Kurt Feldman

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Kurt Feldman
Kurt Feldman performing in Berlin with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart in 2009
Kurt Feldman performing in Berlin with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart in 2009
Background information
Also known asIce Choir
Born (1984-01-29) January 29, 1984 (age 40)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • composer
  • producer
Years active2005–present
Formerly of
Websitewww.winter-station.com/
www.icechoir.com/

Kurt Feldman (born January 29, 1984) is an American musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City, United States. He is best known as the former frontman for The Depreciation Guild and as a current member for Ice Choir, as well as for playing drums in The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.[1]

Early life[edit]

Feldman grew up in West Village, New York City.[2] From a young age, he was surrounded by a musical environment. He went to a music camp at age 11. He told Westword about his childhood, "[...] I became friends with a lot of kids who were older than me, like eighteen. There were a couple of summers where I would go to concerts with them, and they'd show me cool stuff and make me mixtapes."[3]

In 2006, he finished his studies in childhood education at New York University. Despite his educational background and the teaching experience he had in a music school, he was more interested in pursuing a musical career. He spoke to the Gothamist in 2009, stating that "[...]teaching has always been a fallback plan. I teach now at a music school, but I'd much rather be playing music professionally."[4]

Career[edit]

The Depreciation Guild[edit]

Main article: The Depreciation Guild

In 2003, Feldman started operating the Famicom (NES) that then was heavily incorporated into the music he made with the Depreciation Guild. The band was formed in 2005. It was initially aimed as an outlet to express his musical hobby and interests in old video games, guitar pop, and electronic music. The band eventually took a more serious path, releasing their debut EP in 2006 and playing live shows. Feldman was aided by guitarist Adrian Hashizume until 2007. Hashizume was then replaced by Feldman's college friend Christoph Hochheim. In 2008, Hochheim's identical twin brother Anton was added on drums. The three became the most well-known lineup of the band until its dissolvement in early 2011. They released two studio albums throughout their career, In Her Gentle Jaws (2007) and Spirit Youth (2010). They have played reunion shows twice with two different lineups: Feldman with Hashizume in 2013 and the Hochheim twins in 2023.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart[edit]

Main article: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Initially a trio, Feldman was recruited by roommate and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's frontman Kip Berman as the fourth member in 2007. He served as the band's drummer until 2014, having contributed for their first three studio albums and toured extensively in North and South America, UK, Europe, as well as Asia.

Ice Choir[edit]

Towards the end of the Depreciation Guild, Feldman began writing music without any of the NES programming of the band's previous works, and the other members also started losing interest and focus of the project. Considering that it was much more "guitar pop" than Ice Choir, there were certain limitations and aspects in writing that Feldman did not want to go through, so he decided to try new things and start over with a new project. In the studio and live set up, Feldman is joined by Raphael Radna (former live member of the Depreciation Guild), Patrick South, and Avery Brooks (of Lost Children/formerly of Ravens & Chimes).[5] As Ice Choir, Feldman has released three studio albums: Afar (2012), Designs in Rhythm (2016), and Gunsport (2020).[6]

Roman à Clef[edit]

Feldman formed sophisti pop group Roman à Clef with A Sunny Day in Glasgow members, Ryan Newmyer and Jen Goma. Feldman acted as producer for the group's debut album, Abandonware, which was released in 2015.[7]

Producing, mixing, and composing[edit]

Since the Depreciation Guild's first release, Feldman has established his role as both composer and producer. Although he departed from the Pains of Being Pure at Heart in 2014, Feldman continued contributing to the band's studio releases which were credited on their albums, The Echo of Pleasure (2017) and Full Moon Fever (2018).[8] He also actively teamed up with other artists such as Anamanaguchi, Chairlift, Kristin Kontrol, Samantha Urbani, and DIIV, helping for production, mixing, engineering and/or additional instrument needs.[9][10][11][12][13]

Feldman is currently working as the lead sound designer at a sound branding agency Listen, as well as a video game composer. Under his real name, he has released several collections of VGM songs: Precise Works Ideal Selection, Vol. 001: TileWild (2010), Precise Works Ideal Selection, Vol. 002: StarLicker (2013), and Insert Credit (2021). His latest VGM works have been featured on games such as Slipstream (2023) and Demonschool (2023).[14][15]

Influences[edit]

