Extra Life (also known as Xtra Lyfe) is an American experimental band from Brooklyn, New York.[1][2] Extra Life is known for their unusual rhythms and time signatures and for frontman and composer Charlie Looker's unique singing style, which often uses melisma and is inspired by Medieval and Renaissance music.[3][4][5]
Extra Life | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2006–2012, 2022–present |
| Labels | LoAF, Planaria, Sockets, I & Ear, Shatter Your Leaves, Northern Spy |
| Members | Charlie Looker Toby Driver Timba Harris David Bodie |
| Past members | Caley Monahon-Ward Gil Chevigné Nick Podgurski Travis Laplante Tony Gedrich Ian Antonio Karen Waltuch |
| Website | https://www.charlielooker.com/ |
History and career
editExtra Life was initially a project name for Charlie Looker (previously of Zs, Dirty Projectors) and any accompanying artists.[2] Looker composed all of the music for Extra Life's 2008 debut Secular Works,[4] which featured Looker alongside drummer Ian Antonio, violist Karen Waltuch, and bassist Tony Gedrich.[6] Looker composed most parts on 2010's Made Flesh[7] and 2011's Ripped Heart EP, but the recordings included more collaborative work;[4] by 2012's Dream Seeds, Extra Life had become a trio project, with Caley Monahon-Ward and Nick Podgurski contributing to arrangements and writing their own parts.[4]
Extra Life became known for straddling genres, regularly collaborating live with avant-garde jazz saxophonist Travis Laplante, having songs remixed by Xiu Xiu, and playing alongside bands like black metal project Liturgy.[2] Their second album, Made Flesh, was named one of the best albums of 2010 by The Quietus.[4]
On November 13, 2012, Extra Life officially disbanded, with a statement saying "the inner creative momentum driving the band has stalled."[3]
The band reunited in 2022 to self-release the album Secular Works Vol. 2, featuring a lineup consisting of Looker on voice and guitars, Monahon-Ward on violin and viola, Toby Driver of Kayo Dot on electric bass, and Gil Chevigné on drums and percussion.[8]
In 2024, Extra Life announced their fifth full-length, The Sacred Vowel, with Looker and Driver joined by drummer David Bodie and Timba Harris on violin and viola.[9]
Discography
editStudio albums & EPs
edit| Year | Title | Label | Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Three-Song EP | FuckingA | Charlie Looker, Ian Antonio, Joanne Lin, Nat Baldwin, Sam Hillmer |
| 2008 | Extra Life / Nat Baldwin: A Split | Shatter Your Leaves | Looker, Caley Monahon-Ward[3] |
| 2008 | Secular Works | Planaria / I & Ear / LoAF | Looker, Antonio, Karen Waltuch, Tony Gedrich[6] |
| 2010 | Made Flesh | LoAF / Africantape | Looker, Monahon-Ward, Gedrich, Nick Podgurski, Travis Laplante (ft. Antonio, Larkin Grimm)[10][11] |
| 2011 | Ripped Heart (EP) | Last Things | Looker, Monahon-Ward, Gedrich, Podgurski, Laplante[12] |
| 2012 | Dream Seeds | Northern Spy | Looker, Monahon-Ward, Podgurski[3] |
| 2022 | Secular Works, Vol. 2[13] | Last Things | Looker, Monahon-Ward, Toby Driver, Gil Chevigné (ft. Nate Wooley, Michael Atkinson) |
| 2024 | The Sacred Vowel | Last Things | Looker, Timba Harris, Toby Driver, David Bodie |
References
edit- ^ Carlson, Jen (22 October 2008). "Charlie Looker, Extra Life". Gothamist. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Cohan, Brad (4 May 2012). "Q&A: Extra Life's Charlie Looker On Dream Seeds, Being A Music Schoolteacher And Thinking Antony Is Awesome". The Village Voice. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d Sharp, Elliott (18 January 2013). "Exit Interview: Charlie Looker on the Life and Death of Extra Life - The Village Voice". The Village Voice. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Gardner, Noel (19 May 2011). "No Popularity Contest: Extra Life's Charlie Looker Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Mills, Jack (17 August 2010). "Extra Life: Charlie Looker's New Band". Dazed. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Dusted Reviews: Extra Life - Secular Works". Dusted. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Noel (6 April 2010). "Album Review: Extra Life - Made Flesh". Drowned In Sound. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Hudson, Nick (5 September 2022). "Extra Life – Secular Works, Vol. 2". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Extra Life: nouvel album, premier extrait en écoute". Noise Mag. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ Galil, Leor (25 March 2010). "Reviewed: Extra Life's Made Flesh". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Extra Life: Made Flesh: Review". Babyblaue Prog-Reviews. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Louche, Liz (22 February 2011). "Former Zs member releases Ripped Heart EP with his new(ish) band Extra Life". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ Hudson, Nick (5 September 2022). "Extra Life – Secular Works, Vol. 2". Toilet ov Hell. Retrieved 25 May 2023.