Wichita is 10

Wichita Records celebrates its 10th birthday with a series of parties this week so we've had a think about the label and our favourite moments in their history. Warning: contains personal memories. Critical analysis can F-off in this case.



1) Les Savy Fav for being great always

Tim Harrington dresses up, instigates conga lines and will perform wedding ceremonies if asked. Forget being the best live band on Wichita, they are one of the best live bands in the world.

2) Lovvers @ Dudefest, Brighton Cowley Club

A bit of a wildcard but this has to be one of Lovvers' best or at least most fun shows. In the Brighton social centrethey put together a set that really showcased their ability to jump between power pop, punk and straight. Whether they were bawling and bleeding or making quite-a-nice-tune, there were at least 3 pairs of legs in the air.

(Lovvers play party celebrations at The Garage w/ Sky Larkin and The Cribs on the 14th July)

3) The Cribs Reading Festival 2004

I'd just finished my GCSE's and, as you do, went to Reading festival for the first time. In the new band tent on a boring afternoon I first saw The Cribs live. I'd bought their first record after seeing a nice review in the NME. A Jarman landed on my head and I liked the record even more.

FYI: even my 16 year old hated the piss pit that is that festival. A crack head tried to chase me as I avoided a massive group of Kasabian fans. I enjoyed The Cribs though.

(The Cribs play party celebrations at The Garage w/Sky Larkin and Lovvers)

4) Los Campesinos! at Covo Club, Bologna

Speaker stacks nearly fell over, girls got faint and Tom tried to speak Italian. Los Campesinos!, having just released their first record with Wichita, went European in style.

(They then drove for a million hours back to Cardiff. Dedication.)

(Los Campesinos! play party celebrations at The Garage w/ Frankie and The Heartstrings & Johnny Foreigner on 15th July)

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5) Hearing Espers in My House

If a package contained Wichita records I was always quite excited. Espers will always be one of my favourites because I didn't expect to like Meg Baird and co's pretty whimsy as much as I did. A hidden Wichita gem.

(Meg Baird plays party celebrations at The Garage w/ First Aid Kit and Peggy Sue on the 13th July)

5) Hanging out with Frankie and The Heartstrings.

You've read about lads on tour and you've heard the rumours so it makes sense that I wasn't 100% sure if I was ready for Frankie and The Heartstrings in HD // 3D real life. They're lovely blokes though and one of the label's most exciting new signings. Check out record shopping with them here.

Frankie and The Heartstrings play party celebrations at The Garage w/ Los Campesinos & Johnny Foreigner on 15th July)

For more information on anything Wichita related visit www.wichita-recordings.com/