Silent Wave
Jazzhuset, Gothenburg
25 October 2013
Silent Wave, formerly known as Waveshaper, gave their second gig ever at Jazzhuset, Gothenburg. Let me introduce them to you, because I don’t remember them doing that at the show: Silent Wave is the electropop duo of Tildeh Hjelm and Hans Olsson Brookes. If you’re a fan of great music from Gothenburg, there’s no way you could’ve missed Hans and his work (including Wonderland artists, Universal Poplab). Being the co-owner of Svenska Grammafonstudion, he’s involved in everything, believe me. If you’re well-grounded, you also understand that he knows exactly what he’s doing and he simply does it well.
Tildeh has been making her own music for years, and with their different backgrounds they make a pretty good team – especially since they met and got to know each other at the Pustervik venue only a year ago. I was there, too, going to one of Timo Räisänen’s concerts (the connection for Hans is that he plays the keyboards in Timo’s band and has produced him). Oh, what a night.
That was a night of way too many beers, but it was also noteworthy for bringing about Silent Wave. About four months ago, they released their first video, called Landscapes. The song DreamOn DreamOn has been released on SoundCloud, but the band doesn’t offer much more by way of recordings right now. The sound is quite experimental; featuring some heavy electronic beats, as well. According to the two members, they are influenced by Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine. According to me, Tildeh is getting her influences from Björk, as well. What a voice and what a nice way of singing!
Silent Wave hit the stage just after midnight. They have a really powerful intro, played instrumentally. Being as new as they are as a band, the gig was only about 25 minutes long. They even played Landscapes twice; using it as an encore number, as well. I can’t decide if it’s a fudge or cool. A little bit a both, maybe. Silent Wave is a good live act. I’m not getting the “OMG, this is the best thing I’ve ever seen” feeling that I get from catching Depeche Mode or Chvrches live; but, having been to over 100 concerts this year, I can assure you that they are well worth keeping an eye on.
DJ knows his thing. I’m moving my hips to EBM music. The place is full of interesting people who are waiting for the sold-out gig to start. Men with beards. Girls with cut arms. Most of them dressed in black. I wasn’t expecting anything else. At events like these it’s taboo to wear anything but black. Wear red, green or yellow: People will stare at you like you should be locked up at a mental hospital. Wear white: You’re dead. I’m having a hard time fitting in. I feel misplaced. But I can’t help but love it. 
They use a huge Swedish flag as a backdrop as usual. Goes well with their critical songs about the society. Feels a bit patriotic but also, knowing what they sing about, both comforting and fair. FINALLY someone is able to see this present age as exactly what it is. I love how they put something so important into music and rhythms that make people dance. Yeah, let’s dance it all away. That’ll be enough for now. 
Julian is Mr Brandt, latterly the bass player for Lustans Lakejer. Marina is Ms Schiptjenko, still of Page and formerly with Vacuum and BWO. They were brought together by their shared love of old-school Pet Shop Boys and Duran Duran, and it is these influences which come out most strongly. The ghost of a younger Neil Tennant is present in songs like Count the Stars, and the smooth sounds of The Moon and the Stars do a lot to restore romance to electronic music.
Take Prime Movers, which is a gothic aerobics instructor’s dream: dark, stabbing bass; a euphoric lead and a growling vocal. It brings the feeling of the album back into the normal fan’s comfort zone. There should be no complaints arising from tracks like Ignorance and Bliss, either, with sparkling pads and lush choirs draped like muslin over a pulsing bass and galloping rhythm track. Likewise, Auto Circulation is custom-designed to be dropped into a late-night mix – a heady concoction of filters and tension.
Vile Electrodes are one of the hottest acts on the European electronic music scene. Fronted by Anais Neon (see what she did there?) and propelled by voltage-controlled music-man Martin Swan, the Vile ones have attracted attention with their brand of dirty electronics: they have already warmed up for OMD and John Foxx & The Maths to widespread acclaim. The duo is now ready to peel back the latex a little and show you their new album, The Future Through a Lens.
The pace isn’t as restrained in songs like Empire of Wolves or Tore Myself to Pieces, which beg to be unleashed on the dancefloor. The Vile ones have a great sense of song structure, which will make them a firm favourite with DJs. The best way to enjoy them is live, but owning your own copy of The Future… is a brilliant way to keep the hips moving between shows.