Pop Levi

Pop Levi

Pop Levi at The Good Ship, London, 2006
Background information
Birth name Jonathan James Mark Levi
Also known as Jr. Hi, Mozambique Courier
Born (1977-09-22) 22 September 1977
Surrey, England
Genres Rock/Pop/Avant-garde/Hip hop/R&B/Industrial
Occupation(s) Musician, Record Producer, Filmmaker
Labels Counter Records, Invicta Hi-Fi, Neon Gold Records.
Associated acts Super Numeri, Zukanican, Ladytron, Bunny Holiday, crush_DLX
Website poplevi.com
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster

Pop Levi (born Jonathan James Mark Levi[1][2] 22 September 1977 in Surrey)[3][4] is an English singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer.

Biography

Levi grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham and attended Shrewsbury School, a public school in Shropshire between 1991 and 1994[5] where he would skip church to write songs in the basement.[6] In 1997 Levi re-located to Liverpool to study at LIPA[7] and formed the experimental instrumental band Super Numeri with Karl Webb and James Morgan[8][9] who signed to Ninja Tune in 2002 and released albums "Great Aviaries" in 2003 and "The Welcome Table" in 2005. During this period, Levi also played bass for Ladytron live and on the album Witching Hour.[10][11]

In 2004, Levi released singles "Rude Kinda Love" and "Reindeer In My Heart" on the independent "Invicta Hi-Fi" label set up by Daniel Hunt of Ladytron.[12] A planned follow-up single in 2005 entitled "Kissed Her Sister" was shelved along with the album "Foxwatch",[13] and Levi formed The Emergencies[14] with organ player Jake Field and Zukanican members, rhythm guitarist Dominic Lewington (AKA Domino), bass player Harry Sumnall and drummer James Pagella. The band played regularly around Liverpool as "Pop Levi & The Emergencies"[15][16] including slots at the Merseyside Unity Music Festival and Unite Against Racism Festival. Now backed by The Emergencies, Levi released "Blue Honey", his last single on "Invicta Hi-Fi", before signing to Ninja Tune.[17] After signing the new deal, Levi moved to Los Angeles which resulted in The Emergencies disbanding. With Lewington still on board,[18] Levi recruited drummer Marius Simonsen and bass player Luke Muscatelli (AKA Lucky Beaches) and the band moved to the US, living together in the same house in Echo Park, Los Angeles.[19] The new backing band was named "Woman".[20]

In February 2007, Levi released his debut solo album on Counter Records, an imprint specifically created for Levi by Ninja Tune. The Return to Form Black Magick Party was self-produced and recorded over several years, solely on a lap top & D16 recording machine, at Liverpool studio/rehearsal space The Kif[19] (where a previous Super Numeri album was recorded[21]) and whilst on tour with Ladytron[22] in a number of different locations in "England, China, France, Greece, LA, New York"[23] such as "on trains, in planes, in warehouses, on the top of Cathedrals, at the beach, in bathrooms, hotel rooms and tombs. I made sure to capture the first take of everything I recorded and then took the tracks to Sacramento to be mixed".[24] The album was toured extensively across the US, UK, Europe and Australia, and was listed as one of Lauren Laverne's favourite artists to make it big in 2007 on BBC Two's The Culture Show.

In July 2008, Levi released the follow up album Never Never Love, which was preceded by the single "Dita Dimoné" which made BBC Radio 6's 'Record Of The Week'. Levi set out to make the follow-up, in contrast to the loose feel of the debut, sound artificial and soulless, that it sounded "like Japanese toys falling in and out of love with each other". The album was recorded at Westbeach Recorders[25] and Westlake Recording Studios, in the same room Quincy Jones recorded Michael Jackson's Thriller and Off The Wall albums.[26] Following the recording of the album,Lewington was asked to leave,returning to England to pursue solo projects,whilst Simonsen returned to Norway[27] and joined pop band Montée,[28] leaving Levi with no band to tour the album. Levi and Muscatelli played sporadic shows across LA as a duo, with Muscatelli shifting from bass guitar to synth bass. Aside from a handful of solo acoustic shows in London, there was also no tour to support the album in the UK either.

