GARANCE LOUIS & THE MITOCHONDRIES ALBUM LAUNCH
Since moving to London in 2010, Garance Louis has established herself as a powerhouse of the underground live music scene. The extrovert, eccentric composer, singer and accordionist from Perpignan has made her name in some of London's most interesting venues, as well as busking on the streets themselves.
Her surreal performances have featured bizarre costumes and otherworldly themes, perfectly complementing songs about absurd abstraction, procrastination, star-crossed open relationships; intoxicating love, plus rebirth in the Amazonian forest. The playful Garance always wears a smile, finding humour in physical theatre, funny faces and the clown inside us all.
Growing up in the independent 'Cinémaginaire' in the South of France, Garance spent her childhood travelling the world, her head filled with the sights and sounds of the movies. The nomadic spirit stays strong with her, with an impulsive trip to New Orleans on the cards, and her past history of running away with the circus.
Continuing the creative journey, 'Balance L'Aurore' shows off Garance's discovery of music production, bringing a new vitality and direction to her sound, while staying rooted in French Chanson, Psychedelic Folk and old Venezuelan Mambo. The record features more than 25 musicians, with a horn section masterminded by jazz legend Ewan Bleach, string quartet, heavy synths, tremolo guitar and full rhythm section. Every track has a rich and distinct orchestration, making the album a celebration of musical daring. Nothing is off limits. Having produced the album herself, she teamed up with world music guru Sonny Johns (Portico Quartet, Ali Farka Toure), to mix an
album brimming with invention and integrity.
The launch itself will be a unique, one-off show involving 15 musicians from the new record, with some impressive costumes on display. Garance will create an immersive musical experience at the creative hub which is Total Refreshment Centre.
LEONIE EVANS
Leonie Evans started performing at the age of 5 and has never stopped....Her never ending tour has brought her to the furthest reaches of Britain, Europe, Japan & the USA. What sets Leonie Evans her apart from just a discography and list of tour dates are the countless guest vocals, collaborations, performances in the streets and jazz clubs of New Orleans, spontaneous jams at parties and festivals and, perhaps most precious of all, the sprawling web of connections growing between Leonie and her ever-expanding family of musical sisters and brothers.
Her output to date has included two exquisite albums of dreamy, jazzy, unclassifiable song craft as part of the Bristol-based quartet Rae, a series of limited edition solo CDs, and a just-released, ecstatically recieved album 'Collaborations Volume 1', recorded in 9 different locations and featuring 34 guest musicians. Artists featured include Riognach Connolly (The Breath/ Honeyfeet), Brooke Sharkey, Liam Magill (Syd Arthur) and Adam Beattie. Expect some surprise guests at this performance!
"I was just blown away by her" Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 2016