August 8, 2006

{ Klaxons - hottest unsigned (?) band }

Just to give you an idea of how relatively unknown Klaxons are, PitchForkMedia does not even know who they are and even DrownedInSound, who have barely noticed them, still have almost no news listed. What is clear instead is that their music is an intoxicating breath of ... not fresh, let's say poisonous air, in the London music scene. And if you know anything about how things are in the British capital, you should recognize it is likely the most lively and kicking music scene of the entire globe. To stand out is never easy. To stand out because your stuff is radically different, almost impossible. Yet, they did it. And this puts them right on top of the still unsigned hot band list (which is pretty long and populated with other very interesting names: no worries, I will get to those eventually). Klaxons are indeed a new musical crossover : their music is a mutation of the meanest seizure-inducing electro rave tunes with soft indie lyrics and instrumental parts. Nothing is not distorted through a synth filter. And yet this unlikely ensamble is wonderfully attractive, very much like salty crackers dipped in Nutella (ever tried that? no? run to the supermarket! It's the most delish combo!). NME reports that Klaxons are soon to sign with Polydor, but things are still not totally sure. It seems other labels (Modular, from Australia, has shown sincere, persistent interest, it seems) have placed offers, despite the band has not more than a handful of songs to record at this stage. So far they have properly released only one single, Atlantis to Interzone (only 1000 copies distributed), while the previous song Gravitiy's Rainbow (whose only apparently corny refrain "Come with me , come with me, We'll travel to INFINITY, I'll always be there : Uh OH : My Future LOVE, I'll always be there for you" has become one of the band's trademarks) was locally distrubted in only 500 copies, failed to be noticed and now is already object of desire for fans and collectors. Video for boths singles has been produced, very much looking self-made and having nothing to share with the polished, retro inspired imagery basically every band from 2000 onward has accustomed us to watch. On the contrary: the visual aesthetic of Klaxons resembles a bit Simian or the more recent Test-Icycles. Just a lot more doped. Duchamp meets Warhol on acid. Live dates include the super prestigious stages: Carling Weekend (if you are not familiar with the many UK festival, just be aware that Carling is one of the best festivals to spot new bands: to name two British hits of the past year, both Kaiser Chiefs and The Rakes had their big breakthough at Carling), both in Leeds (August 25th) and in Reading( August 27th), Bestival Isle of Wight (September 19th) and two New York dates (September 19th and 21st), the second with electro-rock gods Soulwax (and sharing the stage with them, is already a big sign of future success). The premises are all there and I am ready to bet: Klaxons will definitely become a indie hit. If you are with me, spread the word and feel cool about yourself! Getting to a still unsigned, soon-to-be-famous band before others: this is your chance to do something that will partially cancel your "looser points" in front of your friends.

» Klaxons empty site
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By Tacita in Music, Reviews