Temposhark

Temposhark
Background information
Also known as Robert Diament
Origin Brighton & London, England
Genres Electronica, Alternative, Indie, Pop, Rock
Years active 2004–present
Labels Paper & Glue
Defend Music
Website Temposhark.com
Members Robert Diament (vocals 2004-present)
Mathis Richet (drums 2006-present)
Mark Ferguson (bass 2007-present)
Leila MacFie (keyboards 2009-present)
Past members Luke Busby (keyboards/co-songwriter 2004–2007)
Jasmin O'Meara (bass 2004–2005)
Laurence Warder (bass 2005–2006)
Luke Juby (keyboards 2008)

Temposhark are an English electronic rock band, formed in London and Brighton by singer-songwriter Robert Diament and one-time music producer Luke Busby. Temposhark were best known for their songs Bye Bye Baby, Joy, It's Better To Have Loved and Not That Big; a duet with singer Imogen Heap which appeared on their 2008 debut album The Invisible Line. Their second album Threads was released in 2010 and reached the top 15 on iTunes UK electronic albums chart. Other notable artist collaborations include Guy Sigsworth, Sean McGhee, Youth from Killing Joke, Kate Havnevik, Melnyk, Camille, MaJiKer, Morgan Page, Avril and the virtuoso violinist Sophie Solomon. Temposhark's music has been featured in numerous television programmes, including the USA advertising campaign for British TV series Downton Abbey in 2011.[1]

Early EPs and Collaborations (2004–2007)

The initial idea for Temposhark started in London whilst Diament was recording and writing with producer Youth from Killing Joke. At this time, Diament also began staying in Brighton where his old school friend Luke Busby was studying visual art and music at the time. Diament has spoken about that era of initial experimentation,

“ Crime was one of the first songs that Luke and I ever wrote, when Luke was studying in Brighton. Listening to the clip just now brought back so many hilarious memories of us running riot around Brighton with our friend Tasha (who went on to become the very wonderful Bat For Lashes). Around the time of writing Crime, Tasha and I performed in a musical Luke had written. We put it on in a tiny Brighton theatre and had such a laugh doing it. Great memories - but I just hope the video footage never turns up![2] ”

Diament set up his own UK record label in December 2004 called Paper and Glue releasing a series of limited edition Temposhark singles, the first of which was their EP Neon Question Mark.

Temposhark quickly collaborated with singer Imogen Heap (Frou Frou), received club remixes from electro pioneers including Cursor Miner, Mark Moore (S'Express), Melnyk, Metronomy, Avril (FCommunications), Carmen Rizzo and Crispin J Glover as well as hip-hop crew Border Crossing, Masashi Naka (Escalator Records, Japan), Akira the Don and electropunk duo Noblesse Oblige. The band have also written two short film soundtracks for fine artist Justine Pearsall. Diament and Pearsall went on to collaborate on an art music video for the Temposhark song It's Better To Have Loved in 2005. This art video was first screened in public at the De La Warr Pavilion in February 2006 when Temposhark performed live at the respected British arts venue.[3]

A second EP 'Invisible Ink/Little White Lie' came out in May 2005 which attracted many new admirers including producer Guy Sigsworth, best known for his work with Madonna, Björk and Britney Spears. Sigsworth went on to produce Temposhark's first nationwide released UK single It's Better To Have Loved, which came out as a limited edition CD on 12 December 2005. All of these early Temposhark limited edition EPs came in deluxe packaging helping to create a buzz around the band in creative circles and with their fanbase. The band themselves were never pictured on the sleeves instead choosing striking original art images and stylish die-cut record sleeves. Around this time, Temposhark's live shows included bass player Jasmin O'Meara who also plays bass for Zoot Woman.[4]

In 2005, Diament said that his band name was thought up when he "woke up in the midst of a dream one night, at like 4am, and just said the word Temposhark. So it came from my subconscious I guess. Honestly it was that simple. I wanted a name that sounded strong. I liked the idea that music could be a weapon. Something powerful."[5]

In May 2006 Temposhark released their second nationwide single Joy on limited edition CD and 7" vinyl and the band set out on a UK tour visiting towns all over the UK. These dates included a very high-profile London show at Tate Britain on Fri 5 May and Carling Academy Islington on Sat 20 May. Temposhark gained many new fans when Joy was featured on the front homepage of iTunes UK and in iTunes’ weekly newsletter.

