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artist Sex With Strangers

Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Boutique Empire
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biographical info

Find the latest SWS press, tour and recording information at:

www.myspace.com/sexwithstrangers

Named by SPIN Magazine as one of "7 Undiscovered Bands Worth a Listen" to, Sex With Strangers are Canada's greatest purveyors of what they call "robot-rock". 

Fresh off their second straight performance at SXSW, the band has just released their third full-length album and fifth release overall, titled "Frontier Justice".  SWS is currently working on a video for the first single "Born Again Liars Social Club", followed by a tour of Eastern Canada in June. 

The band's most recent album, 2009's "The Tokyo Steel", helped garner the band showcases at SXSW, NXNE, Canadian Music Week and other festivals, thanks in part to the unique videos for the singles "New City Anthem" and "We Want The Fire".  Videos for both tracks have been featured on MuchMusic in Canada. 

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Sex With Strangers was founded in 2007 by inimitable singer Hatch Benedict and mysterious bassist Magnus Magnum.  The two band-mates first met in 1994 during the formation of the Vancouver-based "crust-core" band Harvey Switched, which would later evolve into simply The Switch. The 5-member post-punk outfit toured and recorded several EP's in the late ‘90’s, most notably the critically acclaimed EP "2001 - A Rock Odyssey", which was co-produced by The New Pornographers' bassist John Collins. 

After a three-year hiatus, Hatch and Magnus set forth in a new musical direction in 2004, writing and recording material with established producer Mark Henning (Pure, Combine the Victorious).  Guitarist Wedge Beavers (The Mohawk Lodge) and singer/fashion designer Isabelle “Bobbie” Dunlop soon joined the band to lend their talents to the unfolding electronic project.  Featuring the internet-buzz single "Dance Police", the newly named Sex With Strangers released their debut EP "A Future Tragedy" in April 2007.

Shortly afterwards, SWS headed back into the studio to work on their first full-length recording, The Modern Seductionwith producer Mark Henning once again at the helm. Supported by the artwork of Robert Edmonds, “The Modern Seduction” was released in October of 2008.  The album tells the tale of a dystopian future where free thinkers and liberty-seeking rebels (The Formers) are forced to take their "live-forever lifestyle" to the underground, away from totalitarian entity that controls the surface world (The Persuader). 

Fueled by critical acclaim in their hometown of Vancouver, “The Modern Seduction” quickly garnered attention from college radio and press across North America – most notably, SPIN Magazine, which named SWS one of “7 Undiscovered Bands Worth a Listen” to from around the world.. 

While the band was already making waves with its early live performances, the Sex With Strangers line-up was expanded to include live drummer Dallas Archangel.  2009 saw SWS headline showcases at JunoFest, SLED Island, and Olio festivals, in addition to buzz-generating performances at Music Waste, BIG TIME OUT, and Rifflandia Festivals.  Unpredictable, energetic and always interactive, the band’s live show continues to activate audiences everywhere.

While all of this was going on, 2009 also saw Sex With Strangers busy at work in the studio constructing their third release, The Tokyo Steel”.  Following the same unorthodox writing process as before, Hatch and Magnus were determined to one-up themselves and create a truly advanced, electronic pop album that would challenge and reward all who would venture a listen.  Building on the themes from “The Modern Seduction”, the new album is set in a futuristic corner of Asia, where The Formers have once again been summoned to investigate the mysterious “Tokyo Steel” project and its threat to the “live forever lifestyle”. 

The album garnered the band 2010 showcases at the SXSW and NXNE festivals and featured the singles/videos "New City Anthem" and "We Want the Fire", both of which have appeared on MuchMusic in Canada.

This brings us to Sex With Strangers brand new album “Frontier Justice”.  Recorded during the latter half of 2010, the new record is a marked departure from the earlier records’ predominantly electronic feel.  Utilizing a live drummer for the first time and a greater emphasis on deep bass grooves, the new record is a roller-coaster ride through the band’s earlier influences…Girls Against Boys, Bowie, Six Finger Satellite, The Pixies, Trans Am, Duran Duran, you name it.  

And while the new concept album runs the gamut of genres, there remains one reliable constant to the music of Sex With Strangers.  You can call it your dance partner.  You can check out the band at this Spring as they perform at Canadian Music Week, SXSW and NXNE. 

Contact Information: 

For management & bookings contact:

Mark Richards (Boutique Empire)

richards@boutiqueempire.com

lineup

Hatch Benedict Vocals, Keyboards, Ideas
Magnus Magnum Bass, Keyboards, Guitar, Ideas
Wedge Beavers Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Isabelle "Bobbie" Dunlop Vocals
Dallas ArchAngel Live Drums

influences

Jack Daniels is a good start.
Frontier Justice
Label Boutique Empire
Released April, 2011
Frontier Justice
We Want The Fire - Night Versions EP
Label Boutique Empire
Released December, 2010
We Want The Fire - Night Versions EP
The Tokyo Steel
Label Boutique Empire
Released October, 2009
The Tokyo Steel
The Modern Seduction
Label Boutique Empire
Released July, 2008
The Modern Seduction
A Future Tragedy
Label Boutique Empire
Released April, 2007
A Future Tragedy

New Album "Frontier Justice" On The Way

posted by Sex With Strangers   
Hey y'all, We're pleased to announce that our new album will be officially released on Tuesday, April 19th! You can preview two of the new songs, "Crimes of the Heart" and "Born Again Liars Social Club" right here on CBC Radio 3. Our CD Release Party is scheduled for Thursday, April 14th at The Biltmore. We have Run With The Heard, Joyce Collingwood, Guilty About Girls and The Controlling Booyfriends joining us on the bill that night. MASSIVE. Below is the facebook invite. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199776246709054
posted by Sex With Strangers   

earlier posts

New Album "Frontier Justice" On The Way

posted by Sex With Strangers on Mar 22, 2011  

The Untold Story of "The Tokyo Steel"

posted by Sex With Strangers on Nov 21, 2009  

"The Tokyo Steel" Artwork Revealed!

posted by Sex With Strangers on Sep 01, 2009  

Sex With Strangers Does the Festival Season!

posted by Sex With Strangers on Jun 05, 2009  

SPIN Magaznine chooses Sex With Strangers!

posted by Sex With Strangers on Mar 16, 2009  

The Happenings

posted by Sex With Strangers on Sep 12, 2008  

All Songs Written, Produced, Performed and...Forgotten?

posted by Sex With Strangers on Jul 03, 2008  

Boutique Empire presents Sex With Strangers - "The Modern Seduction"

posted by Sex With Strangers on Jun 22, 2008  

Video

Official Video for "Born Again Liars Social Club" 4:04
Official Video for "New City Anthem" 3:08

Official Video for "New City Anthem"

This is the debut video from Vancouver's Sex With Strangers. "New City Anthem" can be found on the band's new album "The Tokyo Steel". Available on iTunes and Boutique Empire Records.

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