OOC: Scroll down to see the song. This is more than just a news story :)Andros and The Mouse release debut single 'Geek Girl'Big Brother finalist Andros Angelakos and his indie band finally unveil their debut single.
Andros (centre) raised the profile of his band with an appearance on season three of Celebrity Big Brother.He may be better known for his rather chaotic and emphatic appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, where he set chins wagging as he reached the final of the popular reality show, having sexual encounters with no fewer than four (yes four) of his fellow house mates, including full intercourse in the house's bathroom with both Vile Hour's Nichole Shade and Weekend singer Billy Khan. However, Andros Angelakos, the posh public school boy from Cambridge in England is now looking to show that he has far more to offer, as he finally gets round to releasing his band's debut single 'Geek Girl'.
The indie band, Andros and the Mouse, fronted by singer, guitarist and pretty much sole mouthpiece Angelakos, were first formed in the home counties of England in 2007, when each of the band members were still at university, studying towards various degrees at the prestigious University of Cambridge, one of the most high-profile and highly-respected institutions in the whole world. Having cut their teeth on campus, playing famously riotous and energetic shows at various pubs and events throughout their time at the university, the band's graduation has seen them ready to embark on a career of professional music, bringing their unique and quirky indie and art rock sounds to the masses for the first time.
Geek Girl is a brand new song from the band. Despite having built up an extensive back catalogue during their time playing various shows at their university events, they decided that it was only right to pen a new track for the release of their debut single. "A lot of people might well not know who we are, but that doesn't mean there aren't a high number of former Cambridge lads and lasses who are still behind us, and we felt it important and respectful to release something new rather than taking the opportunity to do what would, admittedly have been easy, but very lazy, and just record something we've been doing for the last few years anyway. I hope the fans we have enjoy this new track and the energy we poured into it, and I hope that the indie community and the wider pop and rock markets will give us a chance."
Angelakos has never been one to shirk away from attention, famously launching his band's website on his own before telling major labels in a blog in no uncertain terms to "back down and fuck off" as he admitted they want to be "truly indie." "It means not selling out like so many bands have done in the past," he said. "Yeah, we might do ourselves some harm by not having the money behind us that some bands do to create some massive production for our albums, but it's about being true to what you are. And the indie movement was about telling major labels that we want to be heard, but we won't bend over and take it up the arse from them [Quite ironic given his subsequent arse escapades on live TV with Billy Khan - Ed]. True to his word though, reports from close to the band claim that Angelakos and his band mates have genuinely knocked back offers from a number of different labels since his appearance on Big Brother pushed his band onto the scene; most notably, Chaos Records, with Angelakos taking the chance to have a dig at owner Scott RH in the process.
In his most recent blog post, titled 'Into the Studio', which was a detailed diary of the journey behind the creation of their first single release as a band, Angelakos took time to aim his crosshairs at the Chaos owner: "Just who is he? Like, who does he think he is? I think he is the living embodiment of everything we aren't, and for that reason, I'm obviously never going to sign for his label. The guy is exactly what corporate greed and capitalism is all about, and he's everything wrong with this industry. He used to have a unique and interesting band, but then he became the world's biggest sell out. Now he's offering me the chance to be part of his family? What, mate, so you can sell advertising space on the back of my guitar and all over my shirt? No fucking thanks, you know? It's like....what? I've said this before, and I'll happily say it once more, we want to be a true indie band. No big label, no corporate fat cats. Will it mean we have to wait? Maybe."
But it didn't mean they had to wait. Within weeks of recording a rough demo of their first songs as a band and putting them up on their website, Andros and the Mouse would receive the opportunity to sign a record deal without having to sign with any label, let alone a major one. Surprisingly, country and folk superstar Katie Coyle, who is soon to make her comeback to the big time, offered the indie newcomers the chance to release their music with her financial backing, without a label or any label mates, or even technically any boss, allowing them the chance to be a true indie outfit. "We have to always be thankful now to Katie," Andros said. "As much as she has become a global superstar and a chart topper, she started out in a similar vein to us, playing in pubs and clubs and making it happen for herself. She is a fantastic girl, and we are grateful that she liked, thrilled in fact, that she liked what we were doing enough to offer us this amazing and unique opportunity."
Geek Girl will be the first release from Andros and the Mouse under the banner of Katie Coyle, and will be the first single from their as of yet untitled debut album, due to be released later in the year. It is a quirky and fun indie celebration with the theme of trying to deal with the emotions of loving someone who is just that much cooler than you. The track showcases the unique sound of the band, with its fantastic energy, its excellent singalong chorus, and its instantly recognisable guitar riffs. One thing's for sure, Andros and the Mouse are more than just another indie band. This is a group of lads who have to be taken seriously.
Buy 'Geek Girl' from Sunday November 25th on Katie Coyle Music (KCM)
RecordingGeek Girl was recorded in early November of 2012, following Andros Angelakos appearance in Celebrity Big Brother. Humorously, not expecting him to last anywhere near as long as he did in the show, Angelakos' band mates originally asked Katie Coyle to book a studio for four weeks earlier. As such, they missed out on the opportunity to record their debut single at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, although parts of the keyboard section of the song were laid down in that particular setting in order that the band could give it at least some form of lip service when it comes to regaling tales of their career in years to come.
