biographical info
The BBC has hailed MADRID's 2004 debut Warm Waters (Aporia/Universal) as "the indie record Boards of Canada never made". Rubbing stage shoulders with international touring acts UNKLE, ULRICH SCHNAUSS and VHS or BETA, receiving heavy radio and video rotation (MuchMusic/Bravo!), and critical acclaim in their native land of Canada and abroad, MADRID are well respected indie/electronic scene heroes.
A sigh of relief was breathed amongst those in the know, as MADRID released their 2007 follow up EP ---First Message---. Featuring remixes by German shoegaze heaveyweight Ulrich Schnauss (to be included on his 2009 Best-Of collection), and hometown peers vitaminsforyou and The Cansecos, it is indeed a first glimpse into what we can expect from their highly anticipated 2011 LP '...Original Message...' (YYZ Records).
A faster, pop-filled, and grittier older brother to their debut, ---Original Message--- combines club-worthy dance tracks and late-night slow jams that raise both the hands and the heart. The range of influences here is vast - you can hear traces of past greats like Jesus and Mary Chain and Stone Roses alongside experimental Aphex Twin and 808 State, filtered through contemporaries like Royksopp and M83......well, you get the idea.
Co-writers and producers Duncan Christie and Adam Perry weigh in. "I think a lot of artists set out to create a certain sound because it's easier...on this album we didn't really worry about that. We didn't discriminate when creating this music - we did't try to fit into a specific genre or style. If something moved us and influenced us at some point in our lives, chances are it'll come out in what we do...we just try to keep ourselves open" says Christie.
"There's definitely a warmth to our brand of electronic music," says Perry. "It's easy to get lost in the complexities of working machines. It's a fine line -- although the technology serves as your canvas for expression, you can't lose sight of the human heart. "
The result is not only inspired, but stunning. Their unforgettable electronic sound continually proves that MADRID are clearly ahead of their time.
"Toronto psych-tronic duo Madrid don't so much produce music as let
it percolate-- the sounds drip and ripple until the cumulative effect
is ocean-sized. Their heady electro-pop is indicative of a band that's
got one foot on the dancefloor and the other in the chill-out room" - Pitchfork Media
lineup
duncan & adam madrid the band
influences
shoegaze
electronics
space