Tag: Danz CM

Ladytron and Danz CM at The Orpheum in Tampa, FL on 8/28/24 Words and Photos By Shawn McKee

I had never been to The Orpheum in Tampa before, and I don’t usually drive far for concerts on weekdays, but this time, there was good reason. UK-based electronic/rock band Ladytron was in town as part of their North American tour with synthpop prodigy Danz CM (formerly Computer Magic) opening.

Both artists could be described as electronically driven, multi-layered, new-wave indie rock. Or something like that. I was excited to catch Ladytron but even more thrilled to finally see Danz CM, having been a fan since around 2015, following the release of her album Davos.

The late afternoon drive from Orlando to Tampa was no picnic, especially during rush hour. I picked up my wife from work, hoping to make it by 7:00 pm when the doors opened. Despite the stress of getting there, the concert remained a chance to decompress and enjoy two great bands—a simple prospect and experience worth remembering.

The Orpheum resides in a college town near the University of Tampa. We arrived just past seven to find a steadily growing crowd inside. There were people of all ages, many with tattoos and piercings, dressed in black or donning concert shirts. Some had already gathered at the front of the darkened stage. Beyond the open floor were several glossy wooden tables with stools stretched to the back alongside the bustling bar.

Band merchandise was set up near the entrance. There was also an outside area with a bar, food truck, and plenty of space to walk around. I ordered a drink and strolled about not quite ready to stand in the merchandise line. Before too long, we designated our spot within the crowd at a moderate distance from the stage. The show was about to begin.

Danz CM is a self-taught musician and founder of Synth History (a collective) and her label, Channel 9 Records. In addition to her music, she composes soundtracks and recently partnered with the Criterion Channel to deliver a series on the history of synth-based movie soundtracks. She’s industrious, to say the least, and an inspiration to any artistically driven person with their passions still intact.

Sometime after 8:00 pm, Danz entered the stage as her banner projected onto the screen behind her. Under the dark glow of orange and blue lighting, she flawlessly delivered a brief set that strongly represented her prolific talent. She performed as a one-person band, operating keyboards and MIDI consoles while singing.

The thrill of seeing a NY-based artist I had long admired so close to home deeply resonated. The pulsating beats enveloped my senses. Catchy hooks layered with her fantastic vocals unleashed an infectious groove. Danz often switched between two different microphones for effect, while moving from one end of the stage to the other.

I was excited to hear “Idea of You,” “Low,” “Don’t Stop,” “Breaking Point,” and “I Don’t Need a Hero,” from her latest album The Absurdity of Human Existence (read my review here). Within a set largely relegated to that album, she also performed her magnum opus “Fuzz” from Davos.

Early on, she introduced some family members in attendance. Her mother lived in Tampa, and the tour provided the opportunity to visit. I was later able to meet Danz and get my record signed, making the trip even more worth it.

Rewind It’s Shawn McKee with Danz CM at The Orpheum in Tampa, FL on 8/28/24 (Photo by Jhen McKee).

I also spoke briefly with her mother near the vendor displays. “Thanks so much for bringing Danz to Tampa,” I said, with whatever ridiculous fandom that followed. She was equally gracious and as a mother, immensely proud.

Ladytron played to a packed room with a dazzling rear projection of vibrant colors that matched their equally sprawling sound. The band delivered loud, hypnotic thumping nearly deafening in execution. With most band members shrouded in the shadows, lead vocalist Helen Marine emerged under the spotlights and belted evocative lyrics in her typically ethereal fashion.

Her distinctive vocals were accompanied by heavy guitars, blasting beats, heart-stopping bass, and an effervescent, multilayered synth that formed a trance-like wave of sound. Guitarist Daniel Hunt ranged between playing clean, bluesy, and grunge-like chords with deft precision. Keyboardist and co-lead vocalist Mira Aroyo delivered beautiful harmonies, powerful beats, and layered synths.

Their combined electronic spectacle unleashed a heightened, up-tempo energy for some songs and a slower, methodical groove for others. They opened with the rock anthem “Ghost” followed by the infectious “City of Angels” from their latest album Time’s Arrow (2023).

Ladytron remains a unique blend of indie rocker Mazzy Star and goth band Switchblade Symphony but with a sound all their own.

Throughout their performance, they covered a lot of ground chronicling their 25-year career. Their set included songs from 604 (2001), Light & Magic (2002), Witching Hour (2005), Velocifero (2008), Gravity the Seducer (2011), and their self-titled 2019 album. The song “International Dateline” (a personal favorite) was one of the show’s many highlights.

