Let us introduce you to The Salt Flats. A new band to many of you but a collective of experienced musicians already with four EPs under their belts.
Over the course of their recordings you’ll be taken on a vast musical journey from 19th century sea shanties to Primal Scream via 60s folk, 90s rock and Fleetwood Mac.
Velocity Princess is their delve into the darker side of the 1980s and although none of the band look old enough to really remember these tunes they’ve done them more than justice on record.
Their reworking of Strawberry Switchblade’s ‘Since Yesterday’ has a distinctly Ronettes feel. It soft and warm. It’s like an aural countdown to Christmas.
Primal Scream’s ‘Velocity Girl’ is laden with bittersweet whimsy and glorious harmonies. The jangly guitars have been dropped in favour of recorder solos. On paper it sounds like a recipe for disaster. On your record player it’s a delight.
‘Valentine Heart’ is an EP highlight. We’ve heard Katie play this solo live and it’s an emotional ballad. It’s a little more uptempo here and worlds away from the Tanita Tikarim original. If we were a judge on some mundane pop show we’d spout clichés about how they’ve really made it their own.
Few things sum up the 80s like the memories we all have of John Hughes movies. The Salt Flats are no different and their cover of OMD’s ‘If You Leave’ pays homage in both it’s sound and accompanying video. It’s a little more tongue in cheek than a straight up cover and sounds much more bubblegum pop Think Frenchie from Grease hanging out in record stores, dancing like Molly Ringwald and auditioning for The Supremes. Actually, forget that, just download the record for free and give the video and watch…