Feldman has expressed his love for 80s music artists such as Scritti Politti, Prefab Sprout, Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, and Gangway. He is also a big fan of 80s J-pop artists such as Yellow Magic Orchestra. He has cited Cocteau Twins and Pale Saints that influenced the music he made with the Depreciation Guild.[5][3]

Discography[edit]

with The Depreciation Guild[edit]

Studio albums

  • In Her Gentle Jaws (self-released, 2007; Kanine Records, 2009)
  • Spirit Youth (Kanine Records, 2010)

Extended plays

Singles

  • "Dream About Me" single (Kanine Records, 2009)
  • "Blue Lily" single (Kanine Records, 2010)

with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart[edit]

Studio albums

Cover albums

  • Full Moon Fever (Turntable Kitchen, 2018) This album is a complete cover of Tom Petty's album of the same name, in commemoration of the one year anniversary of his death.[8]

EPs

  • The Pains of Being Pure at Heart EP (Painbow, 2007)
  • Higher Than the Stars (Slumberland, 2009)
  • Acid Reflex (Play It Again Sam, 2012, Purple Vinyl)
  • Abandonment Issue (Yebo Music, 2014)
  • Hell (Painbow Records, 2015)

Singles

  • The Pains of Being Pure at Heart/The Parallelograms, split 7-inch with The Parallelograms (Atomic Beat, 2008)
  • Searching for the Now Volume 4, split 7-inch with Summer Cats (Slumberland, 2008)
  • "Everything with You / The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" (Slumberland, 2008, Blue vinyl)
  • "Young Adult Friction / Ramona" (Slumberland, 2009, Maroon/white swirl vinyl)
  • "Come Saturday / Side Ponytail" (Slumberland, 2009, Mint green clear vinyl)
  • "Say No to Love / Lost Saint" (Slumberland U.S. + Fortuna Pop UK, June 8, 2010, Seafoam green vinyl)
  • "Heart in Your Heartbreak / The One" (Slumberland, 2010, Plumb clear vinyl)
  • "Belong / I Wanna Go All The Way" (Slumberland, 2011, Pink vinyl)
  • "The Body / Tomorrow Dies Today" (Play It Again Sam / Slumberland, July 25, 2011, Yellow/orange clear vinyl)
  • "Jeremy (Magnetic Fields Cover) / My Life Is Wrong (East River Pipe Cover)" (Slumberland, 2012, Army green vinyl)
  • "Simple and Sure / Impossible" (Slumberland, 2014, Olive Green vinyl)
  • "Sometimes Always (The Jesus and Mary Chain Cover)" with Hatchie (Heavenly/Double Double Whammy, 2020, Purple vinyl)

Compilation albums

  • Acid Reflex (Yoshimoto R and C, 2012, Japan CD) This compilation combines the Acid Reflex EP with Higher Than The Stars remixes plus one additional remix only found on this compilation.

with Roman à Clef[edit]

Studio Albums

  • Abandonware (2015)

as Kurt Feldman[edit]

Studio Albums

  • Insert Credit (2021)

EPs

  • Precise Works Ideal Selection, Vol. 001: TileWild (2010)
  • Precise Works Ideal Selection, Vol. 002: StarLicker (2013)

as Ice Choir[edit]

Studio Albums

EPs

  • Two Rings (2011)

Singles

  • Pure Holiday (2014)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Kurt Feldman". last.fm. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Interview: Kurt Feldman (Ice Choir)". KDVS. September 5, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Murphy, Tom (October 7, 2010). "Kurt Feldman of the Depreciation Guild expresses his love for Tears for Fears". Westword. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Carlson, Jen (January 28, 2009). "Depreciation Guild, Band". Gothamist. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Norris, John. "ICE CHOIR: THE NEW, NEW ROMANTICS". Interview. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "Music – Ice Choir". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Abandonware – Roman a Clef". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Pains of Being Pure at Heart to Cover Tom Petty's Entire 'Full Moon Fever'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  9. ^ "Anamanaguchi – Endless Fantasy". Discogs. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "Chairlift – Something". Discogs. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Leas, Ryan (March 18, 2016). "Q&A: Kristin Welchez On The Evolution From Dee Dee & The Dum Dum Girls To Kristin Kontrol". Stereogum. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Lacey, Gemma (November 8, 2017). "Caturday with Samantha Urbani". Puss Puss. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Riddell, Rosie (February 29, 2016). "Interview: DIIV on their sophomore album, 'Is The Is Are'". Coup de Main. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  14. ^ "Winter Station – About". Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "Music – Kurt Feldman". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
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