In 2007, Temposhark toured the USA with their full band as well as completing their debut album, to be released in March 2008 in USA and Europe.

In 2008, their collaboration with rapper Akira The Don was released in US magazine XLR8R called Bang.

The Invisible Line (2008 debut album)

Main article: The Invisible Line

Temposhark's debut album The Invisible Line was released in Spring 2008 in both UK and USA/Canada.[6] It was produced and recorded in London by rising producer Sean McGhee with two tracks produced by Guy Sigsworth. The album includes the song Blame, which was co-written with producer Youth aka Martin Glover from Killing Joke as well as a duet with Imogen Heap called Not That Big.

On 15 March 2007 at the South by Southwest 2007 festival, Temposhark announced on stage that their debut album was to be called The Invisible Line. Singer Robert Diament has said that the album title was inspired by controversial British artist Tracey Emin from passages in her books Exploration Of The Soul (1994) and Strangeland (2005).[7]

A behind-the-scenes video of Temposhark recording at London's RAK Studios was released on YouTube.com on 26 May 2007. The video was synced up to the full album version of the Temposhark song Blame.[8] This is thought to be the first preview of the newly recorded album version of the song.

In October 2007, Temposhark's song Blame was nominated in the Best International category at the Ontario Independent Music Awards which take place in Toronto, Canada on 15 November 2007.[9] Due to the album being leaked ahead of its official Spring 2008 release, it has now been made available on iTunes in Europe, Australia and Japan.

In February 2008, Temposhark and their song Blame was announced as a finalist in the Pop/Top 40 category of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).[10] Blame was chosen by a board of respected judges included Nelly Furtado, Macy Gray, DJ Tiesto, Robert Smith of The Cure and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.[11] In April 2008, the song went on to become a winning finalist in the Pop/Top 40 category.[10]

In the same month, The Invisible Line was highlighted in The Guardian as a new band to watch article, described as "What if Kate Bush had shagged Marc Almond and spawned a monster that grew up listening to Violator? That's Temposhark, musically at any rate."[12]

In March 2008, the NME praised Temposhark's debut album with a positive review, "What if Trent Reznor was raised on the Pet Shop Boys rather than Einsturzende Neubauten? Think these dudes... they could be your new favourite band. 7 out of 10"[13]

Temposhark filmed four songs live for Fox TV's music show Fearless Music in the USA during April 2008.[14]

Temposhark's animated music video to their single Blame was selected for the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2008. Directed by New York-based artist Motomichi Nakamura, the video will be screened on 22 June as part of the Mirrorball event focused on music video and music documentaries.[15]

On 27 June 2008, SXSW Click digital festival announced Temposhark's music video Blame in the top 3 finalists for the best music video of 2008.[16] At the end of July 2008, Temposhark were announced the winner of the Music Video category, and will therefore have their video screened at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.[17]

Temposhark's music video to Blame was then shortlisted for the Portugal International Music Video Festival ViMUS 2008 and was screened in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal between 4–7 September 2008.[18]

The Blame video went on to be nominated for a Hollywood Music Award (ceremony in November 2008) whilst also being selected for screening at the San Francisco International Animation Festival (run by the San Francisco Film Society) and at the Holland Animation Film Festival 2008.[19]

On 7 September 2008, Temposhark's song Knock Me Out was played on the MTV Video Music Awards 2008.[19]

In November 2008, Temposhark's video Blame won the New Music Video Awards 2008.[20]

Threads (2010 second album)

In 2009, two new digital singles The World Does Not Revolve Around You and Bye Bye Baby were released, each accompanied by a music video. Also in Summer 2009, Diament wrote songs with producer Guy Sigsworth[21] and popstar Diana Vickers.[22]

In April 2010, Temposhark released their second album Threads. The album has 11 brand new songs. Released on 5 April 2010 as a digital download and reached number 15 in the iTunes Top 20 electronic albums in the UK.[23] The digital version of the album includes 2 bonus remixes of the title track by Morgan Page and MaJiKer and PDF downloadable artwork. The album reached the USA Top 20 in CMJ's college radio albums chart in March 2010.[24]

