The French hooligans Noze are known first and foremost for their eccentric antics, but besides that, also for their hit compositions that instantly shoot to the top of the charts. Fans of electronic music have already worn out the Noze singles Remember Love and Kitchen.
Nicolas Sfintescu and Ezechiel Pailhes, who make up the duo Noze, actively fight against silence and bring people happiness. The latest helping of that very happiness - the group's new album, titled Songs On The Rocks - came out on April 25, 2008. This work by the Frenchmen differs from their previous releases: lots of vocal compositions, a rich instrumental sound... Though such descriptions are only good for a music textbook. In reality Songs On The Rocks is nine compositions that stylistically resemble something like a mix of classic French chanson with the best minimal-techno releases of the Kompakt label (incidentally, all of this came out on the Get Physical label, and here in our country on the home-grown Algorythmik).
On this album there's a bit of everything: the heartfelt love song Danse Avec Moi with vocals by Dani Siciliano, the boogie-woogie Little Bug, the cinematic tech-house Slum Girl, and updated versions of the 2005 hits Kitchen and Remember Love. Especially deserving of attention are the compositions Ethiopo - a punchy techno with brass parts - and You Have To Dance. From all this there's only one conclusion: Songs On The Rocks is the undisputed must-have of the "spring-summer 2008" season.
The musicians met with us on the very day the album came out and shared their impressions of music, love, books, Maria Sharapova, Dani Siciliano and the Get Physical label.
Today is the official release day of your album Songs On The Rocks. Why did you decide to perform on this particular day precisely in Moscow?
Nicolas:
Simple - we need money! (laughs). And besides, today is Easter - I'm Orthodox. We were just offered the chance to perform, and we agreed… It's really great to be back in Moscow.
By the way, how do you like "Mio"? (the concert took place at the dj-café "Mio" - editor's note)
Nicolas:
Almost like at "Propaganda". Actually, it's rather strange for us when a club and a restaurant are in the same space. That's how "Mio" and "Propaganda" resemble each other, but here it's somehow cosier.
Let's talk about your new album - it's quite noticeably different from the record How To Dance. Why did you decide to change your style?
Nicolas:
Yes, this album is based on a song-like, melodic sound. Our first album Craft Sounds And Voices was very experimental. Then we recorded the second album - How To Dance...
Ezechiel: Yes, we were only just starting to learn to write music back then…
Nicolas: So that album was more danceable. And now we've tried to combine dance, club rhythms with song-like melodicism.
Why did you decide to collaborate with Dani Siciliano?
Nicolas:
(whistles) Dani Siciliano, yeaah...
She's American, yet you made her sing in French. And on top of that, it's your first song in French.
Nicolas:
When we sing in English, it comes out with such a funny French accent. And we decided we needed to record a song in French - a corny French love song. And we invited Dani, who doesn't speak French at all, and she has a silly English accent. It came out great!
And why Dani in particular?
Nicolas:
Oh, it's a long story. We performed with her at Sonar in 2005. I really liked the way she sings, her manner of delivery. Besides, we have a lot of mutual acquaintances. Even back then we wanted to record something with her. For about a year and a half we thought about it, consulted with friends, and then said to her: "Dani, we have a song in French, would you like to sing it?". She agreed.
Ezechiel:
We do ourselves!
Nicolas: Yes, but the lyrics for the track with Dani Siciliano were written by our friend, the chansonnier David Lafore. He's very popular in France. All the other songs we wrote ourselves.
Ezechiel: It's very hard work, by the way.
Ezechiel:
Well, you know, it's very hard to write... with a pen. Well, you understand.
As far as I know, you used live instruments when recording Songs On The Rocks. Did you play them yourselves?
Nicolas:
The piano parts were performed by Ezechiel - he's very good at it. We also invited musicians who play saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitars... But the piano is played by Ezechiel.
Now a music question. The Top 5 of your favourite songs.
Ezechiel:
Laetitia Casta - anything at all.
Nicolas: Claudia Schiffer!
Ezechiel: Richard Gere!
Nicolas: All right, all right, I prefer chanson (laughs).
Ezechiel: And I like La Traviata and The Four Seasons.
Nicolas: Okay, Marshall Jefferson with his piano, some Hot Chip songs, Tom Waits - Little Drop Of Poison…
Ezechiel: Stevie Wonder
Nicolas: Yes, Stevie Wonder - anything at all! Honestly, it's very hard to name your favourite songs.
Ezechiel: Yes. Once during an interview I was asked: "Who's your favourite artist?" I thought about it and answered: "Asking a musician about his favourite artist is like asking a mother which child she loves more".
Why did you start writing music?
Ezechiel:
Well, obviously! To come to Moscow! (laughs) Actually, I don't even know. Music is love. One day I simply felt like writing music, and I took it up.
And when did that happen?
Ezechiel:
Yesterday, I think. No, no. I was about five or seven years old... I don't remember anymore. That's when.
The definition that fits your music best is techno-chanson. How do you manage to blend these styles so well?
Ezechiel:
It's all simple. Nicolas is a devotee of electronic music. And I'm a fan of jazz, of the classics… It so happened that we met and started writing music.
You have your own label, Circus Company, which released your album How To Dance. Why did you decide to collaborate with Get Physical?
Nicolas:
When we were recording this album, we realised we needed a bigger label. We wrote to all sorts of labels. Then we got to know the guys from Get Physical, and they asked us to send them the album. I thought - fine, but this album isn't at all suited to Get Physical. I'll send it to them, of course. And if they like it, we'll work together. They liked it! Yeeee!
You probably know nothing about this, but I'll tell you. In Russia, as everywhere in the world, your album Songs On The Rocks came out officially today thanks to the Moscow independent label Algorythmik.
Nicolas:
No way! Excellent! The Algorythmik label? I must remember that. By the way, in France the album will come out a little later than in the rest of the world.
And what do you think about the distribution of copies of the album on the internet?
Nicolas:
It's good! People can listen to the album. That's really great.
Nicolas:
My girlfriend's book.
Ezechiel: And I love books about tennis. In Russia, by the way, you have excellent women tennis players. There's a very beautiful one... what's her name... Sharapova! An absolute beauty! And what was the question? I've already forgotten. Ah yes, favourite book. A dictionary!
Have you read Laurent Garnier's book "Electrochoc"?
Ezechiel:
Nicolas! Have you read Laurent Garnier's book about techno?
Nicolas: No, no... My brother was given it for Christmas. I haven't read it.
What are you planning to do in the near future? What are your plans for the future?
Nicolas:
I don't know. Right now we're setting up a new studio. It's too early to talk about the next album. But we have lots of ideas. We want to put together a new Noze live programme - with musicians. The first such performance will be a concert in Bratislava - with a live saxophone and trombone.
What gear are you using for the live set right now?
Nicolas:
Two computers, a huge mixer, an analogue synthesizer, a MIDI keyboard and an effects unit. And a couple of microphones to sing into.
As far as I remember, you've performed with a saxophonist before. Why didn't you bring him to Moscow?
Nicolas:
Because this club is too small. Performing with musicians needs a big stage, like at Sonar in Spain.
Wouldn't you like to perform with an orchestra? Like Portishead.
Nicolas:
Maybe. We do everything gradually. Maybe someday a symphony orchestra will accompany us.
Noze's album Songs On The Rocks came out in Russia on April 25 on the Algorythmik label
