KKC

Artist Information

Biography

Kill Krinkle Club are Dublin based one part Swedish one part Irish electronic duo with a dark lyrical edge. They have played many gigs & festivals, released many videos for their debut album and will be releasing their second album this year.

In 2012:

* writing and recording new album with U2 producer Declan Gaffney

*playing NXNE Toronto June 11-17th (www.nxne.com)

*remix with U2 producer Däkchär (Dec Gaffney) for Funeral Suits 'All Those Friendly People'

In 2011:

* Calvin Klein chose the song 'Butterfly' for his 2011 Winter/Fall catwalk collection at NY fashion Week

* played Canadian Music Week in Toronto

*released Venice video for 'Handwritten Novel'

In 2010:

* 'Moon' video nominated for 'most original concept' at the Irish Music TV Awards

* debut album described as having 'ear-bending inventiveness' with 'exceptional vocals (that) swirl intimately together--the icing on the cake of what was already a compelling debut - State Magazine (www.state.ie)

* 'dreamy electronica....brimming with imagination and bountiful ideas'---The Irish Times

'a gorgeous wonder, brimming with lush, jerky beats' and vocals with 'power and soul'---Hotpress

* Picked as one of the live highlight of HWCH '10 Festival by The Irish Times

*Repeat selections for CMJ New York, HWCH and Electric Picnic

*'Airport' single of the fortnight in Hotpress magazine

*Abandon' album release date Sep 17th produced & mixed by Declan Gaffney (U2, Interpol) & Tom McFall (Bloc Party, REM, Stars) & mastered at Sterling Sound.

*Swedish national radio feature + interview with Pelle Moeld (P3 Lab)

* released video for 'Moon' shot by Babysweet Sessions in Belfast & Dublin. It has been featured on top US blog Culture Bully as well as premier Irish blogger Nialler9 with a piece in the Irish Independent newspaper.

In '09...

*played CMJ New York '09

* played 3 shows at Electric Picnic, Laois Sep 5th . Line-up includes Brian Wilson, Bat For Lashes, Flaming Lips, MGMT, Efterklang. (www.electricpicnic.ie)

*supported Mates Of State at Halifax Pop Explosion, Canada

*played 3 shows at NXNE Festival in Toronto, Canada including a show with No Age at Whippersnapper Art Gallery, www.nxne.com

* filmed for Live in Toronto Series. Show highlights include The Antlers, The Stills & Frightened Rabbit

*played Sound City Festival Liverpool in May with White Lies, Telepathe, Clinic, The Zutons....

www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

*selected to play the IMRO showcase tour 2009

*featured as one of State Magazine's (www.state.ie) bands of 2009 in January edition. Includes 2 page photo spread, quick interview & photo on the cover.

* released a limited edition 7" Double A-side single along with Irish Tour

* featured as an Artist Spotlight in the Musicians Atlas (US) 2009 edition (www.musicianatlas.com)

*recorded a RTE 2fm radio (Irish national broadcaster) session for Dan Hegarty's show aired May 25th.
__________________________________________________________________________

In 2008.....

*gave a Swedish National Radio P3 interview + songs on P3 lab show.

*had 'White Trees' featured in the top 50 songs of 2008 by the influential 5acts blog (www.5acts.com)

*played the Halifax Pop Explosion Oct 20-25 in Canada with Islands & Holy Fuck. Previous performers include Arcade Fire, Elliot Smith, Cat Power & Broken Social Scene.

*were Chicago's Venuszine Magazine Band Of The Month for May

*played the Dublin Fringe Festival in September.

*Remixed Canon Blue's 'Odds & Ends' released on Rumraket label as a B-side for said single.

*had a full page feature interview in Swedish newspaper NSD.

*played a London headline gig in April.

*played Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in September in Dublin (www.hwch.net)

*were CMJ/ Sonicbids Artist of the Week in Feb '08.

* had renowned New York DJs The Misshapes Remix 'Lakes' off our debut EP.

*Signed licensing deal with the highly reputable

Instrumentation

Justin Commins - Guitar, Synth, drum pad, midi controller
Elina Bergman - Drums, Synth, drum pads

Discography

'Airport' single digital release, May1st 2010,
through Toy Ship Records & RMG

Debut album release 'Abandon' September 17th 2010 through Toy Ship Records & Indi Ent.

