DNTEL, Thomas J Speight
Dntel (Jimmy Tamborello) is an electronic music producer. He is sometimes cited as James Figurine, the co-programmer and vocalist for the electropop outfit Figurine. Other projects include Postal Service and Golden Hits.
Tamborello first began creating music in 1989, when he was in junior high school in Santa Barbara, California. He began work on the first Dntel EP in 1994, which was not released until later as ‘Something Always Goes Wrong’ (2000), on the Phthalo label.
As an early adopter of contemporary glitch and electronica mixed with elements of indie rock, Dntel gained a cult following.
His first full-length album, ‘Life Is Full of Possibilities’ (2001) featured several guest artists on vocals, guitars and other instruments, including Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Christopher Gunst of Beachwood Sparks, Rachel Haden, Mia Doi Todd, fellow Figurine member Meredith Figurine, among others. The Ben Gibbard collaboration ‘(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan’ led to the forming of the band Postal Service. Their album, ‘Give Up’, has sold over one million copies. Rollingstone.com named Postal Service’s ‘Such Great Heights’ the 27th best song of the decade.
Most of his recent output as Dntel comes courtesy of Sub Pop records. His second album, ‘Dumb Luck’ (2007), received a generally positive critical response. It was followed by a pair of instrumental EPs in 2010 called ‘After Parties I & II’.
Tamborello has a weekly radio show, called Dying Songs, on Dublab.com and occasionally DJs on KXLU in Los Angeles.
Dntel plays The Borderline on 17th September. Supporting will be Thomas J Speight.