In March 2010, Temposhark's song Bye Bye Baby was nominated for an Exposure Music Award in the UK.[25] In May 2010, the song also received regular radio play in Germany when released as a single there.[26]

In May 2010 for an interview with UK magazine The Kaje, Diament described Threads as a "break-up album in many ways. A lot of the songs are about the end of a relationship and the start of a new life."[24] Diament said the album was originally going to be called Fireworks but after writing the song Threads he decided that title summed up the album's overall mood and continued his earlier concept from his debut The Invisible Line of "how music can really connect people. But also of how everyone is interconnected in the world".[24]

Recordings for television

Songs from Temposhark's two albums including The World Does Not Revolve Around You, Bye Bye Baby, Frames, Green Lights, Not That Big, Knock Me Out, Blame and Irresistible were featured in USA television programmes such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians,[27] Paris Hilton's My New BFF,[28] People's Choice Awards (CBS),[29] The Bad Girls Club, Road Rules, Love Games[30] and numerous MTV shows including The Real World,[31] 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, and Styl'D.[32]

In July 2010, Temposhark songs Joy and Crime were used in fashion advertising campaigns by Max Mara and Marina Rinaldi.[33]

In October 2011, it was announced that USA television network PBS had licensed Temposhark's song Irresistible[1] for the USA advertising campaign of British TV series Downton Abbey.[34]

Touring

Temposhark's first live appearances took place in fashionable London club nights such as Electrogogo, Nag Nag Nag, Kashpoint, Computer Blue and Drama. In August 2005, British style icon Princess Julia joined Temposhark on stage at the TDK Cross Central music festival where Temposhark were supporting Grace Jones and Goldfrapp. Her duet on the song 'Paris' has since been made into a popular electro club remix and they performed the track live a further time at Nag Nag Nag for Fischerspooner's after show party in September.

Temposhark toured the UK in 2006 visiting all major cities, culminating in a performance at London's Tate Britain art gallery and soon afterwards at the Mean Fiddler Latitude Festival on 16 July 2006. Temposhark first visited New York City on a UK music industry trade mission in June 2006 and started performing live in Europe soon after including a sold out headline gig in Paris in July 2006.

In November 2006, Temposhark began performing with their new live band, French drummer Mathis Richet and bassist Mark Ferguson. This led to the band being invited by music festival/conference South by Southwest 2007 (SXSW), which became the band's first ever live shows in the USA. They performed live twice to pack out audiences at the event in Austin, Texas on 15 and 16 March 2007. Temposhark were awarded funding from the 'British Music Abroad' scheme run by the PRS Foundation, Arts Council England and UK Trade and Investment to support their SXSW 2007 trip to the USA.

On 11 May 2007, Temposhark announced their first theatre and club tour of the USA.[35] Temposhark's US tour supporting Darren Hayes from Savage Garden took place between 11–26 June 2007. They visited cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco, with dates in all cities completely sold out. Temposhark played a live solo concert as part of New York fashion week in September 2007, it was their longest US show so far, at just under one hour.[36]

In April 2008, Temposhark returned to the live circuit performing headline live shows in London as well as a short USA tour of the East Coast including New York, Hartford, Philadelphia and Buffalo.[37] Temposhark also announced a new live member, the keyboard player Luke Juby who is best known for being in popstar Mika's band.[38] In June 2008, Temposhark headline London club night Popstarz to coincide with the launch of their single Blame and the UK release of their debut album. The show at Simon Hobart's Popstarz sees the band return to the London clubs where they first began.[39]

In March 2010, Temposhark performed live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts fundraising gala at KoKo, London[40] alongside other acts including Ellie Goulding, Lily Allen, Bryan Ferry and I Blame Coco.[41]

In April 2010, Robert Diament of Temposhark sang live in Paris, France as part of MaJiKer's series of live concerts The Lab which has included other vocalists Camille, Indi Kaur, Bénédicte Le Lay and Sacha Bernardson.[42]

Remixes

Having successfully remixed the track Pull Up The People for M.I.A., Temposhark have started to remix other artists.

