accepting that not everything can be recorded live, we took the pre-recorded drums and drove them straight into the old 4-track. Very quirky, very old Kiosk. I think it was Fin’s guitar next. Back then I was recording him every other week! Every project Fin is in, you are sure to get some of his magic. His pedals are class and his playing is even better. I love the swelling guitars in the final part of the song.

Elise on bass was next if I remember right. Always love hanging out with Elise - one of the coolest people in the Leeds scene. Always been someone who mucks right in with everything.  We were both on music business and I remember first year she started managing bands like Trinkets and Bank Details, then second year she didn't fancy that so she just played bass on a bunch of projects, then started Wisecrack and joined Bathing Suits - not a bad portfolio, eh? Her bass playing is great, but she’s even better craic.

Aly then came in with her synth, or maybe she did that before Elise, i can’t remember. Such a fun sound, an air of a child's toy sound, always goes so well on tape. And then Aly’s vocal performance. Her voice has changed so much over the years, so refined now, I feel. We even doubled up and had the telephone mic under it. The first usage of such a gizmo. Aly and Gene even bought the first telephone mic I made, thank you to them for being such patrons of Contact Buzz and still to this day, Aly doing the artwork for releases for me. I love this track even more now I got to mix it with my new approaches.

For fans of: The Postal Service, Lali Puna and Broadcast