FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO MARRY - French electro acts take a stand on same-sex marriage

The subject of same-sex wedding is high in the news around the world, and France is no exception, with many protests planned all around France on Sunday 16th, December 2012 to support the law in favour of it, following a 100,000 people strong anti-law protests that happened on 17th, November 2012 in various cities in France.

One action appeared on the web on Monday, 10th December, giving a musical twist to the debate :

Dozens of French electronic musicians, including well-known acts Justice, M83, Vitalic, Laurent Garnier, Air, but also up and coming artists such as Yan Wagner or Christine & The Queens, and French music industry figures like Gildas from label Kitsuné, took a stand today and called to take part in protests to support the law for same sex marriage, MAP & equality.

On a musical tumblr called Fight For Your Right To Marry, 43 acts from the French electronic music scene shared their opinion by answering in music the question 'What track would you like to play at your friend/family member's homosexual wedding ?'

On the side of the tumblr, a introductory note explains why such a blog was put together - The text is only published in French on the site, so I have decided to translate it myself :

"We are musicians, not politicians, and what's been happening in France for several months now around the law for the marriage of our Gay, lesbians, Bi and Transsexual brothers / sisters and friend (s) makes us sick and sad , so we decided to protest and go out of the closet in our own way!

We do not recognise ourselves in the hatred and intolerance we can see in the streets and the media. The music we love, we play and that inspire us is the result of a creative, bold, subversive, and always ahead of its time homosexual culture. For all these unforgettable songs, the moments of joy they have given us, and just because we love them, we demand equal rights for all.

Because music has no gender nor sex and is only love, pleasure and abandon, we decided to take a stand on favour of marriage for all, MAP, and on equality for and above all, by offering you what we do better: MUSIC ! Here are the tracks that we would one day like to play at the wedding of our homosexual brothers/sisters and friends "

Artist choices goes from worldwide known homosexual or gay friendly figures like Queen, Elton John, Prince, David Bowie or Madonna to less known names :

French DJ Vitalic, who presented his new live show for the first time this weekend in Britanny, France at the new music festival Les Trans Musicales de Rennes, chose a classic disco tune with 'Queen of Chinatown' by Amanda Lear.

Young Parisian Yan Wagner, who just released his debut album '48 hours' in the UK (Pschent /Discovery) and played last month in London, Brighton and Manchester as part of the Oui Love tour, selected a DFA Remix of 'Deceptacon' by American electroclash band Le Tigre.

Versailles duo Air were the only one to go with their own material, suggesting the classic 'Sexy Boy' from 1998 album Moon Safari.

According to Les Inrockuptibles (text in French, ndlr), the major French publication for music & culture related-content, the blog initiative is due to Benoit Rousseau, music booker of La Gaîté Lyrique, an arts centre for digital culture located in Paris.

Rousseau wanted to 'coordinate something without taking too much time from people'. He came up with the idea of this collaborative musical tumblr, and sent an e-mail to a few artists. The project was then relayed by the artists themselves, initiating more participation.

http://fightforyourrighttomarry.tumblr.com/

Contact : fightforyourrighttomarry@gmail.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/fightforyourighttomarry

Gonja Sufi - A Sufi And A Killer (WARP)

Out March 9th on Warp, 'A Sufi and A Killer' is the type of album you didn't realized you were actually waiting for since years, until you hear it.


A little bit of History...


Since more than 20 years now, indie English label Warp & founder Steve Beckett have done a wonderful job bringing to people the most original and interesting acts in various genres. Beginning with electronic in the early 90's (Aphex Twin, Autechre), to experimental hip-hop (Antipop Consortium), Warp had seem to go more mainstream over the past years, introducing many indie rock acts in its roster, including successful Grizzly Bear and Maxïmo Park.