Recent remix commissions include French music star Camille (Virgin/EMI Records) for her single Ta Douleur, Hellogoodbye (Sanctuary/Drive Thru Records) for their global hit song Here In Your Arms and Kate Havnevik (Universal/Continentica Records) for You Again taken from her cult hit debut album Melankton.

January 2006 saw Temposhark remix Sophie Solomon's song Holy Devil taken from the virtuoso violinist's solo album Poison Sweet Madeira on Decca Records. Their remix has since been a success in Germany on both radio and at the iTunes German store.

In June 2007, Temposhark's remix of Melnyk's song Me And My Muse was released on Melnyk's album Silence Remixed. Temposhark's interpretation included additional vocals by lead singer Robert Diament. The remix was later added onto Melnyk's 25 compilation of artists from his label. Melnyk has remixed a number of songs for Temposhark including their cult hit Joy.

Temposhark collaborated again with Melnyk in 2008 for his second album Revolutions on a track called Hurricane which was inspired by the Temposhark song Knock Me Out.[43]

In October 2009, Temposhark released a 20-track compilation albums of rare remixes and previously unreleased songs and b-sides called Remixes & Rarities.

Internet popularity and podcasts

In March 2006 MySpace featured Temposhark as one of their favourite artists giving the band a new worldwide platform with more than 928,000 unique plays to date.[44] The band also have over 25,000 friends on the networking site.

2006 also saw the launch of Temposhark's official podcast series featuring lengthy interviews with fellow musicians/singers (including Kate Havnevik and Sophie Solomon) as well as short video documentaries and studio diaries. This free series of digital downloads began in May that year and is available from music stores such as iTunes and has attracted a cult following of 15,000 subscribers.[45]

In December 2007 and January 2008, Temposhark's singer Robert Diament was invited to be a guest blogger on music blog ArjanWrites.com where he wrote a number of blog entries related to his favourite music.[46]

In January 2008, Temposhark launched their music on the Last.fm internet radio network. In one week they had over 54,600 plays of songs from their debut album.[47]

In February 2008, MySpace featured Temposhark again as one of their featured artists giving them an incredible boost to their listening figures of over 70,000 listens in a few days.[44]

In March 2008, global fashion brand Fred Perry chose Temposhark as one of their new favourite rising bands. Temposhark were featured for the whole month of March at the Fred Perry website and a selection of Temposhark's songs, taken from their debut album, were streamed on the Fred Perry website radio player.[48]

In March 2008, the band's debut album reached number 20 in the top 100 iTunes USA chart for electronic music.[49]

In May 2008, Temposhark won funding of £15,000 from SliceThePie (SliceThePie.com, ) winning the top prize out of over 1,000 selected bands. The money helped the band make and release their second album Threads.[50]

On 27 June 2008, SXSW Click digital festival announced Temposhark's music video Blame in the top 3 finalists for the best music video of 2008.[16] At the end of July 2008, Temposhark were announced the winner of the Music Video category, and will therefore have their video screened at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.[17]

On 29 August 2008, Temposhark recorded a live radio session for the British Council's radio show The Selector[51] which included an exclusive acoustic song I Kissed A Girl, a cover version of the hit number 1 song by Katy Perry. Having been uploaded onto the internet, the song quickly became popular with bloggers[52] and fans alike.[53] During the radio interview singer Robert Diament joked that,

“ Having sung the song, I'd now love to kiss Katy Perry![51] ”

In 2010, Temposhark's Knock Me Out gained popularity with gamers thanks to the song being featured[54] on the US computer game website OurWorld[55] in level 6[56] of the game Dance Planet and Dance Planet Multiplayer.[57]

In May 2010, Rob Diament of Temposhark featured in the music video to Will Kevans' single Dialling Tone starring British actor Russell Tovey.[58]

