Feature & Reviews - Vol.3
Randy Twigg - For the Love of Music and Berlin
Electro clash, as brought to us by the likes of Randy Twigg, Chicks on Speed, Angie Reed and Peaches encompass the realm of retro, synth pop, punk, and pop art. Live shows are dance oriented, are composed of electronic equipment and are generally accompanied by excellent lighting and visuals. The most commercially successful electro clash artist has been Peaches who made herself most publicly announced with the song, ‘Fuck the Pain a Way’. The genre also dives into the world of gender politics and the societal contradictions concerning sexuality. This issue is multilayered and confronts our understanding of life, love and cynicism.
Randy Twigg, like Peaches, is a native of Toronto and has taken her version of electro clash to great audiences around the world. Currently, she lives in Berlin and many followers have taken grip of her music especially in Paris, France. The beat box rules her minimal sound with a strikingly heavy bass. Songs like ‘Centerfold’ and ‘Make You a Star’ are solid club tunes and embrace the love of irony lyrically. Her five track demo presenting these songs are written and produced by Randy Twigg herself, which also contains live video footage. Over all, the songs are definitely impressive. Recent collaborations with Mount Sims in Los Angeles proved constructive and Twigg explains that, “I use Ableton Live for all the sequencing and arrangements, which I also use on stage. I started off learning with softsynths but really wanted to hands on approach as well as the analogue sound, so I mostly use external gear for everything that is not drum related…and guitar”. Once influenced by old metal and psychedelic rock, all of her creativity takes place in an old GDR post office in Berlin and although, she describes it as rather gritty, this is where she kicks back for hours upon hours.
Ms. Twigg moved to the big German city for fun, excitement and the thriving music scene. When one thinks of Berlin, we think of late nights, forward thinking people, and all variations of techno music. It is the home especially to Everk, Trezor and the famous Love Parade. The city to Twigg, “has been really inspiring for me for a lot of reasons, most of which are not music or club related. The city is relaxing AND crazy, depending on what you choose to do. It is also very inexpensive to live here and beer is cheaper than water, both of which are crucial to a musician’s survival. There are lots of opportunities to meet other musicians and industry folk, but most of the money is made outside of Berlin.” Twigg also notes that people are very particular with their taste in electronic music and the sight of a guitar may in some cases be a rather challenging vision. This makes sense. After all, this is also the world of Wagner.
For the future, Randy Twigg describes a spring full of touring with plans to return to Paris, a favourite destination for the performer. She is also shopping around her material to prospective labels. So everyone, stay tuned to this woman’s music and visit her home page to hear her new singles called “Black Hangover” and “Birdy”. T ’is superb!
ALBUM REVIEWS
Broadcast —— “Pendulum”
Broadcast are an electro clash outfit from the UK who release to the minions, a 6 tracks EP. ‘One Hour Empire’ and ‘Violent Playground’ are dramatic in character with reference to the 1960s flick genre. ‘Minus Two’, within the same framework is absolutely delicious according to the arrangements. Elements of jazz are forever present along with hypnotizing atmospherics. The music is easily interpreted as sinister or suspicious and I think that this is the trademark of Broadcast who are known for their drama. Their fuzzy synths also present a sound that is not only beautiful but it is also majestic. It is hard to say really. Kreidler from Germany, have a similar appetite for going over the top with in reason.
The Dears —— “No Cities Left” (2004)
From Montreal, The Dears have been creating music since 1995. This six member band play with the 1990s melodrama theme we have come to know and enjoy from bands such as Pulp, Suede and Gene. There is reference to Radiohead, a slight similarity regarding the vocals yet the monotone reminds us more of early Blur. In fact, there is a remarkable similarity between vocals by Murrary Lightburn and Damon Albarn, lead vocalist from Blur. Some find a connection with Morrisey but I think the connection with Albam to be stronger especially on the song ‘Warm and Sunny Days’. Since 1995, the band have released seven albums with “Gang of Losers” as their most current body of work. “No Cities Left” however, is a strong album and a personal favourite. Remarkably, the album was also released in the Uk with the following single releases: ‘We Can Have it’, ‘Lost in the Plot’ and ‘22: The Death Of All The Romance’. Each song is carefully arranged to keep the listener on their toes. Like the American band Pas/cal who are also good at arrangements, it is never boring. ‘Never Destroy Us’ a summer song rich with strings about keeping strong is a fun song along with ‘Who are You, Defenders of the Universe’, a cynical song making one wonder if they are making fun of the former East German government. With references to bands similar to the Dears, the competition will come from Pilate, Pas/cal, and Franz Ferdinand.
Hot Hot Heat —— “Make up the Breakdown” (2002)
From Victoria, British Columbia in Canada, Hot Hot Heat are stiff competition for the American band called The Killers. Why? Because they are better looking. Perhaps this is one part of the formula but their songs and style are far better. The vocalist Steve Bays has a certain way of saying a lot in just under 30 seconds. It is pretty cool. A vocalist who has his/her own style. Did you ever check out the guys hair… pretty cool too. The songs you should look out for on this album are: ‘No, Not Now’, ‘Get In Or Get Out’, ‘Bandages’, and ‘Oh, God damn it’. Some call their sound synth punk but I also hear New Wave and general indie pop. Bands of similarity are The Strokes, The Vines and maybe The Hives. Again, this is probably the best act to come out of the west coast in a long time.
Peaches —— “Impeach my Bush” (2006)
Peaches (aka. Merrill Beth Nisker) is from the world of electro clash, and is a Torontonian who has worked in Berlin, Germany and currently resides in L.A. Lyrically, Peaches writes music about sexuality and the social contradiction. ‘Fuck the Pain away’, one of her most successful club hits blurs the lines between what is good meaningful intimacy and why some may do it. ‘Operate’ and ‘Kick it’ are two other hits under her belt. Peaches is full of interesting politics about gender and the music is equally thumping. “Impeach my Bush” hosts a variety of hard hitting dance tracks with the following favourites: ‘Boys Wanna be Her’, ‘Rock the Shocker’, ‘You Love it’ and ‘Stick it to the Pimp’. Peaches has worked with Iggy Pop who not only appears on former releases such as Father Fucker but also in her music videos. In 2006, she toured with Nine Inch Nails and Bauhaus, an amazing mix.
Zoobombs —— “Welcome Back” (1999)
The Zoobombs hail loudly from Tokyo, Japan. They have a tremendous sound that is not only raw but it is also on the border of garage and old school punk. Their sound is more conducive to a 60’s feel than any other current style like emo, grunge, hardcore etcetera. I think of a non pop Ramones. There are elements of funk, punk, rock, garage, and pop. It is solid hard hitting stuff comparable to elements from The Von Bondies and Sweatmaster. I first discovered the band while watching a television series called The New music in Toronto who featured bands visiting from Tokyo. I was interested by their energy, charisma and old school approach. There is more soul to The Zoobombs and a connection with the bands like The Cynics, The Gruesomes, and the 80s band from Sweden called The Creeps with ‘Down at the Night Club’.
