A “Keep Shelly in Athens Remix” – German premiere!

I am more then thrilled to present on our KALTBLUT page the premiere of Reptile Youth´s Black Swan Born White ”Keep Shelly in Athens Remix”! The duo from Denmark is one of the most discussed music acts these days. The self-titled album Reptile Youth will be out 24th September 2012!

I had the pleasure to have an interview with Esben Valløe and Mads Damsgaard Kristiansen! we had a chat about the video, the upcoming album, famous producers like Dave M. Allen ( Who produced The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Human League) , Tourdates and more! Welcome Reptile Youth!

Following the war cry of their first single “Speeddance”, Reptile Youth return with their second single for hfn music. “Black Swan Born White” sees the Youth expand their sound towards a grandiose post-punk pop. Already a live favourite at their increasingly intense gigs, Mads Damsgaard Kristiansen’ vocals soar above the funk-driven robo-rhythm, while an instantly addictive melody references their new-wave roots. While the original version appears on their upcoming debut album “Reptile Youth“ the remixes for “Black Swan Born White” spread over a 12“, a limited 7“ and a digital release. The videos for the original version and the S.C.U.M remix have already been released and here follows the third video for the remix crafted by new Greek hipsters Keep Shelly In Athens which adds a more relaxed atmosphere to the package with their moony, glistening sounds.

Reptile Youth: Black Swan Born White (Keep Shelly in Athens Remix)

Keep Shelly In Athens are gaining rapid attention in the indie scene due to their Coachella and New York shows and raving reviews across the board from Pitchfork to Dazed & Confused and many more. In their remix for “Black Swan Born White” the sympathetic young trio picks perfectly up on their aery and floating, but yet dramatic sound which you can find on their new EP “Our Own Dream”. In a similar vein comes the new video by director Rita Lino who is currently based in Portugal. Other then in the previous videos for “Black Swan Born White” Rita finds a different interpretation of the song – and so does Keep Shelly in Athens – a perfect match.

Directed & edited by Rita Lino (editorial.ritalino.com)
Model: Rita Lino
Camara: Rita Lino, Pedro Maia
Post-Production: Studio RGB/XYZ (rgbxyz.net)
Shot in Porto and Barcelona, 2012

Single: Reptile Youth: Black Swan Born White released on 7″, 12″, digital
Album: Reptile Youth: Reptile Youth 24th September 2012

Reptile Youth – The interview

KALTBLUT: Today we are celebrating the German premiere of your video “Black Swan Born White” remixed by the amazing ‘Keep Shelly In Athens”. Could you tell us how you and Keep Shelly in Athen came together?

Reptile Youth: We have been fans of Keep Shelly In Athens since their fantastic ‘Our Own Dream’ Ep came out. We thought they would be a interesting match for ‘Black Swan Born White and where so happy that they thought the same. We are so happy for the remix and the amazing and very personal video Rita Lino has done for it.

KALTBLUT: What is the meaning of the song? Where did you write and produce this great track?

Reptile Youth: Most of the song was written by a lake in Copenhagen while Mads was depressed by love. The song was recorded in London with Dave and Mark and it was the first track we recorded for the album. The song is about how your world can change in an instant; it’s about depression and how you have a feeling that only one certain thing can safe you from it. The girl in the song did not save me (Mads) – but something did.

Speeddance

It felt just right.

KALTBLUT: Your first album is on his way and will be released in September 2012. For your debut you’ve worked with producers like Dave M. Allen ( Who produced The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Human League) & Mark Ralph ( Who produced Hot Chip ). How does it feel’s to work with such legend of the music industry?

Reptile Youth: It felt just right. The combination of Dave and Mark worked well for us. Dave was the chaos and the intuition and Mark the control and the heart. We owe Make and Dave a lot of love for this record.

KALTBLUT: Can you tell us something about the album? How many songs? The spirit? And which song is your personal favorite?

Reptile Youth: It’s a 10 track album. I truly reflect’s the exploration we have been going through making this album. It’s a honest album that contains all our love and anger, all our passion and anxiety – and all our doubt. We think it shins through in good and bad. It’s a love hate relationship will almost every song on the album. It’s like having sex with someone you want to kill. Black Swan Born White is a favorite to us in so many ways.

It’s a honest album

KALTBLUT: Are there any concerts coming up to support the upcoming album? And if so, will you come to Germany also?

Reptile Youth: We actually just played at Fusion and Melt Festival. We will also play Appletree Garden Festival and a few more festivals during summer. In fall we come back and play around 10 shows in Germany. This will actually be announced tonight. We are really excited for this!

KALTBLUT: Do you know any artist from Germany? Is there any you would like to work with one day?

Reptile Youth: Neu is one of the best things that happened to this world. We also really like Terranova who also did a great remix of Black Swan Born White.

it’s all in your head

KALTBLUT: You are from Denmark. And as we all know music from Scandinavia is always very creative and powerful. Do you have an explanation why music from the North of Europe is one of the best in the world?

Reptile Youth: Maybe because the difference between summer and winter is bigger here. Maybe because our grandfathers played a different drum. Maybe there is no difference and it’s all in your head.

KALTBLUT: Thank you very much for the interview and good luck with the album. We, at KALTBLUT Magazine can not wait any longer to hear it. Marcel

Tour dates

27.07.12 Germany, Appeltree Garden Festival
10.08.12 Denmark, Skanderborg Festival
11.08.12 Norway, Oslo, Øya Festival
18.08.12 Sweden, Stockholm, Kulturfestivalen
24.08.12 Germany, Obstwiesenfestival
25.08.12 Germany, Boot Boo Hook Festival
30.08.12 Denmark, Aarhus, Voxhall
31.08.12 Denmark, Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
05.09.12 Denmark, Copenhagen, Privat
20.09.12 Germany, Flensburg, Volksbad
21.09.12 Germany, Hamburg, Reeperbahn Festival
22.09.12 Germany, Berlin Independent Night
24.10.12 Switzerland, Lausanne, Les Docks
to be continued ...