As it happened, when recording eventually began in early November, Andros and the Mouse would set up temporary residence in Tottenham, London. Stelios Angelakos said of the experience: "To be able to record in a studio which was set up and owned by the Kinks of all people was special. They are a band that was and is timeless, and it was an honour to be in their studio, even if it was only for a matter of days."
Undeterred by their relatively short stay in the studio, frontman Andros went about his superstitions in the same way he always does before recording, bringing his own Persian rug, on which he has to stand when recording anything, as it gives him his "core strength" to perform to the best of his abilities. "I just like to bring it with me. It's not like some sort of religious nosnsense," he said. "I had it in my first student house, and it was where I wrote a lot of our earlier songs, and the poetry I used to do back then, just camped out in front of the fire with some chai tea and my notebook. It sort of brings out my creative side. I call it my core energy, but it's really more of a mental thing, considering how long I've been using the carpet, rather than me actually believing the spirituality behind it." Other traditions, in keeping with the band's high-life style upbringings in posh home-counties households included tea on site, with the highest quality china only used for service, as well as red wine and various pastries on hand.
Production on the album was carried out by Katie Coyle, the folk singer and artist who has signed Andros and the Mouse in order to help them get their music out into the mainstream. With much experience of producing work for herself, as well as other artists like Mandy Williams, Stacey Walton and numerous others, Coyle is a safe pair of hands behind the desk, exactly what is needed when a new band makes its first step up to the big time to release its first professionally-recorded work. "Working with Katie was magical," said Stelios. "We wanted to have someone in here who could give us a sound that matched the emotion of the song. At first I was nervous about working with someone who has done most of her work in acoustic music, but in the end she was beyond fantastic, nailing the sort of thing we had in our minds. I think this could be the start of a wonderful and glorious working partnership between Katie and Andros and the Mouse. Fingers crossed.
When Andros and the Mouse exited the studio in mid November, they did so with a single that was very much indicative of the way they want to sound, and the career that they want to forge for themselves in the years to come. All that remains is to release their brainchild out into the big bad world.
The Track
Artist Andros and the Mouse
Title Geek Girl
Genre Indie rock/Art-rock
Recorded Konk, London - November 2012
Producer Katie Coyle
Release December 2012
Label KCMGeek Girl is a song with a quirky energetic vibe, bringing a bouncy and cheery sound to its clever and quick-witted lyrics as Andros and the Mouse introduce their cerebral and humorous take on the traditions of indie and art pop. The song goes through a range of phases, as the band challenge conventions with a unique arrangement and structure, almost asking the listener to work out which parts of the song are which, rather than spoon-feeding them yet another course of "verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus-chorus" and allowing Andros and the Mouse to stand tall in a crowd of musical clones, letting them shine as a unique light in an industry where many artists are all too happy to go along with what is popular or selling many records at any given moment on time to make sure they get as high up the charts as possible. The track deals with the notion of meeting someone at a party and trying to get them into bed for the first time. It looks through the eyes of someone who might be seen as somewhat socially awkward, meeting a girl who he feels is above the league he is in, although at the same time realising how much he wants her because she shares interests and desires as himself. The track deals with the manic mindset that can become prevalent in those faced with such a humorous situation, and carries it off without ever having to take itself all that seriously, delivering a kind and witty sincerity in its sound and lyrics that the music industry could be accused o failing to embrace, with too many people taking themselves too seriously.
The song begins with a little flourish on the drums, before a slow guitar riff comes in, quiet and bouncy with a jazz overtone in the sound of the actual instrument itself. It entices the listener and asks them to hang around to see how the rather ambient and interesting element will develop into more of a song, its gentle beat almost drawing the listener in to sway from side to side. After 8 bars of gentle and slow guitar, the drums come back in and the guitars speed up, joined by keyboard, and a very small backing of woodwind instruments, their sound faintly audible in the background, but adding to the sheer size of the sound, which sounds thick, full and energetic thanks to the layers inherent within. The rest of the intro the track is very upbeat and full of punch, while retaining the jazz-inspired edge of the opening section. Andros vocals are a surprise as much as they are a revelation. He sings with a bit of a higher tone than anyone looking at him might anticipate, but his voice flows smoothly with natural skill and talent, as well as managing to maintain a rock/indie edge, perfectly teaming with the bouncy and jumpy feeling of the song, and wonderfully capturing the essence of what the band is all about.
As quickly as the intro starts though, it is stopped once again, as the first chorus comes in, introducing the first surprise from the band on their debut track. Opting to start with the chorus rather than a verse allows them to introduce their singalong and catchy element of the song from the very beginning, grabbing attention and showing the listener who they are and what they are all about. The chorus itself is the cheeriest part of the entire song, with upbeat guitars backed by a very flowing yet bouncing keyboard section. It is memorable both in sound and lyrics, clearly created to capture the imagination of a live audience more than anything, as it just oozes fun and begs to be sung back at the band by a captivated and interested audience.
