WXPN Artist to Watch (2008)

May 2008: Santogold

XPN Artist To Watch Santogold

Combining elements of hip-hop, punk, new wave, electronica and classic pop music, Santogold's self-titled debut album is truly a remarkable piece of work. Philadelphia native Santi White, along with songwriter and producer John Hill - a.k.a. Johnny Rodeo - is quickly developing a reputation as one of music's best and brightest, and this album certainly shows why.

Named after a truly bizarre infomercial from the 80's, the Santogold album is chock full of engaging rump-shakers, including "Creator", "L.E.S. Artistes," and "Lights Out." White and Hill see to understand that there must be real songs behind the glitter in order for the music to have any real staying power. Not that the pair scrimp on the flourishes, however. There's a sense of fun that pervades the proceedings, and there's just not much out there that you could compare the album to musically.

Already riding an increasingly large wave o' buzz, Santogold's efforts on this debut album should serve to give them a career, not just a few minutes of indie fame.

MySpace: myspace.com/santogold
Recent Release: Santogold
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Label: Downtown Records
Origin: Philadelphia / New York City

Song Clips:
listenCreator
listenL.E.S. Artistes

Related Links
Santogold dropped by the World Cafe on May 15. Listen at NPR.org/music.

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Dodge is a proud supporter of WXPN and XPoNentialMusic.org

 


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