Artists

POOL #5 (7.11.2012) Presents:

Pacific Strings

Formed as the result of a focus group (Divine Providence), Berlin-based band Pacific Strings exists as a collective experiment in pop music.

Initially a duo, Daniel John Boyle (UK) and Florian Zeisig (DE) began to work on what would become the band’s first release ‘Woodgate Valley’ after returning from a stint on a Christian Maple Syrup farm in North America. Maggie Buck Armstrong (US), who moved to Berlin with the intention of filming a re-imagined version of Peter Pan, completed the lineup prior to the bands’ first and only show in Berlin to date.

The trio relocated to the Polish border in the summer of 2012 to record ‘Woodgate Valley’. A combination of pop obsession and new world atmospherics, ‘Woodgate Valley’ became a testament to unrequited love, death and religion.

‘Woodgate Valley’ will see an initial release on CF RECORDS (Mt Eerie/High Places/Cloud Nothings) in mid November of 2012.

The band hopes to continue to record and tour as much as possible throughout the next year. Pacific Strings are unsigned and are currently looking for label backing.

Suns of Thyme

Rock and roll’s dead? Bullshit. The latest proof of its resurgence is the Berlin-based neo-psychedelic band, Suns of Thyme. Inspired by various powers, such as Pink Floyd, The Black Angels and the Flaming Lips, their sound is enriched with elements of shoegaze, dream pop and the krautrock sound of the 60’s.

Founded on May 10, 2011 in Berlin, the Suns of Thyme are Tobias Feltes (vocals and guitar), Tim Hoppe (guitar), Jens Rosenkranz (bass), Jascha Kreft (drums and backing vocals). Jens and Tobi, friends for over 13 years, met during their early school years, but their deeper friendship began 4 years ago when they played together in a garage rock band in their hometown in Saarland – formed after covering some Stones songs together. They both moved to Berlin in 2010 to continue with music and studies.

Jens walked around the campus on his first day of University, feeling out of place and couldn’t seem to connect with other students, when suddenly a tall dark-haired dude appeared, seeming like a fish out of water himself. Their eyes locked amid the crowd, and after chatting they realized their strangely similar tastes in music. Shortly after that, Jens invited Tim to rehearse for the new band Tobi and Jens were about to create.

Jascha and Tammo, both from Norden, Germany, met in kindergarden where they played together in a band called “Die Spitzmäuse” (The Shrew Mice) at the age of 5. Sadly they lost touch, but re-found each other at the age of 15 and founded a new stoner rock band.

After some rehearsals with a drum machine and after months of desperately looking for a drummer in every corner of the city (billboards, calling drum teachers, speaking to random “drummer looking” people on the street, Tobi met Jascha at a concert, while checking out the band’s equipment. It was serendipitous and the next day they started rehearsing.

After releasing their first video, The Suns of Thyme are currently looking for a label to release their debut album, worldwide booking agents and publishing.

SULK

Under the rainy skies of London, the shining sounds of Britpop, Shoegaze and Psychedelia are back in bloom. Locked up in the back room of an east-end gallery, stirring up 90s inspired sonic harmonies, this five-piece’s influences are less worn on their sleeves, than branded on their hearts. Bands such as The Stone Roses, Suede, Ride and The Verve are wholly evident, but this isn’t nostalgia for old time’s sake. It’s a whitewash of powerful prettiness; with sun-drenched vocals, ethereal guitars and pounding drums, rooted in 90s vibes but with its eyes to the future.

SULK mixes what came before, and what’s yet to come into crushing waves of beauty, honesty and anthemic bliss for a whole new generation.

“With its epic, stadium-indie guitars, baggy beats and trippy lyrics, this Suede-meets-Oasis numbers sets Sulk far above other 1990s revivalists” - The Independent

“Sounds like The Stone Roses if they signed to Creation” – The Guardian

“Pretty damn catchy” - NME

“They’re amazing. It’s like if Ian Brown put together a band with Graham Coxon on guitar, a drunk-ass Mani on bass and Catherine Wheel’s drummer” - NME (The Dandy Warhols’ Courtney Taylor Taylor on his favourite new band)

“Five piece with a soaring British sound, full of attitude and swagger” - i-D Magazine

SULK is currently looking for publishing deals and booking agents worldwide.

POOL #4 (5.9.2012) - Berlin Music Week Special presents:

D E N A

D E N A is Denitza Todorova, a Berlin-based songwriter and vocalist hailing from the eastern block of Bulgaria. Since her transition to Berlin a few years ago, she’s been seriously honing her beats, badass-yet-humble lyrics and unique flavor, making her an up-and-comer to keep an eye on.

After being featured on two The Whitest Boy Alive records, she’s stepped out and into the spotlight with her juicy hip-hop, old school R&B and dance inspired tracks although her uncommon accent, laissez-faire attitude and 90s get-ups deserve some credit when it comes to her attention.

Since the summer of 2011, she’s been performing for Berlin’s club scene, including support gigs for the likes of Das Racist, LCMDF, and Kakkmaddafakka before stirring things up at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

D E N A is currently putting the final touches on her debut album, together with Finnish producer Jonas Verwijnen (Kaiku Studios) and has most recently wowed the public with her video “Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools”, which continues to deservingly nab attention left, right and center for the flashy and refreshing number that it is.

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Faye

Faye, aka Fanny Hamlin, is the new True Pop Heroine™ of Stockholm. Produced by the young & hyped Montauk, her captivating voice hovers over dark electronic synths reminiscent of The Knife, her modern R&B hooks have The Weeknd –esque vibes and she can belt it out like Beyonce.

Since performing at the-place-to-be-seen venues in Stockholm, scoring a full page in Swedish Elle and a spot in Swedish national TV, Faye was signed to Sweden’s most talked about label on the international pop scene, Hybris (home to the likes of Korallreven, Niva, Jonathan Johansson, Azure Blue, Big Fox, Juvelen and Noonie Bao). Deservingly, Faye quickly established a ton of international attention from some of the most happening media around.

The Line Of Best Fit immediately adored her, to the extent that her single, an electro-ballad, “Water Against The Rocks” was released as the third act ever on their label Best Fit Recordings. The single premiered on Pop Justice as an “extraordinary, atmospheric” tune. The Independent deemed her “a formidable creative force”, The Guardian said she’s “spectacular” whilst THE FADER cited the track as “cathartic pop for when you’re feeling abandoned”. She also unveiled new material during a Daytrotter session in London.

All of the above, plus the fact that this young starlet is H-O-T, makes her a nearly impossible act to forget. Under the Swedish label, Hybris, she’s preparing her debut album between touring and her collaboration with Kleerup on his new album. Faye’s future is definitely bright and it’s clear that many are keen to see what she’ll get up to next.

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