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Chew Lips

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Chew Lips
Chew Lips performing live in 2011
Chew Lips performing live in 2011
Background information
OriginEast London, UK
GenresElectro, synthpop, drone, dance-punk
Years active2008–2014
LabelsFamily
Members'Tigs' (Alicia Huertas), James Watkins, Will Sanderson
Websitewww.chew-lips.com

Chew Lips was an English dance-pop trio, formed in spring of 2008.[1] It consisted of singer 'Tigs' and multi-instrumentalists James Watkins and Will Sanderson [2]

Career

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2008–2009: First steps

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Formed in London as a three piece band in the summer of 2008, Huerta, Watkins and Sanderson armed themselves with a slew of electro-pop hooks and set about establishing Chew Lips as one of the most exciting new acts in the capital.

With Tigs developing into a charismatic whirlwind of a front woman who it was impossible to take your eyes off, Chew Lips increasingly compelling live performances grabbed the attention of uber-cool French label Kitsuné who insisted on putting out the band's debut single, "Solo".

Released in March 2009, "Solo" sold out almost instantly, causing a storm in the blogosphere and beyond, with Pitchfork calling the track "….classic, pristine,"[3] and The Fly magazine labelling it "one of the most magnificent debuts of the year".

2009–2010: Second Kitsuné single and Unicorn

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Main article: Unicorn (Chew Lips album)

A relentless schedule of touring followed into 2009 as Chew Lips honed their sound into a sleek, sophisticated beast.

Kitsuné released a second sold out single, "Salt Air" in July 2009 – NME called it "an addictive slice of heart-wrenching disco-pop" – before the band begun work in summer '09 on their full-length debut with Bat For Lashes collaborator David Kosten.

The fruits of their labour came with the self-released album Unicorn in January 2010, such a giant leap forward for their sound that they were confident enough to leave off both of the previous singles. It was easy to see why – in the likes of "Play Together", "Karen" and "Slick", they had outdone themselves. The press agreed: the BBC called it "startling", NME "mesmeric", whilst a 4/5 review in The Guardian said it "drags you straight in."

Another stretch of touring followed and by the time the European festival season came round, and after a successful appearance at SXSW in Texas (Elle US described them as the best new act at the festival), Chew Lips were on top of their game. Topping off their tour they headlined the packed BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury Festival.

Other touring highlights include support slots with The Killers, Delphic, We Are Scientists, The Virgins, Joy Formidable, Howling Bells, three sold out UK tours and a sold out European tour in 2011.

Split

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Huertas announced on Twitter in 2015 that she was now only writing material for other artists,[4] implying that Chew Lips had disbanded.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Album Details Release Date Label
Unicorn 25 January 2010 Family

Singles and EPs

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Release Details Release Date Label
Solo January 2009 Kitsuné
Salt Air 6 July 2009 Kitsuné
Play Together 18 January 2010 Family
Karen 28 March 2010 Family
Do You Chew? 4 May 2012 Sony
Hurricane 3 September 2012 Sony

Chew Lips remixing

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Chew Lips remixes

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Solo

  • David E Sugar
  • Tepr (Yelle)

Salt Air

Play Together

  • WaWa

Karen

  • Analogue People in a Digital World
  • Mark Otten
  • Netsky
  • We Are Enfant Terrible

Slick

Soundtracks and syncs

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Live appearances

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UK highlights

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United States

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European festivals

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Press

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Unicorn

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  • "4/5 – an accomplished first offering" – Q
  • "4/5 – sharp-edged, sharp-witted electro rock...success looks like an open goal" – Mojo
  • "4/5 – a spine tinglingly awesome debut" – Time Out
  • "4.5/5 – it deserves to be massive...make it so" – The Fly
  • "4/5 – brilliant...a record that gets better over time" – MusicOMH
  • "4/5 – Synth heaven!" New!
  • "Beautiful...clattering electronic pop with big melodies" – The Independent
  • "Wistful, discoid confections... like Blondie backed by Simian Mobile Disco" – The Observer
  • "A band to look out for this year… absolutely superb" – Sunday Mail
  • "Our new favourite" – NME
  • "An utterly peerless work; ten tracks to completely lose yourself in" – NME.com[5]
  • "Catchy electro tunes...you'll love 'em" – Grazia
  • "Unicorn is that rarest of things; a record imbued with genuine talent and emotion which wipes the floor with the majority of its makers' contemporaries... quite startling" – BBC
  • "Chew Lips confidently reveal their crossover potential... the rhythms are edgy and the songwriting is something you can really get your teeth into" – Metro
  • "Chew Lips' blending of electronic punk ala 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs go 8-bit' is so infective it's dangerous" – Super Super

References

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  1. ^ "Q Radio – Chew Lips introduction page". Ash Meikle, Q. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  2. ^ Paul Lester. "The Guardian – New band of the day". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Pitchfork – Chew Lips 'Solo' Review". Jonathan Garrett, Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  4. ^ @tiggington (24 November 2015). "i write for other artists now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "NME.com – 'Unicorn' First Listen". Camilla Pia, NME. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
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