Ears Wide Open: Okapi Sun
Kevin Bronson on
3
Morality, reality and “working for a salary” – on their first single (and anthem to perseverance) “Johnny Kiss,” the new L.A. duo Okapi Sun sets the bar high for its massively hooky disco. It’s dance-pop that could very well set your brain in motion, not just your behind, right down to the winking title of their debut LP, “Techno Prisoners.” Named for the rare African mammal, Okapi Sun is the brainchild of Dallas Sanchez, classically trained violinist, and Leo Parusel, a pianist and multimedia artist from Germany. The pair aligned in L.A. to explore their tribal electro, recording their songs with producer Ethan Allen (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tricky, Gram Rabbit and more), with Atlanta-based Neal H. Pogue (Janelle Monae, Outcast, Pink, etc.) also contributing production. “Techno Prisoners” is out April 29 via Phaedra Records; here’s guessing this single will stick in your head till then.
||| Download: “Johnny Kiss”
||| Live: After dates at SXSW, Okapi Sun plays the Silverlake Lounge on March 27.
Maybe the current style for many but I am way too old to be able to accept auto-tune for 100% of the vocal work.
Question. Can either of these folks really sing?
Why do bands say they are from LA when they’re not? This is a San Diego band.
This isn’t even an LA band, they’re from San Diego. Strike 1