Category: Introducing (Page 22 of 25)

Introducing SOFT METALS

6 December 2011 /

SOFT METALS are a snappy new duo comprising of Patricia Hall on vocals / synths and Ian Hicks on synths / drum machines / programming / sequencing.

Originally from Portland, Oregon but now resident in Los Angeles, on first impression they may be considered part of the Minimal Wave, but perhaps have a more immediate sound than say XENO & OAKLANDER. Compared with other North American duos, they are maybe also a bit shinier than the more gothic CRYSTAL CASTLES.

But that’s not to say SOFT METALS don’t have much weightier influences as their affectionate cover of THROBBING GRISTLE’s ‘Hot On The Heels Of Love’ proves. They released their first EP ‘The Cold World Melts’ in 2010. Armed with an arsenal of cool vintage synths such as the Sequential Pro One, Micromoog, Korg Mono/Poly and Roland Juno 60 as well as modern ones such as the Dave Smith Mopho, SOFT METALS aren’t afraid to occasionally crossover into pop. ‘

‘Eyes Closed’ is probably the highlight from their promising debut album, elements of ORBITAL and Derrick May creeping into the rugged squelch ‘n’ bleep framework. Meanwhile, the marvellous ‘Voices’ is five and a half minutes of synthetically charged joy, dripping with cute and bubbly romance.

The brilliantly titled ‘Psychic Driving’ has Hicks’ soundtrack hypnotically pulsing away while his riffs and Hall’s angelic tones complement this delicious ditty. The widely processed chorals on ‘Celestial Call’ add a humanic touch to an atmospheric beat instrumental while ‘The Cold World Melts’ is their calling card, industrialised European electronics and a slightly unsettling vocal sent into a melodic dreamlike state like a less Teutonic Gina X.

With ‘Do You Remember?’, there’s wonderfully doom laden but appealing electronic disco a la SECTION 25’s ‘Looking From A Hilltop’. At times, Patricia Hall’s flirtatious demeanour even sounds like Dot Allison in her ONE DOVE days.

Throughout the collection, the Roland TR family of Rhythm Composers happily clatter away for an enjoyable percussive template, proving that darkness can be fun and without necessarily the need to practicce witchcraft.

Although several of their other tracks are a touch repetitive, SOFT METALS are ideal for those who like to listen to music in an unlit room, but happily tap their foot incessantly at the same time while unsure whether to get up and dance!

‘Soft Metals’ is available now on Captured Tracks as a CD and download

https://www.facebook.com/SOFTMETALS

https://twitter.com/SoftMetals

https://www.instagram.com/metauxmous/

http://soundcloud.com/soft-metals

Text by Chi Ming Lai
6th December 2011

Introducing KID KASIO

12 April 2011 /

 

KID KASIO is Nathan Cooper, one-time member of those once great white hopes THE MODERN aka MATINEE CLUB who in their time, supported HEAVEN 17.

Anyone who has ever heard their album ‘Modern Industry’ will only be too aware of Nathan’s vocal and songwriting talents on brilliant songs such as ‘Jane Falls Down’ and ‘Sometimes’, which incidentally were produced by the legendary Stephen Hague. With all this experience under his belt, Nathan now writes and produces all his music as KID KASIO from his South East London studio with guitarist Ben Todd and bassist Glenn Bridges occasionally helping out.

His most recent offering ‘The Reason’ is a superb slice of candy flossed synthpop with an edge. Coming over like a cross between THE CURE and ERASURE, it is accompanied by an affectionate Top Of The Pops homage video featuring Peter Powell and a few moves borrowed from TALKING HEADS’ Toni Basil choreographed promo for ‘Once In A Lifetime’.

Of KID KASIO’s other material so far, both ‘Not For Turning’ and ‘Living My Life’ are fine examples of bouncy riff laden ditties with catchy choruses reminiscent of imperial phase DURAN DURAN. Taking the route of acts such as LA ROUX, HURTS and MIRRORS in updating the ‘Synth Britannia’ template for the next electro generation, KID KASIO’s vintage but modern flavoured sound heralds a new era for one man and his synth.

‘The Reason’ is available as a download single via the usual platforms

http://www.kidkasio.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kidkasio

https://twitter.com/KidKasio

Text by Chi Ming Lai
12th April 2011

Introducing NIGHTLIFE

27 February 2011 /

Darin Rajabian and Caroline Myrick met at a party in Ann Arbor, Michigan sometime in early 2010.

Sharing a love for dreaming, dancing and melodic pop, they began work on a project to incorporate Caroline’s soft angelic vocals with Darin’s classic electronic backing. As the music evolved, they became NIGHTLIFE. As with New York based THE GOLDEN FILTER, NIGHTLIFE look to more Nordic climes for their inspiration.

