Tag Archives: passion pit

03.17.10
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Interview: Warming Up with Miike Snow


You’ve been hearing the name everywhere. They’re probably your new favorite group. Everyone wants a piece of Miike Snow. No, it isn’t a one man band, it’s a three piece electro outfit originally hailing from Sweden. Over the weekend we had the chance to catch up with singer Andrew Wyatt about their overnight success and their SXSW shows. Take a peak below!

Modern Mystery: Your album exploded onto the scene pretty quickly. Did you ever expect this much attention and praise?

Andrew Wyatt: Not really, not at all. We thought it was something that was fun to make and also some sort of cliche amongst our peers. We never thought it would be music for the people.

MM: What do you like better, remixing or being remixed and why?

Wyatt: Remixing, just because it’s a little more proactive. We just try to pick something we like, and that has process of emotions.

MM: You are set to play SXSW next week. Is this your first time playing the festival and are you excited?

Wyatt: Yea we are very excited! It’s a great festival with a long running tradition. It’s our first time playing.

MM: How does the group come up with songs?

Wyatt: We’re all in the same room. Someone may have ideas in their head. We all create the songs in the same room in the prescence of each other. We take turns after it’s done.

MM: How long did it take you to create the debut album?

Wyatt: Probably 4 or 5 weeks, not inclduing mixing. With mixing it took 6 weeks.

MM: Are you constantly working on new material?

Wyatt: When we are on tour its difficult. I don’t think were going to make the new album on a laptop. The instruments we use are not on the tour bus. It’s difficult to make a new album with us touring so much.

MM: How do you create what you did in the studio and bring it onto the live stage successfully?

Wyatt: Theres just different ways. Sometimes you can’t do something on stage you did on an album. You have to find a viable replacement for that.

MM: What’s your favorite part about playing a show?

Wyatt: I think crowd surfing. So far we don’t have a favorite place to play. We’ve had great audiences all over place. We’re really excited for Coachella though.

MM: What does the next Miike Snow record have in store? Or are you guys just focused on touring right now?

Wyatt: We’ve been thinking about what we want to do , and we have a title an an album cover and were going to work backwards from there.

MM: Your videos are pretty amazing and artistic. Do you guys have a hand in the concept?

Wyatt: Not really the directors have responsibilities and time constraints. It hinders us from ideas. The next record we’re going to have more input on the videos, and we will be more involved next time.

MM: Where do you see Miike Snow five years from now?

Wyatt: We’ll have our own private islands and send out smoke signals to communicate. We’ll throw out our blackberrys!

MM: You’re playing three sold out shows in New York. Are you excited about those?

Wyatt: Of course, and in October we’ll playing Terminal 5. I hope we’ll sell those out too of course its nice to see those big full shows. Like shows in your hometown, there’s nothing like it.

Miike Snow- “Animal”- Mark Ronson Remix by modernmysteryblog

03.16.10
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Here We Go Again: An Interview with Tim Nordwind from OK Go

OK Go has always been one of my favorite bands. The band broke big when their second record Oh No (EMI Capitol) came out five years ago and haven’t slowed down since. Their pop hooks, killer stage prescene and hillarious videos are a force not to be reckoned with. Late last week I had the chance to talk to bass player Tim Nordwind about everything from their split with their long time record label to the future of the band. Oh here we go, here we go, here we go again……

Modern Mystery: What is the inspiration behind the songs on the new record?

Tim Nordwind: A lot of this record was written during the Bush administration and in the economic downfall. It seemed like the world need help. Also stuff that the band was going through, personal times. We had just come off the road after two and a half years. It was what we were going through, that sort of thing.

MM: There was a long span between Oh No and Of the Colour of the Blue Sky (EMI Capitol). What was the reason?

Nordwind: Well the second record, since we toured a lot, it took about a year for us to come up with stuff, and with the label putting it out in the world. We ended up touring with Oh No for two and a half years and that’s three and a half years already. When we got home, we got our heads together and we started to write songs for the next record. And so when we first sat down we realized what we wanted it to sound like. So it took a little while longer and we wanted to go in organized. By the time we got it together and had the label distribute it, it was five years right there. I hope we don’t take as long next time. I don’t think we’ll be on tour for two and a half years with this record. We’ll make and another one and it will pick up I guess!

