In Austin the Red Bull Moon Tower went from 11pm to the wee small hours of the morning. The line up included The Story of, The Republic Tigers, I love you but I’ve Chosen Darkness, Shepard Fairey and more.
The Republic Tigers make mood music for the future- something resembling ambient folk (or something of that ilk). Named after front-man and bands founder Kenn Jankowski’s high school mascot, the Republic Tigers are a lot like their name – strangely familiar, but undeniably unique. Their layered brand of synth-driven ballads, wrenched out by former choir-boy-turned rockabilly crooner blends the folk-y sounds of the past with ambient synthesized sounds aiding – As Jankowski explains it, “there are just too many limitations in using just a guitar.”
A self-proclaimed “gamer,” Jankowski’s love of electronic music stemmed from his love of technology (he even said the ideal venue for their music would be a videogame soundtrack.) Before you sneer at the computer screen, you should realize that it was Mario Brothers. and all those other brilliantly catchy video game theme songs that got most of the electro kids started on the sound at an early age. Don’t try to tell me you can’t remember how the Mario Brothers theme goes?
Check out this unreleased B-side Sinkin Annie Down Down Down a ChinaShop exclusive