One of my favorite acts over the past several years is Norway’s Datarock.
Easily one of the most quirky and infectious electro-rock groups out there, I first was bitten by their bug after their appearance at the 2006 edition of the Iceland Airwaves festival.
This is one of those groups that you’ve likely heard many more times than you might think. Datarock tunes have been featured in commercial spots for Coca-Cola and iPod Nano, have also been heard on Jersey Shore, and have been included on several top tier video games.
Recently, they were part of the inaugural Lollapalooza Chile, which went down in Santiago in early April, and this video was shot during that performance. The song is entitled “California”, the title track to a ‘secret’ EP that they released in March. The songs on this EP offer a sneak preview of material that will eventually be included on their upcoming oeuvre, Datarock: The Musical. And no, they’re not kidding about that.
But that’s where it only begins to get really interesting. The EP was released in conjunction with a single that just might have broken any and all records for creatively releasing music in the modern digital age: The single is entitled “Catcher In The Rye”, and they dub it “The Most Extravagant Single In History”. Sounds a bit brash, but they’re dead-on accurate. Why? Because this song has been released as a toy. Yes, a toy. You not only get the diamond-shaped figurine, but also of course the “Catcher In The Rye” song, plus a USB memory stick containing 113 (113!!) bonus tracks, 1500 photographs taken at various Datarock gigs in 33 countries, 20 music videos and an hour-long concert film. Unbelievable.
Here’s that performance of “California” from Lollapalooza Chile, and below I’m posting their classic “Fa Fa Fa” (the track featured in the Coke and iPod commercials), and also “Catcher In The Rye” performed live at a music festival in Norway. Rock out.
Datarock – “Fa Fa Fa”
Datarock – “Catcher In The Rye” (live at the Raumarcock Festival)