By: John Matthew Simon
For most young artists it can be difficult to define one’s self through the sonic imagery or mellifluous poetics of a debut LP. Santah has done so… White Noise Bed is a torrent blitz of awesomeness. And the warmth that this record exudes is perfect for a winter of cold woes and springtime wants. The record sets forth a path of kicked up dust that leaves the audience covetous, in search of more. They have the uncanny ability to paint their soundscape within an umbrella of nuanced influences. Which now a days most bands get lost or shrouded in their “supposed” emulation. Santah has the wherewithal to just be and let be. This could be because of their strong bond and cohesiveness, which stems from their formation while attending the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Within a short span of time, after recording White Noise Bed, they signed to the ever-expanding DIY label No Sleep Records. With label mates like Aficionado, La Dispute, Tigers Jaw, Into it. Over it., The Wonder Years, and so much more… (The next Fueled By Ramen? I think so!) It is not hard to see this band getting huge, and soon. The band was kind enough to take time out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions before their show tonight at Lincoln Hall. They will be opening for two other incredible Chicago bands, Dastardly & Brighton, MA. So make sure to get out and support Local – Chicago music!
DO312 - Can you give me a little background about the band… such as how you started, whether or not this incarnation of the band is the same as the original, where the name Santah comes from, and maybe some fun facts about the band to date?
Santah – The band started while we were going to college in Champaign-Urbana, IL. We went through a few transitions as most collegiate(s) do, trying to forget our freshman year, etc., but solidified into our current lineup. Vivian, harmonies and guitar was added later, but was always in the wing, being Stan’s sister. We used to be called “Santa”, but after recording our first record we felt like we sort of came of age and we wanted to distinguish ourselves. “Santah” with an H seems much more open; it’s non-denominational. Fun fact is that we bought a van, which we named Hap Anthony Parker and we love him. We hope he lives forever.
DO312 - What has changed, if anything, since you moved from Urbana to Chicago?
Santah – We practice a lot less in Chicago, mostly because we are on tour much more than we ever were while living in Urbana. There is something to be said about a nice big wooden Urbana home where the neighbors are gracious enough to let a band practice until 10pm or later every night.
DO312 - Your sound has been described as everything from leaning towards Vampire Weekend to Wilco to The Walkmen and so forth… What was the aim or intent of White Noise Bed in terms of influence, construct, and self-assessment after the fact? Did you guys get what you wanted out of the recording process? Explain.
Santah - We definitely got what we wanted out of the process, but I’m not sure we knew exactly what we wanted. Recording White Noise Bed was largely a discovery process. Stan–the singer–had a group of songs that seem to inform each other and work well together and from there we flushed them out as we deemed fit. We love all of the bands mentioned, and it’s impossible to divorce yourself from your influences. However, ultimately we’re just being ourselves in the studio. Rather we were trying to figure out who we were/are.
DO312 - Was the album done prior to signing to No Sleep Records or after? And how has that experience been thus far? Is there more pressure? Does it make touring easier or what?
Santah – We finished up the album about a year before we signed with No Sleep Records. It was pretty lucky that we could celebrate two record releases, one for our intimate friends and another for the whole country. To have something we worked so hard on release nationally is a special feeling too; the vinyl looks incredible. Although it is awesome to be on a cool independent label, it doesn’t feel too different, except the big shows are bigger. We’re still a band that’s making music, playing shows, and touring.
DO312 – For me when I listen to your record I hear similarities, tonally, to an incredible band from Los Angeles, Foreign Born. With that being said what’s the story behind the title track “White Noise Bed”? What is the song about? Where did it stem from? And why did you decide upon that as the album title?
Santah – “White Noise Bed” is a metaphor for the ocean in which everyone must swim. Most of the rest of the record rings with heartbreak, telling the tale of growing up and breaking up and growing up again, but this song is a sort of reminder that everybody has to deal with that, which is ultimately a beautiful thing. Sometimes the shared human condition seems like the closest thing to heaven we can know. The title itself evokes that imagery, something being pristine, shimmery, but incalculable and hazy. We’re all living on. We’re all dealing with it.
DO312 – “Cold Wave” is imaginably incandescent… Can you speak about the influences and lyrical significance of the song?
Santah - The lyrics of “Cold Wave” are emotionally extreme. It’s trying to reconcile a mistake (darkness, desperation, anger) with the some sort of resounding optimism (light, seasonal renewal, forgiveness), which informs the tidal, seasonal, and circular imagery and structure. Everything must pass or whatever. The poles are sort of summarized by the chorus. “Dark night dark…” versus’ “…sparks bright sparks”
DO312 - What were your favorite albums and/or favorite songs of 2011?
Santah – Here’s an easy list we compiled!
- Destroyer – Kaputt
- Battles – Glass Drop
- Woods – Sun and Shade
- Radiohead – King of Limbs
- Pure X – Pleasure
- Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
- War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
- Feist – Metals OR Wilco – The Whole Love
- Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
- Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien
DO312 - Since moving back to Chicago, what has been your favorite show (local) that you have played? And seen? And why?
Santah - Schubas last year around Christmas time. We sold it out, everyone came, everyone supported. It was breathtaking. As for our favorite shows since moving back, Delta Spirit with Reptar at Lincoln Hall because of the amazing energy that both of the bands brought. Or War On Drugs at Lincoln Hall – it felt like a rock and roll history lesson, but in a totally fresh way.
