One of our favorite new acts, The Golden Filter, is about to play eight highly anticipated sets at the SXSW festival before going on tour with The Presets.
“We love secrets,” the mysterious New York-based duo of Stephen (production/synths) and Penelope (vocals) recently told Dummy Mag. (The Golden Filter’s first single, “Solid Gold,” is the first release from Dummy’s new label.)
The duo was explaining their decision to keep their faces and identities hidden. “Everything is so in your face online that it seemed nice to pull back and let people use their imaginations a bit. It’s more fun for us and perhaps more enigmatic to others.”
Mystical elements also permeate The Golden Filter’s disco-influenced synth-heavy music and even their photography. (Don’t miss their engaging photo blog, which they update frequently.)
Our exclusive interview is below after this new music video for “Solid Gold.”
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The Golden Filter - Solid Gold [MP3]
Exclusive Interview: The Golden Filter
It makes sense to discuss The Golden Filter not only as a success in terms of the great music the band has created in its short career, but also a success in Web media and promotion. With that idea, we began our first question.
TheMusic.FM: You made your debut by sending a particularly undeniable track, “Solid Gold,” to a couple of music blogs last summer for them to share with their readers. Your music spread quickly. For example, you soon had a track posted on NME.com and were praised and played by some well-known DJs. Now, you’re about to play for large crowds supporting The Presets.
Please tell us about your choice to start with the music blogs and how you developed to the stronger position you’re in now. Are either or both of you particularly adept in the Web-music landscape?
The Golden Filter: We’re aware of blogs and their importance. We weren’t thinking in marketing terms or anything when we initially sent “Solid Gold” out to only two blogs. All we thought we’d get out of it was one or two blog posts. We knew we liked the song, but it didn’t occur to us that it was “undeniable” or anything. Looking back, it was definitely a lovely way to go about it all. But really it was just the two of us giving a song away because we were excited at the thought of people hearing it.
How do you think the definition of pop or mainstream music is being redefined by the new Web music landscape?
It’s hard to really tell whether it really is being redefined at all. Maybe things move faster and there is more access to everything. We aren’t sure if pop is being “redefined” as much as just more diverse at any one time.
What is your relationship with disco? Do you just enjoy the music style? Are you trying to pay tribute to it? Redefine it?
We do enjoy disco. We are just making music with all kinds of influences and we’ve been placed in the category of “disco.”
Are you still independent, despite the recent release on the DUMMY label?
Yes we are still independent.
How did you come to work with them and be part of their new label’s first release (after they were previously just a music magazine)?
They approached us and we eventually decided that it felt like the best match. We liked the idea of being part of a visually based entity.
Are both of you photographers? Has the ability to reveal only what you wish in photography (or your style in photography, otherwise) influenced your use of mystique and other elements in your musical work?
We both met via our mutual love of photography. Both of us would have pursued photography if we weren’t doing music. It was definitely something we wanted to add to the music and allow the images to help inspire the listeners.
How do you want your audience members to feel or be affected when they listen to your music?
It’s a personal thing. The listener should have their own experience.
How was making your US debut at the site of the legendary Village Gate — now Le Poisson Rouge in New York?
Sadly we must confess that we didn’t realize this at the time as we were a tad busy getting ready, but now in hindsight it’s pretty cool, yeah?
How would you describe your experience touring and playing live thus far as The Golden Filter? Any stand-out shows or surprises? How are the crowds?
We really haven’t had too many shows to date, but we are about to make up for that by being ridiculously busy in the next two months. We did however have a couple of great shows in Glasgow and London where the crowds were great.
What equipment does Stephen use on stage?
It changes from show to show depending on if we have to fly there or drive there, but usually it’s a mix of analog and digital synths and effects.
For your upcoming shows, will you be touring with the same drummer as you have previously? What can you tell us about your drummer?
Same drummer indeed! Her name is Lisa and she is a love!
What is the current status and the plan for your upcoming album? Any dates?
The album is nearly done. No release dates to give you right now. Hopefully this year.
Thanks for taking the time to communicate with us and our readers. We look forward to seeing you when you tour with The Presets and we wish you the best.
Thanks!
Be sure to hear two great new tracks — “Favourite Things”* and “Hide Me” — at The Golden Filter’s Myspace page and view our coverage of the band’s live U.S. debut at Le Poisson Rouge in New York.
