On this episode of Rehearsal Space - How does one describe Stereolab’s music? Alternative rock? Post-rock? Art rock? Experimental? Avant-garde? The fact that it can’t be easily categorized is both a testament to the band and an explanation to why their overwhelming critical and cult success never translated into mainstream popularity. Their disparate influences include krautrock, 1960s pop and lounge music while their socio-political lyrics are sung in both French and English. This unusual style is coupled with technical innovation and a fondness for vintage keyboards. After a career spanning 19 years, Stereolab just announced on their website they are taking an indeterminate hiatus to rest up and work on other projects. In this episode of Rehearsal Space, Tim Gain and Lætitia Sadier discuss the London music scene of the early nineties, the pros and cons of music’s digital age and the one thing they wish they’d done differently.
Patrick Gemayel and David Macklovitch of Chromeo discuss their musical inspirations and answer the question, “How much of your act, if any, is comedy?” They discuss their post-production process, how DAW’s like Logic Studio make music more democratic, and finally they give some unusual advice to musicians just starting out.
Erykah Badu has been a distinctive and prominent voice in music since her debut album, Baduizm, entered the Billboard Charts at number #2 in 1997. As a poet, a performer, a style icon and a producer, this “analogue girl in a digital world” has successfully controlled both her image and her music. In this episode of Rehearsal Space, Erykah explains why her album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), is the album she wanted to write all her life. She also discusses how technology made it possible.
Mike and Evan of Ratatat talk about the serendipity of their success and how their music always sounds like “a really bad idea” on paper. They delve into their creative process, sharing a few tips for innovative sounds and stress the importance of never losing your original musical intent.
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