kidameln
kidameln
London/BOP/Ak/SF, NZ
Rock / Acoustic / Alternative
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About
kidameln: the kidameln lo-fi [2004]
00 tracklist:
01 hysteria [tribute to haruki]
02 one day [i'll listen]
03 i'm in [love with her]
04 [make my breath] sour
05 [you're gonna] see me smiling
06 hey ho [and away we go]
07 serious [ly]
08 [you're] just a loudmouth
09 circles [around the moon]
-
Get kidameln's music @:
the kidameln lo-fi, @ CD Baby
NZ/Australia:
>> Buy kidameln's debut album, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Amplifier
>> Buy kidameln's debut album, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Powertool Records
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Download kidameln's debut, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Mp3tunes.com
>> Download kidameln's debut, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Apple iTunes Music Store [just search 'kidameln']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also:
Albums by kidameln band member Michael Brennan:
>> Phonoss - 2005 - Dead Slow for Hell
>> Phonoss - 2004 - ELIMINATOR
Albums by kidameln band members Stan Leboy & Daniel Gannaway + more:
>> 2006 - ELECPHONIC
Albums by kidameln band member Daniel Gannaway:
>> 2006 - OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
>> 2005 - SUMMER STORM | A collection of ukulele ditties
>> 2004 - darling one year
>> 2002 - BOOTLEGGED AT THE 12 BAR CLUB
>> 2001 - Bound and Suburban
>> 2000 - Bootlegged at the Temple
>> 1999 - flashback*
>> 1998 - FINE BY ME
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the kidameln lo-fi is an eclectic and cool album from way out there on the indie prairie. It evokes a rich mix of alternate rock and hard pop with some very mellow twinkly quiet moments sprinkled in between.
kidameln's debut album delivers a lot in a seemingly short half hour. It's got an incredible variety of flavors over the 9 songs, all warmly delivered with great feeling in that indie diy home demo style. There is an obvious meshing together of diverse influences. After the first listen I could hear evidence of Dinosaur Jr, the Smashing Pumpkins, and even Concorde Dawn, but then when I looked at the artwork I was surprised to find a New Model Army logo in the collage inside, so go figure.
There's no definition of who does what, which is kind of cool, but the art at least reveals who kidameln are. Michael Brennan [Seven dials/ Hussman/ the Feds/ the Stung/ phonoss], Warren Lawson [Pottery/ Puppichuk/ the Feds], Daniel Gannaway [Daniel Gannaway] and [the Now Awol] Stan Leboy.
Apparently the kidameln lo-fi is a bunch of sketches, and if that's the case, I can't imagine what they'd have done if given the time and more resources. Sometimes though limitation creates beauty and I think this is the case here.
- Ratchet 4 Drill
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CafePress Stores Now Open!
http://www.cafepress.com/kidameln
http://www.cafepress.com/danielgannaway
http://www.cafepress.com/trulyindie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review of the kidameln lo-fi @ AllAboutSurf.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For txt only version read below.
For the full images/interactive version go to: http://www.allaboutsurf.com/0503/articles/kidameln/index.php
the kidameln lo-fi
by Steve Ackerman
[Photos and music courtesy of kidameln]
A few weeks ago, my friend, Daniel Gannaway sent me out a new collaboration he had been working on. He asked me to take a look at it and let him know what I thought. I recently reviewed his album, darling one year, released last October. It was outstanding. You could just feel the energy and emotion that Daniel had put into each and every one of those tunes. After getting to know Daniel for awhile, I have learned that he pours his heart and soul into every one of his projects. I knew it would be awesome before I even opened the envelope... And the kidameln lo-fi is just that.
Simply put, the album is a collaboration between a few extremely talented musicians doing what it is that they do best. The collective of pool of talent, combined with a diverse set of influences and unique styles provide us with a very flavorful musical experience. The energy, the emotion, the passion that this motley group of performers pour into thier album comes showering down on you with each and every note. They are not about producing an agressive barrage of sound waves just to rattle windows. The music is more about a comforting, rythmic blend of inspiration and instrumentation that ought to be savored, by yourself, your love or in the company of good friends.
