May 05, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Earlier this year Sigur Rós bandleader Jónsi Birgisson released Go simply under his first name. The nine-song solo outing is filled with vibrant colors, dense orchestration, and Jónsi's ethereal falsetto. The music inspired an equally theatrical stage show, featuring sets and visuals from Fifty Nine Productions. Under the Radar caught up with Jónsi at Coachella where he told us about his new solo sound, surprising dream collaborators, and the unexpected bands he enjoyed growing up. More
May 04, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Former Under the Radar "Pleased to Meet You" artists Local Natives have been busy. No longer Los Angeles' little secret, since the release of harmony-filled debut album Gorilla Manor, the quintet has been constantly touring, both at home and abroad. Under the Radar caught up with Local Natives at Coachella for a laugh-filled chat about learning on the road, life after day jobs...and Kathy Bates. More
May 03, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Under the Radar cover artists Vampire Weekend are having a banner year. From topping the Billboard music charts with sophomore album Contra, to spots on Saturday Night Live in their past and scheduled performances at Radio City Music Hall and The Hollywood Bowl in their future, the Ivy-league educated quartet is a far cry from their start as indie darlings who just wanted to play New York's Bowery Ballroom. Under the Radar joined drummer Chris Tomson and lead man Ezra Koenig in a rare patch of shade at Coachella to discuss life on the road, the sanity-maintaining properties of funny movies, and how to best operate Google.
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Apr 30, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
It's been a hallmark 12 months for Phoenix. The release of their most recent album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, has taken the French quartet from well-kept secret to noted headliners. Busy, yes, however, the band has managed to maintain their joie de vive. "I'd say that our main quality as people involved in the music business is that we are really good at having a lot of pleasure," explains bassist Deck d'Arcy. Under the Radar joined d'Arcy and guitarist Laurent Brancowtz backstage before their Coachella set to discuss touring, the fleeting nature of ideas, and what (probably) won't be next for the band. More
Apr 29, 2010
By Frank Valish
Web Exclusive
For the most part, Sambassadeur seemed to miss the global Swedish music explosion of the mid-2000s. But since debuting on Swedish über-label Labrador Records in 2005, the band has released some of the most sublime melodies in Scandinavian indie-pop. Singer Anna Persson formed the band with fellow Swedes Joachim Läckberg and Daniel Permbo in the university town of Skövde, later adding another Daniel, surname Tolergård, when the band realized they needed a bassist. The band recently released its third album, the symphonic European, an album which boasts a grander sonic palette and more of the stunning melodies for which the band has become known. Under the Radar had the chance to speak with Persson to discuss the band's history, its new album, and the reason the four-piece has never yet set foot on U.S. soil. More
Apr 28, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
For two men, multi-instrumentalists Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell (aka The Big Pink) make a lot of noise, crafting billowing layers of synth in a melodic sonic assault. Despite prepping for the unenviable task of playing a set opposite Thom Yorke, the former Pleased to Meet You artists, sat down with Under the Radar at Coachella to drop tantalizing hints about their new sound and why when it comes to their career, bigger is better. More
Apr 27, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Earlier this year, vocalist/keyboardist Victoria Legrand and guitarist Alex Scally—also known as Beach House—released their third album, Teen Dream. A collection of gauzy chamber-pop songs so enchanting Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste repeatedly twittered about its "insanely perfectly gorgeous amazingness," the album has garnered the hard-working duo a string of well-deserved accolades and (very) preemptive declarations of "best album of the year." Under the Radar caught up with the pair at Coachella between their set and a well-deserved dinner to discuss youth, sex, and working on the road. More
Apr 26, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
One of the bands lucky enough to be Stateside before the Icelandic volcano eruption cut off flights from the U.K., Scottish indie poppers Camera Obscura were counting their blessings when we caught up with them at Coachella. "We do feel for them because that's the sort of shit that would happen to us!" said keyboardist Carey Lander with a laugh. Under the Radar sat down with the ladies of Camera Obscura—Lander and bandleader Tracyanne Campbell—to chat further about acts of God, record sales, and why Yo La Tengo might hold the key to their future (maudlin) career. More
Apr 23, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
After 32 years and 11 studio albums, Echo & the Bunnymen have become rock mainstays, influencing a new generation of synth-worshiping, post-rockers both at home in the U.K. and abroad. Under the Radar sat down with lead Bunnymen Ian McCulloch at Coachella to discuss the band's legacy, creative process, and taking the show on the road. More
