Kantor Tzar Collectif - NEW!
You may recall us featuring the Kantor Tzar Collectif a while back, so when we were sent through a link to their latest EP, Liminal, I thought it only right we check things out to see what they’d been up to. This 5 track EP has been released as a very limited edition vinyl effect CD, complete with 2 badges and an individual hand number – meaning you’re getting something pretty damned special. Seeing as they’d put so much work into it, I figured I’d better check things out for myself!
Storza immediately takes us back to the bass driven undertones of the other stuff I’ve heard from them, offering up a mix designed to pull you in, sooth your soul and offer up deep and powerful beats to accompany your mental process. Dark and deep from the word go, this is a track which isn’t over the top, isn’t heavy, and instead, uses the power of simplicity to hammer home its message, resulting in something which is easy to listen to, accessible and yet somehow, thought provoking. In Mercury continues this approach, leaning more towards the rock spectrum initially yet once again, managing to pull back from the edge. There’s something industrial about certain parts of this track, and at other times, elements which transport you to the likes of Portishead and other calmer, more ‘out there’ style stuff. This is a track which defines Kantor Tzar’s sound, it’s got that bass heavy sense of calm that you know is going to work with a lot of people – definitely one to check out.
Deuce moves more towards the heavier side of the spectrum once again, this time using the guitar work to open things before once again, upping the level of the bass and hammering home their message. It’s striking once again how the guys have managed to craft a sound which verges on heavy yet doesn’t go all out, doesn’t push things too far, and doesn’t take it to a level which would become unnecessary – instead keeping it measured and allowing you to hear every single element of the mix.
Cowardice marks a change on the EP, this time moving more towards their remix style of things and offering up an insight into the electrical side of things. Once again there’s elements of rock thrown into the mix, but at the same time the upbeat and electro elements which are thrown into the mix elevate the mix to a new level, resulting in something which sounds like a mix of brit rock, brit pop and electro style stuff – it’s interesting for sure. To me, this is one of the best tracks on the EP, there’s just something about it which you can’t help but embrace as it plays out – make sure you check it out. It’s only then left for Lose Yourself to close things, once again finishing on an upbeat tempo and showing what it is they’re capable of when they put their minds to it. Once again using the different elements to form a sound which is upbeat, energetic and powerful, closing the EP and leaving you well and truly ready for more – so get on it!
I’m always impressed with what the Kantor Tzar Collectif manage to put together as it always pushes the boundaries of what you’re expecting to hear. Throughout this EP that’s the case once again, each track coming as a unique sound bite of what they’re capable of and reminding you of why you should be listening to more of their stuff – so get on it!
To find out more about the Kantor Tzar Collectif, check out their Facebook page HERE, and their EP HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Storza immediately takes us back to the bass driven undertones of the other stuff I’ve heard from them, offering up a mix designed to pull you in, sooth your soul and offer up deep and powerful beats to accompany your mental process. Dark and deep from the word go, this is a track which isn’t over the top, isn’t heavy, and instead, uses the power of simplicity to hammer home its message, resulting in something which is easy to listen to, accessible and yet somehow, thought provoking. In Mercury continues this approach, leaning more towards the rock spectrum initially yet once again, managing to pull back from the edge. There’s something industrial about certain parts of this track, and at other times, elements which transport you to the likes of Portishead and other calmer, more ‘out there’ style stuff. This is a track which defines Kantor Tzar’s sound, it’s got that bass heavy sense of calm that you know is going to work with a lot of people – definitely one to check out.
Deuce moves more towards the heavier side of the spectrum once again, this time using the guitar work to open things before once again, upping the level of the bass and hammering home their message. It’s striking once again how the guys have managed to craft a sound which verges on heavy yet doesn’t go all out, doesn’t push things too far, and doesn’t take it to a level which would become unnecessary – instead keeping it measured and allowing you to hear every single element of the mix.
Cowardice marks a change on the EP, this time moving more towards their remix style of things and offering up an insight into the electrical side of things. Once again there’s elements of rock thrown into the mix, but at the same time the upbeat and electro elements which are thrown into the mix elevate the mix to a new level, resulting in something which sounds like a mix of brit rock, brit pop and electro style stuff – it’s interesting for sure. To me, this is one of the best tracks on the EP, there’s just something about it which you can’t help but embrace as it plays out – make sure you check it out. It’s only then left for Lose Yourself to close things, once again finishing on an upbeat tempo and showing what it is they’re capable of when they put their minds to it. Once again using the different elements to form a sound which is upbeat, energetic and powerful, closing the EP and leaving you well and truly ready for more – so get on it!
I’m always impressed with what the Kantor Tzar Collectif manage to put together as it always pushes the boundaries of what you’re expecting to hear. Throughout this EP that’s the case once again, each track coming as a unique sound bite of what they’re capable of and reminding you of why you should be listening to more of their stuff – so get on it!
To find out more about the Kantor Tzar Collectif, check out their Facebook page HERE, and their EP HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kantor Tzar Collectif
We first heard of Kantor Tzar Collectif when we were put onto their remix of one of Kodakid’s tracks – so when they got in touch letting us know about their own stuff, I was looking forward to checking out what they had on offer. Describing themselves as a Dublin based visual art rock band who fuse all the elements they find most original about alternative guitar based music, this doesn’t sound like a simple band, and instead a band who take the art of music seriously. As such, I hit play to see what their EP Absent held in store for us!
