Pomplamoose!
December 18, 2009 8:35 PM Subscribe
Pomplamoose are Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn and they make music. You might have seen their cover of Single Ladies (previously), but they do so much more than pop covers.
Just released for Christmas is this wonderful original track entitled "Always in the Season." Other originals include "Hail Mary" and "Beat The Horse;" the rest of their catalogue is linked inside.
Original songs
Be Still
Centrifuge
Twice as Nice
Little Things
Expiration Date
Le Commun des Mortels
Covers
The Sound of Music - My Favorite Things (in 5/4!)
Edith Piaf - La Vie en Rose
Feist - Gatekeeper
Simon and Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Nat King Cole - Nature Boy
Earth Wind and Fire - September
The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Mark Owen - Makin' Out
MySpace with music downloads
Just released for Christmas is this wonderful original track entitled "Always in the Season." Other originals include "Hail Mary" and "Beat The Horse;" the rest of their catalogue is linked inside.
Original songs
Be Still
Centrifuge
Twice as Nice
Little Things
Expiration Date
Le Commun des Mortels
Covers
The Sound of Music - My Favorite Things (in 5/4!)
Edith Piaf - La Vie en Rose
Feist - Gatekeeper
Simon and Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Nat King Cole - Nature Boy
Earth Wind and Fire - September
The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Mark Owen - Makin' Out
MySpace with music downloads
(I know, and I said then that I wanted to FPP them with a lot less emphasis on the subpar Beyonce cover.)
posted by flatluigi at 8:43 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by flatluigi at 8:43 PM on December 18, 2009
I love her voice but can't stand that guy's constant mugging for the camera. And his wearing a toque indoors. With a t-shirt. Bettin' she goes far, though. Nice post.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 8:45 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 8:45 PM on December 18, 2009
I love her voice but can't stand that guy's constant mugging for the camera.
Well, the girl is also 'mugging' for the camera. Sexist!
posted by delmoi at 9:04 PM on December 18, 2009
Well, the girl is also 'mugging' for the camera. Sexist!
posted by delmoi at 9:04 PM on December 18, 2009
As youtube comment sage TomMcburns said 27 minutes ago: "i watch the video because your hot.."
posted by nathancaswell at 10:53 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by nathancaswell at 10:53 PM on December 18, 2009
The whole singing with no specific emphasis on any of the words while making funny faces gets old really fast.
posted by BobbyDigital at 11:00 PM on December 18, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by BobbyDigital at 11:00 PM on December 18, 2009 [3 favorites]
Thank you for introducing us to their other subpar covers?
posted by dhammond at 11:14 PM on December 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by dhammond at 11:14 PM on December 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
Ugh, these people are so irritating and overrated. No one cares.
posted by rbf1138 at 11:32 PM on December 18, 2009
posted by rbf1138 at 11:32 PM on December 18, 2009
Well, I liked the Christmas song and the Centrifuge one, which are the only ones I've had time to listen to so far.
And I'd hope we could aspire to a better level of commentary than what's found on YouTube.
posted by harriet vane at 11:48 PM on December 18, 2009
And I'd hope we could aspire to a better level of commentary than what's found on YouTube.
posted by harriet vane at 11:48 PM on December 18, 2009
Oh Natalie Dawn...*dreamy sigh*
posted by Hollow at 12:03 AM on December 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Hollow at 12:03 AM on December 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
Their pony's one trick is that she sings in a strong, clear voice without apparent effort or conviction. I get a sort of uncanny valley feeling listening to her. I'll change my mind tomorrow, but today they do not move me.
posted by pracowity at 1:46 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by pracowity at 1:46 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
I called out Hail Mary and Beat the Horse above the fold for a reason; they're my two favorites of their originals. If you listen to anything, listen to those.
posted by flatluigi at 2:16 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by flatluigi at 2:16 AM on December 19, 2009
Jeeze, with the other video's thumbnails, their channel icon, and the multi-frame in video thing, there's about a dozen pictures of her staring straight at the camera at any one time.
