Pompla-what?!

By Angela Hu

Pomplamoose: Weird name, fresh sound.

Forget everything you’ve ever known about self-produced indie music because you haven’t yet been introduced to Pomplamoose…until now.

Yes. Pomplamoose.

It’s a French term that translates to grapefruit. (Boring but it sounds way more vogue if you pronounce it with an obnoxiously French accent). But on YouTube, it’s a bitchin’ musical duo that are making waves with their original covers of classics such as Earth Wind and Fire’s “September” and Mr. Eden Ahbez’s “Nature Boy.”

In the summer of 2008, Jack Conte and Nataly Daw became the genius couple behind Pomplamoose. The two are music’s dynamic duo of the YouTube era. Conte produces while Dawn’s airy Charlotte Gainsbourg-like voice leads the way. They have been making music for now over 70,000 YouTube subscribers with two very stringent rules in mind: 1: Everything that you see in the “videosongs,” is what you hear. Translation for those who have been forever duped by Ashlee Simpson’s SNL fiasco: there is no lip-synching, ever.

2: Any instrument that you hear, you’ll eventually see. Translation: there aren’t any hidden sounds and they are very good at multitasking.

Other than the covers, Pomplamoose have produced their own music, my favorite being “If you think you need some lovin.”

Every “videosong” by Pomplamoose is a refreshing take on an otherwise over-worked craft. Conte uses obscure household items (an old Polaroid camera creates the background beat in their cover of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies) as instruments. The various camera angles evoke a Kubrick film, minus the creepy dead twin sisters luring me into their lair.

Do yourself a favor and put down that Long Island Iced Tea – this is more important. Go support Pomplamoose by buying their debut album for only 10 bucks.