The kidameln players are, as stated in the press release and on the website; "There's no definition of who does what, which is kind of cool, but the art at least reveals who kidameln are. Michael Brennan [Seven dials/ Hussman/ the Feds/ and soon to be released solo project Phonoss], Warren Lawson [Pottery/ Puppichuk/ the Feds], Daniel Gannaway [Daniel Gannaway] and [the Now Awol] Stan Leboy."
My only objection to the kidameln lo-fi is; after listening to it, it just ends... And I am ready to hear more... Atleast another hour or three would just about do it... I am definitely ready to hear more from these guys and I think you will too.
Here is a sort of conversation with the band:
MB=Michael Brennan [UK]
WL=Warren Lawson [NZ]
DG=Daniel Gannaway [US]
AllInTune - So when did you guys meet?
MB - I met the Wazman Ferrari [Warren Lawson] in Tauranga in the early 90's. He used to come along and support a band I was playing in at the time - 7 Dials. and his good friend Mike played in a band called 'Prod' that played with the Dials regularly. When the Dials split I didn't play much music until the late 90's when I formed Hussman. We needed t-shirts and stickers made, The Waz was living in Auckland. I found out through our drummer, so we hooked up again and then when I formed the Feds, we needed a monster guitar player... The Wazman! I met Daniel on a ferry to the city through a friend who worked at the local wine shop. Turned out my next door neighbour was Daniel's uncle, so seeing we had so many of the same interests we've hung out ever since. Must have been 2000.
WL - I first meet Daniel through Michael for about 5 seconds just before he left for overseas. Then I worked on the feds ep with Michael, and loved the experience of recording and thought man, I want to do more of dis! When Daniel got back, I had been listening to Bound and Suburban, got to know him better. We jammed some tunes and it just was too easy writing tunes with him and Michael.
DG - I was looking for a bass player & friend told me Michael lived nearby, and he had a band Hussman, and I went to see a show. And then he played a couple of small acoustic sets of my stuff. We tore that stuff up, rearranged and played with percussion. That was fun. And then I think... I was gone a while.
I met Warren through Michael & since being back in NZ. This last time we all jammed a couple of times and songs started appearing immediately, so it was really cool. And he's really quiet & humble for such a monsta guitar playa!
MB - When Daniel left NZ and put out Bound and Suburban [2001], and while he was away I formed 'the Feds' [fedsmusic.com] with Warren, and we were playing out a lot and writing a ton of rock/stoner rock material.
DG - Rawk! Michael dropped me the ridin lo EP when he recorded for me in London on darling one year. I love that EP. It's my personal opinion that it would be sick if they can put out a Feds album this year. Sooooo many good rocking heavy songs.
WL - Thankyou and I most certainly agree. We got to get something out. There's some fat riffs in those songs that I'm very proud of.
DG - I had that EP on repeat, I think it melted in the cd drive!
MB - That EP is at Powertool [powertoolrecords.co.nz].
AllInTune - Where does the kidameln sound come from? What are your influences?
DG - Mine are just about all I've heard, including everyone involved in kidameln, because it leads me off on a new tangent when we jam. Writing different, playing different, singing differently over their ideas. I think we just thought between us all it would be interesting, and it is.
WL - eeeekkk hard to say I look at music more like a picture more than sound lotsa visual things inspire me, my range probably is from Tori Amos(shes huge musicly) through to the Cult (my faves), Prong, Kyuss, Alice in chains, some Sabbath and Zeppelin and AC DC, more their originality and innovation, Shihad, Zakk Wylde, Korn, Pantera, 7 dials (everyones playing and writing in that band is HUUUGGEE!! Blows my mind, bein a guitar guy I learnt heaps from Stu's [Hussman] playing which I still draw upon every now and then 10 years later.....legends) mostly heavy stuff I s'pose (metaller at heart arnt I gggrrrrr) or where I here the most passion coming from even motown stuff and some hip hop (not radio stuff though) I could just go on an on... (come to think of it kida sounds nothing like my influences ha ha) bla bla bla but writing with Michael and Daniel things have evolved even more influence wise, riffs that Ive done that arnt much to talk about turn into little pop dittys (yeeyaah).
