"Extra Life is a Brooklyn band that has successfully separated from the herd. Masters of industrial-laced experimental tracks, each release has seen them inching toward the addition of pop to that mix, and upcoming EP Ripped Heart finds this trend coming to fruition." - RCRD LBL
"Occasionally overlooked New York BTW Extra Life have trimmed down to a saxophone-free trio and are set to release a more electronic-leaning four-song vinyl/digital EP, Ripped Heart. It was produced beautifully by Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts, etc.). In additional to the vinyl, there are four bonus remix tracks by Laurel Halo, Xiu Xiu, Former Ghosts, and Brooklyn black metal punks Liturgy. Laurel Halo’s remix of “Strong Brother, Weak Brother” demolishes the anthemic, surprisingly poppy original and finds a pretty lift-off in the rubble." - Stereogum
"The title track, off the forthcoming Ripped Heart EP due out April 5th, clings to its poppy hooks and transitions down a winding path of postprog ideas, all while wearing its heart on its sleeve." - Consequence of Sound
On April 5 2011, Brooklyn art rock audience-dividers Extra Life released their new EP Ripped Heart on the newly launched Last Things Records (digital and limited edition 12” vinyl) in the US, through LOAF Records (digital only) in Europe. Their third proper studio release, it includes four new exclusive tracks.
Since 2007 Extra Life have challenged and uplifted the underground music scene with their dark, epic, unclassifiable blend of goth, pop, prog, metal, classical and ancient folk aesthetics. The group was founded by singer Charlie Looker after his departure from influential New York noise-chamber group Zs and his brief stint with the Dirty Projectors. For Extra Life, Looker brought together a quintet of diverse talents from the Northeast avant rock scene: drummer Nick Podgurski, formerly of Yukon; violinist/guitarist/producer Caley Monahon-Ward of Snowblink; saxophonist/keyboardist Travis Laplante of Little Women; and bassist Tony Gedrich of Stats.
Extra Life’s 2008 debut Secular Works (Planaria/LOAF) was met with wide critical acclaim both at home and abroad. The band toured twice in the U.S. and then in Europe, performing at festivals including Primavera Sound (Barcelona), Villette Sonique (France), Moers (Germany) and Kilbi (Switzerland) alongside Sonic Youth, Sunn 0))) and Deerhunter. In 2010 Extra Life released their second full-length Made Flesh (LOAF), a concept album about weightlifting, spirituality and death. Earning many new devout fans and a few impassioned detractors, Extra Life toured both the U.S. and Europe again. This was immediately followed by the release of Splayed Flesh (Sockets), an EP of remixes including Justin Broadrick and Tyondai Braxton.
On Ripped Heart, Extra Life continue in their spirit of dramatic intensity and experimentalism, while also exploring their more accessible side. Amidst the gothic harmonies, lurching rhythms and noise there are infectious melodies, hypnotic repetition, and lush synth textures, making the compositions closer to pop songs than anything Extra Life has made yet. One can still feel the influence of classic crushing New York bands such as Swans and Unsane and composers such as Phillip Glass and Glenn Branca. The new EP however, touches more than ever on the synthetic pop beauty of later Cocteau Twins and Depeche Mode.
While Looker’s lyrics still address the eternal themes of love, sex, death and power, on Ripped Heart they leave behind the macroscopic heights of philosophy and occult spirituality and focus more on emotive personal storytelling. The songs are rooted firmly on the plane of human desire. Still with a touch of humor, here Extra Life more than ever speak directly to the heart.
Ripped Heart’s vast sound was captured by modern metal luminary and longtime Extra Life producer Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts). In contrast to indie music’s current trend of sonic murkiness and vagary, the EP’s shimmering orchestration cuts through with a decidedly hi-fi aesthetic.
With the release of Ripped Heart, Extra Life has begun performing in a new trio incarnation, having parted ways with bassist Gedrich and saxophonist Laplante. In the spirit of refined focus, and in accord with the EP’s more electronic sound, Charlie Looker’s cold analog synth will provide the band’s trademark pummeling low-end. Caley Monahon-Ward, while still wielding his classic piercing violin, will also realize the new material with his own swirling, effects-drenched guitar work. Nick Podgurski’s brutally precise drum assaults continue to propel the band. In this new trio incarnation, Extra Life recently embarked on a two-week tour of Europe in April 2011, sharing bills with Deerhoof. In July, the band will head out on a month-long U.S. tour alongside friend Sam Mickens and Portland’s Parenthetical Girls
* The limited edition 12” of Ripped Heart is the premier release by Last Things Records, a new vinyl-only label founded by Charlie Looker, and offers a free download of four remixes including up-and-coming techno shaman Laurel Halo, as well as kindred spirits Xiu Xiu, Liturgy, and Former Ghosts (featuring Sam Mickens).
Extra Life Live!
June 11th Brooklyn, NY @ Zebulon &
w/ Sam Mickens
7/3 Allston, MA @ Great Scott ^
7/5 Biddeford, ME @ The Oak and the Ax
7/6 Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rosa
7/7 Toronto, Ontario @ Double Double Land
7/8 Ypsilanti, MI (venue tba)
7/9 Chicago, IL @ Situations (loft space)
7/10 Minneapolis, MN @ Medusa
7/11 Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
7/12 Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis
7/15 Vancouver, British Columbia (venue tba) *
7/16 Seattle, WA @ Hi Line *
7/17 Portland, OR @ Holocene *
7/19 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern *
7/20 Oakland, CA @ Lobot Gallery *
7/21 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo *
7/22 San Diego, CA @ Tin Can Gallery
7/23 Riverside, CA @ Alladin Jr.
7/24 Phoenix, AZ @ Trunk Space
7/25 El Paso, TX @ the Percolator
7/27 St. Louis, MO @ LEMP Arts
7/28 Cincinnati, OH (venue tba)
7/29 Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class
7/30 Brooklyn, NY @ Silent Barn
& = w/ Seaven Teares, Sam Hillmer, Stern, Sculptress
^ = w/ Ehnahre and Animal Hospital
* = w/ Parenthetical Girls
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