Geographer

Artist Information

Biography

In the summer of 2005, after a series of deaths in the family, Michael Deni left his
hometown in New Jersey for San Francisco. He spent the next several months with
his guitar and a synthesizer he found on the street, turning the tragedy that drove
him from home into songs rich with emotion and lush melodies.  After the additions
of cellist Nathan Blaz (previously in St. Vincent) and drummer
Brian Ostreicher, Geographer spent the next year playing clubs around the Bay Area,
wooing crowds with heart-pounding epics that make up their debut record, Innocent
Ghosts.  Deni's angelic vocals soar above thumping dance tunes with highs and lows
that are simple and beautiful in their delivery. After being selected one of three “Undis-
covered Bands You Need To Hear Now” by SPIN magazine, and recently signing to
San Francisco based label Tricycle Records, Geographer is poised on the brink of
becoming one of the most exciting newcomers in indie music.
Kites (7” Vinyl) was released on Tricycle Records October 2009
followed by Animal Shapes (EP) in March of 2010.

Instrumentation

Mike Deni - Vocals, Guitar, keyboards
Nathan Blaz - Cello, Synths
Brian Ostreicher - Vocals, Drums

Discography

"Animal Shapes" EP - 2010

"Kites" 7 inch Single - 2009

"Innocent Ghosts" LP - 2008

"Can't You Wait" EP - 2008

Official Website

http://www.geographermusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Interview on Stranger Dance
• Interview podcast on The Bay Bridged
• Additional Photo Galleries of Geographer
• Geographer featured in ad campaign
• Official Website

Audio

• Kites
  Listen   Download
• Original Sin
  Listen   Download
• Verona
  Listen   Download

Video

geopromoate

Photo Gallery

Press

• Geographer in New York I Love You Trailer [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808399/fullcredits Link to the unbelievably star-studded cast. Geog...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808399/fullcredits
  
  Link to the unbelievably star-studded cast. Geographer is very excited to have a song placed in the new, unreleased trailer! The current trailer features Feist and Regina Spektor.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNNAipVDBo
  
  
  

• SPIN.com [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.spin.com/articles/three-undiscovered-bands-you-need-hear-now voted one of "three undis...http://www.spin.com/articles/three-undiscovered-bands-you-need-hear-now
  
  voted one of "three undiscovered bands you need to hear now"
  
  “...this Bay Area threesome deftly factor urgency into their equation with insistent beats that prop up shy, reverb-drenched vocals...Tailor-made for your own personal late-night dance party...”
  SPIN.com
  

• Pop Matters [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/70777-geographer-innocent-ghosts/ Geographer frontman Michael...http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/70777-geographer-innocent-ghosts/
  
  Geographer frontman Michael Deni reveals Innocent Ghosts‘ cathartic purposes rather early on: only a minute into album opener (and lead single) “Can’t You Wait”, Deni intones “You couldn’t wait / but I’ll never love another.” Ghosts is an album that wears its loss and hurt on its sleeve without ever really wallowing in it, a full-body embrace of life’s frequent pains for all the growth and maturity they provide. The album’s themes are only emphasized and made more poignant by the music, an enveloping blend of electro pop with something decidedly more earthy: Deni sounds a bit like Robin Pecknold, and is backed up by synths, strings, organs and subtle drums that sound like the Postal Service relaxing in a woodland cabin. Innocent Ghosts does lose a little bit of steam, both musically and thematically, as the album wears on, but its early heights show so much promise, a slight dip is easy to overlook: Deni is able to put together beautiful, poignant music, well worth getting absorbed in.
  

• Amplifier Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.amplifiermagazine.com/reviews/cds/geographer_cd.php Released in 2008, Innocent Ghosts ...http://www.amplifiermagazine.com/reviews/cds/geographer_cd.php
  
  Released in 2008, Innocent Ghosts is the debut from San Francisco-based indie-pop trio Geographer. Inspired by a family tragedy involving the death of his sister and father, vocalist Michael Deni formed the group shortly afterwards (with cellist Nathan Blaz and drummer Brian Ostreicher), eventually creating an album that is a thoughtful exploration of life after loss.
  
