La Ludwig Band’s Gràcies per venir is Catalan pop with a busy, good-humoured band sound. Guitars, bass and drums sit alongside organillo, piano, hand percussion and a small brass section, while backing vocals keep the arrangements feeling communal rather than polished into sterility. The instruments come from a six-piece whose members trade roles freely, with clarinet, saxophones and trumpet adding colour around songs such as “Per allà Lesseps” and “A les portes del paradís”. It can be melodic and direct, but there’s enough odd detail in the instrumentation to keep it from settling into plain guitar pop.
Quim Carandell wrote all eleven songs, and the band handled most of the arrangements and production, with Joan Borràs joining them on three tracks. Recorded in spring 2023 across four studios, the album was mixed by Borràs and mastered by Victor Garcia at Ultramarinos. The Espolla group has been active since 2018, and this 2023 release came out as a co-edition from The Indian Runners and Ceràmiques Guzmán. Anyone drawn to guitar-led pop, folk touches and a roomful of voices should find plenty to like here, especially if Catalan lyrics aren’t a barrier.
