Kristen Sinclair

Lisasinson by Victoria Herranz Spanish garage rock is almost entirely synonymous with Hinds , the rambunctious, all-female band who took Madrid’s sounds to international ears in 2016 with their jangly debut Leave Me Alone . Formed in 2011 by Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote, the frontwomen joined forces with bassist Ade Martín and drummer Amber Grimbergen to become Spain’s most internationally successful indie export, sparking an interest in the Spanish capital’s thriving underground scene. For a country raised on the tontipop of Las Ketchup , Eurodisco acts like Baccara and hallmarks of tradition like Julio Iglesias , a new generation of bands were emerging who had always had to look abroad for the ramshackle rock ‘n’ roll sounds that their own country wasn’t making. As the now well-documented Madrid scene came to light, it became clear that not since the countercultural Movida Madrileña movement in the 70s and 80s following Franco’s dictatorship had the city’s scene been so vi...

This review originally appeared in the now-defunct altmusicbox in 2016. Source: Stereogum I hesitate to use the term ‘girl band’ when talking about Spanish four piece Hinds (FKA Deers). You’d never hear an all-male band referred to as such, and whilst these four madrileñas are shaking up the gender politics of the garage rock scene, the fact that they are women does not override but in fact brings a unique new dynamic to their summery, ramshackle indie pop. “It’s so difficult because there are so few women in rock that people see you as a woman first, not in garage or pop or any genre… We’re gonna disappoint you as perfect women. In rock, no one is perfect,” vocalist Ana Perrote told i-D of the band’s experiences. The foursome’s hotly anticipated debut ‘Leave Me Alone’ is characterised by a jangly, upbeat sound complete with fuzzy surf pop riffs, chugging drums and delightfully dazed vocals. Formed in the Spanish capital in 2011, Perrote, Charlotta Cosials, Ade Martin an...