Takka Takka
Encyclopedia
Takka Takka is a band from Brooklyn
, New York
that has been performing since 2006
and whose members include Gabe Levine, Conrad Doucette, Rene Planchon and and Craig Montoro (Volcano I'm still excited, Sufjan Stevens
).
Takka Takka began when Gabe returned from a "near-disastrous" year in Texas
. Back in Brooklyn, he began recording demos of new material, and recruited some old friends to help him work out a live set. Takka Takka soon played its first show in a basement in Williamsburg in March 2006. Takka Takka's rotating line up has been a constant for this band who has seen a new band with each album. Doucette and Levine remain the only constant members.
In April 2006, the group began recording in the Brooklyn studio Seaside Lounge, resulting in their debut We Feel Safer at Night. The album impressed Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
, who then invited the band to tag along on a high-profile U.S. tour in the Fall of 2006. Takka takka traveled to Britain in February 2007 to play their first London
gigs, and they headed to Austin for SXSW in March 2007. Shortly after, in May 2007, the band signed to Ernest Jenning Record Co.
Takka Takka recorded a cover of Phil Collins'
"In the Air Tonight
" for Engine Room Recordings
' compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2
, which was released in November 2008.
In 2008, Takka Takka released their 2nd full length album, Migration. Produced by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
's drummer, Sean Greenhalgh
and released by Virgin, Migration marked a sonic departure for the band. On Migration, Takka Takka explored minimalistic synthesizer soundscapes, african guitars, and percussion poly-rhythms. This album features Bryan Devendorf, drummer for The National
and sometime percussionist for Takka Takka. Migration was released to critical praise receiving positive reviews from the New York Times and Pitchfork.com. Migration was released in Europe in 2010 by Lili-is-pi records which brought the band to tour Continental Europe for the first time.
In an interview at SXSW 2011, Takka Takka say they are currently working on a new album called Mover / Believer. It is being produced by Phil Palazzolo (New Pornographers, Okkervil River
, Nicole Atkins
) and should be release in Fall 2011.
Gabriel Levine has recorded a solo album under the name Gabriel and the Hounds which will also be released in 2011.
In The Press
On The Blogs
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that has been performing since 2006
2006 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
and whose members include Gabe Levine, Conrad Doucette, Rene Planchon and and Craig Montoro (Volcano I'm still excited, Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
).
Takka Takka began when Gabe returned from a "near-disastrous" year in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Back in Brooklyn, he began recording demos of new material, and recruited some old friends to help him work out a live set. Takka Takka soon played its first show in a basement in Williamsburg in March 2006. Takka Takka's rotating line up has been a constant for this band who has seen a new band with each album. Doucette and Levine remain the only constant members.
In April 2006, the group began recording in the Brooklyn studio Seaside Lounge, resulting in their debut We Feel Safer at Night. The album impressed Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an American indie rock group based in Brooklyn, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, was self-released in 2005.-History:...
, who then invited the band to tag along on a high-profile U.S. tour in the Fall of 2006. Takka takka traveled to Britain in February 2007 to play their first London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
gigs, and they headed to Austin for SXSW in March 2007. Shortly after, in May 2007, the band signed to Ernest Jenning Record Co.
Takka Takka recorded a cover of Phil Collins'
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
"In the Air Tonight
In the Air Tonight
"In the Air Tonight" is a song by Phil Collins that first appeared on his 1981 album Face Value. It was recorded in 1979 and was the first single of Collins' solo career, and remains one of his best-known hits. The music video, directed by Stuart Orme, was released in 1981.-The song/recording:The...
" for Engine Room Recordings
Engine Room Recordings
Engine Room Recordings is an independent record label with a roster of Indie rock and Alternative rock musicians. Beyond marketing and distribution for its artists, the label does booking and artist management....
' compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2
Guilt by Association Vol. 2
Guilt by Association Vol. 2 is a compilation album released November 18, 2008 by Engine Room Recordings. Like its predecessor, Guilt by Association Vol. 1, it features indie rock artists covering well-known pop and R&B songs.-Overview:...
, which was released in November 2008.
In 2008, Takka Takka released their 2nd full length album, Migration. Produced by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an American indie rock group based in Brooklyn, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, was self-released in 2005.-History:...
's drummer, Sean Greenhalgh
Sean Greenhalgh
Sean Greenhalgh is a lacrosse player for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League. Sean is a cousin to Charlie Mulgrew, a Scottish footballer, who plays for Celtic FC.-Junior career:...
and released by Virgin, Migration marked a sonic departure for the band. On Migration, Takka Takka explored minimalistic synthesizer soundscapes, african guitars, and percussion poly-rhythms. This album features Bryan Devendorf, drummer for The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
and sometime percussionist for Takka Takka. Migration was released to critical praise receiving positive reviews from the New York Times and Pitchfork.com. Migration was released in Europe in 2010 by Lili-is-pi records which brought the band to tour Continental Europe for the first time.
In an interview at SXSW 2011, Takka Takka say they are currently working on a new album called Mover / Believer. It is being produced by Phil Palazzolo (New Pornographers, Okkervil River
Okkervil River
Okkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. They self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first...
, Nicole Atkins
Nicole Atkins
Nicole Atkins is an American singer-songwriter. She has been compared to Roy Orbison and singers from the Brill Building era.-Early life:...
) and should be release in Fall 2011.
Gabriel Levine has recorded a solo album under the name Gabriel and the Hounds which will also be released in 2011.
Members
- Gabriel Levine - Vocals, keyboard, guitar
- Rene Planchon - Guitar
- Craig Montoro - Bass
- Conrad Doucette - Drums, percussion
Discography
- Fall Apart ArtFall Apart Art- Track listing :# "Fall Apart Art" - 4:04# "I Take My Drinks Like Jackson" - 5:43# "Pleasure Phone Call From the Moon" - 7:14# "Stranger's Pillow" - 3:24# "Joshua and Prof. Faulkner " - 4:16# "Enough " - 2:54...
(EP, 2006) - We Feel Safer At NightWe Feel Safer at Night- Track listing :# "We Feel Safer at Night" - 3:33# "Coco on the Corner" - 2:30# "Enough" - 2:59# "Joshua and the Professor" - 4:06# "Living out of Trouble" - 3:36# "Sofia" - 2:57# "They Built You Up Too Fast" - 3:18# "She Works in Banking" - 5:00...
(LP, 2006) - Talk FasterTalk FasterTalk Faster is an album released in 2007 by Takka Takka.- Track listing :# "Draw A Map" - 2:42# "Last Night, Never Again" - 3:04# "Ratio Song " - 2:13...
(EP, 2007) - Migration (LP, 2008)
External links
Official SitesIn The Press
- New York Times review
- Pitchfork review
- Time Out New York
- Spin Magazine
- The L Magazine's Top 20 Albums of 2006
- New York Magazine's Reasons To Love New York
- NME
- Paper Magazine
On The Blogs