Freshly Inked to Fat Cat: We Were Promised Jetpacks

This is a simple column concept: we hear a band have been signed to a label we like but we are yet to hear much about them, so we mail the label questions and then let them tell us how they discovered the band, why they signed them and to see if they're any good at translating what they sound like. Geddit? Got it? Good.

In this Freshly Inked we hand you over to the folks from FatCat Records, home to amongst others Frightened Rabbit, Nina Nastasia, Brakes and at one time or another to the likes of Sigur Ros, Animal Collective, No Age and Múm.

DiS: How did you discover them?

We actually discovered them by checking out Frightened Rabbit's friends on their myspace page. After listening to those tracks for a while we asked FR about them, and they told us how good they were live. Alex (co-founder of Fatcat) went up to Glasgow to check them out… soon after we had agreed to work together. There's so many good bands in Scotland at the moment, but we like to think we have the top 3 (the other being Twilight Sad - Ed).

What was it about them you loved?

Their songs are everything you want or need in a pop song. They're powerful, catchy, well arranged… yet at the same time they like to throw a few surprises in the mix too. They're talented song writers and the songs sound like they come easy to them, but I know how much work they put into each and every section of a song - and how important it is to the band that every new song is the best one they've written. We've seen them live, of course, and they blew us away. They were supporting Frightened Rabbit in Brighton and gave them a run for their money. Funnily enough, the promoter that night is now their booking agent!

Who do you hope they'll appeal to?

Anyone who listens to new music… they're already causing a buzz in Scotland, and I've seen the name appear a few times on DiS - before anything's been released, that's a pretty good sign. Their music is pretty accessible, so I'm quite sure they'll appeal to a large proportion of music lovers.

What are their plans for the next few months?

Their immediate plans are to pass their exams. As far as music goes, they'll be touring the UK extensively, as well as Europe and America - in support of their debut album (which as of yet hasn’t got a title).

Where can people hear more?

Here:

10 Feb - White Heat at Madame JoJo's, London with Eugene McGuinness
11 Feb - Club Fandango at Borderline London, with Animal Kingdom
22 Feb - Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh with The Spinto Band (over 14’s concert)
27 Feb - Tunnels, Aberdeen with Stricken City
28 Feb - Room At The Top, Bathgate
08 Mar - Oran Mor, Glasgow

The album is out in July, and the first single in April.

To find out more visit: myspace.com/wewerepromisedjetpacks