Russian Spy Camera
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Russian Spy Camera

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"Through The Lens of Russian Spy Camera"

By Kat Amano


In 1982, during the Cold War, the Soviets released a new device: the Lomo Kompakt Automat. It was a camera that would later rouse a new movement in photography, and inspire the name of a young Southern band.

Russian Spy Camera, an indie-rock trio from Athens, Georgia, is not all that different from the photographers of the Lomo Society. Both groups craft their art based on instinct, talent and chance, with more than a little bit of nerve.

It was, in fact, by chance that drummer Andy Turner, 29, and frontman Ryan White, 25, first met through Turner’s job at Wolf Camera (White, interestingly enough, has a day job framing photographs). Turner had just moved to Athens and was looking for people to play with; White was a songwriter looking for a band.

“I set out to make three albums in five years, regardless of the circumstances,” says White, who grew up playing hockey and devouring pop culture, from The Twilight Zone to Talking Heads. “But it’s hard to compile a band in Athens.”

He persevered, continuing to write for a bandless project until he had too many songs for a single CD. He asked Turner to play drums and did the rest on his own.

“Before we even went into the studio, some of my pre-production made it to UGA’s college radio,” says White with a chuckle. “They asked us to play live on the radio — the pre-production sounded like a five-piece band.”

While Turner and White played shows around Athens, White kept recording at home and at Athens’ Bel-Air Studios. Recording proved to be an inspiration for White, who continued to write even as they began tracking what would become the band’s debut album, You Are A Vulture.

“I also had another bunch of songs that were being created out of thin air from the improv sessions Andy and I were doing,” says White. “So I started making a list of what I thought would be better to hold off on and use for some muscle on the follow-up.”

The overlap of content resulted in thematic semi-unity between You Are A Vulture and Mutiny in the Kitchen with Knives, the band’s sophomore project, which they hope to release in the fall.

Songwriting seems to be a psychological release for White, whose speech is punctuated with casual laughter and audible exclamation points. His songs are much darker and deeper than his personable chattiness might imply.

“You Are A Vulture focuses on time and deception — that is, how do you know what to believe?” he says. “Is it possible to break out of what the majority wants you to do and succeed in something everyone tells you is impossible?”

He admits that his songs can sometimes be depressing, but musically, there is no lack of diversity in sound. The lyrical content can be haunting, cryptic, introspective or dark, while the music and arrangements — and even White’s vocal style — vary from melancholic acoustic ballads (“Do You Feel Safe?”) to raging, drum-and-guitar-driven songs with a touch of punk rock in the vocals (“Blueprint”).

“That’s one thing that really impressed me about Ryan,” says Turner. “He touches on all these different genres of music, but there’s this common current that makes the album work as a whole. He’s really the mastermind.”

Indeed, White has also charged himself with the heavy task of graphic design in addition to writing and playing; the band’s website design is his own, and he makes all the flyers for RSC’s shows. And the lessons he has learned from graphic design have been equally helpful in song construction.

“It’s all about placement,” he says firmly, “whether you’re layering text or elements of a song. It’s just knowing where to put things.”

White relishes the time that he spends putting things together, but Russian Spy Camera is a young, unsigned band — and so, like the Lomo photographers who cruise city streets taking pictures, the band is, and must be, resourceful.

Thankfully, Turner has a Music Business degree, which he puts to use in promoting the band. And McGregor Buttons, 22, who joined the band three months after the release of You Are A Vulture to play keys and bass, is still in school studying computer animation and film editing, the latter of which is proving to be a valuable trade for the band.

“This is actually my spring break,” says Buttons, “but I’m staying at home, working — I’m planning the storyboards for the ‘Blueprint’ video so we can shoot it in the next few weeks.”

Since joining the band, Buttons has had to juggle quite a bit — and not just the schedules of the band and of school.

“There’s only one song where I just play keys,” he says, laughing about his quick instrument changes. “In the rest of them, I play both keys and bass at some point. So when we play live, I have to play keys standing up, with my bass around my back and the pick in my mouth.”

