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Written by Tara Lacey
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Thursday, 21 May 2009 |
 Santigold addresses the crowd. Photo by Flickr's Mr. Mystery.
Santi White got her start as a punk rock front-woman for the band Stiffed. While making a name for herself on the punk scene, she was offered a solo contract from Lizard King Records, and thus “Santogold” was born. She released her initial singles “Creator” and “L.E.S. Artiste” on the Internet in 2007 then set to work on her first studio album.
White released the album Santogold in April 2008, co-producing alongside her former Stiffed band mate John Hill. It burst onto the scene to critical acclaim. “L.E.S. Artiste” topped Rolling Stone Magazine’s best singles of 2008 in the No. 2 spot with its mash up of sound inspired by her punk roots. “L.E.S. Artiste” is reminiscent of The Cars meets The Police with a little bit of The Strokes’ and The Ramones’ influences for good measure. (White has even collaborated with The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas.) At the same time, “L.E.S. Artiste” is innovative, fun and catchy.
The single “Lights Out” is a perfect mix of sounds to exemplify summer with its smooth and steady bass lines to the mellow, mezzo-falsetto, lightly synthed vocals. This song will likely set the perfect mood for kicking back in the grassy fields at Bonnaroo.
Santi White has a virtual rolodex of musical inspiration and masterful mix of electro-hip hop with punk and reggae sounds. The latticework of very different genres makes for sweet ear candy. Santi White stands on solid hooks, tight melodies and unique mixes that will keep you guessing just what sounds she’ll explore next. Give Santogold a spin in the disc player and I dare you to remove it before you listen all the way through. Song for song she is just that good.
[Santigold MySpace Page, allmusic, Rolling Stone, Front page image by Flickr's "Mr. Mystery"]
Tara Lacey, TheSequitur.com contributor, is a freelance writer out of Austin, Texas.
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