reflection

piano

Alexis Ffrench

Music to Quiet Your World

flute accompaniment

my music

Performed by Alexis Ffrench and the Gagliano Strings, from the album Stolen Lullabies out now on 2NX.

For more info visit: http://www.2nxmusic.com

Order the CD at: http://www.boosey.com/pages/shop/product_detail.asp?id=2084309

Alexis Ffrench is renowned for his evocative solo piano work, combining a contemporary feel with classic sensibility; the embodiment of beauty and calm in an otherwise frantic world.

This new collection of works for piano and chamber strings brings with it an emotional intensity that looks set to cement Alexis' reputation as a composer of rare and contemplative beauty - with powerful contrasts, epic landscapes and, above all, timeless melodies.

The delicate, motivic interplay between parts is at times reminiscent of Fauré, while the graceful minimalism recalls more recent works, such as that of Max Richter and Clark's Black Stone from his 2012 release Iradelphic on Warp Records.

Stolen Lullabies also includes four brand new bonus arrangements of some of the highlights from his previous albums, The Secret Piano and Piano Karma, both of which were 'Albums of the Week' on Classic FM Radio and have gone on to enjoy great popularity with Classic FM listeners.

"a knack for writing beautifully contemplative piano music" - Classic FM

"Beautifully simple music, leaving room for the listener to experience the magic for themselves" - Classic FM

Recorded at the Paul David Music Studios, Uppingham School, Rutland
Engineer: Arron Gourlay
Executive Producer: Arun Sethi
Mastered by Taz Matter at http://www.imagempm.com
Cover Art: Taz Mattar

Press Enquiries: arun.sethi@imagem.com // +44 (0) 20 7054 7275
Licensing Enquiries: rupert.hollier@imagem.com (UK), steve.king@imagem.com (USA)
For more information, please visit http://www.alexisffrenchmusic.com

Alexis Ffrench - A Wondrous Path (2NX003)

Taken from moogmemory (2016)
https://matthewbourne.bandcamp.com/album/moogmemory

Friday 4 March - BRISTOL Colston Hall
Saturday 5 March - LONDON BFI
Sunday 6 March - SALFORD, Islington Mill
Thursday 17 March - BRIGHTON Komedia
Friday 18 March - SOUTHAMPTON Turner Sims 
Saturday 23 April - GLASGOW Outskirts Festival. Platform


Pre-order moogmemory

Daniziel

Taken from his forthcoming album 'Spells' out June 10 on Erased Tapes.

Pre-order the LP/CD/DL here: www.erasedtapes.com/store/index/ERATP085
iTunes: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spells
Spotify: http://snip.ftpromo.net/goldentimes
Bandcamp: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spellsbc
or any other good record store worldwide

"It's just incredible" – Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6 Music
“Strangely upbeat nocturnes" – The Wire

‘Spells’ merges programmed piano pieces with live instruments, combining the controllable technical world and the often unpredictable aspects of live improvisation. In some ways it continues where his underground debut ‘Gravity’ left off, though a lot of weight is lifted, making room for a lighter and more energetic listen. Friend and fellow Erased Tapes artist Nils Frahm mixed and mastered both albums. Ben is not a master pianist like his dear friend, but his sound collages are so meticulously designed that after hearing the result an impressed Nils declared: “from now on, if anyone asks – this is a real piano”. 

His intricate, humanised programming – enhanced by drummer Achim Färber, cellist Anton Peisakhov and harpist Lara Somogyi, and a considerate selection of echoes, delays and compressors – has been used to create a hybrid sound that intends to deceive, question and challenge existing listening habits. Utilising the contrast between reduction and decoration, ‘Spells’ can be seen as a quest to find out how much or how little composition is required to constitute a song. Why the ear can and should be deceived about the authenticity of instruments. What significance these instruments have within this process, and why the personal perception of balance and sound exclude ultimate truths. 

Linking the two albums are the four movements of ‘Nocturne’, an ever-developing conversation that on occasion flirts with the grandeur of compressed rock drums. The first single, ‘Golden Times 1’, received a world premiere by BBC 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs, proclaiming it as "incredible." An alternative version of ‘Sleepers Beat Theme’ – composed for the soundtrack to a short film about the Trans-Siberian Express – opened Jon Hopkins’ Late Night Tales album from 2015, who noted “I thought it was such a calming and sensitive piece that sounded to me like the beginning of something...the warmth and depth of the sound entrances me every time”. 