It's good music, but they sure know how to sell it.
posted by lucidium at 3:23 AM on December 19, 2009
It's good music, but they sure know how to sell it.
posted by lucidium at 3:23 AM on December 19, 2009
Ditto the uncanny valley vibe; I don't actually mind it but I see where others might. On the other hand, they look like they're having a blast which counts for a lot.
posted by Skorgu at 4:54 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by Skorgu at 4:54 AM on December 19, 2009
I like their music, but the Nataly-bot needs to blink more - my eyes are watering in sympathy.
posted by Ritchie at 5:48 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by Ritchie at 5:48 AM on December 19, 2009
they look like they're having a blast
See, maybe it's just me (and admittedly I've only watched 3 of the songs so far) but she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video.
I may just be channeling my inner bah humbug though, since I think she just sounds like bunch of other artists I like, like Feist or Imogen Heap.
posted by JaredSeth at 6:02 AM on December 19, 2009
See, maybe it's just me (and admittedly I've only watched 3 of the songs so far) but she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video.
I may just be channeling my inner bah humbug though, since I think she just sounds like bunch of other artists I like, like Feist or Imogen Heap.
posted by JaredSeth at 6:02 AM on December 19, 2009
I like the videos mostly because I love music production and enjoy watching all the pieces come together.
posted by empath at 8:39 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by empath at 8:39 AM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
I get a sort of uncanny valley feeling listening to her.
Thank you for saying this. I was sitting here watching the video, and having watched a couple of others, and trying to identify the weird feeling it gave me. I'm not positive you've completely nailed it, but you've come pretty close.
posted by OmieWise at 8:53 AM on December 19, 2009
Thank you for saying this. I was sitting here watching the video, and having watched a couple of others, and trying to identify the weird feeling it gave me. I'm not positive you've completely nailed it, but you've come pretty close.
posted by OmieWise at 8:53 AM on December 19, 2009
I've watched a video or two by them here and there on the internet for the past six months or so. At first I wasn't all that impressed, but they are really growing on me. Last night I sat and listened through much of their catalog. There is something there that is compelling, but almost lost in some of the quirkiness.
I hope they continue to refine their work and keep doing it.
posted by meinvt at 9:14 AM on December 19, 2009
I hope they continue to refine their work and keep doing it.
posted by meinvt at 9:14 AM on December 19, 2009
The first video or two were fun to watch, but I'm finding I like the music alone better. The whole,
"VideoSong, a new medium with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds)."
thing gets a bit pretentious.
posted by Crankatator at 9:36 AM on December 19, 2009
"VideoSong, a new medium with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds)."
thing gets a bit pretentious.
posted by Crankatator at 9:36 AM on December 19, 2009
That being said, the Nature Boy video is nice for the lack of gimmicks.
posted by Crankatator at 9:38 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by Crankatator at 9:38 AM on December 19, 2009
Heh, i had no idea that Moulin Rouge got that line from Nature Boy.
posted by empath at 10:19 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by empath at 10:19 AM on December 19, 2009
Her voice reminds me so much of Erin McKeown that if I shut my eyes, I swear that it's her. And then I open them again and it's this blonde chick. MADNESS.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 11:18 AM on December 19, 2009
posted by grapefruitmoon at 11:18 AM on December 19, 2009
See, maybe it's just me (and admittedly I've only watched 3 of the songs so far) but she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video.
That's a really weird interpretation of her emoting. She effecting this kind of ironic detachment that is hard to describe, but essentially it's dimmunitive, as if she saying "oh, was I singing? I didn't even notice." It reads as a little cloying, as if she doesn't want to take ownership of what she's doing and lacks self-esteem -- or at least doesn't want to be intimidating.
So there is a sort of disconnected, filtered thing but it's obviously intentional, she's just trying to act nerdy to appeal to her demographic (whether consciously or unconsciously). It could get old if she was like that all the time.
posted by delmoi at 11:40 AM on December 19, 2009
That's a really weird interpretation of her emoting. She effecting this kind of ironic detachment that is hard to describe, but essentially it's dimmunitive, as if she saying "oh, was I singing? I didn't even notice." It reads as a little cloying, as if she doesn't want to take ownership of what she's doing and lacks self-esteem -- or at least doesn't want to be intimidating.
