The Carps were a Canadian rock music duo consisting of bassist Neil White and drummer Jahmal Tonge. They were signed to Toronto-based URBNET Records.
The Carps | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Scarborough (Toronto), Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 2005–2010 |
| Labels | URBNET Records |
| Members | Jahmal Tonge Neil White |
Bio
edit(All Music Guide) Rarely photographed without multi-colored leather hi tops, turquoise or pink T-shirts, and skinny jeans, the two members of the Carps wear their hipster cred on their sleeves while making a full and unique blend of R&B and stripped-down indie rock—as a two-piece, no less. Neil White became friends with Jahmal Tonge at a young age in Toronto, and the two started creating music as a free-spirited pastime to fill the hours between skateboarding and golfing of all things.
Melding influences from the opposite ends of the musical spectrum (Tonge grew up on Motown while White listened to psychedelic rock and punk), the duo started jamming and playing clubs around the city. With a soulful Terence Trent D'Arby-esque voice, Tonge took to the drum stool vocalizing about urban strife and the debauchery of hipsters, while White added to the meat of the sound with dirty, distorted bass tones.
After shows in the Toronto clubs resulted in unenthused audiences, the two decided to take it to the States and organized a small tour to Philadelphia and New York City. The shows in the U.S. were a different story, where the indie crowds welcomed them with open arms, and soon after, the two were invited to join the roster of Urbnet Records. In 2007, their anticipated EP, The Young and Passionate Days of Carpedia, was released. ~ Jason Lymangrover, All Music Guide
History
editThe band began its career in Scarborough, Toronto in 2005.
In addition to touring Europe and North America, The Carps have played with The Cool Kids,[1] MIA,[2] Holy Fuck, The Hives and Lupe Fiasco.
Singer Jahmal Tonge is featured on the MSTRKRFT album Fist Of God, on Breakaway and So Deep.
The Carps have released two EPs to critical acclaim,[3][4] and have been applauded for their ability to weave genres of all types into a seamless and cohesive sound.[5]
In March 2007, The Young & Passionate Days of Carpedia vol 2.1 was released under URBNET Records. This was followed by the release of Waves & Shambles in April 2008, containing the featured track Veronica Belmont which was named after a well-known San Francisco-based tech journalist.[6] The album also included an appearance by The Cool Kids on the Heaven's Gates & Hell’s Flames remix (produced by Jahmal Tonge).[7]
The Carps did not release a debut album and, citing other commitments, stopped touring in 2010.[8]
Discography
editEPs
edit- The Young & Passionate Days of Carpedia vol 2.1 (March 13, 2007)
- Waves & Shambles (April 8, 2008)
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "The Carps Playing with The Cool Kids, October 2008". brooklynvegan.com. Brooklyn Vegan. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
- ^ Topping, David. "M.I.A. Coming Back With Power Power, August 2007". torontoist.com. The Torontoist. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
- ^ "Blogarhythms Review of Carpedia 2.1".
- ^ "Exclaim's Review of Waves & Shambles".
- ^ "Brooklyn Vegan Review". 4 November 2008.
- ^ "Veronica Belmont Interview".
- ^ Rutledge, Bryant (25 March 2008). "The Carps "Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames, March 2008". xlr8r.com. XLR8R. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
- ^ McAndrew, Matthew. "Toronto Music News, January 2010". blogto.com. BlogTO. Retrieved 2021-09-21.