MB - My influences are all over the show. At the moment I'm reading agreat book I was given for Xmas on the whole "Dark Rock/Goth" music scene. This was a huge influence on me when I was at high school. I started out listening to punk, which led me more towards The Jam, Clash etc. Sisters of Mercy really changed what I listened to, Fields of The Nephilim, The Lorries etc, but all the while still listening to the Jam and my all time Fav band New Model Army( who I saw at the Astoria just before Xmas). I'm also a huge Cult fan which continued on through all the different musical tastes. When I left high school I joined a speed metal band (Ultimate) playing bass, and spent my 90's listening to speed metal, all the fantastic grunge bands and really got into stoner rock - Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Unida etc. Now I'm pretty much listening to the same stuff, every so often pulling out some old funk albums (wicked bass players) or some punk/goth stuff to keep the influences as all over the show as they've always been. What we do in Kidameln really is what happens when we all get together. There's no plan to sound like anything or anyone so its great, it's just us.
AllInTune - How did you guys record?
DG - The way P Dogs [Michael's cat] tells it is that we just took over her house for a week.
MB - 2 weeks of noise and instruments, and people sleeping on her couch and floor... But the process was quick, especially after talking about it for so long. We'd jam, and then put it down, work out lyrics, lead lines, everything on the fly.
WL - At the "Greek Consulate Studios" ha! ha! [Michael's lounge] ...Each of us had the threads of ideas for songs & it happened really quickly. Recording to Michael's old 4 track, or through Daniel's little PXR4 into the computer, sometimes we were all doing parts of different songs at the same time. Chaos! You can see it in some off the art pics, music gear everywhere. Michael soundproofed a broom cupboard for some of the vocals, some in bathroom... the coolest thing was no speakers were used, now thats lo fi... no wait... maybe we did mike some gat parts... crazy, ...apart from headphones... of course. But that could have been me dreaming, I cant remember as I was half asleep at the time ha! ha! Sometimes frustrating for Daniel and Michael putting up with my 50 takes "sorry guys can I try again" ha! ha! Michael and Daniel are one take wonders (tinny buggers). Really we probably could have done two albums worth, but ran out of time. They did most of the production labour, specially Daniel, what a machine. So you might want to ask them...good night...ZZzzzz. Sorry P Dogs, 4 stealing your couch... Guys careful not to spill my milo...
DG - I think it was a pressured but real spontaneous way of creating it. We just lived in Michael's 'living' room & went at creating something. We'd talked about making an album of songs for the year since I got back from Europe, but the timing was never right. Finally, with us all going in different directions we just had to do it. I think we all felt like otherwise these ideas & songs we'd been each creating, with this album idea in mind, would be wasted. The cool thing is we've probably got another albums worth of sketches through making the kidameln lo-fi.
MB - I think the living room was perfect. We should make it a rule for kidameln projects. Choose a different location next time, like Waiwera. Maybe actually upgrade and use some modern music software like Pro Tools.
WL - I think we used the first version of Acid... It's ancient.
DG - Stan got the most digital on us, trying to put little hidden sounds & stuff. We placed tough limits on him though.
WL - "Dont get all sonic on us, just keep it real, real simple..."
DG - It sort of became the inspiration for the title, everything was so lo-fi, and the digital was ancient digital. It was try-hard digital ha! ha! So the album became the kidameln lo-fi.
AllInTune - Are there any other projects that you guys are working on?
DG - Actually, yeah, we'd really like to draw attention to 'Reconstruction', an album to raise money for the Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal. This is really relevant considering how great the tragedy was and how much ongoing suffering there is. We really hope people will support the album and in turn the Red Cross and the people of South Asia.
The Reconstruction album is 75 minutes long, featuring 21 unsigned New Zealand independent bands/artists. All the profits are donated to charity and anyone supporting the album would be sampling an awesome cross section of kiwi indie music. We feel it's a way for us to put our music to good use. We donated the super mellow song 'Hey ho [and away we go]' as the songs lyrics were inspired in part by that island hopping sailboat idea.
The driving force behind Reconstruction was kiwi songwriter and artist Jooles Clements. He put his idea out, and a truck load of bands responded. He then selected those now on the album. All the bands involved donated a song for the album and then also shared the cd production costs. Sponsors have also helped along with lawyers doing pro bono work to register reconstruction as a charitable trust.