One one the most intriguing musician coming from Warp lately is Flying Lotus, signed with the label since 2007, and with a third album to be released early May.
Flying Lotus is an experimental music producer. He worked with Gonja Sufi on his 2008 album, 'Los Angeles', for the song 'Testament', song which finally allowed Gonja to gain notice from the blogosphere, and record label Warp. I think Gonja's album is more accessible but this deserve a listen.

Flying Lotus - Testament feat. Gonja Sufi

Ground control to Major Sufi...

Sumach Ecks, a.k.a Gonja Sufi, is a 32-years-old strange man, to say the least. 

The kind of guy who lives in the Mojave Desert, teaches yoga during his spare time and is, well, spiritual . A guy who uses colours and emotions to describe his music, talk about shamanism, and clearly sounds like he just landed from Ganjaland. (Take a look at Clash Magazine interview, link below, you'll see what I mean !)

But beyond the oddness of the character, there is mostly an extraordinary musician, with a voice you don't hear often out there in the music business. A musician who managed to pull out a 19-tracks album without a false note. A masterpiece which show all his abilities to sing without showing off. 

I challenge anyone to call 'A Sufi And A Killer' a certain genre of music, as it would automatically be simplistic. This album incorporate so many various melodies, music references and homages, so many powerful songs, that its typically the type of LP which give me staggers, only thinking of how many times I'll be able to listen to it, discovering more and more about it each time.

From a weird impression that you're part of a rain dance in first track '(Bharatanatyam)', to soft ballad 'Sheep', to bluesy 'Ageing', to airy/ambient 'Dust', 'A Sufi And A Killer' surely make you go through a wide range of emotions. Pick a comfy armchair, close your eyes, and enjoy the trip.

"Dust (Aduet)" by Gonja Sufi :

Gonja Sufi's interview on Clash Magazine : http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/gonja-sufi

Artist's website : http://www.sufisays.com/

Instead of the Myspace, which is a bit confusing, enjoy this wonderful player provided by Warp !

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

The Morning Benders is a four-piece US based-band composed of Christopher (leading vocals), Julian, Timothy & Jonathan.

Originally from California, the band is now divided between many cities, from San Francisco to New York ; A multi cities band, for a type of music which will also transport you to different states of minds.

After two EPs and a 7" in 2006 and 2007, unfortunately now completely sold out, The Morning Benders released their debut album in 2008, "Talking Through Tin Cans", with +1 records.

They have signed to Rough Trade Records mid-december 2009, and their third LP, "Big Echo" will be out today 9th March 2010.

The Morning Benders offer a soft kind of indie pop of which only America has the secret recipe for, a delicate and subtle mix of a timeless voice and captivating melodies, which has the power to make you feel good and dreamy.

Big Echo really has to be listened as a whole, as it evokes to me a story, a romantic one which will guide you from the discovery of your bodies in the amazing "Excuses" and will end your journey with the nocturnal ballad "Sleepin In", letting you at peace for a good night full of dreams...

And, for the pleasure of your ears, the band has made the whole album available in streaming on their website : http://www.themorningbenders.com/

Yours Truly presents : The Morning Benders "EXCUSES", shot in San Francisco

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Beg for more ?

Artist Blog : http://ambenders.blogspot.com/ (free mp3 of "Promises" given)

Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/themorningbenders

You can also download for free many of their 2008 tracks here :

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/the-morning-benders-love-in-the-first-degree-concert/20030267-3737474.html

Birdy Nam Nam - Joy and Glory

Paris' venue Le Zénith was hosting last night the 25th edition of the "Victoires de la Musique" (Music's Victories), which reward in several categories (Best Original Song, Best Feminine/Masculine Act,etc.) the supposedly best French Music of the year.

To be honest, I'm usually not a huge fan of Awards, especially the non-specialized-in-a-genre ones. I very often disagree on the choice of the nominees, and always on the winner !

I don't really see the point either of celebrating, for most of them, non innovative music & give a chance to popular (bad) acts to prove that, indeed, they are no good on stage (considering that they don't use playback, which is another debate).