MM: Did you feel any pressure going into the studio since Oh No blew up pretty big and fast?

Nordwind: All the pressure we were feeling was self inflicted for sure. The label was more or less hands off. At that point they had let us do our own thing. We often feel a lot of pressure, but the pressure was totally self inflicted. We spent a lot of time asking ourselves “It this good?” “What do you think?” We put a lot of time into it. No one else gave us pressure.

MM: Yesterday it was announced that you had cut ties with EMI and Capitol to form your own label, Paracadute. What was the decision behind that and how much involvement does the band have in it?

Nordwind: It was definetly something the band wanted to do. We needed to make a change and start our own business. It seemed like a good time to do it. Our label, it was a very amicable split and they were pretty cool about it. It’s definetly an exciting moment for us. For the first time in eight years we’re an independent band, really an independent band. We started out as an independent band anyway. We’ll now distribute our records ourselves. It’s exciting.

MM: Your videos are always amazing. How do you come up with the concepts?

Nordwind: Concepts come from all sorts of places. Sometimes it’s born out of an idea one of us will have, or a friend of ours will come and say “Hey I have an idea,” and we kind of just go from there. It’s really a collaboration and we don’t do traditional film making. We like to sort of, well we like to act, and like if you want to make a video, what do you do? We try to figure it out rather then going to someone who makes traditional films. We started having friends of ours make our videos. Our ideas come from all over the place and then we work on them.

MM: How do you create your songs? Is it a collaboration or does everyone come in with seperate ideas?

Nordwind: Usually the way we write songs is that we all kind of do it alone. Then we’ll bring it to the band and we all sort of work on it and make it sound just right. Then we sometimes take ideas and sort of jam them out. Usually by the time a song is done, everyone in the band has touched it one way or another.

MM: Where do you see OK Go in ten years from now?

Nordwind: I don’t really know, and the exciting thing is that we don’t what it is. I hope we don’t go the way of we run out of good ideas. Like the new record company, that makes us very excited, and that’s awesome. If we’re still as successful, that’s a fifty-fifty chance. Hopefully we’ll all be there working on songs.

Take a listen to OK Go’s “This to Shall Pass” (Passion Pit Remix)

OK Go – This Too Shall Pass (Passion Pit Remix) by modernmysteryblog

12.31.09
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Modern Mystery’s Top 25 Albums of 2009

 

1. The Wooden Birds-Magnolia
From the ashes of the classic indie band, American Analog Set, rose a new project from former frontman, Andrew “AK” Kenny, called The Wooden Birds. Shifting completely everything he’s done musicially, AK has come out with one of the most surprising releases of the year. Creating a record that is more folk than rock, no songs on the album contain any drums what-so-ever. The bass and vocals really take off and captivate you, the listener. The live sets of the song also include Matt Pond on guitar along with songstress Leslie Sisson. I’m not sure I’ve heard such a heart felt and warm record in the past 10 years.

2. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
It’s been a long time since we heard from The Strokes as a unified band. A lot of fans were hesitant on the thought of a solo album by the charasmatic leader, Julian Casablancas, putting out music that doesn’t resemble his band at all. What a surprise it was when we found he took his love for a bit of 1980’s dance and incoporated it with his unforgettable voice and lyrics. The end result? One of the coolest records of the year. We’d expect no less from him.

3. James Husband- Parallax 1
It took 10 years for multi-instrumentalist and drummer from Of Montreal, James Husband, to create his solo album masterpiece. Husband is in the spotlight for the first time in his career and wow, is he certainly taking advantage of it. Providing one of the best indie pop records of the past year, he lets out a 60’s retro sound that no one can mess with. The end result is something as charming as it seems. Raw, catchy, and glorious.

4. Alvin Band-Mantis Preying
Rick  Schaier is not only an amazing drummer and artist, but he is also an extremely talented singer and songwriter. Schaier who spends most of  his time playing drums in The Miniature Tigers has begun a new chapter in his book in the form of ‘Alvin Band,’ this year and completely blew our minds. Blending a retro sound with updated electronics, this is one album you should pick up if you haven’t yet. The catchy hooks and vocals will only leave you wanting more. That my friends, is a good thing!

