APPLE ORCHARD
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Posts
- Sep 10, 11
Hello all,
It has been a while since we've updated this. Summer is over and we've kept ourselves busy with recording new material. Just recently, we sent out a couple of songs to the brilliant Dufflecoat Records. It will be part of a split 7" with an amazing band, The Proctors. A dream come true for us! Stay tuned for the release information.
In addition, all new orders from our shop will include an Apple Orchard badge. We have two lovely designs that you can pin on your favorite sweater or cardigan. In case you would like to purchase the badges solely, it will be $2.00 for both designs for US orders, $4.00 for International orders, prices include shipping. Just paypal it to dalemarq15@yahoo.com.
And lastly, we're proud to announce that "Midnight Stars And Kisses" will be featured in a cd compilation included in issue number six of This Almighty Pop fanzine coming out later this fall. As we like to say, pop on!
- Apr 23, 11Hello folks,We recently participated in a compilation series that aims to aid the Japan Disaster Relief Fund. Patetico Recordings have released the Rock Back For Japan compilation series on the 12th of April and it's six volumes in all.
It includes contributions from wonderful bands such as SPC ECO, Ceremony, Resplandor, Sway, Whirl, Plumerai, Stellarium, and a bunch more. We're on volume one, so if you're in the US, you can purchase the mp3 version from Amazon, click here. To those outside the US, you can purchase them from Reverb Nation, click here. The cd version will be available soon from Amazon. For more details, please visit the Patetico Recordings site.
In other news, all the compilations of the Popscene Manila group is now on Bandcamp and you can download all of them for free, like always. Just click here.Oh and happy egg-huntin'! - Jan 07, 11
Why hello 2011, and welcome to our new, freshly-designed website. We hope you missed up and so we love to recommend the third volume of the Television Personalities tribute series, All Those Times We Spent Together curated by the exquisite label, The Beautiful Music.
It's a terrific twenty three-tracker that includes our darling cover, "The Dream Inspires", which you can listen to here. The compilation also includes a bonus disc of, well, twenty three more songs highlighted by a live gem by the TVPs themselves recorded back in 1980! So do visit The Beautiful Music site and order yourself and your friends a copy.In addition, while on the Listen page of our site, please do sample our newest track, "Tomorrow Says Goodbye", a crushing patchwork demo of pop and noise. It's part of the online compilation entitled This Feels Like Summer, so if you like the track, you can download it and everything that comes with it for free here.So here's a fantastic 2011 to all of you, and enjoy snooping around! - Oct 16, 10
It has been very quiet the past three months or so over here at the Apple O HQ though we've been pretty busy with a lot of other things. We do have a short and sweet update for you kids.
The third installment of the Television Personalities tribute series entitled All Those Times We Spent Together can be pre-ordered from the lovely label,The Beautiful Music. According to the site, there are some slight delays with its release but we say it's a fab assemblage of TVP covers, which includes our contribution, "The Dream Inspires". Plus it got a mention on a review by Pennyblack Music!
In addition, particularly to completists out there, we recommend to track down a compilation CD entitled To Think Geometrically. It's a Cloudberry mixed bag of sorts exclusively issued in the Philippines by Manila's Universal Records.Released sometime early this year - around May perhaps, it's made especially for the popkids in the Philippines. Our track "That Happy Glow" is included along with tunes from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Bridal Shop, Twig, Horowitz, The Airfields, and ten other bands who have releases with Cloudberry Records.Lastly, just a reminder that our latest 7" single, A Month Of Spring is available from our shop. It's buzzing with beauty and wonder.
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B I O G R A P H Y
"Wide Awake” was the reason why Apple Orchard came into existence. Manila’s Definition Records included the track in the now much sought-after Filipino compilation, Mutual Admiration Society back in 2000. Fulfilled and pleased with the result, brothers Ryan and Dale Marquez then constantly conspired writing the starriest of starry-eyed pop tunes.The Marquez brothers have played together in Dorian Of Juniper Bells (which incidentally, was also included in the Mutual Admiration Society comp), aside from their other bands: Ryan with Sodajerk and Carnival Park and Dale for Sonnet LVIII and also, Soft Pillow Kisses. Apple Orchard on the other hand was a project which arose without fine warning, but with silent anticipation. The band’s name was taken from a song by Nottingham outfit Bouquet and the brothers considered The Sugargliders, The Field Mice, Brighter, Sweet William and Sarah Records as primary inspirations.In the early years of the band after “Wide Awake”, plenty songs were written on a 4-track with mostly schoolboy lyrics and near-whispered melodies. Most of these tunes appeared in various compilations, such as Stamp Collecting (For Beginners) from the Secret Crush imprint and Dashboard Teddy from Dorothy Records, as well as cassette EPs like Last Wednesday from Popgun, Paris Was A Daydream and Across Haymarket And The Triangle, both issued by Best Kept Secret. Another three of these early recordings were released by Humblebee in February 2006 as a 7” single, entitled A Hiding Smile. The following year, Cloudberry Records handed out the 3” cd-r single That Happy Glow, the title track featured Raoul Dela Cruz of Popgun Recordings on trumpet.In 2008, Apple Orchard’s debut full-length Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies was released through the band’s own label, Haymarket Recordings. With a more polished and dreamier sound, the album received quite a few good reviews. Following the full-length months later was a limited 3” cd-r Turning Point from Germany’s Edition 59 imprint. August 2009 saw the release of another limited cd-r EP entitled Leafy Lanes, which the band issued through Haymarket and in May 2010, the band released a 7” single called “A Month Of Spring”, also on their own Haymarket label. The single, one of the band’s noisiest tunes, is full of hazy harmonies and has garnered comparisons with early Ride songs such as "Like A Daydream" and "Drive Blind".
