| Marsheaux | |
|---|---|
Marianthi & Sophie |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Synthpop, electropop |
| Years active | 2003-present |
| Labels | Undo Records, Out of Line |
| Website | www.myspace.com/marsheaux |
| Members | |
| Marianthi Melitsi Sophie Sarigiannidou |
|
Marsheaux is a Greek synthpop duo formed in Athens in 2003. The group is composed of vocalists, songwriters and keyboardists Marianthi Melitsi and Sophie Sarigiannidou. The name Marsheaux is derived from the first syllable of each band member's name.[1] Both members sing almost exclusively in English. Andy McCluskey of OMD said about this band: "I do have a soft spot for Marsheaux I have to say. They have a certain sort of wispy, melancholic charm".[2]
Contents |
Marianthi Melitsi and Sophie Sarigiannidou were born in Thessaloniki, Greece. In 2000, they moved to Athens and founded Marsheaux in 2003 to further their appreciation of electronic pop music.[1]
Marsheaux came to national prominence in Greece with their debut single, a cover of Gershon Kingsley's "Popcorn". The single received extensive air play in Greece and mainland Europe. They continued to gain international recognition for their remixes of "Will I Ever" by In Vox.
Now signed to Undo Records, Marsheaux released their debut album E-Bay Queen in June 2004.[3] The album played heavily on Marsheaux's stated influences of The Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, New Order, Yazoo and Depeche Mode. E-Bay Queen was critically well received internationally.
In December 2006, Undo Records released Sophie and Marianthi's follow up album Peekaboo.[4] The album included two covers, "Regret" by New Order and "The Promise" by When In Rome. The site Electronically Yours rated it "Album of the Year 2007".[5] The single "Hanging On" was released in 2007.
As well as recording original material, Marsheaux also remixed existing tracks of artists such as Moby, Depeche Mode, Sakis Rouvas, Gwen Stefani or Hurts.[6] In 2008, Marsheaux featured to the remix of the song "She's Leaving" by OMD.[7] They also issued the limited 7" vinyl "Ghost", which included the B-side "Bizarre Love Duo".
In July 2009, the band released their the third album, Lumineux Noir at Undo Records/Out of Line.[8] The album was issued in two versions: the Standard edition with 13 tracks and the Limited edition, including a bonus disc with remixes and a new song. According to the Side-Line magazine, it did not "bring an evolution in sound, but shows a growing maturity in song writing and production".[9] It is reminiscent of 1980s synthpop with tracks that have been compared to Ladytron,[9][10] The Chemical Brothers and Client.[10] Two singles supported the album: "Breakthrough" and "Summer".
In May 2011, Marsheaux released a new song, "Can You Stop Me?".[11]
Marsheaux performed live at various festivals including Infest, Pluswelt, Amphi[1] and Exit. The duo also have played support slots for OMD and Róisín Murphy in Greece, and Client in Germany.[1] Both band members have regular guest DJ slots in clubs in Athens.
As well as being vocalists, both musicians are skilled multi-instrumentalists. Marianthi plays Microkorg, Minimoog, Roland SH101, Speak & Math and Yamaha CS01. Sophie plays Microkorg, Korg MS-10, Roland Alpha Juno2, Akai AX80, and Roland CR-78.[12]