Gemini Club, an indie electronica trio hailing from the urban depths of Chicago, released its second EP titled “Here We Sit” on April 17.
Gemini Club is comprised of Tom Gavin on vocals and synthesizers, Daniel Brunelle on bass/synthesizers/guitar and Gordon Bramli on programming.
On the album, Gemini Club transitions from electronica music accompanied by traditional musical instruments to traditional instruments so delightfully supplemented with electronic melodies. This release, unquestionably, matches Gemini Club’s stage energy with its upbeat and toe-tapping tracks such as “Sparklers” and “By Surprise”.
The EP invokes a variety of emotions whilst keeping the overall feel upbeat. “Candles” concludes powerfully with reverberating choral harmonies reminiscent of chillwave artists, Washed Out and Toro Y Moi. The resulting effect is uplifting and soothing and contrasts with the four-on-the-floor dance beats of “Sparklers”.
The band makes brilliant use of music software called Ableton Live, which can be used during performances for tasks such as on-the-fly mixing, remixing, and modulation. The use of digital music tools ranges from subtle and clever implementation to straightforward usage. All of the band’s instruments go through a laptop before it is played through live speakers.
For example, Brunelle is able to digitally change the key of his bass guitar during live performances through use of portable touchscreen devices connected wirelessly to Ableton Live.
In contrast, Bramli uses an Akai APC-40 MIDI controller, so think of the controller that the YouTube sensation Madeon used for his live mashup, “Pop Culture”, but on musical steroids.
Its use can be heard during the vocal interlude for “By Surprise”; a verse in the song is created entirely through activating and stuttering vocal samples.
This extended preview characterizes Gemini Club’s catchy and distinguished fusion of electronica and indie rock. “Here We Sit” can be downloaded for $5 from the band’s website, geminiclub.fm or on iTunes.