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D I S C O G R A P H Y
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL THE REVIEWS.
ALBUM
Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies (CD)
©2008 Haymarket Recordings1. Unfazed
2. Weather Patterns
3. Harsh
4. The Comforts Of Strangers
5. Rain As We Know It
6. Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies
7. A Fine Warning
8. I Can't Feel Sorry
9. Dreaming (As The Summer Fades)
10.The Saddest, Perfect Ending
11.Midnight Stars And Kisses
12.The Cloud Fleets
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7" SINGLES
A Month Of Spring (7")
©2010 Haymarket Recordingsa1. A Month Of Spring
b1. The Rainbow's End
b2. She Knows
A Hiding Smile (7")
©2006 Humblebee Recordingsa1. A Hiding Smile
a2. Bright City Lights
b1. Midnight Stars & Kisses
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CD/CASSETTE EPS
Leafy Lanes (CDR)
©2010 Haymarket Recordings1. Hit Or Miss
2. Fall Fast (Carnival Park cover)
3. That Sleepy Side Of Town
4. Near-Perfect
5. Because The Waters Are Calm
Turning Point (3" CDR)
©2008 Edition 591. Turning Point
2. Careful, Careless
3. 2-Star Motel (The Steinbecks cover)
That Happy Glow (3" CDR)
©2007 Cloudberry1. That Happy Glow
2. The Way You Brush Your Hair Away From Your Face
3. Forgetfulness
Across Haymarket and the Triangle (Cassette)
©2006 Best Kept Secret1. One Of A Kind
2. Near-Perfect
3. Across Haymarket And The Triangle
4. Closer
5. Postcards
6. Vapour Trail (Ride cover)
Paris Was A Daydream (Cassette)
©2003 Best Kept Secret1. (When Everything Is) Safer
2. Don't Pretend
3. Midnight Stars & Kisses
4. A Glance At Sunday
5. It Took You By Surprise
6. Scenes From The Sky
7. Autumn Kiss
Last Wednesday (Cassette)
©2003 Popgun Recordings1. Don't Pretend
2. Summer's Near
3. Loveletters In June
4. Last Wednesday
5. Slow Learner
6. You Make My Head Explode (The Groovy Little Numbers Cover)
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COMPILATIONS
All Those Times We Spent Together:
A Tribute To The Television Personalities Volume 3 (CD)
©2010 The Beautiful Music1. The Dream Inspires
We Are Triangle Vol.1 (CDR)
©2010 We Are Triangle1. Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies
This Feels Like Summer
2010 Something For The Longing
MP3 Compilation Series 71. Tomorrow Says Goodbye [Demo]
To Think Geometrically (CD)
©2010 Universal1. That Happy Glow
Holly, Ivy And Mistletunes
2009 Something For The Longing
MP3 Compilation Series 51. One Christmas Catalogue (Captain Sensible cover)
Music To Hold Hands To
2009 Something For The Longing
An online tribute compilation to The Lucksmiths, courtesy of the Filipino Indiepop Scene collective1. The Great Dividing Range (The Lucksmiths cover)
Under The Covers
2009 Something For The Longing
MP3 Compilation Series 31. Appetite (Prefab Sprout cover)
Summer Escape
2008 Something For The Longing
MP3 Compilation Series 11. Last Summer's Love Affair
Endless Summer (CDR)
2008 Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
A Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams Fanzine Compilation Issue #31. Missed Opportunities
C06 Compilation
2006 Indie-MP31. A Hiding Smile
Stamp Collecting (For Beginners) (CD)
©2003 Secret Crush1. Summer's Near
We Are Not Alone Vol. 6 (Cassette)
© 2003 Best Kept Secret1. Wide Awake
Dashboard Teddy v.1 (CDr)
©2003 Dorothy1. Wadaiko (Wadaiko cover)
Mutual Admiration Society (CD)
©2000 Definition1. Wide Awake
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S H O P
A Month Of Spring 7" vinyl - $4.00
©2010 Haymarket Recordings
Release Date: May 15, 2010a1. A Month Of Spring
b1. The Rainbow's End
b2. She Knows+shipping:
$2.50 US & Canada
$5.00 rest of the world
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Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies CD - $6.00
©2008 Haymarket Recordings1. Unfazed
2. Weather Patterns
3. Harsh
4. The Comforts Of Strangers
5. Rain As We Know It
6. Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies
7. A Fine Warning
8. I Can't Feel Sorry
9. Dreaming (As The Summer Fades)
10.The Saddest, Perfect Ending
11.Midnight Stars And Kisses
12.The Cloud Fleets+shipping:
$2.00 US & Canada
$4.00 rest of the world
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US orders: Two badges for $2.00
International orders: Two badges for $4.00
Prices include shipping.
Paypal: dalemarq15@yahoo.com
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Tracks
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Albums
- 1 tracks (03:29)Apple Orchard's latest 7" single is now available from their website.
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- 5 tracks (15:08)Apple Orchard have assembled five of the most notable tunes they've penned in recent months and called it Leafy Lanes. The CDr-EP is their first release after the starry-eyed haze of the Edition 59 Turning Point 3" and the hushed whirlpool that was Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies, both issued last year. Misty at certain points, a little silvery at times, Leafy Lanes includes a pensive Carnival Park cover, as well. A few copies of the actual cd are still available from our favorite online shops: Fraction Discs (Sweden), Apple Crumble (Japan), Vollwert (Germany) and Pebble Records (U.K.).
