The School

The School

The School are a Welsh pop band from Cardiff, United Kingdom, active from 2007 and signed to Elefant Records. The group is associated with indie pop and twee, and their sound is described as shimmering, 1960s-influenced pop with female vocals.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in late 2007 in Cardiff. The line-up includes Liz Hunt, and the band is described as having a changing or varied membership rather than a fixed larger roster.

Releases and recognition

The School release their debut album, Loveless Unbeliever, in 2010. Ian Catt produces the record. The album is described as a collection of sunshine-pop songs and attracts substantial attention, appearing in more than 70 end-of-year best-of lists. It is also named 6Music’s Album of the Day, Rough Trade’s Album of the Week, and Radio Nowhere’s Album of the Year. BBC Radio Wales’s Adam Walton calls it his favourite Welsh pop album of all time, and Molly Ringwald is noted as a fan.

Musical style

The School’s music draws on 1960s pop, with references to Phil Spector-style production, girl-group harmonies, and a bright, melodic approach. Their songs are associated with comparisons to acts such as Lucky Soul, Camera Obscura, Belle & Sebastian, Sandie Shaw, the Shangri-Las, Motown, and bubblegum doo-wop.

Label and collaborators

After playing only four shows, the band signs to the Spanish label Elefant Records. Their debut is produced by Ian Catt, who is also linked in the text to Saint Etienne, Trembling Blue Stars and NOSOTRÄSH.