CMJ Festival Artist Profile: Penguin Prison

Penguin Prison - Golden Train
[audio:http://www.thecouchsessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Golden-Train-1.mp3|titles=Golden Train 1]

As part of The Couch Sessions coverage of the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY coming up next week, we are profiling a few of the performing showcase artists.  I have been tasked to bring you the dish on nearby Manhattan's own synth pop artist Penguin Prison.

After listening to a few tracks on his MySpace page I was able to figure out my favorite track was the VERY catchy "A Funny Thing."  The uptempo poppy track includes a myriad of electronic synth sounds including a very catchy electronic melody.  "The Worse it Gets" also had a dead on 80's synth pop sound and brought back memories of the Duran Duran style of hits that were popular in the decade of excess.

There is lot of 80's influence in his music, especially in his vocal style.  Sometimes it seems like he's trying to channel Michael Jackson and I also heard a bit of a George Michael influence as well.  Even the photo on his MySpace page also makes him look like 80's legend and former Smiths frontman Morrissey.  Apperance aside, his music is stellar.

Penguin Prison will be performing at the Neon Gold CMJ Showcase at Public Assembly from Midnight to 1230am on Thursday, October 21st.

You should definitely check him out!  Enjoy the rest of the awesome artists at CMJ as well next week!