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- 12 tracks (43:25)Two years in the making, Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies is Apple Orchard's debut cd. Devised, conceptualized, manipulated, soaked in reverb and realized by brothers Ryan and Dale Marquez, the album, released on the band's own label, Haymarket Recordings, is an assemblage of twelve of the most pensive, melancholic pop tunes the duo has ever written and recorded. Compared to the minimalist lo-fi bedroom pop of the band's early releases, the duo has expanded their sound in Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies as the songs are drenched with layers upon layers of dreamy keyboards and luminous guitars. With song titles like "Weather Patterns" and "Midnight Stars And Kisses", it's an imperfect soundtrack for the lovelorn, the heartsick and the aimless wanderers.
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- 10 tracks (33:07)A bunch of tracks - new and old, originals and covers - for free!
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Posts
- Dec 24, 11
Out today, download away! And happy holidays!
Everything Is Fine | SEA INDIE
www.seaindie.com
The fifth installment of our compilation series entitled ‘Everything Is Fine’ was a result of a collaborative effort between SEA Indie (Southeast Asia Indie) and Popscene Manila! The compilation features pure discoveries of 23 tracks from 23 Filipino indiepop outfits. - Dec 23, 11
An all-Filipino compilation entitled Everything Is Fine comes out this 24th of December, courtesy of SEA Indie and Popscene Manila!
Everything Is Fine | SEA INDIE
www.seaindie.com
Here comes a compilation cover for our forthcoming compilation ‘Everything Is Fine’. We’d like to say a big thank you to Mr. Pongton Yimyam, a senior graphic designer at Computer Arts Thailand Magazine, who made this very nice cover art (yes for free). - Dec 21, 11
And history comes and goes... Happy holidays!
"One Christmas Catalogue" by Apple Orchard
popscenemanila.bandcamp.com
from the album Holly, Ivy And Mistletunes - Dec 18, 11
Let's help.
Philippine Red Cross | Donate Now
www.redcross.org.ph
As Tropical Storm "Sendong" ravaged Mindanao with devastating rains and triggered flash floods, 133 people have been confirmed dead and more than 200 are missing. The hardest struck cities with the highest recorded fatalities are Iligan City, Cagayan De Oro City, Compostela V... - Nov 30, 11
Guitar string got stuck on this one! Good night!/Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-79DbOoAYk
NYC Popfest 2010 - Apple Orchard - That Sleepy Side of Town
www.youtube.com
NYC Popfest day 4 at Littlefield. - Nov 30, 11
Found these videos from the NY Popfest gig last year...better sounding than the ones previously posted. Thanks to Eric who originally posted these on youtube. Another video to follow..here's The Rainbow's End..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnCj-0ZwpbU
NYC Popfest 2010 - Apple Orchard - The Rainbow's End
www.youtube.com
NYC Popfest day 4 at Littlefield. - Nov 27, 11
Apple Orchard Banana Cat Dance 8663!
How I Met Your Mother: AOBCD8663
www.youtube.com
Apple Orchard Banana Cat Dance 8663 AOBCD8663 - Oct 19, 11
Free EP from Dale's side project.
Imaginary Lines, by Some Gorgeous Accident [PH]
somegorgeousaccident.bandcamp.com
6 track album - Oct 15, 11
We're thinking of Dan.
Television Personalities' Dan Treacy 'critically ill' and in hospital
www.nme.com
Cult frontman currently in intensive care and being treated in London. - Sep 29, 11
This Almighty Pop issue number 6 is now available! One of our tracks is featured in the accompanying compilation. More details here: http://www.thisalmightypop.com/
- Sep 12, 11
September 2011 news.
September 2011 News
appleorchardpop.posterous.com
Hello all! It has been a while since we've updated this. Summer is over and we've kept ourselves busy with recording new material. Just recently, we sent out a couple of songs to the brilliant Dufflecoat Records. It will be part of a split 7" with an amazing band, The Proctors... - Jul 03, 11
Working on a couple of new tunes for a future release via Dufflecoat Records...
Dufflecoat Records
www.dufflecoatrecords.co.uk - Jun 09, 11
Dale's other project just released this free online single called Luminescence. Come and have a listen!
"Luminescence" by Some Gorgeous Accident
somegorgeousaccident.bandcamp.com
How far is the city from here? I can imagine the smoke rising from the sidewalks and the buildings standing still, its windows creating abstract drawings of white light. This small town has always been a sleepy one. - May 29, 11
The Slumberland Showcase last night was incredible! Finally got to see 14 Iced Bears, woot!
- May 15, 11
Four years ago today, one of our heroes, Keith Girdler passed away. In memory of Keith (1961-2007).
"Boys Don't Matter" by Blueboy
www.youtube.com
Once upon a time in about 1983, Keith met Paul at someone's party and started chatting about records. They discovered that they liked the same kinds of music and decided to form a band. Some years later, Feverfew are formed. They play small gigs and enjoy local success in their home town of Reading.... - May 09, 11
We've been recording new material in the past couple of weeks. Sounds exciting since it's been a while.
- Apr 27, 11
The cd version is now available!
日本に戻ってロック
www.reverbnation.com - Apr 26, 11
Found this in the archives, lots of awkward silences for you all to enjoy.
Phoning It In 09 14 09
www.phoningitin.net - Apr 23, 11
Here's a bunch of compilations which we participated in and worked on for the past three years, with a little help from a few of our friends. Everything is free by the way, so enjoy. And happy egg-huntin'!
