Biography
The Carps' two members seldom appear without their trademark multi-colored leather hi tops, turquoise or pink T-shirts, and skinny jeans, openly flaunting hipster identity while forging a distinctive fusion of R&B and lean indie rock in duo format. Neil White first connected with Jahmel Tonge during their university years in Scarborough, Toronto, where the pair began making music purely for enjoyment amid skateboarding sessions and rounds of golf. Drawing from contrasting backgrounds—Tonge immersed in Motown, White steeped in psychedelic rock and punk—they progressed from informal jamming to gigs at local venues. Tonge supplied the vocals from behind the drum kit in a soulful style reminiscent of Terence Trent D'Arby, addressing themes of city hardships and hipster excess, while White anchored the arrangements through gritty, distorted bass lines. Toronto audiences responded with little enthusiasm, prompting the duo to book a modest tour through Philadelphia and New York City. American indie listeners responded far more positively, leading directly to an invitation to join the Urbnet Records roster. Their anticipated EP, The Young and Passionate Days of Carpedia, arrived in 2007.
Albums
