SXSW: Chromeo Want To Hook Up With Vanda & Young

In Austin to promote their May-released fourth studio album White Woman, Canada's Chromeo were keen to point out that they aren't upset by all their imitators that have sprung up in Australia.

P-Funk (aka Patrick Gemayel) told theMusic.com.au, “We're aware.” But partner Dave 1 (aka David Macklovitch) was quick to point out it was not a problem, “I don't wanna call them imitators.”

Gemayel adding, “It's the whole point of what we do – to get it out there. The more the merrier, it's great to have a little scene – a little competition.”

In fact, the Chromeo team believe they may owe Australia some kudos for influencing their own sound.

Macklovitch is keen to express his love for “dope Australian underground, slept on '80s group Flash & The Pan.”

It seems they were put onto the Australian pop duo (made up of iconic Australian musical team Vanda & Young) by French electronic producer Phillipe Zdar.

Macklovitch recalls, “He was like 'Dude, it's so crazy, you sing like one of my favourite singers in the '80s, Flash & The Pan.' But because of his French accent I could never understand what the group was. It took me four years for me to be in a room with him and YouTube it – 'Flash & The Pan… that's what you were saying!'”

He believes the act were unfairly overlooked in their day: “It's this whole bias that traditional rock journalism has… this tradition of '80s black pop never got the accolades it deserved.”

He's hoping they can hook up with Flash & The Pan next time they are in Australia… which will be? Well, they're not exactly sure.

“What we would like to do in Australia for once is to do a string of hard ticket [headline] shows – it's just very hard financially,” mused Macklovitch.

Gemayel added, “We usually go out there for festivals.”

Macklovitch: “But we will probably do that again, it's fun.”

White Woman is out Friday 9 May through Parlophone.

Andrew Mast was flown to SxSW as a guest of Warner.