Miike Snow: The Band, The Facts, The Music

by Brandon on October 3, 2009

miikeI just got home from seeing Miike Snow for the 3rd time. As my mind recovers from their fantastic live show I figure we should go over the facts…

• Miike Snow is a band, not a man. They are made up of American Andrew Wyatt and Swedish producers/multi-instrumentalists Christian Karlsson & Pontus Winnberg (Bloodshy & Avant).

♫ Maroon 5 – Little Of Your Time (Bloodshy & Avant remix) ♡

• Andrew Wyatt, at 18, formed the Funkraphiliacs with Greg Kurstin (the “geggy” in Geggy Tah and “the bee” in The Bird And The Bee”). He is also the singer for the New York based Fires Of Rome.

♫ Vampire Weekend – The Kids Dont Stand A Chance (Miike Snow remix)

• Karlsson & Winnberg, who produce/write as Bloodshy & Avant, and coincidentally both have mustaches, are responsible for a number of this decade’s pop hits, most notably Britney Spears’ “Toxic” & “Radar,” as well as tracks by Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Jordin Sparks, Kylie Minoque, and more.

♫ Britney Spears – Radar (Bloodshy & Avant Remix) ♡

• Miike Snow took half their name from the controversial Japanese film director Takashi Miike, therefore the proper pronunciation should be “me-ee-keh,” not “mike” as is commonly used (even by the band).

♫ Miike Snow – Cult Logic

• Karlsson, Winnberg, & Wyatt recorded the album as a side project from their other work and never expected to tour or  the music to become so popular. When demand for a tour became apparent they added three touring musicians to fill out their live sound.

♫ Peter Bjorn & John – It Don’t Move Me (Miike Snow remix) ♡

When on tour with the fantastic Jack Peñate, they open their set with “Burial.”

♫ Miike Snow – Burial (Benny Blanco remix ft. Neon Hitch)

• They also wear expressionless white masks until midway through their second song, and current single, “Black & Blue.”

♫ Miike Snow – Black & Blue (Tiga Remix)

• Their song “Burial’ was claimed to be the “best song in the world” by SPIN magazine. It was also the first Miike Snow track to get a video. It takes place in India and doesn’t feature the band at all. I don’t think it is the “best video in the world.” But it is cool.

♫ Miike Snow – Burial (DJ Mehdi Remix)

• Their breakthrough hit, “Animal,” has achieved many things: one of the best songs of the year, has two videos (1, 2), was played live in the woods and on Jimmy Kimmel,  and is looking to take the prize for most remixes by people who don’t blow.

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Fake Blood Remix) ♡

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Mark Ronson Remix) [more of a cover, really] ♡

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Peter Bjorn and John Remix)

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Punks Jump Up remix)

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Treasure Fingers Remix) ♡

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Crookers Remix)

♫ Miike Snow – Animal (Fred Falke Remix)

• “Cult Logic” is my favorite track off the album but Miike have never played it live and it’s only “remix” is a recent on-point mash-up by The Hood Internet.

♫ The Hood Internet – Cult Logic Forever (Drake vs Miike Snow) ♡

• In case you didn’t get it yet, these guys are no slouches. Illustrious histories and a solid-10 album aren’t enough so they continue to kick out epic remixes.

♫ Passion Pit – The Reeling (Miike Snow remix) ♡

[More words and pictures of their live show at Tastes Like Caramel.]

Bury your face in MiiSpace

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Written by: Brandon on October 3, 2009.

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  • http://chriscarman.blogspot.com/ Chris

    Saw em sat. @ bottom of the hill. Incredible set although i was thoroughly bummed that they didn’t play “cult logic”. Absolutely love the extra thump “Animal” is given live.

    C

  • http://chriscarman.blogspot.com Chris

    Saw em sat. @ bottom of the hill. Incredible set although i was thoroughly bummed that they didn’t play “cult logic”. Absolutely love the extra thump “Animal” is given live.

    C

  • meghan

    love miike snow! they have to be the best new band this year. but a couple things: though the proper pronunciation SHOULD be mee-keh, it’s not. i saw them live at lollapalooza and even the guys themselves say it like “mike.” kind of disappointing, i wonder if they changed it to cut down on the confusion. also, i thought they played cult logic when i saw them…i can’t really remember now but i could’ve sworn they did. anyway, great post!

