Jodie & Victor (label)
18 January 2010 (released)
13 January 2010
LA-based quartet Princeton are one of those increasingly rare musical gems who combine 60’s nostalgia with contemporary sounds, as well as a bit of samba and calypso thrown in. Their forthcoming and aptly titled single Calypso Gold will be released via new UK label Jodie & Victor; in fact, Calypso Gold is the first single the label dishes out. Have Jodie & Victor scored gold with their decision? If sales numbers are anything to go by, the answer is yes. Add to that some recent radio play by Steve Lamacq and it should come to no surprise that folk out there can’t get enough of the track (taken from their debut album Cocoon Of Love).
Princeton are comprised of twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel, with close friend Ben Usen and drummer David Kitz completing the quartet. Originally from Santa Monica, CA, the band formed during an academic year in London before moving back to California in 2007.
The brief stay in Europe clearly shaped Princeton’s musical style, and Calypso Gold is no exception. With its nod to retro bands like The Kinks, homage is paid to vintage pop, while the track’s baroque string arrangements are reminiscent of the songs of Scott Walker (an American singer who found chart success in the UK). The sound of Calypso Gold is rounded up by warm and subtle Brazilian samba hues a la Astrud Gilberto or Gilberto Gil. During the current spell of frost, it’s particularly uplifting to receive this dose of musical sunshine!
