Phantogram

Before Phantogram was established its two main members, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, who had been childhood friends since junior high both had brief artistic stints in New York City before they returned to their hometown of Saratoga Springs. After the two returned home they reunited and began to work on some of Josh Carter’s musical ideas.

The duo began performing their music to live audiences around their hometown under the name Charlie Everywhere, but later changed their name to Phantogram after signing with the record label BBE. After signing with BBE the band was quick to release two EPs labeled “Phantogram” and “Running From the Cops”, both which came out in 2009.

Phantogram’s debut album “Eyelid Moves” was released under the independent record label Barsuk Records in 2010 and received generally positive reviews. The album was full of classic songs like “Mouthful of Diamonds” and “When I’m Small”. The album was loaded with jangly guitar riffs, electronic soundscapes, and ethereal sounding vocals that drew comparisons to artists like the Cocteau Twins, Death Cab For Cutie, and My Bloody Valentine.

Phantogram’s “Voices”, which was the follow up to their debut album was released in 2014 and showed the duo experimenting with more aggressive electronic sounds as well as elements of trip hop. The music magazine, Alternative Press, highly praised the album noting that the electronics and electric guitars were impeccably mixed to create a sound that was both exceptionally complex and catchy.

Phantogram’s infectiously catchy sounds quickly garnered them mainstream attraction and has led to their music being placed in several popular television shows and movies such as Teen Wolf, Catching Fire, and Pitch Perfect. Phantogram have also made appearances on many well-regarded late night television shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Phantogram has already had the privilege of playing the Hollywood Bowl when they opened for M83 and have played many large festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Coachella. Other musical artists are also highly fond of Phantogram’s music, which has led to artists such as Big Boi and The Flaming Lips asking Phantogram to collaborate with them.