C.A.S.I.O.

I'm very much enjoying the music of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.

"Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is the musical alias of 28 year old American film school drop-out Owen Ashworth. Ashworth began making music in 1997 after he realized that song-making was a far more cost-effective means of storytelling than film-making."

I like the idea of a band being an alternative to the more expensive art of filmmaking. And from what I gather his first few albums were made only on battery operated keyboards recorded onto a four-track, which certainly pushes the contrast with film to the extreme. His later stuff involves a lot more instruments, but maintains the lofi mood and saturated beats of before. And his voice is brilliant: sad and fuzzy, enjoying thick syllables and elongated sibilance. Similarly for his collaborator, Jenn Herbinson, on the track below, Scattered Pearls. That particular song mixes tinny electro-claps, hi-hat, snare and bass drum with a Europop chug, an Electroclash bassline and funny-yet-touching lyrics, executed with great charm by Herbinson. And best of all, very danceable I reckon. I haven;t played it out yet, but I will, i will.

This is what *emo* was and could have been: emotional (happy) hardcore. (doenss;t quite work but you get the idea).

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Scattered Pearls

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Lonesome New Mexico Nights

More free songs here: Daytrotter sessions

Finally, CFTPA website