Summer Camp -- Are You Ready For the Summer?

I have on good authority that THE band to watch at this moment right now -- not tomorrow, not yesterday -- is a band that nobody knows. Literally, someone is pulling a fast one on us bloggers. There's a myspace page set up for a band called Summer Camp. The demos they have streaming on the page are impressive in its simplicity. It's boy-girl vocals over some lo-fi, dream pop beats. I've listen through the songs twice and there's something magical happening in these tracks. It's pop stripped of pretension and scenester athletics.

Here's the kicker -- nobody seems to be able to confirm if it is a band. Their official website is a picture blog of vintage photos from the 60s, 70s and 80s. They haven't played an official show or released an official band photo. They might Swedish musicians living in London. Heck, they might be giants for all we know. They are listed as playing SXSW.

This is the bio they have offered up:

Hi. Thanks for coming to us! We met at summer camp when we were fourteen. The nights went on forever and we thought we would never get old.

They told the Guardian some tidbits:

We also love Motown and the Beach Boys, and 80s pop like Cocteau Twins, Altered Images, Talking Heads and XTC. Stiff Records is a big influence – Wreckless Eric, Jona Lewie, Ian Dury and Devo. We just love synth-pop, though, ultimately. And we kind of imagine that we're writing songs for an 80s teen movie. John Cusack is a huge influence on us. ... "That came about completely by accident," they said. "As things started happening it made sense to carry on being secretive, as it takes the pressure off us slightly. Plus, we don't like how you can know everything about a band these days – we're nostalgic for mystery. People will find out soon, though, and probably be disappointed that we're not actually Cheryl Cole and Moby. Or are we ...?"

Mobes, have you been moonlighting again?

I think I have my new favorite band, they are influenced by the Cusack.

In the meantime, check out the hi-jinks on the song, 'Was It Worth It"

Comments

[a different Andrew.]

Thanks for the heads up on this one. Intrigued, hopeful, and digging it thus far!