"Beverly" is the new and incredible release of our idols from Austin. Recorded in the same sessions as their previous release with Eric Wofford in Cacophony Studios, these new tracks will be put out in the typical 50’s and 60’s format: on a vinyl single of four songs, a format that Elefant has always adored and vindicated. "Beverly" is the perfect teenage hymn, with the “pa-ra-pa-pa-pas” being one of the most addictive lines in ages and it also could be the perfect song to dance to on prom night. It’s probably the sharpest and most refined of their songs released to date, with some parts sounding like THE SUPREMES and LUCKY SOUL. "Kissing and Telling" starts out sounding like THE EARLY BROTHERS coming back to give us the gift of their best song ever, but all of a sudden, GIRLFRENDO rings out in the horizon, with their energetic, young and vibrant outbursts. "I Tried to Call You" (a cover of their friend’s band from Austin, BASIC LO-FI) sounds like THE WOULD-BE-GOODS acting out a detective story directed by Al Pacino, while "Gloria" goes hand in hand with BELLE & SEBASTIAN and THE ESSEX GREEN.
 
In conclusion, four songs which should put this band on the map as an example of the product of modernizing a traditional pop sound, basing it all on a hip, mega-vitamin project filled with ungraceful elegance and juvenile imagination. Not very complicated but a lot of song. Some call it inspiration.

Limited edition [1.000 copies]

THE CARROTS formed with the intention of offering a fun and hip project, modernizing the legacy of girl groups from the sixties such as THE MARVELETTES, THE COOKIES and THE SUPREMES. The digital component played a major role in the story of the group: Veronica Ortuño placed an ad on myspace where she sought out people to start a group which sounded like THE RONETTES or THE CRYSTALS and this was just the start of the creation of the band in 2005. Their first demos came out later with excellent songs which were deciding factors in signing the group. The first one was their fantastic and limited edition single, “Doing Our Part” which is composed of four songs with Eric Wofford in Cacophony Studios. Songs which remind us of Martha Reeves to Linda Scott to Skeeter Davis, to THE CRYSTALS, THE COOKIES and many others, yet with a hip, direct and modern style, placing them alongside THE PIPETTES and CAMERA OBSCURA. Songs filled with stories of youngsters disappointed and not so disappointed in love (“Doing Our Part”  has the ever sounding woo-dop in the middle and the catchy chorus which sticks in one’s ears), heartbreaks ("Ladies of Givens", doesn’t the end of the song remind you a bit of LOVIN’ SPOONFUL?), secret lovestruck high schoolers ("Secret Since 99"), and also a story of a teenager who passes away ("Jimmy don’t cry" with the delicious jazz touch); all being themes which all groups from the fifties wrote about. Of course they face these issues with irony and an upbeat feeling. In conclusion- four great songs with definite, fun and addictive melodies.

Limited edition [1.000 copies]
Release date: May 2008
**Already available on our online store

SPEEDMARKET AVENUE, a Swedish group with a refined atmosphere, will prove to be, without a doubt, one of the most talked about musical references in 2008 for all POP lovers in capital letters.
In “Way Better Now” they leave a good mark of their roots, as an advance to their second album, titled “Way Better Now” as well. On one hand, the title song is electric and fast-paced, finished off with a glorious chorus, in a more distorted THE ESSEX GREEN kind of sound, while “The New Idea” emanates a certain air of the songs that Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood played, offering a more innocent facet of the group, yet elegant at the same time. Two songs produced by Jari Haapalainen (producer of ED HARCOURT, INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY, THE CONCRETES and CAMERA OBSCURA, among others) which gives us one of the best virtues of the group; their all-terrain inspiration covers multiple styles and sounds, but has always embraced the pop and melody flag. Groups such as THE AISLERS SET, THE LUCKSMITHS, LADYBUG TRANSISTOR guide us to their sound but SLOWDIVE, THE CURE and TREMBLING BLUE STARS do as well.

Limited edition [White Vinyl]

It may be possible that you may have never heard of them, but this is totally understandable they have only played four different concerts since signing to Elefant at the beginning of the summer of 2007. The fact is that this group of seven, led by the peppy Liz offers a well-rounded presentation (Amen to the delicious “Kiss You in the Snow” which came out on our holiday single!), where their handwriting marks are above and beyond excellent. More importantly, the pop tunes are filled with emotion. “All I Wanna Do” reminds us of CAMERA OBSCURA and embraces passion with the legacy of Phil Spector, with a chorus filled with moving romanticism and a song that grows with the intensity as each compass is played, embellishing the melancholy until it stops and it leaves you shivering. “Valentine” has something else in store for the listener, as it is on the other side of the single, with a tight chorus (a must to dance to!), an agile rhythm and Diana Ross thinking that THE SUPREMES never ended. An amazing B side! Another great work to add to the list of producer Ian Catt (SAINT ETIENNE, TREMBLING BLUE STARS, SHAMPOO, THE BOO RADLEYS, Kahimi Karie, THE FIELD MICE). Pitchfork, Plan B and Under the Radar have all spoken highly of them, comparing them to classic bands such as THE BEATLES, ELO and THE BEACH BOYS and more modern groups like SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME, BELLE & SEBASTIAN and LUCKY SOUL, among others.

