Storm Watch
Thunderheist, the irrepressible electro duo that teamed up on MySpace, unleashes its eagerly anticipated first album By Denise Balkissoon
Image credit: Nathan Seabrook
There’s something about a Thunderheist song that makes listeners want to get sweaty. Loquacious front woman MC Isis likes it that way. When asked what activity is best enjoyed while listening to the band’s music, she replies unequivocally, “premarital sex.” The Nigeria-born Torontonian has made her name by revving up the masses, rapping over urgent electro-tinged bass by her musical partner Grahm Zilla. Look at what happened last December, when the duo took to the streets of London, England, for an impromptu guerrilla gig. Within minutes, they had attracted hordes ready to shut down traffic to shake a tail feather. Thunderheist is an unapologetically next-generation operation: they met through MySpace in 2006 (after which Zilla, in an instant message meant for someone else, accidentally sent Isis the track that would become their first collaboration), gained a rabid following through international blog buzz, and ran a fan video contest for their song “Jerk It” that paid off in the form of a subtly erotic and completely irresistible girl-and-a-rooster submission. Now, after packed shows in such places as Oslo and Guadalajara, Thunderheist is finally releasing an old-fashioned self-titled album. Some things never go out of style.
Thunderheist plays the Phoenix on April 30; Thunderheist drops March 31. $15. 410 Sherbourne St., 416-870-8000, www.libertygroup.com.
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