Category: Introducing (Page 18 of 25)

Introducing I AM SNOW ANGEL

24 February 2014 /

ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK heads back to New York State for its next new artist introduction, Lake Placid to be precise.

The location of the 1980 Winter Olympics, it is the apt that this village in the Adirondack Mountains should be at the heart of the beautifully gentle electronica of I AM SNOW ANGEL.

The self-produced vehicle of the now Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Julie Kathryn, as can be imagined from the artist moniker, the music evokes images of icy landscapes and crystalline hydro basins.

I AM SNOW ANGEL’s self titled debut EP has been described as “an arresting mix of KATE BUSH and IMOGEN HEAP” and is Julie Kathryn’s first adventure in synthpop having previously made initial forays into Americana Noir at the start of her career.

The EP’s most immediate song ‘Grey White December’ is vibrant but whispery with a strong atmospheric quality. The blend of synthetic and organic textures strikes a balance to prove that using electronics does not have to mean raiding the DEPECHE MODE or ULTRAVOX songbooks. ‘Grey White December’ is accompanied by a step animation video that captures the song’s chilling aura.

Even better though is the lead track ‘Let Me Go’; rich in understatement, it is a Nordic styled tour de force swathed in melancholy. The subtle percussive textures provide an enticing backbone to cling onto. Meanwhile, ‘Not The Same’ features some muted guitar drive to highlight Kathryn’s countrified origins and ups the tempo slightly to accompany the soundscapes, a bit like THE POSTAL SERVICE. The intro to ‘Leave The Rest Behind’ though could come from ‘Twin Peaks’, all ambient and ethereal before a Eurocentric electronic rhythm and some pretty synth layers kick in.

Whether this is a full time project or a one-off experiment before returning to more traditional musical values, I AM SNOW ANGEL is again proving that North America is where the some of more interesting developments in synth friendly music are happening. But quite what I AM SNOW ANGEL will do when the weather gets a bit warmer remains to be seen.

The ‘I Am Snow Angel’ EP is available now via Amazon, iTunes and the usual digital outlets

http://iamsnowangel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/iamsnowangel

https://twitter.com/I_Am_SnowAngel

https://www.instagram.com/i_am_snowangel/

https://soundcloud.com/iamsnowangel

Text by Chi Ming Lai
24th February 2014

Introducing REXXY

17 February 2014 /

ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK has said it once and will say it again but much of the best new electronic based pop music seems to be coming from North America. Why is that?

Perhaps the territory is so vast that various bubbles of talent are able to develop independently and without spill, unlike in the UK where acts are much closer together and with the nation’s inherent synthpop tradition, more likely to take the phrase synth revival a little too literally. Hot on the heels of GRIMES, AUSTRA, SOFT METALS, FEATHERS, TRUST and ELEVEN: ELEVEN is REXXY, the independent music project of musician, singer / songwriter Monica Velasquez.

With dreamy sounds and pentatonic vocal melodies, she comes over a little like GRIMES fronting NEW ORDER or THE CURE. With a mix of synths and moody bass riffs to a contemporary, new wave influenced sound, ‘Careless’ is a fine example of REXXY’s haunting demeanour; her vocals are melancholic yet seductively feline while her self-played four string adds texture to the precise rhythm on top of the eerie synth swoops.

Although her early projects were influenced by disco glam and garage rock, a move to Los Angeles saw her open her horizons. Now based in Brooklyn, her self-titled debut was released by CMI Vibe Records at the end of last year. Opening numbers ‘What Makes Us Fade’ and ‘Glasshead’ both possess a tremendous wispy drive. ‘Moonshine’ follows similar territory and comes over a bit like a more indie take on PAWWS ‘Slow Love’.

Meanwhile, the mechanical clatter of ‘Just For You’ makes things a little bit more club friendly. REXXY has also been experimenting with more dance related collaborations; the first result in partnership with Lif of DUO FOX is ‘Mageyez’ and brilliantly delightful.

REXXY is not all uptempo though as more mystic, ethereal compositions such as ‘Your Eyes’ prove. Yes, Velasquez’s vocals have a marmite effect, but lovers of J-Pop and K-Pop should have no trouble adapting. Whether you are at the purer end of the electro spectrum or like things toughened with organic instrumentation, REXXY has something for you.

With thanks to Darby Kaighin-Shields at Red Tape Productions Inc

‘Rexxy’ is out now on CMI Vibe Records via iTunes, Amazon and Spotify

www.rexxymusic.com

www.facebook.com/RexxyMusic

https://soundcloud.com/rexxymusic

Text by Chi Ming Lai
17th February 2014

Introducing AUTOMATIC WRITING

10 November 2013 /

“Warm Jets, Nite Flights and Wuthering Heights”…

If you know anything thing about music, then you will understand what London sibling duo AUTOMATIC WRITING are aesthetically all about. One observer described the pair as “a cross between WHITE LIES and OMD”.

The description isn’t far off although vocalist Neave Merrick adopts a far more sombre baritone than Harry McVeigh while brother Jamie handling synths introduces far more post-punk distortion than Paul Humphreys ever did.

Early single ‘Crystal Visions’ is another variant of the Synth Britannia template, coming over like a mutant PET SHOP BOYS fronted by Ian Curtis! AUTOMATIC WRITING have just released a new EP ‘Introduction To Floating’ which isn’t actually new as such.

Featuring live favourite ‘This Is Happening’ and a solemn stripped down cover of ROXY MUSIC’s ‘More Than This’, the 4 tracker compiles recordings which have appeared on Soundcloud over the last couple of years.

