Although this psychedelic, art-pop quartet formed in Dalston, London at the end of 2008, they had met earlier in the decade at the Edinburgh College of Art.
Vocalist and guitarist Vinny Neff and drummer Dave Maclean played their first impromptu East London live dates with Duncan Marquiss of Glasgow’s the Phantom Band on bass.
Jimmy Dixon soon stepped in to replace him, however, and graphic designer Tommy Grace joined on keyboards to complete their core lineup.
By the time of the release of the July 2009 debut 7″ “Storm,” critics had already latched onto their vocal and experimental similarity to cult folktronica pioneers the Beta Band. In fact, drummer Maclean was the younger brother of Beta Band and Aliens keyboard player John Maclean — a link that both raised their profile and justified the comparisons. Django Django similarly betrayed a knowledge and love of electronic music and Joe Meek’s production techniques, alongside an ability to throw together seemingly disparate styles. Filled with sirens, bells, and surf guitar, their second single — April 2010’s “Wor” — sounded like the Ventures jamming with Hot Chip. While friend and Glaswegian video artist Cara Tolmie provided vocals and cello on the equally playful flip, “Skies Over Cairo,” Grace designed the minimalist artwork that housed this inventive material. ~ James Wilkinson, Rovi
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