With the addition of Buttons, Russian Spy Camera finally has the full sound White and Turner had been waiting for.

“Now it’s a real, full-functioning band, and we have time - Southeast Performer Magazine


"Live Review"

One of Athens’ best-kept secrets, Russian Spy Camera brought its irresistible brand of eclectic power pop and indie rock to Tasty World as part of the Ice Cream Socialist’s CD-release party. In addition to recording a follow-up to this year’s acclaimed debut album, You Are a Vulture, the guys have added newcomer McGregor Buttons on piano and bass. The band’s new sound certainly won over first-timers as well as pleasing hardcore fans even though Tasty World wasn’t packed to its usual capacity. The energy onstage was difficult to escape as White and Turner amped up the crowd with old favorites like “To Slip through the Cracks” and “Teasers with Tasers.”


Though most of the songs provided a wonderfully exuberant dance feel, the lyrics encompassed subject matter that shies away from the conventional. You’ll find no sad songs about lost love or unhappy childhoods. White’s lyrics touch upon more outlandish topics like Twilight Zone episodes or Curanderismo, a blend of Hispanic healing techniques involving herbs, sweats, diet and magic. As White says, “If I’m going to spend my time making albums and playing music, I want to at least be writing about crazy stuff that others either have never written about or stuff that others haven’t written enough about. Love and hate and politics are just some things that will always be ongoing.” It’s not hard to hear the influences of bands such as Talking Heads, Elephant Six Collective and The Clash on the band’s lyrics and sound. Russian Spy Camera even draws comparisons to early Gang of Four and Broken Social Scene with its dissonant melodies layered over methodic drum combos.


With the addition of Buttons, the onstage sound definitely felt meatier while managing to maintain the upbeat carnival-like atmosphere. White’s onstage presence was that of a true showman — dancing wildly about the stage and conversing openly with audience members — while Turner’s kitsch-y mechanical style of drumming put more than a twitch in a few hips on the dance floor. The crowd was also privy to two new songs by the band, which were just as well received if not more. The only complaint made about the show was the fact that it clocked in at just over half an hour, which was a disappointment to those in the crowd expecting more songs from the album. However the band closed with a bang (“Svengali, What’s the Caper”) and not a single person stood still as Russian Spy Camera thrashed about until the very last chord was played.

-Charley Lee - Southeast Performer


"Album Review"

Core Samples for August, 2006
http://toneandgroove.com/

"Heh. I must have done something to build up my karma. How else can I understand that totally out of the blue, unrequested and unknown to me, one of the best albums of the year falls into my hands? Difficult to categorize, You Are a Vulture is even harder to describe. So let's just say that it's pop music, in the most general sense, surprisingly varied, full of hooks, catchy tunes, and clever sounds.

If you hate music, give this a pass, but if you like good songwriting, good playing, good production, or just about anything else that's good about music, just go buy this album. You won't regret it. Yes, it really is that good. Hint: if you have PayPal, you can get this album from the band's page for a dollar less than you can from the label page."
[www.russianspycamera.com][www.hhbtm.com/bands/russian.html]
x - Tone And Groove


"Album Review"

The DIY Rockstar
http://www.thediyrockstar.com/?p=373

"I just got this CD in the mail yesterday, along with 7 others. You wanna know why I listened to this one first? Because the cover art looks cool. But, sometimes, it is okay to judge a CD by it’s jewel case. This is one of those times. It is a very refreshing mix of indie rock with more dance inspired vocal distortion. I recommend it universally, but especially if you are looking for a little deviation from the norm." - The DIY Rockstar


"Album Review"

A&A
http://www.aidabet.com/issues/276/276reviews.html#RUSSIAN

Right in line with many other HHBTM artists, Russian Spy Camera trafficks in off-kilter pop music. Doesn't matter if we're talking vaguely indie rock or vaguely laptop or vaguely math or whatever. 'cause, you know, we're talking about all those sounds. And more.

Indeed, Russian Spy Camera's one big weakness is that it simply doesn't have a coherent sound. This album is one big mix tape, and that's about it. Of course, the songs are awfully good. Awfully, awfully good.

