Fan-Tan Hit Detroit and Finish Up in New York

When one of GLG's bands hits Detroit, we are only reminded even more how much we love our jobs. Fan-Tan played to a delicious group of dancing (and some of us, ahem, swaying) crowd at the Majestic Cafe Sunday night. The Brooklyn quartet took the intimate stage after Detroit's own Oblisk and put their sneaky pop groove into our heads and hips.

Detroit's gig was the band's second to last show for their Age of Discovery tour. They will take the long drive home to New York and after taking a breathe, Fan-Tan will play a "welcome back" home-to-New York-gig, show on Tuesday, May 25 at the Mercury Lounge with The Tryptucs, The Hotcakes, and The Flying Chang. The band has said they will play an extra long set, starting off the grooves around 10 p.m.

We're not the only ones into Fan-Tan's slick sound. After listening to EP Age of Discovery, website Oh My Rockness found themselves fans of synth-pop and they didn't even know it.

"We guess we're into totally epic synth pop lately, because Fan-Tan's big and sprawling melodies are hitting us kind of right. Listening to this, we really wish we were in a massive rainstorm and there was a camera shooting down on us from a crane, because then we could outstretch our hands and lift them high to heavens while shouting a roar that's equal parts joy and pain. That's what Fan-Tan makes us want to do."

Flavorpill also highlighted Fan-Tan's upcoming show on their site. It's a late night, coming home to write about a band we all just saw. But that's what makes this job so fan-tan-tastic. Sorry, that's funny to me. Maybe it's because I'm sleep deprived and swayed too much tonight.

photos by shannon mccarthy


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Synth-popsters Fan-Tan Announce National Tour in May

Brooklyn’s Fan-Tan announces a national tour to support the release of their album Age of Discovery, set for national release on May 11, 2010. Fan-Tan’s post-punk intermingles with synth-pop melodies and moody Brit-pop tones on their latest recording, offering up sonic layers and evocative moods for listeners.

Age of Discovery represents Fan-Tan’s self-discovery as a band and the spirit of adventure and exploration that keeps the excitement within making music. Exhibiting a somewhat vague overtone in order to allow fans to create their own interpretation, the album addresses the various devastating emotions and circumstances of life. The band’s second EP was recorded with Arjun Agerwala (who has worked with names from Courtney Love to Ben Lee) at James Iha’s (Smashing Pumpkins) Stratosphere Sound Recording Studios in New York.

The main focus of Fan-Tan has always been to ignite fans through energy-charged live shows, inspiring them to place it above all else. “We actually write all of our songs live, with everyone in the room contributing simultaneously, so the material naturally comes off really well in a live setting,” explains singer/guitarist Ryan Lee Dunlap. No matter what the future holds for Fan-Tan, their unique and morose melodies allow the group to reach fans on emotional level that most bands just can’t match.

Fan-Tan Tour Dates

Thu Apr 15, 2010: Cake Shop - New York, NY

Tue May 11, 2010: The M Room - Philadelphia, PA

Wed May 12, 2010: The Velvet Lounge - Washington, DC

Thu May 13, 2010: The Plaza Bowl - Richmond, VA

Fri May 14, 2010: Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC

Sun May 16, 2010: Snug Harbor - Charlotte, NC

Tue May 18, 2010: Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA

Fri May 21, 2010: Derby City Espresso - Louisville, KY

Sat May 22, 2010: The Comet - Cincinnati, OH

Sun May 23, 2010: The Majestic Cafe - Detroit, MI

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Absolute Punk Interviews Fan-Tan

Good old web zine Absolute Punk always has their finger on the pulse of newbie bands who quite often go on to huge heights. The zine asked 20 random questions to Fan-Tan about everything from having super powers they would have (" I would time-travel my ass back to Manchester around 1977-ish and watch it all happen again," they quipped); to what bands they are influenced by (classics such as "P.I.L., New Order, Magazine, The Cure, Gang of Four.")


Take a gander at some informative and quite often funny questions and answers on Absolute Punk.net. Click Here to Read More..

Fan-Tan Release Age of Discovery Nationally on May 11th

Brooklyn-based via Chapel Hill, NC quartet Fan-Tan, brood with post-punk Gang of Four mentality and synth-pop melodies ala The Cure. On their May 11th release Age of Discovery, Fan-Tan have brewed moody Brit-pop with tones of Arcade Fire sonic layers, honed on building on evocative and moody new wave pop infused with guitar hums since forming in 2006 in NC. New Yorker’s will get a sneak peak of Fan-Tan’s upcoming release at the local record release party at Mercury Lounge tonight with Surf City!