2008 also saw the emergence of Levi's World Empire, Inc. film and music production company.[29] In September, the 37th Festival Nouveau Cinema in Montréal held the world premiere of You Don't Gotta Run, a surreal 37-minute docu-featurette directed by auteur Lucky Beaches and starring Levi.[30]

A planned double album of home demos and outtakes entitled "Micro Sex Tapes", which was originally set for release in 2009 was never released.[26][31] A stand-alone double A-Side single "Police $ign/Terrifying (For Kenneth Anger)" was released in June 2009,[32] with a new lineup featuring drummer Hayden Scott.[33] An early version of Police $ign was featured in the in-game soundtrack of Gran Turismo 5.

In 2009, Levi travelled to Norway where drummer Simonsen was now based[34] to record his third album, tentatively titled "Records", which was intended to be live and raw sounding.[35] The album was recorded in a mountain-top converted barn[36] and re-titled "Smack Musick",[37] however, after being left in a state of limbo for 2 years, with the last scheduled release date being March 2011, it was eventually shelved.[36]

In April 2011, "Levitation Vol. 1" was temporarily made available as a free download via worldempireinc.com. The 14 track mixtape was recorded and mixed mostly in 2010-11 at The White Arc, Levi's studio in Los Angeles.[38] The release was followed up by "Motorcycle 666" in July 2011, recorded during the "Smack Musick" sessions in Norway.[36] The b-side "Rock Solid" was recorded at The White Arc.[39] The single was backed by select dates in London and Liverpool, with a new lineup with Muscatelli now on guitar.[40]

Levi has also produced and performed with Canadian-born artist and American Apparel model Bunny Holiday in Los Angeles and on a five-city tour of China.[41][42][43] In 2010 Pop Levi and Bunny Holiday directed the music video for former N.W.A star Arabian Prince's "Let's Hit The Beach" single on Stones Throw Records.[44] The duo also directed a music video for "The Look" to promote the 2010 VansXStussy shoe collaboration.[45]

Levi's song "Sugar Assault Me Now" was used in the trailers for the 2010 film, Get Him to the Greek[46] and his music has also been featured in numerous television shows including Chuck, Entourage and 90210.

In November 2012, Levi released his third solo studio album Medicine,[47] his last for Counter Records. The album was preceded by single "Strawberry Shake", featuring a remix by Tom Vek, and followed by 5-track EP "Starlight & Wonder Vol. 1".[48] An album showcase gig set to take place at The Lexington, London was cancelled at the last minute due to change in artist management.

In November 2013, Levi released "Secrets" under the pseudonym Jr. Hi[49][50] via Neon Gold Records, featuring guest vocals by The Weeknd.[51] Levi's management Roxwell had previously confirmed that Levi had been working with a number of artists including The Weeknd, Kimbra, Switch and Robert DeLong.[52] In February 2014 a second track "Trillion Girls" was released, featuring guest vocals from Childish Gambino.[50][53]

In December 2013 Pop Levi wrote and produced the Childish Gambino song "The Party"[54] for the album Because The Internet, which was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2015 Grammy Awards.[55]

In September 2014 Pop Levi and Bunny Holiday formed the Industrial/Electronic duo crush_DLX, releasing through their SoundCloud 1 track a day for 370 days in an Audio Series format called MICRO SEX TAPES 370º.[56] The series has produced collaborations with Ariel Pink[57] and Cabaret Voltaire founder Stephen Mallinder.[58]

Discography

Solo

Albums
EPs
Singles

w/ Super Numeri

Albums
Singles

w/ crush_DLX

Mixtapes

w/ Zukanican

EPs

w/ Ladytron

Albums
Singles

Filmography

Music videos

The following are the music videos starring and/or directed by Pop Levi.

