Birds and Batteries
Location: San Francisco, CA
Websites:
Bio: Never easy to categorize, Birds and Batteries continue to cut their own path of genre-less music. Previously revered by some as alt-country garage, fuzzy synth ... (more)
psych, or electronic pop Birds & Batteries again find themselves in new territory with their latest EP, Up To No Good, which songwriter, Mike Sempert describes as "a spooky-funky adventure". Heavily influenced by Bowie's Scary Monsters, P-Funk and John Carpenter films, the EP manages to convey a degree of mystery/magic amidst post-modern wreckage, combining the fun of late 70's freak funk with a detached, studio cool of 80's r&b. And all just in time for Halloween (cue Vincent Price).
Still centered around the art of the song, redoubled by meticulous arrangements and rich atmospheres, B&B saw the EP format as an opportunity to dig deeper into one group of sounds, with synth bass, kick drum, percussion and voice at the forefront. The result is more focused than previous efforts, allowing for a unified statement and narrative to emerge as well as a nineteen minute dance party. This fusing of song craft and electronic music feels natural and easy, owing more to pioneering electro-funk than post-punk.
Birds & Batteries' live show focuses on the more energetic and rocking parts of their repertoire. "As we've toured and played more and more shows, we've found ourselves choosing set lists from the material that is most enjoyable to play live and that gets people loose."
They will be on the road this fall and winter to support Up To No Good and previewing songs from their upcoming full-length due in 2010.
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