CMU Playlists

Playlist: Peggy Sue

By | Published on Thursday 15 September 2011

Peggy Sue

Occupying a transient territory somewhere between Brighton, London and the rest of the world, folk trio Peggy Sue formed in 2005, releasing a string of singles and EPs before signing with Wichita for their first album ‘Fossils And Phantoms’. Written on the road whilst touring their debut across Europe and the US, new LP ‘Acrobats’ foregoes much of its predecessor’s bruised, lovelorn acoustica in favour of a stronger, more unified sonic intent, as broadcast in the six minute electric snarl of opener ‘Cut My Teeth’.

“I’m really proud of it, I see it as a sort of prologue – it tells the story of the movement from our first to our second album”, says co-frontwoman Katy Beth Young. “We’re proud of the way we put it together as a three-piece; the new songs feel very much like they’re all of ours together”.

Peggy Sue cite alt-rock acts like The Breeders and Sonic Youth as the main inspiration for their latest album, which was recorded in Bristol with producer John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse). Says Katy: “Two years ago, I couldn’t understand how Sonic Youth could make those noises, but now I can. The simpler influences are still there but they have taken a back seat”.

With ‘Acrobats’ out this week, Peggy Sue’s next live stop will be at the Manchester Deaf Institute on 17 Sep. Ahead of that, we asked Katy and fellow front-femme Rosa Slade to name their preferred musical peers and heroes via their very own Powers Of Ten Playlist.

PEGGY SUE’S TEN
Click here to listen to Peggy Sue’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about their selections.

01 Wye Oak – Civilian
Katy: Wye Oak’s third album ‘Civilian’ is by far my favourite album of the year. The first time I heard this all I wanted to do was listen to it really, really loud, but I couldn’t because it was really late at night. I knew straight away that I would love this band, though. We watched them play live and it was an incredibly exciting and cathartic show.

02 Crooked Fingers – Sleep All Summer
Katy: A friend played me a cover of this song by St Vincent and The National, which was pretty good, but the original is brilliant. The sentiment of the chorus is so sad. It makes me want to do more boy/girl duets.

03 The Breeders – Off You
Katy: I’ve become completely obsessed with The Breeders over the last couple of years. ‘Pod’ is probably my favourite of their albums but this is my favourite song and is on their third LP, ‘Title TK’. Kim Deal’s voice sounds so fragile and unique and the arrangement is so sparse and weird. I can’t help but wonder whose idea it was. Most of the time I have no idea what she is talking about but I love it.

04 Aaliyah feat Timbaland – We Need A Resolution
Katy: One of the greatest remnants of the extensive R&B phase that spanned most of my early teens, every time I listen to this song, I wish it was twice as long. I know all the words to Timbaland’s rap but I have yet to perfect the accent.

05 Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland 1945
Katy: Just because we are really excited about finally getting to watch Jeff Mangum in the winter.

06 The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You
Rosa: This is such a great song. It’s one of the songs that I always have stuck somewhere in the back of my head, and it comes back to me randomly and frequently. I know it’s a love song, but there’s something about the way it sounds that for me will always be slightly creepy. I love the repetitive piano and all the reverb on the harmonies and guitar, I think the sounds of it are a perfect example of what a lot of bands now are trying to recapture.

07 Cloud Nothings – Hey Cool Kid
Rosa: I really love this song and this band. It has a killer guitar line, and the lyrics sound like something Kim Deal would be happy to drawl. It’s just really cool.

08 Department Of Eagles – Phantom Other
Katy: Just a really beautiful song from a really great album.

09: Levon Helm – Got Me A Woman
Katy: This is our number one ‘cheer us all up in the van’ song.

10: Townes Van Zandt – Waitin Round To Die
Katy: This is our number one ‘everything sucks, let’s wallow in self-pity in the van’ song.



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