Basic Plumbing – ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ out now

In 2016 Patrick Doyle (Veronica Falls, The Royal We, Boys Forever…) relocated from London to LA, midway through writing his new album under the name Basic Plumbing.

On moving to LA he continued working on the songs for his next record – emailing them to Helen Skinner (who toured as a member of the Boys Forever three-piece live band, and now plays in Barry) who added a bass line to the songs and sent them back to Patrick.

They continued to finish writing the record via email and in February 2017 Helen joined Patrick in LA to record ‘Keeping Up Appearances’.Tragically, Patrick passed away shortly after the release of ‘As You Disappear’. Helen and Patrick’s family have been keen to realise Patrick’s plan for the album release and it will now get a full release with profits from sales going to charities chosen by Patrick’s family – LA’s LGBT Centre and CALM.’Keeping Up Appearances’ is out now“

‘Keeping Up Appearances’ excels in the kind of skittish haziness that could have issued from the vaults of alt-90’s acts like Pavement or Dinosaur Jr.” 4/5 – DIY

“Doyle’s melodic gift is in full flourish, the tightly honed trio format of guitar, bass and drums shading these compact songs in ways recalling the reductionist pleasures of The Feelies.”  7/10 – Uncut

“Keeping Up Appearances is a very worthy final instalment of Doyle’s modern indie pop legacy.” 7/10 – Loud And Quiet “an album of charming melodic indie pop” – The Fader “

It’s rock’n’roll as rumination, jittery and damaged, the sound of self-recrimination and self-possession doubling and collapsing in on itself. It’s an earworm and a heartbreak” 7/10 – Pitchfork

““a reminder of what a terrific songwriter Doyle was, managing to continually mine gold from the jangly indiepop well like few could and make it sound fresh each time.” – Brooklyn Vegan