40 ...... Sunday, February 18, 2018 1SM MUSIC Album was reaction to the Paris attacks

RISING UP . . . Phoenix are planning to tour after new album was launched

HORROR . . . Paris terror attacks

by RACHEL MACPHERSON FRENCH band Phoenix poured their heart and soul into hit album Ti Amo after the horror terrorist attacks in Paris. Guitarist Christian Mazzalai told how their capital was rocked by three atrocities as they returned to the studio. He said: “At the time when we were writing the album, there was some tension in Paris. Ti Amo became more of a subconscious reaction to what was going on. “What we like is pure emotion in our music because that’s a subconscious part of the way we are. “We do not try to deliver messages, we prefer music that for us has a spark. “We were just experimenting in the studio. We didn’t know react. When we Phoenix still never know what to a treat. Christian said: “We love where to go or what write songs it’s expect when they go on tour. Glasgow and the Barrowland is exactly we wanted to about the four of He said: “When we play a one of our favourite venues. write when we went to us and we are concert it’s a challenge. But that’s “So we’re looking forward to the record. We were just totally separate the beauty of a live show, it could concert there.” looking for an exotic from the outside be a brilliant night or a fantastic The band may have only made adventure. world. It’s about disaster. We just don’t know. their big breakthrough in 2009 “We didn’t predict what the link between the four “But we love the shows.” with fourth album Wolfgang Ti Amo would sound like of us. It’s almost impossible to The band play the Barrowland Amadeus Phoenix, but the group at all.” know if our songs will be a on March 26 in their first visit to have known each other for years. The band, who are playing in is more than just a friendship.” success or not.” Glasgow for four years. While bandmates Laurent And their music is a good Glasgow next month, are well Phoenix have been going since And they have a few Brancowitz and Deck D’arcy have known for bringing a continental surprises up their sleeves for fans. reflection of their relationship — a the early naughties but, unlike remained in France, frontman mash-up of the genres they have twist to their indie pop rock sound their last five records, Ti Amo was Christian said: “We love to have Thomas Mars flew in from New and for their mix of English and guests in our shows, but they have York, where he stays with movie enjoyed together over the years. about more than just the music. But what’s next? French lyrics. The band spent two and a half to work with the sound. Anything director wife , to But the Versailles quartet are years writing and creating a bright is possible.” write Ti Amo. Christian said: “We are going on perhaps most known for their hits pop-soaked album in 2014 brim- The band have played with fel- Despite the distance, Christian tour, playing some festivals in the 1901 and If I Ever Feel Better. ming with summery synths and low French hit-makers Air and said Phoenix was as close as a summer, before trying to write Yet when it came to Ti Amo, striking dance beats. in the past, so who family. some more songs. Christian says they weren’t looking Last year marked the band’s first knows what to expect when they He said: “We’ve been friends for “And we have some very special to create another hit. world tour since that fateful year. come to Glasgow next month. years and we have travelled to so shows lined up.” He said: “It’s totally impossible And Christian reveals that But if it’s anything like what many cities. We love music and we lTickets for Phoenix on March 26 are to know how other people will despite all their years on the road, they’ve done before, fans are in for love making music together. This available at wearephoenix.com/live

FOLDA you eventually get to do it. When we first tried WHERE: Edinburgh writing for this band it was very easy to fall back on WHO: David Ritchie (vocals/keys), Mark Morrow NEW our old guitar habits. We decided to try our (guitar), Ewan Simpson (bass/keys), Steve hardest to make this something fresh and new. Morrison (drums) MUSIC “Guitars still feature in the sound but usually FOR FANS OF: The 1975, MGMT, Prides very subtly, rather than the driving force. Although JIM SAYS: Edinburgh producer Mark Morrow’s a the music is quite pop-based, we still want the lyrics to have some depth to them.” guy I’ve mentioned a lot over the past few years. Suit. Fronting the band is singer-songwriter David He’s worked with some of my favourite After teasing debut track Aurora in January, Ritchie, who also turns his hand to keyboards. Folda officially launched themselves last month. emerging acts including Mt Doubt, Vistas, Noah Ewan said: “David was the only person we The time spent perfecting their sound in the Noah, Huxtable and Indigo Velvet. wanted to front the new band. Mark had recorded studio has paid off. The buzz is starting to grow He seems to be one of the “go to” names in the his solo project a few years earlier and had been with tastemaker blogs like Club Decode and Alive capital for getting great recordings. very impressed by his voice.” & Amplified getting behind them, plus support I was excited to see what direction his own They had to re-educate themselves as the Folda from Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland. music would be going in when he got in touch at sound developed. Ewan added: “All the bands They have just released their second track the start of the year to unveil Folda. He compared we’ve been in previously have been heavily guitar Cassiel. Another slice of edgy alternative pop, it’s it to Everything Everything and The Japanese based. Almost 100 per cent of our time as Folda further evidence the band are set to make a major House, which further sparked my interest. has been spent in the studio, building songs up breakthrough — and the debut gigs shouldn’t be It’s a different vibe to the music he and band- from scratch in Pro Tools. It’s not simply a case of too far away. Ewan said: “It’s a bit of a learning mate Ewan Simpson previously made as part of getting in a rehearsal room and seeing what curve using new technology, but it’s all coming indie rockers The Winter Tradition. Folda give us happens. It makes playing it really exciting when together nicely.” some dark electro-pop that sucks you in from the MORE: facebook.com/foldaband first beat. lJim presents a weekly showcase of New Music Guitarist Mark and bass and keyboard player Watch a video of the band playing on Amazing Radio Sundays 2-4pm. Ewan are joined by drummer Steve Morrison, who at: www.thescottishsun.co.uk amazingradio.com played with Idlewild’s Rod Jones in The Birthday jimgellatly.com