Jason NeSmith and Ryan White make sure the pieces are properly punchy, but that still doesn't give these guys any sense of a real sound. That's alright. When you've got a band as willfully versatile as these boys, it's probably best to make sure the levels are set correctly and then worry about other things later.

A nice little journey through modern rock. Or modern pop. Or whatever. Adventurous as hell, and pretty far sighted as well. Quite fun. - A&A


"Album Review"

Athens Exchange
http://www.athensexchange.com/2006/09/record_review_russian_spy_came.asp

Russian Spy Camera is the brainchild of Ryan White - he writes the songs, produces and plays the music for the band. However, while playing live shows, Andy Turner plays drums and Ryan White does the vocals and plays guitar. The sound of Russian Spy Camera on their album You Are a Vulture is exactly what you might think it would be upon hearing the name of the band: sly and mysterious. Russian Spy Camera's music sounds like an amalgamation of the Bloodhound Gang, The Clash and music from the cartoon, Pink Panther,

You Are a Vulture is Russian Spy Camera's first full-length album recorded on the Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records label. All 12 tracks are chock full of chunky sounds of electric goodness. According to Russian Spy Camera's myspace profile, their sound can best be described as "Barry Manilow and an avacado get together for a game of checkers. Avacado wins best out of seven." With their whacky sense of humor, their eclectic sound, and gift for musicality, how can you resist checking out the extraordinary concoction that is Russian Spy Camera. You Are a Vulture is one of the most innovative sets of sound waves to hit my ears in a long time. All of the songs on this album have catchy yet clever song lyrics and the tapestry of sound woven by Ryan White and Andy Turner keeps you on your feet and in a pleasant mood.

Russian Spy Camera is an Athens-based band and their next show is at the Flicker Theater on September 28th, where they are playing with Annabella. Prepare to be bewitched by Russian Spy Camera's wily ways.

-Sarah Wagner - Athens Exchange


"Album Review"

Sabas Judas
http://sabas.jud.as/index.php?s=russian+spy+camera&Submit=Search

Art-Pop. Every time I listen to these 3 songs, they remind me 60s pop mixed with some subversive 80s sounds. The songs sound somewhere between the Clash and Gang of Four. However, this duo from Athens (Georgia) defies easy categorization. All sorts of comparisons can be made but they don´t give us the true beauty of their orchestrated sound. ‘Svengali What’s The Caper’ shows Russian Spy Camera special talent to perfectly and easily combinate guitar riffs and catchy dance drum beats. Artfully written lyrics backed by solid musical talent. Ryan White (guitarist/singer) and Andy Turner (drummer) play songs with deft arrangments and charming melodies. Try to listen this loudspeakers for a few days, and you will certainly fall in love. @ Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records and Russian Spy Camera - Sabas Judas


Discography

You Are A Vulture is the name of Russian Spy Camera's critically acclaimed debut. It has not gained a single negative review to date! There are 12 catchy, creative tracks waiting to entice your ears.

Their follow up, Mutiny In The Kitchen With Knives, will be released in February 2008.

Photos

Bio

Russian Spy Camera, a three-piece indie rock band from Athens, Georgia, play unique three-dimensional pop songs with dance beats and high energy. Known for being widely eclectic in genre and seriously prolific, Russian Spy Camera released their debut full-length album, You Are A Vulture, on Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records in 2006 and are about to release their follow up, Mutiny In The Kitchen With Knives, in early 2007.

They have played festivals such as CMJ in New York City, Athfest, and Popfest in both Athens and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as well as shared bills with other popular acts as How I Became The Bomb, Venice Is Sinking, Snowden, and Gringo Star in numerous venues throughout the southeast.

Seeing Russian Spy Camera live is a high-energy rush littered with thunderous stylized beats from Andy Turner (drums), multi-instrument swapping from McGregor Button (piano, bass, guitar), and unpredictable unique dancing from Ryan White (guitarist/singer). They are known at times to have non-band members wandering around on stage in costumes and masks throughout the show, which, when added to their commanding performance, results in an exceptionally fun experience while not losing artistic merit.