This week, The Bay Bridged features Oakland electro-R&B-pop duo Wallpaper., whose debut full length Doodoo Face, comes out today on Eenie Meenie Records. Like perhaps many, we stumbled onto the band via the song and video for “T. Rex,” off the 2008 EP of the same name. That track quickly became a favorite around the studio, as has every Wallpaper. song or remix we’ve heard since. Expertly mixing addictive melodies, layered sounds and rhythms, the music also has real sense of fun. When we hosted the band at the Bay Area Takeover at SXSW 2009, we were blown away.
Wallpaper. began as a solo project for Eric Frederic of Facing New York, who initially used it to experiment with electronic sounds. Over time, though, Wallpaper.’s sound has grown more focused and more organic, tapping into Frederic’s unironic love for R&B and giving birth to his alter ego Ricky Reed. Reed is the band’s lead singer, on-stage master of ceremonies, and the central character in many of the group’s songs. He’s also a clever way for Frederic to establish his own identity as the studio whiz. Reed may be the talented vocalist and funmaker, but it’s Frederic who’s the genius songwriter/producer behind it all.
We sat down with Eric Frederic to discuss the new album, working with Ricky Reed and more. We’ve also included four songs from Doodoo Face in the episode.