A lot of people have come together to make it happen and ultimately there is the hope that Reconstruction will become an annual event. I guess I'm saying 'Support it!' by visiting www.ceedeez.co.nz.
The Reconstruction Track Listing:
Papapounamu - Karen Clarke
Ex-change - Abstract Thought
By My Side - Redmore
The Enemy Within - Ishtar
Powertrip - Agent
Chubb - Quarter2
And I - Ruptus Jack
Leaving - Gods of Nothing
Talk - Alex Smart
Independent Woman - Fuser
Ridin' Lo - The Feds
Carousel - Miscreant
Used to Heaven - Out of Order
Sleepless - Lunaspark
The Weekend Song - The Tom Bosley Experience
Tapestry - Simple Simon
Flawless - Carolyn O'Neill
Hey Ho [and away we go] - Kidameln
Only for Thee - Cajz
So Fine - Blair Giles Band
Pitchblack - Jooles
AllInTune - That sounds like a wonderful project you have going, and for such an important cause. That is an amazing collection of artists kidamaln has collaberated with on this project. The album was released to raise money especially for the Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal (www.redcross.org.nz).
While some of the artists I am familiar with, there are a few that I am not. I really can't wait to get my copy of the album so I can support a great cause too... Remember, all the profits from the sale of the album will be donated to charity and you will have done your part by supporting some great kiwi music.
And now we'd like to send out a huge thanks to all of the members of kidameln for sharing their thoughts and talents with us and for helping us out with this article. Be sure to check out their album for yourself at CD Baby or at their website, www.kidameln.com. And be sure to visit Daniel Gannaway at his website, Michael Brennan at www.phonoss.com and Warren Lawson at www.fedsmusic.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review of the kidameln lo-fi @ Indie-Music.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reviews: Kidameln ~ The Kidameln Lo-fi
Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 @ 10:00:32 EST
Topic: Reviews
Artist: Kidameln
CD: The Kidameln Lo-Fi
Home: New Zealand and Others
Style: Laid-back Poignant Radiohead Surfer Grunge
Quote: "Remote vocals layered over acoustic guitar plunged into a subterranean pool of bass."
By Genevieve Will
Like an upbeat Seattle grunge band, with all the darkness you love without the attitude that killed the genre, Kidameln fuses contributions from band members in different locales to produce one of the most notable collaborations witnessed lately. Evidenced by depth of instrumentation powered by an unusual vibe, Kidameln possesses a strange cohesion, driven to the even stranger by the sheer distance between band members. Remote vocals layered over acoustic guitar plunged into a subterranean pool of bass make for a release unlike most, and with a name like the Kidameln Lo-Fi, this album stretches the lip of the genre melting pot.
Although the particular roles of Kidameln's members remain somewhat hazy, the smoke sometimes drifts enough that at least their names can be seen: Michael Brennan, Warren Lawson, Daniel Gannaway and Stan Leboy. Based on his solo release, the isolated vocals definitely belong to Gannaway, but the rest I can do no justice. Can I just say, nice percussion? Despite the mystery, it's evident these four have a certain solidarity that not only allows them to join forces from a distance but also transmit that crucial harmony into their music for the same laissez-faire flow one usually attributes to a far quieter sound.
While the kida lyrics generally make a solid stamp on the mind, many of the choruses remain a bit repetitive and mildly weak. Complex in instrumentation, vocals, and much of actual lyrics, the Kidameln Lo-Fi seems simply to have grown tired of too much life on the beach when it comes to choruses like “I'm in love with her.” Songwriters know better than that. Faintly over-literal, not unlike some others. Furthermore, it pains me to the innards of my gut that lines like this surface on the same album as both “won't be a blinded sheep or compromise my soul,” and “like a storm in a tea cup night after night.” While writing catchy pop, keep it uniform. But don't steal lines from Ashlee Simpson and sidle them up next to good old-fashioned songwriting. Clearly, I hope, it's obvious Kidameln can write; the injections of lyrical sucrose dwell problematically only because the rest of the album is wholly nutritious.
Particularly dark, “[Make My Breath] Sour” confirms not only that these boys can string a few decent words together, but also that they know a bit more than acoustic guitar ... like hard-core rock-out electric-chic. A favorite of mine, “[You're] Just a Loudmouth” features nicely hard-hitting beats, and a simultaneously upbeat but dark feel.
