No, love's not enough, love is the excuse for it all

One of my favourite new discoveries in 2011 was Red Shoe Diaries with their EP When I Find My Heart…, released as an edition of 300 on Fika Recordings, a 10" EP in a beautiful handprinted sleeve, complete with instant download, peach tea and a caramelised apple cake recipe. Looks like it's still available so you better hurry to get one, you might regret it if you end up missing out. Described as "five friends from Nottingham, UK, who write pop songs for messed-up grown-ups", I thought this might just be the right thing for me, and it is. 

Also available (for free!) is the Debut EP and a new lovely little wintery track I'm going to post below. Comparing bands doesn't always seem to make a lot of sense to me, but somehow they remind me a little bit of The Cavalcade, so if you like them you might like Red Shoe Diaries too, also the chances are pretty good if you like Belle and Sebastian, California Snow Story, and perhaps every now and again find yourself wishing that Voxtrot were still around. Most certainly Red Shoe Diaries are a band that make you listen to the lyrics more closely, which I always enjoy when it happens - check this post's title (a line from "Fossil Fuels") or also brilliant (from "The Love You Read About"): "You've got no reason to kiss me, keep your lips to yourself" - this makes me smile nearly every time!   

I think they deserve way more attention, so make sure you give them a try and spread the word.

Buy the 10" EP When I Find My Heart
Get the Debut EP for free
Try Red Shoe Diaries - San Francisco Snowglobe