Biography
In spring 2007 the members of Cajun Dance Party drew intense London attention with their intelligent, inventive, and high-energy indie pop, a notable feat since every participant remained under 18 at the moment their debut single appeared. Reviewers routinely placed the band alongside Belle & Sebastian and the Arcade Fire. Guitarist and principal songwriter Robbie Stern joined forces with vocalist Danny Blumberg to launch the project in 2006. Although Stern’s earliest training had been on classical violin and he possessed no prior songwriting experience when the group began, he embraced the discipline at once. The roster was rounded out by keyboardist Vicky Freund, bassist Max Bloom—who learned his instrument within weeks of accepting the invitation—and drummer Will Vignoles. Because the musicians were still minors, they performed at all-ages venues instead of established rock clubs, quickly cultivating an ardent following among listeners under 18. A striking appearance at the “Way Out West” night led to professional management after only four shows. Early in 2007, on the recommendation of Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, the band signed with XL Recordings. Their first single, “The Next Untouchable” b/w “Buttercups,” reached stores in April 2007 and received an overwhelmingly favorable response from the British music press. During spring and summer the musicians recorded their debut album with producer Bernard Butler of Suede while also appearing at a select handful of U.K. festivals, including the aptly named Underage Festival at London’s Victoria Park. The Colourful Life arrived in Britain in April 2008 and in the United States that June. Almost immediately after the album’s release the group began work on a follow-up.