The Collectable Few

The Collectable Few

The Collectable Few playing Dingwalls, London in 2012.
Background information
Origin West London, England
Genres Indie rock, alternative
Years active c.2007–2012
Labels Laissez Faire Club, Wave Machine, Salvia (XL Recordings)
Associated acts
Members
  • Tarek Al-Shammaa
  • Nat Cantor
  • Tom Christensen
  • Alex Hammond

The Collectable Few are a former British Indie/Alternative band from West London, active between 2007–2012. They released five singles and two full-length albums. The band consisted of Tarek Al-Shammaa on lead vocals and synths, Tom Christensen on bass guitar and backing vocals, Nat Cantor on guitars, piano and synths, and Alex Hammond on drums, percussion and backing vocals.

History

Initially formed in 2007, the band began rehearsing in Shepherds Bush and played their first gig at The Enterprise, Camden towards the end of the year.

By 2009, The Collectable Few had built a strong London following thanks to relentless gigging across the capital.[1]In March, the band inked a single deal with prestigious XL Recordings' imprint Salvia. The song "Missing Out" was released on the label on 9 August 2009.[2] Towards the end of the year they began a transatlantic working relationship with New York-based producer Andrew Maury, known for his work with Ra Ra Riot, Remix Artist Collective (RAC), Static Jacks, Atlas Genius and Kisses.[3]

In October 2010, they signed to the London-based Laissez Faire Club label. Their first single on the label was "Headstrong"[4] released on 24 January 2011. The B-side featured an RAC remix of the title track, also mixed by Andrew Maury. "Headstrong" gained the band further recognition, getting regular airplay on XFM, BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music.[5] The Collectable Few continued to tour heavily in 2011, playing shows alongside notable acts including Eliza Doolittle, Bastille (band), Anna Calvi, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Whigs (band), The Maccabees, We Have Band and The Big Pink. The band released follow up single "Model Behaviour" [6] later that year, which featured a music video starring model and actress Zoe Lister. They also featured as Replay's 'Road Trip to Bestival' band to watch[7] that summer.

The Collectable Few started the first half of 2012 touring across the UK and Europe, including joint headline dates with Dog Is Dead[8] and Let's Buy Happiness.[9] In June they travelled to the United States to record their debut album with now longstanding collaborator Andrew Maury. Pre-production sessions took place in Brooklyn at Rubber Tracks studio.[10] The album was then recorded and mixed between early June and mid-July at Black Dog studio in Upstate New York. After completing their "Vancouver" LP (later released under the name Diaz), the band played a handful of US dates, which included headlining the Bowery Ballroom[11] in New York City, playing many of the album’s tracks live for the first time.

The Collectable Few's final appearances were at The Queen of Hoxton with Tribes (band) and Chapel Club, and two sold out dates at the Borderline towards the end of 2012. However, they briefly resurfaced in the summer of 2013 to play the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen and Carnaby Sound Festival under the name Diaz.[12]

The Collectable Few’s second full-length album named "Retrospective" [13] was released on 17 January 2016, featuring unreleased tracks and singles spanning the band's career.

TV, film & fashion

The band's music has been featured in TV, film and fashion. "Headstrong" was used in an official promotional film for world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko[14] in 2013. It was also selected for fashion retailer Topshop's 2012 global in-store playlist and feature film The Knot starring Mena Suvari and Talulah Riley.[15] Their song "Glamour" served as the theme song for Channel 4's emerging music show: Curated By Scott and Lyle.[16] And in September 2011 the band were invited to play the opening of California fashion brand Patagonia (clothing)'s London flagship store in Covent Garden.[17]

The Collectable Few press shot


Discography

Albums

References

  1. ↑ "The Collectable Few". Don't Panic/ Vice.
  2. ↑ "Presented By Mean Fiddler". The Garage.
  3. ↑ "Q+A with Andrew Maury". Laissez Faire Club official.
  4. ↑ "The Collectable Few: Headstrong Single Review". The 405.
  5. ↑ "The Collectable Few". WJ London.
  6. ↑ "The Collectable Few: Model Behaviour Single Review". Faux Magazine Official.
  7. ↑ "More Replay's Road Trip to Bestival Contenders". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "The Collectable Few/Dog Is Dead Review". Crack In The Road.
  9. ↑ "LFC Birthday Band 5". Laissez Faire Club.
  10. ↑ "Gear Talk With The Collectable Few: July 10th, 2012". Converse. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "The Collectable Few Bowery Ballroom". Bowery Ballroom.
  12. ↑ "Carnaby Sound Music Festival". Camden Review.
  13. ↑ "The Collectable Few Retrospective". BETC B-Side.
  14. ↑ "Wladimir Klitschko vs. Francesco Pianeta: May 22, 2013".
  15. ↑ "Empire Film The Knot Review". Empire Online.
  16. ↑ "Curated by Lyle and Scott". Channel 4.
  17. ↑ "Patgonia London Flagship Store Opening". The Daily Street.

External links

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