5. Bishop Allen- Grrr
It’s been a long night since Bishop Allen gained attention by two teenagers named Nick and Norah, and fans were at the edge of their seat wondering what the Brookyln line up would come up with next. Taking a further step into their brilliant indie pop sound, the band did not disappoint at all with Grrr. See it as the next chapter in the Bishop Allen movie, one that is bound to have many sequels in store.

6. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you may have heard of a little band called Grizzly Bear. Somehow exploding this year, it was certainly one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2009. Every song is flawless. Catchy yet moody. Beautiful in every way. This album describes itself better than anyone ever could.

7. Bat for Lashes- Two Suns
Completely out of left field, the lovely miss Natasha from Bat for Lashes surprised us all this year with making a stunning, charming, and beautiful record. The combination of her voice and the spacey background music is enough to send chills down your spine. And it does just that. The haunting track “Daniel” captivated the attention of many, and the rest of the album is able to keep you around.

8. Flight of the Conchords-I Told You I Was Freaky
Yes, they are known for writing ‘funny’ songs, but on this record, FOTC became even witty and even more advanced it seems in their writing. Their songs, even though the lyrics are mostly ‘silly’, are composed perfectly from start to end. Jermaine and Bret are really on top of their game with this record. We can’t wait to hear more!

9. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
This band always makes a great record, and their 2009 hit was no different. Everyone wanted a piece of Phoenix and boy, did they get them. This classic indie dance pop record was a must have for everyone who ‘knew what’s cool.’ Apparently, this was the world.

10. Girls-Girls
An unlikely hit, this retro indie duo shocked us all with such a raw and appealing debut album. This lo-fi record filled with melodies, doesn’t need any frills or thrills to make it great. It hold’s its own firmly which is a hard thing to mess with.

11. Cass McCombs-Catacombs
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Its Blitz
13. Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Pains of Being Pure at Heart
14. Casper and the Cookies-Modern Silence
15. Headlights-Wildlife
16. Japandroids- Post Nothing
17. Cymbals Eat Guitars-Why There are Mountains
18. Kevin Devine- Brother’s Blood
19. Joan of Arc- Flowers
20. Passion Pit-Manners
21. The Antlers- Hospice
22. Loney Dear-Dear John
23. Neko Case-Middle Cyclone
24. The Mountain Goats- The Life of the World to Come
25. Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca

11.13.09
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Flying Solo with Cale Parks

2009_1024CMJ0111 by you.

Google Cale Parks and you’ll wonder if he’s human or cyborg. The confusion will hit you when you read the extensive—and impressive—list of bands he’s been a part of in recent years (drumming for Aloha, White Williams, Owen, and Cex, among others), and you’ll question how he has the time/energy/ability to do it all. But multi-instrumentalist Parks doesn’t want to be just another drummer in the experimental synth-pop crowd. Instead, the Ohio native is working hard from his Greenpoint pad to establish himself in the music melting pot of Brooklyn. His advantage: wit. Parks is a funny guy with bulging eyes, pleasant disposition, and, you know, talent. The past three years have seen the 30 year old go from MySpace stalker to tirelessly touring solo act. One night we sat in the backseat of a Zipcar—innocently (Parks is a real gentleman)—outside The Bell House in Park Slope and discussed where he’s at and where he’s going.

You’ve played in so many bands, primarily as the drummer for Aloha. How did the solo venture come about?

How it happened is I made a MySpace page in 2006 with all my solo songs on it and started adding Aloha’s friends, not looking at who they were. I just started click add add friend add friend backspace add backspace and so I asked record label [Stiff Slack] in Japan to be my friend and they were like, “We love Aloha! Send us your stuff.” And I was like, “I don’t have a solo record. Why don’t you put it out? Ha-Ha.” And they were like, “OK.” And that’s how it happened. That’s how I did Illuminated Manuscript. Then I started writing more songy songs and trying to sing.

 What are songy songs?

 Songs with singing, songy songs!

