# Artist of the Week: Dynamic Brother Duo, Wildlife Control

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2013/07/artist-of-the-week-dynamic-brother-duo-wildlife-control/
- Published: 2013-07-26T00:53:35-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

Two bi-coastal brothers who normally collaborated from opposite ends of the continent
came together at the mid-point city of **Austin** last March for the famed **South
by Southwest** music festival, and delivered on the faith that SXSW organizers had
in them enough to give them an official showcase, an honor for any musician or band.
Since their SXSW appearances, which included four non-official showcase gigs, the
duo have been on a roll.

Formed in 2010, **Wildlife Control** is comprised of **Neil Shah**, based in **Brooklyn**,
and his brother, **Sumul Shah**, headquartered 3,000 miles away in **San Francisco**.
While they spend a good amount of time as far apart as any two people can be geographically
in the United States, they were about as close as any two people can be via the 
wonders of the Internet. The convenience of modern day “locale no importante” technology–
like inexpensive recording software and high-speed Internet – has made it possible
for the Shah brothers to collaborate musically almost as easily as if they were 
in the same room (and, as some brothers might say, “easier”; **Ray Davies** and **
Dave Davies** of **The Kinks** may have benefited at one time in their long and 
legendary love-hate relationship had they had access to Skype and file-sharing sites).

Bi-coastal, Internet-connected collaboration and all, the Shah brothers regularly
come together in the physical world, as they did for their SXSW premiere. On March
8th, about a week before their trip to Austin, Wildlife Control released their self-
titled debut album. And while the official release of their debut LP coupled with
playing SXSW was a milestone in the brothers’ musical career, Wildlife Control had
been building up a buzz in the blogosphere for some time thanks to their infectious,
dreamy electro psych pop.

Related Post:  DIY Artist of the Week - Chicago Musician Matt Script

As demonstrated on new stand-out songs like “Ages Places” and “Different,” the talented
brothers weave together ambient layers and melodic hooks featuring reverb-drenched
guitar jams, soaring synth compositions, muffled bass playing, driving, rhythmic
drum beats, and wavering choruses, effectively creating what we like to call the‘
colorful light show in the mind’s eye,’ similar to the effect that electro psych
pop pioneers like **Animal Collective** achieve in their kaleidoscope soundscapes.

During the past couple of years, the brothers have recorded and toured with collaborators
on both coasts. Last August, Wildlife Control made it on to CMJ’s Radio 200 chart.
The brothers followed their debut release with headlining shows at the **Mercury
Lounge** in New York City, **Bottom of the Hill** in San Francisco, and also performed
durng NYC’s 2012 **CMJ Music Marathon**. Their [innovative music videos](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/analogordigital.wildlifectrl.com)
have garnered praise from _Wired _magazine and been compared to groups like **OK
Go** and **Arcade Fire**. Combining their big indie rock sound with time lapse and
stop motion photography, the music video for the band’s debut single, [“Analog or Digital”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/boGyFAYomBo1)
has been viewed over 350,000 times on YouTube alone.

“Ages Places” – **Wildlife Control** from _Wildlife Control_ – March 8th

“Different” – **Wildlife Control** from _Wildlife Control_

Wildlife Control’s [official website](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/wildlifectrl.com)
and Facebook page.
 l