Popscene Manila
popscenemanila.bandcamp.com - Apr 12, 11
Patetico Recordings have just released the Rock Back For Japan comp series which aims to help in the relief for the many victims of the recent tragedy in Japan. We have contributed a track on the first volume, a total of six compilations in all. The CD versions will be available soon, also through Amazon.
Amazon.com: Rock Back For Japan Vol. 1: MP3 Downloads
www.amazon.com
Patetico Recordings have released the Rock Back For Japan Disaster Relief Fund compilation series this week. It is available right now for digital download. In a couple of weeks, the hard copy CDs will be available also through Amazon. - Mar 28, 11
- Mar 04, 11
Blurt mentions our last 7" single!
THE SINGLES SCENE on Blurt Online
blurt-online.com - Jan 14, 11
We're very saddened by the news of the passing of Broadcast's Trish Keenan. Rest in peace, Trish.
"Before We Begin" by Broadcast
gdata.youtube.com
It is with great sadness we announce that Trish Keenan from Broadcast passed away at 9 am this morning in hospital. She died from complications with pneumonia after battling the illness for two weeks in intensive care. - WARP statement
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Tweets
- new year's treat for you all: V.A. Everything Is Fine (Filipino Indiepop Scene) | SEA INDIE (Southeast Asia Indie) http://t.co/WjsmGMwa
- another one called, "That Sleepy Side Of Town" (a guitar string got stuck on this one!): http://t.co/UfK7TyfgNov 30, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- here's a video of us performing "The Rainbow's End" last year at the NY Popfest http://t.co/HbstU44YNov 30, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Old Apple O song, "Midnight Stars & Kisses" appears on a CD-comp w/ new issue of this almighty pop fanzine in the UK! http://t.co/G5MVoyYSep 10, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- coming soon... http://t.co/uwMyv8zSep 09, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- for those who haven't heard it yet, download our song, "tomorrow says goodbye" here: http://t.co/A7bvFTp PLAY LOUD!Aug 23, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- unreleased apple orchard songs here: http://t.co/RdqU4e6Aug 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @JeiSilverio thanks for following us!Aug 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- 2 new songs are almost done!Jul 15, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- In San Francisco early this morning #retrocamera for iPhone http://spo.gs/JGKf
- The two new songs are almost done. Just a few more tweaking before the final mixes.
- finally done with the drum tracks of track 2 for the upcoming split ep w/ the proctors on dufflecoat records. when would it be finished?Jun 14, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- sunday morning listening: the jazz butcher - fishcothequeJun 12, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- listening to tears run rings' "distance. sooooo good. thanks to laura and ed shelflife for the CD!May 30, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Is at Rickshaw Stop for the Slumberland Records night..Can't wait for Phil Wilson and 14 Iced Bears!!!!
- couldn't seem to find a way to start that next song...lazy, lazy.May 28, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque!Apr 30, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- has began recording new material. sounds exciting since it's been a while.Mar 24, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- is listening to BMX Bandits' "Star Wars". Haven't listened to this in years! Never sounded better --- rMar 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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P H O T O S
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REVIEWS
Back to Discography.
A Hiding Smile 7"
Goodness gracious me. For a moment it was as if the last fifteen years hadn't happened, perhaps in some regards no bad thing. Home recorded on a 4-track and released on vinyl, I so wanted this to be good - and guess what? It's really, really lovely. Wiser owls than me offer comparisons with Felt and the Sarah label and I'd suggest the Pastels when they were good. Whatever, I'm just happy giving it another spin and being transported to seemingly simpler and more innocent summers.
- Laurence, Robots And Electronic Brains
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Did you know that there's a fledgling indie-pop scene in the Philippines? Brothers Ryan and Dale Marquez, originally from Manila but now based out of California, offer up a quintessential dose of mid-fi pop on their first 7”, following some comp appearances and cassettes. From the beautifully hazy cover image, to the effortlessly breezy songs within, this single would have fit perfectly on Sarah Records. Title track "A Hiding Smile" is prime jangle; the acoustic guitar on "Bright City Lights" can only be called pretty; and "Midnight Stars And Kisses", with its lazy bass groove, recalls The Lucksmiths on Naturaliste. A perfect single!
- Nadav Carmel, Erasing Clouds
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Semi-lo-fi bedroom pop from the Philippines. This is lovely, innocent, breezy jangly music, which carries the listener to a childhood summer, eating a popsicle in the sun. C86-esque, calling to mind not only the bands from that compilation, but also bands such as Felt and pretty much any of the Sarah Records catalogue.
- Dave, Sleepy Records
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Jag älskar skev pop, när man liksom är rädd för att någonting kommer gå sönder i musiken. Som om musikerna inte ska klara av att fullfölja hela låten utan att allt bara kommer att brista. En nervös nerv som på nåt sätt smittar av sig på lyssnaren.
Det kanske låter jobbigt, och om själva musiken egentligen skulle vara så bra så är det säkert jobbigt också. Men inte den här gången, inte när det gäller Apple Orchard!
Ryan och Dale Marquez som utgör apple orchard gör finstämnd och ljuvlig pop i samma anda som brighter och the field mice och med precis den skevhet som jag beskrev ovan.
I midnight stars and kisses är det som om desperationen når helt nya dimensioner och får inte bara rösten att darra utan gör så att själva sångmicken distar sig. Själv sitter jagpå sängen och bara ryser. Det är så jävla vackert! Det enda problemet med den här sjuan är att den är alldeles för kort (tre låtar).
Men just det kan jag se det positivt istället, jag ser fram emot att få höra mycket mer av apple orchard i framtiden.