Though ‘Spells’ and ‘Gravity’ are his first albums recorded under his own name, as acclaimed electronic producer HECQ he’s released nine albums since 2003, exploring everything from ambient to breakcore. He has simultaneously established himself as a trusted composer and sound designer, working for a wide array of clients including Amnesty International and Marvel Comics; composing for feature films, games, art installations and convention opening titles.

After embracing this demanding line of work, in 2010 Ben felt the need to explore his roots and early education, which inspired these albums under his own name. Born in 1981 as the third child of opera singer Deirdre Boysen and actor Claus Boysen, his classical music training on piano and guitar began when he was seven years old; the works of Bruckner, Wagner and Bach laid an important foundation. Rediscovering this music shared with his parents – united with the sounds of Autechre, Cristian Vogel and Jiri.Ceiver to Pink Floyd and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – brought back an understanding of why he wanted to write music in the first place.

“Finding my views understood, reflected and welcomed by Erased Tapes was an encouraging experience, crowned by the offer to release ‘Spells’ and re-issue ‘Gravity’ with them. Through many caring conversations with Robert I felt that there’s no better home for the existing ideas and no better cradle for new ones.”  – Ben Lukas Boysen 

TRACK LISTING:  	

01. The Veil  02. Nocturne 3  03. Sleepers Beat Theme  04. Golden Times 1
05. Nocturne 4  06. Keep Watch  07. Golden Times 2  08. Selene

Spells

Golden Times 1

Buy LP/CD/DL

Ben Lukas Boysen – Golden Times 1

Digits

A track that was planned for the "Connection" LP, but didn't end up there. There was always a plan to include it on a EP later on, but somehow it didn't happen. We liked the track and wanted to do something with it, but we'll start by throwing it up here.

Coastline

And if I told you that I loved you
You'd maybe think there's something wrong
I'm not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is one
Those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear are lost (Sting)


DD-SHAPE OF MY HEART (STING COVER)

Shape of my Heart (Sting Cover)

it`s recorded with Guitar Yamaha NCX900R, Guitar Garrison AGD-400-CE, Fruity Loops studio 8, Sound forge 10

Shape of my heart (sting cover)

BEATLES - HERE COMES THE SUN (piano instrumental cover)

COLDPLAY - PARADISE (piano instrumental cover)

Brief 1: Pure

Brief 1: Subtract

Brief 1: Two Hearts

Brief 3: Hope

Brief 3: Kindred Spirit

Brief 3: Reflections no.4

Brief 3: Remember Me

Brief 3: Spiral

Brief 3: Tomorrow

Brief 3: Truth Vibrations no.1

Brief 3: Verde

Brief 3: Winter Snow

Brief 3: Wishing

The Cut is a 5 track EP, released in 2005 under the name 'Avon' on Karvavena Records.

"This EP will blow you away - stunning, soulful, eerie, beautiful, jazzy electronica", Untitled Music.

Prelude was used on an advert in the USA for Axe deodorant. City at the Edge of the World features the vocal talent of Lucy Heyman who co-wrote the track . The Return of Zak Danube got my old friend Zak Danube, originally from Montreal but who now lives in Paris, to come and see me in Bristol and finally stick his flute in front of a mic. Older Central is a re-working of the track 'Old Central' from the 2004 album 'Salary Man'.

Castaway was used along with various other tracks (unreleased) in the Arts Council England film 'Cultural Cargo'.

The Return Of Zak Danube

GLEN HANSARD FALLING SLOWLY (piano instrumental cover)

GLEN HANSARD - FALLING SLOWLY (piano instrumental cover)

Ilya Beshevli - The Pursuit of Happiness

Christina Vantzou is 1/2 of The Dead Texan (a project shared with Adam Wiltzie of Stars of the Lid). Christina explores similar terrain with "11 Generations Of My Fathers" which is taken from the compilation, 'SMM: Context", due March 1, 2011 of Ghostly International.   