Local Artist Spotlight: Memory Camp

I’m sure we all have a long list of things that we wish we did before lockdown. Watching Memory Camp live is up there for me, right next to my cancelled trip to Paris, and a hefty purchase of hand sanitiser.

If you haven’t heard of them yet, Memory Camp are an indie/alternative four-piece hailing from no other than Cardiff and Swansea. As leading contributors to the South Wales indie music scene, they have more than likely been right under your nose without you even realising. Dylan, Dan, Jordan and Hannah have been perfecting their vivacious sound down at the Cathays Community Centre, all whilst headlining a number of prolific clubs in central Cardiff and across the Swansea area. Just a few to mention would be Clwb Ifor Bach and The Moon in Cardiff to Sin City, The Bunkhouse and the delightful Cinema & Co in Swansea town.

Although on a surface level, Memory Camp float somewhere within the category of the ‘alternative’, this just doesn’t give sufficient credit to their extensive blending of genres, one that is wonderfully colourful and all round atmospheric. However, what I find most impressive about the band is their ability to achieve all of this whilst still sounding incredibly polished. This is a factor which really sets them apart from other local bands, who although, charmingly draw inspiration from punk ethos, just don’t seem to live up to the refined tone of Memory Camp.

Melodic, catchy and all-round explosive, the band’s work is easily comparable to a long list of indie giants that you’re already familiar with. Upon listening, it’s difficult not to be reminded of the amiable and thematic sound of Catfish and the Bottlemen, the roaring and eclectic opening riffs of a Pixies song, or the sway worthy vocals of Ian Brown of the Stone Roses. They’ve even been compared to the likes of Blur and Weezer in past reviews (I wouldn’t complain).

words by: ABIGAIL THOMAS design by: ALESSIO PHILIP GRAIN

of promise and vigour. Champagne on an Aeroplane and their most recently released, Pour Your Heart, are singles which have already been released on Spotify and Apple Music. Each cease to secure their position as a band which is already representative of a continuously flourishing and exciting music scene.

Champagne on an Aeroplane is a well refined indie anthem, squeezed into a small two-and-a-half-minute package. This is definitely one to blast over speakers if you’re a gig buff, who is already missing an inherently bustling atmosphere - you’ll barely notice the difference! On another note, Pour Your Heart is a personal favourite of mine. Its’ shimmery, echoing backing vocals and bellowing guitars ooze the confidence of the bands iconic predecessors. Again, this is definitely one to blare en route to the seaside - a distant prospect which looping this song makes me for yearn even more!

One thing which I really admire about the band is their female presence, a blessing and a rarity amidst a male dominated industry. This quality has heightened the aptitude of so many bands: Wolf Alice, Blondie and Pixies are a few favourite bands of mine with one, but nonetheless, crucial woman who has contributed to their brilliance. What makes it even better is that Hannah is the drummer, and from listening, she clearly packs a punch!

Memory Camp have described themselves as a “Cardiff based band that’ll rock your socks”. I think that this sums them up really. Maybe mentioning this earlier would have saved the exertion, but nonetheless, all this appraisal was not just necessary, but well deserved.

I’m more than certain that many, many exciting opportunities lie ahead for this four-piece. Or at least they will when this nightmarish period of isolation is finally over. In the meantime, make sure that you stay safe, like Memory Camp on Facebook, follow @_memory_camp on Twitter and stream their music on Spotify or Apple Music for a lovely little dosage of indie goodness.