Sekiden

{{Short description|Australian musical group}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Sekiden | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | alias = | origin = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | genre = {{flatlist| * Pop * jazz * blues }} | years_active = {{start date|1998}}–{{end date|2007}} | label = {{flatlist| * Modular * EMI * Redline }} | website =  | current_members = | past_members = * Simon Graydon * Mirko Vogel * Seja Vogel }}

'''Sekiden''' were an Australian three-piece pop band formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1998 by Simon Graydon on lead guitar and vocals, Mirko Vogel on drums and his sister Seja on keyboards and lead vocals. They released two studio albums, ''Junior Fiction'' (2003) and ''Sound Instincts'' (2006), before disbanding in the following year. Seja Vogel was a touring member of Regurgitator from 2007 to 2009 and then worked as a solo artist to issue two albums, ''We Have Secrets But Nobody Cares'' (2010) and ''All Our Wires'' (2013).

==History==

Sekiden were formed in Brisbane in 1998 by Simon Graydon on guitar and vocals, Mirko Vogel on drums and his sister, Seja Vogel on keyboards and vocals.<ref>{{cite news | last = Lion | first = Patrick | date = 16 March 2006 | title = Dumbest things can be quite catchy for Sekiden | work = The Courier Mail }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Gregg | first = Natalie | date = 16 June 2005 | title = Trio find a niche where pop is top | work = The Courier Mail }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Mengel | first = Noel | date = 8 September 2000 | title = Everybody's happy nowadays | work = The Courier Mail }}</ref> Mirko recalled starting to drum as a ten-year-old and forming his first band, Vapour, while in primary school, "At first there were about 14 people in this band, like there were about 10 guitarists and stuff and I was the only one left so I was like, well I guess I'll play drums."<ref name="McNeill"/> Sekiden recorded a demo disc at Super Radiotron, which enabled them to sign with Modular Recordings.<ref name="Tuttle">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040720140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23625/20040721-0000/www.brispop.com/articles/index88c8.html?action=dsp_article&reviewID=51 | url = http://www.brispop.com/articles/index88c8.html?action=dsp_article&reviewID=51 | title = Brisbane Bands, Brisbane Music, Brisbane Gigs – Sekiden – ''Better Music Through Mathematics'' | last = Tuttle | first = Andrew | work = BrisPop.com | archivedate = 20 July 2004 | date = 3 May 2001 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 2000 they released a five-track debut extended play, ''Better Music Through Mathematics'', via Modular.<ref name="NLA Better">{{Citation | author1 = Sekiden | title = Better Music Through Mathematics: [album] | publication-date = 2001 | publisher = Modular Recordings/destra Media (Distributor) | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/10892087 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date = 6 September 2001 | title = Sekiden back in town | work = City News | location = Brisbane }}</ref><ref name="Fraser">{{cite web | title = Sekiden's Sweetly Serrated Synth Sounds | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130517053127/http://redbackrock.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=324&Itemid=45 | url = http://redbackrock.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=324&Itemid=45 | work = redbackrock.com | archivedate = 17 May 2013 | date = October 2001 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 | first = Mark | last = Fraser }}</ref> Matt Attlee of ''Aus Music Scrapbook'' opined, "[it] has got me hooked, even if it seems that the 5 pop gems are over before they begin – but such is the sign of a great release that leaves you yearning for more. The stand out track would be 'Anywhere', blasting its way out of your speakers ... and making full use of the alternating boy/girls vocals."<ref name="Attlee">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020305130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/15176/20020306-0000/www.scrapbook.melb.net/reviews/cds/sekiden_bettermusic.html | url = http://www.scrapbook.melb.net/reviews/cds/sekiden_bettermusic.html | title = CD Review: ''Better Music Through Mathematics'' Sekiden | last = Attlee | first = Matt | work = Aus Music Scrapbook | archivedate = 5 March 2002 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''BrisPop.com''{{'}}s Andrew Tuttle felt, "[it] consists mainly of tracks from their Super Radiotron demo, but the sound on this EP is far more professional... 'Anywhere', my personal favourite, was in my opinion one of the highlight tracks of 2000. This track mixes punky fuzzed-up guitars with cutesy love song lyrics and fat synths. The keyboard explosion sounds in the bridge are a delight to hear, especially with headphones on."<ref name="Tuttle"/>