- Tattoos For The Unloved ( Google Translate this )
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Sensitive young people make wistful 4 track pop recordings (that's 4 track cassette: none of yer digital here) with a jangle, a twangle and titles like "Midnight Stars And Kisses". Influences cited include Sweet William, The Field Mice, Trashcan Sinatras... Now I haven't seen their name mentioned in dispatches since - uh - before Kitchener grew a moustache! If you long for those days of heady innocence and, well, in two words, Sarah Records, this should be on your 'must have' list.
- JC, Boa Melody Bar
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Mystery band on Humblebee Records, could be Swedish, they sound a little Swedish. But could be British, reminds me a little of Felt; deeper, lusher but Felt nonetheless. The band is Apple Orchard, the release is a 7" from Humblebee Records. Here's the leadoff, title track. You'll be able to buy it here as soon as it's back from the plant. Wow!
- Songs: Illinois
Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies CD
I've been a fan of the Marquez brothers' work for a few years now (in Apple Orchard, Sodajerk, Carnival Park and other fine Filipino pop bands), and this new full length album from them is their most ambitious release yet! They still play bedroom pop, but thanks to improved technology and computer programs, the recording quality here is way better than anything else they've done in the past, with real synths and programming replacing the old casiotone and cassette 4-track. Additionally, it seems as if they paid a bit more attention to detail, as this record lacks any hint of amateurism found on any of their early works (where missed notes or out of tune guitars/vocals were usually left intact). The band's style hasn't changed all that much, so those two points elevate their sound from wistful bedroom pop to something far more elegant and refined, coming even closer to the works of Trembling Blue Stars, Brighter and Sweet William, rather than simply sounding somewhat reminiscent of them. The result is a collection of twelve gentle and somber songs that actually sound as good as they really are...
- Chris McFarlane, Indiepages
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Apple Orchard is the Marquez brothers, Ryan and Dale. They hail from the San Francisco area and were (and still might be) fixture on the indiepop list and have been on some others bands as well (Sodajerk, Carnival Park, etc.). It's obvious from listening to Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies that both Field Mice and Trembling Blue Stars are big influences (Brighter, too). Aside from a 7" a year or so ago, I had not heard their stuff but this is really impressive. The first tune, "Unfazed" sounds a lot like something off of Trembling Blue Stars' debut, Her Handwriting but from there, the band seems to find its own voice bit on tunes like the icy "Harsh", the gentle "The Comforts Of Strangers" and the melodic title track (not that I mind when they sound like TBS). This is a perfect record to put on when you're lazing around on a Sunday afternoon. Having this and a nice, comfortable couch is really all you need for the total relaxation.
- Tim Hinely, Dagger
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Wow what a magnificent album of hushed epic proportions. I have waited for this album for quite some time and am quite ecstatic to finally be enveloped by it's beautiful dreamy pop melodies, awash with familiar sounds, and a perfect soundtrack for the aimless wanderer.
A few hints at it's brilliance were found in their Humblebee 7" and their Cloudberry 3" CD, the C06 contribution, and their Best Kept Secret releases (keep in mind that Ryan and Dale Marquez are also involved with quite a number of other bands - all very impressive in their own right and cover a variety of styles from Shoegaze, Indiepop, 60's influenced Doo-wop, etc.) but this is a more complete painting and really allows the listener to get lost in the layers, the grooves and the reverb and settle into a wonderful daydream as the sun setting creates the most beautiful sunset as the backdrop. To paraphrase a favourite song of mine - this is music to sit on a park bench in the autumn holding the hand of the one you love, taking in the vibrant colours, and pondering if it can get any better than this (of course you are also listening to Apple Orchard on a shared portable music player). This has the look, the feel and the sound of a record that will remain in your heart and linger through the years with a timeless appeal.
They wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves, but these sleeves are on a fabulous shirt that you will want to wear every day. Inspired by The Trembling Blue Stars, The Sugargliders, Brighter and the Sarah Records compilations - well you couldn't ask for any better influences as any indiepop fan would be only too happy to tell you. You could probably add The Orchids, the quieter moments of One Thousand Violins, Sweet Trip and some Slowdive thrown in the mix and you have a mighty fine recipe for a wonderfully relaxing, blissed out haze, without any additives. If you are finding it a bit too laid back, chances are you are listening to it at an inappropriate time and you are not in the right frame of mind - this is not a nightclub record unless a slow dance in the arms of your loved one is your idea of a good time and better suits a fine drink by the fire on a cold evening or relaxing in the twilight as you drift away into a sweet sleep.
Just don't stay asleep too long, but keep an eye on the cool new record label that Ryan and Dale have started, Haymarket Recordings as there are lot more exciting recordings planned which you will not want to miss. They will also have a quest appearance on tribute compilation coming out soon, but more about that later, as I don't want to give it all away. Very well done!
- Wally Salem, The Beautiful Music
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Summer Memories...
Is what sparked Apple Orchard, if I've understood it correctly. Probably the only band ever to name themselves after a Bouquet song. They've never sounded very summery though, despite living in sunny California. And if so it's bound to be a summer shut in a small bedsit, which is where Ryan and Dale recorded their music. The lo-fi character has always shaped their sound.
But now, when I put on their first longplayer Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies (that should have come out over a year ago if you ask me) it's hardly the same band, or rather it is a band for the first time. Apple Orchard have never been brilliant musicians or recording artists, but it was the little peculiarities that made me love them. There's nothing askew about this album though, and don't get me wrong, this is of course a good thing. And the fact that when Ryan starts singing on opening track "Unfazed" I thought it sounded exactly like Trembling Blue Stars will probably make them proud. Apple Orchard aren't trying to be original, of course they want to sound like their favourite bands - we all do - but this is about Ryan's songs - and not everyone writes them quite like he does.
