Psapp

Country of origin:

England

Type of music generally:

Evocative/eclectic, experimental, ectronic alternative pop

Status:

Most recent release, What Makes Us Glow (2013)

See also:

Psapp's site

Psapp's facebook page

Psapp's soundcloud page

Domino Records' page on Psapp

Wikipedia's entry on Psapp

Comparisons:

A little Young Marble Giants-ish or perhaps Pram-like. Broadcast?

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Psapp are a highly inventive duo with lovely, rich vocals and a playful sense of sound. Their sound is familiar yet unique and enchanting because of their singer's evocative, gorgeous voice and the unusual instrumentation. So delightfully quirky... (Neile)

Homemade quirky electronica, and cool, quirky female singing. The lyrics are wacky and remind me of Imogene Heap's... (ethereal_lad@livejournal.com)

Recommended first album:

Tiger, My Friend or The Only Thing I Ever Wanted

Recordings:

• Rear Moth (EP, 2004)
• The Way We Do It (as Team LG, 2005)
• Tiger, My Friend (2004)
• The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (2006)
• Hi ep (2006)
• Early Cats and Tracks, Vol. 1 (digital only compilation, 2006)
• The Camel's Back (2008)
• Early Cats and Tracks, Vol. 2 (digital only compilation, 2009)
• What Makes Us Glow (2013)

The Way We Do It

Release info:

2005—Kennington Recordings—KENCD1

Availability:

Hard to find

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Mr. L, Little G

Guest artists:

Mark Courtney—guitar (4)
The German—guitar (12)

Produced by:

Mastered by The German

Comments:

A lovely CD with lots of intriguing sounds. Perhaps a little more mellow and sad, a little less playful, than their later work as Psapp. Still, it's wonderful music, and I love "Little G"'s vocals and the wonderfully inventive sounds that build the songs. This probably has stronger hints of a Young Marble Giants influence than their later work. (Neile)

Tiger, My Friend

Release info:

2004—The Leaf Label (U.S.)—BAY 41CD

Availability:

Wide in U.S.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Carim Clasmann
Galia Durant

Guest artists:

Shawn Lee—drums (2)
Matt Wasser—beer can (11)
Splodge the cat—squeaks (6)

Comments:

A wonderful mix of songs, punctuated by wonderful noises and gorgeous vocals. I love this entire album, but my utter favourite trackis the lively and bountifully filled with fun noises song "About Fun"—it's one of the most delightful, fun tracks I've ever heard. "Leaving in Coffins" is beautiful and haunted. Really all of this is just lovely. Highly, highly recommended for fans of sound and gorgeous vocals. (Neile)

The Only Thing I Ever Wanted

Release info:

2006—Dominio Recording Co Ltd—DNO 095

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Carim Clasmann
Galia Durant

Guest artists:

Markus Liebetanz—drums (1, 7)
Ben Eshmade—French horn (3, 11)
Gwen Cheeseman—violin (3)
Masa and Fani—splashing bathwater (1)

Comments:

Another brilliant album, which begins with the crazily fun "Hi". I never tire of this—it's so inventive and delightful, and the vocals so gorgeous. And the lyrics are just as fun: "don't make me think before I speak / don't make me hold my horses." What are you waiting for? Go buy this. (Neile)

Hi ep (2006)

Release info:

2006—Dominio Recording Co Ltd—DNO 096

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant

Guest artists:

Markus Liebetanz—drums (1)

Comments:

This the single "hi" from The Only Thing I Ever Wanted, and 4 other tracks unique to this release. While not as essential as the album, they're nonetheless very good and recommended. (Neile)

The Camel's Back

Release info:

2008—Dominio Recording Co Ltd—WIGCD 228

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant

Guest artists:

Alessandro Antonio Palmitessa—saxophone (1, 7)
Bekah Nelson—strings (2)
The Elysium Quartett—string (2):
     Anna-Maria Smerd—violin
     Jana Mishenina—violin
     Gabrielle Kanchachian—viola
     Felicia Meric—cello
Chris Walmsley—additional percussion (8, 9)
Sean Lee—some noises (11)
Badger and Button—paw prints in between tracks

Comments:

I didn't think I liked this as much as Tiger, My Friend or The Only Thing I Ever Wanted when I got this—I didn't think it was possible becasue I love those so much. But this has really grown on me and I love it, too. Psapp is just as inventive, playful and delightful here as they've always been. Highly recommended. (Neile)

What Makes Us Glow

Release info:

2013—The State 51 Conspiracy

Availability:

U.K.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant

Guest artists:

Alessandro Palmitessa—saxophone (10)
Marbles, Wren—squeak and coo
Mealworms—rustle
Kombach cows—goran

Comments:

A new Psapp album, especially after such a long break, is a cause for celebration. This album is utterly delightful, and highly recommended. (Neile)

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