Since the year 2000, Xtatika has been blessed with the participation of the following musicians: Haena Kim (vocals, lyrics, production, composition, programming)/ Denim Venom (programming, composition, production, keyboard)/ Vongku Pak (drums, percussion)/ Kyungwook Jung (drums, percussion)/ John Chang (guitar)/ Martin Bisi (engineering)/ Jochen Ruckert (drums)/ Okkyung Lee (percussion)/ Mas Yamagata (bass)
Influences
Korean percussion and p'ansori, PJ Harvey, Trent Reznor, Diamanda Galas, Kate Bush, Tina Turner, Aphex Twin, Portishead, Radiohead, Air, Diana Ross, U2, Venetian Snares, My Bloody Valentine, Grandmaster Flash, Hildegard Von Bingen, Eric Satie, Giacinto Scelsi, Daft Punk, KMFDM, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Kim Dae-Rae, Ahn Sook-Sohn, Public Enemy, Low, Melt Banana, Röyksopp, X-Ray Spex, Nick Cave, Serge Gainsbourg, Bjork, ELO, New Order, Lil Louie Vega, Timbaland, Liv Ullmann, Ingmar Bergman, Martha Graham
Sounds Like
sexy tribal noir video game
CDS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON, TZADIK, CDBABY, iTUNES! Thanks everybody!!
Like a shape-shifting creature of spurious origins, Xtatika went through several incarnations since its beginnings in 1999. As a young South Korean-born artist teenager, Tora Kim started the band under the moniker Toilet Maiden and the Hands, recruited Korean drummers Kyungwook Jung and Vongku Pak, and along with Mas Yamagata on bass the group recorded their first demo and started playing out in the downtown clubs of New York City. The demo caught the attention of John Zorn, who offered to release their first album on his experimental-music label Tzadik in late-2000.
Early 2001 saw the band recording with Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, Dresden Dolls) in Brooklyn, New York, and just before the record went to press the new name was chimed in: Xtatika (say it like ex-TA-tika). Incorporating the traditional Korean percussion of p'ungmul, with the hourglass changgo drum, the puk bass drum, and the handheld metal gong kwenggari, the post-modern rock album Tongue Bath boggled minds and bewitched ears upon its release in mid-2001. It even pushed Zorn to initiate a new series on the Tzadik label, with Xtatika's debut inaugurating the now successful "Oracles Series".
The album Tongue Bath was the first of its kind to bring together elements of ritual drumming, dirty driving bass, and a heart-stopping menagerie of vocals which show Tora drawing from her performance art days, inhabiting characters such as a vengeful warrior, a giggly-girl, a schizophrenic witch, and also witch-burner, sometimes all in the same track. These elements made for a frenetic tapestry of texture which were based on the traditional beats of p'ungmul, straight from the farming fields of Korea itself. The album received encouraging reviews.
The band continued to play a slew of shows on the east coast through 2001. But the pressures of city-living and increased attention caused Tora to have a breakdown. Starting from scratch, Tora followed a yen for electronic music, and began work with drill n bass whiz-kid Denim Venom. The two hit it off as collaborators and then as friends, and eventually shared a studio in Brooklyn by 2003.
As the electronic incarnation of Xtatika, the duo independently released several EPs, such as The Powers Street EP, Snake Ring, and My Heart Is A Knife. My Heart Is A Knife EP was recorded in Brooklyn with John Chang on guitar, and was their final release on their own Detention Span Recs with the definitive sound from that era. Shady industrial beats, set to an urban angst-track of dark girlish vocals and sinister samples take the listener to new levels of dance-sexy, or to coin a phrase: Noir Wave. Electronic Xtatika continued to play the northeast USA and toured Europe in 2006 to welcoming audiences. Then Tora and Denim Venom saw through their relationship as lovers and collaborators which ended in the summer of 2006. They remain friends to this day.
After a hiatus from music, Tora went to Paris, France, and Morocco to write. She returned to New York with a suitcase of 21 love songs, having made the powerful choice to continue on the path solo and break out on her own as the international popstar and agent of intrigue, Tora Brava.
Pix taken at Festival Klosturruine Arnoldstein in Austria 2006. Big hearts and thanks to our peeps over at Aktion Mutante!
What people are saying about Xtatika:
"They are captivating onstage." - Downtown Music
"Like a breath of fresh air..." - L'Oeil Electrique
"...enjoyably dramatic songs of emotional exorcism..." - All Music Guide
"This is a band that opens up an exciting new world of sound..." - Boomkat Review
Would you like to say something too?: Leave us a comment! Thanks!
CHECK OUR NEW VIDEO - SHOTBLOCKERS "ON THE WILD SIDE" FEAT. HOYA ROC, DANNY DIABLO AND SKAM DUST! GET YOUR COPY OF SHOTBLOCKERS "REMEMBER THE NAME" - CLICK THE BANNERS BELOW
CHECK OUR NEW VIDEO - SHOTBLOCKERS "ON THE WILD SIDE" FEAT. HOYA ROC, DANNY DIABLO AND SKAM DUST! GET YOUR COPY OF SHOTBLOCKERS "REMEMBER THE NAME" - CLICK THE BANNERS BELOW
Greetings. I just wanted to thank you for your continued support and invite you to have a first listen on myspace to the tracks off the new EP "Monster & Minstrel" due out later this month. Bright stars to you! Ahmond
I just wanted to let you know that you can now download my debut album "American Nightmare" by clicking on the album cover art in the right hand column of my profile. A lot of time and work went into the record so I hope you like it!
AZRAEL Fait sa rentree au Marche Gare Perrache Jeudi 5 Novembre
Le Marche Gare Lyon 34 rue Casimir-Périer 69002
Thursday, November 05 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Narrow Terence + Azrael + Red Castle Addiction Date : Jeudi 5 novembre 2009 Lieu : Le Marché Gare (Lyon 69002) Tarif : 9,7 euros Billetterie en ligne
Narrow Terence, c’est un son rugueux, des voix éraillées et espiègles, des guitares lourdes pour une musique aussi légère qu’angoissante. Le groupe Azraël se chargera de vous mettre dans l’ambiance avec son rock sombre post-industriel et son Vj set hypnotique.
Info pratiques Narrow Terence + Azrael + Red Castle Addiction : Date : Jeudi 5 novembre 2009 Horaires : 20:00 Lieu : Le Marché Gare Adresse : 34 rue Casimir Perier Ville : Lyon 69002 Métro : Tramway Sainte-Blandine T1
Contact / Plus d'infos sur Narrow Terence + Azrael + Red Castle Addiction : Téléphone : 04 72 40 97 13
Ciaaaz! Ho caricato sullo space il nuovo pezzo con Rales, si chiama Eqauzione indeterminata è prodotto da Anonimo91 ;) Mi farebbe piacere un ascolto ed un commento!
The ultimate Swingin' Thing collection 'Desperate Living' is finally available!
Featuring "Avenue Boys" & "Let's Do It With The Lights On". 'Desperate Living' encompasses every debauchery filled era of Swingin' Thing from 1989 to 1994.
This is hands down the best Swingin' Thing compilation money can buy, The album is silver pressed with 18 classic cuts (hand picked by the band) with a rare never before seen photo shoot used for the cover art (from the early Glam days!) All of this for only $14.99!
Exclusively available through demondollrecords.com. Shipping Worldwide!
Online Now!
