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Spotlight

Lightspeed Champion

Who? Since disbanding chaotic dance punk outfit Test Iciclesin 2006, Dev Hynes has transformed himself into a pop folkie touched bycontemporary American alt-country, a.k.a. Lightspeed Champion. Havingspent the spring touring with the likes of Bright Eyes and PatrickWolf, Hynes issued the Galaxy of the Lost EP in mid-summer; dreamy full-length Falling Off the Lavender Bridge is slated for February via Domino Records.

What’s the Deal?This Houston-born, Edinburgh-bred songster has crafted a songbook oflush, acoustic-driven pop melodies at the hands of some of Nebraska’sSaddle Creek collective, including producer Mike Mogis, the Faint’sClark Baechle, and select members from both Tilly and the Wall andCursive. Champion’s polished, low-country tones summon the lovechild ofsomewhere between Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and Omaha’s favorite sonConor Oberst. “Galaxy of the Lost” vividly drums into the heart and”The Flesh Failures” flawlessly fades into a hyper-harmonized chorus of”Let the Sunshine In” from Hair.

Fun Fact: Hynes is a self-professed fanatic of The OC.While recording his first batch of songs, he sought much of hisinspiration as Lightspeed Champion thanks to his love for theCalifornia coup of teens and their everyday drama.

Now Hear This:
Lightspeed Champion – “Galaxy of the Lost” STREAMING MP3

On the Web:
Lightspeed Champion at MySpace
lightspeedchampion.com

Talk: Is Lightspeed Champion in the lead or is he just ‘lost?’