Do you consider yourself a good singer?

No. It’s hard, I have a baritone voice, so it’s hard to project and then when you strain too hard…I don’t know, this is technical talk.

What are you saying? It’s too technical, I can’t understand it?!

No, no, no! Sometimes you strain your voice and it’s hard to project and blah blah blah. But I just started singing live, it’ll be a year in November, so it’s still a new thing. Singing in your apartment is different. But I like singing. I like to think I’m getting better.

Are you trying to get better?

My mom and sister teach, so I called my mom after the Grizzly Bear show [at McCarren Park Pool] and I was like, “Oh my God, they sing so good. Can you send me some voice training books?” And I did a couple of tours with Passion Pit and Michael [Angelakos] has the most incredible voice ever. Listening to him sing and do his warm ups backstage, it’s not even singing, it’s just weird sound effects and sounds that babies make. Just crazy.

Do you prefer being part of a band or performing solo?

I’ve always been in other bands playing drums. It’s not like they don’t take you seriously because you’re a drummer, but you want to make yourself known. I had other ideas for songs that weren’t appropriate for bands like Aloha.

Are you looking to form a permanent band with Eric Lyle Lodwick and Drew Montag Robinson or just have them as part of your solo act? 

I’m not sure, we’ll see what happens. I don’t want to speak before anything happens, but we’re having a lot of fun playing together. So far, so good. I’m happy with it.

What shows have you done outside of New York?

I did a full US tour with Passion Pit this summer. It was me, them, and Harlem Shakes. I was the first of 3 in an 800-capacity theatre. I played all over solo, but it’s hard to connect with an audience because I’m doing so much stuff on stage. I sing and I play a sampler pad and I play keyboards and I drum and I play cymbals.  

Do you work on the side to support your music?

At APC in SoHo, it’s a French clothing store. I’m not touring till after the winter so I’m just working and only doing local shows for a while.

What’s your favorite local venue to play?

I played at Le Poisson Rouge once and it was amazing. I like Santos Party House.

How early did music factor into your life?

I’ve been playing music all my life, since I was 13 playing in bad bands and garage and all that fun stuff.  My friend David was like, “I have a guitar,” and I’d be like, “Well let’s see what you learned at your guitar lesson this week, David.” “I learned the intro to ‘Dream On’ by Aerosmith.” “Cool, let’s play that.” “And I learned ‘Basketcase’ by Green Day.” “OK, let’s play it.”

Wow, hard stuff.

Yeah, almost as hard as a Weezer song.

So your albums,  Illuminated Manuscript and Sparklace came out in the past three years, are you planning on any new recordings?

I had [To Swift Mars] EP come out in August. I did a remix for [Bear Hands], “What a Drag.” It’s Three 6 Mafia meets Pet Shop Boys with Dylan [Rau]’s voice. Yeah, it’s that good. I have a couple of remixes lined up that I’m working on and I’ve got a bunch of new demos, so we’ll see in what format they’ll come out, if it’s me, my name, or another project, or if I make them into a car commercial.

 Cale Parks and his band are slated to perform at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, on November 14th.

 For more touring and general information, visit his MYSPACE or Cale’s WEBSITE . Also check out Cale’s photos from the Polyvinyl CMJ Showcase AFTER THE JUMP!

09.10.09
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Getting Down with Calvin Harris

I recently had the opportunity of interviewing DJ extraordinare Calvin Harris for the website, Greenshoelace.com. Here’s how the story goes…

Scottish-born DJ Calvin Harris plays by his own rules. Though it seems like he was an overnight success to some, Harris has been creating music since he was a teenager. Record labels adore him, musicians seek him out, and fans can’t get enough of him. With the digital release of his second album Ready for the Weekend (Sony), the physical release is on October 6th, there is no stopping him. He already has two #1 singles from the album and we have the feeling it’s just the beginning. I hadthe chance to talk to Harris last week and he filled us in on what goes on inside of his head.

Your first record, I Created Disco, went Gold. What kind of pressure did you have going into the studio this time? Did you feel like you had to live up to the expectations of your fans?

Not really. The first album was good, but the new album shows people what I can really do. It’s a bit more technical.

