International Jetsetters

The Cellar
Shoegazing was a term of description offered almost as a piss-take of bands the music press of the early-90s considered to be somewhat lacking in charisma, hiding their dearth of star quality behind vast walls of turbulent guitar drones as they studiously avoided eye-contact with their audience. The term has morphed since the days of Ride and their ilk to signify a particular strand of indie rock, one that had a major impact on the whole post-rock movement and where attention to sonic texture, either of the dreamy, ambient kind, or the more eviscerating variety still holds sway over performance or easy pop tunes. Sonic Cathedral is a regular club night, in Oxford, London and beyond that celebrates what, at its best, can sound like the music of the heavens.
As drummer with Ride Loz Colbert should know all about that and having joined his current Jesus & Mary Chain bandmate Mark Crozer's International Jetsetters, they're a welcome reminder of a time when indie really meant independence of mind and spirit. From the giddy, spiralling rush of 'Inside Out', they cut a dash through prime Wedding Present, while new singer Fi McFall provides an often strident counterbalance to the narcotic guitar squall. 'California Here I Come' is more 60s sunshine psychedlia with the guitar fuzz coating its lightness with a layer of sonic tar, while closing number, 'Inside You' finds Fi's voice at its peak as the band come close to matching Magoo's sublime 'Billion Dollar Brain'. - Nightshift Magazine June 2008

INTERNATIONAL JETSETTERS, increasingly one of our favourite local bands. Formed by Oxford pop veteran Mark Crozer and former-Ride drummer Loz Colbert, the pair of them now also part of The Jesus & Mary Chain, they're an amalgamation of everything that was great about indie rock, when that term actually meant something. From the narcotic fuzz of Spacemen 3 to the insistent jangle and drone of The Wedding Present, and lifted spaceward by singer Fi McFall's ethereal vocals, they're dark and dreamy but they rock like bastards. - Nightshift Magazine May 2008

A swelling cacophony of cosmic beauty that pulses and throbs with a raw wantonness, whilst containing such power therein, that they could, quite possibly make distant stars implode. - Von Pip Musical Express Aug 2008

It has now been a little over a year and half since Mark Crozer decided to start a new band called the International Jetsetters. Most people have absolutely no idea who Mark Crozer is, but you may know him better as the lead guitarist from the legendary indie rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain. After several years performing in obscurity throughout our neighbor to the north, Canada, Mark became the new guitarist for The Jesus and Mary Chain. Using his new found fame and entrance into any studio he wanted to record in, he decided to form a new band with the classic indie-sound formula of dueling voices and guitar solos any shoe gazer would be proud to call their own.

Heart is Black is a six song EP for the International Jetsetters debut. Most debut EPs are meant to be used to secure a record deal and often sound shaky and thin. This EP though is definitely a first class debut of a great album that will surely follow. Years of toiling away and honing his act are evident from the first track Inside Out and all the way to the demo version of Never Slows Down.

The International Jetsetters are everything that is good about music today. They are fine musicians making fine music. Having ties to bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride are obvious influences on their music and they are not about to change their style to try and impress anyone. There is something lacking in this EP which I think will be solved by a full length album in its cohesion. When it comes, I’m sure everyone will be hearing about the new wave of indie-rockers ready to rock. - www.music-reviewer.com Jan 2009

Sounding like Teenage Fanclub in their glorious heyday, International Jetsetters hit the ground running on the gorgeous, tight and shimmering “Inside Out” with sweet harmonies and sweeter power pop guitar riffs. From there the group nails “Inside Yourself”, a groove-riddled number that the band downplays perfectly. And if it brings the Jesus and Mary Chain to mind, there’s damn good reason for that as the band features drummer Loz Colbert and guitarist/vocalist Mark Crozer. Just as pretty is the somber, sullen and slow-building “Never Slows Down” which leads nicely into the darker but delicious “My Redemption”. Although the title track might be the least appealing of the lot, this EP is an extremely worthwhile and wonderful listen worth repeating - Pop Matters Dec 2008

‘Heart is Black’ is the debut EP from Oxford-based indie/shoegazing five piece International Jetsetters, which includes in its line-up two current members of the Jesus and Mary Chain, Mark Crozer and Loz Colbert.

