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| | Arts Calendar / September 16 / Concerts |
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 French born Cyann specialises in music of sombre, fragile beauty. Currently based in Berlin, she first came to the public eye with the post-rock/experimental quartet Cyann & Ben which came together in 2001. Cyann (vocals/keyboards), Ben (guitar), Loic (guitar/keyboards), and Charlie (percussion/samples) create an intimate soundscape that's both cinematic and lush with varying ambient styles and analogical sounds. Within a year, the group self-released their first album, only to sign with Gooom Disques in their native France shortly thereafter. In spring 2002 Cyann & Ben reconvened in the French countryside for the recording of their proper debut. Spring, which appeared in summer 2003, was recorded in just five weeks. The indie imprint Locust caught wind of Cyann & Ben's inventive instrumental-based sound and signed the group in spring 2004. Spring was reissued in the States in March; however, plans for a second album were already in the works. Cyann & Ben went the ambitious route and explored richer dissonances and more mature pop elements, unlike the recording for Spring. The end result was the post-rock wizardry of Happy Like an Autumn Tree, which arrived in October 2004. Sweet Beliefs was slated for a March 2007 release. In 2008 Cyann left the band. Three of the quartet's four members have already reconstituted themselves into a new band: Yeti Lane, who have a MySpace page up already and a limited-edition 7" on the way next month. Only Cyann was outside the bubble on this one. She has pursued a solo career. Her work, normally centred around the piano, is highly atmospheric, her vulnerable voice floating over shadowy soundscapes that express a deep sense of melancholy with a singularly romantic elegance. Only those with a stone cold heart can fail to be moved by the sparse frailty of her "I'll Be Waiting" or the dreamy, unhurried magic of "Walls of Silence". More info
Sixteen Tons  |
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