As the clocks go back and you wake up in darkness you realise the end of the year is approaching. After the initial “Where did that go?” questions you begin to get excited about what the next year will bring. Amongst the 2009 treats is a new studio album from Peaches, the first since 2006’s ‘Impeach My Bush’. Last week Peaches revealed she is working with, amongst others, Simian Mobile Disco and Digitalism whetting an already dripping appetite amongst those who danced through the electroclash days and the subsequent indie/ electro scenes that have sprung up year on year.
2008 however has seen the emergence and development of a number of female electro acts. From Lykke Li and Ladyhawke to Santogold by way of Uffie and Annie the niche Peaches once had monopoly of is now gaining members by the day and shows no sign of waning. Whereas in 2000 when ‘The Teaches Of Peaches’ was released a strong female voice was a rarity across the club nights of Britain, now we live in a more enlightened hedonism where cross genre, sex and styles meet in the middle to enjoy a good time. Which begs the question: Will there be room for Peaches in 2009?
Peaches one defining factor is her overt displays of sexuality. Youtube clips showing her performing ‘Fuck The Pain Away’ straddling an inflatable penis are typical fodder and the live shows are famously raucous. However Peaches, or to give her full name Merrill Nisker, turned 40 this year. Madonna is widely derided for gyrating in a leotard at 50 so why would an ageist media be any less scathing of Peaches?
To add more pressure to the return two names set to feature on numerous ‘Ones To Watch 2009’ are electro, pop and female. Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh formerly a member of Leeds also-rans Dead Disco is gathering more column inches and hype than any new act right now and already has two club hits to her name with ‘Meddle’ and the brilliant ‘Stuck On Repeat’. New to Polydor records meanwhile is La Roux who takes an icy disco infused stab at the electro filth and coming out the other side with a series of big floor fillers. Add to this list names like Cocknbullkid and Erol Alkans latest darlings Fan Death and you have a well and truly congested playing field.
What’s key to state here is that all the bands sound tracking your Saturday nights in dark sweaty clubs are forever indebted to Peaches, to Fischerspooner and to clubs like Trash. Without innovators there is not a springboard to leap from and diversify the scene. Fingers crossed that the new Peaches LP is a return to form but even if it’s not we are safe in the knowledge her influence runs deep through the nations tapping toes.
2008 however has seen the emergence and development of a number of female electro acts. From Lykke Li and Ladyhawke to Santogold by way of Uffie and Annie the niche Peaches once had monopoly of is now gaining members by the day and shows no sign of waning. Whereas in 2000 when ‘The Teaches Of Peaches’ was released a strong female voice was a rarity across the club nights of Britain, now we live in a more enlightened hedonism where cross genre, sex and styles meet in the middle to enjoy a good time. Which begs the question: Will there be room for Peaches in 2009?
Peaches one defining factor is her overt displays of sexuality. Youtube clips showing her performing ‘Fuck The Pain Away’ straddling an inflatable penis are typical fodder and the live shows are famously raucous. However Peaches, or to give her full name Merrill Nisker, turned 40 this year. Madonna is widely derided for gyrating in a leotard at 50 so why would an ageist media be any less scathing of Peaches?
To add more pressure to the return two names set to feature on numerous ‘Ones To Watch 2009’ are electro, pop and female. Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh formerly a member of Leeds also-rans Dead Disco is gathering more column inches and hype than any new act right now and already has two club hits to her name with ‘Meddle’ and the brilliant ‘Stuck On Repeat’. New to Polydor records meanwhile is La Roux who takes an icy disco infused stab at the electro filth and coming out the other side with a series of big floor fillers. Add to this list names like Cocknbullkid and Erol Alkans latest darlings Fan Death and you have a well and truly congested playing field.
What’s key to state here is that all the bands sound tracking your Saturday nights in dark sweaty clubs are forever indebted to Peaches, to Fischerspooner and to clubs like Trash. Without innovators there is not a springboard to leap from and diversify the scene. Fingers crossed that the new Peaches LP is a return to form but even if it’s not we are safe in the knowledge her influence runs deep through the nations tapping toes.
'Fuck The Pain Away' (Miss Piggy Style)
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1. Ponytail
2. Vivian Girls
3. Fan Death
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