BASECAMP

Basecamp hail from Nashville, Tennessee, but their sound has little, if anything, in common with most of the music typically associated with the city. Instead of country music, the trio (consisting of Aaron Miller, Aaron C. Harmon, and Jordan Reyes) creates moody electronic pop songs with subtle, glitchy production effects, haunting cello and guitar, and R&B-inspired vocals. Their measured, detailed beats, reminiscent of U.K. garage/post-dubstep artists such as Mount Kimbie and SBTRKT, typically keep to a slow tempo but occasionally quicken their pulse to emphasize particularly dramatic moments. Their clearly sung vocals deliver introspective lyrics that generally focus on the anxious, yearning aspects of relationships. The group debuted in 2013 with a self-released, eponymous EP that immediately created a buzz, leading to performances with CHVRCHES, Sohn, and Javelin. Before the year was through, the group completed a guest mix for Skream and Benga’s show on BBC Radio 1, remixed Swedish singer/songwriter Erik Hassle’s single “Talk About It,” and released an EP of remixes. In early 2014, Turntable Kitchen released a limited-edition 7″ single of EP track “Emmanuel,” backed by Basecamp’s cover of Ace of Base’s hit “All That She Wants.” The trio played at several festivals in America and Canada, including South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and released a new single, “Shudder,” which was also accompanied by an EP of remixes. Following more festival dates and gigs with artists such as Phantogram, Basecamp’s track “Watch My Back” was featured on French dance label Kitsuné Music’s compilation Kitsuné America, Vol. 4, released in May of 2015. Later in the year, the group signed to Skrillex’s OWSLA label, and the track became the lead single from their next EP, Greater Than, which appeared in August. ~ Paul Simpson