Marco Tulio Thrash and Debbie D a.k.a Filter Queen will face off to the sound of "Drive to Glory Hole" for this Sunday's Open Mic Night at the 'Pop In' club, rue Amelot, Paris.
Marco Tulio Thrash et Debbie D a.k.a Filter Queen s'affronteront sur le son de "Drive to Glory Hole" le dimanche 11 Sep. à la soirée Open Mic au 'Pop In', rue Amelot, 11e (Métro: St Sébastien-Froissart)
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Troubadours and Airheads - Benicassim Festival
6th August - Day 3
Devendra Banhart and his acolytes... oh what joy! From the commune-like stage-sharing to the subtle variations in pace and style make this thorougly enjoyable. There is enough folk-stomp to get our feet tapping but also the requisite acoustic slot midway. However Devendra does not drag on and places his songs in context with brief explanations in his lilting South-American accent. These anecdotes create a narrative that weaves around all the songs. Devendra Banhart's success is not down necessarily to his musical prowess but the way in which he manages to flesh out his songs in his own reality. His appearance at Benicassim heightens the aforementioned reality, furthering the myth and making him an artistic and popular success.
Xiu Xiu were up next in my to-see list. A little too experimental, their show veered from understated melody to overstated harshness for no visible reason. On top of that the pair spent much of their time hidden behind their instruments, this became quickly frustrating.
Kings of Convenience played a polite and polished set which I savoured from the touchlines. Certain sounds and rhythms were surprisingly jazzy verging on funky without ever losing the muted tension from their fingerpicked guitars.
!!! were certainly much more danceable but sadly their set suffered the same fate as Peaches'. Namely, the bass frequencies were turned up ridiculously loud and as a result all of the rapturous cowbells and rhythmic intricacy were drowned out. Thankfully, the frontman's didactic presence saved the day to some extent.
Ladytron were the huge dissappointment of the day. Helen and Mia were dressed in a awful dress and jewellery which seems to eschew any synthpop tension of their early shows. The overall impression was that they were breezing through to go to bed early. Diametrically opposed to Devendra Banhart, this is a band who are quickly losing their mystique. They are no longer "Showroom Dummies".
Devendra Banhart and his acolytes... oh what joy! From the commune-like stage-sharing to the subtle variations in pace and style make this thorougly enjoyable. There is enough folk-stomp to get our feet tapping but also the requisite acoustic slot midway. However Devendra does not drag on and places his songs in context with brief explanations in his lilting South-American accent. These anecdotes create a narrative that weaves around all the songs. Devendra Banhart's success is not down necessarily to his musical prowess but the way in which he manages to flesh out his songs in his own reality. His appearance at Benicassim heightens the aforementioned reality, furthering the myth and making him an artistic and popular success.
Xiu Xiu were up next in my to-see list. A little too experimental, their show veered from understated melody to overstated harshness for no visible reason. On top of that the pair spent much of their time hidden behind their instruments, this became quickly frustrating.
Kings of Convenience played a polite and polished set which I savoured from the touchlines. Certain sounds and rhythms were surprisingly jazzy verging on funky without ever losing the muted tension from their fingerpicked guitars.
!!! were certainly much more danceable but sadly their set suffered the same fate as Peaches'. Namely, the bass frequencies were turned up ridiculously loud and as a result all of the rapturous cowbells and rhythmic intricacy were drowned out. Thankfully, the frontman's didactic presence saved the day to some extent.
Ladytron were the huge dissappointment of the day. Helen and Mia were dressed in a awful dress and jewellery which seems to eschew any synthpop tension of their early shows. The overall impression was that they were breezing through to go to bed early. Diametrically opposed to Devendra Banhart, this is a band who are quickly losing their mystique. They are no longer "Showroom Dummies".
Monday, September 05, 2005
Not on tape
Tchernobyl Disco
written by Marco Tulio Thrash
If I told you my heart was radioactive,
Would you stay w/ me today?
If I told you my heart was poisoned,
Would you stay w/ me today?
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Slow not cold,
Staring TV screens.
Cordon me off, I'm a lost cause.
Easy not sleazy,
Reading magazines.
Cordon me off, I'm a lost cause.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Decomission me...useless.
Decomission me...fallout.
Decomission me...useless.
Decomission me...fallout.
Draw a graph, you'll see the future.
I'm detrimental not instrumental.
Draw a graph, you'll see the future
I'm obsolete and incomplete.
as performed by yours truly at the 'Pop In' Club last night.
written by Marco Tulio Thrash
If I told you my heart was radioactive,
Would you stay w/ me today?
If I told you my heart was poisoned,
Would you stay w/ me today?
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Slow not cold,
Staring TV screens.
Cordon me off, I'm a lost cause.
Easy not sleazy,
Reading magazines.