They've really developed the soundscapes. Just waiting around, trying to get the album released, probably left them plenty of time to work on the finish, the mixing and the mastering. It definitely sounds like a record that's been fussed over at least. Some of these songs have appeared elsewhere before, in other guises. I gave up trying to track down all the songs that have, because of the wealth of Apple Orchard material, but at least I think I've heard "Unfazed", "I Can't Feel Sorry" and "The Saddest, Perfect Ending" before. And of course "Midnight Stars and Kisses" is a re-recording of the b-side from their first single - the brilliant (and still available) "A Hiding Smile".
The new sound is also an effect of more prominent keyboards on most songs, which give the whole record a languid, warm feel not dissimilar to that on California Snow Story's record from last year. And the odd guitar jangle here and there is always appreciated, especially now that you can actually hear that Ryan owns a Rickenbacker! These new horizons of course leave me wanting to hear more of those old songs in high fidelity... But the fact that the album is made up mostly of new songs is a sign of integrity more than anything. Apple Orchard had some great upbeat tunes, like my old favourites "Don't Pretend" and "Bed & Breakfast"! Here, mid-tempo is the most we're treated to and my favourite on the record is "Dreaming (As the Summer Fades)".
- Krister Bladh, Heaven Is Above Your Head
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Like the Wake and the Field Mice, it's hazy music that comforts on overcast days. Title subtly spot-on, as a matter of fact. I'll probably have more to say in a bit, but I only got this yesterday.
- Alexander Bailey, Radio Khartoum via the indiepop-list
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Apple Orchard released Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies on cd earlier this year. It's their first full-length, following an impeccable series of 7", cassette and compilation releases on Popgun, Humblebee, Cloudberry and Best Kept Secret among others. It's a very beautiful and gentle record, it's impossible to listen without falling into a dream state, with a faraway look in your eyes, you'll drift somewhere peaceful inside and you won't want to come back. I wonder if this record could help babies fall asleep? Stated influences The Field Mice and Brighter are recognisable particularly in Ryan Marquez's vocal delivery.
- Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
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Despite the layered instrumentation and the impressively tight playing, the songs in Apple Orchard's first record remain spacious, blithe, and consistent in its painfully slow cadence. If FHM didn't know better, we'd think the California-based Filipino duo were deprived of happiness and sunshine - yes, it's that sad a record. It may as well be the sonic equivalent of break-up hugs. It's solid. (4 stars)
- FHM Philippines
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Verweise auf die band Apple Orchard gab es im klienicum bereits. U.A. als wir Humblebee Recordings vorstellten, bei denen die jungs aus Richmond eine single veröffentlicht hatten. Außerdem brachten sie eine 3er auf Cloudberry heraus, so dass sie immer wieder ins blickfeld rücken mussten. Für eine größere bestandsaufnahme hat das alles noch nicht gereicht. Nun kommen sie aber erwachsen daher. Denn mit 'Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies' erscheint ihr erstes full length auf Haymarket Recordings. Zu kaufen bekommt man das album übrigens ganz einfach bei Vollwert Records.
Träumerische musik erwartet den Apple Orchard kunden. Melancholie, auf silbernen tabletts dargeboten, die sich, will man sie sich greifen und anteil haben, sodann in luft auflöst und einen als trugbild schwindend verwirrt zurücklässt. Doch immer wieder locken verzückende, helle klare töne und machen neugierig. Eine blinkende fata morgana. Die brüder ryan und Dale Marquez haben gut zwei jahre an ihrem debut gebastelt und fertigten zwölf songs, die in ihrer lieblichkeit zeitlos sind. Getragen werden sie von schwelgerischen keyboard sounds, depressiv angeschlagenen gitarren und dem zurückgenommenen gesangsbild.
Der sound kommt nicht von ungefähr. Ryan begann zunächst solo zu musizieren, vor allem inspiriert durch Sarah Records compilation. später ging ihm sein bruder zur hand, der bereits in diversen indiekapellen talent und durchhaltevermögen erprobte. Letzteres werden beide brauchen."
- Das Klienicum ( Google Translate this )
Last Wednesday
Part of the recent Filipino pop explosion of the past couple years, comes the debut release from this bedroom pop band (after a handful of comp appearances). Sounding like a mix of Aerospace and Sweet William, Apple Orchard consists of Ryan and Dale Marquez on guitar, bass and drum machine (as well as the occasional Casio), and this tape has six perfect little summery pop songs, including a cover of the Groovy Little Numbers' "You Make My Head Explode"! Let's hope for more soon!
- Chris McFarlane, Indiepages
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These suave sounds will make you think of gentle warm breezes and perfect weekends. Ryan and Dale bring us six wonderful tracks of pacific rim pop!
