WRONGKONG

www.cravefest.com
Wrongkong is probably the most promising liaison between European club sounds and Canadian independent music that ever existed. It’s the story of five musicians who searched and found each other, on a mission to collectively conquer the world. Those who have already visited the Wrongkong Myspace page, can’t help but stop by www.myspace.com/wrongkong on a daily basis to have an ear full of the online tracks. The lucky few who already own their CD, keep it rotating repeatedly in their players. Those who have had the chance to witness their energetic live show, keep coming again, to experience their diverse merger of post-rock and electronic elements, in combination with enticing video sequences. The coming album release in September with American label Minty Fresh Records (home of the Cardigans, Waterboys, Beangrowers, Tahiti 80, and Prototypes) is a first International vital sign from Wrongkong. But let us roll out the unknown story of the five-person band from Calgary and Nuremburg, to start at the beginning.
Calgary, Canada, late Seventies: Cyrena was born. As a young girl, the now 29 year old wanted, without question, to be on stage. She put aside her dream of becoming a singer, to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. After completing her dance training at the Alberta Ballet School of Dance she had her first engagement as an aspirant with the Alberta Ballet. In 1999, her wish to be in the spotlight as a soloist brought her to Germany, where she spent four years dancing with Ballet Nuremburg. For the last two years she has tested and followed the waters independently, to have more time to reach her destined musical goal; a live band.
Nuremberg, sometime in 2004: the Strike Boys aka Tommy Yamaha and Martin Kaiser were working on songs for their next album. Their successfully released “grapefruit flavoured green tea time”, won them worldwide appearances stretching from China to America. Their desire for fresh and new musical flavors, to go beyond music trends, and to satisfy their followers’ callings, was once again at the top of their wish list for album three. This led them to Cyrena Dunbar, who they invited to their studio for some sessions. Aside from the vocals for both tracks “find my way“, and “outer space”, they ended up with more ideas, and new songs than expected. It didn’t take long before the obvious was clear to see. The trio’s collaboration had the potential to go much further than the a few jam sessions. Tommy and Martin quickly saw that an eccentric performer, born to be the front lady, was buried inside the seemingly shy blonde. They further realized that this was not only a case for regular studio recordings, it was the perfect opportunity for the development of a of a live band project.
Nuremburg, likewise in 2004: Markus Wurm (graphic designer by profession, and Tommy’s brother on the side), and his buddy, David Lodhi (trained jazz musician, who had hung up his guitar for that very reason), were irrespectively from one another at a concert from Klee. A few beers later, or perhaps during one of the two or three Gin and Tonics, it came out that Markus at one time was actually a drummer. When, why and how are other stories, yet with this new insight, they decided in any case, to please their passion for music with more than the regular record collection spinning gigs; this was a case for a live band.
Several months later: The circles close. The first meeting takes place, and the live project is discussed. Finally, Wrongkong is a band. Following several weeks of intensive rehearsals, the curtain falls for the first gig, and hundreds of eager audience members can hardly put what they are observing into words: Wrongkong immerses the world into beautiful and moving music, which expresses a perfect balance of charm, protest, and bittersweet pain. As lead singer, the otherwise quiet seeming Cyrena explodes, and masters a fascinating mix of rhapsodising longing, and exuberant energy, which ideally matches the bands suspenseful and dynamic structures. Wrongkong doesn’t follow worn out song structures, yet constantly surprises with tempo changes or refreshing electronic elements. Complete with self-made videos, sequenced to harmonize with every second of the show, a Wrongkong show is visually a truly unique experience. Gentle, catchy, and intoxicating, it is like a warm breeze after a vicious summer rainstorm (with hints of My Bloody Valentine, Lamb, Air, or Cassius).
The rest of the story is in no way less fetching than all that has led to this point. No matter where the band appears, it cooks up enthusiasm. Whether on the club stage, or at big festivals, one thing is sure: Wrongkong is a must see. The debut of the quintet in November with Minty Fresh Records (exclusively in the USA) is surely only a first accomplishment resulting from the unfolding of a long and lush story. The world is sure to hear and see more from Wrongkong.
|better| live in Hirsch 07
'wrongkong won best song with 'real boy' at cravefest: the danke song'
'real boy'
|catch up| live at bardentreffen 07
|the sunshine| live at bardentreffen 07shots by ludwigolah.de