allo darlin' about | news | releases | shows | media | contact 17 June 2010 Phew, it's been really hectic for us the last month! We've been back to the States and had an amazing time at the NYC Popfest and then on a week long tour of the North East. Nik of the Records Make Great Pets website did a photo diary of our tour there, and you can see it on his blog here.We played some super cool shows, like the secret house party show in New Brunswick NJ. Played with some amazing bands then got to blast Bon Jovi and Springsteen in a 1/2 Jersey double driving down the turnpike after the show. The NY Popfest was amazing, we even ended up on the front of the NY Times website which was pretty bizarre but really really cool. Hugest thanks to Maz, Rebecca, Emily, Steph, The Smittens, Sam, Danny and Eileen, Christine and William, Christen and Herbie. It was so cool for us to have people to come to see us in the States and especially those who came to several of the shows. It was really mind blowing for us and we can't wait to get back. So fingers crossed for later in the year, when our record will be released over there and hopefully we can make the most of these rock'n'roll visas we have. We also got to eat lots of really neat food that is probably (certainly) really bad for you, but as there are several junk food aficionados in Allo Darlin' the cheese in an ezy bottle was appreciated. Twinkies less so (those things really are gross). For those in Europe and the UK, our album was finally released last week, almost a year after we recorded it. It feels great to finally have it out and have people listening to it. We know this kind of music isn't everybody's cup of tea but it's certainly ours, and we hope it will be yours too. We're very proud of it, so keep an eye on the shows section of this site because we keep adding things all the time, like the End of the Road festival and shows in Europe and also the UK. Here's what the BBC thinks of our album: Between the bounce of the lighter numbers and the ache of the sweet ones, there's all manner of winningly realistic insights veiled underneath the music. This debut is a joy from beginning to end, a fully-formed talent at the first attempt - as rare as it is welcome - Daniel Ross Our album launch at the Lexington on Tuesday was probably the best gig we have ever played. We loved having Standard Fare and the Middle Ones (who were awesome, as usual) and it was a sold out show, which made us feel good. It was nice to see people there who we didn't know at all, maybe word is getting out after all. You can buy our album from the Fortuna Pop! site, at all good record shops in the UK and Europe. One more thing, if you ever want us to come and play in your town, please send us an email at allo@allodarlin.com. We don't use a booking agent and we're open to this kind of thing. You never know, it might be on the way for us. We like playing shows. In fact, we love it. 31 Mar 2010 Wow, it's been pretty busy the last few weeks for Allo Darlin'. We headed off on our first proper UK tour with The School, which has been brilliant. We went to SXSW in Austin, Texas. Played a show at Bush Hall. Played the 6 Music Protest. One of our lot had a baby (not me!). One of our lot got a tattoo and lost all his luggage (again not me!). And then one of our songs was played on 90210 in America. Crazy! SXSW was great. We played some pretty good shows and got to hang out with some friends in other bands, and some old friends we hadn't seen for ages. Sean Price even danced to Still Flyin'. It was awesome! We're pretty excited to say we'll be heading back to America very soon, this time to the East Coast to tour with our friends The Smittens, and also to play here: We can't wait! Off to play our last show with the School in Chelmsford tonight at Bitterscene, and it will also be our last show with Greg. You've been amazing darlin'. We'll miss you xx 17 Feb 2010 IT'S ALMOST POPFEST O'CLOCK!! Allo Darlin' are playing the Saturday all-dayer at the 100 Club. More info here. 25 Jan 2010 UPDATE ON SXSW FUNDRAISER SHOW All the acts have now been confirmed for the show at Bardens on the 9th Feb. Playing for the measly sum of 5 pounds, we have: Tender Trap Darren Hayman (solo) Moustache of Insanity Hexicon and us. We are so grateful to these amazing bands for chipping in to help us out. We loved Amelia and Darren's bands for years before some of us joined their ranks, and for us to play with them still blows our minds. After all Darren went through last year we are especially glad to see him back on stage where belongs. We can promise this will be a very special Tuesday in Stoke Newington! Tickets can be bought here in advance: wegottickets.com or on the door for 6 pounds. Special thanks to Marcio from Goo Nite for helping us with this gig too! 15 Jan 2010 Hey everyone and welcome to our new Allo Darlin' site! New year, new website, new singles, new album, new bass player... YES YOU HEARD RIGHT! Bill, our much-loved moustachioed, grinning, bouncing bass monster, is leaving us shortly because he is soon to be a dad. Yay Bill! But never fear, Bill fans. he will be back in May, he promises. In the meantime, our good friend Greg will be stepping up the bass plate. Let's put his face on the internet: But, I know what you're thinking...sure he looks happy, but does he bounce? Fret not, he's not all mister smiley smile....he also has plenty of bass-god rock moves... Alright greg! We have lots of plans up our little sleeves for 2010. Here are some we can tell you about: - Back in November we made a video for The Polaroid Song. It was shot on 16mm film and is a tribute to The Breakfast Club. We will post it up when it's finished at the end of January. Bit late for a promo but you know we're all about the art, maaan... - We're going on a UK tour in March with our good friends from Cardiff, The School! Woohoo! For dates please check the shows page to see if we're playing near you. Elizabeth suggested to Liz from The School the tour should be called "Twin Lizzie". She's yet to get back to us on that one... - Straight after our tour, we're heading to the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. We were lucky enough to get some funding for our trip from the PRS Foundation, but we still have a bit of a way to go. Which is why: - We're throwing a benefit bash at Bardens Boudoir on February 9th! Lineup to be announced very shortly, but will feature bands you know and love, and if you're not careful we may ask your band to play. It'll be like Live Aid, but better. - Finally, Paul and Mike's other band, Hexicon, will be launching their debut single "Stars" at the Luminaire next Thursday 21 Jan. it's going to be amazing show, a long time in coming. You can buy tickets here.