Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session: Shopping

Shopping | Photo by Eric Schuman for WXPN

Joining us for this Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session is a band that I’ve admired ever since their debut album was released in the US. Formed in 2012 by members of several punk- and dance-leaning bands in the London scene, Shopping features guitarist Rachel Aggs, bassist Billy Easter and drummer Andrew Milk. Earlier this year, Shopping released their third full-length, The Official Body. Not surprisingly, given the involvement of producer and indie rock luminary Edwyn Collins, the album is one of Shopping’s best and brightest. The nervous energy of their early records is not sacrificed but rather augmented by a momentum that keeps each song moving forward. Before their show at Johnny Brenda’s, Shopping stopped by to perform selections from The Official Body in our studio:

First comes “The Hype,” which was the first single released from the album. Built around Easter’s loping bassline and a jittery beat from Milk, the song features all three members’ vocals in an interlocking style that’s become their trademark. Aggs takes the spotlight on “Suddenly Gone,” where her tightly-wound guitar work erupts into an abstract solo by the song’s end. Closing the session is “Asking For A Friend,” another propulsive slice that was sure to make their veteran producer proud.

Listen to Shopping’s Indie Rock Hit Parade session below, see some pictures from the studio and check out the remaining dates on their North American tour below:

SHOPPING On Tour:
March 17 — Phoenix, AZ — Rebel Lounge*
March 18 — San Diego, CA — Whistle Stop*
March 20 — Santa Ana, CA — Constellation Room*
March 21 — Los Angeles, CA — Resident*
March 22 — San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop+
March 23 — Portland, OR — Bunk Bar+
March 24 — Seattle, WA — Vera Project+
March 27 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry+
March 28 — Chicago, IL — Beat Kitchen+
March 29 — Detroit, MI — Delux Fluxx+
March 30 — Toronto, ON — Baby G+
March 31 — Montreal, QC — Bar Le Ritz+

*with French Vanilla
+with Lithics