3 Reasons to to Hit the Dance Floor with Datarock at Sandbar
In yet another genius move by Santa Barbara booking giant Club Mercy, this Wednesday, May 28, the tiny-by-comparison Sandbar will play host to Norwegian electro rock heavyweights Datarock. The duo-a self-proclaimed pairing of mediocrity and good communication skills-have played hundreds of shows around the world, been featured in a handful of best-selling video games, gotten name-checked by Rolling Stone‘s “Best Songs of 2007,” and are currently touring the States with none other than Ladytron. All that, and the pair (made up of Fredrik Saroea and Ketil Mosnes) have only one full-length album under their belts. And considering they’ve been lumped into the “nu rave” genre alongside such acts as M.I.A., Hot Chip, and Cansei de Ser Sexy, we’ve no doubt that the band’s live show will prove to be a nonstop dance party the likes of which State Street hasn’t seen of late. Included below is a short list of reasons why this is one act not to miss. And check out independent.com/datarock for a full interview with Saroea, who phoned in from Norway last week to talk about what’s coming up for the band.
1) Future Sex/Love Sounds: Saroea and Mosnes have described their eclectic brand of music as many things-geeky, derivative, fashion competent-but one explanation seems to ring just a tiny bit truer than all the rest. “Datarock’s music is for lovemaking,” Sareoa said only semi-jokingly in a recent interview-and we couldn’t agree more. From the start of aDatarock Datarock, the duo has unleashed tunes that mix fervent energy with groove-inducing back beats and deep, seductive vocals. For proof, check out “Bulldozer,” where Sareoa waxes poetical about his love of BMX bikes.
2) A Passion for Fashion: Call ’em gimmicky, call ’em genius, or call ’em just plain weird-just don’t call ’em inconsistent. Since the release of the album’s first single, “Fa-Fa-Fa”-and its independently crafted music video-the duo has been sporting custom-made matching track suits (and bug-like Porsche wraparound shades) at every single gig, event, and public appearance they’ve made. The fashion statement has found club kids clamoring for the duds-a limited supply of which the band offered up via their Web site-and copying the style at nearly every Datarock show since. Next up: The duo tries their hand at conquering the world of footwear.
3) Divine Inspiration: Familiar sounds-and out-and-out idea stealing-are what Saroea and Mosnes are all about. And the result of their creative thievery is a collection of tunes that combine references to everything from Grease and Close Encounters of the Third Kind to David Byrne and Laurie Anderson. Sure, “Computer Camp Love” is a way-too-obvious rehashing of “Summer Lovin’,” but the lyrics and beats are just so darn intelligent, you just can’t help but dance along
