ReCoup started life during 2003 as a project, but it wasn’t until 2004 when Mat Wood-guitars, and Alida Stadler-drums, joined forces with frontman Pieter Theron to complete the familiar line-up we know today. Alida studied music at the University of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, and was the drummer for blues band Delta Blue, with whom she has extensively toured and recorded, while Mat was the guitarist for UK band Blipscreen.
With new blood, ideas and enthusiasm, the band seemed to finally have the line-up that would help them reach their potential. The group spent months of intensive work perfecting their sound and writing new material. By incorporating electronic drum triggers and looping sounds ReCoup are able to perform their complex music live, whilst maintaining a strong electronic feel.
In 2005, ReCoup recorded an EP/mini-album at Fleetwood Mobiles, London. Producer Hugh Griffith (Goldie, Placebo) and Marina Fussela from Playtime Productions, were brought in to co-produce and mix the tracks. The resultant EP/mini-album, “Worthwhile”, was primarily used as a promotional tool to help ReCoup approach the experienced music industry. It also featured as a limited edition soft release at a few independent London record stores like Rough Trade and Sister Ray as well as download sites including iTunes. This record led to rave reviews in the independent press and online, leading the release to sell out!
In 2006 ReCoup concentrated on playing live shows and incorporated visual projections into their performances. The group played a string of very well received gigs at London’s Café de Paris, Madame Jo Jo’s, Club 333, Leonards, Bullet Bar, and others. In the meantime a brand new track called “Remind You” was taking shape and ReCoup were convinced that they cracked the “capturing of all the energy” challenge, leading to the decision to release this as their first single.
"Remind You" was influenced by the impact humans have on the earth, therefore ReCoup thought it would be appropriate to use a recycled product for the CD sleeve. Pieter’s girlfriend Majken Møller, a passionate environmentalist, came up with the idea of re-using crisp packets, turned inside out, with a sleeve of recycled cardboard inside. Perfect size for a CD!
This project captured the hearts and minds of both the public and national press - The Independent, Financial Times, The Times, and National Geographic are among newspapers and magazines that ran pieces and a feature on BBC’s The World Today was broadcasted worldwide.
With an album of their strongest material, entitled ReCoup d’Etat and a video to follow, alongside project manager Mike Andrews (former marketing director of EMI) soon it will be time for their music to do the same!
Influences
Lali Puna, Royksopp, Depeche Mode, U2, Leftfield, Sigur Ros, Air, Faithless, Moby, Aphex Twin, The Cure, The Smiths, Pink Floyd
Sounds Like
Combination of: Lali Puna, Royksopp, Depeche Mode, U2, Leftfield, Sigur Ros, Air, Faithless, Moby, Aphex Twin, The Cure, The Smiths, Pink Floyd, all put in a blender
REVIEWS - click on the links below and read reviews of the single REMIND YOU
" Song of the Day " " We honestly think this is amazing, and you might think we are taking the piss with this, but you would be wrong. We're really not..."
- PopJustice - read review
"GENIUS" "This is intelligent, retro music, somewhere
between U2 and Air. On the second listen I’m really
taken with it"
- Jukebox - read review
"Haunting electro pop with the guitars of Mogwai, the
soulful yearning of Depeche Mode and the bewitching
beauty of Cabaret Voltaire on a good day!"