Cordon me off, I'm a lost cause.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Tchernobyl Disco
Come and dance w/ me.
Decomission me...useless.
Decomission me...fallout.
Decomission me...useless.
Decomission me...fallout.
Draw a graph, you'll see the future.
I'm detrimental not instrumental.
Draw a graph, you'll see the future
I'm obsolete and incomplete.
as performed by yours truly at the 'Pop In' Club last night.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Fallout
Marco Tulio Thrash will sing-along to Tchernobyl Disco for the Sunday Open Mic Night at the 'Pop In' club, rue Amelot, Paris.
Marco Tulio Thrash chantera son Tchernobyl Disco le dimanche 4 Sep. à la soirée Open Mic au 'Pop In', rue Amelot, 11e (Métro: St Sébastien-Froissart)
Marco Tulio Thrash chantera son Tchernobyl Disco le dimanche 4 Sep. à la soirée Open Mic au 'Pop In', rue Amelot, 11e (Métro: St Sébastien-Froissart)
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Transposition (Corrigé)
Soon my bedroom will be laid out in the lounge. This redistribution of space is in aid of helping me get me round my things.
The photograph below does not depict neither my room or the lounge. It's a shot of a random kitchen. We'll just have to get used to it.
En quelques heures, ma chambre sera étalé dans la salle de séjour. Cette rédistribution spatiale m'aidera à raisonner autour de ces piles de choses.
Cette photo ne montre ni ma chambre ni le salon. En fait c'est une prise d'une cuisine au hasard. On fait avec.
The photograph below does not depict neither my room or the lounge. It's a shot of a random kitchen. We'll just have to get used to it.
En quelques heures, ma chambre sera étalé dans la salle de séjour. Cette rédistribution spatiale m'aidera à raisonner autour de ces piles de choses.
Cette photo ne montre ni ma chambre ni le salon. En fait c'est une prise d'une cuisine au hasard. On fait avec.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Slack
I was thinking about Richard Linklater's infamous debut and the fear of losing clarity and resolve through experimentation.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Barry Lyndon and The Ducks - Benicassim Festival
5th August - Day 2
We begin the day the day with Les Très Bien Ensemble signed to that bastion of indie cool that is Elefant Records. Sadly, beyond the fact that the guitarist has the same guitar as me, I don't really find any common ground. They play a sophisticated brand of gallicised pop, which although is not entirely objectionable, doesn't really capture the hearts of the crowd. They fail to make the stage their own.
The Kills (above)...hip-shaking...pouting guitarist who used to be in Scarfo...hair is in the face...basic beats...plentiful smoke machine. It's complete and fulfilling.
Lemon Jelly plunder their jolly debut e.p for this set to bring back some of the sampled goofiness of British pre-millenial beats and breaks scene.
Fischerspooner take the stage and remind us exactly why we left that beats and breaks guff behind. New album...new show. Keen to dispense the empty pomp and promises of their first album, Casey has regrouped with a tight traditional band set-up. Thus taking the show to a wider audience. Fret thee not however as costume changes and the camp theatrics are all left in there intact.
Only two tracks remain from the debut, rather pragmatically it's the two singles. Following that line of thinking, Casey also perversely thanks the main sponsor of the festival several times, knowing that he will probably be the only one to do so over the next few days.
Emerge is falsely introduced as a new 'secret' song called Peanut Butter Express. However it is played without interruption or modifications. It seems that Casey has finally relented to the whims of the audience. The mid-song interruption has now become obligatory and Casey executes it in a self-conscious and exhausted manner, almost as a mea culpa for past excesses.
In fact that is what the show feels like, tighter, more commercial, a sexy guitarist, playing the second stage like any other band, pop songs... a search for redemption.
Peaches does not cut the mustard, however. Projected dancers?! come on, since when was Lust subjected to budget cuts? Give me my daily ration of flesh, you bitch!
We begin the day the day with Les Très Bien Ensemble signed to that bastion of indie cool that is Elefant Records. Sadly, beyond the fact that the guitarist has the same guitar as me, I don't really find any common ground. They play a sophisticated brand of gallicised pop, which although is not entirely objectionable, doesn't really capture the hearts of the crowd. They fail to make the stage their own.
The Kills (above)...hip-shaking...pouting guitarist who used to be in Scarfo...hair is in the face...basic beats...plentiful smoke machine. It's complete and fulfilling.
Lemon Jelly plunder their jolly debut e.p for this set to bring back some of the sampled goofiness of British pre-millenial beats and breaks scene.
Fischerspooner take the stage and remind us exactly why we left that beats and breaks guff behind. New album...new show. Keen to dispense the empty pomp and promises of their first album, Casey has regrouped with a tight traditional band set-up. Thus taking the show to a wider audience. Fret thee not however as costume changes and the camp theatrics are all left in there intact.
