Indie pop icons Tullycraft are back! After six years of whatever bands do when they’re not making albums, legendary troublemakers Tullycraft are back with a new studio album, Shoot the Point. Over the years, Tullycraft has penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America. The chorus “fuck me, I’m twee” was the refrain that launched a thousand t-shirts. “The Punks Are Writing Love Songs” introduced bratty punk to hummingbird twee. “Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About” encapsulated an entire music scene in a single song. And yet despite this, for most, the band exists somewhere near the edges of obscurity. Occasionally, they receive a nod (like when their album Old Traditions, New Standards was featured on Pitchfork’s list of the 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the ’90s) but these spotlights don’t tend to happen as frequently as one might think. While the mainstream has largely ignored Tullycraft, their status in the indie pop underground is undeniable. Formed in Seattle in 1995, they are considered to be one of the bona fide pioneers of the American twee pop movement. Touring relentlessly during the last gasp of the truly independent indie-underground, they influenced countless young bands. They were once called “the Johnny Appleseed of Indie Pop — making their way across the country, leaving new bands, zines, and record labels to sprout up in their wake.“
Their new album, Shoot The Point comes out tomorrow, August 22nd, via HHBTM Records.

What They Say: “Tullycraft has always marched to the slap of their own tambourine, and Shoot the Point is no exception. This new batch of songs sees Sean Tollefson and Jenny Mears continue to share most of the vocal duties, while long-time musical stalwarts Chris Munford and Corianton Hale are the conspirators behind the music. This is the band’s eighth album, and it runs the full Tullycraft spectrum — from tender, heart-squishing moments to full-throttle freakouts that sound like a candy store exploding in four-part harmony. Songs like Tarrytown, Love on the Left Bank, and Jeanie’s Up Again and Blaring Faith by the Cure fit in perfectly with the band’s stable of classics. This is story-driven pop at its most colorful — full of clever twists, joyful noise, and a healthy dose of eyebrow-raising whimsy. It’s fun. It’s weird. It’s very Tullycraft”.

Their Mixtape (by Sean):

New Bad Things – I Suck

In 1993, the Portland, OR band New Bad Things released their debut 7” single. Only 610 copies were pressed and at least one copy found its way into a record store in Seattle. This is where I discovered it. The handmade DIY sleeve appealed to my sensibilities. At some point, one of these singles found its way into the hands of John Peel – the influential BBC Radio 1 DJ in England. John fell in love with the record – so much so that he included the song I Suck on his Festive Fifty list. This was an annual list that was compiled at the end of each year featuring John Peel’s 50 favorite songs. New Bad Things were #16 on the Festive Fifty, and they were perhaps the most obscure selection to make the list. As a fan of the band I was both shocked and thrilled when I heard about their inclusion on the list. It felt like a true underdog story. This video is actual audio of John Peel introducing the song on the 1993 Festive Fifty radio broadcast.

David & The Citizens – Graycoated Morning

Graycoated Morning might be one of the most perfectly produced indie pop singles ever. I challenge anyone not to sing along with “Honey, I’m dying!” at the end of this epic single released by David & The Citizens in 2004.

Fourth Of July – Tan Lines

Fourth Of July was an indie rock band from Lawrence, Kansas. Their song Tan Lines stands alongside other jealousy classics like: Mr. Brightside (the Killers) and Is She Really Going Out with Him? (Joe Jackson). After a couple listens, you’ll find yourself singing: “So just sleep in the middle of the bed like you used to” while you’re standing in line at Starbucks. 

Days N’ Daze – Addvice

The H-Town Thrashgrass outfit, Days N’ Daze, might not seem like a band that I would love, but I really do. My favorite song by them is called Addvice. It appeared on their 2020 album, Show Me The Blueprints. It’s a near perfect portrait of the cycle of addiction, and how easy it is to get stuck in a loop of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

The Wave Pictures – I Love You Like A Madman

It’s tempting to just transcribe the lyrics from I Love You Like a Madman in their totality. They perfectly capture a Christmas spent at your girlfriend’s parent’s house. The Wave Pictures write songs for fans of songwriting with a quirky, conversational style of storytelling. They’re brilliant. 

The Besties – Rod ‘N’ Reel

I’ve never been to Anna Maria Island, and I’ve never held a fistful of coquinas in the palm of my hand. But I can totally imagine visiting the Rod ‘N’ Reel thanks to this terrific single released by The Besties in 2008. Take a walk with me down Alamanda Avenue?

Art Sorority – Victoria

Art Sorority is the recording project of Daoud Tyler-Ameen. He was the drummer in Bad Moves, a band fronted by David Combs (aka Spoonboy). You’re probably familiar with Bad Moves from the Vulture’s Nest episode of the animated series, Craig of the Creek on the Cartoon Network. That one is big in our house. The song, Victoria is catchy beyond belief, and it includes a few lines I wish I’d written (e.g. “Now we strain to hear the echoes of the pre-Madonna radio”).

Ace Bushy Striptease – Not If It’s to a Love Song

I can’t help but wonder how much better the movie ‘Singles’ would have been if Cameron Crowe had set it in London in 2012 instead of Seattle in 1992. It couldn’t be any worse, right? The soundtrack could have featured wonderful songs like, Not If It’s to a Love Song by Ace Bushy Striptease instead of terrible songs by Alice in Chains.

Woog Riots – George Harrison

The chorus to the song George Harrison by Woog Riots is an infectious ear worm that will burrow into your brain and repeat uncontrollably for hours, days, even weeks at a time. Proceed with caution. 

And What Will Be Left Of Them? – L’Amour Violent

And What Will Be Left Of Them? was a howlingly fabulous band that never got the attention that they deserved. They released only one album before splitting up – but that lone full-length record was the stuff pop legends are made of. It was cultured, it was vital, and most of all it was fun. Check out the song L’Amour Violent and hold onto your hat!

Shoot The Point will be out tomorrow, 21^th August via HHBTM Records. Look Here for more information on Tullycraft.