Lisasinson

If I was to describe my musical taste, I'd say it was "somewhat eclectic." On the one hand - as befits someone who cut their musical teeth on Punk - there's a healthy collection of what is loosely or lazily classified as "Alternative" and its myriad sub-genres (including "Post-Punk" - which to my way of thinking is probably anything after 1979…), but also - as befits a self-confessed francophile - you'll find those most classic of francophone genres, Chanson and Yé-Yé. You'll also find plenty of pop (both the indie-variant the and straight-up "radio friendly" version), folk (or indie-folk), Americana, Reggae (and its myriad of styles and proponents), not to mention, as someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Mexico, the rich musical heritage of that country. Truth is, you name it, you'll probably find it…

Thing is, regardless of genre, at least half the albums in my collection are from artists for whom English isn't their first (or second) language, and who write, compose and sing in their native tongue… Trust me, music doesn't require an English voice to be well worth taking a listen to.

I do however have a weakness for jingle-jangle indie-pop / rock - there's hooks, melodies, knock-out chord progressions and riffs-a-plenty, harmonious vocals - all of which creates a knock-out ear-worming tune that you just can't shake. What's not to like? And it just so happens that to these ears, Spanish just seems to be the most perfect of languages to add words and voices to this genre. There's also a record-label, Madrid-based Elefant Records who seem to have cottoned-on to this. It's where I've discovered some of my favourite artists; the dreamy, shoegazy-hues of Linda Guilala; the DIY bedroom-pop ethos of Asturia's Nel and Helena's Los Bonsais; the subversive sound of Cariño and the pop- and thrash-tastic Axolotes Mexicanos - not to mention the dreamy synth-pop of Ana Fernández-Villaverde, aka La Bien Querida and the lush 60's inspired sound of Lia Pamina.

Which in a roundabout way leads me to the subjects of this post…

To Elefant Record's more than impressive roster we can now add the Valencian quartet of Miriam and Mar on guitar and vocals, Maria on drums and and last but not least Roser on bass, collectively known as Lisasinson.

Their first release, 2019's "Barakaldo" - recorded as a three-piece, is two and a half minutes of riotous fun, a blast of jangly guitars and a drum kit thrashed to within an inch of its life, shameless and ironic lyrics - never underestimate how hormone-fueled love can turn you into a complete plonker - and helium-infused and addictive vocals. Definitely bubbly, and even bubblegum, but not disposable by a long-chalk. Sure, it sounds as if the band had a lot of fun making this song (as is apparent from the accompanying video directed by Victoria Herranz) and it would be quite easy to dismiss the song as an art school project - which seeing as the band stated out as an art school project - would be quite apt. However, there's a spiky, rebellious spirit on display, which is again quite apt, given the band's name is a play on the Spanish pronunciation of Lisa Simpson, the saxophone playing, sensitive and acutely aware member of Springfield's most dysfunctional family. The fact she's a schemer with a malevolent streak that is never far below the surface, would seem to be the perfect metaphor…

The band's follow-up, earlier this year - "Atasco" / "Casamiento" - illustrates that there's far more to this boisterous quartet than initially might seem apparent.

"Atasco" - or "Blockage" - starts as if in homage to the glorious girl bands of the Wall of Sound and Brill Building eras - there's those sweet harmonised "oohs" as all the while the chord progression builds and the drum kicks-in… There's a repeative and plaintive cry;

"Yo ya no quire vivir aquí / Ya no quiero vivir aquí / Ya no quiero seguir aquí / Ya no quiero…"
"I don't want to live here anymore / I don't want to live here anymore / I don't want to be here anymore / I don't want to anymore…"

And then all shit lets loose… the droning bass cuts through the track like a chain-saw, lyrics are spat at machine-gun pace - as the girls denounce street harassment, sexual violence against women and that mindset which suggests that the victims were somehow asking for it - and everything goes pogo-a-go-go… Women have had enough and the band want to let everyone know; ("Las chicas ya no volverán / No volverán a bailar jamás…" "The girls will no longer come back / They'll never dance again…")

"Casamiento" - "Wedding" - follows in a similar vein. It is just such a brilliant "fuck you" song. Again it builds slowly, until all the instruments have picked-up the pace and a whirling dervish is unleashed. This is raw late-70s punk at it's best, vocals duel with a wall of sound, the lyrics pack attitude;

"Que por qué no te hago caso a la hora de cenar / A mí no me preguntes / Solo soy una chica…"
"Why don't I listen to you at dinner / Don't ask me / I'm just a girl…"

Lisasinson take shit from no one - both songs challenges the status-quo and those depressing stereotypes that too may sections of society still imagine women should be happy fulfil - and which is a little disconcerting given that not only are we in the 21st century, but also that reports of domestic violence against women has rocketed globally during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Unfortunately I fear we've a worryingly long way to go…

Thankfully the band have arrived to help me shake off those post-lockdown blues, with their latest single "Volverte A Enamorar" - "Falling in Love". It used to be said that the perfect song lasted no longer than three minutes (Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you exhibit number one; side A of "Singles Going Steady" by the Buzzcocks - here Lisasinson deliver it in a shade under ninety seconds… 

It's knockabout fun - pneumatic percussion, guitars at full tilt - imagine the Ramones but with glorious harmonies for an added bonus. It's a song about being young, having fun and basically not giving a fuck. More power to their collective elbow, sez I for one…

Listening to the band you do get the impression that this foursome really are doing it all for themselves and others through the mediums of music and visual media - their songs are full of zest and youthful spirit and energy.

The world is Lisasinson's oyster and it is there for the taking…

Lisasinson (Instagram)
Lisasinson at Elefant Records