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Phantogram (band)

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Phantogram
Phantogram performing at Hopscotch Music Festival 2019
Background information
Also known asCharlie Everywhere (2007–2009)
OriginGreenwich, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
Members
  • Sarah Barthel
  • Josh Carter
Websitephantogram.com

Phantogram is an American music duo from Greenwich, New York,[1] formed in 2007 and consisting of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter.[2][3]

The band define their music as electronic rock, dream pop, electronica and trip hop,[4] and have described their sound as "street beat, psych pop".[5] According to Carter, their music has "lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals".[6] Carter and Barthel were inspired by numerous artists including the Beatles, David Bowie, Cocteau Twins, J Dilla, the Flaming Lips, John Frusciante, Serge Gainsbourg, Madlib, Sonic Youth, Yes, Kevin Shields, and Prince.[7][8][9]

They write and record in a remote barn in Upstate New York called Harmonie Lodge.[10] The band has released five studio albums (Eyelid Movies in 2010, Voices in 2014, Three in 2016, Ceremony in 2020, and Memory of a Day in 2024), four EPs (Phantogram and Running From the Cops in 2009, Nightlife in 2011, and Phantogram in 2013) and 24 singles.

History

[edit]
The duo seated with Carter looking to the camera and Barthel looking at him incredulous
Phantogram in 2010

Carter and Barthel have been friends since preschool. In mid-2007, Barthel returned home dissatisfied with pursuing a visual arts degree at Champlain College in Vermont, and Carter returned home after a brief stint in New York City with Grand Habit, an experimental band formed with his older brother, John. The two friends reunited and worked on finishing some of Carter's earlier songwriting ideas, then finally formed the band.[11][12] They played some live shows, but decided to focus the bulk of their energies on making records.

The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere and used that name to perform around the Saratoga Springs, New York area and to release two EPs on local label Sub-Bombin Records.[11] Upon signing with UK label Barely Breaking Even on January 26, 2009, they changed their name to Phantogram.[13][14][15] Carter suggested the name Phantogram when the band wanted to switch from Charlie Everywhere to "something [they] liked". Upon looking up phantogram, they found that it referred to an optical illusion in which two-dimensional images appear to be three-dimensional, and noted parallels between this meaning and their band and music.[16]

Phantogram's eponymous debut EP was self-released on the CE Records label on May 12, 2009,[17] followed in the same year by another EP, Running From the Cops, issued on BBE. They signed with Barsuk Records in October 2009,[18] after encouragement from Erich Cannon of Portland's Spectre Entertainment, who contacted them after he heard songs on their MySpace page. "We were going to write the record, finish it, and release it as a demo for upstate," explained Barthel. "Then our plan was to move down to New York [City] to do the whole networking and meeting people kind of stuff. And we kind of skipped that whole thing, just because of the internet."[19]

The band performing
Phantogram onstage in 2010

Phantogram released their debut album, Eyelid Movies, on September 15, 2009 on BBE (Europe) and Indica Records (Canada), and on February 9, 2010 on Barsuk (US). The album received generally favorable reviews.[20] The album included three singles: "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Far as I Can See".

The Nightlife EP was released on November 1, 2011. It included the single "Don't Move".

The band performing at an outdoor stage
Phantogram onstage in 2014

The duo collaborated with Big Boi from OutKast on three songs ("Objectum Sexuality", "CPU" and "Lines") from his second studio album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, released in December 2012, and were credited as producers for the song "Objectum Sexuality". Phantogram were also featured on the Flaming Lips song "You Lust" from their 2013 album The Terror.

On September 30, 2013, Republic Records released the Phantogram EP,[21] along with the single "Black Out Days". The band's second studio album, Voices, was released on February 18, 2014 by Barsuk/Republic. It included the singles "Bill Murray", 'Fall in Love" and "Nothing But Trouble".

In 2015, the band contributed the song "K.Y.S.A" to the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack; the track appeared in "The Lab" radio station and was also included on the digital and physical versions of the Welcome to Los Santos album. The same year, Phantogram collaborated with Big Boi again, resulting in the seven-song EP Big Grams, released on September 25, 2015 by Epic Records. The EP featured production work from Big Boi, Phantogram, 9th Wonder and Skrillex. Barthel also guest appeared on the Miley Cyrus song "Slab of Butter (Scorpion)" from her album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.

