Hot Face Drop Video For “dura dura”

Speedy Wunderground, the revered London-based indie label headed up by producer Dan Carey alongside Alexis Smith and Pierre Hall, reaches 10 years old in 2023. The fast-moving, ever-evolving creative force that is Speedy has seen numerous professional accolades and personal triumphs over that time, always acting on intuition and their own terms.

Fresh from announcing a series of events and releases in celebration of their anniversary year (including a 10-disc ‘dubs’ box set, huge Village Underground party in September), the release of the critically acclaimed debut-EP from South-London auteur Heartworms and a triumphant first trip to SXSW – the label now pulls focus back to what it originally became famous for – it’s iconic single series.

Next in line to join the prestigious SW alumni are London’s mysteriously enigmatic Hot Face (Sam Catchpole – Drums / George Cannell – Bass / James Bates – Guitar and Vox) – with their debut offering ‘dura dura’. A jagged, buzzsaw of a tune that recalls early King Gizzard, Vanishing Point-era Primal Scream and 60s psychedelic British pop. The band leave the beauty firmly in the ear of the beholder, proclaiming ‘you’ll either love it or run from it’.

Having seen the band for the first time at the ever-influential Brixton Windmill open up for Carey’s new outfit Miss Tiny – the label fell in love immediately, inviting them to play at Speedy’s annual Xmas Party a few months later. ‘The songs were amazing’ recalls label co-runner Hall, ‘but it was the speed and the ferociousness of which they attacked them. I was really impressed. It’s like that perfect combination of melody and intent. I loved it.’

When asked to describe themselves the band furnish us with the following declaration: “Fast, playful and scary. The rest you can decide for yourself.” And that we will.