I Am a Rocketship, a Swedish-American electronic rock duo based in Georgia, announces the release of their second album 'Mind Grafitti'. As a taster ahead of that, they present the first single 'Face Off', which a tribute to Led Zeppelin's album 'Physical Graffiti'.
I Am a Rocketship merges cool Scandinavian vocals, pop hooks and a dash of experimental sounds. They write, record and create art and videos without other contributors. Layering dark lyricism and fuzz guitars over pop grooves, they create a notably attractive hybrid sound. Their music is ideal for dancing the night away on an ancient sailboat manned by robots, lost at sea. The 'Mind Grafitti' album follows their debut long-play 'Mission Control', released in 2016.
On this sophomore release, the Atlanta duo blends classic rock, psychedelia and trip-hop sounds. This 13-song collection features 12 original compositions, as well as distinctive cover of the Rammstein classic 'Du Hast'. 'Mind Grafitti' was recorded on a notebook computer over the course a year in various locations.
"While physical graffiti is tagged by the artist, mind graffiti is tagged to infect our minds via lies and misdirection sprayed across glowing screens," says guitarist and principal songwriter Eric Weissinger. "The songs on this album are about confusion and reinvention - as individuals and as a society - in the era of mind graffiti."
As a bassist, guitarist, and singer, Eric Weissinger had opened for bands such as The Wedding Present, The Black Crowes, James, Cracker, and Portastatic. After playing on an Anne Richmond Boston album featuring Syd Straw, Marti Jones, Don Dixon, and Terry Adams, he took a break from music until a chance meeting with L E Kippner changed everything.
"We're also going to make a few videos," says singer, keyboardist and co-writer L E Kippner. "Since we can't abandon our jobs to tour much, we put a lot of that energy into those, and I think they help share what the band is really about."
A college radio DJ, choir member, cellist and singer for Swedish synth-pop duo Neobox, L E Kippner's musical background could hardly have been more different than Eric's. Nonetheless, their shared love of Rammstein and Bob Dylan led them to form Hitchcock Blondes in Cleveland, Ohio. They then moved to Atlanta, creating I Am a Rocketship to free themselves from the restrictions of conventional bands.
Their Influences are many, including the lyricism of Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, soundscapes of Sigur Ros and Massive Attack, rhythms and adventurism of Run the Jewels and M.I.A., and the melodicism of Depeche Mode and Curve.
Mind Grafitti will be released on February 21, 2019 via the band's own My Long Wknd imprint. It will be available across leading digital sales and streaming platforms. The album, which will be supported by local and regional live performances, will also be available for pre-order via Bandcamp at https://iamarocketship.bandcamp.com/album/mind-grafitti.
TRACK LIST
01 Face Off
02 Vertigo
03 Intermittent
04 Hot in Here
05 Castaway
06 Kick
07 Take Your Time
08 Regret
09 Mind Grafitti
10 Du Hast
11 High Above it All
12 Closing Credits
Videos