Limited Edition 7" Double A-side single of Little Men & Lakes released on Toy Ship Records August 7th '09

Canon Blue 'Odds & Ends' Remix on Rumraket Sep 08

"The Bloody Murder Of Krinkle" April '08 release on iTunes & eMusic & physical sales through Road Records sold out (www.roadrecs.com)

"Songs Of Noel" December '08 Christmas song released on Indiecater Records compilation.

Links

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Butterfly Video, Directed by Mats Udd
• Moon Video directed by Babysweet Sessions
• Airport Video by James Featherstone
• Live in Toronto video
• Kill Krinkle Club Live @ Muzu TV

Audio

• Butterfly
  Listen  
• Hit Me
  Listen  
• 59
  Listen  
• Ferrum Bear
  Listen  
• Airport
  Listen  
• Moon
  Listen  

Video

Kill Krinkle Club - 'Butterfly' by Mats Udd

Photo Gallery

Press

• State Magazine Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  Kill Krinkle Club, Dublin’s “child-Japanese-electro-pop-with-Russian influences” act (their words no...Kill Krinkle Club, Dublin’s “child-Japanese-electro-pop-with-Russian influences” act (their words not ours) has a back-story fit for idols. The two-piece consist of Swede Elina and Dubliner Justin, who share swirling co-ed vocals. They met in a Dublin bar after Justin got a night off work by winning a coin toss. ‘Krinkle’, according to the band, is a fairytale character that stops us from reaching our true potential. Abandon, then, does a great job of obliterating the band’s own inner Krinkle.
  
  Saturated with looping synths and possessing an undertone that hints at a world of slowly mutilating darkness, Kill Krinkle Club’s debut plays like one smooth, moonlit dance to the devil. Played on surround sound, the distorted bleeps and flowing rhythms are so intense they border on disorientating, perfect for dancing round an open fire on Halloween night holding a chain saw and dressed in a hockey mask.
  
  Opener ‘Butterfly’ sets the tone. Keeping things both impressively unhurried and lightly-muffled could almost be seen as an act of daring in electronica circles, and ‘Butterfly’ does just that, allowing the slow-building undercurrent to reach a catchy yet understated chorus featuring a gently twisting duet, followed by a lively bridge. Closer ‘Sleepy Song’ is another memorable one, taking the pace down to an absolute minimum in a touching instrumental that rounds off the album with a feat of impressive subtlety. In the middle, there’s a distinctly ‘Depeche Mode’ pace to things, albeit slower and less predictable than the ’80s superstars. Songs like ‘Nightfall’ offer the gentlest of crescendos while ‘Golden Eagle’ provides a heady, mind-melting effect with clever, slow-building peaks and troughs.
  
  The vocals – both Justin and Elina’s are exceptional and swirl intimately together – are the icing on the cake of what’s already a compelling debut. Abandon sets its stall out early, and holds together more tightly than many of Kill Krinkle Club’s more-expensively produced peers can match. The final goal, we’re told, is to be number one in fourteen countries before burning out and heading for rehab. Abandon might not quite get them that far, but given the morphing, ear-bending inventiveness of the debut, why not aim high?

• HWCH Festival Review [+ Show ]
  

  Kill Krinkle Club provided the electronica fix for Thursday evening of HWCH in The Twisted Pepper – ...Kill Krinkle Club provided the electronica fix for Thursday evening of HWCH in The Twisted Pepper – a jam-packed half hour display from the Dublin-based Swedish/Irish two piece. Working with electronic drums, guitar, and an array of synthesizers the duo give a high energy (albeit somewhat manic) performance. Interesting on-stage moves and attire make the set a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. The very catchy ‘Butterfly’ is an early highlight; and a brand new song, written only a few days beforehand, impresses greatly – with a thumping intro and synths reminiscent of an on-form Goldfrapp, the song is a strong indication that Kill Krinkle Club’s creativity is still in full flow following the recent release of debut album Abandon.

• Hotpress Magazine Single of the Fortnight [+ Show ]
  

  "Purveyors of breathy trip-pop, dreamy Swedish/ Irish duo Kill Krinkle Club are finally ready to mak..."Purveyors of breathy trip-pop, dreamy Swedish/ Irish duo Kill Krinkle Club are finally ready to make there mark. 'Airport' the first single from forthcoming album 'Abandon' showcases Justin Commins and Elina Bergman's irresistible vocal alloy to charming effect, backed up by some proudly messy blips and a fabulousy jerky hook"-- Hotpress Magazine's track of the fortnight

• P3 Lab Swedish National Radio [+ Show ]
  

  "I found Kill Krinkle Club on the net and instantly fell in love. Very special music from the Swedis..."I found Kill Krinkle Club on the net and instantly fell in love. Very special music from the Swedish/ Irish dream pop duo."
  
