Miike Snow

August 5, 2009

Miike Snow @ Neumos 06-13-09 photo by Jason Tang

In the wise words of Shakespeare, “what’s in a name?” While one might assume Miike Snow is just another DJ, this three-piece band works with more than just a crossfader to dot their i’s. After remixing some of the most popular songs of the year, Pontus Winnberg, Kristian Carlsson, and Andrew Wyatt have hyper-produced a sound that encompasses all things listenable, drawing comparisons to Passion Pit, Animal Collective, and Peter Bjorn and John. Their self-titled album is strong evidence of experience and audible restraint, with just the right amount of vocals and instrumentation to charm the unconvinced.

Quickly reviewing the backgrounds of this trio might better explain how this balancing act is achieved. Pontus and Kristian estbalished a Sweden-based music production and songwriting team known as Bloodshy & Avant. Together they have co-wrote and produced grammy-winning hits for headliners like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez… and while I understand name-dropping never works as it should, there isn’t an easier way to say that they’ve been successfully producing for nearly a decade.

Then we have Mr. Wyatt… Andrew was signed on Columbia Records UK as a solo artist when he and Greg Kurstin of The Bird and the Bee formed a band called the Funkraphiliacs. He later filled-in as a bassist for The A.M. and co-wrote the strongest songs on their self-titled debut, alongside Parker Kindred (Jeff Buckley’s former drummer) and Michael Tighe, whom he is working with again in a folk-act called, Tiggers (YouTube: The Likes of You).

I know you’re probably wondering what any of this information has to do with anything and my answer to you is, well, just listen. Miike Snow is a modern love-story of two worldly producers and a compassionate songwriter finding a happy medium… and in the wise words of Shakespeare, “all’s well that ends well.”

Oh, wait. That’s another play.

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Posted by Cheryse in Artist Spotlight