Limited edition [Pink Vinyl]

VV.AA.

Happy New Year 2008

ER-258 Single 7"

We have also put out a limited edition white vinyl of our holiday single!!

Françoise Cactus and Brezel Göring [STEREO TOTAL], make their comeback in 2007 with the new album (the fantastic “Paris-Berlin”) which brings them back to their lo-fi roots. The best group in the world, according to MOMUS and “…the best pop group in the world” as noted in The Guardian, has shown that their formula stands stronger than ever with this album. Rough edged, romantic, vulgar, warm and in your face as always are the key components which bequeath us with the 14 shots launched against boredom and apathy. One of them being “Plastic” which Françoise and Brezel chose to open up their first Single for Elefant, this time in a fun Spanish version. As their followers know, this French-German duo has always toyed singing in other languages on their albums. They have sang in Japonese, Turkish, Italian, English and also in Spanish. It’s the first time they have released an album entirely in our language and furthermore, with the peculiarity of the remaining songs being covers of classic songs from the Elefant catalogue chosen by the artists themselves. The first pleasing song is one of the most popular hits of LA CASA AZUL, "C'est fini" (which is off the album "Tan simple como el amor") a sparkling mix of rock, jumping sensations and rawness all in one. Continuing to mesmerize us, the next cover is from the group LE MANS, “Un Rayo de Sol” from the album of the same title. This version respects the original so much that you can hardly tell the difference if it were not for the absence of the sax simple. To finísh up, “Arte” by NOSOTRÄSH, which opens their album "Popemas" in a dub version which quite frankly seems to be a remix of Ibon Errazquin in love with reggae and Jamaican sounds. If you’re still not convinced of the wonder of this album, the vinyl comes in scarlet passioned red. Enough said!

Limited edition [Red Vinyl]

We all miss Dan Treacy and TV PERSONALITIES. After all the years of amazing songs and magnificent albums, we have waited almost a decade to hear the unmistakable voice of Dan again. Luckily they have put out two new albums: “My Dark Places” (2006) and “Are we Nearly There Yet?” (2007) which were supposedly the beginning of a new era, after the experience Dan had crossing the desert.

On behalf of Elefant Records, we are proud and excited to put out the world exclusive new single of TV PERSONALITIES “The Good Anarchist.” One truly cries out in jubilation when listening to this song! Only true alchemists of pop can achieve to produce sounds of such sensibility in just a little over two minutes. Echoes of bands such as VELVET UNDERGROUND, SHOP ASSISTANTS and CAROUSEL ring about on this single, as well as the voice of Swede Johanna Lundström for the first time and Dan playing the guitar. The B-Side sparkles with the fabulous “She’s Always Been There for Me” with the classic TV PERSONALITIES (basically Dan and Ed Ball) although it includes an irresistible touch of Northern Soul and a catchy rhythm that makes you put on your dancing shoes and leave your Ben Sherman shirt soaking in sweat! It’s all a big surprise wrapped up in a 7” single and a definite must for long-time fans of the group, as well as newbies which became fans with their last few albums!

Limited edition

After the release of "The last holy writer" (the sixth album by TREMBLING BLUE STARS), the stand alone "Exploring the shadows" EP has also a 7-inch counterpart, a luxuriant white vinyl 7-inch featuring two splendid songs.
The lead song, the sunny and melodic "Beautiful blank", is sung by Beth Arzy. In the form of an infectious, radio-friendly guitar pop song, it tells of an Edie Sedgwick-esque character and is titled after a phrase in Andy Warhol's book "From A To B". The version on the single is a special radio edit, which by being a bit shorter also guarantees a better fidelity in the sound you can hear from the vinyl.
The single is complete with a new previously unreleased B-side, "Say goodbye to the sea II", a new acoustic version of the song first featured on the last album.

Limited edition [White Vinyl]

We can find some on this new EP that adds up to COOPER's already brilliant list of small format records. Four songs that follow up from the previous one from the very cover, with Catherine Deneuve starring again, and introducing the band's new drummer, Nacho García (WINNERYS).

