Our Remembering series does what it says on the tin: our writers jog their memories to reflect on what an old song, album or year meant to them.
This installment features Matt Paul and Fran Slater reflecting on 2009.
FRAN: So, Matthew (aka Fat Brian), I suppose it makes sense for us to start by setting some context for the readers. Usually, in this kind of Remembering article, I would start by asking the other person to tell me a bit about what they were up to in the year we’re covering. I don’t need to do that with you.
In 2009, we were living together. We were in our first and second years of university and I would say that, as well as our studies and finding cheap alcohol, music was the most enduring element of our time together.
I actually remember the first lengthy conversation we had on the night we met in halls, at some grotty flat party, figuring out the bands we had in common.
Some other memories I have of you at that time:
You bought a bucket to uni so you had somewhere to vomit.
Your shoes and belts were too bright for my eyes.
You were clearly very clever, but you couldn’t write an essay for shit.
Thinking of all these memories, and then looking at your 2009 playlist, the first thing I did was try to figure out which song most reminded me of you at that time. Funnily enough, it has to be the only song (but not the only artist) that is on both our lists.
I have vivid memories of you dancing to ‘No Kind Words’ by The Maccabees in Moho, your robotic arm juttering around. And I also remember us going to see them together in Academy 2. A great band and a great song.
What are your memories of the time? And is there a song on my list that most reminds you of me back then?
MATT: Those memories made me smile a lot. I have exactly the same memory of our first (of many) visits to Moho. God I loved The Maccabees. They were very much the hometown heroes.
So it’s only fair to return the favour and list out what struck me about you:
You were old! Hah. I had to throw that in. But despite being the ‘mature’ student, you were rarely mature.
Despite it being peak iPod era, you also rocked up to uni with hundreds of CDs the filled entirety of under your bed.
What reminds me of you from this list is an easy pick. Jamie T. I feel like 2009 was the peak of shared infatuation with him. In particular I remember scream-singing ‘Sheila’ at each other while dancing some our halls living room. A night that ended in me cradling you like a drunken baby.
Anyway, we both picked singles from his second album. It’s no surprise to me that you picked the more considered ‘Emily’s Heart’. Though I maybe would’ve picked the single version. He chucked in some strings and the song hits even harder.
So you’ve already mentioned going to see The Maccabees live. I remember we spent a very large chunk of our money on gigs and between us we must have seen most of these two lists. Any standouts?
FRAN: Ha ha – I have photographic evidence of that drunken baby cradling. I believe that was my birthday evening – I would’ve been turning 25. I’m gobsmacked that you can remember any of the particular songs we danced to that evening, because I could barely even remember my name the morning after.
I’m actually a little surprised you didn’t pick out the White Lies track ‘Unfinished Business’ as the one that reminds you most of me. I remember being totally obsessed with that album and inflicting it all on you at every moment of every day for a while. What is your memory of that? Were you all humouring me, or did you like the album too? And how do you think that song stands up now?
In terms of gigs, if we are thinking of acts from our lists I would probably have to pick out the Editors gig we saw at The Apollo. I remember the lead singer clambering all over his piano – there was just so much energy in the performance and his voice sounded incredible.
The other gig that stands out to me from an act on your list is actually an act we both saw, but at separate times. I’ll actually give you credit for introducing me to them and they are still among my favourites today – can you figure out who I’m talking about?
MATT: You were obsessed, but I was not just humouring you. White Lies were one of many shared loves. And their debut still is still so much fun to put on. So moody and brooding. It was one of 3 or 4 CDs always loaded into the DVD/TV combo that we used to play music in the lounge. All but two of the artists you included were in my own shortlist, and White Lies were a late cut (though I would have gone for ‘To Lose My Life’ instead). I enjoyed going to the Apollo a lot. It always felt a bit more special to go and see an artist there, as it seemed that we were in one of the Academies every week. And that Editors gig in particular was great. I’d only seen them at festivals before, so seeing them in a proper venue, especially for ‘In This Light and On this Evening’ was great. It was so exciting to see them reject the apparent trajectory towards stadium rock and make something that was darker and weirder.
Now this is a tough gauntlet you have laid down with that question. I’m going for The xx. I remember my friend Mark dragging me along to see them at Reading in 2009. We were still hungover as they were one of the first acts on the small stage. That didn’t matter though as we were absolutely rapt. I’m pretty sure when I turned up to year 2 of uni I was raving about them to an annoying level. Their debut is such a modern classic. It even made it into the Picky Bs Best Album Ever tourney. I do find it interesting that we bookended our respective playlists with them. Both songs are pretty much flawless.
It’s my turn for surprise. I was not expecting The Arctic Monkeys to make an appearance. As good as ‘Cornerstone’ is, I remember both of us not being particularly enthused with Humbug as an album. Have you changed your mind, or is it just ‘Cornerstone’ that has stuck with you?
FRAN: Totally agree about the Apollo – I also remember a cracking Bloc Party gig there. I think the fact that it felt a bit more special going there during our uni days is a big reason why I still think of it as my favourite venue, even as lots of acts now tend to go to the likes of Albert Hall. Also glad to hear that the White Lies enjoyment was genuine – I very nearly picked ‘To Lose My Life’, but as I relistened to the album it was ‘Unfinished Business’ that really struck me.
