[Watch] Electric Guest - "This Head I Hold" (Video)

It's been a while since we've heard from Electric Guest. They released their fantastic debut album Mondo (I strongly recommend you check it out) over a year ago but have stayed relatively quiet since then. But, the duo are back with a new video, pairing the Danger Mouse-produced "This Head I Hold" with footage of passionate dancers in rural Russia. Watch the video below, and after the jump you can read the full story behind the video and the dancers.

When a small London film crew headed to Kostroma, a district of Russia located some 400 kilometres north-east of Moscow, to continue work on a documentary they were making about ethnic dance traditions across the country, their preconceptions were soon dashed. When they arrived in the small village of Karavaeva on the outskirts of the region, they discovered that the Karusel dance troupe were similar to what their research had suggested — packed with larger than life characters, the troupe’s performances and clothing remained true to their traditions which date back many centuries.

The crew spent the first day observing their varying styles of dance, most of which was accompanied by frenetic musical accompaniment from an accordion player. They were particularly interested in the Kazachok, an intensely physical dance characterised by repeated kicks of the leg set to a rapidly increasing tempo. They learned that the dancers’ choice of clothing denoted which dance they would perform, just as different clothing would distinguish one Scottish clan from another.

The next day, the director suggested that they could make Karusel’s first ever official Youtube video. Could they perform a Kazachokfor the rest of the world? “We want to do something a little different,” countered their leader Dmitry in surprisingly clear English, explaining that their dances were timeless, just as rock ‘n’ roll is. As Dmitry went to play some music, the film crew thought they might be about to spin some old Elvis, or perhaps some Buddy Holly or Bill Haley. They didn’t recognise the song. In fact, it sounded far more contemporary than they had anticipated. What was it?

Dmitry beckoned over Anatoly, who he introduced as one of the troupe’s youngest dancers and the village’s computer expert. As Dmitry and Anatoly conversed in Russian, the crew could just about make out a few of the teenagers words: “Electric Guest” and “This Head I Hold.” The film crew didn’t recognise either name. Dmitry’s translation stated that Anatoly had somehow discovered the song and downloaded it via the village’s one agonisingly slow dial-up connection. ‘This Head I Hold’ had since become a favourite of the entire troupe.

The film crew spent the afternoon filming the troupe rehearsing and eventually performing the song. What they observed was a visual feast: in a demonstration of bravado, the men puffed out their chests, threw their bodies at each other and competitively delivered a deafening amount of wolf-whistling. The ladies pulled in the local children to join the dance, and together they weaved through each other’s arms as the dance gathered momentum. It really demonstrated how vital dance was to maintaining and upholding the spirit of the community.

The crew departed with heavy heads the following morning after a session on the samogon, the villagers’ own home-made equivalent to moonshine. Arriving back home in London a week later after completing their journey via some other small Russian towns, the crew were already eager to reminisce on the strangest moment of the journey. They edited together this short film to celebrate the spirit of a society united by the sheer joy of dance. Work on the full documentary continues…

[Watch] Electric Guest Perform "The Bait" on Conan

Los Angeles band Electric Guest paid a visit to late night television's king of awkward, Conan O'Brien, where they performed their song "The Bait". Check out their live rendition of the track above.

Electric Guest's debut album Mondo is out now.

[Outside Lands 2012 x Interview] Electric Guest

Photo by Samuel Boardman Parker

One would assume that a festival taking place in the middle of one of America's largest cities would feel crowded, unnatural or weighed down by the looming presence of San Francisco itself or those that dwell within it. And this is where I say, one would assume wrong. Outside Lands Festival is an insane experience. That's just it. It's one strange story or crazy experience after the other, and with the festival grounds being surrounded by beautiful greenery and natural isolation, Golden Gate Park makes for a dream setting. The isolation alone gives the festival an incredible feel, as you can bask in the wonders of live music amidst walls of towering trees and odd yet charming people from all walks of life. It truly is amazing.

It was this natural setting and captivating environment that made my interview with Los Angeles band Electric Guest so enjoyable. In the early afternoon on the last day of the festival, I met up with Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton in the designated media area, at which point I opted for some place else, a more secluded location, to have the interview. They promptly agreed. Finding our way out of the media area, we settled up in the winding branches of a nearby tree to chat about all things Electric Guest, from their quick leap into the public eye to recording their debut LP Mondo with Dangermouse. Asa even complimented me on my jacket prior to our interview. Well, to be fair, it's technically not my jacket, but that's beside the point. Hear what Asa, Matthew, and I had to say in the player below.

