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Dec 11, 2017 By Christopher Roberts Girl Ray

Girl Ray are a promising new British trio. Poppy Hankin (guitar/vocals), Iris McConnell (drums), and Sophie Moss (bass) are all 19 years old and from North London (although perhaps some of its members might be 20 by now for all we know). Last month they shared a new Christmas song, ”(I Wish I Were Giving You a Gift) This Christmas,” which was released as a 7-inch last Friday via Moshi Moshi. Now the song has a video, which was filmed by the band on their European tour and has a Christmas-y feel to it, although it wasn’t actually filmed at Christmas. Watch it below.

Girl Ray, Nyla Davison, and Kamran Khan filmed the video in Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Trier, Carlisle, London, and Oxford. Jake McConnell edited it. A press release points out “the Santa suits were bought in a Berlin charity shop and the camera from a London branch of Argos (rrp. £129.99).”

Girl Ray’s Sophie Moss had this to say in the press release: “Filmed exclusively in the taboo non-festive months of late September, four fools with the combined intelligence and fragility of a candy cane travel around Europe smiling and pointing at anything vaguely Christmassy. A completely inaccurate representation of life on the road but it’s a bit cute isn’t it. So. If you’re having a lonely Christmas, then watch us pretending to enjoy the thing in the beating heart of Europe. Friendship! Taxidermy! Feet! We bring it all to the dinner.”

Moss had this to say about the song, which features a children’s choir, in a previous press release: “Christmas is great and everything but where are the indie bangers? We’ve pulled it all out the stocking on this one. You’d be a fool not to buy one for every family member, friend and tinder acquaintance this Christmas.”

Girl Ray have a bit of an ‘80s indie-pop vibe in line with the iconic C86 compilation from 1986 (a modern reference point might be Cate Le Bon). After putting out a series of great singles, the band released their debut album, the cleverly titled Earl Grey, back in August via Moshi Moshi. It was our Album of the Week.

Read our Pleased to Meet You interview with Girl Ray and check out our exclusive photo shoot with the band.

Girl Ray U.K. Tour Dates:

16 December - Edinburgh, Summerhall
21 December - London, Montague Arms (Christmas Extravaganza Show)
10 April - Bristol, Thekla
11 April - Nottingham, Bodega
12 April - Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
13 April - Glasgow, Art School, Glasgow
15 April - Middlesbrough, Wegarth Social Club
16 April - Sheffield, The Leadmill
17 April - Manchester, Deaf Institute
18 April - London, Heaven
19 April - Brighton, The Haunt

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