Phantogram perform live in The Current studios
by Mary Lucia, Phantogram and Leah Garaas
October 18, 2013
There'a a reason why Phantogram have visited The Current studios four times. "You guys stand out from other radio stations," says the band's co-founder Josh Carter.
Phantogram — Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, who have been friends since middle school — make amazing headphone albums, but the duo's sound was difficult to recreate during live performances.
But with successful headphone records come freedom and upgrades. Barthel and Carter's label, Republic Records under Universal Music Group, told the band to write as they please and the live show setup would be assembled after the fact. In order to recreate the — as Carter describes — "headphone-y" records, they needed to incorporate more live instrumentation, and that's how drummer Chris Carhar and guitarist/synth player Nicholas Shelestak were added into the mix.
They've upgraded from a van to a bus, too. One of Mary Lucia'a favorite questions to ask bands is, "Who used the tour bus before you?" to which Carter responded with, "Aerosmith." Looch believed him for a second.
In preparation for the forthcoming full-length, Phantogram are selling their self-titled EP vinyl on tour exclusively. The full-length's release date has yet to be determined, but from the looks of this session, it's going to be another solid headphone album with a live show to match.
Listen to the whole in-studio session to hear Mary Lucia chat with Phantogram about writing and recording their forthcoming full-length release in a barn, how they came to collaborate with Big Boi of Outkast and to hear the kind words they had to say about The Current.
Songs Performed
"The Day You Died"
"Never Going Home"
"Black Out Days"
Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Mike DeMark