Only two tracks remain from the debut, rather pragmatically it's the two singles. Following that line of thinking, Casey also perversely thanks the main sponsor of the festival several times, knowing that he will probably be the only one to do so over the next few days.
Emerge is falsely introduced as a new 'secret' song called Peanut Butter Express. However it is played without interruption or modifications. It seems that Casey has finally relented to the whims of the audience. The mid-song interruption has now become obligatory and Casey executes it in a self-conscious and exhausted manner, almost as a mea culpa for past excesses.
In fact that is what the show feels like, tighter, more commercial, a sexy guitarist, playing the second stage like any other band, pop songs... a search for redemption.
Peaches does not cut the mustard, however. Projected dancers?! come on, since when was Lust subjected to budget cuts? Give me my daily ration of flesh, you bitch!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
5 Questions - Fischerspooner Press Conference
He threatened to tell us his life story if we didn't ask questions.
Il nous a menacé de nous expliquer l'histoire de sa vie si on ne lui posait pas de questions.
Transcript coming, if and when I manage to transcribe the words mingling with the illbient buzz of my dictaphone.
La transcription arrivera si je peux détacher ses mots du bruit entourant.
Jaume S from the Press Office in Benicassim.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Sweat User - Benicassim Festival (Updated)
4th August - Day 1
After a dry landing and somehow succesfully getting through the heavily congested spanish rail network, DD and I arrived onsite around 10p.m. Bear in mind that we set off at 5a.m.
Polyphonic Spree (Escenario Verde)
They breed like blue rabbits. Some of them at their instruments, others in formation providing the happy chorus. It´s a musical ark, with a harp (which reminds me of Mansfield Park) and a theremin for the greatest delight. Needless to say, harmonies soar effortlessly. They begin with some new tracks, which somewhat trade off the stadium-musical drama of their debut for something tighter and more poignant.
The danger with such an enterprise is reaching a point of sensory saturation where they lose the audience. However classics like 'Soldier Girl' stop this from being a real problem. The flute player on that track has real ball with the intro. However one thing kept nagging DD and me throughout the concert: How the hell did they keep their robes so clean? Do they bring a launderette team on tour.
Jaume S from the Press Office in Benicassim.
After a dry landing and somehow succesfully getting through the heavily congested spanish rail network, DD and I arrived onsite around 10p.m. Bear in mind that we set off at 5a.m.
Polyphonic Spree (Escenario Verde)
They breed like blue rabbits. Some of them at their instruments, others in formation providing the happy chorus. It´s a musical ark, with a harp (which reminds me of Mansfield Park) and a theremin for the greatest delight. Needless to say, harmonies soar effortlessly. They begin with some new tracks, which somewhat trade off the stadium-musical drama of their debut for something tighter and more poignant.
The danger with such an enterprise is reaching a point of sensory saturation where they lose the audience. However classics like 'Soldier Girl' stop this from being a real problem. The flute player on that track has real ball with the intro. However one thing kept nagging DD and me throughout the concert: How the hell did they keep their robes so clean? Do they bring a launderette team on tour.
Jaume S from the Press Office in Benicassim.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
4-Dayer 4-Player
The crowd in the sun will observe the game in progress.
Les gens au soleil observeront le jeu sur scène.
I was thankfully not actually airborne.
Ceci n'est pas le prélude d'une catastrophe.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Retrospective Slack
I was thinking about Richard Linklater's infamed debut and the fear of loosing clarity or resolve through experimentation.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Heady Sounds - Hedi Slimane Birthday Part II
To read part 1 (click here)
Pour lire la première partie (cliquez ici)
3a.m Eternal Blue Monday is blaring out at the front. I'm in the little red dressing room. Someone passed out on the couch. Though, amazingly, he still manages to tap his toes to the beat.
People come in and out, harsh dust hacked in lungs, two well-buff swedish blondes, black leather abound.
The Moët and my medication finally come together... feel the wrath.
La rythmique brute de Blue Monday traverse même les murs. Il est trois heures du matin et je suis dans les coulisses rouges du Triptyque. Quelqu'un s'est étendu sur le canapé dans un sommeil comatose, cependant le rythme s'invite même dans sa léthargie profonde.
Les gens vont et viennent, une poussière sans répit s'élève dans l'air, deux blonds suédois parlent à gorgée, le cuir noir abonde.
Le Moët et ma médication se vengent finalement en un coup double.
Cazals played a very tight set in every respect, igniting the audience at every song. Backstage, once the congratulations subsided and everyone hit the bar, they stayed there to discuss the gig in minute detail. I dared not twitch lest I disturbed their inquiry.
Cazals ont joué sous haute tension, électrifiant l'audience entière à chaque morceau. Dans les coulisses, une fois les félicitations se sont terminées et que tout le monde est parti au bar, ils restent pour analyser le concert dans la minutie. Je restais immobile pour ne pas importuner leur discussion.