‘Inside Out’ is full on rock ‘n’ roll with a cool retro sound and a not-as-angry Jesus and Mary Chain fusion. Guitarist and singer Crozer’s vocals have an early 90’s shoegazing sound.

‘Inside Yourself’ is much darker, like a moody Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, with some full-on guitar and hard hitting drums from Colbert, who also used to play with Ride.

‘Never Slows Down’ is slower, with a vocal from the group’s second female singer Fi McFall, who surprisingly sounds like Antony of the Johnsons. It takes a while for the music to pick up pace but when it does it works well.

‘My Redemption’ also features Fi on vocal. It is a slow burning, gritty number with strong guitars and drums. The title track is slow with both electric and acoustic guitars and cello, coming over like moody Nick Cave or the Cure at their most reflective.

‘Never Slow Down (Demo)’ is sung by Crozer whereas the other version is sung by McFall. This version is better pacedand much faster, and has more of a shoegazing sound.

A fantastic first release. - Penny Black Music Dec 2008

Fresh from travelling the globe as part of the reformed Jesus & Mary Chain, local guitarist Mark Crozer and former-Ride drummer Loz Colbert have formed their own band together, appropriately named International Jetsetters, and that’s not the only thing they’ve taken from their time spent with the brothers Reid. The two tracks here, `Inside Yourself’ and `Inside Out’ hark, wonderfully, back to that late-80s halcyon period of shimmering shoe-gazing noise and searing narcotic drone-pop, pretty, honey-dipped 60s melodies drenched in oceanic swells of guitar noise, Mark’s vocals stealing some of Jim Reid’s heads-down drawl even as they head cloud-wards.

`Inside Yourself’ hits a hypnotic groove from the off, Spacemen 3’s smack-addled psychedelic dream raining down punches while floating light as feathers over coruscating dreamscapes. `Inside Out’, meanwhile, glides along sunrays and over the rainbow where it finds a treasure pot of pure pop gold. It’s a glorious trip. - www.oxfordbands.com Oct 2007

You may recall the other week I reviewed a little benefit album for Planting Seeds Records called Blue Skies Daisy Days, which I thought was the best thing since sliced bread..... nearly. So I was most pleased when a copy of Heart Is Black, the new-ish EP by a band known as International Jetsetters who are featured on the Blue Skies Daisy Days compilation.

International Jetsetters are a five piece out of Oxford in sunny England. The line-up currently consists of Mark Crozer, Bert Audubert, Loz Colbert, Paul Crozer and is nicely rounded off with the dulcet tones of Fi McFall (who, according to their bio on the Planting Seeds Records website, was discovered when the Jesus and Mary Chain needed a female singer to perform Just Like Honey at their 2007 Brixton Academy gig. You have a listen; they made a good choice with that one.

International Jetsetters are by no means a copy of anything and what I like best is that compared to most of the new "indie" bands that seem to be surfacing currently they are completely different. Much more similar to bands of old, which I guess, is what I've always preferred anyway. I suppose it's no coincidence that more than one of the International Jetsetters are also members of the Jesus and Mary Chain (hence the reason for the recruiting of Fi McFall at a JAMC gig).

The tunes are beautiful, calming, tasteful, but also guitar-heavy, strong and thick with sound. Not really tunes to be bopping around the loungeroom to. Although Inside Out is getting close! More fitting to be listening to whilst having a quiet one up the pub with a few friends. Basically, if you like the Jesus and Mary Chain, but would rather listen to lyrics that are not quite so depressing (watch out the title track Heart is Black is on it's way to depressing), International Jetsetters are for you! - We Heart Music Dec 2008

There's something to be said for pacing when you're making art. Whether it's a movie, a book, a record, whatever - if there's no build, there's no point. I love the way this song starts with that simple guitar chugging, then that hi-hat, then it all kicks in with Fi McFall's passionate vocals. Awesome.

Interational Jetsetters also includes bassist Bert Audubert, drummer Loz Colbert, guitarist Paul Crozer, and singer/guitarist Mark Crozer (formerly of the Jesus and Mary Chain). They're based in Oxford, England, and this is from their new record Heart Is Black.