But last night awards surprised me in a good way, giving the "Best Electronic/Dance Album of the year" to a French electronic DJ Crew I really appreciate, called Birdy Nam Nam, and leaving Air, David Guetta & Wax Tailor behind.

If you're French and enjoy electronic music in a way or another, this name surely sound familiar to you.

Beyond our borders, if the name of Birdy Nam Nam haven't reached (yet) the mainstream success of Air or Daft Punk, the act is already quite known among electronic amateurs, whether its for their amazing reputation of live performances, the international DJ prizes they won many times, or for the work of their individuals members.

The Crew is composed of four DJs : Crazy-B, DJ Pone, DJ Need & Little Mike, and some have been involved in the hip-hop French scene for many years.

In 2002, Birdy Nam Nam ('BNN') won as as team the DMC World DJ Championship. Their team work is amazing and their lives performances are indeed always extremely enjoyable , with very regular improvisations on stage - which have a tendency to turn the crowd completely insane !

BIRDY NAM NAM - ABBESSES

They already have several EPs out, and two LPs :

- Birdy Nam Nam, 2005

- Manual for successful rioting, 2009

BIRDY NAM NAM - THE PARACHUTE ENDING - Video Clip by Willy Sweeney

(2009, from "Manual for successful rioting" LP)

I won't say no more & let you discover by yourself !

http://www.myspace.com/birdynamnam

TOP OF THE HOT - An alternative to the rain.

Tired of this never-ending winter ?

Of opening your curtains on morning, being afraid to discover (AGAIN) pouring rain, snow, drizzle, icy wind ?

Of this parade of sweaters, ear muffs, fur coats and umbrellas on the street ?

Dreaming of enjoying a cocktail poolside, running around half-naked in a corn field, lying down for hours on the beach slowly waiting for sunburns ?

As we still have more than 100 days to wait before Official summer, I offer a small Top 10 of songs & videos who will give you a glimpse of summer, and eventually cheer you up !

As it's too easy to use the classical "Summertime, Sunny, In the Summertime & Co" & considering the fact that I am not a fan of the "Top Summer Hits 98", this top is a bit different, and will make you discover or re-discover some good and quite recent amazing songs, and/or maybe discovering French acts, as France is well represented in the top !

Enjoy !

ALTERNATIVE TOP 10 SUMMER VIDEOS

1. Roudoudou : Peace and tranquility to earth (Tout L’Univers- Listener’s Digest, 1999)

2. Sebastien Tellier – Roche (Sexuality, 2008)

3. Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel (Eponym LP, 2009)

4. M83 - We own the sky (Saturdays = Youth LP, 2009)

5. Telepopmusik – Breathe (Genetic World, 2001)

6. Jamiroquai - Seven Days of Sunny June (Dynamite, 2005)

(Better quality, embedding disabled : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUlxg5tDHsU )

7. Lexicon - Junk Food (Junk Food EP, 2008)

8. Naive New Beaters : Just Another Day (Wallace, 2009)

9. The Rural Alberta Advantage - In the Summertime (Hometowns LP, Self-released 2008)

10. Yeasayer - Wait For The Summer (All Hours Cymbals LP, 2007) – (This is not an official Yeasayer video)

Special thank to Guillaume for helping me browsing the Internet during the dark hours of the night, looking for the best videos !

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Soap&Skin

"Soap and skin are two substances which react on each other in different ways"

Thats how Anja Plaschg, 19 years old, is explaining her choice of calling Soap&Skin her musical solo project. And I wouldn't have find a better way to describe what effects her music has on me.

Anja Plaschg would be part of the music "freaks" that we sometimes find on our musical way.

Born in 1990, she grew up in a small village called Gnas in south east Styria, where her parents had a farm. (If you're like me & don't have a clue of where it is - its in the middle of nowhere in Austria)

Early musician, she started to play piano at the age of 6, violin studies at 14, along with developing some interests in electronic music. She did a couple attempts of studies in graphic design and fine arts, but finally dropped out to focus on her music.

