Two bands whose names you can’t pronounce at first glace: Charalambides and Tonstartssbandht. Well, here’s the hint: “Kar-ah-lam-bee-des” and “tone-starts-band-ut” both hail from North America and specialize in that instrument right below your nose—the voice. Tonstartssbandht, two brothers originally from Orlando, FL, moved to Montreal and began a recording relationship with Arbutus Records, perhaps best known for signing Grimes. Their wild, boogie-inflected psychedelic rock is layered over with an arsenal of effects pedals as they sing ballads dedicated to youth, experimentation and the country they’ve left behind. Likewise, Texas-based Charalambides falls into the vein of artists such as Grouper, 13th Floor Elevators and Jandek, with an experimental approach to psychedelic music full of reverb, jamming and extensive use of found sounds.
Catch them both in Berlin this evening playing at Marie Antoinette.
