Talkdemonic
Encyclopedia
Talkdemonic is an avant-instrumental duo based in Portland, Oregon
. The band consists of Kevin O'Connor and Lisa Molinaro. Talkdemonic recently signed with Isaac Brock's Glacial Pace Recordings to release their fourth record in Fall 2011.
to Portland. It began as a musical project to express his obsession with instrumental hip hop and electronic music. O'Connor said he was at a local club when he heard a voice utter the word "talkdemonic" and he felt it fit his new project perfectly.
The first album, Mutiny Sunshine, released in May 2004 by Lucky Madison, was recorded over the period of a year at talknumeric and Miracle Lake studios with Skyler Norwood engineering. After a few solo tours, O'Connor convinced Molinaro to become a full-time member.
Talkdemonic was named "Portland's Best New Band 2005" by the Willamette Week
and toured with The National
and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
in the fall of 2005.
The band spent most of 2005 recording and playing shows. They signed with the Arena Rock Recording Co.
. The label released their second record, Beat Romantic, in March 2006. The album was lauded with much critical acclaim. Pitchfork media described the album as follows: "When the punctuated rhythm of programmed percussion gives way to cascading cymbal crashes and spacious break beats, it's nothing short of cathartic." Following the release of the album, the band toured the country twice over with bands like Quasi
, The Walkmen
, Scout Niblett
and The National.
In February 2007, Talkdemonic signed with One Little Indian
in the UK. Their offshoot label, Tangled Up! was to issue a deluxe expanded edition of Beat Romantic in Europe on September 17, 2007. The enhanced version was to include a cover of Brian Eno
's "Sombre Reptiles" and a video for "Mountain Cats".
Lisa also spent six months as a touring multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with the Decemberists in late 2006 and early 2007.
Talkdemonic has since toured several times nationally and along the west coast. During a Midwest
tour they opened for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The National.
For Olivier Theyskien's Spring 2008 show under the Nina Ricci
label, DJ Michel Gaubert used several Talkdemonic songs for the soundtrack.
In October 2011 it was announced that Talkdemonic will be opening for Modest Mouse for two of their shows in Austin and Dallas Texas in early November.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. The band consists of Kevin O'Connor and Lisa Molinaro. Talkdemonic recently signed with Isaac Brock's Glacial Pace Recordings to release their fourth record in Fall 2011.
History
Talkdemonic was established by O'Connor in December 2002 after he moved from Pullman, WashingtonPullman, Washington
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
to Portland. It began as a musical project to express his obsession with instrumental hip hop and electronic music. O'Connor said he was at a local club when he heard a voice utter the word "talkdemonic" and he felt it fit his new project perfectly.
The first album, Mutiny Sunshine, released in May 2004 by Lucky Madison, was recorded over the period of a year at talknumeric and Miracle Lake studios with Skyler Norwood engineering. After a few solo tours, O'Connor convinced Molinaro to become a full-time member.
Talkdemonic was named "Portland's Best New Band 2005" by the Willamette Week
Willamette Week
Willamette Week is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, United States. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business and culture....
and toured with 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 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:...
in the fall of 2005.
The band spent most of 2005 recording and playing shows. They signed with the Arena Rock Recording Co.
Arena Rock Recording Co.
The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
. The label released their second record, Beat Romantic, in March 2006. The album was lauded with much critical acclaim. Pitchfork media described the album as follows: "When the punctuated rhythm of programmed percussion gives way to cascading cymbal crashes and spacious break beats, it's nothing short of cathartic." Following the release of the album, the band toured the country twice over with bands like Quasi
Quasi
Quasi is an American indie rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by ex-husband and wife Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss . Since 2007 the group has been a trio, following the addition of bassist Joanna Bolme.-History:In 1990 , Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat...
, The Walkmen
The Walkmen
The Walkmen are an American indie rock band, with members based in New York City and Philadelphia. The band formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon , Walter Martin , and Matt Barrick —and two from The Recoys, Peter Bauer and Hamilton Leithauser . All but Bauer...
, Scout Niblett
Scout Niblett
Emma Louise Niblett , better known by the stage name Scout Niblett, is an English singer and songwriter. Her music is frequently minimal in style, many of her songs consisting merely of vocals accompanied by either drums or guitar, which she mostly plays herself. She is known for her intimate live...
and The National.
In February 2007, Talkdemonic signed with One Little Indian
One Little Indian Records
One Little Indian Records is a London-based independent record label that rose from the ashes of punk record company Spiderleg Records. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarchist punk bands, and managed by ex-Flux of Pink Indians Derek Birkett. The first success came with A.R. Kane and...
in the UK. Their offshoot label, Tangled Up! was to issue a deluxe expanded edition of Beat Romantic in Europe on September 17, 2007. The enhanced version was to include a cover of Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
's "Sombre Reptiles" and a video for "Mountain Cats".
Lisa also spent six months as a touring multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with the Decemberists in late 2006 and early 2007.
Touring
Originally, O'Connor played live shows alone with Molinaro's pre-recorded viola pieces and accordion, banjo, guitar, and piano played via laptop computer. In the summer of 2004, O'Connor convinced Molinaro to play live shows with him.Talkdemonic has since toured several times nationally and along the west coast. During a Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
tour they opened for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The National.
For Olivier Theyskien's Spring 2008 show under the Nina Ricci
Nina Ricci
Nina Ricci may refer to: * Maria Ricci, French designer of Italian origin* Nina Ricci...
label, DJ Michel Gaubert used several Talkdemonic songs for the soundtrack.
In October 2011 it was announced that Talkdemonic will be opening for Modest Mouse for two of their shows in Austin and Dallas Texas in early November.
Members
- Kevin O'Connor (percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, multi-instrumentalistMulti-instrumentalistA multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
) - Lisa Molinaro (violaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, synthesizer)
Discography
- Mutiny Sunshine (Lucky Madison, April 2004; Lucky Madison reissue January 2005)
- Tour EP (Arena Rock Recording Co., 2005)
- Beat Romantic (Arena Rock Recording Co., March 2006, US) (Tangled Up! Recordings, September 2007, UK)
- Eyes at Half Mast (Arena Rock Recording Co., September 2008)
- Ruins (Glacial Pace Recordings, October 2011)