Art vs. Science
Art vs. Science are an Australian electronic dance band based in Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in February 2008, the three-piece consists of James Finn (styled as Jim) on vocals and keyboards; Daniel McNamee (styled as Dan Mac) on vocals, guitars and keyboards; and Daniel Williams (styled as Dan W.) on drums and vocals.
Art vs. Science | |
|---|---|
Art vs. Science in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Electro house, dance-punk |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Magellanic, Green, MGM, San City High, Kobalt |
| Members | Jim Finn Dan McNamee Dan Williams |
The trio received three nominations at the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 for their independent extended play release, Magic Fountain and in 2011, the group won ARIA Award for Best Independent Release for their debut album The Experiment. The album peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
History edit
2008–2009: Formation and early EPs edit
In February 2008, Art vs. Science formed in Sydney as an electro-pop dance band, after Dan McNamee attended a Daft Punk concert in 2007. He convinced his former high school friends, Jim Finn and Dan Williams to join.[1][2] The trio were ex-members of Roger Explosion, a rock-punk band, which had formed in 2003 and included Finn's brother Tom on bass guitar. By 2007 Roger Explosion had released two extended plays and an album.[3] Art vs. Science has Finn on vocals and keyboards; McNamee on vocals, guitars and keyboards; and Williams (who, at the time, was also a member of Philadelphia Grand Jury) on drums and vocals. The band were booked to play gigs before they had created any songs.[1]
We started jamming for Art vs. Science in February last year. We didn’t have any specific songs, we had a loose idea for a few tracks, and our mate asked us to play. We weren't ready but we said yes; wrote seven songs in 48 hours. We tend to work well under pressure.
— Dan Williams, 2009.[4]
The band based their name on two members, one doing an arts degree, the other science. The third member did a language major at university.
After playing gigs and festivals, including the Parklife Festival, Falls Festival, Good Vibrations and touring nationally with The Galvatrons, Art vs. Science received a 2008 Unearthed J Award nomination.[5] Their song, "Flippers" was listed at No. 44 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2008.[2]
The band undertook its first headline national tour in May 2009, which was sold out.[6] In August, the group embarked on The Eiffel Tour across Australia.[7][8][9]
In July 2009, the band gained wider recognition after winning radio station, Triple J's Unearthed competition earning a gig at Splendour in the Grass.[10][11][12]
Art vs. Science's debut self-titled extended play was recorded at Big Jesus Burger studios in Surry Hills with producer Simon 'Berkfinger' Berckelman (Philadelphia Grand Jury) and was released in May. Dan Williams said "We recorded it all in one day, in one session, one mad day; locked ourselves in, with a lot of coffee and a lot of wine. We were set up in a room: it was all very minimal, no metronomes; just the producer screaming at us till we got it right."[4]
The EP peaked at No. 32 on the ARIA Singles Chart,[13] and, in December, it was accredited gold record status by ARIA.[14]
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2009 the EP was nominated for ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Single.[15][16] They also received two AIR Award nominations for 'Best Independent Single' and 'Breakthrough New Independent Artist' and won 'Best Independent Dance Album'.[17][18] With their colourful mix of pop, French electro, and rock they won the Fasterlouder Festival Award for 'Best Local Act' in 2009.[19]
The band's track, "Parlez Vous Francais?", was added to rotation at community radio, Triple J and Nova 96.9.[20][citation needed] The song was listed at No. 2 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2009.[2][21][22] The video for "Parlez Vous Francais?", directed by Alex Roberts, was nominated for 'Australian Music Video of the Year' at the 2009 J Awards.[23] By the end of the year Williams had to give up playing drums in his other Sydney band, Philadelphia Grand Jury, in order to concentrate full-time on Art vs. Science.[1]
2010–2018: The Experiment and Off the Edge of the Earth and into Forever, Forever edit
Art vs. Science started to gain international recognition, following the inclusion of "Parlez Vous Francais?" on BBC 1 DJ Kissy Sell Out's cover-mount compilation on UK taste-making magazine Mixmag, airplay on John Kennedy's XFM's show and blog attention, courtesy of a remix package including tracks by Bumblebeez and Nadastrom. XFM also named the band one of the 20 Bands to Watch in 2010.[24] In 2010, the group toured the United Kingdom in support of La Roux in March and then Groove Armada in May.[25] Their track, "Hollywood", appears on the soundtrack of the basketball video game NBA 2K11.[26][citation needed] The band released its second EP, Magic Fountain, in August 2010, which reached No. 14 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[13] The title track reached No. 9 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2010.[27] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 the band received three nominations, ARIA Award for Best Dance Release, ARIA Award for Best Independent Release and Best Video for "Magic Fountain".[15] In October, Art vs. Science started recording their debut album, The Experiment, in Queensland with producer Magoo.[needs update][28]
The band's next single, and official lead single from their debut album, "Finally See Our Way", premiered on Triple J's The Breakfast Show with Tom & Alex on 22 November 2010[29] and was released on 26 November.[30] In March 2011 the group supported The Chemical Brothers' Australian tour.[29] Art vs. Science signed with Kobalt Music Australia, the label's first local signing.[31] Their album was released in Australia on 25 February 2011.[32]
In early 2014, the band released a single entitled "Create/Destroy", as well as releasing a music video for a new song entitled "I Was a Child Once". "I Was a Child Once" is the result of an experimental collaboration and recording project open to the public, dubbed a world first. The project, named "Open Studio" was presented by Pedestrian TV and Ben Sherman, who opened a recording studio at Ben Sherman's Sydney Arcade flagship store for five days in February 2014.[33] The completed video and song was published to YouTube on 23 March 2014.[34]
2019–present: Big Overdrive edit
In May 2019, the band released the non-album single "Zeus in the Architecture"; the first taste of their most recent sessions.[35]
In November 2021, their first single in 18 months "SWEAT" was released alongside a music video directed by Angus “Beef” McGuigan.[36] The band started touring again with the SWEAT tour for a few months after the single's release.
