Electronic producer James Hinton — aka The Range — kind of blew up out of nowhere. His first full-length release Nonfiction dropped last fall and was honorably labeled ‘Best New Music’ over at Pitchfork. And now, he’s finishing up a tour with everybody’s favorite Scottish synth-pop trio, Chvrches — a tour that included three sold-out nights at Terminal 5 last May.
Hinton also showed off his skills at one of Northside’s final shows this past Sunday in McCarren Park. Between sets by Hunters and Chvrches, The Range had the crowd simultaneously transfixed and on their feet as he played his unique and melodic tunes. His sound is a little strange because of how nontraditional it is — it’s like old school R&B mixed with twinkly digitized instruments and obscure vocal samples — but one could say that it’s strange in the best possible way. I would imagine it also appeals to a conceivably wide range of electronic music fans, as he incorporates a good number of elements and influences in his sound. It’s a little moody, but definitely dance-worthy. Be sure to check out his fantastic remix of Chvrches’ “We Sink” if you haven’t already.
