Inrocks Indie Club: Asobi Seksu, Manceau, Underground Railroad, Stal

Concert information

The monthly rock party at La Flèche d'Or received in April: Asobi Seksu, Underground Railroad, Manceau and STAL !

Asobi Seksu

Asobi Seksu is an American dream pop band based in New York City. Their music draws influence from the shoegazing genre as well, and similarly uses a textured and effects-heavy vocal and guitar sound. The band consists of Yuki Chikudate (vocals, keyboards) and James Hanna (guitar, vocals).
History
They were originally known as Sportfuck, and in 2001 released their first self-titled EP. Finding the name juvenile, the band soon changed their name to Asobi Seksu. Their full length self-titled debut album followed in May 2004. They regrouped with a new rhythm section for their second album, Citrus, which was recorded in Gigantic Studios, New York City, with producer Chris Zane and released in 2006 by Friendly Fire. One Little Indian Records signed the band in Europe and re-released the band's first album and the follow-up Citrus in 2007. In early 2009, the band released their third studio album Hush. The album was released to generally positive reviews, with many critics citing a shift in the band's shoegaze direction to a more mellow, dream pop sound.
In May 2009, Yuki Chikudate released a single with Pocket called "Sampo." The track included remixes by Mux Mool, Blue Eyes, and Craig Wedren. In November 2009, a tour-only CD retitled Rewolf, featuring newly recorded acoustic versions of the band's back catalog, was released worldwide.

more>>>

Manceau

It may seem easy on the surface. Nevertheless, Manceau’s pop music is shaped in a trompe-l’oeil style and discloses even more bold details every time you immerse yourself in it. “On a Mellow Day”, the band’s five-track EP, is a clear example of this. The album sounds like a small collection of melodies with false bottoms: happy but gloomy, colored but pastel, ornate but fixed. Since the summer of 2008, these four craftsmen have been questing for the perfect arrangement in their way of composing a demanding music that has to touch anyone (including pop addicts overseas since this first effort has recently drawn increasing enthusiasm in Japan).

Even if they’re crazy about pop culture in a broad meaning (music, cinema, plastic arts), Julien Vignon, Vincent Roux, Samuel Chapelain and François Lemercier can’t be summed up as unimaginative torturers. Not only sat on the shoulders of giants (from Colin Blunstone to Prince), their songwriting is also tinged with the same savoir-faire of younger goldsmiths as Sufjan Stevens, Phoenix or Vampire week end .The band is now building a case with soul and electro tools for their delicate melodies: definitely far from eventless pop highways.

On stage, Manceau succeeds perfectly in mixing that groovy soul-music lightness and more exhilarating tough rhythms. This is a kind of infusion who’s been tasted and approved by audiences of famous french venues (L’Aéronef, le Réservoir, le VIP, l’International, l’Olympic ) since a little over a year. Last but not least, Rennes Trans Musicales festival widely revealed their alchemy in 2010.

more>>>

Underground Railroad

Formed in 2003 in Paris and relocating to London in 2005, Underground Railroad released their debut album ‘Twisted Trees’ on One Little Indian in the summer of 02007 – a ferocious squall of a record crystallising the band’s love for post-punk and New York’s No Wave scene, it won them a passionate following through its wholly uncompromising nature.

Drummer Raphael Mura, guitarist Marion Andrau (who both take lead vocal duties) and bassist/backing vocalist JB Ganivet return in the latter half of 2008 with ‘Sticks and Stones’, a new album that smoothes over the jagged edges of their debut, imbuing upon them a strong melodic drive, without losing a trace of the band’s trademark integrity.
NME described it as 'The alternative album of 2008'. The band embarked on several UK and European tours.

A spectacular live show is long part of the band’s appeal, Mura’s presence behind the drum kit magisterial and Andrau’s vocals captivating.

more>>>

STAL

Born and raised in the south of France, Pierre-Marie Maulini played in different bands before he met M83's frontman Anthony Gonzales. It didn't take them long to become friends and Anthony soon asked him to join the band on tour for the release of their fifth album "Saturday = Youth". They spent almost 2 years traveliing around the world, opening for bands such as Kings OF Leon in the UK or Midnight Juggernauts in Australia, and of course headlining sold out shows all over America! Back home, enthrilled by this experience, Pierre-Marie decided it was time for him to lead his own project and started STAL. Recording bedroom demos first, then moving to Ireland for a while where Patrick Walsh (sound engineer for M83) helped him developp his keyboard and synthesizer knowledge and skills. The first demos started spreading in 2010, they defined Stal's sound as epic with a strong rock energy but also a touch of electronica and even ambient. STAL is the word for steel in many languages. It evoques the coldness of machines and modern industrial life. But behind this cold varnish Stal's music reveals itself as harmonious, luminous and somehow exhilarating, its lyrics speaking of the true and simple happiness one can find in life, love and hope.

more>>>

Label

Nothing to display. Send info to content@grandcrew.com to suggest what should go here.

Venue

Flèche d'Or

In the very heart of the Saint Blaise area, la Flèche d Or is one of the most wicked venues in town. Come in a crazy post-industrial atmosphere to enjoy baroque pop, noise-rock or any-kind-of-rock concerts ! Cool people, cool sounds and cool stage, what else ? A free wi-fi access and an incredible glass-covered restaurant with a direct sight on the old railways Sweet !

more>>>

Promoter

Alias Production

Un des plus grands promoteurs-organisateurs de concerts en France. On trouve dans leur roster à la fois The Cure, Gorillaz, Nick Cave, Yeasayer, Peter Doherty ou bien Florence & The Machine, Gossip, Franz Ferdinand...
Alias est résolument tourné vers les groupes à guitares électriques et gros amplis, rock on !

more>>>