Felix Laband is an electronic music artist born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
He creates light, emotional, minimalist soundscapes by combining several styles, and samples from classical, jazz and old television recordings overlaid with instrumental performances by himself and other guest artists. His music has been described by his record label as 'indietronica' and is similar in some ways to Boards of Canada and Iceland's Múm.
When felix laband released his epic debut thin shoes in june in march 2001 there was a tangible buzz in the ozone layer. in felix, south africa had found a unique new electronica voice. there were quirky beats, playful cocktail lounge yearnings and inventive, sometimes kwaito-edged acid jazzy vibes, but undercutting it all was also something far more menacing, sinuous, and darkly beautiful.
Now the man at the forefront of this burgioning scene has a new album due out on the open record label in october 2004. titled dark days exit, this is felix labands third release, following on from his two previous critically acclaimed albums on african dope records. it reflects felixs forays into classical instrumentation whilst still audibly remaining true to his unique style that always walks the thin red line between lush and disconcerting beat scapes.
Felix describes it as his first true album, where he feels the music represents his vision alone. the result is a truly beautiful electronica album, mixed and arranged with absolute genius each track has distinct character, never slipping into the wallpaper monotony of current lounge fodder.
Originally hailing from pietermaritzburg (wedged somewhere in the pastoral, rolling green hills of kwazulu natal), felix experimented with punk bands and computer animation before discovering pc based music, moving to cape town, and releasing thin shoes in june on african dope in 2001. the success of the album's uniquely whimsical atmospheric chillbeat style catapulted felix into the sa music limelight, and he has rapidly become south africas premier electronic musician.
Felix explains, i think it could be called downbeat, emotive electronica. the whole album has been a gradual process. i'm into so much stuff and i always get quite influenced by what i'm listening to, but that changes every few months. this album has been quite a journey. when i first started i was into a lot of world music and trip-hoppy stuff like kid loco. more recently i've been getting into electronic stuff, but at the same time i'm really into classical music. i don't really listen to one specific genre of music at all. this album is just a reflection of all sorts of ideas that i've got.
In 2002 he followed up with the provocative 4/4 down the stairs, with outrageous pink fold-out packaging and a more sinister undertone to the exquisitely crafted soundscaped beats. the album was hailed as a masterpiece of electro, cementing his reputation locally, while consolidating his international status.
As felix told uk magazine dazed & confused, that south africa is a land of weird contrasts definitely comes through in the music. i'm not shy to throw things around. a lot of european stuff is quite formulaic, people stick to a certain sound and a specific way of doing things. i try and throw that out the window."
Felix's albums brought him to the attention of the media production industries and he's composed music for some of sa's biggest tv ads and licensed tracks to foreign ads and labels like return to the source, peacelounge and cinque etoiles. he's also featured on numerous compilations, has a number of 12" vinyl excursions under his belt and some beautiful, edgy videos. felix has toured europe extensively and played at some very impressive festivals including south africas oppikoppi and splashy fen, the pukkelpop festival in holland and the wax c-lounge event in prague.
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u're fucking awesome
MrBaptistemt 2 months ago
este karnal es pasado de verga
ahauho 1 year ago