Futurecop!
| Futurecop! | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Synthwave, Dream pop, electronic, synthpop ambient new-age |
| Instruments | Computers, vintage synthesizers and drum machines |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | The Sleepover Party, Southern Fried, Kiez Beats, New Retro Wave |
| Website |
futurecop |
Futurecop! are British electronic and synthwave artists, influenced by nostalgia and fantasy. Futurecop! consists of Manzur Iqbal and Peter Carrol.
Life and career
Early life
Growing up in Manchester, England, Manzur developed a passion for re-creating the electronic synth melodies influenced by 1980s/90s nostalgia and daydreams. Manzur created Futurecop! and developed the brand and music from 2005. However, it was in 2007 when Futurecop! started gathering momentum, especially for concerts and record labels. This is when he recruited his best friend since University; Peter Carrol.
Musical career
Manzur and Peter met at university, where they were enrolled in the same course. Even though Manzur was an outcast and Peter was part of the popular crowd, their love of 1980s/90s memorabilia brought them together, and they very quickly became best friends.[1]
After graduating from university, Manzur spent all of his time re-creating the sound of his childhood. With no previous knowledge of electronic production, he used a laptop, a MIDI keyboard and Reason. Iqbal and Carrol joined to form Futurecop!. They have said Futurecop! is a discovery for both Manzur and Peter of their existence; they just knew it was something to do with the nostalgia.[2]
Due to attention from popular blogs and support from various musicians, such as Crystal Castles, Franki Chan, Kissy Sellout, Annie Mac, College, Diplo to name a few; Futurecop! gained a significant following. Their most popular songs included "N.A.S.A.", "Tonite's Hero" and "Transformers".
Futurecop toured extensively in Australia, US (one tour being a 40-date tour of the whole of US) and Europe. In 2009, they released their debut EP The Unicorn & the Lost City of Alvograth, with Southern Fried Records.
In 2010, they released—only in Japan—a 14-track album It's Forever, Kids for record label and publisher Media Factory. This album allowed Futurecop! to experiment with their sound outside their bedrooms in professional studios, with singers and other producers that they met while touring.
In 2011, Futurecop! released their next EP The Adventures of Starpony through Rob Hitt’s label Sleepover Party. Their remix of The Naked & Famous' "Young Blood" was played by DJ Tiësto in his world tour.
2012 saw the release of their EP The Movie OST via Kiez Beats Records. This was an electronic instrumental soundtrack created for a made-up retro fantasy movie. The album peaked at number 7 on the Beatport charts in January 2012. They then went on to release their first two singles—"Starworshipper" and "The Only Way"—in mid-2012.
Futurecop! released their second full-length album Hopes, Dreams & Alienation, in December 2013. An album influenced by angst and their favourite electro influences such as Justice. Remixes came from Lifelike, Pony Pony Run Run, Anamanaguchi, Strange Talk and Teen Daze. It received favourable reviews from blogs such as Noisey, MTV iggy, Data Transmission and Indie Shuffle.[3]
In 2015 they released Fairy Tales : Remixed in conjunction with the charity War Child, where they raised €516. This included remixes from synthwave artists VHS Glitch, Dream Fiend, Timecop1983, Sunglasses Kid and Muneshine to name a few.
Futurecop! track "Into Your Heart" was featured on Cameron Crowe TV Series Roadies (TV series) on 26 June 2016.
On 22 June 2016 Futurecop! released a compilation album "The Lost Tapes," with old unreleased music from over seven years. The compilation was released by New Retro Wave Records.
Discography
- The Unicorn & the Lost City of Alvograth EP (2009)
- The Remixes <3 EP (2010)
- It's Forever, Kids (2010 - JAPAN ONLY)
- The Adventures of Starpony EP (2011)
- The Movie OST (2012)
- Hopes, Dreams & Alienation (2013)
- Fairy Tales (2014)
- Fairy Tales: Remixed (2015)
- The Lost Tapes : Compilation Album (2016)
References
- ↑ "Futurecop! Exclusive Mix (MP3), Interview, Track Premiere, Tour Dates, Yo Majesty". TheMusic.FM. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ↑ "Futurecop!". DISCODUST. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ↑ Francey, Matt. "We spoke to Futurecop! about all things 80s". NOISEY. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.