The duo preps the release of Candy Cigarette 4/14 on Fake Four Inc.
Bio: The San Francisco-based duo of Alexander Chen (b. 1981) and Kenji Ross (b. 1980), Boy In Static, began when a three-song demo caught the attention of The Notwist's Markus Acher, who signed the band to his new label Alien Transistor. The debut album Newborn (2004) soon arrived, characterized by dead-of-night recording sessions, lush string arrangements, thunderous synths, and yearning vocals.
In 2005, Chen and Ross formed a live band to introduce Boy In Static to worldwide audiences, supporting 13 & God (the collective of The Notwist and Anticon's Themselves) on their US and European tours (New York Times live review). 2006 saw the completion of sophomore album Violet (Mush Records). Showcasing a stage show of combining Chen's viola and Ross's live electronic drumming, Boy In Static embarked on a tour of Japan with Lymbyc Systym, and two US tours supporting Freezepop. In 2008, Chen and Ross returned to the studio to record third album Candy Cigarette (Fake Four Inc & Circle Into Square Records).
Chen has also shown interactive and sound art in various galleries around the world, including 2002's Sonata for the Unaware, a piece which generated music from video footage of Philadelphia subway commuters, "finding beauty in maddening situations" (The Guardian, 2002).
Boy In Static has shared the stage with artists such as 13 & God, Freezepop, Lymbyc Systym, Stereo Total, and Why?. Boy In Static has collaborated and been remixed by artists such as Her Space Holiday, Alias, Styrofoam, Montag, Helios, and Future Bible Heroes.
In 2005, Chen and Ross formed a live band to introduce Boy In Static to worldwide audiences, supporting 13 & God (the collective of The Notwist and Anticon's Themselves) on their US and European tours (New York Times live review). 2006 saw the completion of sophomore album Violet (Mush Records). Showcasing a stage show of combining Chen's viola and Ross's live electronic drumming, Boy In Static embarked on a tour of Japan with Lymbyc Systym, and two US tours supporting Freezepop. In 2008, Chen and Ross returned to the studio to record third album Candy Cigarette (Fake Four Inc & Circle Into Square Records).
Chen has also shown interactive and sound art in various galleries around the world, including 2002's Sonata for the Unaware, a piece which generated music from video footage of Philadelphia subway commuters, "finding beauty in maddening situations" (The Guardian, 2002).
Boy In Static has shared the stage with artists such as 13 & God, Freezepop, Lymbyc Systym, Stereo Total, and Why?. Boy In Static has collaborated and been remixed by artists such as Her Space Holiday, Alias, Styrofoam, Montag, Helios, and Future Bible Heroes.
Boy in Static reveals amazing self-made video + new MP3
The duo preps the release of
Candy Cigarette 4/14 on Fake Four Inc.
MP3: Young San Francisco (Styrofoam remix)
Boy in Static - Young San Francisco from Alexander Chen on Vimeo.
Boy In Static
"Candy Cigarrette"
(Fake Four Inc/Circle Into Square)
Street date: April 14, 2009
Third album Candy Cigarette marks a major shift for Boy In Static, now the duo of Alexander Chen and Kenji Ross. Bringing the floor-stomping confidence of their live show into the studio, Candy Cigarette is an album of contrasts. Rickety 1960's toy pianos dance alongside glossy, 1980's synthesized drum machines. Precise viola arrangements sweep over one-mic improvised drum takes. The intimate 1940's crooning of the title track ushers in the orchestral grandeur of "Half-Lives."
From the summertime sidewalk soundtrack "Young San Francisco" to the icy paranoia of dancehall-inspired "Tijuana," 10 songs flaunt equal respect for both the sonic experimentation of Animal Collective and the verse-chorus pop format of New Order. Guests included Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday), Liz Enthusiasm (Freezepop), and Ulrich Schnauss.
Tracklisting:
1.Toy Baby Grand
2.Starlet
3.Star-Crossed Killer
4.Young San Francisco
5.Tijuana
6.Candy Cigarrette
7.Half-lives
8.Wartime Bachelor
9.Osaka
10.LA Runaways
The duo preps the release of
Candy Cigarette 4/14 on Fake Four Inc.
MP3: Young San Francisco (Styrofoam remix)
Boy in Static - Young San Francisco from Alexander Chen on Vimeo.
Boy In Static
"Candy Cigarrette"
(Fake Four Inc/Circle Into Square)
Street date: April 14, 2009
Third album Candy Cigarette marks a major shift for Boy In Static, now the duo of Alexander Chen and Kenji Ross. Bringing the floor-stomping confidence of their live show into the studio, Candy Cigarette is an album of contrasts. Rickety 1960's toy pianos dance alongside glossy, 1980's synthesized drum machines. Precise viola arrangements sweep over one-mic improvised drum takes. The intimate 1940's crooning of the title track ushers in the orchestral grandeur of "Half-Lives."
From the summertime sidewalk soundtrack "Young San Francisco" to the icy paranoia of dancehall-inspired "Tijuana," 10 songs flaunt equal respect for both the sonic experimentation of Animal Collective and the verse-chorus pop format of New Order. Guests included Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday), Liz Enthusiasm (Freezepop), and Ulrich Schnauss.
Tracklisting:
1.Toy Baby Grand
2.Starlet
3.Star-Crossed Killer
4.Young San Francisco
5.Tijuana
6.Candy Cigarrette
7.Half-lives
8.Wartime Bachelor
9.Osaka
10.LA Runaways
"Alexander Chen is nothing if not a romantic. The music he makes is moody, deep and lush. While this may not be what all the kids are raving on about, Boy in Static pulls it off. It's probably a result of Chen's production skills, his playing each instrument and his dedication to the craft." RCRD LBL
