Shoegaze is a pretty interesting way to label music. Word has it the term came about in the late 80's, emergant from a new generation of musicians who tended to stand almost motionless at their guitars; eyes glued to the ground.
Yeah so perhaps not such an uncommon a trait really, though shared however among those identified by the powers that be (journalists apparently..) was a new "wall of sound" approach to rock music. Here, a myriad of effects, channels and distortions came to comprise what bands such as Sonic Youth and The Jesus and Mary Chain became known for: a distinct and new sonic vocabularly, more often that not a grunge-cum-pschadelic type sound.
So anyway, Shocking Pinks are a band from New Zealand signed to New York- based Dfa records. Interestingly enougth, the label has been credited for the move as a means of broadening a perhaps constrictive roster of more electronic and quite often disco-centric type artists (think LCD Soundsytem, Hot Chip). Where the move remains classic Dfa however is as a nod to a distinct and pioneering modern music style and movement. With Hercules and Love Affair it was a love of laid back disco grooves, and here Shocking Pinks embody much of the shoegaze spirit.
I cant vouch on whether this guy moves his feet or whatever those 80's journalists were banging on about, but the music as always speaks for itself. In this case, the band's debut album is a contemplative and thoughtfull release. Songs like this, Second Hand Girl are both interesting to listen too and lyrically impressionate.
Because theres a lot you can do with a single riff, some oblique-yet-romaticic musings, and a bunch of effects pedals.
Second Hand Girl - Shocking Pinks
[Buy]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ11gy0zSDM