It’s hard to believe these synth-pop pioneers have been around so long. But as life goes on, the music we love always grows with us. It’s a special thing to see live regardless of time or distance.

Album Review: Danz CM – The Absurdity of Human Existence (Channel 9 Records)

By: Shawn McKee

Like a young, earnest Trent Reznor, Danz utilizes technology to arrange, produce, and sometimes mix music all her own, while embodying an abundance of influences, to include Gary Numan, Thom Yorke, Blondie, Depeche Mode, Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk, and beyond. She also has a clear passion for film, pop culture, and science-fiction, notably reflected in most of her work. Her numerous music videos often reach cinematic heights, as seen in the grainy, glitchy magnum opus “Fuzz” from her debut album, “Davos.”

Danz CM reemerged last March with the release of a new album, citing the name change from Computer Magic as one of growth. The album title is anything but subtle and was purportedly conceived during a low point in the artist’s life. This is mostly the case with good music in general. “Absurdity” leads us on an introspective journey through uncertain times. There are a few standouts, with some minor lulls in an album that remains consistently fresh and unique. Danz CM delivers a symmetrical ten-song lineup at just under forty minutes, where no song sounds the same.

The opening track, “Idea of You” immediately launches into a thumping, electronic beat over layed with pulsating synth loops and distant guitar strumming. She sets the tone with, “I don’t want another… heartbreak on my record” and proceeds to pick up the pieces of a fractured relationship. The song’s arrangement is near perfection and offers an accessible sound that should pique the interest of any casual listener. The second track, “Domino” quietly delves into the struggles of love. Here, Danz displays a rarely heard vulnerability, further exploring themes of confusion and melancholy. The song deploys a litany of direct and indirect questions, such as, “How can I be so weak / How could you let me fall for you / How can I let you in, over again.” It’s an appropriate second track but far from an album favorite.

A cosmic slow burn follows of overlapping synth waves in the equally somber, “My Other Self.”The otherwise mellow song has a lot going for it, including disillusioned lyrics combined with a spacey sound. “You’re just a distraction… From myself,” repeats the chorus, as though the situation at hand has grown old. “Low” proceeds with some impressive electronic arrangements and keyboard layers wrapped in lyrics of paranoia and confusion, this time involving someone waiting for their lover to return. “You’re not the only one missing something…You’re not the only one.”

The album reaches a midway high point with the dance-oriented, Bjork-sounding “Don’t Stop,”where Danz channels her inner Debbie Harry. Her harmonized vocals are strong throughout the infectious tune. The isolating sadness of “Breaking Point” follows in a winding sonic fashion that recalls an 80s movie synth score. The Cars-sounding “Something More” picks things up again, with a cruising rock beat that’s fun and catchy. The lyrics convey a yearning beyond the ordinary while “working at a restaurant,” for little return. This seemingly harkens back to Danz’s own early days in NYC while attending college. I initially dismissed the song, only for it to grow on me later.

“I Don’t Need a Hero” is as a real standout and one of the best songs on the album. The rock-induced, synth-pounding ballet charges forward with industrial-sounding fervor. Danz takes no prisoners in her escape from the “monster” she’s left behind. “I don’t need a hero,” she says with a tone of finality, “It could never be somebody like you.” The song also represents her uncanny ability to layer catchy pop tunes with depth and emotion, a technique Kurt Cobain reportedly admired about The Pixies and wished to emulate.

The album winds down with the big band, disco-sounding “Not Gonna Stand By,” erupting in a plethora of strings, an intense, funky bass line, and fast, tight drums. Its undeniable groove is reminiscent of Abba, ELO, and KC and the Sunshine Band mixed into one. The lyrics and music present a more optimistic side of her existentialist journey. “I won’t hurt you, I won’t leave you, I won’t make you cry / But if you don’t let your guard down, I’m not gonna stand by.” Seems like a fair compromise to me. “Human Existence” is a touching and beautiful closer. Its simple, synth-driven aesthetic feels like something created at the edges of the earth… after the apocalypse. Powered by haunting lyrics and impressive vocals, the song offers hope amid a crumbling world. “Hold me…Hold me tightly.” It’s a fitting end to an enjoyable album that doesn’t outwardly hammer its appeal. It takes a few listens, like many albums, to draw you in. As a fan of electronic music in general, her music resonates with me. But I also believe that there’s a lot here to offer anyone who can appreciate it

Rating: 4/5 Stars