Germany's Digitalism Crafts Dissonant Audiovisual Tapestries

By Tamara Palmer

published: April 02, 2008

  • Lado Alexi
    Digitalism.
    Digitalism.

Subject(s):

Kush Arora by Tamara Palmer, Groove Armada by Tamara Palmer, Digitalism by Tamara Palmer
In just three short years, Hamburg's Digitalism (Jens Moelle and Ismail Tüfekçi) has managed to stand out from the pack not only for its music, but also for its visual presentation — which, like the duo's songs, credibly combines disparate styles. The raw, indie-rock sound of "Pogo" is paired with an appropriately stark stop-motion video, while the French disco feel of "Zdarlight" is presented in a multicolored cosmic wonderland. Digitalism plays live at "Robot Rock" with labelmates Guns N Bombs and local DJs Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac on Wednesday, April 2, at Mezzanine at 10 p.m. Admission is $15; call 625-8880 or visit www.mezzaninesf.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer

Last fall, Kush Arora released his second album, From Brooklyn to SF, a collection that references an even larger geographic area than its title suggests. A favorite guest at local worldwise club nights like Surya Dub, Arora's dark beats and basslines are an exciting hybrid of dancehall, bhangra, dubstep, and electro, a far-from-usual chameleon blend that provides a cozy instrumental bed for his guest MCs. Kush Arora performs live on Thursday, April 3, at Bottom of the Hill at 9 p.m. Admission is $8; call 621-4455 or visit www.bottomofthehill.com for more info. — T.P.

London's Groove Armada recently released 10-Year Story, a double-length retrospective of the group's cheeky and catchy highlights, including its signature tune "I See You Baby." The collection demonstrates that members Tom Findlay and Andy Cato are equally adept at crafting barnstorming club anthems and making chilled lounge ditties. The duo's show here shares a bill with fellow Londoner Damian Lazarus, DJ, producer, and proprietor of Crosstown Rebels, a label that skirts the edges of house, techno, and rock with artists like Blackstrobe, Pier Bucci, and Jahcoozi. Lazarus and the boys of Groove Armada will spin tunes on Friday, April 4, at Mezzanine at 10 p.m. Admission is $32.50; call 625-8880 or visit www.mezzaninesf.com for more info. — T.P.