Listen: Doprah - "Stranger People"

07 November 2014, 09:45 | Written by Charlotte Krol

(Tracks)

(Doprah)

Christchurch-based pair Doprah were nowhere on our radar until a friend of Best Fit pointed us in their direction. Boy, were we glad to hear them.

Formed in 2012 by Steven John Marr and Indira Force, Doprah make disconcerting, atmospheric electronica reminiscent of Portishead or Radiohead's later work. "San Pedro", a track the band released last year, pertains in particular to the Portishead description with its metallic trip-hop bed and spindly female vocals.

Labelled as "a CMJ highlight" by our pal, the band in fact perform live as a six-piece to negate the inevitable need for backing tracks (and to be taken seriously as musicians, they say).

But in their recorded state Doprah feel very much a two-piece: boy/girl vocals playing a tug of war over taut electronic blooms on latest track "Stranger People". It's far too dark to be thrown in with everyone's favourite NZ electronic duo BROODS, yet light enough to have some, albeit twisted, accessibility. Completely stirring and arresting.

"Stranger People" appears on Doprah's self-titled debut release, available now via Bandcamp.