Art vs Science

A few months back, I wrote a blog (or rather, a sermon) preaching the importance of experiencing music live. Living in an overly-saturated, underly-differentiated era of mass music production, I have started to get more and more concerned about the distractions: auto-tuned vocals, laptop-manufactured basslines and piles upon piles of remixes. I wonder if one day the world could get caught up amidst all of the shiny new beats constructed by the DJs and producers of the world, and forget how impressive it is to watch a performer shred a guitar to pieces on a completely original jam.

I was reassured that not all was lost the night I witnessed Art vs. Science rock a packed-out show earlier this year at Mercury Lounge - a space equipped with a revealing soundsystem, fully capable of pointing out the best musical talents and the artists who should just pack up their equipment and head back to their open-mic gigs.

I had heard raves about the Aussie-bred trio after they turned crowds upside down at SXSW this year, so I went into the experience with high expectations and low alcohol levels -- which based on past experiences, is an inevitable recipe for letdown. Not only was I completely blown away by the quality of the sound, the infectious energy of the group and their ability to pull off these songs (which at first sounded a bit bizarre to me through headphones), I was most fascinated by the sheer talent of all three musicians on a live level.

Three songs into the show, the group went into my favorite Art vs. Science original, "Parlez-Vous Francais." Dan Mac, who had been relatively lowkey on the keyboard prior to this song, hopped onto an amp, downed a cup full of beer and dove head first into a guitar solo. It was clear to me from this moment that these guys were nothing less than rock stars, the kind who know just how to make their songs come alive and their fans go bonkers. Their live performance wasn't just "art" and it wasn't just technical "science." It was a well-balanced combination of the two qualities that made the band unique and impressive at a time when so many artists can only master one of the two, if either.

But how the guys got to this level so effortlessly is probably the most impressive detail I have grown to learn about them.

"We had jammed for a little, but didn't really know what we were doing," said Dan W., who plays the drums for the group. Dan met the other two members of the band - Dan Mac (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Jim Finn (vocals, keyboard) - in high school. However it wasn't until after one successful gig that the guys decided to take their talents from playful jamming to legitimate music-making.

"A friend of ours offered us a gig at a nightclub and we didn't really have any songs ready, so we got together and finished like seven songs in a day or something stupid," Dan W. continued. "Then we did the gig and people actually liked it - as in, they stayed in the room. We had played gigs in bands before where people sort of left the room, so that was really nice. After that we were like 'oh, maybe we're on to something' and it all kind of went from there."

In the past three years the boys have been on a successful streak building their name and a solid following across Australia. Just before venturing to the States early this past spring, the guys were playing for thousands upon thousands of people at the Future Music Festival in Adelaide alongside notable international pop stars like MGMT and Ke$ha. But embarking on a journey to win over the hearts of rock-romanced Americans is a fairly recent endeavor, one which requires basically starting from scratch for Art vs. Science.

"When we got into the first venue at SXSW this year we had to use our keyboard cases to make the stage big enough to fit everybody on it," said Dan W. There were like 15 people in the room. It was like playing Sydney again on our first gig. Like starting all over."

Their commitment to achieving success in the U.S. after already making a name for themselves in Australia has proven to be moving along nicely. Their attitude towards the mission, which for others may seem too daunting to be worth the trouble, is optimistic and laid back, in perfect Aussie fashion.

"I think Mercury Lounge was probably one of the best times overseas. Getting to be an Australian band and come and play your own show in New York was a pretty big deal," said Jim. "It's also more exciting when you're overseas trying to win over a new audience who hasn't heard you before," added Dan Mac.

Although they have earned quite an awesome following from many music appreciators here in the US (myself included), the journey hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies for the group. As standard with most over-the-edge music with a "love it or hate it" certainty about its sound, the guys have gotten a few harsh reviews from the critics.

