Islet are a Welsh band formed in Cardiff in 2009. They are known for their experimental, genre-defying sound and energetic live shows. Their music takes in elements of

experimental rock Experimental rock, also called avant-rock, is a subgenre of rock music that pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique or which experiments with the basic elements of the genre. Artists aim to liberate and innovate, wit ...

psychedelic pop Psychedelic pop (or acid pop) is a genre of pop music that contains musical characteristics associated with psychedelic music. Developing in the mid-to-late 1960s, elements included " trippy" features such as fuzz guitars, tape manipulation, ...

no wave No wave was an avant-garde music genre and visual art scene that emerged in the late 1970s in Downtown New York City. The term was a pun based on the rejection of commercial new wave music. Reacting against punk rock's recycling of rock and r ...

krautrock Krautrock (also called , German for ) is a broad genre of experimental rock that developed in Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It originated among artists who blended elements of psychedelic rock, avant-garde composition, and electron ...

and

post-punk Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad genre of music that emerged in late 1977 in the wake of punk rock. Post-punk musicians departed from punk's fundamental elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a broader, more experiment ...

. They have been shortlisted for the

Welsh Music Prize The Welsh Music Prize is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from Wales, as voted for by members of the music industry based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. It was founded by music promoter John Rostro ...

twice: in 2012, for ''Illuminated People'', and in 2020, for ''

Eyelet Eyelet can refer to: * Eyelet fabric * Grommet Curtain grommets, used among others in shower curtains A grommet is a ring or edge strip inserted into a hole through thin material, typically a sheet of textile fabric, sheet metal or composi ...

''. Islet have released four studio albums and four EPs.

History

Islet were formed in

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

in 2009 by brothers Mark and John Thomas with Emma Daman (formerly of

The Victorian English Gentlemens Club The Victorian English Gentlemens Club were a four-piece experimental art rock band based in Cardiff, Wales. Name The name of the band is correctly spelt without an apostrophe. On their website, the band acknowledges they are "aware that there s ...

). Alex Williams joined the band in late 2009. After signing to Turnstile Music, the band released the EPs ''Celebrate this Place'' and ''Wimmy'' in 2010. Despite being an EP, ''Wimmy'' was placed at number 32 in the NME Albums and Tracks of the Year, 2010. ''Celebrate This Place'' received a positive critical reception from reviewers. In November 2011, the band released in Japan, ''Celebrate This Place With Me'', a compilation of the two EPs on the Big Nothing record label. Their debut album, ''Illuminated People'', was issued in January 2012. Their early live shows were known for their avant garde approach, high energy and often improvisational performances, with long percussive sections. After performing at Cardiff's

Sŵn Sŵn Festival (''sŵn'' is Welsh for "sound, noise", ) is a music festival founded by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and Cardiff-based promoter John Rostron. The festival takes place annually in Stephens' hometown of Cardiff, Wales. The first S ...

Festival in 2009, ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

'' described their set as "a shamanic percussive offensive powering the truly unique quartet through a spellbinding half hour that bleeds impassioned improv spirit". One notable aspect of Islet's early live performances was their tendency to swap instruments during their sets, contributing to a dynamic and unpredictable stage presence. Initially the band were known for their lack of interest in promotion - eschewing any form of web presence and choosing to communicate with their zine 'The Isness'. The live shows led to the band developing a cult following. 2013's album, ''Released by the Movement'' and 2016's ''Liquid Half Moon EP'' were both released on the band's own Shape Records. The music critic, Laura Snapes, noted there was more of a focus on songwriting on the EP. The EP was also included in

James Acaster James William Acaster (; born 9 January 1985) is an English comedian, presenter, podcaster and actor. As well as the stand-up specials ''James Acaster: Repertoire, Repertoire'' and ''Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999'', he is known for co-hosting ...

's book, ''

Perfect Sound Whatever ''Perfect Sound Whatever'' is a 2019 book by James Acaster charting his project to catalogue the music of 2016, with the aim of proving that 2016 was 'the best year for music ever'. The book is named after the song of the same name by Jeff Rose ...

'', which featured the author's favourite music that was released in 2016. In 2019, the band signed to

Fire Records Fire Records was an American independent record label, set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson. Amongst others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Buster Brown and Arthur Crudup. At one point it was thought Fire had issued the l ...

and announced their forthcoming new album, ''

''. The album went on to win the 2020 Neutron Prize from ''

God Is in the TV ''God Is in the TV'' is an independent music and culture online magazine founded by editor Bill Cummings in Cardiff in 2003. It publishes independent music reviews, features, interviews, podcasts and media. The webzine's coverage varies from uns ...

''. Around this time John Robb commented on the band's live shows as combining "the threads and entrails of free jazz and the boundary busting attitude of post punk and the endless adventure of world music and even the sweatshod rock n roll of the OC’s into the kind of music that makes the so called avant garde into a party and a celebration of action, time and vision". After seeing the band perform at the

Machynlleth Comedy Festival Machynlleth () is a market town, community and electoral ward in Powys, Wales and within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads. At the 2001 Census it had a popul ...

in 2019,

Stewart Lee Stewart Graham Lee (born 5 April 1968) is an English comedian. His stand-up routine is characterised by repetition, internal reference, and deadpan delivery. Lee began his career in 1989 and formed the comedy duo Lee and Herring with Richard ...

on his website said of Islet, "they blew my mind. It was the perfect mix of experimentation and entertainment, brain and heart engaged simultaneously". On 20 June 2023, the group released a new song "Euphoria" as the lead single from their next album. Their most recent album, ''Soft Fascination'', was released in September 2023.

Discography

EPs

*''Celebrate This Place'' (Shape/Turnstile, 2010) *''Wimmy'' (Shape/Turnstile, 2010) *''Liquid Half Moon EP'' (Shape 2016) *''Golden Top'' (2020)

Studio albums

*''Illuminated People'' (Shape/Turnstile, 2012) *''Released by the Movement'' (Shape, 2013) *''

'' (

, 2020) *''Soft Fascination'' (Fire Records, 2023)

References

External links

Official BandcampShape Records label page
{{Authority control Welsh indie rock groups Welsh indie pop groups Psychedelic pop music groups Rock music groups from Cardiff Musical groups established in 2009