Hail Bop

If there's a hole in your heart left by the absence of the Beta Band, well, look no further, because Django Django is here! "Our name has absolutely nothing to do with Django Reinhardt", says the band. By the time of the release of the July 2009 debut 7" "Storm," critics had already latched onto their vocal and experimental similarity to cult folktronica pioneers the Beta Band. In fact, drummer Maclean was the younger brother of Beta Band and Aliens keyboard player John Maclean -- a link that both raised their profile and justified the comparisons. Django Django similarly betrayed a knowledge and love of electronic music and Joe Meek's production techniques, alongside an ability to throw together seemingly disparate styles. Filled with sirens, bells, and surf guitar, their second single -- April 2010's "Wor" -- sounded like the Ventures jamming with Hot Chip. While friend and Glaswegian video artist Cara Tolmie provided vocals and cello on the equally playful flip, "Skies Over Cairo," Grace designed the minimalist artwork that housed this inventive material. The group's self-titled debut arrived in 2012 and was a Mercury Prize nominee. Take a poppy listen here: If you want a copy of the self-titled Django Django release, email marta@alternativemusic.com