F in Math is Michael Logie’s solo adventure in electronic music. The inventive playfulness and humour cannot disguise his innate sense of melody or the strength of his underlying musicality. From playing bass with, The Mint Chicks, Michael Logie is marking out his own part of the lab, towards the wayward back, as the high achieving F in Math.
F IN MATH - ‘DON’T LOOK DOWN’
Directed by Marc Swadel
Like many great bands the rhythm section can be the glue that holds the creative whole together, Michael Logie was the bass playing part of the glue in The Mint Chicks. But he became more than glue and helped define their unique sound as they developed into one of the best bands to ever come out of New Zealand. Sonically powerful, creative and musical as well as being an essential binding agent in an all time great band is some legacy.
When I first mentioned I would like to work him Michael suggested surprise that Flying Nun was at all interested in electronic music. The Couch EP sees Michael set up his musical stall with an ubiquitous opener that spells out what he does in a most clearly defined expression of wayward bedroom inspired electronica. Then by the end of the EP, the pop sensibilities and a shining talent for melody are showing themselves as the ears adjust to and comprehend the two digit sound mountain that is F in Math.
Photo: Milnana Radojcic
Lyrics? Bob Dylan wasn’t exactly articulate all the time either and people said he was a poet and wrote doctorates about him. I embrace the post modern surreality of Michael’s direct but wildly juxtaposed message. Like the electronic squirts and squeaks it disconnects with the past and points to a future.
Perhaps the cover gives us a hint of what this future might be like. By talented illustrator, Tane Williams, it depicts certain symbols; pyramids, a blue fish lounging in it’s underwear, crossed bones and eyeballs, a television set and some couches, all set against multicoloured graphic interference. Yes, much clearer now. I know exactly where we are heading.
Welcome to F in Maths début release. This is an EP to get things going. The start of a wonderful journey with Michael Logie on an electronic exploration of his inner creative landscape that could take us anywhere.
In one foul swoop Donnie Darko managed to propel the humble bunny rabbit into a dark mythical beast. Give me F for Math over Unknown Mortal Orchestra any day.