KONGOS / Lunatic
Жанр: Alternative, Rock
Страна: USA ( Phoenix)
Дата релиза: Jan 27, 2014
Издатель (лейбл): Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Аудио кодек: AAC
Тип рипа: tracks
Битрейт аудио: 256 kbps
Продолжительность: 00:51:23
Источник: iTunes
Вшитые тексты: не добавлены
Наличие сканов в содержимом раздачи: нет
Треклист: 01. I'm Only Joking 3:44 02. Come With Me Now 3:32
03. I Want to Know 3:55 04. Escape 4:33
05. Kids These Days 3:56
06. As We Are 4:43
07. Sex on the Radio 3:56 08. Hey I Don't Know 4:01
09. Traveling On 4:32
10. Take Me Back 4:46
11. It's a Good Life 3:59
12. This Time I Won't Forget 5:46
Скриншоты
Об исполнителе (группе) http://www.kongos.com/
KONGOS is a rock band of four brothers - Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Danny Kongos. Sons of British singer-songwriter John Kongos, they grew up in London and South Africa, and are now based in Phoenix, AZ.
Biography
Globe-trotting alt-rock outfit Kongos formed in 2007 around the talents of siblings Dylan, Daniel, Jesse, and Johnny Kongos, the sons of popular South African singer/songwriter John Kongos, who scored a Top Ten single in 1971 with "He's Gonna Step on You Again," which served as the basis for the 1990 Happy Mondays' hit "Step On." Based out of Phoenix, Arizona and sharing influences as diverse as Wire, Coldplay, Tinariwen, Dire Straits, the Prodigy, and Miles Davis, the quartet specializes in driving, arena-ready alt-rock in the vein of Muse, the Boxer Rebellion, and Kings of Leon that's infused with the polyrhythmic cadences of their South African upbringing. They released their eponymous debut album in 2007, followed by Lunatic in 2012.
Об альбоме (сборнике)
Ready To Take On Another Nation
Arguably, the four brothers known as Kongos are currently the most successful local artists on the scene. Not through their success in the States, though here in the Phoenix scene their shows are jam packed affairs, but because they have had no less than four top forty chart hits in South Africa. This is in part their homeland, where they lived before coming to Arizona and where the youngest of the four brothers was born. After an early album release and wildly successful tour of South Africa this past winter, Kongos are quickly on their way to becoming household names there and are already champions of the radio waves. Soon, America will get a chance to experience the Kongos, both through the release of their new albumLunatic and through a coast to coast North American tour. It’s probably no secret that they are one of my favorite bands, period—not just in local consideration, but in consideration of all music happening now. Kongos are consummate professionals, they have the tightest sound around, their eclectic mix of African beats, reggae, folk, pure rock’n’roll and an intense pop sensibility is maddening, they also happen to be genuinely affable people whose company is nothing less than pure joy.
The last time I sat down with the Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Danny, they were just weeks away from leaving for their first South African tour and excited about the imminent release of their second album in that country. Now, a half year later that album will see release Stateside and they are on the cusp of their first American tour. This Friday, July 20th, Kongos will be holding a very special release party at the Crescent Ballroom, accompanied by iamwe, Banana Gun and Future Loves Past. Global digital release of the album will follow the next Tuesday. In addition to that, Lunatic has been specially remixed and remastered for its US release, sounding better than ever, this album is solid from top to bottom, beginning to end. It’s an odyssey in smiles, moments of brilliance explode in your ears, lyrical witticisms tickle your intellect and the urge to dance to these tunes cannot be denied. This is perhaps the perfect alchemically devised music for this stage of our young century, incorporating elements of such mass appeal and esoteric influence, while maintaining artistic authenticity…well, the results speak for themselves. Twelve songs for you to get your swerve on to, a dozen tunes that will turn you on your ear and for my money, the greatest thing to come out of this town in a long, long time. Not to disparage any others, but Kongos are the crest of the wave, cream of the crop, top of the pops and it is to be hoped that in little time, the rest of the nation and the world will wake up and take notice of these four brothers and the music they make.
In talking with Kongos one thing became superbly clear, they all felt the album release in South Africa was rushed, a bit too much before they were ready. I remember they had to send off album art the next day after I saw them last and they were sweating it a bit. This is, if for no other reason, why the domestic release gets a remixed and remastered version to appeal to their ears and, in all honesty, for the Kongos own sensibility about how they wanted the album to sound.
“We kind of rushed it,” Dylan said. “We were originally going to release it in January or February, but all of the retailers were getting requests.”
“It was so rushed,” Danny said. “Actually last weekend was the first time I listened to it again.”
The demand was high in South Africa as they were riding the high of two top forty hits, they were very nearly forced to release the album due to public demand. I’m not sure you could find yourself in happier circumstances as a band, in all honesty. The US and the rest of the world, however, gets a better version of the album as the brothers tell it.
“There is a real nice shine on it,” Johnny said.
“We sprinkled fairy dust on it,” Jesse commented.
“Jesse did the mastering on this one,” Dylan added.
So what is the difference in the mix? For my ears there is a ton that will surely go unnoticed, but the authors and magicians behind the music have more to say.
“You hear guitar parts that you were straining to hear before,” Johnny said. “We didn’t really have an idea or proper plan as far as releasing it in America. It became clear we wanted to revisit it.”
“I don’t think it would be noticed if you were a casual listener,” Danny grinned. “It was mostly for us.”
