BIO:
City Calm Down is a live electronic four piece from Melbourne, Australia. With varying degrees of influence stemming from post-punk, disco, jazz, and techno they're making an interesting brand of electronic dance pop. Their live show involves extensive use of samplers, synthesizers, sequencers and drum modules as well as the use of more traditional instruments such as bass guitar, saxophone, voice and kit.
CITY CALM DOWN [EP] 2010
Assuming You Can Have It So Much Better fashions a template for future endeavours, then [City Calm Down] look likely to trade in a descent down-the-rabbit-hole of monotonous sameness for a rapid ascension to the national throne of genre-fusing, accessible dance pop.
Nick Clarke – Beat Magazine
In the dizzying world of remix kings and laptop heroes, it is rare to discover an electro group worthy of note. What really sets [City Calm Down] apart is their raw vocals and highly experimental sound which somehow remains pop-friendly. I actually thought they hadn't had their EP mastered. And this is why I thoroughly enjoy them. They fill the void in Oz-Electro scene whilst simultaneously revolutionising it and propelling it in a new direction. I have no hesitation in predicting enormous things for these guys. They will be a big deal.
Murray - Groove City
City Calm Down’s EP is a beautiful bridge between the memorable anthemic sensibilities of the 80s, modern instrumentation and introspective lyrics. It’s highly creative. It’s unique. And it’s gorgeous.
David Robbins - Their Bated Breath
An experimental and eclectic mix of influences are at work here. You could draw similarities to recent indie-dance stalwarts The Midnight Juggernauts or the Lost Valentinos (RIP). You’d also pick up on some post-punk influence in the harrowing Joy Division-esque vocals and the bouncing bass riffs. Perhaps what I like most about these guys is that whilst they’re essentially making synth-driven dance music with broad appeal, there is still a sense of unpolished rawness to their sound which, from the looks of reviews, translates very well into their live show. In short, everyone needs to listen to these guys and somebody needs to sign them.
Gadget - Generic Collective
LIVE REVIEWS
City Calm Down look and sound like the steam-punk future you wish our spastically schizophrenic contemporary music scene was heading towards
Dan Watt - Beat Magazine
“This band will not be playing at a venue this small in three years. They are going to be huge, I’m telling you.” This declaration, from a stranger standing beside me in the Grace Darling Hotel, is a realistic one: City Calm Down, a quartet from inner-city Melbourne, put on a damn good performance; these are some guys to look out for.
Eclectically, the group combine haunting, lyrical melodies with the heavy bass lines and synthesizers that are obligatory for today’s indie-pop sound. But, unlike many of their counterparts, they execute their music with an air of confidence, forcing their audience to pay attention.
The music was dance-evoking and definitely catchy enough to make it large in the mainstream, should they seek such success.
In short, I will reiterate that stranger’s cl.. yes, I do believe these boys will be going somewhere. They’re not perfect yet, but they’re not expected to be. They are definitely on the right track.
Josie Smart - The Au Review
Melbourne based electro-synth quartet, City Calm Down, literally blew my socks off with their undeniably unique sound – something the electronic dance pop scene has been lacking of lat
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