"We don't really read reviews that much. It's too upsetting when someone says somethin - Huffington Post

A few months back, I wrote a blog (or rather, a sermon) preaching the importance of experiencing music live. Living in an overly-saturated, underly-differentiated era of mass music production, I have started to get more and more concerned about the distractions: auto-tuned vocals, laptop-manufactured basslines and piles upon piles of remixes. I wonder if one day the world could get caught up amidst all of the shiny new beats constructed by the DJs and producers of the world, and forget how impressive it is to watch a performer shred a guitar to pieces on a completely original jam.

I was reassured that not all was lost the night I witnessed Art vs. Science rock a packed-out show earlier this year at Mercury Lounge - a space equipped with a revealing soundsystem, fully capable of pointing out the best musical talents and the artists who should just pack up their equipment and head back to their open-mic gigs.

I had heard raves about the Aussie-bred trio after they turned crowds upside down at SXSW this year, so I went into the experience with high expectations and low alcohol levels -- which based on past experiences, is an inevitable recipe for letdown. Not only was I completely blown away by the quality of the sound, the infectious energy of the group and their ability to pull off these songs (which at first sounded a bit bizarre to me through headphones), I was most fascinated by the sheer talent of all three musicians on a live level.

Three songs into the show, the group went into my favorite Art vs. Science original, "Parlez-Vous Francais." Dan Mac, who had been relatively lowkey on the keyboard prior to this song, hopped onto an amp, downed a cup full of beer and dove head first into a guitar solo. It was clear to me from this moment that these guys were nothing less than rock stars, the kind who know just how to make their songs come alive and their fans go bonkers. Their live performance wasn't just "art" and it wasn't just technical "science." It was a well-balanced combination of the two qualities that made the band unique and impressive at a time when so many artists can only master one of the two, if either.

But how the guys got to this level so effortlessly is probably the most impressive detail I have grown to learn about them.

"We had jammed for a little, but didn't really know what we were doing," said Dan W., who plays the drums for the group. Dan met the other two members of the band - Dan Mac (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Jim Finn (vocals, keyboard) - in high school. However it wasn't until after one successful gig that the guys decided to take their talents from playful jamming to legitimate music-making.

"A friend of ours offered us a gig at a nightclub and we didn't really have any songs ready, so we got together and finished like seven songs in a day or something stupid," Dan W. continued. "Then we did the gig and people actually liked it - as in, they stayed in the room. We had played gigs in bands before where people sort of left the room, so that was really nice. After that we were like 'oh, maybe we're on to something' and it all kind of went from there."

In the past three years the boys have been on a successful streak building their name and a solid following across Australia. Just before venturing to the States early this past spring, the guys were playing for thousands upon thousands of people at the Future Music Festival in Adelaide alongside notable international pop stars like MGMT and Ke$ha. But embarking on a journey to win over the hearts of rock-romanced Americans is a fairly recent endeavor, one which requires basically starting from scratch for Art vs. Science.

"When we got into the first venue at SXSW this year we had to use our keyboard cases to make the stage big enough to fit everybody on it," said Dan W. There were like 15 people in the room. It was like playing Sydney again on our first gig. Like starting all over."

Their commitment to achieving success in the U.S. after already making a name for themselves in Australia has proven to be moving along nicely. Their attitude towards the mission, which for others may seem too daunting to be worth the trouble, is optimistic and laid back, in perfect Aussie fashion.

"I think Mercury Lounge was probably one of the best times overseas. Getting to be an Australian band and come and play your own show in New York was a pretty big deal," said Jim. "It's also more exciting when you're overseas trying to win over a new audience who hasn't heard you before," added Dan Mac.

Although they have earned quite an awesome following from many music appreciators here in the US (myself included), the journey hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies for the group. As standard with most over-the-edge music with a "love it or hate it" certainty about its sound, the guys have gotten a few harsh reviews from the critics.

"We don't really read reviews that much. It's too upsetting when someone says somethin - Huffington Post

Art Vs. Science @ Oxford Art Factory 28.08.09
by Jonno Seidler

There are very few acts, new or veteran, that can hold a candle to the kind of blissful insanity Art vs Science regularly produce. Tonight, playing one of a sold-out string of shows across the country, the music festival heroes win over yet another set of converts.