The band's third album, Three, was released October 7, 2016 by Republic. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard' Top Album Sales chart and No. 9 on the Billboard 200. It included the singles "You Don't Get Me High Anymore", "Run Run Blood", "Cruel World" and "Same Old Blues".

On May 18, 2018, the band released the single "Someday", backed by a cover of Sparklehorse's "Saturday"; all proceeds from the single were earmarked for donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

On March 6, 2020, the band released their fourth studio album, Ceremony. In October of that year, they contributed a cover of Joe Cocker's song "You Are So Beautiful" to the compilation Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy, Volume 2, which was available for purchase for only 24 hours and whose proceeds went toward Voting Rights Lab, an organization dedicated to the protection of Americans' voting rights.[22] Later in the same month, they released the single "Me & Me" accompanying the Netflix film A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting.[23]

The band featured on the Tom Morello song "Driving to Texas" from his 2021 album The Atlas Underground Fire.[24]

In 2022, the band announced a reissue of Eyelid Movies and released the song "Suzie", an outtake from the recording sessions of Eyelid Movies, as an accompanying single.[25]

Sarah Barthel often plays the bass guitar during live performances.

The duo's fifth studio album Memory of a Day was released on October 18, 2024. It includes singles "All a Mystery," "Happy Again," "Come Alive," and "It Wasn't Meant to Be."[26][27]

Touring

[edit]

Phantogram have played and toured with the Antlers, Beach House, Metric, Minus the Bear, Caribou, Zero 7, the xx, Ra Ra Riot, School of Seven Bells, Yeasayer, Brazilian Girls, Future Islands and the Glitch Mob. They opened for M83 at the Hollywood Bowl on September 22, 2013. In 2015, Phantogram opened for Alt-J at Madison Square Garden and toured the West Coast with Muse in December 2015 and again during the European leg of the Drones World Tour in April 2016.

Phantogram have played several major North American festivals including Austin City Limits, Osheaga, Coachella, Free Press Summer Fest, Sasquatch!, Bonnaroo, Hopscotch Music Festival, Treasure Island, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, LouFest, Bumbershoot, Summerfest and Firefly.

In 2010, they enlisted drummer Tim Oakley, formerly of the Mathematicians (where he played under the name Albert Gorithm IV), for their tour.[28] In 2013, the band added guitarist/synth player Nicholas Shelestak to the touring band, while Chris Carhart took over on drums.[29]

Phantogram performing at Hopscotch Music Festival 2019

Phantogram were announced to perform at the summer 2017 WayHome Music & Arts Festival in Oro-Medonte, Ontario.[30]

Members

[edit]
  • Sarah Barthel – vocals, keyboards, piano, programming, synthesizers, guitars, production (2007–present)
  • Josh Carter – vocals, guitars, programming, synthesizers, drums, percussion, production (2007–present)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Phantogram albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[31] 		US
Alt
[32] 		US
Indie
[33] 		US
Rock
[34] 		AUS
[35] 		CAN
[36]
Eyelid Movies —[A] — 38 — — —
Voices
  • Released: February 18, 2014
  • Label: Barsuk/Republic
 11 3 — 3 —[B] —
Three
  • Released: October 7, 2016[40]
  • Label: Fiction (UK)/Republic (US)
 9 3 — 3 93 38
Ceremony
  • Released: March 6, 2020[42]
  • Label: Republic
 75 5 — 8 — —
Memory of a Day — — — — — —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

