"I was a DJ in 2015 / I had the headphones / had my name on the big screen..."
The exuberant obtuse electronic / organic pop indie exaltations of "I was a DJ in 2015" by Brooklyn based Two-Man Giant Squid will not only get you moving but might wormhole in your brain and cast imagery from times in your past like a wistful backyard projector party blasting memories on a white bed sheet. Maybe that is what is supposed to happen as you listen to this wonderful soundscape. The evocative track feels like the emotional transportation of life itself in regards to art. As music scenes shift, change altogether and sometimes evaporate. Venues go away, come back, victims of economic re-districting, gentrification and a decade of nomadic artists moving to other places.
Of the percolating blendo track, the band shares (LINER NOTES):
["I was a DJ in 2015" is about the EDM-boom in the 2010s when it felt like everyone you knew suddenly became a DJ. Its a tongue-in-cheek take on a polarizing time in music culture & it comments on what its like to chase a trend in your early 20s. The music video shows DJs at a "DJs Anonymous" meeting reconciling with their traumatic DJ past. And its all true.. frontman Mitch Vinokur was a DJ before starting this band. It's a heartfelt indie track that has both punky and danceable elements throughout as TMGS sends their love-letter to the 2010s and all the bad ecstasy that came with it.]
About 8 months ago I wrote: "Two-Man Giant Squid rolls inside askew rock revival and surf punk psychedelia and artful punk meets jangle pop like a fertile amalgam of other sideways artists like Mando Diao, Fat White Family, Hüsker Dü (off the top of my head.)" when reviewing "Progress" from their wonderfully diverse 2023 debut album "Intro To Basement" but on this track I am feeling a kind of amalgam of artists like The Rapture, Papadosio, Arcade Fire, Talking Heads. It might be the absolutely celebratory driving beat, the brilliantly emotionally bright synth hooks, the throttling guitar escapades, thumping base lines and group vox. The changing descriptors is a testament to a band feeling artistically free and not afraid to shape shift. In the end, "I was a DJ in 2015", feels joyous and sad at the same time (right?) like time shifting on unsteady ground and not wanting the rock festival to end. It's ok anyway because ending mean new beginnings as long as we can all roll with the punches.
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/twomangiantsquid/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VKm0Y0YdwuMBi4JJdUqmF
Two-Man Giant Squid is a fast rising indie band signed to Mint 400 Records out of Brooklyn, NY. Last year, their debut 2023 album "Intro To Basement" ushered in a new national fanbase for the band. Their release was supported by Earmilk, Post-Punk, WFUV, & Idioteq, among others, eventually charting at #199 on National College & Indie radio stations. The band completed a northeast tour last fall and continues to electrify historic NYC venues such as Mercury Lounge, Baby's All Right, & Arlene's Grocery. They recently made their 2nd appearance at New Colossus Festival, a showcase festival for bands around the world. They are currently recording for more 2024 releases that aim to ignite their growing fanbase
Of the percolating blendo track, the band shares (LINER NOTES):
["I was a DJ in 2015" is about the EDM-boom in the 2010s when it felt like everyone you knew suddenly became a DJ. Its a tongue-in-cheek take on a polarizing time in music culture & it comments on what its like to chase a trend in your early 20s. The music video shows DJs at a "DJs Anonymous" meeting reconciling with their traumatic DJ past. And its all true.. frontman Mitch Vinokur was a DJ before starting this band. It's a heartfelt indie track that has both punky and danceable elements throughout as TMGS sends their love-letter to the 2010s and all the bad ecstasy that came with it.]
About 8 months ago I wrote: "Two-Man Giant Squid rolls inside askew rock revival and surf punk psychedelia and artful punk meets jangle pop like a fertile amalgam of other sideways artists like Mando Diao, Fat White Family, Hüsker Dü (off the top of my head.)" when reviewing "Progress" from their wonderfully diverse 2023 debut album "Intro To Basement" but on this track I am feeling a kind of amalgam of artists like The Rapture, Papadosio, Arcade Fire, Talking Heads. It might be the absolutely celebratory driving beat, the brilliantly emotionally bright synth hooks, the throttling guitar escapades, thumping base lines and group vox. The changing descriptors is a testament to a band feeling artistically free and not afraid to shape shift. In the end, "I was a DJ in 2015", feels joyous and sad at the same time (right?) like time shifting on unsteady ground and not wanting the rock festival to end. It's ok anyway because ending mean new beginnings as long as we can all roll with the punches.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/twomangiantsquid/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VKm0Y0YdwuMBi4JJdUqmF
Two-Man Giant Squid is a fast rising indie band signed to Mint 400 Records out of Brooklyn, NY. Last year, their debut 2023 album "Intro To Basement" ushered in a new national fanbase for the band. Their release was supported by Earmilk, Post-Punk, WFUV, & Idioteq, among others, eventually charting at #199 on National College & Indie radio stations. The band completed a northeast tour last fall and continues to electrify historic NYC venues such as Mercury Lounge, Baby's All Right, & Arlene's Grocery. They recently made their 2nd appearance at New Colossus Festival, a showcase festival for bands around the world. They are currently recording for more 2024 releases that aim to ignite their growing fanbase
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