The first time I saw So So Modern was in 2006. They were playing with a band called Shaky Hands (later to become Cut Off Your Hands) at a bar in Wellington called Imerst (later to become a gay nightclub). They played an amazing set, which amongst the yelling, handclaps and vocoders, included masses of props, giant dancing vegetables, and fake thousand dollar notes falling from the ceiling.
Two years later, the band has temporarily left Wellington, signed with Transgressive records in the UK (home to the likes of Foals, The Shins and The Young Knives), and can be found trekking the globe in support of a string of E.Ps and 7” singles. The band’s music has developed significantly since their formation, going from basic synth/rhythm arrangements on the very early EP0000 to more thoughtful compositions demonstrated on their Transgressive releases. “The new songs are the first to come out of a really intense period of travel, and shared experiences, of growing up and change” says So So’s Mark Leong. “We’re happy because it feels like we’re digging deeper than ever. The songs are very much us embodied in a moment, as a moment in a life-world-experience”.
The band have always dwelt on the importance of performance, and have been vocal in their belief that live shows are most effective way of emotively engaging with audiences. With this in mind, So So Modern shows often turn into collaborative artistic efforts. Examples of this include the aforementioned props and counterfeit currency. However the most obvious is the futuristic stage costumes that they often wear, made by Wellington designer and friend of the band, Sally Tran. A So So Modern show is more than just a drunken good time; it’s an experience. When asked what this experience may include, Mark seems wan to leave anything out. His eventual answer:“A(n):
• display of hospitality;
• encounter;
• challenge;
• invitation to engage;
• gift;
• an introversion and extroversion of energy;
• process of sound turned solid ;
• spatial and bodily experience.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWVZW5nWmUw]
By this stage it’s pretty clear that they’re a highly intelligent bunch of guys. However you get the feeling that the cult status they achieved in New Zealand before leaving to tour overseas was somewhat unexpected. The band initially released a limited run of EPs, entitled EP 0000 to EP0003. Each of these EPs consisted of two tracks, was limited to between 120 and 300 copies, and was intended to be given to the bands friends and sold at shows. However, in New Zealand’s small indie music community, the release of a new So So Modern EP quickly became akin to the release of a new Harry Potter book, and the EP’s sold quickly.
But international fans shouldn’t despair! The band are soon to release a new EP compilation album, consisting of the eight tracks from these four EPs, as well tracks from their ‘Friends and Fires’ series of 7” singles. In the meantime, So So Modern are currently on a tour around the U.K and Europe, which (if you’re lucky) you might be able to catch.
So So Modern - Myspace
So So Modern Homepage
-Nick.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Aaron // Jul 16, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I’m going to check this band out as soon as i have some time. I really like the picture of the animal masks, thats really cool.
2 meg // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Just saw them for the 3rd time here in Paris, France. They played yesterday and tonight, different setlists, again, an incredible experience! Don’t miss them! They sell an album on this tour:)
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