In July 2022, the band released "I Saw You" and announced their third album Big Overdrive, which was released on 5 August 2022.[37]
Members edit
- Jim Finn – keyboards, bass, vocals
- Dan McNamee – keyboards, guitar, vocals
- Dan Williams – drums, vocals
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [13] | ||
| The Experiment |
| 2 |
| Off the Edge of the Earth and into Forever, Forever |
| 50 |
| Big Overdrive |
| — |
Extended plays edit
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [13] | |||
| Art vs. Science |
| 32 | |
| Magic Fountain |
| 14 |
|
| Create / Destroy |
| - |
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS[13][40] | |||
| "Flippers" | 2008 | - | Art vs. Science |
| "Parlez Vous Francais?" | 2009 | -[A] | |
| "Friend in the Field" | -[B] | ||
| "Magic Fountain" | 2010 | -[C] | Magic Fountain |
| "Finally See Our Way"[42] | 98 | The Experiment | |
| "A.I.M. Fire!"[43] | 2011 | - | |
| "Higher"[44] | - | ||
| "With Thoughts"[45] | - | ||
| "Create / Destroy"[46] | 2014 | - | Create / Destroy |
| "Creature of the Night"[47] | - | ||
| "In This Together"[48][49] | 2015 | - | Off the Edge of the Earth and into Forever, Forever |
| "Tired of Pretending"[50] | - | ||
| "Chosen One"[51] | 2016 | - | |
| "Wickoo"[52] | 2017 | - | Non-album singles |
| "Zeus in the Architecture"[53] | 2019 | - | |
| "Enter Sandman"[54] | - | Triple J Like a Version | |
| "Icycle Bicycle"[55] | 2020 | - | Non-album single |
| "Sweat"[56] | 2021 | - | Big OverDrive |
| "Centaur" [57] | - | ||
| "Dance"[58] | 2022 | - | |
| "Monkey"[37] | - | ||
| "I Saw You"[37] | - | ||
| "Moonlight"[59] | - | ||
| "Check the Boombox"[60] | - | ||
| "Mick Jagger with a Laser"[37] | - | Big OverDrive (Deluxe) |
Notes
- ^ Sales from "Parlez Vous Francais?" counted towards Art vs. Science EP. "Parlez Vous Francais?" peaked at umber 41 on the ARIA digital sales chart.[40]
- ^ "Friend in the Field" was released as a radio promotional single. Sales from "Friend in the Field" counted towards Art vs. Science EP
- ^ Sales from "Magic Fountain" counted towards Magic Fountain EP. "Magic Fountain" peaked at umber 17 on the ARIA digital sales chart.[40]
Awards and nominations edit
AIR Awards edit
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR Awards of 2009[61][62] | Art vs. Science | Best Independent Dance/Electronic Album | Won |
| Art vs. Science | Best Independent Single/EP | Nominated | |
| Art vs. Science | Breakthrough Independent Artist | Nominated | |
| AIR Awards of 2011[63] | Art vs. Science | Best Independent Artist | Nominated |
| The Experiment | Best Independent Album | Nominated | |
| Best Independent Dance/Electronic Album | Nominated |
APRA Awards edit
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[64] Art vs. Science have received two nominations, both for Dance Work of the Year.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Parlez Vous Francais" (James Finn, Daniel McNamee, Daniel Williams) | Song of the Year[65] | Shortlisted |
| 2011 | "Magic Fountain" (James Finn, Daniel McNamee, Daniel Williams) | Dance Work of the Year[66] | Nominated |
| 2012 | "Finally See Our Way" (James Finn, Daniel McNamee, Daniel Williams) | Dance Work of the Year[67] | Nominated |
ARIA Awards edit
The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Art vs. Science have won one award from six nominations.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Art vs. Science" | Breakthrough Artist - Single[68] | Nominated |
| 2010 | "Magic Fountain" | Best Independent Release[69] | Nominated |
| Best Dance Release[69] | Nominated | ||
| "Magic Fountain" – Alex Roberts | Best Video[69] | Nominated | |
| 2011 | The Experiment | Best Independent Release[70] | Won |
| The Experiment | Best Cover Art | Nominated |
J Award edit
The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Awards of 2008 | Art vs Science | Unearthed Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| J Awards of 2009 | "Parlez Vous Francais?" | Music Video of the Year | Won |
| J Awards of 2011 | The Experiment | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| J Awards of 2011 | ""A.I.M. Fire" | Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ a b c "Art vs. Science: Full Biography". MTV Australia. Viacom. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ a b c Young, Kane (19 August 2010). "Simple plan works like magic". The Mercury. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ . Unearthed. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Thomas (24 March 2009). "Art vs. Science". Music News, Reviews, Interviews and Culture. Music Feeds. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "Triple J: J Awards: Art vs. Science". J Award. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "Art vs. Science 'The Eiffel Tour'". My Sunshine Coast Life. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Seidler, Jonno (28 August 2009). . The Dwarf (Naked Dwarf). Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Art Versus Science's Eiffel Tour... Launceston and Hobart shows!". Antonio's H.I.N.Y. Blog. 2 August 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ . Faster Louder. 24 August 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Tan, Sandy. . Access All Areas. AAA Entertainment Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ . Unearthed. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "Art vs. Science". Monitor Online. University of Canberra. September 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Hung, Steffen. "Discography: Art vs. Science". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 31 December 2010. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ a b "ARIA Awards: History: Winners by Artist: Art vs. Science". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 16 November 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "2009 ARIA Awards Nominees". The Age. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ . Air Awards. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Cashmere, Paul (24 November 2009). "The Drones take home the major Air Award". Undercover.com.au. Undercover Network Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ . FasterLouder.com.au. FasterLouder Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Mac, Kate (May 2011). "MusicLoop: Groovin the Moo". Nova 96.9. DMG Radio Australia. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "Art vs. Science take Hottest 100 by surprise". InTheMix.com.au. InTheMix Pty Ltd. 27 January 2010. from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Gregg, Natalie (27 January 2010). "Aussies rock in Triple J's Hottest 100". The Courier-Mail. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "Triple J: J Awards: Australian Music Video of the Year". J Award. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Xfm | artists | 20 Bands for 2010 21 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Australian Associated Press (AAP) (30 March 2010). "Art vs. Science wins over dancers and rockers". The Age. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ "Workout Playlist of the Day- NBA2K11 Song Track List". Muscle Prodigy. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ Hottest 100 | triple j
- ^ . FasterLouder.com.au. FasterLouder Pty Ltd. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Art vs. Science: new single and Chemical Brothers supports". Music News. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Carr, Michael (23 November 2010). "Art vs. Science to release teaser track off new album". Music Feeds. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Art vs. Science sign with Kobalt". The Music Network. Peer Group Media. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Art vs. Science announce new album". Art vs. Science. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
- ^ . Pedestrian TV. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ "Art vs Science // I Was a Child Once". Art vs. Science. YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ "Art vs Science debut "Zeus"". Noise11. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Art vs Science return with first single in 18 months, 'Sweat'". NME. 4 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Art Vs Science share soaring new single "I Saw You", detail long-awaited third album". NME. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
- ^ "Art vs. Science announce new album". Art vs. Science via Twitter. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
- ^ "JB Hi-Fi Off The Edge of the Earth And into Forever, Forever by Art vs Science". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ "Create / Destroy - EP". Apple Music. April 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Finally See Our Way - single". Apple Music. November 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ ""A.I.M. Fire!" by Art vs. Science". YouTube. April 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ ""Higher" by Art vs. Science". YouTube. June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "With Thoughts - single". Apple Music. August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Create / Destroy - single". Apple Music. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Creature of the Night - single". Apple Music. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "ART VS SCIENCE RELEASE NEW SINGLE". Mix Down Mag. May 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "In This Together - single". Apple Music. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Tired of Pretending - single". Apple Music. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Chosen One - single". Apple Music. January 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Wickoo - single". Apple Music. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Zeus in the Architecture - single". Apple Music. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Enter Sandman (Like a Version) - single". Apple Music. June 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Icycle - single". Apple Music. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Sweat - single". Apple Music. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Centaur-single". Apple Music. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Art vs Science - DANCE (Official Video)". YouTube. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "10 Tracks That Inspired Art vs Science's New Single 'I Saw You'". Scenestr. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Art vs Science release new video for 'Check The Boombox'". Beehive Promotion. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ . 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced". tonedeaf. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Voting Now Open For APRA's Song of the Year Award". Music Feeds. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "2009 ARIA Awards Nominees". The Age. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
- ^ a b c Ferris, Rina; Brennan, Kristyn (28 September 2010). (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
External links edit
- Official website
- on NovaFM