Before the doors opened not much was happening and I had lost Sean. Marv Paddington invited me to come over to the tour bus. On the way there, he spoke about how Josh Paddingon seemed to have inspired Hedi Slimane's penchant for breeches in his latest collection.
Avant que les portes ne s'ouvrirent rien ne se passait de trop, et en plus j'avais perdu Sean de vue. Marv des Paddingtons m'invita à le rejoindre dans le bus. En y allant, il me parla de comment Josh Paddington aurait été une influence silencieuse dans le penchant pour les bretelles que Hedi Slimane semble démontrer dans sa dernière collection.
This is a picture of Lloyd and Marv Paddington taken after getting back from the tourbus. Lloyd recounted an anecdote about a mad italian photographer who had not approved of his yellow Buzzcocks top. Then Grant arrived and the conversation turned to Hull. Grant is the most Falstaffian member of all The Paddingtons.
Une photo de Lloyd et Marv prise à mon retour. Lloyd nous parla de ce photographe fou qui n'avait pas trop aimé son t-shirt des Buzzcocks. Alors Grant arriva et la conversation se tourna vers leur ville natale: Hull. Grant est le membre le plus Falstaff-esque des Paddingtons.
The Paddingtons played louder than a brickwall. Josh and his 'inspiring' breeches are on the left and Tom is clutching the mike.
Le Paddingtons ont joué plus fort qu'un mur de briques. Josh et ses bretelles 'inspirationelles' sont sur la gauche et Tom est au micro.
I had no use for their upper-bodies: Josh and Marv. Fender and Gibson respectively parallel. I leave the next thought to your own judgement.
Je voulais que capturer leur guitares paralleles: Josh et Marv. Fender et Gibson. A vous le choix.
The strobe lights were harsh, the riffs pent up and the crowd wanted a riot.
Champagne was regularly flying into my direction, so I turned around with mingled irritation to catch the culprit in flagranti.*
Les strobes étaient sans patience, les riffs ne pouvaient plus se contenir et l'audience désirait une massacre.
Des flots champagne finissait sur ma tête à rythme soutenu, donc je me suis tourné avec une curiosité mélangé d'une pointe d'irritation et j'ai surpris le suspect dans l'acte.*
If ever Pete decides to retire may be he could move into cinema and thus slingle-handedly resurrect Hammer horror and that rarest of species: the British genre movie.
I should interject: I am not one of those people that squabbles for Pete Doherty's water bottle on the slimy floor of a London pub.
I thought I would take a couple more photographs being rather impressed by his stature. After the second shot, I checked the framing on the preview screen and I realised that I had unwittingly sliced Kate Moss in half.
Si jamais Pete décide de changer de trajectoire il pourrait très bien avec sa carrure réanimer le film d'horreur anglais dans le style formaliste des productions Hammer.
Je m'interrompt: Je ne suis pas un de ces gens qui collectionnent les bouteilles d'eau de Pete Doherty après son concert dans encore un autre pub Londonien.
Impressionné par sa carrure, j'ai pensé à prendre deux autres prises de Pete. Après la deuxième prise je me suis rendu compte que j'avais coupé Kate Moss en deux.
Once onstage the crowd went crazy and it was push come to shove. A moshpit was in formation and I was in the damn middle of it, shit it.
I felt something between my legs as I was lining up my next frame. I looked down for a second...Kate Moss was crouching between my feet.
I tried to make her some space but to little avail as bodies piled forth. Pete sang a couple of songs with the Paddingtons including an impromptu Happy Birthday. Once that was over a pair of arms slid over my shoulders to rescue the moshpit lady herself. I turned around and the knight in shining armour was one of the Pet Shop Boys.
Une fois sur scène, la foule a perdu son calme et c'est devenu une question pousser, tirer. Un monstre était en gestation et j’étais au milieu...argh!!
J'ai senti quelque chose effleurer mes jambes à même temps que j'avais ma prochaine prise dans le champ de mire. J'ai regardé et j'avais Kate Moss entre mes pieds, Pete Doherty devant moi et les bras des Pet Shop Boys à la rescousse de la madone du 'moshpit' derrière moi. Bref, je me sentais violé par la célébrité.
I thought it would be polite to bring a gift so I made a homebrewed compilation. However even on his birthday, Hedi Slimane remained relatively self-effacing and over the few words we exchanged he appeared thankful.
The compilation included (unless I messed up the tracklist): The Fever, The Chap, Ima Robot (thanks DD), Liquid Liquid, Basil Poledouris (Cherry 2000), Virna Lindt (Thanks MPB), Le Club des Chats and Lawrence Wasser.
Once that was done I returned to the little red dressing room and collapsed there for a bit.
