Basque

The first-names-only duo of bassist Brandt and singer Maryasque, Basque, can be an art pop duo whose almost subliminal music hovers somewhere within ghostly ambience and almost pure silence. Brandt’s extra, neither rhythmic nor melodic basslines most carefully resemble those of the Soft Machine’s Hugh Hopper, and Maryasque’s abstract tone of voice shares commonalities with both artsy jazz vocalist Jeanne Lee as well as the trilling coo from the Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser. Created in Brooklyn in 1997, Basque released their self-titled debut the next yr. 1999’s Radiate adopted, with the 3rd album, Falling Forwards, appearing in Dec 2000.