Nailed it with The xx guess. I remember you going to see them (I think at The Academy) and I had no idea who you were talking about, and then I saw them in a headline set at Latitude and it still sits very near the top of the list of the best gigs I’ve been to.
I definitely haven’t changed my mind on Humbug, no. But even when i didn’t like an Arctics album they would always pull out at least one slower song that really got me in the feels – I love the storytelling of ‘Cornerstone’. It’s such a clever, sad song.
While we’re talking surprises, though – I was a little thrown by the presence of ‘You’ve Got The Love’ by Florence and the Machine on your list. I really can’t remember you having any interest in her at the time and, I have to ask, what made you pick her butchered version of a classic song? I think there are genuinely good songs on that LP, but I find it hard to forgive what she did to that Candi Staton banger.
MATT: Ha. ‘Butchered’. I think the age difference is showing. I was only peripherally aware of the original as it popularity peaked and waned several times through the 90s. It’s great, don’t get me wrong. But Florence’s cover was the first version I truly listened to. I had lungs on CD and it got plenty of spins. Though now I’m not super keen on her, or even this album, I do strongly associate it with Uni, especially when we would make it out for a little dance.
It’s not the only pick that would get played most nights out. I definitely drunkenly jumped around a lot to The Prodigy and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Both tracks go pretty hard.
I’m glad you picked The Prodigy. This album felt like a real resurgence. Seeing them live during this tour was one of the exhausting shows I’ve been to. But it was so much fun.
Similarly this Yeahs Yeah Yeahs album was a bit of a breakthrough for them, with a much poppier vibe. And the A-trak remix is one of those rare instances were I typically play it over the original. Did this ever click with you?
FRAN: If I’m being honest, no – the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs have never really clicked with me in any shape or form. For all the talk of how exciting and revolutionary they are, I find them very dull – and I’m afraid to say that that feeling also applies to this remix.
And while we’re talking about things that don’t click, I may as well continue.
That Passion Pit track is such typical late 00s nonsense that I didn’t like then and don’t now. This is the kind of music you used to wear your neon belt to listen to.
And what’s with the ten minute Fuck Buttons track that sounds like a racing game soundtrack – were you just hoping to irritate me?
Go on then, it feels like your chance to rip into some of my songs…
MATT: I’m not surprised at the Passion Pit derision. They were everything wrong and right about indie landfill. But no Yeah Yeah Yeahs?! Well, that just means I’m going to have to force you to listen to Fever To Tell on the pod.
Fuck Buttons were definitely my outside pick on this list and I was curious how you’d feel about it. You’re missing out. Surf Solar is a soaring epic. It’s maybe my most played of the whole list as it was the music I worked to.
Let’s see what’ve you got left. Well another surprise for me is Noah and The Whale. I know you liked them. And they’re folky. But they’re far too happy for that to make sense. I even find them a bit much, and I am perenially pigeonholed for being into chirpy music.
Apart from that that you’ve got two quirky indie artists in Wild Beasts and Bat for Lashes. Both of whom I love and who almost made my list. These tracks are still great and have maybe stood the test of time as the best on your list (except The xx of course). I remember seeing Wild Beasts at Academy 2 (maybe with you) and being utterly bemused and entranced by their live show.
So what do you reckon of the stragglers on the list that you haven’t mentioned yet? They’re indie classics in my books.
FRAN: Hmm. Indie classics. I’ve always been a bit bored by Grizzly Bear if I’m being honest, even though I feel like I should like them – I don’t hate ‘Two Weeks’, but it would make a pretty good sleeping pill too. You know I’m mixed on The Horrors but I will absolutely give you some props for including ‘Who Can Say’ – it’s a proper tune, even as it wears its Joy Division love on it’s sleeve – why not, hey? I want to be mean about ‘Always Like This’ by Bombay Bicycle Club because I know how much you love them and I hate their band name in a way that hurts my soul, but it’s an undeniable indie pop song that deserves some recognition. So yeah, you can have that one too.
And I’m gonna agree with you a couple more times before we close out, too – 1st, to say that the Wild Beasts track is the one that holds up best on my list. And second, to say that the Noah and the Whale track is far too much – I’d say it’s the song on my list I am closest to being embarrassed about now, but hey – I loved it back then. Is there anything on your list that you find it harder to listen to now?
MATT: You’re obviously feeling generous (if we ignore the sleeping pill comment!). That’s the most you’ve ever agreed with anything I’ve said. But as much as I want laude my own taste, there are definitely some tracks I don’t revisit on the list. You can probably guess that they are Florence and Passion Pit. This playlist is probably the first time I’ve given them a spin for a decade and I’m not sure they’re going to be revisited again anytime soon. Everything else is still on semi-regular rotation (including most of your playlist!).
Well, I’m off to dig out my fluorescent belt and put on some more 00s indie. Thanks for making a fun list, and for reliving our uni days. It was a great time for music and gig-going.
FRAN: Same to you, mate – happy memories. Don’t forget your sick bucket.
Picky Bastards 