Artsick was formed in June 2018 when Christina Riley was feeling "artsick" and  writing songs, but missing the inspiration and excitement of collaborating with her old band, Burnt Palms. Christina was soon joined by Mario Hernandez (Kids On A Crime Spree, Ciao Bella) on drums and Donna McKean (Lunchbox, Hard Left) on bass and a band was born. Following up their terrific 2018 7" single they are back with their debut album "Fingers Crossed," a thrilling, compelling and downright fun record that surveys a vast swathe of indie and indiepop history, from DIY progenitors like Dolly Mixture through the punkier side of C86 (think Talulah Gosh, Fat Tulips) to the 90s K Records-centered International Pop Underground and straight through more recent exemplars like Vivian Girls and Colleen Green. Across its 11 songs "Fingers Crossed" is packed with great songs and memorable moments, indelible melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Christina says that she was "always been drawn to fuzzy guitars, melodies with emotion and songs with urgency" and that is readily apparent on every moment of this excellent album.

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Artsick - Fingers Crossed sampler

Artsick's debut album "Fingers Crossed" is a thrilling, compelling and downright fun record that surveys a vast swathe of indie and indiepop history, from DIY progenitors like Dolly Mixture through the punkier side of C86 to the 90s K Records-centered International Pop Underground and straight through more recent exemplars like Vivian Girls and Colleen Green. New single "Ghost of Myself" is unsparingly introspective, a story of internal struggle, self-doubt and ultimately resilience and self-belief wrapped in a brilliantly driving punk/pop song. "Ghost of Myself" is a timeless and vital tune and a prime example of what makes Artsick such a crucial band right now.

Fingers Crossed

Artsick - Ghost of Myself

"Look Again" is the third single from Artsick's "Fingers Crossed" and shows quite a different side of the band. Where previous singles were uptempo punk-infused jammers, "Look Again" slows the pace to match the mood of heartbreak and contemplation. The band's Christina says: "It's about the loss of a beautiful relationship and the soul crushing realization it was your fault." The song's blend of fuzz and longing melody fits that remit perfectly, and is a great showcase for Christina's 90s influences, like Hole, Sloan and Tiger Trap. Beautiful.

Artsick - Look Again

Artsick - Despise

Slumberland began operations in 1989, inspired by such musical happenings as C-86, early Creation, Sarah, Postcard, and the UK post-punk indie label scene. Since then we've covered a lot of territory, from punk to lofi noise to shoegaze and of course pop, releasing records from bands like The Aislers Set, Boyracer, Stereolab, Rocketship, Lorelei, The Ropers, The Saturday People and Black Tambourine.

By the mid 2000s we were starting to see a resurgence of interest in guitar pop and the start of the ongoing vinyl revival: the perfect environment for Slumberland! We launched into our latest phase of activity with as string of classic releases from The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Crystal Stilts, Frankie Rose, Veronica Falls, Allo Darlin', Joanna Gruesome and so many more.

2018 is our twenty-ninth year we are still going strong, ploughing our own furrow and bringing you unique, genre-defining (and genre-defying!) releases from bands like Smokescreens, Tony Molina, Papercuts, Business of Dreams, Peel Dream Magazine, D.A. Stern, The Spook School, Frankie Rose, Young Guv, Terry Malts and many, many more. As always, we operate entirely outside of the echo chamber of trends, fashion and phoney hipness. Slumberland bands are independent in the best way possible -- making music devoid of bullshit and true to their own voices, regardless of current popular taste.

Artsick - Fingers Crossed sampler

Slumberland Records