Modwheelmood

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Modwheelmood
Origin Flag of the United States Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre(s) Alternative rock
Electronica
Indie pop
Indie rock
Years active 1998–present
Label(s) Independent
Former lablels include:
Buddyhead Records
Associated acts Nine Inch Nails
Abandoned Pools
Forever Like Red
The Mayfield Four
Website modwheelmood.com
Members
Alessandro Cortini
Pelle Hillström

Modwheelmood (also typeset as ModWheelMood or modwheelmood and abbreviated as MWM) is an Electronic-Alternative band from Los Angeles, California formed by Alessandro Cortini (part of the Nine Inch Nails live lineup from 2005 onward) and former Abandoned Pools guitarist Pelle Hillström in 1998.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Modwheelmood formed in 1998, initially as a project entitled Gift, which later developed into a full music project after Cortini's experimentation with "heavy loops and haunting synth passes integrated with melodic songwriting" and through collaboration with Hillström.[1] Modwheelmood are named after the mod wheel, a controller typically mounted on the left hand of the keyboard.[2]

Modwheelmood have released four EPs; ? (released in 2003), Enemies & Immigrants (released on [Buddyhead] in 2006) and Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 1 (released in 2007), and Pearls To Pigs, Vol 2 (released in 2007 as well as Things Will Change, the companion remix disc to Enemies & Immigrants (released in 2007). In March 2000, Modwheelmood was awarded the Artist Development Industry Choice at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and were "honored with the inclusion of their songs "Anyone", "Sleep" and "Headgames" on three different Musicians Jams promotional CDs."[1] Two of these songs, "Anyone" and "Sleep", would later appear on Modwheelmood's first EP, ?.

Subsequently, much of Enemies & Immigrants was conceived and recorded by Alessandro Cortini "in hotel rooms across the world" while touring with Nine Inch Nails throughout 2005 to 2006 in support of their 2005 album With Teeth.[3] However, it is important to note that Hillström has made equal contribution to the EP. He has stated that there are "decidedly more acoustics on this EP than their first," to create "more of a lush, earthly, percussive sound."[4] In addition, Hillström adds that the EP was conceived with the objective of "making music that meant something to us."[4] The release of Enemies & Immigrants was followed by a West Coast tour of the U.S. with Mellowdrone and Monsters Are Waiting.[5] While Enemies & Immigrants was released on Buddyhead Records, Modwheelmood is currently unsigned to a record label.

Recently, Modwheelmood released the EP Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 1 as a digital-only release on the 25th of December, 2007.[6][7] This was followed by the digital release of Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 2 in February 2008. The next release is Pearls to Pigs, Vol.3, set to be released digitally in June of 2008[8] In addition, Modwheelmood have remixed Nine Inch Nails' "The Great Destroyer", which appears on the remix album Year Zero Remixed.[9]

[edit] Influences

Both Cortini and Hillström have had influences which have underpinned their musical decisions and concepts. Cortini was encouraged by his family at an early age to develop an interest in music, and prominent influences of his include The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Francesco De Gregori, Depeche Mode, Alva Noto and Brian Eno.[4] Hillström began developing an interest for music and composition by "playing saxophone in jazz orchestras in the afternoon and learning Iron Maiden riffs in the evening" and by moving to the U.S. to satisfy his "desire to play music for a living."[4] Hillström's guitar playing style has been compared to that of Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood.[4]

[edit] Musical Characteristics

Buddyhead Records described Modwheelmood's sound as "alternative pop electronica"[10] whilst being "a stimulating departure from the typical laptop based bands who label themselves as 'electronica'."[2] Due to their use of analog synths, sparse, raw and ambient guitars and soft, falsetto-like vocals, Modwheelmood have often been compared with Radiohead.[10][11] However, critics of Modwheelmood often assert that their style is unique. In a review of Enemies & Immigrants, All Music Guide's Jason MacNeil states that Modwheelmood's electronic style "seem[s] to come from a slightly different angle than bands like Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode."[11] Prefix Magazine's Chris Sahl, however, is more critical, stating that "Modwheelmood paradoxically sounds like no other band and is almost entirely derivative."[10]

[edit] Discography

Remixes

  • 2007: "The Great Destroyer" by Nine Inch Nails on Year Zero Remixed
  • 2008: "Ghosts (Modwheelmood Mix)" by Ladytron on Ghosts EP

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "modwheelmood - Band bio"-Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
  2. ^ a b Modwheelmodd artist page-Music Emissions. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
  3. ^ Modwheelmood on Virb Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  4. ^ a b c d e "MODWHEELMOOD embark on West Coast tour; Prepare for August 8th EP release!" Solid PR. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  5. ^ "Nine Inch Nails Veteran Alessandro Cortini On Logic, Ableton Live, Line 6, And Modwheelmood" Gearwire. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
  6. ^ "Alessandro's Busy!"-The NIN Hotline. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
  7. ^ Official Modwheelmood Website Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
  8. ^ "Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 1 = EP, not LP. Whoops." Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
  9. ^ yearzero.nin.com Nine Inch Nails official Webpage for Year Zero Remixed. Retrieved on 2007-11-25
  10. ^ a b c Modwheelmood Enemies & Immigrants-Prefix Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-25
  11. ^ a b Enemies & Immigrants-All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.

[edit] External links