EPs

[edit]
Phantogram EPs
Title EP details Peak chart positions
US
[31] 		US
Alt
[32] 		US
Indie
[33] 		US
Rock
[34]
Charlie Everywhere EP 1
(as Charlie Everywhere)
  • Released: 2007
  • Label(s): Self-released
 — — — —
Charlie Everywhere EP 2
(as Charlie Everywhere)
  • Released: 2008
  • Label(s): Self-released
 — — — —
Phantogram
  • Released: 2009
  • Label(s): CE
 — — — —
Running from the Cops
  • Released: 2009
  • Label(s): BBE
 — — — —
Nightlife
  • Released: November 1, 2011
  • Label(s): Barsuk
 122 16 21 25
Phantogram
  • Released: September 30, 2013
  • Label(s): Republic
 155 — — —
Spotify Sessions
  • Released: August 12, 2014
  • Label(s): Republic
 — — — —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Single Year Peak chart
positions 		Certifications Album
US
Bub.
[44] 		US
AAA
[45] 		US
Alt.
[46] 		US
Dance
[47] 		US
Rock
[48] 		CAN
Rock
[49] 		MEX
Air.
[50] 		NZ
Hot
[51]
"Mouthful of Diamonds" 2009 — — — — — — — — Eyelid Movies
"When I'm Small" — — — — — — — —
"As Far as I Can See" 2011 — — — — — — — —
"Don't Move" — — — — — — — — Nightlife
"Black Out Days" 2013 — — — — — — — — Phantogram
"Bill Murray" — — — — — — — — Voices
"Fall in Love"[54] 13 26 3 — 16 25 37 —
"Nothing But Trouble" 2014 — — — — — — — —
"Black Out Days" (re-release) — — 32 — — — — —
"You Don't Get Me High Anymore" 2016 — — 6 — 19 18 — — Three
"Run Run Blood" — — — — — — — —
"Cruel World" — — — — — — — —
"Same Old Blues" — — 34 — — 39 — —
"Someday / Saturday" 2018 — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Into Happiness"[55] 2019 — — 21 29 —[C] — — — Ceremony
"Mister Impossible"[57] — — — — — — — —
"In a Spiral"[58] — — — — — — — —
"Pedestal"[42] 2020 — — — — — — — —
"Me & Me"[23] — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Suzie"[59] 2022 — — — — — — — — Eyelid Movies[25]
"Black Out Days" (Subtronics Remix)[60] 2023 — — — 42 — — — 30 Non-album single
"All a Mystery"[27] 2024 — — — — — — — — Memory of a Day
"Happy Again"[27] — — — — — — — —
"Come Alive"[27] — — — — — — — —
"It Wasn't Meant to Be"[27] — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles as featured artist, showing year released
Title Year Album
"Parallel Lines"[61]
(A-Trak featuring Phantogram) 		2016 non-album single
"Driving to Texas"[24]
(Tom Morello featuring Phantogram) 		2021 The Atlas Underground Fire

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Running from the Cops" 2009 Naje Lataillade
"Mouthful of Diamonds" 2010 Drew Norton
"As Far as I Can See" 2011 Ewan MacLeod
"When I'm Small" Isaac Ravishankara
"Don't Move" 2012 John Carter and Will Joines
"Black Out Days" 2013 Evan Spencer Brace
"Fall in Love" 2014 Timothy Saccenti
"You Don't Get Me High Anymore" 2016 Grant Singer
"Funeral Pyre" 2017 Gianluca Minucci[62]
"Into Happiness" 2019 Floria Sigismondi

Guest appearances

[edit]
List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Objectum Sexuality" 2012 Big Boi Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
"CPU"
"Lines" Big Boi, A$AP Rocky
"Lights" 2013 None The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"You Lust" The Flaming Lips The Terror
"K.Y.S.A." 2015 The Alchemist and Oh No Welcome to Los Santos
"Slab of Butter (Scorpion)" (Sarah Barthel) Miley Cyrus Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz
"Take Me Home"[63] 2016 None The Time Is Now[63]
"You Are So Beautiful"[22] 2020 Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy, Volume 2

