V&V’s Finds is a new feature that will highlight material and hidden gems by bands and artists that we haven’t heard of, or haven’t listened to in a while.
I basically love anything that has a floating, distorted feeling to it, which is why i’m a big fan of Washed Out and Sunny Day in Glasgow. But when The Depreciation Guild hit me, it was like a ten ton weight had been dropped onto me at that moment. Their sound is heavy, filled with veils of distortion and delayed guitar plucks, but lightweight at the same time. Their use of vocal effects and guitar pedals is simply stellar, but what really makes their sound stand out is their use of chip-tuned noises. This is contributed to a machine that the pair purchased on Ebay called the Famicon, which is basically the Japanese equivalent to the NES. In an article with Pop Matters the duo jokes about the Famicon being the most talented member of their band.
Depreciation Guild – Sky GhostsStream
I’ve posted two songs from their 2007 EP release “In Her Gentle Jaws” my two favorites from the album. Listen closely you will notice that a lot of their drums and bass come from the Famicon and the guitar and vocal effects are obviously human commandeered. It’s a superb blend that manages to capture the power of M83 and add some of the 8-bit chip-tuned love that Crystal Castle’s is known for.
As far as I’m concerned Shoegaze doesn’t get any better than this, especially when spliced together with Nintendo’s 8-bit nostalgia. Eat your heart out people who call it, Shitgaze.
Depreciation Guild – Heavy EyesStream
