If you’re enjoying the eighties revival that’s been taking control of pop music recently, Blouse are for you. The Oregon based threesome formed in the summer of 2010, when the sultry vocals of Charlie Hilton met the retro bass lines of Patrick Adams. Add Jacob Portrait and a warehouse to record in, and you have Blouse’s self-titled debut album. After posting demo tracks on bandcamp, the band was noticed by Captured Tracks, who released the band’s album in November.
It is an eerie, nostalgic record that hasn’t got so much definition from one song to another, but a sliding, shimmering pace that allows one track to feed into another seamlessly. The lovelorn voice of Hilton echoes and writhes over shadowy New-Wave esque sounds. It is a soft focused, slowly whirling vinyl on a record player, with melancholic tinges that leave the listener in a trance.
Dazed Digital: What's your secret talent?
Charlie Hilton: Chemistry.
DD: What's your worst vice?
Charlie Hilton: Bali shag.
DD: What's the story behind your name?
Charlie Hilton: Jake saw it on a drycleaning window while we were recording. We liked it instantly.
DD: What's your favourite sound?
Charlie Hilton: Big metal doors opening in sci-fi movies
DD: What's your worst fashion secret?
Charlie Hilton: I think arm slings are hot. I used to wear an old one from the 70s just for fun. Beige with brown trim. It was wrong.
DD: What's your favourite website?
Charlie Hilton: www.intotime.com
DD: What's good for breakfast?
Charlie Hilton: Earl Grey and a croissant.
DD: What are you listening to now?
Charlie Hilton: Honestly? the trash truck. It’s driving by.
DD: How would you describe your work?
Charlie Hilton: A roundabout way to publish poetry
TRACKLIST
Iggy Pop – "Tom Synder Show 1980"
David Bowie – "Five Years"
The Ramones – "Tomorrow Show"
Fun Lovin' Criminals – "Scooby Snacks"
Lou Reed – "Australian Interview"
Chris Isaak – "Wicked Game"
Arsenio Hall – "Sinead O'Connor interview"
Suicide – "Surrender"
Sinead O'Connor – "Nothing Compares 2 U"
House Of Love – "Christine"
Mike Tyson – "TV interview"
Dream Syndicate – "Tell Me When It's Over"
Reality Bites – "Troy Returns"
TV Personality – "So Pitted (cameo)"
Love and Rockets – "Private Future"
