Songs about the hopes we cling to and the regrets that cling to us. Rooted in rain-soaked cities and dry mouths, Varnish want to stand by you when the lights go out and occasionally point out the stars.

Seattle rock/post-punk/garage pop band Varnish are back from a change-filled break. Whilst not playing gigs, they've been sorting out new songs and a new bassist, amongst other things. They're eager to hit the stage with songs from their Each to Each EP (released 1 December, 2011) and songs you haven't heard yet.

Varnish are steeped in the influence of dark, jangled pop via post-punk UK music that was dressed to kill and to do it fabulously, as well as "pre-punk" New York City bands that set the stage for the modern and alternative rock scenes that came next. Live performances are thick with emotional authenticity and showcase the band’s varied tastes. Sets are filled with songs that inhabit similar space but don’t all sound the same. If you can't catch them live, you can rub up against the experience via their recordings.

Either way, you get a chance to tap into Bird's intense delivery and lyrics (known for being anything but trite and worth looking up on their web site), as well as Cope's guitars (lauded as "clean, even when there's distortion"). Varnish are rounded out ably by their hardworking rhythm section and often mistaken for being a UK band.