Do you believe in love at first sound?

Several months ago, I stumbled across a band that was starting to receive recognition from the electro-indie-pop music scene, Phantogram. Hailing from Saratoga Springs, NY, Phantogram consists only of two members; keyboardist Sarah Barthel and guitarist Josh Carter. However, I wouldn't let their seemingly modest presence fool you, for their sound is often as full as a 6-piece revival band.

Originally forming in 2007 under the name of Charlie Everywhere, the pair began to receive notice in their hometown and signed to a local record label. After a successful year of performing around upstate New York, in January 2009, the duo moved on to sign with BBE, changed their name (for legal reasons) and released their first major label EP in May of 2009. Phantogram spent the next few months opening for the likes of Ra Ra Riot, Yeasayer and Minus the Bear, as well as performing at SXSW music festival. Just 6 months after their EP released, they were signed with Barsuk Records (Death Cab for Cutie, John Vanderslice) which released their first full length album, Eyelid Movies, in February 2010.

Barthel has said of their sound, "We wanted to incorporate all our own influences and created our own sound that's a combination of Serge Gainsbourg, sampling and Detroit hip-hop." "Phantogram's music can best be described as a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms."

Despite the variety of unique styles that Phantogram incorporates into each song, not to mention the fact that Barthel and Carter are both ridiculously shag-worthy, there is some sort of extra magic that is sprinkled across the top of this band that I can't quite put my finger on. One thing that is clear as day, however, is that Phantogram has a bright and shiny future ahead of them.

I present to you Phantogram's first music video from their debut LP, directed by Drew Norton :



- C.