»radiant devices«

"Chicago duo trio »radiant devices« pride themselves on creating a mixture of hauntingly beautiful sounds that contains traces of jazz, industrial rock atmosphere and plenty of punk rock attitude delivered over spoken word poetry. Let’s not forget that »radiant devices« also prides themselves in using anything they can get their hands on to create its rhythm section – you know, satellite dishes and propane tanks, the usual." - Loud Loop Press

"»radiant devices« is an experimental rock band comin’ out of right here in Chicago that is something a little different than the norm here on Gowhere. There are traces of hip hop influence throughout Infectious Substance, but the unique tempos and overall sound combined with the female vocals definitely have more of an uptempo rock feel. The project’s intro track “A Need To (deepen)” and the live version of “PacMan” are the two songs that I most vibe with. So lend your ears to one of the hotter underground rock bands in Chicago as >>radiant devices<< possesses a new sound that you're most definitely not used to, but could grow to enjoy." - Sgt. Tibs - GoWhere Hip Hop

Chicago duo Radiant Devices are unconventional. The pair utilizes anything and everything to create its sound from found items such as propane tanks, metal springs and a satellite dish to the traditional bass and guitar. The sound that emanates from Radiant Devices on its Infectious Substance is nothing short of refreshing and daringly creative.

The band, fronted by singer Mojdeh Stoakley and rhythm section provided by Fyodor Sakhnovski and numerous guests, adopted many labels in attempt to classify their sound – from “Folkcore” to “Electro-Acoustic” to “post-punk grindcore.” Whatever the classification, the sound comes off as a gumbo rich with a dash of spoken word, jazz, ambient beats, and hard rock.

There are so many elements to Radiant Devices’ songs that during the first listen of Infectious Substance it is easy to get drawn into only one or two, whether that is Stoakley’s spoken word or the swirling grooves playing in the background.

“A Need To (Deepen)” starts the EP off strong. Stoakley’s vocals are haunting, yet soothing. Bass dominates, working in concert with Stoakley’s gentle fog, which rolls over acoustic guitar rhythms and sample beats provided by DJ Limbs.

On the second track, “Much Less Desired,” Radiant Devices kick up the tempo and the ferocity. Stoakley pulls out the bullhorn to talk directly at us, building momentum as the duo pulls out the homemade instruments, which clink and clack in the background. The swirling, hesitating guitar loops are enough to make your head spin — in a good way.

Radiant Devices is a clear showcase of Stoakley’s spoken word poetry, which is lyrically nimble. “The Gateway,” shows off a jazzy side of Radiant Devices that is paced slow enough to allow the listener to concentrate on what Stoakley is communicating: “Linguistics can make you move / So I implore you to let your body find the rhythm of this tune.”

Infectious Substances is rounded out by two remixes “Regress” and “Only As Radiant.” The former feels right at home with the sound Radiant Devices has been building upon, slow spoken word over purposeful beats. The latter feels inorganic and transforms the song into a full-on electro-dance track with computerized vocals and skips. However, that misstep is not detrimental to the entire album.

Infectious Substance dares to color outside the boundaries of Folk and pure indie rock to create art that is intriguing and, most important of all, moving.

Infectious Substance is available for free download at RadiantDevices.Bandcamp.com. - Loud Loop Press

"So I eat dinner sometimes with my friends Mojdeh and Fyodor. They are also in a band called »radiant devices« which has been described to me as follows,

'...like if Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pixies, Einstürzende Neubauten, Swans, and Bjork had a love child.'


As you can see, they know their way around large industrial objects which is no surprise since they use "propane tanks, parts of cars, metal chains, trash cans, satellite dishes, and other discarded/found objects as percussion instruments." »radiant devices« is Chicago based and they are currently collaborating (as we speak!) with electronica/avant-garde artists both local & international for their debut album!"

[audio interview included in the original post] - Drinks With Dinner (blog)

"So I eat dinner sometimes with my friends Mojdeh and Fyodor. They are also in a band called »radiant devices« which has been described to me as follows,

'...like if Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pixies, Einstürzende Neubauten, Swans, and Bjork had a love child.'


As you can see, they know their way around large industrial objects which is no surprise since they use "propane tanks, parts of cars, metal chains, trash cans, satellite dishes, and other discarded/found objects as percussion instruments." »radiant devices« is Chicago based and they are currently collaborating (as we speak!) with electronica/avant-garde artists both local & international for their debut album!"

[audio interview included in the original post] - Drinks With Dinner (blog)

"[radiant devices] take to the stage and, wow! They use found objects, including a satellite dish, a chain, a gas tank, a big piece of sheet metal and a thick spring as musical instruments to compliment their off the wall, punk-rock poetry performance art. When I think of Mojdeh performing her poetry into a bullhorn I think of a female Jello Biafra."

- CJ Laity - Chicago Poetry

Issue: July 2009, Vol. 33 No. 7

"Material: [radiant devices]’s stock in trade is folkcore, although it sometimes verges on avant-garde and channels small measures of Björk and art rock. In short, lyrics are what drive this band. Standouts include “Gateway,” poetically, the band’s strongest song, the percussion-fronted “Poetry,” and “Life Is,” a song that asserts that life is hard when you’re human.

Musicianship: All members of the trio like to push the boundaries and get fairly experimental in their choice of instruments –– found objects, some of them –– and how they’re mic’d. Mojdeh Stoakley shows versatility by playing bass, guitar and improvised instruments such as a propane tank.

Performance: Stoakley joked and engaged in light banter between songs, which was a sharp contrast to the [radiant devices]’s typically serious, more contemplative lyrics. During the song “Poetry” she battered a propane tank with drumsticks, making her musical points so strongly that she broke one of the sticks. Her vocals were often throaty and somber. Sakhnovski also tapped a thick spring that lent the song a haunting quality. The band’s 10-song set flowed smoothly and the song order was well chosen.

Summary: This ensemble represents a different kind of sound. Their genre and lyrics will likely appeal to a younger crowd that is perhaps weary of pop or alternative. They’re all competent musicians and the band is working hard to get its name out. These artists have done their homework and are headed in their own direction. Fans of folkcore, or anyone just looking for something new, might do well to check them out."

by Rob Putnam - MUSIC CONNECTION

Issue: July 2009, Vol. 33 No. 7

"Material: [radiant devices]’s stock in trade is folkcore, although it sometimes verges on avant-garde and channels small measures of Björk and art rock. In short, lyrics are what drive this band. Standouts include “Gateway,” poetically, the band’s strongest song, the percussion-fronted “Poetry,” and “Life Is,” a song that asserts that life is hard when you’re human.

Musicianship: All members of the trio like to push the boundaries and get fairly experimental in their choice of instruments –– found objects, some of them –– and how they’re mic’d. Mojdeh Stoakley shows versatility by playing bass, guitar and improvised instruments such as a propane tank.

Performance: Stoakley joked and engaged in light banter between songs, which was a sharp contrast to the [radiant devices]’s typically serious, more contemplative lyrics. During the song “Poetry” she battered a propane tank with drumsticks, making her musical points so strongly that she broke one of the sticks. Her vocals were often throaty and somber. Sakhnovski also tapped a thick spring that lent the song a haunting quality. The band’s 10-song set flowed smoothly and the song order was well chosen.

Summary: This ensemble represents a different kind of sound. Their genre and lyrics will likely appeal to a younger crowd that is perhaps weary of pop or alternative. They’re all competent musicians and the band is working hard to get its name out. These artists have done their homework and are headed in their own direction. Fans of folkcore, or anyone just looking for something new, might do well to check them out."

by Rob Putnam - MUSIC CONNECTION