  -Pelle Moeld, Producer/Presenter of P3 Lab on Swedish National Radio.

• Irish Times HWCH Live Highlight [+ Show ]
  

  Picked as one of the live highlights at the HWCH '10 Festival......'oodles and oodles of ideas from ...Picked as one of the live highlights at the HWCH '10 Festival......'oodles and oodles of ideas from a duo whose stroppy electropop is already throwing the right shapes' JC

• 9/10 EP Review [+ Show ]
  

  Delicate. Dreamesque. Dark. Minimalist experimentalist electronica pop for the forgotten and lost....
  Delicate. Dreamesque. Dark. Minimalist experimentalist electronica pop for the forgotten and lost. Call it what you will, The Bloody Murder Of Krinkle EP recently released by Kill Krinkle Club has a fairy tale sense of wonder and mystique about it. Perhaps it's the often indecipherable soft vocals of Justin Commins. Perhaps it is how Elina Bergman's compliments his. Either way, it's essential listening, and a welcome deflection into it's dream sequence electronica.
  
  
  I first became familiar with Justin's vocal style back in the early days of The Star Department, all of two years ago, and since then have come to appreciate his rather unique vocal delivery. It's twee romantic but quirky and mischievous. Hard to put in a nutshell, and though different is not always good, it is here. While one can draw comparisons to the likes of Schneider TM or The Postal Service, Kill Krinkle Club are a rather different proposition. And with the complement of a fondly female vocal from Sweden, and with the use of all from clarinet to chime bars to sellotape, Kill Krinkle Club are surely going places. Krinkle better watch out.
  
  9/10.

• 5acts Blog Feature [+ Show ]
  

  I get new music from unsigned artists all the time and I wonder "How the hell hasn't a fancy label d...I get new music from unsigned artists all the time and I wonder "How the hell hasn't a fancy label discovered this talent yet?" That's definitely the case with Kill Krinkle Club. Their EP is on my daily regular rotation and I think you'll love them too if you enjoy music like Bat For Lashes.
  
  Jared- www.5acts.com

• Connected HWCH Festival feature [+ Show ]
  

  Super arty and super futuristic electronic pop. Their quirky tunes are at the same time eerie yet ch...Super arty and super futuristic electronic pop. Their quirky tunes are at the same time eerie yet charming. Utterly winkling and beautiful music from what I reckon will be one of the hottest acts at this year's festival.
  
  -Tia Clarke, Connected Magazine, www.connected.ie

• Sentimentalist Magazine (NY) [+ Show ]
  

  This Swedish/Irish duo exudes dark romance and fairy tale visions, juxtaposing sweetness and experim...This Swedish/Irish duo exudes dark romance and fairy tale visions, juxtaposing sweetness and experimental sounds for a quirky, cinematic trip. On “Music Box”, the echoing voice of Elina Bergman sings “It’s dark here I can’t see anything” while Justin Commins whispers a strange tale, almost indecipherable amidst bleeps and tiny toy sounds. “Split Tears” shines, and would be at home on a new soundtrack for “Alice in Wonderland,” best enjoyed while sipping absinthe-laced tea.
  
  -Sentimentalist Magazine (NY) Oct 07

• Venuszine Magazine Feature [+ Show ]
  

  "Band Of The Month" - May 2008 WHO IT IS Irish-Swedish pairing of Justin Commins (vocals, guitar..."Band Of The Month" - May 2008
  
  WHO IT IS
  Irish-Swedish pairing of Justin Commins (vocals, guitar, keyboards, sampler, chime bars, glockenspiel, banjo, drums, accordion, beats) and Elina Bergman (vocals, piano, melodica, toy keyboards, clarinet, glockenspiel).
  
  LOCATION
  Dublin, Ireland
  
  FILE UNDER
  Quirky but mellow indie electronica
  
  IN A NUTSHELL
  Justin Commins and Elina Bergman originally met by chance a few years ago in a Dublin bar. Commins had luckily won a coin toss that got him off his night job, thus allowing him to meet his future band mate. His other band at the time, the Star Department, called it quits just as Kill Krinkle Club began to take its shape as a side project that soon, as Bergman puts it, "took over everything and everyone." "We've always talked of playing together," says Bergman, the Swedish half of the duo. "So it came about quite naturally once his last band started to disband."
  
