大象传媒

Animal Collective

Animals have always had an affinity with music, but lately there seems to be a lot of animal activity going down. Think about it: there's Damon Albarn's Gorillaz project, Super Furry Animals, Mice Parade, Part Chimp, Cat Power, Mercury Prize nominees Polar Bear - and just last week Arctic Monkeys hit the Number One spot.

Not wanting to disappoint this week on OneMusic we bring you Animal Collective in session.

So who are Animal Collective? Introducing Brian 'Geologist' Weitz and Dave 'Avey Tare' on vocals, Josh 'Deakin' Dibb on guitar/vocals and Brian 'Panda Bear' Lennox on samplers/vocals.

Animal Collective are based in New York. Their musical approach been described as one that runs amok through the emotions - by turn melancholic, hypnotic, caustic, woozy, introspective, and just plain achingly, heart-breakingly beautiful.

The origins of the Collective can be traced back to core members Avey Tare and Panda Bear, who came together in 2000 with the intention of creating an intensely intricate sonic experience, combining electronics and traditional instruments. Shortly after Deakin and Brian Geologist joined the fold - and Animal Collective was born.

Essentially they play together under different names and different configurations from one to four people (last year's acclaimed Sung Tongs album - focused primarily around Panda Bear and Avey Tare).

Currently signed to Fat Cat records (home to Sigor Ros, The Mutts and Mice Parade), they've just released their seventh album Feels - a powerful melodic work of looped rhythms, swirling piano, electronic textures, vocal harmonies, tones and drones.

Known for interesting collaborations - their Prospect Hummer EP, released earlier this year, featured folk legend Vashti Bunyan.

Feels features a violinst whose previously worked with Mr Bungle and avant-garde jazz musician John Zorn as well as a member of Icelandic trio Mum.

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