89.3 The Current presents THE BIG PINK
THE BIG PINK
London residents Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell formed the Big Pink in their home studio, where the two musicians began mixing the droning soundscapes of Spacemen 3 and My Bloody Valentine with the lush electronics of M83. Furze had previously cut his teeth as the guitarist for Panic DHH and Alec Empire, while Cordell's day job (founder and owner of Merok Records) saw him nurturing the talents of the Teenagers, Klaxons, and other British tastemakers. After experimenting with distorted noise and melodic nuance in the studio, the duo enlisted help from several friends -- including electronic artist Jo Apps and members of Sunn O))) -- in order to perform the material in concert. A series of popular shows followed, prompting NME to hail the band as "London's coolest new stars," and the Big Pink responded by releasing a limited-edition single through the House Anxiety label. The duo soon signed to influential indie label 4AD and, following the release of several singles, issued the debut LP A Brief History of Love in September 2009. By Andrew Leahey
CRYSTAL ANTLERS
Crystal Antlers released their latest LP Two-Way Mirror on August 2, 2011 via Recreation Ltd. In early 2010, following the release of their first full-length album and the completion of nine US and European tours, Crystal Antlers finally settled down in the small Mexican farming town of La Punta Banda—it was there that the bulk of what would become Two-Way Mirror was born. After the drastic downsizing of their label, the legendary Touch and Go Records, the band was ready to take a moment and begin to bridge the gap into new territory.
CLAPS
Wreck is the debut full length LP from Minneapolis three-piece Claps. With 9 tracks of surging synth tones and dark bass notes, a breath of pop is found in it's dark whispers. Wreck beckons fans of Depeche Mode, OMD and Joy Division, though stays true to their alliance to minimal synth by relying decidedly on the heart of the analog synth. Claps prior EP's No Party and New Science featured exclusively analog synths, stripped down melodies, detached vocals as well as remixes from local Minneapolis musicians.
