Boy In Static
Encyclopedia
Boy in Static is a band
currently based in San Francisco, California
, composed of Alexander Chen and Kenji Ross. The first Boy in Static album Newborn was released in 2004 on small label Alien Transistor (founded by The Notwist
member Markus Acher). Mush Records
released the second album Violet in 2007. Boy in Static has toured internationally with bands such as 13 & God
, Freezepop, and Lymbyc Systym
.
), who had recently started his own record label Alien Transistor. A few months later, he received an email from Acher. They met at a The Notwist
show in Boston. They decided to release his debut album. Chen mastered the album at Abbey Road
studios and it was released in 2004.
In 2005, Boy in Static supported 13 & God
(a collective group composed of The Notwist
and Anticon
group Themselves
), opening for their European and US tours. For their Irving Plaza
show, The New York Times
described Boy in Static: "Boy in Static, the opening band, set up the night's introspective tone ... set up minimalistic patterns and sang about moments with "nothing left to say." Amid the echoes of 1980's bands like New Order, Mr. Chen revealed a strong sense of melody and his own blend of diffidence, longing and tenacity."
Boy in Static's second album Violet was released in May 2007 on Mush Records
. It was described in press as "An impressive one-man symphony (The Boston Globe
)" and "[ballads] of electronic snaps and true dream-pop vocals (URB Magazine)." Many magazines noted its influences by 1990s shoegaze bands such as Slowdive
and My Bloody Valentine, with its "Loveless
fascination (Remix Magazine
)."
In 2007 and 2008, Boy in Static toured with the band Freezepop. Both Chen and Ross also performed as members of Freezepop on this tour. In 2009, Boy in Static released third album Candy Cigarette on Circle Into Square & Fake Four Inc
Records.
In 2010, Alexander Chen released an album under new name The Consulate General, which included guests such as Antoine Bédard of Montag and Simon Scott of Slowdive
. Chen is also currently collaborating with Blue Sky Black Death
.
Allmusic lists some contemporary comparisons as The Postal Service
and Mobius Band.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
currently based in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, composed of Alexander Chen and Kenji Ross. The first Boy in Static album Newborn was released in 2004 on small label Alien Transistor (founded by The Notwist
The Notwist
The Notwist are a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup...
member Markus Acher). Mush Records
Mush Records
Mush Records is an independent record label that has released albums for many independent artists and was started by Robert Curcio and Cindy Roché.Mush Records is an electronic based record label...
released the second album Violet in 2007. Boy in Static has toured internationally with bands such as 13 & God
13 & God
13 & God is an American and German electronic collaboration group between Weilheim, Germany-based The Notwist and Oakland, California-based anticon members Themselves. The group is signed both to anticon and Alien Transistor. They are joined live by Jordan Dalrymple who now plays Dax Pierson's...
, Freezepop, and Lymbyc Systym
Lymbyc Systym
Lymbyc Systym is an instrumental band from Tempe, Arizona which formed in 2001, consisting of brothers Jared and Michael Bell. Their sound combines elements of instrumental rock and electronic music. Lymbyc Systym have toured with Broken Social Scene, The Books, Crystal Castles, The Album Leaf, ...
.
History
Chen's recording career began when he sent a demo to Markus Acher (of popular electronic-pop German band The NotwistThe Notwist
The Notwist are a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup...
), who had recently started his own record label Alien Transistor. A few months later, he received an email from Acher. They met at a The Notwist
The Notwist
The Notwist are a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup...
show in Boston. They decided to release his debut album. Chen mastered the album at Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
studios and it was released in 2004.
In 2005, Boy in Static supported 13 & God
13 & God
13 & God is an American and German electronic collaboration group between Weilheim, Germany-based The Notwist and Oakland, California-based anticon members Themselves. The group is signed both to anticon and Alien Transistor. They are joined live by Jordan Dalrymple who now plays Dax Pierson's...
(a collective group composed of The Notwist
The Notwist
The Notwist are a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup...
and Anticon
Anticon
Anticon is an Oakland based independent record label founded in 1997. It is collectively owned among six founding artists and one manager...
group Themselves
Themselves
Themselves is an Oakland-based hip hop group, made up of rapper Doseone and producer Jel . Dax Pierson, from the affiliated group Subtle, has played keyboards for the group, though he is not considered an official member. To date, the group has released three full-length albums and two singles...
), opening for their European and US tours. For their Irving Plaza
Irving Plaza
Irving Plaza is a 1,200-person ballroom-style music venue at 17 Irving Place and East 15th Street in the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City...
show, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
described Boy in Static: "Boy in Static, the opening band, set up the night's introspective tone ... set up minimalistic patterns and sang about moments with "nothing left to say." Amid the echoes of 1980's bands like New Order, Mr. Chen revealed a strong sense of melody and his own blend of diffidence, longing and tenacity."
Boy in Static's second album Violet was released in May 2007 on Mush Records
Mush Records
Mush Records is an independent record label that has released albums for many independent artists and was started by Robert Curcio and Cindy Roché.Mush Records is an electronic based record label...
. It was described in press as "An impressive one-man symphony (The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
)" and "[ballads] of electronic snaps and true dream-pop vocals (URB Magazine)." Many magazines noted its influences by 1990s shoegaze bands such as Slowdive
Slowdive
Slowdive were an English shoegaze band that formed in 1989. The band formed in Reading, Berkshire and primarily consisted of Nick Chaplin , Rachel Goswell , Neil Halstead , and Christian Savill...
and My Bloody Valentine, with its "Loveless
Loveless
Loveless may refer to:* Loveless , by My Bloody Valentine* Loveless , fantasy manga series by Yun Kouga* Loveless , Japanese rock band formed by Nana Kitade...
fascination (Remix Magazine
Remix Magazine
Remix was a monthly magazine for disc jockeys, audio engineers, record producers, and performers of electronic music. The magazine focused on recording and live-performance hardware, electronic musical instruments, and music-production hardware and computer software.The final issue of Remix was...
)."
In 2007 and 2008, Boy in Static toured with the band Freezepop. Both Chen and Ross also performed as members of Freezepop on this tour. In 2009, Boy in Static released third album Candy Cigarette on Circle Into Square & Fake Four Inc
Fake Four Inc
Fake Four Inc. is an independent record label based in New Haven, CT. It was founded in 2008 by Ceschi and David Ramos. According to an interview with Ceschi on Ugsmag.com, the Ramos brothers started Fake Four with help from San Bernardino, California's Grimm Image Records and Dayton, Ohio's Squids...
Records.
In 2010, Alexander Chen released an album under new name The Consulate General, which included guests such as Antoine Bédard of Montag and Simon Scott of Slowdive
Slowdive
Slowdive were an English shoegaze band that formed in 1989. The band formed in Reading, Berkshire and primarily consisted of Nick Chaplin , Rachel Goswell , Neil Halstead , and Christian Savill...
. Chen is also currently collaborating with Blue Sky Black Death
Blue Sky Black Death
Blue Sky Black Death is a production duo based in Seattle, Washington. The duo consists of Kingston and Young God . They are known principally for their hip hop and instrumental music, made with a mix of live instrumentation and sampling...
.
Allmusic lists some contemporary comparisons as The Postal Service
The Postal Service
The Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band composed of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset.-Background:...
and Mobius Band.
Singles & EPs
- Lifetime Achievement Award (7" vinyl) (2005)
- Where It Ends (digital single) (2008)
- Young San Francisco (digital single) (2009)