J'ai pensé que cela représenterait un minimum de politesse d'apporter un cadeau. Donc j'ai regroupé quelques pépites auditives (voir au-dessus) pour Hedi Slimane. Même à son anniversaire il restait enveloppé d'un calme discret. A travers les quelques mots échangés, j'ai eu l'impression qu'il était reconnaissant de ce CD fait-maison.
4.30p.m What time is love? The washed up dj is playing The Verve and Placebo... it's time to go.
Outside on the dewy tarmac and vacant streets I bump into E. and his Ruskin friend again and we repair to their two star hotel before dawn breaks.
Le Dj a moitié endormi joue Placebo et The Verve... c'est l'heure.
Dehors sur les rues rosées, je retrouve une ancienne connaissance et je le rejoints dans son hôtel avant que le soleil vienne casser tout.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks and Hello to Sean, Cazals, The Paddingtons, Goatie, Edward, Maarkel, the two Swedish English guys and Hedi Slimane.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pour lire la première partie (cliquez ici)
3a.m Eternal Blue Monday is blaring out at the front. I'm in the little red dressing room. Someone passed out on the couch. Though, amazingly, he still manages to tap his toes to the beat.
People come in and out, harsh dust hacked in lungs, two well-buff swedish blondes, black leather abound.
The Moët and my medication finally come together... feel the wrath.
La rythmique brute de Blue Monday traverse même les murs. Il est trois heures du matin et je suis dans les coulisses rouges du Triptyque. Quelqu'un s'est étendu sur le canapé dans un sommeil comatose, cependant le rythme s'invite même dans sa léthargie profonde.
Les gens vont et viennent, une poussière sans répit s'élève dans l'air, deux blonds suédois parlent à gorgée, le cuir noir abonde.
Le Moët et ma médication se vengent finalement en un coup double.
Cazals played a very tight set in every respect, igniting the audience at every song. Backstage, once the congratulations subsided and everyone hit the bar, they stayed there to discuss the gig in minute detail. I dared not twitch lest I disturbed their inquiry.
Cazals ont joué sous haute tension, électrifiant l'audience entière à chaque morceau. Dans les coulisses, une fois les félicitations se sont terminées et que tout le monde est parti au bar, ils restent pour analyser le concert dans la minutie. Je restais immobile pour ne pas importuner leur discussion.
Before the doors opened not much was happening and I had lost Sean. Marv Paddington invited me to come over to the tour bus. On the way there, he spoke about how Josh Paddingon seemed to have inspired Hedi Slimane's penchant for breeches in his latest collection.
Avant que les portes ne s'ouvrirent rien ne se passait de trop, et en plus j'avais perdu Sean de vue. Marv des Paddingtons m'invita à le rejoindre dans le bus. En y allant, il me parla de comment Josh Paddington aurait été une influence silencieuse dans le penchant pour les bretelles que Hedi Slimane semble démontrer dans sa dernière collection.
This is a picture of Lloyd and Marv Paddington taken after getting back from the tourbus. Lloyd recounted an anecdote about a mad italian photographer who had not approved of his yellow Buzzcocks top. Then Grant arrived and the conversation turned to Hull. Grant is the most Falstaffian member of all The Paddingtons.
Une photo de Lloyd et Marv prise à mon retour. Lloyd nous parla de ce photographe fou qui n'avait pas trop aimé son t-shirt des Buzzcocks. Alors Grant arriva et la conversation se tourna vers leur ville natale: Hull. Grant est le membre le plus Falstaff-esque des Paddingtons.
The Paddingtons played louder than a brickwall. Josh and his 'inspiring' breeches are on the left and Tom is clutching the mike.
Le Paddingtons ont joué plus fort qu'un mur de briques. Josh et ses bretelles 'inspirationelles' sont sur la gauche et Tom est au micro.
I had no use for their upper-bodies: Josh and Marv. Fender and Gibson respectively parallel. I leave the next thought to your own judgement.
Je voulais que capturer leur guitares paralleles: Josh et Marv. Fender et Gibson. A vous le choix.
The strobe lights were harsh, the riffs pent up and the crowd wanted a riot.
Champagne was regularly flying into my direction, so I turned around with mingled irritation to catch the culprit in flagranti.*
Les strobes étaient sans patience, les riffs ne pouvaient plus se contenir et l'audience désirait une massacre.
Des flots champagne finissait sur ma tête à rythme soutenu, donc je me suis tourné avec une curiosité mélangé d'une pointe d'irritation et j'ai surpris le suspect dans l'acte.*
If ever Pete decides to retire may be he could move into cinema and thus slingle-handedly resurrect Hammer horror and that rarest of species: the British genre movie.
I should interject: I am not one of those people that squabbles for Pete Doherty's water bottle on the slimy floor of a London pub.