- Subba-Cultcha - read review
"A melodic fusion of electronic bleeps and acoustic
rhythms, Remind You combines the mystery of Sigor Ros
with the tone and passion of Bono's U2"
- Life Signs Network - read review
"chilled electronica, which fuses fabulously with the
guitars, drums and vocals"
- The South African - read review
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES
08 Dec 2007 - SYNERGY - National Climate Change march Afterparty
06 Nov 2007 - Soho Revue Bar
28 Oct 2007 - The O2, London - The Sustainability Show
27 Oct 2007 - The O2, London - The Sustainability Show
09 Oct 2007 - Canary Wharf - Green Canary Day
03 Oct 2007 - ENVIBE Awards, Tiger Tiger
07 Sep 2007 - LEONARD’S, Clerkenwel – Residency
01 Sep 2007 - ZIM Fest – Afterparty
18 Aug 2007 - RAMADA FESTIVAL – POLAND
03 Aug 2007 - LEONARDS, Clerkenwel – Residency
20 Jul 2007 - LEONARDS, Clerkenwel – Residency
08 Mar 2007 - KINGSTON UNIVERSITY - FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
01 Feb 2007 - SOUL-CENTRAL, London
08 Dec 2006 - BULLET BAR, Camden
25 Oct 2006 - Club 333. Old Street
22 Sep 2006 - LEONARD’S, Clerkenwel
21 Jul 2006 - CAFE DE PARIS
05 Jul 2006 - THE COMEDY
18 May 2006 - MADAME JO Jo’s
05 May 2006 - CAFE DE PARIS
Reduce Reuse Recycle ReCoup
The track "Remind You" was influenced by the impact humans
have on the earth, and to go with it, ReCoup thought it would be
appropriate to use a totally recycled product for the CD sleeve. Pieter..s
girlfriend Majken M..ller, who is a passionate environmentalist, came up
with the idea of re-using crisp packets, turned inside out, with a
sleeve of recycled cardboard inside.
The reason why crisp packets was chosen, is that they are hard to
recycle, the perfect shape for a CD, durable and when turned inside are all
uniform silver in colour. Apart from actually re-using things that
would have gone to land fill sites, ReCoup wants people and companies to
think "outside the box" and be creative regarding what can be re-used and
recycled. The band also proved that it is not that difficult or more
expensive to use recycled products and encourages people to be
environmentally conscious.
A label, also made from 100% recycled paper, is used to seal the CD
sleeves (crisp packets, turned inside out) and have the following printed:
"I use to be a crisp packet!" Reduce Reuse Recycle ReCoup.
CPR Crisp Packets Remanufactured by Majken Moller
Why crisp packets? We wanted to use a material that currently only has
a single use before being disposed off to landfill. We live in a throw
away society wasting energy on producing new resources just so we can
throw it in the bin again why not be innovative and reuse our resources.
A market already exists for recycling paper, card, glass, steel,
aluminium and plastics of certain types but not crisp packets. Crisp packets
are made from metallised plastic film, polypropylene is laminated onto
metal foil which makes them very hard to recycle, separating the
plastic from the metal is virtually impossible and not economic viable. Crisp
packets are light, strong, water impermeable and turned inside out they
are all (mostly) silver. They are the perfect shape for a CD cover and
the bigger bags works well for posting letters.
Step one: Find the crisp packets!! We would like to thank all
family, friends, work colleagues, freecyclers young and old who saved
their crisp packets to be reused and volunteers who sat up collection
boxes at schools, offices, boroughs, universities and bars. See below for
a full list of those taking part. And if you noticed people litter
picking crisp packets on tube stations, streets and estates then (it wasn..t
me..erhm well yes it was) its highly likely they were involved with this
project.
Step two: Cleaning the crisp packets!! The crisp packets were
sorted and broken packets removed.
The majority of the packets were washed by hand in buckets. Firstly
they were left soaked in Ecover overnight, then picked out of the bucket
(water reused for next load) . They were then turned inside out and the
few that ripped removed. The packets were then washed in the bucket
(water reused for second time with Ecover before being rinsed quickly. A
small number of crisp packets were washed in the washing machine (using
green energy tariff).
Step three: Drying the crisp packets!! On non windy/rainy days
the crisp packets were left on the drying line
And on cold rainy days in front of the heater.
Step four: Polish and cardboard Any stubborn grease disappeared
with the wipe of the micro fibre cloth. Sleeves of recycled cardboard
from Footprint were fitted inside.
Step five: The final makeover!! Ready for their new life .. CDs
were added and 100% recycled paper labels from Recycled Paper Supplies
were used to seal the back and naming the front. And the CPR has created
a whole new life for a discarded crisp packet.
..
