Have you listened to some indie Catalan music yet? Or even experienced a live concert or Summer festival in Barcelona with Catalan bands included on the poster? In case you haven’t explored the Catalan indie music scene yet, here is a list of our favourite Catalan bands. But not only that, we have found them an American equivalent band ;-)
Mishima & Future Islands
Yes, the name of this band comes from the Japanese writer Yukio Mishima. Mishima is one of our favourite Catalan indie bands (if not THE favourite). They combine intimate and at the same time powerful lyrics which are able to create a unique style turning this band into one of the best Catalan indie groups in the current Catalan indie scene. We highly recommend you to go see them in a live concert if you have the chance. You won’t regret it.
Why do we have linked Mishima to Future Islands? Mainly for this reason: both find the perfect balance between intimate lyrics and powerful rhythms. Listening to them is wanting to join them singing inside that atmosphere they get to create.
Manel & Wilco
Along with Mishima, Manel is another of our favourite Catalan indie bands. Lyrics that tell a lot, you just have to read between lines going beyond a simple interpretation. Why did we paired them up with Wilco? To be honest, this is probably the most “irrational” couple. Basically because we don’t have a clear explanation. It is all about what they both make us feel through deeper lyrics that happen to hide messages for us to be decoded.
El petit de ca l’Eril & Spoon
El petit de ca l’Eril is another Catalan indie band that has been quite in the spotlight lately. Their style is a mix of folk-rock style and psychedelic, which doesn’t clearly remind us of an equivalent band in the American indie scene. But maybe Spoon could be a good one. Would you agree with this third couple? Actually, both have offered shows in the most famous music festivals in Barcelona :)
Pixies & Els Pets
Yes but please don’t hit the roof (or maybe this last band couple has made you laugh? ;-)). Pixies are a musical myth and we are aware of that, but try to ask a Catalan music lover what he/she thinks about “Els Pets”. He or she will probably include the word “myth” in the answer ;-) Actually Els Pets were probably the most famous Catalan rock band a couple of years ago, with so many unconditional fans that would follow them on tour. Almost everyone in Catalonia knows about them, and that is why we decided to make the Pixies its equivalent (yes again, we did that). Because somehow, both are mythical and so beloved bands with unconditional fans. No matter how much time has gone by.
What do you think of these comparisons? Would you switch any of them? Is there any band you think we should include? Let us know, we would love to have a Catalan/American indie music discussion ;-)