Friday, June 8, 2012
Garfield
"The
Van Allen Belt creates dreamy electro-orchestral psych-pop that churns and
swells around the exquisite vocals of Tamar Kamin. The band has been endorsed
by Julian Cope, opened for Stereolab & Atlas Sound in NYC at The Fillmore
and in Philadelphia at The Trocadero, and has played with Givers, Ela Orleans,
Young Galaxy, Sugar Glyder, Winter Gloves, Georgie James, and Alice Cohen. They
have performed at SXSW and MidPoint Music Festival and appeared on the Under
The Radar 2011 Spring Sampler. The Van Allen Belt has been described as
creating John Barry-esque cinematic scores with vocals that conjure Shirley
Bassey; invoking the Euro indiepop bombast of Jens Lekman to the symphonic
swells of The Ronnettes; conjuring a mix between a WWII-era radio commercial
and a contemporary electro-pop DJ; a Soul Coughing-esque apopalyptic vision;
Zappa girl group pop; and like The Mamas and The Papas joined Crass in the Wu
Tang’s yard. The Van Allen Belt is hitting the road this May while the band
preps their upcoming album, with a live performance that incorporates projected
visuals comprised of original animations and paintings by digital artist/painter
Peter Luckner (Ohio State University)."
The band plays a hometown show tomorrow at Roboto along with Dream Job, Wild Orphans and Nelly Kate. The band's keyboardist/guitarist Ben Ferris was nice enough to take a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
Def Leppard, “Hysteria”.
Def Leppard, “Hysteria”.
Your last album bought?
Les Baxter, “Voices in Rhythm”.
Les Baxter, “Voices in Rhythm”.
Favorite album of all time?
Too hard to answer. I'll say White Noise, “An Electric Storm”.
Too hard to answer. I'll say White Noise, “An Electric Storm”.
Least favorite/most disappointing
album?
The Chipmunks, “Little Alvin and the Mini-Minks”. I really thought they were gonna bang it out and go a new direction. I think their egos killed the magic.
The Chipmunks, “Little Alvin and the Mini-Minks”. I really thought they were gonna bang it out and go a new direction. I think their egos killed the magic.
First concert attended?
Metallica.
Metallica.
Last concert?
The Van Allen Belt at Galaxy CDs, Hamilton, OH.
The Van Allen Belt at Galaxy CDs, Hamilton, OH.
Favorite concert ever?
Mr. Bungle at Peabody's in Cleveland on their “California” tour.
Mr. Bungle at Peabody's in Cleveland on their “California” tour.
Least favorite concert?
I worked a snow cone stand in a big outdoor venue in the late 90’s. I got to see some amazingly terrible shows. It would be difficult to pick one.
I worked a snow cone stand in a big outdoor venue in the late 90’s. I got to see some amazingly terrible shows. It would be difficult to pick one.
Any thoughts,
experiences about Pittsburgh?
I moved here 13 years ago and haven't left. I guess it can't be that bad.
I moved here 13 years ago and haven't left. I guess it can't be that bad.
Thanks, Ben. The show sounds cool with the incorporated visuals and all!
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