# Apsci > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Apsci > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Apsci.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsci > Source revision: 1329879621 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **ApSci** is an Australian video-centric avant pop duo with origins in indie hip hop. As individuals, their roots go back to punk rock and opera. The duo consists of [Bronx](/source/Bronx) born, [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey)-bred Ra Lamotta and his [Filipino](/source/Filipino_people)-[Australian](/source/Australia) wife Dana Diaz-Tutaan. The duo, which has been performing together since meeting in 1998, has received added attention after being signed to [underground hip hop](/source/Underground_hip_hop) [label](/source/Record_label) [Quannum Projects](/source/Quannum_Projects) in 2004. The band name is a [portmanteau](/source/Portmanteau) of "applied science." ## History Raphael LaMotta, previously known as Raphael Heatley, began his musical career as bassist for the [New York City](/source/New_York_City) [indie punk](/source/Indie_(music)) group [Vitapup](/source/Vitapup) before expanding to production work in New York City music studios. Then [Sydney](/source/Sydney)-based Dana Diaz-Tutaan, a classically trained singer with theater background, was heavily involved in the [Australian hip hop](/source/Australian_hip_hop) underground scene at this point, and met LaMotta through mutual friends when she travelled to NYC to complete some studio sessions with hip hop outfit [Meta Bass'n'Breath](/source/Meta_Bass'n'Breath). After Diaz-Tutaan relocated to NYC, the pair began playing as Applied Science in many downtown clubs such as Baby Jupiter, The [Knitting Factory](/source/Knitting_Factory), CBGB's and the [Nuyorican](/source/Nuyorican). In this period they met now resident [Def Jux](/source/Def_Jux) DJ, DJ Big Wiz. Soon after they also started working with drummer Guy Licata, known for his work with [Bill Laswell](/source/Bill_Laswell), The Collective, Dr. Israel, [Hercules and Love Affair](/source/Hercules_and_Love_Affair) and [Santigold](/source/Santigold). The group released their first album, *Get It Twisted*, on Australian indie hip hop label [Elefant Traks](/source/Elefant_Traks) on November 17, 2003, and their European EP Release of Tirade Highway in early 2004. Around this time, Diaz-Tutaan signed on to work with [American](/source/United_States) underground hip hop group [Blackalicious](/source/Blackalicious) during the latter group's Australian tour. During the tour, the duo garnered the attention of [Blackalicious](/source/Blackalicious) DJ [Chief Xcel](/source/Chief_Xcel), who was impressed with their recently released CD. Chief Xcel soon signed the group to [Quannum Projects](/source/Quannum_Projects), and with his blessing *Get It Twisted* was re-released as *[Thanks for Asking](/source/Thanks_for_Asking)* on July 26, 2005. The new version of the album was primarily produced by LaMotta and features guest spots by Big Wiz's Def Jux labelmate [Mr. Lif](/source/Mr._Lif), Tunde of [TV On The Radio](/source/TV_On_The_Radio), [Martin Perna](/source/Martin_Perna) of [Antibalas] and Pigeon John (Quannum Projects). During their European tours they've played outdoor festivals such as the well-known [Eurockéennes](/source/Eurock%C3%A9ennes) Festival, where they picked up French-based DJ Gero, [DMC](/source/Disco_Mix_Club) France Champion. In 2006, Diaz-Tutaan was asked to play the lead role of [Imelda Marcos](/source/Imelda_Marcos) in [Here Lies Love](/source/Here_Lies_Love), a musical collaboration with [David Byrne](/source/David_Byrne_(musician)) & [Fat Boy Slim](/source/Fat_Boy_Slim). Diaz-Tutaan performed alongside Byrne at the premier of the musical in the Adelaide Festival. Over 2007 ApSci continued to do shows throughout Europe, U.S., Asia and Australia including recent headlining the 2007 [Pyramid Rock Festival](/source/Pyramid_Rock_Festival) for NYE. They have reportedly been working on their sophomore record due Winter 08 on Quannum Projects. LaMotta featured on the [Plump DJs](/source/Plump_DJs) single 'Shifting Gears'. In 2009 ApSci released 'Best Crisis Ever' on Quannum Projects. The first single & video 'Under Control' was shot entirely with an iPhone and garnered attention from Wired.com. The second single 'Crazy Crazy Insane' was featured in a Time Warner Cable commercial and the song's video was featured on YouTube's homepage. ## Discography ### Studio albums - *Get It Twisted* (2003, Elefant Traks) - *[Thanks for Asking](/source/Thanks_for_Asking)* (2005, Quannum Projects) - *[Best Crisis Ever](/source/Best_Crisis_Ever)* (2009, Quannum Projects) ### Singles - "See That?" (12") (2005, Quannum Projects) - "Tirade Highway" (12") (2004 Ekler'o'shock) ## References - [Official Quannum Projects site](http://www.quannum.com) - [Elefant Traks page on *Get It Twisted*](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311021600/http://www.elefanttraks.com/chooser.cfm?view=releases&releaseId=23) - [2005 interview with Apsci](https://deeperbeats.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_deeperbeats_archive.html) ## External links - [Apsci MySpace page](http://www.myspace.com/apsci) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Apsci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsci) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsci?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.