The Daily Growl

What is it with Southend these days? There seems to be a stream (OK, maybe a trickle) of artists making their way out of the town better known for faded seaside grandeur and chavs. I’ve been there once, and funnily enough the town centre is the mental image I have when I hear radio news reports about binge drinking, boyracing and general anti-social behaviour. If you’re from Southend, I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I can do much about it. The image is well-lodged now.

Anyway. Theoretical Girl is probably the best out of these Essex seaside artists I’ve heard. She edges past Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly (Hmmm) and cruises past The Horrors (ugh!) in my preferences. Not that these people share much in the way of musical DNA. Theoretical Girl does a very nice line in electro-pop of the Human League variety. I was listening to tunes on her two myspaces (she has just so many songs to post!) today and I was thinking that there were essentially two types of songs – the more up-tempo rockin’ ones, and the more downbeat melodic ones. And you know what? That’s exactly what she said herself in this interview with This is Fake DIY. Expect she calls them “dark and dancey with scratchy distorted guitar” and “more gentle, melodic sound”. Spooky – eh?

Here’s two fine examples of both types – Red Mist - all propulsive synth riffs and a sweet vocal over the top about the madness descending (possibly), and The Good You’ve Done, with a lovely simple melody sung about pessimism being driven away. Check her out. I’ve no idea what her live show is like, but she’s certainly playing in a lot of places over the next few months. So we’ve no excuse.

Download: Theoretical Girl – Red Mist
Download: Theoretical Girl - The Good You’ve Done

Buy the Red Mist 7 inch from Rough Trade