00 tracklist:
01 hysteria [tribute to haruki]
02 one day [i'll listen]
03 i'm in [love with her]
04 [make my breath] sour
05 [you're gonna] see me smiling
06 hey ho [and away we go]
07 serious [ly]
08 [you're] just a loudmouth
09 circles [around the moon]
-
Get kidameln's music @:
the kidameln lo-fi, @ CD BabyNZ/Australia:
>> Buy kidameln's debut album, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Amplifier
>> Buy kidameln's debut album, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Powertool Records
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Download kidameln's debut, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Mp3tunes.com
>> Download kidameln's debut, the kidameln lo-fi, @ Apple iTunes Music Store [just search 'kidameln']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also:
Albums by kidameln band member Michael Brennan:
>> Phonoss - 2005 - Dead Slow for Hell
>> Phonoss - 2004 - ELIMINATOR
Albums by kidameln band members Stan Leboy & Daniel Gannaway + more:
>> 2006 - ELECPHONIC
Albums by kidameln band member Daniel Gannaway:
>> 2006 - OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
>> 2005 - SUMMER STORM | A collection of ukulele ditties
>> 2004 - darling one year
>> 2002 - BOOTLEGGED AT THE 12 BAR CLUB
>> 2001 - Bound and Suburban
>> 2000 - Bootlegged at the Temple
>> 1999 - flashback*
>> 1998 - FINE BY ME
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the kidameln lo-fi is an eclectic and cool album from way out there on the indie prairie. It evokes a rich mix of alternate rock and hard pop with some very mellow twinkly quiet moments sprinkled in between.
kidameln's debut album delivers a lot in a seemingly short half hour. It's got an incredible variety of flavors over the 9 songs, all warmly delivered with great feeling in that indie diy home demo style. There is an obvious meshing together of diverse influences. After the first listen I could hear evidence of Dinosaur Jr, the Smashing Pumpkins, and even Concorde Dawn, but then when I looked at the artwork I was surprised to find a New Model Army logo in the collage inside, so go figure.
There's no definition of who does what, which is kind of cool, but the art at least reveals who kidameln are. Michael Brennan [Seven dials/ Hussman/ the Feds/ the Stung/ phonoss], Warren Lawson [Pottery/ Puppichuk/ the Feds], Daniel Gannaway [Daniel Gannaway] and [the Now Awol] Stan Leboy.
Apparently the kidameln lo-fi is a bunch of sketches, and if that's the case, I can't imagine what they'd have done if given the time and more resources. Sometimes though limitation creates beauty and I think this is the case here.
- Ratchet 4 Drill
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CafePress Stores Now Open!
http://www.cafepress.com/kidameln
http://www.cafepress.com/danielgannaway
http://www.cafepress.com/trulyindie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review of the kidameln lo-fi @ AllAboutSurf.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For txt only version read below.
For the full images/interactive version go to: http://www.allaboutsurf.com/0503/articles/kidameln/index.php
the kidameln lo-fi
by Steve Ackerman
[Photos and music courtesy of kidameln]
A few weeks ago, my friend, Daniel Gannaway sent me out a new collaboration he had been working on. He asked me to take a look at it and let him know what I thought. I recently reviewed his album, darling one year, released last October. It was outstanding. You could just feel the energy and emotion that Daniel had put into each and every one of those tunes. After getting to know Daniel for awhile, I have learned that he pours his heart and soul into every one of his projects. I knew it would be awesome before I even opened the envelope... And the kidameln lo-fi is just that.
Simply put, the album is a collaboration between a few extremely talented musicians doing what it is that they do best. The collective of pool of talent, combined with a diverse set of influences and unique styles provide us with a very flavorful musical experience. The energy, the emotion, the passion that this motley group of performers pour into thier album comes showering down on you with each and every note. They are not about producing an agressive barrage of sound waves just to rattle windows. The music is more about a comforting, rythmic blend of inspiration and instrumentation that ought to be savored, by yourself, your love or in the company of good friends.
