Dry Cleaning (band)

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Dry Cleaning
The band in 2021
The band in 2021
Background information
OriginSouth London, United Kingdom
GenresPost-punk
Years active2018 (2018)–present
Labels
Websitedrycleaningband.com/
MembersFlorence Shaw
Lewis Maynard
Tom Dowse
Nick Buxton

Dry Cleaning are an English post-punk band who formed in South London in 2018.[3] The band is composed of vocalist Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, bassist Lewis Maynard and drummer Nick Buxton. They are noted for their use of spoken word primarily in lieu of sung vocals, as well as their unconventional lyrics. Their musical stylings have been compared to Wire, Magazine and Joy Division.[4]

History[]

Formation[]

Guitarist Tom Dowse met vocalist Florence Shaw around 2010 at the Royal College of Art where they both were students, and quickly became friends. Dowse described Shaw as “ [...] fiercely intelligent, very emotionally sophisticated.” Adding “Meeting her was like finding a kindred spirit.”

Dowse was an experienced musician at that time and had played in numerous bands. After finishing school, he had trouble finding jobs, but in 2017 he got back in touch with Shaw, and asked her to check out some demos he had recorded with mutual fiends, Lewis Maynard and Nick Buxton. Dowse, wanted Shaw to be the front woman but she declined at first, saying: “I was immediately like, ‘No way. I can’t imagine something I need less right now.’ It was a firm no.”

Dowse was determined in getting Shaw into the band, after hearing her voice over the demos. The rest of the band members invited her to one of their rehearsals. Drummer Nick Buxton told Shaw she could just talk instead of sing and gave her a playlist that included Grace Jones' Private Life and other similar tracks. She finally accepted and went into rehearsal with “writing from my old drawings, stuff I’d written on my phone, diaries, things I’d seen in adverts and thought were funny” — and read aloud as the other three played their instruments around her. She recalls this moment “like when you see those cheesy films about bands, and they’re writing the hit, and there’s a magic moment.”[5]

Magic of Meghan and debut album[]

The band released their debut single, "Magic of Meghan" in 2019. Shaw wrote the song after going through a break-up and moving out of her former partner's apartment the same day that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they were engaged.[6] This was followed by the release of two EPs that year: Sweet Princess in August and Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks in October. The band were included as part of the NME 100 of 2020,[7] as well as DIY magazine's Class of 2020.[8]

The band signed to 4AD in late 2020 and shared a new single, "Scratchcard Lanyard".[9] In February 2021, the band shared details of their debut studio album, New Long Leg. They also shared the single "Strong Feelings".[10] The album, which was produced by John Parish, was released on 2 April 2021.[11]

Discography[]

Studio albums

EPs

  • Sweet Princess (2019)[13]
  • Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks (2019)[14]

Singles

  • "Magic of Meghan" (2019)[15]
  • "Goodnight" (2019)[16]
  • "Sit Down Meal" (2019)[17]
  • "Viking Hair" (2019)[18]
  • "Scratchcard Lanyard" (2020)[19]
  • "Strong Feelings" (2021)[20]

References[]

  1. ^ "4AD". 4AD.
  2. ^ "It's OK (2) Label - Releases". Discogs. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Dry Cleaning: London group uniting murky post-punk with, er, Meghan Markle". NME. 2019-09-16. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  4. ^ Neale, Matthew. "Dry Cleaning: the London group uniting murky post-punk, Meghan Markle and really weird YouTube comments". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  5. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (17 March 2021). "The Everyday Poetry of Dry Cleaning". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  6. ^ Jenkins, Carla. "Who are Dry Cleaning and what is the Meghan Markle connection?". The National. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  7. ^ Smith, Thomas. "The NME 100: Essential new artists for 2020". NME. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  8. ^ Wright, Lisa. "Class of 2020: Dry Cleaning". DIY. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  9. ^ Minsker, Evan. "Dry Cleaning Sign to 4AD, Share New Song "Scratchcard Lanyard": Listen". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  10. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos. "Dry Cleaning Announce New Album 'New Long Leg', Share New Song 'Strong Feelings'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Dry Cleaning: New Long Leg review - terrific post-punk poets of the everyday". the Guardian. 2021-04-02. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  12. ^ Gunning, Patrick. "Dry Cleaning have announced their debut album, 'New Long Leg'". Riot Mag. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  13. ^ Lancaster, Brodie. "Dry Cleaning: Sweet Princess EP". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  14. ^ Martin, Clare. "Dry Cleaning Keep Us Spellbound on Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks". Paste Magazine. Paste Media Group. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  15. ^ Murray, Robin. "Dry Cleaning's Wiry, Surreal 'Magic Of Meghan' Is The Perfect Introduction". CLASH Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  16. ^ Lynch, Ben. "Direct, sincere and unfiltered, Dry Cleaning's "Goodnight" is an arresting listen". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  17. ^ Roberts, Christopher. "Dry Cleaning Announce New EP, Share New Song "Sit Down Meal"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  18. ^ Rettig, James. "Dry Cleaning – 'Viking Hair'". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  19. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon. "Song You Need to Know: Dry Cleaning, 'Scratchcard Lanyard'". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  20. ^ Renshaw, David. "Dry Cleaning announce debut album, share "Strong Feelings"". The Fader. The Fader, Inc. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
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