Turbo Goth

Turbo Goth

Turbo Goth official logo

Turbo Goth's official logo
Background information
Origin Manila, Philippines
Genres Electronic rock
Years active 2008–present
Labels Independent
Members Paolo Peralta
Sarah Gaugler

Turbo Goth is an electronic rock duo from the Philippines formed in 2008. Composed of Sarah Gaugler (on lead vocals) and Paolo Peralta (on guitar/electronic sampler), they are currently the only electronic rock band in the Philippines. Turbo Goth's music is semi-experimental electronic music with distorted bass synths backed by aggressive heavy beats, and punk-jazz noise guitars, stitched together by light icy vocals. They are often compared to international acts like Daft Punk, The White Stripes, and The Mars Volta.

Turbo Goth launched their debut album Destroy Us All in January 2011; the first single taken from that album was "Venus Flytrap".

History

Formation

Turbo Goth was formed in June 2008 when Paolo Peralta and Sarah Gaugler decided to form an electronic rock band. The two decided to collaborate when Peralta, then a solo electronic musician, heard Gaugler singing along to her favorite songs. Prior to that, Gaugler, a visual artist and writer, had no prior singing experience.

The duo then spent the next few months developing their sound. Peralta would lay down the tracks with an electronic sampler, while Gaugler would write the lyrics and melody for Peralta's music. The two then started hitting the underground music circuit in 2009. They also released a single, "Morning Swim", to selected local radio stations and online portals. The single, along with Turbo Goth's live performances, caught the attention of the local independent music scene and the band's stock began to steadily grow. The single "Morning Swim" performed admirably well on-air, receiving notable airplay and landing on the top of the charts of local radio stations.

Destroy Us All

By 2010, Turbo Goth had written a handful of original songs, which they performed at their regular gigs. Peralta and Gaugler then selected some of the stronger tracks to compile into a full-length album. The duo then recorded, mixed, and mastered the tracks at Wombworks, a recording studio in Marikina City, within a few months. They released the album, Destroy Us All independently on January 27, 2011. "Venus Flytrap", the first single from Destroy Us All, received notable airplay on progressive radio stations. The singles "Venus Flytrap", "BBM", and "Short Circuit Mirage" were released to local online music portals, such as At The Womb and Bandcamp.

Turbo Goth recently performed at the 2011 Baybeats Music Festival, at the Baybeats Arena on August 20, 2011.

Style and songwriting

Turbo Goth describes their music as "electronic rock"; they create a typical rock track, embellished with distorted bass synths and heavy drumbeats (both produced with a "groovebox"). Peralta then lays in guitar tracks (using a Telecaster) with heavy delays and aggressive ambience. Gaugler's vocal tracks are then laced into the song; the duo considers Gaugler's vocals as an "instrument" and treat it accordingly. Gaugler is responsible for all of the lyrics and melodies.

Discography

Albums

  • "Venus Flytrap"
  • "BBM"
  • "Farfalla Vendetta"
  • "Hanging on the Watch"
  • "New Star Energy"
  • "Velodrome"
  • "Short Circuit Mirage"
  • "Velvet Escapade"
  • "The Fire of Prince Vincent"
  • "Cosmopol"
  • "Necropolitan Casino"
  • "Eye in the Sky Looking Straight at Me"
  • "Julio Polet"
  • "Soothing Sounds for Human"

Singles

Awards and nominations

Turbo Goth have received numerous nominations for their music. They won 'Best Live Act' at the 2009 QLE Awards. They were nominated for 'Best Independent Band' at the Myx Music Awards 2010, and 'Best Collaboration' (with Ely Buendia, for the song "Buzzkill") at the 2010 QLE Awards.

External links