Seabound

Seabound is a synthpop/futurepop duo from Germany. Their lyrics are in English and for the most part explore the human psyche and the way that everyday events can affect a person psychologically. Hence the band’s slogan; “Seabound: Journey Into Your Mind.”

History

Seabound began in 1995 when Frank Spinath and Martin Vorbrodt were introduced by a mutual friend. They were so different musically that they weren’t certain as to whether or not a musical collaboration between them would work. Despite the uncertainty they decided to try an informal jam-oriented home project. They soon realized that with a more focused approach, they might be able to produce something quite special. They made the band official and decided to call themselves Seabound. They decided on the name because of Spinath’s love of the ocean and the fact that Vorbrodt was born near the shore. The name also implies a ship leaving from a safe harbor into the unknown and sometimes treacherous seas, a metaphor for the band itself. For live concerts they are supported by Daniel Wehmeier on drums.

The band recorded demos, which erroneously have come to now be known by fans as White Nights, a hastily proposed and shortly afterwards discarded working title for their Beyond Flatlinealbum, and eventually caught the attention of dependent.

Their debut album No Sleep Demon was released by Dependent in 2001. Drawing influence from the beat-oriented sounds of Front 242 and Covenant, as well as new wave acts such as Visageand Depeche Mode, the album proved to be relatively successful in the European EBM and Darkwave scenes. Tracks such as Travelling and Hooked were well-suited for club play; that exposure made the band known for their warm vocals, icy synth parts, and entrancing, sinuous melodies.

They took their time recording the follow-up album Beyond Flatline. It was released in 2004 incorporating more of an Electro-industrial and IDM influence into their sound. The duo embarked on a successful European tour with fellow Futurepop group Pride & Fall; this tour dawned the released a split EP entitled Beyond Flatline Tour 2004. The release featured a remix of the duo’s single at that time “Watching Over You”. Later that year the duo’s debut album No Sleep Demon was re-released as No Sleep Demon V2.0 presenting new mixes of the songs “Hooked” and “Avalost”.

In 2006 their third album, Double-Crosser, was released, reaching No. 1 on the German Alternative Charts (DAC) and German Electronic Web Charts (GEWC). The album also reached No. 3Hellenic Alternative Charts (HAC) and No. 6 Nordic Alternative Charts (NAC).

In 2009, Seabound released When Black Beats Blue, an album containing rare and unreleased tracks. Seabound are the only band Die Form has remixed, and this album contains a version ofDomination remixed by them.

Discography[edit]

Albums

1. Die Blaue (Unreleased) (1996)
2. No Sleep Demon (2001)
3. Beyond Flatline (2004)
4. No Sleep Demon v2.0 (2004)
5. Double-Crosser (2006)
6. Come Forward: Live in Berlin (2008)
7. When Black Beats Blue (Rarities) (2009)

Singles and EPs

1. Travelling (2001)
2. Hooked Promo MCD (2001)
3. Contact (2003)
4. Dependent Club Invasion (2003)
5. Poisonous Friend EP (2004)
6. Beyond Flatline Tour 2004 (2004)

Side projects

• Frank Spinath is half of the futurepop band Edge of Dawn (as vocalist) and has lent his voice to such bands as Haujobb, Stromkern and The Azoic. He’s also member of Ghost and Writerwith Jean-Marc Lederman from The Weathermen
• Martin has done remixes for the likes of Haujobb and Stromkern.