Phantogram (band)

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Phantogram

Phantogram in 2010
Background information
Origin Greenwich, New York, USA
Genres electronic, shoegaze, trip hop[1]
Years active 2007–present
Labels Barsuk Records
BBE
Ghostly International
Indica Records
Sub-Bombin Records
Associated acts Charlie Everywhere, Big Boi
Website www.phantogram.net
Members Sarah Barthel
Josh Carter

Phantogram (formerly Charlie Everywhere) is an American electronic rock duo from Greenwich, New York, formed in 2007 and consisting of Josh Carter ( vocals, guitars) and Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards).[2]

They write and record in a remote barn in upstate New York called Harmony Lodge.[3] The band name was partially inspired by an optical illusion called a phantogram, in which two-dimensional images appear to be three-dimensional.[4]

They described their sound as "street beat, psych pop".[5] According to Josh Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".[6]

The band released a studio album (Eyelid Movies in 2009), four EPs (Phantogram and Running From the Cops in 2009, Nightlife in 2011, Phantogram in 2013) and five singles.

History

Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel 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 songwriting ideas Carter made earlier and then finally formed the band.[7][8] Carter and Barthel were inspired by artists like J Dilla, Madlib, Cocteau Twins, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Yes, The Beatles, David Bowie, John Frusciante, Serge Gainsbourg, Kevin Shields and Prince.[9][10][11]

The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records.[7] The group signed with BBE on 26 January 2009 and changed their name to Phantogram.[12][13] Their self-titled debut EP was released on 12 May 2009,[14] followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops. They signed with Barsuk Records in October 2009.[15]

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.[16] From this album, they issued the singles "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Far As I Can See".

The EP Nightlife, was released on 1 November 2011 and included the single "Don't Move".

The duo collaborated with Big Boi from OutKast on three songs ("Objectum Sexuality", "CPU" and "Lines") from his second studio album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Phantogram are also credited as producers for the song "Objectum Sexuality". Phantogram also featured on the song "You Lust" by The Flaming Lips from their 2013 album The Terror.

On 30 September 2013, they released the four songs EP Phantogram.[17] It will be followed by their second studio album, Voices, with an expected release date of February 18, 2014. A fifth single "Nothing But Trouble" was released on January 14th.[18]

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, Future Islands, and The Glitch Mob.

They have also played several major North American festivals including Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, Treasure Island, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, LouFest, and Bumbershoot. They played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2011 and 2013.

In 2010, they enlisted drummer Tim Oakley, formerly of The Mathematicians, for their tour.[19] In 2013 Phantogram performed at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon backed by tour drummer Chris Carhart and Nick Shelestak on keyboards.

Song usage

  • "When I'm Small" was featured in the opening episode of MTV's adaption of Skins. It was also used in the trailer of the 2013 film Syrup and recently used in Canon's new advert for their 650D camera as well as a Gillette commercial for their Fusion ProGlide razor featuring Green Bay Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews.
  • "Mouthful of Diamonds" was in the episode titled "Stanley" in the same series.[20]
  • "Turn It Off" was featured in the first episode of MTV's adaptation of Teen Wolf.
  • "Mouthful of Diamonds" was featured in Attack of La Nina, a 2011 ski film by Matchstick Productions.
  • "Don't Move" was featured in the CW's adaptation of The Secret Circle.
  • "Black Out Days" was in The CW series The Originals in the episode "Fruit of the Poisoned Tree" on November 6, 2013.
  • "Lights" was featured in the "Catching Fire Soundtrack", which was released on November 19th, 2013.
  • "Mouthful of Diamonds" was featured in the film "Breaking the Girls" which was released in 2013.
  • "Don't Move" was featured in the 2012 sleeper hit "Pitch Perfect".

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • Phantogram (2009)
  • Running From the Cops (2009)
  • Nightlife (2011)
  • Phantogram (2013)

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Single Year Peak chart
positions
Album
US
US Alt.
[22]
"Mouthful of Diamonds" 2009 Eyelid Moves
"When I'm Small"
"As Far As I Can See" 2011
"Don't Move" Nightlife [EP]
"Black Out Days" 2013 Phantogram [EP]
"Nothing But Trouble" Voices
"Fall in Love" 15
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Lights" 2013 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack

References

  1. Dombal, Ryan (24 October 2009). "CMJ: Friday [The xx, Sleigh Bells]". Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 24 November 2013. 
  2. "Phantogram Biography". AOL Music. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  3. Jaffer, Dave (6 April 2010). "Phantogram Reveal Their Backwoods 'Batcave'". Spinner.com. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  4. Dafoe, Taylor; Drew Litowitz (19 November 2010). "Bookmark the permalink. Interview: Phantogram". Skidmore Sec. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  5. "Phantogram - Sounds That Grab a Hold of Your Heart in a Beautiful Way". On Another Note. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  6. Keyser, Tom (4 February 2010). "Phantogram going national, view photos of video shoot". Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Wenzel, John (7 May 2010). "The Reverb Interview: Phantogram". The Reverb. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  8. Swanson, Charlie (5 November 2010). "Phantogram: Dream-Pop Duo Unifies Its Vision". ALARM Press. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  9. "Turning Points To Always Remember: An Interview with Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel". Music Under Fire. Retrieved 15 February 2012. 
  10. Javorsky, Ben (10 March 2010). "Phantogram Interview: SXSW 2010". Spinner. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  11. Grehan, Keith (3 November 2010). "Phantogram interview". Trinity News. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  12. Phantogram (26 January 2009). "We are now signed to BBE records!!!". MySpace. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  13. "Phantogram Interview". Shy Anne’s Songs. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  14. Phantogram. "May 12th!!!". MySpace. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
  15. Phantogram. "Hey Folks! Phantogram is now signed to Barsuk Records!!!". Twitter. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  16. "Eyelid Movies – Phantogram". Metacritic. 
  17. "iTunes - Music - Phantogram - EP by Phantogram". 
  18. "Phantogram - Nothing But Trouble". 
  19. Keck, Catie. "Phantogram, The Duo Adds A Drummer". http://ethosmagonline.com. Retrieved 10 May 2011. 
  20. Thompson, Erin. Phantogram Polarizes Fanbase After "When I'm Small" Appeared on MTV's Skins Last Night. Seattle Weekly. February 8, 2011.
  21. Minsker, Evan (9 December 2013). "Phantogram Announce New Album Voices, Share "Fall in Love"". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 10 December 2013. 
  22. http://www.billboard.com Billboard Chart History: Phantogram

External links

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