Next Wave: Fragrance.

Fragrance is a music project Matthieu Roche from Paris, France. According to his Bandcamp, Matthieu has released two singles and one EP. The music of Fragrance is atmospheric dream pop with playful synth waves and mellow vocals. This year fragrance released the single "Heatwave" and the EP 'Dust & Disorders', both mastered by Hélène de Thoury who we remember from Minuit Machine and Hante. fame.

For more info follow the links:
https://www.facebook.com/thisisfragrance/
https://fragrancemusic.bandcamp.com

In Conversation: Echö

One of the great things about surfing the internet is that you just never know what or who you might stumble upon. Yes, there are some things you wish you had never found. Though, that wasn't the case when i came across the Soundcloud page of  Echö. I felt as if i had struck audible gold. After induling myself in the synthesized infection of their track "Daydream" i had to hear and know more. I immediately got in touch with vocalist, Mickaël (aka Mika) to inquire about the possibility of an interview. At that particular time, the band was on the verge of releasing their debut EP of the same name. He promised me an interview once their release plans were a bit more stable. This was close to 2 years ago and i honestly had forgotten about our talk and the pending interview. True to his word and to my delight, Mika got back in touch with me this past September. He let me know that the band was about to release their second EP, "Intangible Pupa" and to see if i was still interested in doing an interview. Of course i said yes! How could i not?!

The two man outfit comes to us from Barcelona / France and is comprised of Mika and Alexandre Portils Torner. Again, they released the delightfully awesome "Intangible Pupa" EP on September 30 of this year. Doing the release honors is Belgian based label Romance Moderne who, in my opinion, are the perfect vehicle in presenting Echö to the masses. So now, let's find out more about the band, shall we? Here are a few questions I happily whipped up for Mika.

Automelodi- Automelodi

Following the release of their debut EP last year, the Canadian outfit Automeldodi have released their self titled debut album. The album is out this summer, released through Wierd Records and it was produced by Xavier Paradis. The songs are mostly sung in French and influenced by the music of the early 80's French New Wave scene as well as by the examples of the early Mute Records like Fad Gadget.

http://myspace.com/automelodi

Little Nemo

Little Nemo was a French music group who released several albums in the late 80’s and early 90’s. There sound was clearly influenced by early 80’s sound of the Cure and Joy Division as well as by the French groups Taxi Girl and Marquis De Sade.

The founding members of the group were Oliver Champeau and Vincent Gallo. They named the group after a comic strip dating back to early 20th century and telling adventures of a little boy during his sleep.
Little Nemo released their first tape as a very confidential edition, while 1987 saw the release of their ten-title tape ‘Past and Future’ which was meant to be conceptual. As the title already says Past and Future confronted, A side telling about passing time, B side looking into the future. They release a mini LP ‘Private Life’ after becoming a trio in 1988. The theme of the passing time is taken again.

‘Sounds In The Attic’ is their third album, released in 1989. It features more diversity and energy as we were used to hear on the previous ones. The opening title, "New Flood" and its devastating bass in the Sisters of Mercy's style is an indication of this change of tone.

After few more albums and style changes the beautiful adventure ends with the bankruptcy of the label Single Ko. Vincent's solo album will not be released and Little Nemo splits after 10 years of existence.

Instant Hit: Hard Corps- Je Suis Passee

"Je Suis Passee" was one of the few singles Hard Coprs released during their brief career between 1984-1987. At the time they released their compilation album, they split already. The lead singer Regine Fetet died of cancer in 2003 while the other members are still busy with creating music under different names. In 2012, we did an in depth interview with one of the members of the group Clive Pierce. To read the whole interview, follow the link.  Clive Pierce Interview

Instant Hit: Les Rita Mitsuoko- C'est Comme Ca

"C'est Comme Ça" was a big hit for the French group Les Rita Mitsouko in 1986. The single was released through Virgin Records and it was taken from their second album The No Comprendo which was produced by Tony Visconti. It remained as one of the biggest hits for Les Rita Mitsuoko. In 2007, Fred Chichin the original founding member died from cancer. 

Air-Pocket Symphony

Air are set to release the follow-up to 2004's Talkie Walkie on March 6 on Astralwerks. The record is titled Pocket Symphony, features artwork by contemporary artist Xavier Veilhan, and was recorded with Nigel Godrich over the last year and a half. Both Air members, Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel (aka Darkel), sing on the album, and Jarvis Cocker and the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon contribute vocals as well.