Diane and I recently watched the Funny Woman TV series—two seasons, 10 episodes in total—via PBS Passport. For those unfamiliar with it, the show focuses on an aspiring entertainer from Blackpool who makes a go of it in 1960s-era London. Gemma Arterton, who plays the actor in question, Sophie Straw, is simply terrific, as is the comedy-drama as a whole. It features plenty of laughs alongside some heavy pathos—and, to the point of this piece, a note-perfect soundtrack that could easily have incorporated the psychedelic “Girl I Know,” the lead single from Anglo-French band Huarinami’s forthcoming EP super soft, into any of several scenes without anyone but the music director realizing it’s not a yesteryear treat.
Incense, peppermint and a certain pungent substance seemingly waft from the grooves of the proverbial 45, imbuing a dreamlike trance upon those who dare to indulge. The honeyed vocals of Pauline Janier (aka Cody Pepper) layer the song with sweetness, while her flute adds spice to the melodic swirls and twirls. Lead guitarist Kevin Siou, for his part, punctuates the goings-on with gentle waves that never break, while bassist Stephen Fields and drummer Oliver Overgaard maintain a “Rain”-like beat.
The song conjures both the Swinging Sixties as well as the Day-Glo sensations found in the Paisley Underground, plus such current acts as Astraba, the Sundowners, Meg Baird, Death Valley Girls, and Tea Eater, among others. It’s well worth many listens.
It’s available to stream from the usual suspects, but can also be purchased via Bandcamp.
The Old Grey Cat 
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