Topman CTRL – Inspired By Music

With Gallows, Passion Pit, Diplo...

Topman has always had its finger firmly on the pulse of new music. But the Topman CTRL concept goes that little bit further, offering its audience direct access to the music and cultural passions of some of the most exciting bands around.

So, how does it all work? Well, each month Topman shines the spotlight on a different artist and gives them complete control (CTRL, get it?!) of their MySpace profile. The ‘Controller’ is then assigned the honour of curating and selecting three of their current favourite bands to play a gig that month. But it doesn’t stop there. Through blogging and the band’s very own multimedia ‘scrapbook,’ we are given exclusive access into the world and indeed mind of that chosen artist. And with previous Controllers including Phoenix, Black Lips, Metronomy and Ladyhawke, along with live headliners like The Big Pink, Wild Beasts, Golden Silvers, and Marina And The Diamonds, those guys at Topman CTRL are definitely singing from the right hymn sheet musically.

Last month Gallows took over and granted us all a very special insight into the chaotic, rip-roaring day-to-day life of a hardcore punk. And boy did we learn a lot. Batman comics, the Big Apple and Slayer: their passions are pretty diverse to say the least. Influenced massively by Bowie and Metallica, these boys know what they like and like what they know. “My dad is a huge Bowie fan, and he took me to see him at Milton Keynes when he was doing the Sound And Vision tour when I was seven or eight,” says drummer Lee. But as well as praising such rock and roll stalwarts, Gallows also gave us an endless supply of tour diary entries and new music recommendations, which we welcomed with open arms, naturally.

And next month it gets even better, with the opportunity for you, the digital savvy muso, to contribute to the Controller’s scrapbook. Have a burning desire to impart your particular musical opinion? Been to a mind-blowing gig by one of the site’s featured artists and want to let the world know just how good it was? Well, when Diplo slips into the Controller’s seat in December, you will be able to paste your images, links and playlists alongside his.

But first up are Brooklyn’s dreamy electro popsters Passion Pit. Did we say Passion Pit? Yes, Passion Pit, who joked about getting Burial on their Liverpool line-up but are actually aiming more for bedroom synthpop artist Washed Out. And when grilled about their current musical preferences, the recommendations come pouring out. “Fanfarlo is a personal fave of mine,” says bassist Jeff. “I’d always heard their name around, but the first time I saw them was at Vibe Bar, London. I was blown away by them – they had a total Brian Eno, David Byrne kinda Talking Heads theme going on. I thought they were brilliant.”

We can’t wait to see what they come up with. Just visit http://www.myspace.com/topmanctrl to keep up to date with all the latest Topman CTRL happenings.

Words by April Welsh

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