echocell

Seconds into listening to Echocell’s Babylon EP and you’re swimming into a pleasant and unexpected sonic realm. The sound is a combination of trip-hop and synth-pop; think Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sia and Goldfrapp sharing a cup of Turkish coffee. A labor of love between Istanbul-born/Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/front woman Belinda Kazanci & Los Angeles-based songwriter/keyboardist/programmer Adam Beltran, their chemistry on Babylon comprises an instant winning formula. The duo enlisted the help of three different producers/arrangers for the Babylon EP. Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax LTD, the production duo best known for their works with Muse, New Order, Orbit, and Sebadoh (among others), brought dark ‘80s synth-pop fragments into radio-ready production. Italian film composer Simone Giuliani added decadent cinematic arrangements to the mix. Kazanci tapped into her Armenian roots on this new EP, featuring the traditional Armenian duduk instrument, while weaving in Turkish lyrics & melodies to reflect many years spent in Istanbul growing up around Turkish folk music. Recorded between Los Angeles and New York, Echocell's new album features a solid team of international players: Simon Katz (Jamiroquai, Gorillaz) on electric and acoustic guitars, Jesse Graham (Fatboy Slim) on bass, and Paul Simon’s favorite duduk player, Souren Baronian. The puzzle is completed by Dave Darlington (Bjork, David Guetta, Pete Tong) and Wally Gagel at the mixing board. Echocell continues to grow and redefine conventional genres, staying true to what really matters: passion, dedication and respect for the craft of music making. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.