Getting noticed as an electronic music outfit in Bristol is a thankless uphill struggle. Not because Bristol as a place makes it hard for aspiring producers you understand, quite the reverse in fact: Bristol has a long tradition of spearheading emerging genres and fostering the artists that define them, from the Wild Bunch to Massive Attack to Portishead, as well as Roni Size, DJ Die and Daddy Skitz, all giants in their field. The last few years have seen the rise of Dubstep, from Appleblim to the H.E.N.C.H crew and, well, you get the idea… The trouble is, with so many madly talented outfits knocking about, you have to be something really special to stand out.

Enter Portmanteau. They’re making pretty serious waves thanks to their remix antics which have resulted in some high profile up and comers clamouring at their door and a palpable flashing blip on the radar of the national music press. Their live performances are earning them a fearsome reputation as crazed warrior ravers and if you get the chance, you should definitely see what the fuss is all about.

Both members of the duo (Mark and Pete) come from a background of more traditional band setups and that ethos is apparent in their approach to performance. They actually play their equipment on stage, several synthesisers and samplers plus live instruments all being thrashed to within an inch of their lives. It can go wrong of course, which is part of the deal.  This is how live music should be.

They sound a bit like Drop The Lime but with a schizophrenic edge that doesn’t let you drop your guard, plus a hint of Murcof and possibly Otto von Schirach thrown in. If that sounds like an odd mix, well, it is. Needless to say, they’re not really toeing the line of current trends and that’s a good thing. It’s less easy then doing what the world expects of you. To forge ahead in your own direction is to push at the sides of genres and maybe break free completely into something new. It’s what artists in this city have been doing for decades.

Portmanteau have 2 self released EPs and are doing remixes left right and centre.

www.portmanteaumusic.co.uk

Gustave Savy