Seeing the dance-rock trio at an array of festivals means that being sonically smashed is a given, but unless one is in the front row, the visual aspect is always left to the imagination. It is in the somewhat intimate surrounds of Oxford Arts, however, that punters can truly witness the band’s flawless stage performance.

Lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist extraordinaire Dan Mac commands the stage with the self-assurance and swagger of a glam-rock megastar, whilst fellow synth-man Jim Finn adds to the spectacle by head banging his blonde locks within in an inch of his life.

Between the two of them, the front line of Art vs Science achieve crunching bass lines and blistering arpeggios worthy of a Daft Punk album, with added grunt that comes only from being on the road for almost a solid year. Meanwhile, drummer Dan W holds down the back line with ferocious accuracy, ripping into huge tom fills with ease and bouncing away with a seemingly limitless amount of energy.

There are murmurs from within the crowd, both dedicated fans and fresh blood, that Art vs Science “are the new Presets.” Certainly, the title fits in some respects – the kind of frenzied dancing associated with standout songs like Flippers and Friend In The Field bears all the hallmarks of Australia’s favourite electro duo – but in others, the boys are completely in a league of their own.

Performing all of their massive electro sounds without relying on sampling, Art vs Science are, at heart, a killer rock band that substitute keyboards for a traditional set-up. Dan and Jim’s seemingly telepathic relationship means that ripping into extended solos, changing the dynamic or hitting another chorus is an effortless task.

Most importantly, with new songs like Higher inciting serious moshing, these guys are far from another gimmicky dance act. Forget exercise, forget sex – this is the best rush of endorphins you’ll get all summer. - FasterLouder

Thumping beats and devastatingly addictive tunes are what drive this electro-pop trio and they are a fucking delight. With their self-released debut EP out mere months ago, the majority of the crowd is yet to learn each song by heart – but give it time. We’re not here, though, to enjoy a back catalogue. We’re not even here for a good ol’ fashioned singalong. We are here to be entertained, son, and entertainment is what we shall receive.

And so begins a joyous night out. The beats from the opening track, 'Friend in the Field', grab at our feet and sleazy tricks from the synth loosens hips. The atmosphere is dark, with a heavy nod to 80s New Wave, and yet you can’t help but feel that this somber mood whispers of a party to follow.

Days before their first gig at Splendour ‘08 the band penned what is their catchiest and most well-known song, 'Parlez-Vous Francais'. The same burst of creative energy inspired them prior to Splendour ‘09, and we are treated to a newbie, 'Higher'. When lead singer Dan Mac starts to teach us the chorus, we know it holds the same promise and heady joy of 'Parlez-Vous'.

The music isn’t particularly clever (or is it? What kind of talent thinks of writing a lyric that rhymes ‘Kelvinator’ with ‘chore, chore, chores’? Oh it sounds brilliant, trust me) but it is ridiculously fun; the refrain for 'Higher' simply repeats the title to an ever-increasing crescendo before climaxing at a Karate Kid-esque “HiiiiiiiiiiYAA”. This, surely, is part of the appeal of Art Vs Science; you don’t need to be an electro connoisseur to appreciate solid, addictive tunes that promise good times.

I’d half expected 'Parlez-Vous' to be their encore, but lo, midway through the set the staccato beeps of the intro tease our ears as we lean towards the speakers. Suddenly, the beat loops in and heaves us into the first verse, and the crowd lets out an appreciative roar. I heard Richard Kingsmill once describe (with tongue firmly in cheek) Art Vs Science’s music as ‘stupid, really’ and whilst you can’t ignore the simplicity of their songs, you can’t deny just how damn catchy they are. We’re a self-deprecating lot here in Straya, so any band that knows how to take the piss while having a good time is bound to generate a little more love. We still might not be able to manage those tricksy French syllables in the chorus -- you try screaming si tu peux le parlez aller tomber ta chemise after a few beers -- but we can let out a ‘Oui!’ to rival the girls of the Moulin Rouge in the call-and-response chorus.

