Intimate Stranger

After four years touring Latin America, the UK, Europe and the USA, Anglo-Chilean avant-pop phenomenon, Intimate Stranger - formed in 2006 by Chilean guitarist Lautaro Vera and English/Croatian singer/bassist Tessie Stranger, has finally had the breakthrough they deserve with the release of their second album Under in June 2010. As of November 2010 the band is based in Austin, Texas, playing with drummer Victor Ziolkowski and keyboardist Ismael Palma, and is currently undergoing their second US tour Moments of Riot 2011.

The title song Under is getting extensive mainstream and collage radio play, (including Austin’s 101 X, BBC Radio 6, and top South American stations Horizonte and Rock and Pop), and its video is currently on MTV in Latin America. The press reviews for the album and in particular the second single Moments are sensational. The album was voted amongst the top national albums of 2010 by 6 of Chile’s major music critics, and its sound was recently described on Tom Robinson's Introducing BBC 6 Radio as being “gritty and dirty and calm and etheral at the same time, with beautiful vocals – a difficult balancing act”.

Following their highly successful showcase at SXSW in 2010 the band made a big splash again in 2011, with various press picking out Intimate Stranger as a definite band to watch for this year. The Austin Chronicle has highlighted them as one of Austin’s best new acts and among the top ten of 2011, “The Anglo-Chilean quartet just moved to town – signed to Austin's Fringecore Records – and made quite the first impression. In obvious radio singles "Moments" and "Under," the international fourpiece mixed the glossy energy of New Wave with a modern, alt-rock edge, anchored by Croatian singer/bassist Tessie S-Woodgate. They won't be strangers for long.”

Intimate Stranger pack out Maggie Mae’s at their showcase this year at SXSW 2011 in Austin, TX.

(Photos by Rafal Maslow )

Austin Music and Entertainment recommended the band in its interview with Tessie Stranger, “Check out Intimate Stranger; they’re both Austin’s newest band and one of its most worldly. This city is more eclectic with Tessie, Lau, Ismael and Victor making music in it, so let’s welcome them with open arms and make sure they want to stay.”

Intimate Stranger headline the Latinworks showcase at SXSW.

(Photos by Santiago Forero)

Intimate Stranger 3D performance at Plutopia 2011 SXSW interactive event.

Having played in venues as diverse as The Rock Garden, and Dublin Castle in London, Roxy in Buenos Aires, Club Blondie and Teatro Caupolican in Santiago, The Parish and Emo´s in Austin, One Eyed Jack´s in New Orleans and the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY, the band is renowned for their dynamic live performances, as was seen at this year’s Plutopia 2011: The Future of Play, where they played alongside huge live responsive 3D projections.

Intimate Stranger at Centro Cultural Amanda in Santiago

After their January 2011 show at the Knitting Factory, New York, AOL Spinner’s Annie Reuter chose Intimate Stranger as her band of the week writing; “Frontwoman Tessie Stranger has been named one of the “Leading Ladies of Rock” by Rolling Stone Chile and last Friday she demonstrated just why. With powerful stage presence, her vocals immediately grab the listener. Her singing combined with atmospheric guitar effects, soaring synth melodies and solid drum rhythm had concertgoers energized and dancing along.”

Intimate Stranger at the Knitting Factory, New York

Tessie Stranger is featured in Rolling Stone Chile for the “Leading Ladies of Rock' 2009 special

In March 2010 Intimate Stranger pre-release Under at the SXSW Waterloo Records Showcase

Intimate Stranger’s 2010 USA Tour was supported by strong TV, radio and press including live performances and interviews on Fox, KEYE TV and ME TV

Intimate Stranger at Teatro Caupolican in Santiago in November 2010

(Photos by www.futurofreak.com)

Fans and press alike have picked up on the band’s powerful stage presence, with David Ponce, Chile’s top music critic writing, “One of the reasons why its so special to see Intimate Stranger live, is because they go so much beyond playing the album, they recreate the album each time, with every show being a completely unique and new experience.”

Extravaganza, Chile recently wrote; "The band's sound is warm and sensual, violent and sweet, gritty and sensitive. All at the same time. Live, this quartet is a killer unit that overwhelms the audience with waves of noise and electricity, and has become by far one of the best shows in the capital. Their performance is flawless."

Now in national distribution in the USA and Chile and available on all major music download websites.