Year Song Artist Director Label
2012Strawberry ShakePop LeviBunny HolidayCounter Records
2011Motorcycle 666Pop LeviWilliam OverbyCounter Records
2010Chyna GirlBunny HolidayPop LeviWorld Empire, Inc.
2010Teach Me How To BunnyBunny HolidayPop Levi & Bunny HolidayWorld Empire, Inc.
2010Let's Hit The BeachArabian PrincePop Levi & Bunny HolidayStones Throw
2010The LookBunny HolidayBunny Holiday & Pop LeviWorld Empire, Inc. for Vans
2010Tender Young FleshBunny HolidayPop Levi & Bunny HolidayWorld Empire, Inc.
2010Tender Young Flesh (Live Cam)Bunny HolidayPop Levi & Bunny HolidayWorld Empire, Inc.
2009Terrifying (For Kenneth Anger)Pop LeviDylan MulickCounter Records
2008Everything & FinallyPop LeviAuntie MumCounter Records
2008Semi-BabePop LeviAaron Willmer & Martin DobsonCounter Records
2008Dita DimonéPop LeviNeil McleanCounter Records
2008Mai's SpacePop LeviAuntie MumCounter Records
2008Never Never LovePop LeviNeil McleanCounter Records
2007Pick-Me-Up UppercutPop LeviMox & Pop LeviCounter Records
2007Pick-Me-Up UppercutPop LeviBrian HartyCounter Records
2006Sugar Assault Me NowPop LeviBrian HartyCounter Records
2006Reindeer In My HeartPop LeviPop LeviInvicta Hi-Fi
2006Blue HoneyPop LeviChristian SwegalCounter Records
2005Blue HoneyPop LeviJackie PassmoreInvicta Hi-Fi
2004Rude Kinda LovePop LeviGood TimesInvicta Hi-Fi

