The Presets @ Sin-e 4/1/06

Last week saw me in high gear -- stellastarr*, The Magic Numbers, Editors, and The Flaming Lips – and the most fun I had at a show—aside from the over the top shenanigans of those loveable Lips—was with The Presets at Sin-e.  And to think, if not for a friend’s text at 10:50 pm, I’d have slept right through it! (Not to mention my encounter with the estimable Zinner and White.)

MP3 Masala: The Presets - "Are You The One?"
MP3 Masala: The Presets - "Girl and The Sea"

The Presets are Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes.  This Australian duo manufactures dark, danceable electronica with personality and presence, adeptly synthesizing the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Pet Shop Boys, with a touch of their own blend.  For a synth-and-sample heavy band, The Presets break the mold by being a must-see live act: you’re not just going to hear some blips, bleeps and grooves spat back to you by white boys with faces buried in machines.  Ney, you’re going to watch Kim Moyes pulse behind his kit as he pulverizes beats.  You’re going to watch Julian’s camera-ready face and dramatic mannerisms interpret and reflect the bizarre movements of his synth-melodies.  And, of course, you’re going to dance.

“Are You The One?” may be a career building cut. A perfect blend of melodic hook, sinister sample and industrial edge, this song lifted the crowd – and the evidently road weary band, playing the last night of an extended foreign tour – to a place of arm pumping and hip gyrating fury.  I think I was standing on a bar stool at this point.  I’m pretty sure my camera became a glow stick.  I’m damn sure I was dancing. 

The band is signed to Modular Records, an Australian label (also the home for Wolfmother) with an office here in New York City.  For The Presets, this is a very good thing.  As Kim mentioned toward the end of the set, “New York, you’re just so much cooler than the rest of the world.  But you already knew that, didn’t you?”  Sure we did.  But it’s good that he does too, and it’s good that his label can push the word here. The Presets make cool fucking music for cool fucking people.  New York, Los Angeles, Chicago…these are the cities in which The Presets will rule.  And they will rule.

PRIOR PRESETS
SXSW: The Presets @ Factory People
SXSW: The Presets @ Eternal
The Presets / Hot Chip @ Bowery Ballroom

Comments

[mjrc]

Amrit, you are one cool fucking dude for turning us all on to The Presets!

[jonboy]

seriously dude, good call on this. they rock.

[Amrit]

Aww shucks kids, I'm glad you're taking a listen! mjrc, they're rad. Glad you enjoy.

[zrmbaqexhs]

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[Jaimee]

hello kim and julian i love ur music i have every one of ur cds and i love u