Basement

Reminiscent of a 1990’s DIY bedroom-recording approach, Basement is comprised of vocalist Andrew Fisher, guitarists Alex Henery and Ronan Crix, bassist Duncan Stewart, and drummer James Fisher. A year after forming the group released their debut output the EP “Songs About the Weather” in May 2010, which the success of led Basement to sign with Run For Cover Record in August 2010. Produced by Jesse Cannon, Basement’s debut full-length “I Wish I Could Stay Here” was issued by Run For Cover Records in June 2011. Earning a host of stellar reviews from online music publications, the album introduced the band’s melodic aggression to a much wider audience. In support of the release Basement embarked on their first ever series of worldwide tours which including shows in Australia, America, and Europe.

A year later in October 2012, Basement’s sophomore album “Colourmeinkindness” hit the shelves courtesy of Run For Cover Records. Once again extolled by the critical press, “Colourmeinkindness” was produced by Sam Pura, and supported by a few shows towards the tail end of 2012. Following a farewell gig at the Camden Underground in London, Basement announced an indefinite hiatus, with guitarist Alex Henery moving to Boston, Massachusetts, to work for Run For Cover Records. In January 2014 however, some subtle hints on their Twitter account led fans to believe the hiatus had run its course, and true to their beliefs Basement returned to release the EP “Further Sky” in July 2014. Featuring two new songs and a cover of Suede’s “Animal Nitrate”, the well-received record was produced by Dan Goudi.

They say that nowadays, people mostly make music as solo artists, as it’s cheaper and more artistically freeing. However, Diiv are a sign that maybe those acts can start out as solo projects, and then develop into great rock bands later. Frontman Zachary Cole Smith began Diiv as Dive, a name for his solo recordings that he put on Soundcloud.

Soon after he started, his songs started to pick up some recognition. So he put the word out among his friends on New York City’s indie scene, put a live band together and started performing, which got them signed to the label Captured Tracks in early 2012.

It was around this time that Smith changed “Dive” to “DIIV” (pronounced in the exact same way) out of respect for a 1990’s Belgian industrial band of the same name.

By June, their debut album was released. “Oshin” was an instant hit that made a name for themselves on both sides of the Atlantic, playing London’s Alexandra Palace with The Vaccines and doing a tour of their East Coast home turf supporting Japandroids.

The album ended up on the year end lists for Pitchfork, NME and Stereogum among many others and has made the expectation for their second effort sky high.

Of course, this expectation isn’t a problem for Smith; He’ll do what comes naturally to him and only what comes naturally to him. He’s an artist with the world at his feet, and what comes next is an exciting prospect indeed. One to watch like a hawk.