I thought I would take a couple more photographs being rather impressed by his stature. After the second shot, I checked the framing on the preview screen and I realised that I had unwittingly sliced Kate Moss in half.
Si jamais Pete décide de changer de trajectoire il pourrait très bien avec sa carrure réanimer le film d'horreur anglais dans le style formaliste des productions Hammer.
Je m'interrompt: Je ne suis pas un de ces gens qui collectionnent les bouteilles d'eau de Pete Doherty après son concert dans encore un autre pub Londonien.
Impressionné par sa carrure, j'ai pensé à prendre deux autres prises de Pete. Après la deuxième prise je me suis rendu compte que j'avais coupé Kate Moss en deux.
Once onstage the crowd went crazy and it was push come to shove. A moshpit was in formation and I was in the damn middle of it, shit it.
I felt something between my legs as I was lining up my next frame. I looked down for a second...Kate Moss was crouching between my feet.
I tried to make her some space but to little avail as bodies piled forth. Pete sang a couple of songs with the Paddingtons including an impromptu Happy Birthday. Once that was over a pair of arms slid over my shoulders to rescue the moshpit lady herself. I turned around and the knight in shining armour was one of the Pet Shop Boys.
Une fois sur scène, la foule a perdu son calme et c'est devenu une question pousser, tirer. Un monstre était en gestation et j’étais au milieu...argh!!
J'ai senti quelque chose effleurer mes jambes à même temps que j'avais ma prochaine prise dans le champ de mire. J'ai regardé et j'avais Kate Moss entre mes pieds, Pete Doherty devant moi et les bras des Pet Shop Boys à la rescousse de la madone du 'moshpit' derrière moi. Bref, je me sentais violé par la célébrité.
I thought it would be polite to bring a gift so I made a homebrewed compilation. However even on his birthday, Hedi Slimane remained relatively self-effacing and over the few words we exchanged he appeared thankful.
The compilation included (unless I messed up the tracklist): The Fever, The Chap, Ima Robot (thanks DD), Liquid Liquid, Basil Poledouris (Cherry 2000), Virna Lindt (Thanks MPB), Le Club des Chats and Lawrence Wasser.
Once that was done I returned to the little red dressing room and collapsed there for a bit.
J'ai pensé que cela représenterait un minimum de politesse d'apporter un cadeau. Donc j'ai regroupé quelques pépites auditives (voir au-dessus) pour Hedi Slimane. Même à son anniversaire il restait enveloppé d'un calme discret. A travers les quelques mots échangés, j'ai eu l'impression qu'il était reconnaissant de ce CD fait-maison.
4.30p.m What time is love? The washed up dj is playing The Verve and Placebo... it's time to go.
Outside on the dewy tarmac and vacant streets I bump into E. and his Ruskin friend again and we repair to their two star hotel before dawn breaks.
Le Dj a moitié endormi joue Placebo et The Verve... c'est l'heure.
Dehors sur les rues rosées, je retrouve une ancienne connaissance et je le rejoints dans son hôtel avant que le soleil vienne casser tout.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks and Hello to Sean, Cazals, The Paddingtons, Goatie, Edward, Maarkel, the two Swedish English guys and Hedi Slimane.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Heady Sounds - Hedi Slimane Birthday Part I
Hedi Slimane's Birthday, Triptyque, Paris, 05-07-05
with: Cazals, The Paddingtons, The Others, Alan McGee and a special appearance from Pete Doherty
9p.m Dan and Luca Cazal, a Paddington guitarist, a pirate and an A&R bloke in the background (who kept wittering on about 'Chromeo's distribution') .
Dan et Luca des Cazals, un guitariste des Paddingtons, un pirate et un mec de A&R au fond qui n'arrêtait pas de parler de Chromeo.
11p.m Beer and Moët open the proceedings... However due to medication, obligations and my quirky lawyers I could not fully partake in the intoxication.
La bière et le champagne se versent à volonté...cependant à cause de ma médication, mes obligations et mes avocats je suis obligé contre mon gré à faire appel à la modération.
1a.m Martin Cazal head over bass.
Martin Cazal sur la basse...et regardez moi ces chaussures.
1.33a.m This picture takes on a complete different meaning when viewed as a portrait. Cazals went down really well with everyone present...
Cette image prend une toute differente allure quand on la visionne au format portrait.
Furthered and expanded upon with sordid details from onstage and backstage in Part 2 available now(click here)...(cliquez ici pour la deuxième partie)
with: Cazals, The Paddingtons, The Others, Alan McGee and a special appearance from Pete Doherty
9p.m Dan and Luca Cazal, a Paddington guitarist, a pirate and an A&R bloke in the background (who kept wittering on about 'Chromeo's distribution') .
Dan et Luca des Cazals, un guitariste des Paddingtons, un pirate et un mec de A&R au fond qui n'arrêtait pas de parler de Chromeo.