Discography

Albums

CD singles/EPs/digital downloads

Vinyl singles

Compilations

Temposhark remixes

Cover versions

Videography

Music videos

Concert film and interview

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 Robert Temposhark. "Temposhark Blog: Watch Downton Abbey USA ad campaign feat. Temposhark's song 'Irresistible' on Masterpiece PBS now!". Temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Free Download: Temposhark". Arjanwrites.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Archived 9 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "BBC - Berkshire - Entertainment - Temposhark". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "As mentioned by Diament in an interview dated 16 January 2008". Zxlcreative.blogs.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014. An artist I love called Tracey Emin wrote about her birth and invisible lines that connect the past, present and future in her book 'Exploration Of The Soul' and it really resonated with me, that idea.
  8. ↑ "Temposhark". YouTube. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 Archived 7 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ Archived 1 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "No 267: Temposhark". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Archived 9 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  16. 1 2 "SXSWclick!". Sxswclick.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  17. 1 2 "SXSWclick!". Sxswclick.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "International Competition 4th to 7th September 2008 Póvoa de Varzim Portugal" (PDF). VIMUS. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  19. 1 2 "www.temposhark.com". temposhark.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  20. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". temposhark.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  21. ↑ "Temposhark Blog: Update: New single, Frankmusik, Majiker, Diana Vickers, The Good Natured and.... PARIS HILTON!!!". temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  22. ↑ "EQ Music Blog: Listen To New Temposhark Tracks!". zxlcreative.blogs.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  23. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  24. 1 2 3 The Kaje. "ISSUU - The Kaje, Issue 1 (May 2010) by The Kaje". Issuu. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  25. ↑ Temposhark nominated for Exposure Music Award Archived 6 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑
  27. ↑
  28. ↑ "Temposhark ‘The World Does Not Revolve Around You’ Competition « MUZU.TV Blog". web.archive.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  29. ↑ "Temposhark Blog: CBS People's Choice Awards play Temposhark's song 'Knock Me Out' this week!". temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  30. ↑ "Temposhark Blog: Temposhark songs on Time Warner TV show in USA 'Love Games'". temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  31. ↑ "Temposhark Blog: New song on MTV's 'Real World' season finale: Wed 9th Sept 2009: 10PM ET/PT". temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  32. ↑
  33. ↑ Temposhark songs used by Max Mara and Marina Rinaldi 2010 Archived 9 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  34. ↑ Robert Temposhark. "Temposhark Blog: Downton Abbey is 'Irresistible' in the USA". Temposhark.blogspot.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  35. ↑ "Temposhark Joins Darren Hayes on U.S. Tour in June". Arjanwrites.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "Temposhark at New York Fashion Week". Arjanwrites.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  37. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  38. ↑ Archived 30 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  39. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". Temposhark.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  40. ↑ "Lily Allen To Play Charity Gig For Art - Look to the Stars". looktothestars.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  41. ↑ Temposhark perform live at ICA gala 2010 Archived 7 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  42. ↑ Archived 16 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  43. ↑ "www.temposhark.com". temposhark.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  44. 1 2 Archived 17 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  45. ↑ Archived 5 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  46. ↑ "Introducing Rob Diament, Guest Blogger". Arjanwrites.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  47. ↑ "Temposhark". Last.fm. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  48. ↑ Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  49. ↑ "DEADLY MELODY: NYC » Blog Archive » Temposhark's Tour Kick-Off Show @ Crash Mansion". deadlymelody.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  50. ↑ "Slicethepie". slicethepie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  51. 1 2 Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  52. ↑ "EQ Music Blog: More HOT than hot: Cassette Electrik, The Gadsdens, Pandering & The Golddiggers, Darren Hayes, Temposhark, New Kids On The Block, Ladyhawke and Robyn!". zxlcreative.blogs.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  53. ↑ "Listen to Temposhark "I Kissed A Girl" (Katy Perry Cover)". arjanwrites.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  54. ↑
  55. ↑ Temposhark's Knock Me Out on OurWorld.com USA based computer game (video).
  56. ↑ "ourWorld". ourWorld. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  57. ↑ Temposhark's Knock Me Out on OurWorld.com computer game (video).
  58. ↑ Will Kevans music video, May 2010 (video).
  59. ↑ Archived 17 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  60. ↑ "'I Kissed A Girl' sung live by Temposhark - acoustic cover version of Katy Perry - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  61. ↑ "Temposhark - Like A Prayer Cover (Live in Toronto) - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  62. ↑ Archived 22 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  63. ↑ "Start". Film-medien-festival.de. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  64. ↑ "A Visual Songwriting Competition: The Music Video Awards". Wearelistening.orgwearelistening.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  65. ↑ "SXSWclick!". Sxswclick.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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