We probably wouldn’t be kicking our proverbial can-can skirts so high if we weren’t feeding off the exuberance and effort from the band, and Dan certainly knows how to bash the shit out of his drums. Sometimes you just need a gig loud, thumping and alive, and 'Parlez-Vous' signaled the beginning of our glimpse into what is bound to be one of the great live bands of 2009. We catch our breath just as the boys grab us by the collar and throw us into space for 'Take Me to Your Leader' and some disjointed Galaga-era fun.

How can I describe what happens next. My mind pretty much exploded. I’d heard the rumours about Art vs Science’s cover song at Splendour, and a couple lines in I knew I had reached some kind of cross-genre, 90s flashback, fangirl nirvana. If you don’t know what to do after you hear the lines Yo back up now and give a brother room/ The fuse is lit and I’m about to go boom then click away immediately and download any/all of ‘Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’. How many electro-pop bands do you know who can capably reference and honor the magic of Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s 'Boom! Shake the Room'? I am absolutely not exaggerating when I say that those four minutes have got to be some of the best four minutes of my life, and judging on the heaving mass that surrounded me, I am not alone.

So where do we go from here? How could anything build upon that awesome cover? We hit more of the better-known songs, and keep the rush running with 'Flippers'. We’re already used to shouting our favourite rhymes from Boom! so it’s not much of a stretch to keep our arms up to punch out the beat for this one. The energy is still high, and the keyboard/drum solo that runs the bridge between chorus and verse runs up and down our brains in the best way possible. This song is ridiculously bizarre, but its catchiness circumvents any self-conscious pretensions.

Dan Mac speaks to the crowd again, offering thanks, and then Art vs Science break into their final song. 'Hollywood' certainly has a heavy beating from the Daft Punk stick, but you couldn’t call it derivative. The Daft Punk influence will no doubt come up again, but 'Hollywood' invokes more drama and yes, we’re going there, interpretative dance. Guitars and violent movies (set to a heavy backdrop of your finest 80s keyboard and fuzzy guitar) are some of the spoken word we’re treated to; and if there was any time to drag a dramatic fingerless lace glove d - Music Universe

I braced the Canberra cold on a windy Wednesday night to see one of my Warehouse favourites, Art Vs Science, and I was not the only one.
Art Vs Science came on blasting, all heads banging in unison, of which I had a good vantage point of from side stage. Don’t hate on me, the front stage had less room than in a tin of sardines and me being all of 5 foot nothing had little choice but to use/abuse my ITM perks to get a solid side stage squiz of their on-stage antics. The AVS penguins were also proudly on stage representing Flippers through and through. Flawless sound again graced our ears as Dan, whose voice can reach quite a high pitch, belted out New World Order and getting an amazing crowd response with new electro rock track Higher with great vocal distortions. Parlevouz François was their first big track of the night and the crowd went nuts for it making the air more electronic than their tracks. In old school rock star style, Dan necked a beer on stage (to great applause) proving it is hot and thirsty work being a performer. A highlight for me was AVS taking us back to ‘93 with Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s Boom! Shake The Room electro remix; flat out awesome and totally unexpected. The boys brought out all of those horrible dance moves including the left to right step and sway with a clap- we all loved it. Closing on Flippers I think Dan had to yell via the mic to combat the crowds lyrical chants ‘to get down’. The AVS boys shook hands with the crowd and ended on a three man bow before exiting stage right in their ever so skinny skinnies.
I was impressed with the size and gusto of the crowd for a wintery Wednesday night and I loved every minute. I cannot wait for the summer festival season, can you? - InTheMix

Previous triple j Unearthed winners, Art vs. Science have been well and truly Unearthed. Sunday night at Neverever Bar in Coolangatta hosted their sell-out show with support in the shape of Melbourne lads Hercules in NY.
The three-piece electro jam band Art vs. Science are in the midst of their successful national tour, and on this night, they showed no signs of fatigue. Foregoing mellow Sunday clichés, the boys provided the crowd with wild antics, music to mosh to, and a sound so incendiary, it took two penguins to cool the stage down in the aftermath.