The kidameln players are, as stated in the press release and on the website; "There's no definition of who does what, which is kind of cool, but the art at least reveals who kidameln are. Michael Brennan [Seven dials/ Hussman/ the Feds/ and soon to be released solo project Phonoss], Warren Lawson [Pottery/ Puppichuk/ the Feds], Daniel Gannaway [Daniel Gannaway] and [the Now Awol] Stan Leboy."
My only objection to the kidameln lo-fi is; after listening to it, it just ends... And I am ready to hear more... Atleast another hour or three would just about do it... I am definitely ready to hear more from these guys and I think you will too.
Here is a sort of conversation with the band:
MB=Michael Brennan [UK]
WL=Warren Lawson [NZ]
DG=Daniel Gannaway [US]
AllInTune - So when did you guys meet?
MB - I met the Wazman Ferrari [Warren Lawson] in Tauranga in the early 90's. He used to come along and support a band I was playing in at the time - 7 Dials. and his good friend Mike played in a band called 'Prod' that played with the Dials regularly. When the Dials split I didn't play much music until the late 90's when I formed Hussman. We needed t-shirts and stickers made, The Waz was living in Auckland. I found out through our drummer, so we hooked up again and then when I formed the Feds, we needed a monster guitar player... The Wazman! I met Daniel on a ferry to the city through a friend who worked at the local wine shop. Turned out my next door neighbour was Daniel's uncle, so seeing we had so many of the same interests we've hung out ever since. Must have been 2000.
WL - I first meet Daniel through Michael for about 5 seconds just before he left for overseas. Then I worked on the feds ep with Michael, and loved the experience of recording and thought man, I want to do more of dis! When Daniel got back, I had been listening to Bound and Suburban, got to know him better. We jammed some tunes and it just was too easy writing tunes with him and Michael.
DG - I was looking for a bass player & friend told me Michael lived nearby, and he had a band Hussman, and I went to see a show. And then he played a couple of small acoustic sets of my stuff. We tore that stuff up, rearranged and played with percussion. That was fun. And then I think... I was gone a while.
I met Warren through Michael & since being back in NZ. This last time we all jammed a couple of times and songs started appearing immediately, so it was really cool. And he's really quiet & humble for such a monsta guitar playa!
MB - When Daniel left NZ and put out Bound and Suburban [2001], and while he was away I formed 'the Feds' [fedsmusic.com] with Warren, and we were playing out a lot and writing a ton of rock/stoner rock material.
DG - Rawk! Michael dropped me the ridin lo EP when he recorded for me in London on darling one year. I love that EP. It's my personal opinion that it would be sick if they can put out a Feds album this year. Sooooo many good rocking heavy songs.
WL - Thankyou and I most certainly agree. We got to get something out. There's some fat riffs in those songs that I'm very proud of.
DG - I had that EP on repeat, I think it melted in the cd drive!
MB - That EP is at Powertool [powertoolrecords.co.nz].
AllInTune - Where does the kidameln sound come from? What are your influences?
DG - Mine are just about all I've heard, including everyone involved in kidameln, because it leads me off on a new tangent when we jam. Writing different, playing different, singing differently over their ideas. I think we just thought between us all it would be interesting, and it is.
WL - eeeekkk hard to say I look at music more like a picture more than sound lotsa visual things inspire me, my range probably is from Tori Amos(shes huge musicly) through to the Cult (my faves), Prong, Kyuss, Alice in chains, some Sabbath and Zeppelin and AC DC, more their originality and innovation, Shihad, Zakk Wylde, Korn, Pantera, 7 dials (everyones playing and writing in that band is HUUUGGEE!! Blows my mind, bein a guitar guy I learnt heaps from Stu's [Hussman] playing which I still draw upon every now and then 10 years later.....legends) mostly heavy stuff I s'pose (metaller at heart arnt I gggrrrrr) or where I here the most passion coming from even motown stuff and some hip hop (not radio stuff though) I could just go on an on... (come to think of it kida sounds nothing like my influences ha ha) bla bla bla but writing with Michael and Daniel things have evolved even more influence wise, riffs that Ive done that arnt much to talk about turn into little pop dittys (yeeyaah).
