So….for the next couple of weeks, you will either love or loath this blog as I’m locking down into a pattern. Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays will see the continuation of the various series that have been long-running, while Tuesdays to Fridays will feature music from compilation albums that were issued on an annual basis from 2012 to 2019 to commemorate the staging of the Indietracks festival.
As the official website states:-
Indietracks was a celebration of independent, creative and DIY pop music that took place at the Midland Railway – Butterley in the Derbyshire countryside from 2007 to 2019. Each year, around 50 new and established artists performed across a range of stages at the festival. Visitors were free to enjoy steam train rides, railway attractions and museums, discos, art and craft workshops, great food and a selection of real ales.
In November 2021, the Indietracks organisers made an unexpected announcement:-
We’re very sad to say that we’re bringing the Indietracks festival to a close. We’ve had over a decade of wonderful memories, and so it’s heartbreaking to let you know that 2019’s festival was our final event. We realise that the festival was very special to many people, and this isn’t a decision that we’ve taken lightly. However, despite significant effort from all concerned, the event has sadly proved unsustainable, principally due to the ongoing ramifications of the pandemic.
My dear friend Aldo was a regular at the Festival, and I had promised him that once I stopped working, I’d make an effort to come along one year. Sadly, my retiral in March 2020 coincided with the first wave of COVID….you can join the dots.
Every year a download compilation album featuring bands playing at the festival was released with all proceeds going to the Midland Railway charity. I’ve downloaded each of the volumes from 2012-2019 via bandcamp, and the idea is now to share with one track per day from a singer or band yet to feature on TVV.
The 2012 compilation contains 52 songs, with, as far as I can tell, only nine of the acts having previously featured – 14 Iced Bears, Allo’ Darlin, Ballboy, Jasmine Minks, June Brides, Just Joans, Monochrome Set, The Smittens, and Spook School.
I’m opening up with something which, to my ears, sums up what I imagined much of Indietracks to be like:-
mp3: Go Sailor – Last Year
Wiki informs us that Go Sailor was a short-lived Berkeley based twee pop band. Its members included Rose Melberg of Tiger Trap and The Softies (guitar, vocals), Paul Curran of Crimpshrine (bass) and Amy Linton of Henry’s Dress (later of The Aislers Set) (drums). They recorded three 7″ singles and a full-length CD on Lookout! Records in 1996. The trio re-grouped in 2012 to play a handful of shows, including an appearance at Indietracks.
It’s the only song of theirs I have on the hard drive, and I reckon it’s rather splendid.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
This is going to make for a great series and quite the tribute to indietracks. I never attended, although I wanted to. I’ve never enjoyed festivals with bands playing different areas/stages at the same time – the reasons are complicated, personal and boring.
Those I know who attended, did so annually and trilled about the not-like-any-other-festival atmosphere as well as care and attention to detail, surprise sets and rare (as hen’s teeth) line-ups. I admire the organisers hugely. They will be remembered as fondly as those behind Sarah Records.
I hope those tuning in get a sense of generosity and respect that was created and the fact it never chased money. It wasn’t about profit. I can think if few other examples.
These compilations mentioned are completely new to me, so I look forward to some interesting listening. Many thanks.
Thanks for this JC. I really loved Indietracks, the best festival ever and was really sad to hear it had ended. Stay in Dubai and managed to get over twice for it, once for our honeymoon 🙂
Most bands were unknown to me but always looked forward to getting the Indietracks CD or download ahead of time and then mapping the weekend around the best songs from that.
I actually have all the cd’s or downloads going back to the early days 2007 onwards, some amazing tunes spread over these.
I look forward to hearing which tunes you select in the coming days.
Jim Dubai.
Another one who will love this series – as a regular attendee Indietracks is up there as one of my favourite things ever