Spirit Animal

With the November self-release of The Cost of Living, Spirit Animal unveiled a unique and powerful blend of rock, psychedelia and dance music previously missing from modern-day music. Produced by band leader Steve Cooper -- whose remix exploits include Devendra Banhart, Kool Keith, How to Dress Well, and Marnie Stern -- and founding member Computer Jay -- the circuit-bending synth wizard who reached new heights in 2010 alongside Dam-Funk and Gaslamp Killer -- the album combines the grit and intensity of The Doors with the wit and accessibility of LCD Soundsystem.

To kick off 2010, Spirit Animal released Brazen Brand, a collection of covers and remixes that effortlessly leaped from Beirut to Jackie Wilson to Ginuwine and Yeasayer. This summer, the band’s original singles, “Makin’ It Work” and “Ants!,” garnered national airplay, debuting at #10 on specialty radio and sustaining regular rotation in cities like Albany, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles. With slick music videos for “Makin’ It Work” and album sleeper “Broken Paradise” on the way this winter, the band is primed to breakout in 2011.

On stage, Spirit Animal has culled a bi-coastal live rotation that modulates and shape-shifts like the vintage Moog synth sounds the group employs. At once manic and precise, the group’s presence has landed Spirit Animal on stage with Free Energy, Wallpaper and Fitz and the Tantrums this fall.