DO312 – What’s the best part about Chicago winters and why? Worst, other than the cold?
Santah – Best Part; you get to hole up and write music. Worst part; you never take off your sweatpants… i.e. you wear sweatpants a whole lot.
DO312 - Were you guys here when the blizzard hit in February of this year… if so, any funny or amusing stories to tell?
Santah - We were fine; we just stayed inside.
DO312 – And lastly what are your favorite things to eat when stuck at home in a blizzard or on any given winter evening?
Santah - We’re totally into fermented drinks of all assortments–kefir, kombucha, wine, and beer. Balance it all out with crackers and cheese.
Make sure to catch them tonight at Lincoln Hall with Brighton, MA & Dastardly, for what is surely going to be an incredible show!!!
Santah – No Other Women
The 
A Melodious Journey: Gemini Club
By: John Matthew Simon
In an era of instant gratification via streaming information it is always enlivening to come across an assortment such as Gemini Club. This electronic trio is enamored with the infinite potential of the electronic dance music genre they call home. They are not seeking an esthetically popular buzzed and fuzzed out shell to have individuals fixate upon. No streamlining for pop-cultures sake. In fact they welcome the challenge to weave through and rise above the current electronic spectrum. And they are proudly doing so. Gemini Club is building upon the great tradition of dance-punk/live-electronica acts such as The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Art Vs. Science, Cut Copy, and Holy Ghost! to name a few. The band is set to release a new EP in April, which will see the group garner much attention. And warranted attention it is. We were fortunate enough to catch the trio before they hit the stage tonight at the six-corner staple Double Door. They were kind enough to answer our questions about their music, winter in the city, and so much more… Make sure to head out to Double Door tonight to catch them in their first show since North Coast Music Festival. With Gemini Club headlining a bill that includes the men behind REHAB – Team Bayside High, Tech in Motion IV, GhostHouse, and Boustros… It’s sure to be a memorable night, one that will temporarily warm our hearts, our hips, and hopefully the outside. Because we all need an escape from this subzero scape.
DO312 - First things first, why the name Gemini Club… Is the title astrologically sound?
Gemini Club – The name Gemini Club doesn’t really have any meaning, although, the Gemini space missions have particularly amazing photos…
DO312 - You guys have a uniquely Chicago electronica sound, what drove you three to create and perform such a veracious dance sound? Who influenced you?
GC – Thanks! We look at electronic music as a genre nearly limitless considering sounds, and that drew us in. That being said, I feel we’re filling a certain void beyond traditional rock band–guitars, bass, vocals, and drums–by beginning and ending with computers and customized setups. Expanding the perceptions and possibilities of what is considered electronic is what drives us. Some consider the computer as a crutch, but in our case it is, BY FAR, the most risky piece of gear we use live.
We’re varied in our personal tastes, but surely LCD Soundsystem had an impact on all three of us. But then again, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like them… James Murphy is a hero.
DO312 - What’s different about the new EP? Is there a new direction? Or have you better honed your sound & style? Explain.
GC – Again, I think we’re conflating the notions and practices of traditional bands and purely electronic bands and the new EP reflects. For example, we spent a lot of time at (the) Chicago Recording Company–in the same studio Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness was a recorded–tracking live drum. Then we chopped them and implemented them the same way any electronic artist would. The difference is, we’re not going to a bank available to the world to get clips; we’re making our own.
DO312 - Seeing that Dub-Step has become the pop-rage of Electronic Dance Music, was there a temptation to incorporate the fuzz, buzz, or saw of that form of EDM? Or were you internally driven to stay away from that format?
GC - Dub-Step’s ability to turn normal, half-drunk human beings into thrashing, brain-bouncing maniacs is admirable, but we don’t necessarily see fuzzing, buzzing and sawing textures to be specific to the genre. In fact, a lot of our work utilizes such textures, but in a subtle way. Dub-Step is like that pop from the 90s, shit, what was it called? Surge! Yes! Dub-Step is the musical equivalent, where a few sips forces you to jabber in broken English and hit your best friends for no reason. Kids happily slug it down with gusto. Our buddies Midnight Conspiracy and Cenob1te are, in my opinion, some of the best examples and they effortlessly whip crowds into frenzies. Its nuts and we love it.
DO312 - With the release of your new record in February are there any big plans in the works such as a trip to SXSW or Winter Music Conference?
GC - This will be our third SXSW and our second as official artists, which is great. There is a carnival atmosphere in Austin, and we traditionally stay with the sweetest, most generous and lovely women in the world Ashley Garmon. She’s also one of the best photographers in the world.
DO312 - You guys are admired and cherished for your remixes… Any big remix releases in the works? Care to share?
GC – Awwwww. Dan does all of our remixes and we can happily report he will be giving birth to a Housse de Racket remix this year!
DO312 - Seeing that you guys are on the production side as well as the performing side, who do you think is going to be a break out artist in 2012? Explain.
GC – I’ve always liked Theophilous London. He’s probably broken out, though. Hmmm, on a national scale? I really enjoy Youth Lagoon as well. That kid is great.
DO312 - I have to ask some Chicago questions: Who is your favorite Chicago Artist of all time?
GC – Without question: Sam Cooke.
DO312 - What is your favorite part about Chicago winters?
GC - Being able to wear my Yuketen Boots. Also, blizzards.
Make sure to catch Gemini Club tonight at Double Door!!!
Gemini Club – Future Tidings
Hey Champ! Remix by Gemini Club