Tag: New Music
NEW MUSIC: Aufgang ‘Summer’
French, critically acclaimed, post-pop duo Aufgang is back with a sultry new single that is taking a surprising futuristic and euphoric turn without giving up their hybrid and sophisticated musical roots.
Born from the successful alliance of two strong personalities, Aufgang “blends piano, live drums and techno-inspired electronics into invigorating displays of virtuosity, which evoke the club and the conservatory, without really belonging to either one” says Pitchfork.
Songwriter and pianist Rami Khalife transcends both the traditional training he received as a student at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York and his Eastern roots – he grew up in a family of musicians and his father is a major artist in the Arab world. Drummer and producer Aymeric Westrich is an adept of DIY culture and brings along his knowledge of urban and electronic cultures, which he developed through notable collaborations with artists such as Cassius and Phoenix to name but a few.
Looking for inspiration in various artistic trends such as the disco sound of legendary Larry Levan or the poetry of diva Oum Kalthoum, these free independent spirits have shape up their new sound in between Paris, Beyrouth and New York, in reaction to the frenzy of big cities, as if they wanted to prevent the latter from eating their freedom away.
Summer proves it in a glittering manner. The freedom here lies in the disco treatment: a string section recorded at varying speeds and in different octaves — a throwback to the golden years of disco — gives an irresistible brilliance to the whirlwind of keyboards, drums and vocals. Clara Luciani, ex-chanteuse of the French surf-pop band La Femme (transformed for the occasion into an accomplice with a sirens’ song), sings her head off, making us drop the anchors of convention as she clears our path towards the light. Using Aufgang’s typical mirror-effects, Huriya — an Arab word meaning “liberty” — reflects that same quest on the Oriental side. Sustained by his solid kick and rhythms in chorus, Aymeric Westrich’s exhortation “Give me my freedom” rises into the warm winds of the Arab-like vocalizing declaimed by Rami Khalife at the summit of his pianistic illuminations. This piece is a cry destined to shatter the torpor created for us by a society either authoritarian or deceitful.
This is the dawning of a new era for Aufgang. This music is a unique and varied experience highlighting the leanings of its creators, who have decided to break down the barriers between the East and the West and take us on a colourful and emotional magic journey.
“An exhilarating one that will instantly demand repeat listens” said Musicomh.
Special Interview: RHODES
theaussieword.com goes one on one with one of the UK’s rising stars… RHODES!
Welcome to theaussieword.com RHODES. It was back in 2013 where your music began to spread, started with a demo track you did for ‘Always’ which got picked up from BBC Radio, tell us about that.
It was a crazy time because I’d gone from not singing or writing at all and I suppose hiding in the background playing bass for a band in London to having a bedroom demo picked up by radio 1. It was an amazing feeling and helped me a lot with my confidence in believing in myself as there was a lot of fears to overcome in singing and performing.
Special Interview: NATHANIEL
An theaussieword.com special interview with one of our countries much loved performers Nathaniel!
Music was a big part of you growing up, tell us what kick started your love your music.
I grew up in church and sang in the choir. It stemmed from there to my dads 9 other brothers singing and playing guitar at the family weekend gatherings.
X Factor 2012 was a big year, that’s when you burst onto the scene with your big powerful vocals. Not long after you released your debut single ‘You’ which went Top 4 here in Australia – two times platinum. Tell us what was going through your head towards the end of X Factor and in the lead up to the launch of your first single.
At the end of X Factor I was hungry to strike while the iron was hot. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity I had so I networked and wrote a lot of songs to show people and setup meetings. I wanted that record deal! The lead up to YOU was a little bit daunting and exciting. I knew it was such a great different track but because it was going to be my first single with a massive record label, it made me nervous. You just don’t know what to expect but I stayed positive and let the music do the talking.