Molly Ayala
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2011, comprising Asa Taccone and Matthew Cornbread Compton. Their music has been described as a mix of funk, soul, soft rock, disco, and pop, with retro influences from the 1970s and 1980s. Their debut album, Mondo, was released in 2012, followed by Plural in 2017 and Kin in 2019. The band has been praised for its catchy, soulful, and funky sound, with their live performances known for evoking real, raw, and good emotions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Funk-pop, soul, soft rock, disco |
| Influenced by | Retro grooves from the 1970s and 1980s |
| Debut album | Mondo |
| Year of formation | 2011 |
| Band members | Asa Taccone, Matthew "Cornbread" Compton, Luke Top, Reese Richardson, Todd Dahloff, Tory Dahloff |
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What You'll Learn
Electric Guest's musical influences
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2011. The group comprises Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton. The band's sound is influenced by a variety of musical genres and artists, resulting in a unique blend of styles.
Asa Taccone, the frontman and songwriter of the band, has cited hip-hop and soul as his main influences. He grew up listening to Bay Area rappers like Souls of Mischief, E-40, and Mac Dre. Taccone's interest in music began when he played the trumpet in his elementary school choir during religious holidays. He eventually moved on to synths and started producing hip-hop music. However, he grew weary of the "bullshit" of the hip-hop world and turned to 1960s music, which inspired him to create music with a retro sound. This influence can be heard in Electric Guest's debut album, "Mondo," which was released in 2012. The album was co-produced by Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton and features a mix of retro grooves from the 1970s and 1980s with catchy pop melodies and Taccone's falsetto vocals.
Matthew "Cornbread" Compton, the other core member of Electric Guest, has also brought his own musical influences to the band. Compton is a session drummer and has collaborated with other artists outside of Electric Guest. He grew up listening to mostly indie artists and has cited "Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons" and "Vu de l'extérieur" as some of his favorites. Compton's drumming style and indie influences blend with Taccone's soul and hip-hop roots to create Electric Guest's unique sound.
In addition to their core members, Electric Guest has also toured with keyboardist Todd Dahloff and his brother, guitarist Tory Dahloff. The live band has helped to shape the sound of Electric Guest and bring their music to life on stage. The band has performed at various festivals, including SXSW, Bonnaroo, Sasquatch, and the Outside Lands. They have also made television appearances, performing their single "This Head I Hold" on the Late Show with David Letterman and appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan in the United States.
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The band's formation
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2011. The group was founded by Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton. The two met after Compton rented out a room in a large house, previously inhabited by Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton, that mostly housed musician tenants. Compton, a session drummer, and Taccone began to collaborate and make music together. Burton, who had a hand in the formation of the band, heard demos of their work and urged the duo to make an album.
The band's name was inspired by an encounter Taccone had with an older woman at a Dunkin' Donuts, who told him that "we are all electric guests in the universe". The band's sound has been described as "soulful, funked-up pop" with Motown sensibilities and Taccone's falsettos. Their music has also been said to be influenced by retro grooves from the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition to the founding duo, keyboardist Todd Dahloff and his brother, guitarist Tory Dahloff, join Electric Guest on tour. Luke Top plays bass and Reese Richardson plays keyboards/guitar in the touring version of the band.
Electric Guest's debut album, Mondo, was released in April 2012. Their subsequent albums, Plural and Kin, were released in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The band has also gained recognition for their popular cover of Little Dragon's "Ritual Union".
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Their debut album, Mondo
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based indie pop band formed in 2011. The group comprises Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton. Their debut album, Mondo, was released on April 24, 2012, on Downtown Records and Across The Universe labels.
The album draws from various genres, including synth-pop, R&B, Motown-style soul, slacker California rock, psychedelia, and bubblegum pop. It is heavily influenced by retro grooves from the 1970s and 1980s, with Rolling Stone magazine describing the sound as a "Beck-ian journey into L.A. slacker soul, full of hooky neon jams that ponder fame's fraught highway and the emptiness of modern life." The Guardian also noted the band's ability to create "soulful, funked-up pop" that is both catchy and reminiscent of the originators of the form.
The single "This Head I Hold" gained popularity after being featured on an episode of Dancing with the Stars and in an ad for Crate & Barrel. The song also had a popular remix by Nu:Logic on UFK Drum&Bass. Another popular song from the album is "Awake," which was featured in the 2012 video game Forza Horizon. Mondo also includes the song "American Daydream," for which the band released a music video.
The Mondo tour debuted in 2012, with sold-out shows in France and the UK, and a headlining sold-out show at the Scala in London. The band also earned a month-long residency at the Echo in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Electric Guest has also made festival appearances at SXSW, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Sasquatch, and Outside Lands.
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Electric Guest's live performances
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band that was formed in 2011. The group comprises Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton, with Luke Top on bass and Reese Richardson on keyboards and guitar for their live performances. The band released their debut album, 'Mondo', in 2012, followed by ''Plural' in 2017 and 'Kin' in 2019.
Electric Guest has built a reputation for their energetic and engaging live performances, with a unique blend of soulful and funky pop sounds. The band has toured extensively, both domestically and internationally, playing at various festivals and earning a month-long residency at the Echo in Echo Park, Los Angeles, in 2013. They have also made appearances at renowned festivals such as SXSW, Bonnaroo, Sasquatch, and the Outside Lands.
One of their notable performances was at the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington. The band's frontman, Asa, is known for his engaging and chatty stage presence, greeting the crowd and creating a lively atmosphere. Electric Guest has also performed at the Live at Leeds Festival in 2013, captivating the audience in a dark and intimate setting.
Their live performances showcase a range of songs from their albums, including fan favourites from 'Mondo' and 'Plural'. The band is known for powering through technical difficulties and delivering an amazing show, leaving a lasting impression on their audience.
Electric Guest has an international fan base, with sold-out shows in Paris and London. Their performances are described as interactive and full of energy, with the band throwing fake money and giving roses to audience members. The band's live shows are a testament to their musical talent and their ability to connect with their fans, creating memorable experiences for those in attendance.
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Reviews of their music
Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2011, comprising Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton, with Luke Top on bass and Reese Richardson on keyboards/guitar for the touring version of the band. They debuted their first album, Mondo, in April 2012, with their second and third albums, Plural and Kin, following in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Their music has been described as "soulful, funked-up pop" with retro grooves from the 1970s and 1980s that is "insidiously catchy". Their sound has been likened to Beck, with Rolling Stone magazine describing their album Mondo as a "Beck-ian journey into L.A. slacker soul, full of hooky neon jams that ponder fame's fraught highway and the emptiness of modern life".
The Guardian's review of the band's music also highlights the soulful and funky nature of their songs, stating that they "specialise in soulful, funked-up pop". Additionally, a review from one of their tours reads, "Real, raw, good emotion was a pumping from these fellows."
Electric Guest has also covered other artists' songs, such as Little Dragon's 'Ritual Union', and their song "This Head I Hold" has been remixed by Nu:Logic. AllMusic describes their style as subverting "smooth funk-pop sounds into songs that are equally funny and danceable".
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Frequently asked questions
Electric Guest is a funk-pop duo, with elements of soul, soft rock, and disco in their music.
The band is made up of Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton. The touring version of the band includes Luke Top on bass and Reese Richardson on keyboards/guitar.
Electric Guest is based in Los Angeles, California.
The band formed in 2011.
Electric Guest has released three albums: "Mondo" (2012), "Plural" (2017), and "Kin" (2019).