You’re popular with both indie fans and dance fans alike. How do you think you manage to appeal to both?

I never tried to get anyone’s approval. I like to make music I enjoy creating and listening to — not necessarily what I think others will like. I like to make people dance because I like to. That’s what I’m into. I make music I think is cool, because quite frankily, I’m not cool. At least I don’t think I am.

You’ve remixed songs from everyone to Passion Pit’s ‘The Reeling’ and so on. How do you choose what songs to remix? I like songs with really good vocals. That’s the whole deal. If I like the vocals then I’m really into it and want to create around it.

 When it comes to your own songs, how do you create them for the album? What inspires you?

 Um, currently 90’s classic dance music. I like to incorporate that style of musician in a modern context. I like to make it more interesting, more evolved, more instrumental .

What was the ultimate reason you started to release your own material since you were already a successful producer?

It wasn’t really my call. I got offered a record deal and I accepted it. I’d been doing the producing thing and thought it would be a good chance to change.

You’ve already had two #1 singles from the new album ‘Ready for the Weekend.’ Did you ever expect that so soon or at all?

 No I didn’t! I didn’t know what would do well off of the new record. Usually I get it wrong. Well I always get it wrong.

 How did you first start making music?

 I was 14 years old when I started making music. My big brother was in university for computers and he had a music computer. I started messing around with that alot. I really enjoyed making music with it. I would send my stuff to record labels and they would sending encouraging letters back saying it was quite good. That’s how I got into producing.

 You wanted to release your second album last year, how come you held it off until now?

 I wanted to make it the best possible thing. I could have possibly released it but it wasn’t what I wanted. I felt it was my last chance to prove myself. I wanted to get it perfect.

 Do you have any collaborations or remixes in the works right now?

 Not really, I just worked with Sharkira which was fun. I don’t have any other collaborations in the works right now.

 I heard you like to showcase your songs live before you finish them or put them on the record. What’s your reasoning behind that?

I like to see how things translate and people’s different reactions to the things I haven’t done before. With the reaction of the crowd I can tell when a song is good or bad and if people are into it.

The new record is a bit varied in sound. Why did you decide to switch it up a bit?

I don’t think I had a choice. It was what was inside my head. It wasn’t a conscious decision to change a few things, it was a basic move that interested me. I couldn’t avoid it.

 How did Dizzee Rascal end up appearing on your album?

The song we worked on, ”Dance Wiv Me,” was originally his release. I met him at a festival and he called me and asked if I could write some music for him, so I said ‘Yea of course!’ I love him, he’s great. We worked on that song for a while until we got it perfect.

You’ve worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue and other big name celebrities. What was that like? Do you ever step back in disbelief at the artists you get to collaborate with?

 Yes, but it’s important not to dwell on it too much. You have to keep a conscious track of yourself…and be in the moment. You have to ignore the status of celebrity who you are working with. It’s really the best way.

Where do you see the future of electronic and dance music going?

 I’m the worst person to ask! I like more pop music because electronic and dance and all of that kind of stuff, it’s good, but it often seems bizarre to me.

Who would be your ultimate artist to collaborate or record with?

Prince! But its not going to happen, I’m sure. He’s my idol though.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

 I see myself 10 pounds heavier, maybe I’ll shave my head, grow a beard and work in a factory. I’m not sure that will happen, but it could. Hopefully I’ll still be making music.

08.04.09
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Bat for Lashes Release New Video for ‘Sleep Alone’

Lately I’ve been on a huge Bat for Lashes kick. I just can’t seem to get Natasha Kahn’s infectious songs out of my head. Fresh out of the vault, Bat for Lashes has released the third video from ‘Two Suns’ for ‘Sleep Alone’. Kahn is by far making the greatest videos out there today. The small stories within and the overwhelming color palette that sets the perfect tone makes each song more haunting than it already is.

Bat for Lashes was also nominiated today for an MTV Video Music Award (VMA) for the Breakthrough Video catagory up against Chairlift, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Matt and Kim, Cold War Kids, Passion Pit and more. Wow that is some list.

Watch Bat for Lashes ‘Sleep Alone’