Keep Shelly In Athens at the Roxy (2011) – Photo: Ben Irwin
Keep Shelly in Athens have been rocking our world since we discovered the downbeat electronic-pop duo from Athens, Greece back in 2011. The duo consisting of sultry vocalist Sarah P. and the mysterious cloaked electronic mastermind, RPR — impressed us greatly with their previous EP Our Own Dream (Forest Family Records). We dug them so much that we co-presented their Los Angeles debut at the Roxy with Gorilla Vs Bear. Shortly thereafter, the Keepy Shelly In Athens went on to play at Coachella 2012. Since then we’ve been itching for some new Keep Shelly in Athens tunes … ask, and you shall receive!
Their debut full-length, At Home, continues to impress us. The duo maintains their dreamy, slick, core sound but they’ve amped up those ambient, pop grooves proving themselves bolder by dabbling a little more, and a little longer in 13 tracks of deep rooted emotions of darkness, sadness, joy, and contemplation. It’s the kind of album where you let it wash over you and see where it takes you because it’s not always about the destination here, it’s about the journey.
The dynamic duo are also back in the states, on their fall co-headlining tour with Chad Valley. Keep Shelly in Athens will play the Bootleg Bar on Oct. 26. Click here for tickets and more information.
Three Words to Describe At Home: Spacey – Reverie – Enchanted
This Album Would Go Well With: An airport layover. A train ride to anywhere. A time-lapse video. A romantic getaway with a loved one.
Favorite Tracks:
“Time Exists Only to Betray Us” – Vocalist Sarah P. lures you into this song straight away with her yearning beck-and-call. Time passes slowly but assuredly within this downtempo soundscape. One one can easily relish the vibe and lose themselves in this song over-and-over.
“Knife” – This heavily distorted, fuzz number is dark and dangerous, and Sarah P.’s vocals squeal with an excitement that reminds me a bit of Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. However, this song is way too short, a punk-electro tease — more please!
“Higher” – Get high on “Higher” because this song weaves in and out of a semi-lucid state featuring glitch electronic stylings, rumbling bass, eerie synth sounds, and processed male vocals that contrast, yet compliment Sarah P.’s tender, slow vocals. “It makes me feel alive.”
Upcoming Shows:
KEEP SHELLY IN ATHENS 2013 Tour Dates
10/09 Washington, DC – DC9 *
10/10 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge *
10/11 Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle *
10/12 Allston, MA – Great Scott *
10/13 Montreal, CA – Il Motore *
10/15 Toronto, ON – Wrongbar *
10/16 Pontiac, MI – Pike Room *
10/18 Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle *
10/19 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry *
10/22 Vancouver, CA – Biltmore Cabaret *
10/23 Seattle, WA – Barboza *
10/25 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop *
10/26 Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Bar *
10/27 San Diego, CA – The Casbah *
10/29 Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands *
* = w/ Chad Valley
Album Review: Emily Saex
Artist: Keep Shelly in Athens
Album: At Home
Label: Cascine
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Watch Keep Shelly In Athens’ new music video for “Recollection.”