Sekiden's second EP, ''Love Songs for Robots'' (June 2001) with six tracks, was launched at The Healer, where Joanne Bell of ''BrisPop.com'' observed, "their sound was chock-full of implausibly crunchy guitar, fuzzy synth, odd machine noises, and elaborate but inobtrusive drumwork. So much push that there's no aural trigger to wonder about the absence of a bassplayer... Highlights for my money were Mirko's highly amusing drum solos, Simon's Leapingest Guitarist action, Seja&Mirko's keyboard duet."<ref name="Bell">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040720140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23625/20040721-0000/www.brispop.com/articles/indexa1d6.html?action=dsp_article&reviewID=62 | url = http://www.brispop.com/articles/indexa1d6.html?action=dsp_article&reviewID=62 | title = Brisbane Bands, Brisbane Music, Brisbane Gigs – Sekiden CD Launch - 16 June 2001 (with Peabody and Klinger) | last = Bell | first = Joanne | work = BrisPop.com | archivedate = 20 July 2004 | date = 17 June 2001 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The EP peaked at No. 25 on the ARIA Alternative Singles Chart.<ref name="ARIA Report 589">{{cite journal | date = 11 June 2001 | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue589.PDF | title = Week Commencing ~ 11th June 2001 ~ Issue #589 | journal = The ARIA Report | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue = 589 | page = 12 | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue589.pdf | archivedate = 20 February 2002 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> MediaSearch's Carmine Pascuzzi felt, "[its] a very intoxicating sound from an eclectic group from Brisbane who thrive on bringing something new from past synths exponents. This is their second release and it contains fuzzy pop gems... There's plenty to look forward to from this act."<ref name="Pascuzzi">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20121007120000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/63544/20121007-2300/www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/gen_SekidenLoveSongsForRobots.html | url = http://www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/gen_SekidenLoveSongsForRobots.html | title = ''Love Songs for Robots'' | last = Pascuzzi | first = Carmine | work = MediaSearch | archivedate = 7 October 2012 | year = 2009 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In May 2003 Sekiden signed with Perth-based label, Redline Records.<ref name="Eliezer">{{cite news | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040218130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/10761/20040219-0000/themusic.com.au/im_m/archive/2003/030520_355_eliezer.html | url = http://themusic.com.au/im_m/archive/2003/030520_355_eliezer.html | title = Business News: Redline Signs Sekiden | last = Eliezer | first = Christie | work = themusic.com.au | archivedate = 18 February 2004 | date = 20 May 2003 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The group's debut album, ''Junior Fiction'', appeared on 25 August 2003 via Redline.<ref name="Serra">{{cite web | url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/junior-fiction-mw0000999205 | title = ''Junior Fiction'' – Sekiden Songs, Reviews, Credits | last = Serra | first = David | publisher = AllMusic | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref> It was recorded in October 2002 at Blackbox Studio, Brisbane, with Magoo producing (Regurgitator, Skunkhour, Shihad)<ref name="McNeill">{{cite journal | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/65h08.html | title = Interview: Sekiden One of Brisbane, Australia's most established and loveable bands | last = McNeill | first = Rebecca M | journal = In Music We Trust | date = April 2004 | issue = 65 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Holmgren M">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20041112010229/http://hem2.passagen.se/honga/database/m/maxq.html | url = http://hem2.passagen.se:80/honga/database/m/maxq.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = Lachlan 'Magoo' Gould | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 12 November 2004 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 | url-status = usurped | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and Matt Maddock as audio engineer.<ref name="Serra"/> Jasper Lee of ''Oz Music Project'' noticed, "The face of Australian geek electro-pop, Sekiden bring their sound back to their indie rock roots in their long awaited debut album... [their] sound now orientated to a US college rock with electro trimming, Team Sekiden are able to broaden their scope in tracks through the eleven songs of the album. The electro influences still permeate through the woodwork albeit with less scope. The effect is mixed as there are some songs seem a bit exposed in places."<ref name="Lee">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20060807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews57f7.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews57f7.html | title = Sekiden – ''Junior Fiction'' – Redline | last = Lee | first = Jasper "Jaz" | work = Oz Music Project | archivedate = 6 August 2006 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Sekiden toured Australia, Japan, the United States and Canada.<ref name="Eliezer"/><ref>{{cite news | last = Santer | first = Vanessa | date = 19 May 2006 | title = Seja raises her voice | work = Sydney MX }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Spann | first = Craig | date = 11 July 2003 | title = Let's get fuzzy | work = The Courier Mail }}</ref>