MB - My influences are all over the show. At the moment I'm reading agreat book I was given for Xmas on the whole "Dark Rock/Goth" music scene. This was a huge influence on me when I was at high school. I started out listening to punk, which led me more towards The Jam, Clash etc. Sisters of Mercy really changed what I listened to, Fields of The Nephilim, The Lorries etc, but all the while still listening to the Jam and my all time Fav band New Model Army( who I saw at the Astoria just before Xmas). I'm also a huge Cult fan which continued on through all the different musical tastes. When I left high school I joined a speed metal band (Ultimate) playing bass, and spent my 90's listening to speed metal, all the fantastic grunge bands and really got into stoner rock - Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Unida etc. Now I'm pretty much listening to the same stuff, every so often pulling out some old funk albums (wicked bass players) or some punk/goth stuff to keep the influences as all over the show as they've always been. What we do in Kidameln really is what happens when we all get together. There's no plan to sound like anything or anyone so its great, it's just us.
AllInTune - How did you guys record?
DG - The way P Dogs [Michael's cat] tells it is that we just took over her house for a week.
MB - 2 weeks of noise and instruments, and people sleeping on her couch and floor... But the process was quick, especially after talking about it for so long. We'd jam, and then put it down, work out lyrics, lead lines, everything on the fly.
WL - At the "Greek Consulate Studios" ha! ha! [Michael's lounge] ...Each of us had the threads of ideas for songs & it happened really quickly. Recording to Michael's old 4 track, or through Daniel's little PXR4 into the computer, sometimes we were all doing parts of different songs at the same time. Chaos! You can see it in some off the art pics, music gear everywhere. Michael soundproofed a broom cupboard for some of the vocals, some in bathroom... the coolest thing was no speakers were used, now thats lo fi... no wait... maybe we did mike some gat parts... crazy, ...apart from headphones... of course. But that could have been me dreaming, I cant remember as I was half asleep at the time ha! ha! Sometimes frustrating for Daniel and Michael putting up with my 50 takes "sorry guys can I try again" ha! ha! Michael and Daniel are one take wonders (tinny buggers). Really we probably could have done two albums worth, but ran out of time. They did most of the production labour, specially Daniel, what a machine. So you might want to ask them...good night...ZZzzzz. Sorry P Dogs, 4 stealing your couch... Guys careful not to spill my milo...
DG - I think it was a pressured but real spontaneous way of creating it. We just lived in Michael's 'living' room & went at creating something. We'd talked about making an album of songs for the year since I got back from Europe, but the timing was never right. Finally, with us all going in different directions we just had to do it. I think we all felt like otherwise these ideas & songs we'd been each creating, with this album idea in mind, would be wasted. The cool thing is we've probably got another albums worth of sketches through making the kidameln lo-fi.
MB - I think the living room was perfect. We should make it a rule for kidameln projects. Choose a different location next time, like Waiwera. Maybe actually upgrade and use some modern music software like Pro Tools.
WL - I think we used the first version of Acid... It's ancient.
DG - Stan got the most digital on us, trying to put little hidden sounds & stuff. We placed tough limits on him though.
WL - "Dont get all sonic on us, just keep it real, real simple..."
DG - It sort of became the inspiration for the title, everything was so lo-fi, and the digital was ancient digital. It was try-hard digital ha! ha! So the album became the kidameln lo-fi.
AllInTune - Are there any other projects that you guys are working on?
DG - Actually, yeah, we'd really like to draw attention to 'Reconstruction', an album to raise money for the Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal. This is really relevant considering how great the tragedy was and how much ongoing suffering there is. We really hope people will support the album and in turn the Red Cross and the people of South Asia.
The Reconstruction album is 75 minutes long, featuring 21 unsigned New Zealand independent bands/artists. All the profits are donated to charity and anyone supporting the album would be sampling an awesome cross section of kiwi indie music. We feel it's a way for us to put our music to good use. We donated the super mellow song 'Hey ho [and away we go]' as the songs lyrics were inspired in part by that island hopping sailboat idea.
The driving force behind Reconstruction was kiwi songwriter and artist Jooles Clements. He put his idea out, and a truck load of bands responded. He then selected those now on the album. All the bands involved donated a song for the album and then also shared the cd production costs. Sponsors have also helped along with lawyers doing pro bono work to register reconstruction as a charitable trust.
A lot of people have come together to make it happen and ultimately there is the hope that Reconstruction will become an annual event. I guess I'm saying 'Support it!' by visiting www.ceedeez.co.nz.