I think this song speaks for itself, so I'll leave it at that. You can buy Heart Is Black from the band's label, Planting Seeds Records. - Music For Robots Nov 2008

Mark Crozer and Bert Audubert of International Jetsetters reveal all about their new Heart Is Black EP, Mark’s Jesus And Mary Chain connection, Bert’s foray into acting, and so much more.

Delusions Of Adequacy: Hi Mark and Bert! It’s great to get the chance to talk to the both of you and see how your band International Jetsetters is taking off. From what I’ve read, you joined forces and formed the band in March 2007, soon after which you enlisted former Ride drummer Loz Colbert, and then added Mark’s brother Paul and Fi McFall.
What was the impetus for you starting International Jetsetters? I think you both have worked together before on musical projects, so was it a natural progression to start this band, or did you actively want to create a music project that was different from your past work together?
Bert: Yeah, me and Mark had been writing stuff for a few years, and had positive reviews for our demos, but we hadn’t really spoken about doing anything live. The band just happened, to be honest. Mark had landed himself a solo gig in Oxford, and thought it would be cool to get me and Loz in on it as a 3-piece. We squeezed in a rehearsal somewhere along the way, and it went really well. We knew we had to do more.
DOA: Before we go into the details of International Jetsetters, can you let us know the basics of who’s in the band and what instruments each member plays, and how you decided on the band name?

Bert: The band is:
Fi Mcfall Vocals
Mark Crozer Guitar/Vocals
Paul Crozer Guitar
Bert Audubert Bass
Loz Colbert Drums/Vocals
The name was Mark’s doing. He thought it was ironic if we were International Jetsetters, seeing as we only ever went as far as the village pub for a beer or two.
DOA: Mark, you’ve known Loz Colbert for a while now, since you’re both part of the reformed Jesus And Mary Chain, and, well, you’ve known Paul Crozer, for even longer, since he’s your brother. What’s it like working with Loz in a different band, and how is it going with having your brother in the band? Any dust-ups or are things hunky dory? I just find it interesting when siblings end up in the same band…
Mark: Paul and I get on fine mostly. In fact we haven’t had a single bust up at all since he joined the band. Well, nothing major. Only when I’m being an arse. If anything it’s brought us closer together. We do still squabble over things but it’s usually when we’re playing Scrabble (because he likes to make up words and then pretend they’re real by reading out some random definition from the dictionary) or about who’s eaten the last Malteser or something equally banal.
Working with Loz is a pleasure whether it’s in the Mary Chain or International Jetsetters. I couldn’t ever imagine having any other drummer in my band. I was a Ride fan when they came along so was thrilled when he agreed to give the Jetsetters a go last year. God, it already seems like we’ve been doing this for years. I’m very happy to say we’re all still good friends.
DOA: How did you end up meeting Fi McFall? Has she sung in any other bands or done any solo work? I really like the added dimension she brings to your tunes and the interplay between her vocals and Mark’s vocals.
Bert: Fi was a friend of mine before I even knew she could sing (which came as a shock…what a voice!) and Mark heard her singing one day, and the next thing she knew, she was doing backing with the Jesus And Mary Chain at Brixton Academy. That was Fi’s first public performance. A bit like flying a Saturn 5 rocket when you’ve just got stabilisers on your bike. After that Fi had to be in the band.
DOA: How would you describe your sound or style? Any reference points to other bands or singers that have directly influenced your sound?
Bert: Oh god! You could talk for hours on this one. I think we all bring something different to the overall sound of the band. We don’t set out to get a certain vibe or feel. We all do our own thing and it just seems to work. I guess the JAMC and Ride are in the mix somewhere, but other than that, each track probably has its own influences from Blondie or the New York Dolls to Nina Simone and the Beatles.
DOA: It seems like 2008 has been an exciting and productive year for you so far, with U.K. and U.S. shows, radio sessions, and interviews. Can you give us a peek into what your year has been like? I think you played CMJ Festival in NYC, did radio session for WFMU 91.1 FM in New York, played a lot of gigs and did a lot of interviews, besides releasing your EP…
Bert: Well Jen, yes, it’s been busy! Our first gig with Fi was this year, so we haven’t even been together for a year yet, which is fucking mad really! Mark and Loz have had their other commitments too, which have taken them all over the place, so we gig when we can. We’ve done some great supports for Glasvegas, Inspiral Carpets and The Whigs amongst others, and yeah, me, Fi and Mark went to New York in May for a couple of acoustic gigs and to do the Irene Trudel show on WFMU. We all write a lot as well, so there’s always something going on….the odd interview perhaps…
DOA: You have a sonically tasty EP out since October titled Heart Is Black. Why did you decide to put out an EP before releasing a debut album? Will you be recording the full-length soon, or maybe put out another EP?
Bert: Thanks for the “Tasty” word. We’re working on the next EP now. We’re in the studio in a couple of days, but yeah, an album next year’s the plan.
DOA: You’re a U.K. band on U.S.-based Planting Seeds Records. How did that all fall into place?
Bert: It fell from a great height and landed on something soft…sorry Neil, and…er…thanks.
Mark: When I was booking tours back in 2005/06 Neil heard about me and sent me some CDs by Linda Draper and a couple of others and over time we became friends. I can’t really remember how it went from him being keen on me booking some of his artists to me persuading him to put out our EP… in fact I can’t even remember when or where we physically met now! Was it in the US or the UK? Er… I feel like I’ve known him quite some time. He’s a good guy as is William at PSR. They’re lovely people and have been very, very supportive of us.
DOA: Planting Seeds Records just released a benefit CD titled Blue Skies Daisy Days to support Keep A Breast Foundation, which raises awareness of prevention and early detection of breast cancer. What is your contribution to this compilation?
Bert: We’re honoured to be on the cd. We were totally up for it. Our song “Inside Out”, is the first track.
DOA: Mark, you have a long history in the music field, as a solo artist, and more recently as a guitarist in Jesus And Mary Chain, which reformed in 2007. From what I gather though, you were playing guitar in a band with Jim Reid since 2006, but his brother William was not involved with this. Was the band considered Jesus And Mary Chain at that time or did it have a different name? What has it been like to be part of such a legendary band, playing Coachella and other gigs and being in the presence of greatness, I mean, in the presence of Jim and William Reid?