So there is a sort of disconnected, filtered thing but it's obviously intentional, she's just trying to act nerdy to appeal to her demographic (whether consciously or unconsciously). It could get old if she was like that all the time.
posted by delmoi at 11:40 AM on December 19, 2009
See, I've always hated Pompalamoose, because ever since they started doing this, Jack Conte has really cut back on his own music, which I find to me a thousand times better.
posted by toekneebullard at 1:17 PM on December 19, 2009
posted by toekneebullard at 1:17 PM on December 19, 2009
See, maybe it's just me (and admittedly I've only watched 3 of the songs so far) but she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video.
I don't know if it was also because of the singing, but whenever she stared into the camera it creeped me the hell out and made me uncomfortable.
I didn't hate the song, though.
Ugh, these people are so irritating and overrated. No one cares.
Right, right, we know, your favorite band/music/whatever sucks. Thanks for your helpful input.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 1:22 PM on December 19, 2009
I don't know if it was also because of the singing, but whenever she stared into the camera it creeped me the hell out and made me uncomfortable.
I didn't hate the song, though.
Ugh, these people are so irritating and overrated. No one cares.
Right, right, we know, your favorite band/music/whatever sucks. Thanks for your helpful input.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 1:22 PM on December 19, 2009
Jack Conte has really cut back on his own music, which I find to me a thousand times better.
Interesting. While having a weird soft spot for Beat the Horse, and loving their version of Nature Boy, I mostly don't care. But his stuff, which I hadn't heard before, from the first two tracks I picked does seem much more something I could be interested in listening to again.
posted by opsin at 1:27 PM on December 19, 2009
Interesting. While having a weird soft spot for Beat the Horse, and loving their version of Nature Boy, I mostly don't care. But his stuff, which I hadn't heard before, from the first two tracks I picked does seem much more something I could be interested in listening to again.
posted by opsin at 1:27 PM on December 19, 2009
Ok I've narrowed it down:
I get creeped out when her head is turned away from the camera (and toward the mic) but she's looking into the camera.
If she is turned AND looking away from the camera, I'm not creeped out.
I think if she were to face the camera and look into the camera, I would not be creeped out either.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 1:36 PM on December 19, 2009
I get creeped out when her head is turned away from the camera (and toward the mic) but she's looking into the camera.
If she is turned AND looking away from the camera, I'm not creeped out.
I think if she were to face the camera and look into the camera, I would not be creeped out either.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 1:36 PM on December 19, 2009
grapefruitmoon: Her voice reminds me so much of Erin McKeown that if I shut my eyes, I swear that it's her.
Aha, THAT's who she reminds me of. In the other thread I had said she reminded me of Regina Spektor, but she's actually much closer to Erin McKeown.
Thanks for the post, flatluigi--I wouldn't have known about the new Christmas song otherwise. I especially liked the give-a-goat pitch at the end, interspersed with very cute pictures of a baby goat.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:03 PM on December 19, 2009
Aha, THAT's who she reminds me of. In the other thread I had said she reminded me of Regina Spektor, but she's actually much closer to Erin McKeown.
Thanks for the post, flatluigi--I wouldn't have known about the new Christmas song otherwise. I especially liked the give-a-goat pitch at the end, interspersed with very cute pictures of a baby goat.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:03 PM on December 19, 2009
I don't really get the big reaction to Nataly's idiosyncratic way of staring while she sings. To me it just looks like she's concentrating on actually singing as clearly as possible. Also seems like some people have become conditioned by the music video era to expect singers to mug constantly. Also seems like something of a conscious choice\persona.
posted by autodidact at 2:05 PM on December 19, 2009
posted by autodidact at 2:05 PM on December 19, 2009
Reading all this, I was prepared to grinch out too. But then I watched it.
They seem like talented folks putting their heart into a nice song, which I'm having trouble finding fault with.
I'll think I'll send this to my mom.
posted by Hadroed at 2:18 PM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
They seem like talented folks putting their heart into a nice song, which I'm having trouble finding fault with.
I'll think I'll send this to my mom.
posted by Hadroed at 2:18 PM on December 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
IMO, I just think some people perhaps got caught up with Nataly Dawn's singing and/or style, and may be missing something more important. This is some harmonically adventurous pop music ( more and more a rarity these days) and the instrumentation and rhythmic concepts are clearly imaginative and unique (cellos? toy pianos? I love it). This is not your run-of-the-mill pop band. And it's only two people, folks.
