François & the Atlas Mountains
| François & the Atlas Mountains | |
|---|---|
 François & the Atlas Mountains performing in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Bristol, England |
| Genres | Indie pop, indie folk, afrobeat |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Fence, Domino |
| Associated acts | Camera Obscura, Babe, Petit Fantôme, Archipel, Jaune! |
| Website |
www |
François & the Atlas Mountains are a French/British pop group, combining indie pop, folk pop, and African rhythms.
History
The band is led by Brussels-based French musician François Marry, who has also been a touring member of Camera Obscura. Other members also play in Petit Fantôme, Jaune!, Archipel and Babe.[1] After growing up in Saintes, and studying at La Rochelle, Marry relocated to Bristol in 2003.[2][3]
The band's first album was the mostly live The People To Forget, released in 2006 on Bristol's micro label Stitch-Stitch .
The band's second album, Plaine Inondable, was released in 2009 on Fence Records in the UK and on Talitres in France to critical acclaim, receiving a four star review from The Scotsman.[4]
The band's third album, E Volo Love, was released in 2012, and was also positively received, with The Skinny writer Chris Buckle giving it four stars out of five and describing it as "unabashedly romantic...a study in understatement delivered with finesse", and Simon Price in The Independent decsribing it as "gentle indie-pop jangle with echoes of Afropop".[5][6] The album received a 7/10 rating from the NME.[7]
Marry has also released several lo-fi tapes and records.
Musical style
The band's music incorporates French and English lyrics, with African rhythms, with Malian rhythms and highlife identified by reviewers.[8][9][10] Marry's vocals have been described as "appealingly weedy", with a comparison made to Peter Perrett.[6]
Discography
Albums
- The People To Forget (2006), Stitch-Stitch
- Plaine Inondable (2009), Fence/Talitres
- E Volo Love (2012), Domino
- Piano Ombre (2014), Domino
EPs
- Brother (2007), Lejos Discos
- Her River Raves Recollections (2009), Stitch-Stitch
Singles
- "Piscine" (2011), Domino
- "Les Plus Beaux" (2012), Domino
- "Gold Mountain" (2012), Domino - split single with Slow Club, released for Record Store Day
- "Edge of Town" (2012), Domino
Frànçois solo/other releases
Albums
- Frànçois et Luc - Quatre Pistes (2003), CD-R, split with Luc
- Les Anciennes Falaises (2004), Stitch-Stitch (CD-R)
- Sleeping states/Frànçois (2006), Undereducated - split cassette
- The Autoroute tapes, (2004) Stitch-Stitch - cassette, limited to 20 copies
- The Nympheas tapes, (2015) Iwillplaythissongonceagain - cassette, limited to 7 copies
EPs
- Forests Songs (2006), Stitch-Stitch - split with Ray Rumours
Singles
- "Swimmers, Drifters" (2008), Too Pure Singles Club - split with Ray Rumours
References
- ↑ Brown, Ally (2012) "Fence Records Presents... The Away Game 2012, Isle of Eigg, 20-22 July", The Skinny, 25 July 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Richard, Robert (2009) "François & The Atlas Mountains - Plaine inondable", lesinrocks.com, 25 September 2009, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Médioni, Gilles (2011) "La pop minimaliste de Fránçois and the Atlas Mountains", L'Express, 20 April 2011, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ "Plaine Inondable Review", The Scotsman, 6 December 2009, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Buckle, Chris (2012) "Francois & The Atlas Mountains – E Volo Love", The Skinny, 5 January 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Price, Simon (2012) "Album: François and the Atlas Mountains, E Volo Love (Domino)", The Independent, 22 January 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Snapes, Laura (2012) "Francois And The Atlas Mountains - 'E Volo Love'", NME, 20 January 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Murray, Robin (2012) "François & the Atlas Mountains October Shows", Clashmusic.com, 12 June 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Nuc, Olivier (2012) "François & The Atlas Mountain au Café de la danse", Le Figaro, 6 February 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012
- ↑ Capper, Andy (2012) "This week's new singles", The Guardian, 21 January 2012, retrieved 18 August 2012