Tallies: The Social, London

Toronto based four piece Tallies played their debut UK gig at The Social last week. With Ride legend Andy Bell dj-ing, it was a great way for them to make their mark.

Despite being in their infancy, there was a striking level of polish to their set. The level between the album and their live performance was minimal and, in front woman Sarah Cogan, they have an icon in the making. Her Harriet Wheeler-esque vocals carried a soaking wet London to far sunnier climates.

Lead guitarist Dylan Frankland took his turn to sparkle on the sumptuous ‘Midnight’ and the driving shoegaze of ‘Trains and Snow’. Despite their moments in the spotlight, there was no ego on stage just pure gang mentality.

So much of their set is littered with pop hooks, be it vocally or on the guitar. By the end, it felt inevitable a big break through is coming this summer for Tallies. The shimmering guitars on ‘Beat The Heart’ or the pop perfect ‘Mother’ were so delicious, binge eating beckons.

When you consider the success of Australia’s DMA’s in the UK with their re-imagining of late 80s and early 90s British music, this might well be a rare small gig for Tallies in the UK.  

*Image courtesy of Sonic Cathedral

Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here:

Tallies - Tallies

Toronto's four piece Tallies released their self-titled debut album in January via Fear of Missing Out Records. Better still, they've announced their first UK tour for May.

For many bands, debut albums are a mission statement. An expression of everything that’s made them who they are in those key coming of age times. Tallies, at times, have taken this mantra literally with an album of woozy dreampop of Cocteau Twins and the sun kissed pop of The Sundays.

What prevents Tallies from becoming a rehash of the past are the interesting avenues they approach these key influences. Vocally, Sarah Cogan lends herself to the iconic Harriet Wheeler at several points, especially on former single ‘Mother’. However, with its spritely Vampire Weekend stomp, it saunters into a world of its own.

'Have You' however, is the beating heart of The Sundays’ classic album 'Reading Writing and Arithmetic'. Despite this, the quality is indisputable and, it’s this that will keep fans of The Sundays coming back to Tallies.

Undoubtedly, fans of Postcard Records and Sarah Records will find this album an affectionate homage to their youths. For newer fans, we urge you to use Tallies’ album as a jump off point into the past.