With acclaimed Swedish songstress SALLY SHAPIRO being the most obvious musical influence, this was proof that the recent aural legacy of Scandinavia isn’t just about ‘witch house’ or the worshipping of Karin Dreijer Andersson. NIGHTLIFE’s self-titled debut EP features six crystalline gems starting with ‘Our Love’ which buzzes away discordantly, but has melodic stabs and rhythmical triplets keep it immediately accessible.

The uplifting ‘Fever’ mixes the sound of the Orient with a Eurodisco snap while syncopated rhythms punctuate the gorgeous ‘Lightspeed’. ‘Dancing Without Me’ is thrillingly driven by a precise beat and detuned leadline before the sexily pulsating ‘Goodbye’ lifts with a sweet but fragile high end chorus in the vein of Annie.

Simmons sounding drums thunder through the EP’s closing track ‘Wait’ and it’s a fine example how good Ellie Goulding could sound if she wasn’t such a folkie and totally embraced an electro based sound.

Throughout all the compositions, Darin’s clean, uncluttered arrangements and textures add grandeur where appropriate but allowing space to accentuate Caroline’s whispery vocal charms. Currently finishing their debut album, NIGHTLIFE are definitely ones to watch. How refreshing it is to see another Stateside duo who actually know the difference between synths and keyboards!

NIGHTLIFE’s self titled EP is available now via their website.

http://nightlifepop.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nightlifepop/

Text by Chi Ming Lai
27th February 2011

Introducing BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT

21 February 2011 /

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT is the talented Welsh singer/songwriter Rod Thomas whose self-confessed guilty pleasure is ACE OF BASE.

His debut single ‘A New Word To Say’ recalled the melodic electronic funk of ‘Desire’, a great lost single from 1983 by ENDGAMES. Meanwhile the brilliant follow-up ‘Love Part II’ took NEW ORDER’s disco music for lager louts back to its more profound Italo roots.

Its B-side ‘Cry at Films’ was a soaring slice of reflective pop and a good indicator of the BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT sound. Combining the compositional aesthetic of PET SHOP BOYS with the stylistic enigma of ‘Twin Peaks’, Rod has even recorded a cover of the latter’s main theme ‘Falling’.

Latest offering ‘How To Make A Heart’ is a superbly sensitive but optimistic number driven by backing that helps it come over like a techno enhanced version of HURTS. The superb CGI video which shows that even robots have feelings was directed by Gavin Leisfield.

Having supported ELLIE GOULDING and THE SOUND OF ARROWS, Rod has been in demand and has recently collaborated with SUNDAY GIRL and QUEEN OF HEARTS.

With an impressive collection of songs already and working with Andy Chatterley whose credits have included KYLIE MINOGUE, all looks promising for the forthcoming BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT album ‘Make Me Believe In Hope’.

‘A New Word To Say’, ‘Love Part II’ and ‘How To Make A Heart’ are released by Aztec Records

http://www.brightlightx2.com

https://www.facebook.com/brightlightx2/

Text by Chi Ming Lai
21st February 2011

Introducing QUEEN OF HEARTS

17 February 2011 /


QUEEN OF HEARTS is an enigmatic young lady who likes impossibly high shoes, cocktails, cats and French accents.

Her song ‘Freestyle’ offers some of the whispery chill of GOLDFRAPP and attaches it to a dream laden synthetic backing track of mesmeric proportions, taking its leaf from the Giorgio Moroder-influenced KYLIE album closer ‘Light Years’,

It pleasingly thrusts itself to a galaxy far, far away as QUEEN OF HEARTS gravitates towards being modern electropop’s own Queen Amidala. Produced by the equally mysterious DREAMTRAK, it’s time for the revenge of the synth!

Brought up to the sound of the synthesizer and learning to dance to the beat of electronic drums, QUEEN OF HEARTS grew up on a strict diet of A-HA, DEPECHE MODE, YAZOO and THE HUMAN LEAGUE thanks to her dear Queen Mother.

Following in the footsteps of LITTLE BOOTS and SUNDAY GIRL, she writes songs that have one foot in the future and one in the past. Among her other studio collaborators on this exciting new adventure are DIAMOND CUT, FEAR OF TIGERS, BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT and JOHAN AGEBJORN who has previously worked with SALLY SHAPIRO.

QUEEN OF HEARTS writes songs about the important things in life – love, loss, heartbreak, betrayal – and thinks that the best pop songs should make you dance and shed a tear or two. Pleasures remain…

www.iamqueenofhearts.com

https://www.facebook.com/QOHofficial

https://twitter.com/iamqueenofheart

Text by Chi Ming Lai
17th February 2011

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