New York City’s The Affair pounces onto the scene with their debut album Yes Yes To You. Since Kali Holloway (vocals, lyrics), Nelson Dellamaggiore (bass), Neel Arant (keyboards/guitar), Josh Leeman (lead guitar) and Marc Pattini (drums) first stepped on a stage together, the band has garnered respect and praise in both local and European music journals.
The Affair caught the attention of Vice Records, which in July 2004 released their first single, Honey, a song which showcased their ability to meld proto-punk and new wave allegiances with keen pop sensibilities. After a couple of years spent trolling through NY nightclubs, the band reappeared earlier in 2006 with a new single, Andy, on UK buzz label Marquis Cha Cha. Absolutely Kosher signed the band after chasing them around Austin at this year’s SXSW.
Lately, the streets of rock and roll seem cluttered with matching mod dresses filled with Swedes and Brits with their hair in bangs and Phil Spector in their lockets. The Affair tear through them like a flame. There might be girl groups in their rearview mirrors, but there are knives in their hands and lightning in their eyes. Faux finishing school poses and demure, wistful cooing have been demolished by soulful defiance. The “my boyfriend’s back and there’s going to be trouble” of yesteryear has been appended with “because I’m going to kick his ass for leaving.” Kali’s voice is bruised and angry but triumphant on Dead Letters, playful and sassy on Jailbait Date and positively flawless on Left At The Party. Her own lyricism is at once coy with a wink, but full of piss and vinegar. There’s not a vocal turn on the record where she doesn’t deliver. "Happy endings never interested me," she wails on Swallow the Nights. If early press is any indication, the world might not abide her.
With a swagger in their sound that could only come from the five boroughs, the band channels bits of New York acts like the Shangri-La's, The Ronettes, and Blondie. Throw in dashes of the Cars and the Runaways and distill them in gin and thorns, it give them a distinctly modern voice. The Affair personifies their very name, at once dangerous, timeless, immoral and ecstatic, illicit and sultry, conflicted and pure. This is one Affair in which you won't mind getting caught.
I'm bummed I missed the SuperHappyFunTime at Bottom of The Hill. Next time you're in SF, the afterparty can be at my house...as long as Neel stays away from my shower curtains!
Oh yeah, the new album is tops and it makes my bum throw itself around the room whenever I play it (which is all the time).
I was driving to work the other morning at 5:30 a.m. and your song "Dead Letters" was playing on 88.1 KDHX here in St. Louis. What a fun way to start the day!
HYDER HUSYN 30 Years
BROMHEADS JACKET Lesley Parlafitt
HOUSE OF LOVE Shine On
MANHATTAN LOVE SUICIDES Things You've Never Done
ELENI MANDELL Moonglow, Lamp Low
BLACK CAB Hearts On Fire
BLACK CAB Surrender
AFFAIR Unwanted Company
BRETT ANDERSON Love Is Dead
SIXNATIONSTATE Where Are You Now?
POPUP Chinese Burn
CAT STEVENS The Wind
BLOC PARTY I Still Remember
ZOFKA Parfum Vanille
SMASHING ORANGE Any Further, It's All Over
Yay! You're coming to Portland! Let me know if you need anything here, I will be happy to help, guide, etc. Your record is great, I hope it goes gangbusters. XO
F**K Yes! F**K YES to you! The cd is extraordinary. The whole thing was totally worth the wait. My ears are ringing because I've had it up full blast the whole time. I feel euphoric. if i was a douchey music critic I'd describe it like: "a sonic eargasm" or something. But I'm not, so I'll just say: you guys rock hardcore and thank you for making a totally kickass album. I knew it would be this good. bye.
Oh how I wish you would come back to England. I missed you last time, y'see. Please? I promise ice cream! Ice cream if you come, I scream if you don't. Sounds like a plan? xx
Mom: So I got Marc’s CD. Dad and I are listening to it now. It’s fun!
Me: Cool!
Mom: So how would you categorize them?
Dad: (in background) Hip Hop Kitty!
Mom: No Bob, they’re not Hip Hop! I like the picture on the back too with them chilling out.
Dad: They look stoned!
Mom: They're not stoned Bob, they're just chilling out!
Thought you guys should know that "Yes Yes to You" is rockin the suburbs of Michigan : )
Here's to much success in 2006 and an amazing future in 2007...PUMPED for the Jan 26th show and will definitely represent my home state on march 2nd!! My dancing shoes are being assembled! YAY GUYS!
Hi Guys,
Congrats on your recognition in Spin Mag! That is such a huge accomplishment and one that you should not take lightly. Be proud! Really psyched for you guys...you deserve it!! YAY!