  Despite a violent-sounding moniker, Kill Krinkle Club's sound consists of mellow beats. When asked about their name, Bergman insists that they didn't chose it; instead, it chose them. So maybe the real question is, who is Krinkle and why do they seek his demise? Is he an old enemy? A childhood fear? Someone's ridiculous drunk uncle? According to Commins, he's essentially all of that and more. "[Krinkle] is something of a fairytale character. A mental phantom that stops people from fulfilling their potential," he says. "An enigma wrapped in toilet paper and tinfoil. That little voice in your head. We need to kill that guy."
  
  Bergman describes Kill Krinkle's music as "child-Japanese-electro-pop-with-Russian influences," a strange combination of adjectives that somehow works. The duo cites several musical influences, ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Animal Collective to the Beatles. Overall, Commins says that they're inspired by "anyone who's doing what they do and loves doing it." Kill Krinkle Club manages to create music that's both eerie and sweet, laced with a quirky use of instruments (like the glockenspiel and chime bars) and throwing in experimental sounds. Songs like "Hurry or the Wind Will Catch Us"and "Ballrooms Waiting for Us" from their self-released The Bloody Murder of Krinkle EP, are soothing and synth-based, with Commins leading vocally. "Split Tears" takes a turn for the strange yet sad; "Music Box" hides whispery vocals under a swirl of beeps and keyboard notes. When Bergman showcases her singing in songs like "Lakes", it's slightly reminiscent of Blonde Redhead's Kazu Makino's melodic yowl.
  
  The band's live shows, which they describe as "David Lynch meets Haruki Murakami," are probably as interesting as their sound. Commins' description of fans found at any given show can be easily mistaken for fairytale characters. "[You can find] horse drummers, hooded Krinkle killers, mild-mannered dwarfs," he says. "And a wolf holding a Kill Krinkle Club sign. One of these is a lie."
  
  When it comes to songwriting, the duo describes the process as rubbing two sticks together to get a spark and fueling it until it becomes a fire. "We take turns being the spark and being the fuel," Commins says. They try to let themes and ideas come about, never aiming for any specific concept beforehand. "We work in a very stream-of-consciousness way, just trying to get in that space where things flow naturally," Bergman adds.
  
  GOALS
  Here's Kill Krinkle's to-do list: "Be number one in 14 countries, tour for two years in said 14 countries, burn out, rehab, find God, and become hermits, only to suddenly reappear 10 years later on reality TV game shows."
  
  Bergman goes on to say it's about "creating as much as possible today, right now." Commins agrees, adding, "If you're too busy thinking of how great the goal will be, it's easy to try to rush the little important things. I think enjoying the process is the most important thing."

• 1 of 5 not to miss at HWCH [+ Show ]
  

  1. Kill Krinkle Club "State was very impressed with their recent EP calling it 'reflective, twink...1. Kill Krinkle Club
  
  "State was very impressed with their recent EP calling it 'reflective, twinkling, electronica-fused skewed pop'. We're really looking forward to the live carnation" (Fri, 10.15pm, Andrews Lane Theatre)
  
  -www.state.ie

• Captain Obvious Blog Feature [+ Show ]
  

  Besides possessing a deep-seeded hatred for some bloke named "Krinkle," the duo also creates a quirk...Besides possessing a deep-seeded hatred for some bloke named "Krinkle," the duo also creates a quirky and dark brand of catchy indie-pop. It's not often you hear "dark" and "indie-pop" in the same sentence, but on the eerily charming "Music Box," Elina's creepy echoed background vocals blend with instrumentation and electronica. The music blogosphere seems to eat up quirky girl/guy indie-pop groups, but Kill Krinkle Club might actually deserve the attention. This is some intriguingly experimental and original stuff.
  
  -www.thankscaptainobvious.net, March '08

• Road Records Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Some truly delicious slices of laid back late night electronic pop to rival anything from the likes..."Some truly delicious slices of laid back late night electronic pop to rival anything from the likes of Morr music or bands likes Schneider tm or the Postal Service. Beautiful mellow beats meets lush keyboard sounds and dual vocals." www.roadrecs.com, April 2008

Setlist

Approx 35mins*

Moon
Golden Eagle
Butterfly
White Trees
Handwritten Novel
Airport
Hit Me
Ferrum Bear
59
This Is Winter

* Over an hour of material for longer sets.

Basic Requirements

Calendar