“Imagine if you can what would happen if Depeche Mode, Bowie and Wild Beasts formed a supergroup and soundtracked a David Lynch film using just a laptop, a few analogue synths and a packet of Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategy cards” say the Merricks and “Immerse yourself in modern art” as their NEW ORDER influenced number ‘Modern Art’ goes…

Although ‘Introduction To Floating’ can be seen as a clearing of the decks release and showcases their earlier, more abstract template, AUTOMATIC WRITING have already proved their dynamic tuneage capability with their previous single, the excellent double header ‘Falling’ and ‘Continuous’. The latter made ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK’s 30 Songs Of 2012 listing with its magnificent whirs and spins driven by motorik machine beats and dysfunctional claustrophobia.

The release of the EP is a bit confusing it has to be said and shows AUTOMATIC WRITING a bit rough round the edges following the balanced triumph of ‘Falling and ‘Continuous’. However, further experience and development can only see the enigmatically photogenic pair with their brooding soundscapes and spikey guitar textures become more accessible while still retaining that important esoteric edge.

‘Introduction To Floating’ is available now as a download EP, along with ‘Falling’ b/w ‘Continuous’ from http://automaticwriting.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/automaticwriting

Text by Chi Ming Lai
10th November 2013

Introducing GAPTOOTH

5 November 2013 /

2013 has been a fantastic year for electronic pop with a number of the evergreens from the first phase returning to produce some of their best work for many years while new forms have also flourished, particularly from North America.

And although several acts from the EU have impressed, the domestic scene on both sides of the channel has been disappointing with some acts taking the term synth revival a little too literally!

However, from East London comes a burst of snarling energy under the name of GAPTOOTH. The moniker of singer/musician Hannah Lucy, she will shortly be releasing her debut album ‘Connections / Departures’.

A fierce blend of indie electro disco and sexual politics, the album opener ‘Ladykillers’ is her calling card with an amalgam of feisty Swedish combo THE SOUNDS and GOSSIP’s more recent pure pop experiments. BBC 6 Music’s Camilla Pia said GAPTOOTH “combines electronic music with scuzzy riffs to danceable effect”.

‘Connections / Departures’ has been co-produced by production team A Scholar & A Physician who have worked with CHICKS ON SPEED and PINEY GIR from the much missed duo VIC TWENTY. Among its highlights is a duet ‘Enduring Freedom’ with Ollie Horton from one-time great white synth hopes TRADEMARK who supported THE HUMAN LEAGUE in their time and produced a cover version of DEPECHE MODE’s ‘Enjoy The Silence’ for lost girl group RED BLOODED WOMEN in 2009.

There’s also the endearing chip pop blend of ‘Baggage’ and kitchen sink drama of ‘Plans and Friends and Records’which comes over like a fantasy collaboration between DUBSTAR and a less shouty SHAMPOO! While her debut is not flawless and at times, the prominent guitar can get over bearing, GAPTOOTH shows great promise and potential. Her development over the next few years will be an interesting journey.

‘Connections / Departures’ is released as a download album on 18th November 2013 but available as a limited edition CD from www.gaptoothmusic.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/gaptoothmusic

Text by Chi Ming Lai
Photo by Steve Dawson
5th November 2013

Introducing F.O.X

30 October 2013 /


F.O.X wanted to make a fresh start at the beginning of 2013 when their previous band ANGRY VS THE BEAR went from four to three members.

There’s no need to puzzle over the meaning of the initials, there isn’t one, just a very simple play on lead vocalist Mitzi Fox’s surname.

All from Essex, Darren Barker and Patrick Monahan play keyboards and guitar. Mitzi and Darren were at school together while Patrick has been a mutual friend for over 15 years. Only a month after conception they released their debut album ‘Chimera’,

An eclectic collection of electro rock anthems such as ‘Guns & Horses’ and ‘Show Emotion’, it showcased Mitzi’s obvious powerful vocal talent and considerable range; at times it comes over like P!NK crossed with SIOUXSIE SIOUX and a dash of KOSHEEN!

This is particularly evident on F.O.X’s epic synth driven cover of WHITE LIES’ ‘To Lose My Life’. The high standard of studio production and mixing is mainly due to Simon Gogerly who has worked with major artistes including U2, GWEN STEFANI and PALOMA FAITH, as well as recording and mixing the music for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics no less.

March saw the band supporting the Swedish electro duo THE DEER TRACKS on their tour of the United States which led to a show at the celebrated SXSW Summer Festival in Austin, Texas. It was at this event that the band first met Dave Gahan of DEPECHE MODE. Mitzi had already sent Dave a number of demos and he intimated that he liked F.O.X. and were on a short list for a possible support slot for the upcoming ‘Delta Machine’ Tour.

The band just needed to wait for all three DM members to make a joint decision. A unanimous choice was made and F.O.X supported DEPECHE MODE for the first five European shows, performing in Nice, Athens, Sofia, Bucharest and Istanbul. Since then, they have been currently playing live shows around the country and have issued their first video for ‘I Am Electric’. They conclude a busy year with a gig at Colchester’s The Bull on 6th December 2013 and are recording new material for release in early 2014.

F.O.X Chimera‘Chimera’ out now as a download or CD

http://www.foxtheband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/foxtheband1

https://soundcloud.com/f-o-x-the-band/

Text by Deb Danahay
30th October 2013

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