The Dodos: Simple But Complexed.

This two peace American indie-folk band definitely seeks to entertain listeners on their records and their live shows too. Meric Long and Logan Kroeber have been playing together since 2005, released a total of 4 albums and 1 solo EP and continue to create this very uncommon sound you would get from a two piece. How you might ask? Lets find out.

One would assume that a two piece band cannot be as epic as maybe The White Stripes, The Ting Tings, Daft Punk or even the most recent The Black Keys. However, The Dodos have one of the most simple but unusually stupendous set-up. Meric creates fast paced folky tunes as he sings with vocal loops he does on the spot with a looping pedal at live shows. This is accompanied by Logan’s drums that only consist of a drum kit without a bass drum, playing often on the rims of the drums, and also a tambourine taped to his shoe at times.

Meric says “I think having limits on our set-up makes it more interesting for us to create sounds that can replace a usual band set-up that consists of at least a guitarist, bassist and drummer (that plays a full drum kit)”. This was the whole idea and concept that Meric had for The Dodos and in time their set-up has changed quite a bit but mostly sticking to their roots.

Logan Kroeber (drums, right), Meric Long (guitar, left)

Logan has commented that he now finds it weird when they play at venues which don’t allow him to use his usual drum set-up and instead use a full kit. Meric has also commented that he feels that his band is like a side-show-puppet-act, due to the fact that crowds these days do not really get into the mood of the music and just stand, watch & judge. Well, one thing is for sure that if they EVER come to Singapore, they won’t regret it.

If you are keen on widening your music spectrum, please do give The Dodos a listen with their albums as listed below:

• Beware of the Maniacs (2006)
• Visiter (2007)
• Time to Die (2009)
• No Color (2011)

And for those who wish to have a crash course on their music, here’s a typical live show from them:

The Dodos – Soirée à emporter #3 – Paris, La Blogotheque from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

By Eugene; 9 April 2012

Bombay Bicycle Club: The Perfect Bedroom Music Makers

Bombay Bicycle Club isn’t from India, nor will any of its members roll through the U.S. on bicycles during their upcoming tour. To hear Jack Steadman tell it, his band is already seasoned. Bombay Bicycle Club released “A Different Kind of Fix,’’ its third full-length album in just two years, last summer. But the four British indie rockers are bringing a new sound to the States — albeit one with echoes of The Stone Roses, Radiohead and other British rock acts of the past 20 years.

“I get so in love with a band that I just end up pretty much copying them,” says Jack, the band’s vocalist and songwriter. “I hope that the originality can come from the fact that you’re in love with a thousand bands, and they all sound completely different, so that when you copy all of them at once, that’s how you create something new.”

“I think I was a lot less self-conscious when I was a teenager,” Steadman says. “When I listen to those early songs, I feel like an adult, discovering that diary under your bed that you wrote when you were younger. You’re embarrassed by it, but at the time, you weren’t afraid to write all your feelings down in that way.”

With all its members still in their early 20s, Bombay Bicycle Club has been described as “a young band in a hurry.” With the release of this third record in as many years, the group is living up to that reputation.

Only at the end of a recent interview is it apparent how impressive all that is. Steadman, who fronts Bombay Bicycle Club as its songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist, casually mentions he is 22. He and his bandmates formed the band while still teens in high school as an extension of what Steadman had already been doing for years: making music on his own in his bedroom.

Steadman at the recent The People’s Party SG where Bombay played alongside acts like The Naked and Famous, UK hit Metronomy, The Jezabels and many more

“I think the most important thing is that we were all friends before the band started,’’ Steadman says earlier this week from New York. “We’ve always said that if we start not getting along, it’s not going to be worth carrying on the band. We’ll only do this as long as we’re enjoying it.’’

Bombay Bicycle Club can still sound like a band casting around amid the currents of alt-rock in search of a style.  Throwing in a chill wave of rhythmic hooks and having solidified their presence in the music scene with a succession of knock-out festival performances this summer,

With the band’s 2009 debut, “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose’’ and its follow-up the next year threw a curveball. “Flaws’’ was an unvarnished folk gem, which Steadman recorded by himself at home; the band’s label didn’t even know it existed until Steadman presented it.

Truly, Bombay Bicycle Club has not revolutionised the indie music scene, it has set the standards for all aspiring bedroom music-makers.

“I think we’re still almost afraid of studios,’’ Steadman says. “There’s so much stuff you don’t understand in the studio, and it’s frustrating when you know exactly what you want in your head, but you have no idea how the studio can do it for you.’’

He adds, “It’s pretty special when someone comes up to you and says they were listening to you back then and they’ve grown up with you. In London, we even have people we recognize from shows four years ago.’’

By Nevin; 3 April 2012