- Tonevendor
Leafy Lanes
Well, I've known Dale and Ryan for quite some time. I first discovered this duo on Humblebee Recordings one fateful day in 2006. When I first heard "A Hiding Smile", I was pretty much in love with their music. I never did get my hands on their first tape, but the mp3s were great. With each new release by Apple Orchard it seems that their sound is changing into something even greater. Their beginning efforts were in the likes of St. Christopher, Sweet William, and The Field Mice to name a few. They had their drum machine beats, and jangly guitars. Then, when I listened to "Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies", I noticed there was a change. Apple Orchard moved away from their early beginnings of jangly guitars and hiss tape sound. They did some experimenting with sounds of The Radio Dept., and early shoegaze bands. It's weird, because this particular album of theirs really grew on me. As for their brand new Leafy Lanes EP, I think it is amazing. They became even louder, and I was hinting Teenage Fanclub, My Bloody Valentine, and early shoegaze. The opening track "Hit Or Miss" shows Apple Orchard's shoegaze roots. The guitars have become a bit louder, and one could compare it to The Jesus And Mary Chain. The second song "Fall Fast" is a really great track. The opening drum machine, and My Bloody Valentine-esque guitars and sound. It sent chills down my spine, and much like any other band that I enjoy, this duo had me craving more. The other tracks are a mix of their earlier jangle pop. Think of St. Christopher, Trembling Blue Stars, and The Field Mice. The fourth track "Near-Perfect", is a more jangly one, and it is a memory of their C-86 days. This track proves to show they haven't entirely strayed away from their jangly sound. This is a great EP, and I suggest to anyone purchase this EP before it is gone. It is a limited release, and it is to show what is yet to come from this great duo.
- Andrew Likes Pop
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Hach, dass es so etwas heutzutage noch gibt - Apple Orchard, eine Band, der man ohne Weiteres abnehmen würde, dass sie ihre Platten auf dem Sarah Records-Label veröffentlicht haben – oder die verschollenen Zwillingsbrüder der Lucksmiths sind. Aber nein, das kalifornische Duo ist brandaktuell und hat gerade seine neue «The Leafy Lanes»-EP herausgebracht, auf der sie wieder den Twee- und Indiepop frönen, dass es eine Freude ist. Fein, gerade in diesen grauen herbstlichen Finsterzeiten.
<br>Translation: What a surprise to listen to something like this nowadays! Apple Orchard is a band that allows you to think that they released their records on the legendary Label Sarah Records. They could also be the lost twin brothers of the Lucksmiths. But no! The Californian Duo is totally up to date and recently released their new EP "The Leafy Lanes" on which you can find joyful Twee- and Indie-Pop again. Very fine, especially in these gray autumn days of gloom.
- Coast Is Clear
Thanks to Daniel Leckert for the translation.
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Apple Orchard are a Filipino indie pop band from San Francisco consisting of brothers Dale & Ryan Marquez. They have been releasing music since 2003 from early releases on cassette labels to their self released debut album last year.
On the Leafy Lanes EP, it’s clear that the band's sound is drenched in the history of Sarah Records, Creation and Matinee Recordings. Opener "Hit Or Miss" could be The Field Mice whilst the EP’s best track "That Sleepy Side Of Town" reverberates to the sound of The Loft and Pete Astor. That’s not to say the band don’t have any ideas of their own and on "Near Perfect" and "Because The Waters Are Calm", they mix a luscious keyboard sound with jangling guitars to good effect thus progressing further than their initial influences rather than being constrained by them. A lovely little EP.
The Leafy Lanes EP is out now on the bands own Haymarket Records imprint. Order from here. It’s limited to a 100 copies.
-Tom Bartlett, Indie-MP3 Records
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Apple Orchard's new, self-released Leafy Lanes EP showed up on my doorstep about two weeks ago – just in time for fall. Despite the EP title's obvious seasonal suggestions, the music within more than drives home the EP's languid, seasonally-thematic overtones. Then, Apple Orchard's brand of indiepop has always been pretty appropriate for the year's colder days – you know, those days when a hot drink just won't do the trick, and what you really long for is the reliable comfort of a dreamy keyboard melody. Ryan and Dale have got them in spades, but on Leafy Lanes we also see the odd jangling lead ("That Sleepy Side Of Town") or slow-burning solo (their cover of Carnival Park's "Fall Fast"). I don't think I've listened to this EP even once past noon and I think that's just fine, and I think the boys of Apple Orchard could only agree. So, if you need a warm wake up call on these increasingly chilly autumn days, I'd recommend picking yourself up a copy of Leafy Lanes.
- Matt, Skatterbrain!
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Yeah, indiepop, right - it's all fey pricks with Sarah Records badges and Hello Kitty slides, innit? Yeah. Twee fuckers. Nonsense, says I! It's a massive, fat fact that not many of the current crop of indiepop darlings sound anything like the stuff that Sarah Records used to put out (I'm ready to be shot down on this one, of course). But Apple Orchard do, and they do it ever so nicely.
On "Hit Or Miss" they sound like Brighter, and there's no-one around at the moment who can sound like Brighter quite as nicely. On "Fall Fast", they sound like Trembling Blue Stars, with added synth. Tick those boxes.
But don't worry - Apple Orchard aren't some kind of tribute act. "That Sleepy Side Of Town" is upbeat, perky, and almost groovy. And sort of indiepopdance song that you could only just shimmy along to, of course, but it top-tapping all the same.
We revert to type with "Near Perfect", but that's okay, because in the absence of Harper Lee, I need some lush introspection every now and again.
That Apple Orchard carry on letting go of these little pop gems after the best part of a decade is a wonderful thing, and if you'd like to share this particular one, you best hurry up, because there are only 100 of them to order.
- Sam, A Layer Of Chips
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Leafing Through Memories...
These days you have to learn to appreciate a lovingly packaged cdr. Such as the new ep from Apple Orchard! The sparkle of the clear plastic sleeve immediately promised musical delights and as I turned it upside-down a lightscribed disc fell out. I immediately placed it on the cd tray and pressed close then play. Leafy Lanes contains four new songs and the much older "Near-Perfect". All of them quite similar to the sound on last year's Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies: polished, with well-programmed drums, woozy keyboards, languid vocals and the occasional burst of guitars. It's the little things that make this ep so great. There's a cover of Carnival Park's (one of the best Filipino bands!) "Fall Fast" which I am sure I've heard before but at the moment I can't remember what compilation it is on. My favourite track is the upbeat jangler "That Sleepy Side of Town", but I'm not going to share that since you can already stream it from you-know-where.