Her first EP was released in 2008, quickly followed in 2009 by a second one, "Marche Funèbre". Her first album, called "Lovetune for Vacuum" (Couch Records/Pias Recording), was also released in 2009.

To say that Anja Plaschg's little world is strange would be an euphemism. Everything about her and her music will attract and make you feel uncomfortable at the same time. Whether it will be the visual ambiance of her clip, her gauzy skin and disturbing beauty, her fragile -sometimes whining - voice, so pure and clear in the same time, ...

She may remind you of Fever Ray/The Knife singer Karin Andersson in some ways (her weird silence receiving an Austrian Amadeus Award seems indeed familiar) or Björk, but she is for sure unique.

Soap&Skin is a Love it or Hate it artist - but I doubt her world will let anyone indifferent. Describing her music, one of my friend said something which I fully agreed on : it has its wonderful power of letting you see all the beauty and sadness of this world.

To understand this, I shall advise you to listen to the track "Inter View feat. Heartmill", which - in my opinion - reflects this feeling perfectly...

Soap&Skin - Thanatos - "Ages of delirium/Curse of my oblivion"

Artist Website : http://www.soapandskin.com/

Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/soapandskin

Facebook fan page : http://www.facebook.com/soapandskin

Antonio Lulić - Becomes Unstoppable EP

Good Afternoon London !

On this wonderful sunny day, I wanted to share here of my musical 'coup de coeur' & discovery of the past week

One of the marvellous thing about London is that you would never find yourself in need of a gig. Live music is omnipresent, and imagining how many concerts take place at the same time each night gives me vertigo...

Among all, I decided tuesday night to go to the "Shift & Shuffle acoustic nights", promoted by Tabarnak, London-based music promoters who does a wonderful job bringing together many unsigned electroacoustic/pop/folk indie-ish acts.

Taking place in the belowzero bar off Regent Street, the acoustic night could be called everything but a cold atmosphere :

Well sat in large leather sofas, I'm looking at the small stage a meter away from me : a couple of spots and cables on the floor, a mic, a guitar waiting impatiently, nothing pretentious really.

And there it come : A young-black-hair-black beard guy, looking a bit surly with his Wolverine-like face, enter the stage, take the guitar and begin his first song.

From the first note, I'm instantly in love. With his deep and profound voice, Antonio Lulić sing about his life wishes in 'Sobering Up', and how he fell in love with an unknown girl in 'The Sound of the girl next door, singing'. (Girl which I , eventually, already hate)

As I listen to Antonio's voice, which remind me a bit of Eddie Vedder, the room around me became blurry, and I'm completely transported in his world.

The only thing I can think of is how come this guy is not more known already, and how lucky I am to see him live in such a small place, as I am truly convinced that we're gonna hear about him a lot in the near future.

Back home, I browse the internet for more infos, and I discover, that, not only Antonio is talented on stage, but he also is the one to congratulate for the recording of his EP, 'Becomes Unstoppable', and the design of his website.

Originally from North England, Antonio Lulić is one of this 21st century artist, who understood that - with the music industry being where it is a the moment - no one can help you better than yourself promoting your own music.

He's been playing around the UK and everywhere he could these past years, and - to believe his website - has the firm intention to continue to do so.

And that's all I can wish for really, that more and more people discover the world and sound of Antonio Lulić, and that he continues making wonderful music to please our ears !

Official Artist Website for videos & gigs to come : http://www.antoniolulic.com/

Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/antoniolulic

Listen to the EP for FREE on Spotify (you need to have Spotify installed) :

http://open.spotify.com/album/63VVH2TV5myjDy0l7Jh2Ts

Buy it on iTunes :

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/becomes-unstoppable/id344952567

Music promoters of the Shift & Shuffle Acoustic Nights :

http://tabarnak.co.uk/