Today’s song is “Radiation” by Dynasty Electric.
Rising from the Brooklyn underground is Dynasty Electric, a band with an explosive live show and a unique sound weaving elements of electronic, punk, pop and psychedelic rock.
The band is fronted by the powerful and seductive vocals of Jenny Electrik and backed by the densely layered production multi-instrumentation and songwriting of Seth Misterka. Their retro-futuristic pop sound falls somewhere between Blondie, Goldfrapp, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Jefferson Airplane. Also setting them apart is Jenny’s use of the theremin, which creates electrical sound vibrations, adding a truly unusual element to their performances.
In 2009, they caught the attention of hip-hop mogul Damon Dash who paired the group with producer Ski Beatz (Jay-Z, Camp Lo, Curren$y), who infused his signature beats into their electro-pop tracks. Recorded in the culturally and musically diverse Woodstock, NY, the end result is Golden Arrows, due to be released in spring 2011 on Dash’s BluRoc Records. The album’s title track and first single features the lyrical stylings of Mr. Lif and Jenny’s ethereal vocals floating above the rattling bassline. Songs like “Radiation” and “Spell of Time” reflect a gritty punk sensibility, while the dance floor-ready “Box of Light” shimmers with pulsating energy.
“Working with Ski Beatz was really amazing,” Seth recalls. “We just had a great creative chemistry right off the bat. As soon as we got together we just kept spinning out song after song. Ski is like a zen master in the studio, and we learned so much from working with him.”
The band came to life in 2003, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Misterka, whose varied career has seen him working with everyone from jazz experimentalists Anthony Braxton, William Parker, and Jonathan Zorn to indie rockers Hot Chip, Shy Child, and The Fever. Jenny Electrik was originally recruited on bass but quickly became the lead vocalist and co-songwriter. Drawing from such varied influences as the Beatles, Bjork and Miles Davis, the pair released the album Black Box in 2004, touring around America, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan and appearing on Much Music and MTV. They returned to the studio in 2008 for the EP Burningand the single “Electric Love,” which featured Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on drums. In 2010, drummer Shimon Hikri was added to the lineup.
To date, Dynasty Electric has brought their colorful stage performance to the Burning Man Festival, SXSW, Summerfest, CMJ, BAM’s Sounds Like Brooklyn Festival, The Brooklyn Museum, Dewey Beach Music Festival, as well as an opening spot for legendary rockers The Meat Puppets on a US tour.
With Golden Arrows, Dynasty Electric continues their genre-defying evolution, bringing their danceable message of peace and love to an even wider audience.
Dynasty Electric- Bjork and Tori Amos
Listen below and for more information on Dynasty Electric check out their official website, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter pages.