(Sorry, I just had to put a polaroid frame on this cover…)

Readers of Eardrums probably know the music of Elizabeth Morris, but you might not recognize her name. During her career, she has performed under several names, – many of them including the word “Darling”. I first heard her music on the cute, little 3” WeePop!-ep she released as The Darlings in 2007 (with unique photos on the cover for each of the 120 copies), and I have followed her musical paths since. The Darlings became Allo, Darlin’, and that’s where we are today. Earlier this year, Allo, Darlin’ released their wonderful, supercatchy single “Henry Rollins Don’t Dance”, and it received wonderful reviews and airplay far beyond the small radios that usually play the brilliant WeePop-records.

Allo, Darlin’ has a new single out any day now (14/11), – their debut on Fortuna POP!-records, and an album will follow in February 2010. The new single is called The Polaroid song, and it’s another really good  and catchy song from Allo, Darlin’. It was inspired by Polaroid’s decision to stop manufacturing the iconic film, and is a beautiful, upbeat popsong with bouncy drums, tambourines, rhythm-guitars and the warm vocals of Elizabeth in front. I bet Allo, Darlin’ can get airplay on the big stations with this one too!

The B-side of the new Allo, Darlin’ single, “Will You Please Spend New Year’s With Me?”, shows another great side of the band, – quite stripped down, with layered vocals, ukulele and some lovely whistling as the only instruments. Although I love Allo, Darlin’s A-sides, my favourites are on the b-sides or among the last songs on the EP… That’s how it is here too, so was it on “Henry Rollins..”, where I adored “Dear Stephen Hawking” and on The Darlings, where “Emily” was my favourite song…

Elizabeth is also a new member in another Fortuna Pop-band,  Tender Trap, the band of indiepop legends Amelia Fletcher, Rob Pursey, John Downfall (Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, Marine Research). The other members of Allo, Darlin’ are also very interesting people: Paul Rains and  Michael Collins from the wonderful Hexicon on guitar and drums, and Bill Botting from Moustache of Insanity (another WeePop-band) on bass.

Another little thing: 100 of the 7″ singles will contain a unique, individually-taken Polaroid which entitles the lucky finder to enter a competition to win a special Allo, Darlin’ gig live in their own living room.

Allo, Darlin’ – Dear Stephen Hawking

The Darlings – Emily

Allo, Darlin’ feat Paul from Hexicon – Atlantic City (Spotify-link, Bruce Springsteen-song)