As Big Grams

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Eyelid Movies did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number 7 on the US Heatseekers Albums Chart.[37]
  2. ^ Voices did not enter the Australian ARIA Albums Chart but peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Hitseekers Chart.[38]
  3. ^ "Into Happiness" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 39 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Discovery: Phantogram - Interview Magazine". October 28, 2010.
  2. ^ Jason Birchmeier. "Phantogram - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Amanda Gray (June 23, 2014). "Interview: Phantogram - 'We don't really write happy songs'". Nbhap.com.
  4. ^ "Phantogram - About". Facebook.com.
  5. ^ "Phantogram - Sounds That Grab a Hold of Your Heart in a Beautiful Way". On Another Note. April 26, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  6. ^ Keyser, Tom (February 4, 2010). "Phantogram going national, view photos of video shoot". Blog.timesunion.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  7. ^ "Turning Points To Always Remember: An Interview with Phantogram's Sarah Barthel". Music Under Fire. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  8. ^ Javorsky, Ben (March 10, 2010). "Phantogram Interview: SXSW 2010". Spinner.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  9. ^ Grecian, Keith (November 3, 2010). "Phantogram interview". Trinity News. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "Phantogram - Ghostly International". Ghostly International. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Wenzel, John (May 7, 2010). "The Reverb Interview: Phantogram". The Reverb. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  12. ^ Swanson, Charlie (November 5, 2010). "Phantogram: Dream-Pop Duo Unifies Its Vision". ALARM Press. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  13. ^ Phantogram (January 26, 2009). "We are now signed to BBE records!!!". MySpace. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  14. ^ "Phantogram Interview". Shy Anne's Songs. March 16, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  15. ^ Furfaro, Danielle (January 26, 2009). "Charlie Everywhere becomes a phantom - Arts Talk". Blog.timesunion.com. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  16. ^ Dafoe, Taylor; Drew Litowitz (November 19, 2010). "Interview: Phantogram". Skidmore SEC. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "May 12th!!!". MySpace. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  18. ^ Phantogram. "Hey Folks! Phantogram is now signed to Barsuk Records!!!". Twitter. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  19. ^ "Coming in from the Cold". Portland Mercury. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  20. ^ "Eyelid Movies – Phantogram". Metacritic.
  21. ^ "ITunes - Music - Phantogram - EP by Phantogram". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Good Music". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Me & Me (From the Netflix Film the Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting) - Single by Phantogram". Apple Music. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Clarke, Patrick (August 26, 2021). "Tom Morello teams up with Phantogram for eerie new single 'Driving To Texas'". NME. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Phantogram". www.barsuk.com. Barsuk Records. October 7, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  26. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (August 23, 2024). "Phantogram Announce New Album, Share New Single 'Come Alive'". Our Culture. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d e Gallant, Amber (September 20, 2024). "Phantogram share new single 'It Wasn't Meant To Be', new album Memory Of A Day out Oct 18". twnty three. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  28. ^ Keck, Catie. "Phantogram, The Duo Adds A Drummer". Ethosmagonline.com. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  29. ^ Mary Lucia, Leah Garaas (October 18, 2013). "Phantogram perform live in The Current studios". The Current from Minnesota Public Radio.
  30. ^ "WayHome Music & Arts". WayHome. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  31. ^ a b "Phantogram Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Phantogram Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  33. ^ a b "Phantogram Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Phantogram Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  35. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #390". auspOp. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  36. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "Phantogram – Billboard Heatseekers". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  38. ^ "ARIA Report: Issue 1253" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  39. ^ "Upcoming Releases - HITS Daily Double". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  40. ^ "Watch Phantogram Premiere "Cruel World" At Lollapalooza Aftershow". Stereogum.com. August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  41. ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 16, 2016). "Green Day Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Revolution Radio'". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  42. ^ a b "Phantogram Announce New Album Ceremony, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork.com. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  43. ^ ""We're so excited to announce our new album Memory of a Day 🌅 This album is for you. Each song on this album is about you and your life and the particular moments or days in your life that you'll never forget. Thank you for being here."". Instagram. August 23, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  44. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  45. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Adult Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  46. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  47. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  48. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  49. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  50. ^ "Phantogram Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  51. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  52. ^ a b c "American certifications – Phantogram". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  53. ^ "British certifications – Phantogram". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 6, 2024. Type Phantogram in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  54. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014.
  55. ^ "Into Happiness – Single by Phantogram". iTunes Store. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  56. ^ "Phantogram – Chart History: Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  57. ^ "Phantogram – "Mister Impossible"". Stereogum. August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  58. ^ "Phantogram – "In a Spiral"". Stereogum. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  59. ^ "Suzie – Single by Phantogram". Spotify. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  60. ^ "Subtronics Reinvents Phantogram's 'Black Out Days' As Drum & Bass Hit". uDiscover Music. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  61. ^ "Parallel Lines feat. Phantogram". September 9, 2016 – via Amazon.
  62. ^ Gaca, Anna (August 24, 2017). "Video: Phantogram – "Funeral Pyre"". Spin. Spin.
  63. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (September 8, 2016). "Phantogram, Lower Dens, Yuna, Scarlett Johansson Cover '80s Songs On New amfAR Comp". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
[edit]
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