The Thousands

Our readers may be cultured Francophiles, but for me, the expression "à bon chat, bon rat" was new. It literally means, "to a good cat, a good rat"; the colloquialism means: when attacked by a formidable opponent, both parties grow stronger from the fight.

Hey – I learned something! That hasn’t happened in… MONTHS (OK, I’m lying; this hasn’t happened in years).

A cool name is just one reason to like new Sydney trio, Bon Chat, Bon Rat. Other reasons are their music: it’s ambient but it ain’t sleepy; IDM without being inscrutable; dramatic sans melodrama; and electronic-based while still being endearingly, humanly flawed.

I’m excited about the way dudes like Bon Chat, Bon Rat are re-framing electronic music, with a more indie-rock approach and aesthetic; like Sydneysiders Seekae, Pivot, or Chicago’s up-and-coming evil duo Gatekeeper. It’s slow moving and sparse, pretty and somewhat dark. And without a hint of retro 80s irony (thank God).