The latest release from Pencilbrain is an archival recording from 2001. These recordings have never been released until now. The band members unanimously agreed to release these recordings, an album called “I Want Me VCR”. “I Want My VCR” was recorded live and was not edited or dubbed. Recorded and mixed at JB StudioHome, Krimpen aan den IJssel. Produced and Mastered 2021 By ZT Tosha
In 1999 Z.T.Tosha a sound installation artist and producer, founded Pencilbrain, a collective of international artists and musicians. Since that time the collective, the art and the music have all underdone a few changes. The most noteworthy maybe the ‘band’ Pencilbrain that has emerged out of the collective by the same name. After the success of their first releases; “Follow me” with Massive Attack’s singer Sara Jay and “Central Line South” which was referred to as the sound of urban life, Pencilbrain released their debut album
Divrted Witness / I Want My VCR ( live version ) like Pencilbrain itself defied the rules of categorizing and simultaneously appeared on charts as diverse as rock and lounge, alternative and jazz. “The music reminds one of an attractive mixture of rock and lounge, alternative and Electro, Hip-Hop and Acid jazz” wrote Julia Schöppner (Translated from the German review).
“Our music has no particle genre or style, It is simply our music, and reflects whatever we are into at the time we make it.” Z.T.Tosha.
Pencilbrain Live Band :
ZT Tosha – vocal & producer
Christine Punselie – vocal
Frank Burks – guitar
Marc van Veldhoven – keys
Rene Dissel – Bass
Michiel van Zundert – drums
Arie Kuit – Alto Saxophone
Jurgen Brouwer – sound engineer
“REVIEW 2003”
Pencilbrain – Diverted Witness CD (2003)
The first album, Pencilbrain’s “Diverted Witness” arrives as a work of an artist collective that is world wide based, administered out of the U.S. & The Netherlands from the business angle.
Pencilbrain have a unique genius of cerebral & artful technology that meets craft “What Would It Be Like” has a robotized vibe stream of dada lyric stance. Whereas “I Want To Believe” is something that we should all embrace with faith. Bring in the trombones “Snake” charms & melts the pants off of us.
This Vox & chromatic interplay reminds us of Berlin at their best “Far From That” is a sleekly stealth reverb blues soaked cut. We tend to favor the chanteuse over the machine , but it’s just a subjective opinion. Kind of like yin & yang. Atonal & detached , versus sultry, alluring , beguiling. Both brain numbing Central Line South” melds the machinations of post industrial word play meets trip hop.
The existential stark response filters conciseness through the alert mind observation “Follow Me” has a post modern retro hip dip. The inventive willingness to break though old doors & reach a new zenith is exhibited in this cut. It’s smooth & hypnotic sleekness , right down to the brass bleeps is sublime & highly chic recommended. An excellent cut. Inspired arrangement nuance beckons Icelandic Bjork references. We give this one our “B” word.
Brilliant Pencilbrain leads in essence, others follow. Pencilbrain ruminates, where others watch as observers. Pencilbrain ponders, while others have no clue. Pencilbrian watches the vehicles in the sky like jets, others keep walking aimlessly, Pencilbrain mesmerizes.