  • meghan

    love miike snow! they have to be the best new band this year. but a couple things: though the proper pronunciation SHOULD be mee-keh, it’s not. i saw them live at lollapalooza and even the guys themselves say it like “mike.” kind of disappointing, i wonder if they changed it to cut down on the confusion. also, i thought they played cult logic when i saw them…i can’t really remember now but i could’ve sworn they did. anyway, great post!

  • Gabriel 7

    I was excited about the Cult Logic remix but unfortunately my expectations were too high. I guess since the song is almost perfect as it is, it will require some exquisite musical talent to do it justice. The mix is so so, just a bunch of lyrics added to an already unforgettable song. Hope someone out there takes the challenge and improves the song. Waiting…
    By the way, thanks for the lyrics, sorry didn’t reply sooner, and how fortunate you are to have seen them a few times now.

    G7

  • Gabriel 7

    I was excited about the Cult Logic remix but unfortunately my expectations were too high. I guess since the song is almost perfect as it is, it will require some exquisite musical talent to do it justice. The mix is so so, just a bunch of lyrics added to an already unforgettable song. Hope someone out there takes the challenge and improves the song. Waiting…
    By the way, thanks for the lyrics, sorry didn’t reply sooner, and how fortunate you are to have seen them a few times now.

    G7

  • Brandon @ TBE

    Incredible is a good word for it. Definitely bummed about Cult Logic. I just don't get how that song doesn't get more love. From even the band!?

  • Brandon @ TBE

    Thanks Meghan. I had heard others introduce them as “Mike” but had never actually heard the band say anything during their sets so it's interesting to hear that even they are simplifying it. Oh well. I just think that saying it as “Mike” invites confusion as to solo act vs. band. Unfortunately, I have been saying mee-keh so long that I won't be able to change and will just be that pretentious A-hole. Oops. If you did see Cult Logic live then I am jealous because they havn't played it during any of my shows and so I just assumed that it wasn't in their live repertoire, considering that they surely rehearse the shit out of their sets. Anyway, thanks for the info!

  • Brandon @ TBE

    Hey G7! Yeah, well the it's really more of a mash-up. We are still waiting for a proper remix, but considering some of the atrocities that were done to “Black & Blue” for its single release I am nervous. And yes, I have been lucky :)

  • Sarah

    Miike Snow is AMAZING!!! :D
    I read they know the pronunciation is “me-ee-keh,” but they only took they spelling from the japanese director and not the pronunciation.
    Thanks for a great blog! :D

    xxx
    /Sarah

  • c-fabs

    so wish i had ever been to one :) maybe i'll get reallll lucky and they'll come to warsaw?

  • Brandon @ TBE

    As of next week, that will make both of us very lucky :)

  • c-fabs

    oh believe me, i'll be just as excited about the return of dj brandon!

  • music1586

    Find Crookers @ iTunes here: http://bit.ly/qaPSN

  • Anonymous

    Find Crookers @ iTunes here: http://bit.ly/qaPSN

  • Gabriel 7

    B, after listening the mash-up a bit longer, I must admit the mix grows on you. I can't help to feel that even an instrumental version of CL would be just cool.

    G7

  • Brandon @ TBE

    Hey G7, I'm glad you are feeling this mash-up more. True, its not a
    proper remix, but Drake's swagger just fits so well over Miike's flow.
    The songs just hypes me up in a different way than the original.

  • Brandon @ TBE

    Hey G7, I'm glad you are feeling this mash-up more. True, its not a
    proper remix, but Drake's swagger just fits so well over Miike's flow.
    The songs just hypes me up in a different way than the original.

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  • http://www.beat.com.au/features ann

    Can't wait to see these guys at splendour next week!

  • http://www.bigiqkids.com/onlinespellingbee spelling practice

    Hey G7! Yeah, well the it’s really more of a mash-up. We are still waiting for a proper remix, but considering some of the atrocities that were done to “Black & Blue” for its single release I am nervous. And yes, I have been lucky :)

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