Art vs. Science opened their set with a wicked rendition of Friend in the Field from their self-titled EP. The crowd immediately went crazy. The track was extended to include some super long solos by each member – Dan W on drums, Dan Mac on guitar and Jim Finn on keys packing lots of synth. Because these boys jam one hundred percent live, you really felt the spontaneity in their solos. Their set order was perfect. They kept the crowd guessing by messing with their intros to confuse and delight, while they never strayed from a tempo you could dance to. Not that dancing – in the traditional sense – was really an option. When the kids in the front decided to mosh, everyone else just had to go along with it. Nearing the middle of their set, the boys cracked out their most recent hit Parlez vous Francais? and the mosh reached its climatic point. The sheer moshing power was infectious and intense. Right after the third chorus, Dan Mac busted out an unexpected yet incredible guitar solo. With his right hand, he grabbed his beverage and held it at the crowd waiting for verification. His left hand never strayed from the guitar strings as he continued to play. When the crowd realised what he was proposing, they roared with delight. In two quick movements Dan Mac was chugging down his drink while still ripping the most magnificent solo with one hand. This only added to the crowd’s insanity.
I ask you – how do you top that? Well – you can’t really, but Art vs. Science did not slow down or burn out even after the last cord finally closed on Parlez Vous Francais? They followed it up with a cover of the 90’s staple DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Boom! Shake The Room. With much fist/air punching from the crowd, the boys brought a hip-hop classic into the new electric millennium. As sweat drenched each member of Art vs. Science and every member of the crowd, the lads closed the show with Flippers and Hollywood. To say Neverever Neverever is a cosy venue, is an understatement. But when taking in a live band, the sense of immediacy (between the band and crowd) is unbeatable. With a bond forged in sweat – your own and everyone else’s – you feel affiliated and connected. - InTheMix

It's pretty much shoulder to shoulder in most areas now as the sold out room is well and truly primed for action, as the three lads of Art Vs. Science take to the stage and pop into the high-tempo 'Friend In The Field' the place begins pumping. Bouncing like a six-year-old with ADD, the guys are immersed in their sound and giving the crowd their all. Dragging into the dark twisted synth of 'New World Order' the guys now follow up with a track that was debuted a few weeks back at Splendour with the blissfully simply yet face-melting intense 'Higher'. The fresh-yet-catchy lyrics, or lack thereof, has the masses swooning in adoration, despite this likely being the first time they've heard the track. There's a change behind the kit tonight, Dan Mac informing all and sundry that Hamish Rosser of the Vines is filling in for tonight's show before dropping 'Parlez Vous Francais' to stir even more frenzy into the ever brewing pot. The energy of the trio is a sight to behold - they simply don't sit still, ever, and while their tracks may be simple, they are certainly effective. With the steam rising in the room and time running out they race to finish a Fresh Prince cover of 'Boom! Shake The Room', before capping off with the current Triple J smash 'Flippers' to a massive ovation. They may only have one EP under their belt, but it's safe to say that it will be the last tour this trio plays in smaller venues. - Time Off

What Art Vs. Science brought was and electro/punk/rock onslaught that had the crowd going mental from the get go with heavy, epic opener that seemed wonderfully endless. Latest single 'Parlez-Vous Francais' was dropped fairly early in the set showing confidence in their material although a cover of DJ Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince number 'Boom! Shake The Room' was always going to get even the stiffest of punters out of their shells. Crowd surfers, blow-up penguins and hazardous umbrellas were all on display and the trio lapped up the madness. 'Flippers' inevitably came and the crowd lost their shit accordingly, and this was followed by a slamming electro/tech finale with a lead riff containing just a hint of Daft Punk's 'Aerodynamic'. To rapturous applause the trio took a well deserved bow and thankfully ignored calls for an encore, just leaving the crowd with a tight and incredibly fun set showing Art Vs. Science is a live force to be reckoned with. - Drum Media Perth