Caribou

Well, it looks like the theme for this year is bands I have seen live (this year).

So ... on (or perhaps that should be back) to the shiny electro pop of Caribou who played a fun set at GOMA (the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art) in January this year.

There has been an excellent multi-media exhibition of the work and life of Andy Warhol. We enjoyed it so much we went twice, the second visit was on a Friday night and included beers and Caribou.

The four piece played a loud, live set augmented with their sample loaded lap top computer. There was much swapping of instruments and for different tracks there might be dual drummers, dual guitarists, dual lead vocalists ...

It was an unusual live set up with the two drum kits set up pretty much front and centre and Mr Caribou Dan Snaith edged to the front bouncing between guitar, keyboard, recorder, melodica, drum and vocal duties. Behind the band were projected some pretty groovy and very sixties influenced graphics.

The vocal harmonies, with a heavy nod to Brian Wilson, at the front of their latest album "Andorra" are ably managed in the live space by bass man Andy Lloyd and the band's glassy, psychedelic surf-pop is much more muscular in the live setting.

Caribou was originally a solo laptop musical venture which evolved from Dan's previous existence, Manitoba, who from 2000 released a number of E.P.s and albums.

Following a legal tussle with Richard "Handsome" Dick Manitoba (of the Dictators) who claimed trademark infringement against Dan Snaith for the use of the shared name, Caribou evolved from Manitoba and released their (his) debut under the new moniker in 2004.

The band really found their sound at around the same time and have released two very good albums in 2005's "The Milk of Human Kindness" and 2007's "Andorra".


Caribou - Melody Day

Caribou - Hello Hammerheads

Do you want to hear more tunes from Caribou? Check out these links:-