Times Neue Roman

The duo met at a screening of the animated science-fiction film Scanner Darkly, so it’s fitting that Times Neue Roman’s debut performance, commissioned by the Vancouver Art Gallery, was at the exhibit, “KRAZY!: The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art.” The show was indeed—crazy and delirious—and had to be shut down early on account of the ruckus. That unlikely first gig was followed by tours across the country. TNR roused crowds in basement parties, on hotel rooftops, in glitzy clubs and dingy pubs, concert halls, several festivals including Nuit Blanche, NXNE, Rifflandia, Olio, CMW and Manifesto, and a couple notorious nights when the band rented and played out of the back of a U-Haul truck. The diversity of venues matches the eclecticism of the music. When critics called them “post-rap,” the band responded with a “rap deco” EP, making light of their own genre-violence. The live performance force varies, from vocalist, synth and DJ to a 9-piece band, with one guy on stage not playing music but controlling the live projected visuals from a laptop. In the studio, Times Neue Roman is a duo, occasionally bringing in a rotating cast of guest players and vocalists. Times Neue Roman are a few releases deep: three digital EPs, one seven-inch vinyl, one 12” inch remix, and an album-length cassette, packaged in a working walkman, hand-painted with the band's logo, batteries included. Their “Talking Sporty EP” (YYZ Records, 2010) came out as a mobile app, and their single “Roq Roq” was initially released through the EA Sports video game, Fight Night Round 4. Times Neue Roman have built a brand new media platform for the the aptly-titled “Vehicle,” a custom experience that presents the album as art object, recalling thoughtfully designed album jackets. new album http://tnrvehicle.com http://timesneueroman.com