"Canción de viernes" opens the EP with the classic COOPER sound, self-referencing their own repertoire as in songs like "Vértigo" or "Nudo en la garganta" (in fact the repetition of words from these songs is absolutely conscious). "Mi diario" is about emotional instability -a secret to keep, hidden from the rest-, in a power pop style. "Steph" is a precious song, poetic and very moving, with a different sound to the band's previous efforts: as if SHAZAM would play a BEATLES song with Evan Dando. If anything. The last song (the last one?), "Flea market", is a comeback to Alex's anglophile roots, a danceable instrumental number lead by Carlo Coupé's marvelous organ. With this guest musician COOPER travel to places where they could meet THE SMALL FACES, JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET or, of course, Alex's previous band LOS FLECHAZOS.

"Tears for affairs" is the fourth song taken as a single from the highly praised third album by CAMERA OBSCURA. As usual, the 7" is a limited edition vinyl release, and it features an exclusive, previously unreleased B-side: a cover version of ABBA “Super Trouper”.

We are releasing a limited edition for all vinyl lovers!!!

The record opens with the song "El sur", that links to the poetic second movie from the short filmography by Spanish cult director Víctor Erice. Coming after "El sur" we find a mid tempo with guitars that could belong to the best moments by TEENAGE FANCLUB; the song is called "Rainman", referring to the movie starred by Dustin Hoffman in 1988. "Un día de furia", finally, is named after the Spanish translation of "Falling down", the explosive 1992 film starring Michael Douglas, and on it we find -as usual in COOPER's aesthetic universe- other mentions to pop culture as a painting by pop artist Robert Rauschenberg that hangs from the main character's room wall.
As a bonus track, COOPER end this fantastic EP with a cover version of "Where I find my heaven", a guitar pop classic from the 90's by American band GIGOLO AUNTS, which COOPER make their own with taste and skill.

"If looks could kill" is the third song taken as a single from the highly praised third album by CAMERA OBSCURA, an album composed of melodic pop jewels from the first to the very last song. Along with the title track, destined to be danced to death in the best pop music clubs due to its unstoppable Motown beat and the Phil Spector-esque sound. As usual, the 7" is a limited edition vinyl release, and it features an exclusive, previously unreleased B-side: a cover version of Phil Spector and the PARIS SISTERS' eternal classic tune, "I love how you love me".

"Let's get out of this country" is the title track on the third album, and is also the main song on this single. A sunny, classic pop song which, as the rest of the album, was recorded in Sweden under the production of Jari Haapalainen (producer of such gems as THE CONCRETES or Ed Harcourt). On th evinyl edition, the B-side is the version the band's done of Sheena Easton's "Modern girl", originally to be included on the CD compilation that comes along with the summer issue of Q Magazine (where many current artists cover songs from the 80s to celebrate the mag's 20th anniversary).

At least we can see fulfilled one of our dreams: releasing an exclusive HELEN LOVE single on Elefant Records. They are one of the bands who have better used the pop aesthetics and the fascination we all have for the colourful icons in pop culture, and we love them for that. We are also going to seal this relationship with a single in two formats: CD-single and 7" vinyl (pop music's own format), both in limited editions and luxury packagings (CD on digipack and pink coloured vinyl).

HELEN LOVE have come up with three wonderful songs for this single: infectious bubblegum-pop for fun and all-night dancing. "Junk shop discotheque" is a glam-rock, punk-pop bomb with a disco flavour and vocoder vocals (with echoes of Suzi Quatro, DENIM and LA CASA AZUL), which will fill up dancefloors all over the globe. Even more frantic dancing is found on the remix of "Debbie loves Joey" (a love story between Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone, the original version of which appeared on the "The bubblegumkillers" EP, which was released on American label Sympathy For The Record Industry), whilst "Shut your mouth", the third song that completes this fantastic single, is a powerful melodic, guitar-pop pill.

The cover on the single is by Punk Boy Jamie (who is usually behind the band's characteristic artwork and their website, too), and the three songs have been mastered by Xavier Alarcón to guarantee you the best possible sound.

On the 7" vinyl release of "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken", limited to 3.000 copies, the exclusive B-side is "I can't stay mad at you" (a cover version of country singer Skeeter Davis): a drum-less melody with great vocal harmonies and beautiful keyboard arrangements.
The band recorded the album track in Sweden with the help of producer Jari Haapalainen (Ed Harcourt, THE CONCRETES) and a great team of people with whom they've worked in the country's best studios: some of the string musicians have recently toured with Brian Wilson or Arthur Lee & LOVE.