Category: Introducing (Page 19 of 25)

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 NIGHT CLUB

19 September 2013 /

Californian-based NIGHT CLUB formed in 2011 when vocalist Emily Kavanaugh and producer Mark Brooks began writing songs that combined the pure pop of PINK and Britney Spears with the much heavier spectre of SLAYER into a danceable, electronic underworld.

Their respective life experiences led them into this darker territory as Kavanaugh dealt with her father’s untimely death while Brooks faced his own demons.

NIGHT CLUB are best represented by their most immediate number, the Britney gone Emo of ‘Poisonous’ and the friskily minimal ‘Give Yourself Up To Me’. Positively feline but dysfunctionally dark, ‘Poisonous’ bases itself, like STEFY’s lost 2007 single ‘Chelsea’, around the riff of ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’.

This superb slice of catchy electronic pop from the LA combo of Emily Kavanaugh and Mark Brooks rouses with a huge crossover potential while possessing a cutely subversive and sinister edge. Kavanaugh recently described their musical DNA as: “If Depeche Mode f*cked Britney Spears and had a baby who hung out in dark corners of seedy clubs, then that baby would be us.”

By way of a connection, NIGHT CLUB open for cult new wavers BOOK OF LOVE who supported DEPECHE MODE on the ‘Black Celebration’ tour on 8th October 2013 at Los Globos in Los Angeles.

‘Night Club’ and ‘Love Casualty’ are released by Gato Blanco and available as downloads from Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon

http://nightclubband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nightclubband

https://soundcloud.com/nightclubband

Text by Chi Ming Lai
19th September 2013, updated 25th May 2016

Introducing GIRL ONE & THE GREASE GUNS

24 August 2013 /


New in 2013 are mysterious combo GIRL ONE & THE GREASE GUNS.

Who are they? Nobody really knows for sure but the band members’ names Sissy Space Echo, Warren Betamax, Charles Bronson Burner and Bruce LeeFax are probably a good indicator of their collective mindset.

Their manifesto is “to thrive on causing confusion with a mixture of pure synth pop and more experimental electronic sounds”.

GIRL ONE & THE GREASE GUNS came to the attention of small UK indie label Squirrel Records by placing a cassette under the windscreen wiper of a car outside the label’s HQ! Containing the dysfunctional indie synthpop of ‘Driving Without Headlights (Once Again)’ and the noisefest of ‘(I’m A) Willing Receiver’, this pair of paranoid dystopian ditties were released as a 7 inch single in April of this year. Recorded in The Glass Factory, “a freezing cold structure in the middle of a timber yard”, their latest single ‘Jessica 6’ is a tribute to the cult Sci-Fi favourite ‘Logan’s Run’.

Using footage of the lovely Jenny Agutter from the film in the promo video, the eerie post-punk cacophony laced with icy Yamaha string machine makes ‘Jessica 6’ the perfect belated choice for the theme tune. Add in a frantic reverbed backbeat and it all comes over like THE PIPETTES fronting an OMD assisted JOY DIVISION.

Despite these winter of discontent overtones, the B-side brings things up-to-date with the brilliantly titled ‘Bring On The Dancing Horse Meat’. With sexily nonchalant vocals from Sissy plus a barrage of low-fi guitars, Farfisa and battered Casio, it is an enjoyable slice of progressive mechanical desolation.

The band have declared themselves essential listening for fans of THE NORMAL, CABARET VOLTAIRE, FAD GADGET, DEPECHE MODE, OMD and YAZOO! Their third single ‘(Here Come) The Catastrophe Machines’ which has been described as ‘Nag Nag Nag’ but more violent is out in October!

‘Jessica 6’ and ‘Driving Without Headlights (Once Again)’ are released by Squirrel Records as 7 inch vinyl singles and downloads

http://www.squirrelrecords.co.uk/girl-one-and-the-grease-guns/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-One-And-The-Grease-Guns/440754999339179

Text by Chi Ming Lai
24th August 2013

Introducing SAY LOU LOU

17 May 2013 /

ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK loves dream laden electronic sophistication

Recent offerings from HANNAH PEEL and KID MOXIE have been fine examples of that template.

Cut from that same cloth is ‘Julian’, the beautiful new single from SAY LOU LOU, who comprise of the highly photogenic Scandipodean twins Elektra and Miranda Kilbey.

The track features subtle elements of ROBYN, LANA DEL REY, KARIN PARK, MARSHEAUX and THE SOUND OF ARROWS. Meanwhile, the lavish video directed by Philippe Tempelman chronicles what turns out to be a mysterious bizarre love triangle.

It is full of tension and intrigue like a Nordic Noir mini-series compressed into a three minute pop song that fuses both darkness and light as the lyrics suggest:“I’ll get us through the checkpoint, I know we’ll be alright!”

Flitting between Sydney and Stockholm, the Kilbey sisters have been impressing since their more organic first single ‘Maybe You’. None other than Richard X is rumoured to be working with them on songs for their debut album. Perhaps not surprisingly with their steady tempos and art house cinematics, SAY LOU LOU are also being thought of as a female HURTS, having recently supported Messrs Hutchcraft and Anderson on tour in Europe.

The B-side of ‘Julian’ entitled ‘Fool Of Me’ which features Australian singer Chet Faker is a highly tasteful compliment to the main feature.

While it is difficult to fully judge the potential of any new act with such as small catalogue, ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK did get it right with CHVRCHES and VILE ELECTRODES. So here’s to SAY LOU LOU delivering further on their brand of shimmering escapism.

‘Julian’ b/w ‘Fool Of Me’ is available now as a download or 7 inch vinyl

http://www.sayloulou.com/

http://www.facebook.com/SayLouLoumusic

https://soundcloud.com/sayloulou

Text by Chi Ming Lai
18th May 2013

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