Soma’s Sci-Fi Lo-Fi series returns on March 9 with Rob Da Bank taking to the decks and following in the footsteps of Andrew Weatherall and Damian Lazarus. While the albums from Weatherall and Lazarus took in psychedelic rockabilly, garage rock, post-punk and dance rock, and twisted pop and leftfield electronica respectively, Rob’s mix is all about shoegazing, that distinctive indie sound of the 90s that merged with the more electronic sounds coming out of the clubs. “My teenage years were spent wholeheartedly gazing at my shoes feeling sorry for my pubescent self and immersing my ears in the murky, ethereal, beautifully soupy sound of the bands assembled here,” says Rob. “Listening back to these bands and tracks makes me feel recklessly alive in troubled times. It's an honour to be part of this series following the huge critical acclaim awarded to Andrew Weatherall. And for me, this was the obvious musical period that inspired me the most in my formative years.”
With sleeve notes by the editorial director of NME and Uncut, Steve Sutherland, a 4200-word account of the history of Shoegaze, Sci-Fi Lo-Fi Vol. 3 aims to be as informative as it is an enjoyable listening experience. Tracks come courtesy of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Dinosaur Jr, Ride, Spiritualized, Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Lush, Boards Of Canada, Ulrich Schnauss, Cocteau Twins and more.
Sci-Fi Lo-Fi Vol. 3 is out on Soma on March 9. Visit www.myspace.com/robdabank and www.somarecords.com
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