- Phantogram (band)
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Phantogram 
Phantogram in 2010Background information Origin Saratoga Springs, New York, USA Genres Electronic rock, Trip-hop, Indie pop Years active 2007–present Labels Barsuk Records
BBE
Ghostly International
Indica Records
Sub-Bombin RecordsAssociated acts Charlie Everywhere Website phantogram.net Members Sarah Barthel
Josh Carter
Tim Oakley (tours)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).[1] They write and record in a remote barn in upstate New York called Harmony Lodge.[2] The band name was inspired by the optical illusion called phantogram.[3]
They often describe their sound as "street beat, psych pop".[4] According to Josh Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".[5]
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.
Contents
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 arts 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.[6][7]
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.[8][9]
The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records.[6] The group signed with BBE on 26 January 2009 and changed their name to Phantogram to avoid any potential trademark issues.[10][11] Their self-titled debut EP was released on 12 May 2009,[12] followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops. They signed with Barsuk Records in October 2009.[13]
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.[14] 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".
Touring
Phantogram live at The Pacific Festival (2011)
Phantogram have played and toured with The Antlers, 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.[15]
Song usage
Discography
Albums
- Eyelid Movies (2009)
EPs
- Phantogram (2009)
- Running From the Cops (2009)
- Nightlife (2011)
Singles
- "Mouthful of Diamonds" (2009)
- "When I'm Small" (2009)
- "As Far As I Can See" (2011)
- "Don't Move" (2011)
References
- ^ "Phantogram Biography". AOL Music. http://music.aol.com/artist/phantogram/biography. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Jaffer, Dave (6 April 2010). "Phantogram Reveal Their Backwoods 'Batcave'". Spinner.com. http://www.spinner.com/2010/04/06/phantogram-reveal-their-backwoods-batcave. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Dafoe, Taylor; Drew Litowitz (19 November 2010). "Bookmark the permalink. Interview: Phantogram". Skidmore Sec. http://skidmoresec.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/interview-phantogram. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Phantogram - Sounds That Grab a Hold of Your Heart in a Beautiful Way". On Another Note. http://itsanothernote.blogspot.com/2009/04/phantogram-sounds-that-grab-hold-of.html. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Keyser, Tom (4 February 2010). "Phantogram going national, view photos of video shoot". http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts/phantogram-going-national-view-photos-of-video-shoot/4340/. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ a b Wenzel, John (7 May 2010). "The Reverb Interview: Phantogram". The Reverb. http://www.heyreverb.com/2010/05/07/the-reverb-interview-phantogram/. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Swanson, Charlie (5 November 2010). "Phantogram: Dream-Pop Duo Unifies Its Vision". ALARM Press. http://alarmpress.com/17981/features/music-interview/phantogram-dream-pop-duo-unifies-its-vision. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Javorsky, Ben (10 March 2010). "Phantogram Interview: SXSW 2010". Spinner. http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/10/sxsw-2010-phantogram/. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Grehan, Keith (3 November 2010). "Phantogram interview". Trinity News. http://trinitynews.ie/wordpress/archives/1664. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Phantogram (26 January 2009). "We are now signed to BBE records!!!". MySpace. http://www.myspace.com/phantogram/blog/466576539. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Phantogram Interview". Shy Anne’s Songs. http://shyannessongs.wordpress.com/interviews/phantogram-interview. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Phantogram. "May 12th!!!". MySpace. http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=160301158&blogId=488526213. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ Phantogram. "Hey Folks! Phantogram is now signed to Barsuk Records!!!". Twitter. http://twitter.com/Phantogram/status/4830525917. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ "Eyelid Movies – Phantogram". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/music/eyelid-movies.
- ^ Keck, Catie. "Phantogram, The Duo Adds A Drummer". http://ethosmagonline.com. http://ethosmagonline.com/archives/6689. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2011/02/phantogram_polarizes_fanbase_a.php
External links
- Phantogram on Facebook
- Phantogram on MySpace
- Phantogram on Twitter
- Phantogram on Barsuk Records
- Phantogram on Sub-Bombin Records
- Phantogram on BBE Records
Categories:- American indie rock groups
- Musical groups from New York
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