Mark: I met Jim Reid in 2005 when I was asked to book some shows for him by the record label that was putting out his solo singles. Jim and Phil King had been doing sporadic live dates and in early 2006 it was decided we’d put a band together. I offered to play bass and arranged for Jim to meet Loz (who I knew was a great drummer but didn’t know personally.) We did a few gigs just under Jim’s name. It was never remotely considered the Mary Chain as we played mostly Jim’s own songs and a couple of covers.
It’s been what can only be described as overwhelming being part of the Mary Chain. Sitting here now a month after our tour of South America it all feels quite unreal. This might sound weird but it’s quite to hard to really appreciate it at the time as you go into a different head space; almost like survival mode! The last tour in particular was incredibly grueling. We flew from London to New York to Buenos Aires to Santiago to Mexico City to… urrgh… struggling to remember where… in the space of about ten days. We were in the air for over sixty hours in total and we were on stage for about six. So the amount of time you’re onstage is tiny compared to the amount spent getting to your destination and waiting to play. And when you’re onstage you’re mostly thinking about not fucking up and hoping that the audience is into it etc, etc… and for me I always seem to focus on the one person in the crowd who looks bored! Ha ha. So it’s hard to enjoy it at the time but looking back it’s been truly great. A great experience. Still hard to believe that it’s real. Coachella was amazing. Chile was amazing. So much has been great.
DOA: Mark, how are your duties with JAMC meshing with International Jetsetters? Is there any conflict in scheduling at all? For lack of a more pleasant simile, are you running around like a chicken with its head cut off?
Mark: There have been times when it’s been a bit crazy but the Mary Chain schedule this year has been quite light. We’ve toured all over the world but only in short bursts so it’s been pretty easy to fit everything in. The only things I’ve really missed out on are family events which always seem to fall on days when I’m away.
DOA: Mark, you released two solo albums in Canada, Shining Down On Me in 1999 and Unnatural World in 2002. Is there any similarity between the solo work you’ve done and International Jetsetters in the sense of sound or style of music? How do the experiences of being a solo artist and being part of a band compare with one another?
Mark: Actually there’s very little similarity between International Jetsetters and my solo albums. There’s very little similarity between my solo albums even. When I recorded Shining Down On Me I didn’t have a very clear idea of what I wanted so I let my friend Paul (who engineered and produced the album) guide me. I think he was really into people like Seal and other MOR pop so it ended up sounding like that. I actually quite like it still though it is totally different to International Jetsetters. When I did Unnatural World I had just got into Nick Drake and Elliott Smith so it sounds more like those two people. International Jetsetters is completely different. It’s the first time I’ve been in a band since 1994 so I think I’ve just been carried away by having an electric guitar plugged in for the first time in ages. I don’t know why we sound the way we do as there is no real conscious thought involved. We just all plug in and play and take it as it comes. It would be totally different with a different group of people.
DOA: Bert, what has your musical journey been like? I saw on MySpace that, besides your involvement with International Jetsetters, you and Fi McFall have a band called Welcome To Peepworld, so it looks like you, too, are running around like crazy and wearing many musical hats! Can you tell us more about this project and how you manage to devote yourself to at least the two bands?

