Phantogram (band)

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Phantogram
Phantogram in 2010.jpg
Phantogram in 2010
Background information
Origin Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
Genres Indie pop, Electronic rock
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
Tim Oakley (tours)

Phantogram (formerly Charlie Everywhere) is an American Indie pop duo from Saratoga Springs, New York, formed in 2007 and consisting of Josh Carter (vocals, guitars) and Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards).[1] They write and record in a remote barn in upstate New York called Harmony Lodge.[2] The band name was partially inspired by an optical illusion called a phantogram, in which two-dimensional images appear to be three-dimensional.[3]

They often describe their sound as "street beat, psych pop".[4] According to Josh Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".[5]

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

Contents

History [edit]

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.[6][7] 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.[8][9][10]

The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records.[6] The group signed with BBE on 26 January 2009 and changed their name to Phantogram.[11][12] Their self-titled debut EP was released on 12 May 2009,[13] followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops. They signed with Barsuk Records in October 2009.[14]

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.[15] 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".

Song usage [edit]

  • "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 2012 film Syrup and recently used in Canon's new advert for their 650D camera.
  • "Mouth Full of Diamonds" was in the episode titled "Stanley" in the same series.[16]
  • "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

Discography [edit]

Studio albums [edit]

Extended plays [edit]

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

Singles [edit]

  • "Mouthful of Diamonds" (2009)
  • "When I'm Small" (2009)
  • "As Far As I Can See" (2011)
  • "Don't Move" (2011)

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Phantogram Biography". AOL Music. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  2. ^ Jaffer, Dave (6 April 2010). "Phantogram Reveal Their Backwoods 'Batcave'". Spinner.com. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  3. ^ Dafoe, Taylor; Drew Litowitz (19 November 2010). "Bookmark the permalink. Interview: Phantogram". Skidmore Sec. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  4. ^ "Phantogram - Sounds That Grab a Hold of Your Heart in a Beautiful Way". On Another Note. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  5. ^ Keyser, Tom (4 February 2010). "Phantogram going national, view photos of video shoot". Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  6. ^ a b Wenzel, John (7 May 2010). "The Reverb Interview: Phantogram". The Reverb. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  7. ^ Swanson, Charlie (5 November 2010). "Phantogram: Dream-Pop Duo Unifies Its Vision". ALARM Press. Retrieved 29 August 2011. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Turning Points To Always Remember: An Interview with Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel". Music Under Fire. Retrieved 15 February 2012. 
  9. ^ Javorsky, Ben (10 March 2010). "Phantogram Interview: SXSW 2010". Spinner. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  10. ^ Grehan, Keith (3 November 2010). "Phantogram interview". Trinity News. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  11. ^ Phantogram (26 January 2009). "We are now signed to BBE records!!!". MySpace. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  12. ^ "Phantogram Interview". Shy Anne’s Songs. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  13. ^ Phantogram. "May 12th!!!". MySpace. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
  14. ^ Phantogram. "Hey Folks! Phantogram is now signed to Barsuk Records!!!". Twitter. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  15. ^ "Eyelid Movies – Phantogram". Metacritic. 
  16. ^ Thompson, Erin. Phantogram Polarizes Fanbase After "When I'm Small" Appeared on MTV's Skins Last Night. Seattle Weekly. February 8, 2011.

External links [edit]

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