It was an unexpected turn of events that triggered the inspiration for Tanlines‘ second album, Highlights. The NYC-based dance pop duo had retreated to Eric Emm‘s childhood home in Pittsburgh to begin writing their new music. Emm and Jesse Cohen were settled in the basement, about to dive into writing when their computer suddenly exploded, due to a power blowout. It crackled, sparked, and was left a toasted mess, and there went an extensive collection of sounds and samples that would have been building blocks, up in smoke. It was time to resort to a (slightly) more old-fashioned way of writing, with drums, a guitar, and a laptop for recording. Perhaps this may be the obvious choice – the first choice – in other cases, but through this mishap Emm and Cohen rediscovered a more refreshing and simpler songwriting process allowing for a broader palette and emotional range in their songs.
Tanlines’ current tour includes a stop in Austin for a show tonight at Red 7, 611 E. 7th. Montreal-based musician, composer and visual artist Thomas Arsenault‘s project Mas Ysa shares the bill. Doors open at 9 p.m.
– Photography by Columbine Goldsmith.
