What’s The Noise?

Michelle da Silva

Dragonette

Dragonette is audio American Apparel. The Toronto-based electro-pop band is full of attitude, slickness, and heartbeat dance beats. Fronted by former solo artist Martina Sorbara, the group is rounded out by Dan Kurtz on bass, Joel Stouffer on drums, and Will Stapleton on guitar. Think Metric, but more electro-sharp.

The band first met up in the United Kingdom and recorded their first EP, Dragonette, in 2005. That album ultimately contained many of the songs that found a more polished spot on 2007’s Galore. Since then, Dragonette has been propelled by their hit singles “Take It Like a Man” and “I Get Around.” Both singles seem to draw from early ’80s pop groups like the Eurythmics, combining the coolness of smooth, laidback vocals with driving dance beats. Other songs, like “Competition,” are unabashed, full-on pop, with cheeky lyrics and Sorbara’s high-pitched, almost mousy vocals.

Now up for two of Canada’s Juno awards, Dragonette’s firecracker effect seems to really be taking off across the nation, creating a new generation of high-energy, no-drama, Saturday night noise. Check out Dragonette this month, as the band starts touring in the West and moves toward Toronto. And don’t forget to wear your American Apparel neon best. For a complete list of tour dates, check out the band’s website at www.dragonette.com.