Ascension Island

Bostonian experimental electro-acoustic pop project from Myke Weiskopf. Blends electronic and dance influences with rich modern pop melodies. Music style are Synthpop; Electronic pop. Musical influences is Art of Noise; XTC; Stina Nordenstam; Laurie Anderson. Similar Artists are Future Bible Heroes; Magnetic Fields; White Town; New Order. Artist history: Formed in 1997 by Boston-via-Chicago transplant Myke Weiskopf after eight years building up an obscure portfolio as a home-taping maven in his Chicago basement. Debut album released in June 1997; followed by FUTURAMA in September 1998. Currently working on third album and performing throughout the Northeast. Permanent bassist Mike Rubin joined October 1998. Group members: Myke Weiskopf (most instruments; arrangements) Mike Rubin (bass) Instruments: Electronics, shortwave radios, bass, guitar, vocals. Albums: SCIENCE PARK (1997). FUTURAMA (1998). [untitled third] (1999). Press reviews: THE ADVOCATE: A near-masterpiece of innocent modern pop. | CMJ NEW MUSIC REPORT: As if Elvis Costello was weaned on early Erasure and Depeche Mode. His emotive, bittersweet tales of life, love and loss provide a perfect soundtrack to rainy days and Mondays. | IN NEWSWEEKLY: Myke Weiskopf steps forward with one of the first great albums of 1999 ... [Weiskopf has] the makings of a gay musical icon. | LIVE! MUSIC REVIEW: "Futurama" is the kind of album you wish you could discover by accident, then play to your friends to show them you're cool. | SPIN: Science Park marries bouncy synth-pop to indie rock, emulating Sebadoh's sad-sack romanticism and plugging it into varying degrees of new wave from XTC's punchy black-lined sunshine to Heaven 17's robo-boogie.