“The order, the pacing of the album is designed to be listened to all the way through,” Dylan said. “It’s the first release in the States and then we want to tour for it, tour the country and do it justice.”
“We have a lot of faith in the album,” Johnny added. “It’s just a matter of getting people to hear it.”
So, the version of Lunatic that we get to lay our ears upon is not the original released version, but instead a version that the musicians themselves created to appease their own ears, for their own minds to enjoy and someday, I imagine a deluxe edition of Lunatic being release that contains both mixes, all the associated b-sides and some live tracks, but that’s just me. It appears that the tour and success of their South African tour, left them feeling humbled, exalted and enlivened. Whereas there was a vibration of trepidation when we last gathered for pints, there was now a sense of humility and confidence, an air of successful relief, a noticeable difference that would only benefit their essence and demeanor.
“We knew it was going to be good,” Johnny said. “When we actually played, it was…in Pretoria at a big historical site, we were there screaming ‘I’m Only Joking’ and swearing at this historical site. It ended up being close to 3,000 people there.” Three grand, gravitating to Kongos at the height of their summer while packing Lost Leaf here with its 300 person (maybe) capacity, but that’s not the end of it.
Kongos, during their tour of South Africa continued to sell out shows. At one gig they initially sold out the 900 person capacity of the amphitheater where they do a monthly showcase of rock bands, They had to open up another 600 tickets to suit the need, then another 400.
“We’ve got video of the gate,” Dylan said. “We literally could not believe our eyes.”
One peak, certainly in the tour was the Hatfield Carnival, during which they seal off nearly four city blocks to accommodate the goings on. It became clear to Kongos and probably everyone else in attendance that there was something special happening as nearly 8,000 people attended their show.
“There was no one in front of the stage,” Dylan recalled. “The DJ announced on the speakers ‘Don’t forget Kongos at 7!’ Next time I looked there was 6,000 people.”
“It felt completely surreal,” Jesse said. “The crowds there are so amazing and enthusiastic.”
Much of this was due to the December album release and the charting of four songs from the album. At the start of the tour the crowds would sing along with the hit singles, but by the end they were singing along to every song from the album. Not only did the break into the top of the radio charts in South Africa, they also were acknowledged for having the top downloads from retailer Look & Listen.
“It was weird to see us being on the charts with and seeing Gotye and Adele there,” Johnny said.
“We’ve still got a long way to go,” Dylan said.
“When you think about what it takes to be a household name,” Johnny explained. “We’ve got a long way to go. We did get to do a 23 minute documentary about the tour.”
“We’ve gotten so far just on social media,” Dylan continued. “They get their information from TV and radio—now the casual TV watcher will become aware of us.”
One thing I wanted to address while I had Kongos collective ear, was a fairly ugly rumor that has floated around the local music scene a bit too often about their band. It has been said by various individuals that Kongos don’t actually play their songs when they perform live.
“That sounds pretty malicious,” Dylan said, almost laughing at the thought. “We don’t have tracks. The only way that would come about—when we first started we had a bass player that wasn’t a brother, when he left we tracked the bass. Then in 2008 I moved over to bass. Now I’m fully on bass.”
“We use programmed drum loops,” Johnny added. “Because we can’t have 20 Burundi drums on stage. I welcome the controversy though.”
“I would love if that person would—I’ll put a challenge to them,” Dylan grinned. “I’ll put a challenge to them and give them a personal audience at a concert.”
“It’s just funny that’s all,” Johnny laughed. “It is the 21st Century, there is a lot of technology going on. There is a song of ours, I admit to it, there’s a string part where I’m not playing violin—it’s a keyboard playing that violin.
This Friday you can see for yourself as Kongos play their instruments live and in person, at a huge affair at Crescent Ballroom for the album release of Lunatic. It will feature great support from three amazing bands as well.
“We’ve got Future Loves Past, iamwe, and Banana Gun,” Dylan said. “It’s going to be fucking awesome. It will probably be our last show in Phoenix until November, at which time we’ll set up another big show. We’re going to playing every song on the album.”
“Looking forward to playing with iamwe,” Johnny said. “Banana Gun is always excellent.”
“We’ve never gotten to play with Future Loves Past before on a show like this,” Dylan added. “It’s always been a big show with them.”
“It’s $12 get’s you in the door and you get an album on pre-sale,” Johnny said. “$10 gets you in the door, but no CD.” The message is loud and clear there—get the pre-sale tickets while you can!
“I think it’s going to be our biggest local show to date,” Jesse said.
After this weeks show, Kongos have scheduled dates to return to South Africa as well as the start of their tour of the United States and Canada. They have already begun scheduling dates on the West Coast and the Mid-West. At the start of August they will play the Grand West Arena in Cape Town and then the Oppikoppi Festival in Limpopo. They return to the states to play at the Gramercy Theater with Charlene Kay in New York City. Then at the start of September they begin their American Tour at the Ruby Room in San Diego, Viper Room in Los Angeles, High Dive in Seattle, Amsterdam Hall in St. Paul, Elbo Room in Chicago and Le Divan Orange in Montreal. And that’s just the start.
Pay heed, and send Kongos away in fine form for their last show for a long while, pick up a copy of the amazing Lunatic and enjoy their songs on your stereo until they return to us in November. “Come send us away,” Johnny commented. This is a must see show put on by a must see band, with a stellar lineup. Come with us now and send them away properly this is definitely a time you won’t forget!
Состав
Johnny Kongos, Jesse Kongos, Dylan Kongos, Daniel Kongos
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发表于 2021-9-25 13:32:23
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