Miami is fortunate to have Aussie indie pop outfit Architecture in Helsinki visiting us tomorrow along with Lo-Fi-Fnk and Dom at Grand Central. After enjoying their music for years on WVUM, I’m stoked that their tour bus will finally be rolling in. I asked lead singer Cameron Bird a few extremely complex and insightfully prodding questions and he was happy to entertain by inquisitive mind:
Nightdrive: In the past, the band has had up to eight members and is also known for its multi-instrumental live performance. What are the advantages and challenges of being so dynamic?
Cameron Bird: The key is : Don’t think about it – Do it. We have never once stopped to think about why or how we do what we do.
It is what it is. Whether or not that is dynamic or advantageous is all in the eyes of the beholder! We just try to convey our ideas as clearly as possible.
ND: You have produced some very colorful and creative music videos. You guys also look like you have a blast making them. Which was your most memorable?
CB: Making videos is always such an intense process. I’d say that our most recent clip for W.O.W, for me was my most favourite, that was mostly because I had a few days in the tropics swimming with an animatronic dolphin!
ND: Tell us a little about your latest album, Moment Bends. From a musician’s perspective, how is this one different?
CB: It is more focussed, has way more micro detail in the production and arrangement than all our other records combined and it was the first time we ever worked with co-producers, which had a huge effect on how the record came together.
ND: You have an impressive remixography including tracks by Metronomy, El Guincho, Yacht and recently Cut Copy. Who in the band is involved in the remixes and can we look forward to anything in the near future?
CB: I have always loved remixing. It is a great way to collab with other artists whom you admire. You learn a lot about ideas and technique, so as music nerds we love to get under the bonnet and see how a song is built and in turn how it functions.
We have no remixes on the horizon, I am sure when we have some downtime, we will smash out a few.
ND: The past decade has seen a massive amount of great music exported from Australia. Can you tip us off on any new talent bubbling up from down under?
CB: Oscar & Martin. Collarbones, Geoffrey O’Connor, Royal Headache, Jonti, Catcall, Lost Animal, Grand Salvo all have people talking right now.
ND: From your experience on tour, which cities have the best architecture?
CB: Hilarious, Most cities have awesome elements. Off the top of my head, St Petersburg, Barcelona, Mexico City & Tokyo all have some pretty hot things going on.
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Architecture in Helsinki- Need You Now (Cut Copy Cover)
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Some people call these guys Lo Fi Fink and others say Lo Fi Funk, I’m pretty sure “Lo-Fi-FUNK” is correct but either way their music is always fun, catchy, and pretty light-hearted. I remember dancing my ass off at their last Miami show (at Poplife’s Post venue) a few years ago and I’m psyched they’ll be back in town for round two on NOVEMBER 11th at Grand Central. They’ll be opening for Architecture in Helsinki along with DOM for one of our next Nightdrive events!
“Lo-Fi-Fnk are from Stockholm, Sweden. The band consists of Leo Drougge and August Hellsing. Leo and August write, produce and perform all Lo-Fi-Fnk songs. When performing live Link Drougge, Maja Gödicke and on previous tours Nottee has also joined the band.” Check out some of their tracks below and DON’T MISS THEIR SHOW!!!
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It’s always good to hear that old college friends are making waves, especially in the music world. I was tipped off recently that my homie Julian along with his partner Ben, collectively dubbed Lovesport, were fashioning some tunes that caught the ear of pop singer/songwriter Little Boots. After a favorable mention on her Twitter page, the two New York City residents are getting a little bit of limelight. Their minimal Italo disco track Chase is a beautiful soundscape that is appreciated more and more with each listen. We’re pleased to have for you a pithy interview with the duo and an exclusive stream of their new remix of Boom by none other than Lo-Fi-Fnk. The track will be available for download via iTunes Spotify on August 1st.
Nightdrive: Tell us about yourselves, where do you come from and from what musical background?
Ben: Both of us met in New York through a friend about 4 years ago. Julian is classically trained in piano and got his college degree in music engineering from the U. I don’t have any real classical training besides sporadic guitar lessons so I guess I am self taught.
ND: How would you describe your music, is it primarily Italo disco? What is it about Italo that never gets old?
Julian: We’ve always strived for a Phil Collins meets Metro Area sound, you know that perfect balance between pop sensibility and the energy of dance music. As is usually the case with influences, something might have gotten a bit lost in translation.
Ben: As far as Italo disco goes, it never really gets old because it is from the future.
ND: Word on the street is that you got a head-nod-via-tweet from Little Boots. What has the response been?
Ben: The shout out from Little Boots and the overall response to ‘Chase’ has been beyond what we expected. The great thing about having music on the internet is that you can get it to people around the world and you don’t have to rely on a local scene. Through soundcloud we noticed we had a couple of plays in the Republic of Moldova, so if you guys are reading this, we would love to play a town near you
ND: What can we expect from Lovesport in the near future?
Julian: Well, our next track will have vocals from yours truly. We’re finishing that single now and are currently looking for the right label to put it out. Also on the horizon are some new remixes, including one for our friends Hey Champ! Stay tuned.
Lo-Fi-Fnk- Boom (Lovesport Remix)
Lovesport- Chase
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