Mirko described his song writing, "Sad music is really easy to make, cos it's easy to be depressed. Writing happy songs that don't sound like you're taking the piss can be pretty hard. Basically that's our aim, to make songs that are happy and that make people feel good about themselves when they come to see us."<ref name="McNeill"/> The group's second studio album, ''Sound Instincts'' (3 April 2006), had ''Mess+Noise''{{'}}s Adrian Trajstman declare, "[they] can't put a foot wrong. Picture pitch-perfect showdowns between modulated sawtooth melodies and charmingly tidy guitar chug, making for dense, forthright fuzz-pop. Expertly executed!"<ref name="Trajstman">{{cite news | url = http://messandnoise.com/releases/5463) | title = Sounds Instincts | last = Trajstman, a.k.a. JustLikeHoney | first = Adrian | work = Mess+Noise | publisher = Junkee Media | date = 1 March 2006 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref> Sekiden disbanded in 2007 with Seja Vogel joining Regurgitator as an auxiliary musician on keyboards.<ref name="Levin">{{cite news | title = Seja: The Synth Whisperer | url = http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/3915295 | work = Mess+Noise | publisher = Junkee Media | accessdate = 7 January 2018 | first = Darren | last = Levin | date = 6 April 2010 }}</ref> She was a backing musician for other artists, Dave McCormack, Heinz Reigler, the Mess Hall and Spod, before starting her solo career.<ref name="Levin"/> She has issued two albums, ''We Have Secrets But Nobody Cares'' (2010) and ''All Our Wires'' (2013).<ref name="Carew">{{cite news|title=New career synthesised in stitches|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/new-career-synthesised-in-stitches-20100318-qhaq.html|accessdate=7 January 2018|newspaper=The Age|date=19 March 2010|first=Anthony |last = Carew}}</ref><ref name="Artisan Interview">{{cite web | url = https://www.artisan.org.au/q-a-with-seja-vogel/ | title = Q&A with Seja Vogel | work = Artisan | date = 16 September 2013 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref>

== Members ==

* Simon Graydon – guitar, vocals (1998–2007) * Mirko Vogel – drums (1998–2007) * Seja Vogel – keyboards, vocals (1998–2007)

== Discography ==

=== Albums ===

* ''Junior Fiction'' (25 August 2003) – Redline Records/Shock Records (RED018) * ''Sound Instincts'' (3 April 2006) – Valve Records/MGM Distribution (V71)<ref name="NLA Sound">{{Citation | author1 = Sekiden | title = Sound Instincts | publication-date = 2006 | location = Brisbane, Qld | publisher = Valve Records | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/184016767 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref> Bad News Records (Japan)

=== Extended plays ===

* ''Better Music Through Mathematics'' (2000) – Modular Recordings<ref name="NLA Better"/><ref>{{cite news | last = Zuel | first = Bernard | author-link = Bernard Zuel | date = 10 November 2000 | title = {{rating|4|5}} review| work = The Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref> * ''Love Songs for Robots'' (June 2001) – Modular Recordings/EMI Records<ref>{{cite news | last = Hart | first = Jon | date = 7 June 2001 | title = {{rating|4|5}} review | work = Adelaide Advertiser }}</ref><ref name="NLA Robots">{{Citation | author1 = Sekiden | title = Love Songs For Robots | publication-date = 2001 | publisher = Modular Recordings | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9389181 | accessdate = 7 January 2018 }}</ref> (MODEP003) AUS Alt: No. 25<ref name="ARIA Report 589"/>

=== Singles ===

* "1+1=Heartache" (16 June 2003) – Redline Records * "Up in the Air" (2006) – Valve Records

==References==

==External links==

* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20070830164836/http://www.sekiden.com/index.cfm}} archived from [http://www.sekiden.com the original] on 30 August 2007. Accessed on 7 January 2018. * [http://www.badnews.co.jp/main/en/public/cgi-bin/artist_main.cgi?ad=1194487747 Profile page on Bad News Records]

{{Authority control}} Category:Australian pop music groups Category:Australian blues musical groups Category:Musical groups from Brisbane Category:Musical groups established in 1998 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2007