Shazamers' Blog

Seattle duo Beat Connection threw down an impressive warm up set in East London tonight, mustering future disco rhythms via an ensemble of Mac’s, Synth’s, drum machines and flickers of live guitar licks and vocals. While the expectant and eager sell out crowd slowly filled the dimly lit venue. Then New Yorkers Holy Ghost! were welcomed to the stage with generous applause, and launched straight into what felt from the off like a greatest hits set; with each tune in the tight 45 min set lapped up like a favourite by the shape throwing hipster crowd. We’re told it’s the last night of the European tour, save for some festival appearance over the summer, which “don’t count”. Obviously the DFA band felt at ease in London and were happy to end a touring stint in the city.

The former duo’s live show is now beefed out to a five piece with addition of bass, drummer and keys. A full, soaring sound which see dance rhythms colliding perfectly with a live band aesthetic.’ Say My Name’ and ‘Do It Again’ are rapturously received. Lead singer Alex Frankel switches between vocal duties and addition drumming on the centre stage second drum kit, often dueling opposite bandmates in a percussive frenzy.

The band returned to the stage for an encore, and seemed genuinely touched by the love shown to them by a dedicated London crowd.

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Jon Davies Gigs/ Events Holy Ghost!

Native New Yorkers Holy Ghost! have been getting plenty of plaudits from both the dance scene and indie fraternity since signing to the achingly hip DFA records in 2007. The band’s uniquely old school approach to producing disco influenced pop involves the use of plenty of dusty analogue synthesisers and even the hire of whole string sections just to get the sound right on certain tracks – something that probably dooms the group to financial disaster before they’ve even started.

Their latest project sees the group hook up with acclaimed British band Friendly Fires for a double A-side single where each band will cover the other’s songs. The effort from Holy Ghost! sees the band taking the raucous energy of Friendly Fires’ ‘On Board’ and slowing it down to a sleazy disco bump. Like the band’s previous track ‘Hold On’, produced by LCD Soundystem’s James Murphy, the Holy Ghost! version of ‘On Board’ mixes the up the cooler than cool production sound of DFA with a genuinely memorable vocal to great effect.  

The split single will be released on March 8^th and also includes a Friendly Fires version of ‘Hold On’. If you can’t wait till then you can purchase the original of ‘Hold On’ from iTunes by following this link.

Stephen Titmus Tag Of The Day Friendly Fires, Holy Ghost!