Kicking things off with Between The Tare we’re thrust into a bass heavy, beat orientated world of dark and intriguing sounds. The mix seems to grow around you, building up and incorporating different elements as it grows, the whole time keeping the focus firmly on the mix at hand and allowing you hear everything going on. There’s a sense of heaviness and alternative style built into the mix here, but it’s not over the top or too much to take on board – it’s a mix which permeates into your head and keeps you listening throughout. What’s most striking here though is that it’s hard to put this in a genre, it’s a mix of alternative elements and a sound which matches the bands artistic outlook, certainly not something simple or straight forward. Crooked Smile continues this approach further, adding in atmospheric elements and tribal drums to build on a sound which is already complex. Laid back throughout yet still managing to sound alternative and rock orientated, it’s almost like a meeting of Sigur Ros and 90’s grunge at times, but somehow the guys have made it work. Add in a sense of catchiness and what you’ve got on offer here is a track that once again, doesn’t follow convention or do what you would expect, yet hits all of the notes that you would want to hear – it’s quite simply mind blowing how they’ve achieved it.
Plug In once again changes things around, offering up an almost Portishead style opening line before working their way through another chilled out, complex and interesting track. To me, there’s a laid back quality to this track which brings about images of driving at night, images of sitting back and allowing the music to wash over you, and images of a live show lit up by bright lights. Don’t go into this track expecting rock or heavy and you’ll be greeted by something that pushes the boundaries of music, offers up an interesting track and keeps you listening from start to finish. It’s a quick shift around once again for the opening moments of Voodoo Souvenir, this time offering up an almost Nine Inch Nails, industrial style sound. The bands ability to move through different approaches whilst still managing to keep their own sound at the forefront is something which is going to stand them in good stead moving forwards, and the sort of thing which will hook people onto them. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, there’s just something about it which had me reaching for the volume up button whilst wanting to hear every second of what’s on offer – it’s a clever mix which I simply can’t get enough of.
It’s only then left for Presidio Pt1 to close things, finishing on an upbeat track which you can well imagine going down a storm at a live show. Upbeat and laid back has been the order of the day from the word go, and the final moments here don’t disappoint, ushering in organs, solid drums and bass heavy rhythms to keep things moving right up until the closing of the EP. Coming to a close I found myself sitting back and simply thinking, wondering how they’ve done it, and still trying to work out what I’d class this as!
Kantor Tzar Collectif have managed to craft one hell of an EP here, it manages to combine different elements, different approaches and different styles, whilst all the time managing to let you know who you’re listening to. I’ll be completely honest and say I’ve got no idea what style of music I’d call this, but what I do know is that this is an EP that a lot of people are going to connect with, and something which I’m sure is going to do damned well!
To find out more about Kantor Tzar Collectif, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking things off with Between The Tare we’re thrust into a bass heavy, beat orientated world of dark and intriguing sounds. The mix seems to grow around you, building up and incorporating different elements as it grows, the whole time keeping the focus firmly on the mix at hand and allowing you hear everything going on. There’s a sense of heaviness and alternative style built into the mix here, but it’s not over the top or too much to take on board – it’s a mix which permeates into your head and keeps you listening throughout. What’s most striking here though is that it’s hard to put this in a genre, it’s a mix of alternative elements and a sound which matches the bands artistic outlook, certainly not something simple or straight forward. Crooked Smile continues this approach further, adding in atmospheric elements and tribal drums to build on a sound which is already complex. Laid back throughout yet still managing to sound alternative and rock orientated, it’s almost like a meeting of Sigur Ros and 90’s grunge at times, but somehow the guys have made it work. Add in a sense of catchiness and what you’ve got on offer here is a track that once again, doesn’t follow convention or do what you would expect, yet hits all of the notes that you would want to hear – it’s quite simply mind blowing how they’ve achieved it.
Plug In once again changes things around, offering up an almost Portishead style opening line before working their way through another chilled out, complex and interesting track. To me, there’s a laid back quality to this track which brings about images of driving at night, images of sitting back and allowing the music to wash over you, and images of a live show lit up by bright lights. Don’t go into this track expecting rock or heavy and you’ll be greeted by something that pushes the boundaries of music, offers up an interesting track and keeps you listening from start to finish. It’s a quick shift around once again for the opening moments of Voodoo Souvenir, this time offering up an almost Nine Inch Nails, industrial style sound. The bands ability to move through different approaches whilst still managing to keep their own sound at the forefront is something which is going to stand them in good stead moving forwards, and the sort of thing which will hook people onto them. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, there’s just something about it which had me reaching for the volume up button whilst wanting to hear every second of what’s on offer – it’s a clever mix which I simply can’t get enough of.
It’s only then left for Presidio Pt1 to close things, finishing on an upbeat track which you can well imagine going down a storm at a live show. Upbeat and laid back has been the order of the day from the word go, and the final moments here don’t disappoint, ushering in organs, solid drums and bass heavy rhythms to keep things moving right up until the closing of the EP. Coming to a close I found myself sitting back and simply thinking, wondering how they’ve done it, and still trying to work out what I’d class this as!
Kantor Tzar Collectif have managed to craft one hell of an EP here, it manages to combine different elements, different approaches and different styles, whilst all the time managing to let you know who you’re listening to. I’ll be completely honest and say I’ve got no idea what style of music I’d call this, but what I do know is that this is an EP that a lot of people are going to connect with, and something which I’m sure is going to do damned well!
To find out more about Kantor Tzar Collectif, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls