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Architecture in Helsinki

From Alfawiki
Architecture in Helsinki
Company typeIndie pop band
IndustryMusic
Founded1999 in Albury, New South Wales, Australia
FounderCameron Bird, Jamie Mildren, Sam Perry
Defunct2018 (inactive)
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
ProductsStudio albums, singles, EPs
Number of employees
5 (final lineup)

Architecture in Helsinki was an Australian indie pop ensemble consisting of Cameron Bird, Gus Franklin, Jamie Mildren, Sam Perry, and Kellie Sutherland. Prior to their break, they produced five studio albums: Fingers Crossed (2003), In Case We Die (2005), Places Like This (2007), Moment Bends (2011), and Now + 4eva (2014). The band has remained inactive since 2018.

2000–2003: Origins and the debut Fingers Crossed

Architecture in Helsinki began as a high school music initiative in Albury, New South Wales, founded by childhood companions Cameron Bird (lead vocals), Jamie Mildren, and Sam Perry. By 1999, the trio moved to Melbourne’s Fitzroy, Victoria, adopting the name Architecture in Helsinki for Bird’s early song collection. The band’s name was formed by rearranging words clipped from a newspaper.[1] After performing several shows, the group temporarily halted activity.[2]

In 2000, Bird encountered James Cecil while attending photography classes at art school; Cecil joined as the drummer. Bird also began playing guitar and invited Kellie Sutherland to contribute clarinet.[2][3]

The five-piece started recording their first album, Fingers Crossed, at Cecil’s Super Melody World studio located in Melbourne.[2][3] Recording was briefly interrupted when Bird traveled to the United States, returning with fresh inspiration to compose tighter pop songs that altered the group’s sound.[2]

Bird then expanded the lineup by adding brass players Isobel Knowles, Tara Shackell, and Gus Franklin from Victoria’s Western District, increasing the band to eight members.[4][2][3] In 2002, they secured a deal with independent label Trifekta, releasing their debut single "Like a Call" in December.

After nearly two years of development, Fingers Crossed was officially released on 9 February 2003.[3] The album featured a wide range of instruments including analog synthesizers, samplers, glockenspiel, handclaps, brass instruments (trumpet, tuba, trombone, saxophone), clarinet, recorder, alongside guitars and drums.[5]

2003–2005: Release of In Case We Die

In 2003, Architecture in Helsinki supported The Go-Betweens on their Australian tour before embarking on their own east coast tour and opening for international acts such as Yo La Tengo, múm, and Arab Strap. They issued the Kindling EP in October featuring collaborations with electronica artists Qua, B(if)tek, and Bogdan Raczynski. Isobel Knowles created an animated video for "Like a Call". In December of that year, they performed at the Meredith Music Festival. Starting February 2004, the band toured Japan, Europe, and North America. In April 2004, Fingers Crossed was released across North America through Bar/None Records.

Their sophomore album, In Case We Die, was launched in 2005 on their self-managed "Tailem Bend" label. The record featured guest artists and was produced by The Carbohydrates (James Cecil and Cameron Bird) in Melbourne. Mixed by Tony Espie, the album highlighted an energetic live sound with intricate arrangements. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2005, it earned three nominations: "Best Independent Release", "Best Cover Art" (designed by Bird), and "Best Adult Contemporary Release". The track "It'5!" received extensive national radio rotation and placed No. 56 in the Triple J Hottest 100.

2006–2008: Personnel shifts, We Died, They Remixed and Places Like This

In the middle of 2006, creative disagreements with Bird led to the departure of Knowles and Shackell. Knowles continued his pursuits in animation and music, while Shackell focused on ceramic art. On 28 October 2006, the band, now a six-piece, issued We Died, They Remixed, a remix compilation featuring reworked tracks from In Case We Die along with "Like a Call" from Fingers Crossed. Contributors to the remixes included Hot Chip, New Buffalo, among others.

Their third studio album, Places Like This, was launched on 28 July 2007 through Polyvinyl Record Co.. The recording sessions took place between October 2006 and January 2007 at Dave Sitek's Brooklyn studio as well as Sydney’s Big Jesus Burger Studios, with Chris Coady handling engineering duties. The lead single "Heart It Races" entered the ARIA top 50 charts. The album achieved a position within Australia’s top 30 and appeared in September on Billboard’s Top Electronic Albums top 10 and Heatseekers Albums charts. Additional singles released included "Debbie", "Hold Music", and "Like It Or Not". At the ARIA Music Awards of 2007, "Heart It Races" received a nomination for "Single of the Year". Both "Heart It Races" and "Hold Music" secured spots in the Triple J Hottest 100.

On New Year’s Eve of 2008, James Cecil performed his final concert with the band before departing to focus on music production.

2008–2012: Moment Bends

In mid-2008, Architecture in Helsinki engaged their frequent collaborator François Tétaz to produce their fourth album at their newly established Melbourne studio named Buckingham Palace. The initial single from this era, "That Beep", was released in November 2008. Concurrently, Tétaz was also involved in producing Gotye's Making Mirrors. After more than two years of development, the band announced in October 2010 that the album was complete.

The album Moment Bends, released in April 2011 in Australia and May in the United States, showcased a transition to refined pop production. Its leading single "Contact High" became their most commercially successful track in Australia, garnering an ARIA nomination for "Pop Release of the Year" and achieving No. 12 on the Triple J Hottest 100. The album itself debuted at No. 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart, marking their highest chart position to date. Following singles from the album included "Escapee", which was featured in EA Sports' FIFA 12, and "W.O.W".

2012–2014: Now + 4eva

Starting early in 2012, recording sessions for their fifth album took place above a Melbourne café known for its prior negative atmosphere, which the band consciously worked to overcome during production. To support Now + 4eva, they opened a temporary concept store at Melbourne Central Shopping Centre between March and April 2014. This pop-up shop offered vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, USB drives, as well as branded merchandise created by local artists. Singles released during this period included "I Might Survive," "In the Future," and "Dream a Little Crazy." The album officially launched on 28 March 2014 across Australia and New Zealand and on 1 April in North America.

2014–2018: Final phase

After completing the Now + 4eva tour cycle, Architecture in Helsinki entered an informal hiatus following nearly ten years of continuous album releases. During this break, they performed occasionally—including an appearance on the Australian children’s program Play School—while Bird and Cecil collaborated on producing The Goon Sax’s second album in 2018. In May of that year, they announced a headlining show at Perth’s Kennedy Art Ball featuring a reduced six-member lineup (down from nine) along with intentions to create new music without set deadlines. Nevertheless, no further developments have been reported since then.

Band members

Last roster
  • Cameron Bird – primary and supporting vocals, guitar, keyboards (2000–2018)
  • Sam Perry – bass guitar, keyboards (2000–2018)
  • Kellie Sutherland – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, clarinet (2000–2018)
  • Gus Franklin – keyboards, guitar, vocals, trombone, drums (2002–2018)
Past members
  • James Cecil – drums, guitars, keyboards (2000–2008)
  • Jamie Mildren – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, flute (2000–2015)
  • Tara Shackell – tuba, trombone, keyboards, backing vocals (2002–2006)
  • Isobel Knowles – trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals (2002–2006)
  • Ben Donnan – drums, keyboards (2008–2014)

Tours

Architecture in Helsinki embarked on extensive tours across Australia, the United States, and Europe. They performed at prominent festivals such as Coachella, Sasquatch!, Sound Relief, Big Day Out, SXSW, Primavera Sound, Groovin' the Moo, Pukkelpop, and Haldern Pop.

Throughout their touring history, they have shared performance bills with notable acts including David Byrne, Dr Dog, Death Cab for Cutie, Yacht, The Go-Betweens, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Santigold, Glass Candy, The Presets, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Au Revoir Simone, Field Music, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Yo La Tengo, The Polyphonic Spree, and Múm.

Studio albums

Studio albums with release information and chart rankings
Title Release details AUS FRA US Heatseekers
Fingers Crossed Released: 9 February 2003; Label: Trifekta; Formats: LP/CD/download — — —
In Case We Die Released: 5 April 2005; Label: Tailem Bend; Formats: LP/CD/download 67 159 —
Places Like This Released: 28 July 2007; Label: Tailem Bend; Formats: LP/CD/download 30 187 7
Moment Bends Released: 8 April 2011; Label: Modular Recordings; Formats: LP/CD/download 12 — —
Now + 4eva Released: 28 March 2014; Label: Casual Workout; Formats: LP/CD/cassette/download 25 — —

Compilation albums

Compilation albums
Title Release information
We Died, They Remixed Released: 11 December 2006; Label: Tailem Bend; Formats: CD/download (remix compilation)

Extended plays

EPs
Title Release details
Keepsake Released March 2004; Label: Trifekta; Format: CD; Remix EP created for US tour

Remixes

Year Artist Track Remix version Source album
2003 B(if)tek "Hi Fi Kids" Architecture in Helsinki Remix Frequencies Will Move Together
2006 Shout Out Louds "Very Loud" Architecture in Helsinki Remix Combines EP
2007 Bonde do Rolê "Office Boy" Architecture in Helsinki Remix Office Boy EP
The Bumblebeez "Dr Love" Architecture in Helsinki's Dr Hookah Mix Dr Love EP
Yacht "See a Penny (Pick It Up)" Architecture in Helsinki Remix I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real
33 Hz "Paris, Texas" Architecture in Helsinki's Supermelody Remix Paris, Texas (Remixes)

Music videos

Year Title Director(s)
2003 "Like a Call" Isobel Knowles
"Kindling" Kellie Sutherland

ARIA Music Awards

Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements throughout various Australian music styles.

! Ref. |- | 2011 | Moment Bends | Best Pop Release |

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize has awarded $30,000 annually since 2005 to honor exceptional Australian albums.

|- |2007 |'Places Like This' |'Australian Music Prize' |

J Awards

Hosted by ABC's Triple J since 2005, the J Awards recognize notable Australian musical works.

|- |J Award of 2005 |'In Case We Die' |'Australian Album of the Year' | |- |J Awards of 2007 |'Places Like This' |'Australian Album of the Year' |

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ComeBack
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  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named official
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Warrnambool
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Phares
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