FIVE STARS Shindig!

“THERE IS A PURITY AND BEAUTY TO THIS MUSIC THAT SHINES A LIGHT” UNCUT

"A POTENT NEW PAIRING" MOJO

Introducing La Nouvelle Musique - Joanna Beck & Ian de Silva - a new duo for Fruits de Mer Records (we seem to be making a habit of supporting duos); we introduced them via a limited-run lathe-cut single, and now we're releasing their first album on vinyl, and it’s really very good.

La Nouvelle Musique are London based; occasionally reminiscent of Nico and Francois Hardy, their music is rooted in what they refer to as as cinematic psychedelia, mixing the psych/folk elements of folktronica with a vocal style that falls somewhere between Siouxsie Sioux and Trish Keenan of Broadcast, together with an orchestration on some of their songs that gives them a 'big screen' treatment; all bar one song (Sandy Denny's 'Carzy Lady Blues' are written by the duo.

Singer/Bass Player - Joanna Beck is also a composer and performance artist who also creates electroacoustic music, sonic art, and has scored for theatre and film.
Guitar - Ian de Sylva, has releases with previous bands through Rough Trade Records and The Medicine Label.

They work as a self-contained unit, writing, recording and producing their music at Berwick Street Studios in Soho, London (which is where Ultravox recorded 'Vienna' and The Sex Pistols recorded their version of 'My Way', although not at the same time).

track listing:
1. The Mirror
2. New Blood
3. Ballad Of A Broken Wing
4. Crazy Lady Blues
5. Spirit Level
6. Time Ticks Slowly
7. Catalonia
8. Polestar
9. Still Life
10. Forest Fire
11. Epitaph

Shindig!'s Jeff Penczak gives the album five stars...
" Joanna Beck and Ian de Silva offer “new music” with a cinematic twist - they call it “cinematic psychedelia” and incorporate folktronica and baroque orchestrations with Beck’s fluttering vocals and delicate piano accompanying de Silva’s acoustic guitar to enhance the mood.
The haunting ‘The Mirror’ and intimate ‘Polestar’ establish a relaxing, quiet atmosphere that permeates the album. But there’s still room for the raucous ‘Catalonia,’ ‘New Blood’ features gorgeous girl-group harmonies with a Raveonettes vibe, and ‘Ballad Of A Broken Wing’ is tailor-made for some future soundtrack.
I enjoyed the trumpet embellishments of ‘Spirit Level’, ‘Still Life’ is an upbeat hit-in-the-making, and da Silva’s nod to the Flying Burritos (‘Forest Fire’) and their wonderful Sandy Denny cover (‘Crazy Lady Blues’) suggest a very eclectic record collection indeed! ‘Epitaph’ is the perfect closer, with bells, soaring vocals, and a slightly melancholic lyric."

Not only that, Jeff also interviewed the duo...