I was more impressed with this than anything even similar I've heard in ages (especially the originals -- I believe you need to hear at least 3-4 songs from them before forming a decent opinion). It's highly creative and very satisfying music, and at least these folks are trying something relatively new and fresh, and it works, mostly -- and that's a very good thing. Thanks, flatluigi.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 2:45 PM on December 19, 2009 [5 favorites]
I was more impressed with this than anything even similar I've heard in ages (especially the originals -- I believe you need to hear at least 3-4 songs from them before forming a decent opinion). It's highly creative and very satisfying music, and at least these folks are trying something relatively new and fresh, and it works, mostly -- and that's a very good thing. Thanks, flatluigi.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 2:45 PM on December 19, 2009 [5 favorites]
Also seems like something of a conscious choice\persona.
That seems to be what people don't like about it. Also, she IS mugging constantly, she's just doing it in an incredibly understated (and slightly bizarre) way.
posted by hermitosis at 3:30 PM on December 19, 2009
That seems to be what people don't like about it. Also, she IS mugging constantly, she's just doing it in an incredibly understated (and slightly bizarre) way.
posted by hermitosis at 3:30 PM on December 19, 2009
Hmm, I wrote a comment about Nataly's mannerisms earlier but I guess I didn't post it. It's obviously an affected style. It's this kind of nerdy 'ironic distance' expression. I'm pretty sure the main point is to be humorous/goofy.
It's kind of 'off' but so is their music, in the way they use a different key for common pop songs to make them sound new and unusual.
posted by delmoi at 4:03 PM on December 19, 2009
It's kind of 'off' but so is their music, in the way they use a different key for common pop songs to make them sound new and unusual.
posted by delmoi at 4:03 PM on December 19, 2009
Those who can't, bitch. I love them!
posted by eatdonuts at 4:23 PM on December 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by eatdonuts at 4:23 PM on December 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I give it a thumbs up. Also, seriously crushing on Nataly-bot.
posted by ducky l'orange at 11:36 PM on December 19, 2009
posted by ducky l'orange at 11:36 PM on December 19, 2009
she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video
But the other guy's told her, 'Look, the only way we ever get a big contract is if you keep on flashing those big soulful eyes on YouTube and some music biz exec gets a hard on for you. So make with the big eyes again, OK? I don't care how sick of it you are -- talent isn't enough in this game, if it was, I'd be rich and famous already -- but your face is my ticket to fame and fortune so pout and FLASH THE FUCKING EYES AGAIN, BITCH!"
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:53 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
But the other guy's told her, 'Look, the only way we ever get a big contract is if you keep on flashing those big soulful eyes on YouTube and some music biz exec gets a hard on for you. So make with the big eyes again, OK? I don't care how sick of it you are -- talent isn't enough in this game, if it was, I'd be rich and famous already -- but your face is my ticket to fame and fortune so pout and FLASH THE FUCKING EYES AGAIN, BITCH!"
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:53 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
I gotta chime in here, since I'm a big Pomplamoose fan.
It's pretty apparent from watching their music videos, and especially the blogging segments at the end of the videos, that they both really enjoy what they do. Some people obviously missed the fact that they are married by referring to Jack as "the other guy". They constantly talk about how they love making music and multitrack music videos.
As for the uncanny valley thing, I guess I can understand it. It just seems to be her style. She's pretty good at it, imo.
They also do really cool business stuff that really has nothing to with your comment, PeterMcDermott. They give away all of their mp3s completely free. If you want to buy the album, it's 10 bucks. But they don't give you an album. They give a 10gig flash drive with the AIFF master files, videos, photos, lyrics, mp3s, and more goodies.
They entreated a green t-shirt making business to print shirts based on designs submitted by their fans, which is pretty great. And the Christmas tune they put out is in support of the Give a Goat charity.
So yeah, haters gonna hate, but these folks are talented, really sweet, and obviously in love with each other and with music.
PeterMcDermott: "she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video
But the other guy's told her, 'Look, the only way we ever get a big contract is if you keep on flashing those big soulful eyes on YouTube and some music biz exec gets a hard on for you. So make with the big eyes again, OK? I don't care how sick of it you are -- talent isn't enough in this game, if it was, I'd be rich and famous already -- but your face is my ticket to fame and fortune so pout and FLASH THE FUCKING EYES AGAIN, BITCH!""