[Watch] Electric Guest - "Ritual Union" (Little Dragon Cover)

Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton better know as the band Electric Guest head down under and pay a visit to the Triple J studios for this week's Like A Version to cover Little Dragon's title track of their latest album, Ritual Union. Check out the guys absolutely killing this cover in the video above and if you haven't picked up their Danger Mouse produced debut album Mondo, we highly suggest you do that as well.

[Watch] Electric Guest - "This Head I Hold" (Video)

Today marks the release of Electric Guest's debut full length, Mondo, out courtesy of Downtown Records. Yesterday MTV premiered the video for their single, "This Head I Hold", which was directed by Keith Schofield and features lead singer Asa Taccone in a rather random chain of events while at a dance audition. It's hard to say if the dramatic sequence spliced in after his apparent stage fright is supposed to be a dream or reality, but we'll leave that for you to decide.

Next week on May 4th the band will make their network TV debut on The Late Show With David Letterman, performing the above single. The band is also currently on the second half of their tour and have just recently confirmed sets at summer fests like Sasquatch and Outside Lands. You can check out their remaining dates below.
 
If you have not heard and subsequently picked up Mondo yet, make sure that you do so. It's becoming one of our favorites of the year so far.
 
Electric Guest North American Tour Dates
04/25/12 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
04/26/12 - Lawrence, KS  - Granada Theatre
04/27/12 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
04/29/12 - Toronto, ON - Underground at The Drake
04/30/12 - Montreal, QC - Il Monotore
05/01/12 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
05/02/12 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
05/04/12 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
05/05/12 - Washington, DC - Rock N Roll Hotel
05/07/12 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
05/08/12 - Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's
05/09/12 - Houston, TX - Fitzgeralds
05/10/12 - Austin, TX - The Parish
05/25/12-05/28/12 - George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
05/27/12 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios

[Listen] Electric Guest - "Jenny" x Daytrotter Session

The end of April/beginning of may is going to be a wonderful time for fans of super producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton with the upcoming release of Norah Jones' Little Broken Hearts on May 1st and the debut album Mondo by Electric Guest dropping April 24th, both produced by Burton. Fans of Danger Mouse's work, especially his band Broken Bells formed alongside The Shins' James Mercer, will love the Los Angeles duo Electric Guest (Asa Taccone, Matthew Compton) and their recently released self titled EP.

The EP features the band's standout singles from their upcoming debut album Mondo ("This Head I Hold", "Troubleman" and "American Daydream") and also features a new track titled "Jenny" which you can stream below. The EP is available to pick up now iTunes. If you haven't got enough of the Electric Guest goodness, head over to Daytrotter.com to listen/download the group's live session which features 3 new songs "Amber", the KCRW loved track "The Bait" and "Holes" from the upcoming album as well as a live version of "This Head I Hold". Now sit back and enjoy some good music and pick this up when it drops next month.

[Watch] Electric Guest - "American Daydream" (Official Video)

Last week Electric Guest announced some very interesting news; They're to release their Danger Mouse produced debut Mondo on April 24th via Downtown Records. Now the group has offered up the official video for their track, "American Daydream" via MTV2. Entertain yourselves with the video up at the top of the page.

[News] Electric Guest Announce Danger Mouse Produced Debut; 'Mondo'

We just posted a great sounding and looking video for a Danger Mouse project, but by now we know he's a man that likes to keep busy and he's got his very skilled hands on the production side of the debut album from a band we're very much liking in the SKoA camp, Electric Guest. Today the announcement that DM will be producing their album which is called Mondo and it'll hit stores on April 24th via Downtown Records. 

Peep the lead single below and go watch the official over here and if you want to catch them on the live circuit see the dates after the jump.

This Head I Hold by ElectricGuest

Electric Guest Tour Dates:

3/10 -The Green Room – Flagstaff, AZ
3/11- Santa Fe Sol, Santa Fe, NM
3/13-Club Dada- Dallas, TX
3/14-3/17-Austin, SXSW
3/19-The Lowbrow Palace-El Paso, TX
3/20-Club Congress-Tucson, AZ
3/21-Sail Inn-Phoenix, AZ