SXSW 2012

Megan James and Corin Roddick formed their "future pop" project Purity Ring only a year ago, but the duo have been musically active on their own for much longer. Originally from Edmonton, 23-year-old vocalist and trained pianist James started writing lyrics when she was 16. Twenty-year-old Roddick-- a former touring member of patchy electro outfit Gobble Gobble -- has drummed in various hometown bands since he was 14. But Purity Ring finds both members abandoning their live instruments in favor of stammering beats and pitched-down vocals derived from Roddick's love of Southern hip-hop.
The pair have only released 3 songs thus far "Ungirthed", and "Lofticries" and "Belispeak". On all three tracks, James' ghostly, Knife-like vocals are weaved into Roddick's skittering instrumentals, conveying an emotional and sonic disconnect-- fitting since their process involves Roddick sending his beats to James, who then adds her vocals. (The two live in different Canadian cities now, with Roddick stationed in Montreal and James in Halifax.)