11p.m Beer and Moët open the proceedings... However due to medication, obligations and my quirky lawyers I could not fully partake in the intoxication.
La bière et le champagne se versent à volonté...cependant à cause de ma médication, mes obligations et mes avocats je suis obligé contre mon gré à faire appel à la modération.
1a.m Martin Cazal head over bass.
Martin Cazal sur la basse...et regardez moi ces chaussures.
1:12a.m "What is more important?" I argued with my camera's focussing priority circuits "the fucking microphone or Phil Cazal?"
Je m'engueule avec mon appareil photo: "Qu'est-ce qui est plus important le micro ou Phil?"
1.33a.m This picture takes on a complete different meaning when viewed as a portrait. Cazals went down really well with everyone present...
Cette image prend une toute differente allure quand on la visionne au format portrait.
Furthered and expanded upon with sordid details from onstage and backstage in Part 2 available now(click here)...(cliquez ici pour la deuxième partie)
Monday, July 18, 2005
The Cool Cats crash Standard Party
This is rather overdue I'm afraid. Apologies to everyone especially FNY.
Ceci est très en retard. Excuses à tous spécifiquement à FNY.
Maïa (axe) and Guillaume (drums) from Le Club des Chats. Check out their seductive purrs.
Maïa (guitare) and Guillaume (batterie) from Le Club des Chats. Ecoutez leur ronronnements punk-séductifs.
Let's stop using the slo-flash now...
Arrêtons d'utiliser le slo-flash...
Standard is a rather fine magazine... check out FNY's log for more more info.
Standard est un magazine très classieux... voir le site de FNY pour plus d'infos.
It was wonderful to finally meet the mysterious FNY and to bump into Le Club des Chats again (these cats are party hard!) and Hendrik whom I also constantly bump into.
C'était un plaisir de rencontrer finalement la mystérieuse FNY et de retrouver Le Club des Chats (c'est des chats très nocturnes) et de recroiser Hendrik.
Ceci est très en retard. Excuses à tous spécifiquement à FNY.
Maïa (axe) and Guillaume (drums) from Le Club des Chats. Check out their seductive purrs.
Maïa (guitare) and Guillaume (batterie) from Le Club des Chats. Ecoutez leur ronronnements punk-séductifs.
Let's stop using the slo-flash now...
Arrêtons d'utiliser le slo-flash...
Standard is a rather fine magazine... check out FNY's log for more more info.
Standard est un magazine très classieux... voir le site de FNY pour plus d'infos.
It was wonderful to finally meet the mysterious FNY and to bump into Le Club des Chats again (these cats are party hard!) and Hendrik whom I also constantly bump into.
C'était un plaisir de rencontrer finalement la mystérieuse FNY et de retrouver Le Club des Chats (c'est des chats très nocturnes) et de recroiser Hendrik.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Overdue Holidays
Rural 8-bit.
8-bit rural.
Compartment Bliss.
Intimité contre Vitesse.
=====================================
Merci à G. pour ce weekend loin des Supermarchés
=====================================
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
No Landing Problems (corrigé)
Faint but insidious ambient tones accompany me down the corridor. I make for the lifts. I await for the lift doors to close in order to escape these deceptively soporific sounds. To no avail, as the sound continues inside the lift. Only in the street do I exit the suspended animation.
Des tonalités fades mais insidieuses m'accompagnent tout le long du couloir vers les ascenseurs. J'attend que les portes de l'ascenseur se ferment pour pouvoir échapper ces sons léthargiques. Mais c'est inutile, la musique continue sans effort dans l'ascenseur. Seulement une fois sur le trotoir, le bruit de rue me réveille.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Lawrence Wasser avale Paris sans même ouvrir la bouche (corrigé)
Lawrence Wasser jouent le Point FMR le 9 juillet 2005
Avant eux, un groupe à chanteuse chantait devant des gens qui ne savaient pas pour quoi ils étaient là exactement. Ne pouvant plus supporter les 'warblings' proprets de la chanteuse et les guitares soporifiques à chier, j'ai parachuté d'urgence.
Au rétour, le malaise musical parisien avait disparu. En lieu, la cage à radiateur, la parabole orange et le Korg Poly (je suppose) annonçait Lawrence Wasser. Poseurs parisiens... run for your worthless ennui! ou sinon Lawrence Wasser pulvérisera toutes vos franges avec leur primo-disco.
Lawrence, Gratschen, J-D et al. ne montent pas sur scène, ils apparaissent. Lawrence avec un pull à paillettes sliver et des chaussures laqués noires et blanches. Le guitariste en chemise-cravate couleur vieux sang et chaussettes noires, le bassiste avec pantalons courts et bottes armés et Gratschen en top à paillettes aussi et jupe.