The Reconstruction Track Listing:
Papapounamu - Karen Clarke
Ex-change - Abstract Thought
By My Side - Redmore
The Enemy Within - Ishtar
Powertrip - Agent
Chubb - Quarter2
And I - Ruptus Jack
Leaving - Gods of Nothing
Talk - Alex Smart
Independent Woman - Fuser
Ridin' Lo - The Feds
Carousel - Miscreant
Used to Heaven - Out of Order
Sleepless - Lunaspark
The Weekend Song - The Tom Bosley Experience
Tapestry - Simple Simon
Flawless - Carolyn O'Neill
Hey Ho [and away we go] - Kidameln
Only for Thee - Cajz
So Fine - Blair Giles Band
Pitchblack - Jooles
AllInTune - That sounds like a wonderful project you have going, and for such an important cause. That is an amazing collection of artists kidamaln has collaberated with on this project. The album was released to raise money especially for the Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal (www.redcross.org.nz).
While some of the artists I am familiar with, there are a few that I am not. I really can't wait to get my copy of the album so I can support a great cause too... Remember, all the profits from the sale of the album will be donated to charity and you will have done your part by supporting some great kiwi music.
And now we'd like to send out a huge thanks to all of the members of kidameln for sharing their thoughts and talents with us and for helping us out with this article. Be sure to check out their album for yourself at CD Baby or at their website, www.kidameln.com. And be sure to visit Daniel Gannaway at his website, Michael Brennan at www.phonoss.com and Warren Lawson at www.fedsmusic.com.
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Review of the kidameln lo-fi @ Indie-Music.com
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Reviews: Kidameln ~ The Kidameln Lo-fi
Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 @ 10:00:32 EST
Topic: Reviews
Artist: Kidameln
CD: The Kidameln Lo-Fi
Home: New Zealand and Others
Style: Laid-back Poignant Radiohead Surfer Grunge
Quote: "Remote vocals layered over acoustic guitar plunged into a subterranean pool of bass."
By Genevieve Will
Like an upbeat Seattle grunge band, with all the darkness you love without the attitude that killed the genre, Kidameln fuses contributions from band members in different locales to produce one of the most notable collaborations witnessed lately. Evidenced by depth of instrumentation powered by an unusual vibe, Kidameln possesses a strange cohesion, driven to the even stranger by the sheer distance between band members. Remote vocals layered over acoustic guitar plunged into a subterranean pool of bass make for a release unlike most, and with a name like the Kidameln Lo-Fi, this album stretches the lip of the genre melting pot.
Although the particular roles of Kidameln's members remain somewhat hazy, the smoke sometimes drifts enough that at least their names can be seen: Michael Brennan, Warren Lawson, Daniel Gannaway and Stan Leboy. Based on his solo release, the isolated vocals definitely belong to Gannaway, but the rest I can do no justice. Can I just say, nice percussion? Despite the mystery, it's evident these four have a certain solidarity that not only allows them to join forces from a distance but also transmit that crucial harmony into their music for the same laissez-faire flow one usually attributes to a far quieter sound.
While the kida lyrics generally make a solid stamp on the mind, many of the choruses remain a bit repetitive and mildly weak. Complex in instrumentation, vocals, and much of actual lyrics, the Kidameln Lo-Fi seems simply to have grown tired of too much life on the beach when it comes to choruses like “I'm in love with her.” Songwriters know better than that. Faintly over-literal, not unlike some others. Furthermore, it pains me to the innards of my gut that lines like this surface on the same album as both “won't be a blinded sheep or compromise my soul,” and “like a storm in a tea cup night after night.” While writing catchy pop, keep it uniform. But don't steal lines from Ashlee Simpson and sidle them up next to good old-fashioned songwriting. Clearly, I hope, it's obvious Kidameln can write; the injections of lyrical sucrose dwell problematically only because the rest of the album is wholly nutritious.
Particularly dark, “[Make My Breath] Sour” confirms not only that these boys can string a few decent words together, but also that they know a bit more than acoustic guitar ... like hard-core rock-out electric-chic. A favorite of mine, “[You're] Just a Loudmouth” features nicely hard-hitting beats, and a simultaneously upbeat but dark feel.