In Media

References

  1. ↑ "Songwriter/Composer: LEVI JONATHAN JAMES MARK". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Search birth records 1837-2006 | Fully indexed birth records". Findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-04.
  4. ↑ "Music.guardian.co.uk". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Salopian No. 144, June 2009" (PDF). Shrewsbury.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  6. ↑ "Pop Levi". Freeqmagazine.com. 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  7. ↑ "Jon Levi (lpajlevi@lipa.ac.uk)'s review of Plastic Ono Band". Amazon.com. 1999-10-14. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  8. ↑ "James Morgan: Biography, Albums, Singles & Playlists". Sharemyplaylists.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  9. ↑ "CLASSIC BRITISH PONDS (Legal Title) BMI Work #8771616". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Return To Form Black Majick Party Reviews". Metacritic. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  11. ↑ Nixon, Chris (2006-10-12). "Live shows prompted Ladytron to shift gears | The San Diego Union-Tribune". Signonsandiego.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  12. ↑ "Pop Levi / Artists / Ninja Tune". Ninjatune.net. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  13. ↑ Jack, Victoria (2007-03-08). "Pop Levi's return to form". M.fasterlouder.com.au. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  14. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110317081053/http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/449/iv-PL.shtml
  15. ↑ "Saturday 06/11/04 The 747s, The Jones's, Pop Levi and the Emergencies, The Wandering Step @ Zanzibar, Liverpool". Gigwise. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  16. ↑ "Slut Live! & Mellowtone @ The Magnet Liverpool Friday 19th August 2005, Pop Levi and The Emergencies". Outlar.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20101123042033/http://fredperrysubculture.com/band_profile.asp?id=45
  18. ↑ "No 4: Pop Levi | Music | guardian.co.uk". London: Guardian. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  19. 1 2 "Lucky Beaches: The First Lucky Beaches Interview > New Music Releases > Music". Purple Revolver. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  20. ↑ / (2007-04-10). "Pop Levi - Pick-Me-Up Uppercut - Listen/Watch Now". Musicremedy.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  21. ↑ "Super Numeri - The Welcome Table (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  22. ↑ "A kind of magic". Hotpress.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  23. ↑ "Pop Levi | Interviews | DIY". Thisisfakediy.co.uk. 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  24. ↑ "Pop Levi Interview Full Transcript | sex as a foreign language". Sexasaforeignlanguage.wordpress.com. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  25. ↑ "travis huff: recent projects". Travishuff.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  26. 1 2 "What Makes Him Pop: An interview with Pop Levi". Blog.kexp.org. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  27. ↑ "Dekadent og deilig -rbnett.no - nyheter, sport, kultur og økonomi" (in Norwegian). rbnett.no. 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  28. ↑ "MONTÉE [Norway]". Yugongyishan.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  29. ↑ "POP LEVI's World Empire, Inc. — K⓷⓻X". Worldempireinc.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  30. ↑ "Feedme Music". Feedme Music. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  31. ↑ "Pop Levi". Ink 19. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  32. ↑ "Pop Levi "Police Sign & Terrifying" Out Today / Headlines / Ninja Tune". Ninjatune.net. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  33. ↑ "Pop Levi - Police $ign / Terrifying". Paris DJs. 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  34. ↑ "Snapshots : 2005 Graduates". Lipa.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  35. ↑ "YouTellConcerts.com Interviews Pop Levi @ The Echo in Los Angeles". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  36. 1 2 3 "Motorcycle 666 / Rock Solid / Pop Levi / Releases / Ninja Tune". Ninjatune.net. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  37. ↑ "New Video by Bunny Holiday 'Mmm Yummy Yummy Yummy'". YouTellConcerts.com. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  38. ↑ "WEI#11 – POP LEVI – Levitation Vol. 1 [Mixtape]". Worldempireinc.com. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  39. ↑ "Pop Levi - Motorcycle 666 - out on Counter Records". Paris DJs. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  40. ↑ "Pop Levi - The Ladykillers at Mojo, Liverpool review > New Music Releases > Music". Purple Revolver. 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  41. ↑ "Bunny Holiday". Beijing Gig Guide. 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  42. ↑ "Teach ME How to Bunny! | Cut Out Kid". Radstarr.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  43. ↑ "Blouse: Bunny Holiday is tre sexy". Blousesydney.blogspot.com. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  44. ↑ "Arabian Prince Let's Hit The Beach Video | Stones Throw Records". Stonesthrow.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  45. ↑ "Skate Shoes, Girls, Apparel, Kids, Skateparks, Contests, Music and more!". Vans.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  46. ↑ "Pop Levi at The Shipping Forecast | Sevenstreets". Sevenstreets.com. 2010-07-05. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  47. ↑ "Medicine / Pop Levi / Releases / Ninja Tune". Ninjatune.net. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  48. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Starlight & Wonder Vol. 1 - EP by Pop Levi". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  49. ↑ Vass, Rowdy. "Eskimo Brethren: Jr. Hi - Trillion Girls Feat. Childish Gambino". Eskimobrethren.com. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  50. 1 2 "ACE Title Search". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  51. ↑ "Jr. Hi ft. The Weeknd - Secrets". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  52. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130503102411/http://roxwell.net/pop-levi
  53. ↑ "Jr. Hi - Trillion Girls Feat. Childish Gambino". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  54. ↑ Because the Internet
  55. ↑ http://www.grammy.com/nominees
  56. ↑ "Ariel Pink Featured On crush_DLX Track "My Pleasure"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  57. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/news/57679-ariel-pink-featured-on-pop-levis-crush_dlx-track-my-pleasure
  58. 1 2 http://www.spin.com/2015/04/crush_dlx-tightrope-new/
  59. ↑ http://www.bidolito.co.uk/content/exclusive-0
  60. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185870/soundtrack
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