Rad Releases 20 – Happy Accidents
It’s that time once again, as the countdown to the end of 2020 rapidly approaches and we quickly want to move away from this year- we take a personal look back on familiar names, labels, promoters, and musicians’ best releases of the past 12 months. In what has been a challenging year for all, the one constant has been how artists and their labels have adapted and produced some of the best records of our time and it’s those releases that have the audience has depended on to get them through the year.
This year the Rad Releases special celebrates 10 years, to mark the decade-long feature we let our favorites take over the site to tell us the records that have kept them going throughout this trying year. Telling us how they’ve adapted, if they’ve returned to a loved record and what we can look forward to from them next year.
Our next takeover comes from the wonderful Happy Accidents. At the end of May this year, the pair released their standout new album “Sprawling”. The album was recorded by the band at the tail end of 2019, it’s the first Happy Accidents record that Rich Mandell (guitar, vocals), and Phoebe Cross (drums, vocals) have produced themselves. We have the utmost respect for this duo who self-released their album at the height of a pandemic and to see the record reaching so many is such an incredible feat for the pair. Alongside all of this, the pair are also part of the live band for Me Rex. We chat to Rich and Phoebe to find out more about their year in music..
Top Releases
We loved the new Waxahatchee album Saint Cloud, Phoebe absolutely rinsed it’s going to bring back memories of this pandemic for years to come somehow.
Other favourite releases were the Adrienne Lenker album, we’re huge Big Thief fans and she’s incredible.
Also the new Phoebe Bridgers is great, she is certainly a mood and is seemingly everywhere this year too.
Other notable released have been the new The Killers album – surprisingly great don’t knock it till you’ve tried it
Finally, it wasn’t released this year but the 1000 gec‘s 2019 album has been on a lot and the new REASON album is great too.
The best show you have played this year / gig attended (if you had the opportunity at the start of the year)
We played a gig in Barcelona (we were just gearing up for a year of more shows after a year off, lol!) – that was great and we now cherish that memory hah. Our best mate Dean came along to play bass and it felt like a small holiday – our only two flight this year too so kinda eco-friendly!
Has there been any record that’s got you through this year?
To be honest, kinda no? We’ve listened to so much less music this year it’s been so weird. If anything, Twin Peaks and The Sopranos have been a nice comforting constant that we watched. Making our own music has helped too.
How have you adapted with releasing/recording/promoting during this year?
At first we did a cover every day in the summer for a few weeks which was fun for a bit, and we did a few live streams when they were at their peak! We also did release our third album but we obviously couldn’t tour it and that usually helps momentum a lot. We’ve definitely delved into recording the most as that’s been the most accessible thing we can do. Rich works as an engineer anyway so we managed to track our other bands Me Rex and cheerbleederz and a few Happy Accidents bits too. That’s helped make the year a bit more fun and creative!
Best discovery this year?
We bought a squat stool for the toilet – pooping will never be the same again, it’s much better for you too. Sorry if that wasn’t the most expected answer.
As this is our 10th year of Rad Releases, we want to look back on your 10 years- has there been on standout moment/standout record of the past 10years for you?
Our first album release show at Urban Bar was amazing – we somehow got Fresh, Colour Me Wednesday and Me Rex to support us. To set this scene, the year is 2016, Pokemon Go has just taken the summer by storm, there’s no global pandemic in sight and we played to all our best pals and family. It was special!
Artist/Band to watch for 2021
Me Rex! We’re on on a quest to make Myles famous, we’re just backseat drivers.
Plans for the New Year
We just moved to Crouch End and it’s great but we just found out the house is on the market so if we don’t have to move house for a year that would be a bonus!
Thank you both!! Hope for a great year ahead for Happy Accidents
http://www.happyaccidents.band/ https://www.facebook.com/happyaccidentsuk
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