Instead, here is another cover. As we all know The Lucksmiths have now split up (they just did their last gig, down in Melbourne), and of course I had the honour of supporting them on their last two European shows, which now seems slightly unreal, but anyway, this is also a tribute to them. Apple Orchard have recorded a fantastic cover of one of the Luckies' best tunes "The Great Dividing Range", and I would also like to recommend the compilation it is from. Music to Hold Hands to is a Filipino tribute cd to the band that you can (and should) download for free here. Apple Orchard is a band that have shared plenty of music online anyway, and you can still find some treats on their site. I'm going to check out that Galaxie 500 cover myself!
- Krister Bladh, Heaven Is Above Your Head
Paris Was A Daydream
And just in case you were wondering about Ryan Marquez's other band, Apple Orchard. Essentially a stripped down affair, Apple Orchard are duo Ryan and Dale and this slender release features seven home recordings of succulent bitter sweet acoustic pop that to these ears sounds not unlike a chirpier version of the Red House Painters. Obviously the work of people whose youthful nights were spent falling in love and cataloguing various Sarah label related records while scanning the airwaves hoping to hear the latest C-86 hopefuls being played by John Peel. Compared to Sodajerk, Apple Orchard are a more intimate affair, slow unfurling dozing pop motifs with the merest of melancholic sheens from the opening "(When Everything Is) Safer", the duo slyly hold your emotions to ransom. On the casio tutored "Midnight Stars And Kisses", the racing heartbeat of the Lightning Seeds' "Pure" is slowed to the merest of murmurs but for us it's the trio of hand holding twee induced tracks awaiting on Side B that are the most likely to have you suffering from swooning episodes especially the playfully tranquil "Scenes From The Sky". A brief but beautiful release.
- Losing Today
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Now that the Shmat has gotten his cassette player mojo back, courtesy of a electronics garage sale extravanganza, it's time for him to return once again to the land of li'l tapes. Here's a goodie from Best Kept Secret. Brothers Ryan and Dale Marquez play mellow, Sarah Records-esque pop in their little bedroom project entitled Apple Orchard. The Shmat was extremely gladdened to hear dreamy sweet sounds from "(When Everything Is) Safer" and "Don't Pretend", the former which sounds a bit like Trembling Blue Stars and the latter like Spent mixed with Yum Yum. Occasional casio keyboard lines spice up the mix on this 7-song tape, Paris Was A Daydream. The Shmat's favorite track of the tape was the delicate and engaging "Scenes From The Sky" which skips along pensively until ramping up a bit near the end. The grand tradition of slowcore bedroom pop remains alive and well with this duo from the Philippines.
- Shmat
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Apple orchard è il bedroom pop solo-project dei fratelli Marquez, una collezione di brani intimi per quattro piste, erratici e demotivati quanto basta per colpire al cuore adepti, inseguitori romantici d'ogni età, e fatalmente, sedurre. Preferibilmente, chi vive del suono, nel suono, Sarah Records.
Canzoncine deliziose, sogni armonici ad occhi aperti. Flebili, barbituriche e insinuanti intuizioni melodiche ('Don't Pretend', 'Midnight Stars And Kisses', 'A Glance At Sunday', 'It Took You By Surprise', 'Autumn Kiss'); basilarmente allestite con casiotone, chitarre, e voci sottotono. Atmosfere bizzarre, lanciate nel vuoto e scomparse, impigliate, compromesse nel ricordo (o era un abbaglio?).
Il legame tra i brani è forte, a ordire un quasi inconsapevole, passeggero concept. Rannicchiato in sè, indissolubile, troppo pigro o troppo timido per rivolgersi all'amante, tantomeno dedicarvisi con qualsivoglia fermezza.
- Fabio, Indiepop.it ( Google Translate this )
Turning Point
Now if you think I am getting a bit carried away, I just dare you to give the Apple Orchard - Turning Point (012) release a spin and if these three wonderful tracks don’t get you - check for a pulse. "Turning Point" is a dreamy classic with just the right sounds drifting in and out at just the right places - sleep doesn’t get much better than this in a month of Sundays - there is no ‘turning point’, no way back even if this breaks your heart. Now if that song wasn’t enough "Careful, Careless" continues this fine euphoric feeling. To top it off the final track is a wonderful cover of the Steinbecks classic "2-Star Motel" which interestingly was also covered by Buddha on The Moon on their twin split 7 ” on Drive-In Records many years back.
- Wally Salem, The Beautiful Music
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The Camera In The Sky
A reference to the cover of Apple Orchard's first 7" - here's one way of looking at their new ep, Turning Point. It just just came out on Edition 59 which is an off-shoot of Vollwert Records in Germany, specialising in very limited editions of 3" CDrs. Perhaps you'd say 8€ is too much to pay for three songs? Well, there are only 59 copies of each release! At least two of the twelve releases are worth getting I would say, and one of them is Apple Orchard's follow-up to the brilliant debut album Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies. The first two songs are as beautiful as anything on that, emphasising the keyboards and percussion. My favourite is "Careful, Careless" which is one of their strongest songs so far, with a gorgeous melody and a bit of 12-string action. The last of the three tracks is a cover of The Sugargliders' "2-Star Motel", which you hear there - I won't upload anything as I did that when I wrote about the album earlier this year."
- Krister Bladh, Heaven Is Above Your Head
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