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Music

Q&A: Panic Bomber

PANIC BOMBER at Rollin’ & Scratchin’ (268 Augusta Ave.) Friday (Feb 4), 10 pm. $5. 416-840-0501


Panic Bomber is the eclectic electro dance project of Miami-based producer, singer, and instrumentalist Richard Haig. Most chalk his recent rise in house-leaning sectors of indie dance up to his genre-warping style, ear for pop hooks, and crazy live shows that sometimes include a live horn section. His diverse musical background includes both a BA in Music from the University of Miami, and years spent touring in punk bands. Haig is spending the week in Toronto, playing his label YYZ’s monthly Rollin’ and Scratchin’ party at Supermarket Friday Feburary 4, and opening for the Twelves at Wrongbar on Saturday February 12.

So, is the horn section coming to Toronto?

Unfortunately, no. They all have school or “real” jobs which don’t allow them to pick up and travel with me easily.

What’s new?

Whew! So many things! I’m currently banging out an instrumental EP titled Domestic Violins, which is has a bit more of a stripped down techno and house feel from my usual material. Simultaneously, I’m wrapping up a new song-based album, closer in feel to my last few releases called Captive Audience. Both releases will be out later this year. Meanwhile, I’m doing remixes of stuff I like and I ghost-write for other artists who shall go unnamed as well.

Can you tell me about developing your sound?

Well, I have a background in academia so I’m mostly a huge fucking nerd. I have a boner for the technical and the beautiful. I tend to gravitate towards more complex music with rich melodies and chords, or even just experimental sound design so it’s a battle for me to shut my head up and simplify ideas for dance music. Like any other artist, I’m influenced by whatever I’m listening to, which at the moment is a lot of classical music, heavy techno, and the occasional death metal (as I’m write this I’m listening to Mahler’s ninth symphony). Who knows what that combination will lead to? It’s constantly evolving, the pendulum swings between human parts and cold, unfeeling, put-your-head-down-and-dance minimalism.

What about the performative and other non-musical aspects of Panic Bomber?

In my old punk band we became almost cartoonish, larger-than-life characters, to be as stereotypically full-throttle punk as we could. It was fun as hell. I used to strongly dislike going to watch “live” electronic shows, only to see some guy hiding behind a laptop, staring into it. I’ve mellowed out a bit in that critique lately because some electronic music is supposed to be an alienating, dissociative, performance where the human performer is basically removed from the experience. (I now believe all DJs spinning other peoples’ music should never have lights on them at all, but I digress…) I really appreciate the punk aesthetic of performance where an artist is giving every ounce of sweat to the audience, so I try to incorporate that same level exertion into my own sets it makes me feel immediate and intimate. I make a point of minimizing my direct interaction with the laptop. I like intensity in life, music, and art, so I want to make my shows as intense as I can while not betraying the scope of the music.

How is touring?

I’ve toured before in other bands, but touring with electronic music presents different challenges. For one, when I’m playing without my band, it can be a bit of a bummer not being able to party after a gig. Then there are the technical challenges. The logistics are easier without guitar amps, drum kits, and such, but if your computer breaks, you can’t just change a guitar string and go about your business. It’s a delicate exercise balancing risk and entertainment. If you eliminate most risk, the set’s going to be pretty boring, you might as well just DJ. But if you take too many risks, its very easy for electronics to become unreliable.

What can audiences in Toronto expect?

I’m doing a wide variety of performances in Toronto! I’ll be doing acoustic (yes, acoustic) versions of some songs on piano and voice at some intimate filmed appearances, but I’ll be bringing it fast, heavy, and loud to Supermarket and Wrongbar. I love coming to Toronto: the audiences are kind, the girls are beautiful, and since the bars close at two, you have an excuse to rage early on.

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