Temposhark

Who could fail to love Temposhark?!  Their infectious and melodic songs are nothing short of genius.  With a strong element of ‘cool’ , a cutting edge sound and a fresh and sexy image, it is not surprising that Temposhark are making serious waves in the music world as future popstars in the making.  We caught up with Vocalist Robert Diament to find out a little more.

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Piewatch - Hi Rob.  Temposhark? Strange but exceptionally catchy name for a band! What was the thinking behind it?

I was trying to work out a name, and one night I woke up in the middle of a dream and said quite firmly Temposhark. Just like that, I was certain it was the right name, it just felt right. We really liked the idea of music being a weapon, and Temposhark sounded strong and simple at the same time.

Piewatch – Your music is very hard to pigeonhole, with elements of electronica, dance, pop and rock. Do you see yourself as more of one and less of the others?

No, I love all those types of music and I don’t want to be pigeonholed. No limits I say! I come from a singer songwriter background, inspired by Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos but then grew up loving pop music like Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson then fell in love with dance music and electro, so it’s a mixture of all these elements.

Piewatch – On one of your earlier tracks, you collaborated with Imogen Heap! How did you find working with her, any future collaborations in the pipeline?

She is a true one of a kind, a musical tour-de-force. I have massive respect for her. I’ve just collaborated with MaJiKer who is a beatboxer and body percussionist that I first heard about via the French singer Camille. I’ve also done a duet with The Good Natured, a new young singer I love.

Piewatch – We have to ask, how long does it take you to brush your hair before a gig?

I hardly ever brush my hair and definitely not before a gig…

Piewatch - Is Electro making a comeback? Is it already here? Did it ever go away?

It never went anywhere. There’s always good electronic music and now with the Internet it’s growing and growing stronger.

Piewatch – Who are Temposhark?

It’s essentially me, it’s almost a pseudonym for me. I do have a permanent live band though, Mark Ferguson on bass, Leila MacFie on keyboards and Mathis Richet on drums. It’s a proper fun pop live show.

Piewatch – The Blame video is one of our favourites ever, how did the idea for it come about and where you surprised by the response it got?

Thanks! I loved Motomichi’s animation so when I met him in New York we decided to collaborate. It’s won so many awards and been nominated in lots too and toured the world’s film festivals, so it’s incredible! Thrilling when things click like that. The nicest award was from South by Southwest film festival! That meant a lot.

Piewatch – You run your own label, have you ever been asked to / tempted to sign to another?

I run my own label but I did license the first album to Defend Music in the USA… so that was working with another label. I’m very open to working with a larger label, I’m sure it might happen when the time is right. In the meantime, I’ll just keep on doing my thing.

Piewatch – We noticed your a bit of a Twitter-aholic! How do you feel Twitter and in particular technology is shaping the music industry?

I love  Twitter, it’s so much fun talking to people who like the music. It’s something I really treasure, as it’s nice to be able to speakdirectly with the people listening. Gives me little boosts every now and then, it’s amazing.

Piewatch – What would you say is your biggest achievement to date?

I’m happy this new single ‘The World Does Not Revolve Around You’ is at number 10 in the UK iTunes electronic chart. That was a nice surprise as I’ve only ever charted previously in the USA, so there must be new people who have found my music here, and it’s nice to be doing well in the country you come from!

Piewatch – Whats the best gig you have played and where?

The Roxy in Los Angeles and The Lakeshore Theatre in Chicago are two of my favourite gigs from the US tour we did in 2007. Also supporting Grace Jones at TDK Festival a few years ago was immensely exciting. I’m a big Grace fan!

Piewatch – Who do you currently like in the charts?

Shakira’s new She Wolf song is amazing, Miike Snow, V V Brown, Florence, Bat for Lashes, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap, Morgan Page, Uffie, MaJiKer… the new Death Cab for Cutie song is amazing, I listen to lots of stuff, my taste is extremely broad.

Piewatch – If you could have any super power what would it be?

I’d love to be able to fly. I often dream that I’m flying.

Piewatch - Elvis dead or alive?

I think he’s dead. But I wish he was alive.

Piewatch – Any irrational phobias?

Nope.

Piewatch – Mcdonalds or Burger King?

Neither. Although the ‘Loving It’ phrase from MacDonalds makes me laugh. The way that all the big stars sing it in ads.

Piewatch - Thanks Rob! Anything you would like to add to end us out on?

Check out my new video and single for ‘the World does not revolve around you’! My new album is out in Feb 2010, so not long to wait now… and there will be more singles out before. Thanks! Also my next live gig is an acostic set for clothing giants GAP in London on fri 25th sept at 6pm in their gap1969.com popup store of carnaby street

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