Phantogram at Bordello Bar
March 8th, 2010 by
Meghan Alfano
Phantogram's Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter are, as the name suggests, a duo that create an optical illusion of psychedelic, dreamy, beat driven sounds.
Hailing from Saratoga Springs, New York, the band was signed to Barsuk Records in October of last year, and released their first full-length record "Eyelid Movies" this past February. It is a recording of eleven songs that leaves the listener filled with musical metaphors in connection with each track, just as the band intended.
"A lot of our ideas stemmed from visual imagery and what we imagined something would sound like; for example, in 'Running from the Cops,' we wanted to recreate what it would sound like if we were actually running from the cops," Carter said.
Having landed gigs opening for acts like Minus the Bear, Ra Ra Riot, and Yeasayer, Phantogram are currently touring extensively in promotion of their new album. The duo stopped at Bordello Bar in Downtown Los Angeles, and played a set that was both aesthetically and melodiously pleasing. Despite being comprised of only two-people, Phantogram use synths, samplers, keyboard, and guitar to make it seem as if the band is comprised of something much larger. They also use various lighting techniques creating a stunning live visual to go along with their electronic beats. The band had the small, crowded bar moving along to their dance rhythms, especially those of us who had one too many cocktails prior to the performance.
You can catch Phantogram on tour now:
March 5th, 6:00 p.m.
M-Theory Records (in-store performance)
San Diego, California
March 6, 8:00 p.m.
Mercury Lounge
Goleta, California
March 9, 8:00 p.m.
Red Dog (w/Hot Hot Heat)
Peterborough, Canada
March 10, 8:00 p.m.
Ale House (w/Hot Hot Heat)
Kingston, Canada
March 11, 8:00 p.m.
L3 Nightclub (w/ Hot Hot Heat)
St. Catharines, Canada
March 12, 8:00 p.m.
Supermarket (w/Hot Hot Heat)
Toronto, Canada
March 13, 8:00 p.m.
Call the Office (w/ Hot Hot Heat)
London, Ontario
March 17-21
SXSW
Austin, Texas
April 16 8:00 p.m.
The Basement (w/the Antlers)
Columbus, Ohio
April 17, 2010 8:00 p.m.
Canopy Club (w/the Antlers)
Urbana, Illinois
April 18, 8:00 p.m.
High Noon Saloon (w/ the Antlers)
Madison, Wisconsin
April 20, 8:00 p.m.
Varsity Theater (w/ the Antlers)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 21, 8:00 p.m.
The Blue Moose (w/ the Antlers)
Iowa City, Iowa
April 22, 8:00 p.m.
Lincoln Hall (w/ the Antlers)
Chicago, Illinois
April 23, 8:00 p.m.
Blind Pig (w/the Antlers)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
April 28, 8:00 p.m.
Cashbah (w/ the Antlers)
San Diego, California
May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Doug Fir Lounge (w/ the Antlers)
Portland, Oregon
May 4, 8:00 p.m.
The Biltmore Cabaret (w/ the Antlers)
Vancouver, British Columbia
May 5, 8:00 p.m.
Nuemo's (w/ the Antlers)
Seattle, Washington
May 31, TBA
Sasquatch! Music Festival
George, Washington
