Photos: Quadron Live on KCRW

Written by
Coco O by Jeremiah Garcia
Coco O by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

(Watch/listen to the full session here)

Quadron have come a long way since recording their debut in a basement studio in Copenhagen.

Both producer Robin Hannibal and singer Coco O now call Los Angeles home and they’ve spent the last few years prepping songs for their sophomore release, some of which we got to hear in a live show as part of KCRW’s Apogee Studio series last night.

They had one guiding principal for the new songs: What would Michael Jackson say?

They bonded over their love of the entertainer and he’s all over the new record – a track Coco introduced as being “really excited about”, “Favorite Star”, clearly had some MJ touches and the song “Neverland”, was a dedication to fans of the singer. Later, she sang a cover of “Baby Be Mine”.

The audience was completely enraptured by Coco’s incredible voice, soaring over an incredible backing band (all LA musicians) and arrangements that are always just right — never too busy, but always interesting.

The duo have perfected the equation for creating soul with a modern touch –always passionate and real, but completely current.

Robin, a self-proclaimed “studio rat” who says he’s found his calling working behind the scenes as a producer/songwriter, and Coco, who clearly relishes the limelight and soaked up the love from the audience with a warm smile, have a huge amount of respect and admiration for each other.

Coco and Robin by Jeremiah Garcia
Coco and Robin by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

They made the big leap to a major label (Epic) with the new record and are ready for whatever is ahead, with Coco confidently telling Jason Bentley during the interview portion that they want as many people as possible to hear their music and they retained full artistic integrity in the process. In fact, they finally had a budget , which allowed them to record in Westlake Studio – where Michael Jackson recorded some of his biggest albums. Coco said they always try to “find his spirit in everything we do”.

The crowd really heated up for “Sea Salt” (“now it’s time to get a little sexy”, said Coco, before launching into the song) and “Hey Love”, the incredibly catchy and poppy first single from “Avalanche”.

It was also great to hear songs from the first record – after all, the DJs at KCRW were such early supporters, they were responsible for the band getting a record deal here in the U.S. Tracks like “Jeans” and “Average Fruit” reminded us why we fell in love with Quadron in the first place.

Coco’s reworking of the track “Pressure” to explore her full register in dramatic fashion was the ideal finale, leaving us all wanting more.

The session, recorded by producer/engineer Bob Clearmountain, will air on Morning Becomes Eclectic on Tuesday, June 4.

RR

Quadron Live on KCRW Set List

Looking For Trouble **
Average Fruit
Favorite Star **
Unpatient
Day
Neverland **
Sea Salt **
Jeans
It’s Gonna Get You **
Hey Love **
Baby Be Mine (Michael Jackson cover)
Pressure

**NEW SONGS

by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
KCRW presents Quadron at Apogee Studios - May 17, 2013
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
KCRW presents Quadron at Apogee Studios - May 17, 2013
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
KCRW presents Quadron at Apogee Studios - May 17, 2013
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
by Jeremiah Garcia
by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
Coco and Robin backstage by Jeremiah Garcia
Coco and Robin backstage by Jeremiah Garcia (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)