This is just ignorant and pretty offensive.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:53 AM on December 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
It's pretty apparent from watching their music videos, and especially the blogging segments at the end of the videos, that they both really enjoy what they do. Some people obviously missed the fact that they are married by referring to Jack as "the other guy". They constantly talk about how they love making music and multitrack music videos.
As for the uncanny valley thing, I guess I can understand it. It just seems to be her style. She's pretty good at it, imo.
They also do really cool business stuff that really has nothing to with your comment, PeterMcDermott. They give away all of their mp3s completely free. If you want to buy the album, it's 10 bucks. But they don't give you an album. They give a 10gig flash drive with the AIFF master files, videos, photos, lyrics, mp3s, and more goodies.
They entreated a green t-shirt making business to print shirts based on designs submitted by their fans, which is pretty great. And the Christmas tune they put out is in support of the Give a Goat charity.
So yeah, haters gonna hate, but these folks are talented, really sweet, and obviously in love with each other and with music.
PeterMcDermott: "she doesn't really look like she's having that much fun, more like she's uncomfortable on camera and would prefer to do this without video
But the other guy's told her, 'Look, the only way we ever get a big contract is if you keep on flashing those big soulful eyes on YouTube and some music biz exec gets a hard on for you. So make with the big eyes again, OK? I don't care how sick of it you are -- talent isn't enough in this game, if it was, I'd be rich and famous already -- but your face is my ticket to fame and fortune so pout and FLASH THE FUCKING EYES AGAIN, BITCH!""
This is just ignorant and pretty offensive.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:53 AM on December 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
Oh, and flatluigi: The time signature change on My Favorite Things is one of my favorite things. Did you notice how they switch from 5/4 in the verse to a straight ahead waltz 3/4 in the chorus, and then back again? Pretty sweet.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:55 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by lazaruslong at 10:55 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, and bonus footage of Jack practicing his air drums.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:56 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by lazaruslong at 10:56 AM on December 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
I guess that technically makes it a switch from 3/2 to 3/4?
posted by lazaruslong at 10:58 AM on December 20, 2009
posted by lazaruslong at 10:58 AM on December 20, 2009
Oh that was so cute. Even cuter with spectacles on.
I can forgive a bit of mugging, if it sounds right. There is less mugging on their Nature Boy.
posted by ovvl at 2:58 PM on December 20, 2009
I can forgive a bit of mugging, if it sounds right. There is less mugging on their Nature Boy.
posted by ovvl at 2:58 PM on December 20, 2009
This is some harmonically adventurous pop music ( more and more a rarity these days) and the instrumentation and rhythmic concepts are clearly imaginative and unique (cellos? toy pianos? I love it). This is not your run-of-the-mill pop band.
Eh, listen to more indie pop.
I've seen these two before, and listening to them always aggravates me, at least partially because in some ways it's really good. But I can't stand her goofy wide-eyed stare and mumbly affectless singing. She can sing for sure, but her delivery is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
posted by ludwig_van at 10:16 PM on December 20, 2009
Eh, listen to more indie pop.
I've seen these two before, and listening to them always aggravates me, at least partially because in some ways it's really good. But I can't stand her goofy wide-eyed stare and mumbly affectless singing. She can sing for sure, but her delivery is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
posted by ludwig_van at 10:16 PM on December 20, 2009
Slightly off-topic, but Zoe Keating, the cellist in "Always in the Season" (and former member of Rasputina), is amazing. I can't recommend her album One Cello x 16: Natoma enough. Even more incredible is that she performs her multi-layered songs alone.
posted by transporter accident amy at 5:41 AM on December 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by transporter accident amy at 5:41 AM on December 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
For everyone freaking out about her face, there's a Jack Conte video where she first worked with him, and at the end she talks about not knowing to do with the camera. He had already done tons of his own videos, where he mugs A LOT, and she didn't feel she could do that too, so he told her to do whatever she felt natural doing.
posted by toekneebullard at 11:40 AM on December 26, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by toekneebullard at 11:40 AM on December 26, 2009 [1 favorite]
« Older Baking the Cherpumple | Benny Hill Riddim Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by OrangeSoda at 8:40 PM on December 18, 2009