  This record treads back and forth along the line between melancholy and hope; unhurried, self-assured, and serene. The melodies take time to bloom, with songs often starting off in a sleepy dreamland (as with “Wonderful” and the ever-stretching lullaby “Asleep”) and gradually opening up to let the current of emotion flow. The desolate lyrics tell stories of hardship and lost love that one might expect to be accompanied with vocal or instrumental outbursts and commotion, yet there is a surprisingly calm energy throughout, as of someone who has come to terms with the tragic events of the past. Deni's vocal delivery is smooth and soothing, carrying forth genuine emotion with gentle restraint. Even during the pulsating forward rush of “Each Other's Guitar,” or the grittier “Wonderful,” Deni's voice remains unaffected and tranquil.
  
  Though melodies are propelled by surging harmonies throughout, the pensive lyrics (and their temperate delivery) keep things in check, never allowing things to spiral out of control, preferring the safety of predictable structure.
  
  Noteworthy songs on the album are “Leave,” a lush interplay of cello, chirpy piano, drums, and guitar, juxtaposed with Deni's tender vocals, “Underneath My Heart,” a sweeping melodic male/female duet with a folksy feel, richly orchestrated and cleverly arranged, and “The Morning,” an upbeat track featuring sultry female vocals that starts off as a shimmering kaleidoscope of synthesizer harmonies and develops into quite a catchy number.
  
  With heaps of potential for mass appeal, Innocent Ghosts is an accessible pop record that sounds polished and well thought-out. One wonders whether future releases from Geographer will be blithe and tinged with humor, or will continue along the road of perdition. Serious and serene, its affable mood is the ideal complement to moments of wistful reminiscence. Skillfully balancing upbeat melodies with heartfelt lyrics, Innocent Ghosts is a steadfast debut effort from Geographer. Voted one of three “Undiscovered Bands You Need To Hear Now” by SPIN magazine, these guys are bound to keep steadily ascending the summit of recognition.
  

• Photo Gallery of the Band
  

  http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=142742130

• Lumino Magazine Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  “... Deni’s voice, soothing and versatile, might remind some rock audiences of Radiohead’s Thom York...“... Deni’s voice, soothing and versatile, might remind some rock audiences of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke on muscle relaxers...”
  
  “...a celestial experience from start to finish...”
  
  “...Carnival-esque sounds created by cellist and electronic background noise specialist Nathan Blaz give...the mesmerizing “ghost-like” tone that becomes a common thread throughout the appropriately titled album...”
  -Dan Hyman, Lumino Magazine
  
  http://www.luminomagazine.com/mw/content/view/2605/27
  

• Performer Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  “...burgeons with a fingerprinted sound...poising the band in the greater indie rock pantheon...” “...“...burgeons with a fingerprinted sound...poising the band in the greater indie rock pantheon...”
  “...colorful vocal eloquence...demonstrates lyrical competence unfound in many of today’s artists...”
  “...burning with charm...”
  “...Geographer blends indie rock conventionality with chamber pop sensibilities accented and lifted by electronic pulses and stargazing synths...”
  

• Album Release Show review [+ Show ]
  

  "Prior to Judgement Day’s onslaught, local up n’ comers Geographer celebrated the release of their n..."Prior to Judgement Day’s onslaught, local up n’ comers Geographer celebrated the release of their new recording Innocent Ghosts. The band’s natural penchant for pop sensibility was immediately apparent and carried through their entire set, revolving around singer Mike Deni’s yearning delivery and thoughtful lyricism amidst thick and memorable cello melodies. After recently revisiting Broken Social Scene’s breakthrough record You Forgot It In People , I grew fond once again of the resurgence of pure indie rock pop which defies esoteric or stylistic motives. True to form, Geographer’s live renditions of “Wonderful” and “Can’t You Wait” shimmered through the crowd, slowly building to distorted servings of the some best pop this city has to offer."
  
  -the bay bridged

• Geographer on NPR! [+ Show ]
  

  "I've Been Asleep" was featured on NPR Thursday Aug. 9 2007 "Rushing In, Rushing Out" featured Th..."I've Been Asleep" was featured on NPR Thursday Aug. 9 2007
  
  "Rushing In, Rushing Out" featured Thursday Feb. 21 2008

Setlist

Sets run 30-70 minutes

Typical set:
Original Sin
rushing
age of consent
each other's ghosts
wonderful
heaven waits
leave
native son
night winds
can't you wait
kites

Songs range from 3-5 minutes

Basic Requirements

Calendar