Culture Collide Spotlight: Battle Circus (New Zealand)
Posted on September 3, 2010
Although based in Auckland and having toured New Zealand relentlessly for years, Battle Circus has always had one foot in and one foot out of the country. The frequency and variety of their international jaunts have garnered the group a diverse and widespread following around the world. The band has left audiences stunned at their hometown Big Day Out, Taiwan's Spring Scream Festival, and CMJ Music Marathon in New York City and have opened for Amanda Palmer, Karnivool, The Red Paintings & many others during their travels.
For the past two years, most of this touring has been on the back of the Battle Circus' debut EP titled The Half-Light Symphony. Its four movements guide the listener through a veritable cinematic journey-fusing ferocious guitars, soaring piano, intricate rhythms, stirring string arrangements and eerie subterranean soundscapes-until finally reaching a sensational climax at the close of the Fourth Movement. This dark, theatrical creation led HBO to request parts of The Half-Light Symphony to promote the launch of their then-new vampire series "True Blood." Bloggers across the globe quickly heralded Battle Circus as mandatory listening, leading print outlets and radio stations worldwide to fully embrace the band. Always indulgent but never needlessly excessive, the recorded music is only a gateway to the band's full artistic package including extravagant, fully produced videos, inordinate packaging and a live presence that inspires a cult following.
Battle Circus is currently readying the release of their first full-length. Together with producer David Holmes, the band recorded the bulk of this album in a sea barn overlooking the rugged coastline of a remote beach community in Raglan, New Zealand. During their time in the studio, Battle Circus has had to reinvent several traditional instruments and get new sounds out of reliable staples, all of which is documented in meticulous detail on their website.
Download: Utopium mp3 and watch the video here.
WHITE LIES, FRAN HEALY AND MORE ADDED TO LINE UP!
Posted on September 3, 2010
Culture Collide is almost a month away and we’ve just added on even more artists! Don’t forget, it’s only $20 to get you into all shows (pending capacity) and is available now in the tickets section:
White Lies (UK)
Fran Healy (Scotland)*
El Guincho (Spain)
City Riots (Australia)
Harrys Gym (Norway)
Sara Lov (USA)*
Bambi Kino (Germany)
Jacuzzi Hi-Dive (USA)
*Performing only at the Block Party. Details to follow. Wristband holders from the festival will have priority viewing at the Block Party.
Dates, venues and times to be announced soon.
Check back often or sign up for our newsletter to get updates on the festival!
Artists subject to change. Wristband available for all shows in the ticket section.
Culture Collide Gets Discounted Caribou Tickets!
Posted on August 26, 2010
You heard right. Culture Collide is presenting the upcoming Caribou show at The Music Box and you get special access to discounted tickets to see the show on Friday, October 8!
All you have to do is click here and enter in the password FILTER for this amazing offer.
Discounted tickets are limited. Get them now!
Culture Collide Spotlight: City Riots (Australia)
Posted on August 26, 2010
City Riots is generally so busy playing live that it took over two years before they found the time to record a full-length album. Not being ones to cut corners, the South Australian group flew to Chicago to record with legendary producer Bjorn Thorsrud (Smashing Pumpkins, Dandy Warhols, Billy Corgan). After spending four months in the studio, the group shipped the final mixes over to Richard Dodd (Kings Of Leon, The Raconteurs) to be mastered. They returned to the US in March 2010 to play SXSW along with the Aussie BBQ parties in LA, New York, and Austin.
“She Never Wants To Dance” is the first taste of the debut album (out early 2011) and was in high rotation on triple j for several months running. The video for the track was premiered exclusively on FILTERmagazine.com and was filmed and directed by fashion photographer Jason Penney in Brooklyn. Download "She Never Wants To Dance" here.