East/Village/Club

Artist / Trust

Country / Toronto, Canada

Formed / 2010

Last Album / TRST, February 2012

Type / Synth goth pop

Members / Robert Alfons – lead vocals / Maya Potespski – drums, back vocals

Comments / Never underestimate the opener at a concert. Too often we over look these bands and focus on the headliner - but there is no doubt I have discovered some of my favorite bands this way. Casio Kids before Starfucker, White Lies before Friendly Fires, Das Racist and Penguin Prison before Delphic, and so many more.

And this is exactly how I came to know TRUST. Caitlin and I saw them last year when they opened for Austra. Just three strong, they had a very commanding stage performance. The group is really only two; lead vocals is covered by Robert Alfons, drums and back up vocals by Maya Potespski (who also plays with Austra), but they are joined on stage by a really great synth player while on tour.

The duo is creates a deep, brooding atmosphere on stage with little lighting to go with their music powered by Alfons deep, husky voice supported by Potespski dance like beat on the drums and super heavy on the synth. Alfons dance moves are quite the sight as well. This model like duo, both very attractive and with sleek fashion sense, hail from Toronto. Their synth goth pop is influenced by music from the 80’s which brings us some amazing tracks. Off their latest self titled album we are lucky to get such masterpieces as Candy Walls, Bubbleform, Chrissy E, The Last Dregs, and by far my favorite F.T.F. (Caitlin, however, favors Sulk). You might have come across these tracks on previous playlists on E/V/C but check out the full album below and the unique music videos that accompany some stand out tracks…

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Synth goth pop canada trust

3 weeks ago

trst-feb.2012

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audio canada synth goth pop trust

3 weeks ago

trust / candy walls / trst

3 weeks ago

trust / bulbform / trst

3 weeks ago

Artist / Tanlines

Country / Brooklyn, NY

Formed / 2008

Last Album / Mixed Emotions, March 2012

Type / Indie Pop, Electro Caribbean Funk Rock

Members / Jesse Cohen, Eric Emm

Comments / Credit where credit is due - I did not discover this band on my own. The first time I heard about Tanlines was via a text from my friend Jim, a music aficionado but more often the bane of my existence. On a recent trip to LA I received a text from him asking: “do you know about Tanlines?” I ignored him - I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. Shortly after he followed up with a second text: “the band… not the things you tried to avoid as a sorority girl.” Yea, I was a sorority girl (I know we’re all embarrassed for me at this point) and thinking this was some type of insult - I decided this band was out.

I was an idiot. I can’t believe I even hesitated to give them a listen; and now their latest album “Mixed Emotions” has quickly been put on top rotation in my music library. Easily the soundtrack to my Spring, and possibly Summer as its been over a month and I am still not sick of it.

The Brooklyn based duo came together as a side project between Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm back in 2008. Actually, if you watched the video by Nylon Magazine we posted for Chairlift, you an also see Cohen interviewed with his former band Professor Murder. (Everybody knows everybody in Brooklyn of course…) The two began as a remix project, that turned into Emm taking the role as vocalist and guitarist as Cohen produced the beats to make their catchy indie pop tunes. Turning out some pretty notable tracks which mixed a disco groove to Balearic beat the two began to grab the attention of critics and fans alike. Their track “Bejan” was included on the Kitsune Maison 7 compilation, which set the stage for them to step into the spotlight and set the precedent for their sound.

While I enjoy listening to Tanlines… pretty much - all the time? Nothing really beats seeing them live. I was lucky enough to have the chance to catch them playing the home crowd last week during their sold out show at The Bowery Ballroom. The energy of the crowd was unreal and totally in tune with the vibe the two were putting out. The stage was set with some nice - uh vegetation? The two set out some potted plants on stage which kinda made the whole show feel a bit more intimate. They started off with a slow rendition of their song “All of Me” which evolved into their hit single “Brothers.” With some hilarious monologues by Cohen intertwined between songs - the whole show seemed to end too quickly. As the two ended their set with “All of Me” the crowed was totally into it and rather then exit the stage the two stayed and went right into “Real Life.” I am pretty sure I could have given some NBA players stiff competition with the height I achieved jumping around throughout their encore. Seriously, I’m waiting on a call from the Knicks…

With the groups dance melodies, island Caribbean influence, and energetic electro influence - this album has something for everyone and does not disappoint. I have yet to have anyone tell me otherwise. Give the tracks below a listen, and if you get the chance, see these guys on tour - and if your super lucky - spin a pretty sick DJ set. These guys deserve all the hype and then some.

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USA electro caribbean funk rock indie pop Tanlines

1 month ago

mixed emotions - mar.2012

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Electro Caribbean Funk Rock USA audio indie pop Tanlines

1 month ago

tanlines / brothers / mixed emotions

1 month ago

tanlines / all of me / mixed emotions

1 month ago

tanlines / real life / mixed emotions

1 month ago

tanlines / interview

1 month ago

Artist / Still Corners

Country / London, UK

Formed / 2007

Last Album / Creatures of an Hour, October 2011

Type / Dream Pop, Movie music

Members / Greg Hughes – songwriter, producer, drummer / Tessa Murray – vocalist / Leon Dufficy – guitarist (live) / Luke Jarvis – bassist (live)

Comments / I love when I have the chance to discover bands this way: a magazine I picked up 2 weeks ago (New Noise), in it a good article about a band I had not yet heard of (Still Corners)… with my luck 2 days later this band was performing at my venue not far from me (Epicerie Moderne), where I spend many evenings.

I can exactly place my finger on what attracted me so strongly to this band while I was listening to their last album – maybe the enchantress like voice of the singer, or the brooding melodies that are oh so palpable, but still so full of spirituality – but it was enough to get me to buy a ticket to their show.

I was quite surprised when I arrived that the audience was invited to gather around the stage to enjoy the show while sitting in chairs… Interesting. But I quickly understood the reason for this: it was a really intimate environment. More of a recital then a rock show. This was a piece to be enjoyed and thought about. Dark and captivating with the 4 members of the band quite close to us, and a nice selection of different short movies projecting behind them. All of it worked together to create an atmosphere that mimicked their music.

Tessa, took command of the performance with a real beauty shinning through of the venue, singing and playing synth, behind fellow band mate Greg playing drums (he took the guitar for an exclusive duo with Tessa at one point). They were also joined by their 2 “live friends”, Leon and Luke, who accompanied them on guitar and bass respectively.

To talk a bit about the background of this band; Still Corners is the brain child of Greg, an American from Texas. But don’t let his birthplace fool you he is closer to the British flag than the cowboy bandanna. Indeed, it’s hard to believe that it’s an American who is leading up the band (no it’s not - Americans are so multi-faceted and built for adaptation) - but it’s easy to see where the strong influences of the Queens England in his music came from when you know that he spent 10 years now in in London (as well as the fact Tessa is English).

At the beginning, Still Corners was a studio project by Greg, with the first EP – Remember Pepper. Still Corners as a band took on two other members but in the end Greg (through an extraordinary meeting of chance, which would be too long to tell) found Tessa. And this convergence of talent gave us “Creatures Of an Hour”, influenced by a universe of other music makers (Ennio Morricone, Nancy Sinatra, Cocteau Twins…) and movie makers (John Carpenter, David Lynch). Interesting and enticing combinations, no? Check them out for yourself below…

Also for a bonus feature - look here for some photos and videos of the show…

Tags

dream pop movie music united kingdom Still Corners

1 month ago