Bert: I’ve got a huge hat collection! I let Fi wear them sometimes. Peepworld started last year as an acoustic project. Fi and I wrote really easily together, and we suddenly had a load of songs, all different vibes and feels. Some felt like Jetsetter tracks and others were definitely me and Fi. So we thought we’d have Welcome to Peepworld as a band. We’re looking to start gigging next year, but we’re getting an albums worth of material that we’re both happy with first, and when it fits in around the Jetsetters.
DOA: Not to be outdone, Mark, you also have your own MySpace profile where it looks like you, along with Bert on bass, are posting new songs once in a while. Is this just for kicks or are you trying work on as many musical projects as possible?!
Mark: There are songs I’ve written that to me don’t really sound like Jetsetter tracks so I’ve decided to do another solo mini-album which is probably going to be 8 songs. It’s going to be far gentler than International Jetsetters I think – more of a Beach Boys vibe with lots and lots of vocal harmonies and laid-back slide guitar. I’ve even covered a Cure song in a sort of West Coast Americana vein. I’m hoping to get it finished by the end of the decade! After that we’ll see what happens.
DOA: Bert, I hope this doesn’t sound too silly, but I was checking you out online the other day, and you name came up as being affiliated with IMDB.com where it lists you, or at least someone with the same name, as an actor in two short films, Monsieur Ballon in 2005 and Lucky Numbers this year. Would this, perchance, be another facet of your working life? If so, how did you get involved in film?
Bert: It sounds completely silly Jen!…Damn! Yeah alright, that’s me. I got sidetracked from music for a few years, and got into acting. Comedy stuff mostly. Nothing major, but it was a lot of fun. I fell into it really, on the advice of friends. I was egged on to audition for a couple of agencies in London and got in. If I’d thought about it, I probably would’ve freaked out. Hopefully some of the stuff I’ve done is ok.
DOA: What has it been like playing live as International Jetsetters? I’ve seen several video clips on YouTube of cool gig footage. What do you think of YouTube as a medium for people to post shows and other video related to your band?
Bert: International Jetsetters are fucking brilliant to play with live. Have you heard Loz drum? He’s a monster! Love it! Youtube’s cool. You can’t beat live, but getting your stuff out in the world’s seriously exciting.
DOA: Continuing with the YouTube phenomenon, and with MySpace too, I’ve now heard songs like “California”, “Out of My Depth”, and “Keep It In (Let It Out)” that are not on the Heart Is Black EP. Will these tracks eventually surface on your debut album?
Bert: Some will, some won’t, some may be on the next EP.
DOA: Please list your official band site(s) where we can find more info about you.
Bert: Have we got an official site Mark?
Mark: We don’t really have an official site as MySpace is perfectly adequate for now. Paul set up a mini site for the EP release which is www.heartisblack.com. That’s probably as official as it gets. - Delusions of Adequacy magazine Jan 2009