Back in North Carolina, Indonesian expatriates Kuki and Sandee Kooks joined with Ryan Lee Dunlap to draw on influence of the Manchester, England music scene circa 1983. After adding Mike Walter on synthesizers, the group decided on the name Fan-Tan, an ancient Chinese gambling game that was repeatedly mentioned in much of the history of the American west due to the many Chinese immigrant laborers in the area during that time, creating an “east meets west” connection similar to the band’s lineup.

Age of Discovery represents Fan-Tan’s self-discovery as a band and the spirit of adventure and exploration that keeps the excitement within making music. Exhibiting a somewhat vague overtone in order to allow fans to create their own interpretation, the album addresses the various devastating emotions and circumstances of life. The second track, “On Your Wall” shimmers and soars sonically and lyrically, while “Good Men” gives you a rush Interpol wishes they could. In five songs alone, Age of Discovery verges on epic soundscapes and soul gutting emotions. Discover what it makes you feel.

Age of Discovery EP Track Listing
1. Good Men
2. On Your Wall (Download the free mp3!)
3. AOD
4. Earrings
5. No Complaint

Don't miss out on Fan-Tan's upcoming Spring tour dates
May 11 2010 The M Room--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 13 2010 The Plaza Bowl--Richmond, Virginia
May 14 2010 Local 506--Chapel Hill, NC
May 16 2010 Snug Harbor--Charlotte, North Carolina
May 18 2010 Drunken Unicorn--Atlanta, Georgia Click Here to Read More..

Deli Magazine nominates Fan-Tan for artist of the month

Online mag The Deli Magazine has nominated Fan-Tan for an artist of the month.

The winning artist will not only gain some awesome exposure but the following:

- a 3 hour session tracking or mixing at Grand Street Recording.
- Free mastering of one song at The Vault Mastering with Nathan James.
- $50 voucher to spend at Dale Pro Audio (also for the 2nd place).

All you fans out there have until March 31 to vote for Fan-Tan to take home the gold! 

Just go to the NYC homepage of Deli and click to the poll on the top right to vote!

Don't miss out on Fan-Tan's upcoming Spring tour dates
May 11 2010 The M Room--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 13 2010 The Plaza Bowl--Richmond, Virginia
May 14 2010 Local 506--Chapel Hill, NC
May 16 2010 Snug Harbor--Charlotte, North Carolina
May 18 2010 Drunken Unicorn--Atlanta, Georgia

Click Here to Read More..

NYC Artists on the Rise

The Deli Magazine deems Brooklyn's Fan-Tan one of "NYC Artists on the Rise" stating, "Fan-Tan’s origins lie in the college town of Chapel Hill, N.C., which has sparked the musical careers of the likes of Superchunk and Archers of Loaf and more recently, The Love Language.The quintet’s distinctive “city” sound – dark, mysterious and alluring – probably disoriented the town’s residents and sonically clashed with other local musicians. Now based in Brooklyn, Fan-Tan is comfortably playing shows with artists that compliment its synth-pop sound such as Cale Parks and Led Er Est. On the band’s second EP “The Age of Discovery,” the urgent vocals compel the vivid guitar and looming bass with an overlay of atmospheric, subtle synths. The music is full of dramatics and tension, and it has an unyielding ability to remain in listeners’ heads for days. ”  - Nancy Chow

Fan-Tan celebrates the NY release of The Age of Discovery at the Mercury Lounge on March 26 when they join Surf City, the band Stereogum annointed as "Band to Watch" in 2008. Get your tickets in advance for only $10. Click Here to Read More..

Fan-Tan Record Release Party at Mercury Lounge on March 26th

Brooklyn's Fan-Tan brings their haunting synth-pop hooks and soothing undertones to the Mercury Lounge when they celebrate the local record release of Age of Discovery on Friday, March 26th.
Fan-Tan focuses on igniting fans through energy-charged live shows, inspiring them to place it above all else. Lead singer, Ryan Dunlap explains, The Age of Discovery, set for a national release on April 27th, represents Fan-Tan's self discovery as a band and the spirit of adventure and exploration that keeps the excitement within making music. Exhibiting a somewhat vague overtone in order to allow fans to create their own interpretation, the album does address devastating emotions and circumstances of life. The song "Earrings" contemplates the romantic side of being driven insane by the tick-tock of everyday life and "Good Men" is a meditation on the difficulty of settling into a romantic relationship.
Age of Discovery Track Listing
1.Good Men
2. On Your Wall
3. AOD
4. Earrings
5. No Complaint Click Here to Read More..