Phantogram (band)
Encyclopedia
Phantogram is an American electronic rock duo from Saratoga Springs, New York
, formed in 2007 and consisting of Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards) and Josh Carter (vocals, guitars). They write and record in a remote barn in upstate New York called Harmony Lodge. The band name was inspired by the optical illusion
called phantogram
.
They often describe their sound as "street beat, psych pop". According to Josh Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".
The band released a studio album (Eyelid Movies
in 2009), three EPs (Phantogram and Running From the Cops in 2009, Nightlife
in 2011) and four singles.
degree and Carter returned home after a brief stint in New York City
with Grand Habit, an experimental band formed with his older brother, John. The two friends reunited and worked on finishing some beat ideas Carter made earlier and then finally formed the band.
Barthel and Carter were inspired by artists like J Dilla
, Madlib
, Cocteau Twins
, The Flaming Lips
, Sonic Youth
, Yes
, The Beatles
, David Bowie
, John Frusciante
, Serge Gainsbourg
and Kevin Shields
.
The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records. The group signed with BBE
on 26 January 2009 and changed their name to Phantogram to avoid any potential trademark issues. Their self-titled debut EP was released on 12 May 2009, followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops. They signed with Barsuk Records
in October 2009.
Phantogram released their debut album Eyelid Movies
in September 2009 on BBE
(Europe) and February 2010 on Barsuk Records
(USA). The album received generally favorable reviews. From this album, they issued the singles "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Far As I Can See".
A new EP
, Nightlife
, was released on 1 November 2011. This EP includes the single "Don't Move".
, Beach House, Metric
, Minus The Bear
, Caribou, Zero 7
, The xx
, Ra Ra Riot
, School of Seven Bells
, Yeasayer
, Brazilian Girls
, and The Glitch Mob
. They have also played several major North American festivals including Coachella
, Sasquatch, Treasure Island
, Lollapalooza
, Outside Lands
, and Bumbershoot
. They played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
on 2 February 2011.
When performing live, Sarah Barthel plays an Akai
MPK49 Midi Keyboard Controller and Josh Carter plays a Fender Stratocaster
guitar. Also both use a Korg
Kaoss Pad
each. In 2010, they enlisted drummer Tim Oakley for their tours and he has performed live with them ever since.
Let me go was used in Skins season 1 episode 4
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, formed in 2007 and consisting of Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards) and Josh Carter (vocals, guitars). They write and record in a remote barn in upstate New York called Harmony Lodge. The band name was inspired by the optical illusion
Optical illusion
An optical illusion is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source...
called phantogram
Phantogram
Phantograms, also known as Phantaglyphs, Op-Ups, free-standing anaglyphs, levitated images, and book anaglyphs, are a form of optical illusion. Phantograms use perspectival anamorphosis to produce a 2D image that is distorted in a particular way so as to appear, to a viewer at a particular vantage...
.
They often describe their sound as "street beat, psych pop". According to Josh Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".
The band released a studio album (Eyelid Movies
Eyelid Movies
Eyelid Movies is the debut album by the electronic duo Phantogram.-Track listing:# Mouthful of Diamonds – 4:13# When I'm Small – 4:09# Turn It Off – 4:01# Running from the Cops – 3:57# All Dried Up – 3:46# As Far as I Can See – 3:29...
in 2009), three EPs (Phantogram and Running From the Cops in 2009, Nightlife
Nightlife EP
Nightlife is the third EP released by Phantogram. It was released 1 November 2011, however it was also sold at their shows before the official release date. The first single from the album, "Don't Move", was released 5 October 2011 on Pitchfork...
in 2011) and four singles.
History
Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter were friends since junior high school. In the summer of 2007, Barthel returned home dissatisfied with pursuing a visual artsVisual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
degree and Carter returned home after a brief stint in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with Grand Habit, an experimental band formed with his older brother, John. The two friends reunited and worked on finishing some beat ideas Carter made earlier and then finally formed the band.
Barthel and Carter were inspired by artists like J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
, Madlib
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
, Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
, The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, John Frusciante
John Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
, Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
and Kevin Shields
Kevin Shields
Kevin Patrick Shields is an American-born, Irish vocalist, guitarist, and producer of alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine....
.
The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records. The group signed with BBE
Barely Breaking Even
Barely Breaking Even is a British record label started by two DJs, Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly. The name BBE comes from The Universal Robot Band's 1982 track `Barely Breaking Even'. It has two sublabels: Deep Funk, and Urban Theory...
on 26 January 2009 and changed their name to Phantogram to avoid any potential trademark issues. Their self-titled debut EP was released on 12 May 2009, followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops. They signed with Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
in October 2009.
