Angine de Poitrine

Impossible to say exactly what's going on here, but it's absolutely incredible.

Angine de Poitrine look like a novelty act. Somewhere between Daft Punk on a budget or Strawberrry Switchblade after a couple of strange decades. But musically, there's no questioning them. 

There's a lot going on here, some kind of high-speed progressive instrumental rock re-imagined for the 21st century. Complex but approachable, shot through with an absurdity that doesn't take itself too seriously or fall too heavily in the ditch of heavy-handed humour.

Maybe the double-necked guitar made me think more prog that it should. There's certainly something of Gong or Ozric Tentacles going on. Maybe faster. Something of Beefheart or Zappa, but more nimble.

Angine de Poitrine are from Quebec, the performance is from December's Les Trans Musicales in Rennes. I can confirm while it's the kind of festival that's full of eye-opening acts, this performance has had around 2 million views on YouTube, well beyond what might be considered 'usual'. 

But this isn't exactly the usual, is it?

Transmusicales Preview: Louise Roam

Louise Roam is another developing artist getting some much deserved exposure at this year's 
Transmusicales festival in Rennes.

She's got three shows at the Aire Libre, during the course of the event, so there's no excuse to miss a set if you're at the festival.

Roam, known to friends and family as Aurélie Mestre, released her first EP last spring. The four track Rapture release shows an artist as familiar with the organic as she is with the electronic, as capable as working with texture as she is with rhythm.

Louise Roam plays the Aire Libre venue on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Transmusicales Preview: Holy Strays

Many interesting acts on the bill at this year's Transmusicales event in Rennes next month, a key showcase
for emerging acts in France.

One that got my attention was Holy Strays, a project by Sebastien Forrester, an artist working in a particularly interesting area of electronic music.

There are touches of classical and some dub, but it's a fascinating blend. He's been active for a couple of years, and the Paris-based artist has started to establish a very credible reputatuion,

France has excelled in this field in recent years, and with acts like Holy Strays there are signs that the future of the genre in French hands is a good one.

Transmusicales preview: Inüit

The Transmusicales festival is all about new and emerging acts, and while acts from across France andbeyond get the chance to impress on the big stage, the inclusive nature of the event sees it extend into the city centre, where the L'étage venue hosts a series of shows, almost like a mini-festival within the larger event.

There is a programme of free shows on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday, meaning that the festival is not just for those able to attend the late night sets at the parc expo on the edge of the city.

The late afternoon/early evening times mean that the truly dedicated can of course fit in both in the course of a full-immersion in music over the course of several days.

Getting proceedings under way this year are Inüit, who perform on Thursday afternoon. They are a six-piece from Nantes, associated with that city's Conservatoire. But what they perform is not any rarified classical material, but a very organic and unique electroacoustic thing.

Their debut EP is released in January 2016.

Trans Musicales 2015: Final names unveiled

A third and final line-up announcement for the Trans Musicales 2015 event in Rennes later this year.

It takes the number of acts confirmed for this year to 77, thirty having been named in recent weeks.

It's as eclectic and forward looking line-up, as you might hope for from the festival that has showcased some of the finest emerging talent from France and beyond yearly since 1979.

Sure, some many of the names are unfamiliar. That's part of the fun and I look forward to investigating them in the weeks to come.

The Trans Musicales 2015 runs from December 2 - December 6.

Les Trans Musicales 2014 playback: Lizzo and I Me Mine

Les Trans Musicales 2014 was a showcase for many acts, giving a platform to an eclectic selection of
emerging artists.

While much of the action was at the Parc Expo, there were sessions being performed and recorded at the Liberté at the centre of Rennes.

The Ubu nightclub also hosted acts throughout the event, and national media were there to capture some of the unique performances that were on offer.

Lizzo was one artist that was attracting a great deal of attention, and as well as a set at the festival a radio session went out.



Lizzo aux Transmusicales 2014 - Fip Session Live by Fipradio

While there many international acts on the bill, there was no shortage of local talent too.

I Me Mine are a wonderful local band, their music influenced by the psychedelic sounds of previous eras, but their outlook something altogether more modern.

They too were captured up close for a session at the Liberté, playing a set there as well.


I Me Mine aux Transmusicales 2014 - Fip Session... by Fipradio