JULY 19, 2025 INTERVIEWS
Manitoba (Caribou): Makes it seem easy
Dan Snaith (aka Manitoba [and later known as Caribou]) might just have the makings of the best revenge of the nerds story yet (well, aside from Bill Gates). He's a Canadian-born, curly-haired mathematician currently getting his PhD at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. But when he's not writing thesis papers that would make the brains of mere mortals implode, he finds the time to create some of the most refreshing pop melodies you'll ever hear. Last year's release on Leaf Recors, Start Breaking My Heart, create a huge stir in both the underground indie rock and avant-electronica communities (fractions rarely in accord with one another). The album's restrained simplicity, off kilter programmed beats, layers of hooky Rhodes piano melodies and good old-fashioned pop song structures hit a perfect balance or sounding both familiar and completely new. This year's release on Domino Records, Up In Flames, is a hugely ambitious departure from the governing simplicity of the last release. Instead, Dan has created a lush, sprawling, dream-like pop album falling somewhere between the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Moby's Play. What's even more amazing is that he made both albums in his apartment using an old off-the-shelf PC. If this interview taught me anything, it's that ambition and talent are the only prerequisites for making great music.