Sans avertissement inutile ils s'élancent dans les guitares martiales et sans répit de "Out". C'est la troisième fois maintenant que je l'entends sur scène. La première fois à la Soundstation (Liège) cette chanson n'était qu'un bloc de ciment brut qui détronchait la foule entière. Plus tard aux Voûtes (Paris), le rythme était plus présent mais si tu dansais tu te déchirais au contact des guitares rasoir. Maintenant au Point FMR ils ont atteint l'impossible en attachant des détails à guitare et des rythmiques concrètes à côté de la bête principale.
"Cream" vient après et toujours si jouissif: course poursuite à guitare par des ruelles aux égouts fumants et aux briques noircies, freinages à cymbales remplissantes et c'est la basse qui est à leurs trousses !!
"The Cab" et "Ah!" se suivent je ne sais dans quel ordre... l'une toujours aussi 'high plains disco' avec ses harmoniques envolées et l'autre aussi mariachi avec son segment de délectation abrasive. "Ah!" c'est la première fois que je l'entends en vif et elle est parfaite comme un chien l'écume à la bouche prêt à me mordre.
Le synthé de Gratschen devient de plus en plus essentiel, non seulement pour les nappes tueuses mais là elle commence à l'utiliser très efficacement pour augmenter les rythmes avec des cris au filtre, non sans rappeler Les Georges Leningrad.
Ce soir nous avons été gâtés. Je crois qu'il y a eu au moins un morceau inédit et plusieurs déclinaisons entre les morceaux. Permettez moi d'expliquer cette dernière idée: Entre chansons LW ont l'habitude de reprendre certaines parties d'un morceau et de, par exemple, jouer la ligne principale sur la basse au lieu de la guitare ou de changer certains réflexes de rythme. Ces intermissions donnent aux concerts de Lawrence Wasser une vocation expérimentale et par conséquent une raison d’être en constante évolution.
Avant eux, un groupe à chanteuse chantait devant des gens qui ne savaient pas pour quoi ils étaient là exactement. Ne pouvant plus supporter les 'warblings' proprets de la chanteuse et les guitares soporifiques à chier, j'ai parachuté d'urgence.
Au rétour, le malaise musical parisien avait disparu. En lieu, la cage à radiateur, la parabole orange et le Korg Poly (je suppose) annonçait Lawrence Wasser. Poseurs parisiens... run for your worthless ennui! ou sinon Lawrence Wasser pulvérisera toutes vos franges avec leur primo-disco.
Lawrence, Gratschen, J-D et al. ne montent pas sur scène, ils apparaissent. Lawrence avec un pull à paillettes sliver et des chaussures laqués noires et blanches. Le guitariste en chemise-cravate couleur vieux sang et chaussettes noires, le bassiste avec pantalons courts et bottes armés et Gratschen en top à paillettes aussi et jupe.
Sans avertissement inutile ils s'élancent dans les guitares martiales et sans répit de "Out". C'est la troisième fois maintenant que je l'entends sur scène. La première fois à la Soundstation (Liège) cette chanson n'était qu'un bloc de ciment brut qui détronchait la foule entière. Plus tard aux Voûtes (Paris), le rythme était plus présent mais si tu dansais tu te déchirais au contact des guitares rasoir. Maintenant au Point FMR ils ont atteint l'impossible en attachant des détails à guitare et des rythmiques concrètes à côté de la bête principale.
"Cream" vient après et toujours si jouissif: course poursuite à guitare par des ruelles aux égouts fumants et aux briques noircies, freinages à cymbales remplissantes et c'est la basse qui est à leurs trousses !!
"The Cab" et "Ah!" se suivent je ne sais dans quel ordre... l'une toujours aussi 'high plains disco' avec ses harmoniques envolées et l'autre aussi mariachi avec son segment de délectation abrasive. "Ah!" c'est la première fois que je l'entends en vif et elle est parfaite comme un chien l'écume à la bouche prêt à me mordre.
Le synthé de Gratschen devient de plus en plus essentiel, non seulement pour les nappes tueuses mais là elle commence à l'utiliser très efficacement pour augmenter les rythmes avec des cris au filtre, non sans rappeler Les Georges Leningrad.
Ce soir nous avons été gâtés. Je crois qu'il y a eu au moins un morceau inédit et plusieurs déclinaisons entre les morceaux. Permettez moi d'expliquer cette dernière idée: Entre chansons LW ont l'habitude de reprendre certaines parties d'un morceau et de, par exemple, jouer la ligne principale sur la basse au lieu de la guitare ou de changer certains réflexes de rythme. Ces intermissions donnent aux concerts de Lawrence Wasser une vocation expérimentale et par conséquent une raison d’être en constante évolution.
Hair Stroke
More pictures and narrative from Hedi Slimane's Birthday Coming Soon.
Plus de détails et images de l'anniversaire de Hedi Slimane prochainement.
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