The Indie Scene



Posted: Sunday, November 23, 2008

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The indie scene in the US and in New York in particular, has been flourishing in 2008. With hotly tipped bands The Virgins, MGMT, and Vampire Weekend, all emerging from the creative cauldron that is the Big Apple. The Virgins though, have been topping the bill recently with sold out shows in the US and Europe this year. The group are rapidly becoming poster boys for the US indie scene. Able to count indie film star, Chloe Sevigny and model Agyness Deyn as fans and designers Henry Holland and Agnes B, as friends, the band are certainly well connected.

After signing a contract with Atlantic Record shortly after they formed in 2005, they have been recording and then touring with the self titled album. The disc which features hit track 'Rich Girl' has been selling well across the world. Produced by S*A*M and Sluggo, it was released this June in the US. Consisting of Donald Cumming, Erik Ratensperger, Wade Oates, Nick Zarin-Ackerman and Paul Vassallo The Virgins are grateful for the opportunities they've had. Having ridden a massive rise in fortunes over recent months, the band have even played at Paris Fashion Week, supporting Patti Smith and Placebo among others. Bassist Nick is particularly pleased to have played or worked with the likes of Jason Hill, Jet, Ra Ra Riot, and Tokyo Police Club since the band was formed.

Donald and Wade met during a Ryan McGinly photo shoot in Mexico, and started to collaborate on what would become The Virgins. Their slight frames and classic indie boy styling kept Donald, who had been living in the streets and with friends, off the breadline. Now their natural good looks are being used to devastating effect in indie clubs around the world. The new video for 'Rich Girls' features New York's Lit Bar, a place where Cumming confesses to having 'spent a lot of time' in his pre The Virgins days. The video also features model Behati Prinsloo, in maximum sexy, sultry mode. The band are currently riding high on their indie status but they are not about to throw it all away in the pursuit of the mainstream. Keeping with a gruelling touring schedule the band's indie status is important to them as its the scene they've been involved in since they were kids, its made them who they are.

The Virgins are pure New York indie and are not about to change that. Check out the upcoming tour dates, or if you are in NY head down to the Lit Bar or possibly Ace of Clubs for some live indie music from the city with possibly the best Indie scene out there.

For more infomation about The Virgins go to http://www.thevirgins.net

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