Phantogram released their debut album Eyelid Movies
Eyelid Movies
Eyelid Movies is the debut album by the electronic duo Phantogram.-Track listing:# Mouthful of Diamonds – 4:13# When I'm Small – 4:09# Turn It Off – 4:01# Running from the Cops – 3:57# All Dried Up – 3:46# As Far as I Can See – 3:29...
in September 2009 on BBE
Barely Breaking Even
Barely Breaking Even is a British record label started by two DJs, Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly. The name BBE comes from The Universal Robot Band's 1982 track `Barely Breaking Even'. It has two sublabels: Deep Funk, and Urban Theory...
(Europe) and February 2010 on Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
(USA). The album received generally favorable reviews. From this album, they issued the singles "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Far As I Can See".
A new EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Nightlife
Nightlife EP
Nightlife is the third EP released by Phantogram. It was released 1 November 2011, however it was also sold at their shows before the official release date. The first single from the album, "Don't Move", was released 5 October 2011 on Pitchfork...
, was released on 1 November 2011. This EP includes the single "Don't Move".
Touring
Phantogram have played and toured with The AntlersThe Antlers
The Antlers is the student section of the University of Missouri basketball team.-History:The Antlers were formed in 1976 when a small section of 11 courtside seats in the school's basketball arena at that time, Hearnes Center, was made available to all students. At the time, all other prime level...
, Beach House, Metric
Metric (band)
Metric is a Canadian indie rock and New Wave band founded in 1998 in Toronto. The band has also at various times been based in Montreal, London, New York City and Los Angeles...
, Minus The Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
, Caribou, Zero 7
Zero 7
Zero 7 is a British musical duo consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. The group members began their musical careers as studio engineers and in 1997 formed the group Zero 7. Their debut album, Simple Things was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim...
, The xx
The xx
The xx are an English indie pop band, formed in London in 2005. The band's members met while studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. They became a trio when their second guitarist and keyboardist, Baria Qureshi, departed in late 2009. In September...
, Ra Ra Riot
Ra Ra Riot
Ra Ra Riot is an American indie rock band from Syracuse, New York, consisting of vocalist Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist Milo Bonacci, cellist Alexandra Lawn , violinist Rebecca Zeller, and drummer Kenny Bernard.-History:...
, School of Seven Bells
School of Seven Bells
School of Seven Bells is a band formed by Benjamin Curtis of Secret Machines, together with identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!. The band is named after the School of the Seven Bells, a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.-History:Curtis and...
, Yeasayer
Yeasayer
-History:The band's three core members, Chris Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton, and Anand Wilder, first came to attention after appearing at the SXSW festival in early 2007. Their first single consisted of a double A-side of the tracks "Sunrise" and "2080"...
, Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls was a band from New York City known for their eclectic blend of electronic dance music with musical styles as diverse as tango, chanson, house, reggae and lounge. None of the members are actually from Brazil and the only female in the band is Sabina Sciubba. Other members include...
, and The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob is a three-piece electronic group from Los Angeles, composed of Ed Ma , Justin Boreta and Josh Mayer . The group, originally a five-piece including Kraddy and Kitty-D, was formed in 2006 within the burgeoning Los Angeles bass-driven 'beat' scene...
. They have also played several major North American festivals including Coachella
Coachella
Coachella may refer to;*Coachella, California*Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival...
, Sasquatch, Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
, Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
, Outside Lands
Outside Lands
Outside Lands was the name used in the 19th century for the present-day Sunset District in San Francisco, California. With few roads and no public transportation, the area was covered by sand dunes and was considered inaccessible and uninhabitable...
, and Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot is an annual international music and arts festival held in Seattle, Washington. One of North America's largest such festivals, it takes place every Labor Day weekend at the 74-acre Seattle Center, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair. Seattle Center includes indoor theaters,...
. They played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
on 2 February 2011.
When performing live, Sarah Barthel plays an Akai
Akai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
MPK49 Midi Keyboard Controller and Josh Carter plays a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
guitar. Also both use a Korg
Korg
is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
Kaoss Pad
Kaoss Pad
The Kaoss Pad is a touchpad MIDI controller, sampler, and effects processor for audio and musical instruments, made by Korg.The Kaoss Pad's touchpad can be used to control its internal effects engine, which can be applied to a line-in signal or to samples recorded from the line-in...
each. In 2010, they enlisted drummer Tim Oakley for their tours and he has performed live with them ever since.
Song usage
- "When I'm Small" was featured in the opening episode of MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's adaption of Skins.
Let me go was used in Skins season 1 episode 4
EPs
- Phantogram (2009)
- Running From the Cops (2009)
- NightlifeNightlife EPNightlife is the third EP released by Phantogram. It was released 1 November 2011, however it was also sold at their shows before the official release date. The first single from the album, "Don't Move", was released 5 October 2011 on Pitchfork...
(2011)
Singles
- "Mouthful of Diamonds" (2009)
- "When I'm Small" (2009)
- "As Far As I Can See" (2011)
- "Don't Move" (2011)
External links
- Official site
- Phantogram on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- Phantogram on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Phantogram on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- Phantogram on Barsuk RecordsBarsuk RecordsBarsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
- Phantogram on BBE Records