At the end of the chorus, the guitar plays a quick and quirky little finger picking section, as if lifted out of the finest blues track ever, before the drums strike a single crashing sound, introducing the rest of the track. Verses throughout are the most hectic, yet still organised and expertly delivered, sections of the song, with the woodwind instruments brought back into the vaguest of background areas to back up the jumpy guitars and keyboards which are harmonised with the strings section. While slower than the chorus, it is a verse that the band set to with vigour and style, working their way through the notion of an upmarket yet still student-led party, where the protagonist has a million thoughts running through his worried and hectic mind as he tries to discover who the girl is who has captured the imagination of everyone.
The two bridge sections (in italic), are sung with almost a group vocal, with Andros' voice layered over and over to give both an echo, and a notion that more than one person is singing, even though just a single vocal is used. The result is an epic sort of vocal noise that resonates around the track, almost negating the need for instrumental backing, and allowing the band to tone down the music at this stage, allowing their lyrical prowess to come to the fore over the guitar and drum -led indie fun that has come before it. These sections are somewhat of a detachment from the rest of the song structure wise, but given its theme of mishaps and worry led by a hectic mind overthinking its new relationship with the other sex, it acutally sounds very appealing, coming as somewhat of a respite, and serving as a moment of clarity in the mind of the protagonist. These sections are a little slower and more ambient, but compliment the rest of the track wonderfully.
The song ends with a chorus, which flows miraculously well into an outro/modified version of the chorus, during which the group vocals are again utilised. This section has no instrumental backing at all, but still manages to capture the atmospheric notion of the track as a whole. It ends with one slowly sing final line, before the guitar strums one clean and jazzy chord, and a giggle of the Geek Girl ends the track, faintly and as distant as it can possibly be without being absent. Overall, the track is fun, young and full of life, and represents both the weird and worrying world of trying to get in with the other sex, alongside a party style theme, with a fun bouncy track, complete with one of the most catchy choruses heard this year. This is more than a debut single. This is announcement. Andros and the Mouse have arrived, and this could be the start of something wonderful for a band who don't just talk the talk; they truly are something thoroughly unique and different.
LyricsSemi-naked geek you've set my eyes on fire
Never live the truth but you're a beautiful liar
Hop, skipping beats I'm pumping full of desire
I'm so exposed by you it's like I'm high on a wire
Words spill on my page because my life you inspire
You're just a geek and yeah! you set my heart...on fire!I see that look through those thick rimmed glasses,
You couldn't find yourself a place among the masses,
You're not afraid to play your cards out on the table,
Not reading Twilight cos you're busy playing Fable
Dancing on your own again
We're chattin' on the phone again
I wanna ask but don't know when
If I can be more than just a friend
Semi-naked geek you've set my eyes on fire
Never live the truth but you're a beautiful liar
Hop, skipping beats I'm pumping full of desire
I'm so exposed by you it's like I'm high on a wire
Words spill on my page because my life you inspire
You're just a geek and yeah! you set my heart...on fire!When you stepped into the room it's like I'm walkin' on air
I'm mesmerised and hypno'd by the five colours in your hair
I've never cared what people think but now I need to know
If I'm takin' down my jeans, will your shirt be next to go
I'm swimming deep in your eyes
Are you going for the prize?
I'm gonna take chance and I'm gonna see
If this beauty might come home with me
Don't think you're just a geek
Cos you're not second best
But I'm just another freak
Will you put me to the test?
When you kissed me on the cheek
I must confess
I must confess
I fantasised that one day I might see you undressSemi-naked geek you've set my eyes on fire
Never live the truth but you're a beautiful liar
Hop, skipping beats I'm pumping full of desire
I'm so exposed by you it's like I'm high on a wire
Words spill on my page because my life you inspire
You're just a geek and yeah! you set my heart...on fire!There's no other way for me to say just how I feel
You live a life of DC and Marvel but my emotions are so real
Don't wanna have a beer let's just chill out behind your door,
We won't even need a TV let's just read Fantastic Four
I wanna be on your bed
Will you hold me like a Ted
I've never been one to feel confused
But you know you make me red
Don't make me wait another week
I want to feel your zest
I'm not a guy just filled with cheek
Not talking to your chest
You kissed me now I'm feeling week
I must confess
I must confess
I dream of that day I'll see you undressSemi-naked geek you've set my eyes on fire
Never live the truth but you're a beautiful liar
Hop, skipping beats I'm pumping full of desire
I'm so exposed by you it's like I'm high on a wire
Words spill on my page because my life you inspire
You're just a geek and yeah! you set my heart...on fire!Now in the dark my emotions start to pour
You're the only girl to let me go this far
Without showing me the door
I'm lying next to you I feel the softness of your skin
I believe in internet speak they'd call this an 'epic win'
Am I dreaming now cos surely you would never let me in
Is this the start of something good
Or will my heart go in the bin
Do we even have a future
Or is this just one glorious night of sin?
Semi naked geek girl
You're the only one I wanted
Semi shy but sweet girl
You never flash and flaunt it
I could love you in a week girl
You're cute and never taunted
Semi naked geek girl
Semi naked geek girl
Sounds Like