Initiative by Majken Moller
Thank you to:
Alida Stadler and her pupils from Curwen Primary School, The Children of Our Lady of Lourdes School, Kingston University Sustainability Team, London Remade, Inspired Recycling, Footprint, Recycled Paper Supplies, Staff from borough offices of Hammersmith & Fulham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Staff from Curzon Cinema, PlayOn Indoor Sports centre, and all other volunteers.
Quotes and Reviews - click on the links below and read reviews of the promotional mini-album
"superb effort...It was one hell of a listen! "9/10
- Whisperin & Hollerin - read review
" the most cutting edge band in London right now"
- SA Times, UK -
"Its unusual that groups producing this sort of sound on record are able to give a suitably engaging live performance, but this appears to be something that ReCoup CAN do"
- Jukebox - read review
"a compelling album that's wholly listenable and really rather innovative."
- studentpages.com - read review
"Worthwhile is a superb album from start to finish, an album to soak your very senses to."
- rhythmandbooze.net - read review
"The result is that rare thing: club music with a genuine sense of humanity. ."
- leonardslair.co.uk - read review
"Impressive stuff...it's been a while since anyone has married guitars and samples as effectively as this."
- read review - GIITTV
"I Like Music caught up with Pieter and Mat for a quick chat ... "
- I Like Music - read interview
"Its a beautifully luxurious listen. From longing ambient to throbbing dance via wobbly space funk, the band manufacture quirky, colourful and futuristic pop magic."
- Overplay.com - read review
"Its possibly too early to say if it will grow into an all time classic"
- roomthirteen.com - read review
Hello how are ya? it's been awhile, hope everything's well. When you get a little time, stop by & check out some changes/additions to my page. New tunes, Read the Elo-Kin manuscript Sign my guest book or Just say HELLO:-) Wishing you the best! Peace
I just wanted to let you know that I've uploaded some new tracks (as well as new versions of others) and I would be grateful for any feedback that you could spare. All tracks are taken from my forthcoming album so if you would be interested in a copy, please let me know.
Stay well in the meantime and hope to hear from you soon.
Hi ReCoup! Maybe you are interested to know that my album Robotism is finally available on iTunes and JunoDownload. On the album you will find all the tracks you might have heard on my MySpace-player and some more. Are you looking to buy new music that makes you want to dance and which will work really well at your next party? Just go to my page and you will find the links :)
just wanted to let you know we are going to be down at Phonica Records in Soho (51 Poland St ) this Thursday evening (7 May) to celebrate the release of our first album.
we are putting a rather good little soundsystem in. Then we'll mix up some lovely drinks to ply you with, and go and play a few songs around 8pm. If the weather is nice the windows of the shop slide out and we'll be playing out to the street
hope to see you down there...if not I'll drink yours! - especially if I am holding a copy of the finished article (fingers crossed - they are meant to be delivered that day...)
Hey how are ya? I'm stoppin in to wish you well & let you know my CD "Remixing it up" is now available through CDBaby. com. Check it out & Please spread the word:-) Thanks Elo-Kin ....
Because of the world demand for Palm Oil, the forests of Borneo are disappearing before our eyes. This is bad news for Orang-utans and the other wildlife. WLT have about 3 months to raise £343,000 to save a priceless piece of forest and the Orang-utans which live in it. Our appeal is very urgent. Will you help?
a compilation album consist of eleven artist and eleven songs with various characteristic electronical music
TRACK LIST 01. Sonicbrat - ReKonstruction 02. ritmeSEMU - Atonic v.2 03. elemental gaze - you should run 04. Sunday Night Joy - The Glistened Alley (of Skopje) 05. BottleSmoker - Walls 06. Riadij - Citylite (retouch) 07. Jellybelly - Ceiling 08. Sarin - The Tears Never Stop Until I Close My Eyes 09. Minor Plastissin - Sky Affection 10. Summer in Berlin - Night Train 11. Fisikamatematika - Capital Infashion
I 've just finished my new single “I Lost My Teddy” (out now!!!). It’s a phat electro house track with a hot pumping bass. Check it out :-) You won't be disappointed!!
